Archive for the Week of August 17- August 23, 2008
Tax charges against Fisher dropped
8/22/08, 3:05 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Prosecutors have dropped tax charges against former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher. The 68-year-old Fisher was charged with filing a false tax return that understated his income in 1999.
Fisher is currently in prison on a campaign corruption conviction and still faces trial in Oklahoma City in October on bribery charges. The decision to drop the tax charges come after a judge limited the evidence that could be used. Attorney General Drew Edmondson says it doesn't make sense to spend the state's time and money on the tax case.
Rankings: University of Tulsa best in Oklahoma
8/22/08, 12:07 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The University of Tulsa is 83rd and the University of Oklahoma is tied for 108th in rankings of the nation's colleges by U.S. News and World Report. Oklahoma State is rated in the third tier of the magazine's ratings and Oral Roberts University is in the fourth tier.
The magazine doesn't numerically rank schools in those two tiers. Number One on the list is Harvard followed by Princeton and Yale with Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology tied for fourth.
NEW: Handgun in slaying identified
8/22/08, 12:05 p.m.
FOX News reports that in their latest effort to solve a double-murder that thus far has neither motive nor suspects, Oklahoma police have revealed the make of one of the weapons used to kill two young girls on a country road nearly 10 weeks ago.
Police say two guns were used to kill 13-year-old Taylor Paschal-Placker and 11-year-old Skyla Jade Whitaker as they took an afternoon walk down County Line Road in Okfuskee County on June 8. It's a "brutal and deliberate" crime that has stymied investigators in this rural area 70 miles south of Tulsa.
"Since we don't have a motive, we just can't look in one direction for a certain person," Jessica Brown, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, told FOXNews.com. "It's wide open."
Investigators have been searching for a "person of interest" in the case since mid-June. Described as a 6-foot American Indian, about 35, with long black hair, he was seen driving a white Ford or Chevy single-cab pickup truck on County Line Road around the time of the shooting.
About 90 dogs found abandoned in southern Oklahoma
8/22/08, 11:56 a.m.
ARDMORE, Okla. (AP) - Animal rights groups are again calling for state laws to regulate dog and cat breeders after about 90 dogs were found abandoned in southern Oklahoma. A rancher found the dogs near Marietta and took them to an animal hospital.
About 65 are now being cared for by Southern Oklahoma Animal Resources in Ardmore and the other 25 were sent to a shelter in Texas. Oklahoma doesn't require inspections and has not set standards for dog- and cat-breeding operations. A bill requiring inspections of breeders who sell more then 25 puppies each year failed in the Legislature earlier this year. State Representative Lee Denney says she'll offer a similar bill next year if she's re-elected.
Tuesday funeral set for ex-lawmaker
8/22/08, 9:40 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The funeral for a former state legislator has been scheduled for next week.
The family of ex-state Sen. Al Terrill of Lawton will accompany his casket to Oklahoma City, where it will be placed outside the Senate Chamber from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday. Terrill's funeral is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Lawton.
The 71-year-old Terrill died on Wednesday of cancer. He served in the state Senate from 1964 to 1986.
Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.
Coverage planned for Democratic Convention
8/21/08, 5:00 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY - OETA and KOSU Radio have announced plans to provide radio and television broadcast coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, beginning with the Democratic National Convention in Denver on August 25.
Through a special partnership, KOSU reporter Michael Cross will provide nightly reports from the convention on the Oklahoma News Report and will continue OETA's popular Voter Voices segments with delegates in Denver. Also, watch for updates on the Political Pulse blog. The Oklahoma News Report airs weeknights at 6:30 on OETA.
Health Department under hiring freeze
8/21/08, 2:35 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state Health Department has put a hiring freeze in place. Department officials say among the vacant positions they can't afford to fill are long-term care surveyors who investigate complaints at nursing homes and similar facilities. There are also about 100 vacancies in county health departments across the state including 69 unfilled nursing positions. The Health Department's overall budget is about 380 million dollars which is essentially the same as last year and department officials say the cost of doing business is rising.
Heartland Flyer ridership up
8/21/08, 2:30 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Ridership on Amtrak's service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, continues to rise as gas prices remain high. The Heartland Flyer had 40 percent more passengers last month than it did in July a year ago.
Amtrak reported having about 11,700 passengers last month, as compared to 8,300 a year ago. Amtrak says ridership is up by 17 percent during the past 10 months. There were 67,000 passengers in the period from October to July compared with 57,000 in the same period a year earlier.
