The Midwest City Memorial Hospital Authority took legal action against Community Health Systems Tuesday, Feb. 4 when they filed three legal documents in Oklahoma County District Court. Thursday, February 06, 2014
Kevin Hill could not be more invested in the Mid-Del school district. He attended only Mid-Del Public Schools, and after college, he came back to teach students then later became a school principal at Epperly Heights Elementary in Del City. Thursday, February 06, 2014
Mid-Del Schools’ Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Fair at first glance may seem like a traditional science fair project, but in reality it is much more. Thursday, February 06, 2014
Rose State College will host its annual recognition dinner to celebrate exceptional friends of the institution and distinguished alumni Thursday, Feb. 13. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Rose State College Student Center Main Dining Room. Thursday, February 06, 2014
There are several accusations floating, statistics quoted and tempers flaring when it comes to Oklahoma’s attempt at pension reform. However many of the facts from both sides of the issue are skewed to an individual bias and generate a deceptive picture of the situation. Thursday, February 06, 2014
Governor Mary Fallin delivered the State of the State address Monday, Feb. 3, first giving credit to the Oklahoma Legislature and that they should be proud of how they made it through the tough financial times the past few years. Thursday, February 06, 2014
State Superintendent Janet Barresi spoke at a press conference Monday urging parents and educators to get informed on the third grade reading law taking full effect this year.
"Reading is not a measure of intelligence. Reading is a skill and these children acquire this skill in many different ways," Barresi said. "If you can’t read you can’t do anything else. It’s the most fundamental important thing we can provide for our children."
The reading law is a part of the Reading Sufficiency Act aimed at curbing Oklahoma’s nearly 30 percent illiteracy rate. This law or similar measures are already active in 10 other states and the District of Colombia.
Dist. 96 Representative Lewis Moore wants to protect Oklahoma, first and singularly.
With his militia bill, several Federalism Acts, repellants to several aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and bills questioning federal spending, the Republican is attempting to strengthen the sovereignty of the State of Oklahoma.
"The position that I’m in is to defend, in every area that I can defend it, our state sovereignty."
Moore believes that the national governments’ enumerated rights are greatly out stridden with the ACA and other principal policies of this administration.
The Del City Chamber was pleased to see such a large turnout last Thursday when they hosted local and federal legislators to sit down with members during a luncheon.
Present were State Sen. Cliff Aldridge and State Rep. Scott Inman. Field Rep. Craig Smith attended on behalf of Sen. Tom Coburn and another field representative was on hand for Sen. James Inholfe (name not available as of presstime). Mona Taylor, the district director for US Rep. James Lankford, also attended.
Members of Mid-Del Public Schools and Rose State College administration attended the luncheon that offered an up close discussion in a round robin environment.
Technology representatives visited Highland Park with Mid-Del Public Schools Jan. 22 to participate in a site visit to see the 2013 Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust grant in action.
The $65,000 grant provided technology and professional development to Highland Park’s students and teachers. The OETT grant provided the means to two iPad carts to increase achievement in reading and math.
Students will showcase their learning to adults during Technology Nights and will be hosted by the school with invitations extended to the entire community.
On Feb. 11, 2014, Mid-Del Public Schools is asking voters to stand behind a bond issue to fund various projects, including one to build the district’s fourth safe room.
The $10.405 million bond includes two propositions, one for safety, security and technology projects.
Anyone wishing to vote by absentee ballot in the election has until Wednesday, Feb. 5 to make application to the Oklahoma County Election Board. After receiving a ballot by mail, voters must return their ballot to the election board by 7 p.m. on election day in order to be counted.
For more information, contact the board at (405) 713-1515.
The Del City Chamber of Commerce will host it’s Annual Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Ceremony at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Del City Community Center, 4501 SE 15th Street, in Del City.
Donald Vick, professional engineer and land surveyor, will be inducted into the Chamber Hall of Fame.
Vick has been a resident of Del City since 1959 and has had a distinguished career as a professional civil engineer and land surveyor.
He and his wife Betty made Del City their home shortly after their marriage in 1958. Vick pursued his career in land surveying and then later civil engineering. Most notably, he has been with JGVE, Inc. since 1974 and served as its president for many years and is now chairman.
Vick has been a member of the Del City Chamber since the early 1970s and served on the Del City Planning Commission.
State Senators Clark Jolly and Susan Paddack, along with State Representatives Scott Martin and Scott Inman addressed questions posed to them by the Parent Legislative Action Committee in a panel Tuesday in Edmond.
PLAC organizers, including parents and educators, synthesized all their complaints into a simple two part problem and then formulated four questions to the legislators most involved in education appropriations.
