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COMING SOON: Mike Boettcher's reports on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from www.noignoring.com.

Nine counties get aid

7/22/08, 5:05 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued an agricultural disaster declaration for nine Oklahoma counties. The designation announced Tuesday was in response to a request from Gov. Brad Henry. It will allow ranchers and farmers in those counties and five contiguous counties to receive federal assistance.

Extreme heat, dry weather and high winds have contributed to heavy damage to hay forages, livestock grazing lands, alfalfa, and other crops in parts of western and northwest Oklahoma. The disaster designation will help farmers and ranchers in Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward, Ellis, Roger Mills, Dewey and Woods counties. The five contiguous counties affected by the designation are Alfalfa, Beckham, Blaine, Custer, and Major counties.

Pickens: Congress should `clear path' for wind power

7/22/08, 4:45 p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Texas oilman and Oklahoma native T. Boone Pickens is asking Congress to, quote, "clear the path" for his plan to boost use of wind and natural gas for U.S. energy needs. Pickens has been on a $58 million publicity tour to promote his plan to erect wind turbines in the Midwest to generate electricity,
replacing the 22 percent of U.S. power produced from natural gas.

The freed-up natural gas then could be used for transportation. He testified today before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. Pickens says the government should begin building transmission lines for wind-generated power or provide the right of way on private land and extend tax credits so the private sector can build the lines.

Pickens is suggesting that Congress follow the lead of former President Eisenhower, who declared an emergency to build the interstate highway system in the 1950s and 1960s.

Reid fights Coburn with 40-bill package

7/22/08, 4:31 p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate is about to take up what is unofficially being called the "Coburn Omnibus." It's a package of about 40 bills stalled by conservative GOP Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada says it includes the Emmitt Till Unsolved Crime Act, aimed at probing unsolved civil rights era crimes.

Others include the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, a runaway and homeless youth bill, a bill to combat child exploitation by pornographers, and a measure to create a database for Lou Gehrig's disease.

The package constitutes a showdown between Coburn and Reid, who's increasingly frustrated by GOP delaying tactics. Coburn says he supports the intent of many of the bills, but says they would duplicate existing programs or add to the federal deficit.

 

Oklahoma has nation's cheapest gas prices

7/22/08, 11:29 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - It's less expensive to buy gasoline in Oklahoma than anywhere else in the country. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in Oklahoma on Tuesday is about $3.83 a gallon.

It's the second time in a little less than a month that Oklahoma has had the nation's cheapest gas. Missouri is second on the list with an average price of about $3.86 a gallon, while South Carolina is at $3.87 a gallon.

High rate of postpartum depression found

7/22/08, 9:26 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A recent study by the state Department of Health has found that one in four new mothers in Oklahoma reported symptoms of postpartum depression. The study also found that adolescent mothers were more likely to experience the condition than older women. With information from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, public health officials discovered that 40 percent of the mothers did not discuss maternal depression following childbirth with health-care providers.

The study concluded that teenage mothers were 2.5 times more likely to indicate symptoms of postpartum depression than mothers age 35 and older, and women whose children were born premature or had special needs were at higher risk. Secretary of Health and Commissioner of Health Dr. Michael Crutcher says that task forces commissioned by the governor and state attorney general have found that Oklahoma has a 10.4 percent rate of severe mental illness. That's the highest in the nation.

 

Updated: OSBI plays 911 tape in sleepover slayings

7/21/08, 1:15 p.m.

OKEMAH, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is appealing to the public for help in solving the mysterious killing of two girls last month outside of Weleetka in eastern Oklahoma.

OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown played an emotional 911 tape Monday in hopes of generating more leads in the case. The tape was of a 911 call made by the grandmother of one of the girls. The grandmother could be heard screaming that the girls were dead and telling a dispatcher the bodies were on County Line Road.

The bullet-riddled bodies of 11-year-old Skyla Whitaker and 13-year-old Taylor Placker were discovered June 8 on a gravel road less than a half-mile from the house where they were staying. Authorities say they have no suspect or motive in the killings.

