Tulsa World June 2, 2022

ATTACKERKILLS4

‘Catastrophicscene’ describedinoffices in medicalbuilding

JACOBFACTOR

TulsaWorld

Tulsapolicedescribed a“catastrophic scene”inside amedicaloffice buildingin south Tulsawhere five peoplediedandmultiplemorewereinjuredduring amassshootingon Wednesdayafternoon.

Theshooter,who tookhis ownlife, was armedwith arifleand ahandgunasheenteredSaintFrancis Health System’sNatalie Building,6475 S.Yale Ave.,and beganshootingbothgunsjustbefore5 p.m.,TulsaPolice DeputyChiefEric Dalgleish said.

Policesaidtheshootingoccurredinan orthopediccliniconthe NatalieBuilding’s second floor.Saint Francis Hospital’sonline directorysaysWarrenClinicOrthopedic Surgery andSportsMedicineandorthopedicurgent care islocatedonthe second floor, withninephysicianslisted.

Saint Francis Health System releaseda statement Wednesdaynight sayingitis “grievingtheloss of fourmembersofour family,”butitdidnot releasethenamesor positionsofthose killedorinjured.

Theorthopedicofficeswillbecloseduntil furthernotice,thestatement says.

Theshooter’sidentityhadnotbeen released by Wednesdaynight,butinformationfromtheMuskogee PoliceDepartment indicatesthathemightbefromthatcityand mighthave leftabombinhishousebefore coming to Tulsa.

The exacttimetheshooterbegan firingis notknown yet, Dalgleish said,butthe first 911 call wasreported toofficers at4:52 p.m. The firstofficers arrivedat4:56 p.m.and couldheargunshotsleadingthem to the second floor,wheretheymade contactwith thevictimsandtheshooter at5:01 p.m.,Dalgleish said.

ATulsapolicespokespersonsaidthere were multipleinjuriesbutthatpolicehad not received atotal countofinjuredpeople. Officers searchedthebuilding floor by floorlooking forpotentialvictimsand res-

cuingpeople whohadbeenhidingfromthe gunman.

Saint Francis Health SystemsCEOCliff Robertsonsaidduring apressconferencelate Wednesdayeveningthatthemostpowerful thinganyone candorightnowispray.

“Thereisnothingmorethis community candofor usthanpray forthe familiesand lovedonesofthevictimsofthis senseless act,”Robertsonsaid.“Itwillbe averybumpy roadaheadofus.

“Thereare over10,000ofus whoare part ofthe Saint Francis Health Systemthat every daycommittheirlivestotaking care of peopleinneed.Thishorrible,incomprehensible actisnot going to changethat.”

MayorG.T. Bynum went to thehospital Wednesdayeveningandduringthepress conferencechallenged Tulsaresidentsto thinkaboutthedoctorsandnurseswho work at Saint Francisandhowmuchtheymeanto the Tulsacommunity.

“Iknowthereare so manypeopleoutthere whowant to knowwhat youcan do to supportthe communityand Saint Francis Health Systemthroughthistragedy,”Bynum said.

“Idon’thaveonethingrightnow. Iwould ask youtothinkaboutthe Saint Francis Health Systemand whatthepeoplethat work theremeantoour community, what theymeantoyouand your family. Theheroes whoprotect you.Thinkabout what you candotoshowyoursupport fortheminthe midstofthistragedy.”

Whenaskedabouttheslewofmassshootingsthathave happenedaroundthe country sincetheBuffalo,New York,shootinginMay, Bynum said heis focusingon Tulsa’svictims andthat talksaboutpolicychangecan come later.

“Rightnowmythoughtsare withthe victimshere,many of whose familiesdon’t evenknowaboutthis yet,”Bynum said.“If we want to have apolicydiscussion,thatis

MASS SHOOTING AT SAINTFRANCIS HOSPITAL CAMPUS

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TODAYINHISTORY —THURSDAY,JUNE 2, 2022

Today’shighlight

On June2, 1997,TimothyMcVeigh wasconvictedofmurderand conspiracyinthe 1995 bombingoftheAlfred P. Murrah FederalBuildinginOklahomaCitythatkilled 168people.(McVeigh wasexecutedin June 2001.)

On this date

In 1924,Congress passed,and PresidentCalvin Coolidgesigned,a measureguaranteeingfullAmerican citizenship forall Native Americans bornwithin U.S. territoriallimits.

In 1941, baseball’s“Iron Horse,” LouGehrig, diedinNew York ofa degenerative disease,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;he was37.

In 1953,the coronationofQueen ElizabethII tookplaceinLondon’s WestminsterAbbey, 16 monthsafter thedeathofher father,KingGeorge VI.

In 1961,playwrightanddirector George S. Kaufman,71,diedin New York.

In 1962,Soviet forcesopened fire onstriking workers intheRussiancity of Novocherkassk; aretired generalin 1989 putthedeath tollat22 to 24.

In 1966,U.S.space probeSurveyor1

Volume117, Issue 262

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landed onthemoonandbegantransmittingdetailedphotographsofthe lunarsurface.

In 1979,PopeJohnPaulIIarrivedin hisnativePolandonthe firstvisitbya pope to aCommunistcountry.

In 1981,the Japanesevideoarcade game“DonkeyKong”was released by Nintendo.

In 1999,South Africanswent to the pollsintheir secondpost-apartheid election, givingtheAfrican National Congressadecisive victory; retiring president NelsonMandela wassucceeded by ThaboMbeki.

In2011, ajudgeinPlacerville,California, sentencedserialsex offender PhillipGarrido to lifeinprison for kidnappingand raping JayceeDugard; Garrido’swife, Nancy, received adecades-long sentence.

In2016, autopsy resultsshowed superstarmusicianPrincediedof anaccidental overdose of fentanyl,a powerfulopioid painkiller.

In2020,defyingcurfews, protestersstreamed backintothenation’s streets, hoursafterPresident Donald Trumpurgedgovernorstoputdown theviolencesetoff by thedeathof George Floyd.Policesaid fourofficers were hitbygunfire afterprotestsinSt. Louisthatbeganpeacefullybecame violent.ThebishopoftheEpiscopal DioceseofWashingtonsharplycrit-

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JasonCollington

icized Trump forstaging avisit to St. John’sChurchacross fromtheWhite Houseafterauthoritieshadcleared thearea ofpeacefulprotesters. Mayorsand governorsfromboth parties rejected Trump’sthreattouse the militaryagainstprotesters.

Tenyears ago: OustedEgyptian President HosniMubarak wassentenced to life inprisonafter acourt convictedhimonchargesofcomplicityinthekillingofprotestersduring the2011uprisingthat forcedhimfrom power(Mubarak waslateracquitted andfreedinMarch2017; hediedin February2020).

Five yearsago: Environmental campaignersprotestedPresident Donald Trump’sdecision to pullthe UnitedStatesoutofthe Parisclimateaccord,whilenationsaround the worldpledged to doubledownon theireffortstocurbglobal warming. Three formerPennStateadministrators were handed jailandhouse-arrest sentences rangingup to nearlytwo yearsforburyingchildsexualabuse allegationsagainst JerrySandusky.

One yearago: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’sopponents announcedthattheyhad reacheda deal to form anew governing coalition, pavingthe wayfortheousterof thelongtimeIsraelileader.

