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Suspect in Custody

john clanton — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:15:52 +0000

Officers arrested this suspect after searching door to door, looking in trash carts, parked cars, back yards and behind fences on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Staff Photographer Jim Beckel left the office on Tuesday morning looking for weather art. Less than five minutes later, he heard an interesting call over his police scanner. Here’s what Jim wrote in his cutlines:

“Headquarters, Suspect in Custody.” Police officers converged on a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood Tuesday morning, Nov. 10, 2009, after responding to a call of a suspicious subject. Officers said the subject then ran from them and attempted to break into an occupied residence. After searching door to door, looking in trash carts, parked cars, back yards and behind fences, an officer spotted the suspect hiding between houses near NW 81 and Harvey Place. The man ran again, sprinting across a park and into the back yards of neighboring homes. Within 5 minutes, the officer in pursuit radioed to headquarters that the suspect was in custody. He was arrested in the 300 block of NW 79, just a few blocks from where he was originally sighted.

A suspect runs through a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood, trying to evade capture by Oklahoma City Police. Officers converged on a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood Tuesday morning, Nov. 10, 2009, after responding to a call of a suspicious subject. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Jim ended up with interesting pictures and an exciting morning, but we still don’t have any weather art.

-John Clanton

A busy night in Edmond

john clanton — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:54:49 +0000

Firefighters battle a four story apartment fire at the Enclave luxury apartments near the intersection of Covell Road and Kelley on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Edmond, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

When news of the apartment fire in Edmond got to the Photo department at The Oklahoman, Staff Photographer Chris Landsberger was sent toward the smoke. From the ninth floor windows at The OPUBCO tower, DOP Doug Hoke and I could see the flames from the fire that was about 8 miles away. Landsberger ended up spending about 4 hours photographing the fire, taking breaks to send pictures back from the car, in order to meet deadlines back at the paper. Meanwhile, just two miles away, I photographed a candlelight vigil for Bicycle Bob, a homeless man in Edmond, who was killed this week. A young man named Bryce Camp organized the event that drew hundreds of people to the Market Place in Edmond.

Bryce Camp bows his head during a candlelight vigil, that Camp organized, for Dwight Morgan, or Bicycle Bob, who was killed earlier this week. The vigil as held at the Market Place near Second and Broadway in Edmond Okla., on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

Pictures I Like

john clanton — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:35:15 +0000

Rebecca Tyberg, a junior at Piedmont High School, puts on her blindfold as she enters a ballroom for Dining in the dark at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond on Monday, Sept. 28, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Boone Pickens, center, holds court for a group of past and present Holdenville, Okla. residents during game day of the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Grambling State University Tigers at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Stillwater, Okla. By Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

The Oklahoman Photo Department has been busy in the last seven days. Henry Bellmon’s funeral, OU vs. Miami football, a feature story about T. Boone Pickens and, of course, high school football are a few of the assignments we’ve photographed. Here are a few images that stand out over the last week.

Gov. Brad Henry and his wife Kim pay their respects at the casket of former governor Henry Bellmon as they remove it from the State Capitol on Friday, Oct. 1, 2009, in Oklahoma City, Okla. By Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman.

Miami's Thearon Collier (28) just misses catching a pass in front of OU's Quinton Carter (20) during the college football game between the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners and the University of Miami (UM) Hurricanes at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, October 3, 2009. Miami won, 21-20. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

Military Funeral

chris landsberger — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:55:17 +0000

Michele Wright kisses the top of her son's, U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright II, casket as her husband Moore Police officer Tim Wright wipes the tears from his eye during graveside service at IOOF Cemetery on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Wright was one of two soldiers killed Sept. 14th by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2009, I covered the funeral for U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright II who was killed Sept. 14th by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He was only 26 years old.

Unfortunately, I have had to cover many of these military funerals over the last few years, and over time I have developed a love/hate relationship with covering them. I hate to see another young military person passing away before their time, and the pain their family goes through. On the other hand I want to be there to cover these funerals, and capture these emotional moments to document, pay tribute to these fallen heros, and show our readers who this person was and what sacrifice this person and family paid for our country and each and every citizen of the United States.

Sometimes there is a big misconception that I, being part of the media, am there to exploit the situation. I can say for sure that the photographers I know and for myself, this is the furthest thing from the truth. When I am photographing a funeral, I have had many reactions to my presence. I am met with some that are very upset, and can not believe that I am there doing ‘this’ to the family. Others are of complete gratitude that I am there to remember the one that has fallen. The latter is always the reason that I am there. I never attend a funeral without the family’s permission, and in doing so I comply to the fullest extent to the family’s wishes. Each family is different, some have given almost full access, and others very limited to none at all. These request are absolutely fine with me, because these difficult situations are about the families not about me, it is a privilege for me to be there.

