Dozens of people in Muskogee are remembering a man who died after being found severely injured on a road There was a vigil Sunday for Ashton Wright The people out there say their goal was to make sure people don’t forget about Wright and to show they aren’t giving up on finding out what happened Loved ones of Wright held up signs and wore shirts with his face on them not pushed under the rug but it slows down after a month or two so I just want to remind people that we’re not going to give up on him,” said Markaya Breshears His family says Wright was a good father and loved making people laugh The goal of the vigil was to get people talking about Wright’s case and other murder victims’ cases in Muskogee “I hope they just realize it can happen to anybody I didn’t think I was going to lose my brother at 16 and my nephew obviously was going to lose his dad It means a lot to his family to see so many people supporting Wright and asking for answers on what happened to him “It’s crazy because you don’t really think these things will happen to you and you don’t really know how many people support you or in your corner Muskogee Police say Wright was found at South L St and Frankfort St severely hurt on March 31st He was taken to the hospital where he died Muskogee Police haven’t said if any arrests have been made in this case If you have any information that can help investigators you are encouraged to reach out to Investigator J 'You crave answers': Eufaula woman searching for peace after her brother found injured in the road in Muskogee before dying Muskogee Police identify 21-year-old man found injured in street before death; Investigation ongoing Kaitlyn Deggs came to Tulsa after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Broadcast Journalism Kaitlyn Deggs started as a Multimedia Journalist for News On 6 in January 2022 'You crave answers': Eufaula woman searching for peace after her brother found injured in the road in Muskogee before dying Muskogee Police identify 21-year-old man found injured in street before death; Investigation ongoing and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival is celebrating a major milestone this year as it marks its 30th annual season at the Castle of Muskogee the festival transforms the castle grounds into the year 1569 sounds and experiences of Renaissance-era England Guests are welcomed by Queen Elizabeth and her Court of Nobles as they enter the village Festivalgoers can witness thrilling jousts between knights and Danes Traditional games and artisan vendors are also featured throughout the grounds including classic Renaissance-style fare and festival favorites adding to the immersive atmosphere and engaging with guests of all ages The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival runs from 10:30 a.m The festival will also be open on Memorial Day For more information, visit OkCastle.com Alyssa joined the News On 6 team as a multimedia journalist in January 2023 Alyssa anchored 13 NEWS This Morning and told Northeast Kansans stories as a reporter for WIBW-TV she won several Kansas Association of Broadcasters awards for her anchor and reporter work For more information, visit OkCastle.com. Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox! Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Oktaha man dies after train collision on West 103rd Street in Muskogee Countyby Hadley Waldren OKLA (KTUL) — An Oktaha man died after his vehicle was hit by a train on West 103rd Street and Oktaha Road in Muskogee County According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) the crash occurred at approximately 8:23 a.m failed to yield to Union Pacific Engine 5436 and 637 at a railroad crossing Vang's vehicle was pushed approximately 1000 feet before coming to rest He was pinned for approximately two hours and eight minutes before being extricated by the Fire Department He was then pronounced deceased at the scene by Muskogee County EMS The condition of the driver is under investigation SIGN UP FOR THE CHANNEL 8 NEWSLETTER Monday - Friday 9am-12pm / 2pm-6pm GMT + 1 All financial news and data tailored to specific country editions representatives from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce were on hand in Muskogee to celebrate the groundbreaking of one of the largest lithium refineries in the country is building the facility on a 66-acre site near the Port of Muskogee which will eventually be able to produce up to 50,000 metric tons per annum of battery-grade lithium “This groundbreaking is another example of Oklahoma leading the country in energy innovation,” said Evan Brown Executive Director of EDGE. “Stardust Power Inc because they know we are the most business-friendly state in the country and our history as an energy producing state creates a perfect environment for their business to thrive.” This project will not only benefit the state’s economy but having a lithium refinery in Oklahoma is also an important step toward securing the nation’s supply chain for critical minerals By onshoring critical mineral manufacturing in Oklahoma we are reducing reliance on foreign countries for the production of critical rare earth elements “With the land acquired and necessary construction permits secured in 2024 we are excited to break ground and begin construction,” said Roshan Pujari “With continued support from the State of Oklahoma we are