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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2020
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Smith bill stopped after ‘stop and frisk’ concerns explanation of his or her actions,” the bill states. EDITOR A portion of the bill allowed officers to demand A representative called the suspect to explain a bill he authored an their action, but it was atrocity after it raised removed at the recomconcerns over its consti- mendation of Chairman Chris Kannady, R-Oklatutionality. District 18 Represen- homa City. Smith said tative David Smith, law enforcement officers requested R-McAlthe legisester, said lation. he auPittst h o r e d b u r g House Bill County 3359 with citizens the intent voiced to crack concerns down on during a crime — town hall but backed meeting away from last year the bill afabout ister it sues stemr a i s e d State Rep. David Smith ming from “stop and crime and frisk” con- “I couldn’t get it d r u g s, cerns and w h i c h any deader if I passed Smith said tried. It was an with an partially a m e n d - atrocity.” inspired m e n t him to DAVID SMITH through State representative write the the House bill. Ju d i c i a r y Smith, a Committee this week. military veteran, said he Smith called the bill a d i d n ’ t h av e t i m e t o mistake and House Machange language in the jority Leader Jon Echols bill before it went to jureportedly stopped the dicial committee and he bill from being heard on did not intend to “stomp the floor. on” constitutional rights. “I buried that bill; I “I’m up here to try to c r e m a t e d t h a t b i l l ,” help them (constituents) Smith said. “I couldn’t and this bill just was not get it any deader if I the way to do it,” Smith tried. It was an atrocity.” said. The bill, if passed, Smith’s district inwould have allowed law cludes Allen, Arpelar, enforcement officers to Ashland, Atwood, Brostop anyone they sus- mide, Calvin, Canadian, pect of breaking the law Centrahoma, Coalgate, — or if the officers think Crowder, Eufaula, Gerty, a person is about to com- Hanna, Hitchita, Hornmit a crime. town, Indianola, Kiowa, “A peace officer may Lamar, Lehigh, Longstop any person who the town, McAlester, Philpeace officer reasonably lips, Savanna, Stidham, suspects is committing, Stuart, Tupelo. has committed or is He authored seven about to commit a viola- house bills and a joint tion of the criminal laws resolution this session. of this state or the crimiThe resolution would nal ordinances of a mu- put a question to a vote nicipality and may re- of Oklahomans to decide quire the person to give o n a c o n s t i t u t i o n a l his or her name and ad- amendment that would dress, photo identifica>> See SMITH // Page A6 tion, if available, and an By ADRIAN O’HANLON III
DERRICK JAMES | Staff photo
A fire blazes at Paula’s Baby Shop in McAlester on Thursday evening. Building owner Paula Cormier says four tenants living in the apartments above the baby clothing shop were transported to a hospital.
‘I just wanted to know everybody was OK’ ■■ No fatalities reported after baby clothing store, apartments burn down By ADRIAN O’HANLON III EDITOR
P
aula Cormier is relieved all apartment tenants escaped a fire at the building she owns in McAlester. The eight-year owner of Paula’s Baby Shop said when she heard the baby clothing store and apartment complex was burning down Thursday in McAlester, she was first concerned about everyone’s safety. “The first thing, I just wanted to know everybody was OK,” Cormier said Thursday night. Cormier said her father bought the building to start a plumbing shop more than 50 years ago before she took it over as a baby clothing store eight years ago. She said she had left for the day before her assistant, Crystal Hammons, called her to inform her of the blaze before 6 p.m. Hammons said she found out after a friend called to tell her about a scanner call reporting a fire at the building, then she
DERRICK JAMES | Staff photo McAlester firefighters respond to a fire Thursday evening at Paula’s Baby Shop.
hurried to help. “I tried to find all of the tenants to make sure all of them were out and make sure they were safe,” Hammons said. Cormier said five of the six apartments were being rented
CHECK IT OUT Watch emergency responders work the scene of the fire, plus submitted video of people escaping the blaze from a second-story window with video on our website at www. mcalesternews.com.
>> See FIRE // Page A6
5 THINGS TO KNOW
How to volunteer, help community through the American Red Cross Mike Mlynek, executive director of the American Red Cross South Central & Southeast Chapter Oklahoma, provides information about how people can help through the organization.
1
What does the American Red Cross do?
The American Red Cross is always looking for local, committed community and business relationships to help provide services and outlets for programs. Red Cross offers youth education programs, canteen services for first re-
INSIDE
sponders at emergency situations, smoke alarm installations, client assistance and other services.
2
How can I volunteer through Red Cross?
3
What does the application process entail?
You can create a Red Cross ID at www.redcross.org/volunteer, click on “Find My Volunteer Opportunity,” identify an opportunity of interest and “Apply Now.” Click the required Red Cross volunteers touch lives every day. fields to create your ID and proceed. You can fill They are as diverse as the people receiving Red out your contact information and verify at the Cross services. Volunteers are always needed in bottom of the page to confirm your account. a variety of areas. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete a volunteer application at www.redcross.org/volunteer.
4
What else is required on the application?
Applicants must agree to the policy agreement and continue to the background check. Applicants must upload a picture of valid ID, read and agree to the consent form, enter your social security number and click finish to successfully apply. After completing the application, you will be contacted for a “Get to Know You” interview. Any other questions can be directed to marama.baylesraleigh@redcross. com.
5
What other ways can I help?
Prepared shelters are a vital source to providing warmth, safety and comfort to those affected by disaster. Organizations work with the Red Cross to utilize their facilities in the event of an emergency or disaster. Let the Red Cross be your community partner in preparedness. Utilize the free resources on the website or download one of the apps today, become a volunteer, host a training for your workplace on sheltering, talk to a Red Cross representative. —Adrian O’Hanlon III
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