Police to release 911 tapes in girls' unsolved killings

7/21/08, 9:58 a.m.

OKEMAH, Okla. (AP) - Six weeks after two young girls were shot and killed in Weleetka, investigators plan to release additional details from the unsolved case.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says they plan to release portions of a 911 tape made by one of the girls' relatives after discovering their bodies.

Investigators also plan to share information on different techniques being used to try and solve the crime.

Thirteen-year-old Taylor Placker and 11-year-old Skyla Whitaker were gunned down June 7 on an isolated road near Taylor's home.

Officers have run down more than 500 leads in the case, but have not determined a suspect or a motive.

Follow this story on-air and on-line on The Oklahoma News Report.

 

 

OETA wins Emmy Awards for Centennial, World War II Projects

7/21/08, 9:40 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY - OETA took home Emmy Awards in four categories on Saturday night during the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 22nd Annual Heartland Regional Emmy Awards and Silver Circle Presentations. Originated in Denver, the ceremony was conducted via satellite in Oklahoma City.

OETA led all Oklahoma media organizations with 14 nominations and won the Emmy Award for:

Set Design for the Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular Set (Steve Dahlem and Gregory Crane, set designers)

Technical Achievement for the Oklahoma Centennial Projects (Paul Christensen, Technical Producer)

Special Event Coverage for the Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular (Lee Allan Smith, Executive Producer; Blake Wade, Associate Producer; Steve Dahlem, Creative Director; Curt Casassa, TV Director; Bill Thrash, TV Producer; Price Wooldridge, Production Manager; Jennifer Kiersch, Senior Project Coordinator; Erica Reid, Project Coordinator; DeLee Smith, Project Coordinator; Paul Chistensen, Technical Producer; Melinda Lovelace, Producer; and Mickie Smith, Technical Director)

Community Service for the “Oklahoma’s World War II Veterans” Project (John McCarroll, Executive Director; Lori Holliday, Campaign Coordinator; Ashley Barcum, Campaign Coordinator; Jonathan Siler, Graphic and Video Coordinator; Dick Pryor, Talent; and Debra Martin, Editor-Director)

All told, nine OETA employees took home Emmy Awards, and OETA photojournalist Derek Watson received one of two special “Rookie of the Year Awards.” Other winners from Oklahoma included KFOR-TV, KWTV, KOTV, KOCO-TV, KJRH-TV and Graymark Productions.

For a complete list of the winners, click here. For more on the 2008 Heartland Chapter Emmy Awards, go to the ONR Hot Potatoes blog.

Tribe fights to be heard on water plan

7/21/08, 9:37 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An Oklahoma Indian tribe claims tribal governments are being excluded from the state's effort to develop a 50-year water plan. The Chickasaw Nation has lodged complaints with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the governor.

A letter from tribal attorney Stephen Greetham to the executive director of the water resources board, Duane Smith, says the tribe supports efforts to develop a water plan. But, it climas that the input process has been structured to exclude any Tribal-State summit or dialogue.

Tribal nations have said they wanted to be treated as independent governments in the process. The Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan is an analysis of water issues in the state that will result in a 50-year plan be voted on by 2011.

 

Law may deter graveyard thefts

7/21/08, 9:26 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma cemetery industry leaders say a new state law may provide new deterrence against thieves who rob grave sites of metal objects.

A portion of the measure that was signed last month by Gov. Brad Henry requires sellers to provide proof, such as a receipt, that they legally obtained any item coming from a grave marker or stamped by a cemetery. It also requires more stringent record-keeping in general from buyers, no matter the source of the metal. The new law goes into effect Nov. 1.

Cemetery operators say they've been fighting thefts of bronze vases on grave markers for several years, coinciding with a sharp rise in copper prices. Officials say copper prices are hovering between $3 and $4 per pound.

 

Fort Sill soldiers deploy for Iraq

7/21/08, 9:19 a.m.

