The Vista July 17, 2018

Volume 116, Issue 19

the VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

UCO Breaks Ground for Dining Center

ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Award Winning Program LUCO Relaunching

Alejandro Gonzalez @A_Gonzalez_17 Reporter

UCO President Don Betz and others involved in the dining center project break ground at the groundbreaking held outside of the Hamilton Field House on July 11, 2018 (Regan Rosson/The Vista).

Evelyn Stewart @evehynn Reporter

A ground breaking ceremony for the new dining center was held July 11 at the location of the future facility in front of Hamilton Field House at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The new dining center is planned to be 50,000 sq. ft., compared to Buddy’s 23,500 sq. ft. Approximately 35,000 square feet will be allocated for dining space and approximately 15,000 square feet will be provided for office space on the second floor.

Charles Johnson, vice president for University Communications, said that while Buddy’s has served UCO as the primary dining hall since 1964, times have changed since then, especially as UCO has gained more students.

“Buddy’s has served our campus well,” Johnson said.

The concept developed for the new facility required UCO to purchase a section of Ayers Street to allow for the construction of a pedestrian walkway that will connect the north and south ends of campus, according to Johnson.

Part of the reason behind the construction of the new facility is due to the change of student expectations

for campus and the change in how UCO’s facilities are being built and utilized, according to Kevin Freeman, vice president of Operations.

The new dining hall will be configured to be much more suitable for dining services on campus and their work, with a 30 percent increase in square footage compared to the previous dining hall, according to Freeman.

Mark Stansberry, chair of the Regional University System of Oklahoma, said it will be very exciting to see students participate in the vision of the new dining hall and he thanked UCO for its commitment to higher education.

“Eighty-eight percent of students on pg. 7

The Human Resources Department at the University of Central Oklahoma is relaunching the award-winning Leadership UCO program, which had been inactive last year due to revisions of its content.

The program was dedicated for full-time faculty and staff focusing on the development of their professional and personal leadership qualities, network and interpersonal skills. It was revised by different departments across campus, as well as previous participants and subject-matter experts on campus.

“The goal was to incorporate all of their knowledge in order to establish a program owned by UCO and that would specifically meet the needs of UCO employees,” said Fran Petties, director of Professional Development.

After working in the HR office for 19 years, Petties said the department has a habit of reevaluating their programs every three years, but this year they decided to take it a step further.

“We have asked them to develop the curriculum in a way that it could be facilitated by anyone,” Petties said. “So, in the future, if they are not available, we would be able to facilitate the content of those sessions or identify other experts in the matter to facilitate it.”

The relaunch of LUCO brings a completely new curriculum focusing on five different areas: self-development, strategic thinking and problem on pg. 5

OKLAHOMA NEWS

BRONCHO SPORTS

Opoid Task Force Targets Overprescribing

Kirk’s Shining Moment

on pg. 8

on pg. 11

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July 17, 2018

the

VISTA

Contents

CONTENTS

Garden.......................................................................3 Task Force/Drug Testing........................................................4 LUCO/ITS Update................................................................5 Kids Count Report................................................................6 Groundbreaking....................................................7 Opiod Task Force.................................................................8 Plaza...............................................................9 Teachers Armed/Kirk..........................................................11 FC Energy..........................................................................12 UCO Hall of Fame/World Cup...........................................13 OKC Dodgers/NBA Free Agency........................................14 Bucking Broncho................................................................15

STAFF

Christian Tabak Katie Standlee Jonathan Goudeau Regan Rosson Megan Thele Alejandro Gonzalez Evelyn Stewart Rani Spindle Austein Brown James Jackson Derek Parker Travis Wilson Teddy Burch

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Sports Reporter Sports Reporter Contributing Writer Adviser

THE VISTA

LETTERS

is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.

EDITORIALS

Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only.

Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.

ADDRESS LETTERS TO:

Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131.

Letters can be emailed to thevista.ads@gmail.com.

Right: UCO Sports Information Director Mike Kirk was recognized by a group of his peers (Provided/Broncho)

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On the Cover: In this June 6, 2017 file photo, a reporter holds up an example of the amount of fentanyl that can be deadly after a news conference about deaths from fentanyl exposure, at The Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters in Arlington, Va. The House dove Tuesday, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, into a two-week vote-a-thon on dozens of bills aimed at opioid abuse, as lawmakers try to tackle a crisis that’s killing tens of thousands a year and to score a popular win they can tout for the midterm elections.

A handful of the measures are contentious, including one Republican bill that would create new criminal penalties for making or trafficking certain synthetic drugs containing fentanyl. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Garden

July 17, 2018

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UCO Garden Being Prepped to Sprout Alejandro Gonzalez @A_Gonzalez_17 Reporter

Students at the University of Central Oklahoma recently cleared the Rankin YMCA community garden in preparation for a fall harvest that is intended to supply the UCO Central Pantry with fresh food.

The Office of Sustainability is in charge of the three community gardens owned by UCO. The location of the gardens are the Nigh University Center rooftop, the University Suites courtyard and the Rankin YMCA. Eric Hemphill, manager of Sustainability and Alternative Transportation, said the community gardens were opened on campus after the Sustainability Living Learning Community from the University Suites helped build the garden in the courtyard.

“We had some first-year students that took a class together and then they also volunteered at the garden,” Hemphill said.

All gardens are maintained by volunteers and the Office of Sustainability allows for individuals at UCO

and within the community to grow produce.

“Between classes and individuals wanting to get involved, we will probably have 20-30 [volunteers per] year,” Hemphill said.

A lot of community members from Edmond also volunteer at the Rankin YMCA garden, according to Hemphill.

The YMCA garden is located one mile away from UCO's campus on South Rankin Street between 15th Street and Ninth Street, close to Broadway Extension. It was established in 2007, but in 2014 the institution allowed UCO to take over maintaining it.

“They had some staff changes, they opened the YMCA on Mitch Park and so they kind of stopped being able to take care of that garden,” Hemphill said. “They were very willing to let us take over the actual maintenance part of the garden.”

Kimberly Martin, professor of Kinesiology and Health Studies, brings her students from her Community Gardening class to help out during the summer intersessions.

“My classes help maintain the

The community gadens grow al kinds of fruits and vegatables for the Central Pantry.

The community gadens are located in the courtyard between the University Suites and University Commons (Sam Karbelk/The Vista).

YMCA garden," Martin said. "Last year we went over there and redid all of the flower beds. Every year we go out there and clean it out.”

Martin's class is an elective open to all UCO students, but most of the class is made up of kinesiology majors. Her objective with teaching these classes is to show that locally grown food is cheaper and more nutritious.

