News

AG says three hats too many for Oklahoma

2 months ago By Ray Dyer

El Reno’s Tim Gatz will serve as director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation after an attorney general opinion said he could not also serve as director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and Secretary of Transportation at the same time.

Following Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s opinion, Gatz resigned as ODOT and OTA director, as well as the cabinet position of Secretary of Transportation. Gov. Kevin Stitt then named Gatz to serve as ODOT director only.

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Cheering on the Chieftains

2 months ago By Glen Miller

Fans of all ages descended on the State Fair Arena Wednesday to cheer on the Calumet High School boys basketball team in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Class B Oklahoma State High School Basketball Championships.

The top-ranked Chieftains improved to 30-0 with a 75-55 win over No. 10 Varnum and moved into the semifinals.

See related story here.

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Convicted felon fails to report, fugitive arrest warrant issued for Reyes

2 months ago By Conrad Dudderar - Yukon Progress

A Canadian County convicted felon is now a fugitive from justice.

Colby Dale Reyes, 25, was charged Feb. 22 in Canadian County District Court with escaping from the Department of Corrections. The felony crime is punishable by two to seven years in prison.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections requested a no bond warrant for the arrest of the escaped prisoner. That warrant was approved by Canadian County Special Judge Charles Gass.

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Early voting for March 5 elections opened Thursday at two county locations

2 months ago By News Staff

Early voting began Thursday for voters in Canadian County who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, March 5.

Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said early voting is open to all voters.

“You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted by the county election board or state election board — from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections. This is a great option for those who will be out of town on Election Day or who want to avoid long lines,” Arnold said.

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Fair board preps for show

2 months ago By News Staff

Members of the Canadian County Fair Board met recently to prepare for the annual Canadian County Junior Livestock Show set for March 4-8 at the Canadian County Expo and Event Center.

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Oklahoma teacher empowerment bill wins Senate support

2 months ago By Ray Carter - Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Teachers would be free to choose whether to pay union dues, rather than having school districts handle that process before the teacher receives his or her paycheck, under a bill approved by a Senate committee. Senate Bill 1625, by state Sen. Ally Seifried, would end the practice of schools handling union-dues payments and instead leave it up to teachers to personally pay dues.

“This is no longer needed,” said Seifried, R-Claremore.

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Disabilities Awareness Day set for March 5

2 months ago By News Staff

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services will host People with Disabilities Awareness Day on March 5 at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.

The event brings hundreds of people with disabilities, their families and their supporters together. It runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

People are encouraged to wear green to show support for the event.

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Gun safety bill passes committee

2 months ago By News Staff

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, passed a bill out of the Appropriations and Budget Committee that would encourage responsible gun ownership.

Starting from tax year 2025, House Bill 3427 proposes to provide a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the purchase price of a gun safe or other qualified lockable storage device, up to a maximum of $1,000.