Edmond Life and Leisure - October 6, 2022

Edmond Ghost Tour Returns on Oct. 22

Meet historical leaders of the past

Make plans now, because a very special fall tradition, the annual Ghost Tour, returns later this month.

The Edmond Historic Preservation Trust is hosting a Ghost Tour on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Shannon Miller Park near the Edmond Library. You will get to walk around the park to different ghost scenes and hear documented stories from five of Edmond’s historical figures.

Ghost stories include Elma Childers, early land run matriarch, Mr. Earl Rodkey founder of the Flour Mill, W.Z. Spearman owner of three historic movie theaters,

Come listen to stories about Edmond’s unique and enriching heritage.

Tickets for the Historical Ghost Tour are $10 and children 10 and under are free. Tickets can be pur chased in advance at Edmond Historical Society and Museum, 431 S. Boulevard, or the night of the event.

mond Evening Sun, Carrie Nation prohibitionist against saloons on Two Street. Tour guides will lead you to different actors portraying these stories throughout the evening.

Amy

director of the Edmond History Museum, has been part of the Ghost Tours in the past.

Thunder give Vo-Tech students a media lessons they won’t forget

The Oklahoma City Thunder Media Day is jam-packed with video and photo shoots to prepare promotions for the upcoming season.

It’s hard to describe. You really need to be there, just like the Broadcast and Video Production students from Francis Tuttle Technology Center.

“I definitely got a major life experience out of it,” said Broadcast student Terrell Hunter. “I was in the green screen room. I got to work with the players a little bit, pump them up and get them in a playful mood for the video shoot.”

A group of students from instructors Waleed Salim and Marc Dillard’s classes attended Thunder Media Day on Sept. 26, and they weren’t only observers.

Francis Tuttle students got in on the action, interacting with players, working with Thunder production staff, and getting their hands on professional equipment and software that helps make the NBA team’s season so memorable.

“I was in the messaging room. Players would come in and read off cue cards and record various messages,” Lanie Hansen said. “I got a

real-world experience. You don’t get a do-over with work like that. You have to be ready to go.”

Students spent all day working in various stations. They worked with a green screen, recorded video messages, and monitored audio to ensure the final product was high quality.

Broadcast and Video Production students have participated in Thunder Media Day for several years. All of the students this year were doing it for the first time.

“What I liked is, I settled into it pretty easy,” Hunter said. “Now, I’m centered on a career working on a production team with ESPN. That’s my ultimate goal.”

Students also met with Thunder media staff and people from other outlets, such as ESPN, The Franchise, and Fox Sports. They saw first-hand the work done by professionals and how to use what they learned in their own projects.

“I really liked seeing the pattern they create to get what they want,” Hayden Mortimer, who worked with players in front of a giant LED animation screen, said. “You can take that process they use and apply it to your own work.”

City warns public of higher costs for electricity usage

Beginning in October, Edmond Electric customers will notice a change in the Fuel Adjustment Cost (FCA) rate on their monthly utility bills.

The FCA is a fee charged per kilowatt hour (kWh) used to help recover the cost of purchasing wholesale electricity. The rate is set based on market costs and, between June 2021 and June 2022, electricity prices across Oklahoma rose 48 percent. The largest driver in that rise is the cost of natural gas, which has risen more than 50 percent in a year.

Because of that, the FCA on Edmond Electric services will be set at 2.5 cents per kWh beginning in October. That fee is separate from the fee for normal electricity usage, which is 8.51 cents per kWh.

“The FCA is how we collect revenue needed to cover the cost of purchasing the energy from the wholesale market,” said Glenn Fisher, Edmond Electric Director. “This is the energy we distribute to our retail customers. Right now, we are seeing unusually high wholesale market prices for energy, and so we have made the adjustment to cover that cost. But, when we see the market readjust and lower, that FCA rate will drop too. It’s important for our customers to understand that the FCA is not a source of revenue for Edmond Electric. It is just a pass through of the costs of acquiring the wholesale energy.”

Still, as costs across the state and

nation continue to rise, it is as important as ever customers do what they can to help manage their usage and help reduce their costs. There are several ways customers can help achieve that, including:

Cooling costs are typically 60 percent of your total utility bill. For every degree you set the thermostat below 78 degrees, you use 2 to 5 percent more electricity.

Turn off lights in any room you’re not using or consider installing timers or sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.

Remember to clean the coils on your refrigerator.

Clear outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps of debris and shrubbery so they can work more efficiently.

You will conserve energy by turning off or using sleep mode for any computer not in use for two hours or more.

Lower the temperature on your water heater. A setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit provides comfortable, hot water for most uses. And installing an insulating blanket on your electric water heater should pay for itself in less than a year.

For more information about energy use in Edmond and, more specifically, in your home, call Edmond Electric today and schedule a free home energy audit which could save you money with the energy saving tips custom to your home. That number is 405-216-7608.

26

A first hand visit to an NBA team — the Oklahoma City Thunder

Are we ready for only electric vehicles?

Long touted as a way to curb carbon emissions, electric vehicles are still a long way from dominating personal transportation in the U.S. Recent research highlighted explores challenges ahead for the electric vehicle market. It seems that is all car companies are planning on building in the future. My question is, “Are we ready for it?”.

Here are some studies that explore some of the questions I have about the widespread use of electric vehicles. They explore innovative ways to spur electric vehicle purchases, such as a revamped cash-for-clunkers program, which originally made national headlines in the U.S. during the Great Recession.

Inequality and the Future of Electric Mobility in 36 U.S. Cities: An Innovative Methodology and Comparative Assessment

Patricia Romero-Lankao, Alana Wilson and Daniel Zimny-Schmitt. Energy Research & Social Science, September 2022.

The study: The authors explore social and economic inequalities in 36 U.S. cities, then discuss how those inequities can inform the rollout of transportation technologies, such as electric vehicles, so the broadest number of people can take advantage of them. They specifically explore how inequities play out for “wealthy, urban disadvantaged, urban renters, middle-class homeowners, and rural/exurban” groups.

The findings: The authors focus on 20 large metropolitan areas — each with a population of more than 1.5 million people — and 16 medium metropolitan areas — each with 500,000 to 1.5 million people — in California, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and the District of Columbia. They conclude that in order for electric vehicle rollouts to be successful, government policies will need to be tailored to the specific needs of each group. “For instance, rural/exurban populations might require electric carpooling,” the authors write. City dwellers, however, especially renters and households with lower incomes, would benefit more from electrified transit options rather than individually owned electric vehicles.

In the authors’ words: “Offering a variety of electrified options would provide benefits to the largest percentage of people and have more potential to sustainably decrease greenhouse gas emissions, reduce tailpipe emissions, and improve the health of people and ecosystems.”

Accelerating Vehicle Fleet Turnover to Achieve Sustainable Mobility Goals

Sergey Naumov, David Keith and John Sterman. Journal of Operations Management, March 2022.

The study: The authors examine potential designs for cash-for-clunkers programs that would help turn over more of the nation’s vehicle fleet to low- or noemissions vehicles. The most notable cash-for-clunkers program in the U.S., called the Car Allowance Rebate System, ran during the summer of 2009 with $3 billion in congressional allocations. People with eligible gas-guzzling cars received a credit to purchase newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Engines in the old cars were disabled and the cars scrapped.

