CYAN
news-star.com Shawnee News-Star
LOCAL NEWS
ARVEST CONSUMER SENTIMENT SURVEY
Survey finds Oklahoma’s debt, savings rate similar to neighboring states Oklahoma consumers reported having similar debts and approximate savings rates as their neighbors in Missouri and Arkansas, according to final information released from the Arvest Consumer Sentiment Survey. The results of the Arvest Consumer Sentiment Survey, conducted in June and July of 2014, are released in three sections. The first presents an overall Index of consumer optimism of the economy of the state and region, while the second includes a Current Conditions Index and a Consumer Expectations Index as measured by questions about anticipated future changes in economic conditions. This, the third release, presents information about consumer debt and savings. The survey and indexes follow the model of the national Survey of Consumers produced by the University of Michigan. Oklahomans’ consumer debt was divided among several categories and measured in line with the consumer debts of respondents in Missouri and Arkansas. Within the region, consumer debt was divided among these categories: 37 percent reported mortgage debt, 6 percent reported home equity debt, 28 percent reported auto loans, 31 percent reported credit card debt and 11 percent reported student loans. About one-third of the region’s respondents, 33 percent, reported having no current consumer debt. In Oklahoma, 37 percent reported mortgage debt, 31 percent reported auto loans, 32 percent reported
credit card debt, 12 percent reported student loans and almost a third, 32 percent, reported having no debt. Chris Clark, President at Arvest Bank Shawnee, said, “We are so pleased that the first survey has generated measurable results — an economic snapshot, if you will — of our states that can be used to measure the changes in consumer attitudes and opinions as we move forward. We’re particularly encouraged to see that many consumers are choosing to save for the future, and we’d like to see even more do so.” When it comes to reported savings rates, Oklahomans reported they are saving about 13.1 percent of their earnings. Families with incomes of more than $75,000 reported saving 17 percent, while families with incomes less than $75,000 reported saving 10.9 percent. Families with children reported saving 10.7 percent and families without children reported saving 12.9 percent. The overall regional savings rate is 11.6 percent, while the overall rate for Missouri is 11.7 percent and 9.5 percent for Arkansas. Oklahoma and Missouri respondents are both slightly interested in increasing their savings rate, but less so than Arkansas respondents. Oklahoma and Missouri respondents reported that 15 percent are interested in increasing their savings rate over the next six months. Arkansas respondents reported 23 percent want to increase their savings rate over the next six months; the regional rate
is 17 percent. The majority of respondents plan to keep their current savings rates over the next six months. A majority of Oklahoma consumers, 57 percent, reported they have not made major household purchases in the past six months. The region reported 61 percent has not made a major household purchase in the past six months. That compares with 65 percent of Arkansas respondents and 62 percent of Missouri. Major household purchases were defined as furniture, a television, refrigerator or other large items. In discussing the results, Kyle Dean, associate director of the Steven C. Agee Economic Research & Policy Institute at Oklahoma City University, said, “We are very interested in the savings rate data indicating that 15% of Oklahoma residents intend to increase their rate of savings in the future. What we have seen nationally since the recession is that consumers are becoming more aware than any time in the recent past of their need to save more. What we will be looking for with future surveys is whether or not this desire to save more continues or if consumers fall back into pre-recession patterns of not placing much importance in their savings.” The Arvest Consumer Sentiment Survey is conducted by the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The University of Oklahoma’s Public Opinion Learning Laboratory conducted the 1,200 phone surveys.
