OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 9 • One Section • 12 pages • July 15, 2022
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www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 48 years
Village Mayor Graham’s response: No response By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
See also Letter to the Editor, Page 10.
Village Mayor Adam Graham’s public response to his run-in with Nichols Hills Police during a routine traffic stop is still no response nearly a month and a half after the altercation. The matter was expected to be a hot topic of discussion at the July 5 City Council meeting but was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. Graham received a list of
questions by email on June 24 and was given the opportunity to share with his constituents and OKC FRIDAY readers what he wants them to know about the incident. That came after the newspaper received a phone call from a friend of Graham’s who said the mayor had not been contacted for comment by the publi-
cation and he would be willing to respond. OKC FRIDAY has received two anonymous letters about the incident. Graham refused to respond during the June 20 City Council meeting after several residents approached him during the public comment agenda item. Graham replied to the newspaper’s email that he was “unavailable until after Tuesday (June 28).” As of press time, the newspaper had not heard from him.
Village animal welfare officer is ready to save lives
OKC FRIDAY emailed the following questions to Graham: •Are you concerned Nichols Hills Police might have overstepped their boundaries by stopping someone inside The Village city limits? •Have you visited with your fellow council members about the incident? Would you like to share? •Have you contacted anyone See GRAHAM, Page 3
ADAM GRAHAM
OKC Broadway details 2022-23 season of shows
By Rachel Dallalio Student Intern Theresa Touchet was handed the leash to the animal rescue mission last month. City officials said she is one of only two or three female animal control officers since 1985. Theresa said she grew up on a farm and has always been surrounded by animals. That prompted her into the world of animal rescue and welfare. She has 20 years of experience in the animal field, ranging from pet daycares, animal research and animal rescue. Theresa was born in Oklahoma and has lived here several times over the years. Her father was in the Air Force and the family moved around. She moved to Louisiana in 1992 where her career in animal welfare began. It was on to Texas and back to Oklahoma in 2011, where she moved from OKC to Del City and back to The Village, all the time caring for animals. At The Village, Theresa said her position includes answering calls with questions and concerns, as well as going out to rescue lost or hurt animals. She also focuses on reuniting lost dogs or cats with their owners. Theresa said finding lost pets’ owners is her No. 1 priority. Her favorite part about her job is reuniting pets with their owners.
Theresa Touchet, The Village’s animal welfare officer, with one of two adolescent brother cats who are real tired of their cat condo at The Village Animal Shelter. They are current on vaccinations and neutered. Their adoption fees have been waived. Call (405) 751-9518.
She also wants to make sure Oklahomans are doing their part in protecting their pets. “My biggest thing is for people to spay and neuter their animals because Oklahoma (animal shelters) is so overpopulated,” Theresa said. She recommends pet owners have their pets microchipped or have a detailed collar tag with contact information. This helps leave room in the shelters for more in-need pets who do not have homes to go back to. “If we can get people to spay and microchip so we can get them back to their owners that
would be so helpful,” Theresa said. “If people find animals, please take them to the vet to get scanned.” Due to overpopulation at shelters all across Oklahoma, animals up for adoption are being flown to the northern states, she said. The shelters in places like Oregon and Wyoming are actually running low on adoptable pets and have the space Oklahoma does not. The shelter is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call ahead for adoptions and other questions at (405) 7519518.
OKC Broadway and the Civic Center Music Foundation have announced a line-up of old favorites and new musicals for its 2022-23 season. “OKC Broadway's mission to bring the biggest hits and most recent Tony Awardwinning shows is back in full force,” Elizabeth Gray, general manager of OKC Broadway and executive director of the Civic Center Foundation, said in a news release. “The 202223 season has an incredible number of awardwinning hits— from epic blockbusters and brand new musicals to beloved revivals. “We are also able to bring back the shows most requested by our patrons. There is truly something for everyone, and we’re so excited.” • “Pretty Woman” (Aug. 16-21) - Featured in the musical is Roy Orbison and Bill Dee’s international smash hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which inspired one of the most beloved romantic comedy films of all time. “Pretty Woman” the film was an international smash hit when it was released in 1990. • “Hairspray” (Sept. 6-11) – 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? • “Hadestown” (Oct. 25- 30) – Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate. This acclaimed new show is a love story for today ... and always. • “Tootsie” (Nov. 15- 20) – This laugh-outloud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor See SHOWS, Page 11
NHills investigating possible fraud, exploitation by former employee By Rose Lane Editor Nichols Hills police were expected to file charges this week in the case of a former
public works employee suspected of possible fraud and financial exploitation of the elderly. Police Chief Stephen Cox said according to the victim,
the former employee persuaded her to let him help with fence repairs, charging $200 for supplies and $225 for labor. In reality, the supplies were reportedly only $25-30 and the
HH student attending STEM residency he has been a student since Heritage Hall sixth pre-k. He aspires to congrader D. Bauer Lewis is tribute to the fields of joining outstanding stuaerospace and scientific dents from across the research with a keen internation while representing est in public policy. Oklahoma and taking “I want to do good part in a unique academic things, I can make a differand career-oriented ence and know that learndevelopment experience, ing all I can is the best way the National Youth to make that happen” Leadership Forum STEM D. BAUER LEWIS Bauer Lewis said. Residency Program host“As an alumna of Envision ed at Villanova University. myself, I am excited for Bauer to The program is administered by meet, work, and collaborate with Envision. Lewis was nominated by adminis- other high-aspiring students from trative and academic staff at See STEM, Page 3 Heritage Hall to the program, where
former employee paid someone else $75 to do the work. Then, the suspect allegedly asked the victim for a $50 loan and another for $250. Both remain outstanding.
FRIDAY’s Dogs
The suspect had been with Nichols Hills for awhile and has since resigned his position. Cox said. Nichols Hills would file the charges with the district attorney’s office.
of the Week Gentry, the Scottie, is 12-years-old. Boo, the Westie, is 4-months-old. They are pictured with their humans, Anderson and Harper LoPresto. Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
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