Freedom Hill receives new equipment

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MANNFORD - Firefighters in Creek County are preparing for another summer and hope upgraded tools and equipment can help them stop anything Mother Nature brings there way including a recording braking natural disaster.

Last August, wildfires in Creek County rushed through the land, charring 70,000 acres and leaving nothing more than ash where more than 400 homes once stood.

We couldn't answer calls fast enough of people calling and telling us, The fire's coming close. What do I do? said Kevin Smythe, Freedom Hill Fire Department Chief, said.

Volunteer firefighters spent several days fighting the fire with outdated and minimal equipment.

It tested everybody, Smythe said. I lost count at 200 different agencies from all over the state, Texas and Arkansas.

Barbara Smythe, Kevins daughter-in-law and a volunteer firefighter, said the department desperately needed the aid.

When we ran out of resources and all of our firetrucks were busy fighting fires elsewhere, she said. We said there's nothing we can do, do the best you can. We're blessed that no one lost their lives.To make sure that doesn't happen again, Freedom Hill firefighters are building a 3,200 square-foot building.

They'll use it as a classroom to train their volunteer firefighters and those in surrounding communities.

They also have new equipment including a new grass truck and air conditioning unit.

And this fire department is getting some much needed help in their renovations. Freedom Hill received funding from the Oklahoma State Forestry for the building, the air conditioner from Train and the trucks from Hulberton Fire Department and Explorer Pipeline..

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Freedom Hill receives new equipment

Singapore hits another low in 2013 Freedom of the Press World Ranking

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Singapore hits another low in 2013 Freedom of the Press World Ranking

Freedom Suppressed In Papua As Third Peaceful Protester Dies

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Freedom of Expression Suppressed In Papua As Third Peaceful Protester Dies

The death of an activist after she participated in a peaceful protest in Papua, Indonesia, is a tragic reminder of the precarious state of freedom of expression and assembly in the region, Amnesty International said.

Salomina Kalaibin died in hospital on 6 May due to gunshot wounds she received six days earlier at a peaceful commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the handover of Papua to the Indonesian government by the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority.

Two other people were killed and at least seven other protesters were wounded during the event. At least 22 individuals are currently detained for having participated in the peaceful activities. Many allege the security forces were responsible for the violence.

The death of the three political activists is a stark reminder that in Papua, speaking out comes with a high price, said Isabelle Arradon, Asia-Pacific Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

It is imperative that authorities in Indonesia urgently set up a comprehensive and independent investigation into allegations of unnecessary use of firearms by security forces during the protests, make the results available to the public, and bring those responsible to justice.

Failure to take action will send a message that the security forces in Papua operate above the law.

On 30 April, police and soldiers opened fire on a group of people who had peacefully gathered in Aimas District, in the city of Sorong, to organize commemorative activities the following day. Two men, Abner Malagawak and Thomas Blesia, were killed on the spot while Salomina Kalaibin, a woman, died six days later due to gunshot wounds to her stomach and shoulder.

Two others also suffered gunshot wounds during the incident. Police claim the shootings were done in self-defence.

At least six people have since been arrested and charged with rebellion for possession of the Morning Star flags, a symbol of Papuan independence which is prohibited under a 2007 government regulation.

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Freedom Suppressed In Papua As Third Peaceful Protester Dies

Belmont Park: Freedom Child romps in Peter Pan slop; Belmont Stakes next

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Tom Keyser

Freedom Child, with Luis Saez aboard, runs away from his rivals in the Peter Pan.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Freedom Child had no chance to make the Kentucky Derby when he lost all chance at the start of the Wood Memorial. Given the way he ran in Saturdays Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes, Freedom Child could have a big chance in the Belmont Stakes on June 8. Especially if the track is wet.

Despite an awkward start, Freedom Child quickly shot to the front under Luis Saez and turned the Peter Pan into his own personal training session, romping to a 13 1/4-length victory over a sloppy Belmont Park main track.

Saint Vigeur finished second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Go Get the Basil, who nosed out 5-2 favorite Abraham for third. Abraham was followed in the order of finish by Incognito, Fear the Kitten, My Name Is Michael, Narvaez, and Infinite Magic.

Battier and Declans Warrior were scratched.

Immediately after the race, Terry Finley, head of the West Point Thoroughbreds syndicate that owns Freedom Child along with St Elias Stable and Spendthrift Farm, said Freedom Child would run in the Belmont Stakes.

The owners held out hope of making it to the Kentucky Derby when they entered Freedom Child in the Wood Memorial. But the horse was eliminated at the break when he reacted to Go Get the Basil, who was inside of him, beating the starting gate. Freedom Child was still in the hands of the assistant starter when the doors opened, and despite making a big run into contention down the backside, he finished last and was later declared a non-starter by the stewards.

Finley said he had no regrets about missing the Derby.

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Belmont Park: Freedom Child romps in Peter Pan slop; Belmont Stakes next

Belmont Park: Freedom Child romps in Peter Pan slop

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Tom Keyser

Freedom Child, with Luis Saez aboard, runs away from his rivals in the Peter Pan.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Freedom Child had no chance to make the Kentucky Derby when he lost all chance at the start of the Wood Memorial. Given the way he ran in Saturdays Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes, Freedom Child could have a big chance in the Belmont Stakes on June 8. Especially if the track is wet.