NATIONAL
Federal prosecutions not easy in police shootings WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Justice Department probes the police shooting of an unarmed 18-year-old in Missouri, history suggests there’s no guarantee of a criminal prosecution, let alone a conviction. Federal authorities investigating possible civil rights violations in the Aug. 9 death of Michael Brown in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson must meet a difficult standard of proof, a challenge that has complicated the path to prosecution in past police shootings. To build a case, they would need to establish that the police officer, Darren Wilson, not only acted with excessive force but also willfully violated Brown’s constitutional rights. Though the Justice Department has a long history of targeting police misconduct, including after the 1991 beating of Rodney King, the high bar means that many highprofile police shootings that have raised public alarm never wound up in federal court. “It’s a very difficult standard to meet, and it really is satisfied only in the most egregious cases,” said University of Michigan law professor Samuel Bagenstos, the former No. 2 official in the department’s civil rights division. “Criminal enforcement of constitutional rights is not something that is easily pursued. It really requires building a case very carefully, very painstakingly.” Federal prosecutors, for instance, declined to charge New York police officers who killed the unarmed Sean Bell in 2006 in a 50shot barrage following his bachelor party in Queens. The four New York officers who in 1999 fired 41 shots at Amadou Diallo, an unarmed African immigrant, after they said they mistook his wallet for a gun were acquitted during a state trial and never faced federal prosecution for his killing. More recently, the Justice Department did not charge either of the officers who shot and killed Miriam Carey, a 34-year-old woman who last year drove into a
White House checkpoint and then led police on a car chase toward the U.S. Capitol. “Accident, mistake, fear, negligence and bad judgment do not establish such a criminal violation,” prosecutors wrote in explaining their decision in that case. In the Brown case, much will depend on the specific facts of the confrontation, which remain unclear. Police have said a scuffle broke out after Wilson told Brown and a friend to move out of the street and onto a sidewalk. Police say Wilson was pushed into his squad car and physically assaulted. Some witnesses have reported seeing Brown’s arms up in the air before the shooting, an apparent sign of surrender. An autopsy paid for by Brown’s family concluded that he was shot six times, twice in the head. Investigators are working with a federal law that makes it illegal for officers to abuse their power by willfully depriving a person of his civil rights — in this case, the right to be free from an unlawful search and seizure. The statute does not require an officer to have been motivated by racial bias, but it does mean that the officer cannot intentionally do something that the law prohibits. But investigations are complicated by the fact that police officers are given latitude in their use of force, including in circumstances where an officer reasonably believed the force was necessary to capture a dangerous fleeing felon or had a good basis to fear his life was in imminent danger, said Rachel Harmon, a University of Virginia law professor and former Justice Department civil rights prosecutor. “In order to prove that there was a constitutional violation, the government would have to prove that from a reasonable officer’s perspective, those circumstances didn’t exist and that a reasonable officer wouldn’t believe that they existed,” Harmon said, noting that the Supreme Court
has said courts should not apply a “20/20 vision of hindsight” in evaluating whether an officer used excessive force. The civil rights statute in recent years has been used to prosecute law enforcement officers for a wide range of conduct, including sexual assault, robbery and shootings of unarmed civilians in New Orleans in the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. But because it can be difficult to prove that an officer didn’t feel threatened during a confrontation, a more common prosecution involves victims who were assaulted while already in custody, such as Abner Louima, the Haitian immigrant who in 1997 was beaten by officers and sodomized with a broomstick inside a New York police precinct. Dynamic confrontations, like the one police say preceded the Ferguson shooting, are more difficult for prosecutors than cases involving an “inmate who is handcuffed, or in a cell who gets beaten by a corrections officer,” said David Weinstein, a defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor in Miami. In addition to the federal civil rights probe, a St. Louis County grand jury is hearing evidence about the death in its own investigation. There is precedent for the Justice Department to become involved at the conclusion of a state case if federal officials feel justice hasn’t been done. After four police officers were acquitted in a California state trial in the beating of motorist Rodney King, the Justice Department filed federal civil rights charges and won convictions against two of them. In the Ferguson case, dozens of FBI agents have canvassed the area to interview witnesses. Attorney General Eric Holder last week traveled there to help ease tensions and the department has obtained an additional federal autopsy to augment those carried out by local authorities and at the request of Brown’s family.
MAGENTA
YELLOW
BLACK
Wednesday, August 27, 2014 • 7A
VFW Auxiliary officers
These are the newly elected VFW Auxiliary officers. Front President Barbara White, Right to left Sr Vice Chris Winters Jr Vice Debby Aldert,Treasure Virgina Smith, Secretary Sue Nixon, Chaplin-Patriotic Instructor and 1st Year Trustee Linda Costa, Conductress Linda King, 3rd Year Trustee Norma Dietz and Guard Amanda Yates. PHOTO PROVIDED
COME ONE COME ALL TO THE...
at the...