The findings: Despite thousands of dollars in ex-

isting tax credits at the federal level and in some states for people buying zero-emissions vehicles, “alternative fuel vehicles have only achieved low singledigit market share in the United States to date,” the authors write. Their model assumes that patterns of car turnover will remain largely the same in the coming decades — with the average light vehicle having a useful life of 17 to 30 years. The authors find the design that would work best at turning over the existing vehicle fleet and reducing emissions is one that makes all gas-powered vehicles eligible, regardless of their age or fuel efficiency, and the credit reserved for those who replace their old car with a fully electric one. Government vehicle fleets being made fully electric would further spur the no-emissions vehicle market, they add.

Once again, this plan would benefit the more affluent individuals who buy most new cars. Low-income individuals tend to purchase used vehicles or forgo car ownership. In this case conversion seems to benefit the wealthy and not those folks that need the help the most.

There’s No Place like Home: Residential Parking, Electrical Access, and Implications for the Future of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Yanbo Ge, Christina Simeone, Andrew Duvall, and Eric Wood. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Technical Report, October 2021.

The report: The authors examine the types of homes that currently have charging access, noting that “there is uncertainty about how effectively home charging can scale as the primary charging location for electric vehicle owners.”

The findings: The authors find that one quarter of those surveyed have driveways or garages with electrical access, with another quarter reporting they could have such access installed. In one future scenario, the authors project that if every car on the road were electric, about one quarter of vehicles would lack at-home charging. They note that for electric vehicle ownership to extend beyond “high-income, single-family homes that have access to off-street parking,” city planners will need to consider how to provide charging infrastructure for people living in multi-family housing, such as apartment build-

ings, where overnight, off-street parking may not be easily available.

While tax incentives for switching over to electric vehicles do exist, it appears that a sizable proportion of our nation’s drivers feel tax breaks aren’t enoughinstead, they prefer hard cash as compensation. It was found that the average driver in Oklahoma would accept no less than $6,807 in cash if an allelectric car policy was enforced, and they had to switch up their vehicle. This compares to a national average of $5,988.

I am all for saving the planet folks. It seems to me that our government is declaring electric vehicles for individuals to be the end to the problem. I just don’t think it will get us there. Our government should have listened to oil greats Aubrey McClendon and T. Boon Pickens when they tried to push for a switch from gasoline to natural gas-powered vehicles.

They burn extremely clean, low maintenance, no battery waste to worry about for future generations, inexpensive fuel and you can fill up at a gas station. The structure is already in place. Because the two were labeled self-serving, their advice was ignored. Had we moved in the direction of natural gas power, our air would already be a lot cleaner. So far, the electric car movement is geared only toward the wealthy with middle- and lower-income folks left to pay or be left out.

We keep getting told that electric is the future, but it seems burdened with problems to me. California is the start where residents are being told limit their home electricity use to avoid rolling black outs, but you have to convert to an all-electric car. Does that make any sense? How would people have been able to move in Texas when most of the state was without power two years ago.

We keep being told how vulnerable our power grid is to sabotage and take over by a foreign government. If that is the case, are we expected to hand over our ability to transport goods and move around as well. There may be a form of electric vehicle in our future but a lot more work needs to be done regarding battery life, battery disposal and battery charging. Until then, our government needs to consider a back up plan such as natural gas-powered vehicles.

Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached by e-mailing, ray@edmondpaper.com

“Four Seasons” in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Please e-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Commissioned as a partnership between UCO, the City of Edmond and the Edmond Visual Arts

by sculptor Kevin Box of New Mexico

March 24, 2011.

Kevin is a member of the National

metal as part of the casting process

percent recyclable.

was

campus

Ray Hibbard

Pictured, back row, left to right: Dallas Caldwell, associate vice president for Enrollment Management at UCO; Jancy Scott, senior director for recruitment and admissions at UCO; Charlotte Simmons, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at UCO; Christopher Lynch, vice president for Enrollment and Student Success at UCO; Liliana Rentería Mendoza, Ed.D., executive director for Academic Curriculum and Policy at UCO; Glenda Todd, assistant director for eLearning strategy and program development at UCO; Linda Banks, Ph.D., assistant vice president for Academic Affairs at UCO; Holly Avila, registrar and director of student records at Redlands; Annie Pearson, dean of academics at Redlands; Tricia Hobson, executive director of Student Services at Redlands. Front row, left to right, Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar, UCO president; and, Jack Bryant; Redlands president.

UCO & Redlands establish student transfer partnership

The University of Central Oklahoma and Redlands Community College now have a transfer agreement that provides Redlands students with a seamless transfer experience to Central. The institutions celebrated the partnership with a signing ceremony at Central, Sept. 30.

“This transfer agreement provides a seamless pathway for Redlands students to become Central Bronchos after earning their associate degree,” said Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar, UCO president.

“Partnerships like this help break down barriers for those who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree.”

Through the partnership, Redlands students will have the opportunity to access various resources provided by Central, which will facilitate a smooth transition to the university, allowing students to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Additionally, Central will create academic pathways for Redlands' top transfer majors. These academic pathways are created for student use and outline a clear path from Redlands to

Central, which creates a simplified transfer experience and allows students the opportunity to begin quickly and easily pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

"Redlands staff has been diligently ensuring that our courses are easily transferrable,” said Jack Bryant, Redlands president.

“We are excited to solidify this partnership, which will encourage students to expand their academic credentials by including an associate degree and providing a smoother path to a bachelor's degree.”

The agreement also includes dedicated on-site and virtual support personnel for Redlands students to facilitate the transfer process and build relationships with students, coadvising opportunities for UCO and Redlands advisers and co-programming opportunities to connect Redlands and UCO students.

For more information about Central, visit uco.edu.

For more information about Redlands Community College, visit redlandscc.edu.

YWCA involved in housing plan

YWCA OKC is launching a planning process for construction on transitional housing for young adults who age out of the foster care system. Thanks to a $2.8 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and in partnership with Pivot, Inc, the unit will house up to 14 teenagers as they transition out of the system and navigate life after foster care.

“The outcomes for most kids who age out of foster care is not good," says Jan Peery, YWCA OKC President & CEO. "One out of five will end up homeless and 25% will end up in the criminal justice system within two years. We hope this new facility will provide a safe place to prevent the victimization of young girls."

YWCA OKC is excited about the approval of the Future H.O.P.E. Program and the impact it will provide to the state. This project will expand an already ongoing collaboration between YWCA OKC and Pivot, Inc. to provide safe housing, programs for educational opportunities, job readiness skills classes, and independent living preparation and life skills classes. This project will intervene and have a substantial financial impact, saving the social services system $8.75 million over 4 years with

the first 14 youth served.

“When a community takes responsibility for children through the child welfare system, it is important to see that through into adulthood. I commend the state of Oklahoma for taking this step to fulfill their commitment to youth who are aging out of foster care by helping to launch them into housing.” Sue Ann Arnall, Arnall Family Foundation and YWCA program donor.

The $2.8 million grant was approved by a joint legislative committee, chaired by Representative Jeff Boatman and Senator Chuck Hall, formed to decide how to appropriate the federal ARPA funds.

“YWCA OKC is grateful to the House and Senate for conducting a transparent and deliberative process to fund these projects with ARPA dollars received by the state,” said Peery.

“We are especially thankful to Representative Boatman and Senator Hall for their time, energy and unanimously approving our proposal.  Our hope is the work of the Joint Committee will advance to the Governor’s desk so YWCA OKC can help these vulnerable teenagers who are aging out of foster care become productive Oklahoman women.”

(The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department.

Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.

Also, CDS is controlled dangerous substance; APC is Actual Physical Control; DUI is driving under the influence.)

Sept. 19

Ryan Emerson Hess, 25 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Laquan Ladell Sloan, 30 of Spencer. (Felony) larceny of merchandise from retailer.