“The Community Gardening class visits gardens and farms in Oklahoma, so they can learn the basics of what can be grown locally,” Martin said.

The entrance to UCO’s comunity gardens in the courtyard between the University Suites and University Commons. The gardens are maintained by UCO students and all food grown is donated to the UCO Central Pantry. (Sam Karbelk/The Vista).

All of the food produced by these gardens is donated to UCO's Central Pantry located in the Nigh University Center.

“For the most part, it is enough during the spring and summer months," Hemphill said. "Sometimes it depends on the fall because of the weather, but we do not have fresh food during the winter."

The Central Pantry is used by students and community members an average of 300-350 times each week, but Hemphill said that the most the pantry has seen was 800 times within a week.

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July 17, 2018

Task Force/Drug Testing

Edmond Searches for Task Force Volunters Katie Standlee @katiestandlee

Managing Editor

The City of Edmond is looking for 17 volunteers for the Veteran Memorial Advisory Task Force to discuss and identify potential concepts and locations for an up-

coming veterans memorial.

"We want Edmond citizens to understand the role that our veterans play in protecting our liberty and freedom," said Casey Moore, City of Edmond marketing and public relations manager.

The City Council will be deciding on the appointments for the

The Poppies WWII Veteran Memorial by Sandy Proctor sits near 15th & Broadway to honor veterans. (Provided/City of Edmond)

17 volunteers during their July 23 meeting.

“Interest to serve on the committee has been strong, and we anticipate having around 100 applicants for the 17 spots,” Moore said.

To apply, applicants must live within the Edmond corporate city limits, commit to attending two meetings per month and complete the application on the City of Edmond website.

Moore said if students from the University of Central Oklahoma meet the criteria of an applicant, they can apply join VMATF as well, but the last day to apply is July 16.

“This new memorial is being pursued to properly recognize veterans of all conflicts in the past, present and future,” Moore said.

Those who are selected to serve on the task force will serve for approximately five months. The final decision on the concepts and locations of the memorial are ex-

pected to be in by Dec. 2, 2018.

Meeting times have not been decided upon yet, but once the City Council has appointed the 17 members of the task force, a meeting time will be decided on based on their availability.

Moore said the City Council is hopeful that the new task force will pursue a concept that is unique to the community.

“We have multiple other memorials that are either tied to one conflict or branches of service. We want something that is more comprehensive that will stand the test of time,” Moore said.

“The process consists of soliciting the public to apply, having city council makes selections from those applicants, and ultimately appointing the task force.”

The cost and completion date of this project has not yet been determined, but Moore said that will be decided on once the recommendations of the task force are presented to the City Council.

Edmond Public Schools Random Drug Tests Evelyn Stewart @evehynn

Reporter

Edmond Public Schools renewed their annual contracts this month, which included their contract to increase random drug testing among students in the upcoming academic year.

The increase in random drug testing is unrelated with SQ788 approval, but rather their ability to go back to their original drug testing contract instated six years ago, according to Susan Parks-Schlepp, director of Community Relations.

"What we want to make sure that people understand is that the newspaper article that came out in the Oklahoman, lead some people to believe that because of the passage of medical marijuana, the district suddenly began to do random drug testing with students" Parks-Schlepp said. "And that is not at all the case; it has been in place for six years [and] was simply a coincidence."

The original drug test that was put into place six years ago required that 75 students would be subjected to the random drug tests every month.

“These tests are not meant to be

punitive in nature," Parks-Schlepp said. “We are always concerned about any drugs that adversely effect our student's health and welfare."

However, Parks-Schlepp said that all districts will have to decide about how to follow the law versus following policy.

Each test will cost $32, with the district usually spending $20,000 a year for the program. About 600-700 students are randomly drug tested per year.

Parks-Schlepp said that students who need a drug for medical reasons will have provide a medical note from their doctors. She said the primary focus is to protect students and offer counseling.

Students who are in competitive extracurricular activities will be subjected to these tests. These extracurricular activities include athletics, orchestra, band and debate.

“With sports and activities, we should be most concerned about the safety of the student in conjunction with the effects of prescription marijuana,“ said Bret Towne, superintendent of Edmond Public Schools.

The first positive test will not cause an automatic removal, but students will be provided a form of treatment or counseling, according to Parks-

Schlepp. A second positive test will result in a temporary suspension from teams or activities.

Currently, there are many unknowns about the form of medical marijuana and the possible effects on students while at school, according to Towne.

“I think most school districts will begin to work with their attorneys and professional organizations to work through the myriad of issues,” Towne said.

The random drug tests will be conducted by using a cheek saw and are

all kept confidential and reviewed by certified medical professionals before the school is contacted, according to the press release. If the student is tested positive and have no medical prescription, the school will be notified and a conference with the student will be set to help the student receive appropriate counseling or treatment, as well as a follow-up drug test.

“Students have said that they are thankful for these random drug tests because it gives them a way to say no to their peers,” Parks-Schlepp said.

The Edmond North High School sign that is built out in front of the high school off Danforth in Edmond, Oklahoma. In this coming scool year all Edmond high school students will partake in a drug test. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)

LUCO/ITS Update

July 17, 2018

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Award Winning Program LUCO Relaunching Continued From Page 1 solving, leadership basics, communication and group dynamics.

Petties described these five subjects as the foundational areas of leadership development.

“Those are areas where staff and faculty should focus on and further develop themselves in,” said Jakey Dobbs, coordinator of LUCO and professional development specialist.

Applications for LUCO opened July 2 and will close at 5 p.m. on Aug. 8. Around 20 of the applicants will be accepted into the program, according to Petties. The application and the program are free of charge.

Only full-time UCO faculty or staff can apply, while new employees must have successfully completed their introductory period before July 1, 2018.

According Dobbs, an ideal applicant would be someone who is already seeking professional development on and off campus.

“I’m wanting to see a passion to do it and then to see how they are impacting their community,” Dobbs said.

Michelle Ramsdell, assistant di-

The logo for the relaunch of the Leadership UCO. Leadership UCO is an program where participants work to develop their professional and personal leadership qualities and network with fellow classmates and Leadership UCO Alumni. (Provided/UCO IT)

rector of the Max Chambers Library, was part of LUCO’s 14th class in 2016-2017. Aside from the program’s content, Ramsdell wanted to join LUCO because of the networking opportunities that it offered.

“You really learn a lot about how to deal with people,” Ramsdell said.

“You had a lot of training on how to deal with introverts, extroverts and

everybody in between, how to communicate more effectively. You also learn about yourself, where you fall in that line.”

In 2017, LUCO was recognized nationally by HR.com as one of the top programs with Emphasis on Leadership and Organizational Development as it came in second place. The HR Professional Devel-

opment: Management Development Program of UCO also got third place.

