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Storm that killed 3 came closest in years to proving existence of 125-year-old myth about OU
News
May 18, 2023
Storm that killed 3 came closest in years to proving existence of 125-year-old myth about OU
By KAYDEN ANDERSON GAYLORD NEWS,

NORMAN – Storms that ripped through central Oklahoma recently came the closest in years to proving a myth that Native American beliefs may have protected the University of Oklahoma for more than 125 years.

The storms, which resulted in three deaths in nearby Cole, split into two separate storms in what is called a Fujiwhara effect as the main storm bore down on Norman and the OU Campus.

“Certainly sounds like evidence for the myth! Now if we could just find the cause,” Jeff Provine, OU Ghost Tours guide and folklorist, said about the recent storms.

Provine is familiar with many myths supposedly protecting OU from tornadoes. He has researched many of the tales, including the National Weather Center using secret technology, Mount Norman diverting tornadoes and even a Native American burial ground under OU’s campus. As for the latter, Provine has not found concrete evidence.

“From that myth, I have not been able to find any specific Indian burial grounds.

Historically, Norman is kind of a crossover between Osage and Comanche and a little bit of Kiowa,” Provine said, referring to the Native American tribes..

OU recognizes these tribes and the land it resides on, along with the 39 total tribal nations in Oklahoma, through its land acknowledgment. Even if researchers have yet to pinpoint a specific Native American burial site, the University of Oklahoma still rests on sacred ground.

Gordon Yellowman, Chief of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, said all lands are sacred to Native people.

“When they refer to it as ‘sacred lands,’ that’s the connection that comes with who you are as a Native person, a Native member, and a Native tribe,” Chief Yellowman said.

Chief Yellowman said although land can be destroyed, it remains because it is both Native Americans and the University of Oklahoma’s foundation.

“Our ancestors were here first, and then we followed, and the future students will follow again,” Chief Yellowman said.

Being in Tornado Alley, Oklahoma is no stranger to severe weather. Still, a tornado has never directly hit OU. One came close almost exactly 10 years ago that sent students and faculty fleeing to the lower levels of the Bizzell Library as it hopscotched across Boyd and Main streets.

An OU graduate student said it is not nature’s intent to “single out” specific locations.

Theresa Tsoodle, who is pursuing her master’s degree in environmental science, is combining her indigenous wisdom with her work on climate change.

“It gives you another way of knowing or understanding or explaining what’s happening when it can’t be explained by science,” Tsoodle said about consulting traditional knowledge.

On the night of April 19, OU’s campus avoided yet another tornado.

An OU meteorology student reported on the “tornado outbreak” for OU Nightly. Catherine Liberta, an OU Nightly meteorologist, said that although the tornado’s northward shift was not rare, she had never seen the Fujiwhara effect prior to Wednesday’s storms.

“It’s very strange how tornadoes just seem to kind of either go right or left of campus,” Liberta said.

Liberta said that the recycling of the supercell is what pushed the storm north and left, away from campus.

“It kind of makes you wonder why that happened,” Liberta said about the diversion from OU.

Whether OU’s immunity is luck or legend, sacred knowledge speaks for itself.

Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GayordNews.net.

City of Checotah prepares fireworks and family fun
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City of Checotah prepares fireworks and family fun
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
June 26, 2025
The City of Checotah is gearing up for the greatest Fourth of July Freedom Fest celebration the community has ever seen. There will be plenty of sights and sounds to see this year during their allday ...
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Ex Pittsburg County jailer charged with attempting to rob Lakeside Pharmacy
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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A former Pittsburg County jailer, who was named a Detention Officer of the Year in 2024, has been arrested and charged with attempted robbery with a weapon and child neglect. Jose Kirkes, 33, of McAle...
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Woman barefoot and pulling toy wagon fights officer
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 26, 2025
A barefooted 23-year-old Oktaha woman was walking near I-40, pulling a toy wagon missing its front wheels, has been arrested for assault and battery on a police officer, conspiracy to perform an act o...
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Smelser to become county treasurer July 1
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Smelser to become county treasurer July 1
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 26, 2025
Kimberly Smelser has been first deputy in the McIntosh County Treasurer’s Office since January 2021. On Tuesday, July 1, she will become county treasurer, replacing Betty Whisenhunt, whose final day i...
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Checotah Alumni to host reunion this weekend
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Checotah Alumni to host reunion this weekend
June 26, 2025
The Checotah High School Alumni Reunion is finally here and will be two days reminiscing over high school days gone by too quickly. On Friday, June 27, everyone is invited to the Katy Depot to catch u...
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Minor leads lawmen on wild chase
June 26, 2025
A juvenile driving a stolen 2020 white Jeep Compass led lawmen on a chase that exceeded 110 miles per hour on U.S. 69 shortly after midnight on Friday, June 20. After the Eufaula Police Department was...
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Bingo Night blazed a trail for suicide awareness
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Bingo Night blazed a trail for suicide awareness
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
June 26, 2025
Bingo Night blazed a trail for the Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk on June 12. Many patrons and volunteers came out to help raise money for the walk set for September 20. All the proceeds of the fun...
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Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
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Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
June 26, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This award was presented to an ...
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When death steals a first-class friend
News
When death steals a first-class friend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
June 26, 2025
I may have been the last person—other than her murderer—to talk to Selby Minner before her murder on Monday, June 9. She and I planned to meet that day, but when we talked by phone around 4:30 p.m., w...
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We celebrate the 250th anniversary of our United States Army
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We celebrate the 250th anniversary of our United States Army
June 26, 2025
We Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Our United States Army Happy 250th birthday to the United States Army. Thank you to all my many friends and family who bravely served and to all the soldiers toda...
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Forgiveness for all
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Forgiveness for all
June 26, 2025
Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice to extend forgiveness for all. So God, why is forgiveness so hard? Why do bad things happen to us and those we love? Why is there so much anger and animosity in the ...
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