Miami News-Digest

Body Recovered Near Cowskin Bridge on Grand Lake; Social Media Claim Names Possible Victim By Miami News-Digest Authorities continue to investigate after a body was recovered earlier this week near the Highway 10 crossing—commonly known as the Cowskin Bridge—at the Elk River arm of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) Police led the recovery effort, assisted by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). Update — Social Media Claim A local woman, Reta Hudson , has publicly stated on social media that the deceased individual recovered from the Cowskin arm is “Roger Griffith.” Hudson identified herself as a family member in her post. As of this publication, however, no official agency has confirmed the identity . GRDA Police and OSBI continue to withhold identifying details pending formal verificatio...

Body Recovered Near Cowskin Bridge on Grand Lake; Investigation Continues By Miami News-Digest Authorities are investigating after a body was recovered this week from the Cowskin arm of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. The recovery occurred near the Highway 10 crossing—widely known locally as the Cowskin Bridge—north of Grove in Delaware County. GRDA Police led the response, with assistance from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, local emergency personnel, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), which has taken part in the ongoing inquiry. Officials have confirmed that the body was removed from the water, but no identifying information has yet been released. Geographical & Hydrological Context The Cowskin Bridge spans the Elk River arm feeding into Grand Lake. This area sits roughly seven miles northeast of Grove. Grand Lake is fed primarily by the Grand (Neosho) River, Spring River, and Elk...

The Orionids 2025 By Miami News-Digest October 20, 2025 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” — Psalm 19:1 This week, those words will again find quiet echo in the night sky. The Orionid Meteor Shower , a yearly visitation from the remnants of 'Halley’s Comet' , will traverse the heavens on October 21–22 , sending bright streaks of light through the crisp and calm of autumn’s static darkness. Their radiant point appears near the shoulder of Orion the Hunter , that familiar figure whose belt has guided shepherds, sailors, and astronomers alike. From the stillness below, it is a moving reminder of balance and order. Some might call it the choreography of celestial mechanics or the music of the spheres, others, the faithfulness of divine design. In every language, the pattern holds: year after year, they arrive lik...

An Epistle on Truth, Reconciliation, and the Light of the Gospel Una Epístola sobre la Verdad, la Reconciliación y la Luz del Evangelio — 真理、和解与福音之光的书信 A pastoral reflection composed in a Catholic spirit of truth, repentance, and charity. Suitable for parish reading and catechesis. (Author: Sunny Mars / Sean Gray) English To the Church of God dwelling in many nations and tongues, and to all who love truth: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Light that shines in the darkness (John 8:12; 1 John 1:5). I write to you not to stir up guilt, but to awaken remembrance and discernment. Truth must not be feared nor hidden beneath the garments of comfort or pride; the truth, though sharp, frees us to repentance and renewal (John 8:32; James 5:16). 1. Of the Misuse of the Holy Name We have heard of voyages that crossed the seas and banners that bore the Cross. Some came seeking trade and knowledge; o...

Cherokee Nation Opens New Sequoyah Hunting Preserve Facility, Names First Conservation Officer By Miami News-Digest | Oct. 3, 2025  Sequoyah County, Okla. The Cherokee Nation on Friday celebrated the completion of a new office and classroom facility at the Sequoyah Hunting Preserve and announced the hiring of Brek Henry, a Cherokee citizen and former Oklahoma game warden, as the tribe’s first conservation officer. The move comes as the preserve begins its fifth year of controlled deer hunts designed to support conservation, cultural practice and food security for Cherokee families. Education, stewardship and on-the-ground enforcement Tribal officials cut the ribbon on the new building Sept. 26. The single-story facility includes office space for preserve staff and a classroom configured for hunter education, outreach and conservation trainings. Leaders said the classroom will hos...