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) - About 100 Fort Sill-based soldiers are heading to Iraq. A deployment ceremony was held yesterday for soldiers with Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery. The battery will use Q-36 radar for target acquisition missions anywhere in Iraq.

The battery received the mission a year ago to begin preparing for operations in Iraq. This included assembling and training seven radar teams. Other pre-deployment training included marksmanship, combat lifesaver courses, operations in hot weather environments, section certification, a pre-deployment site survey executed by the section chief and a battalion mission readiness exercise.

Afghanistan-bound Reserve unit gets Oklahoma farewell

7/21/08, 9:15 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Thirty-six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers who left Oklahoma City are on their way to Afghanistan to help train local soldiers. The soldiers with Detachment 53 of the 95th Division left Oklahoma City yesterday. They will relieve a unit currently training Afghanistan army drill sergeants.

Thirteen states were represented in the 36 soldiers, including six from Oklahoma. During a farewell ceremony yesterday at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Oklahoma City, division commander Gen. James Archer told soldiers and family members that he's seen how important the mission is to the future of Afghanistan.

Changes due at Tulsa Academic Center

7/21/08, 8:49 a.m.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A Tulsa Academic Center for troubled students will remain open but undergo some major changes. Fallout over failings at the school resulted in the recent firing of Superintendent Michael Zolkoski, who developed the idea for the school to give troubled students a second chance.

District administrators and legal advisers have developed a new review process for students who are referred to TAC. They also have placed new restrictions on enrollment to prevent the overcrowding and chaotic rate of student turnover that occurred last year. New guidelines also have been written for both students and faculty.

Zoklkoski came under fire when an investigation into the school last year uncovered overcrowding, frequent violence and violations of law concerning special education students. Zolkoski is set to leave Tulsa Public Schools on Oct. 10 as part of early contract termination agreement.

Downtown ballpark would stimulate economy

7/21/08, 8:18 a.m.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - An economic study indicates that a proposed baseball stadium in downtown Tulsa would generate about $13 million a year in economic activity and create about 200 permanent jobs.

Mayor Kathy Taylor is proposing a $60 million ballpark in the historic Greenwood District to house the Tulsa Drillers, the city's Double A baseball team. The stadium would be paid for with $30 million in private donations, $25 million in assessment fees paid by downtown property owners and $5 million from the Drillers' lease.

Ballpark backers are targeting properties adjacent to the stadium for quality, mixed-use development, which they say is an essential element to a successful project. Construction is to begin in late fall with the stadium completed for the Driller's 2010 season.

 

 

Going Green

 

Wind power transmission projects planned (7/16/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - OGE Energy Corporation and a subsidiary of American Electric Power are joining to build transmission lines to carry wind-generated electricity from western Oklahoma. OGE says the project will be called Horizon Transmission and work on it will begin in the second half of next year. The plan is estimated to cost about 500 million dollars and must be approved by regulators. The lines would carry electricity from Woodward to Guymon and from Woodward to the Kansas state line.

 

Edmond supports Heartland Flyer (7/15/08)

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - The city of Edmond has joined a growing list of cities and towns that have endorsed a plan to expand passenger rail service from Oklahoma City to Kansas. Members of the Edmond City Council on Monday night approved a resolution supporting expansion of the existing Heartland Flyer service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, through Edmond and on to Kansas City, Mo. Edmond joins Norman and Oklahoma City in support of the expansion plan. Several Kansas cities, including Wichita and Newton, also have endorsed the plan. The Northern Flyer Alliance, a grassroots organization seeking support from cities along the route, is encouraging support for launching passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Kansas. Supporters say it would make the Heartland Flyer a more effective transportation option.

 

Solar-powered contest plans McAlester stop

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) - Some college students on a cross-country trip will be making a stop in McAlester, but they won't need to fill up with gas. Teams of university students and their solar-powered vehicles will stop in McAlester Sunday as part of the 10-day North American Solar Challenge.