“LUCO gives the opportunity for faculty and staff to expand their knowledge and their skills outside their job,” Dobbs said. “It gives them the ability to be out of the office and focus on themselves and their professional development.”

New Traffic Control Systems Being Put in Place Lauren Morris @TheVista1903

Contributing Writer

The City of Edmond is in the process of implementing the Intelligent Transportation System, an application that is designed to improve traffic jams and safety during congested times by using technology.

This system is something the city wants to implement in preparation for autonomous, or driverless, vehicles.

The City of Edmond website has a video that described the Intelligent Transportation system as, “High tech field devices at each intersection detect problems, and notify operators in the traffic management center. After evaluation, adjustments can be made to improve traffic flow.”

A completion date has not yet been named, but the first phase, consisting of 2nd Street and neighboring intersections in its corridor, was completed in 2016 and cost about $3 million.

“The Intelligent Transportation System includes a wide range of applications,” said Tom Minnick, Edmond’s traffic coordinator. “It can ease congestion, improve traffic management by monitoring traffic conditions, minimize environmental

impact and increase the benefits of transportation to commercial users and the public in general.”

The second phase, which will consist of 22 intersections such as Danforth, Covell and Sante Fe, is set to be under construction by fall 2018 and is estimated to cost about $5 million.

The third phase is currently under design, and no beginning or end time has been set.

“Approximately 75 percent of the city’s traffic signal infrastructure does not follow the current accepted national standards,” Minnick said.

“Each new phase we implement will follow the National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation System protocol.”

Minnick said that by following the national standards, Edmond hopes to fix the interoperability (products that can work with other systems) and interchangeability (products that are practically identical and can be replaced with each other) between computers and traffic control equipment.

“Wireless technology is used to connect vehicle information and location to other vehicles and other

transportation modes, such as pedestrians or bicyclists, local infrastructure and remote infrastructure,” Minnick said.

According to Minnick, as long as vehicles are willing to accept that information, the installation of the I.T.S. will have controllers with the future capability of giving and sharing information to vehicles traveling through an intersection.

For more information, including videos, visit edmondok.com and search “traffic projects.” A tab on the left will be titled “Intelligent Transportation System.”

An Intelligent Transportation System set up by the City of Edmonf in 2016 is set up at the intersection of 2ND and Boulevard.

There are already 25 inersections that use these systems and the city is currently working to add more. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)

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July 17, 2018

Kids Count Report

Oklahoma Ranked 44th in Annual Report Katie Standlee @katiestandlee

Managing Editor

Oklahoma was ranked 44th in overall wellbeing on for children in the annual Kid Count Report, with one of the state’s worst rankings being in Education at 46th in the nation on June 27.

“The report isn’t all that [big of] news for Oklahoma on quite a few measures, we are seeing improvement from previous years and that’s that the state and national economy has come out recession,” said Gene Perry, one of the individuals who works on the Kids Count in the Oklahoma group.

“A lot of things are going better for kids, but in many ways those improvements are not keeping up with the nation as a whole. We’re not improving as quickly in teen birth rates, we’re not improving on health and on education and on so many things as much as the nation as a whole.”

The Kids Count is an annual report done by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to access overall child wellbeing in the nation by comparing data for each state.

Oklahoma’s rankings within the overall wellbeing are 36th in economic wellbeing, 46th in education, 40th in health and 44th in family and community wellbeing.

According to Perry, all of the data comes from a variety of places, but it is all public data, such as data from the U.S. census or state agencies that are responsible for working in the areas that are looked at in the kids count.

Steffi Corcoran, executive director for communications at the Oklahoma State Department of Education said in the time that has elapsed since the last Kids Count Report, Oklahoma’s teacher shortage has gone from bad to an absolute crisis. Specifically, with the state board of education having approved about 1,985 emergency certification for teachers last year.

“You can’t really underestimate the impact of a very large teacher workforce problem in our state,” Corcoran said.

The OSDE does have a teacher shortage task force that has been

in place since 2015 when State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Joy Hofmeister, gathered over 100 people to make up the task force. Every year more people are added to the task force.

“In the task force we have come up with 40 recommendations over this time period and implemented many of these, almost all of these recommendations, they’re ongoing,” said Robyn Miller, deputy superintendent for the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

“I think it’s so important to know and to recognize now, especially in these last few months with the walkout and teacher pay - that momentum, that advocacy - that there’s certainly a sense of collective impact that is needed in order to advance education in Oklahoma.”

Earlier this month OSDE announced its new comprehensive education plan, Oklahoma Edge.

The plan has six measureable goals that are set to be achieved by 2025, and Corcoran said some of these targeted goals, with some that are state specific, will meld into improving our state’s education ranking.

Oklahoma Edge’s six goals are: to score among the top 20 highest-performing states on the National Assessment of Education Progress, reduce by 50 percent the need for mathematics and English language arts remediation after high school, rank among the top

10 states with the highest graduation rate for students in four-, five- and six-year cohorts, ensure that every student in grades 6 through 12 develops a useful and meaningful Individual Career Academic Plan, align early childhood education and learning foundations to ensure at least 75 percent of students are “ready to read” upon kindergarten entry, and increase student access to effective teachers, thereby reducing the need for emergency-certified teachers by 95 percent.

At the University of Central Oklahoma, professors are working to help with the education issue as well.

“What we are doing at UCO, in my department, we are educating caring professionals who are already making a difference,” said Kaye Sears, department chair for UCO's Human Environmental Sciences. “When they graduate and go into the helping professions they are making big differences by what they do and where they are.”

Other efforts at UCO help prepare both teachers and students for a successful education track.

“We do have a program where we educate and support teachers that are going into at risk schools, but we also promote Smart Start Oklahoma, which is an initiative to have children ready to learn by the time they go to school,” said Ladonna Atkins, professor in

Human Environmental Sciences at UCO. “Some of that has to do with a healthy start and promoting early education and quality early care.”

More than education, health and economic aspects in the state are also in need of attention.

“There’s a need to reach students and bring support and services to them and their families before we can expect them to be ready to learn and address their academic needs,” Miller said.

According to Miller, the OSDE knows that 1 in 4 students are food insecure and 1 in 10 students currently have or has previously had a parent who has been incarcerated.

“We also need to look at the overall picture of what kids really need to succeed in school and frankly that’s not just the responsibility of schools,” Perry said.

“Kids need to have stable home lives, they need to have economic security, they need to have access to food every day, and as it has shown in the kids count, numbers not true for way too many kids in Oklahoma.”

Atkins said we need to address the issues that happen early such as prenatal health, health care and poverty because children can’t learn if they are not healthy.

