The Edmond Sun

State News

State News
  • Lucas: Farm Bill approval vital for state farmers

    The U.S. House will approve a farm bill this year, Rep. Frank Lucas said Saturday.
    The bill will be debated on the House floor Wednesday and Thursday and will pass after 30 to 60 amendments are considered.

    June 17, 2013

  • photo recovery.jpg Volunteers work to rescue photos scattered by the tornadoes

    Thousands of photos scattered by recent tornados in central Oklahoma have been recovered and will eventually be scanned into an online database for owners to view and claim.
    The pictures were picked up from people’s homes and thrown all over the state, taking memories of life before the twister’s devastation with them.
    About 30 volunteers set out to collect some of these photos stuck in the rubble.
    “You just have to dig,” said Mackenzie Unale, a volunteer whose team brought back about 20 photos.

    June 6, 2013 1 Photo

  • healing in the heartland 079.jpg Heartland concert helps in healing tornado wounds

    It was a night of stars. From Blake Shelton to Miranda Lambert to Usher, the Healing in the Heartland benefit concert was all about some of the biggest names in the music industry lending their talents to raise money Wednesday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

    May 30, 2013 2 Photos

  • Teachers recall harrowing moments during tornado

    Harrowing tales of heroism scraped the emotional wounds laid open May 20 by a tornado that plowed a deadly path of destruction through the city.
    Five Highland East Junior High educators shared those stories Wednesday. Some did so with reluctance, but acknowledged it was part of a healing process that could last months if not years.
    The junior high school is one of three schools within the Moore Public School district that either were destroyed or sustained heavy damage. When the storm struck that day, 600 children huddled in hallways and other areas with faculty, staff and parents stuck at the school before they could pick up their children and flee.

    May 30, 2013

  • kids 3.jpg 3rd grader left ill-fated school with minutes to spare

    Scott Lewis picked up his son, Zack, from Plaza Towers Elementary School as hail pounded the school Monday afternoon. About 5 minutes after they left, said Lewis, the monster tornado smashed into the building.
    Seven of Zack’s third-grade classmates were killed when the tornado knocked down the school’s walls and ceilings. Others were injured; several remain hospitalized, Lewis said.

    May 24, 2013 2 Photos

  • Oklahoma Tornado Weather expert: Schools need shelters

    Ninety-four percent of Oklahoma schools do not have tornado shelters, according to Gov. Mary Fallin, even though at least one weather expert says they should be standard. With two Moore schools destroyed in Monday’s EF-5 tornado — and ...

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • preview4.jpg TIMELAPSE: Take a tour through the damage in Moore

    Take a driving tour of the damage in Moore caused by Monday's tornado.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • 20130521_rubble4.jpg Moore mayor wants tornado shelters in new homes

    Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis wants tornado shelters in all new homes in his city, where an EF-5 tornado damaged or destroyed more than 12,500 homes Monday afternoon. A proposed ordi­nance would require a shelter inside or outside each new residence.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • CoachStoops@OU.jpg Rescue workers, tornado victims find respite in college dorms

    Monday’s tornado put an estimated 20,000 people out of their houses, which were damaged or destroyed. Some of those victims — and the rescue workers who’ve come to help them — are staying a few miles south, in dormitories at the University of Oklahoma.
    More than 300 individuals and families left homeless by the storm are staying at OU, where the university is providing beds, hot water and meals, often delivered by a familiar face. The university also housed 287 first-responders from Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and Tennessee.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Mom delivers baby during tornado.jpg Mom delivered baby as tornado struck

    Shayla Taylor’s second child was moments from birth as an EF-5 tornado bore down on Moore Medical Center on Monday afternoon.
    Her labor was too far along to move her to safety with the rest of those in the hospital, her nurses decided. So as her husband, Jerome, and their 4-year-old son, Shaiden, went downstairs with the others, she and four nurses stayed upstairs and braced for the worst.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo