WR)--A Heads up to local motorists. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation said there will be a lane closure on a portion of East Willow from North 10th Street to North 16th beginning today, reducing traffic to a one lane road for traffic moving eastbound only. This phase of the project is expected to last approximately five weeks weather permitting.
There will be a road closure at the southwest corner of West Owen K. Garriott and South Independence this week allowing contractors to complete phase one of concrete sidewalk
City crews are continuing stripe streets throughout Enid. Many Enid streets are getting a fresh coat of paint and motorists are encouraged to drive with extreme caution when following the city’s paint vehicle. Do Not Pass the Paint Truck. Passing without guided instruction from the paint crew is a moving violation. The latest round of work will effect portions of North and South Grand, East and West Willow Road, West Southgate, West Rupe, West Chestnut, East and West Oxford, East and West Purdue.
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CC)—The Enid Mayor and Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting Wednesday to consider approving a letter of commitment for Icon Cinemas to build a movie theater complex in Enid. Commissioners discussed the theater plan during their recent study session. The complex will be built on South Garland, south of Walmart and will feature nine screens, including what is called an Icon screen, a larger screen with other features. The complex will also feature 11 lanes of duckpin bowling, virtual reality games, an arcade, concession stands and a bar. Developer Stetson Snell has reportedly secured a financing commitment from Madison One, with the agreement pending approval from the USDA. The total project cost is just over $23 million. The city of Enid’s investment is $2 million cash as a construction incentive, as well as a $1.8 million loan that will be paid back over 10 years at an interest rate of 5%. If the letter of commitment is approved by the commissioners, the close of the deal is expected in December or January. The project is expected to take about 14 months to complete. Wednesday’s Special meeting of the Enid City Commission will be held at 1:00 pm in Council Chambers.
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JK)--The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center of Enid is looking for its next director. Jake Krumwiede announced Friday he has accepted the director’s position for Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture in Tulsa, also known as OKPOP, and will leave the Enid museum at the end of the month. Krumwiede was named museum director at Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in July 2019. Frank Baker, president of the CSRHC Board of Directors, said the board will be working with Oklahoma Historical Society to interview candidates for the director’s position.
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SP)--Enid’s “Gaslight Shakespeare in the Park” celebrates its 30th season this month as it presents Hamlet at 8:00 p.m. Sept. 15, 16, and 17 at Government Springs Park in Enid. The event is Oklahoma’s longest running free Shakespeare in Park and is sponsored this year by Park Avenue Thrift and Security National Bank. Audiences are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, camp chairs, coolers, and snacks and enjoy a night of free entertainment under the stars. Special VIP picnic suites are also available for purchase. These include charcuterie by Bite Box Enid, priority seating, and other treats. Finally, a limited edition 30th anniversary Shakespeare in the Park t-shirt will also be available for purchase on the Gaslight’s website. For complete details on VIP suites and t-shirts, please visit the Gaslight Theatre website at www.gaslighttheatre.org/hamlet2023.
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CK)--United Way of Northwest Oklahoma will host a free Family Fun Campaign Kickoff Rally on Thursday, September 14 beginning at 6:00 PM, to raise awareness and support for its 14 nonprofit partner agencies. United Way of Northwest Oklahoma Campaign Chairs, David and Jennifer Lawrence said the event at David Allen Memorial Ballpark will include games, inflatables, food and fun. In addition to all the activities, the 14 United Way Partner agencies will be there sharing information and providing giveaways, popcorn, games and much more. All proceeds go to benefit United Way of Northwest Oklahoma and its 14 Partner Agencies. For more information regarding this event or the 2023-2024 campaign, contact the United Way office at (580) 237-0821 or email dan@unitedwayenid.org.
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WF)-- The Enid community is invited to attend the award ceremony to honor the 2023 Walk of Fame honorees Dr. Jerry Blankenship and posthumous veteran and educator Jewel William ‘J.W.’ Ridge. The 2023 Enid Walk of Fame (WOF) ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 16th at 9:00 a.m. in Grand Ballroom C at the Stride Bank Center. Each year, this annual award is presented by the Enid Mayor and Board of Commissioners during the Cherokee Strip Days celebration commemorating Enid's early pioneer spirit and heritage. Many downtown streets will be barricaded for the Cherokee Strip Parade. Walk of Fame Ceremony attendees can access the Stride Bank Center by way of the preferred barrier at the W. Owen K. Garriott and Independence intersection or by any other police-assisted barricades. To view information about the Enid Walk of Fame award, past honorees, and biographies of the 2023 inductees, go to the followingwebpage: Enid.org/WalkofFame.
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LR)--More than 400 individual runners are expected to participate in the 2023 Great Land Run at the Chisholm Trail Expo Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 16. The event will raise funds for the Great Land Run Education Foundation, which was founded in 2008 with the goal to support Chisholm and Enid public school districts. Presented by Triangle Insurance and Wymer Brownlee Wealth Strategies, the 16th annual Great Land Run race will be a fun-filled, rain or shine event featuring a USATF certified 5K and 10K course with a 7:30 a.m. start, and a half-marathon course starting at 6:30 a.m. All sponsor donations and net proceeds from the race are divided according to school district enrollment and distributed at the following year’s event. The Great Land Run Education Foundation has donated more than $500,000 to support local public education since its establishment. Race day registration begins at 5:30 a.m. Interested participants can register online at greatlandrun.com. Prices increase after Sept. 13, 2023. For more information on the Great Land Run, contact Sally Wall at (800) 894.5020, or go to great landrun.com.
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