For more information on the Kids Count Report, visit the Annie E. Casey Foundation website.

Wyatt, 9, and Gracielynn, 6, play tag in the backyard of their home on July 11. (Katy Kortemeier/ The Vista)

Groundbreaking

July 17, 2018

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UCO Breaks Ground for Dining Center Continued From Page 1 that graduate from UCO stay in Oklahoma to contribute to Oklahoma’s economy,” Stansberry said.

He also said that UCO performs a unique role in Oklahoma’s economy by educating and motivating career ready graduates to build connections with Oklahoma City metro partners.

“These partnerships allow us to dream, and then execute the dream,” said UCO President Don Betz. “Of course, the amazing work [is] done by students, who every day make it possible for us not only to realize our own personal goals in terms of education, but also to transform this historic institution.”

Ayers Street is seen as a barrier between the north and south sides of campus, according to Betz, and he hopes that this new dining center will be a place for students to gather,

connect and relax.

The concept for the new building includes structural design elements of iconic UCO structures such as Old North, Thatcher Hall and Murdaugh Hall, as well as a new concept for a wide open space that could become the campus’ new central point, according to Betz.

“It’s not going to be a dining hall; it’s going to be a point of pride on the campus where we will gather, enjoy great food and great company, and that’s pretty exciting,” Betz said.

“This building is ultimately dedicated for those who will eat here.”

The construction is expected to be completed over 12-18 months and is one of five construction projects that are underway on campus, according to Johnson.

While the new dining facility will eventually replace Buddy’s when it opens in the spring of 2020, Buddy’s will remain operational as the campus’ main dining facility until then.

Stan Lingo,Lingo Construction, Don Betz, UCO President, Kevin Freeman, Vice President for Operations, and Steve Mathews, ADG Architects, stand in front of the rendering of the new dining center on July 11. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)

On July 11, Don Betz, UCO President, shows off the design for the new dining center that will be build on the existing Hamilton Field House lawn. (Regan Rosson/The Vista) Don Betz, UCO President, gives a speech about how the new dining center will fulfill the needs of the University of Central Oklahoma’s campus. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)

People in attendance of the groundbreaking for the new dining center clap after a speech that is given by Kevin Freeman, Vice President for Operations. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)

Before the start of the groundbreaking ceremony on July 11 the shovels used in the ground breaking are lined up leaning on the rendering of the new dining center. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)

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July 17, 2018

Opioid Task Force

Opioid Task Force Targets Overprescribing Christian Tabak @CaffeineWallace Editor-In-Chief

As rates of opioid abuse increase across the nation, a new task force comprised of state and national agencies has been formed to focus on crimes related to opioid abuse in Oklahoma.

The new Western Oklahoma Opioid Enforcement Team was announced earlier this month as part of a national response to target the overprescription of pharmaceutical opioids. Along with the State Attorney General’s office, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and numerous district attorneys, the task force includes members of the Drug Enforcement Agency and federal prosecutors.

“We’re going to be working with a lot of partners to implement new ideas that can tackle this on everything from the treatment side to the prevention side, to the stopping of the fraud and the abuse, and even to education of our medical professionals,” said Mark Woodward, a public information officer with OBN. While the state has already been tackling the widespread abuse of street drugs under the Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse led

by Attorney General Mike Hunter, the new task force represents one of the first major initiatives to prioritize the criminalization of prescrip-

tion drug abuse.

By addressing overprescription alongside the proliferation of street drugs, the task force hopes to dramatically reduce rates of opioid abuse across the state, according to Bob Troester, acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

“We cannot go about fighting this opioid crisis with a business as usual approach,” Troester said. “We will use drug trafficking statutes when the facts and circumstances call for it and we will use healthcare fraud statutes where appropriate.”

As part of the initiative, the Western District of Oklahoma has also been allocated a new civil prosecutor position in addition to resources from the federal Consumer Protection Agency and the DEA. “We are facing one of the deadliest drug epidemics our nation has seen,” Troester said. “The misuse of and addiction to opioids, including prescription pain relievers and synthetic opioids like fentanyl, is a serious national crisis.”

Statistics from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics show that 55 percent of all Oklahoma drug deaths are a result of the abuse of at least one over-the-counter drug.

Oklahoma ranked first in the nation for prescription drug abuse in 2014 and while that ranking has since lowered due to the surge of drug abuse across the nation, Oklahoma has seen a 68 percent increase in drug deaths since 2007.

While Oklahoma and Tulsa

Counties have recorded the largest number of drug deaths, Woodward said that the impact and risk of opioid abuse is just as significant in rural Oklahoma.

“You’re going to have more deaths in the more densely populated counties, but rural areas are certainly not immune to it because anyone in a rural area is just as likely to hurt their back or get in an accident and then get put on pain pills,” Woodward said.

A report from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse revealed Oklahoma to be number one in the nation for youth dependence on or abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs. The state also ranked third in the nation for youth needing but not receiving treatment for illicit drug use.

For college students, the greatest risk for opioid abuse comes from a risk of developing a dependency on prescription drugs for injuries, according to James Keith Killian, founder and director of the Substance Abuse Studies program at the University of Central Oklahoma.

“College students are more in that category than those who crush up the oxy and snort it or the heroin injectors and that kind of stuff,” Killian said.

Being aware of the difference between abuse and distinction is an important perspective to maintain in addressing the state’s opioid crisis, according to Killian.

While abuse of prescription medications and opioids is a distinct

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announces a $64 million rate reduction settlement agreement with Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. at a news conference in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

problem, Killian said dependency is another process that can lead to abuse when patients begin to rely on prescription painkillers to help them feel optimal.

“Someone who has taken it for a while, even if they have not abused it and taken it according to their prescription, can find themselves returning to the doctor for more medication to treat rebound pain, and this keeps going and going” Killian said.

A highly individual process, Killian said that dependency on a painkiller can be developed within as little as 10 days.

With these cases, Killian added that treatment to help these individuals overcome dependency is a much more cost-effective long-term solution than focusing on incarceration and criminalization, such as that being pursued by the new task force.

“Through, I’m sure, good intentions, the pendulum has swung too far the other direction,” Killian said.

“Addiction is not a criminal act, it is a disease. They would not put diabetics in prison for doing whatever they could to get cake; it is just unreasonable.”

Nationally, Oklahoma ranks 42 in overall access to care for both substance abuse and mental illnesses, according to the Oklahoma Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

While criminalization is a primary objective for those involved in the task force, Woodward said the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and other members are just as dedicated to promoting education and treatment options for opioid dependency.

New programs for education may be developed as part of the task force’s work, but expansion of current education programs focused on increasing awareness on the importance of disposing of prescription medication at disposal boxes located throughout the state, according to Woodward.