—AssociatedPress

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Officialsrespond to mass shooting

“What happened today in Tulsa is asenseless actofviolence and hatred.

“Sarah and Iare prayingfor the familiesof those who lost their livesand forthose who were injured.

“I am grateful forthe quick and brave actions of the Tulsa Police Departmentand other firstresponderswho did their best to contain aterriblesituation.

“I have offered MayorG.T. Bynum anystate resourcesthat maybeneeded, and Iask all Oklahomans to come together in supportofthe SaintFrancis Health System community and to grievewith those whose liveshave beenforever changed.”

—Gov.Kevin Stitt

“A fewmoments ago,Ispoke with Chief Wendell Franklin, who updated me on the terrible situation near St.Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

Shooting

FromA1

something to behadinthefuture, butnot tonight. Nottonight.”

Policehadasked familymembersofpeopleaffected by the shooting to go to Memorial High School, wherea reunificationsite waslocated. Bynummade abrief visit to those waitingatthe school around 8p.m.

Withinmomentsofthe first 911 call,a floodofpolicecarsand other firstresponders filledthe streetsand parkinglotsaround themedicaloffice building,closing Yale Avenuefrom61stStreet to atleast 65thStreet. Over100 firstresponder vehicles were in thearea,andofficialsfromthe BureauofAlcohol, Tobacco and Firearmsandfromthe U.S. Marshals Servicecametothe scene. OklahomaGovernor KevinStitt released astatement sayinghehas offeredanystate resource Tulsa officialsmightneed.

Kelsey Hoursey, whoworks in adifferentmedicalbuildingon Saint Francis’ campus, said she couldn’tleaveattheendofher work dayonWednesday.

Whenshe firstgotoutsidethe buildingshe worksin,shediscoveredthatboth exitsfromthe parkinglot were blocked by policecars. Thenshelearnedfrom other bystandersthatpolicehad responded to anactive shooter inthe complex,andshe wastoo shaken to drive homerightaway, even whenshe couldmove her car.

“Ilost my adult sontogunviolenceinApril, so thishitstoo close to home.I’mstillprocessingthat —andI’veworkedin everyoneofthesebuildingsover the years,”said Hoursey,whocurrentlyservesasaclinicalassistant at WarrenClinicGastroenterology.

Hourseypacednearher carin the parkinglotdirectlyopposite thefrontentrancetothe Natalie Building, responding to frantic textsand callsfromherother childrenand relativeswho were inquiringabouther safety.

“I’mgoing to bepraying over thesefamiliesaffected by this to-

Muskogeebombthreatconnected Muskogeepoliceconfirmed Wednesdayeveningthatapossiblebomb threatinthat city wasconnectedtothemassshooterin Tulsa.

In apress releaseissuedjust after8p.m.,MuskogeePoliceDepartmentspokesman LynnHamlinsaid Tulsapolicehad “receivedinformation”thattheshooteratthe NatalieBuildinginTulsamighthave lefta bombathishomeinthe 3300blockof ParkPlaceNorthinMuskogee beforetravelingtoTulsa.

Hesaidpoliceevacuatedthehouseandtoldneighborstostayinside theirhomes.

TheOklahomaHighwayPatrolBombSquad wascalled to thehouse, and policewereobtainingasearch warrant, hesaidinthepress release.

Nofurtherinformation wasavailableatpresstime Wednesdaynight.

dayand forthelove of Jesus over this country,”she said,shakingher head.“Thisishistoric whatishappeninginthis countryrightnow —itfeelsliketheenemyisgrowing nearer.”

Across thestreetfromthe NatalieBuilding, Robin Coxstood lookingatthe fortressoflaw enforcement vehiclesblockingthe entrancetothebuilding.

“Itbreaks my heart. Youtry not to cryinfrontofpeople,butI’m sureI’m going to go home tonight andit’s going to botherme.” Cox, a37-year-oldmother of four,hadjustleft work atthe Springer Buildingonthe westside ofYaleAvenue.

“People takinginnocentlives. Theyhavefamilies.(Theyare)takingpeoplefromtheirlovedones.”

TulsaCityCouncilor Connie Dodsonhappened to be atthe Saint Francis emergency room whenit waslockeddownabout 4:20 p.m.,she said.

“Theylockeditdownwithout announcinganything,butthen peopleheardthelarge presenceof policeand respondersinthearea and weregettingalertsontheir phones,” Dodson said. Thelockdownlastedlessthan anhour,she said.

“Therewereapproximately30 peopleintheERatthetime,but everyone wascalmand watching theactivityoutsideandlive reportsontheTV,” Dodson said.

CityCouncilor Jayme Fowler grew upjustblocksfromwhere the shootings occurred and now representstheneighborhoodon the council.

“It’s justtragic,” he said.“You neverthink somethinglikethis wouldhappeninoursleepycity.”

KevinCanfieldandAndrea Eger contributed tothisstory.

jacob.factor@tulsaworld.com

“There’sstill alot we don’t knowabout what happened tonightinthe Natalie Building, but what we do knowisthis: multiplelives were taken from us, and manymorechanged forever.

“My prayers arewiththose who lost lovedones tonight, and with theentireTulsa communityaswerecoverfromthis tragedy.I am thankful forour lawenforcementofficers who responded quickly.”

—U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern

Cindyand Iare heartbroken to hear the devastatingnewsout of Tulsa this evening. We are prayingfor the families of the lives thatweretaken far too soon and fora full recovery for those whowereinjured today. It ishardtoprocess the anger that motivates someone to commit such violence, especially at aplace that provides careand healing.

“I am in touch withlocal officials inTulsa and will continue to receiveupdates on the situation. Our lawenforcement and firstresponderswere prepared and equippedto respondtoa situation to which no one ever wantstorespond.

I’mgrateful fortheir quick reaction to preventany further loss of life.”

—U.S. Sen. James Lankford

“The Tulsa County Boardof County Commissionersis deeplysaddened by the shootingatSaint Francis Hospital’s Natalie Medical Building, and we urge all Tulsa County residents to supportthoseaffected by thistragedy,includingthe familiesof victims and the employees at SaintFrancis, by allowinglaw enforcementto secureandprocessthescene assomanygrieve.”

—Tulsa County CommissionerKaren Keith

“Our thoughtsandprayers arewiththefamilieswho lostlovedonestodayandall the staff and bystanderswho were subjectedtothe terrible actionsoftheshooter.Ialso want tothankalllawenforcementand firstresponderswho arrivedatthescene so quickly followingtheshooting.”

—Tulsa County CommissionerStanSallee

“Ihave communicated with TulsaPoliceChief Wendell Franklinandotherlocal,state, and federal lawenforcement officials regardingtheshooting thatoccurrednear St.Francis Hospitaltoday. TheU.S.Attorney’sOffice and federallaw enforcementhaveoffered all available resourcestoour local lawenforcementpartners.

“I commend firstresponders fortheir timelyandproactive responsetocalls forassistance. Ialso want tooffer my condolencesto thefamilies andcolleaguesofthosevictims losttothishorrificact ofviolence.”

—U.S. Attorney ClintJohnson

IANMAULE,TULSA WORLD

Familymembershugastheyare reunitedatMemorialHigh Schoolafterbeingevacuatedfromthescene of ashootingattheNatalieBuildingat64th Streetand Yale Avenueon Wednesday.