Pryor Couple Convicted in Embezzlement of Addiction Recovery Charity By Miami News-Digest — September 30, 2025 A Tulsa County jury found Jordan and Vanessa Parker guilty of embezzling charitable donations that had been given to Reckless Saints of Nowhere, a nonprofit the couple operated that provided addiction-recovery placement services. The jury imposed maximum punishments, including prison time and fines. On Sept. 30, 2025, a Tulsa County jury convicted both Jordan and Vanessa Parker of multiple felony counts stemming from their management of Reckless Saints of Nowhere. The jury found each defendant guilty on two counts of embezzlement and one count of engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses. The jury assessed maximum penalties across the counts, resulting in a combined sentence that includes imprisonment and monetary fines. According to court...

Miami News-Digest Native American Day: Honoring Oklahoma Tribes and the First Peoples By Miami News-Digest  |  Published September 26, 2025 Community gathering recognizing Native American Day. (Replace with your photo credit.) Native American Day is a moment for recognition, reflection, and respect. Observed across states and tribal nations throughout the Americas, the day highlights the history, culture, and continuing contributions of Indigenous peoples. Unlike holidays tied to a single historical event, Native American Day is intentionally evergreen: a reminder that the First Peoples remain central to the continent’s story. Roots and recognition Formally recognizing Native peoples through a dedicated day gained traction during the 20th century as tribal leaders and allies sou...

Honoring the Life of Robert Alexander Miami, OK — The community gathers in solemn respect and gratitude following the passing of Robert Alexander , a man whose life was rooted in faith, service to his country, community, and neighbors. He passed away peacefully at his home on September 23, 2025 , at the age of 90. Military Service & Community Commitment A devoted Marine Corps veteran , Robert Alexander carried the values of discipline, loyalty, and sacrifice into every aspect of his life. Local accounts affirm that his time in the Marines deeply informed how he approached all his subsequent roles. Following military service, he turned his attention to law enforcement in Ottawa County . He worked for many years as a Deputy Sheriff and Transport Officer for the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department , and also served with the Picher Police Department . In those capacities, he was more than an enforcer of law and b...

Mexico and Colombia: Independence Day By Miami News-Digest Two of Latin America’s most widely observed national anniversaries — Mexico’s Sept. 16 and Colombia’s July 20 — recollect different opening chapters of the long independence era that reshaped the Spanish-ruled Americas in the early 19th century. Both dates are marked by public ceremony, music and civic ritual, and both recall political ruptures set in motion as Europe convulsed under the Napoleonic wars. Mexico: the Grito that became a nation Mexico’s independence commemoration centers on the “Grito de Dolores” — the call to arms issued in September 1810 by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a parish priest in the town of Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato). The date widely observed today is Sept. 16, 1810, and the event is remembered each year with a public re-enactment known as “el grito,” performed...

Charlie Kirk Assassinated; Oklahoma Lowers Flags to Half-Staff By Miami News-Digest | Oklahoma City — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday during a public speaking event at Utah Valley University , sparking national mourning and an urgent debate over political and religious violence. In response, Oklahoma leaders ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff. Authorities reported that Kirk, 31, was struck in the neck by a single shot fired from a distance of nearly 200 yards while addressing a crowd of roughly 3,000 people. His wife and two young children were present. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. “This was a political assassination,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said, vowing accountability for those responsible. Born October 14, 1993, Charles James Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012. His organization quick...

A Message From Sean Gray, (Ind.) Oklahoma Ladies and gentlemen, We live in an age when the most powerful and addictive technology in history, the internet and social media, is placed into the hands of our children without restriction. And yet, when it comes to cars, firearms, alcohol, or tobacco, we as a society recognize the dangers and set safeguards. Why should this be any different? The truth is uncomfortable, but it must be spoken, and it must be heard. These restrictions do not exist, not because the risks are unclear, but because the profits are simply too great. Lobbyists for Big Tech, advertisers, and yes, even the medical and pharmaceutical industry, have a vested interest in unrestricted access. Consider this: once, advertisers targeted broad demographics. Now, with algorithms, tracking, and artificial intelligence, they shape individual behavior itself. The business model is not only to predict choices but to manufacture them. In this system, childre...

