WC)--National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for Enid and most of Northwest Oklahoma for 3:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Thursday. Wind chill values of minus 10 could be expected, according to NWS. The advisory area includes Garfield, Grant, Alfalfa, Major, Woods, Woodward and Blaine counties. The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat and gloves. Sunny skies are expected in the Enid area today, with a high of 41. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 11, with a wind chill below 0. The high Thursday under sunny skies is expected to be around 24.
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OP)--Members of Enid Police Department are mourning the loss of one of their own. Officer Bart Arnold died at his Enid home on Monday evening. The 20-year veteran of the force had been on light duty and was recovering from a recent back surgery. He also had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19. Arnold joined EPD in Oct. 2001, and served his career in the Patrol Division, as well as a member of the department’s Honor Guard. Funeral services are pending with Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory, and tentatively scheduled for early next week.
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CT)--With COVID-19 testing in higher demand and increased cases over the last week, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is extending COVID-19 testing hours at local county health departments, and will offer weekend availability at select locations. In Garfield County, testing is available by appointment during regular business hours (M-F 8:00a-5:00p), and this Saturday. Again an appointment is required. Additionally, mobile units will be deployed to various locations throughout the state. Testing locations and hours can be found by visiting oklahoma.gov/covid19/testing-sites or county health department Facebook pages. Oklahomans can also call their local county health department or 2-1-1 for hours and locations.
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SB)--January is School Board Recognition Month and an opportunity for local schools and communities to honor Oklahoma's more than 2,700 elected school board members for their dedication to children and schools. "Providing Enid’s children with a quality education is the most important investment we can make," said Dr. Darrell Floyd, Superintendent of Enid Public Schools. "School Board Recognition Month is a time to say thank you to board members for selflessly volunteering their time and talent to our students and staff.” EPS board members bear responsibility for an annual budget of $87 million, over 7,700 students, 1,057 employees and 18 schools. "School board members make critical decisions that affect every aspect of student success," notes Floyd. "We thank them for their work and their dedication to Enid students.” The men and women currently serving on the EPS Board are Rev. Joe Blackwood, Matt Lohman, Chad Mantz, Frank Nelson, Matt Sampson, Torry Turnbow, Kyle Whitehead, and Vance Air Force Base honorary member Col. Paul Miller.
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TO)--The Closing Ceremony for “The One” featuring the Christ Tree, will be Thursday in the Grand Ballroom of the Stride Bank Center beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Ceremony will begin with music from world-renowned fiddler, and Enid native, Kyle Dillingham. There will be several speakers making brief comments, and conclude tree-side with The One’s Grand Marshall Dr. Lyntel Murphy turning off the lights.
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