IANMAULE,TULSA WORLD Media gather as Tulsapoliceand firefightersrespondtothemassshootingattheNatalieBuildingonWednesday.

IANMAULE,TULSA WORLD

DIGEST

Jury awards Depp

$10M in libelcase

FAIRFAX, Va.— Ajurysided

Wednesdaywith JohnnyDepp inhislibellawsuitagainst exwifeAmber Heard, awarding the“PiratesoftheCaribbean” actormorethan$10millionand vindicatinghisallegationsthat Heardliedabout Deppabusing herbeforeandduringtheirbrief marriage.

Butin asplitdecision,the juryalsofoundthat Heardwas defamed by one of Depp’slawyers,whoaccusedherofcreating adetailedhoaxthatincluded roughinguptheirapartment to look worseforpolice.Thejury awardedher$2millionindamages.

The verdictsbringanend to atelevisedtrialthat Depphad hoped wouldhelp restorehis reputation,thoughitturnedinto aspectaclethatofferedawindow intoaviciousmarriage.

Heard, whowas stoicinthe courtroomasthe verdict was read, saidshe washeartbroken.

“I’mevenmoredisappointed with whatthis verdict means forotherwomen.It’s asetback. It sets backthe clocktoatime when awoman whospokeup andspokeout couldbepublicly humiliated.It sets backtheidea thatviolenceagainstwomenisto be takenseriously,’’she saidina statementpostedonherTwitter account.

LasVegas chapels told to drop Elvisthemed weddings

LASVEGAS —Las Vegaschapelsoflove thatuse ElvisPresley’slikenesscould findthemselvesbecoming Heartbreak Hotels.

Thelicensing companythat controlsthenameandimageof “The King”isorderingSinCity chapeloperatorstostopusing Elvisinthemed ceremonies, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. AuthenticBrands Group sent cease-and-desist lettersinearly Maytomultiple chapels,whichareexpected to be compliant by now.

WithElvissocloselytiedtoVegas’ weddingindustry, some say themove coulddecimatetheir businesses.

BRIEFLY

FORMULA: President JoeBiden on Wednesdaysaid he wasnot briefedontheprospect ofnationwideshortagesof baby formula forabout twomonths, andheacknowledgedthe strain onfamiliesashisadministration struggles to addressthe situation.

REPARATIONS: Thereparations movementhit awatershedmomentWednesdaywiththerelease of areportdetailingCalifornia’s roleinperpetuatingdiscriminationagainstAfricanAmericans, settingthestage foranofficial governmentapologyand case for reparations.

COSBY: Sixteen-year-old Judy HuthwasdeeplydistraughtminutesafterBill Cosby isalleged to have sexuallyabusedheronan afternoonin 1975 atthePlayboyMansion,herbestfriendat thetime testified Wednesday. Donna Samuelson,then 17 and now64,wasthe firstwitnessin aLos Angeles Countyciviltrial stemmingfromHuth’slawsuit against Cosby.

AGATHA:HurricaneAgathaleftat least11peopledeadand 33 missinginthesouthernMexicostateof Oaxaca,where it setoffflooding andlandslides,Gov.Alejandro MuratsaidWednesday.Morethan 40,000peoplehavebeenaffected, Murat said.

FACEBOOK: SherylSandberg, the No.2 executive at Facebook owner Meta,saidWednesday sheissteppingdown. Sandberg hasservedaschiefoperatingofficeratthesocialmediagiantfor 14 years.

STUDENTDEBT: Studentswho attendedthe for-profitCorinthian Collegeschainwill get their federalstudentloans canceled,theBidenadministration announced Wednesday. Itwill erase$5.8billionindebt for morethan560,000borrowers, thelargestsingleloandischarge inEducationDepartmenthistory, according to theagency. —AssociatedPress

West pledgesmorearms

part ofa new$700M packageof assistance from theUS

JOHN LEICESTERAND FRANKJORDANS

AssociatedPress

KYIV,Ukraine —The U.S. and GermanypledgedonWednesday to equipUkrainewith someof theadvanced weaponsithaslong craved forshootingdownaircraft andknockingoutartillery, asRussian forcesclosedinoncapturinga key cityinthe east.

Germanysaiditwillsupply Ukrainewithup-to-dateanti-aircraftmissilesand radar systems, whilethe U.S. announceditwill provide four sophisticated,medium-rangerocket systemsandam-

munition.

TheU.S.istryingtohelpUkraine fendoff theRussianswithouttriggering awider warinEurope.The Pentagonsaiditreceivedassurances thatUkrainewillnot fire thenew rocketsintoRussian territory.

TheKremlinaccusedthe U.S. of “pouringfuelonthe fire.”

Westernarmshave beencritical to Ukraine’ssuccess instymieing Russia’s muchlargerand better-equippedmilitary, thwarting itseffort to stormthecapital and forcing Moscowtoshiftits focus to theindustrial Donbas regionin the east.

ButasRussiabombards townsin itsadvanceinthe east,Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyrZelenskyyrepeatedlypleadedformoreandbetter weaponsandaccusedthe Westof

TEXASELEMENTARYSCHOOLSHOOTING

moving tooslowly. Andriy Yermak,theheadofthe Ukrainianpresident’soffice,hailed thenewWestern weapons.

“I’msurethatifwereceiveallthe necessaryweaponsandstrengthen theefficient sanctions regime we willwin,”hesaid.

ThenewarmscouldhelpUkraine setupandholdnewlinesofdefense intheeastbyhittingbackatRussian artillerypiecesthathave been battering townsandcitiesand by limitingRussianairstrikes,saidretired FrenchGen.DominiqueTrinquand, aformerheadof France’smilitary mission at the United Nations.

“The NATO countries— the EuropeannationsandtheAmericans—haveprogressivelyescalated themeansthattheyare puttingat Ukraine’sdisposal,andthisesca-

lation,in my opinion,hashadthe aimof testingRussianlimits,”he said.“Eachtime,theymeasurethe Russian reaction,andsincethere isno reaction,theykeepsupplying increasinglyeffectiveandsophisticatedweaponry.”

Militaryanalysts sayRussiais hoping to overrunthe Donbasbefore anyweaponsthatmightturn thetidearrive.Itwill take atleast three weekstogettheprecision U.S. weaponsandtrainedtroops ontothe battlefield,the Pentagon said.

The rocket systemsarepartofa new$700million packageofsecurityassistanceforUkrainefromthe UnitedStatesthatalsoincludeshelicopters,Javelinanti-tankweapon systems,radars, tactical vehicles, spareparts andmore.

Police chiefsayshe’scooperating

State investigatorssaid theofficial ignored requests fortwo days

JIMVERTUNO AssociatedPress

The schooldistrict police chief whoservedason-site commander duringlastweek’sdeadlyshootingin Uvalde, Texas, said Wednesdaythat he’stalkingdailywithinvestigators, contradictingclaimsfromstate law enforcementthathestoppedcooperating.

In abriefinterview, Uvalde ConsolidatedIndependent SchoolDistrict PoliceChief Pete Arredondo toldCNNthathe’sspeakingregularlywithTexasDepartmentofPublic Safetyinvestigators.

