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B SPORTS

Norman North split in home games against Southmoore

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THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT

Visit www.normantranscript.com for breaking news

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 NORMAN, OKLAHOMA 75 cents

Venables is back

Former OU defensive coordinator returns as Sooners’ head coach

“... Having numerous opportunities throughout my career, listen, I’m a throughout my career, listen, I’m a simple guy. I value some things that simple guy. I value some things that maybe other people don’t, maybe maybe other people don’t, maybe more-so. I value relationships. more-so. I value relationships. I value people. I value people. I value quality of quality of life.”

Brent Venables

OU head coach

Read more about Venables’ return to the Sooners. See Page B1to the Sooners. See Page B1

Kyle Phillips / The Transcript Plant Manager Ryan Bart gives a tour of the Norman Water Reclamation Facility on Feb. 1, 2020. Voters will see a rate increase on an April ballot.

Water rate increase?

Voters to decide water rate increase in April 2022

By Mindy Ragan Wood

Transcript Staff Writer

e fi rst city water rate increase in six years will be put before the voters in April following a Tuesday decision by Norman City Council.

Councilors in their Tuesday study session reached a consensus to send an increase to voters and to raise water connection fees in future by council vote. Fees can be adjusted by council vote while utility rate increases must be approved by voters.

Increasing the rate would allow the city more income to fi nance capital projects, improvements and replace old water lines, staff said during the presentation.

Ward 4 Lee Hall said while it was important to provide stable rate revenue for projected improvements, the most important considerations

See WATER Page A5

Vaccine doubts still driving state lawsuits

Despite doctors’ confi dence in vaccine science, Oklahoma AG vaccine science, Oklahoma AG remains unconvinced of safety

NPD data show racial disparity in use of force

An analysis of Norman police’s practices shows a signifi cant racial disparity in the department’s uses of force, which disproportionately aff ect Black people.

Of NPD’s 267 uses of force from 2016 to June 2020, offi cers used force against Black people 44 times, according to an NPD news release. It’s roughly 16.5% of all uses of force in that time frame — more than three times the 4.7% of Norman residents who are Black.

Additionally, police used force on Black people 3.4 times as often as on white people in that time. is statistic accounts for poverty levels, crime rates in diff erent neighborhoods and percent of Black residents in neighborhoods, according to a Center for Policing Equity news

See DISPARITY Page A3

Kyle Phillips / The Transcript Norman police investigate an offi cer-involved shooting July 5, 2014, after a Cleveland County Sheriffs Deputy killed a suspect on 24th Avenue SW between Boyd St. and Brooks Ave.

By Janelle Stecklein

CNHI State Reporter

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s attorney general said Tuesday that lingering doubts he has about the science behind COVID-19 vaccines is one reason the state is pushing back on federal vaccination mandates with lawsuits.

However, two doctors, after learning of his remarks, said they have confi dence in the science that led to the vaccines.

O’Connor made his remarks during a Tuesday morning press conference where he, Gov. Kevin Stitt, National Guard Adjutant Gen. omas Mancino, as well as an Oklahoma business owner, discussed concerns about the federal government and military mandating COVID-19 vaccines. ey also discussed fi ve lawsuits that seek to halt the mandates, which they contend are unconstitutional.

Asked why he has concerns with the COVID-19 vaccine, as opposed to other vaccines that have long been required by the military — such as fl u, polio, anthrax and the measles — Attorney General John O’Connor said he believes the science is more of a concern for the COVID-19 vaccine because of how long it’s been

See VACCINE Page A2

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INSIDE

Comics A6 Classifieds B5 Crossword B6 Obituaries A3 Opinion A4 Sports B1 Weather A2

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WORD of the day

allyship (n) al-ly-ship [al-ahy-ship]

1. the status or role of a person who advocates and actively works for the inclusion of a marginalized or politicized group in all areas of society, not as a member of that group but in solidarity with its struggle and point of view and under its leadership. Example: “Companies were quick to promise an inclusive work environment, flooded their social media pages with Black and brown faces, extolled allyship ...” — Rita Omokha, “VR Trainings are Not ...Corporate Racism,” Wired, 2021

Inside

• Judge blocks vaccine mandate for federal contractors

— Page A5

• Oklahoma inmate asks Supreme Court to stay his execution

— Page A8

ScanthisQRcode to find alocation near you.

DIVISION 2

Dailies, Population less than 30,000 SEMI- & TRI-

WEEKLIES The Duncan Banner - 11/21/2021

ALL AREA

Check out the 2021 MN-C All-Area spring baseball team

SPORTS >> PAGE B1 McAlester

>> INSIDE

Serving southeast Oklahoma since 1896 SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2021

mcalesternews.com $2.00 GREENWOOD: A CENTURY LATER

THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE destroyed more than 1,200 homes and businesses in 1921.