moving forward with becoming one of the country’s leading suppliers of battery-grade lithium Stardust Power is proud to play a key role in safeguarding America’s critical mineral interests and supporting Oklahoma’s economy.” The refinery will be developed in two phases The first phase focuses on constructing a production line capable of producing up to 25,000 metric tons per annum The second phase will add a second production line bringing the total capacity to 50,000 metric tons per annum the refinery is projected to create hundreds of high-paying jobs Oklahoma Department of Commerce900 N. Stiles Ave.Oklahoma City, OK 73104Phone: 405-815-6552Toll-Free: 800-879-65528:00 a.m > Privacy Policy + Legal Notices> Reporting + Compliance> Consolidated Plan> Accessibility Statement Our TeamCareer OpportunitiesMeeting Notices + ProposalsPress + Media Inquiries Business Relocation and ExpansionBusiness ServicesStartups and EntrepreneursData and Reports Local Governments and EDOsCommunity Action AgenciesMain Street RevitalizationData and Reports The news from Oklahoma Now (now.okcommerce.gov) can now be found on the new and improved okcommerce.gov Read our latest business news here Filmmakers interested in shooting in Muskogee now have a new online tool to access up to $25,000 in local incentives explore unique filming locations and connect with area talent Film Muskogee announced the launch of its website calling it a “one-stop platform” designed to simplify the process for producers and directors considering Muskogee as their next backdrop Muskogee was certified as a film-friendly city by the State of Oklahoma in May 2022 a designation that officials say laid the groundwork for attracting more productions to the area The new website allows filmmakers to apply for incentives scout locations virtually and access resources about filming in the area Film Muskogee says the goal is to remove barriers and make Muskogee a more competitive option for productions One of the site’s highlights is an incentive program offering up to $25,000 in local rebates for qualifying film projects The initiative aims to attract a wide range of productions from independent films to larger studio projects In addition to attracting outside productions Film Muskogee says the platform creates opportunities for local residents and small businesses to participate in film projects The website connects filmmakers with local crew members Leaders hope the initiative not only puts Muskogee on the map for filmmakers but also strengthens the local economy through job creation and spending by visiting film crews More information about the new website and available incentives is at FilmMuskogee.org More information about the new website and available incentives is at FilmMuskogee.org Core Scientific Inc. (Nasdaq: CORZ) (“Core Scientific” or the “Company”) a leader in digital infrastructure for high-performance computing and bitcoin mining and Port Muskogee broke ground today on Core Scientific’s newest state-of-the-art The 100-megawatt facility will host CoreWeave’s NVIDIA GPUs for an undisclosed client “Today we celebrate the beginning of a project that highlights Muskogee’s role as a center of next-generation “This cutting-edge project was made possible thanks to the foresight demonstrated by Port Muskogee’s team Their support and determination make Muskogee a focal point for one of the most important and dynamic technology developments in modern times creating an economic and job creation engine for the region We look forward to serving as a contributing member of the local community for years to come.” The 100 MW Muskogee data center will provide approximately 70 MW of critical IT load to power the latest generation of NVIDIA GPUs with the remaining 30 MW powering ancillary systems required to ensure optimal GPU performance The Muskogee data center represents a portion of the total 500 MW of critical IT load that CoreWeave has contracted from Core Scientific for HPC hosting operations with a total potential contract value of $8.7 billion over the 12-year contracts The site is expected to be operational in 2026 “Port Muskogee is proud to welcome Core Scientific and CoreWeave to our community a partnership poised to significantly impact Muskogee’s economic future,” said Port Muskogee’s Executive Director “This facility is more than a data center; it’s a commitment to economic progress bringing more than $4 billion in capital investment and $182 million in local net benefits over the life of the project We are excited to be part of Muskogee’s transformation into a hub for high-performance AI and technology.” According to the latest impact projections the Muskogee data center will generate a net benefit of approximately $182 million in the local economy supporting 150 jobs and average salaries exceeding $65,000 with projected property and sales taxes bringing over $12 million to support community growth OKLA (KTUL) — The Muskogee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) released a statement following a body found in a creek deputies responded to a report of a possible deceased person in the 1600 block of South 74th Street MCSO located a body partially submerged in a creek The identity of the deceased individual and the circumstances surrounding their death are unknown at this time MCSO has not released any further information The Medical Examiner's