DI)--Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials have identified the two victims killed in a plane crash Monday in Kingfisher County. According to OHP, the two occupants of the aircraft, John Hazelton, of Edmond, and Jonathan Benton, of Mustang, were pronounced dead at the scene by Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office. Just after 12:40 Monday afternoon the Piper Saratoga TC aircraft crashed in a wheat field 8 miles east and 1 mile north of Kingfisher. The aircraft had taken off from Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City. The cause of the crash is under investigation by Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.
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GF)--Several area fire departments on Tuesday put out a grass fire that had started as a controlled burn west of Enid. Enid Fire Department responded Tuesday to West Willow in reference to the controlled burn that had gotten out of control when the wind speeds picked up. An EFD grass rig knocked the fire down and kept the flames away from a nearby house, Currier said, and rural fire departments from Hillsdale-Carrier, Lahoma and Drummond arrived to assist in knocking down the fire and mopping up. Around three to four acres were burned in the fire, but no structures were involved and no injuries were reported.
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SB)--Enid Public Schools Board of Education approved a three-year lease-purchase of two new activity buses at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening. The addition of the two new buses will bring the district’s total to six activity buses. One of the buses has a seating capacity of 57 rear facing seats with an integrated video system and large storage capacity with a cost of just under $350,000. The second bus holds 44 passengers and cost the district $157,152. In other business, the district contracted this year with ESS to provide substitute teachers. Officials said ESS has been able to increase the fill rates for substitute teachers to an overall average of 83%, compared to a fill rate of 47% last year. Also, Superintendent Darrell Floyd announced during the meeting that Enid Public Schools received an Air Force STEM grant for $29,181, which Col. Tim Higgins said was the largest issued by the Air Force.
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FL)--U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, who represents Oklahoma’s Third District including Enid, was named Tuesday to be a member of the House Agriculture Committee. “I’m coming home to the Ag Committee,” said Lucas. “I’m proud in the 118th Congress that I’ll be returning to the House Agriculture Committee. Since being elected to Congress in 1994, I’ve been a Member of the Agriculture Committee, having had a hand in writing every Farm Bill since 1996 and serving as Chairman of the Committee from 2011 to 2015 crafting the landmark 2014 Farm Bill.
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CC)--The Enid Mayor and Board of Commissioners will meet on Thursday. This week’s Regular Meeting is delayed from its normal Tuesday schedule as a result of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Monday. The commissioners will meet in study session at 5:00 Thursday afternoon, followed by the regular meeting at 6:30. Coming up later this week we will have details about what is on the agenda.
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MLK)-Each year the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission of Enid plans and organizes a comprehensive tribute that promotes diversity, equality, and education consistent with Dr. King's dream, work, and legacy. This year the theme is “A Race to Unity: Why We Can’t Wait.” There are several celebratory events slated January 21st.
- Commemorative March at 1:30 p.m. beginning at the Stride Bank Center – 301 S. Independence Avenue.
- Celebration Program at 2:00 p.m. at the Stride Bank Center Grand Ballroom – 301 S. Independence Avenue.
Local student poster, poetry, and essay winners will be awarded at the celebration program. Board Chairman Lanita Norwood said, “The entire community is invited to the event to help us honor and pay tribute to Dr. King’s contribution to our society.”
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CD)--The 2023 Champagne and Diamonds Gala in support of 4RKids will take place inside the ballroom at the Stride Bank Center in Enid on February 24. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The gala starts at 7:00 pm. Cocktail Attire Executive Director Rachel McVay said, “4RKids is honored to work with KOFM, Mead Jewelers, and Great Plains Bank for the 2nd annual Champagne and Diamonds Gala. Our partnership with KOFM allows us to showcase the opportunities at 4RKids, and raise important funding. The Champagne and Diamonds Gala is an inspiring and fun-filled evening of dining, dancing, and live music featuring “The Drive” from OKC. Tickets are $75 each. Each ticket includes dinner and one champagne flute. Inside each flute, there will be a gemstone. One of the flutes contains a genuine “One Carat Round Brilliant Cut” Diamond worth $7500. Mead Jewelers will examine each gemstone and the winner will be announced at the end of the evening. Additional flutes can be purchased for $60 each or receive a discount of $50 each for two flutes or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.stridebankcenter.com, www.4rkids.com or, in person at the Stride Center Box Office, and Mead Jewelers. Go to kofm.com or kgwanews.com for more information.
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