Archive for the Week of April 12, 2009 -April 18, 2009
Longtime Oklahoman editorial cartoonist dies
4/17/09, 4:10 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Editorial cartoonist Jim Lange, whose John Q. Public character was a fixture on The Oklahoman's editorial page for 58 years, has died. Lange died late Thursday after a lengthy illness. He was 82.
Lange joined The Oklahoman in 1950 at the age of 24 and retired in October. The newspaper estimated he published more than 19,000 cartoons during his career. Born Aug. 15, 1926, in Winnebago, Minn., Lange grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, and attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts following a stint in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
Lange was a co-founder of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists and was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in 1993.
Bone marrow donors sought
4/17/09, 3:52 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Shawnee girl's courageous but losing fight for life is putting a spotlight on the need for getting more Oklahomans to register to be bone marrow donors. On Monday, the Oklahoma Blood Institute will conduct a registry drive at the Capitol for donors, with an emphasis on getting minorities to register.
Eleven-year-old Tallie Anderson died last month from complications related to a stem cell transplant. Tallie was a Choctaw Indian who had to wait two years for a bone marrow match. Bone marrow donors among American Indians and other minorities are rare. First lady Kim Henry and Gov. Brad Henry visited Tallie in the hospital with Rep. Kris Steele of Shawnee. She said she was amazed at Tallie's grace and strength.
Damage to wheat from freeze still being assessed
4/17/09, 9:30 a.m.
ENID, Okla. (AP) - State wheat officials say they're still assessing the damage last week's freeze caused the wheat crop but it appears the damage is significant in the southwest. Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association director Tim Bartram says the farther south - the more the damage from the freezing temperatures.
And state Wheat Commission director Mike Schulte says insurance adjusters are assessing the crops in the southwest and some will be written off and not harvested. Bartram says the crop in northwestern Oklahoma will be average at best.
State ready to apply for high-speed rail funds
4/17/09, 9:14 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State transportation officials say they're ready to apply for funding for a high-speed passenger rail project. President Barack Obama says $8 billion will be available to develop high-speed rail in the U.S. The Federal Railroad Administration has identified a corridor that includes Oklahoma City, Tulsa, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Little Rock as one of 10 possible projects. Oklahoma Department of Transportation spokeswoman Terri Angier says the state has been anticipating the process and is ready to apply for funding. The Federal Railroad Administration says grants could be distributed by late this summer.
Helicopters to be used to hunt wild hogs
4/16/09, 1:22 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has voted overwhelmingly to allow the hunting of wild feral hogs from helicopters. Feral hogs have increased in number in Oklahoma and are causing damage to crops. Sen. Mike Schulz of Altus says they run in herds and can weigh hundreds of pounds. Schulz's bill passed Thursday on a 37-9 vote, despite safety concerns expressed by some senators. It returns to the House, where final approval is expected.
State receives tobacco funds
4/16/09, 1:15 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma has received almost $90 million from the tobacco industry and state officials have placed 75 percent of it into the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund. State Treasurer Scott Meacham's office said Thursday it received a wire transfer totaling $89.8 million on Wednesday from the trustee of the tobacco settlement funds. More than $67 million of the payment was deposited in Oklahoma's Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund, which now has a balance of more than $384 million. The endowment was created by a voter-approved amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution in 2000. It specifies that only the earnings from the trust fund may be spent on programs to improve the health and well being of Oklahomans, particularly children and senior adults.
Bat-killing disease could be coming to Oklahoma
4/16/09, 12:30 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A disease that has killed off more than a million bats in the northeast United States hasn't made it to Oklahoma yet, but experts say it's likely just a matter of time. The disease is marked by a white fungus on bats' noses. This fungus may be the cause or just a symptom of the disease.
Merlin Tuttle, president of Bat Conservation International, says the disease could be here in less than two years, or it could be several years away unless scientists find a way to stop it. Millions of bats live in Oklahoma. The Alabaster Caverns near Freedom in northwest Oklahoma is home to about 14,000 bats.
Bats prey on insects, and one of the problems of a falling bat population could be a serious increase in insects, including mosquitoes.
