CF)--Several candidates filed for Enid City Commission and Garfield County school board seats on Monday. Two Enid residents, including a member of the Enid Freedom Fighters group, filed to oppose current city commissioners in February’s ward races. Ward 3 resident Keith Siragusa filed to both run in the recall election against current Commissioner Ben Ezzell and in the regular election after Ezzell’s term expires in May. Both races will be held on Feb. 9. The winner of the recall would take office immediately until the end of the term in May. City commissioner terms last four years, with a consecutive two-term limit. Whitney Roberts filed for the Ward 4 seat on the Enid City Commission, currently held by Jonathan Waddell, who said he intends to run for reelection but has not yet filed his candidacy. No filings were made Monday for Ward 6, held by David Mason, who said he does not intend to file for another term.
Matthew Sampson, of Office 1, and Kyle Whitehead, of Office 6, both filed Monday to retain their seats on Enid Public Schools Board of Education. Other Garfield County filings Monday were: Autry Technology Center Office 4, Carmen Ball, incumbent, Garber Public Schools Office 1, Lacey Jo Deeds, incumbent, Drummond Public School Office 1, Curtis Mack, incumbent, Cimarron Public Schools Office 1, Cassie Coker-Paden, incumbent, Pioneer-Pleasant Vale Office 56, Michael J. Koehl, incumbent, Covington-Douglas Public Schools Office 1, Laura J. Neel, Covington-Douglas Public Schools Office 1, Kathy Grantz, incumbent, Kremlin-Hillsdale School, no office listed, Jason M. Aebi.
Candidate filing for Feb. 9 elections in Garfield County continues through Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the county election board office, 903 Failing.
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MC)--Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt’s office is reopening the search for a new state board of education member after and Enid woman's appointment announced last week was rescinded. Stitt's office said Melissa Crabtree is the one who asked for her appointment to be rescinded amid criticism over her lack of experience in public education and her stance on COVID-19 face masks. Crabtree said she's honored to be considered but this is not the right opportunity for her to serve the state. Crabtree was Stitt's pick to replace appointee Kurt Bollenbach of Kingfisher, who has supported calls for mask requirements. A spokesperson from the Governor's office said Bollenbach was removed because, quote, "it's important that the board members follow the governor's positions."
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SC)--City of Enid officials say contractors and crews will be doing ice storm debris and tree limb pickup on Chestnut today, and Wednesday. Motorists should expect slower traffic on this street during this cleanup effort. Crews are still making progress throughout the City, but more work remains. City officials remind residents that tree limbs and debris must be stacked near the curb away from fire hydrants, mailboxes, trash cans, and water meters to assist in the clean-up.
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CV)— Eleven more virus-related deaths and 2,297 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state since Monday, according to daily numbers released late this morning by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The health department said 29,744 cases are considered active in the state, with 1634 people hospitalized for treatment of the virus. A total of 220,686 Oklahomans have tested positive for COVID-19 and the total number of virus-related deaths increased to 1,922, the state health department said on Tuesday.
COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results
12.08.20
|
Cases |
220,686 |
|
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date |
2,038,973 |
|
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date |
2,266,778 |
|
Acute Care OSDH Licensed Facility Hospitalizations |
1,527 |
|
Other Types of Facilities Hospitalizations |
107 |
|
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations |
13,392 |
|
Total Cumulative Deaths |
1,922 |
*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 2020-12-08 at 7:00 a.m.
There have been 4340 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 1043 cases, Major 605, Alfalfa 571, Blaine County is at 487 cases, and Grant 239.
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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.
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RC)--A portion of Rupe will be blocked off Saturday evenings 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 Dec. 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.
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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.
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IR)—The Downtown Ice Rink is 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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