From school safety upgrades to police department resignations and surging utility costs, here is your “6 Things to Know” for Wednesday, August 5, 2026:
1. Inola Students Return to School With Campus Upgrades
- New security measures added at middle and high school
- Campus parking lot closed during school day
- Classroom technology and facilities upgraded for new term
Inola Public Schools students are heading back to class as the district implements several campus security and facility upgrades, according to Superintendent Jeff Unrau. Elementary classes begin at 8 a.m., while middle and high school students start at 8:10 a.m.
District officials added monitored entry points at the middle and high school campus, renovated the band room, and updated classroom Chromebooks. Unrau stated that student health and safety remain the district’s top priority for the upcoming school year.
- Former Creek County deputy named interim police chief
- Three department members resigned amid ongoing investigation
- Neighboring law enforcement agencies providing local patrol assistance
The Beggs City Council appointed former Creek County deputy J.W. Mobley as interim police chief following the sudden resignations of the chief, assistant chief, and a part-time officer, according to city officials. The council voted to accept the resignations after returning from an executive session on Tuesday night.
Mayor Roger Merrill stated that an independent third-party investigation remains open into whether the former officers should have been paid for security work during a local video production. The Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office and Lighthorse Police are assisting with local patrols during the staffing shortage.
- Interim utility rate increase took effect in July
- Some customer bills increased by hundreds of dollars
- Final decision from utility commission expected this fall
Public Service Company of Oklahoma customers are reporting steep increases in their monthly electric bills following an interim rate hike that took effect in July, according to state regulators.
Several customers reported monthly bills increasing by hundreds of dollars during peak summer temperatures.
PSO representatives stated that customer service teams are available to provide payment arrangements, bill extensions, and energy assistance programs. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission noted that an administrative law judge will issue a recommendation on the proposed rate case by late August ahead of a final decision this fall.
4. Murder Suspect Extradited to Oklahoma in Coweta Death Investigation
- Suspect arrested in Georgia following multistate manhunt
- Victim body found in Coweta ditch last year
- Case transferred to Tulsa County Jail on Tuesday
An Oklahoma man charged with murder has been extradited from Georgia and booked into the Tulsa County Jail, according to law enforcement records. Deputy U.S. Marshals tracked down Jason Bowen at an Atlanta-area hotel days after the killing of 29-year-old Tevin Goff.
Investigators reported that Goff’s burned vehicle was initially located in rural Porter before his body was discovered in a ditch near Coweta. Bowen remained in custody in Georgia until his transfer back to Oklahoma on Tuesday.
- Tip led officers to damaged vehicle location
- Suspect accused of attempting to destroy car evidence
- Victim survived prior crash before fatal incident
Tulsa police arrested 45-year-old Miranda Chase on Tuesday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed 66-year-old Kenneth Young, according to police department records. Officers identified the suspect vehicle after a tipster reported a damaged car matching parts left at the crash scene on 36th Street North near Lewis.
Detectives stated that Chase was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash and destroying evidence after finding car parts removed and a bumper cut into pieces. Family members noted that Young had navigated life in an electric wheelchair for two decades prior to the collision.
- Automated reader cameras remaining at 10 city locations
- System subject to mandatory monthly police search audits
- Department switching select camera hardware vendor contracts
The Bartlesville City Council voted to extend its automated license plate reader program despite privacy concerns raised by residents and council members, according to city officials. The cameras are currently installed at 10 locations across the city to assist police officers with criminal investigations.
Councilor Aaron Kirkpatrick stated that the city established safeguards including monthly usage audits to prevent potential misuse of the database. The council also approved replacing two existing cameras with updated equipment.