"We were able to wrap our hands around two major issues that we are seeing in our classroom and it boiled down to there’s too little funding and too much testing in our classrooms," said Meredith Exline, PLAC organizer. "Our goal at the PLAC is to educate parents and patrons in a nonpartisan way on what is happening at a legislative level."
Hospital Authority members delivered their highly anticipated decision Tuesday on who they are going to pursue as their No. 1 choice as Midwest Regional Medical Center’s next lessee.
By a vote of 7-0, members named Mercy as their top choice and elected to pass on OU Health and Sciences Center and Community Health Systems, both of which had also responded to the Authority’s Request for Proposal notice to lease the hospital.
The Authority’s decision came after an hour long executive session. First up was the vote on whether or not the Authority was going to exercise their "Right of First Refusal." If passed, this would allow the Authority to terminate the hospital’s lease and reacquire possession of all the leased assets, the lease agreement between the Authority and Health Management Associates states.
The Authority voted 7-0 in favor of the "Right of First Refusal.”
The body of a 55-year-old man was found on a walking trail in Tom Poore Park, which runs between Hazewood Drive and NE 10th Street.
The man was identified by Midwest City Police as Dallas Saunders. His body was discovered at 8:03 a.m. Police do not believe any foul play was involved and say Saunders, who was a Nicoma Park residence, died of an unidentified medical issue.
Rose State College is pleased to announce that it is proceeding with plans to develop residential housing.
The college’s board of regents recently approved the project, which is now moving into the planning and evaluating stages. A target date of August 2015 has been set for the housing to become available for students.
"Rose State College is excited about taking this bold step as we continue to put in place a series of innovative programs and facilities that will elevate the college to a whole new level," said Jeanie Webb, president of Rose State College.
Pushed back a day to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, Del City council members had little to discuss in their second meeting of the year.
The council voted to approve the purchase of a crane for the fleet maintenance service truck, and took a brief recess to view the fire department’s new brush pumper fire trucks.
The only real discussion of the night came with public input. Two men involved with an Assembly of God church building, located on the corner of SE 15 Street and Bryant, came forward to ask about a recent condemnation notice.
The Del City Fire Department recently received two new four-wheel drive brush pumpers, used for the purpose of fighting grass and wild-land fires.
The new brush pumpers, built on a 2014 Ford F550 chassis, were purchased with funds from a 2011 bond issue approved by Del City citizens.
The new vehicles were designed by a committee comprised of firefighters and fire administrators and manufactured by Cooper Creek Manufacturing of Loyal, Okla. Some of the features of the new brush pumpers include: a front bumper-mounted turret nozzle, a beefed-up tire and suspension system, LED off-road lighting, a portable foam application system, heavy-duty wild-land tools, a 12,500lb winch, two mid-ship fire attack lines and a caring capacity of 300 gallons of water.
"We had a committee design the trucks," Major Brandon Pursell said. "We looked at what has worked well for us and what hasn’t."
The 2014 legislative session has begun and Representatives and Senators from the Mid-Del area have submitted bills concerned with marijuana, militia, teachers and whistleblowers.
Marijuana
Among the several bills introduced by Sen. Constance Johnson is Senate Bill 2116 relating to the legalization and taxation of marijuana and its products.
Sen. Johnson, a Democrat representing District 48, said this bill, if voted and signed into law, would legalize marijuana for all citizens 21 or older to cultivate, sell and for use under specific rules.
The plant may not be grown in an area that is accessible to anyone under the age of 21, all sales must take place in an establishment that is licensed, taxed and regulated by the FDA, and all usage must be in compliance with all laws governing driving under the influence.
Close calls and house fires aren’t a very good combination.
But one week before the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service held on Jan. 18, one Midwest City family luckily found theirselves unscathed after a fire broke out in their home on Kittyhawk Drive.
Fire Marshall Tim Snyder said he doesn’t like to talk about fire incidents, but he just couldn’t shake the irony of this family’s situation in relation to the canvas event that would take place one week later.
He explained that no one was asleep when the fire occurred early in the evening, and thankfully only minor damage was sustained to the home.
After the flames were put out and the water hoses put up, Snyder said firefighters tested the smoke alarm in a room untouched by the fire. That is when they discovered that the often life saving device was not working.
The next meeting of the Oklahoma Central Parent Legislative Action Committee will be 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Edmond Public Schools Administration Building, 1001 W. Danforth Rd.
The nonpartisan group has the goal of increasing parent and community awareness about legislative issues impacting public education in Oklahoma. They encourage all parents and patrons from the metro area school districts to attend its fourth meeting of the 2013-2014 school year.
The Midwest City Fire Department will participate in the 5th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service this Saturday, Jan. 18.