Amanda M. Lounder, 33 of Edmond. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Sept. 20

Scott Lee Long, 43 homeless. Public intoxication.

Andrew Welty Brogan, 36 of Edmond. Two felony warrants.

Courtney Blain Nowlin, 29 of Oklahoma City. A felony warrant.

Wilbur Lee Mattox Jr., 41 of Oklahoma City. Petty larceny.

Sept. 21

Dashawn Sharkel Runnels, 29 of Oklahoma City. Two misdemeanor warrants and three felony war-

rants.

Sept. 22

Nathaniel Lee Williams, 31 of Oklahoma City. Carrying a weapon (under the influence of alcohol or drugs) and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Carson Jonathan Hofmann, 20 of Edmond. False representation to an officer and public intoxication.

Leah Michele Flowers, 51 of Edmond. Improper lane use, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Jennifer Joy Todd, 43 homeless. Failure to appear.

Michael Gonzales, 35 of Philadephia, Pa. Malicious injury or destruction of property.

Stacy Dawn Gescat 35 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Sept. 23

Travis Lane Prichard, 53 homeless. Three counts of failure to appear.

Coty Dale Wallace, 34 of Edmond. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and (misdemeanor) domestic abuse assault.

Sept. 24

Christopher Ryan Higgins, 34 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Casey Chad Walker, 36 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Zachary Joseph Hedrick, 26 of Dallas, Texas. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Sirrobert Paul Ratliff, 35 of Edmond. Non-assault resisting officer and public intoxication.

Trevor Bruce Randall, 41 of Edmond. (Misdemeanor) domestic abuse assault.

Caleb Matthew Hatton, 32 of Edmond. Expired tag over three months, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Sandra Lee Gragg, 44 of Edmond. Failure to appear, public intoxication and non-assault resisting officer.

Sept. 25

John Paul Wynn, 46 of Albuquerque, N.M. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Cruz Antonio Maldonado, 54 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Jamie Lynn Adkins, 39 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Camila Marie Cowo, 36 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

Jason Lyn Melott, 41 of Oklahoma City. Possess CDS and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or combination of schedule 1 chemical or controlled substance.

Roilin A. Fields, 33 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Weekend calendar of events, Oct. 6-9

What’s Happening This Weekend Oct 6-9

In the Gallery

Farmer’s Market

Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road: American Musical Ambassadors

Nerf Battles

The Wedding Singer

Frontier City Fright Fest

Wings Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch

Live Music at Frenzy October

VIBES: Downtown Edmond’s Art Experience

Cherokee Cultural Celebration

Sip & Smoke

Community Ofrenda

Sunday Spotlight: Col. Zack Mulhall Stock Saddle

Signature Tour

Drop-In Drawing: En Casa del Agave (Place of the Agave)

Fall Festival at the Orr Family Farm

Guthrie Haunts

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

OKC Ghost Tour

Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch

Wicked Forest of Terror

Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival

The Criterion presents: Big Wild in Concert

ARTONTAP

First Friday Gallery Walk

Asian Moon Festival

Pumpkinville

Hispanic Fiesta

Claude Hall’s Original OKC Gun Show

Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show

VegFestOKC

Haunt the Zoo

Outdoor October: Biketober

History & Haunts at the Overholser

SoonerFest Live

Full Moon Bike Ride

Round Barn Rendezvous

OKC Philharmonic presents: Felix Mendelssohn’s

Magic Lantern Star Ball on Paseo

Information

In the Gallery

Info:

Fine Arts Institute

Oct 6;

Farmer’s Market

Location: Festival Market Place

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 16 – Wed, Oct 19; 8 a.m.

p.m.; edmondok.gov

Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road: American Musical Ambassadors

Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum

Extra Info: Sun, May 1 – Sat, Dec. 1; edmondhistory.org

Location: The Hive Basketball Complex

Extra Info: Fri, Sept. 2---- Sat, Dec 17; 6 – 8 p.m.;

$13/hr or $20/2 hr; arena51fun.com

Frontier City Fright Fest

Location: Frontier City

Extra Info: Sat, Sep 24 – Sun, Oct 30; Sat & Sun Only – hours vary; $34.99; sixflags.com

Wings Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch

Location: Wings Event Center

Extra Info: Fri, Sep 30 – Sun, Oct 23; Fri & Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sun: 1 – 6 p.m.; Free; wingsok.org

Live Music at Frenzy October

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Thu, Oct 6; 6 p.m.; Free; Featuring Kyle Dillingham with VIBES; Fri, Oct 7; 8 p.m.; Featuring Christian Schafer; Sat, Oct 8; Featuring Kentucky Daisy; frenzybrewing.com

VIBES: Downtown Edmond’s Art Experience

Location: Downtown Edmond

Extra Info: Thu, Oct 6; 5 – 9 p.m.; Free; edmondvibes.org

Cherokee Cultural Celebration

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Fri, Oct. 7; 10:30 a.m. ---- 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Sip & Smoke

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 7; 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Community Ofrenda

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 1 – Wed, Nov 2; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Sunday Spotlight:

Col. Zack Mulhall Stock Saddle

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sun, Oct 9; 1 – 1:30 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Signature Tour

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 8 & Sun, Oct 9; 1 ---- 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Drop-In Drawing: En Casa del Agave (Place of the Agave)

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sun, Oct 9; 2 – 3 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Fall Festival at the Orr Family Farm

Location: Orr Family Farm

Extra Info: Sat, Sep 24 – Sat, Nov 12; orrfamilyfarm.com

Location: 4524 Riverside Circle, Guthrie, OK

Extra Info: Fri, Sep 16 – Fri, Nov 5; guthriecaregrounds.com

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Location: The Boom!

Extra Info: Fri, Sep 16 – Mon, Oct 31; Dinner service starts 5:30 p.m.; Performance: 7 p.m.; theboomokc.com

OKC Ghost Tour

Location: 101 E Sheridan Ave

Extra Info: Fri, Sep 16 – Fri, Oct 28; Tours begin at 7 p.m.; Eventbrite.com

Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch

Location: 720 S Henney Rd, Arcadia, OK

Extra Info: Wed, Sep 21 – Sun, Nov 13; Wed – Fri: 1 p.m. – dark; Sat: 10 a.m. – dark; Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; parkhurstranch.com

Wicked Forest of Terror

Location: 9420 W I-40 Service Rd, OKC

Extra Info: Sat, Sep 24 – Mon, Oct 31; 8 p.m. –close; Tiny Terror: arrive before sundown Oct 22 & 29 only; wickedforestofterror.com

Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival

Location: Cottonwood Flats Recreation Area, Guthrie, OK

Extra Info: Thu, Oct 6 – Sat, Oct 8; 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.; oibf.com

The Criterion presents: Big Wild in Concert

Location: The Criterion

Extra Info: Thu, Oct 6; 7 p.m.; criterionokc.com

ARTONTAP

Location: Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 7; 7 – 10 p.m.; okcmoa.com

First Friday Gallery Walk

Location: Paseo Arts District

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 7; 6 – 9 p.m.; thepaseo.org

Asian Moon Festival

Location: Plunkett Park, Edmond, OK

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 7; 6 – 8 p.m.; uco.edu

Pumpkinville

Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 7 – Sun, Oct 23; 10 a.m. 5 p.m.; myriadgardens.org

Hispanic Fiesta Location: Scissortail Park

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 7; 5 – 10 p.m.; scissortailpark.org

Claude Hall’s Original OKC Gun Show

Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 8 – Sun, Oct 9; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; okcgunshow.com

Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show

Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 8 – Sat, Oct 15; gnwcmhs.com

Hurricane Ian aftermath

Local medical team leaves for Florida

The Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health neonatal transport services team left for Fort Myers, Florida, recently to assist in evacuating NICU babies from area hospitals. Oklahoma Children’s Hospital’s team was requested due to being one of only a few neonatal transport teams in the nation. It is expected they will assist in evacuating up to 75 critically ill and pre-term babies to other hospitals in the state or nearby states, depending upon hospital access.