Thechiefhasbeenthe focusofire inthe communityandbeyond over allegationsthathedelayedsending officers intothe schoolon May24, believingthatthegunman wasbarricadedinsideadjoiningclassrooms andthechildren were nolongerat risk. Nineteenchildrenandtwoteachers diedintheattackatRobbElementary School,thedeadliestschoolshooting innearlyadecade.Funeralsbeganthis week,and U.S. Education Secretary MiguelCardonaattendedWednesday’sservicesforteacherIrmaGarcia, whowaskilledintheattack,andher husband, JoeGarcia, whodiedofa heartattacktwodayslater. Thedistrictannounced Wednesdaythatstudentsandstaffwouldnot return to thatcampus.Texasstate

Would-be Reagan assassinto be free

JESSICAGRESKO

AssociatedPress

WASHINGTON —John Hinckley, whoshotPresident Ronald Reaganin1981,is“nolongera danger to himselforothers”and willbefreedfromall restrictions thismonth,a federaljudgesaid Wednesday, cappingHinckley’s four-decade journeythroughthe legaland mentalhealth systems.

U.S.DistrictCourtJudgePaulL.

Friedman saidin Septemberthat he wouldfreeHinckleyfromall remaining restrictionsonJune 15 aslongas Hinckleycontinued to do welllivinginthe community in Virginiaashehas foryears.At ahearing WednesdayinWashingtonwhich Hinckley didnotattend,FriedmannotedHinckleyhas continuedtodowell,andthejudge

madenochangestohisplans for fullfreedomfrom court oversight.

“He’sbeen scrutinized. He’s passedevery test. He’s nolongera dangertohimselforothers,”Friedman saidat ahearingthatlasted aboutanhour.Friedmandevoted muchofthehearing to talking aboutthe“long road”ofthecase, whichhe wasrandomly assigned twodecadesago,thethirdjudgeto be involvedin the case.

He notedthat Hinckley, who turned 67 on Sunday, wasprofoundlytroubled when he shot Reaganbutthat hehadbeenable togetmentalhealthhelp.Hinckley hasshownnosigns ofactive mentalillnesssincethemid-1980s,the judgenoted Wednesday,andhas exhibited noviolentbehavioror interestinweapons.

Sen.RolandGutierrezsaidWednesdayhisofficeisworkingtorequestup to $45million in federalfunding for theschool.

AccordingtotheU.S.Department ofEducation,itsSchoolEmergency ResponsetoViolence “fundsshorttermeducation-relatedservices” to helpfacilities“recoverfromaviolent ortraumaticeventinwhichthelearningenvironmenthasbeendisrupted.”

Gutierrezsaidheisunawareofany planstoteardownRobbElementary butthatfunds obtained throughthe programbyotherschoolshavetraditionallybeenusedtorebuild.

Stateofficialshave said 19 police officerswaitedformorethananhour outsidetheclassroom whereSalvadorRamos, 18,opened fire,despite repeatedpleasfromchildren calling

911forhelp.

UvaldeMayorDon McLaughlin toldmediaWednesdaythathe’d arrived at the funeral home across thestreetfromthe schoolabout 15 minutesafter“the firstcall” came thatRamoshadcrashedhistruck. McLaughlinsaidthatwhileatthefuneralhome,hestoodnearanofficial heidentifiedonlyas“thenegotiator,” whounsuccessfullytriedtoreachthe gunmanviacellphone.

TravisConsidine,chiefcommunicationsofficerforthe TexasDepartmentofPublic Safety,said Tuesday that Arredondodidnot respond to DPSrequestsfor twodays,while otherofficers intheUvaldecityand schoolspolicedepartmentscontinue tositforinterviewsandprovidestatements.

Allegedstore gunman will face 25 charges

CAROLYNTHOMPSON AssociatedPress

BUFFALO,N.Y. —The white manaccusedofkilling10Black peoplein aracistattackonaBuffalosupermarketwasindicted by agrandjuryWednesdayon astate domesticterrorismand hatecrimecharge that would carryamandatorysentenceof lifeinprison.

PaytonGendronis scheduled to be arraignedThursday on thenew, 25-countindictment, whichbuildson apreviousmurder chargehastilypreparedinthe hoursaftertheMay14shooting.

The18-year-oldhasnowalso beenchargedwiththeattempted murdersofthreepeople who were shotduringtheattack, butsurvived, and with usinga weapon while committing afel-

ony.

Thehorrificnatureofthe crimeandnumberofvictims was likelytoalready guarantee alife sentenceifGendronis convicted. New York has nodeath penalty.

Thedomestic terrorism charge —Domestic Acts of Terrorism MotivatedbyHateinthe FirstDegree —accusesGendron ofkilling “becauseoftheperceived race and/or color”ofhis victims.

ProsecutorssaidGendron droveaboutthreehourstoBuffalofromhishomein Conklin, New York,intending to killas manyBlackpeopleas possible.

Thegunman, carryinganAR15-stylerifleherecentlypurchased,opened fire on Saturday afternoonshoppers at aTopssupermarketinBuffalo.

Systemsare

JAEC.HONG,ASSOCIATEDPRESS

Twowomen comforteachother Wednesdayduring theburialserviceforIrmaGarciaandherhusbandJoeGarciaatHillcrest CemeteryinUvalde,Texas. IrmaGarcia waskilledinlast week’selementaryschoolshooting;JoeGarciadiedof aheartattack twodayslater.

Webcobreaksgroundonforever

SandSprings company begins work on the

F. WilliamWeber Leadership Campus

SHARONBISHOP-BALDWIN

Sand SpringsLeader SANDSPRINGS —Forever isa very longtime.

But,then,it wasaverylongtime ago—53years,tobeexact —that WebcoIndustriesfounderF.William“Bill” Weberbeganhiscompany to provide manufacturersof heat exchangers with tubing.

On Wednesday, Webcoonce againlookedtothefuture as companyofficialsturneddirttomark thebeginningofconstructionon theF.William WeberLeadership Campus.

Inmorethan 72,000 squarefeet ofspace,thebuilding willhouse Webco’scorporate leadership team, WebcoUniversityandthe WebcoTech Center.

Theland waspurchasedfrom theSandSpringsEconomic Development Authority,and the campuswilloccupy about 35 acres adjacent to Webco’sexistingStar Center TubeManufacturingplant onOklahoma51in SandSprings.

Constructionis expected to take about18months,and while constructioncosts arestillin flux, Webcoreportedthat theinitial buildingwill represent acapital investmentin thetens ofmillions ofdollars.

Dana Weber,WebcoIndustries’ CEOandboardchairwoman, said herfather,forwhomthe campusis named,“wouldbesopleasedand so proudand so excited forthefuture,especially becausehewas so excitedabouttheTechnologyCenterand so excitedaboutWebcoU andbringingitall togetheronthis campus.

“Ithink he wouldbevery thrilled.”

She saidher father waslikelyto disagree with only one element of thenewcampus—havinghisname onit.

“Healwaysfeltlikeitwas every-

bodydoingit together,”she said. “Andhe’s right,buthewastheone wholedthe way.”

Bill Weberdied in September 2018,just twomonthsbeforethe

companybegan ayearlong commemorationofits50thanniversary.

