Miami News-Digest

2nd Annual Coffee Wars Kicks Off in Miami, OK Support Child Abuse Prevention Month with Your Morning Coffee 📢 It's that time again! Miami, Oklahoma, is brewing up support for child advocacy with the 2nd Annual Coffee Wars . This fundraiser benefits the Children’s Advocacy Center of Ottawa County , helping to raise awareness and funds for child abuse prevention. Make a donation at any participating coffee shop and help your favorite spot win the coveted traveling trophy ! Here are this year’s contenders: ☕️ The Frozen Elephant (Last Year’s Winner) ☕️ 7 Brew Coffee ☕️ Scooter's Coffee ☕️ Chapters ☕️ Starbucks The event begins Friday and runs throughout the weekend , so grab your favorite drink, d...

Washington's Clergy Reporting Bill and the Constitutional Case for St. Isidore's Religious Charter School By: Sunny Mars Published by Miami News-Digest Abstract In a time of increasing state intervention into religious life, Washington State’s SB 5375 challenges centuries-old legal protections and presents a compelling argument for why faith-based institutions like St. Isidore must be granted clear legal space within public education. This article breaks down the implications of SB 5375, makes a case for religious liberty, and ties it to the current national debate on charter schools and First Amendment protections. I. Introduction Washington's SB 5375 proposes to strip the long-standing clergy-penitent privilege, even within Catholic confession. Simultaneously, religious institutions like St. Isidore Catholic Charter School are fighting for the right to eng...

City of Miami Enhances Tennis and Pickleball Facilities Amid Growing Interest By Miami News-Digest Outdoor Court Repairs A storm in November 2024 caused damage to the fencing at the city’s tennis and pickleball courts , particularly on the pickleball side. Starting Wednesday, March 20 , contractors will replace bent and damaged fence posts . Work is expected to be completed by Friday, March 21 . Once the fence posts are in place, the Sports crew will install windscreens beginning Monday, March 24 . “We ask the public to avoid this area for everyone’s safety,” said Miami Sports & Recreation Coordinator Chuck McKibben . Indoor Pickleball Court Upgrades The indoor pickleball courts at the Ottawa County Expo Building are also being refurbished. Crews began cleaning and painting the floors on Tuesday, March 18 . Pickleball lines will be repainted as part of the improvemen...

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. ...