News

As the Nov. 3 general election date draws near, public confusion regarding State Question 805 — a ballot initiative which would amend the Oklahoma Constitution and end the use of sentence enhancements against some repeat offenders — remains high. 

In social media posts and television advertisements, supporters and opponents of the measure continue to offer conflicting views. This in-depth Q&A seeks to clarify how State Question 805 would impact criminal justice in Oklahoma. 

Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax issued a voter alert warning voters about a text message that was received by a voter last Friday, that falsely claimed the voter’s polling place had changed.

The complaint has been referred by election officials to law enforcement.

The text message falsely advised the voter that her polling place had changed, then asked the voter to reply to the text to confirm her name.

It then provided a phone number to call to be removed from the notification list.

OKLAHOMA CITY – In a bipartisan interim study hosted by Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, legislators heard about the benefits of Pay for Success programs and how expanding their footprint across the state could save the state millions of taxpayer dollars. 

In a framework established by House Bill 2670, Pay for Success programs allow state agencies to establish public-private partnerships that include specific performance targets and outcome measures the private entity must meet in order to receive payment from the state.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has been rated a four-star governor in a new report that evaluates all 50 governors on their economic stewardship, but the report warns that Medicaid expansion will make continued financial prudence much more challenging for Stitt.

“Oklahoma Gov. Stitt’s spending restraint in a state with traditionally fiscally conservative policies will serve future budgets well,” states the newly released 2020 Laffer-ALEC Report on Economic Freedom.

Changes are coming for telephone customers in the 405 area code.

Starting Saturday, Oct. 24, local calls within the 405 area code can be made by either dialing the seven-digit local number or by dialing the area code plus the local number.

This will continue for six months, after which all local calls within the 405 area code will require 10-digit dialing (area code plus local number). 

LAWSUITS

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC vs. Andrew Scheidemantel for $13,021.39 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. Timothy C. Scott and Alicia Y. Scott for $24,480.33 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Jessica C. Hladik and Derick M. Moore vs. Joseph Mitro, M.D. for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged actual and punitive damages.

Authorities are asking anyone with information concerning where a woman was prior to a deadly accident on I-40 to come forward.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is seeking information about where Ashley Louise Ricks was prior to the accident that claimed four lives. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OHP Central Communications Center at 405-425-2323.

OHP said 911 calls show Ricks, 33, of Moore, was driving east in the westbound lanes of the interstate for 10 miles before her vehicle collided head-on with the other auto.

More thought needs to go into what to do with a narrow bridge before making it one-way where vehicles would cross one at a time.

El Reno City Council decided to table the plan put forth by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to make the bridge on Foreman and Keith into a one-way passage. The bridge is narrow and is crumbling at the edges. Guard rails are in place, but council members expressed concern the ravine it crosses is deep.

“No one wants to see someone get hurt or killed,” Mayor Matt White said. “That’s about a 25-foot drop to the bottom.”

Brian Rukes is selling masks in honor of the El Reno students who lost their lives in World War II.

An El Reno High School English teacher, Rukes led the effort to create the monument to the El Reno 44. The fixture was dedicated a year ago with hundreds gathering at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 4 to remember and honor those 44 men from El Reno who gave their lives in the fight to save the world from tyranny.

A board of trustees has been formed for Cardinal Point, Canadian County’s new Family Justice Center. The appointments were confirmed by the county commissioners.

The spots on the board will be on a rolling basis and include representatives from the district attorney’s office, the sheriff’s office and the county commissioners, along with two members of the public who are appointed.