“We don’t want anybody living with the guilt of a friend or love one overdosing and dying from something that they should have thrown away a year or two ago because they no longer take it,” Woodward said.

“It’s a simple step that every citizen can do to do their part to help with the opioid crisis.”

Woodward said that these disposal boxes can be found in police departments in each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, including one at the Edmond Police Department and one at UCO’s Police Department.

Plaza

July 17, 2018

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Live on the Plaza Celebrates 10 Years Megan Thele @1bigtime

Copy Editor

The Plaza District celebrated 10 years of Live on the Plaza, a monthly festival showcasing the district and local vendors and artists, on July 13.

“Live on the Plaza is our monthly block party/artwalk,” said Selena Skorman, executive director of the Plaza District. “Its intention is to be a gathering for the community.”

Every second Friday each month from April to September, the artwalk brings in local food trucks, artists and non-profits to showcase their offerings alongside the existing shops and restaurants in the district.

The celebration also includes special events that are based on the month’s theme, and the businesses involved often bring in live music.

Businesses in the district often have special offers that go with the theme, according to Skorman. The featured non-profit generally matches the theme of the month in what they do or who they help.

This month’s theme was focused around the event’s birthday and celebration. New elements to carry into the future were combined with the best elements of the past 10 years.

The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma was the featured non-profit and sold anniversary shirts, as it is one of the longest-running businesses in the district.

The Lyric (Theatre) also featured Hipster Santa and swag grab bags.

District businesses specials included DNA Galleries’ raffle for Support Local Art prizes, The Forge OKC’s

live forging and $10 specialty items and Dig It’s $10 sunglasses and 10 percent off purchases. Oklahoma’s Credit Union had a giant Pong game, the Plaza District Association provided chalk for Chalk the Plaza and 92.9 The Edge (radio station) live broadcasted the event.

“Our business owners are often the ones coordinating live music,” Skorman said.

The So Help Me’s performed on the Velvet Monkey Salon roof as part of a throwback to a similar stint five years ago. Bad Granny’s Bazaar used the large corner outside the shop as a performance space for OneTwoTen. “There’s a lot of youth in this district, a lot of talent,” said Diana Harris, owner of Bad Granny’s Bazaar. “They get a lot of exposure.

There’s a lot of people down here seeing them.”

Harris said that her shop has live music almost every month, but the the musicians almost always come to her. The music started in Bad Granny’s large back room, but moved outside to better use the space. She asked OneTwoTen back for this event, as they had been a favorite from the past few months.

This month’s food trucks included Maples Barbecue, Phil Me Up Cheesesteak, Jerky.com and Yum Pig OKC. Nine featured artists, including Valeria Tello, Ashley Lewis and Taylor Martin, displayed various art forms in pop-up booths along the sidewalks.

Skorman said the featured artists are all different, while Harris said they add to the shops already there.

Although the businesses, food trucks, featured artists and featured

People stand out side Pie Junkie during live on the plaza in the Plaza District. (Provided/Plaza District)

non-profits add to the overall atmosphere, it takes a team of volunteers and workers to pull everything together. Skorman said that sometimes a company will come in as a featured booth and head the month’s festival, but often extra support comes from corporate sponsors Fowler Automotive and Oklahoma’s Credit Union.

“It takes a village,” Skorman said.

“We can’t do it without the community - business owners, volunteers and workers.”

Friends of the Plaza, a special group for anyone 21 and over that pay a yearly fee, often help as volunteers before or during the event.

As members, they have access to a VIP lounge that moves around the district every month and offers complimentary drinks and food. This month’s VIP area was sponsored

by Fowler Automotive and Anthem Brewing Company, LLC in the Lyric Theatre courtyard.

The original intent of Live on the Plaza was to bring people to the district once its revitalization began.

“Now that people are coming to the district, maybe we need to tailor [Live] to people’s needs and trends,” Skorman said.

It’s this mindset that drove this month’s theme of bringing in the best of the past with new things that carry it into the future. They try to keep everything at the festival local to really draw in a local crowd from around town the the neighborhoods to the north (Gatewood Historic District) and south (Ten Penn).

“It’s always changing and has changed a lot over the past 10 years,” Harris said. “[The district has] done a great job definitely keeping it local, where the neighborhood still comes in.”

The Plaza District is on the northwest side of downtown, centered on 16th Street between Classen Boulevard. and Pennsylvania Avenue.

A Live on the Plaza banner hangs on a light post outside of a building in the Plaza District. (Provided/Plaza District)

10

Teachers Armed/Kirk

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July 17, 2018

Hartshorne Public Schools Allows Teachers to Carry Brock Warren

@TheVista1903 Contributing Writer

An eastern Oklahoma school unanimously voted last month to allow school personnel to carry firearms on school property and at school events.

Hartshorne Public Schools Board of Education is adding an additional security measure, allowing teachers to carry, so long as they are certified by the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Training.

The vote passed last month, and the decision does not stand alone among Oklahoma schools. Okay Public Schools have recently allowed staff to carry weapons as well, under similar regulations.

“We’re not looking to hire security guards or off-duty police,” said Harstshorne Superintendent Jason Lindley. “We had a lot of teachers

express interest in carrying, and we heard them out.”

Lindley said Hartshorne Public Schools personnel have been through active shooter training, and estimates roughly seven out of 58 certified personnel would be allowed to carry.

“A teacher's number one job is to protect their students, instead of a cover and retreat mode, they can now be in a stand and protect mode,” said Lindley.

The school board has been discussing this decision for two years, and it has been derived from the increase in school shootings nationwide. In the first 21 weeks of this 2018, 23 school shootings were reported in the United States.

“It’s the best way to provide the most amount of security with the least amount of cost,” Lindley said.

Active shooter situations are not the only area of emergency that Hartshorne has taken recent precau-

tions toward. The school system has recently built storm shelters at the high school and elementary school locations, in case of severe weather.

“We just want to keep up with the evolution of school safety,” Lindley said.

The decision stems from a bill which was passed in late February 2018. House Bill 3192, authored by Jeff Coody, R-Grandfield, allows Oklahoma public schools to arm certified teachers on school property.

Any Oklahoma school or college institution can arm teachers depending on the School Board of Education

time Achievement Award from the national organization.

“It’s hard to wrap your arms around really,” Kirk said. “In this profession, as everybody here knows, our job is to get honors, awards and publicity for our teams and student-athletes, so to be recognized is kind of humbling and overwhelming.

To be recognized by your peers is

something I’ll never forget.”

Kirk has been with the UCO sports information office for the past 30 years, starting in the fall of 1987. He is tasked with overseeing the media relations for all UCO athletics.

