News

OKLAHOMA CITY — A new poll shows Oklahomans overwhelmingly support cutting the state income tax and gradually eliminating the tax entirely.

According to the survey, conducted by WPA Intelligence (WPAi) on behalf of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) and Americans for Prosperity (AFP), 65 percent of Oklahoma voters support cutting the state income tax, while only 22 percent oppose income-tax cuts. The survey also found that 67 percent of voters support elimination of Oklahoma’s income tax.

LAWSUITS

Freedom Mortgage Corporation vs. Beverly Reininger and Robert Reininger for $149,511.11 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 2, Block 1, Piedmont Meadows Phase I Addition.

First United Bank and Trust Company vs. Terry Sowards for $86,185.90 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 41, Block 2, East Pointe Addition Section 2, Mustang.

Each step Johnny Hensley took across the parade grounds at Fort Reno was like a step back in time.

While his movement was slow and deliberate, due partly to his battle with cancer after being exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, the Piedmont resident’s eyes were laser-focused on the 330-foot memorial wall set up on the north side of the grounds.

“Do you know if they have the sheet that shows which panels names are on,” asked Hensley, a Navy veteran.

After a few minutes of searching, he found his destination - Panel 16, Lines 90 and 103.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission next week is expected to consider hiring a contractor to construct a permanent upgrade to the State Highway 66/Banner Road intersection.

Six companies submitted bid proposals that were opened Sept. 14 at Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) headquarters.

Apparent low bidder was Haskell Lemon Group, which submitted a $696,832.15 price – more than 23 percent below the engineer’s $907,830 estimate.

“This project will update the current interchange of SH-66 and Banner Road,” ODOT spokesman Bryce Boyer said.

Hundreds gathered at Fort Reno for the opening ceremony of the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall.

The wall was greeted with sunshine and a U.S. flag that waved in the breeze far above the parade grounds where the wall was set up.

Craig McVay, former El Reno schools superintendent and emcee for the ceremony, said the flag, hoisted close to 100 feet into the air by a ladder truck from the El Reno Fire Department, was no doubt the most expensive flagpole in western Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, will examine potential updates to Oklahoma’s graduation requirements and student pathways to meeting those requirements in an upcoming interim study before the House Common Education Committee, which she chairs.

IS23-071 is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 9 in Room 206 at the State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Canadian County’s elected officials are considering adding Juneteenth to the county’s holiday calendar.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of African American slaves.

While it is observed as a federal holiday, Juneteenth is not part of the official Canadian County or state of Oklahoma calendars.

Canadian County commissioners are considering a change to the county’s holiday schedule for 2024.

First-year District 3 Commissioner Tracey Rider suggested adding Juneteenth at the commissioners weekly meeting Sept. 25.

A Yukon woman has been sentenced to prison for her part in an armed robbery at a truck stop in far west Canadian County.

Hilary Ebera Iannuccilli, 56, recently pleaded no contest to second-degree robbery, conspiracy and trafficking in illegal drugs. Prosecutors had amended count one from first-degree robbery.

Iannuccilli and a co-conspirator on Feb. 19 conspired to rob the clerk at the 108 Food and Fuel Truck Stop, 500 S. Walbaum Road in Geary.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A date has been set for Rep. Ross Ford’s interim study on finding ways to better assist domestic violence victims and to address the generational impact of such abuse.

Interim Study IS23-051 is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4 in Room 450 at the State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. It will be heard by the House Judiciary Criminal Committee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held an interim study last week requested by Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, and Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, examining the issues surrounding a shortage of housing, particularly rental housing, in Oklahoma.