Miami News-Digest

Col. Shane Riley Retires After 36 Years of Service NORMAN, Okla. — Friends, family, and fellow Guardsmen gathered at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center on Feb. 1, 2025, to honor the retirement of Col. Shane Riley , a distinguished infantry officer whose 36-year career in the Oklahoma Army National Guard has made a lasting impact. A Career of Honor and Service Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino awarded Riley with the Legion of Merit in recognition of his outstanding leadership. Riley’s military career began in 1989, and he served in Egypt (2002), Iraq (2008), and Afghanistan (two deployments) . His distinguished awards include: Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Combat Infant...

InvolvedDad: Strengthening Families Through Fatherhood Engagement By Miami News-Digest In a world where fatherhood often takes a back seat, InvolvedDad is working to change that. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, they are dedicated to empowering fathers with the tools and support they need to be actively engaged in their children's lives. Transforming Lives Through Fatherhood Engagement Founded in 2015 by Shon Hart, InvolvedDad was born out of a realization: too many children grow up without a father figure. By offering legal assistance, mentorship programs, and parenting education, the organization is making a tangible impact on families across the country. Programs Designed for Fatherhood Success InvolvedDad offers structured programs tailored to help...

Wagoner County Sheriff's Office Seeks Help Identifying Larceny Suspects Posted by Miami News-Digest | February 11, 2025 Wagoner County, Oklahoma – The Wagoner County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's help in identifying two suspects involved in a larceny that occurred in the early hours of January 27, 2025, in the 34100 block of 713 Way. According to the Sheriff's Office, the reporting party had placed two trail cameras in security boxes on January 16, 2025, securing them with black python locking cables. By 3:00 AM on January 27, one of the cameras was stolen, but the second camera successfully captured images of the suspects involved. The Sheriff's Office has released photos of the suspects and is asking anyone who recognizes them to contact the ...

OSBI Seeks Public’s Help in 2017 Suspicious Death Case By Miami News-Digest Unsolved Case in Chouteau, Oklahoma The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is renewing its request for public assistance in the unsolved 2017 death of Gregory Scott Loving, 51 , in Chouteau. Case Details Date: October 29, 2017 Location: South 432 Road and West 610 Road, Chouteau, Oklahoma Vehicle: Burnt 1993 Cadillac Last Seen: Visiting a neighbor before driving home Cause of Death: Still undetermined Investigation Challenges Authorities initially noted damage to Loving’s skull , but it was unclear whether the injuries were from the heat of the fire or another cause. The Oklahoma medical examiner had not determined his cause of death at the time of early investigations. ...

Claremore Regional Airport Celebrates Record Year and Looks Ahead to Expansive Growth By Miami News-Digest CLAREMORE, Okla. — Claremore Regional Airport (CQB) marked a significant milestone in 2024, building on its status as a pivotal aviation facility in Northeast Oklahoma. Spanning 565 acres, the airport serves 86 base aircraft, with a mix of private hangars, t-hangars, and common hangar space to accommodate growing aviation demands. The facility has seen a steady increase in operations, recording nearly 12,400 takeoffs and landings throughout the year, a testament to the airport’s thriving role in regional aviation. With its operational success, the airport has placed a strong emphasis on enhancing services and ensuring safety. To improve communication with its tenants and the broader aviation community, Claremore Regional launched a new texting service in 2024. Th...

Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey Marks 25 Years of Monastic Life By Miami News-Digest | February 11, 2025 HULBERT, Okla. — Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey, a Benedictine community in the Diocese of Tulsa, is celebrating its 25th anniversary today. Founded in 1999 by monks from the Abbey of Our Lady of Fontgombault in France, the abbey has grown to a community of 55 monks dedicated to a life of contemplation, prayer, and work. The abbey will formally commemorate this milestone on April 26, 2025 . The monks follow the Rule of St. Benedict , emphasizing silence, solitude, and constant prayer. They are known for their dedication to the Traditional Latin Mass and Gregorian chant . Growth and Development In 2010, the monastery was elevated to the status of an abbey, with Dom Philip Anderson serving as its first abbot. Over th...