Local Rancher Regains Independence with Help from Grand Prosthetics Grove, OK — August 18, 2025 By Miami News-Digest  When Welch, Oklahoma rancher Stephen Bruce lost his right leg below the knee on July 5, 2023 , he thought his days of working cattle and baling hay were over. What began as a small diabetic foot sore quickly turned into a medical crisis that led to emergency amputation at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. “I went from working 14-hour days in the hay field to sitting in the house, not able to do anything. Everything I had ever known had been taken away from me.” Initially referred to a prosthetic facility in Joplin, Missouri, Stephen struggled with poorly fitting devices that left him back in a wheelchair and relying on his wife, Teresa, for nearly everything. That changed in August 2024, when a fri...

Perseid Meteor Shower: When, Where, and How to See the Sky’s Favorite Show The Perseids are among the year’s most reliable meteor showers. Each year in mid-August, night owls and early birds get a dazzling display—no telescope required! Perseid meteors: brightest after midnight; look northeast toward Perseus for context—meteors can appear anywhere. Best Time to Watch The best viewing window is after local midnight through dawn , when your location is turned more directly into the stream of debris. A frequent peak viewing hour is 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. local time , but you can catch meteors anytime during that late-night stretch. For the most meteors, plan at least an hour of continuous watching—showers ebb and flow. Where to Look Meteors can streak across any part of the sky. The radiant (the point they appear to fan out from) is the con...

Pro Musica Joplin Announces 2025–2026 Concert Series By The Miami News-Digest JOPLIN, Mo. — Pro Musica Joplin has released its 2025–2026 concert series featuring a diverse slate of chamber and contemporary ensembles. The season mixes cross-genre programming, celebrated string quartets, cutting-edge percussion, a special Regency-era ticketed salon, and world-class trio repertoire — all presented across Joplin’s top performance venues. About Pro Musica Joplin: Founded in 1981 by Cynthia Schwab, Pro Musica Joplin’s mission is to foster interest in, appreciation for, and enjoyment of world-class live classical and chamber music in Joplin and the four-state area. Over decades the organization has built a reputation for bringing nationally and internationally touring ensembles to the region and for meaningful community outreach, including school residencies, master classes, and off-stage performances in libraries and assisted-...

Hit-and-Run Driver Sought Following Serious Collision By Miami News-Digest | Aug. 9, 2025 MIAMI, Okla. – Miami police are seeking the driver of a GMC Sierra after a serious early-morning collision left multiple victims hospitalized. At approximately 3:01 a.m. on Aug. 9, 2025 , officers responded to the 300 block of East Central Avenue , where a GMC Sierra struck an Infiniti sedan before crashing into a nearby building. Several occupants of the Infiniti were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. The driver of the GMC Sierra fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. While evidence was recovered from the vehicle, the driver remains at large. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. The Miami Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact them immediately. Though limited coverage is available at this time, comments on the Miami Police Department’s social media page reflect both concer...

Eastern Shawnee Tribe Opens Rock & Brews at Indigo Sky Casino; Free Gene Simmons Concert Tonight Wyandotte, Okla., June 26, 2025 — The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma officially opened its Rock & Brews Restaurant & Concert Bar at Indigo Sky Casino Resort today, and capped the celebration with a free live concert by the Gene Simmons Band tonight. The grand‑opening ceremony was held at 1 p.m. in the new dining-and-entertainment venue, located inside the Eastern Shawnee‑owned Indigo Sky Casino in Wyandotte. The ribbon cutting was led by tribal officials alongside Gene Simmons of KISS fame, marking a significant milestone in the Tribe’s expansion into hospitality and cultural tourism. The Rock & Brews concept was co‑founded by Simmons and Paul Stanley, bringing a “great flavors meet rock ’n’ roll” vibe to the casino. The restaurant features scratch‑made American classics, 18 rotatin...