Henry to sign bill to help seniors
4/16/09, 10:39 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Governor Brad Henry is preparing to sign a bill aimed at helping authorities when they are called to find missing senior citizens. The bill sets up a "Silver Alert" program.
It is patterned after the Amber Alert program that helps locate missing children. Like Amber, the Silver Alert will use television, radio and other mediums of communications to alert the public of a missing senior. Henry planned to sign the bill at a Thursday afternoon news conference.
Damage assessment tours of fire-scarred areas continues
4/16/09 8:36 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State and federal officials will tour fire-damaged areas in three counties today as they try to determine if any federal assistance is needed for individuals. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management says assessment teams finished work in Carter, Cleveland, Grady, McClain and
Oklahoma counties and are moving on to Lincoln, Murray and Stephens counties. The primary purpose of the tours is to determine how much of the fire damage was uninsured or underinsured.
Gov. Brad Henry will need that information to determine whether to ask the president for federal assistance. Most of the damage occurred April 9th, but some of the fires rekindled or continued to burn for at least another day. Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Brad Craine has said that if most of the damaged or destroyed property was insured there likely will be no federal aid. Most of the property destroyed in Choctaw and Midwest City was insured.
Senate OKs instruction on religious documents
4/15/09, 4:30 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma teachers would have broader flexibility to discuss religious documents, speeches and other materials under a bill approved by lawmakers.
The state Senate voted 40-7 Wednesday to approve House Bill 1756, despite concerns from some senators that the bill is nothing more than a political wedge issue.
Republican Sen. Clark Jolley of Edmond says the bill would allow teachers to discuss the religious context of historical documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.
Jolley says many teachers and districts shy away from such discussions for fear of being sued.
But longtime teacher Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield of Ardmore says the bill is motivated by politics and is an "answer in search of a problem."
House passes school deregulation bill
4/15/09, 4:27 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma House has passed legislation to would allow 20 percent of public schools to operate as charter schools free of many current state mandates. The bill, known as the School District Empowerment Program, allows local school districts to decide which state mandates to implement, if any.
Supporters say it gives local school administrators and school boards more local control to better address community needs. They also say it gives school districts more flexibility on how to spend scarce resources. The measure is opposed by the Oklahoma Education Association and many teachers. They say it threatens to do away with requirements for certified teachers, media specialists and other education professionals.
House members voted 60-39 for the measure Wednesday and sent it to the Senate for final consideration.
Thousands rally at OKC 'Tea Party'
4/15/09, 2:20 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Thousands of people rallied at the state Capitol as part of a National Tax Day Tea Party to protest excessive government spending. Capitol Patrol officers estimated close to 4,000 people gathered Wednesday on the south steps of the state Capitol.
Similar events were held in communities across the state. Holding signs that read "Viva Capitalism" and "Stop Bailouts," protesters in Oklahoma City expressed frustration with politicians they said are unwilling to listen to their demands.
Organizer Alan Webb says politicians weren't invited to speak at the event because "we wanted the politicians to hear us." Webb says people are fed up with excessive taxes and excessive government spending.
State tourism officials say business is good
4/15/09, 11:48 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The number of people stopping at Oklahoma tourism information centers is rising leading officials to hope for a busy season at state parks and lodges. State Tourism Department director Hardy Watkins says visitors to the information centers are up 12 percent and revenue for March was higher than last year. Watkins says the economic downturn has more people planning shorter trips that are closer to home. And the Tourism Department recently spent about $2.2 million dollars on television ads in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and in neighboring states of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.
Health officials report syphilis outbreak among Oklahoma teens
4/15/09, 11:42 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State health officials say a syphilis outbreak among teenagers includes four new cases, three of which have been linked to teen group sex parties. The outbreak was reported three weeks ago after 10 teen cases were confirmed within a month. Officials now believe 13 cases this year are related.
Jan Fox is chief of the sexually transmitted disease services division of the state Health Department.
Fox says the cases are among males and females ages 14 to 20 in multiple counties in central Oklahoma. She says it's unclear whether the outbreak is contained because more teens may have been exposed and don't know it because they don't have symptoms. Syphilis can be cured if it is caught early. Signs include genital lesions, rough, red, or reddish brown spots on palms and soles, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and
fatigue.