In doing my job I want to be able to do the best I can to pay tribute, and not let them be forgotten for what they have done for all of us. I admit it is not easy for me though. I am a husband and a father, and it is hard for me to see the pain these families go through. I see these difficult situations, and I put myself in their shoes at every funeral I attend. I can not begin to comprehend the pain they are going through. It is an emotional roller coaster for me, because I do get emotionally involved, I have a job to do and it never gets easier. I am not afraid to say that I have had to take pictures through many tears that roll down my cheeks. All in all, I am always honored to be there, and always very sorry for the family’s loss.

I do want to say thanks to all the families for allowing me and my coworkers to be in attendance, and to say thank you to those that have fallen and to those that continue to serve on their missions. I wish you all God Speed.

-Chris Landsberger

Military personnel salutes the casket for U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright II during graveside services at IOOF Cemetery on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Wright was one of two soldiers killed Sept. 14th by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman.

Please take the time to view the slideshow from the funeral of U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright

Media-Out of Play

john clanton — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:21:24 +0000

Members of the media stand "out of play" during a training exercise at the former post office building near SW 5th and Hudson in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Both of you may have noticed some commotion outside the old post office building on SW 5th in Oklahoma City on Wednesday morning. Oklahoma City Police and other emergency responders were participating in a training exercise inside the building, which they called ‘Fawlty Towers.’ Mock terrorists took over Fawlty Towers, complete with volunteers, mock injuries and mock fatalities. I joined other photographers and reporters behind the Out of Play signs and tried to make pictures of the event.

I caught a flashlight right in the lens as I joined other news photographers in following Oklahoma City Police Officers search through rooms at Fawlty Towers. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Eventually, the media joined the officers as they searched the first floor of Fawlty Towers. We photograph assignments like this fairly regularly, whether its Oklahoma City Police, Oklahoma County Sheriffs department or local fire departments. Police and firefighters take their training seriously, so it’s important to show that in the pictures. But it’s also important to give some perspective to the event. I tried to include something in these pictures to make it obvious that this is training. Sometimes it can be as simple as composition, but in this case, most of my pictures include members of the media, and one of them includes my own reflection.

News photographers watch as Oklahoma City Police Officers search through rooms at the old post office building during a training exercise at the building near SW 5th and Hudson in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

To see more pictures from this assignment, and other photo galleries, click here.

-John Clanton

Your AP monthly contest results

nate billings — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:03:59 +0000

I have gotten behind on posting our department’s winning images from the monthly AP photo contest. Here are our winners from recent months. Congratulations to all.

FIRST PLACE, FEBRUARY: Residents work to clean up damage to a home in the Oak Tree housing addition on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, after a tornado hit the area on Tuesday in Edmond, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

THIRD PLACE, FEBRUARY: Firefighters work to extinguish flames in a barn that was set ablaze by a grass fire near SE 108th and Maguire Road in Slaughterville, Oklahoma, on Friday February 20, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

SECOND PLACE, ARPIL: Flames leap out of a broken gas line in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Fire crews in Oklahoma and Texas raced Thursday to control wind-whipped wildfires that destroyed dozens of homes, forced evacuations and shut down parts of a major highway. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

THIRD PLACE, APRIL: Iowa Tribe volunteer firefighter David Milby with his wife Bonnie Milby at the Integris Baptist Burn Center in Oklahoma City Monday, April 13, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman

FIRST PLACE, MAY: Oklahoma City public school students swim during the Wacky Water Wahoo water safety class at White Water, on Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

SECOND PLACE, MAY: Graduates watch fireworks following the 2009 University of Oklahoma Commencement at the Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Friday, May 15, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

VORTEX2 Day 4 Back to Oklahoma

stevesisney — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:57:58 +0000

Bad, overpriced breakfast at my okay hotel in Childress, Texas was followed by watching the VORTEX2 team (they stayed at the Hampton Inn) enjoy relative luxury and a free breakfast. Now it is back to Oklahoma.