Supporters had to rally in 2005 to extend public funding of the daily train service, which is now considering extending to Tulsa or Kansas City, Mo.
Ft. Sill employee resigns
8/21/08, 9:15 a.m.
LAWTON, Okla. (AP) - A Fort Sill employee who spoke to a national newspaper about deteriorated conditions at barracks housing wounded soldiers no longer works at the post. Fifty-four-year-old Chuck Roeder told USA Today that the housing units were infested with mold and that he encouraged soldiers to
speak out about it.
Fort Sill spokesman Jon Long says Roeder wasn't forced out. Long says he resigned on Friday, three days before the newspaper's stories hit newsstands. In two articles, the newspaper cited 20 soldiers who said Fort Sill officials knew of the moldy conditions back in April and failed to take action. Some soldiers had said they were told by an officer not to talk about it.
A service log reviewed by The Oklahoman indicated that work orders were submitted April 28th to inspect the rooms in question. Major General Peter Vangjel said Monday soldiers were removed immediately from the rooms and tests were conducted May 2nd that proved the mold was "common mold" and not hazardous.
Henry picks Strong as environmental chief
8/20/08, 5:03 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - J.D. Strong has been picked by Gov. Brad Henry to be his secretary of the environment. Strong was chief of staff for Miles Tolbert, who recently resigned to take a post in the private sector. The new secretary has worked on environmental issues since he earned a degree in wildlife ecology at Oklahoma State University and went to work as an environmental scientist for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in 1993. He became a special assistant to the secretary of environment in 1996 and became chief of staff in 2003. He helped implement the state and federal relocations of families in the Tar Creek Superfund site.
Former senator dies in hospital
8/20/08, 4:45 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Former longtime Democratic state Sen. Al Terrill from Lawton has died in a Lawton Hospital. Eva Goeringer - an administrative assistant to House Democratic Leader Danny Morgan - says Terrill died Wednesday morning after a long illness. Goeringer sent e-mails to House and Senate members informing them of the death.
Terrill served in the State Senate from 1965-1986, until he was defeated by Butch Hooper. Terrill had been a fixture at the Capitol as a lobbyist since he left the Senate. He was 71.
Governor lifts remaining burn ban
8/20/08, 1:50 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has lifted a burn ban in two counties in the Oklahoma Panhandle. The ban on burning in Cimarron and Texas counties had been in effect since January because of drought conditions that were compared the Dust Bowl years of the 1930s.
The governor's office announced the end of the ban Wednesday because of recent rains and on the recommendation of forestry officials in the state Department of Agriculture.
Oklahoma obesity rate on the increase
8/20/08, 1:33 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma again ranks as one of the fattest states in the nation after the state's obesity rate rose for a third straight year. Oklahoma's adult obesity rate is 28.1 percent and ties Arkansas as the eighth most obese state in the nation in a report from the nonprofit Trust for America's Health.
Oklahoma's obesity rate was 26.8 percent last year to rank ninth among the 50 states. Adeline Yerkes in the state Health Department's Chronic Disease Services says the report is no surprise. Yerkes says policies and legislation intended to reduce obesity have been passed in recent years but it's too soon to see results. The study also placed Oklahoma with the sixth-highest rate of type 2 diabetes, the eighth-highest rate of hypertension and the fifth-worst rate in physical inactivity.
Devon plans 925-foot skyscraper in downtown Oklahoma City
8/20/08, 1:29 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The chief executive of Devon Energy Corp. says its new proposed downtown headquarters will be the tallest building in Oklahoma. CEO Larry Nichols told the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority Wednesday that the oil and natural gas company's planned tower would have 54 stories and stand 925 feet tall.
According to a database compiled by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat the proposed tower would be the 20th tallest building in the United States as of today. It would also be the 54th tallest building in the world. However dozens of taller buildings have been proposed and not yet built. Nichols says the Devon tower would cost more than $750 million and be scheduled for completion in 2012.
Indian gambling grows in 2007
8/20/08, 9:10 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma was third in the nation last year in gambling revenue with nearly 2.5 billion dollars. A study by the Casino City's Indian Gaming Industry Report found California is first and Connecticut second in money generated by gambling in 2007.
