Tahlequah Daily Press

Local News

May 4, 2009

Heavy rains wreak havoc

Parts of northern Cherokee County were under water Saturday, but the area may have escaped more substantial damage as rain chances diminished from previous forecasts.

The Illinois River was expected to rise to nearly 13 feet by this morning, according to Friday prognostications, but Saturday predictions showed the river staying just under 10 feet today. The downpour created major problems on the north end of the county Friday.

Heavy rain was forecast for Saturday and Saturday night, with thunderstorms being likely today, although the chance of those storms lessened Saturday. Forecasters indicated they were a sure thing Friday, but listed the chances of heavy rain Saturday at 80 percent and the chance of thunderstorms at 60 percent today.

District 1 Commissioner Doug Hubbard and his crews were back on the job Saturday morning, trying to make roads in that district passable.

Tin horns were becoming clogged with debris, and Hubbard said a bridge over Double Springs Creek at Teresita had to be closed Friday.

Adjustments were also made to bridges on Iron Post Road and some other locations due to washouts.

“Some of the people up here are saying they haven’t ever seen it this bad, and they’ve lived here for years,” Hubbard said.

The commissioner said the floodwaters have also damaged some work he and his crew did in the Littlefield Slab area after floods ravaged that area last year. “It’s [damage at Littlefield Slab] about the same as last year,” Hubbard said. “It’s kind of hard to tell.”

Tahlequah-Cherokee County Emergency Management Director Gary Dotson said the local EM office received several reports of vehicles being swept off in the rushing waters. One report was in the Norwood area, but most were confined to the northern sections of the county.

Lowrey Fire Chief Larry Watts was leading some rescue efforts by helping residents in his coverage area find higher ground until the water recedes.

Dotson said the Illinois River Fire Department and Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission both offered the services of their air boats, if needed.

The Tahlequah city limits escaped the brunt of Friday’s storm after being hit hard April 18 by floodwaters.

State officials closed State Highway 10 for a period of time Friday, but reopened it to traffic later in the day. Hubbard said all of the slabs in his district had water running over them.

Text Only
Local News
  • jn mock drill 2.tif Defensive measures

    Emergency responders on Thursday rallied together to face a series of potentially dangerous situations on the Indian Capital Technology Center.

    February 17, 2012 16 Photos

  • Two dead in area homicide

    It was a scene Mayes County Sheriff Frank Cantey called “horrific.”

    February 17, 2012

  • Solid waste super says he was forced out

    City officials disagreed Monday night with the now-former Solid Waste Services department head about his departure from city employment.

    February 17, 2012

  • For many, music’s a family affair

    Music is a kaleidoscope of shared experiences, and often one with family ties. Linking a particular artist, band or genre to inspiration isn’t always easy, but names of family members are usually mentioned in recollections on how the love of music began to grow.

    February 17, 2012

  • Appointments still in effect for key posts

    Election board secretaries and tag agents are trusted with some of the most important services in a community, and while Oklahoma’s recent redistricting  won’t necessarily change how the posts are filled, it will send different players into the game.

    February 17, 2012

  • ra iguanaBAND.jpg Music that matters

    The Tahlequah music scene is as diverse as the surrounding Ozark foothills. Reflections of the past can be seen everywhere, and hints at promises lying just around the bend are abundant.

    February 16, 2012 1 Photo

  • Incomplete annexation records cost patrons the right to vote

    A casual method of record-keeping during the 1960s and ‘70s prevented a number of Cherokee County residents from voting this week in the school district to which their property was annexed years ago.

    February 16, 2012

  • School officials get lesson in tragedy

    It’s a hard fact to swallow for some administrators and law enforcement officials, but the average age of school shooters is 14-1/2.

    February 16, 2012

  • TPS staff, admins set for raises

    Tahlequah Public Schools’ top administrator on Wednesday confirmed the district’s support staff and administrators will all receive step increases next year, except for Goodsell himself, and said recent teacher negotiations were conducted to meet a state deadline.

    February 16, 2012

  • City suing property owner over land

    The city of Tahlequah on Tuesday filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against a county property owner.

    February 16, 2012

Poll

This question is not for people who have never attended church, nor those who still attend the same church they always did. It's for those who no longer attend their original church of choice. Why did you stop attending your original church?

No longer believe in that church's teachings (either stopped altogether or attend different church).
Boring sermons or music, or too many disruptions during service (crying infants, etc.)
Work schedule, lack of transportation, chronic illness or other personal issues.
Personal disputes with the pastor or other church members.
Lack of meaningful programs for youth, young adults, etc.
Moved away.
Combination of the above.
None of the above.
     View Results
Press Sports Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
AP Video
Raw Video: Bus Crash in Ecuador Kills 27 3 Dead in Washington State Avalanche Raw Video: Carnival Street Party Draws Thousands Raw Video: Bobby Brown Performs After Funeral Raw Video: Russian Motorists Protest Putin AZ Sheriff Says He's Gay After Misconduct Claims Raw Video: Boxers Fight at News Conference Iran Poised for Big Nuke Jump Raw Video: Houston's Casket Arrives at Cemetery Closing Arguments Done in Lacrosse Slaying Trial NYPD Monitored Muslim Coeds All Over Northeast Houston's Casket Arrives at Church for Funeral Fans Travel to Say Goodbye to Houston Jesse Jackson Shares Thoughts on Houston's Death NY's Dolan Elevated to Cardinal in Rome Ceremony Police: Naked Man Steals Socks From Walmart FBI: ICE Gunman Fired During Job Counseling Syria Shelling Continues Despite UN Vote NY Times Reporter Anthony Shadid Dies in Syria NYC Apartment Sells for $88 Million
Stocks
Bedlam