Moore
Florida man pleads guilty in Moore church fire
A Florida man pleaded guilty Oct. 21 in Cleveland County District Court to burglarizing a Moore church then causing a fire that destroyed the building, according to the Cleveland County District Attorney's office.
Richard Shawn Arnold, 29, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty to second-degree arson and second-degree burglary inside District Judge Tom A. Lucas' courtroom. Cleveland County Assistant District Attorney Rick Sitzman said Arnold admitted to starting the fire that burned down the Hope Adventist Fellowship Church on June 30.
Sitzman said Arnold was sentenced to 20 years with the Department of Corrections with 13 suspended on the arson count. Arnold received a seven-year suspended sentence for burglarizing the church.
"He's got 27 years with 20 suspended," Sitzman said.
He said Arnold has been held in jail since he was arrested and charged June 30. The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office will put in a request for Arnold to be accepted into the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center to begin serving his prison sentence.
Sitzman said Judge Lucas awarded $985,027 in restitution. When Arnold is released from prison, he will begin paying $100 a month toward the restitution.
According to the Moore Fire Department, the fire was reported about 5:30 a.m. June 30 at the church, 1426 NE 12th St. The blaze consumed the building, and the church was considered a total loss.
Firefighters said no injuries were report. After investigating the scene, investigators determined the fire was intentionally set.
According to a court affidavit, a witness saw Arnold run from the church at about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday with a "lighter wand." The witness also told investigators he saw a thin line of smoke come from the building.
Moore police arrested Arnold at the scene for public intoxication, according to the affidavit. Officers found a lighter matching the description of the lighter seen by the witness.
The affidavit stated, Arnold admitted attempting to enter the church, but denied setting the fire.
Norman attorney Richard Wall represented Arnold. Wall said he had no comment on the case without speaking to his client.
- Moore
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Changes made to big trash services
Changes have been made to the big trash pick up service which should make the pick up easier for both residents and city workers.
Residents who have Monday trash service will have big trash pick up in the months of March, July and November; Tuesday trash service will be April, August and December; Thursday is January, May and September and Friday is February, June and October.
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City passes tax rebate for Target
Chris Lundy, manager of public partnerships with the Target corporation addressed city council members Monday night to discuss building a store in Moore.
The Moore Economic Development Authority voted unanimously for a sales tax rebate to Target.
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Fire in new auditorium at Southmoore High School
The Moore fire marshal is still investigating a small fire that occured shortly after 1:30 p.m. Friday at Southmoore High School.
Susie Pierce asked school board members to call an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss insurance and restoration fees on the fire at Southmoore High School.
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Savage, Patrick and Walker named site teachers
Fisher Elementary School site teacher of the year, Stephanie Savage, graduated from Yukon High School and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She has been married for 19 years to Scott and the have three children, Blake, Paige and Allison.
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Larsen says goodbye to district
Susie Pierce asked school board members to call an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss insurance and restoration fees on the fire at Southmoore High School.
She said about 20 auditorium seats were damaged by the fire and many others received smoke and water damage.
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County will remove limbs
Cleveland County Commissioners asked assistant district attorney David Batton to draft a resolution for roadside limb removal in the unincorporated area caused by the recent ice storm. Commissioner Rusty Sullivan said the county will remove the limbs through April 30.
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Fire in new auditorium at Southmoore High School
The Moore fire marshal is still investigating a small fire that occured shortly after 1:30 p.m. Friday at Southmoore High School.
Susie Pierce asked school board members to call an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss insurance and restoration fees on the fire at Southmoore High School.
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City passes tax rebate for Target
Chris Lundy, manager of public partnerships with the Target corporation addressed city council members Monday night to discuss building a store in Moore.
The Moore Economic Development Authority voted unanimously for a sales tax rebate to Target.
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County will remove limbs
Cleveland County Commissioners asked assistant district attorney David Batton to draft a resolution for roadside limb removal in the unincorporated area caused by the recent ice storm. Commissioner Rusty Sullivan said the county will remove the limbs through April 30.
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Savage, Patrick and Walker named site teachers
Fisher Elementary School site teacher of the year, Stephanie Savage, graduated from Yukon High School and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She has been married for 19 years to Scott and the have three children, Blake, Paige and Allison.
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Changes made to big trash services
