Sister Cities
Broadway Ball
George and Margaret Holt model gifts of Taiwanese garments during the Oklahoma City Sister Cities International’s reception at the Governor’s Mansion for officials from Tainan and Taipei. Page 10
Jane Hall and Charlotte Franklin were inducted into the Lyric Theatre Hall of Fame at the Broadway Ball. Page B1
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 53 No. 29 • Two Sections • 16 Pages • November 22, 2019
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 45 years
Club gives injured cyclist ‘sense of purpose’ By Ford Watkins Student Intern It is an understatement to say that Alyssa Lutz is passionate about cycling. Alyssa is an esteemed and accomplished cyclist and triathlete, having participated in some of the most enduring mountain biking events across the state and throughout the world. However, Alyssa’s mountain biking career was almost eradicated with a fall and injuries that posed a threat to her life. After her accident, Alyssa sustained a brain injury, a flail shoulder and chest, seven broken ribs, a broken clavicle and a broken scapula. Alyssa made a miraculous recovery and took time in her recovery to find another “sense of purpose.” “During times of thought and prayer with my loved ones,” she said. “I realized that I could continue my passion for health and wellness while simultaneously giving back to the community. Along with her partner, Keyth Howry,
Could be year’s end before Britton work is completed By Ashley Haley Staff Writer
- Photo by Ron Vavak
Alyssa Lutz and Keyth Howry began a Bike Club at Nichols Hills Elementary after Alyssa sustained a life-threatening injury. Students who complete the 20-25week program earn a bicycle and helmet. Pictured from left: front row, Andrew Harton, Pranavi Bhandari, Kenia Herrera, Kamiyah Jenkins, Monte Thomas; and back row, Alyssa Lutz, club organizer, and Aaron Kellert, principal.
Alyssa started what is now Bike Club OKC. The pair designed the website and self-promoted and fundraised. The two also received help from cycling stores. Alyssa and Keyth created something she said they hope will be very special.
Alyssa said they decided to have members of the Bike Club be fourth graders from Nichols Hills Elementary, because that is the school closest to their home. After receiving 57 applications, Alyssa and Keyth could only accept 25 students.
She said they are hoping to add more spots for next year’s club. Members of the club ride after school. The program teaches elements of collaboration, safety and fitness, while kids also learn how to ride a bike or simply improve their cycling skills.
A new timeline has been set for the Britton Road reconstruction project between Penn and May Avenue, a project that has affected local businesses, residents and commuters since the beginning of the year. The Village city manager, Bruce Stone, said after a meeting with the Oklahoma City Water Department, ODOT and Crossland Construction Company, Inc., the new pavement should be completed by mid to late December. Stone said the project was nearly delayed an additional three months after crews had a conflict with a water line which goes across Sunnymeade Place and Britton Road and was in the way of a new storm drain. “When they started to go in and do the work, they found that there was a 20-inch water line that was in the way,” he said. “That was a big concern because it’s a large water line and it could potentially be really expensive for them to move and time consuming.” ODOT engineers and Crossland contractors believe they have found a way to get around the water line, but inclement weather is always a factor. They are in the process of getting the water out of the hole as they build a box around it, so drainage can flow across the street instead, without having to See BRITTON, Page 3
Strong credit rating results in ‘big win’ in NHills bond sale By Ashley Haley Staff Writer The Nichols Hills City Council voted to sell a total of $7.8 million in bonds after voters passed a general obligation bond to improve city facilities. At its most recent council meeting, the council approved a bid of 1.91 percent interest rate from the Baker Group of Oklahoma
City, who offered the lowest rate of four bids. Zack Robinson, of BOK Financial Securities, Inc. of Oklahoma City, said due to the city’s strong credit rating, investors from across the country favored the sale. He said the second lowest bid was for 1.96 percent, so it was very competitive. “It’s an outstanding testament to the work that is
going on here, both with staff and the council to navigate and guide the city,” Robinson said. “This was a big win for taxpayers. The rate that we were able to secure on the bonds will mean that we pay the lowest amount of interest on the bond issue. That’s always our goal.” Nichols Hills Mayor Steve Goetzinger also expressed his excitement
and said the low percentage was a testament of the city’s credit rating. Four years ago, Nichols Hills voters passed a $22 million general obligation bond to improve the city’s streets, water system, sanitary sewer system, traffic control system, public works facility, drainage control system, park, town hall and communications system.
McGuinness only OK school to earn prestigious award
FRIDAY’s
Cat of the Week Poppy is 3 months old. She loves to snuggle and play. Her favorite person is her human, Ashlyn Donaldson. Her favorite toy is a hairtie even though she has toys of her own. She loves to sleep in her VW bus that Ashlyn made her from a box. Poppy was adopted from animal welfare. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.
Sponsored by Paulette and Leo Kingston of WePayFast.com
Earlier this year in February, voters also passed a general obligation bond totaling about $28.4 million for fire, police and technology improvements and more. With a combined total of $7.8 million in general obligation bonds, city manager Shane Pate said the money will be used as it was intended. The bond issue will close Jan. 9.
Dr. Andrew Worthington, assistant principal of curriculum, testing and admissions, accepts the 2019 Values Driven Award of Excellence from Dr. Lori Hopkins, Cognia.
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (BMCHS) has been identified as Oklahoma’s only Cognia, formerly known as AdvancED, recipient of the 2019 Values Driven Award of Excellence. Dr. Andrew Worthington, assistant principal of curriculum, testing and admissions, accepted the award at the 2019 Midwest Region Fall Conference in Chicago. “This recognition affirms the school’s mission to ‘light a path’ both spiritually See AWARD, Page 3