Rallies planned at Capitol, across state
4/15/09, 10:18 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state Capitol will be the site of one of several National Tax Day Tea Party rallies across the country, driven partly by conservative political activists. Alan Webb of Edmond, organizer of the Capitol rally, said the main emphasis will be on excessive government spending. Jason Carini of "Getrightoklahoma.com" says three tea parties are being planned in Tulsa, including one at LaFortune Park featuring Rep. John Sullivan. Unlike a Feb. 27 tea party rally at the Capitol, Webb said Wednesday's event will not include any politicians as speakers. Sites of other rallies include Duncan, Durant, Lawton, Miami, Muskogee, Norman, Poteau and Tahlequah.
Senate passes autism coverage plan
4/15/09, 9:58 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has amended a House bill to require the Oklahoma High Risk Health Insurance Pool to cover autism. Sen. Jay Paul Gumm offered the amendment to a House measure dealing with insurance coverage. It passed Tuesday on a voice vote.
Gumm says his amendment is a compromise to "Nick's Law," which would have required private insurance companies to cover autism. Autism is a bioneurological disorder that affects the communications skills of young children. House Bill 2027 returns to the House and is expected to wind up in a joint conference committee.
President elect of ORU predicts end to debt
4/14/09, 3:08 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The president-elect of Oral Roberts University has pledged the evangelical school will be debt-free"very soon." Speaking Tuesday at the Tulsa Press Club, Mark Rutland predicted that reducing the $4.5 million debt the school has left is "going to come quickly."
Rutland begins as ORU president July 1. He replaces Richard Roberts, son of the school's namesake founder, televangelist Oral Roberts. Richard Roberts stepped down in November 2007 amid allegations he and his wife, Lindsay, spent school money on home remodels, lavish vacations and shopping sprees. The couple have denied any wrongdoing.
Since his resignation, the school has slowly been recovering from the financial scandal, and once found itself more than $50 million in the red.
Insured losses from fires estimated at $20M
4/14/09, 2:39 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A regional insurance expert estimates insured property losses from wildfires could reach $20 million dollars. Southwestern Insurance Information Services president Jerry Johns said Tuesday experts are expecting "catastrophic and huge" claims. He says a better estimate will be available within a week but predicts the number will not be much lower than the $20 million dollar figure is a real possibility.
Spokesman John Wiscaver of State Farm Insurance said Monday his company alone expects more than $10 million in home and automobile damage claims. Officials say the fires that began in dry, windy conditions last Thursday destroyed 100 to 150 homes statewide.
Tulsa police to put meth lab sites on Web site
4/14/09, 11:46 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer says police are working to update the department's Web site so it shows where methamphetamine labs are found. Authorities say there have been three people killed in fires started by meth lab explosions in Tulsa since March.
The department's Web site does have a section that tracks meth labs - but the most recent entry is from 2007. Palmer said Tuesday the information is something the public should have and the department will start updating and mapping where the labs are found. He says he expects the Web site to be up to date by the end of the week.
Voters to decide term limits
4/14/09, 11:37 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma House has given final approval to a resolution that calls for a vote of the people on whether to impose term limits on statewide offices. The resolution passed the House Tuesday by a vote of 69-29. It previously passed the Senate and now goes to the Secretary of State.
Currently, lawmakers are limited to 12 years in office, and the governor is restricted to serving two consecutive, four year terms. The resolution would limit the governor to serve no more than eight cumulative years in office. That same eight total years would apply to the lieutenant governor, auditor and inspector, attorney general, treasurer, commissioner of labor, superintendent of public instruction and insurance commissioner. Corporation commissioner terms would be limited to a total of 12 years.
Revenue collections fall below estimate
4/14/09, 11:22 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Year-to-date revenue collections have fallen below the estimate for the first time in almost six years. State Treasurer Scott Meacham said Tuesday preliminary reports show general revenue fund collections through the third quarter of the fiscal year that ends June 30 totaled about $4.2 billion. That
is $33.4 million above the prior year but $34.5 million below the estimate.
