CC)--The Enid Mayor and Board of Commissioners will meet this evening. 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. Commissioners are scheduled to consider reallocating just over $226,000 to allow Northern Oklahoma College to provide a building to house Making a Difference’s after-school program for 10 years. If approved, the action will reallocate 2019 through 2022 Community Development Block Grant funding between the city of Enid and Making a Difference for a 10-year lease of 110 S. University on NOC’s campus in Enid. Commissioners also will consider approving a $9,750 grant award to Enid Public Schools for a mural located at Hayes Elementary School, and address a number of other business items. During the study session, commissioners will hear a quarterly Vance Development Authority update from Mike Cooper, an update from Renew on the wind turbine refurbishment facility and a strategic planning update; present public safety sales tax report; and discuss the Enid Public Transportation Advisory Board ordinance. The commissioners will meet in study session at 5:00 this afternoon, followed by the regular meeting at 6:30.
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RH)--Two First Responders, one each from Enid Fire Department and Enid Police Department, were honored as Firefighter and Officer of the Year on Wednesday. EFD Assistant Mechanic John Buller and EPD Officer Jeran Jones each received $500 awards from the DeVaughn Foundation. The awards are in honor of the late Stephen DeVaughn, who dedicated his life to his community and the United States. Stephen DeVaughn, who died in 2015, was an Eagle Scout, an agent for the U.S. Treasury Department Customs Division and served with the Secret Service on the Personnel Protection Service of President Gerald Ford and as the special agent in charge of the New Orleans, New York City and Criminal Divisions of Custom Enforcement. His brother, Dr. Richard DeVaughn said Wednesday during a brief ceremony at EPD, “We set up a fund that is funded forever so that each year, we have a Police Officer of the Year and a Firefighter of the Year.”
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BC)--Former Fairview Police Chief Daniel Harry Smith has waived extradition from Ohio to face charges in Major County. According to Enid News and Eagle, a waiver of extradition was filed in Van Wert (Ohio) Municipal Court on Jan. 10. Smith was arrested Jan. 9 in Van Wert on a felony warrant out of Major County District Court. Online court records show Smith has been charged in Major County with two felony counts of conspiracy in connection with an investigation that led to charges last year against former Fairview City Council member William Shane Bode. According to an affidavit filed in Smith’s case in Major County District Court, the charges stem from the illegal sale of two transformers Bode obtained through embezzlement from the city of Fairview.
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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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