The service day is a fire canvassing event in partnership with the American Red Cross and HOPE Worldwide. Firefighters and volunteers will be out in force to share fire safety and prevention information with households in the Original Square Mile area, which is bordered by SE 29th, S.E. 15th, Air Depot and Midwest Boulevard.
Smoke alarms also may also be installed in homes that are in need of them.
Midwest City residents will have an opportunity to purchase rain barrels online between now and March 14.
Rain barrels provide water storage to use on flower gardens or lawn. They offer a more cost effective option instead of using tap water or an outside spigot. This is even more important during those months with reduced rainfall so having more than one barrel to store water is a great idea.
Midwest City’s State Rep. Gary Banz doesn’t know what’s exactly in store for the upcoming legislative session but he is sure another tough round of budget cuts is in the state’s future again this year.
As the filing deadline was the week of Jan. 13, Banz said no one can predict what bills will be voted on or what will surface as the most controversial bills until session has begun.
Rep. Banz of District 101, though, talks about the things he’s been hearing so far this year.
"The tax issue that was tossed out by the Supreme Court as a violation of the single-subject rule, will probably be a topic of conversation. The Speaker is pretty much on record as favoring it and the Governor has backed off of it," Banz said.
Reduce pension debt is listed as the No. 4 item on Oklahoma State Treasurer Ken Miller’s policy goals for 2014.
Oklahoma Educators Association and Keep Oklahoma’s Promises (a coalition of present and future pension beneficiaries) are expressing extreme misgivings about the stated plan.
This week is the filing deadline for all state legislation. Despite not knowing the full text of any bill pertaining to pension reform, activist groups and unions such as the OEA are fighting the concepts for change being discussed.
"First of all our pension system works," OEA President Linda Hampton said. "It is definitely not broken and the Teacher Retirement System has outperformed 99 percent of other systems in the United States and it’s in the best shape it’s been in 20 years."
In his Economic Report published Dec. 31, Miller outlined the problems he sees with the current structure of the pension program.
In the first meeting of 2014, Mid-Del school board members made changes to graduation requirements and discussed how to deal with a budget deficit.
"In July, we were at $39.8 million and at midterm now, we are at $38.8 million for a loss of $1 million from July until now," Supt. Pam Deering said during the Jan. 13 meeting. "However as we look at our chargeable income and how much that changed, it comes out that the amount that we are really down is about $500,000."
This news did not come as a shock to the board who had budgeted based on the possibility of loss.
"I want you to be proud. We have budgeted $38.7 million so we were on top of it before it happened," Deering said.
Next month, Midwest City will be the final stopping point for passenger trains part of a test to see if travel by rail from Tulsa to Oklahoma City will make a comeback or not.
Three trips on the Eastern Flyer were scheduled by Iowa Pacific Holdings and quickly sold out after only three weeks of being on sale. Each train trip included 300 tickets for 900 tickets total.
Tickets ranged in price from $64 for a standard’s child ticket up to $259 for the more glamorous ride in a glass-dome dining car.
"The demand for rail travel continues to grow and ticket sales crushed our revenue goal of 300 tickets," said Angela Arias, vice president of marketing for Iowa Pacific Premier Rail Collection.
Before the May 3, 1999 tornado, equestrian barns occupied the far northwest corner of Tinker Air Force Base.
After the tornado, a state of the art softball complex was built, and now, some 14 years later, base leadership is turning to Midwest City for help during a time they are seeing funding cuts.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, Midwest City councilmembers voted to allow city staff to move forward with negotiations with TAFB to eventually take over the operations and maintenance of the complex, located at SE 29th Street and Sooner Road. The city will not buy the complex but instead enter into a long-term lease, possibly 25 years, with the base, according to a memo by Assistant City Manager Tim Lyon.
Community Health Systems, Inc. has some competition in the race to become the next lessee of Midwest Regional Medical Center.
On Friday, the deadline passed for Request for Proposals to be submitted and at the end of the day, the City of Midwest City received two.
Mercy and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center both turned in proposals, which means they are interested in leasing MRMC. The two proposals were submitted to Healthcare Strategy Group, the consultant firm out of Louisville, Ken. the city has hired to handle the hospital’s lease situation for legal, appraisal and consultant services.
St. Anthony’s and Integris Baptist did not submit proposals, although they were the two other metro hospital corporations invited by the city to do so.
Gus Coleman was an educator for nearly his entire career.
The lifelong Del City resident, who has since passed away, worked in every aspect of the scholastic endeavor: textbook sales, teacher, coach, principal, superintendent and even college regent.
Coleman’s son, Del City attorney Steve Coleman, speaks fondly of his parent’s love of learning. Between the two of them, he said, they had a combined 88 year career in education.
But it was his father’s love of learning that was honored last month when Epperly Heights Elementary dedicated their new library media center to him.
The son called his father an advocate of literature who understood the importance of always having a library.
