Oklahoma civil rights activist Clara Luper dies

Clara Luper died Wednesday at 88Luper was an active member of the Oklahoma NAACPShe is survived by her daughters, son and grandchildrenIn 1958, Luper organized a sit-in at a Oklahoma City drug store

(CNN) -- Oklahoma civil rights activist and educator Clara Luper -- was best known for organizing a 1958 sit-in at a segregated Katz Drug Store in downtown Oklahoma City -- died Wednesday night at her home in Oklahoma City. She was 88.

Luper, who was celebrated as a pioneer of civil rights in Oklahoma, organzied a protest that lasted several days and ultimately resulted in the integration of 38 Katz Drug Stores in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett requested that all flags on city property to be flown at half staff in honor of Luper and her contribution to the city.

In a statement issued from his office, Cornett described Luper as a "great Oklahoman and a great American."

"While her accomplishments are too many to list, her legacy is easily defined," Cornett said in the statement.

"She made Oklahoma and the United States of America a better place to live and was a shining example of the distinctly American idea that while we might hail from many cultures, we are one people."

Throughout the 1960s, Luper worked with the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to stage sit-ins and non-violent protests which ultimately led to the desegregation of restaurants in Oklahoma City.

In an interview with CNN affiliate KWTV, Luper's son, Calvin, said his mother was surrounded by family at the time of her death.

He added, though she's known for organizing the single sit-in, his mother was dedicated to making the life of citizens in Oklahoma better.

"Now we have to step up to the plate and accept the responsibility and do what Mom wanted us to do, and that would be to carry on her legacy of honesty and do anything else that would make our city and state a great place."

Luper is survived by her two daughters, a son and grandchildren.

CNN

Oklahoma deputy shot; 2 men sought

(CNN) -- A massive manhunt was under way early Saturday for two men suspected in the shooting of an off-duty sheriff's deputy in Oklahoma.

Maj. John Waldenville, a 25-year veteran from Oklahoma City, was working as a security officer at a restaurant and walking to a nearby bank about midnight when he was attacked, said Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel.

Two men attacked the deputy from behind, shooting him in the head as soon as he turned around.

"He never had the opportunity to even unbuckle his gun," Whetsel said.

Whetsel said the shooting was caught on videotape. Investigators are "trying to make a good identification of these two people."

Waldenville is listed in critical condition. The sheriff said his deputy is undergoing a lengthy surgery.

"We're praying for the best," he said.

CNN

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Oklahoma fires force evacuation of hundreds of homes

Oklahoma fires force the evacuation of more than 1,000 homes By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: It has burned approximately 3,500 acresNEW: A large fire west of Lawton, Oklahoma, is about 65% contained In nearby Texas, a firefighter dies after flames hit his truck (CNN) -- Strong winds whipped up two wildfires in southern Oklahoma on Friday, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,000 homes.

The first fire, a large grass fire, burned west of Lawton, which is about 80 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. It forced people in approximately 900 homes and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to evacuate, according to Comanche County officials.

Roughly 50 firefighters were working to battle the blaze, officials said in a statement Friday night, but helicopters could not be brought in because of the strong winds. The fire, which was about 65% contained, has burned some 3,500 acres.

Seven structures, including barns, sheds and outbuildings, have been lost so far, officials said. One home was damaged.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for Lawton on Friday, warning of possible early evening gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. The weather service said strong winds would likely complicate fire-fighting efforts.

Crews were also battling a second blaze in northern Comanche County that was about 65% contained Friday night, officials said. Evacuations were issued for about 130 homes in that area. Four unoccupied structures have been destroyed in the fire, which has scorched about 2,200 acres, officials said.

The American Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter to help house families forced from their homes.

Meanwhile, in northern Texas, a firefighter died when flames hit his truck, said Marq Webb, spokesman for the Texas State Lone Star Incident Management Team. The firefighter was a local firefighter from Eastland County, he said.

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Storms head for Deep South after raking Oklahoma

Seven dead in severe storms By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Storms kill at least seven in two statesNEW: Forecasters say Mississippi and Alabama under the gun todayFive people died in Oklahoma due to downed trees.Two people died in apparent Tushka, Oklahoma twisterIf severe weather happens near you, we want to hear your story. Share your photos and videos with CNN iReport, but please be careful.

Atlanta (CNN) -- At least seven people in Oklahoma and Arkansas have died as the result of a powerful line of storms now pushing into the Southeast, authorities said Friday.

The system posed the greatest threat Friday to parts of Alabama and Mississippi, where forecasters warned of possible tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds. Forecasters said severe weather was possible Friday afternoon across northern Mississippi and Alabama and into central Tennessee.

The storm tore through parts of the Midwest on Thursday, leaving a trail of downed trees and power lines, scattered cars and crushed homes as it moved east. It killed two people in the southeastern Oklahoma city of Tushka, where authorities say a tornado touched down Thursday night. It also left five dead when trees fell on homes in four separate Arkansas incidents, authorities said.

Nearly 36,000 people were without power Friday morning in Arkansas, half of them in Pulaski County, the state Department of Emergency Management reported.

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