Economist Alan Meister conducted the report and says Oklahoma is the fastest growing large Indian gambling state. Oklahoma had 31 tribes operating 101 gambling facilities in 2007. The number of gambling machines in the state increased by 11.7 percent. Nationwide there was a 5 percent increase in Indian gambling revenue in 2007.
Another 2 days of rain, then some dry days expected for Oklahoma
8/20/08, 8:47 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A pesky storm system that's worn out its welcome should finally begin a slow departure from Oklahoma Wenesday. The National Weather Service said the upper-level low should meander into central Oklahoma and shift northeast the following day. Showers and thunderstorms will still be possible, but a break in the clouds will follow.
The constant rain led to flooding problems in western and central Oklahoma. Authorities in Oklahoma City, El Reno and Norman launched high-water rescues after the rain made many roads impassable. Some homes also were inundated by water. Rainfall amounts in the past 24 hours included Waurika's 8.98 inches; nearly 6.5 in Minco; about 4.9 inches in Lawton and around 4.7 inches in El Reno.
Oklahoma City received 4.16 inches of rain, pushing the rainfall amount for August to 9.48 inches. That broke a record of 8.34 inches set back in 1906. The rain has held temperatures well below average and only ranged from 68 degrees in Clinton to 82 degrees in Bartlesville and Ponca City today.
Anniversary of OKC sit-ins to be commemorated
8/19/08, 9:35 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The 50th anniversary of sit-ins that led to the desegregation of Oklahoma City eating establishments is being commemorated this week. It was August 19th, 1958, when one of the nation's first sit-ins by young blacks began at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter.
The event was coordinated by Clara Luper who took students from the NAACP Youth Council to the store. Luper led three adult chaperons and 13 members of the NAACP's
Youth Council in a sit in at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter in downtown Oklahoma City on Aug. 19, 1958. They attempted to order some soft drinks. The store's refusal launched weeks of peaceful sit-ins at eating establishments across the city that became models for other acts of civil disobedience across the nation. The sit-in eventually desegregated lunch counters at 38 Katz Drug Stores in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.
The Freedom Center is hosting events this week to recall the sit-ins and a day honoring Luper will be Saturday.
Commander denies reports
8/19/08, 9:32 a.m.
LAWTON, Okla. (AP) - The commander general of Fort Sill denies published reports that complaints about mold in the barracks of wounded soldiers went "unheeded for months." The allegations by Sergeant William Barnett, Specialist James Dodson, Sergeant Michael Riley and 17 others are included in two articles in USA Today.
The soldiers say when they complained about the mold they not only were ignored but ordered "not to speak about the conditions at Fort Sill." But Major General Peter Vangjel says the insinuation that complaints went uninvestigated for months "is simply not true."
Garrison commander Colonel Robert Bridgford says the mold was reported April 25th and he issued a work order April 28th. He says the mold was tested May 2nd and the results found it is nonhazardous common mold. After more mold was found an order was issued to remove vents in the building as needed. Vangjel says a captain did order soldiers who overheard discussions about the mold to remain silent and says disciplinary actions against the captain are being considered.
Heavy rain leads to flooding in parts of Oklahoma
8/19/08, 9:25 a.m.
BEAVER, Okla. (AP) - Several days of rain have left some county roads impassable in the Oklahoma Panhandle and southwestern Oklahoma. In the Panhandle, officials put up signs and warning lights to keep residents from venturing down some Beaver County roads that had accumulated near a half-foot of water after four to six inches of rain fell in recent days. Beaver County Emergency Management Director Keith Shadden says despite all the rain, there haven't been any injuries to residents or evacuation of homes.
Shadden says despite the severe drought going on in that part of Oklahoma, Beaver County isn't known for flooding. The rain is helping ease a dry spell in the area that has been compared to the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s. Meanwhile, in southwestern Oklahoma near the Red River, officials closed Oklahoma Highway 36 near Randlett after rain collected on the highway following a half-foot of precipitation.
Cotton County dispatcher Crissi Pulis says patrons at a nearby American Indian casino left quickly after the road was closed, but there haven't been any evacuations.
Company meets with residents
8/19/08, 8:54 a.m.
PIEDMONT, Okla. (AP) - A proposed 120-mile power line project by Oklahoma Gas and Electric has residents in western Oklahoma worried about property values and health risks. About 400 turned out for a town hall meeting last night in Piedmont to talk about their concerns.