Office is working to determine the cause of death The former director and event manager of the Muskogee Civic Center has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine was sentenced on April 10 to 135 months in prison for one count of distribution of cocaine and 135 months for one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine Both sentences will be served concurrently The charges stem from an investigation led by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs agents executed a search warrant at his Muskogee residence where they seized more than nine pounds of cocaine Cruz Rosado will remain in the custody of the U.S Marshals Service pending transfer to a federal Bureau of Prisons facility and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox OKLA (KTUL) — Several violations were found at a Bitcoin mining facility in Muskogee after a complaint was submitted A Muskogee resident filed the complaint with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) The ODEQ found 10 violations at the Muskogee Bitcoin-Bifrost Substation and Miners facility the facility had no measures to contain or stop sediment from leaving the site The vast majority of the area also did not have proper stabilization measures There was also no signage posted with the permit/authorization number Seven of the violations were minor deficiencies The USS Batfish has been closed to the public since 2019 when it was damaged and displaced from its foundation by Arkansas River flooding We owe it to our veterans to save this American symbol of resilience Oklahoma has a proud tradition of honoring our veterans but true respect means preserving the places that tell their stories The USS Batfish is more than a unique landmark — it is a living tribute to the brave men who served in our Navy the Batfish set a record by sinking three enemy submarines in just 76 hours changing the course of the war and demonstrating the skill and courage of the Silent Service the Batfish has educated visitors about the sacrifices of our servicemen and women schoolchildren and families have walked its decks and gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges our military heroes faced this vital piece of history is at risk of being lost due to damage from flooding in 2019 Relocating and restoring the Batfish to Three Forks Harbor isn’t just about preserving a historic submarine — it’s about ensuring that future generations understand and respect the sacrifices made for our freedom We owe it to our veterans to protect this symbol of American resilience I urge our lawmakers to take swift action to save the Batfish and I encourage you to do the same by contacting your legislators Let’s save an irreplaceable piece of history before it’s too late Flood waters from the Arkansas River surrounds the USS Batfish in Muskogee on Thursday Letters to the editor are encouraged. Submit letters at go.tulsaworld.com/submitletter Bob Fernandez thought he'd go dancing and see the world when he joined the U.S Navy as a 17-year-old high school student in August 1941 he found himself shaking from explosions and passing ammunition to artillery crews so his ship's guns could return fire on Japanese planes bombing Pearl Harbor letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly Perhaps it would be best to leave religion out of school curriculum While Maher spoke positively about the event the president he had dinner with is not the real man May Pang boasts about this sordid tryst while telling her story with no shame at attacking the sanctimony of marriage Senate Bill 1027 seeks to silence voices by creating barriers that favor the political elite and prevent the public from holding elected offic… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account OKLA (KTUL) — A recommendation from the Muskogee City Council for the city to re-negotiate the School Resource Officer contract between the Muskogee Police Department and Hilldale Public Schools This was after the Police Department shared their desire to pull resource officers from Hilldale Public Schools to address an officer shortage in their department Muskogee Police Department told NewsChannel 8 their plans to make a formal request to the city council to vote on pulling the SRO’s from Hilldale Public Schools influx of new officers coming down the road We take one of our officers back and put them in patrol and we leave an officer there at Hilldale," said Chief Johnny Teehee with Muskogee Police Department in tonight's City Council meeting that’s what Muskogee Police Chief Johnny Teehee is calling his proposal to pull one school resource officer instead of both of them from Hilldale public schools This is as they’re working to address an officer shortage in his department "I want people to know that the SRO program is more about just security It's about relationships with the police officers and the students in our school," said Jessica Gaylor a Teacher and Parent at Hilldale Public Schools But this proposal didn’t satisfy the parents and students who got up during the public comment section of tonight’s city council meeting to share their desire for both school resource officers to stay where they’re at Francis will listen to the voters of Ward 2 when we ask you to keep both Officer Ford and Jones at Hilldale where they have developed relationships with these kids," said Cody Moore a Muskogee