Community

Oklahoma elections have not been marred by massive allegations of fraudulent outcomes, but that does not mean the voting process has no wrinkles worth acknowledging. A sketch of the government’s “clean-up” of voter lists was included in the Oklahoma Election Board’s latest update of registra…

Oklahoma City – Twelve candidates spread across four wards are seeking to serve the next four years on the Oklahoma City Council. Incumbent Oklahoma City Council member James Cooper (Ward 2), an important player in the "Progressive" bloc at City Hall, recently strengthened his prospects for …

Oklahoma families across the state could use taxpayer funds to pay for private-school tuition under legislation filed in the state Senate. The bills, if passed, would provide the largest expansion of school-choice opportunity in state history. “It’s time to empower Oklahoma parents to be abl…

Oklahoma City’s Public Works Department treated 11 bridges and overpasses with a brine and beet solution on Sunday morning (January 22).It was all part of a pilot program to see how well the potion performs when cold wintry conditions turn up Beet juice is used with salt in cities like Calga…

Oklahoma City -- The Public Works Department has updated its alternative speed abatement program (ASAP) to make it easier for residents to reduce speeding in neighborhoods and around schools, libraries and other public buildings. According to a press release provided to The City Sentinel, “T…

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) will host its 12th annual free, two-day dental clinic on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 4, at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee. The venue will transform into a fully-operational dental facility with more than 2,000 dental pro…

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, has filed legislation for the 2023 legislative session to bring greater attention to the crisis of the high suicide rate among veterans, as well as a measure to simplify a tax benefit utilized by the organization Blue Star Mothers. Bergstrom s…

Midwest City, Oklahoma -- Intelligent.com, described in a press release as “a trusted resource for program rankings and higher education planning,” included Rose State College in its recent listing of the Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma. The research identifies top schools in the state b…

Washington, D.C. -- Members of Health Care Sharing Ministries want to know that they are in good hands. For the ministries who assist members with their needs, this means gaining the respect and trust of people who ensure best practices.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney Rex Duane Friend (October 13, 1954 - January 7, 2023) recently died peacefully in Edmond, at age 68. A community leader, Rex was born in Coldwater, Kansas to Chester and Dorothy Friend.

Oklahoma City – Earlier this month, the Oklahoma House of Representatives Democratic Caucus finalized and announced their leadership positions for the 59th Oklahoma Legislature. “We have a diverse caucus that come from a range of backgrounds and I’m excited that our leadership team reflects …

OKLAHOMA CITY – OKC Beautiful and one of its board members, Cynthia Brindley, were recently honored at Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s annual Environmental Excellence Celebration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Jay Snider of Cyril, Oklahoma, has been appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt to serve as the 2023-2024 Oklahoma State Poet Laureate. Snider is an award-winning cowboy poet and recording artist who has appeared at national and regional events.

Oklahoma City-- Early in this New Year, state Representative Annie Menz, D-Norman, cast her first votes on the Floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, becoming the only Latina to do so in the history of the House.

Oklahoma City –- The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW) is seeking nominations for 2023 inductees to the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. Nominations must be postmarked or emailed by the February 10 deadline.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

OKLAHOMA CITY - Trevor Leonard has been selected as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. Leonard joined the OKC Zoo’s team in November and will oversee all components of several Zoo departments including Buildings and Gardens, Conservation, Ed…

OKLAHOMA CITY — The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) received a $75,000 grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to continue its historic survey of All-Black towns in Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY-–Oklahoma School for the Blind students were treated to a free concert and their Jazz Band received a new guitar -- thanks to Cutter Elliott, a singer-songwriter and rising star in Oklahoma country music.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Metropolitan Library System is one of 50 U.S. libraries selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocid…

New faces will fill the majority of seats on the State Board of Education at its next meeting. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has announced new appointees for four seats along with two holdovers from his first term. The changes are not unexpected because board members often choose to step asi…

Oklahoma City – The chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) said Gov. Kevin Stitt made “one of his best decisions as governor” by appointing Dr. Deb Shropshire, M.D., to be executive director of Oklahoma Human Services.