“The impact of Hurricane Ian has been devastating for Florida. With one of only a few neonatal care flight teams in the country, we have a rare skill set needed to evacuate critically ill and premature babies out of the hurricane zone and to safe hospital surroundings. As Oklahomans, we have been through natural disasters and have seen first responders from across the country come to our aid. It is our honor to head to Florida and help these patients and their families,” said Andrew Gormley, M.D., medical director Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Critical Care Transport.

“We feel very fortunate to possess the skills that are needed to be able to help these babies in their time of need. When we received the call to help it was never question of IF we were going. It was how fast can we safely get there to get to work evacuating the babies in need,” Kaylun Peters, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital neonatal transport team member.

Burn ban noted

The Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners has just implemented a County-wide Burn Ban for Oklahoma County, effective immediately and in place for 14 days unless rescinded by like process. I have attached a copy of Resolution (#2022-3863) for your use.

Exceptions include “Outdoor cooking in approved cooking appliances is permissible with due caution.”

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact this office.

David K. Barnes, Director Oklahoma County Office of Emergency Management

PHOTO PROVIDED

The three Oklahoma Children’s Hospital team members who left recently to help in Florida are front to back, Jamie Lewis, Chelsea Watson and Kaylun Peters.

Genealogy meeting set for Oct. 19

Females also contributed to Wild West Heritage

Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp are names familiar to all of us and conjure up images of tough guys with guns.  Outlaws and lawmen who were part of the history of the settling, and settling down, of the western portion of the United States and often immortalized in print and movies.

However, it wasn’t just men who were part of the wild west. There were several notorious female outlaws and famous female crack shooters.  Many others, not as well known, defied the traditional role of women. Many of them have Oklahoma connections.

The Oklahoma Home and Community Education Genealogy Group will host “Sunbonnets, Saddlebags and Six-Shooters: Some Remarkable

Women of the Wild West”, presented by Genealogy Group President Jan Beattie on October 19th.  Jan will explore a few notable, even infamous women who created quite a stir during their time, including one of her own relatives.

Jan Beattie is a native of California, but came to Oklahoma more than 35 years ago to attend college and never left.  Now married with two children and a new granddaughter and retired from the medical field she has time for her genealogy hobby.  Jan is involved in several genealogy and lineage-based societies and loves to share her

knowledge and genealogical passion with others.  She is President of the OHCE Genealogy Group, President of the Edmond Genealogical Society, Registrar for Cordelia Steen D.A.R Chapter in Edmond and a member of Oklahoma D.A.R. State Speakers Staff.  She holds memberships in several other organizations and is involved in “Cemetery Hopping” to help others locate the final resting places of their Oklahoma ancestors.

Beattie

Our meeting is held the third Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Oklahoma County Extension office, 2500 NE 63rd Street, and the public is invited to attend.  For more information about this presentation, and our group, please check our page on Facebook: OHCE Genealogy Group or our website:  www.ohcegenealogy.com.

Crawford named full-time dean

Oklahoma City University officials last week announced interim nursing Dean Gina Crawford has been appointed as the fulltime dean of the university’s Kramer School of Nursing. The selection follows a nationwide search.

Crawford’s professional career includes more than 30 years as a registered nurse, 17 years as a family nurse practitioner and 10 years at Oklahoma City University as a full-time faculty member, with seven of those years in leadership positions.

“Based on her track record as interim dean, the respect of her colleagues and her untiring passion for the health care profession, I’m confident in Dr. Crawford’s ability to lead

the nursing school into its next chapter,” OCU President Kenneth Evans said.

Prior to assuming the interim dean role, Crawford was assistant dean and chair of the advanced practice program at the Kramer School of Nursing. Her clinical interests are in rural health care, primary care and increasing access to health care in underserved areas.

In addition to her responsibilities at the nursing school, she is a peer evaluator for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and an appointed member of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing Advanced Practice Advisory Committee.

She is also a member of multiple nursing and nurse practitioner organizations.

School notes cyber security

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and due to high industry demand, Oklahoma City Community College is offering more cybersecurity courses. A new 8-week term starts on Oct. 17, and most courses are offered online and oncampus. All classes help students earn a certificate or associate degree.

“The Cyber/Information Security Program at OCCC has been a leader in bringing information security education to students since 2003,” said Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, OCCC President. “Because technology continues to grow, cybersecurity jobs are in demand now more than ever. OCCC’s cybersecurity program will prepare students for Oklahoma’s needs in this

field.”

OCCC is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. OCCC, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges and Microsoft, is participating in the ‘Cyber Skills for All: Community Colleges Lead the Way’ initiative to bolster workforce development.

Learn more about the associate degree pathway hand the certification pathway by checking out the school webpage. Scholarship opportunities available.

To enroll, go to https://www.occc.edu/registration/.

Crawford

Downtown scarecrow contest is back for the fifth year

The Downtown Edmond Business Association (DEBA) is hosting their fifth annual scarecrow decorating contest. Members of DEBA were each given a scarecrow and asked to decorate it and display it in the downtown area to help bring fall fun to Downtown Edmond.

Last year, our scarecrow contest was a huge success and we are excited to keep this an annual tradition. We feel this is a fun way to attract people to downtown Edmond to see the scarecrows while bringing some fall cheer to the streets. Everyone has been excited to participate again and

the scarecrows are even more creative this year.

The public is invited to vote on their favorite scarecrows on social media beginning October 6 through October 31.

To find out more about the event, follow Downtown Edmond on Facebook and Instagram.

About Downtown Edmond

Downtown Edmond Business Association (DEBA) is a membership organization formed by business owners in Downtown Edmond. DEBA holds many family-friendly events throughout the year.

MATH CONFER-

ENCE AT UCO —-

The University of Central Oklahoma College of Mathematics and Science recently hosted top industry leaders from around the Oklahoma City metro for a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industry careers panel, pictured, Sept. 9. Pictured, panelists answer questions from UCO students.

RAY HIBBARD

Channel 9 weather expert David Payne is part of this year’s Scarecrow contest, sponosred by the Downtown Edmond Business Association. David Payne is at Edmond Life & Leisure’s office, 107 S. Broadway.

The swamp getting worse

By Steve Gust

Just out of curiosity, did everyone see the mistake

President Biden made last week?

He was at a press event and he called out a deceased lady to come forward.

It’s not his first mistake. The aftermath of it is what surprises me.

To my knowledge, none of the major news networks, other than Fox, carried it.

It would be huge news if Trump did it.

I was also astounded at the way Biden’s press secretary tried to cover up the incident.

She was spinning the event that Biden knew the Congreswoman, who was killed in an August auto accident, had died.

Yet Biden, according to the press secretary, mentioned her name to honor her for her work.

Wow. That’s how propaganda works, folks. It’s frustrating to me

to see what’s happening in the nation.

We have a press corps that refuses to provide news when it appears to make someone on their side look bad.

We have a Department of “Injustice” headed by Merrick Garland, one of the most partisan Attorney Generals in history. And he’s one of the worst also. He still should resign as soon as possible.

We have an FBI, which should be renamed the Federal Bureau of Persecution.

Last week back east the FBI raided the home of a Catholic father of seven with guns drawn. The man is involved in a pro-life ministry.