“I was just doing my job,” Kirk said.

He started as a student assistant at Oklahoma State University, but after four years wanted to go in a different direction.

“I got a taste of the profession,” Kirk said. “I then wanted to be a sports writer, so I took a job at the newspaper in McAlester after graduating.”

After spending a year in McAlester and another year writing in Lawton, Kirk thought he found his career.

However, a call from his brother changed everything.

“The sports information’s director job came open here and one of my brothers suggested I apply,” Kirk said.

He did and, after an interview with former Athletic Director Skip Wagnon, he was offered the job.

“I started on November 2, 1987 and have been here ever since,” Kirk said.

It’s a decision that he doesn’t regret.

“I’ve always felt welcomed here,” Kirk said. “Everybody in the athletic department accepted me with open arms. Some of the people I started

decision.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all,” said Edmond Police Officer and former UCO student Joshua Lindsey.

“I think with professional training and background checks, it could do a lot for preventing school shootings or attempts at them.”

The Harstshorne Public School decision authorizes only the arming of handguns, and any teacher wanting to carry must become certified and receive approval from the superintendent. Certified teachers will be allowed to carry at the beginning of the next school year.

“We just want to keep up with the evolution of school safety,” Lindley said.

Kirk still Grasping Hall of Fame Induction Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg Sports Editor

University of Central Oklahoma Sports Information Director Mike Kirk was inducted in the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame on June 28. He also received the Life-

University of Central Oklahoma Sports Information’s Director Mike Kirk accepts the CoSIDA Lifetime Achivement Award. He was inducted into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame moments later. (BronchoSports)

working with when I came in 1987 are my best friends.”

Although he loves the job, it is not without its problems.

“It’s a very time-consuming job,” Kirk said. “I missed a lot of my family’s activities over the years.

That’s just the nature of the business and you have to deal with it the best way you can if you want to remain in college athletics.”

Kirk has worked on a national and global level in the sport of wrestling, serving on the NCAA Division II committee and being committee chair three times. He also served as the press information officer for wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and was inducted into the Oklahoma chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.

The honors are not what Kirk cherishes the most. It’s the relationships.

“The relationships I built and still have with a lot of our coaches along with former student-athletes is something special,” Kirk said. “We’re basically one big, happy family.”

In 2016 Kirk retired, turning over the job to Chris Brannick, but returned this year in a part-time role.

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July 17, 2018

Sports

SPORTS

Energy Set Record in Win

Energy FC forward Jaime Siaj (32) and Las Vegas Lights defender Juan Herrera (13) fight for the ball during a July 12 game at Taft Stadium. The Energy won 6-4 to extend their winning streak to six matches. (OKC ENERGY FC)

James Jackson

@JamesDJackson15 Sports Reporter

The Oklahoma City Energy FC defeated the Las Vegas Lights on July 12, 6-4, at Taft Stadium in the highest combined score in Energy history.

The Energy came into the matchup on a five-match unbeaten streak 3-0-2, 19-6-10 on the season, in fourteenth place, two spots behind the Lights in the division. After their win Energy moved past the Lights to the 12th spot in the USL Western Conference Standings with 15 games remaining in regular season play.

The match was the first time the Lights battled the Energy in Oklahoma City. Going into the matchup, the Lights had only won one road game all season and allowed thirty goals, which is sixth worst in the league.

“They are a team who can absolutely catch fire at any moment and score goals,” said Steve Cooke, Energy head coach. “But I think also they give you opportunities.”

OKC scored six goals on the night, the most in franchise history.

Alex Dixon, who returned to the starting lineup this week from injury, was named Man of the Match after he scored two goals and assisted on

one for Energy, while Lights Midfielder Raul Mendiola scored three of the four goals for the Lights.

Goal one of the game came by Dixon in the 12th minute when he received the ball near the penalty spot from a header pass from Jaime Siaj and kicked it past the Vegas goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino. The goal was featured at number five on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays later that night.

Just under three minutes after Dixon’s goal, the Lights tied the match when former U.S. National Team member Freddy Adu, passed a corner kick to Carlos Alvarez and scored a curving ball to the far post past the Energy goalkeeper Bryan Byars. He was filling in for starting goalkeeper Matt Vanoekel, who was injured in the second half against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Byars had six saves out of 10 shots on goal on the night.

Just before the end of the half in the 44th minute, the Energy scored again as Defenseman Atiba Harris, who was playing in his first match with Energy, scored on a cross from Dixon to give them the 2-1 lead.

The teams combined for seven goals in the second half, five of which came in a 21-minute span.

Starting in the 50th minute, with a pass from the right wing from de-

fender Christian Ibeagha, Siaj scored his fourth goal of the season with a header to the back of the net. Seven minutes later, Francis Atuahene scored his second of the season, to an empty net off a deflection by Dixon, who brought the goalie out on a rush and tried to chip it over him, to give the Energy a 4-1 lead.

Lights’ Mendiola would then answer by scoring twice in just over a four minute span, once to the left side of the net in the 65th minute and the other to the right side in the 70th minute.

Dixon would score his second goal of the night and team leading fifth of the season in the 72nd minute, after being taken to the sideline due to a head-to-head collision with a Lights player. The play was assisted by Jose Barril.

Mendiola would then score his third goal near the end of stoppage time in the 90th minute, marking the third time an Energy opponent has scored three goals in a match against them this season.

However, Christian Volesky’s header goal in the 92nd minute gave the Energy six goals on the night.

The win extends Energy’s unbeaten streak to six matches with a record of 3-0-3.

“It was a crazy one, you know, six

to four,” Dixon said. “We’d rather not give up those goals, but it was good to finally put in a collective offensive performance as a whole, so we’re happy about that and just want to keep this six-game unbeaten run into Sacramento.”

The Energy have also scored a goal in 10 consecutive matches, the third longest streak in franchise history.

The Energy’s next matchup is against Sacramento Republic FC on July 21 at 10 p.m.

Lights midfielder Freddy Adu tries to steal the ball from Energy defender Joseph Adjei during a July 12 game. (OKC ENERGY FC)

Sports

July 17, 2018

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Hall of Fame Class Announced Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg Sports Editor

Six individuals and two teams are entering the University of Central Oklahoma Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2018, joining nearly 150 former student-athletes, coaches and supporters of UCO athletics.

The 1980-81 and 1981-82 UCO wrestling teams, along with Shawn Fleming (wrestling), Jim Seward (men’s basketball coach), Lisa Hansen (soccer), Brian Melchiori (wrestling), Booker T. Washington (lifetime achievement) and Willie Henderson (football) will all be inducted.

UCO will host the 2018 Hall of Fame Banquet in the Nigh University Center on October 5 with a dinner and reception preceding the induction ceremony. More information about the banquet, including ticket options, will be available this fall.