The event will begin Sunday and continue through July 23. More than two dozen vehicles relying solely on solar power are expected to take part in the event, a 2,400-mile journey from Plano, Texas, to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Eastern Oklahoma State College's McAlester campus will serve as a checkpoint for the participants Sunday.

Organizers say the first cars should begin arriving at the college about noon. They will be in McAlester for about 30 minutes before heading to Neosho, Missouri.

 

Tulsa agency promotes recycling at special events

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A Tulsa agency that encourages those organizing special events to think about recycling waste is seeing an increase in interest. The goal of the Metropolitan Environmental Trust is to assist event organizers and volunteers in coordinating recycling efforts during and after their events. Michael Patton, the executive director of the trust, says that last year, fewer than five events requested recycling containers.

This year, he says 30 to 40 events in the Tulsa metro area are trying to recycle. Among upcoming events planning recycling efforts are the Art of Barbecue, the Green Country Eco-Expo and One Love Music Fest. Another event known as DFest is switching to aluminum cans instead of non-recyclible cubs. Patton says he thinks the agency is helping divert about 20 percent of the waste from festivals.

 

 

Ethanol stickers taking shape at gas stations (7/2/08)

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Service station customers are seeing a lot more stickers concerning ethanol at the gas pumps. Some of the stickers notify the public that the fuel contains up to 10 percent ethanol, while others proclaim that customers are getting 100 percent gasoline with no ethanol mixed in. A new state law that went into effect yesterday requires gas stations selling ethanol-blended fuel to place stickers on the pump notifying the customers of this fact. State regulators will be inspecting pumps to make sure all retailers are following the law. Stations that use ethanol in their gasoline without notifying consumers can be fined $500 for each day of the violation and can be shut down by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Oklahoma's ethanol sticker law was passed this past legislative session after many stations began selling blended gasoline in the
past year without telling customers.

 

Windpower is looking up in Oklahoma (6/23/08)

NORMAN - Big wind farms are expanding across the Oklahoma prairie, and so is interest in smaller wind generators to power just one home.  Business is booming for an Oklahoma company that is shipping systems around the world, but Oklahoma sales are flat since there is little incentive to make that investment here. Bergey Windpower in Norman makes small wind turbines to help power homes and businesses.   According to the company's president...orders for those turbines are up.

“Demand has been strong.  This is the best business environment in our 30 year history, and we're seeing strong growth, particularly on the east coast and west coast,” says Bergey Windpower President Michael Bergey. Because the initial investment for a small wind system is expensive, right now, it only makes sense if your electric bill hits a certain average each month.

(Jason Doyle provided this story. For more go to the ONR Hot Potatoes blog.)

 

 

Norman dumps the pump (6/20/08)

NORMAN - The buses were full on Thursday in Norman. It's because the area's public transit system was offering free rides to all takers for a promotion called "Dump the Pump."    Boosters say it's a way to help introduce first time riders to public transportation. “That's what this day is all about, just to get riders who haven't ridden before.  People that might not have tried it out before,” said Kris Glenn, marketing director for C.A.R.T.

Felicia Gipson is one such first time rider, taking advantage of the free bus fare. “Well, I'm trying to help the environment, and I also live so far away that a free ride sounded good to me,” Gipson said just before she caught a bus with co-workers to go to lunch.

(Jason Doyle provided this story. For more go to the ONR Hot Potatoes blog.)

 

OSU considering temporary move to four-day work week (6/4/08)

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma State University could switch temporarily to a four-day work week as university officials look for ways to reduce energy costs. Under the proposal, OSU employees would work four 10-hour days instead of the standard five 8-hour days from July 7 through Aug. 10. After that, the campus would revert to a five-day work week. The fall semester at OSU will start on Aug. 18.

The proposal will be discussed as an informational item when the university's regents meet on June 20. Last week, OSU President Burns Hargis said an energy conservation plan at the school already has resulted in a savings of about $1.4 million for OSU. Hargis says more than $1 million of those savings came on OSU's main campus in Stillwater from last October through February.

