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Main, news
August 7, 2024
Bias handed 30-year sentence for child sexual abuse, exploitation
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor,

Gregory N. Bias, 41, of Tahlequah, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for a series of serious child sex abuse and exploitation crimes.

The sentencing, delivered by Chief U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White, includes 360-month terms for multiple counts of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of two children, as well as additional sentences for related offenses.

Bias’s extensive criminal activities, which involved the abuse and exploitation of children, were uncovered following a January 2022 arrest. This followed an alert from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about illicit files being shared by an internet user in the Tahlequah area. Subsequent investigations by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed disturbing evidence of Bias’s crimes.

The evidence showed Bias not only abused children but also distributed and possessed illegal materials related to child sexual abuse. Alongside these charges, Bias was also convicted for possessing a firearm unlawfully, due to prior felony convictions.

On January 18, 2023, Bias pleaded guilty to 18 counts of the indictment.

His co-defendant, Leiloni B. Smith, 30, of Tahlequah and formerly of Vian, was found guilty by a federal jury on March 21, 2024, of eight counts of aggravated child sexual abuse among other charges. Smith is currently awaiting sentencing while in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.

U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson commended the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local agencies, highlighting the case as a significant step in safeguarding children and delivering justice. “This case underscores the relentless efforts of law enforcement to ensure that those who commit such heinous acts are held accountable,” Wilson stated.

The sentencing reflects the commitment of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative aimed at combating child exploitation and abuse. As Bias begins his non-paroleable sentence, law enforcement continues to urge the public to report any information related to child exploitation to appropriate authorities.

AG secures major settlements with Tyson, Cargill
Main, news...
AG secures major settlements with Tyson, Cargill
February 18, 2026
Attorney General Genter Drummond announced Thursday that a major breakthrough in Oklahoma’s 20year poultry litter pollution litigation, securing settlements totaling more than $25 million from Tyson F...
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Main, news...
Trustees approve ballfield upgrades, pay raises
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
February 18, 2026
Improvements to a local ballfield, employee pay raises and several routine agreements highlighted a busy January 20 meeting of the Vian Board of Trustees and the Vian Public Works Authority. One of th...
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Main, news...
Town of Gore approves RV park, policy updates
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
February 18, 2026
The Gore Board of Trustees handled a full agenda on Jan. 20, approving a pay raise for a town employee, adopting several policy changes and giving the green light to a proposed RV park development. Th...
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Main, news...
Eagle tours at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
February 18, 2026
Eagle Tours are now taking place at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Vian. Tours are scheduled for February 21 and 28, and March 7. For more information, contact the Refuge at 918-773-5251.
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Ground broken on new band room
Main, news...
Ground broken on new band room
February 18, 2026
Ground was broken last Wednesday for Vian Public Schools’ new band room, a dedicated space designed to support music education by providing band students a centralized location for both classes and re...
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Evelyn Johnson Henry
Obituaries
Evelyn Johnson Henry
February 18, 2026
March 22, 1930 – Feb. 5, 2026 Graveside services for Evelyn (Johnson) Henry, 95, of Sallisaw were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at Sallisaw City Cemetery under the direction of Agent Mallory-...
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Judah E. Anderson
Obituaries
Judah E. Anderson
February 18, 2026
Oct. 6, 1948 – Feb. 5, 2026 Funeral Service for Judah E. Anderson, 77, of Vian, Okla., was at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the Assembly of God Church in Vian. Burial followed at Garden o...
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Kenneth Ray Holloway
Obituaries
Kenneth Ray Holloway
February 18, 2026
Jan. 28, 1952 – Feb. 5, 2026 Kenneth Ray Holloway was born on Jan. 28, 1952, in Winona, Mo., to Norma Louise Blanks Holloway and Freddie Holloway. He passed away on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Duncan. ...
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Randy Neil Dotson
Obituaries
Randy Neil Dotson
February 18, 2026
May 12, 1948 – Feb. 7, 2026 Randy Neil Dotson, 77, was born on May 12, 1948, in Muleshoe, Texas, to Elizabeth “Betty” (Neil) Dotson and Ivan Lavon Dotson. He passed away on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in ...
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Judy Ann Wales Balmain
Obituaries
Judy Ann Wales Balmain
February 18, 2026
Jan. 25, 1946 – Feb. 9, 2026 A celebration of life service for Judy Ann (Wales) Balmain, 80, of Sallisaw, was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Sallisaw. Burial followe...
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Mayme Marie Thornell
Obituaries
Mayme Marie Thornell
February 18, 2026
March 4, 1937 – Feb. 5, 2026 Funeral services for Mayme Marie Thornell were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at Brushy Holiness Church in Sallisaw. Burial was at Brushy Cemetery under the dire...
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