In 1979, the Interior approved a law in the tribe’s constitution that restricts citizenship eligibility to those with proof of Creek lineage.

Supreme Court officials say a decision would likely be rendered no earlier than noon Tuesday, the deadline for Walkingstick’s attorneys to file a “proposed finding of facts” statement.

TAHLEQUAH – City officials are issuing a beach closure for all access points of Town Branch Creek. Signage is posted at its two most frequented recreational areas in Sequoyah and Felts parks because of high levels of E. coli.

Numbers tested this week at both locations were between 249 and 435 E. coli colony forming units, according to Cherokee Nation testing.

Jodie Fishinghawk, who was a Dist. 8 candidate, was accused of forging signatures on voter registration forms and absentee ballot requests.

For workers who breach their contracts by attempting to discredit the EC or candidates, termination letters will be sent

PEGGS – Several residents of the Cherokee County town of Peggs, including many Cherokees, had their property damaged after an estimated EF-2 tornado hit the community on the night of May 20. While there were no reports of injuries, several homes and businesses received various degrees of damage from the twister and large amounts of rainfall, which caused flooding in several areas of northeast Oklahoma.

MUSKOGEE – Because of flood warnings and road closures out of and into Muskogee, all clinics at the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Jack C. Montgomery East VA Clinic are cancelling for the remainder of May 22, and will be closed on May 23.

The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System is contacting patients to let them know their appointment is being cancelled. VA will reschedule cancelled appointments.

TAHLEQUAH – The Cherokee Nation welcomes all veterans and widows of veterans to honor fallen Cherokee warriors at an event Friday in recognition of Memorial Day.

The ceremony starts at 9 a.m. at the CN Veterans Center, located east of the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex.

The event features a volley salute by American Legion Post 15 and “Taps” performed by the Muskogee Honor Guard. A continental breakfast will be offered and CN leaders will honor the fallen with a wreath-laying ceremony after a short program.

The CN estimates there are more than 4,000 Cherokee veterans. Native Americans, including Cherokees, are thought to have more citizens serving per capita than any other ethnic group, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

For more information, call the Veterans Center at 918-772-4166.

WEBBERS FALLS (AP) – A small town in Oklahoma is urging residents to evacuate as the Arkansas River heads toward near-historic levels.

Forecasters say major flooding is expected in Webbers Falls, a town of about 600 people about 140 miles east of Oklahoma City.

According to the National Weather Service, the Arkansas River was at 34.5 feet, or 6.5 feet, above flood stage, as of Wednesday morning. The river was expected to rise to 40 feet by Thursday morning. The National Weather Service says the flooding poses an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.”

Forecasters say parts of Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas could see severe weather Wednesday, the latest in a multi-day stretch of storms that have spawned dozens of tornadoes and caused two deaths in Missouri.?

The tribe’s Supreme Court sets Dist. 3 Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick’s appeal hearing for 9 a.m. on May 24. The Election Commission disqualified him as a principal chief candidate on May 17 for violating election law.

Dist. 3 Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick was ousted from the principal chief race on May 17 by the Election Commission following an all-day hearing.