CC)--Enid City Commissioners Tuesday night approved February 9th as the pending recall election date for Ward 3 Commissioner Ben Ezzell. The recall is headed by a group of Ward 3 residents upset by Ezell’s effort to pass a local mask mandate. Ezell is challenging the validity of the recall petition in court with a hearing set for October 6th. In other business, Commissioners approved a revised pay plan in a collective bargaining agreement for the local firefighters union, and the purchase of $90,000 worth of ballistic vests, concealable carriers and plates for the Enid Police Department.
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EQ)--If you felt a slight shake early this morning, it might have been the earthquake in Major County. A 4:27am there was a 3.3 magnitude earthquake about three miles northwest of Ames, about 20 miles WSW of Enid.
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CV)— Twelve more virus-related deaths and 970 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in the state since Tuesday, according to daily numbers released late this morning by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. A total of 72,284 Oklahomans have tested positive in confirmed tests for COVID-19 and the total number of deaths went up to 924. The health department said 10,334 cases are considered active in the state, and 528 Oklahomans are currently hospitalized for treatment of the virus.
The number of Enid Public Schools students and staff in quarantine or isolation due to COVID- 19 fell slightly Tuesday, according to the latest numbers from the district. There are 579 people in either close-contact quarantine or positive-test isolation, down from 598 on Monday. More than half of those are students and staff at Adams Elementary School, which went to distance learning Monday after a staff member tested positive last week. All 297 Adams students will continue distance learning until at least Sept. 24.
There have been 1363 positive COVID-19 cases, and 17 deaths in Garfield County. 1283 of those cases and 17 deaths have been in Enid. Currently, Garfield County is in a "moderate risk" or Orange Level 2 category as defined by the OSDH. In surrounding counties: Kingfisher County has reported 305 cases, Blaine County is at 99 cases, Major 69, Grant 33, and Alfalfa 37.
COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results
09.16.20
|
Confirmed Positive Cases |
72,284 |
|
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date |
955,312 |
|
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date |
1,040,699 |
|
**Currently Hospitalized |
528 |
|
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations |
5,610 |
|
Identified Deaths in the Past 24 hours |
1 |
|
Total Cumulative Deaths |
924 |
*The total includes laboratory information provided to OSDH at the time of the report. Total counts may not reflect unique individuals. Data Source: Acute Disease Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health. As of 2020-09-16 at 7:00 a.m.
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MC)--An Enid man is facing 16 charges after police said he repeatedly dialed 911 while masturbating. Investigators said 40 year-old Brian Donald Scott called dozens of times, and when officers found him at a local hotel, he had blocked the door with a mattress. “He called probably 30 to 35 times. He called 911 quite a bit,” said Enid Police Sgt. Aaron Barber. According to court documents, the suspect was completely naked when officers reached him. Investigators said Scott told them he "needed help" after he "injected meth" into his system. KFOR.com said dispatchers reported the suspect was heard on the phone touching himself and making noises and asking 911 operators to keep speaking to him. Scott was previously convicted of the same crime in February. Scott will appear in Garfield County District Court on October 5.
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SR)--State finance officials say collections to Oklahoma's main government operating fund exceeded the estimate last month by about 1%. OMES Director Steven Harpe said collections to the fund totaled $438.4 million in August, which was about $4 million above the estimate. August collections still trailed those from August 2019 by nearly 3%.
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CD)--The Enid Public Library will be hosting a viewing party of the documentary, American Creed, on Constitution Day this Thursday at 6:00 pm. The documentary explores what it means to be an American. If attending in-person, masks covering the nose and mouth are required. The event will also be live streaming on the library’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/EnidPublicLibrary.
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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.
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AF)--The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center has opened a new exhibit titled American Farmer. The exhibit showcases 45 images selected from the works of photographer Paul Mobley. As he traveled across the United States, Mobley set out to capture the soul of the country’s farm communities by highlighting enduring rural traditions, family, integrity, close connections to the land, and hard work. The resulting images are a series of portraits of farmers in their local settings, exploring how their day-to-day work affects the greater world. American Farmer will be on exhibit at the Heritage Center through October 20. Visitors to the Heritage Center will need to maintain social distancing throughout the galleries, and are required to wear face masks during their visit. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is located a 507 S. Fourth St. in Enid. For more information, please call 580-237-1907 or visit www.csrhc.org.
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