resident in tonight's city council meeting And as the Hilldale Public Schools superintendent Erik Puckett shared with NewsChannel 8 in a previous report they have the means to hire security officers if police pull the SRO’s but what they can’t replace is the relationship Officer Jones and Officer Ford have built with the school and students No one on this council has ever mentioned anything about money It is 100% to do with people and staffing," said Puckett in the meeting tonight While Muskogee Mayor Patrick Cale tells NewsChannel 8 that he wants to see the SRO’s stay where they’re at he says he sympathizes with both Hilldale Public Schools and Muskogee Police Department "It's a no-brainer decision for me but it's going to be a tough decision for the chief," said Cale City Councilor Dan Hall tells us they have a new city manager starting on May 5th who will re-negotiate the contract between the school and police which ends in July and then the city council will vote on that new contract in a future meeting Q: What is the "Meet Me in Muskogee" campaign all about "Meet Me in Muskogee," is being launched by the Muskogee Tourism Authority to help draw visitors to town and highlight what makes it a special destination spot in Oklahoma It gives visitors a variety of ideas for places to visit and activities to enjoy while they’re in town The campaign also shines a spotlight on the city’s history and cultural attractions Q: What are some of the key attractions the campaign focuses on The campaign lists several attractions that can be found in Muskogee and the surrounding areas and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame are just a few There are also events such as the Azalea Festival that is happening during the month of April at Honor Heights Park Executive director of the Muskogee Tourism Authority there’s something for everyone in Muskogee Q: How does this campaign contribute to the local economy Lowe says Muskogee attracts about one million visitors a year He says tourism plays a big role in boosting the local economy by bringing in people who spend money on attractions Lowe says the goal of this campaign is to not only bring in more visitors but to enhance their experience and encourage them to return Q: How can visitors plan their trips and learn more about what Muskogee has to offer Muskogee Tourism Authority has launched a new website, VisitMuskogee.com which serves as a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about visiting the city From events and attractions to tips for planning your trip People can also stop by the Muskogee Tourism Authority office to get more information and personalized recommendations She graduated from OU's Gaylord College of Journalism and is excited to continue serving the Tulsa community by sharing the stories of those who call it home Jayden Brannon joined the News On 6 team as a multimedia journalist in 2023 Q: What is the \"Meet Me in Muskogee\" campaign all about \"Meet Me in Muskogee,\" is being launched by the Muskogee Tourism Authority to help draw visitors to town and highlight what makes it a special destination spot in Oklahoma Muskogee Tourism Authority has launched a new website, VisitMuskogee.com a key initiative of the Muskogee Tourism Authority with support from the City of Muskogee has launched its film incentive program—the largest collective incentive offered to filmmakers by any small city in Oklahoma With up to $75,000 in incentives available annually this program is designed to make Muskogee a top destination for feature films “Our goal with this incentive program is simple: we want to make Muskogee the most appealing destination in Oklahoma for filmmakers,” said Bryce Marshall “By offering the largest collective incentive package among small cities in the state we’re creating an opportunity for productions of all sizes to bring their projects here to contribute to our community.” Film Muskogee’s incentive program offers rebates across three categories with qualified spending: feature films up to $25,000; TV shows up to $15,000; and commercials and music videos up to $5,000 Muskogee’s incentive program can be combined with both the state film incentive program as well as the Cherokee Nation Film Incentive offering productions a unique opportunity to stack benefits for those who qualify With close proximity to the Cherokee Nation and as an officially certified film friendly community through the Oklahoma Film + Music Office’s (OF+MO) Film Friendly Community Program Muskogee offers a range of unique filming locations that span historic sites Each production brings a positive economic impact to the city from job creation to supporting local businesses and increasing tourism “This incentive program is an important step forward for Muskogee,” said Evelyn Hibbs Board Chair of the Muskogee Tourism Authority “Not only are we providing a new resource for filmmakers but we’re also investing in Muskogee’s future Film and television productions showcase our city to a global audience and provide immediate benefits to our economy We’re ready to welcome filmmakers to experience everything Muskogee has to offer.” Oklahoma is home to one of the most attractive film incentive markets in the country with annual support and programs available to the film and television industry from state The OF+MO reports the state’s film incentive program is