Tulsa World: Local, State Briefs

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Local, State Briefs

By Staff Reports
Published: 8/15/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 8/15/2009 4:58 AM

Improper use of tire inflator blamed in blast

A preliminary investigation shows that improper use of an emergency tire inflator caused an explosion at a Tulsa apartment Thursday, authorities said.

Fire Department spokesman Bill French said Friday that further tests will be done but that indications suggest that the explosion at the Westminster Apartments, in the 7400 block of East 47th Street, was caused by occupants' use of the inflator to repair a leaking air mattress.

Two men were in the apartment at the time of the explosion about 5:50 p.m., but neither was injured, Fire Capt. Spencer Yeager said Thursday.

The blast destroyed an interior wall separating two bedrooms and blew the drywall from the ceiling, spreading debris across at least 30 yards in the parking lot.

French estimated damage at $20,000 but said no nearby apartments had any serious damage.

— From staff reports

Wagoner County sheriff to add two dogs to K-9 unit

WAGONER — To help them fight crime, Wagoner County sheriff's officials are putting more paws on the ground.

Officials said this week that they are doubling the size of their K-9 unit with the purchase of two new police dogs.

The dogs — which will replace the office's current dog, which is being retired — cost about $20,000, Sheriff Bob Colbert said. Most of the money was donated by an anonymous person — "just someone who believes like I do that we need to get all the drugs off the

streets," he said.

"This is a big step toward the future for our K-9 program and for our effort to improve the standards of our office overall," Colbert said.

Drug searches are among the dogs' specialties, a timely concern for the Sheriff's Office. Deputies have made drug busts during three traffic stops on U.S. 69 in the last two weeks, Colbert said.

The seizures, including several pounds of marijuana and cocaine, are valued at more than $70,000 combined.

— Tim Stanley, World staff writer

Stigler man is killed when thrown from rolling pickup

A Stigler man was killed late Wednesday when he was ejected from his overturning pickup on a Haskell County road.

Kyle W. Legraph, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene on County Road 1290 about a mile west of Oklahoma 31, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

Troopers said his 1990 Chevrolet pickup went off the right side of the road and overturned about 10:15 p.m. Legraph, who troopers said was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown about 19 feet from the pickup's point of rest.

— From staff reports

$5,000 reward offered in home-invasion killing

FAIRLAND — A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the death of an Ottawa County man during a home invasion.

Sam Sanders, 64, was shot and killed March 24 by intruders at his rural Fairland home.

Two masked gunmen forced Sanders; his wife, Lillian "Sue" Sanders, 64; and their 20-year-old grandson to the floor. Lillian Sanders and the grandson were bound. A 15-year-old granddaughter was in bed.

During a struggle with the men, Sam Sanders was fatally shot.

Robbery is believed to be the motive, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown said. Investigators don't think anything was stolen, and the family has not reported anything missing, Brown said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office at (918) 542-2806 or the OSBI hot line at (800) 522-8017.

— Sheila Stogsdill, World correspondent By Staff Reports

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