Jacob Carley, Purdue, uses his computer in luxary in the lobby of the hotel as VORTEX2 prepares to leave the panhandle of Texas back to Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

After four days trying to shoot researchers deploying a research pod in the path of a storm, my safety minded driver drove past the deployment of the distrometer (laser rain guage) and by the time we turned around and I had jumped out of the car, the pod was out and on the ground. I got off three frames with a flash on camera. Two minutes and a mile later, the rain came in sheets, hail made the researchers put on bicycle helmets, and the light dropped to nothing. My flash shorted out after a coouple shots of the outside of the van. With my second camera maxed out at 3200 ISO I had to shoot at 1/15 second at f2.8. One shot was somewhat sharp.

Isaac Hankes and research scientist Glen Romine from the University of Illinois deploy a laser distrometer to measure particle size, rate, and direction (raindrops) as members of VORTEX2 track an emerging super cell in central Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Isaac Hankes and research scientist Glen Romine from the University of Illinois deploy a second laser distrometer to measure particle size, rate, and direction (of raindrops) as members of VORTEX2 track an emerging super cell in central Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Less than a mile from deploying the first unit, the light falls to almost nothing, the rain comes in torrents, and they must now don head gear to protect from the quarter sized hail. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

–Steve Sisney

VORTEX2 Destination Clinton, OK.

stevesisney — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:30:54 +0000

I heard from the Erik Rasmussen, co-chief investigator for VORTEX2, that the best staging area for Tuesday weather is in Clinton, Okla. The vehicles are leaving throughout the day to rendezvous in Clinton. I saw a team member in the parking lot of the Norman Holiday Inn putting Rainx on the windows of her vehicle. She is from Oklahoma City. Saw a guy carrying his computer around the parking lot and thought he was testing equipment. Turns out he is from Italy and was using his laptop web cam to show the radar and other vehicles to his friends and co-workers back home. Small World.

Jennifer Standridge with the National Center for Atmospheric Research puts rain shedding material on her vehicle as the group prepare to leave for Clinton, Okla. on the second day of VORTEX2 prepares to leave for Clinton, OK as a staging area from the Holiday Inn in Norman, Okla. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Standridge is from Oklahoma City. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Gabriele Formentini from Italy uses his computer web cam to give a tour of the parking lot to his friends back home on the second day of VORTEX2. He and other scientists are preparing to leave for Clinton, OK to stage for Tuesday storms. The Italian audience get a tour of vehicles parked at the Holiday Inn in Norman, Okla. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Clinton residents Pauline Lee and her daughter Jennifer Lee couldn't help notice the Doppler on Wheels, command and support vehicles lined up in the parking lot of the Ramada Inn on the second day of VORTEX2 as the team arrives in Clinton, Okla. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Doppler on Wheels, command and support vehicles line up in the parking lot of the Ramada Inn on the second day of VORTEX2 as the team arrives in Clinton, Okla. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

See Monday’s VORTEX2 gallery by clicking here

-Steve Sisney

Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service

dhoke — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:11:50 +0000

Jim Beckel covered the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service this morning and came up with some nice photos.

Oklahoma County Sheriff's Deputy Leroy Scott touches the brim of his hat as he lowers his head while standing among honor guards from police departments throughout the state.at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Chris Haney, Lighthorse police chief, shows his son Austin, 8, names on one of the memorials after the ceremony. Lighthorse is the police agency for the Seminole Nation. Fallen law officers were honored at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Honor guards from police departments throught the state honor fallen comrades at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Honor guards from police departments through out the state honor fallen comrades at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

To see the complete gallery click here

-Doug Hoke

Oklahoma Wildfires

nate billings — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:38:42 +0000

High winds and dry conditions led to wildfires that swept across parts of Oklahoma on Thursday, April 9, 2009. Here are some of the photos of the wildfires from the staff of The Oklahoman.

To see a gallery of more photos, click here.

Paul Norwood watches helplessly as his neighbor's home is destroyed by wildfires in eastern Oklahoma County, Thursday, April 9, 2009. These homes are in Oakwood East Addition, near SE 15 and Westminster. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Rescue workers treat a firefighter who was injured during a grass fire in Wellston, Okla., April 09, 2009. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman

Flames leap out of a broken gas line in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Firefighters direct water to fires on both sides of Westbury Street in the Oakwood East addition in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel

Paul Norwood helps a firefighter with a fire at a neighbor’s home in the Oakwood East neighborhood in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

John Brewer holds a wet towel to his face after battling wildfires in his housing addition in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

This burned home was in the path of wildfires which destroyed 12 structures in Lindsay, Okla., on Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

A firefighter runs past a house as it burns in the Oakwood East neighborhood in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Spencer firefighters rest after extinguishing flames at this house in the Oakwood East Addition in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

To see a gallery with more photos, click here.

-Nate Billings