UW)--The annual meeting of the United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma was a few month's late due to the COVID-19, but it was full of good news today. Seth and Kristy Skidmore, the 2019 -2020 Campaign Chairs announced that their goal of $725,000 was met and then some with just over $765,000 received. The 2020 – 2021 Campaign Chairs, KV, Kyle, Alex, and Williams announced their goal is $888,000. April Danahy, long time was presented the 2020 Dick Lambertz Memorial Award,. Danahy has put in countless hours of service throughout the years on practically every non- profit board in Enid. She's served as chairman of the Enid Chamber of Commerce, and an honorary Commander at Vance Air Force Base. She's been a supporter of the Enid Police and Fire Departments, and a decades – long supporter of the United Way. Williams Broadcasting, KGWA and KOFM was recognized with a Tocqueville Society Leadership Award, for a “Most Prestigious Level of Donor Recognition”. 2019- 2020 United Way Board President Dr. Darrell Floyd turned over the gavel to incoming 2020 – 2021 President Mike Ruby.
--00-- 20 Aug 20 3p
MT)--The Fairview Police Department is continuing to search for 15-year-old Savannah Tyler, who was last seen about 4:00 Thursday afternoon, near South 13th in Fairview. According to Enid News and Eagle, Tyler was going for a walk and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black blouse with no sleeves and peach roses and black tennis shoes. She is approximately 5-foot-7-inches tall and weighs about 320 pounds. She has strawberry blonde hair down to her mid-back. FPD said a statewide be-on-the-lookout alert was issued for Tyler, but the case does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert. If anyone has any information on her whereabouts, call the Fairview Police Department at (580) 227-4444.
--00-- 20 Aug 20 3p
CV)— Six new virus-related deaths and 1,077 new coronavirus cases were reported in the state since Thursday, according to daily numbers released late this morning by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. A total of 51,746 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 and the total number of deaths increased to 715.
There have been 704 positive COVID-19 cases, and nine deaths in Garfield County. 658 of those cases and all nine deaths have been in Enid. In surrounding counties: Kingfisher County has reported 192 cases, Blaine County is at 53 cases, Major 42, Grant 18, and Alfalfa 7.
--00-- 20 Aug 20 11a
TT)--The average number of cases per day for Garfield County increased by more than 6 while remaining in the orange "moderate risk" level, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health report released today. The average case per day trend rose from just over 24.5 per 100,000 population on Aug. 13 to 30.65 per day per 100,000 on Thursday, Aug. 20. Numbers are pulled from a seven-day average of cases reported the previous Friday through Thursday, according to the OSDH. In response to increased cases and some quarantine procedures undertaken by Enid Public Schools, Garfield County Health Department will hold a testing day on Monday, Aug. 24, at the local Health Department, 2501 Mercer Drive. The event is drive-up and staff will come out to vehicles. Those being tested will be contacted within 3-5 days no matter what the results are.
Officials with the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced plans Friday to provide optional, monthly COVID-19 tests for teachers and support employees as schools across the state reopen. The plan, in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, provides all teachers and support staff free COVID-19 testing in their areas with help from public-private testing partners, officials said. Tests will be processed through Oklahoma Public Health Lab Network and other state contracted labs to ensure results will be provided in a timely manner.
--00-- 20 Aug 20 12n
SN)--This week, Enid Public Schools received notification that students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19. District officials released a statement this morning stating “While we must protect the privacy of all students and staff, we believe it is best to communicate transparently with families and community members. There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our students, our staff and their families. We are working closely with health officials to monitor the situation. Health officials and EPS health services have been working together to do contact tracing,” Health officials have advised:
**ALL Students pre-k through 12th grade students should social distance from each other (to the extent possible).
**Cloth masks decrease the transmission of the virus, but are not 100%. Students may take short mask breaks, just not all at the same time.
**If a student is quarantined due to a classmate testing positive, the quarantined student’s siblings DO NOT have to quarantine too.
**Several teachers and parents are wanting to get tested if they are exposed. You DO NOT need to be tested unless you are symptomatic. If you are exposed to someone directly and want to be tested, for optimal results you must wait 4-5 days to test after exposure.
If you have any COVID-19 related questions please speak to your school nurse. Garfield County Health Department is doing a mass screening on Monday, August 24. If anyone wants/needs testing you may call 580-233-0650 to schedule a test. You must have an appointment to receive a test.
Officials said EPS will continue to follow all COVID-19 safety procedures, including wearing face masks, practice social distancing, and cleaning all areas before and after use. If you have any questions about precautions EPS is taking, you can read them in full at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZL99oQP2jwx8jjOR-I5wl8KB70d1iHAzZq6VNcaNMG0/edit#
--00-- 21 Aug 20 9a
ND)--Carrie Sanders has been named new executive director of Cherokee Strip Community Foundation. Sanders has previously served as executive director at Loaves & Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma and executive director of the Enid YWCA. She begins her new job at the Cherokee Strip Community Foundation September 6th.
--00-- 21 Aug 20 7a
CS)--The Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce has canceled the Cherokee Strip Days Celebration which was scheduled for September 11-12. The decision was made by the Enid Chamber Board of Directors because parade entries were substantially down due to the ongoing pandemic. Activities on the Courthouse Lawn are canceled as well. Chamber officials said all Cherokee Strip event sponsorships will be refunded. Booth fee and parade entry fee checks will not be deposited. Those who paid cash for parade entries may come by the Enid Chamber office (210 Kenwood Blvd.) and receive a refund. Refund checks for parade entries can also be mailed upon request.
--00--
BS)--Oklahoma Blood Institute faces an immediate need for donors of all blood types. All healthy adults are strongly urged to donate blood as soon as possible at their nearest Oklahoma Blood Institute donor center or mobile blood drive. All donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Appointments are preferred to help with social distancing, but walk-ins will be accepted as schedules allow. CDC guidelines will be followed at all donor centers and mobile drives. Donors may visit obi.org or call 877-340-8777 to schedule their appointment now at Oklahoma Blood Institute’s Enid donor center located at 301 E. Cherokee.
--00--
OC)--Contemporary Christian duo for King&Country will appear in a drive-in concert, 8:00 p.m. Aug. 27 in the parking lot at Chisholm Trail Expo Center on the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Spectra Venue Management, Stride Bank Center and Chisholm Trail Expo Center are teaming up for the drive-in concert experience. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. and the concert will begin at 8:00. Ticket prices will be per vehicle, with a maximum of five people per vehicle, and are $160, $210 and $310. Parking will be general admission within the designated price levels. Tickets go on sale to the public 10 a.m. July 24 at stridebankcenter.com, Stride Bank Center Box Office or at 855-TIX-ENID.
--00--
DI)--August 28th and 29th the Stride Bank Center and Chisholm Trail Expo Center present Enid's Wheels and Reels, a series of movies being played at Garfield County Fairgrounds, where you are able to social distance and see movies on the big screen! Just like the drive-ins of the past, movies will be viewed from your vehicle. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. August 28th will be Shreck, and on the 29th you can see Grease.
--00--
PF)--Spectra Venue Management, Stride Bank Center and the Chisholm Trail Expo Center announced a second drive-in concert experience scheduled August 30 featuring "Outdoor Floyd, A Socially Distanced Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular." The drive-in event will be held in the parking lot at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. and the concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. Ticket prices will be per vehicle, with a maximum of five people per vehicle, and are $110, $160, $210 and $310. Parking will be general admission within the designated price levels. Tickets go on sale at noon on July 24 at stridebankcenter.com, Stride Bank Center Box Office or at 855-TIX-ENID. The first drive-in concert featuring King&Country will be August 27.
--00—
