BE)--Enid Ward 3 City Commissioner Ben Ezzell is appealing a judge's ruling allowing his recall election to proceed in February. Ezzell filed his petition in error in Garfield County District Court on Monday. According to Enid News and eagle, Appellate attorney David Collins, representing Ezzell, filed the motion in Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday, with an additional motion to expedite the appeal on the fast-track docket. Ezzell on Monday also filed a motion requesting the district court stay the election during the appellate process or until a ruling is made, stating the issues raised in the appeal would be rendered moot if an election took place. In his filing, Ezzell argues the district court erred when it found the recall petition "implicitly" complied with the Enid City Charter despite the circulators not explicitly stating under oath that the statements contained are believed to be true and the signatures belong to the persons whose name they purport to be. Currently, the special election is set for Feb. 9, 2021, the same day as the regular election to select a Ward 3 successor for Ezzell, who is term-limited through May. The winner of the recall election would take office immediately for the remainder of Ezzell's four-year term. Along with Collins as attorney for the appellant, Tony Puckett is listed as attorney for appellee, representing the city of Enid, and Stephen Jones as attorney for intervenors, representing the circulators of the petition.
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TM)--Three local organizations will offer Thanksgiving meals to people in need or who would be alone on Thursday. The traditional Knights of Columbus Thanksgiving meal at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Leaven Center is canceled this year, due to COVID-19, but Our Daily Bread, First Baptist Church and The Salvation Army will be providing meals. Our Daily Bread, 616 W. Randolph, will serve to-go Thanksgiving meals, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday. Walk-up service will be available at the soup kitchen’s front door, while those in vehicles are asked to drive west-to-east through the alley on the north side of Our Daily Bread, to receive a to-go meal at the north door. Deacon Val Ross, director at Our Daily Bread, said they are preparing to serve 1,000 to 1,500 meals Thursday. First Baptist Church, 401 W. Maine, also will be serving a midday Thanksgiving meal, with to-go service and a limited amount of on-site seating. To-go service is encouraged. The meal will be served 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, at the east and south doors. Salvation Army will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, with to-go service at the alley entrance to the dining room, on the west side of their campus at 516 N. Independence. Our Daily Bread will be closed Friday, but those in need of a lunch that day also can come to The Salvation Army, 12:30-1:00 p.m. Friday, followed by the regularly scheduled dinner at 6:00 p.m.
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CV)— Sixteen more virus-related deaths and 3,732 new 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. The health department said 33,317 cases are considered active in the state, with 1,604 people currently hospitalized for treatment of the virus. A total of 184,342 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 and the total number of virus-related deaths increased to 1,680. So far, 149,345 Oklahomans have recovered from the virus with 3,659 more cases considered recovered since Tuesday.
There have been 3649 positive COVID-19 cases, and 33 deaths in Garfield County. 3315 of those cases and all 33 deaths have been in Enid. In surrounding counties: Kingfisher County has reported 852 cases, Major 464, Blaine County is at 359 cases, Alfalfa 361, and Grant 200.
COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results
11.25.20
|
Cases |
184,342 |
|
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date |
1,848,563 |
|
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date |
2,043,492 |
|
*Currently Hospitalized |
1,604 |
|
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations |
11,708 |
|
Total Cumulative Deaths |
1,680 |
*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 2020-11-25 at 7:00 a.m.
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TS)--In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the City of Enid Administration offices, Enid Animal Welfare, Enid Public Library, and Recycle Center will be closed on Thursday and Friday. The Thursday trash route will be collected Monday, November 30. Friday’s trash route will be picked up on Friday as usual. The landfill and Meadowlake Golf Course will be open on Friday. Enid Public Transportation Authority will not be operating on Thursday, or Friday in observance of the holiday.
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SL)--The Enid Salvation Army has 10 Spruce Up a Life trees left to adopt. Trees are $80 this year and can be paid for by check or cash. To purchase a tree, come to Oakwood Mall Monday – Friday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM, they are closed on Sunday. The Salvation Army also has 228 families registered for Christmas Assistance this year for a total of 614 Angels. They have close to 350 angels that still need to be adopted.
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TL)--City of Enid officials say residents may continue to dispose of tree limbs and debris for free through November 30th at the City Landfill, located at 1313 East Southgate Road. The operating hours are: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. As a reminder, to prepare for removal of debris and tree limbs, residents are asked to do the following:
- Stack tree limbs near the curb away from obstructions like fire hydrants, mailboxes, trash cans, and water meters
- Piles should NOT be below electric power lines or low hanging branches
- Cut tree limbs and logs into sections 10 feet long or shorter
- Set debris and limbs in a separate pile from trash waste pickup
City officials are asking all residents to be patient during this extensive cleanup project as it will take crews several weeks to remove all debris.
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CP)--The City of Enid Parks and Recreation presents “Christmas in the Park” at Meadowlake Park for the 2020 holiday season. The event is scheduled for November 28th, December 5th, 12th, and 19th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event is free for all ages and will be held at Meadowlake Park. Christmas in the Park will be a drive-thru only event this year to keep everyone safe; however, each vehicle will be given a bag of goodies as you enjoy your Christmas cruise. There will be lights and characters posted on both the North and South side of the park. When you enter the park from the North side entrance, you will be greeted by one of many holiday and winter characters such as Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty, and many more. The City of Enid will also be hosting a toy drive for Toys for Tots and will have a drop-off section for collecting new, unwrapped toys. Check out the Christmas in the Park Promo video: https://youtu.be/LL8kUQGemdU. For more information, contact the Special Events Coordinator at (580) 616-7210 or specialevent@enid.org. To check out upcoming events, go to: Enid.org/ParkEvents.
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LS)--Distance learning will continue in to early December for Enid Public Schools. As it stands right now, the earliest date for in-person instruction would be Monday, December 7.
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SB)--There are two openings on the Enid School Board of Education. Qualified individuals interested in running as a candidate for the No. One seat and the No. Six seat on the Enid School District Board of Education may file to run at the Garfield County Election Board between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., December 7th through the 9th. Election packets with more information are available at the EPS Administrative Services Center, located at 500 S. Independence.
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IR)—The Downtown Ice Rink is now open. As title sponsors, Jiffy Trip and Williams Media Group (My Country 103.1 and Talk 100.9 KGWA) are joining Main Street Enid, the Stride Bank Center and Visit Enid in bringing an outdoor ice rink to downtown Enid. It is located at 400 S. Independence in the parking lot between the Stride Bank Center and the art installation Under Her Wing was the Universe. The rink will be open to the public through January 3.
Operating hours will be 3:00 pm-9:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 3:00 pm-11:00 pm Friday, 12:00 pm-11:00 pm Saturday and 12:00 pm-9:00 pm Sunday. Single day tickets will be $12 for general admission, which includes skate rental. A $60 Season Pass and special group and holiday party rates are also available. Tickets are available through the Stride Bank Center ticket outlets including area Jiffy Trips, or on site. Stride Bank Center general manager Kevin Boryzcki adds the arena will provide concessions on site. Visit the ice rink website, SkateInEnid.com, or look for the ice rink on Facebook and Instagram at SkateInEnid.
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