English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Broken Arrow, OK

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Broken Arrow Public Schools is mourning the loss of a middle school student who committed suicide.

FOX23 spoke with the school district's Director of Health Services and learned how the school is helping their students and staff during this difficult time.

Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) is providing counseling resources on campus for immediate access to mental care.

On Monday, BAPS was notified that a student at Ernest Childers Middle School took their life over the weekend.

On the same day, Childers parents and families were notified.

Rachel Kaiser, Director of Health Services with BAPS, said the school district is using their resources to help students and staff.

"Any time we become aware that we've had a loss in our school community, we are very blessed to have a team of professionals that include our school counselors and our embedded mental health providers; we come together," said Kaiser.

Following any death of a student within the district, Kaiser said school counselors and non-district mental health providers are on campus.

Broken Arrow partnered with GRAND Mental Health, Family and Children's Services, and CREOKS Mental Health Services.

Together, they set up student support centers.

"It's an environment where students can come and if they want to talk to a school counselor or a mental health provider, they can. If they just need a calm and quiet place to be for a few minutes, they can just spend some time in there," Kaiser said.

Although Broken Arrow is a very large school district, one loss of a student can affect everyone in the district.

"We are small in so many ways. We are a tight-knit community who cares about all the kiddos and all the families who are here. It definitely affects our kiddos, it affects our teachers, it affects all staff at the sight," Kaiser said.

FOX23 also spoke with a Broken Arrow parent who wants to help prevent children from being suicide victims after her daughter took her own life nearly three years ago.

Angela Brewster said no child should ever take his or her own life.

Brewster's daughter, Makayla, was a Broken Arrow student and took her own life just five days before her 13th birthday after being bullied.

While we don’t know why the child took his or her own life last weekend, Brewster said she wants to help families and let them know they’re not alone.

"My daughter took her life unexpectedly, not something that or not someone that anybody would have ever thought would happen to,” Brewster said.

Now, Brewster has a Facebook page and TikTok dedicated to her daughter.

"My story just came to be from there, wanting to just spread the importance of being kind or if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all,” she said.

Brewster said she's gotten a lot of support and messages from families sharing their own stories.

"I've heard from so many kids that I've talked to and have actually talked them into talking with their parents and confiding in them,” she said. “It seems like every kid that has the hesitation that they're going to get in trouble, like they're afraid of how their parents are going to react.”

She said it's important to speak up and say something when people are bullied.

Brewster also said it's important to utilize resources like counseling and therapy.

"Make those resources available more often than just like, 'Oh, it happened again,' not just right after,” she said. “Maybe bring somebody to the school to have an assembly and talk to all of the students.”

Brewster not only wants kids to speak up, but she wants parents to speak up too, so they don't have to go through what she did.

"I'm in so many groups and I see, 'Oh my kid's been bullied for years this many years,' and I'm like ‘Why? Why is that still a thing?’” she said. “Express all options. Do the school report, talk to the teachers. If you're aware of it, put an end to it."

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

WAGONER COUNTY, Okla. — Wagoner deputies arrested a Broken Arrow man on kidnapping charges after he allegedly attempted to hide with the victim after a concerned friend called in a welfare check.

On Oct. 23, Wagoner County Deputy M. Burnside responded to the area around South 258th Avenue in Broken Arrow to conduct a welfare check after receiving a report someone was concerned about a friend's well-being.

As the deputy was looking for the reported address, he made contact with a man who stated his name was Alex Johnson. He told the deputy the victim lived up the road and walked away.

According to the victim, while law enforcement was searching for them for the welfare check, the suspect gave the deputy a fake name and gave directions to the wrong house down the road.

The suspect, later identified as Tony W. Ward, then allegedly forced the victim into their car and left the area to evade the deputy searching for the victim.

In the car, the victim secretly texted a friend to tell them where Ward was taking them.

Ward drove himself and the victim to the Lock and Dam 18 area where he allegedly forced the victim out of the vehicle and told them to "go to the water with him."

According to deputies, the victim managed to get away from Ward and texted a friend they were afraid for their life.

The friend then contacted the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office and updated them with the information they had been told. The friend stated they were receiving text messages that the victim was hiding in the Bluff Landing area.

Multiple deputies were dispatched to area to assist Deputy Burnside.

When deputies arrived, they found the victim's car abandoned at the dead end of 71st Street and 385th. After searching the area further, deputies found Ward in a heavily wooded area and he surrendered without incident.

Authorities said Ward was in possession of a loaded 9mm pistol and had a large machete on the ground next to them.

Allegedly, Ward denied knowing the victim before saying he was with the victim earlier in the morning. Finally, deputies said Ward admitted the victim was still somewhere in the woods.

The deputies searched the area and heard the victim screaming and were able to find them stuck in a thorn thicket. After helping the victim out of the thorns, deputies contacted Broken Arrow EMS to assess the victim for injuries.