OG&E's proposal is to build a transmission line to carry electricity from wind farms in Woodward to a substation in northwest Oklahoma City. Officials say the goal is to reduce dependence on coal and natural gas to produce electricity. OG&E spokesman Paul Renfrow says company officials have found no evidence the line will create health risks or affect property values.
Eligibility for free school lunches up in Oklahoma
8/19/08, 8:33 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Statistics show the number of Oklahoma students who are eligible for free or reduced-cost school meals is rising. The state Department of Education says about 640,000 students in Oklahoma are eligible for the program.
That number is about 55.5 percent of all students. Anne Roberts with the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy says the numbers are an indication of poverty. Roberts says it's often difficult for schools to serve the needs of students who qualify for the program. She says such students often deal not only with nutritional issues but with stress at home and gaps in vocabulary and life experiences.
Aid applications rise
8/19/08, 8:27 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The number of Oklahoma college students applying for federal financial aid is rising.
Officials say the number of applications for aid is up 3 percent from about 127,000 last year to more than 130,000 applications this year. Financial aid officials say they're pleased with the increase because it means more students are aware of federal aid such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. Rick Edington with the Oklahoma State Guaranteed Loan Program says students should always fill out the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid before looking for a private loan.
Anti-war group visits state
8/18/08, 5:40 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War are speaking out in Oklahoma as part of a national tour. Several members of the anti-war group spoke at a news conference at the state Capitol on Monday, including Justin Cliburn of Lawton, an Oklahoma Army National Guard member who went to Iraq in 2005. The protesters criticized politicians for saying they support the troops, while voting against legislation to take care of veterans' medical needs when they return home. They say that contrary to what is seen in news reports, most Iraqis do not support what they termed as the American occupation of their country.
Members of the IVAW were scheduled to speak Monday night at the First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City and planned a free barbecue and workshop for veterans on Tuesday at Cameron University in Lawton.
Showers, thunderstorms forecast for Oklahoma
8/18/08, 9:00 a.m.
UNDATED (AP) - Showers and thunderstorms are likely in parts of Oklahoma Monday and throughout the upcoming work week. The National Weather Service says the trend for an upper low pressure area to impact the state's weather remain fairly constant.
Monday, rain showers may move as far east as central Oklahoma, but heavier and more persistent rain is expected to remain to the west. Showers are likely in western Oklahoma. The expected track of the upper low will likely take the greater mass of rain into north Texas. However, a chance for rain will continue into Thursday across central and southern Oklahoma and the adjacent parts of north Texas. A front in next weekend's forecast and the associated upper level pattern change should finally end this week-long storm
system.
Ballard to be offered the Tulsa superintendent's job
8/18/08, 8:32 a.m.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Keith Ballard could be introduced as Tulsa's new school superintendent at a school board meeting Monday. Ballard is the executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association and former superintendent at Claremore and Oologah.
If the school board approves Ballard's employment and consulting contracts, he'll begin as a part-time consultant for Tulsa Public Schools and then take over as superintendent when Michael Zolkoski leaves in October.
Ballard met with community leaders, teachers, union officials and other district patrons in several private sessions last week. Ballard had said he wanted to meet with district patrons who were concerned that the board did not have any public receptions, as it has done in previous superintendent searches.
Educators launch initiative petition
8/18/08 8:26 a.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An initiative petition that would raise 850 million dollars for Oklahoma public schools is coming under fire from opponents who maintain it would force cuts to other state agencies and programs. On July 31st, educators launched an initiative petition drive to call for a statewide vote to amend the Constitution to require more funding for public schools. State Question 744 would require the Legislature to finance schools at the regional average for per-pupil expenditures. Oklahoma's current per-pupil funding is 6,900-dollars a year, compared to the 8,300-dolalrs regional average. Opponents say it could result in major cuts in state agency budgets or major tax increases, could force school consolidation and would eliminate the Legislature's flexibility on issues.
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.
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RedHawks owners talking with Mantle family about museum (7/31/08)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Officials with the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks are talking with the family of Mickey Mantle about creating a museum and educational facility in the team's ballpark. RedHawks owner Scott Pruitt says he's talked with the family about putting the museum in the west plaza of the stadium. The plaza is along Mickey Mantle Drive in downtown Oklahoma City. Pruitt says a museum would be one part of the project that could also include youth programs, a national awards ceremony and the telling of Mantle's life story. Mantle was born in Spavinaw and grew up in Commerce before going on to a Hall of Fame career with the New York Yankees. He died in Dallas in 1995.
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.