HEART OF OKLAHOMA EXPO CENTER
Thurs., Sept. 4th thru Sat., Sept 6th
SUMMERTIME
go to www.freefair.org for more information or call 273-7683
C R A I a CA R I V N L L V N a
Carnival Hours: Thursday & Friday 5pm-10pm. Saturday 11am -Close
2014 Pottawatomie County Free Fair Schedule Wednesday, September 3 2014 Open Class, Hobbies, Arts & Crafts, OHCE, Scarecrow Contest Entries ........................................3:00-6:00pm Fair Poster Contest Entries ......................3:00-6:00pm 4-H & FFA Education Booth Entries .........3:00-6:00pm 4-H & FFA Non-Livestock Project Entries .3:00-6:00pm Commercial Booth Set-Up .......................3:00-6:00pm Rabbit & Poultry Entries Only (No poultry will be caged on Wednesday) ....................................... 3:00-6:00pm Dairy Livestock Entries (Dairy Goats/Cattle Only) .......................3:00-6:00pm All Dairy entries must be in place by 8:00pm Wednesday Farm Hand Olympics ....................................... 6:00pm CARNIVAL OPENS THURSDAY Fair closes nightly.............................................9:00pm
Kiwanis Kids’ Day (Free to Public) .................. 10:00am 3rd Annual Show Barn Show Down Chili Cook Off................................. Begins at 11:00am Livestock Judging Contest Entries ....................... Noon Livestock Judging Contest Begins ..................12:30pm CARNIVAL .......................................11:00am-10:00pm Central District Square Dance Exhibition (Otto Krausse Bldg.)................................................10:00am&4:00pm Crosswalk Band & Others(Conference Center-Free to Public) ......................................... Throughout the Day Texting Contest Preliminary & Final Rounds ......................................5:00pm-6:00pm (Must be a Pottawatomie County resident to enter) AWARDS ASSEMBLY ........................................7:00pm Fair Closes ......................................................10:00pm
Thursday, September 4, 2014 FARMER-RANCHER APPRECIATION DAY Commercial Booth Set-Up .................. 9:00am-3:00pm Commercial Booth Trade Show (Opens) ..5:00-9:00pm Antique Tractor Display & Demonstrations ................................9:00am-10:00pm Ag In the Classroom Exhibit................ 1:00pm-8:00pm Children’s Barnyard (Opens) ...............1:00pm-8:00pm Fetch & Fish Tub Demonstrations Through out the Day Non-Livestock Entries Judged (Closed to Public) ............................................ 9:00am Dairy Show ...................................................... 9:00am Poultry and Rabbits to be caged .............3:00-6:00pm Poultry and Rabbits Judged............................. 7:00pm Livestock Entries (except Dairy) ...............3:00-6:00pm All Livestock entries must be in place by 8:00pm Thursday Lamb Lead Check-in (at sheep entry table) .........................3:00pm-6:00pm 4-H & FFA Junior Horse Show Entries .............. 8:00am 4-H & FFA Junior Horse Show Begins ............ 10:00am GRAND OPENING OF FAIR EXHIBITS TO THE PUBLIC ................................................5:00pm Farmer-Rancher Appreciation Reception ......... 5:30pm Junior Tractor Operator Entries ........................6:30pm Junior Tractor Operator Contest Begins ...........7:00pm Carnival Open .......................................5:00-10:00pm Fair closes nightly.......................................... 10:00pm
Sunday, September 7, 2014 Release of All Livestock .....................10:00am-1:00pm Release of All Other Exhibits .............10:00am-1:00pm NO LIVESTOCK WILL BE RELEASED UNTIL SUNDAY
Friday, September 5, 2014 SCHOOL DAY FOR KIDS Children’s Barnyard Open ................9:00am-10:00pm Ag In the Classroom Exhibit.................9:00am-7:00pm Fit N Fun (Otto Krausse Building).......9:00am-10:00pm Antique Tractor Display & Demonstrations ................................9:00am-10:00pm Commercial Booth Trade Show Open ................................................9:00am-10:00pm Senior Citizen’s Day and Contest Begins at 10:00am Sheep Show .................................................... 9:00am Market Goat Show ........................................ 