Archive for the Week of October 26, 2008 - November 1, 2008
News Archives (Week of October 26, 2008)
Minor earthquakes hit, Oklahoma, Dallas-Fort Worth area
10/31/08, 12:15 p.m.
DALLAS (AP) - Several minor earthquakes gave some Dallas-Fort Worth area and Oklahoma residents an early Halloween scare. No injuries or damage have been reported. A 2.5-magnitude earthquake last night at 11:25 p.m. (central time) hit near Grand Prairie.
The U.S. Geological Survey says a 3.0-magnitude quake was recorded at 12:01 a.m. today in Irving. Irving police received 911 calls from about 25 people saying they felt the quakes. A 3.1 quake was reported about 11:30 a.m. yesterday near McLoud, Okla., some 180 miles north of the Dallas area. No injuries or damage are reported there either.
USGS geophysicist Jessica Sigala says they consider the earthquakes in the two states to be separate events because they occurred so far apart in distance and time. The previous most recent quake in Texas was in April, shaking parts of South Texas with a 3.7 magnitude.
Election boards jammed with early voters
10/31/08, 11:56 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Thousands of people are standing in line outside the Oklahoma election board offices today to participate in early voting.
Hundreds stood outside the Oklahoma County Election Board while a line extended two blocks outside the Cleveland County Election Board. Officials with the Tulsa County and Stephens County election boards also report heavy early turnout.
This is the first of a three-day opportunity for people to cast ballots in advance of Tuesday's general election. Early voting continues Saturday and Monday.
Heartland Flyer ridership rises
10/31/08, 11:15 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Ridership on Amtrak's Heartland Flyer passenger train is up again. Final figures for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 shows that ridership rose by more than 18 percent to total 80,892 passengers. Amtrak operates the Heartland Flyer between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, under contracts with the Oklahoma and Texas Departments of Transportation.
ODOT's Director of Engineering David Streb says the Heartland Flyer is one of the nation's fastest growing lines. Streb says it also has the best customer satisfaction rating of any line. Transportation officials say all Amtrak trains saw increases in ridership last year. The 28.7 million total topped the 25.8 million riders for the previous 12 months by 11.1 percent.
Officials seek to lengthen school year
10/31/08 10:18 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state Board of Education will ask for a nearly $3 billion dollar budget for the next school year. The request is about $480 million more than the current budget and includes $36.5 million to add two more days to the school year. State Superintendent Sandy Garrett says it's important to lengthen the school year in Oklahoma.
The average length of the school year nationally is 180 days and Oklahoma's school year is 175. Education officials also want to use $20 million to hire and train 380 graduation coaches who would help at-risk students find ways to meet graduation requirements. Another $107 million would be for teacher pay raises that would average about $2,000 each.
Plans for Fort Sill Reserve Center halted
10/30/08, 1:15 p.m.
LAWTON, Okla. (AP) - Plans for a new Armed Forces Reserve Center at Fort Sill are on hold because bids for the project are too high. A spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says each bid on the project is higher than the $39 million authorized for construction.
Fort Sill was selected as one of seven sites in Oklahoma for the new centers that are part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure.The centers are intended to replace dozens of aging local armories as training centers for the state's soldiers.
Groundbreaking for the center was expected this year with a completion date in 2010. Fort Sill has requested additional funds to cover the bid proposals but it's uncertain what will happen.
Oklahoma registration numbers surge
10/30/08, 9:04 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Election officials say a late surge in voter registration numbers could indicate a record turnout in Tuesday's election. About 80,000 Oklahomans registered to vote during the five days before registration closed on Oct. 10.
Registration records show that during the final five days of voter registration, 35,108 Democrats, 32,146 Republicans and 13,239 independents registered. Oklahoma's registered voter count stands at 2,185,144 - 1,079,931 Democrats, 860,260 Republicans and 244,953 independents. In the 2004 presidential election, 1.46 million voters cast ballots in Oklahoma. President Bush carried every county in Oklahoma that year.
Thunder lose NBA debut
10/30/08, 8:24 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva each scored 20 points as the Milwaukee Bucks spoiled the Oklahoma City Thunder's debut with a 98-87 win Wednesday night.
Playing their opener after moving from Seattle in the offseason, the Thunder made it interesting by cutting a 24-point deficit to 11 in the fourth quarter before Redd re-entered the game and got an easy layup underneath.
Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant was held scoreless in the first half as the Bucks took advantage of Oklahoma City's shooting woes to pull ahead. Chris Wilcox led Oklahoma City with 15 points off the bench,
first-round pick Russell Westbrook scored 13 in his debut and Durant finished with 12 on 5-for-14 shooting.