It’s really incredible what’s going on in the swamp.

What apparently is happening, is that we have some powerful politicians and agencies, which are not being held accountable by anyone.

It’s ridiculous.

Welcome to liberal America.

(Steve Gust may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com)

Side

Representative welcomes gender medical restriction

Rep. Kevin West, ROklahoma City, today expressed his support for special session legislation restricting improper gender reassignment medical treatment at OU Children's Hospital and predicted a statewide restriction will be considered in regular session.

In a special session later this week to consider pandemic relief funding bills, OU Children's Hospital could receive an additional $39.4 million appropriation via HB1007 to improve its ability to help Oklahoma children by increasing long-term inpatient capacity for children in mental health crisis. HB1007 limits the University Hospital Authority Trust, which oversees

OU Children's Hospital, from receiving the funds if "gender reassignment medical treatment" services are being performed within its medical system.

"I'm thankful for language in this bill that protects children from the practice of mutilation through gender reassignment medical treatment," said West. "This unbelievably harmful practice cannot be reversed, and has lasting physical and psychological consequences that can damage these children for the rest of their lives."

The Second Extraordinary Session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature was called for the purpose of considering

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other funding advanced by the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding. West said that the limited scope of the special session will not allow for legislation to prohibit the performance of "gender reassignment medical treatment" statewide, but he expects legislation to be filed quickly when legislators return for the beginning of the 59th Legislature in January.

"Due to the call of the special session, this is as much as the Legislature can currently do to address this topic," said West. "However, I know many legislators are ready to support legislation that will prohibit the practice statewide once we get back in regular session, myself being one of them. Passing this legislation now will provide protections for children, and we can further expand those protections when we come back in the spring. The radical Left may be making a national push to try and allow the mutilation of our children to become mainstream, but here in Oklahoma we have to stand up for our kids and say enough is enough."

Lankford’s thoughts for his constituents

It is starting to feel like fall in Oklahoma, but unfortunately as temperatures finally decline, prices are still rising. Gas prices have come down some, but diesel prices are still up, the price of eggs and essentials are up and interest rates are way up. All that “free money” the administration passed out last year brought record high inflation and real economic pain to everyone.

Thankfully, what’s also “up” is the Oklahoma Standard as neighbors step in to help people in need when they need it. I encourage each family to find one practical way to help another family in this challenging time. Our churches, local nonprofits, city rescue missions, food banks, and others who step up to help feed, clothe, and care for Oklahoma families need our time and partnership to meet this moment.

I have reminded many groups lately that the Constitution begins with the word “we” for a reason. Our nation is built on the strength of “we.” We must stand strong for our nation, our families, our communities, and for our freedoms—together.

What’s Happening with Government Funding?

Every year Congress is supposed to pass 12 appropriations bills through committee, then pass the bills in the full Senate and House. Last week, we saw

peak government dysfunction as Democrats had to cobble together a Continuing Resolution to keep the government functioning until December 16, 2022, because they did not bring a single federal spending bill even to committee in the past nine months.

I continue to press for my bill to end the threat of government shutdowns by holding Congress responsible, not federal employees or Americans, for failing to fund the government on time. We live in the greatest nation in the world, we should not have a threat of government shut down every year.

Standing up for Parents to Make School Choices for Kids

I am the son of a teacher and someone who really appreciated the teachers in my life and my children’s lives. But, like many other parents, I get frustrated when schools get distracted by social issues and become political proving grounds. So, I speak out and stand up for our kids and parents.

Parents should make the decisions for their kids future and the values for their family, not Washington, DC, mandates or national political groups.

Recently, the Biden Administration threatened to cut off school lunch funding, unless the schools adopted the left’s progressive gender ideology. Literally, the Administration said that they would cut off

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food from children, if the school did not allow boys in the girls locker room and bathrooms.

Oklahoman parents are furious—rightly so.

Are Foreign Nationals Buying Land in Oklahoma? Yes. They are.

When I chat with folks in rural Oklahoma, one of the most persistent questions I’m asked is, "What’s being done to stop foreign nationals form buying land in our state?"

Oklahoma’s “legal” medical marijuana industry has predictably attracted transnational criminal organizations to Oklahoma that are trafficking drugs and people. These criminal organizations partner with Chinese nationals and other foreign entities to buy land and buildings throughout our state. This is a real national security and human rights issue.

This has also exposed a vulnerability for the entire nation, we do not have a system in place to evaluate foreign purchases of land around military and sensitive infrastructure. We need to know who is buying our land, how they are using it, and if any criminal activity is occurring. That’s why I introduced the Security and Oversight of International Landholdings (SOIL) Act in order to provide oversight and transparency of purchases of US agricultural land that threaten national security.

Southern Border Chaos

Did you know that the national training center for all United States Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations is located in Oklahoma? When I was there earlier this month, the agents relayed to me that last year, CBP intercepted 86 million pounds of fentanyl—enough to kill the population of the entire world TWICE.

Just last week new data suggests that number is tragically even higher this year.

Yes, you read that right. Who knows how much got past them and to our streets.

The drugs coming over our border in mass quantities are making their way to our state and killing Oklahomans.

Dear Oklahoma friends and neighbors:

Steve Gust

Louisiana is a foodie paradise

By Elaine Warner

Here’s a quiz. Name the states with these nicknames: 1. The Last Frontier; 2. Empire State; 3. Grand Canyon State; 4. Sunshine State. These are pretty definitive and easy to guess. How about Pelican State? Not satisfied with just one, this state also claims Sugar State and Creole State. If you put these clues together and came up with Louisiana, good for you! None of these Louisiana names resonate with me – for me, Louisiana is all about the food.

My last article introduced you to Natchitoches Meat Pies (and I goofed on the mileage from Edmond, which is actually 448 miles). I’ve eaten my way across the state and here’s some more evidence that, for great taste, you can’t beat Louisiana.

A real tradition is the old-fashioned crawfish boil – a combination of crawfish, potatoes, and corn on the cob. There is a crawfish season which peaks right around March. It’s worth making some calls to find a restaurant serving a traditional boil, which has to start with live crawfish..

There’s an art to eating crawfish --- I only eat the tails. I haven’t been brave enough to suck the juices out of the heads, though some people do. Edmond’s Dr. Karl Nelson, an accomplished boilmaster, suggests squeezing the juice onto the potatoes. Plan to get messy. Shreveport’s Memorial

weekend Mudbug Madness Festival is a prime time to celebrate the humble crawfish.

The Little Big Cup in Arnaudville presents the acme of crustacean cuisine with their signature dish, the Cajun Kevin Po’ Boy. Toasted French bread towers are stuffed with Gulf shrimp, lump blue crab meat, crawfish tails and andouille sausage in a mixed pepper, Parmesan, butter and cream reduction.

For something completely different, try a Muffy at Fertitta’s Delicatessen in Shreveport. In the family since 1927, the deli began life as a grocery store which morphed into a deli, then sandwich shop. The famous sandwich is a Sicilian riff on the classic New Orleans muffaletta. A plate-sized muffaletta bun is filled with a variety of meats and cheese and Sam Fertitta’s unique olive mix. Take a friend or get a doggy box, this is one big sandwich.

New Orleans, of course, can claim to be the

Queen of Cuisine – so many things to choose from. I go for sentimentality. The summer I graduated from high school, my family went to New Orleans, and my dad took us to dinner at Antoine’s. Founded in 1840, it’s now owned by the fifth generation of the founding family. This is where Oysters Rockefeller were invented in 1899 – a must order if only for tradition. It’s said that the secret to the sauce has never been revealed. Another must for me is the Baked Alaska.

