Lawton man faces 15 years

Published: December 30, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY

A Lawton man was sentenced Monday to more than 15 years in federal prison on drug and gun charges. Monte Machante White, 37, pleaded guilty in August to possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. White was indicted in April, after authorities found crack cocaine and various firearms at his Lawton home.

Auditor left in charge

State Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage was the ranking state executive Monday and is expected to remain so until Wednesday. Gov. Brad Henry, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Senate Pro Tempore designate Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, and House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, are all out of town. Henry, Askins and Coffee are in San Diego to attend the Holiday Bowl. This leaves Burrage in charge.

Panel seeking new director

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission continues to seek candidates to fill the executive director position opening with Mark Hodges retiring Wednesday. Resumes will be taken until Feb. 1. The position calls for administrative, technical and public relations work promoting the use and marketing of wheat and wheat products. Hodges began his tenure in 1996 and has held that position since then with the exception of two years with the Oregon Wheat Commission.

COLLINSVILLE

Plan to clean contaminants

Heavy-metal contaminants left by a zinc smelter that closed more than 80 years ago will be cleaned up through a $6.6 million plan chosen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The former Tulsa Fuel and Manufacturing site near Collinsville started operations in 1914 but closed 11 years later when demand for zinc dropped after World War I. About 200,000 cubic yards of smelter waste still remain on the property.

TULSA

Center to aid investigations

Construction is planned next spring on a Tulsa forensics center that will aid police investigations and educate Oklahoma State University students. "It’s a practicing laboratory with academic programs devoted to forensic science,” said Robert Allen, professor of forensics science and biochemistry at the OSU medical college, which will provide $21.9 million for construction.

Two sentenced in fraud case

Two defendants in a tax fraud case were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Tulsa. Larry Brice, 30, of Tulsa was sentenced Monday to five years probation and ordered to pay $11,551 to the IRS, said U.S. Attorney David

E. O’Meilia. James Joubert, 42, of Tulsa was sentenced last week to five months in prison followed by home detention and restitution to the IRS of $5,543.

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS