ND)--The Enid Regional Development Alliance approved Charlene Flanery as its next executive director during a special session of the ERDA Board of Directors meeting held Thursday at Autry Technology Center. Flanery is currently the executive director of the Blackwell Industrial Authority and Blackwell Economic Development Authority and has been with both organizations for six years. She takes over as executive director, a spot that had been vacant since October following the departure of Lisa Powell. Debbie Moore has served as interim executive director since Powell left, and a search committee narrowed down a total of 26 resumes before hiring Flanery. Flanery is set to begin with ERDA on Feb. 27. She and her husband, Michael, have a daughter, Kristyn, a student in high school.
--00—10 Feb 23 7a
CF)— Early voting continues for the Enid Municipal elections. Today early voting is from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Garfield County Election Board located at 903 Failing Avenue in Enid. Enid voters will make decisions on Mayor and two City Commission ward seats. 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 Tuesday, February 14 Polls will be open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If a run-off election is necessary, it will be held on Tuesday, April 4th. The term for those elected will begin officially Monday, May 1.
--00—10 Feb 23 7a
OB)--The Oak Ridge Boys will perform Feb. 17 at Stride Bank Center as a part of the country music group’s Front Porch Singin’ Tour. The Oak Ridge Boys have provided a distinctive and recognizable sound in the country music industry for four decades. The group has over 30 top 10 country hits and a No. 1 pop song and has earned Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards. The group has scored 12 gold, three platinum and one double platinum album, plus one double platinum single. Tickets, ranging from $39 to $69, are on sale at StrideBankCenter.com or the second floor office at Stride Bank Center.
--00—
SP)--Looking for some fun? Take a trip back to the 1980s and join your favorite high school characters at prom in Gaslight Theatre’s dinner theater, Ken Davenport’s “The Awesome 80s Prom.” Everyone has come out to Wanaget High School’s event to celebrate their senior year. “The Awesome 80s Prom” will feature live music by “The Legwarmers”, sponsored by Rick’s Pharmacy and Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. There also will be a DJ. The show will be this Friday and Saturday and February 17-18, at the Stride Center Grand Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with dinner and pre-show beginning at 7:00 p.m. There will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, costume contest, and you can vote for prom king and prom queen. Tickets are $75 with dinner or $25 for show only and can be purchased at gaslighttheatre.org or at the box office, 221 N. Independence, or by calling (580) 234-2307. Dinner tickets must be purchased 48 hours in advance of show.
--00--
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.
--00--