The main dining room at Antoine’s is starkly elegant – black bentwood chairs, white table cloths and white dishes, and antique light fixtures. The restaurant also has a number of private dining rooms. The Rex Room, one of several named for Mardi Gras krewes, is positively royal in emerald green and gold with displays of krewe finery.

It’s also traditional, if touristy, to have coffee and beignets at the Café du Monde.

The beignets here are liberally sprinkled with powdered sugar – don’t wear black clothes!

In Cajun country, you may find the beignets stuffed with boudin. At Calla in Lake Charles, you can get them stuffed with blue crab meat.

Boudin, a sausage-like concoction, most commonly contains pork, liver, rice, onions, and seasonings and is stuffed into casings. You can find boudin many places – from restaurants to gas stations. For a true artery-hardening twist, boudin is sometimes taken out of the casings, formed into balls, breaded and deep-fried. Although widely

Antoine’s Rex Room for private dining is the most elegant of the rooms in the restaurant.

Elaine

The Cajun Kevin Po’Boy is a signature dish at the Little Big Cup in Arnaudville, Louisiana.

Classic Café du Monde beignets, a type of French donut, are generously dusted with powdered sugar.

The dinner-plate-sized Muffy at Fertita’s makes more than a meal for one.

Elaine

available, I had some fine ones at B and C Seafood Market and Cajun Restaurant in Vacherie, on the Great River Road.

If you happen to be in Lafayette, book one of Marie Ducote’s Cajun Food Tours. You’ll hit five great spots in three hours. Different tours take you to different eateries. The tour I took started with family-owned Johnson’s Boucaniere. In business since the 1930s, they smoke meats, barbecue and make their own boudin.

Our tour started early so this was our first food of the day, pulled pork stuffed grilled cheese sandwiches on buns, pressed and served with sides of Johnson’s homemade barbecue sauce. What an eye-opener! At subsequent stops we tried fried shrimp po’ boys, beignets stuffed with boudin, gumbo and bread pudding. All this before lunch!

Lake Charles is another foodie mecca. L’Auberge Resort and Casino is not only a great place to stay and play, you’ll enjoy a variety of food options. Barstool Sportsbook provides dishes created by Chef Lyle Broussard and a spot for sports betting. Other restaurants in L’Auberge specialize in Asian cuisine, steaks, seafood and comfort food.

Elsewhere in Lake Charles, for breakfast or lunch, try The Bekery for yummy baked goods, quiches, sandwiches and more.

Personally, I’m a hot dog junkie so I love Botsky’s – not your average doggery. Sure, you can get very traditional dogs, but choices here include Kobe beef dogs, duck dogs and alligator dogs.

Eating out is one of the best – and worst – part of my job. As a Weight Watcher, Louisiana is a real challenge. On my last visit, I gained five pounds in a week – and it was worth every ounce. If I had been asked to pick a nickname for the state – I know what it would be – Louisiana: The Great Plate State.

FYI: Quiz answers: 1. Alaska; 2. New York; 3. Arizona; 4. Florida

CIA-trained Lyle Broussard cooks

game-day

Barstool Sportsbook

L’Auberge Resort and Casino.

PHOTO

Lake Charles

The pastry crew at L’Auberge creates clever confections like tasty cookies and the totally edible chocolate skillet over the open candy fire.

Megan Gold, originally from Edmond

Miss Okla. moves into nursing home

On any given day you might find the reigning Miss Oklahoma, Megan Gold, eating in the dining room or working out in the fitness center at Covenant Living of Inverness. Gold has taken up residence at the Tulsa senior living community to help solidify her focus on aging services and older adult wellness. This intergenerational living arrangement provides Gold with endless opportunities to gain the perspective of a much older and seasoned generation.

“My social impact initiative is really more honed in on ending senior hunger and while that isn’t the situation here at Covenant Living at Inverness, living here gives me an opportunity to better understand older adults and their thoughts on many issues they encounter,” said Gold. “While I’ve only been here a short time, my new neighbors have been so open and welcoming.”

Since moving to Covenant Living, the community held a reception and “meet and greet” with Megan as a way for residents and employees to get acquainted with her.

“We’re all used to having younger family members or grandchildren here at our community all the time but having a resident in her early 20s living here makes for wonderful intergenerational interactions,” said Garrett Lee,

executive director at Covenant Living at Inverness. “It will be exciting for all of us here to watch as Megan fulfills her Miss Oklahoma duties and vies for the Miss American title.”

Gold shares that she had never been introduced to the concept of a Continuing Care Retirement Community like Covenant Living, where independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory are offered at one location.

“There are so many stigmas in our society about assisted living and skilled nursing,” said Gold. “Yet I can see how all the residents here — at all levels of living—are really given the choice to live life to their fullest. One resident who lives in independent living told me its best to move in while you have a choice and can take advantage of all the activities and new friendships. That is incredibly powerful.”

Gold continues to work as a meteorologist and keep up with her duties as Miss Oklahoma. She will reside at Covenant Living until June 2023 or until December of this year if she is successful at becoming the next Miss America. If that happens, she will move to fulfill those duties.

“However long I live here at Covenant Living, I know I will cherish this unique opportunity for the rest of my life,” added Gold.

Megan Gold tells Covenant residents something about herself.

Megan Gold visiting with one of her neighbors.

Movie has horror film fans smiling

By George Gust

Welcome to October! It’s finally fall and we’re leaving the dregs of the summer season on its last legs.

Now we’ll be treated to a mixture of Oscar fare and more spooktacular selections from Hollywood. Enter “Smile” the first horror film attempting to scratch your Halloween itch.

After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain.

Rose must confront her own troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

“Smile” is a throwback horror film to the early 2000s procedural horror genre that was perfected by the American adaptation of “The Ring.” And in “Smile” you get a similar unnerving set of images and a ticking clock to your eventual doom from a frightening paranormal force. And for the familiar set up for a horror film, “Smile” is affective in that it builds an at-

mosphere of dread and punctuated by the film’s affinity for jump scares- an affective scare tactic but seen by most as a cheap effect.

In terms of filmmaking “Smile” surprisingly makes plenty of interesting choices that elevate it from the quick and dirty shocking horror movie.

There’s a sensitivity in the color grading and cinematography that builds the building cursed feeling of the film. The overall creepy mood of the film is consistent throughout and all of the

performances are locked into that tone. Bacon especially is able to convey the trauma and fear successfully through her performance and her physicality.

Overall, “Smile” is a solidly scary horror film that features all the elements that make for a spooky and unnerving movie theater experience.

While much of the film leans heavily on the cursed buildup that you’d expect, the moments of gore and unsettling imagery that delivers the scares that can stay with you long after you’ve left the theater. “Smile” is a good place to start if you’re a fan of the October spooky movie season.

“Smile” is rated R for strong violent content and grisly images, and language.

3 out of 5 stars.

You can reach George Gust to comment on this film, or any of his motion picture reviews at gust.george@gmail.com.

Polar Express scheduled

The Oklahoma Railway Museum has several events this fall, including a ride on the Polar Express Nov. 11 to Dec. 27

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and delicious Walkers Shortbread Cookies are served by dancing chefs. Passengers then read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg.

Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. During the trip, characters on each car lead passengers in caroling and onboard entertainment just like in the film! Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip. First Class passengers also receive a collectible THE POLAR EXPRESS™ ceramic mug to take home.

Crossword

PHOTO PROVIDED

Sosie Bacon stars as a therapist who uncovers a demonic curse in the unnerving horror thriller ‘Smile’ a film that will leave you doing anything but.

