LS)--Distance learning will continue for Enid Public Schools until the new year. 75.8 new cases a day, per 100,000 in population, were reported for Garfield County this week, keeping EPS in distance learning through 12/18. As it stands right now, the earliest date for in-person instruction would be Tuesday January 5 following the Christmas Holiday break with the beginning of the new quarter.
--00—04 Dec 20 2p
BC)--In a sudden shakeup of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, Gov. Kevin Stitt replaced one of his own appointees on Thursday. Stitt appointed Melissa Crabtree, of Enid, to finish the rest of board member Kurt Bollenbach’s term, ending April 2, 2023. Bollenbach, of Kingfisher, has supported calls for a mask mandates. Crabtree’s appointment must be confirmed by the Senate next year. The governor installed Bollenbach and four other appointees to the board in 2019 while also reappointing Claremore Mayor Bill Flanagan. Crabtree earlier this year founded Enid Freedom Fighters, a group of vocal residents opposed to mandatory COVID-19 mask ordinances in the city. A Stitt spokesman did not respond to a question about whether Crabtree’s anti-mask philosophy factored into his decision to choose her. “Melissa Crabtree is a former teacher and social worker who is passionate about using her experience in the classroom to improve educational outcomes for all Oklahoma students,” Stitt said in a statement. In a Facebook post, Crabtree said she’s thankful for the opportunity. “An opportunity, I wasn’t even looking for, but one for which I am thankful!” she wrote. “I’m humbled, still surprised, and so excited!
--00—04 Dec 20 2p
SC)--Organizers say construction on Enid’s new, seven-field soccer complex is nearing completion. Advance Soccer Complex fundraising coordinator Nicole Winfield told Enid News and Eagle, after millions in private-dollar donations over the last few months, the capital campaign now has about $500,000 left to complete construction. The project, budgeted at a total $9.5 million, is one of the city’s largest private-public partnerships. The city of Enid has covered $3 million of the construction expenses, and two family foundations each donated $1.5 million more. With the funding from the Allen Family Foundation and the McLaughlin Family Foundation, construction at Rupe and Garland began in 2017, with an expected 2021 completion date. To be named after the Atwood family from its donation, the 4,000-square-foot clubhouse will include a weight room, four locker rooms, bathrooms, a separate referee locker room, a VIP room, board rooms/offices and multi-purpose training areas. Naming opportunities also exist for donations to the complex’s other facility and amenities projects.
Should the project meet its $9.5 million goal, Winfield estimated 2022 for completion. Those interested in donating can visit the complex’s website at www.advancesoccercomplex.com or contact Winfield at (580) 354-7015.
--00—03 Dec 20 10a
CV)— Twenty-four more virus-related deaths and 4,827 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. Officials said today’s totals include some backlogged cases.
COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results
12.04.20
|
Cases |
208,875 |
|
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date |
1,982,769 |
|
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date |
2,199,782 |
|
Acute Care OSDH Licensed Facility Hospitalizations |
1,501 |
|
Other Types of Facilities Hospitalizations |
107 |
|
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations |
12,949 |
|
Total Cumulative Deaths |
1,860 |
*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 2020-12-04 at 7:00 a.m.
There have been 4168 positive COVID-19 cases, and 37 deaths in Garfield County. 3777 of those cases and 35 deaths have been in Enid. In surrounding counties: Kingfisher County has reported 962 cases, Major 551, Blaine County is at 447 cases, Alfalfa 406, and Grant 227.
--00—04 Dec 20 11a
RC)--A portion of Rupe will be blocked off Saturday evening for the Christmas in the Park event at Meadowlake Park. City of Enid officials said Rupe will be blocked at Van Buren, Field, Wallace, Carter, Hudson and Pontiac. The closures will be 5:00-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, as well and Dec. 12 and 19. To access the north side of Meadowlake Park, attendees will enter Rupe from Cleveland. Eastbound Rupe at Johnson will be closed to through traffic and only used for park entrance. To access the event area in South Meadowlake Park, attendees will line up on Van Buren in the southbound outside lane.
--00—04 Dec 20 7a
MC)--The city of Enid will resume in-person court appearances starting Monday. However, the municipal clerk windows now are open again to the public. Anyone with questions or concerns regarding their court appearance or fine payments can visit the clerk windows 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or calling (580) 616-7265. Those who need to pay fines can do so at the municipal clerk windows in the city administration building, 401 W. Garriott; by mail to City of Enid, P.O. Box 1768, Enid, OK 7370; by drop box in front of the city administration building; or online at www.Enid.org/fines.
--00—04 Dec 20 7a
SD)--City of Enid officials have announced that progress has been made by contractors in the removal of tree limb debris. More work remains throughout the city. To better manage the storm cleanup effort, brush drop-off will be accepted at no charge at the landfill through December 31st. Residents can request a pickup of tree limb debris the following ways:
*Online: Submit a Request at: www.SeeClickFix.com; Choose “Tree Debris Pickup”
*SeeClickFix Smartphone App: Choose “Tree Debris Pickup”
*Phone: Call (580) 616-7300 or (580) 616-7301
City officials have asked residents to stack the tree limbs near the curb away from fire hydrants, mailboxes, trash cans and water meters to assist in the clean-up.
--00—03 Dec 20 7a