 

Hargis says OSU has saved about $1.4 million in energy costs (5/29/08)

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis says an energy conservation plan at the school has resulted in a savings of about $1.4 million for OSU. Hargis says more than $1 million of those savings came on OSU's main campus in Stillwater from last October through February. In a message sent to the university community on Wednesday, Hargis urged recipients to continue energy-saving efforts through the summer. Hargis says it should be routine for those at OSU to turn off lights, computers, monitors, speakers, fans and other electrical devices when leaving for the day.

City residents produce less carbon (5/29/08)

WASHINGTON (AP) - A report released today shows that while cities are hot spots for global warming, people living in them turn out to be greener than their country cousins. According to the study done by researchers at the Brookings Institution, each resident of the largest 100 largest metropolitan areas is responsible on average for 2.47 tons of carbon dioxide in energy consumption each year, 14 percent below the 2.87-ton U.S. average. Those 100 cities still account for 56 percent of the nation's carbon dioxide pollution, but their greater use of mass transit and population density reduce the per person average.

Lexington, Ky., had the biggest per capita carbon footprint: Each resident on average accounted for 3.81 tons of carbon dioxide in their energy usage. At the other end of the scale was Honolulu, at 1.5 tons per person.
Oklahoma City had the eighth biggest per capita carbon footprint.

 

State agency starting campaign about air pollution (5/27/08)

OKARCHE, Okla. (AP) - The state Department of Environmental Quality plans to launch a campaign in an attempt to persuade Oklahomans that air quality, which long has been an issue in urban areas, now has become a rural problem. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in March tightened its standard for ozone, a pollutant that is formed from industry and vehicle emissions when they combine during hot and still weather, forming smog.

The federal agency now says that smog is dangerous at lower levels than previously thought. EPA spokesman Dave Bary says that under the new standard, nine Oklahoma counties -- Comanche, Canadian, Oklahoma, Creek, Kay, Mayes, Cherokee, Tulsa and Ottawa -- will not be in compliance with the law. High ozone levels considered unhealthy for children, older adults and anyone prone to respiratory problems. Officials at the state environmental department say more Oklahoma counties might also have health risks due to ozone.

 

Stretching Your $$$

GPS helps manage fuel costs (7/14/08)

VINITA, Okla. (AP) - Global positioning technology is helping one Oklahoma law enforcement agency save money on fuel and better protect officers' lives. The Craig County Sheriff's Office is the first law enforcement agency to test a vehicle Global Positioning System provided by Tulsa-based company Progressive Technology and Innovations.

Three weeks ago, the GPS unit was installed in one of the department's vehicles. Sheriff Jimmie Sooter said the device allows administrators to track the route and speed the car is traveling, and how long the vehicle has been idle or turned off. Sooter says the device can overload him with information. He and other staff members are still analyzing all the features to figure out how it can benefit the department.

 

Tulsa-based utility seeks rate hike (7/11/08)

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Public Service Company of Oklahoma is asking state regulators to approve another rate increase for its customers. The Tulsa-based utility today asked for an increase in its base rates of more than $132 million annually.

If approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the nearly 9 percent rate hike would add $11 to $12 to the average residential customer's electric monthly bill starting early next year. It would come on top of the $17.50 per month fuel cost adjustment the utility recently instituted. The commission has 180 days to consider the proposal. Company leaders say they are seeking the increase to offset recent capital investments. PSO serves about 525,000 customers in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma.

