Local & Regional

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Hear a review of the afternoon's Top Local Stories:

By KWGS News

McAlester, OK – The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) has ended a three-month undercover drug sting in eastern Oklahoma resulting in numerous arrest warrants. OBN Spokesman Mark Woodward says nearly 100 agents and officers from several departments fanned out around 6:30 Wednesday morning armed with arrest warrants for 44 defendants in McAlester and other areas of Pittsburg County accused of selling drugs to undercover OBN agents.

By KWGS News

Purcell, OK – The second of two juveniles who escaped from the L-E Rader Center is back in custody. 17-year-old William James was taken into custody this morning by an off-duty Purcell Police officer.

James and 15-year-old Dillion Herzfeld escaped from the Sand Springs facility last week. Herzfeld was captured on Monday.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Just before adjournment, the state legislature passed a measure that would prohibit Tulsa from collecting its own sales tax. Mayor Bartlett tells KWGS News, the state can't do the job as well as a private firm. The mayor indicated the city may take legal action, saying the matter "is not over."

The city has felt for years that it is not getting its fair share of sales tax revenue from the state.

By Associated Press

Henryetta, OK – Auction to raise reward money in Weleekta deaths

HENRYETTA, Okla. (AP) A Henryetta bar plans to hold an auction to raise money to increase the reward fund for information that leads to a conviction in the mysterious killing of two Weleetka-area girls two years ago.

The auction at Marvin's Place will be held Sunday afternoon. It's the third time the bar has held an auction to raise money to boost the reward funds in the case.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The head of the Tulsa Utility Authority pushes for water and sewer rate increases. Chairman Rick Hudson says Tulsa's 52-year-old sewer treatment plant is in need of an upgrade. He says without the increase, the plant will fall into disrepair, much like Tulsa's streets.

The rate hikes are a part of the proposed budget now before the city council. Under the proposal water rates would increase seven-percent, while sewer rates would go up 10-percent.

By Associated Press

Fort Gibson, OK – FORT GIBSON, Okla. (AP) Searchers have found the body of a 31-year-old missing hiker in a 10-foot-deep pool of water in a cave near Fort Gibson. Cherokee County Undersheriff Jason Chennault says the body of Joseph Rolands was found about 8:30 p.m. yesterday, about 12 hours after the search began for Rolands. Chennault says Rolands had drowned.

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Information from: KTUL-TV, http://www.ktul.com

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Denied in its first attempt, Oklahoma is applying again for federal Race to the Top education funds. Gov. Brad Henry signed the state's second application yesterday, seeking $175 million. Oklahoma's newest bid could be more competitive than its first because of two reasons a state law that backs promised reform efforts and the fact that fewer states are applying for the funds.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of Wednesday morning's Top Local Stories:

By Catherine Roberts