Around the County

Press staff reports

Alcohol blamed for area crash

Alcohol played a role in a crash early Tuesday morning that sent a Peck, Kan., man to the hospital.

Nathaniel Andrew Plant, 18, was taken by EMS to Tahlequah City Hospital and admitted in stable condition with head injuries.

Plant was alone in an eastbound 2005 Dodge pickup on State Highway 51 when the vehicle ran off the left side of the road and hit a tree. Highway Patrol reports state Plant’s ability to drive was impaired due to drinking and lists the cause of the 12:09 a.m. crash as drunken driving.

Plant was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred on State Highway 51 just east of U.S. Highway 62 and 7.1 miles east of Tahlequah. It was investigated by OHP Trooper Joseph Couch assisted by OHP Trooper Tommy Mullins and Welling firefighters.

Easter egg hunt next weekend

Time is fast approaching for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office annual Easter egg hunt.

The event will be Saturday, April 11 at the Murrell Home Park starting at 10 a.m. Kid Connections will help with the hunt.

Children will be separated into two age groups, up to 5 years and ages 6-12. The search areas will be cordoned off at the park, and Sheriff Norman Fisher said all children must be accompanied by an adult. Prize eggs will be hidden for kids to find. Easter baskets and other prizes will be given to those finding the prize eggs.

The event is traditionally held on the Saturday before Easter to allow sheriff’s office and Kid Connections personnel to spend Easter Sunday with their families.

Police to distribute safety info

Tahlequah police will distribute literature Saturday, April 4, on seat belt safety, child safety restraints, speeding, and drinking and driving.

All material has been provided by the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Officers will be at Muskogee Avenue and the Bertha Parker Bypass between Chili’s and Walmart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All local residents are welcome to drive by and pick up the literature.