In his first years as a teacher, Coleman’s father took it upon himself to create a library for his students, his son said.
Three men have been arrested for armed robbery in the first major local crime of 2014.
Brian T. Koenigs, 26, Jeremiah L. Stephens 30, and Christopher A. Garcia, 23, are accused of stealing the cash register from the Owens Corner Market convenience store located at 115 S. Westminster in Midwest City.
Midwest City Police report that just before 12 p.m. Jan. 2, two of the men entered the store with one pulling a gun and threatening Amanda Ketcher, who was working the register at the time. They then fled to a blue Chevrolet Blazer parked across the street, the third man was driving.
On Wednesday, stockholders in the company that holds the lease for Midwest Regional Medical Center approved the sale of the company to Community Health Systems, Inc.
Health Management Associates stockholders approved the sale by an overwhelmingly 98 percent although just 70 percent was required. The deal is expected to close at the end of the month.
Mayor Jack Fry said the next step in the process is the return of Request For Proposals, which are due this Friday, Jan. 10. This will give the Authority an idea if any other corporation is interested in leasing MRMC, the mayor said.
Del City council members turned down a rezoning request Monday, Jan. 6 after more than 20 concerned citizens showed up to protest changing 401 S. Sooner Road from residential to commercial.
Proponents of the rezoning cited the city’s comprehensive plan to turn all of Sooner Road into commercial space as the basis for their request, they reported during the rezoning hearing.
Heather Hancock, an owner of the property in question, said she has redrawn plans in order to meet community requests that promise commercial property and office space with limited traffic.
"This rezoning would be light commercial, for example office, medical and light retail," she said.
EastWord News is moving to a new location this week.
As of Monday, Jan. 6, the newspaper’s physical address will be 9085 Harmony Drive in Midwest City. The office building will house EastWord, as well as Creative Design Partners, the newspaper’s sister company, and Before & After Massage Therapy and Personal Training.
A Del City man is seeking a reduced sentence in the Feb. 2013 killing of another metro man.
Christopher Cody King, 25, had pleaded guilty Aug. 8 to first-degree murder, arson and larceny in the death of Patrick Burton, 51, Norman. He confessed to the crime, claiming he was high on prescription pills, illegal drugs and alcohol when he shot and killed Burton.
EastWord News is proud to welcome a member to our team. Here is a personal message from Joel Dean to tell a little more about himself.
“I am a recent graduate from Oklahoma Christian University. I was the news section editor for my college paper, The Talon, for three years. I began as a writer my freshman year and was quickly promoted to news editor. I am a news focused, investigative reporter. I enjoy the type of breaking news that deeply impacts the public or has the chance to be a divisive topic.
Literacy Link recently accepted a $9,500 grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Presenting the check to Literacy Link representatives Bill Veazey, board member, and Nancy Edwards, board president, was State Rep. Gary Banz, R-Midwest City. Monday, January 06, 2014
Midwest City residents looking to get rid of tree limbs after the recent ice storm have two options: one that will cost them out right and one that is included with their monthly utility bill.
For $35 per half-hour, current utility customers may call (405) 739-1066 and schedule a curbside special pick-up.
City workers conduct pick-ups only on Wednesdays (except on holidays). Tree limbs and debris placed at the curb can be no bigger than 6 feet long and 8 inches in diameter, so no tree stumps.
The second option available is a more hands-on, do-it-yourself approach.
Midwest City will join the nation in honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 17th annual Prayer Breakfast set for Monday, Jan. 20.
Staged at the Midwest City Sheraton Hotel at the Reed Conference Center, the breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. This year’s theme is “Service EmPowers,” keeping with Dr. King’s legacy, organizers say.
Keynote speakers will include David Slane, an Oklahoma City criminal defense attorney, and the Reverend Semaj Vanzant, Sr., pastor of the Christ United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.
The 2012 sales tax extension for Del City begins to pay off in a few big ways this year.
As part of an approximately $16 million improvement plan, Del City is building a new library, fire station, sports complex and women’s memorial.
These projects are all underway simultaneously, with the women’s memorial and fire station first on the timeline.
“The women’s veterans memorial is the project that is the absolute closest to completion,” City Manager Mark Edwards said. “It is going to be the [one of the few] monuments in the nation dedicated strictly to women in the military.”
The memorial, which is being built in Patriot Park, is set to be dedicated in November 2014. This memorial will consist of five bronze statues and a water feature depicting the different branches of the military.
The Del City Chamber of Commerce announces the addition of three new AWACS plane static displays.
A ribbon cutting dedication was scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6 at the site of the three new displays located on Sooner Road, just south of SE 29th Street (across from the Sooner Road gate into Tinker Air Force Base). The event was cancelled Monday due to the weather, but will be rescheduled for a later date, the chamber said.
