Tulsa men arrested, accused of detonating homemade explosive device
The Tulsa World reports two men were arrested after detonating a homemade explosive device near Tulsa International Airport Monday morning.
Michael James Oakley, 21, and Garrett Thomas Moore, 22, are accused of building a small bomb and detonating it about midnight under a covered car wash next to an airport parking garage, airport spokeswoman Alexis Higgins said.
The men are employees of a car rental company that owns the car wash, Higgins said.
Both men are being held at the Tulsa jail on complaints of placing an explosive or incendiary.
Remembering Steve Jobs
It’s been the main story for many news outlets in the last 12 hours, and even though this isn’t breaking news we want to remember Steve Jobs, Apple founder and former CEO. He died Wednesday at the age of 56.
Jobs had been battling cancer for several years and resigned six weeks ago to focus on his health.
Apple announced his death without giving a specific cause. He died peacefully, according to a statement from family members who said they were present.
“Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives,” Apple’s board said in a statement. “The world is immeasurably better because of Steve”
We want to hear from readers about the announcement and the legacy he left behind.
Has Steve Jobs changed your life? If so, was it through his creations or presentations? Did the iPhone or iPad change the way you communicate with friends or family? Let us know.
In 2005, following the bout with cancer, Jobs delivered Stanford University’s commencement speech.
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life,” he said. “Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”
Photo 1 by Jason DeCrow: An iPhone displays an image of Steve Jobs as it sits with a memorial to the Apple founder and former CEO outside an Apple Store, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 in New York.
Photo 2 by Steven Senne: An apple with tributes written on it is part of a memorial for Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on the sidewalk in front of an Apple store, in Boston, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011.
Readers react to Amanda Knox’s overturned murder conviction
There has been a lot of interest in the Amanda Knox case, and we are starting to see it grow in popularity through web searches in Oklahoma. To help readers find more coverage on the overturned conviction and trial, we’ve created a Storify below.
Feel free to share it with others, and let us know what you think about Knox’s acquittal.
Families rebuild after tornado damage
I’m visiting residents in Piedmont today to talk about the recovery process since the May 24 tornadoes. It’s part of my weekend story about financial assistance and people rebuilding their homes.
If you’re a resident in Piedmont or were affected by the tornadoes, I’d like to hear from you. Or if you have questions or concerns regarding the recovery process, send me an email at tgibson@opubco.com or comment below.
Photo by Jim Beckel: Kiley Witte, 34, far right, is comforted by a woman as they look at what remains of his home on SH 74 east of Cashion after a tornado destroyed it Tuesday afternoon, May 24, 2011, Witte and his dog were in a storm cellar in his front yard.
Jury finds man guilty in police officer shooting
Jurors reached a verdict Tuesday evening in the trial of Alex Mercado, who was accused of partaking in the ambush of a police officer last year.
Mercado, 18, was found guilty of shooting with intent to kill. Jurors chose a punishment of three years in prison.
Jurors acquitted his mother, Vilma Escalante, 53, of the same offense.
“I’m glad the system works,” said her attorney, Cesar Armenta.
Officer Katie Lawson was shot six times with an assault rifle on Aug. 29, 2010, after helping an Oklahoma County sheriff’s deputy with a traffic stop. She returned fire and survived.
Expect more coverage in Wednesday’s print edition of The Oklahoman.
Authorities investigating box found near downtown Oklahoma City courthouse
The Oklahoma City police bomb squad was called out to investigate a suspicious box found near the downtown courthouse Monday afternoon.
Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow said officers received a call about 3 p.m. Monday about a suspicious box at 200 N Harvey Ave. She said the box seemed out of place, and the bomb squad responded to X-ray its contents.
No evacuations were made, but Harvey Avenue was shut down from Robert S Kerr Avenue to Couch Drive, Wardlow said.
4:56 p.m.
Police say the box is empty and the area is deemed safe.
4:40 p.m.
The package was found south of Harvey Street Grill. Sam Fadaei, 57, is the owner of the restaurant and sat outside the taped-off area along Robert S. Kerr. He said he’d rather be inconvenienced than a victim.
“Better safe than sorry,” Fadaei said. “We appreciate all the efforts for our safety.”
Photo by Bryan Dean: Emergency vehicles and an Oklahoma City Bomb Squad trailer are parked on the north side of the county courthouse on Robert S. Kerr Avenue.
Oklahoma City police officer accused of punching husband in face
An Oklahoma City Police officer was arrested Friday on complaints of domestic abuse and assault and battery for punching her husband in the face.
Read the police report here.
Sgt. Cristy Cirillo, 32, was arrested Friday night by police after her husband said she assaulted him.
Her husband told officers they have been married for 18 months. During an argument Friday at their residence on Pentree Drive, he said he knocked Cirillo’s phone out of her hand and she punched him in the face, causing his nose to bleed, according to a police report released Monday.
Cirillo has been an Oklahoma City police officer for nine years. Master Sgt. Gary Knight said she is a sergeant assigned to the patrol division. She has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
Law enforcement officials remember Pottawatomie County deputies
Oklahoma law enforcement agencies are mourning the loss of two Pottawatomie County sheriff deputies killed in a vehicle collision Friday.
Deputies Mike Roberts, 45, and Tim Lowry, 56, were serving warrants when they collided with a tractor-trailer on State Highway 39, officials said. The accident is still under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Funeral arrangements for the deputies were announced Sunday.
Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth praised both men.
“They’ve been around for a long time and they’ve done a lot of a great work,” Booth said.
“It’s a huge loss for these families, and it’s a huge loss for this county and law enforcement in general.”
Some state law enforcement agencies have been using Facebook since the crash to post about the deputies and send prayers to their families.