Party kicks off for Thunder's home opener
10/29/08, 4:36 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Fans are lining up early for tickets to the first-ever regular-season game of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The new NBA franchise tips off Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Ford Center against the Milwaukee Bucks, and there is plenty of celebrating taking place in downtown Oklahoma City.
A line a half-block long stretched from the box office early Wednesday afternoon for about 200 tickets that were made available for the game.
Roads are shut down outside the arena, and there are giant inflatables, an outdoor basketball court and musicians warming up for performances.
Franks, 12 others to be inducted
10/29/08, 4:12 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks will be the featured speaker and one of 13 inductees into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame next month in Oklahoma City. A Wynnewood native, Franks became commander in chief of the U.S. Central Command. He led American and coalition troops in historic campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Others to be inducted into the military hall on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, include three congressional medal of honor winners. The event includes a reception at 6:30 p.m. at the Gaylord Center at Oklahoma Christian University, followed by a dinner and induction ceremony.
State to get HUD funding for disaster recovery
10/28/08, 5:32 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state of Oklahoma will get nearly $1.8 million to help pay for recovery efforts from spring storms, tornadoes and flooding in four counties. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston announced Tuesday Oklahoma will receive $1,793,876 from HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program.
The money will be used to repair homes, businesses and infrastructure in Craig, Latimer, Ottawa and Pittsburg counties. The counties were hit by the natural disasters from May 10 through 13 and President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for the four on May 14. The funding is part of $200 million dollars being sent to 15 states affected by natural disasters.
Stipe competency hearing turns testy
10/28/08, 5:20 p.m.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) - A hearing on the mental competency of former state Sen. Gene Stipe began in Muskogee today with an angry judge lashing the federal prosecutor. At issue is whether Stipe is mentally competent for a probation revocation hearing.
Federal Judge Ronald White was angry that U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling failed to present requested information on exhibits Sperling planned to introduce. Sperling apologized but White said the prosecutor just didn't want to provide the information. In a raised voice White asked why the hearing should proceed and why Sperling shouldn't be referred to a disciplinary committee."
He also told Sperling to "stop the speeches" and just ask questions while questioning prison europsychologist Dr. Robert Denney. The 82-year-old Stipe is on probation for two felony convictions
involving illegal campaign contributions in 1998. Prosecutors say he violated probation by associating with another convicted felon and by orchestrating another campaign fraud case in 2004.
Texas district wins round in Oklahoma water lawsuit
10/28/08, 9:28 a.m.
DENVER (AP) - A Texas water district has won a court decision in its lawsuit over Oklahoma's ban on out of state water sales. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver on Monday denied a request by Oklahoma to throw out the lawsuit filed by the Tarrant Regional Water District in Fort Worth. The judges also wrote that Oklahoma does not own the water located in the state.
The lawsuit claims Oklahoma's ban on selling water to out of state interests is unconstitutional. A spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson says the office is reviewing the decision. A spokesman for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board says it will meet with the attorney general's staff and decide what to do next.
Competency hearing today for Gene Stipe
10/28/08, 8:32 a.m.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) - Former state Sen. Gene Stipe is due back in federal court in Muskogee for a mental competency hearing. The hearing Tuesday could determine whether Stipe will face a probation revocation hearing related to felony convictions involving a 1998 campaign fraud scheme.
A ruling also could determine whether Stipe will go to trial on a new criminal indictment which accuses him of political corruption. Doctors have said the 82-year-old Stipe suffers severe dementia caused in part by persistent and excessive fluid on the brain. He spent four months recently at a prison hospital in Missouri.
28 groups back suit against immigration law
10/27/08, 6:06 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Twenty-eight different business, labor and civil rights groups have filed briefs in support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's legal fight against Oklahoma's tough illegal immigration law.
The chamber questions the validity of a requirement that businesses use a voluntary federal worker verification system.
The lawsuit is currently before the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. A spokesman for the chamber, in a statement Monday from Washington, D.C., said diverse groups agree that states should not set national immigration policy. Chamber officials argue the law imposes tax penalties on any employer who fails to use the "E-Verify" pilot program, and sets up employers for discrimination lawsuits. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Change to Win labor coalition are among those groups backing the lawsuit.
Judge declares mistrial declared in Erwin case
10/27/08, 5:39 p.m.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) - The bribery trial of former state Rep. Randall Erwin has ended in a mistrial after a federal jury in Muskogee was unable to reach a verdict. Judge Ronald White declared the mistrial Monday after jurors sent him a note saying they would not be able to reach a verdict without violating their consciences.
