OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Stitt on Tuesday held a ceremonial bill signing for legislation that creates the True Grit Trail in eastern Oklahoma. House Bill 1411 was authored by Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain. "'True Grit' is a classic story," Grego said. "And much of it was set right here in Oklahoma. This new trail will give us a way to show off the places made popular in the story. Hopefully, it also will draw new visitors to the state, positively impacting our local hotels, restaurants and other businesses." Hamilton added, “The True Grit Trail will be a uniquely Oklahoma experience that celebrates our rich western heritage and highlights a story that captured our nation’s attention with an iconic novel and film,” Hamilton said. "Showcasing the historic sites in True Grit will encourage visitors from across the nation to explore Southeastern Oklahoma, which will greatly contribute to the region’s economy.” "True Grit," a novel written by Charles Portis, has since been turned into several movie adaptations. It follows the story of 14-year-old Mattie Ross who hires U.S. Marshall Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn and a Texas Ranger to avenge the murder of her father. The trio trace the murderous gang into what was known as "Indian Territory" in 1878. The movie role of Rooster Cogburn was first played by John Wayne in 1969 and in a 2010 remake by Jeff Bridges. Kim Darby played the original Mattie Ross. Hailee Steinfeld played the character in the 2010 film. Towns and places of interest along the trail include: Sallisaw, Spiro, Bokoshe, McCurtain, Kinta, Quinton, Krebs, McAlester, Hartshorne, Wilburton, Red Oak, Bengal, Talihina, Robbers Cave State Park, and the Talimena National Scenic Byway. HB 1411 was signed into law in April and takes effect Nov. 1. Ceremonial bill signings give legislators the opportunity to invite others who were instrumental in the legislation. Tuesday's ceremonial signing featured several southeast Oklahomans dressed up as characters from the novel and the movies, including Zoe Reyes, who appeared as Mattie Ross, and Dr. Clarance Benes representing Rooster Cogburn. Also in attendance was Mike Cathey, a constituent of Grego who provided much of the inspiration for the bill. Cathey writes a weekly newspaper column and an annual tourism column. This year, with the passage of the True Grit Trail bill, he encouraged readers to find their way to Dardanelle, AR, the fictional home of Mattie Ross, and then traverse the near 260 miles along Arkansas State Highway 22 to Fort Smith, were Mattie travels to engage Deputy Cogburn to help find the man who killed her father. "Then travel with Mattie, Rooster and Texas Ranger LeBouef across the Arkansas river into Indian Territory (Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Spiro and then Oklahoma State Highway 31) as they head toward McAlester, (now Oklahoma), in search of the murderer Tom Chaney as he has been recently seen at J.J. McAlester’s Store. "This journey finds the traveler in the beautiful San Bois Mountains valley, in the now Lake Eufaula (Oklahoma’s largest lake) region, and following a visit to J.J. McAlester’s Olde Town stomping grounds, into the outlaws’ Robbers Cave and finally in the Winding Stair Mountains of the Ouachita National Forest of southeastern Oklahoma. And there is so much more as Charles Portis, I believe, purposely set his novel to parallel the Trail of Tears and the Butterfield Trail." Cathey said Arkansas launched and designated the True Grit Trail in Arkansas in 2019. In the fall of 2023 following the Charles Portis Symposium at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, on the grounds of the U.S. Marshal’s Museum in Fort Smith, Cathey and others launched the True Grit Trail in Oklahoma. He then worked with the Oklahoma authors of HB 1411 to establish the trail in Oklahoma statute. HB 1411 requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to post signs along Oklahoma state highways directing visitors to sites along the new trail. ODOT and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department will be required to collaborate to maintain information regarding the True Grit Trail on an online platform.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, and Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, joined Gov. Kevin Stitt for the ceremonial signing of two bills that restore state funding for 211 Oklahoma and restructure the statewide support system. House Bill 4095 and Senate Bill 1290 secured $3 million in state funding for 211 Oklahoma and restructured the advisory council that oversees its operations. "I’m proud to have worked alongside Senator Dossett to secure passage of these two important bills," Norwood said. "Restoring state support for 211 will help ensure Oklahomans in every county can connect with critical services when they need them most. I’m grateful to Governor Stitt for signing these measures into law and to the advocates whose dedication helped carry them across the finish line." Dossett said the bills will help direct state funding efficiently and strategically to serve Oklahomans in need across the state. "It’s been an honor to work with Representative Norwood on these bills and with 211 advocates from both metropolitan areas," Dossett said. "I’m thankful to every legislator from across the state who lent their vote to this cause and to the governor for his signature." The 211 hotline provides access to assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone, text and online. It connects residents with local and statewide resources during times of need and plays an important role in emergency response and recovery efforts. State funding for 211 Oklahoma had not been appropriated since 2016, when it was phased out because of budget constraints. Since then, nonprofit organizations, United Ways, health systems and community partners have worked together to sustain the service through private fundraising and other support. HB4095 takes effect Nov. 1. SB1290 took effect July 1.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, released the following statement condemning the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board’s decision to recommend parole for Verna Stafford, who was convicted for her role in the 1978 Sirloin Stockade massacre. "Parole, even one step closer, is not owed to Verna Stafford. Justice is owed to her victims. The board’s decision moves a convicted murderer one dangerous step closer to freedom. It disregards the brutality of these crimes, the lives that were stolen and the pain the victims’ families have carried. I began my law enforcement career the same year this massacre shocked our state. I remember like it was yesterday seeing the suspects being brought into the jail. I remember looking into their eyes and witnessing for myself the danger and recklessness that defined their character. They were as cold-blooded as they come. They preyed on nine innocent people, robbed them of their lives and left families permanently shattered. "She can say that she changed, and she can seek repentance. In fact, I truly hope she did. But what she cannot do is steal nine innocent lives and then escape the full punishment imposed for those crimes. I am calling on the Governor to reject this recommendation. Verna Stafford should never get one step closer to seeing the light of day as a free person." Stafford was sentenced to serve two consecutive life sentences for her role in the nine murders. She and her husband, Roger Dale Stafford, who was executed in 1995, were convicted of murdering a family of three along Interstate 35 near Purcell and later robbing an Oklahoma City Sirloin Stockade restaurant, where they stole $1500 and murdered six employees. Stafford’s parole recommendation now goes to the Governor for final consideration. If approved, the parole would apply only to her first life sentence. She would then begin serving her second consecutive life sentence and could be eligible for parole again in 15 years. Manger, chair of the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee, completed a 33-year law enforcement career with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.