Ward was placed into custody and taken to the Wagoner County Detention Center. He was charged with Domestic Assault and Battery by Strangulation, Forcible Sodomy, Kidnapping, Use of Firearm while Committing a Felony, and Possession of Controlled Substance.

Wagoner County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone who is either a victim of or believes someone they know is a victim of domestic violence to contact 918-485-3124. All callers may remain anonymous.

There is also a Help-in-Crisis located at 901 Southeast 10th Street in Wagoner where people can seek help and resources. To speak with a Domestic Violence advocate, you can call either 918-485-7003 or 1-800-300-5321.

The Wagoner County Sheriff's Office states they will continue to partner with Help-in-Crisis and Wagoner County to ensure victims don't have to leave on their own.

The City of Broken Arrow says Elam Park near Florence and Aspen is built so everyone can use it, and it’s easy for kids in wheelchairs to enjoy.

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -

Dozens of kids in Broken Arrow got to be the first ones to play in a new park that opened on Wednesday.

The City of Broken Arrow says Elam Park near Florence and Aspen is built so everyone can use it, and it’s easy for kids in wheelchairs to enjoy.

Several parents say their kids have been waiting months to try out the new playground and they’re glad to see the park close to home.

Elym Gattnby was one of the kids who was excited to try it out.

"I like to go on the slides and just play around a lot,” said Gattnby.

Gattnby says she was excited to try out the new park because she loves hanging out with her friends.

"Sometimes we play duck duck goose and all my friends always just go upside down and do flips all the time,” said Gattnby.

The park was designed with things like adapted swings and ramps so people of all abilities can enjoy it.

Plus, they’re adding more things to do in the southwest part of town.

"When you look at our entire square mileage, you want to make sure that residents have reasonable access to services and improvements all throughout the city,” said Michael Spurgeon, the City Manager for the City of Broken Arrow. “The southwest part of a town is a newer developing area, in the last 10 to 15 years for sure. Sometimes the public improvements come after you have the private development."

Jordan Foyil says his kids love the park and he’s glad it’s basically in their backyard.

"We were really excited, I told them we would go by and just check it out,” said Foyil. “They lost it when they saw it. We got out, and we're just really enjoying ourselves. This is our tax money going to good causes. I encourage everyone to come out, and let their kids play, just get active."

Gattnby says she can’t wait to come back.

"It's great, and you should go,” said Gattnby. "It's the greatest park ever."

The city says there is still a phase two for this project that could include things like a community center.

Voters will get the chance to decide on that in two years.

Ron and Jeannette Preston's home is destroyed after it caught fire on Oct. 20. The retired couple dropped their insurance eight years ago and will have to start over on their own.

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -

Homeowners' insurance rates are going up across the country, and customers in Oklahoma are seeing as much as 30% increases.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department said that is because insurance companies are paying more to replace and repair damages due to inflation.

Ron and Jeannette Preston's home is destroyed after it caught fire on Oct. 20.

The retired couple dropped their insurance eight years ago and will have to start over on their own.

Ron, 82, and 72-year-old Jeannette, along with their son, grandchild and two dogs, lost everything when their home near 51st and Lynn Lane caught fire.

“There's a fire that started in the garage,” said Ron. “I think it was the problem with the two freezers being plugged into the same circuit.”

The Prestons said they paid off the home eight years ago, so they dropped their insurance after the company wouldn't pay to replace their damaged roof.

"That's the way it goes,” said Ron. “I guess I was trying to save money the wrong way.”

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said customers are seeing significant increases in homeowners' insurance costs because companies are paying out more than they are bringing in.

He said 80% of the claims that happen in Oklahoma are on roofs, which are expensive.

"Last year, 2023, you take our top 20 insurance companies that represent 85% of our market share: For every dollar that they took in, they paid out $1.34, so they're trying to catch up from a rate standpoint on what the losses have been,” said Mulready.

Mulready said the good news is only one company has stopped doing business in Oklahoma this year.

"We currently have 113 insurance companies that have active homeowners’ policies in place,” said Mulready. “All of them aren't writing new business, but we still have a substantial number that are writing business."

He said for those whose insurance has dropped them because of claims, the Marketing Assistance Program can help.

"It's sort of an insurer of last resort, so companies that are writing insurance in our state participate in that, so folks are always able to find insurance,” said Mulready.

The Prestons already have plans to get insurance on their next home, whenever that may be.

"Have to start all over,” said Jeannette. “Get a new loan and pay off another car and house.” "The car's all paid for, too, and now have to buy a new car and either repair this one or buy a new house,” said Ron.

You can donate to the Preston's through this GoFundMe their son has set up:

The Oklahoma Insurance Department has help online and in person to answer questions about insurance.

Mulready said to shop around often, especially before your insurance is up for renewal. You can also raise your deductible to lower prices.