estimated to have created 11,150 hires and $159M in spend during FY23 and FY24 “We applaud the City of Muskogee for its support of the film and television industry in Oklahoma and the launch of this bold incentive initiative which stands to be a driver for further economic development and workforce for their community and region,” said OF+MO Director Jeanette Stanton “With the creation of localized incentives from cities like Muskogee among others in our state as well as our tribal partners at Cherokee Film Oklahoma continues to be widely recognized by many within the film and television industry for creating a culture for business development economic opportunity and support within this sector.” For more information on Muskogee’s film incentive program, visit visitmuskogee.com About the Oklahoma Film + Music OfficeUnder the Oklahoma Department of Commerce the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film television and music production as well as further develop opportunities for workforce business and community growth within these sectors For more information on the Oklahoma Film + Music Office including the state’s film incentives and additional resources Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay up-to-date on what's happening in Oklahoma Film & Music Locations and Music Directories with the OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC OFFICE APP to explore and connect with Oklahoma’s talented crew © Oklahoma Film & Music OfficeAll rights reserved.P.O. Box 52002, Oklahoma City, OK 73152Tel: (405) 522-9635 Toll-Free: (800) 766-3456 OK Commerce | Feedback | Policies | Accessibility Site managed by Pixelmongers, LLC. Forgot your password? You will receive mail with link to set new password Back to login — Body camera video shows the chase Muskogee police say a double murder suspect led them on before shooting at them Muskogee police say the chase ended near 5th and Martin Luther King Street around 6:30 p.m Bryan Wilkins body camera footage from the incident: It started about half an hour earlier in Oktaha when Muskogee County deputies were called to the Five Star Recycling Plant The investigation centers on Aaron O’Neal Wilson The 26-year-old is accused of shooting two women at the recycling plant Detectives say Wilson later came to Muskogee and shot a man near 24th St and Topeka Ave 40-year-old Rolando McConnell died after being taken to the hospital Investigators say witnesses gave a car and suspect description to police and Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse officers found him at a gas station near 40th and Okmulgee leading them on a chase with Muskogee officers in tow Police say Wilson shot at them during the chase and continued to shoot at officers when it ended MPD released these photos of the bullet holes in Lighthorse Police cruisers Officer Darien Allen and Sergeant Bryan Wilkins are on routine paid leave right now after firing at Wilson Muskogee police say they’ve arrested Wilson 20 times over 12 years including two counts of murder and several counts of shooting with intent to kill Police are investigating if the shootings in Oktaha and Muskogee are connected Honor Heights Park in Muskogee has been home to the Azalea Festival The month-long celebration of these perennial flowering shrubs has become a national attraction drawing crowds from all over North America Here are 3 things to know about the annual tradition: The Assistant Director of Parks for Muskogee Parks and Recreation "It started with a donation to Honor Heights Park of some azaleas that somebody had gotten as some plants for a funeral," he said "This was beyond the western boundary of where they could go," said Ewing the park's team of horticulturists planted more and the gardens now have over 20,000 blooming every spring making the festival one of the most celebrated in Oklahoma in April Ewing said it draws crowds from all over North America and some international visitors One example is a group of monks from Thailand that have planned a trip to Muskogee the last 5 to 6 years in a row "They would time their visit to the United States so they could come to Honor Heights Park when the azaleas were blooming," he said and while the main focus is on the flowers Muskogee Parks & Recreation has several other activities planned to keep you busy all month long and Fun Run is April 12 in downtown Muskogee and the Flower Power Bicycle Ride is April 26 Honor Heights Park is also hosting "fitness in the park" classes -Mindful Mondays Yoga every Monday in April from 12-1 p.m -Pilates in the Park April 21 & 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m -Beginners Pickleball Every Tuesday in April from 5:30-6:30 p.m -Power Sculpt April 23 & 30 from 5:30-6:30 p.m -Wednesday Walkercise every Wednesday in April at North Shelter -Resistance Band Workout April 16 & 30 from 6-7 p.m -Thursday Social Run every Thursday in April from 5:30-6:30 p.m For a look at the full calendar, visit the Muskogee Parks & Recreation website \"It started with a donation to Honor Heights Park of some azaleas that somebody had gotten as some plants for a funeral,\" he said \"This was beyond the western boundary of where they could go,\" said Ewing \"They would time their visit to the United States so they could come to Honor Heights Park when the azaleas were blooming,\" he said Honor Heights Park is also hosting \"fitness