Oklahoma City -- The list of City Council candidates dropped to 12 hopefuls after candidate Chris Cowden, who wanted to represent Ward 2, was struck from the ballot by the Oklahoma County Election Board. Residency requirements were at the core of a successful challenge to his candidacy.

The city government's series of public open house events, aiming "to gather input for the Neighborhood and Community Parks Master Plan" continues in January and February of the New Year (2023). The City of Oklahoma City is inviting residents to share ideas on improvements to 105 community an…

To keep 911 phone lines clear for people experiencing life-threatening emergencies, the City of Oklahoma City asks residents not to call 911 to report illegal fireworks on New Year’s Eve.The request was made in a press release this week, circulated by the government of the city. “Complaints …

OKLAHOMA CITY - Dr. Marcus Boyd Shook (March 6, 1933 – December 23, 2022) recently died at the age of 89 in Oklahoma City. Devoted to quality healthcare for all, he passed away at SSM/St Anthony Hospital, “one of the places he spent his life providing medical care.”

This New Year may feel more promising for many Oklahomans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families than it has before, as the future now holds hope. This year and next, 5,100 Oklahomans with IDD are expected to finally receive the services and supports they h…

NOTE: This continues a series of articles about the “Wreaths Across America” organization. Previous articles are linked below. Every year, thousands of citizens work with the Group known as "Wreaths Across America" to lay wreaths at Arlington Natoinal Cemetery during the Chrismas season. And…

As this year comes to an end, I’ve taken time to reflect on my first term in the United States Congress.Two years ago, I came to Washington as the Freshman Class President eager to learn and lead. Although, we were in the minority, and under different circumstances due to COVID-19 shutdowns …

The City of Oklahoma City has an encouraging word for residents: "Don’t simply throw your Christmas tree away – turn it into free mulch." Oklahoma City Parks will collect and mulch natural Christmas trees from December 27 through January 15. Trees must be free of lights, ornaments, nails and…

Like many parents, Sheerean Aryan faced significant challenges getting her children a quality education once the Tulsa Public Schools district embarked on a long-term shutdown in response to COVID. As a single working parent, it was not feasible to leave her two boys at home for online schoo…

Oklahoma City – Representative Rick West, R-Heavener, has refiled a bill that would grant students attending 4-H programs an excused absence from school so their grades will not be adversely affected. House Bill 1006 would prohibit schools from marking students with an unexcused absence if t…

OKLAHOMA CITY – Making the holiday season extra special and romantic, on December 21, Oklahoma City residents Wes and Imogene Atkinson celebrated their astounding and amazing 70th wedding anniversary.

 Oklahoma City Municipal Court sessions scheduled for Tuesday, December 27, are being rescheduled because state statute does not allow Municipal Court to hear cases when District Court is closed.The news was circulated this week by the Oklahoma City government this week. Defendants will be n…

Oklahoma City-based Dolese Bros. Co. recently donated one of its mixer trucks to the Granite Volunteer Fire Department. Granite VFD will convert the truck into a 5,000-gallon water supply tanker, doubling the department’s current tanker capacity. “This larger tanker will help us when we have…

The most wonderful time of the year is in full swing. Americans across the country are last minute gift shopping, cooking festive meals, and traveling to visit family. Although this is typically a joyous and busy time for many, it’s important to pause and remember the true meaning of Christm…

OKLAHOMA CITY. – Gardeners who enjoy seeing the brightly colored flowers and shrubs in the landscape during the warm summer months have the added benefit of observing birds as these feathered friends eat berries, insects and nectar. 

Work began this month on Oklahoma City's 4.3-mile Deep Fork Greenway Trail, at a spot east of the confluence of the Deep Fork River and Interstate-235 (Broadway Extension). The new bicycle and pedestrian route will connect the Katy Trail at NE Grand and I-44 to the North Grand Boulevard Trai…

With pre-Christmas temperatures expected to dip well below freezing later this week, the Oklahoma City Utilities Department wants to remind residents of how to protect their plumbing and help pipes from bursting