The last time state revenue did not meet estimates was in June 2003, the end of the 2003 fiscal year. Meacham says the decline is in line with the Tax Commission's revised February projections. He says he's hopeful the state will finish the fiscal year without needing to make any cuts. Meacham says he expects collections for the next three months to also fall below original estimates.
FEMA teams to survey Oklahoma
4/13/09, 6:03 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will begin inspection tours Tuesday of areas where homes were destroyed by Oklahoma wildfires last week.
Spokeswoman Michelann Ooten of the state Emergency Management Department says the inspectors will work to gauge the extent of uninsured loss as this will determine the extent of federal disaster aid that may be made available.
State officials have said 100 to 150 homes were destroyed statewide by fires that began in dry, windy conditions last Thursday. The Midwest city area and portions of southern Oklahoma were especially hard hit.
Price gouging law triggered by declaration
4/13/09, 5:55 P.M.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson is warning would-be scam artists that the state's price gouging law is now in effect. Gov. Brad Henry's declaration of a state of emergency last week after wildfires and severe weather triggered the law. The price gouging law prohibits price increases of more than 10 percent on most goods and services in counties where a state of emergency is declared.
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Counties under the emergency order are Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kiowa, LeFlore, Lincoln, Logan, Love, McClain, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Stephens, Tillman and Washita.
Oklahoma No. 12 in wind power generation
4/13/09, 11:20 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma ranks No. 12 in the nation in the amount of power generated by wind in the state. An industry report being released Monday by the American Wind Energy Association says Oklahoma generates 831 megawatts of electricity with wind for 3 percent of the state's power needs.
Texas ranks No. 1 with 7,118 megawatts of wind-generated power followed by Iowa, California, Minnesota and Washington. The association says U.S. wind farms had a combined capacity of 25,300 megawatts at the end of last year. It says that should be able to generate some 73 billion kilowatt hours of power in 2009
which would be enough to serve nearly 7 million homes.
Rain helps douse wildfires
4/13/09, 9:56 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma firefighters caught a break Sunday as a storm system doused smoldering grass fires and lessened conditions that could lead to any new ones. Officials say showers and thunderstorms helped exhausted firefighters extinguish blazes that flared in Oklahoma, Carter and Stephens counties Saturday.
Midwest City Fire Marshal Jerry Lojka says the area has received more than an inch of rain and smoldering blazes had been extinguished and no new fires have been reported. In Stephens County, where fires flared near Loco, Marlow, Duncan and Velma, officials said all was quiet.
The storm system responsible for the rain began moving across the state Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Rainfall totals ranged from point-09 inches in Beckham County in western Oklahoma to 2-point-38 inches in McCurtain County in southeast Oklahoma. The precipitation came days after wind-whipped fires destroyed about 170 homes statewide and injured 62 people, two seriously.
Proposal for $79.5M state fair expo hall submitted
4/13/09, 8:38 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma State Fair's board of directors has received a proposal to build a $79.5 million exposition hall on the fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. The proposal for the 407,778-square-foot facility is part of a master plan developed by HOK Smith Forkner, a prominent fairgrounds building design firm. Those proposing the construction of the expo hall hope it can be funded through a third, contemplated Metropolitan Area Projects III program.
Previous MAPS programs have featured a temporary one-cent sales tax. Fair officials including Clay Bennett, the chairman of the fair's board of directors and the chairman of the ownership group of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder, say no other funding alternative to build the facility has been considered to date. Bennett says such a large expo hall would help Oklahoma City attract and keep regional and national shows that might have bypassed the city in the past.
Some stimulus money to be used for I-244 bridges
4/13/09, 8:29 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma Department of Transportation plans to use $75 million to repave some bridges on Interstate 244 by downtown Tulsa. The decks of about 40 bridges on what is known as the Inner Dispersal Loop will be resurfaced, even though Federal Highway Administration data reviewed by the Tulsa World showed most of those decks were rated fair, satisfactory or good as recently as last year.
Only three of the decks received poor ratings. ODOT spokeswoman Terri Angier says the agency, which is receiving federal stimulus money, picked the I-244 project because it could be started quickly. She says it will extend the life of the bridges, which could save money in the long term. ODOT plans to replace or repair about 100 bridges in Oklahoma using the stimulus money.