Despite an awkward start, Freedom Child quickly shot to the front under Luis Saez and turned the Peter Pan into his own personal training session, romping to a 13 1/4-length victory over a sloppy Belmont Park main track.

Saint Vigeur finished second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Go Get the Basil, who nosed out 5-2 favorite Abraham for third. Abraham was followed in the order of finish by Incognito, Fear the Kitten, My Name Is Michael, Narvaez, and Infinite Magic.

Battier and Declans Warrior were scratched.

Immediately after the race, Terry Finley, head of the West Point Thoroughbreds syndicate that owns Freedom Child along with St Elias Stable and Spendthrift Farm, said Freedom Child would run in the Belmont Stakes.

The owners held out hope of making it to the Kentucky Derby when they entered Freedom Child in the Wood Memorial. But the horse was eliminated at the break when he reacted to Go Get the Basil, who was inside of him, beating the starting gate. Freedom Child was still in the hands of the assistant starter when the doors opened, and despite making a big run into contention down the backside, he finished last and was later declared a non-starter by the stewards.

Finley said he had no regrets about missing the Derby.

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Belmont Park: Freedom Child romps in Peter Pan slop

Freedom Child, Preakness Thoughts

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I find it amazing how apparently so many people seemwilling to side with Peter Pan Stakes winner Freedom Child in a match up against Orb even if the Kentucky Derby winner takes the Preakness in the June 8 Belmont Stakes. And I say that as someone who liked Freedom Child in the Peter Pan.

Look, Freedom Child ran well Saturday at Belmont Park. He rushed up after a slow start to set a legitimate pace for a nine furlong race, and he ran away to win the Peter Pan by just over 13 lengths. But whether Freedom Child ran Belmont Stakes-good in the Peter Pan is entirely another matter.

For one, after Declans Warrior and Battier were scratched, the eight remaining opponents Freedom Child faced had not won a single stakes race of any sort between them. Unless, that is, you want to call the Blue Square Bet Handicap Stakes and its $11,500 purse that Infinite Magic won at Lingfield in February a stakes race, and I dont.

Then there is the matter of Freedom Childs occasional gate issues. As noted, he broke awkwardly in the Peter Pan. He of course had that disastrous start in the Wood Memorial which wasnt entirely his fault as he was in the hands of an assistant starter. But Freedom Child also got left in his debut last fall, so hes really only batting .500 when it comes to good starts. And it isnt as though Freedom Child is so good that he can get away with spotting a Belmont Stakes field a head start. Ask noted bad breaker Javas War how that worked out for him in the Derby. Freedom Child was able to get away with it against a modest Peter Pan field. But in the Belmont? Uh uh.

As for his actual Peter Pan performance, although Freedom Child set a solid pace, he also got loose on a main track that was very kind to speed, especially as it took on rain as the afternoon progressed. The way Freedom Child continually drifted out through the stretch is cause for pause. And really, when you see a horse win a stakes by a double-digit margin in a sea of slop, you expect them to get a higher Beyer than the preliminary 99 Freedom Child was assigned in the Peter Pan.

Let me repeat, Freedom Child ran well Saturday. But if you cant wait to take on Orb with him in the Belmont, maybe you should be careful what you wish for.

Hey, lets get through Saturdays Preakness first. For the first time since he was beaten 22 1-2 lengths in his second career start, Orb will be heavily favored (yes, I know Orb was favorite in the Derby; I said heavily favored), and he will take a world of beating.

I havent quite finalized my Preakness handicapping yet, but not for any particular reason. Orb wins on fast tracks and in the slop, so hes not affected by weather. A late addition or defection from the Preakness field that could impact the pace scenario shouldnt affect Orb, either. He came from well out of it when he encountered fast early paces in the Derby and Fountain of Youth, but he positioned himself closer to the lead when he saw a slow pace in the Florida Derby, the performance that demonstrated how much he had grown up. And post positions dont mean a thing in the Preakness.

But while I havent committed my Preakness picks to stone just yet, I am fairly sure of a few things:

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Freedom Child, Preakness Thoughts

Freedom Child wins Belmont's Peter Pan Stakes

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NEW YORK (AP) -- Freedom Child easily won the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes, the traditional prep race for the Belmont Stakes, by 13 lengths in the slop on Saturday at Belmont Park

"Hopefully, this might lead us to the Belmont," said trainer Tom Albertrani said.

Freedom Child lost his shot at the Kentucky Derby after a disastrous break in Aqueduct's Wood Memorial, where the stewards ruled he did not get a fair start.

"We thought we were set to run well in the Wood; we just had a little bit of bad luck," said Terry Finley, president of part owner West Point Thoroughbreds. "The next day, we put a circle around the Peter Pan."

Freedom Child made the wait worthwhile.

After a sluggish start, Luis Saez hustled Freedom Child to the front and the outcome was never in doubt the rest of the way.

Freedom Child paid $9.20, $5.80 and $5.10 for his second win in six starts. The time was 1:49.09 for the 1 1-8 miles.

Saint Vigeur was a distant second, returning $6.90 and $5.40. Go Get the Basil paid $8.60 to show.

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Freedom Child wins Belmont's Peter Pan Stakes