Fleming wrestled from 198790 and was a three-time NAIA All-American, finishing seventh in 1987, before earning a national runner-up finish in 1988. He won a national championship in 1989, also helping win the team title. He

is fifth on UCO’s all-time wins list with 120, second on the career technical falls list with 19 and second for single season technical falls with 9. He wrestled for two national championship teams in 1987 and 1989.

Seward coached the men’s basketball team from 1987-2002, leading UCO to 261 wins in 15 seasons. He coached nine All-Americans, had nine top-20 teams, eight NCAA Tournament appearances and coached two national players of the year, including former NBA player and fellow Hall of Famer Eddie Robinson. He led the team to the Lone Star Conference Champions in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1998 and led UCO to the Elite Eight in 1992. He earned LSC Coach of the Year honors four times over that span.

Hansen was a four-year letter winner for the soccer team and led UCO to a 69-17-1 record during her career. She earned Second Team All-Lone Star Conference honors as a freshman in 1999, and earned First Team All-LSC the next three seasons, along with All-Region honors her senior season. As a defender, she helped UCO to a 0.81 goals allowed

average in her career, including a 0.39 average her senior season.

Melchiori wrestled for two seasons from 1993-95. He went 29-11 with 13 falls in the 1993-94 season, when he won a national championship at 126 pounds, earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award and led UCO to a third-straight national title. He posted a 41-5 record as a senior, again winning the 126-pound national championship and leading UCO to a fourth-straight title. His 41 wins are the fifth most in a single season in school history. He won 70 matches, including an 8-0 mark in the NCAA Division II national tournament.

Washington, who played basketball from 1959-61, was the first African-American student-athlete to graduate from UCO when he received his bachelor’s degree in Education in 1961. He would go on to teach for Oklahoma City Public Schools for 20 years. He spent eight more years as a part-time instructor and is currently still working with OKCPS as a substitute teacher. He has also worked with the Stampede Club, as well as the ‘First Generation of African Americans to Attend UCO’ organization. He received the

Outstanding Alumni Award from UCO’s African-American Faculty/ Staff Association.

Henderson was a four-year letterman for the football team, winning 30 games and the 1982 NAIA National Championship. He had six catches for 135 yards as UCO won their second national title. He was a three-time All-District Nine wide receiver and ended his career with 105 receptions for 2,300 yards. He ranks third in all-time yards and 12th in catches.

The 1980-81 wrestling team set an NAIA record with six individual national champions that season, a record that still stands across all levels of NCAA wrestling. Dennis Kendrick, Todd Osborn, Ronnie James, Alan Maddox, Benny Coleman and Bill Ameen were all named champions.

The 1981-82 team made it backto-back championships for UCO. James and Ameen won titles again and Darren Huff, Joe Starzenski, Mike Clark and Coleman earned All-American honors.

France Completes Improbable Run to Championship Derek Parker @D_Park2

Sports Reporter

France won their second-ever World Cup on Sunday with a 4-2 win over Croatia. Despite Croatia’s unorthodox run to the finals, France’s star-studded lineup of Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe proved to be too much.

France and Croatia took very different paths to the World Cup Final.

France started off the tournament by winning its qualifying group, placing them as a top-seeded team in the tournament. They won all its matches leading up to the final in regulation, defeating Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16 in a shootout in which the teams traded the lead three times.

The French then defeated Uruguay 2-0 in the quarterfinals, before cementing their path to the finals with an solid 1-0 defensive effort against the talented Belgian team.

Croatia squeaked into the tournament as one of the last European

teams to qualify. The team then breezed through its group before winning three straight extra-time matches. In Croatia’s first match against Denmark, they gave up a goal in the first minute of regulation, before answering back in just the fourth. Croatia went on to survive a historic goalkeeping duel to advance to the quarterfinals. They faced Russia in the quarterfinals, as both scored in extra-time to send it to a shootout, ending with Croatia taking the win. In the semifinals, they started down early again, but fought back with a goal in regulation and extra-time to punch their ticket to the finals.

In the final match of the tournament, France came out strong in the early minutes of the match, scoring in a 19th minute free kick. France’s Griezzmann’s attempt turned into an own goal for Mario Mandzukic. Croatia’s Ivan Perisic quickly answered with a goal of his own in the 28th minute.

France retook the lead in the 38th

minute, as Griezmann converted a penalty kick to make it 2-1 right before halftime.

After the half, France started strong, scoring two and giving themselves a commanding 4-1 lead.

French star Pogba scored the team’s third goal in the 59th minute, with a left-footed shot to the bottom left corner.

France’s fourth goal came from the 19 year-old phenom Mbappe, who became the first teenager to score a goal in the World Cup Final since Pele in 1958. Mbappe became only the fourth teenage ever to play in the World Cup Final.

England’s captain Harry Kane took home the Golden Boot award, the trophy for the best offensive performance in the World Cup. An error from France’s Hugo Lloris would grant Mandzukic a goal for Croatia in the 68th minute, but France had all but won the match.

French goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris holds the cup next to head coach Didier Deschamps as the French soccer team arrives at Charles de Gaulle airport . (AP Photo/Bob Edme)

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July 17, 2018

Sports

Dodgers Move to Second Place James Jackson

@JamesDJackson15 Sports Reporter

The Oklahoma City Dodgers improved their record to 48-40 with a 7-5 victory over the Round Rock Express in game three of the four game series on Saturday at the Dell Diamond Stadium in Round Rock, Texas.

With the win, the Dodgers sit in second place in the Pacific Coast League American Northern Standings, just one game back of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, who have a record of 51-41, for first place.

On the season, the Dodgers are 2817 at home, 20-23 on the road, and 15-9 in the division.

OKC’s highest win streak was back in April as the Dodgers rolled off nine wins in a row. They beat the Iowa Cubs, Round Rock Express and New Orleans Baby Cakes during that span.

On Saturday, the Dodgers started a new win streak of two games as they were led by their seasonal statistic leaders: Left Fielder Kyle Garlick, and Center Fielders Tim Locastro and Henry Ramos.

Garlick, who leads the Dodgers in home runs this season with 12 and who has hit two in the last ten games, including a go-ahead grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning against All-Star closer R.J. Alvarez.

Of the four runs batted in on Garlick’s grand slam, Lacastro was the first run home, as he singled off Tayler Scott earlier in the inning.

Locastro leads the Dodgers in runs scored, with 36 and stolen bases with 10. Out of the 84 games played this season, Locastro has been held scoreless in 20 of them.