MikeJamisonof SandSprings feelslikehehasbeenemployedby Webcoforever —and that’s agood

U.S. jobopeningsdecline from record

CHRISTOPHERRUGABER

AssociatedPress

WASHINGTON —The white-hotdemand forU.S. workers cooledabitin April, thoughthenumberofunfilled jobs remainshighand companiesarestilldesperatetohiremorepeople.

Employers advertised11.4 million jobs attheendof April,theLaborDepartment said Wednesday,downfrom nearly 11.9 millioninMarch, thehighestlevelonrecords thatdateback morethan20 years.At thatlevel,there are nearlytwojob openingsfor everyunemployedperson. That’s asharp reversalfrom thehistoric pattern: Before the pandemic,therewere always moreunemployed peoplethan availablejobs.

Thenumberofpeoplequittingtheir jobs remainednear record highsat 4.4millionin April,mostly unchangedfromthepreviousmonth. Nearly allof those whoquitdo so to take another job,typicallyfor higher pay.

Thehistoricallyhigh numberofunfilled jobs and thenumberofpeoplequittinghas forcedemployers to paymoretoattractand keepstaff.Those trendsare driving solid wagegains for America’sworkers,particularly those that switch jobs.

The figuresalsosuggest thathiring remainsstrong. On Friday, thegovernment will releasethemonthlyjobs report.Economistsbelieve employers added 323,000 jobs in May, andthatthe unemploymentrateticked down to 3.5%,matchingits pre-pandemiclow, from 3.6%.

Thehealthylevelofopen jobs showsthat companies arestilltrying to addstaff andgrow,evenasinflation

hovers near a40-yearhigh andthe Federal Reservehas embarkedon what couldbe itsfastest pace ofinterest rate hikessincethe 1980s.

“Employers’focusison expansiondespitehighinflationandpendinghigher interest rates,”saidRobert Frick,aneconomistatthe Navy FederalCredit Union.

Yethigher payalsomeans manycompaniesmust raise prices to coverat least part oftheirhigherlabor costs, adding to inflationpressures,whichAmericans increasinglyciteasatop concern.

Federal ReserveChair Jerome Powellhas targetedthe highlevelof available jobs andhopesthat by raising interest rates, the Fedcan slowdemand forworkers andbringdownthenumberofopenings.Powelland other Fedofficialshave said their goalis to reduceopeningsandthereforeslowwage increasestocoolinflation, potentiallywithout forcing manylayoffs.

Educatorsset forworkforce initiative

FROM STAFFREPORTS

More than30educators fromaroundMuskogee Countywill participateFridayinthe STEMEducator Summit,the PortofMuskogee’sworkforce developmentinitiative.

Thedaylong eventwill featurehands-onactivitiesand toursatDalTile, AcmeEngineering, Advantage Controls,B&TGroup, Traferaand ConnorsState College. NortheasternState UniversityandIndianCapital Technology Centerwill alsoparticipate.

“Teachersare the key to promoting STEMeducation,” Jeff O’Neal,president of AdvantageControls,said instatement.“Ifteachersare excitedand well-informed, theycanbring STEM con-

tent to theclassroomand we canreachthekidsnecessary rebuildthe technical workforceneeded forthefuture growthour companyand theMuskogee community.”

DarlaHellerisdeputydirectorof PortofMuskogee WorkforceDevelopment.

“The goalofthe STEM EducatorSummitis to inspireteachersbygiving themthechancetosee local examplesandpracticalapplicationsofthemathand sciencetheyare teachingin theclassrooms,” she said.

“Long term,theobjective is to reacharea studentsearly to encourageanddevelopa futureworkforcepipeline forthelocal technology sectorsandmanufacturing industries.”

The PortofMuskogee

engagesinworkforce development to ensureMuskogee Countycompanieshave directaccess to sourcesof trainingand talent to grow theirbusinesses.

ThemissionoftheMuskogeeCity-CountyPort Authorityistopromotethedevelopmentofport facilities andactivitiesand continue theviabilityofthe McClellan-KerrArkansasRiver Navigation System.

TheMuskogeeCityCountyPort Authorityworks in partnership withtheCity, Countyand Muskogee Foundation to implementindustrialand workforcedevelopment programsdesigned to increase businessinvestment and jobopportunitiesinthe Muskogeearea.

thing.

OfficiallyemployeeNo. 64,he started workingfor Webcoin1973.

“Youjustdon’t findpeople who stay in companiesthatlonganymoreunlessthatcompanyisworth stayingfor,” he said.

Jamison,a businesssalesdevelopmentmanager forthe company, said heknewBill Weberverywell andthinkstheLeadershipCampus is asignthathisvisionis stillalive and well.

“Ithinkit’s justgoing to continueon,”hesaid.“We’reherefor thelongterm.”

David Boyer,presidentand COO of WebcoIndustries,inexplaining to thecrowd whyBill Weber’svision took time to become reality, said:“Sometimesit’s justnotthe righttime to boldlyexpand.The rightthingisnotalwaysnext, but thenextrightthingishow Webco seeksforeverbest.

“The F. William WeberLeadershipCampusisournextright thing.”

SandSpringsMayorJimSpoon said Webco’sexpansion inthearea “hasmadeahugeimpactonwhat’s going to happenin SandSpringsin thefuture.”

“I can’ttell youhow much... we love andappreciateWebcobeingagoodcitizen, agreat partof our community anda greatpart of what we seeasgrowthandthe goodthingsthatwillhappenin SandSprings,”hesaid.

“Wealsolovethe factthat you’re bringingthefuturetoSand Springs.”

OklahomaExecutiveDirectorof CommerceBrentKislingdiscussed howjobcreationisnot ataskbest lefttothe government.

“It’sall ofour missionwithin governmenttohelpcreate anenvironment wherebusinessescan create jobs,” he said.“That’s what we’recelebratingheretoday.”

Butit’s notjustabout jobs and taxesand revenues,headded.

“The reason we doeconomic developmentis so we have opportunities forthat next generation to stay close to families,”Kislingsaid.

“Webcoismakingthatinvestmenthereforthatnextgeneration.”

Dana Webersaidbuildingthe newcampusadjacent to theStar Center wasaneasydecision.

“Wewantedto stay herebecause we love SandSpringsandthey’ve been so good to us forsomany years,”she said.

Followingthe presentation,she andhersistersshoveleddirtonto treesbeingplantedatthesiteto representthecompany’s intention to continuetoputdown roots.

Webcoalsomadeadonation to SandSprings’ KeystoneAncient Forestin recognitionofeveryone whoattendedtheceremony.

“Weviewinvestmentslikeour LeadershipCampusandTechCenterasan integral part ofourpath forward,”Dana Webersaid.

“They arethe seedswe’re plantingtodaytosupportWebco’soperationslongintothe future.” news@sandspringsleader.com

DARE to COMPARE

Bank1.00%1.60%1.75% 2.00%2.25% Bank of Oklahoma .03% .05% .05% .10%.15% Arvest Bank.15% .05% .20% .25%.30% Bank ofAmerica.03%.03%.03%.03%.03%

Bank.30%.40% .50% .60% .65%

.05% .05% .05%.10%

Bank.30%.30%.35%.34% .45%

.25%.35% .40% .50% .55%

Bank .50% .55% .65% .70% .75%

SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN PHOTOS,SAND SPRINGS LEADER

Dana Weber(right), WebcoIndustries’CEO and board chairwoman, and her sistershelpplantatreeWednesday near where thenew F. William Weber Leadership Campus willbebuilt

Dana Weber, WebcoIndustries’ CEOand boardchairwoman,speakstothe crowdgathered forWednesday’scommemoration.