Jurors deliberated more than 13 hours over two days before the mistrial was declared. The judge said he would set the case for retrial on his February docket. Erwin is accused of accepting more than $6,000 in bribes from corrupt Pittsburg County business Steve Phipps in exchange for steering $1.1 million in state money to entities controlled by Phipps. Erwin contends the payments he received were legitimate
consulting fees from a gaming operation.
Study says Oklahoma needs more practitioners
10/27/08, 4:12 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A pilot program has found Oklahoma doesn't have enough therapists and behavioral specialists to work with autistic children. Thirty families were chosen for the autism two-year pilot project. Each could spend up to $12,360 a year on services for their autistic child.
Officials with the state Department of Human Services say there are so few providers of needed services the families only spent about $4,500 a year. Of the 30 families selected 15 are from the Oklahoma City area and 15 are from the Tulsa area. Autism is a developmental problem affecting a child's ability to interact and communicate with others. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in every 150 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism.
Group accuses ODOT of misinformation
10/27/08, 2:21 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A group seeking to save the Oklahoma City Union Station and its rail bed say their effort is picking up momentum. Oklahomans for New Transportation Alternatives, known as "On Trac," wants the governor to convene a special commission to consider preserving the Union Station terminal for a commuter rail system.
The station is to be torn down as part of the realignment of Interstate 40, the Crosstown Expressway project. On Trac says the station can be preserved by moving the new interstate 200 to 250 feet at a cost of about $50 million. Shawnee officials recently voted to support a resolution calling for a study of the plan. Similar resolutions have been adopted by officials in Norman, El Reno and Chickasha.
Groups opposes education petition
10/27/08, 10:15 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Several groups say they'll oppose an initiative petition that would change the state constitution to increase funding for public education. State Question 744 would require the Legislature to provide per-pupil funding equal to the regional average. The cost is estimated at $850 million.
Among those opposing the measure are the State Chamber, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, American Federation of Teachers in Oklahoma, Oklahomans for Responsible Government and Transportation Revenues Used Strictly for Transportation. Critics of the proposal say it would result in less money for other state services such as highway improvements - or it will mean higher taxes.
Acclaimed author Tony Hillerman dies at 83
10/27/08, 9:36 a.m.
PHOENIX (AP) - Tony Hillerman, author of the acclaimed Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels, has died of pulmonary failure. He was 83. Hillerman's daughter, Anne Hillerman, says her father's health had been declining in the last couple years and he was at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque when he died at about 3 p.m. Sunday.
Hillerman lived through two heart attacks and surgeries for prostate and bladder cancer. He kept tapping at his keyboard even as his eyes dimmed, his hearing faded and rheumatoid arthritis turned his hands into claws. He said in 2002 that he was getting old, "but I still like to write." Hillerman is survived by his wife, Marie, and six children. Services are pending.
OSU sorority suspended amid hazing allegations
10/27/08, 9:12 a.m.
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma State University has temporarily suspended its Kappa Alpha Theta sorority chapter as it investigates allegations of hazing involving 17 sorority members. OSU spokesman Gary Shutt confirmed the investigation, but declined to say what the women are accused of doing. He says the incident qualified as -- quote -- "activity that causes or intends to cause physical or mental discomfort."
Shutt says no one was injured and the police were not notified. He says some students told university officials the incident happened about 12:30 Wednesday during Homecoming Week last week. School officials says the investigation could lead to students being expelled. Kappa Alpha Theta OSU Chapter President Brianna Jett says the sorority is cooperating with the university investigation.
Investigation shows 3 arrests from immigration law
10/27/08, 8:56 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A newspaper investigation indicates that an anti-illegal immigration law that took effect in Oklahoma last Nov. 1 has resulted in only three arrests and one conviction. The Tulsa World looked at court records from each of the state's 77 counties to determine how many people had been charged under the law, known as House Bill 1804. It is considered the most stringent anti-illegal immigration law in the U.S.
The three arrests discovered by the newspaper occurred in Sequoyah, Coal and Seminole Counties. One person was convicted but apparently has not served prison time. Court and law enforcement officials say they are using the law to track down so-called "coyotes," a term used to describe people who smuggle illegal immigrants, often under dangerous conditions. Authorities say illegal immigrants who are going about their
everyday travels to work and church usually are left alone.
OSU-OKC to offer wind turbine tech degree
10/27/08, 8:43 a.m.
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma State University has become the first in the state to offer a wind turbine technology degree program. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education this week established the program at OSU-Oklahoma City.
Students can receive an associate of applied science degree in wind turbine technology. Students can begin enrolling in the program immediately, and classes will start in January.