Oklahoma Historical Society | Courtesy Photo

Worst race massacre finally being told

CNHI NEWS

TULSA — John W. Franklin wept as he read his grandfather’s account of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

The fragile, yellowing, 90-year-old document — an eyewitness description of the worst race massacre in U.S. history — now sits in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“I wept the first time I read it; the second time I read it, and the third time I read it,” he said about B.C. Franklin’s account of the 1921 massacre. It describes the horrors in Tulsa’s affluent, thriving Greenwood District when a white mob — fueled by racism, envy and fear — murdered, looted and burned out the Black community with impunity. The account, written in 1931, was not discovered until 2015 in a storage unit.

For decades, many details of what happened in senior manager emeritus of the museum. And to the extent that what happened in Tulsa came down in history at all, it was inaccurate, blaming Black residents for what happened by calling it the “Negro uprising.” Later, it was called the Tulsa Race Riot; today, it is known, more accurately, as the Tulsa Race Massacre.

B.C. Franklin called it a “race war.”

“It’s crucial that we re name this event for what it is,” said Paul Gardullo, supervisory curator at the museum, which in cludes an exhibit on Tul sa. “I think the term that is being used right now — Tulsa Race Massacre — is the right term.”

John Franklin thinks other terms do a better job conveying what hap pened. He notes that the Jewish press referred to the 1921 attack as a “po grom” massacre and expulsion of a particular religious or ethnic group, such as

KYLE PHILLIPS | CNHI Photo , project manager of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, awaits completion

At century mark, Tulsa Race Massacre’s wounds still unhealed PAGE A7

‘REMEMBER AND RISE’ CANCELED

100th anniversary of the

PAGE A6

WEATHER

CONTENT: CNHI OKLAHOMA PHOTOS: OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY CNHI GRAPHIC

B1

Retired McAlester educator doesn’t want history to repeat itself

By ADRIAN O’HANLON III

EDITOR

A retired McAlester educator believes students can grow through learning more about the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Primus Moore said more should be done to educate students about what historians call the nation’s worst race massacre, which merits just three sentences in a history text for juniors at McAlester High School. The school supplements instruction with videos and materials — but Moore said more should be done statewide.

“I really don’t think it’s enough,” Moore said. “I think it’s a start; it’s a beginning.”

The Tulsa Race Massacre began May 31, 1921, and lasted less than 16 hours with an angry white mob destroying 1,200 Black homes and businesses in the previously flourishing Black community of Greenwood along what was known as Black Wall Street.

A commission report lists 38 official deaths, but the death toll is now estimated between 100 and 300 with bodies quickly buried in mass graves without documentation.

Moore graduated in 1965 as the class president of L’Ouverture School, the public school Black students attended from 1908 to 1968 — when 115 L’Ouverture High School students integrated with McAlester High School.

But Moore said he didn’t learn about the Tulsa Race Massacre until 1966 at Langston University, Oklahoma’s only historically black college or university, while talking with a roommate from Tulsa.

Moore said he couldn’t believe it at first. It was the first time he heard about Black Wall Street and what historians now call the nation’s worst race massacre.

“We were all shocked that it happened and that

>> See EDUCATOR // Page A10

Vol. 125, No. 194

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Weekend, Nov. 20-21, 2021

Duncan Banner File Art

Former Mayor Ritchie Dennington (left) and Councilwoman Patty Wininger (center) thank Jimmy Peters for his years of service on council in July 2020 when he left the board. Peters will now return to the Ward 1 seat.

Jimmy Peters to return to Duncan Ward 1 position

By Charlene Belew The Duncan Banner

A familiar face will return to the Duncan City Council lineup to take his former position and fill the current Ward 1 vacancy.

Jimmy Peters, who previously served as the Ward 1 Councilman after swearing in June 24, 2015, served two terms until he announced he wouldn’t rerun for the position, will once again fill the role after former councilwoman Jennifer Smith, who took the position officially on July 7, 2020, resigned from the office between late September and early October this year.

Peters’ selection and approval to the Ward 1 position came during a special meeting at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19 in Duncan City Council Chambers inside the Duncan Police Department. The position did not go to vote as the term from Smith has not yet been completed. That means Peters’ term will extend through May 2023.

Former Mayor Ritchie Dennington took the stand during public comment, and told Mayor and Coun-

See WARD 1 Page A6

Marlow Municipal, area school board filings upcoming

By The Banner Staff

Candidates for municipal office in the City of Marlow or for school board positions throughout the county may begin filing their declarations of candidacy at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6.

According to Angela Dunagan, Secretary for the Stephens County Election Board, the filing period ends at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8.

Municipal offices are up for grabs in the City of Marlow. The positions include the Ward 1 and Ward 4 positions, both of which carry a three year term.

Offices in Marlow will go to vote in a non-partisan primary election on Feb. 8, 2022, and if a general election is necessary, then that will take place on April 5, 2022.

On the school board side of things, positions will open in nine Stephens County school districts for filing during the same time period.

According to information from Dunagan’s office, Board of Education positions include Office No. 2 positions in Duncan, Comanche, Marlow, Velma-Alma, Empire, Central High, BrayDoyle and Red River Tech Center. Grandview School District will make the only district seeking Office No. 1 to be filled.