His teammate, Henry Ramos, leads the Dodgers in RBI’s with 42, and batting average with an average of .295. He recorded a hit on Satur-

day in his five plate appearances, maintaining his .295 season batting average. In the last ten games he has recorded 11 hits in 32 plate appearances.

However, on Saturday Ramos made his impact on the defensive end, with a diving catch to his left on the warning track in center field near the wall to end the fifth inning.

Saturday’s win marked the first time since June 17 that the Dodgers won consecutive games this season, which came against the Las Vegas 51s in an 8-1 then 5-3 win. It was also the team’s seventh win when trailing after seven innings and they clinched a win in the season series against Round Rock for a fourth consecutive year.

The Dodgers will try to keep the streak going as they close out the series on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. at Dell Diamond Stadium.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Andrew Toles greats a teammate after scoring in a game against the San Diego Padres .

Toles also plays in with OKC.(AP Photo/ Gregory Bull)

Capela Saga Dominates Free-Agency Travis Wilson

@TheVista1903 Contributing Writer

As the NBA Summer League enters its playoff tournament, free-agency continues to remain in the headlines with key signings.

With LeBron James going southern California, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to remain relevant and avoid entering a rebuild phase just months from reaching the NBA Finals.

Channing Frye, who was traded

from Cleveland to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, has agreed to return to the Cavaliers. He signed a one-year, $2.4 million deal Saturday.

Shabazz Napier, free-agent point guard, agreed to a two-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.

Napier averaged 8.7 points in 20 minutes per game last season with the Portland Trailblazers.

Another move was made Saturday. Forward Jabari Parker decided to leave the Milwaukee Bucks and signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Bulls.

Executive producer LeBron James attends a premiere for “The Carter Effect” on day 3 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Princess of Wales Theatre, in Toronto. James has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, and has the star power to now have a shot at a lot more. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File)

Parker was a restricted free-agent, but Milwaukee rescinded his qualifying offer.

Point guard Isaiah Thomas went from one of the best at his position to first name in trade talks over the last year. After finishing a strong year with the Boston Celtics during the 2016-17 season, including a deep playoff run which he led, he was traded to Cleveland for All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. Thomas spent most of the 2017-18 season recovering from hip surgery. When he returned, he was greeted with boo’s from Cavaliers fans and eventually traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where things didn’t improve for him.

With LeBron’s arrival to the Lakers, Thomas again found himself on the outside looking in. As a result, he agreed to a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum Thursday.

Thomas finished fifth in MVP voting in 2017.

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Jimmy Butler turned down a fouryear contract extension last week that was close to $100 million. The refusal, however, doesn’t mean that Butler is looking to sign elsewhere.

If he has another All-star caliber season, he would be able to make more money next season as the league’s salary cap is expected to rise.

Free-agent guard Wayne Ellington

re-signed with the Miami Heat for one-year, worth $6.27 million.

Other players who can make an impact are still available.

Restricted free-agent point guard Marcus Smart has yet to resign with the Boston Celtics. He recently met with two teams in Las Vegas and plans to meet with two more teams.

Center Clint Capela and the Houston Rockets remain deadlocked after Houston’s initial offer was turned down. The offer was in the fouryear, $60 million range, but Capela is seeking a deal similar to the fouryear $100 million contract center Steven Adams has with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Miami Heat’s Wayne Ellington, right, shoots against Philadelphia 76ers’ Marco Belinelli. He retuned to the Heat. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

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Bucking Broncho

July 17, 2018

Sports with Derek Parker

15

Sports Reporter

@D_Park2

Westbrook, George Bring the Thunder The Oklahoma City Thunder had what most saw as a disappointing season in 2017. They won only 47 games, one more than the previous season, and were sent home in just the first-round by a rookie-led Utah Jazz. With Paul George resigning for the long haul, Carmelo Anthony departing soon and various offseason moves, the future is looking up for Oklahoma City.

Paul George: All-Star forward Paul George has officially signed his four-year $137 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. George resigning officially creates a new duo in the NBA. The Thunder will have both former MVP Russell Westbrook and George for the long haul, with each signed on to the Thunder for the next four years. While Westbrook and George didn’t seem to mesh quite as well as most had hoped on the court, the future is bright for the all-star pair. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook won only 23 games in their first season together, before rattling off an impressive run with Oklahoma City that included a Finals appearance. Westbrook and George will now have at least three years together, and the two will surely improve to a deadly duo in the Western Conference over the years.

George’s signing is monumental for the small-market franchise.

Markets like New York, Miami and especially Los Angeles have largely dominated the free-agent market for years. George opting to stay in Oklahoma over his hometown of LA is huge not only for the future of OKC, but for all small markets in the NBA. If Oklahoma City can persuade someone like George to stay, the chances of it bringing in a third star to help Russell Westbrook and George are starting to look significantly better.

Carmelo’s Departure: Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City have mutually agreed to find a new home for the 10X All-Star. Anthony’s test run in OKC proved to be a disaster for both Anthony and the Thunder.

Anthony put up the worst number of his career in almost every category, with his points per game dropping from 22.4 to 16.2. His field goal percentage fell from .433% to .404%,

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates during a game in Oklahoma City. Westbrook and Paul George looke to improve off a bumpy first season. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

and his assists per game took a hit as well. While gambling for Anthony was probably a good idea, both parties will be happy to part ways. Parting ways with Anthony is good for the Thunder for numerous reasons.

Anthony averaged 15 shots a night for OKC. A majority of those shots would go to Westbrook and George, and Thunder fans cant be too upset about that. Getting rid of Anthony’s virtually untouchable contract will be a load off the franchise’s mind, and if we can grab a couple of role players in the process, the Thunder will be on track to improve next season.

Offseason Moves: The Thunder have made several moves this offseason that, at the moment, seem like they will benefit the Thunder greatly. The Thunder’s next biggest signing behind George was the resigning of forward Jerami Grant.

He has been a steadily improving player for OKC, and could be thrust into a starting spot next year with the inevitable departure of Anthony. The Thunder have also resigned backup point guard Raymond Felton, who, much to the surprise of everyone, gave Oklahoma City solid minutes

last season in the backup role. The most recent offseason move is the acquisition of former lottery Nerlens Noel. He was most likely acquired to fill the backup center hole, but could give the Thunder great minutes as he shows potential in his athleticism and stellar defense. The Thunder also drafted the likes of Devon Hall, Kevin Herney and Hamidou Diallo, who

could all fill various roles for the

Thunder throughout the season.

The Thunder will almost certainly be better than last season.

Aside from Anthony leaving, the overall team chemistry will only continue to improve. Look for the Thunder to be in the mix for the top spot in the Western-Conference next season.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, in Oklahoma City. Carmelo Anthony has played his last game for the Thunder. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)