NE State Thursday

Bronchos playing for President’s Cup

Central Oklahoma hosts Northeastern State Thursday night in MIAA action at Chad Richison Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Central Oklahoma is 3-2 on the season and has an official win streak. The Bronchos followed their 23-14 win against then No. 2 Northwest Missouri with a 45-3 rout of Lincoln this past weekend.

Northeastern State is 1-4 on the season with its lone win coming against Lincoln two weeks ago.

"It's a rivalry game so it's going to be intense and competitive," UCO head football coach Adam Dorrel said. "This is obviously my first time to coach in the rivalry, but I know the guys are fired up about this game every year. It should be fun. We need to stay focused and keep playing the way we have been at home and in the last couple of weeks."

The matchup has been contested 80 times since the early 1900s with UCO holding a 51-27-2 advantage in the series. The two schools began competing for The President's Cup in 1998 and UCO has a 15-9 lead in the series since then. The winner holds the cup until next year's game. Central Oklahoma has won seven in a row in the series since 2014.

While head coach at Northwest Missouri, Dorrel won all five meetings against Northeastern State from 2012-16.

Central Oklahoma alternated wins in the first four weeks of this season, losing on the road in Week 1 and Week 3 while winning at home in Week 2 and Week 4. The Broncho victory in Week 5 was the first road win of the season. Now UCO looks to defend Chad Richison Stadium once again.

UCO is averaging 22 points per game through five games played and the Bronchos allow 21 points per contest. Central has

outscored its opponents 110-105 in five games.

Central averages 326.2 yards of total offense per game, splitting that mark 183.4 in the passing game to 142.8 in the run game.

UCO's defense gives up 368 yards per game with a 228-140 passrun split.

Stephon Brown has led the UCO offense so far this season. The 6foot-5 quarterback is 64-for-101 passing with 717 yards and five touchdowns this season. He also has 55 rushes for 215 yards and three scores.

Brown has spread the wealth in the passing game with 15 different players catching a pass this season.

Nasir Kemper leads the team with 14 receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Jacob Delso has 13 receptions with a team-high 234 yards and he also has two touchdowns. Delso had 100 yards on four catches last week at Lincoln, including touchdown grabs of 33 and 53 yards.

Diego Richards (1148), Oscar Hammond (10-118) and Jaylen Cottrell (10-31) also lead the team in the passing game. Daunte McGee (8-87) also has one touchdown.

Cottrell has been the most productive running back through five games. The redshirt freshman from Lexington, Oklahoma has 29 carries for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

His 83-yard touchdown run against Northwest Missouri in Week 4 is the longest play from scrimmage in the MIAA this season.

Kemper has 28 carries for 116 yards and one touchdown. Andrew Carney has 13 for 49 yards and two touchdowns. And Jayce Gardner has nine rushes for 45 yards and one score.

Defensively, Central Oklahoma uses more than two dozen players per game. The Bronchos have managed 28 tackles for a loss in five games and UCO has eight sacks on the season.

Blake Barron's 32 tackles leads the team. Dylan Buchheit has 31 tackles, one for a loss, and also has a pass broken up. Connor Johnson has 26 stops and Rae'Quan Wicks 25.

Chase Faber (23) has 2.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and one PBU. Noah West (21) has 5.5 tackles for a loss and a team-high three sacks.

In the special teams game, Central Oklahoma has seen solid performacnes from its kickers. David Vargas is averaging 41.2 yards per punt with a long of 55 this season. Nicky Quevedo is 4-for-5 on field-goal attempts with a long of 43. His only miss would have been a school record 53-yarder. The kick this past weekend had the distance but hooked left.

Kobey Stephens has been the primary kickoff return man for the Bronchos this season.

The sophomore defensive back has 11 returns for 272 yards for an average of 24.7 per return.

Northeastern State is averaging 19 points per game through five games played this season.

Getting a mortgage with student loan debt

By Kenneth Wohl, RCB Bank

Do you think owning a home is out of reach because of student loans?

Have you explored a mortgage in the past only to be denied because of student loan debt?

The Federal Housing Administration made a change recently that has made it easier for those with student loans to qualify for an FHA loan. That change, coupled with the upcoming student debt forgiveness program, could spark the housing industry as more people will qualify for mortgages.

“The change for FHA Single Family Title II forward mortgages remove the current requirement that lenders calculate a borrower’s student loan monthly payment of one percent of the outstanding student loan balance for student loans that are not fully amortizing or are not in repayment. The new policy bases the monthly payment on the actual student loan payment, which is often lower, and helps home buyers who, with student debt, meet minimum eligibility requirements for an FHA-insured mortgage,” according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Your student loan debt is part of your debt-to-income ratio. Your DTI can affect how much money you’re qualified to borrow and your interest rate. The higher your DTI, the riskier you appear to lenders.

However, your DTI is just one factor in the underwriting of a mortgage. While this change may help your DTI, there also are many other factors used to determine if you qualify for a loan, such as your credit score, income and work history to name a few.

If you’ve applied for a mortgage in the past only to get denied because of your student loan debt, or if you never applied because you feared your student loan debt was too high, now may be the time to seriously research homeownership and start taking the steps to get prequalified for a mortgage.

Whether you chose to start the prequalification process now or after the federal government’s student loan forgiveness program (set for later 2022), it’s best to be prepared so you’re not flying blind into the process. Research mortgage lenders and find one who understands your needs and will help you navigate the entire process, from origination to closing.

Student loan debt may seem to be overwhelming when you’re trying to buy a house. Fortunately, the federal government’s recent changes may clear a path to making your dream home a reality.

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of Kenneth Wohl and meant for generic illustration purposes only. With approved credit. For specific questions regarding your personal lending needs, please call RCB Bank at 855-BANK-RCB. Some restrictions apply. RCB Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and member FDIC. RCB Bank NMLS #798151. Kenneth Wohl NMLS #453934.

Tutor training scheduled to help fight illiteracy

OIC of Oklahoma County (OIC) will host tutor training sessions for those who wish to work with low-level readers, non-reading adults or those interested in English as a second language.

Many of us take reading for granted, finding pleasure in reading a good book or helping our children negotiate their education.  Unfortunately, there are 93 million adults in the United States that find the written word intimidating and challenging.

An estimated 1 in 5 adults in Oklahoma County have below basic literacy skills, “said Blair Lanning, OIC’s Community Literacy Coordinator.  This means they are unable to read street signs, fill out job applications or understand medication labels.

Adequate reading skills are vital in today’s society.  Adults with minimal reading abilities often find it difficult to find employment, follow directions on labels and forms, or read to their children.

“My tutor has helped me to comprehend what I read.  I’ve increased my vocabulary too and read to my kids 20 minutes every day.  Meeting with my tutor has given me more confidence in taking the high school diploma test.  I’m scheduled to take the test this week and I am ready”, says Michelle, OIC one-to-one adult learner and high school diploma prep student.  Michelle has been meeting with her tutor once a week, working on comprehension, reading, and writing.

OIC Literacy tutors and students meet once a

week at a public location and work for an hour or more.   Short-term and long-term tutoring options are available.  If you are interested in attending the tutor training workshop in-person at OIC on November 5 and 12, 2022 (9:00 am to 1:00 pm) with a virtual session held on November 19 (10:00 am-12:00 pm) you may register by calling 405.235.2651 or email Blair Lanning at blanning@oicokc.org.

All sessions required. Seating is limited so register today.

“We are in a great need for tutors, specifically math and reading tutors,” says DesJean Jones, Executive Director.  If you want to invest in someone’s future, call today.  We need you!

