CW)--Garfield Elementary School was placed on lock-out after an unauthorized visitor attempted to enter the school this morning. Parents of children who normally walk home were asked to pick up their children at dismissal time. District officials said the school contacted EPS Police and the Enid Police Department after a woman who is not a parent or guardian and had no business to be on school property attempted to get on school property. Enid Police Department responded and took a woman who was reportedly having some mental issues into protective custody for evaluation. A message to Garfield parents emphasized students and staff were safe. "The school day resumed as normal for students and staff with no one leaving the building," said Garfield principal Amanda Rader in a message to parents. District officials said the incident only involved Garfield Elementary School.
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SN)--The number of Enid Public Schools students and staff in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19 fell dramatically today as Adams Elementary School returned to the classroom. According to figures posted on the district’s website, there are 287 people in either close-contact quarantine or positive-test isolation, down from 547 on Wednesday. More than half of those, 299, were students and staff at Adams Elementary School, which went to distance learning Sept. 14 after a staff member tested positive. Adams students returned to the classroom today.
Chisholm Public Schools again reported no students or staff under quarantine due to COVID-19, according to the district’s online counts.
Autry Technology Center reported Wednesday a person testing positive for COVID-19 was on the campus Monday, mainly in the northwest wing and lectorium. That person now is isolating at home. The affected areas were closed to undergo sanitizing and deep cleaning.
Garber Public Schools has moved to non-traditional, distance learning, Superintendent Will Jones said in a video on Facebook on Tuesday after five staff members and four students tested positive. Jones said more than 50 students and staff members are in quarantine. Students are expected to return to class Oct. 5.
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CV)—Eleven more virus-related deaths, including one in Garfield County, and 1,083 new confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the state since Wednesday, according to daily numbers released this afternoon by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. A total of 81,244 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 in confirmed tests and the total number of deaths went up to 981. The health department said 12,456 cases are considered active in the state. Daily COVID-19 numbers were delayed this morning due to technical difficulties, the health department said. The health department said 12,456 cases are considered active in the state. So far, 67,807 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus with 1,028 more cases considered recovered since Wednesday.
There have been 1588 positive COVID-19 cases, and 19 deaths in Garfield County. 1488 of those cases and all 19 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 335 cases, Blaine County is at 120 cases, Major 85, Alfalfa 62, and Grant 46.
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ND)--Northcutt Chevrolet-Buick, in conjunction with Ally Bank, donated $7,500 to Enid Public Schools on Wednesday. Northcutt Chevrolet-Buick owner Scott Northcutt presented the check to EPS superintendent Dr. Darrell Floyd. These funds will be used primarily for the EPS districtwide efforts toward STEAM integrations and competitions K-12. “We are so thankful for this generous donation from Northcutt Auto and Ally Bank,” said Floyd. “The support that EPS receives from our local businesses is greatly appreciated. And Northcutt Chevrolet-Buick is another shining example of that.”
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EPS has received more than $6 million in grants and donations over the last three years. Partners and donors include T-Mobile, George Davis, Allen Family Foundation, Vicki & Kevin Davis Scholarship, Junior Welfare League, Striving Readers Grant, OETT/K20 Grant, EPS Foundation, Edward Jones, K/H Financial, TPI Staffing Services, Friends of the Observatory, and AT&T. EPS would like to express their thanks and gratitude to each and every donor.
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BA)--Northwest Oklahoma Blood Institute will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its Donor Service Wing addition at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the OBI Enid Donor Center, 301 E. Cherokee. A $1.4 million capital campaign to expand and renovate the existing donor center kicked off last November with a $50,000 donation from Northwest Oklahoma Osteopathic Foundation. Jessica Nelson, coordinator for the Blood Can't Wait campaign, said earlier in September about $1 million had been raised so far for the project. Henson Construction Co., of Enid, was named the contractor for that project during NWOBI's board meeting in August. Attendees can RSVP for the groundbreaking by contacting Jessica Nelson at (580) 747-3434 or jessica@nelsoncpm.com. For information, call OBI Enid at (580) 233-9323. Blood donors also can visit OBI.org or call (877) 340-8777 to schedule an appointment. Most people older than 15 and in good health can donate. The entire process takes about an hour.
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SO)--Local ministries and nonprofits are seeking participants for a resource fair and a “sleep-out” event Oct. 10 in observation of World Homeless Day. Enid Faith Ways and Holy Cross Enid have scheduled a resource fair and meal from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Oct. 10 in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church, in the 500 block of West Randolph. After the resource fair and meal, participants will begin Enid's first "Sleep Out" to mimic one night on the street in Enid without shelter. Any church, nonprofit or organization that has resources to assist the unsheltered population is invited to participate in the resource fair. Sponsorship support has been offered from CDSA, First United Methodist Church, Salvation Army of Enid and Enid First Presbyterian Church. Salvation Army of Enid will serve free meals, provided by Enid Faith Ways, Holy Cross, CDSA and First Presbyterian. Sponsorships still are available for the event to help cover the cost of the meal. Participants must be 18 years old or older. To register for Enid Sleep Out, visit enidfaithwayschurch.org. To sign up for the resource fair or as a sponsor, email HolyCrossEnid@gmail.com.
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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 is hosting an 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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