If only two candidates file, the position will be filled at the General Election. If more than two candidates file for the same seat, a Primary Election will take place.

See FILING Page A2

Supporters of Oklahoma death penalty fear executions ending

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — After a six-year moratorium on the death penalty following a series of botched lethal injections, Oklahoma officials announced in August they would seek execution dates for seven condemned men . By the next month, their executions were scheduled, leading some death penalty supporters to believe the state’s executions would resume posthaste.

But what was once one of the nation’s busiest death chambers has not resumed administering capital punishment as easily as some had hoped after Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday stopped Julius Jones from being executed hours before he was scheduled to die.

See PENALTY Page A2

Kiwanis Annual Christmas tree sale aims to bring holiday cheer

By Tamara Gregor The Duncan Banner

The Duncan Chisholm Trail Kiwanis Club will look to extend a bit of the Christmas spirit this holiday season as they work toward opening day of their Christmas Tree Sale.

The Christmas tree lot will open the Friday after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 with a wide selection. The annual Christmas tree sale in Kiddieland inside Fuqua Park opens from from 2-8 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.

Dr. Nate Edwards, Christmas Tree Committee Chairman, said there has been a Christmas tree shortage over the past two years. This year, the Kiwanis club hauled in 300 trees for the community.

“We anticipate having a very busy season,” Edwards said. “We don’t expect them

Photos by Tamara Gregor / The Duncan Banner and submitted (Above) Duncan High School’s football, baseball, tennis teams and Key Club students helped club members unload the 300 trees to kick off the season. The Christmas tree lot will open the Friday after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 with a wide selection. The annual Christmas tree sale in Kiddieland inside Fuqua Park opens from 2-8 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Satur-Fuqua Park opens from 2-8 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Satur days and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. Kiwanis Club members expect the trees, per usual fashion, well sell out within the first week of their availability.

to be here longer than a week.”

Kiwanis members received their Christmas tree shipment on Thursday afternoon from Dutchman Tree Farms in Maine.

Stacy McGough, Secretary of the Kiwanis Club, said there are a variety of trees available.

“We will have a variety of types of trees available along with a variety of prices as well,” McGough said. “Kiwanis looks forward to this special time of year, and assisting families to find their “perfect” tree.”

Duncan High School’s football, baseball, tennis teams and Key Club students helped club members

See KIWANIS Page A2

SMART PHONE DIRECT LINK INSIDE

Obituaries A3 Opinion A4 Bridge A5 Sports A7 Lifestyles B1 Comics B3 Classifieds B4 Business B8

WORD of the day

Nugatory

(noun) noo-guh-tawr-eeuh1. Of no force or effect; ineffective; Of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain. Example: “While outdated theory may not render one’s interpretations nugatory, they may seem quaint to those who work within the field from which the ideas came, and intramural strife, if it remains unobserved, can not then serve to provide occasions for fruitful comparison, since intellectual battles in one arena often have interesting parallels and previously unimagined consequences within another.” — Courtesy of Dictionary.com.

On this day

• 100M watch ABC TV movie “The Day After” about nuclear war.

— Nov. 20, 1983

• China prohibits opium trade.

— Nov. 21, 1906

— Courtesy of Onthisday.com

Inside

• Duncan Swim finishes second on Senior Night. — Page A7 • RRTC gives high school students college prep experience ahead of real world. — Page B1

April 28, 2022 12:05 pm (GMT +0:00)

DIVISION 4

Weeklies, Population more than 19,000Choctaw Times - 02/10/2021

DIVISION 5

Weeklies, Population 7,000 - 19,000

Inside the Beacon 24 PAGES

WWW.MIDWESTCITYBEACON.COM NOVEMBER 24, 2021 VOL. 116, ISSUE 12

LOCAL LOCAL

Golden Apple

Midwest City Residents turn out for community meeting about controversial housing development

Local educators were honored last week during the Golden Apple Awards at Rose State. See page 2A

SPORTS SPORTS

Carl Albert moves on

By Jeff Harrison Managing Editor

Several Midwest City residents packed into the Nick Harroz Community Center last week to discuss a proposed residential development on the city’s east side.

The proposed Summerview development would add more than 900 single family houses and apartments on 173 acres between E. Reno Ave. and SE 15th St., just east of Westminster Rd. A total of 364 houses are planned on the west side of the development and 560 apartments on the east portion.

Residents voiced concerns about the residential development including: increased traffi c, density of the housing, storm water drainage, impact on schools, and other issues.

The Nov. 16 community meeting was organized by a group of residents that oppose the project. They have been collecting signatures for a protest letter and provided an update on their eff orts.

