January 7, 2021 Vol. 21, No. 34
In This Issue FOUR SEASONS
Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.
Virus survivor part of vital research See Page 3
FRIDAY, January 8 Partly Cloudy High 45° Low 30°
SATURDAY, January 9 Partly Cloudy High 46° Low 30°
SUNDAY, January 10 AM Snow Showers High 42° Low 27°
Looking back on 2020, it’s hard to imagine someone who may not have been touched some way by the COVID-19 virus. Already in 2021 the virus will remain a challenge although we are encouraged by a few vaccines, which have started to make the rounds. In addition to the virus, this past year will probably be remembered more for the events, which did not happen, rather than the ones, that did during a “normal” year. Edmond’s signature happenings, such as LibertyFest and Downtown Edmond Arts Festival were scrapped as were many, many others. Many busiinesses were shuttered in March following government shut down orders. After a few weeks, most shops returned. Some of them suffered economic losses. And sporadic spreads of the virus quarantined a few businesses long after reopen orders. The City Council was ground zero for mask mandates. Eventually the council did opt to have a mask mandate in an effort to stem the tide of community spread. Spring sports were canceled in March as were the end of the winter sports. The University of Central Oklahoma scrapped the football season
as well as the other fall sports. Edmond schoolchildren did not return to in-class instruction after spring break. Edmond Schools also went to partial classroom instruction. The first pandemic, in just over 100 years, changed many other aspects of life, including church worship as well as even family get togethers. The virus wasn’t the only thing making news. In political news, Republican Stephanie Bice replaced Kendra Horn in Congress. And Tommy Johnson, a former Norman Police officer, became Oklahoma
County’s first African American sheriff. The home market, fueled by lower interest rates, exploded as Edmond set records for homes sold. Edmond also bid farewell to community leaders who passed, including former state lawmakers Marian Hood, formerly Marian Cooksey and Mark Snyder. Former Chamber Executive Director Ken Moore died in fall and the complications from the COVID-19 virus claimed the life of longtime community planner Leah Kessler.