Sunday, March 14
Oklahoma group roasts local lawyers over records
Posted at 12:08pm
By John Estus
Local government lawyers on Saturday earned FOI Oklahoma’s annual Black Hole Award for thwarting the free flow of information.
The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office and the Oklahoma City attorney’s office won Black Hole Awards for refusing to release the birth dates of their respective agencies’ workers when The Oklahoman made open records requests for the information.
The attorneys’ denial came on the heels of an attorney general’s opinion that said public employee dates of birth are presumed open. Other agencies have since released their employees’ dates of birth upon request.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater last year refused to explain his reasoning for denying the information.
At the time, he said he wasn’t concerned about the confusion his ruling had created.
“This decision was Continue reading…
by Sheila Stogsdill
Ted Nugent to appear in Woodward
Posted at 11:40am
BY ED GODFREY
The Northwest Oklahoma Outdoor Expo is scheduled for next Friday through Sunday at the Woodward fairgrounds. The featured speaker will be American music legend and hunting icon Ted Nugent, who will appear on Saturday.
The expo will feature several hands-on exhibits, including archery, skeet shooting, fishing tanks, horseback trail riding and antler scoring.
Admission is $10 each day for adults or $20 for the weekend. Ages 12 and younger receive free admission.
For information, call (580) 216-3481 or visit nwokoutdoorsexpo.com.
Continue reading…by Sheila Stogsdill
Sunday’s Weather
Posted at 11:21am
Today’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies with highs in the mid 50s and lows in the lower 30s. Slight chance of rain showers in the evening.
Continue reading…by Sheila Stogsdill
Saturday, March 13
Spring football is starting
Posted at 10:36am
Kevin Lauchland
By Scott Puryear
GOODWELL – The Oklahoma Panhandle State football team began spring drills on March 6.
The Aggies were 5-6 last fall and they are determined to take the program to “the next level.” Leading that group will be wide receiver Doug Williams and running back Darryl Brister.
Both Williams and Brister are coming off excellent seasons last fall and each received national recognition for their efforts.
Listed number one on the quarterback depth chart is Kevin Lauchland, a 6′5″ and 210-pounder who will be a junior in the fall.
The Aggies will have a total of 15 formal spring practices, with the last one set for Saturday, April 10 at 3 p.m. There will be several Continue reading…
by Sheila Stogsdill
Guymon respiratory care practitioner placed on probabtion
Posted at 10:30am
By Vallery Brown
A Guymon respiratory care practitioner was among the medical professionals disciplined Thursday by a state regulatory board.
Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision members placed respiratory care practitioner Kimberly Dawn Barnett on probation for five years.
Investigators state Barnett, of Guymon, stole drugs from a hospital crash cart and has a history of drug abuse and mental problems.
Continue reading…by Sheila Stogsdill
Livestock Summary
Posted at 10:14am
AMARILLO, Texas — Here is the daily livestock summary for Friday, March 12, 2010, as reported by the USDA.
Direct Trade:
In the direct slaughter cattle trade in the Five Major Marketing Areas,
Texas/Oklahoma; Kansas; Nebraska; Colorado; Iowa/Minnesota; Thus far for today,
negotiated cash trade was active on very good demand in the Texas Panhandle.
Compared to last week live sales traded 2.00 to 3.00 higher. In Kansas trade
was active on good demand with the bulk of live sales 2.00 higher and dressed
sales 4.00 higher. In Nebraska trade was moderate on good demand with live
sales 2.00 to 2.50 higher and dressed sales 2.00 to 3.00 higher. In Colorado
trade was moderate on good demand with live sales mostly 3.00 higher. Continue reading…
by Sheila Stogsdill
Saturday’s Forecast
Posted at 10:13am
Today’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with highs in the lower 60s and lows in the uuper 20s.
Continue reading…by Sheila Stogsdill
Unlicensed architect draws Guymon into sketchy area
Posted at 10:10am
BY RANDY ELLIS
GUYMON — A man who falsely represented himself as an architect is being paid to design a new library, fire station and animal shelter for the city of Guymon, an investigation by The Oklahoman has confirmed.
Brian Curtis and his company Brian Curtis Studio Design LLC of Scottsdale, Ariz., have been paid $634,000 so far on an architectural contract that is set to reach $705,000 if he completes all construction oversight work, said Ted Graham, Guymon city manager.
The total project cost is expected to be about $10.6 million.
“We presumed by his proposal that he was an architect,” Graham said. “We later found out that he was not licensed in the state of Oklahoma. … He’s not a licensed architect in any state that I Continue reading…
by Sheila Stogsdill
Friday, March 12
Senate passes bill to remove grocery tax
Posted at 2:37am
BY BARBARA HOBEROCK
The state Senate on Thursday passed a measure to remove sales taxes on groceries.
Senate Bill 1328 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, passed by a 33 to 11 vote and now heads to the House.
The measure would remove sales taxes on groceries when state revenue levels have increased 10 percent above 2008 spending.
The measure’s revenue impact would be about $406 million, Gumm said.
An increase of 10 percent above fiscal year 2008 revenue would amount to about $700 million, more than enough to offset the cost of the measure, Gumm said.
The state would reimburse counties, cities and towns for lost revenue resulting from the elimination of the tax.
Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, debated against the measure, saying the state already doesn’t adequately Continue reading…
by Sheila Stogsdill
Panhandle Ag Appreciation Days
Posted at 2:27am
Panhandle Ag Appreciation Days continues today.
If you are not an Ag business or don’t want to set up a booth but would still like to show your support of the Ag industry you can make a $50 donation and the Chamber of Commerce will hang your business banner or sign at the event to show you are a supporter.
For more information call the Chamber office.
Continue reading…by Sheila Stogsdill
Washburn served as student page
Posted at 2:18am
Joni Washburn, a Senior at Keyes High School, served the Oklahoma House of Representatives as a Student Page, during the week of March 8-11.
Joni was sponsored by Rep. Gus Blackwell, Chairman of the House Standing Rules Committee, and served her duties with distinction. She is the daughter of Jim & Elizabeth Washburn, Keyes.
Continue reading…by Sheila Stogsdill