A formal protest requires

See MEETING, page 10A

Midwest City residents sign a petition opposing the Summerview residential development planned on the city’s east side during a

community meeting on Nov. 16. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON

The Titans edged Coweta last week in the second round of the playoff s. See page 1B

Julius Jones

Students at Del City High School held a rally in support of Julius Jones last Thursday morning outside the

school building. PHOTO BY JONATHAN TERRY Students rally for Julius Jones

By Jeff Harrison Managing Editor

Local high school students walked out of their schools last Thursday morning in support of Julius Jones, the death row inmate who was scheduled to be executed later that day, until Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted the death sentence.

All three Mid-Del high schools conducted walkouts.

At Midwest City High School, students held a rally outside the administration building. A few students remained outside longer and held

See JONES, page 10A

Students at Midwest City High School hold a demonstration in support of Julius Jones, a death row inmate who was scheduled to be killed before Gov.

Kevin Stitt commuted his sentence. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON EMS Del City approves contract for EMS service

City Council adds $3.45 monthly fee

Anthony Thomas Staff Writer

After 10 months of searching and negotiating with multiple ambulance providers, Del City has fi nally signed a one-year contract with Paff ord EMS.

Under the agreement, Paff ord will provide EMS service with 2 ½ ambulances dedicated to Del City. Two ambulances will serve Del City 24/7, and a third will be staff ed 12 hours per day during peak hours. Del City will pay $30,000 per month for the service.

That cost will be passed on to residents in the form of a $3.45 ambulance surcharge on monthly utility bills. The new fee will be charged to every single-family residence, multifamily residential unit, nursing home and assisted

See EMS, page 10A

Healthcare ArchWell Health opens clinic in Midwest City

By Jeff Harrison Managing Editor

Local senior citizens have a new option for primary health care in Midwest City.

ArchWell Health last week celebrated the grand opening of a primary care physician offi ce at 6951 SE 15th St. in Midwest City. The new facility off ers holistic primary healthcare services for senior citizens age 65 and over.

Employees with ArchWell Health welcomed the community for a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration last

Representatives from ArchWell Health cut a ceremonial ribbon last Thursday during the grand opening of their new Midwest City clinic

located at 6951 SE 15th St. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON Thursday. Guests enjoyed tours of the new offi ce and met with doctors and staff . The Midwest City Chamber of Commerce also presented a plaque to Dr. Aneesh Pakala, a primary care physician at ArchWell Health.

The comprehensive primary care service includes transportation to and from the center, access to same-day appointments, specialty and ancillary services, social workers, dietitian, and more.

“We want to provide high quality, holistic primary care for our seniors and we do that in centers just like this,” Pakala said. “These centers are built right within our communities. These aren’t just doctor’s clinics. These

See ARCHWELL, page 10A

See STUDENTS, page 12A

Volume 12, No. 15 Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Inside the Times LOCAL LOCAL

Gov. Stitt visits EOC

Local leaders meet with Gov. Stitt, tour Tinker Air Force Base. City 8 candidates fi le for 3 seats

Election to determine next City Council set for April 6

By Ryan Horton

Managing Editor

A total of eight candidates fi led for three Choctaw City Council seats to be fi lled in the upcoming April 6 election.

Brent Pendergraft, 41, fi led to challenge incumbent Mike Birdsong, 64, for the Ward 2 seat.

In Ward 4, incumbent Roger Malone, 73, has two challengers in Donna Morris, 54, and 72-year-old Art Sipes.

Ward 6 will have new representation as Dale Gill is set to vacate the seat leaving it to one of three candidates.

Donald Judson, 38, Sean Lynch, 51, and Rick Modisette, 67, are all competing for votes in that ward.

New terms will begin for these three even numbered seats April 19, and those terms will expire in April of 2024.

Following the April election, all of Choctaw’s City Council members will earn $115 per month, while the mayor, elected at large across all wards, earns $165 a month.

The Council meets publicly on the fi rst and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

The City Council chambers are located at Choctaw City Hall, 2500 North Choctaw Road.

See Page 2A Business Government

SPORTS SPORTS

Yellowjackets sting Midwest City

Choctaw sweeps rival Bombers.

See Page 1B

BETTEROKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION NEWSPAPER

2019

Connie Bradshaw serves up some fresh catfi sh on Friday night. PHOTO RYAN HORTON Choctaw welcomes Wagon Wheels Cafe

Local restaurant celebrates new name, same great food and service

By Ryan Horton

Managing Editor

During November and December, the Bandana Red’s Grill ran ballots in the Choctaw Times to allow community members to help determine a new name for the restaurant.

With nearly 150 unique name recommendations submitted, the café that has been an eastern Oklahoma County favorite for nearly 20 years made its new branding offi cial Feb. 1.

Choctaw Wagon Wheels Café Wheels Café is open is open for for business and continuing a long tradition of serving up local favorites, especially Friday cially Friday night’s night’s all all you can eat catfi sh special.

Originally named Nana and Papaw’s, the restaurant has now undergone two renaming contests where the public determined the brand.