OPINION

Industry cleanup

TheLegislaturemade several necessary,commonsense movesthispastsession to reinin therunawaymedical marijuanaindustry inthestate.

AmongthelatestareHouse Bill3208,whichputsa two-year moratoriumonnewgrower, dispensaryandprocessorlicense applications,and HouseBill2179, which restructuresthe fees for growers, processors,dispensaries and testinglaboratories.

Botharesmart firststeps in getting control ofwhathasbecome alandscape forbadactors. Federal andstateofficialshave said Oklahoma’slaxlaws are giving criminals afootholdinto expandingtheirenterprises.

Large parcelsoflandinrural Oklahoma arebeingpurchased by out-of-statebuyersand turnedinto fortressesthatare difficult forlaw enforcementand inspectorstoaccess.Law enforcementofficials saymarijuana products being soldillegallyin otherstatesarebeingtracked to Oklahoma.Thereisconcernthat thisbreedsothertypesofsmugglingandothercriminal activity.

Thoughmost workers inthis burgeoningOklahomaindustryare doing everything by the book,theshadyelementharms everyone.Thesenew laws are similar to those in otherstates with varyingdegrees oflegal marijuana.Itwillhelp eventhe playing fieldandensurepublic safety.

Medicalmarijuanahasbeen legalsince voters approveda statequestionin2018.For years, lawmakersignoredthegrowing desireby constituents to legalize marijuana foratleastmedicinal use. Tiredofwaiting, voters used aninitiative petition to put it on the ballot.

Theproblem wasapoorly writtenmeasure.Thelawwasintended to encouragelocalgrowers andsmallbusinessestoprovide theproductsforpeople whoneed them.Instead,lowfeesanunlimitedlicenses floodedthemarket, manyfromoutsidethestate.

Oklahomaproducesmore marijuanaproducts than canbe consumedhere.Lawmakers now haveto tightenthe regulations to strengthentheindustry.

Themoratoriumbegins Aug.1 andends Aug.1,2024. Nothing changes forcurrentlicensees whostayincompliance.If alicenseisdenied,surrenderedor expireswithout renewal,another application by that previous licenseholdercannotbesubmitteduntilafter themoratorium.

Theamountoffeesassessed willbecome atieredsystemfor growers, producersand dispensaries.Thetiersare based on factorssuchassizeand type of grower,amount of volume forprocessors andannual sales fordispensaries. Thetiers start at $2,500and go up to $50,000 forgrowers.The testing laboratorieswill paya flat$20,000 fee.

Otherproductive laws include ones makingtheOklahoma MedicalMarijuana Authority anindependent agency(Senate Bill 1543),authorizingtheuse of “secretshoppers” to spot-check dispensaries(HB 3971), requiring signage to identifycommercial growers, mandatingthatmarijuana farmsbe listedonthe sensitive crop registry(SB 1737),allowingthe revocationoflicenses forthose diverting productsfor illegal saleand requiringallindustryemployees to belicensed by theOMMA(SB 1704).

Theseare fairmeasuresthat shouldhelpgetOklahomaonthe path to asafeand secureindustry.

Sensiblelaws

Ithasbeenproventhatstates thatenforce apermitbeforea personisallowedtopurchase agunandthatenforcesthe backgroundchecksoftheBrady lawhavefewergundeathsand violence. Wake up,gun ownersand politicians!Themajorityof Americans want sensiblegun laws.

Whyare youcomplicitinkillingAmericancitizens?

JuliaKarlak, Tulsa

Ourlives fortheirs

We areeducators, my husbandandI.Eachdayweaccept theriskofnot cominghomebecauseof theactionsofanother. Our passion foreducatingand ourlove forchildrenallaythe risk.

God forbid,shoulddanger arise, wewouldchoose to run toward danger to protectchildren,not away fromit.Protectingchildrenatanycostis anunderstoodineducation.It’s notinour contract,norisit required.Buttheseare children. Helplesschildren whodeservetobelovedandprotected. Innocent. Trusting. Vulnerable. Children whom we love asour own.Children whosesuccesses makeus proudand whose mal-

Chargedup

Whathaspossessedthe PerformingArtsCenter to convert disabled parkingspotsnearthe elevators intoelectric vehicle chargingstationsandlocate disabled parking farther away?

anxietytowardthis segmentof our societywith terribleend resultsfor some, forwhichhe needs to take responsibility.

Again,another contradictionof compassionateconservatives whowantlessgovernment regulationinourlives.

leabilityhumblesus. Thoughnotours, children whom we wouldgive ourlivesto spare.Anyeducator would,and so manyhave. Twoeducatorsat RobbElementarySchool,three at Parkland,sixat SandyHook, oneat Columbine,andonand on. Notprotectingthose children wasnever an option,nor willit everbe.The loss ofall those childrenand felloweducatorshurts us to the core. We know without adoubthow hard they tried to protectthose babies.

We willthinkofthemdaily. We willnot forget. Will you? Insixmonths? Ayear? Will youremembertheirnamesand their faces? Do you?Whenwill thishappenagain? Howdo we stopit?Let’s startwithgiving respect back to educatorsand thenaskeducatorsinsteadof politiciansorpunditshow to makechange.Onlythenwill answers be found.

BrendaShaw, Tulsa

The EV stationshave been theresometimenow, but Ijust realizedtheabsurdityofit.I recognizethat EV slotsneed to be contiguousandthatthey haveto be convenientlylocated to encourageEVuse overordinarypatrons’ gasguzzlers, but the existinglayoutdefieslogic. Itisdisabledpeople whoneed theshortestdistancetoany facility, not EV drivers.

Malcolm Taylor,Tulsa

Questionsfor

Mullin

MarkwayneMullin’snew campaignad forthe U.S. Senate addressesthespecificgender identityofsomeAmericansand expressesadamantlytoputa stop to itifheiselected. Whatis evenmoreabhorrent thanhisinsistenceof interferingwiththeprivate livesof AmericancitizensisthatMullin useshis ownchildreninthead to portray hisbias. Possibly, hisnewformof televisionbullyingwill causemore

Oklahomansdeserve better representation forits people whose stateiswell-known to beinthebottom rankingsnationwideinmost categories concerningourhuman welfare: health care,No. 48;education, No. 42;crimeand corrections, No.44.

In anew campaignad,let Mullin tellus whatheplans to dointhesespecificareas,especiallywiththeoutrageousgun violencethatnoother country has experienced.Also,whathas heaccomplished forOklahomansinalmost adecadehehas servedin Congress?

Pleasecontacthisoffice and askthesequestions.Oklahomansdeserveto knowfortheir ownprotectionand welfare. His statementsofbias represent nothingbut abullyandnota true representative forOklahoma.

Also, he expresseshimselfas aChristianof faith whosephilosophyis“love oneanother,” whichhe certainlydoesnot apply.

Ann Kent, Tulsa

OU Polytechnictomeetstate’s unmetneeds

legislativeleadership, andthese arethe typesof skills Ihaverepeatedly heardemployersmost concernedabout havingaccess to in ourstate.

