DD)---Dr. Dudley Darrow is expected to be returning to Enid Public Schools with a new title. Enid Board of Education members will vote on Darrow’s employment as the next superintendent during a special board meeting that has been called for Monday at noon. Darrow, who is currently the superintendent at Chisholm Public Schools, will step into his new position at Enid this summer, pending board approval. He will succeed Dr. Darrell Floyd, who will retire after serving as EPS superintendent for nine years. Darrow spent most of his career as an education professional with Enid Public Schools as a teacher, coach and administrator. He began his career in education, however, as a teacher and coach at Mustang Public Schools in 2002, before accepting similar positions at Enid High School (EHS). After 10 years in the classroom, Darrow entered school administration in 2011 as an assistant principal at EHS before becoming principal five years later. In 2020, Darrow was named the assistant superintendent of secondary education where he served until accepting his current position as Chisholm Public Schools superintendent.
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DC)--Two people were charged Wednesday in connection with the death of a newborn baby several months ago. 60 year-old Kevin Ray Helton of Hayward, and 40-year-old Sarah Nickole Helton, of Tulsa, each were charged Wednesday in Garfield County District Court with a count of second-degree murder or in the alternative of child neglect. The two have been accused, on or between Dec. 26, 2022, and Jan. 10, 2023, of causing the death of a newborn baby by neglect. Prosecutors allege the pair failed or omitted to obtain proper medical care, adequate nurturance and affection, food, clothing, shelter, sanitation or hygiene and/or special care necessary for the child’s health. The infant reportedly died at a residence in Hayward.
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LF)--- Due to a brush fire, the landfill will remain closed, temporarily. The Enid Fire Department is currently controlling the situation and coordinating with Garfield County, Solid Waste, and Enid/Garfield County Emergency Management. Normal operations are expected to commence this afternoon. Firefighters from Enid and around Garfield County spent much of Wednesday afternoon, battling a brush fire at the city of Enid’s landfill property. The fire was reported at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 1300 block of East Southgate. According to Enid Fire Department Chief Jason Currier, the fire was believed to have started after a piece of metal was accidentally run through a brush grinder causing sparks. The equipment was moved away from the fire, which was burning multiple brush piles. The city of Enid temporarily closed the landfill Wednesday due to the fire, and a portion of Southgate between 10th and 16th was blocked off, as well. EFD, as well as Waukomis, Drummond, Fairmont, Pioneer and Covington fire departments, got the situation under control, and landfill personnel used dozers to isolate the brush piles that were burning and create wind breaks. The fire was contained and under control by later afternoon. No injuries or damage was reported.
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WN)--The 11th annual Cherokee Strip Business Model Competition award winners were announced on Wednesday, during a luncheon held at Oakwood Country Club. Nine businesses entered the competition, and the four finalists were honored during the luncheon, with each receiving seed funding. First place in the competition went to Tea and Country Estate, which received $10,000 in seed funding, as well as one year of a complimentary community coworking space at the Strate Center at Autry Technology Center; second place went to CroChic Styles, which received $5,000 and one year of a coworking space at Autry; third place went to EH Metal Works, which received $3,000 and one year of a free coworking space; and fourth place went to OnPoint Operations Group, which received $1,500 in seed funding. The competition was started in 2012 and has provided around $100,000 for local entrepreneurs in that time.
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NS)--Enid Public Schools Board of Education could hire a new superintendent at a special meeting set for Monday The board will meet at noon Monday in the Administrative Services Center, 500 S. Independence. On the agenda is an item to vote “to convene or not to convene into executive session to discuss the employment and terms of employment for a superintendent,” and another item to reconvene in open session for “consideration and vote to employ and contract with an individual to serve as Superintendent of Schools.” The position will come open June 30 when Superintendent Darrell Floyd retires after nine years leading EPS. He announced in February he was retiring at the end of the school year. EPS hired Oklahoma State School Boards Association to assist in the search for a new superintendent. In addition, the district conducted focus groups and an online survey seeking public input during the search process.
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PV)--Pet owners can get their animals vaccinated and licensed for $10 this weekend during the city of Enid’s annual pet clinic. The citywide rabies shot clinic will be held noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at Chisholm Trail Expo Center on the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Open to the public, including pet owners outside of Enid, the shot clinic will include pet vaccinations for rabies and issuance of pet licenses as required by local ordinance. A city pet license is required for every dog, cat or potbellied pig over the age of 6 months old. Registering animals allows for identification of their owners, should the pet become lost or stolen. For animals that already have been vaccinated, pet owners can bring their rabies vaccination certificate, and a city pet license will be issued for $2. City pet licenses are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 in the year it is purchased. Payments can be made in cash or by personal check. No credit or debit cards will be taken at the event.
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TE)--Enid Public School Foundation’s The Event, an evening of musical and artistic performances, featuring EPS students of all ages will be held Monday. Bands, choirs and elementary groups will take the stage throughout the evening. The family event is scheduled from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Enid High School Gymnasium, 611 W. Wabash. Tickets are $5 and $2 for students performing, available for purchase at the entrance. The cost includes admission and a dinner.
EPSF is a non-profit organization, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees that supports Enid Public Schools. Proceeds from The Event, as well as other fund-raisers, benefit the organization’s Grants-To-Teachers program, which provides as much as $25,000 in materials and programs to schools every semester.
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