RL)--Radio icon Rush Limbaugh, who was the anchor of the KGWA daytime lineup for over 30 years, died early Wednesday morning at his Florida home following a battle with lung cancer. He was 70. Limbaugh's wife, Kathryn, made the announcement on his radio show. "Losing a loved one is terribly difficult, even more so when that loved one is larger than life," she said. "Rush will forever be the greatest of all time." The radio icon learned he had Stage IV lung cancer in January 2020 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Trump at the State of the Union address days later. First lady Melania Trump then presented America’s highest civilian honor to Limbaugh in an emotional moment on the heels of his devastating cancer diagnosis.

 

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CN)—Two Enid people are among the 28 deaths and 1,078 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 local deaths included a man and a woman both aged 65 or older. The seven-day rolling average for new cases reported was 1,162.

 

 

COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results

02.17.21

 

Cases	415,858
*Total Cumulative Negative Specimens to Date	2,984,643
*Total Cumulative Number of Specimens to Date	3,374,098
Acute Care OSDH Licensed Facility Hospitalizations	711
Other Types of Facilities Hospitalizations	71
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations	23,392
Total Cumulative Deaths	4,089

 

 

*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 2021-02-17 at 7:00 a.m.

 

There have been 7421 positive COVID-19 cases, and 69 deaths in Garfield County. 6558 of those cases and 62 deaths have been in Enid. In surrounding counties: Kingfisher County has reported 1947 cases, Alfalfa 1136, Blaine County is at 983 cases, Major 933, and Grant 524.

           

                                                 --00— 17  Feb  21  11a

 

RB)-- Oklahoma residents are being asked by ONG and OG&E to conserve energy where possible to lessen the strain on the power grid. Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners Tuesday approved an emergency order aimed at helping gas suppliers and power generators stabilize the electric grid and natural gas infrastructure in order to ensure essential service for public safety and welfare during this weather crisis. The order gives suppliers the ability to reduce gas service to certain large customers in order to maintain infrastructure and meet the demand for natural gas for such essential services as power generation and residential heating. 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— 17  Feb  21  7a

 

CC)--The Enid Mayor and Board of Commissioners on Thursday will consider extending Enid's current mask mandate, set to expire at the end of the month, through April. City Manager Jerald Gilbert said the existing ordinance will be not amended in the draft proposal aside from the date extension to after April 30. Under the current ordinance, which commissioners passed December 1, all people in Enid must wear a face covering consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in any public, indoor location. Several exemptions are listed online, including children under 5, people eating or drinking, people in their own homes, or those of companions or family members, a person in an office with the door shut and public safety personnel. Daily new cases in Garfield County and across the state have largely been trending down for the last several weeks. The agenda also will include an item for commissioners to consider allocating a third round of COVID-19 relief funds from the CARES Act. Around $300,000 will again be proposed for CDSA and Catholic Ministries, which have been providing individual support on payments such as utilities and rent during the pandemic.

 

In other business Thursday, commissioners will vote to approve a contract for just more than $1 million to build a new Enid Police Department Officer Training Center, to be located at 400 W. State. Henson Construction of Enid submitted the bid calling for construction to last 285 days. Commissioners will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Stride Bank Center’s Grand Ballroom, in the special meeting rescheduled because of the President’s Day Monday holiday.

 

                                                 --00— 17  Feb  21  5p

 

WW)--A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 6:00 this evening. Additional snow fell overnight with some areas seeing up to 4 inches. The continued extremely cold temperatures combined with snow covered roads are producing conditions not favorable for travel. Dangerous and life-threatening situations could occur should drivers become stranded. Travel remains discouraged at this time. Slowing down, driving defensively and continuing to use extra caution will be the best ways to prevent potential problems.

 

                                                 --00— 17  Feb  21  7a

 

VC)--Because of the weather, the Garfield County Health Department cancelled today's COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Oakwood Mall. They plan on making up for missed appointments by doubling or tripling appointments over the next few days.

 

                                                 --00— 17  Feb  21  7a

 

BR)--The Stride Bank Center and the Chisholm Trail Expo Center this week announced Enid Ultimate Challenge Xtreme Bulls is coming to the Chisholm Trail Expo Center for one night only on Saturday, March 27th at 7:30pm. All seating will be socially distanced. Tickets are $35, $25 & $19. Tickets go on sale 10:00 AM this Friday, February 19th. Fans can order tickets by calling 855.TIX.ENID, visiting StrideBankCenter.com or in the Stride Bank Center Administration offices on the 2nd floor of Convention Hall.

 

 

                                                 --00— 17  Feb  21  7a

 

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— 17  Feb  21  11a

 

SW)--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— 17  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.

 

 

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