We’re livinginaneraof rapidinnovationanddynamicchange inhigher education.One of themostexcitingandcriticalinnovationsin recent yearshasbeen theriseof polytechnicschoolsand instituteswithinour nation’sleading researchuniversities.

Apolytechnicoffersstudents an advanced,applied, technology-basededucation.Its programs preparestudentsto join some ofthemostpioneeringandfastest-growing sectors ofoureconomy.Oklahomais wellpositionedfor apolytechnic,especially inthe Tulsaand northeasternOklahoma region, andtheUniversityofOklahoma intends to meetthisneed.

We will soon be seekingapprovalfromthe OU and state boardsof regents.

NortheasternOklahomais building avibrantandadvanced technology-basedeconomy. But there’sasignificant shortage of highlytrained,highlycredentialed workersinthiseconomy. The gapwillonlycontinue to growoverthenext fewdecades.

ThenewOUPolytechnic Institutewillhelpsupply this

workforceand accelerate northeasternOklahoma’sgrowthasa hubfor cutting-edge industries. We intend toofferinnovative programsinhigh-growthareas suchas telehealth,cybersecurity,dataanalytics, roboticsand automation, cloud computing, software engineering, autonomous systems,advancedmanufacturing,andmore.

Studentswillbeable to earn traditionaldegrees in high-demand fields, boththroughundergraduatecompletionand graduateprograms. Ahallmark of OU Polytechnicwillbethe hands-on,experientialeducationitoffers.

Graduatesof ourprograms willbeuniquely positioned to rapidlyadvanceintheir pro-

fessionsand fluidlyadapt to multiple careers. To thatend, we plan to partnerwithregional andnationalindustryleadersto create programsandcurricula thatincludeon-site,real-world training.

OU Polytechnicisn’ta replacement foratraditional engineeringdegree.It also isn’t the sameasOklahoma’sexisting career techsandother regional schools.Its purpose isdifferent.

Polytechnicfusesbusiness andengineering;it launches studentsintohigh-demand STEM careers; anditcreates aburgeoningecosystemfora technology-basedeconomy.

I’ve hadtheopportunityto recruitmajornewbusinessto Oklahoma with thegovernorand

OU has tremendous partners to make thishappen forour state. Gov. KevinStitt, leaders in the stateLegislature,current largeemployersandourphilanthropic partners —including theGeorge Kaiser FamilyFoundationand BOKFinancial —all agree:Thisis whatOklahoma needs.

Ourgoalis ambitious. We seeknothinglessthantohelp transformthefuturetrajectory ofOklahoma’s economy by makingit oneofthemost forward-thinking,business-friendlystatesin thenation. We strivetoseetheday when thenation’sleading tech start-ups andgrowing high-tech businesseseagerly relocateto Oklahoma.

We arecommitted to helping Oklahomabuild areputationfor supplyinginnovative industries withanampleand ever-growing pipelineof highly skilledworkers. Inthat way, OU Polytechnic willinvestin ourstate’s most precious resource,ourhuman capital.Andthereturn we expectonthatinvestmentisastate whose economy is strongand diversifiedandwhose people aremoreprosperousthan ever before.

Lawmakerspass sensiblebillsfor tightening marijuana regulations

WATCH: Forthelatest TulsaWorldOpinion podcastwithGinnie GrahamandBob Doucette, point yoursmartphone cameraattheQRcode,thentap thelink.

MIKE SIMONS,TULSA WORLD TheUniversityofOklahoma-Tulsa,basedattheSchusterman Center,has announcedtheopeningofthePolytechInstitute.

JOSEPHHARROZ, JR. University of Oklahoma president

Tribedropscourthouseplan

CherokeeNation says it’s still interested in buying Tulsacenter

KEVINCANFIELD TulsaWorld

TheCherokee Nation says it nolongerintends to turn anorth Tulsacommercialpropertyintoa courthouse. Theannouncement comesa weekafterCherokee NationPrincipalChiefChuck Hoskin Jr.went on socialmedia to dispel arumor thatthetribeintended to placea

Voting legislation mayleadto confusion

RANDYKREHBIEL TulsaWorld Oklahomalawmakersworried aboutelection securitystirredup somedustduringthe recently completedlegislative session, butitmayhavesettledonmore confusionthanchange.

Mostofthedozenor so election-relatedbillsthatmadeit throughthe sausagegrinderinto statuteare primarilytechnicalin nature.

Extrememeasures,suchas requiring everyvoterinthestateto reregister,didnotmakethecut. No newlawsofsubstanceaffect theupcoming June28primaries —although afew fromlast year do.

Long term, afew ofthis year’s billscould complicatethe voting processfor someOklahomans, especiallythose whouse absenteeballots, move aroundor have unusuallivingarrangements— oraredead.

To beclear,Oklahoma’sgraveyard vote hasgrownexceedingly small,butlawmakerswereconcerned enough to address it this spring,alongwithsuchthingsas canceling registrationsofpeople whomoveoutofstateandmultiple registrationsatoneaddress. Mostaffectedarethose who vote by absentee ballot.

Alaw passedlast yearnowrequiresthat requestsfor absentee ballotsbesubmittedatleast 15 days before theelection,about aweekearlierthanpreviously. Althoughthelawtookeffect Jan. 1, manyvotersmay beencounteringit forthe firsttimethis summer.

Inorder to receiveamailabsentee ballot forthe June28primary, the requestmustbesubmittedbyJune 13.

Beginning July 1,online requestsmustincludetheidentificationnumber —driver’slicense numberorlast four Social Securitynumberdigits—listedonthe person’svoter registration. Applicantscan listbothnumbersif they can’tremember whichison their registration.

An exception to thenewlaw is

Things to know

Fridayisthe deadline to registertovote in the June 28 primaryelections.

Thosealready registeredare notallowedtochangeparty affiliationuntilafterthe Aug. 23 runoff elections.

Thedeadlinetorequest an absenteeballotis June13.Thisis earlierthaninprevious years. Manyprecincts,legislative andlocaloffice districts,and congressionaldistrictshave changedsince2020.

Thisspringevery personon the Tulsa County electionrolls wassentanew voterregistrationcard. Those who haven’t received anew cardmay need toupdatetheir registration information.

Theeasiest waytocheck voter status is throughtheOK Voter Portalonthe StateElection Boardwebsite.Itcanalso bedone by callingorvisiting county election boardoffices.

jailinthe North PointeShopping Center.

He alsoagreed to postponethe tribe’sappearancebeforeacity zoningboarduntil June28 to give all partiesinvolved,including residents of north Tulsa,more time to discusstheproposal.

“Cherokee Nationhasbeenlistening carefullytothe concernsof communityleadersofnorth Tulsa aboutourpotentialpurchaseof the North Pointeproperty,”Hoskin said Tuesdayinapreparedstatement.“Basedontheseconcerns, we arenolonger exploringusing thespacefor acourthouse. We are

alsonolonger seeking azoning variancefromthe TulsaBoard of Adjustment.”

However, thetribedoes remain open to purchasingthebuilding, whichisonthenortheast corner of PineStreetandMartinLuther King Jr.Boulevard. Hoskin saidthetribewill continue evaluatinghowthebuilding couldbeused to supporttheCherokee Nation’sneedsandgrowthin north Tulsa.