Grove Announces $5.8 Million Event Center at Wolf Creek Park By Miami News-Digest February 10, 2025 | Grove, Oklahoma The City of Grove has officially announced the construction of a $5.8 million, 51,000-square-foot event center at Wolf Creek Park . This state-of-the-art facility is set to become a key venue for community events, business conferences, concerts, sporting tournaments, and more , reinforcing Grove’s reputation as a premier destination. Economic Growth and Tourism Boost City officials highlight the project as part of a broader vision to stimulate economic growth and enhance tourism . The new venue is expected to attract both local and national events, benefiting Grand Lake businesses and residents. "The event center will not only bring new business and entertainment to Grove but will also strengthen our local economy by attracting visitors and supporting loca...

High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Arrest of Suspected Car Thief on Highway 66 Pryor Creek, Okla. — On the morning of February 10, 2025, Pryor Creek Police officers received a FLOCK notification about a stolen 2021 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack traveling southbound on Highway 69. The vehicle had been reported stolen from Ohio. Officer Houston located the vehicle in the 800 block of South Mill Street (Highway 69) and, after confirming it was stolen, attempted a traffic stop. The driver accelerated, leading to a high-speed pursuit that reached speeds of up to 160 mph . The chase continued south to Chouteau and then westbound on Highway 412. Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) deployed stop sticks near the intersection of Highway 412 and Interstate 44. The suspect vehicle turned northbound on Highway 66, where all four tires deflated due to the stop sticks. Catoosa Police Department and OHP officers apprehended the driver, identified as...

Miami to Hold Town Hall on Flooding, Seeks Community Input By Miami News-Digest Published: February 8, 2025 MIAMI, Okla. — The City of Miami is inviting residents to provide feedback on the impacts of flooding at a town hall meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2025 , at the Coleman Theatre Ballroom , 113 N. Main St. The meeting will focus on the Protection, Mitigation and Enhancement (PM&E) phase of the licensing and relicensing process for the Pensacola Project , which governs the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) operations affecting flooding in Miami and Ottawa County. "This meeting is for you, the citizens. It's for you to ask your questions and for you to be fully informed," Miami Mayor Bless Parker said. "Flooding is absolutely the most important issue we currently face as a community. I sit in on ...

Miami, Oklahoma Police Officer Arrested in Missouri on Multiple Charges By Miami News-Digest Mount Vernon, Mo. — Landon Cole Corbus, 28, a police officer from Miami, Oklahoma, was arrested by the Mount Vernon Police Department and is currently held without bond in the Lawrence County Jail . He faces charges of domestic assault in the third degree and stealing property valued at $750 or more . Corbus, who resides in Mount Vernon, Missouri, was reportedly intoxicated when he allegedly assaulted a woman , leading to his arrest. Connection to Previous Arrests In his role as a Miami police officer , Corbus was involved in the December 19, 2023, arrest of Robert John Sanko Jr. Sanko was charged with disturbing the peace , and Corbus was listed as one of the arresting officers in the case. View case details on OD...

Authorities Search for Armed Robbery Suspect in Multiple Oklahoma Cities MIAMI, Okla. — Law enforcement agencies are searching for a suspect involved in three armed robberies that occurred early Friday morning in Miami, Claremore, and Adair, Oklahoma. The suspect, described as a Black male wearing a dark blue hoodie and a ski mask, was armed with a handgun during the robberies. The crimes occurred between 12:11 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on February 2, 2025. The timeline of the robberies is as follows: 12:11 a.m. in Miami, Oklahoma 1:05 a.m. in Claremore, Oklahoma 7:30 a.m. in Adair, Oklahoma After the robbery in Claremore, authorities found the suspect’s getaway vehicle, a dark gray Jeep Cherokee with blacked-out ...