BS)--Blood supplies across the state are running low. Officials with Our Blood Institute are warning of problems as OBI experiences a shortage of blood donations. John Armitage, MD and CEO of Our Blood Institute, is alerting the community to the worsening situation of the red blood cell supply in Oklahoma, despite continuing efforts to correct the course. OBI must find appointments and new drives to yield 1,600 donors by Sunday to avoid problems for patients and hospitals. Without a strong response, according to OBI, there will be consequences, such as postponed elective surgeries, delayed transfusions and the dividing of blood bags to stretch the available blood. Jesse Dersham, director of the Enid OBI Donor Center said potential donors are asked to schedule an appointment by calling (580) 233-9323 or online at obi.org/need-you-now. The Enid center, 301 E. Cherokee, is open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Walk-in donors also are accepted.
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WS)--For a second straight day on Thursday, the NJCAA Division II Baseball World Series at David Allen Memorial Ballpark was suspended by weather. Action will resume at 10:00 this morning, followed by a second elimination game. The original 10 team field has been narrowed to four, Lansing, SE Iowa, St. Johns River State and Heartland. The 2023 Champion will be crowned this weekend.
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FF)--Weather permitting First Friday activities will be held in downtown Enid from 6:00-9:00 this evening. The theme is Tunes in June and will feature live performances at a number of venues throughout downtown where you will find over 60 locations to shop, dine and be entertained.
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AD)--Enid Public Schools athletic director Billy Tipps is leaving the district to take a similar position in Bentonville, Ark. Tipps has been EPS athletic director since he was hired in December 2018. On Tuesday, he was hired to be athletic director of Bentonville (Ark.) Public Schools, according to a story in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Before coming to Enid, Tipps was athletic/activities director and assistant principal in Winfield (Kan.) High School. Enid Public Schools will begin a search for the position.
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TD)--Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt committed Thursday to send Oklahoma National Guard troops to the Southern border. A new release by Stitt's office said this was in response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's call for reinforcements in the state. A total of 1,305 National Guardsmen and 231 law enforcement personnel will be deployed to Texas as part of the joint response. Stitt is joined by 12 other Republican governors in stating their commitment to help at the border.
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CT)--Enid Police Department is participating in the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign through June 5. EPD officials said during this period EPD officers will be out day and night enforcing seat belt and child restraint seat laws with one goal in mind, saving lives. The municipal citation for drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt is $20, and having an unrestrained or improperly restrained child can result is a $115 citation. Authorities said this is a zero-tolerance enforcement, and if you are stopped and not wearing a seat belt, you will be cited.
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