Stories Archive

Reports allege racism, sexual misconduct in jail under Major

Dylan Goforth Ziva Branstetter May 13, 2015

Major Tom Huckeby once likened the Tulsa County Sheriffâ€™s Office to a â€œparamilitaryâ€ operation, imbued with strong discipline and order.

But in court records and internal reports, others painted a far different picture: one where supervisors in the Tulsa Jail labeled black employees â€œNâ€ in personnel files, Huckeby and others allegedly had â€œrampant sexâ€ with co-workers and black inmates were assaulted for sport.

Meanwhile, supervisors at all levels in the Sheriffâ€™s Office said they feared Huckeby — then a captain who appeared to enjoy the favor of Sheriff Stanley Glanz.

Listen Frontier: Barry Friedman, RJ Young discuss TCSO saga

For the Frontier May 11, 2015

Check out our inaugural podcast hosted by RJ Young, featuring the staff of The Frontier and Tulsa Voice columnist Barry Friedman.

Sheriff’s public information officer placed on leave

Ziva Branstetter May 11, 2015

Clark was previously in charge of courthouse operations for TCSO before taking over jail operations in 2014. During Clark’s absence, Chief Deputy Michelle Robinette will assume the administrative responsibilities, according to the statement.

Tulsa’s first black presiding judge retiring

Ziva Branstetter May 11, 2015

The first black man to become a presiding district judge in Tulsa County is retiring due to health concerns, The Frontier has learned.

Judge Carlos Chappelle will retire at the end of this month as district judge of Tulsa County District Court.

Eric Harris shooting: Tangled truths from Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office

Dylan Goforth May 11, 2015

As predicted, the fallout for the sheriff’s office has been bad following Harris’ death and revelations that Bates had power and privileges based on his financial largesse, favors and friendship with Sheriff Stanley Glanz.

City officials discuss strategy to save outlet mall

For the Frontier May 9, 2015

Mayor Dewey Bartlett and other top city officials met privately to try to salvage some type of deal with Simon Property Group, the developer greeted with vocal opposition when it proposed an outlet mall near Turkey Mountain.

During the meeting Thursday, officials discussed how to assure the developer that the city is interested in having a Simon mall in Tulsa and how to make it clear that the city would be willing to help find an alternate location for the project should the proposed site at 61st Street and U.S. 75 fall through.

Muskogee VA hospital could be threatened due to ‘earth slippage’

Dylan Goforth May 8, 2015

The backside of the hospital appears to be sliding off the hill it’s perched on. The hospital sits above Muskogee just west of Highway 69.

Grand jury inquiry into Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office passes first hurdle