 

 

A Quick and Easy Way to Improve Fuel Economy (7/2/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY - AAA Oklahoma says to save gas and money, it's simple: check your tires. Properly inflated tires greatly improve your vehicle’s fuel economy. AAA Oklahoma estimates that an Oklahoma motorist who drives an average of 12,000 miles annually on tires that are under-inflated by 5-8 PSI (pounds per square inch of air pressure) is wasting up to 50 gallons of gasoline, or $192.50 (at $3.85 a gallon). That's close to the cost of a week's worth of groceries ($226) for a family of four, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. If there are two cars in the family, that total can reach $380. "By taking five minutes each month to check your tires, you can save a lot of money and gasoline over time," said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma. "Plus, you’ll reduce vehicle emissions and increase our state’s drive toward greener living." For a free, downloadable copy of AAA’s “Gas Watcher’s Guide,” containing more tips to help you conserve fuel, visit www.AAA.com and click on AAA News & Safety, Fuel News & Tools. Or write to AAA Tips, 722 N. Broadway, Suite 401, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

 

Corporation Commission approves energy use plan (7/2/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Corporation Commission today approved a “Quick Start” plan designed by OG&E to provide education, assistance and incentives for customers seeking to do a better job of managing the amount of electricity they use. “OG&E has established these ‘Quick Start’ Demand Side Management (DSM) programs as an initial set of user-friendly tools to serve customer needs while more permanent programs are in development,” said Gary Marchbanks, manager of DSM programs for OG&E. The Quick Start programs approved today by the Commission have produced positive results when introduced in other states. The programs will create broader awareness of the need for energy efficiency while setting the stage for future programs and initiatives.When permanent DSM rules are approved by the Commission in 2009, OG&E will file a comprehensive plan that will expand upon the Quick Start program.

 

Tulsa police to stop use of patrol cars for off-duty jobs (6/25/08)

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa police will no longer be allowed to drive their patrol cars to off-duty jobs beginning July 15th. Police Chief Ron Palmer says the decision was made to save money on gasoline. Since 2004 officers have been allowed to fill their patrol cars at the city's in-house pumps and use them for off-duty jobs such as security work at banks and businesses. But city officials say the police department is already about $300,000 over its fuel budget for the fiscal year that ends at the end of this month. Palmer says city officials may consider a plan to allow patrol cars to be used for off-duty jobs if there is some type of reimbursement.

 

Rising fuel costs leads to increasing electric bills (6/23/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Gas & Electric customers should expect to see an average increase of about $15 per month beginning on their July bills to pay for higher fuel prices. The state's largest utility announced Monday the increase will begin on July 1. The utility said it needs an additional $30 per month from customers to keep pace with rising costs, but has opted to defer half of this increase until fall when most people use less electricity and overall power bills are lower. Utility spokesman Gil Broyles says the increase is the result of rising costs of natural gas and other fuels used to generate electricity. By law, the utility recovers only the actual costs of the fuels it uses, and the increase does not require approval by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Public Service Company of Oklahoma, a Tulsa-based utility, already has implemented its fuel-cost adjustment.

Gasoline price spike causes road revenue dip (6/23/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma motorists, like those in other states, are cutting back on travel to deal with high gasoline prices, while looking for other ways to reduce fuel costs. Officials say that while the drive to be green may be good public policy, it is hurting highway funding at both the state and federal level. Mike Patterson, the director of finance at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, says his agency estimated a 4.5 percent decline in gasoline and diesel consumption this year by Oklahoma motorists. That equates to a loss in revenue from the 17-cent-per-mile state fuel tax of about $20 million. About $10 million of that is allocated to ODOT for the state highway system. Much of the expected revenue loss is because of Oklahomans choosing to travel less due to high fuel prices at the pump. Travel was down about 1 percent during the Memorial Day weekend, and some residents also are curtailing their summer vacations.

 

Gas prices rise 10 cents a gallon over 2 weeks (6/23/08)

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) - A national survey shows consumers across the nation are paying an average of 10 cents a gallon more for gasoline than they were two weeks ago. The average price of regular gasoline at self-serve stations was $4.10 a gallon on Friday. Mid-grade was $4.22 a gallon and premium went for $4.33. That's according to the Lundberg Survey of 7,000 gas stations nationwide, released Sunday. The survey showed the average U.S. price for gas is $1.10 higher than it was a year ago. The cheapest gas was in Tulsa, Okla., where the price for regular was $3.76 a gallon. The California cities of Los Angeles and Fresno tied for the nation's highest gas: $4.59 a gallon for regular.

