Local & Regional

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla store owner pleads guilty to food stamp fraud

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A convenience store owner has pleaded guilty to defrauding the food stamp program.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Muhammad Zahid entered the plea Monday to unlawfully redeeming a beneficiary's food stamp benefits for cash.

A federal grand jury indicted Zahid, owner of Ghani Mart in northeast Oklahoma City, in October.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of this morning's Top Local Stories from KWGS:

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Only a few problems with ten-digit phone calling in the 918 area code. The dialing started on Saturday, but today is the first business day. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission's Matt Skinner says there have been a few hiccups.

Skinner says the biggest problems seem to involve office systems that have not been set for ten digits. However, in a few cases, some people have been able to complete local calls by dialing only seven digits.

The commission is dealing with more than a dozen different phone companies.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Wild fires are keeping area firefighters very busy. Blazes were reported today near Bristow and Drumright in Creek County. No reports, at this point, of structures involved.

Gusty winds will rapidly whip any fires that do develop.

Two juveniles were arrested yesterday in Wagoner County. They are accused of starting a fire near Highway 69. That blaze burned 20-acres before fire fighters got it put out.

By AP

Norman, OK – Chairman of OU Board of Regents dies at 72

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An official of the University of Oklahoma says the chairman of the school's Board of Regents, Larry Wade of Elk City, has died at the age of 72.

Catherine Bishop, OU vice president for public affairs, said Wade died early Sunday in Integris Baptist Medical Center at Oklahoma City. Bishop said she didn't know the exact cause of death, but Wade had heart problems.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – A woman is rushed to the hospital following a smoky late afternoon house fire in mid-town Tulsa. The blaze was reported about five p.m. on Monday afternoon. Emergency crews found the woman when they arrived on the scene near 17th Place and St. Louis.

Authorities have not released the woman's name, but she is reportedly in critical condition from smoke inhalation and possible burns. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Three children are in protective custody after a domestic violence call turned into a meth lab bust. When Police were called to a home near Independence and Lewis early yesterday morning, officers found several one-pot labs working in a bedroom.\\

Nathan Parson was arrested on charges of cooking meth. The children were evaluated and then turned over to protective custody.

A woman at the house was found in a back bedroom with the children. She was not arrested. Parsons is being held on $10,000 bond.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of this morning's Top Local Stories from KWGS:

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – What impact will the rising gasoline prices have on the city of Tulsa's budget?

That is a question the city council will ask tomorrow morning during a council committee meeting. The gasoline price hikes could put a dent in the police, fire and public works budgets.

The council also wants information about citizens being placed on hold when dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Youngsters playing baseball this season get a newly renovated O'Brien Park to use. Tulsa County Parks Director Richard Bales says practically everything kids and spectators need is new.

There are also new scoreboards on the four fields. The 1.5 million dollar upgrade is paid for with money from the 4-to-fix two project.