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Medical
A: Main, Main, News
August 15, 2023

Medical examiner confirms body found is Henning’s

By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 

Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane Jr. said the state medical examiner confirmed on Thursday afternoon that a body recovered from a remote, wooded area of southern Adair County earlier this month is Ricky D. Henning, 58, who was reported missing by family members on July 23.

Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane Jr. said the state medical examiner confirmed on Thursday afternoon that a body recovered from a remote, wooded area of southern Adair County earlier this month is Ricky D. Henning, 58, who was reported missing by family members on July 23.

Lane said two people, Mose A. Smith, 41, of Stilwell, and Kimberly D. Gilbert, 41, of Sallisaw, were charged in Henning’s death after confessing to murdering him after being apprehended in another state.

Lane said his deputies and investigators teamed up in late July with Cherokee Nation Marshals, Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies and volunteers, who assisted in the search.

He said investigators B.R. Rutherford and Dwayne Frizzell were able to obtain information on the possible location of Henning’s body after flying to another state to interview Smith and Gilbert.

The two suspects were arrested in Iowa on warrants of willful injury causing serious injury. Smith was additionally charged with eluding police.

A witness told police that Sara Hines, 40, was allegedly assaulted by the duo after she laid down on a picnic table at Miller Riverview Park in Dubuque, Iowa. Hines said Gilbert began striking her with a crutch and then pressed a knife to her face, and Smith also struck her with a crutch.

Hines was treated for a nasal bone fracture and a large gash to her forehead, which re- quired at least 20 stitches, according to reports.

Smith and Gilbert left the scene by the time authorities arrived, but were later tracked to an area where Smith was reportedly driving and a pursuit ensued, before Smith finally pulled over in East Dubuque.

Lane said following the duo’s confession to Henning’s disappearance and murder, the case was turned over to the Cherokee Nation Attorney General’s Office and warrants were issued for both their arrests because both suspects are native. He said Smith and Gilbert would be extradited to Sequoyah County after their charges are settled in Iowa.

According to the initial investigation, Rutherford said deputies were dispatched to a residence in Sallisaw on July 23 to take a report regarding Henning missing. There, they met with Henning’s daughter, Misty Bateman, who said she last spoke to her father on July 11.

Bateman said she tried to call her father again on July 17, and had been trying to reach him ever since. Bateman said her cousin told her Henning’s next door neighbor said they hadn’t seen or heard from him in about a week.

Bateman told investigators when she went inside her father’s house, she found items belonging to other individuals and the house in disarray.

Frizzell reported deputies observed that Henning’s truck, a 2007 Chevrolet, was not parked in the yard and was missing as well.

It is believed Smith and Gilbert left in Henning’s truck and drove to Cave Springs, where they asked to borrow gas money from a friend. It was noted Henning was not with them at that time.

The two were stopped in Henning’s truck in Wisconsin, but released due to lack of evidence. The two told police they had permission to borrow Henning’s truck, but gave conflicting stories regarding his whereabouts, and were forced to leave the truck there.

Smith and Gilbert were then arrested in Iowa after allegedly assaulting Hines, and police discovered they were wanted for questioning in the disappearance of Henning in Sequoyah County, and notified authorities here. That’s when the two reportedly admitted to killing Henning and provided details on where his body could be found.

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City adopts $91M budget for FY26
A: Main, Main, News
City adopts $91M budget for FY26
Ollie’s Bargain Center coming to Sallisaw
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
June 12, 2025
The City of Sallisaw will be working with a budget of almost $91 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2026, after city commissioners at their monthly meeting Monday adopted a budget for the ...
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Roland Police apprehend armed robbery suspect
A: Main, Main, News
Roland Police apprehend armed robbery suspect
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
June 12, 2025
A man wanted in connection with an armed robbery and domestic battery in Fort Smith, Ark. is now in custody after being apprehended last week across the state line in Oklahoma. Kenneth M. Byrd, 28, of...
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Sallisaw man dies weeks after collision
A: Main
Sallisaw man dies weeks after collision
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
June 12, 2025
A Sallisaw man has reportedly died nearly four weeks after a serious motorcycle crash on Highway 82 near South Indian Road in Keys. The collision, which occurred on the evening of May 2, has now been ...
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Here’s your sign
News
Here’s your sign
June 12, 2025
A high-flying crew, hoisted by a crane, on Wednesday completed installation of signage drawing attention to 7Brew Drive Thru Coffee, Taco Bell and Whataburger, located on South Kerr Boulevard in Salli...
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Today’s the day when  superstition is highest
A: Main, Main, News
Today’s the day when superstition is highest
It's Friday the 13th
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
June 12, 2025
Are you superstitious? No? Are you sure? Do you knock on wood or never open an umbrella indoors or never walk under a ladder or avoid breaking a mirror or avoid stepping on a crack in the sidewalk or ...
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Savannah Cunningham
A: Main, Just Folks, Main, ...
JUST FOLKS
Savannah Cunningham
By JACIE EUBANKS TIMES INTERN 
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Savannah Cunningham, at only 18-years-old, has already attained the crowning achievement of becoming the second runner-up for the Strawberry Queen Pageant during the 78th annual Strawberry Festival in...
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