New owners John and Kellie Haley were excited to see so much community engagement in the renaming process, and they look forward to

See WAGON Page 10A Harrah election planned

Residents to vote on mayor, Ward 1 and 3

By Ryan Horton

Managing Editor

Danny Trent, 57, has fi led to challenge Harrah mayor Larry Fryar, 64, in the upcoming April municipal election.

Additionally, two candidates have fi led to fi ll the Ward 1 seat after Kim Bishop leaves the post.

Susan Morgan, 40, and Paul Wiegert, 66, have fi led to represent Ward 1.

Incumbent Duane Patterson, 56, has a challenger in Chris Lally, 39, for the Ward 3 seat.

The municipal election is set for April 6.

For a ward map and more information visit https://cityofharrah.com/ city-council

Award Harrah native named Unsung Hero of Capitol Hill

Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) recently congratulated Sabrina Parker, who was named one of the Unsung Heroes of Capitol Hill by the Ripon Society and Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange during a bipartisan virtual event in December.

This recognition is awarded annually to exceptional congressional schedulers and executive assistants.

A native of Harrah and based in Cole’s Washington offi ce, Parker has been on staff since 2011 and currently serves as Director of Operations.

In this role, she creatively manages the details and facilitates the logistics relating to all aspects of Cole’s schedule. She also oversees and ensures timely completion of numerous other support functions for the offi ce.

“For more than nine years on my staff , Sabrina Parker has demonstrated that she will always go the extra mile to ensure smooth operations for me and my offi ce,” said Cole.

“Her attention to detail, work ethic and professionalism are truly unmatched. I am grateful for the unending dedication and energy she brings to her demanding job and the service she also renders to the Fourth District of Oklahoma. She is indeed one of the greatest unsung heroes of Capitol Hill, and I am proud to congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.”

Harrah’s Sabrina Parker and Congressman Tom Cole

(OK-04). PHOTO PROVIDED

April 28, 2022 12:16 pm (GMT +0:00)

DIVISION 6

Weeklies, Population 3,500 - 7,000

News Source for Source for The The Heart of Heart of Oklahoma Oklahoma

ThePurcell ThePurcell Register Register Register Register 2020 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST presented by the OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNER Thursday, October 14, 2021 Thursday, October 14, 2021 purcellregister.com Vol. 134 No. 47 • 3 sections • 40 pages Vol. 134 No. 47 • 3 sections • 34 pages Vol. 134 No. 47 • 3 sections • 40 pages 75¢

Since 1887

Helping students succeed

Purcell High School takes multi-pronged approach

JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register

Of 33 Purcell High School graduates who enrolled in college in Oklahoma in the fall of 2020, six had to take remediation courses in English

Warriors tear through field

on way to State crown

Three run rules in three shutout games

Please see Succeed, page 11A JohnDennyMontgomery The Purcell Register

Bosse denied

OCCA tosses post-conviction application

It was about as dominating a performance as can be drawn up.

InthreegamesintheStatetournament Washington pitcher Maggie Place and the Warrior defense allowed zero runs and seven hits.

Placestruckout19battersduring the span.

Washington took run-rule wins

Please see State, page 2B

JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register

In a ruling October 7, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals struck down Shaun Bosse’s latest attempt for post- conviction relief for first degree

Please see Bosse, page 11A

Gala 2021

Raising funds for Hope Center

Hope Center Ministries will host Gala 2021 next week at the McClain County Farm & Home Building in Purcell.

The gala on October 21 will raise funds for the

Please see Gala, page 11A

2A State Champions

• Photo provided

Purcell’s Dragon PrideMarchingBandwontheClass2AStateChampionshiplastSaturday at Claremore. They were second overall in all classes.

Traffic flow

Congestion addressed at North 9th

JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register

City and school officials were set to meet Wednesday to address traffic flow concerns on North 9th Avenue around the elementary school.

City manager Dale Bunn announced the planned meeting during a city council meeting October 7.

A study by Traffic Engineering Consultants Inc., presented the city with options to improve traffic flow on the street, particularly at times parents are picking up children from the elementary and intermediate schools.

The initial report by the firm cites an “overabundance of signs directing vehicles on where to go.”

TECUSA engineer B.J. Hawkins reported the problem is centered on two

Please see 9th, page 11A

Storm brings rain

The 1.5” that was recorded here Sunday night, coupled with the 1.2” that fell Wednesday morning, brings the year-to-date rainfall total to 37.8”.

So far this year Oklahoma City has officially measured 28.04”. The normal year-to-date total is 30.89”.

The storm Sunday produced at least 16 tornadoes in the state and several places got hail damage including Norman, again.

Greg Gaston • double g images Laying out

Washington junior Abby Wood goes for a ballduringWashington’s 10-0 win over North RockCreekHighSchool in the State finals.

The Warriors were crownedtheClass3A

State champions.

5 questions with Julie Malone

Editor’s note: Answering The Purcell Register’s five questions this week is Wayne Elementary School principal Julie Malone.

Q: What is the best part of being an elementary principal?

A: The kids. They are the best part of my job. Greeting students in the morning is my favorite part of the day. They don’t know a hug or smile from them is often the best part of my day.

