EDMOND — Henry signs road bond measure
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Brad Henry has signed legislation authorizing $300 million in bonds to repair state roads and bridges.
Henry said the measure addresses a critical infrastructure problem that affects public safety and is a barrier to economic development.
The governor says it makes sense to sell bonds and fix the state’s worse roads and bridges during a time of low interest rates and rapidly rising construction costs.
The road bonds are part of a $457 million bond package approved by legislators before they adjourned last month.
As part of the agreement, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will set aside $25 million in an account to repair county roads and bridges.
Newborns get education college boost
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A study being conducted in Oklahoma aims to determine the educational and economic impact of “seeding” college savings accounts for hundreds of newborn babies.
Under the project, $1,000 is being placed into savings accounts for each of the newborns for future college expenses.
The seven-year study is a collaboration between the state Treasurer’s Office and the Center for Social Development at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.
Officials say the study could lead to national policy changes on increasing the number of college graduates.
As part of the SEED for Oklahoma Kids project, more than 1,300 newborns were randomly selected to receive the $1,000. They represent half of families agreeing to take part in the study.
“Being chosen to receive this SEED money made us take the time to fill out the paperwork and even put some additional money in an account for our son Samuel,” said Lisa Creed of Edmond.
“When you’re busy as parents you say, ‘Yeah we need to set up something,’ but your life is hectic and you just don’t get around to it,” she said.
State Treasurer Scott Meacham said the study puts Oklahoma in the forefront of influencing national policy on increasing the number of Americans who attend college.
Funding is coming from private resources and could total $2.3 million for Oklahoma families. As part of the study, the $1,000 deposits may be matched with up to $250 per year for four years, depending on income eligibility.
Parents of children not chosen to receive the $1,000 have agreed to periodic interviews of their saving behaviors so a comparison can be made with the winning families.
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6-4 OKC Briefs
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EF-5 tornado called 'worst in history'
President Barack Obama pledged the federal government’s full support for disaster relief in what is being called one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to the state.
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Edmond detective describes tornado devastation
Like other Oklahomans, Edmond Police Detective Marion Cain was keeping an eye on the weather Monday.
The storm, which produced the tornado began at 2:45 p.m., about 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and its 20-mile long path went through Newcastle, Moore and south Oklahoma City. About 10 minutes after it formed, it was already causing EF4 damage. Maximum winds of the tornado, upgraded to an EF5, were 200-210 mph, according to information released at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Its estimated maximum width was 1.3 miles. -
UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
• The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the backdoor to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. From 5-10 p.m. donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway.
• Edmond North High School is serving as a drop-off location for bottled water through today
• Memorial High School is serving as a drop-off location for food through today.
• Santa Fe High School is serving as a drop-off location for supplies such as work gloves, tools, etc. through today. -
Edmond high schools aid Moore, OKC tornado victims
Sometimes good things come from texting.
Monday afternoon, Sydney Richardson, who will be Santa Fe’s student body president next year, was driving home and it was raining. Once home, she talked to her mother, who told her about the tornado in Moore. Then she began seeing the damage on TV.
“It was devastating,” Richardson said. “We watched it all night long. I just felt like we needed to do something immediately.” -
City schedules debris collection for May 28
The City of Edmond’s Field Services Division of Public Works will be collecting storm-related debris from the May 19 tornado in accordance with the City of Edmond’s Emergency Operation Plan’s Level Two Response.
Affected areas where debris pick up will occur include in the area beginning one-half mile south of 15th Street to 33rd Street and from Boulevard Avenue east to I-35; and the Territories and Timberlake additions. Please see the map for clarification. Pick up is available for residential homes located within the designated boundaries.
Tree debris must be cut into no more than 6-foot sections and must be placed by the curb of the residence no later than 8 a.m. May 28. Crews will begin collection on Tuesday and continue until they have covered the area. -
Storm shelter inquiries up; customers take a number
After the horrific tornado set down in Moore Monday afternoon, storm shelter inquiries hit new highs.
Tuesday Ashley Cunningham, office manager for Red Dirt Septic on Waterloo Road in Edmond, and Mark Webb, owner of the Armor Vault Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma City, said their phones have been ringing consistently starting Monday afternoon. -
Insurers respond to Moore disaster
Insurers, like other agencies related to the Moore tornado disaster, are assessing the damage.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has made an emergency declaration, allowing out-of-state adjusters to work storm damaged areas, said agency spokeswoman Calley Herth. It’s too soon to have tabulated damage estimates, Herth said.
“We are working hard to collect any and all numbers, but it’s just too soon at this moment,” she said. -
AG issues charity fraud and schemes alert
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt Tuesday issued a warning for Oklahomans and donors around the country to beware of charity fraud and scams following the severe storms in Oklahoma.
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VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
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Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
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