The

Okla. Blood Institute Remodels Facility

Blood Institute

For

Law firms announce merger plans

Ball Morse Lowe, a leading law firm in Oklahoma, announced last week plans to merge with estate planning firm Mugg Winston on Oct. 1 to expand their estate planning and probate team and to meet a growing need for legal services.

Ball Morse Lowe is a recognized, trusted, and respected law firm that has served businesses and individuals across Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado for more than a decade. The merger will establish a firm of 60 team members, in-

cluding 12 attorneys and legal support staff in the expanded estate planning practice located in Oklahoma City and Norman, in addition to a location in Edmond at the current Mugg Winston office.

The strategy to expand the estate planning practice area comes after an ever-growing demand for estate planning and probate services across the state of Oklahoma. The need for estate planning

Trio hired for TSET effort

Three faculty members have joined the TSET Health Promotion Research Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: Katelyn Romm, Ph.D.; Erin Vogel, Ph.D.; and Meng Chen, Ph.D.

Romm comes to HPRC from George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. Her research aims to identify factors that predict substance use initiation, escalation and cessation to inform prevention and cessation efforts among individuals at greatest risk for such use, including youth and young adults, as well as minoritized populations.

Vogel comes from University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Her research examines psychosocial influences on youth tobacco use and the use of digital tools and social media to address tobacco and other substance use among priority populations, including youth. Her research program employs experimental, observational, and qualitative methods to address health disparities and emerging trends in technology

and tobacco product use.

Chen joins the HPRC from University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on using computational algorithms for dynamic model fitting and the development and use of flexible dynamic models in behavioral sciences. She will work with HPRC faculty by providing biostatistics support and assisting with research study design.

According to Darla Kendzor, Ph.D., co-director of the HPRC, “These talented new additions to our team will enhance our ability to address tobacco and substance use across the state. Their research offers a focus on youth and young adults, and other at-risk populations along with advanced biostatistical expertise. Their skills offer a valuable complement to the expertise of our current faculty.”

OMRF announces appointment

cells.

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has named Elizabeth Finn, Ph.D., as an assistant member in the Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program.

She joins OMRF from the National Cancer Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health, where she completed a postdoctoral fellowship.

Finn will study the way DNA is folded and condensed to fit inside the nucleus. Her team will use an innovative imaging process to observe variations in DNA organization between tissue types and in individual

Finn

“We’re excited to add Dr. Finn’s new techniques and abilities to OMRF,” said Gary Gorbsky, Ph.D., who heads the foundation’s Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program and holds the W.H. and Betty Phelps Chair in Developmental Biology. “This work will refine our understanding of the way cells talk to each other.”

Finn earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Chicago and a doctorate of genetics from Stanford University.

Integris hiring event

INTEGRIS Health, Oklahoma’s largest health care provider, is hosting a systemwide hiring event to fill positions at locations across the state. The hiring event will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, 100 Mick Cornett Drive in Oklahoma City.

Interested candidates should bring two copies of their resume and come prepared to interview for open positions including those in the areas of clinics, mental health, dietary, patient services, nursing, allied health and more. Applicants will have the opportunity to interview with hiring managers and possibly walk away with a job offer. Sign-on bonuses are available for qualified positions including nursing, Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation nursing, radiology, patient registration, food services and housekeeping. Face masks are required.

For more information or questions, please contact HR Recruitment at HRRecruitement@integrisok.com. To learn more about INTEGRIS Health, visit integrisok.com.

Oklahoma Blood Institute recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its Grand Opening and Remodel at 3401 N. Broadway.

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From left to right: Partners Brian Hill, Bria Winston, Christin Mugg, and Parker LoweSee Merger, Page 18

Merger

increased as the pandemic shifted people’s perspective on life and death scenarios and preparing for the future when it comes to personal estates.

“Our attorneys play a vital role in serving and supporting our clients in challenging times, and we strive to be an empathetic advocate for families and individuals who are making life-changing decisions,” said Eric Patrick, chief operating officer of Ball Morse Lowe. “The expanded practice resources will provide meaningful additions that will benefit our clients and allow us to create an even more personalized experience.”

The newly merged firm will blend decades of experience with a shared mission to provide approachable legal counsel and thoughtful solutions through an expanded estate planning team and the capacity to serve more clients.

Brian Hill will be joined by Mugg Winston’s veteran attorneys Christin Mugg and Bria Winston to lead the firm’s rapidly growing estate planning and probate practice. Mugg has over 24 years of experience as an estate

planning, tax, and charitable planning attorney. Additionally, Winston brings 12 years of estate planning and business succession expertise to the group.

“We are enthusiastic about this merger which will bring about positive changes for our team as we continue to guide even more clients through important goals and needs, decisions and complex situations with compassionate counsel,” said Christin Mugg.

In addition to estate planning, the expanded legal team at Ball Morse Lowe also offers services in family law, litigation, oil, gas, and energy law, and business planning. For more information, visit ballmorselowe.com.

About Ball Morse Lowe

Ball Morse Lowe is a trusted and respected law firm that specializes in family law, estate planning and probate, liti\gation, business law, as well as oil, gas and energy law with locations in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado. The dedicated team of seasoned attorneys has decades of experience focused on understanding various situations with empathy.

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TSET continues effort to stop tobacco, vaping

The TSET Healthy Living Program in Oklahoma County is working with community partners to conduct tobacco retailer education visits soon at local stores in a strategic effort to keep more underage persons from ever starting tobacco use.

Michelle Lessell, lead coordinator of the TSET HLP in Oklahoma County, said the program is working to reduce youth access to tobacco in response to feedback from recent community wellness surveys and listening sessions.

“Vaping and tobacco use that leads to nicotine addiction often starts in adolescence and the teen years,” Lessell said. “So local residents are right to be concerned about youth access to tobacco, and that’s why we will conduct these retail education visits.”

The local TSET HLP will work with youth volunteers to conduct the store visits within the next several months. When a visit takes place, an underage person will enter a store and ask to buy a tobacco product but with no intent to purchase it. Tobacco sales are prohibited by federal and state laws to anyone under the age of 21.

The visits are not meant to entrap local retailers, but rather to raise awareness of laws that prohibit tobacco and vape sales to underage persons. Clerks who are willing to complete a would-be sale will be reminded of the law, while those who refuse to sell will be acknowledged and thanked.

State officials and local law enforcement can fine retailers who sell tobacco and vape products to underage customers. Persons under 21 years of age who purchase, use or possess these products can no longer be fined under new legislation signed into law in May 2022, but they will have to take a course on tobacco addiction through the Oklahoma ABLE Commission.

Nearly nine in 10 smokers in the U.S. tried their first cigarette before age 18, according to the CDC. Here in Oklahoma, 9.1 percent of high school students smoke and three times that number – 27.8 percent – are vaping.

“Retailers who consistently ask for ID and refuse to sell tobacco and vape products are local heroes because they are doing their part to protect young people from the addiction and serious health risks that often come from vaping and tobacco use,” Lessell said. “We and many people in our community appreciate their efforts.”

Preventing youth access to tobacco is just one of

several strategies that the TSET HLP and community partners are working on to improve the health and wellness of Oklahoma County residents. Other areas of focus include partnering with Oklahoma County schools and childcare organizations to improve physical activity and nutrition offered to children as well as collaborating with owners of locally-owned convenience stores in food deserts to increase the availability of healthier foods and beverages.

To learn more about the TSET Healthy Living Program and its community-based work and objectives, call 405-425-4498 or contact Michelle Lessell at Michelle_Lessell@occhd.org.