One day in the cafeteria, ketchup was served with lunch, and kids just love to give cafeteria hugs. I ended up with a ketchup handprint on the back of my white sweater. I never did wear that sweater again, but it was worth it.

Working with an invested group of teachers and support

Please see Malone, page 10A

Bond passes

$24.5 million for Washington schools

Voters in the Washington School District passed a massive $24.5 million school bond to meet the growth needs of the district in the future.

The measure passed, 493-

Please see Bond, page 6A

Inside

Friday night lights

Read all about YOUR Heart of Oklahoma football teams.

Pg. 1B

Inside

Chili cook off

See where your chili recipe stacks up with your neighbors.

Pg. 2A

Find it...

Opinion.................4A

Society..................6A

Sports...................1B

Obituaries...........10A

Classifieds..........11B

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Heraldand “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” – Ansel Adams

Vol. 131, No. 20 • 50 cents Thursday, May 20, 2021 40 Pages • 4 sections news • grad section

Class of 2021

Darian Mahan, Cobie Rickner, Claire Norrell and Miranda Williams took the opportunity for a group selfi e while waiting for the Chandler High School graduation ceremonies to begin Friday evening at Joe Telford Stadium. After missing last year’s graduation due to COVID-19, Chandler had almost perfect weather and celebrated this year’s graduates with a festive atmosphere and a fi reworks show. See our graduation section inside this week’s edition for more photos and information on graduates from all high schools in the area. Photo/Brian Blansett

Local arrest in Capitol incursion

MIKE McCORMICK Staff Writer

A 25-year-old Chandler resident was arrested this week by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly participating in the incident on Jan. 6 of this year where hundreds of people stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Federal court records show that on Monday of this week the FBI executed a warrant for the arrest of Tanner Bryce Sells.

A source said the arrest by the FBI occurred in Chandler after Sells was reportedly stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper.

Public records show the warrant was executed and returned.

An FBI agent says in a Statement of Facts “there is probable cause to believe that Tanner Bryce Sells violated the U.S. Code which makes it a crime to (1) knowingly enter or remain in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to do so.

“And (2) knowingly and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or offi cial functions, engage in disorderly or disruptive conduct in or within proximity to any restricted building or grounds when, or so that, such conduct impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of Government business or offi cial functions.”

He goes on to state “or attempts or conspires to do so.”

The agent further states “that there is probable cause to believe Sells violated the U.S. Code which makes it a crime to willfully and knowingly utter loud, threatening or abusive language, or engage in disorderly or disruptive

See Page 3A

Carney: Valedictorian and salutatorian

Offi cials at Carney High School have named the top two graduates for the 2021 graduating class. Sarah McFadden was named Valedictorian and Sara Mayes is the Salutatorian.

They were honored at

See Page 2A

Sarah McFadden Sara Mayes

And the Class of 2034

The pre-schoolers at East Side Elementary School got into the end-of-school spirit with the school’s annual rodeo last week. They had stick horse races, roping and rocking horse bronc riding and threw fl ying disks made to look like cow pies. Above, some of the wranglers give their thirsty stick horses a drink from the hands of teacher Kathy Shupe. For more photos, see Page 4A. Photo/Brian Blansett

DIVISION 8

Weeklies, Population less than 2,000

Embracing Embroidery

–Page 8

$1.00 Fairfax Chief The

VOL. 117 N0. 15 USPS NO. 184-040

FAIRFAX, OKLAHOMA THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

Photo by Joe Conner | THE FAIRFAX CHIEF Ponca City’s Po-Hi Steppers paraded a grand Old Glory as their tribute to Veterans Saturday. The talented group recently won a National Championship in the Nationall American Dance/Drill Team Competition. See more photos on page 2.

Po-Hi Steppers unfurl Old Glory

Carol Conner

The FairFax ChieF

Serving the United States of America is a long tradition – starting with those who fought for freedom back in the Revolutionary War. We were reminded of that Saturday, when one lone man dressed in a revolutionary war uniform paraded down Grand in Ponca City.

Ponca’s Veterans’ Day parade was bigger and better than ever. There were fighter jets flying overhead, tanks on the streets, and even veterans from World War II!

The idea of honoring those who serve in the military didn’t begin until after World War I. Even though that war didn’t officially end until the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, fighting stopped when there was a temporary cessation of hostilities – known as an Armistice.

That happened on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. After passing a bill to honor WWI veterans, President Wilson said in his proclamation announcing Armistice Day, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the

Continued to Page 4 VETERANS

Courtesy Photo | NATE FOLGER Woodland Seniors and their families were honored at last Friday’s football game. Greg, Jamie and Mary Louise Jordan; Paige Hadlock, Gunnar and William Gates; Misty Hayes, Levi and Luke Bernard; Dustin and Cassidi Potts, Vanessa, Wyatt and Jessica Asher; Daniel, Lainy and Cathy LeForce; Sammy Cagle, Regan Lockert and Kristi Metzger; Frank, Jacob and Sara Brackett; Bree, Will and Ben Lockett, Marcy and Andy Graham; Leslie Williams, Lucian and Jason McKinney.

