News

Editor’s Note: This is the first story in a two-part series about illegal marijuana grow operations occurring across rural Oklahoma. The series explores operation details, legislation to address the issue and more.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has been fielding 30 to 50 tips per day about people trying to purchase land unsolicited, spokesperson Mark Woodward said. The calls from law enforcement officials have been increasing within the last eight to 10 months since September 2020.

The destruction from Hurricane Ida left residents of Louisiana and surrounding states without electric service for nearly two weeks as the restoration process continues.

OG&E’s 270 line workers, vegetation management personnel and support staff have made significant progress getting power restored for the residents of Jackson Parish, La.

The restored power is bringing much-needed relief from 90-degree heat and making streets safer to navigate as crews continue cleanup and residents return to their homes.

OKLAHOMA CITY– Facing an increasingly unsteady blood supply, the Oklahoma Blood Institute has helped found a first-in-the-nation partnership to prepare Oklahoma for emergency situations where blood needs are high. 

The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) is comprised of seven blood centers from five states that have committed to collecting extra blood units on a rotating, on- call schedule.

The extra blood products will be held in reserve for any critical-need scenario, like a mass shooting or natural disaster. 

A new pesticide is now available to farmers as an aid in the fight against feral hogs.

On Aug. 5, HOGSTOP Oral Contraceptive Formulation was registered with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. HogStop claims to decrease the fertility of male feral hogs by reducing sperm count.

Male feral hog fertility is reduced within five days of consumption of the contraceptive bait and maintained for at least 30 days after five feedings.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Everett M. Flanagan, Minco, improper turn, $175.

Jacob Walter Klutts, Oklahoma City, expired tag, $165.

Patrick Herrera, Oklahoma City, improper lane change, $175.

Selena Elizabeth Skorman, Oklahoma City, expired tag, $165.

Oscar Kipkoros, Oklahoma City, improper tag display, $165.

Matthew Aaron Howeth, Choctaw, speeding, $165.

Kindan Pybas Hughes, Midwest City, speeding, $175.

Carole Sue Davis, El Reno, speeding, $165.

David Scott Read, Amarillo, expired tag, $130.

Jeanne and Freddie Hobson were honored recently when the CART House celebrated its 30th anniversary by naming the couple the first recipients of a newly created award.

Adding to the announcement was the fact the award is named in their honor.

The Hobson Service Award will become an annual award given to those who work to help heal and hopefully improve the lives of young Canadian County children victimized by trauma and abuse.

The new Rock Island overpass will be officially opened on Sept. 24. That’s when a ribbon-cutting ceremony is set. The dedication is planned for 2 p.m.

The structure is open to traffic now, but some finishing touches are expected to take a few more days.

The bridge was opened to traffic in July, about 18 months after construction got under way.

Brad Freeman, ODOT Division 4 resident assistant, is pleased with the project.

“It turned out pretty well,” Freeman said.

A two-and half hour special meeting of the El Reno School Board last week focused on training members in the proper methods to conduct the search for the district’s next superintendent.

The meeting was conducted by the Oklahoma State School Board Association, hired by the district in May to spearhead the search for Craig McVay’s successor.

A semi reportedly struck this pole at a former convenience store on Rock Island, just south of Wade last weekend.

Security video from Rock Island Credit Union shows the truck striking the pole around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Calls to the number posted on the vacant building were not returned.

The pole is hanging over the alley between the vacant store and the credit union, which serves as an entrance to the drive-thru for the credit union.

A fight injured a half dozen inmates early Monday at the Canadian County Jail after a power outage, Sheriff Chris West said.

Shortly after 2 a.m. Monday, Sept. 6, members of the Canadian County Special Operations Team were activated to assist with an altercation in the county jail.

The incident reportedly involved about 15 to 20 inmates.