in the park\" classes For a look at the full calendar, visit the Muskogee Parks & Recreation website OKLA (KTUL) — Neighbors in Muskogee are speaking out about a downed telephone line that has been blocking one of the entrances to their street since Sunday That's a big wire down there," said Bernadette Schoats about the broken telephone pole and a downed line blocking the road She and other neighbors say it’s been like this since Sunday and they’re disappointed that nothing has been done about it "It's a nuisance because I didn't know if it was electrical or not But I'm still concerned because I have to go around," said Sheri Mitchum Mitchum says this isn’t the first time she’s been concerned about this line if you go down the street and nearby streets you can see several other drooping telephone lines and places where the line is cut this is all copper in here what they're doing is bending all of this plastic off and all the plastic off this little line in here to get all the little strings of copper out of it I'd say you know probably 50 feet of it If a hundred foot you know there's a thousand dollars gone by now," said JJ Ayers Just as surprised as the neighbors was Kadian Forbis a company that was hired to install a strain of fiber along these telephone poles "It does set us back because it does look like they need to put a new pole in right there they get that one fixed because that one over there looks like it's leaning and it's about to fall," said Forbis NewsChannel 8 reached out to the company before they showed up and they responded with a statement saying in part “We’re working to restore home phone and internet service to a small number of customers affected by recent copper thefts near 21st and Maryland Street A Muskogee family is devastated after a man died in a crash on the Muskogee Turnpike last month His family says Baylor Butler was on his way to work in Tulsa with two of his coworkers when the crash happened Baylor Butler’s loved ones say he had a big heart and loved his family especially the two young boys he leaves behind ”We had so many plans for the future and stuff we were building on and you just never think something like this is going to happen to you,” said Brooke Butler Baylor loved rodeoing and hoped his kids would get into it one day too He was a family man and adored his two boys “It’s kind of sad because Baylor’s going to miss out on that,” said Butler “Just the things I used to look forward to RELATED: 2 men killed in multi-vehicle crash on Muskogee Turnpike; Investigation underway Brooke says Baylor had just celebrated his birthday before the crash Brooke says he was at the peak of his life when he died in the crash “It’s just hard to accept the reality of what my life is now,” said Butler “You just think that he’s going to come home I still think he’s going to walk through the door and it’s just really hard to accept the reality of the rest of our life Brooke says Baylor was headed to work in Tulsa that morning a place where he was known to make everyone smile She says he would go on his lunch breaks and play basketball with his coworkers “There’s not one person that I’ve talked to that had anything bad to say about Baylor The boys are what’s helping Brooke wake up in the morning “I can’t just lay in bed and be sad and I have to be a good mom for them still and I know Baylor would want me to still be the best mom I could be to them and they’re really my motivation to keep pushing forward and just try to navigate the rest of my life as best as I can without him,” said Butler Brooke’s message now is to hold your loved ones right “It’s hard to be out in public and see a couple or a family that has their husband or wife and I just want to tell them to really don’t take stuff for granted because you just never know when it’s your time and there’s nothing you can do about it,” said Butler Troopers say Butler and Stevie Ray Carter were passengers in a car going westbound on the Muskogee Turnpike when the crash happened was taken to the hospital in critical condition Troopers say the driver of the truck was not injured A Muskogee family is devastated after a man died in a crash on the Muskogee Turnpike last month RELATED: 2 men killed in multi-vehicle crash on Muskogee Turnpike; Investigation underway Muskogee Police body cam video (Video: Muskogee Police Department) The incident started when the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported shooting at Five Star Recycling in Oktaha around 5:55 p.m and identified Aaron Wilson as the suspect Wilson had fled in a white Malibu before deputies arrived at the scene There were two shooting victims and multiple shell casings at the scene the Muskogee Police Department received a report of a shooting at 2220 Topeka Police report the suspect fired at least 14 rounds and hit the victim 11 times Witnesses reported Wilson left in a white Malibu Creek Nation Lighthorse Officers spotted Wilson's vehicle getting gas at 40th and Okmulgee and started a pursuit shots were exchanged between Wilson and the police He was released from medical care and booked into the Muskogee County Detention Center The Muskogee Police Department is investigating the shooting and will submit the report to the Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Edwards for review He will determine whether the shooting was justified 4/3/2025 UPDATE: Muskogee Police have identified the victim as 21-year-old Ashton Wright "This is still an ongoing investigation and we still urge anyone with any information to contact Investigator Poffel at 918-680-3125." Police in Muskogee are investigating after a man was found severely injured on the road Monday evening and later died at a hospital The Muskogee Police Department said officers were called near East Okmulgee and Frankfort Avenue at 7:41 p.m for a "severely injured" person in the road identified as Wright by police on Thursday "This incident is being actively investigated," Muskogee Police said Police are asking anyone with information to call this number: 918-680-3125 \"This is still an ongoing investigation and we still urge anyone with any information to contact Investigator Poffel at 918-680-3125.