Lawton sees increase in free lunch program (6/23/08)

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) - Officials with the Lawton Public Schools' Summer Nutrition program say participation is rising dramatically because of rising food and fuel prices. Program monitor Patsy Sampley says an average of 1,000 lunches a day are being served at elementary schools, the Lawton Boys and Girls Club and other locations in the city. She says an average of 800 meals were served each day last year. Children eat free while adults can buy the meal for $3 and adults say it saves them both time and money and is healthier than fast foods. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and also receives food from the Department of Defense's fresh fruit and vegetable program.

 

Spam sales on the rise (5/29/08)

MILWAUKEE (AP) - As food prices rise, consumers are turning more to lunch meats like Spam and other lower-cost foods to extend their already stretched food budgets. One 33-year-old Oklahoma mother is among those who now are using more inexpensive foods. April Smith of Broken Arrow says that this summer she will feed her two boys, ages 11 and 8, more ramen for lunch. She says that they usually eat the noodle soup on Saturdays, but since ramen costs about a dime per pack, they'll now get it twice a week. Smith says she'll throw in some leftover frozen vegetables to make it more nutritious. The U.S. Agriculture Department says that food prices are increasing faster than they've risen since 1990, at 4 percent last year. The cost of many staples are rising even faster, with white bread up 13 percent last year, bacon up 7 percent and peanut butter up 9 percent.

 

More Oklahoma News:

Council bans skateboards from park (7/23/08)

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) - Complaints of poor behavior, vandalism and litter have led the City Council to pass an ordinance banning skateboards from a downtown park. The council voted 3-0 yesterday for the ordinance. It was proposed last month after residents and business owners near Norris Park complained about the behavior of some of the people in the park, primarily those with skateboards. Mayor Ken Purdey says officials have no choice but to respond to the complaints of the citizens. Penalties for violating the ordinance, which takes effect Aug. 21, include confiscation of the skateboard for 30 days on the first offense. A second offense means confiscation of the skateboard for 90 days and a possible fine of as much as $200.

 

Historic homes get shot at future (7/21/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The new executive director of Preservation Oklahoma, Inc., says she wants to increase the agency's statewide presence and provide public education programs that are related to advocacy. Sheila Spurgeon says the trend is to tear down buildings and replace them with something new. Spurgeon says the Gold Dome is one example in Oklahoma City where older, historic buildings can still be used. The Gold Dome formerly housed Citizens State Bank and was scheduled to be demolished in 2001.
After efforts by Preservation Oklahoma Inc. and Dr. Irene Lam, who bought the property in 2002, it now holds an Asian cultural center, a restaurant and retail and office spaces, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Tulsa employees moving into new City Hall (7/21/08)

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - About 180 city workers in Tulsa are spending their first day in new offices. The employees moved last Thursday to the new City Hall at One Technology Center. A second group of 180 employees are planning to move next weekend. City officials say some customer services will remain at the old City Hall location at the Civic Center through September. Payment drop boxes also will remain at the current City Hall location until the move to One Technology Center is completed at the end of September.Mayor Kathy Taylor and 16 workers from her office will be the latest occupants of Tulsa's new city hall. Taylor and the workers are scheduled to relocate to One Technology Center by midweek. The City Council won't move until the end of September, after renovations and construction on a council meeting chamber. The council committee meetings and the regular council meetings will continue to be held in their present locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Headlines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a new disaster declaration for nine Oklahoma counties.

Oilman and Oklahoma native T. Boone Pickens is asking Congress to, quote, "clear the path" for his plan to boost use of wind and natural gas for U.S. energy needs.

On the Next Oklahoma News Report

A new front in the battle against diabetes - your local pharmacy. Details Wednesday night night at 6:30 on OETA.