IA)--An Aline woman is hospitalized in critical condition following a single-vehicle crash just west of Enid this afternoon. Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials said 83 year-old Larry Eugene Shelite was eastbound on US 412 about 2.5 miles west of Enid just after 12:40 this afternoon when the GMC pickup he was driving departed the roadway into the center median before going down into an embankment and striking a tree. His passenger, 85 year-old Earline Shelite was transported to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center where she was admitted in critical condition with head and trunk injuries. Larry Shelite, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was transported to St. Mary’s where he was treated and released. The cause of the collision was listed as a Possible Medical Condition, and remains under investigation.   

 

                                                 --00— 16  Feb  21  4p

 

RB)--Rolling blackouts were experienced this morning in Enid, northcentral Oklahoma as well as other parts of the state. The service interruptions lasted up to two hours at a time and could resume if necessary. The service interruptions were ordered by the Southwest Power Pool. And were due to several factors resulting from widespread, long-lasting and extreme cold weather. These factors include, but are not limited to, high electricity use across the entire SPP system and limited wind power and natural gas availability, Oklahoma residents are being asked by ONG and OG&E to conserve energy where possible to lessen the strain on the power grid. If your health permits, drop your thermostat a degree or two and put on another layer of clothing, turn off any unused lights. Put off doing laundry or dishes for a day or two.

 

                                                 --00— 16  Feb  21  10a

 

WW)--A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from noon today until 6:00 Wednesday evening. Heavy snow will be possible with total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches in some locations. The continued extremely cold temperatures combined with another round of snow later today and tonight are producing conditions not favorable for travel. Dangerous and life-threatening situations could occur should drivers become stranded in this winter weather event. Travel remains highly discouraged at this time. Those who must travel are reminded that while many highways are dry in long sections, slick spots remain and can catch motorists unaware. Slowing down, driving defensively and continuing to use extra caution will be the best ways to prevent potential problems.

 

                                                 --00— 16  Feb  21  7a

 

City of Enid officials remind residents to take the necessary precautions during the current inclement weather.

 

Water Outages/Frozen Pipes

·       If you lose water, you can call the City to see if there is a main break or other system-related outage at 580-234-0400 (select option 2, then option 5); however, for frozen pipes, a professional plumber should be called.

·       If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes are against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

·       Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

·       Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. DO NOT use a blowtorch, kerosene heater, propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

·       Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

·       Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze also.

 

Energy Conservation

 

OG&E has given the following tips:

• Set thermostats lower than usual (68 degrees Fahrenheit), if health permits.
• Avoid using major electric appliances.
• Turn off lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using.

 

Traveling

• If you must drive, stay on the City’s snow routes. The map is located at: Enid.org/snowroutes.
• Use extra caution when driving over bridges and overpasses.
• Keep a three-distance car space in front of you when driving.
• Give salt/sand trucks plenty of room: stay at least 100 feet behind snow plow trucks.
•  

                                                 --00— 16  Feb  21  3p

 

CN)—20 more virus-related deaths and 508 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 19,563 cases are considered active in the state, with 833 currently hospitalized for treatment of the virus. The seven-day rolling average for new cases reported was 1,245, the state health department said.

 

COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results

02.16.21

 

 

Cases	414,780
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date (02/12/21)	2,957,605
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date (02/12/21)	3,343,102
Acute Care OSDH Licensed Facility Hospitalizations (02/12/21)	755
Other Types of Facilities Hospitalizations (02/12/21)	78
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations	23,270
Total Cumulative Deaths	4,061

 

*The total includes laboratory information provided to OSDH at the time of the report. As a result, counts are subject to change. Total counts may not reflect unique individuals. Data Source: Acute Disease Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health. As of 2021-02-16 at 7:00 a.m.

 

There have been 7380 positive COVID-19 cases, and 67 deaths in Garfield County. 6519 of those cases and 60 deaths have been in Enid. In surrounding counties: Kingfisher County has reported 1945 cases, Alfalfa 1134, Blaine County is at 981 cases, Major 933, and Grant 524.

           

                                                 --00— 16  Feb  21  11a

 

SC)--Enid Public Schools will conduct virtual/remote learning through Thursday. There is no school scheduled for students on Friday (for Parent/Teacher conferences). EPS Superintendent Darrell Floyd said with sunshine and temperatures finally getting above freezing this weekend, combined with work by the district’s maintenance personnel they hope to be ready to have in-person school safely starting Monday. 

 

                                                 --00— 16  Feb  21  7a

 

VP)--The Oklahoma State Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine scheduler portal is available for pre-registration. The department launched the COVID-19 vaccine scheduler portal to notify Oklahomans when they’re eligible to receive the vaccine and provide more information on how to schedule an appointment. Oklahomans can visit this portal at vaccinate.oklahoma.gov, but appointment scheduling will not be available until Thursday. Health officials said currently only Oklahomans who are 65 and older, health care workers and/or first responders will be able to schedule appointments. As the state advances in its phased approach to vaccine distribution, the system will notify and allow individuals in additional priority groups and phases the opportunity to schedule their appointment.

 

 

                                                             --00—

 

CP)--Enid Public Schools has postponed the Education Celebration sponsored by the Enid Public Schools Education Foundation scheduled for Wednesday due to unforeseen circumstances related to COVID-19. The event hosted annually to honor the district’s teachers and support professionals of the year will now be held on February 24 at the EHS gymnasium, located at 611 W. Wabash, at 5:00 p.m.

 

 

                                                              --00—