Published: February 13, 2008 11:23 am      

Community: News in Brief 2-13

EDMOND — Fallin co-sponsors veterans debt relief bill

Oklahoma Congresswoman Mary Fallin announced this week her support and co-sponsorship of H.R. 5148, the Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008. The bill corrects a provision in current law forcing the Veterans Administration to collect on the college loan debts of military men and women who have been killed in action.

Under current law, if a service member dies in combat and has received a loan under the Montgomery GI bill, then his surviving family members are obligated to pay back that loan. H.R. 5148 permanently would end that obligation.

“When the grieving family of a fallen soldier is placed into debt by the federal government, we should call it what it is: a grave miscarriage of justice,” Fallin said. “The Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act will correct this injustice and ensure that our soldiers can enjoy the benefits of the GI Bill without fearing their families will one day be forced to bear the burden of their debt.”



Deer Creek ready to sell $1.8 million bond

Deer Creek School Board members voted Monday night to sell $1.8 million in bonds at the Feb. 26 board meeting.

Future needs of the school district were discussed from transportation to buildings with consideration for future bond issues that will need to be passed.

Board members also discussed the classroom needs at Deer Creek Elementary School. For future student population growth, discussion was held on whether to add portable classrooms or build classroom additions at the south end of the school.

Members accepted a bid of $15,660 from Olen Williams Inc. for the middle school baseball scoreboard and voted to approve a change order in the amount of $18,218 for an additional layer of asphalt required as a stabilizing at the north parking lot of the high school.

PATTY MILLER



Valentine’s party to raise awareness of congenital heart defects

In recognition of National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, OU Children’s Physicians Cardiology and its Little Hearts Lifeline group will have a Valentine’s party on Saturday. The event will be from 1-3 p.m. at the Center for Healthy Living, 1000 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City. All children with congenital heart disease and their families are invited to attend the free event.



Disney music to highlight Valentine Cabaret

The Music Department at Oklahoma Christian University will present the 19th annual dinner theater production, Valentine Cabaret, with performances Thursday through Saturday.

The Cabaret titled “Bella Notte: A Night with the Music of Disney” will present a multifaceted look at decades of musical hits originating in Walt Disney movies and Broadway shows.

The meal will be a served in the McIntosh Conservatory at 6 p.m. with the show following at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall.

Tickets are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 425-5530, and from 4-6 p.m. at 425-5540. The ticket price for the dinner and show is $14. Ticket price for the show only is $7.