\" for a \"severely injured\" person in the road \"This incident is being actively investigated,\" Muskogee Police said Plans for a $1.2 billion lithium refinery in Muskogee moved forward as Stardust Power officially broke ground on the facility The company says major construction will begin soon which will extract lithium from wastewater generated by oil and mining production is expected to produce 50,000 metric tons of lithium annually This will make it the largest lithium refinery in the United States “This will mean hundreds of new jobs for citizens of Northeast Oklahoma Matt Pinnell called the refinery "one of the bigger wins we’ve had in over a decade here in the state." The site is located south of Muskogee along Highway 64 on a 66-acre field with an option to expand by 40 additional acres Muskogee Mayor Patrick Cale said the project will have a lasting impact on the community and that will be good for our businesses.” An estimated $250 million in state and local incentives helped secure the deal and Stardust Power CEO Roshan Pujari emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability “We’re using zero liquid discharge technology which means we’re not discharging water into the municipal water system or rivers,” Pujari said the company believes the refinery will play a crucial role in the years ahead “This will be a major economic driver for Muskogee,” Neal added Emory Bryan is a general assignment reporter for News On 6 He began his news career covering the school board for his hometown radio station and worked on the newspaper staff in college before making the switch to television Emory Bryan joined the News On 6 team in 1994 Matt Pinnell called the refinery \"one of the bigger wins we’ve had in over a decade here in the state.\" A church in Muskogee was damaged by a fire just days before Ash Wednesday Firefighters said no one was inside at the time and that the cause is under investigation Osage Drone 6 shows the damage to the roof of St after a fire that caught the attention of neighbors “My good friend who lives right over there she called me maybe a little before 9:00 and said the church is on fire.’ And I’m like what?!” Teresa Hughes said Joseph’s for nearly 30 years – and rushed over to see it for herself but they were getting it out,” Hughes said A: Firefighters were there minutes after an alarm went off and said they had the fire under control after about an hour and a half The ATF is also investigating because it said church fires fall under its jurisdiction “Kudos to the Muskogee Fire Department for their fast action and they’re very good at what they did worse than it is,” ATF Resident Agent in Charge Ashley Stephens said A: “It’s got some substantial structural damage some support beams that’s twisted and warped and we’ve got some fracturing of the brick veneer on the front,” Muskogee Assistant Fire Marshall Mike Haley said A: “We’ve got a pretty good idea where inside it started now we’re just figuring out how it started and if there is any kind of malicious intent we’re gonna try to get down to that,” Stephens said Joseph said Ash Wednesday mass will be held at the Parish Hall on the property “This is just a thing that we’ll go through,” Hughes said “Repairing and getting things back in order Amy Slanchik is a proud University of Oklahoma graduate with a passion for storytelling She joined the News On 6 team in May of 2016 after spending almost two years in Fort Smith A major election in Muskogee County could lead to an increase in sales tax with significant implications for public safety operations News On 6’s MaKayla Glenn spoke with the police department and EMS about how the proposal could address pressing issues Aging Police Department Building Faces Challenges  the challenges of an outdated building are hard to miss the heating system struggles and a leaking roof adds to the department’s woes making it non-compliant with ADA standards who has served the community for over 35 years says the proposed public safety sales tax increase is critical “The men and women of the Muskogee Police Department deserve to have the best equipment available to them They deserve to have a building to work in every day that they’re proud of,” Chief Teehee said the tax increase would fund essential repairs and upgrades It pays for a new building,” Chief Teehee said The proposition also aims to improve emergency medical services across Muskogee County EMS Director Laurel Havens says the additional funding would enhance response times and expand ambulance services “Our goal in this project is to try