MS)--Three people have been taken into custody after a woman was killed in Billings earlier this week. Noble County Sheriff's Office officials said just after noon on Monday a 911 call was placed reporting an unresponsive woman at a residence in Billings. When medical personnel and Noble County Deputies arrived on scene, it was discovered the woman, later identified as 52-year-old Stacy Lea Walton, was dead. An investigation began, and authorities determined Walton's death was a homicide. For several days, investigators conducted multiple interviews, obtained information and collected evidence, which led them to three Carter County residents. 19 year-old Jess Lyon Bishop Jr., 31 year-old Emery Blanton Wood and 38 year-old Hollie Parker Bishop were arrested in connection with Walton's death. Paperwork has been submitted to Noble County District Attorney's Office, requesting the three be charged with first-degree murder and other charges.
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CA)--Applications are available for Enid Police Department’s next Citizens Police Academy. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. March 1, and CPA will begin April 4, with participants meeting weekly through June 20. EPD officials said CPA is not a training class but an exciting informational class with a behind-the-scenes look at EPD operations. One of CPA’s goals is to educate Enid residents about the structure and activities of their police department. Weekly sessions will cover a range of topics, including patrol, criminal investigations, traffic stops, crime scenes, narcotics, driving under the influence enforcement, officer use-of-force, officer safety, crime prevention and defensive tactics. CPA will visit the police shooting range, and participants will have the ability to have a ride-along with an officer and the opportunity to shoot a variety of firearms used by police and the SWAT team. CPA is free and will meet at 6:00 p.m. every Tuesday except for the final class, which will meet Saturday morning. Anybody interested in being accepted into CPA must complete an application and pass a background check. Because portions of CPA are hands-on, class size is limited. Applications are available online at www.enid.org/services/police or in the EPD lobby, 301 W. Garriott.
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RW)--Traffic will be effected by several road projects being undertaken by the city of Enid. Beginning today there will be a lane closure for the outside westbound lane at the 200 block of West Willow Road allowing contractors to complete repairs to the roadway. This closure is expected to last approximately three weeks. According to the city of Enid, two projects will begin Monday. The first will be a closure of a portion of West Elm from Jefferson to Adams to allow workers to make concrete repairs. This closure is expected to last about six weeks. The second will be a closure at the intersection of West Cherokee and Garland to allow workers to continue construction for the South Garland water line relocation project. This closure is expected to last about one week.
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CF)— Enid voters will have to make decisions on mayor and two city commission ward seats this month. David Mason and Jayme Wright Latta will face off for mayor to replace George Pankonin, who decided not to run for another term. In Ward 1, incumbent commissioner Jerry Allen will face challenger Judd Blevins. In Ward 2, incumbent Derwin Norwood will face two challengers, Doug Boyle and Kyle Hockmeyer. In Ward 5, incumbent Rob Stallings filed but did not draw an opponent, so he will serve another four-year term. The election will be February 14.
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CF)--Area residents interested in public offices in the towns of Waukomis, North Enid, Kremlin, Lahoma and Covington can file declarations of candidacy beginning 8:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, according to Garfield County Election Board. Declaration of candidacy forms must be completed and submitted to the county election board no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8. The general election for those town seats is April 4. Offices up for election are three trustees and a clerk position in Covington; three trustees and a town clerk position in Lahoma; three trustees and a clerk/treasurer position in Waukomis; and three trustees and a clerk position in North Enid. Forms can be downloaded from the state election board website, oklahoma.gov/elections, or by contacting the Garfield County Election Board office at (580) 237-6016 or 903 Failing.
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NU)--The Night to Unite (formerly Night to Shine) prom for people with special needs is scheduled for Feb. 10 at Oakwood Christian Church, but could use more volunteers. Currently, there are 150 kings and queens, as participants are called, registered to take part in the festivities. “We currently have enough buddies, but we can always use help with decorations and cleanup,” said Dalen McVay, Night to Unite board member. Each king or queen has a buddy to escort and accompany them on their special night. The buddy helps them on all phases of the prom experience, including going with them into hair and makeup and to get their corsage or boutonniere. Each king and queen walks down the red carpet. They choose to dance or do karaoke, then take pictures with various superhero characters, and even go on a limo ride. For more information, go to www.nightuniteenid.com or call Oakwood Christian Church at (580) 233-1225.
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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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