The Woodward News

Local News

September 26, 2008

One man charged in cross burning

One man has received misdemeanor charges in a Woodward County cross burning case.

Ronald David Phillpot was charged with outraging public decency in Woodward County District Court Thursday for the role he allegedly played in the cross burning incident.

According to an affidavit filed with the charges, the incident occurred sometime between Sept. 9 at 10 p.m., which is when Phillpot was warned against burning a cross that was standing in his yard near an open burn pit, and Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. when the Woodward County Sheriff’s Office received a report that the cross had been burned.

When Woodward County Acting Sheriff Don Bradley arrived at Phillpot’s residence at a mobile home park south of Woodward to investigate the incident on Sept. 11, the affidavit states that Phillpot showed Bradley the burnt cross and advised him that “it was ‘an accident’ and he did not mean anything by it.”

However, there was evidence that the cross had been ignited, Bradley said, noting that he is pleased that the Woodward County District Attorney’s office believed the evidence to be strong enough to file charges against Phillpot.

Along with the charges, a bench warrant was issued for Phillpot’s arrest.

While Bradley noted that he is happy to have a warrant for Phillpot, he said he is “a little bit confused” that warrants haven’t been issued for either of the other two suspects named in the case.

Nevertheless, the acting sheriff said he thinks that since it has resulted in some prosecution, the overall investigation “turned out great.”

Bradley said he hopes the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be as successful in their investigation, noting that he “believe(s) their investigation will be finalized in the next day or two.”

The FBI was called in to investigate the case because criminal cross burnings are considered civil rights violations and can therefore carry federal penalties, Bradley said.

Text Only
Local News
  • Winter weather visits Woodward

    Maybe the groundhog was right after all, as Northwest Oklahoma received some winter weather Tuesday and more may be in the forecast.

    February 7, 2012

  • City not footing bill for additions

    The city won't have to foot the bill for an increase in construction costs to renovate the Woodward Industrial Building for use by Siemens Energy.

    February 7, 2012

  • AARP set up in Enid to offer tax help

    TULSA - The American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Tax-Aide Program is only coming as close to the Woodward area as Enid this year, says State Program Coordinator Andy Bednarz, who is out of Tulsa.

    February 7, 2012

  • Area legislators react favorably to State of the State speech

    OKLAHOMA CITY - Area legislators were upbeat after Gov. Mary Fallin's State of the State address Monday.
    The News obtained statements from Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward; Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview; and Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, following the address Monday afternoon.

    February 7, 2012

  • Gov. Fallin highlights more cuts to state income tax

    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin outlined a budget plan Monday to deeply reduce Oklahoma's personal income tax rate by eliminating dozens of tax exemptions, including many claimed by poor and working-class Oklahomans.

    February 7, 2012

  • Commissioner wants to raise awareness about Agenda 21

    A Woodward County commissioner wants to spread the word about what he believes is an on the American way of life.

    February 6, 2012

  • Recent rain big boost for wheat

    Those who make their living off a healthy wheat crop are singing the praises of the recent rain.

    February 6, 2012

  • WEBvietnammemorial.jpg Special trip honors veterans

    Oklahoma Honor Flights offer free transportation by air and bus to help veterans visit the memorials in our nation's capitol.  To participate in the honor flights, all veterans have to do is fill out an application which is available on the Oklahoma Honor Flights website at http://oklahomahonorflights.org/. 

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • webwickware.jpg “Fightin’ Firefighter” preps for debut MMA cage fight

    Come Feb. 11, Michael "the Fightin' Firefighter" Wickware will fight for a victory in his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) amateur debut match.
    The match will take place during the Art of War Cage Fights which will be held at the Woodward County Fairgrounds.  Doors will open at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ethnic food fair, raffle to benefit Outreach Center

    High Plains Outreach Center’s annual Ethnic Food Fair will be held Feb. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Clayton Hall at the First Christian Church located at 9th St. and Oklahoma Ave.  At the conclusion of this year's food fair, the Outreach Center will be raffling off a couple of prizes including a pair of Thunder tickets and a photo of Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers.

    February 4, 2012