Now for young readers

Carol Conner

The FairFax ChieF

The horrors of Osage 1920’s history told in Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann is now available in an edition for readers 10 and up.

The conspiracy and murders of Osages have been called “one of history’s most ruthless and shocking crimes.” The discovery of oil and the fact that Osages kept their mineral rights made them among the wealthiest people in the world.

But that wealth brought out greed and jealousy. Tribal members began to die – at first quietly, then by gunshot, then by blowing up a house! Anyone who tried to figure out what was going on wound up in the same condition as the targeted tribal members – dead.

Osage tribal officials eventually were able

Continued to Page 5 YOUNG READERS

Area Sales Tax Collection for October 2021

2021 2020 2019 2018

Barnsdall 23,325 18,099 20,833 17,453 Bartlesville 1,884,179 1,579,191 1,652,367 1,635,282 Burbank 628 507 515 617 Fairfax 34,147 21,929 16,285 16,934 Hominy 62,438 47,203 46,161 47,548 Kaw City 7,678 6,755 3,799 4,236 Pawhuska 206,678 117,529 116,475 106,250 Pawnee 67,815 63,856 37,549 55,578 Ponca City 1,439,188 1,212,435 1,125,371 1,129,447 Ralston 1,737 1,895 1,985 2,371 Shidler 5,527 4,064 4,599 6,110 Skiatook 402,783 339,044 319,997 299,336

Nearly every surrounding city saw an increase in sales tax for the month of October with the exception of Ralston, who showed a slight decrease. Vaccines guard kids from COVID

Carol Conner

The FairFax ChieF

Can you believe that the vaccine to protect the world from the deadly coronavirus is now available to kids as young as 5?

Starting way back in early 2020, the invisible coronavirus began reshaping the whole world into a frightening place where no one and no place was safe from illness and possible death.

The solutions at that time, knowing that you could just breathe the virus in, were to avoid as much contact with others as possible, clean obsessively, and basically stay home!

But with scientists around the world working fulltime to save humanity, vaccines were developed, approved, and shot into arms as early as last December.

When we were grieving the loss of people from the deadly COVID-19 virus last year, the victims were our friends and family who had no opportunity to protect themselves with a simple shot in the arm.

But thanks to the miracles of modern medicine and science, the ability to protect ourselves began. Those most at risk – our beloved elders, those with lots of health issues – began to be protected, so we had fewer and fewer deaths.

Nursing home residents here in Oklahoma began getting the vaccine in late December. Since then, thousands of adults have had the opportunity to get immunized.

Just a few short weeks ago, the vaccines were approved for kids 12 and up. Then we got the thrilling news that a booster would improve the odds of survival for those over 65 or immunocompromised.

But now, with a recent surge due that saw many children getting ill – now even our precious young children can get the life-saving vaccine.

Dr. Donna Tyungu, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Oklahoma Children’s Hospital – OU Health was quoted in the Tulsa World as saying, “Children are not supposed to pass away. COVID is now one of the 10 leading

Continued to Page 5 VACCINE

November 11, 2021

November 11th Veterans Day November 19th Near Total Lunar Eclipse FAIRFAX

11th New Hope Food Truck, 12-1 PM, New Hope Church 14th Listening session, Sacred Heart Catholic Church 10:00 a.m. 16th FMFI Board Meeting, 6 PM, 160 N. Main

Sweet Home Baptist

Church Services 1st and 3rd Sundays 3 PM. Monday-Friday, Seniors 55+ Drive Through Lunch, 11 AM-12:30 PM, ON Elder Nutrition Center

BARNSDALL

20th Food Distribution 11 AM-1 PM, 200 W. Chestnut Avenue

BURBANK

18th First Baptist Church of Burbank Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, 6 PM, Burbank Alumni Building

HOMINY

AA Big Book Meeting, every Tuesday and Thursday, 8 PM, 510 Friends Road Monday-Friday, Senior Citizens Lunch 11:30 AM12 PM, Drive-Through and Call Ahead Orders, Senior Citizens Center

PAWHUSKA

11th Pawhuska Public Schools Veterans Day Car Parade, 10 AM, begins at High School Softball Field 11th AA Meeting every Thursday, 7:30-8:30 PM, 1228 S Pecan Ave. (918) 440-9646 COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, Wah-Zha-Zhi Health Center, 7:45 AM - 4 PM, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment only, 918-287-9300 Monday-Friday, Senior Citizens Lunch, 12 PM, Call Ahead Orders at ON Elder Nutrition Center

PONCA CITY

13th Holiday Craft Fair, 8 AM-4 PM, RecPlex 19th Holiday Market, 10 AM-3 PM, Pioneer Technology Center 20th PetSense Adoption Event, 2-5 PM, 2129 N. 14th Street