Del City Chamber Executive Director Kay Bibens said including the three plane displays being dedicated, this will make the new total of displays six.
Congratulations to Mr. Kelly Fry from Del Crest Middle School. He received the National Education Association Foundation Instructional Excellence Award for Oklahoma. A representative from California Casualty Insurance presented Fry and the school with a check for this honor. Great job Mr. Fry and go Falcons!
Over the past several years, the employees and staff of the City of Midwest City have shared the holiday spirit with thousands of Midwest City residents through several special service projects, providing food, toys and necessities. This year was no exception as numerous departments and hundreds of city employees and staff helped to make Christmas a little more cheery for hundreds of local families.
Here’s an overview of the projects for Christmas 2013:
EastWord asked local officials two questions for our special holiday issue. The first was to list their Christmas wishes and the second to tell us their New Year’s resolution for 2014.
Here are the responses we received:
Guy Henson, city manager of Midwest City
Christmas wishes: On behalf of the City of Midwest City, our staff and employees, we would like to wish all of our residents and business owners a wonderful holiday season. May the blessings of the season be yours.
Stan Griel lives 20 feet from the dividing line between the Ward 4 and 5 districts on the Mid-Del School Board.
He knows this detail only by accident, of course.
A few weeks ago, Griel, who is the vice president of Community and Workforce Development at Rose State College, went to go file his candidacy for Ward 4.
He had been appointed in May to fill the unexpired term of Kevin Loudermilk, who was moving out of the district.
Griel wanted to continue serving on the board, so he went to the Oklahoma County Election Board to do just that.
Sean Reed of Reed’s Tax Service says the State of Oklahoma does a great job running commercials letting taxpayers know about new taxes they might owe. The state agency falls short, though, when there is one that could save people money, he added.
For the past 70 years, Reed’s Tax Service has helped many people with their tax preparation, especially civil and federal service retirees. Sean Reed says now those retirees might be leaving money on the table when it comes to tax time, especially if they or their tax preparer doesn’t know some important information.
People often ask the question, "Does Oklahoma tax all of my retirement income?" Reed said for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees, the answer is no.
On April 19, 1995, an act of terrorism took place at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.
This event’s impact rocked the entire world, and Rose State College was not spared from the devastation as 21 individuals associated with the college were lost that day.
As Rose State joined our state and nation in mourning, one group of people made it their mission to enhance the public safety of police officers through training, professional development and education, in what they call "the nation’s 800,000 eyes."
The Mid-Del School Foundation applied for a community grant through The Boeing Company. The Foundation was awarded the grant which provided $21,560 and six laptops computers for the school district. The grant provided enough funds and technology for two Botball teams at each high school.
With the demand continually increasing for employees who have certificates and degrees, college completion remains the top priority in the state of Oklahoma.
That was the message delivered by Chancellor Glen D. Johnson as he presented the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s FY 2015 legislative agenda to an audience of lawmakers, community leaders and educators at Rose State College’s campus in Midwest City. The chancellor’s comments on Dec. 16 were part of his annual legislative tour.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently voted to request $76.3 million in new state appropriations during the upcoming legislative session. The total budget request for FY 2015 is 7.7 percent higher than the current year’s appropriation.
Mid-Del youth and families received a helping hand from their local police departments during recent Shop With A Cop events.
In Midwest City, officers continued the tradition of their program, which started in December 1997, by taking local children in need shopping at the Midwest City Wal-Mart, 7500 E. Reno Blvd. on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Police personnel were paired up with every child to help them select their goodies. Funds for the event are made possible by various fundraisers help throughout the year.
Since its inception, MWCPD has raised approximately $85,000 to help more than 850 children have a brighter holiday season by giving them $100 to spend.
On the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 17, workers were at the corner of Reno and Midwest Blvd. putting in a new sign for the City of Midwest City.
The signage is part of a $40,000 "way finding" project the city is doing in two phases to help visitors find where they need to go in the municipal complex, which includes city hall, the police and fire departments, senior center, court, library and community center.
Each phase in the project will cost approximately $20,000 and starts with the main sign that went in this week.
Also in phase one, vinyl lettering on all of the exterior doors in the municipal complex is included.
LaVina Best has a criminal record she isn’t very proud of.
Her path on the wrong road started out young as a stripper and progressed to drugs like methamphetamine. Although she’s been drug free for a number of years, she still continued to make wrong decisions in her life as a thief stealing whatever she wanted just to resell it for half the cost on the street, she said.
Currently, Best is in the Midwest City jail serving time on a larceny charge. Best said she’s been in almost every city jail in Oklahoma County and even in the county jail, as well as others in surrounding counties.