11:00am Beef Show .......................................................2:00pm Fetch & Fish Tub Demonstrations Throughout the Day Goat Milking Demonstrations ......Throughout the Day Cow Pie Run Entries..........................................5:30pm Cow Pie Run Starts............................................7:00pm Horticulture Judging Entries .............................5:45pm Horticulture Judging Contest............................6:00pm Pee-Wee & Midget Tractor Operator Entries .....6:00pm Pee-Wee & Midget Tractor Operator Contest ...6:30pm Pott. County Barrel Race Exhibitions ................7:00pm Pott. County Barrel Race Contest .....................8:00pm (Must be a Pottawatomie County resident to enter) Garden Tractor Pulling Contest (Free to Public) 7:00pm Gospel Singing (Free to Public) ................6:00-8:00pm Carnival Open ........................................5:00-10:00pm Fair closes nightly...........................................10:00pm Saturday, September 6, 2014 Pott. County Open Horse Show Entries ........... .9:00am Pott. County Open Horse Show Begins........... 10:00am (Must be a Pottawatomie County resident to enter) Swine Show ..................................................... 8:30am Lamb Lead Contest ........................................ .9:30am Fit N Fun (Otto Krausse Building).......9:00am-10:00am Fire Fighters Olympics .................................... 10:00am Children’s Barnyard Open ...................9:00am-4:00pm Antique Tractor Display & Demonstrations...................................9:00am-7:00pm Commercial Booth Trade Show Open 9:00am-10:00pm Fetch & Fish Tub Demonstrations Throughout the Day Goat Milking Demonstrations ......Throughout the Day
ALL EXHIBITS MUST BE CLAIMED BY 1:00PM ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 (After this time, the Fair Board assumes no responsibility for articles or exhibits) POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY FREE FAIR BOARD Randy Gilbert ................................................Chairman Matt Griffith ..........................................Vice-Chairman Gina Rounsaville ...........................................Treasurer Bill Heck ........................................................ Secretary Members: Harold Walden, Trey Williams, Steve Clifton, Lynn Marlow, and Jill Boles Special Thanks to the Pottawatomie County Commissioners Eddie Stackhouse, Melissa Dennis, Randy Thomas and to the Citizens of Pottawatomie County for their participation in the one-cent sales tax revenue that makes this fair possible. To get complete information about the different shows, judging contests and any other exhibits, visit the Pottawatomie County Free Fair website at www.freefair. org or call Fair Managers at 405-323-3694. Fair Managers: Kevin & Stormi Marlow.
CHILDREN’S BARNYARD Open—Thursday 1:00 –8:00 p.m. -Friday 9:00 a.m. –10:00 p.m. -Saturday 9:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m. On Display and ready to be enjoyed thoughout the fair in the childrens barnyard. Baby bunnies, pygmy goats, guinea pigs, miniature ponies, lambs, goats, ducks, kittens and more. Lots of new games to be played, ring boot toss, bucket dunk, clover blinder as well as interactive booths and displays. Thursday 2:00—4:00 Bunny Therapy holding area open. 1:00—8:00 Piggies on Parade, 6:00 Old MacDonald singing and puppet show. Friday 9:00 a.m.—4:00 Shawnee Spinners and More, demonstrating “The Wool World.” 9:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. On hands Giant Cross Stitching 9:00 a.m. Milking Demonstrations though out the day. 9:00 a.m. Plant a seed. 9:00 a.m. Piggies on Parade 10:00 a.m. Old MacDonald puppet show 11: 00 a.m. Making Goat Milk products 2:00 p.m. Bunny Therapy holding area open 3:00 p.m. Public speaking challenges / opportunities 4:00 p.m. Story Time 6:00 p.m. Old MacDonald singing and puppet show Saturday 9:00 a.m. –4:00 Giant Crossing Stitching 9:00 a.m. Milking Demonstrations though out the day. 10:00 a.m. Bunny Therapy holding area. 10:00 a.m. Piggies on Parade 10:00 a.m. 4:00 Shawnee Spinners demonstrating “The Wool World.” 11:00 Making Goat Milk products 2:00 Barnyard Challenging games 3:00 Old MacDonald singing and puppet show
1st Annual Cowpie Run 5k and 1mile fun run/walk. Friday, Sept. 5th - Registration 5:30 starts at 7:00pm