PAWNEE

13th Let’s Talk About it Book Series, Pigs in Heaven, 7 PM, Pawnee Bill and Ranch Museum

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

every other Saturday, 9 AM-12 PM, Pawnee COVID Center

SAND SPRINGS

13th Exhibit with Photos of Country Stars from Oklahoma, 2 - 4 PM, Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum

TONKAWA

11th-14th Fall Musical: Legally Blonde, 7:30 PM, Kinzer Performing Arts Center

TULSA

11th Stargazing night, 7-9 PM, Tulsa Botanic Garden, 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive

Community calendar sponsored by

COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS

The Cameron UniversiTyCollegian

Monday, March 29, 2021 www.aggiecentral.com Volume 104 Issue 3

Brittney Payette

Student Life Editor

Cameron University hosted an Empowering Women in Leadership and STEM Conference at 5:30 p.m. on March 3 in the McCasland Ballroom.

The keynote speaker was Shelby Morris, an Oklahoma native who works as an Employee Learning Facilitator at Oklahoma State University. Morris introduced the Clifton StrengthsFinder test to the attendees, which uses 177 questions to determine people’s top five strengths. The test, according to Morris, helps people learn more about themselves.

“Instead of fixating on what’s wrong with people, let’s talk about what’s right with them,” Morris said. She then discussed how people’s innate talents affect their lives and how the StrengthsFinder test can help people realize their true potential.

“They are not strengths until they are productively applied,” Morris said.

Morris asked attendees to go around the ballroom to find other people who share some of the same top five strengths results, and discuss it within their found groups.

“We want to focus on what we’re good at and build on that, and look at our potential,” Morris said. “We are at our best when we are fully engaged and aware of our strengths.”

She also asked people to find others that have different strengths and ask questions about their results.

One of the people who attended the conference, Marketing Senior Kassi Coosewoon, talked about her Zoom group and their top StrengthsFinder talents.

“I was in a diversified group,” said Coosewoon. “We all had a different top strength, but it was cool to see how many of my group members were surprised at their top five.”

After the keynote speaker finished speaking, attendees went to get food and network with other people.

Next, a discussion panel featuring women in leadership positions answered a variety of questions from the audience

The panelists consisted of OSU Employee Learning Facilitator Shelby Morris, Cameron Assistant Professor and Voice Area Coordinator Dr. Christian Morren, Lawton Public School Teacher Samantha Leonard, and Ernst and Young’s Senior Manager in financial accounting advisery services, Nam Do.

Morren said that people should try “helping out others as you want others to help you in times of need.”

Morren also said people should try to place themselves in other’s shoes, and to listen to what people say, because there are multiple sides to every story.

Do emphasized the importance of communication, being a team player and focusing on what people can accomplish instead of what they cannot.

“My only suggestion is to take one step forward and focus on that very next thing that you need to do,” Do said. “Focus on what you can control versus what you can’t.”

Leonard said that she did not see herself as a virtual teacher when she was younger, but is glad that she can rely on her strengths — such as her creativity — to teach virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having a baby changed her perspective on life and career path.

“I definitely knew that I needed to have a stable career for my daughter,” Leonard said. “I felt like the most fulfilling and gratifying career that could make my life comfortable and happy is to be a teacher.”

Morris said her inspiration was her husband, Morren said her’s was her stepmother, and Leonard’s was her mother. Do also talked about how to react when someone does not feel heard. “We are moving in the right direction,” Do said. “To be heard, you need to be more assertive and make yourself visible.”

Morren said she had to learn how to stop apologizing, and to hold her ground.

Leonard said she tries to pace herself so that she does not get overwhelmed, by chunking responsibilities instead of trying to do everything at one time.

Do said people must take things one step at a time, so that they are not overwhelmed.

Some questions were prepared for the event in advance, but audience members were also permitted to ask their own questions.

Questions ranged from “what inspires you?” to how each panelist deals with stress.

The Empowering Women in Leadership and STEM event allowed people to network with others, learn more about themselves and speak with accomplished businesswomen.

Photos by Brittney Payette

It STEMs from greatness: Panelists for the “Women in Leadership and STEM” event included Oklahoma State University’s Shelby Morris, Lawton Public School Teacher Samantha Leonard and Cameron Assistant Professor Dr. Christian Morren. The panel also included senior manager Nam Do (not pictured), who spoke at the conference about identifying strengths and her inspiration throughout her career.

What’s Inside

Free books and how to get them Page 3

Greek Life Tropical Bash

Page 5

Feature: Kalen Haynes

Page 6

POINTS:

Points in the first eight categories are awarded as follows. No points are awarded in categories 9 through 23.

EVENTS 1-3

1st Place 110 Points 2nd Place 80 Points 3rd Place 60 Points

EVENTS 4-8

1st Place 100 Points 2nd Place 70 Points 3rd Place 50 Points Each division’s Sweepstakes winner, which is determined by the amount of points accumulated in the first eight categories, receives the Sequoyah Award – the highest honor in the contest.