The 38-year-old hopes to put that life behind her, though, if she qualifies for Midwest City’s new diversion program for inmates.
With four seats up for election, the City of Midwest City announces filing dates have been set for Monday, Dec. 16 through Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Candidates meeting the qualifications and wishing to file for the Ward 1, 3 or 5 council seats or for mayor, may do so at the Oklahoma County Election Board between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the dates listed above.
The election board is located at 4201 N. Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City.
A 1997 Del City High School graduate is juggling two careers and is looking to make a name for himself as an actor.
Joseph Baird’s current project is raising funds for an independent film he says will be filmed in his home state as early as this summer.
Ben & Ara, is a feature film about what happens when religious and cultural tension escalates when a woman from the Nation of Islam has an affair with an agnostic man. Baird plays the role of Ben in the film, and Constance Ejuma as Ara.
On Feb. 11, 2014, Mid-Del Public Schools is asking voters to stand behind a bond issue to fund various projects, including one to build the district’s fourth safe room.
The $10.405 million bond, which includes two propositions, one for safety, security and technology projects, and another for transportation, was approved by board of education members Monday, Dec. 9.
In Prop. 1, the school district is asking for just over $10 million for projects that will benefit students at every school, school officials said.
New security vestibules, electronic door access, fencing, security cameras, lighting and instructional technology equipment are included in Prop. 1.
Area residents probably have noticed something strangely tall and new on the Town Center strip in Midwest City.
Before the Thanksgiving shopping rush, Midwest City Police stepped up their presence at the city’s busiest retail area with a little help from the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department.
The most visible presence is that of surveillance towers that have been set up in the Lowe’s and Target parking lots.
"We are becoming very proactive with the upcoming holiday shopping season in Midwest City," said Chief Brandon Clabes. "Not just at our SE 29th street venue, but all businesses throughout."
Pastor Art Bostic will give his last sermon this Sunday, Dec. 8.
He has decided to step down as senior pastor in order to spend more time with his grandchildren. This will be a new chapter in a long life of serving that started 41 years ago.
Pastor Bostic pastored his first service in Twin Falls, Idaho in 1972. Along the way to his current position, he served in several churches, many in Oklahoma, before he found Sooner Road Church of God in 2002, located at 1724 S. Sooner Road.
Josh Holland’s old stomping ground used to be Eastern Oklahoma County and Rose State College.
Now, though, the professional trainer, dancer and actor is living in New York and is working for pop star Madonna.
Before the Thanksgiving break, Holland took a break from visiting his family in Chandler for the holidays, to speak to the Rose State 2013-2014 Leadership students.
Each week, the class listens to lectures from various individuals in leadership positions and Holland was invited by Dean Fisher, associate vice president of enrollment management.
One of Midwest City’s finest has been chosen as the new leader of the Midwest City Fire Department.
Jarett Metheny, who has been with the department since July 1995, was chosen Nov. 26 for the permanent position of fire chief. He had been the department’s interim fire chief since July 2013 and replaces retiring chief Randy Olsen.
Metheny has spent his entire career as a firefighter in MWC, and has served in multiple ranks throughout that time.
Before becoming the city’s 10th fire chief, Metheny was an assistant chief serving as a shift commander.
Jack Fry and his wife tried to leave Midwest City once but something stopped them.
When it came down to it, they couldn’t imagine living anywhere else having both been born and raised in Midwest City.
Fry’s passion for his hometown has been cultivated by a career as a Midwest City firefighter and a local homebuilder, and has continued in his capacity as the city’s current mayor, he said.
During his first mayoral term, Fry’s accomplishments, working along with his fellow council members, have ranged anywhere from passing bond measures to revitalizing the city’s Original Square Mile.
Fry has greatly increased the city’s partnership presence at Tinker Air Force Base, as well. A son of a TAFB employee, Fry called the city’s relationship with Tinker strong and one that even resulted in him being asked to testify before a congressional committee.
These Del City High School students were all smiles when they received their Academic letter jackets recently from Kathy Dunn, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Christmas music, voices and bells will ring throughout the Del City High School auditorium Saturday, Dec. 14.
Starting at 7:30 p.m., the Oklahoma Choral Artists, conducted by John Blackwell and accompanied by pianist Jean Shackleton, will present "Welcome, Yule."
Joining the OCA in this musical celebration of Christmas will be the choirs of Del City High School, directed by Brenda Mechling, the Edmond Youth Chorus conducted by Leah McDonald and the Oklahoma City Handbell Ensemble directed by Silver Woodbury.
Midwest City citizens are urged to prepare for the upcoming winter weather season.
"In recent years we’ve experienced winter weather storms, including devastating ice storms and blizzards," Midwest City Emergency Manager Mike Bower said. "We all need to be aware of these natural threats we face in our community and take responsibility to make sure we are properly prepared when disaster strikes."
