News

The National Sheriffs Association (NSA) is calling on Congress to take immediate action on cartels, especially considering the Americans killed in Mexico recently. New initiatives in Congress are calling on the U.S. government to use more determined tools to degrade, undermine and eliminate the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico.

NSA officials applauded these efforts and asked Congress to use its legislative authorities to build a comprehensive system of manpower and other tools to prevent illicit drugs from being produced, smuggled and sold on American streets.

WASHINGTON – Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma City) has introduced legislation to allow people who do not itemize on their federal income taxes to deduct charitable donations.

The Charitable Act, launched during a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol by Lankford and Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, the legislation’s co-sponsor, along with leaders of the United Way, YMCA and Salvation Army on hand, will permit taxpayers who do not itemize to deduct charitable donations at up to one-third of the standard deduction. 

LAWSUITS

Discover Bank vs. Sam Joseph for $6,161.17 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Janet Wiles for $1,676.46 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC vs. Brandon Allen for $34,347.83 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC vs. Kelly S. Weber for $133,990.74 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 11, Block 1, Plantation Addition, Mustang.

Vicki Proctor has served 23 years on the Municipal Planning Commission.

The El Reno native was honored for that service and her overall commitment to the community at last week’s city council meeting.

The week before, she was honored by the American Planners Association as the Oklahoma Outstanding Citizen Planner for 2023.

Proctor was nominated by the city of El Reno and in particular, City Planner Dustin Downey.

Former El Reno resident Alan B. Hollingsworth has announced the release of Heavenly Blues, the final book of his trilogy collectively known as The Brainbow Chronicles.

Writing under the pseudonym John Albedo, Dr. Hollingsworth has been working on this trilogy for over 20 years, with the first installment titled Nutshell published in May 2021, followed by Cannibal Club in May 2022, and now Heavenly Blues, all three volumes from Black Rose Writing (San Antonio, Texas).

A Yukon woman could face a long prison sentence for her alleged role in an armed robbery at a truck stop in far west Canadian County.

Hilary Ebera Iannuccilli, 55, was formally charged Feb. 23 in Canadian County District Court with three felonies – first-degree robbery, conspiracy and trafficking in illegal drugs.

Her alleged co-conspirator in the truck stop heist was Watonga’s Dairious Laundrell Kearney, 28. He has been charged with first-degree robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy and possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate has unanimously approved a bill to create the Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail. Senate Bill 509 by Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, and Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, will connect all-black towns and locations significant to the civil rights movement, including many Native American sites of historical significance.

The trail will also help stimulate tourism, foster entrepreneurship and promote economic development within these communities.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 187. The bill, authored by Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, increases the amount birth mothers can receive for living and transportation expenses through the adoption process.

“This is a pro-family measure as it supports birth mothers who wish to place their child in a safe and loving home through adoption,” Burns said.

“We continue to see costs for basic necessities rise, and this bill will help these mothers pay for utilities, food, travel and other allowable child-care costs.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Majority Leader Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, secured unanimous passage of a bill that would grant a tax credit to people who serve as caregivers to older family members at home.

House Bill 1368 – the Caring for Caregivers bill – would allow a tax credit to individuals who are caring for family members who are over the age of 62 and meets specific qualifications.

LAWSUITS

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Stefan Crews for $5,090.05 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Synchrony Bank vs. Criston Kennedye for $2,946 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Synchrony Bank vs. Chris Anderson for $6,146.53 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Synchrony Bank vs. Anthony Underwood for $5,218.30 to pay a debt plus interest, costs, attorney fees.

Velocity Investments LLC vs. Ivan Garcia for $5,937.99 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.