Second place in the state!
Gold Star Luncheon
McGuinness Pom Squad placed second in the Jazz Division of the OSDTDA State Championship during Christmas Break. For more on what the Irish have been doing in 2019, see Page 2.
Positive Tomorrows President Susan Agel, Positive Tomorrows Board President Nikki Jones and Nissa Richison during a luncheon benefiting the organization. Page B1.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 52 No. 38 • Two Sections • 16 pages January 18, 2019
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 44 years
Britton railroad crossings to receive $1.4 million upgrade By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer Plans to implement more than $1 million in safety upgrades at four BNSF railroad crossings in north Oklahoma City, in and near the former town of Britton, have cleared the first hurdle. The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved funding for the
projects. Two of the crossings, at NW 96 and NW 97 streets, are north of Britton Road and east of Western Avenue. The other two crossings, at NW 89 and NW 92 streets, are south of Britton Road and west of Western Avenue. All of the sites are in residential and/or commercial areas. All four crossings currently have pavement
markings and old-fashioned crossbucks with flashing lights and warning bells. Plans for all four sites include installation of modern pedestal-mounted flashing light signals with gate arms that automatically drop when a train approaches the intersection and rise after it passes. In addition, the 96th Street crossing, which has
three sets of tracks, will receive a 32-foot-wide concrete driving surface. The improvements will cost an estimated $1,434,525. Federal atgrade railroad crossing safety funds will pay for 90 percent of the cost, or $1,291,071, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway is expected to pay the 10 percent balance, $143,454, ledgers reflect.
No city funds are to be spent on the projects. The Rail Programs Division in the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) reported that on average more than 30 trains travel through those crossing locations each and every day. The average daily traffic count at each of the See TRAINS, Page 7
Nichols Hills calls April 2 council election
The Supreme justices
By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer
Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger, left, swears in new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Noma Gurich in ceremonies at the state Capitol on Tuesday. They are the second and third women on the Supreme Court. The first was the late Alma Wilson.
- Photo by Vicki Clark Gourley
The annual Nichols Hills City Council election will be held April 2 to select a member from Ward 2. The filing period is set for Feb. 4-6 at the Oklahoma County Election Board, 4201 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City. No filing fee will be assessed. Any candidate for the post must be a resident and registered voter of Ward 2. However, the election is open to all registered voters throughout the city. Council elections in Nichols Hills are non-partisan and no party designation or emblem appears on the ballot. The winner will assume office at the first regularly scheduled city council meeting in May and serve a three-year term. Nichols Hills council members receive compensation of $20 per month. E. Peter Hoffman Jr., who is completing his 12th year on the council and his fourth term as mayor, announced that he will seek reelection in Ward 2.
Lyric promises a theatrical journey during 2019 season Lyric Theatre promises to take patrons on a journey next season from the plains of Nebraska to the steps of the White House and from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to the deck of an infamous cruise liner. Lyric’s 2019 season includes three productions at the intimate
Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16 St., – “Girlfriend” (Feb. 27-March 17), “Bright Star” (April 3-20), and “Frost/Nixon” (Sept. 4-22). Three productions will follow at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., – “Singin’ in the Rain” (June 25-30), “Disney’s Newsies” (July 914) and “Titanic” (July 23-28).
FRIDAY’s
Cat of the Week This is Forklift the Devastator. He is a Norwegian Forrest Cat mix who loves to be held constantly like a baby and loves to talk to us all day and night. He loves playing in water and sleeping in boxes. His owners are Rob and Sharon Blakely. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.
Sponsored by Paulette and Leo Kingston of WePayFast.com
Starting Lyric’s 2019 season is “Girlfriend,” a romantic comedy inspired by ‘90s icon, Matthew Sweet’s alternative rock album of the same title. In collaboration with Signature Theatre in Washington D.C., Lyric presents the regional premiere of this vibrant, funny and heart-warming coming of age love
story. College-bound jock, Mike, and self-assured, Will, rush into summer love in small-town Nebraska. The production features an all-female rock band. In early April, a southern story of hope, “Bright Star,” will make its See LYRIC, Page 7
Event will reveal who is smarter than a KIPPster Richard and Glenna Tanenbaum are to be honored for their commitment to education at “Are You Smarter Than a KIPPster,” a quiz bowl-style fundraiser for KIPP OKC, a network of free, public charter schools that are part of Oklahoma City Public Schools and the national Knowledge Is
Power Program. The annual event is set for Tuesday, Feb. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Chevy Bricktown Event Center. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt will deliver the welcome to kick off the evening. Masters of ceremonies Oklahoma State Senator George Young, Sr. and Inasmuch
Foundation CEO Bob Ross will guide the program as community leaders compete with KIPP OKC middle school students in a challenge which focuses on topics the students are learning in school. Part of the evening’s program will See KIPP, Page 9