Thanksgiving is a time for us all to look back on the blessings we have been given throughout the year and give thanks to those who have made our lives better.
These students and teachers in the eastern Oklahoma County have gone out of their way this holiday to make a difference in our community.
At Choctaw High School, the National Honor Society, Giving Tree Project and Key Club members are showing their thanks throughout the community.
Patty Dennis is National Honor Society sponsor Under her care, students have gone to the Regional Food Bank, helped with the tornado clean up, and several other projects to make the community better.
Dennis said, "I think it’s important that good kids get to know one another."
Dennis also helps bring in toys and basic need items for the Giving Tree Project.
Industrial parks are a dime a dozen across the country but ones that offer railroad access are scarce.
On Monday, the City of Midwest City broke ground on the new Soldier Creek Industrial Park, which will cost $2.6 million to develop but $1 million is being funded by a federal grant.
City leaders were joined by U.S. Rep. James Lankford and other local legislators in the groundbreaking ceremony. Lankford was one of many legislators that helped push along the project and receive federal assistance.
Lankford said for the homes in the area of the park (NE 23rd and Air Depot/Midwest Blvd.) what is coming in the days ahead are jobs.
"This is how it starts," the congressman said, referring to the city’s work to install sewer and water lines.
A stop light, or two, and a four-lane road are in the future for NE 10th Street to help with traffic issues at Choctaw High School.
On Tuesday, council members approved the necessary items to proceed with widening the street from a two-lane road. One was a contract with Traffic Engineering Consultants for up to $37,000 and another with Allen Engineering Services, Inc. for $54,250.
City Manager Roger Nelson said the contract with TEC will look at the number of students, faculty, staff and busses coming and going throughout the day, particularly when school lets out and during the morning rush. They also will look at all other traffic – people on their way to work, he added.
A Midwest City High School teacher and football coach has been charged with sexual battery.
Dewayne Williams, 40, was charged Nov. 14 in Oklahoma County District Court. Bond has been set at $5,000 and Judge Donald L. Deason has been assigned to the case.
According to court records, Williams gave a female student, who stopped by the teacher’s classroom, a hug and then slapped her on the buttocks on Oct. 15.
When the student stopped by another day for a piece of gum, she reported that Williams grabbed her buttocks again, this time pulling her into a hug.
The controversial A-F report grading system was the center of debate Tuesday, Nov. 19 during a meeting hosted by the Oklahoma Central Parent Legislative Action Committee (PLAC) at the Deer Creek Administration Building.
And, by the end of the almost-hour event, the overflow audience and discussion panel members came away with one thing in common.
There is still a wide divide whether the new system works or needs to be changed.
"I think there is a philosophical divide (about the grading system)," said panel member Joel Robison and chief of staff for the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
PLAC is a nonpartisan group with the goal of increasing parent and community awareness about legislative issues impacting public education in Oklahoma.
A national online real estate company has listed two Oklahoma cities as the top 10 most affordable places to live in the nation.
Midwest City took the No. 1 spot on the list and Moore came in second.
The Movoto Real Estate Blog, which is a major online real estate company, surveyed 139 unique suburban cities, looking at how affordable a city is to live in.
Factors like the cost of food, sales taxes, income taxes, homes and utilities were looked at by Movoto.
Jurors were selected Monday in the manslaughter trial of a Del City police captain.
Randy Trent Harrison, 48, is facing a first-degree manslaughter charge in the March 14, 2012 shooting death of Dane Scott, Jr. He has pleaded not guilty.
Scott, 18, died after a high-speed pursuit that ended in southeast Oklahoma City. Harrison
Caller: "Yes, you might want to send an ambulance to 930 N. Pine."
911 Dispatcher: "What is wrong there?"
Caller: "I shot a gentleman that was talking about flight simulators."
This was how the first few seconds of the 911 call played out between Dianna E. Sanders and the Midwest City Police Department at approximately 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Sanders called police from a 7-11 convenience store located a few miles from the residence she shared with Stephen J. Dollarhide, 54.
On Tuesday, Midwest City presented information to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office, who then formerly charged Sanders the next day with first degree murder.
According to the affidavit filed Nov. 15, Sanders shot Dollarhide with a .22 pistol in the chest. She fired just one shot at him and then left to go call 911.
State auditors released their findings Thursday, Nov. 14 of the audit they completed on the Choctaw Town Square project that includes a new Walmart Super Center on NE 23rd Street.
Last June, the City of Choctaw asked the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector’s office to look into the project, saying they were concerned some "inappropriate items" had been billed to the city.
Auditors discovered that 32 percent of expenditures they looked at for the project had no documentation to support it. They pointed out, however, that this does not necessarily mean the documentation does not exist.
