LAKES COUNTRY RADIO reminds you to please drive carefully and buckle up today.

At least one person was killed in an accident that forced partial closure of a highway in northwest Oklahoma City. The accident occurred Thursday afternoon on Oklahoma 74. Police say three others received minor injuries in the four vehicle crash. The name of the victim and details of the crash haven’t been released.

Meanwhile a team of federal safety investigators is helping the Oklahoma Highway Patrol determine the cause of a turnpike crash that killed 10 people last Friday on I-44. The highway patrol says it found no problem with the brakes on the big rig that plowed into traffic that was stopped because of an earlier accident near Miami.

July 3

According to a report from the Cherokee Nation Marshall service  two women 20 year old Racheal Thomas and 21 year old LeAnn McKee were jailed this past weekend in connection with the recovery of a stolen vehicle. The Marshall service said a warrant is being sought for a third suspect a male. The two women were booked on possession of stolen vehicle charges. Both women said they knew the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe owned by Dana Eversole was stolen.  Eversole told authorities the Tahoe was in her garage when it was taken.

July 10^th is the date set by the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission for the 2009 Illinois River Cleanup Event. This will be a chance for Cherokee County residents to take a trip down the river and get a free lunch while helping out with the river cleanup. Participants in the river cleanup will also have a chance to win fantastic prizes including two kayaks. The cleanup and lunch and the drawings for prizes will last from 9am until 3pm. Residents need to pre register by noon July 8^th. More info phone 456-3251

During the first meeting of the month the Cherokee County’s Governmental Building Authority approved a contract for monitoring fire alarms and wrapped up some year end business. Doug Hubbard the District One Commissioner  and current chairman of the board reminded the board members that they needed to act on a budget for the first six months of the fiscal year. A list of reserve purchase orders was also approved.

According the Cherokee County prosecutors they began the process this past Friday for the forfeiture of a vehicle that was seized earlier this year by sheriff’s deputies. The notice of forfeiture and seizure was filed concerning a 1994 Chevrolet Camaro belonging to Enrique Garcia. 18 year old Garcia was formally charged June 1^st with trafficking in illegal drugs. He is now free on a $10,000 bond on the trafficking count. Prosecutors say the forfeiture proceeding is civil and separate from the criminal charges pending against Garcia. The felony trafficking case is now set on Associate District Judge Mark Dobbins July 6^th sounding docket.

Cherokee Nation recently contributed $20,000 to four partnership organizations, including a group that raises awareness about Native American issues, a group that assists with child safety, another group that provides shelter and essential needs to the community and a special group that works hard to preserve Cherokee language and history through music. Contributions were made to the Native American Student Association at NSU, The Cherokee County Chapter of Safe Kids, Hope House of Cherokee county and the Cherokee Adult Choir. Each organization received $5,000 to help fund projects that will benefit the community.

Formal charges are expected to be filed against 35 year old Robert Wheeler a Cherokee County man who was arrested Monday on a first-degree rape charge. It was reported that Wheeler came to the sheriff’s office for questioning after the victim reported the incident on Sunday. A probable cause affidavit states Wheeler was arrested for first degree rape and domestic abuse in the presence of a minor child. An appearance bond was not set for Wheeler on Monday. Wheeler will be formally arraigned after charges are filed in connection with the assault.

According the Cherokee County prosecutors they began the process this past Friday for the forfeiture of a vehicle that was seized earlier this year by sheriff’s deputies. The notice of forfeiture and seizure was filed concerning a 1994 Chevrolet Camaro belonging to Enrique Garcia. 18 year old Garcia was formally charged June 1^st with trafficking in illegal drugs. He is now free on a $10,000 bond on the trafficking count. Prosecutors say the forfeiture proceeding is civil and separate from the criminal charges pending against Garcia. The felony trafficking case is now set on Associate District Judge Mark Dobbins July 6^th sounding docket.

This fall, NSU will bring something Big to its campuses and surrounding communities. The Big Read is an outreach program aimed at promoting an appreciation of literature. The Big Read involves guest speakers , a book distribution and other events to get northeastern Oklahoma reading. More than 30 programs are planned as part of the Big Read. These events include guest speakers, film screenings, book and reading guide distributions. Events will begin in late September and continue throughout the month of October.