Newswire: May 6-19, 2015

Protests continue after TCSO shooting 

Recurring protests in downtown Tulsa have called for the resignation of Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz in the aftermath of the shooting death of Eric Harris by Robert Bates, a reserve deputy. In addition to Glanz’ resignation, the ACLU of Oklahoma has called for an independent criminal investigation of Glanz and the sheriff’s office. Glanz told the Tulsa World he does not plan to resign but won’t seek re-election in 2016. 

Wed., May 6, a protest march will begin at 7 p.m. at 2nd and Elgin and end at the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s second-in-command, Undersheriff Tim Albin, resigned effective May 1 after the release of a 2009 internal affairs report that he allowed Bates—a longtime friend of Glanz and donor to the sheriff’s office—to receive special treatment during his training. 

April 30, the sheriff’s office announced the suspension of part of its reserve program while member records are reviewed. In the interim, reserve deputies may only be used for law enforcement if they are partnered with a certified deputy. 

Bates pleaded not guilty and is currently out on bail. At his initial court appearance, he was granted permission to go on a previously scheduled month-long family vacation to the Bahamas. Joseph Byars and Michael Huckeby, the other deputies in the video of Harris’ shooting, have been reassigned to another department. 

Blue Bell expands recall // Blue Bell Ice Cream announced a recall of all of its products April 20 after multiple samples of its Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream tested positive for listeria. The Texas-based company had recently closed its Broken Arrow facility due to the bacteria and issued a voluntary recall of all products made there. 

Once exposed, the people at highest risk for listeriosis include pregnant women, adults 65 and older and people with weakened or compromised immune systems. Miscarriages and stillbirths are possible side effects among pregnant women infected by the bacteria. At least 10 cases across four states have been tied to the outbreak. Three people have died from it. 

Spotlight Theater makes endangered places list //Tulsa’s iconic Spotlight Theater has been named one of Preservation Oklahoma’s 2015 Most Endangered Historical Places. Officials are hoping to use the designation as a springboard for additional fundraising efforts to keep the building in working order. 

Designed by Bruce Goff in 1928, the Spotlight Theater was placed on the national historical registry by local architect Herb Fritz in 2001. Located at 1381 Riverside Drive, the theater has hosted America’s longest continuously running play, “The Drunkard,” since November 1953 and the Spotlight Children’s Theatre since 1997.

Larry Cochran, president of the Tulsa Spotlighters Board of Directors, said the theater’s Tulsa Community Foundation account is “open and ready to receive building restoration funding.” 

SCOTUS to review state’s execution methods // April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Oklahoma’s preferred death penalty methods constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The arguments came one year to the day after the botched execution of death row inmate Clayton Lockett. Lockett writhed on a gurney for more than 40 minutes after receiving the drug cocktail meant to kill him.

Attorneys for Richard Glossip, John Grant and Benjamin Cole, the inmates challenging the state’s procedures, argue the sedative component of the cocktail, midazolam, is unsuitable for executions because it can’t achieve the level of unconsciousness required for surgery.

A ruling is expected in late June and could affect states that use similar methods to carry out death sentences. Earlier this year, in advance of the Supreme Court case, Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation naming the gas chamber as the state’s official back-up execution method. Other states in a similar predicament have considered bringing back the electric chair and firing squad as sanctioned alternative capital punishment methods.

Tulsa tanks ozone test // The American Lung Association has flagged Tulsa as having some of the worst air quality in the country. In a survey of 220 metropolitan areas, the Tulsa area ranked 12th for the number of high ozone or smog days in 2014. Tulsa had 57 ozone alert days last year, compared to 76 ozone alert days for Los Angeles, the biggest offender. Oklahoma City and Shawnee were 15th on the list. 

However, the study ranked Tulsa among the cleanest metropolitan areas for 24-hour particle pollution.

Northside Walmart abruptly closes // The Walmart Supercenter near Admiral and Memorial closed April 13 after giving its employees and customers just a few hours’ notice. Corporate representatives claimed the building had chronic plumbing problems. 

The store’s 400 employees were given the option to transfer to an area Walmart or Sam’s Club if eligible but were told they would have to re-apply for their jobs when the store eventually re-opens. Employees who did not qualify for a transfer are receiving regular pay for 60 days. 

The Tulsa closure was one of five announced that day nationwide due to alleged plumbing problems. The store will be closed for at least six months.

As of late April, Walmart still had not filed plumbing construction permits with the City of Tulsa.