A Midwest City woman called 911 at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday to say she had just shot someone and is now facing murder in the first degree charges.
Dianna Elaine Sanders, 49, used the pay phone at the 7-11 convenience store located at 8301 NE 10th Street to alert police of the shooting.
She told a 911 operator, "You might want to send an ambulance to 930 N. Pine, I just shot a gentleman…."
When officers arrived at the Pine address, they found the front door ajar and a middle-aged man, now known as Stephen J. Dollarhide, 54, lying dead on the floor.
He is Midwest City’s third homicide victim of 2013.
Veteran’s Day is behind us. While this was a great day to celebrate those who make the ultimate sacrifice, Midwest City - due to being a military town - knows that such a commemoration is necessary all year long.
A local non-profit, Oklahoma Honor Flight, embodies that spirit perfectly as its entire purpose is to honor Oklahoma veterans who served in WWII by sponsoring a trip to Washington D.C. to see the memorials built to recognize their service.
Born out of the collaboration between state representative Gary Banz and Sherry Sprager, upon Sprager’s father, Al Willoughby, having to go through Dallas Honor Flights for the trip to the nation’s capital. They spotlight WWII veterans from all around Oklahoma to prevent that from occurring again.
A host of elves dressed in City of Midwest City attire have been hard at work in Joe B. Barnes Regional Park.
Eighteen years ago, Midwest City started a new Christmas tradition with the Holiday Spectacular and today that tradition is still going strong.
Every year, work starts earlier and earlier to pull off this holiday event which is one of the state’s largest animated light display.
Midwest City’s Holiday Spectacular is a huge undertaking by Joe Patterson and his staff.
Patterson is the city’s parks and recreation park project supervisor. He and six fulltime parks and recreation employees have been working since the beginning of October to put up all of the displays and lights.
But they have not been working alone, Patterson said.
The Mid-Del Public School Foundation was one of two statewide selected as selected as recipients of the 2012 Outstanding Program Awards for Local Education Foundations sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.
The awards, which recognize innovative programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations in Oklahoma, will be presented at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Fall Forum for Local Education Foundations and Youth Mentoring Programs on Oct. 23 in Norman. Receiving plaques and monetary awards of $1,000 each will be the 2011 Technology Initiative sponsored by the Claremore Public Schools Foundation and the Homeless Student Education Fund sponsored by the Mid-Del Public Schools Foundation.
If you are looking for a place to escape the heat and have some fun while you're at it, check out what's going on at your local library.
In July, the Summer Reading Program comes to an end on July 31 and this year's theme is Dream Big - Read! But the program is not the only thing going on at local libraries because there are also movie times, story times and book clubs, too.
The following is a list of events scheduled at Eastern Oklahoma County libraries this month:
These are all signs of construction, and currently in the Mid-Del school district, they are showing up everywhere as work progresses on numerous bond projects approved by voters in September.
The biggest projects included in the $90 million bond are two new elementary schools - one at Soldier Creek on SE 15th Street and Douglas, and another on Key Boulevard at East Side Elementary - both in Midwest City.
A judge sentenced a Del City father to 18 years in prison Tuesday after he was convicted of child neglect in connection with the deaths of his three children who were killed in a 2011 motor home fire. Monday, July 02, 2012
A group of Del City residents intend to protest a proposed halfway house for convicted felons during tonight's planning commission meeting.
The public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at city hall, 3701 SE 15th Street.
The commission will hear the proposed rezoning request that would allow up to 100 felons seeking rehabilitation to live in the vacant Howard Memorial Baptist Church, which is situated at the southeast corner of Reno Avenue and Sunnylane Road.
The California-based organization known as Center Point Inc. is seeking the rezoning to house the inmates. If the rezoning is approved, the church would issue a long-term lease to Center Point for 20 years for $1 each year.
As Oklahomans stock up on fans and other essentials to survive another sweltering summer, Mid-Del emergency crews are expecting the worst.
No heat-related calls have been reported to the Del City or Midwest City fire departments, but it's just a matter of time, said Midwest City fire department spokesman.
"While we haven't received anything yet, we do expect the calls to start ramping up this week," he said.
In order to prevent people from requiring the assistance of emergency crews, Richardson offered a couple of tips for handling hot weather.
"Do outdoor activities before 10 a.m.," Richardson said, "The heat peaks around 3 p.m. most days. Also, just use common sense. Drink plenty of fluids."
Del City fire department spokesman Brandon Pursell said medical calls have increased, but none of them can be attributed to the 100-degree heat.
Oklahoma Natural Gas' base rate may soon be going up, but even if it does, the company says most of its customers will pay less money in 2012 than they did in 2010 for service. Monday, July 02, 2012
