Members of the Stigler High School marching band practice Aug. 18 to prepare for the new year. The band will perform at the Panthers' first home game Sept. 2.
Staff photo by Wendy Smith

Wind Blown

By Karen West
Staff Writer

Chester and Loretta Burnett are thankful the high winds only flattened their barn. It could have taken their home.
A storm rolling through the area just after 4 p.m. Aug. 20, east of Stigler near Crossroads, sent debris flying and people and animals scurrying for shelter. Just across the road from the Burnett's home, strong winds destroyed one of their barns. It was dropped where it stood, snapping the poles and leaving the roof resting on a horse trailer and brush hog.
"We just moved the cows out the night before," Loretta Burnett said. "I was afraid we'd lost some, but they are all okay."
Reports said the winds were in the 50 mph range, but the Burnetts believe they must have been stronger than that.
The storm took out a couple of Terry and Wanda Hollie's well houses, tore some roofing off their chicken houses and uprooted several tall pine trees, one right next to their home. A small barn in Bert Bailey's field was destroyed, strewn across the pasture.(more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)

SEXTON

Sex offender charged again

By Doug Russell
News Editor

Eighteen years after being convicted in one case, a registered sex offender has been charged with molesting another child.
Ernie Sexton, 60, Porum was charged Tuesday with two felony sex offenses allegedly committed against a girl under the age of 16. He is currently being held in lieu of $500,000 bond.
Sexton was charged Tuesday with rape by instrumentation, a crime punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for five years to life with no possibility of parole, as well as first-degree rape, a crime punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years.(more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)

MOSS

Personal arsonist sentenced to prison

By Doug Russell
News Editor

It wasn't a bad joke gone wrong. It was an act of evil. And the man that committed it will have 35 years to reflect on it.
Toby Stanton Moss, 41, Stigler, was sentenced Monday to 35 years for setting a woman on fire in her Stigler home on May 23.
"I'm just glad that part's over," said Gayle Kaiser, the victim. "I've still got a long way to get well, but at least this is over."(more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)