to reduce our response time within nine miles of anybody within our county,” Havens said Havens added that the sales tax increase would ensure all areas of the county receive equitable benefits including upgrades to public safety buildings around Muskogee County “Everybody would receive an equitable share of the taxes and feel their needs within the community that they live,” Havens said the county’s sales tax will initially increase by 0.849% Once the public safety complex is paid off The vote creates a trust comprised of City and County positions to control the funds generated by this vote Officials say this trust will ensure an individual entity cannot control the money The Trust consists of the following 9 positions: County of Muskogee (4) (Selected by Muskogee County Commissioners) MaKayla Glenn graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and the National Association of Black Journalists MaKayla started with News On 6 in August 2022 The Muskogee County Sheriff's Office has identified the victim in a shooting at a recycling center on March 8 The sheriff's office says Amie Maxwell was shot and killed by Aaron Wilson-Bogar over the weekend at the Five Star Recycling Center in Oktaha Police say he is also a suspect in the shooting and killing of Rolando McConnell a short time later in the city of Muskogee Two Muskogee police officers are on administrative leave after shooting Wilson-Bogar who police say was wanted in two separate shootings and also fired several shots at officers Police say 26-year-old Wilson-Bogar's crime spree left two people dead and another injured Police are still investigating what the connection was between Wilson-Bogar and the victims as well as the two different scenes - Muskogee County Sheriff's Office responds to shooting at Five Star Recycling in Oktaha Police say Aaron Wilson-Bogar was responsible for a shooting at Five Star Recycling in Oktaha The other was treated for her injuries and released - Officers respond to shooting at 24th and Topeka in Muskogee they found Rolando McConnell with gunshot wounds Law enforcement quickly realized the suspect's vehicle was a match for both crime scenes law enforcement spotted Wilson's vehicle and got into a pursuit with him Officer Involved Shooting at Arrowhead Mall Police say Wilson-Bogar fired several shots at the officers during the pursuit and once he stopped so 2 Muskogee Police Department officers returned fire Wilson was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover (KTUL) — Muskogee is roughly 600 miles away from Nebraska but in the internet age distance is no issue when you find a good deal "Our deposit was half the cost of the building which was just north of $15,000," said Kevin Liewer Kevin had been searching online for a company to build a detached garage when he came across Amazing Structures out of Muskogee But not long after he paid $15,000 communication went silent "When I went to message them on Tuesday I actually saw a couple yelp reviews saying hey this guy just took our money," he said "Our charge is embezzlement," said Muskogee County Assistant DA Parker Wilkerson who filed charges against Jay Bowlin for a case that involves $64,000 and how many victims.. in our case it’s kind of tricky if we call these individuals that he did the transactions with victims or if we’re referring to Premier out of Tennessee as the victim," he said "Found out quickly that we were definitely not alone," said Liewer There's a whole Facebook group for victims "I have a feeling that it’s not just the 50 or 60 of us that are out there right now," said Liewer "It seems like there could be hundreds," said Wilkerson News Channel 8's efforts to reach out to Bowlin have been unsuccessfull Liewer meanwhile is hoping that speaking out will help others in the same boat "I want this awareness and I want to see if there’s more people out there the more attention that it gets and maybe the more that something could be done about it to get some of the folks some compensation," he said OK (KTUL) — A former Muskogee city employee was sentenced for federal drug crimes According to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma 45-year-old John Paul Cruz Rosado was sentenced on April 10 The court ordered Rosado to 135 months in prison for the distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine the former Director/Event Manager for the Muskogee Civic Center The case stemmed from an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Investigators reported that on November 29 Cruz Rosado sold approximately ten ounces of cocaine A search warrant executed at his Muskogee residence on December 6 led to the seizure of over nine pounds of cocaine "OBN is grateful to our partners with the U.S Attorney's Office for helping secure a significant sentence in this case," said OBN Director Donnie Anderson "Cocaine distribution is on the rise across Oklahoma leading to increased overdoses and deaths in recent years My agency is committed to stopping those who are profiting while putting Oklahoma lives at risk." "I commend the work of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics in dismantling Cruz Rosado's cocaine distribution operations and taking a drug dealer off the streets," said United States Attorney Christopher J Marshals Service until he is transported to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration