MC)--Emergency crews in Major County responded to an underground gas line that caught fire after an explosion early Thursday morning. The fire was reported about a mile and a half east of the town of Ames. The town’s fire chief said an underground gas line blew out, starting a fire. Officials said the gas companies are there and they have shut off the pressure. They are letting the fire burn out at this point. Fire Chief Mike Willy told KOCO-TV it was in the middle of a field. No property damage or injuries were reported.

 

                                                 --00— 18  Feb  21  10a

 

CC)--The Enid Mayor and Board of Commissioners tonight 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 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 CDC guidelines in any public, indoor location. Several exemptions are listed, 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 tonight, 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— 18  Feb  21  7a

 

VC)--The Oakwood Mall COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be closed today and Friday, but will reopen this weekend by appointment only. Garfield County Health Department officials said appointments for Saturday and Sunday were added to the vaccination portal Wednesday evening. There will be 600 appointments each day. Those eligible for vaccines this weekend are health care workers, first responders and adults over 65. The portal no longer will allow someone needing a first dose to take a booster slot on the schedule, and vice versa, the Health Department said. The Health Department had no vaccination clinics this week. Monday was a holiday, and Tuesday and Wednesday’s clinic were canceled due to weather conditions.

 

                                                 --00— 18  Feb  21  7a

 

CN)—

 

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— 18  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.
•  

 

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