Local News
7-24 OKC Watch
Kern stopped from bringing gun to Capitol
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State troopers stopped state Rep. Sally Kern from entering the state Capitol Wednesday with a firearm, Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesman Chris West said.
West said this was the second time Kern tried to enter the building with a weapon. The earlier incident occurred in June.
In both cases, she was required to leave with the weapon but she was not arrested and no charges were filed.
Guns and knives are prohibited in the building and those who enter must pass through a security checkpoint, including a metal detector. It is a misdemeanor to bring a weapon in.
Highway Patrol spokesman Chris West said the firearm was found in her personal effects as she entered the Capitol. He said that in early June she was also found to have a firearm as she tried to enter the building.
A sign warns those entering the Capitol that guns and knives are prohibited.
Kern once complained of death threats after an anti-homosexual rant captured on YouTube in which she said the “homosexual agenda is destroying this nation” and is a bigger threat than terrorism.
In 2004, a state employee was booked on a complaint of carrying a concealed firearm into a state facility after a loaded handgun was found in his briefcase as he entered the Capitol.
Program to fight domestic violence expanded
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Attorney General Drew Edmondson says a pilot program to assist victims of domestic violence is being expanded after a 39 percent increase in telephone calls for help.
The increase in calls came in locations where 10 Wal-Mart stores took part in the "End the Silence—End the Violence" program.
Under the program, posters in English and Spanish are placed in restrooms and fitting rooms. Tear-off pads are attached to the posters containing the telephone number of a domestic violence hotline.
The program is to be expanded to all 85 of the chain's discount stores and Supercenters in Oklahoma.
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Lorikeets return with Children’s Zoo opening
The Oklahoma City Zoo will officially open its new Children’s Zoo on Friday.
The Barnyard is the exhibit’s largest feature, sporting miniature donkeys, guinea hogs, Tunis sheep, three rare species of rabbits, white Wyandotte bantam chickens and 12 Nigerian dwarf goats named after Oklahoma towns (including Edmond). -
Advocate: Balance needed in autopsy bill
A bill amending Oklahoma’s open records law would reduce the chief medical examiner’s independence and give officials more control over autopsy reports, a state open records advocate said.
Under legislation passed Tuesday by the House, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would be able to withhold certain information on autopsy reports from the public if distributing that information could compromise an ongoing investigation. -
Corn plans for state wealth
Democrat Sen. Kenneth Corn said he’s running for lieutenant governor to create wealth in Oklahoma.
“I believe it’s an opportunity for us to build prosperity that everybody shares in, not just the people at the very top of the corporate ladder,” said Corn, D-Howe. “I think we should create wealth that goes all the way down and allows people to have a good job with good wages with benefits.” -
Geoport board hires new manager
The Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport Board on Tuesday named Lee Ivie of Heber City, Utah, as the airport’s new manager. His start date is April 5.
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City replaces Smith with Smith
The City of Edmond has named Jim Smith as its new assistant city manager of operations, said Larry Stevens, city manager.
Smith has served as the director of Public Works for the City of Lancaster, Texas, since 2003. March 29 will mark his first day of work in Edmond.
“We went through a really long, thorough and exhaustive process interviewing four finalists that we thought were all very good,” Stevens said. “… I’m tickled to death to have him, tickled to death that he’s interested in Edmond.” -
Council grants variance to restaurant
The Edmond City Council approved a variance Monday evening to allow a sign on a canopy for a proposed Slim Chickens Restaurant at 555 S. Kelly.
City Planner Bob Schiermeyer said the remodel would modify less than 20 percent of the overall building. An extension of the roof would cover the existing patio for outside dining, he said. Plans call for flattening the roof extending to the rear of the structure, Schiermeyer said.
“This is probably good because you’ve got all these vents and things from the kitchen for the fire code,” he said. “It’s better on a flat roof.” -
3-10 Pets: rescued animals
This is a list of animals that have been impounded by Edmond Animal Welfare at the Edmond Animal Shelter, Interstate 35 and Covell in the Cross Timbers Municipal complex. Call the shelter at 216-7615.
The following animals will be available for adoption after March 11:
A Cocker Spaniel, black and tan, was found at Danforth and Boulevard.
A domestic short-haired cat, gray tabby, was found at Jackson.
A domestic long-haired cat, seal point, was found at Jackson. -
3-10 Police: crime news
House passes bill to protecting children from predators
Under legislation passed today by the state House of Representatives, registered sex offenders would no longer be able to submit a P.O. box or other address that cannot be mapped to the sex offender registry.
House Bill 2968, by state Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, would require sex offenders to submit a physical, mappable address. -
Ex-guard finds himself behind bars
An ex-guard is accused of accepting bribes and giving illegal items to an inmate, Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel said.
Whetsel told reporters during a Tuesday afternoon press conference that he personally fired Okello Adenya, 25, who now finds himself behind bars after he was booked on three felony complaints of bringing and possessing contraband in a detention facility. -
Police arrest alleged drug dealers
Two Edmond men have been arrested on multiple drug-related complaints, including supplying illegal drugs, police said.
Jason Michael Stockdale, 22, of Edmond, and Bryan David Mateer, 22, of Edmond, were arrested after police found drug-related items including marijuana, mushrooms, Ecstasy, Adderall, baggies used to package drugs for sale and a digital scale, according to a report filed by Edmond Police Officer Ben Daves. - More Local News Headlines
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