“Thisprocess willinvolvecommunityinputandengagement with various communitystakeholders, as wellasstateandlocal

officials,and we lookforwardto havingthesediscussions,” Hoskin said.

CityCouncilor Vanessa HallHarper,who representsthedistrictin whichtheshopping center islocated, welcomedthenews.

It wasHall-Harper whorequestedthatlast week’sBOA meetingbepostponed.

“Wewillbemeetingwiththe Cherokee Nation so we candeterminemoving forwardwhatis best forallinvolved,”she said. “Theyobviously had concernsand needsthattheyare trying to meet throughtheirtribeandtheirtribal

As theriver rises...

Ifyou drive downRiverside Drive/Parkway or overthe71st Streetbridge,onethingmay catchyour eye: Howhighthe waterlevel seems to bealongthe ArkansasRiverthis week. And youwouldbe correct. Currentlevelsin Tulsaare the highesttheyhavebeenin overa year’stime.

ItstartedonMay23-24 when heavyrainofnearly 2to6inches fell over KeystoneLake,as well astheCimarronandArkansas rivers that flow intoKeystone Lake, causingthelakelevel to rise to the topofwhatisknownasthe “conservationpool,”according to Nicole McGavock, service hydrologist forthe National Weather Service.

“The topofthe conservation

pool forKeystoneLakeis723 feet, andthe goal ofthe U.S. Army Corpsof Engineers(USACE)is to keepthelakeatthat723-foot level,”McGavock said.

“Any waterabove the723-foot markisconsidered‘flood control pool,’orastorage of flood water. Onceany floodingdownstreamis done,thenthe USACEwill release waterfromthe Keystone Damin balancewiththeotherlakesin the systemtohelplowerthelake levels backdown to 723 feet.”

Asof Wednesdaymorning,the

members,but youalsoare smackdabinthemiddleof acommunity, aBlack community, whoare not tribalmembers.

“How canweworkcollectively, collaboratively,totry to meetthe needsofall concerned?Theyare willingtodothat,and Iappreciate that.”

TheCherokee NationDistrict CourtandCherokee NationSupreme CourtareinTahlequah.

ThepartofTulsathatis roughly northof AdmiralPlaceand east of Tisdale Parkwayiswithinthe

Arkansashitting high levels notseeninmorethanayear

JimSimmons fishes on an island in the Arkansas River Wednesday. Simmons kayakedout to the island.

per second.And whilethismay seemlikealotof water, anditis,it isstillonlyone-thirdofcapacity.”

Asof Wednesday, theArkansas RivergaugeatTulsawasobserved at 9feet,above thenormal5-foot level, which wasrecordedjustlast weekonMay25. Butitisnowhere nearthe floodstageof 18 feet.

releasefromthe Keystone Dam wasat 45,000 cubic feetper second.

Butthatis farlessthanthe 275,000cfsreleasedduringthe historic floodofMay2019.

“Partofthe fieldofoperations (at USACE)is balance,”saidDavid Williams,chiefof hydrologyand hydraulicswiththe USACE.“We want to getthe reservoirsdown inunison together.Keystonehad aprioritylast Wednesdayafter allthe rainfall. So we began to releasewaterat 45,000 cubic feet

Williams saidoperatorswill continuetokeepthe Keystone releaseat45,000 cubicfeet per second throughtheendofthe week.Atthattime,theyplan to re-evaluatetoseeif they decrease the flow throughthe dam.

“Basedoncurrent conditions, Idon’texpect anyincreasesat the Keystone Damatthistime,” Williams said.“Of course,thisis subject to anyadditional rainfall we maysee.”

Asof Wednesday, clearskies were forecast forThursday and Friday, butthereisanother chanceforshowers andstorms by the weekend.

kirsten.lang@tulsaworld.com

Family of manwho died afterarrestsettles suit

TulsaPoliceusedstun guns on 25-year-old multiple times

CURTIS KILLMAN TulsaWorld Ajudgeexpressedsupport Wednesdayfor twosettlement agreementsreachedin alawsuit broughtonbehalfof aman who diedafteranencounterwithpoliceduring whichhe wasshocked multipletimeswith astungun.

Chief U.S. District JudgeJohn HeilIII saidatthe conclusionof afairnesshearingin Tulsafederal courtthathe wouldissuewritten orders“verysoon”to approvethe settlementsinthe case,brought by the familyofJoshuaHarvey.

Harvey, 25,diedatahospital threedays after twoTulsapolice officers usedstunguns to shock himmultipletimesat adowntown bank whiletrying to detain himon Aug. 24, 2018.

Harvey’sestate filed acivil rightslawsuitin2020,naming thecityofTulsa,theofficers involvedinHarvey’sarrest, for-

Harvey

mer PoliceChief Chuck Jordanand theambulance companywhose employeestreated Harvey,American Medical Response AmbulanceServiceInc.

Heil saidthe fairnesshearing wasrequired understatelaw sinceaportion ofthe court settlementisdesignated to go to Harvey’sminor child.

“Ido findthe settlement representsthebestinterestsofthe child,”Heil said.

ThecityofTulsahasagreed to pay$175,000toHarvey’sestate to settleitsportionofthelawsuit, according to court records.

In November,Harvey’sestate reachedanundisclosedsettlementwiththeambulancecompany thattreatedandtransported him to ahospitalafterhisarrest.

Theagreementsboth call for 70%ofthe settlementproceeds to bedepositedinaninterest-bearing bankaccount to be

available forhisminor sonwhen heturns18.

RomaPresley,Harvey’smother, will receivethe remaining30%of thesettlementproceedsafterattorneyfeesand costs.

Presley, whoisthespecialadministratorofHarvey’sestate, saidshewillusetheproceeds to helpfund anonprofitorganizationthatpromotesoutreach forsubstanceabuseandmental health awareness.

Harveyhadbipolardisorder and schizophrenia,according to courtdocuments.

AletheaCarroll,Harvey’saunt andadoptive mother to his son, saidsheunderstoodthatshe would receivenothingfromthe settlementandthatitprecluded herfromlitigatingtheissueagain inthefuture.

Prior to theencounterwith police,Harveyhadbeen ranting andrippingoff hisclothesnear theArvestBankat FifthandMain streets, witnessessaid.

Theysaid aglassdoor to the bankthat wasmagneticallyheld shutshattered whenHarvey

forceditopenaboutthetime policereachedtheunarmedman.

Oneofficerusedastungunon Harvey aftertheman ranintothe bankbuilding. Asecondofficer soon followedsuit.

Policedeployedtheirstunguns onHarveyatotalof 27 times, according to court records.

AnOklahoma MedicalExaminer’sOffice autopsyreportdeterminedthatHarvey’sprobable causeofdeath wasacardiovascularcondition exacerbatedbydrug useand exertion. Court recordsindicatethatthe cash settlementfromthecitywill be paidfromthecity’ssinking fund,anaccountestablished to paylegal settlementsthroughad valorem taxes.

ThecityofTulsahasenough revenueinitssinkingfundthatit canaffordtopay the settlement infull ratherthanininstallments, according to court records.

AcityofTulsaspokeswoman declined to commentonthe settlement. curtis.killman@tulsaworld.com

MIKE SIMONSPHOTOS,TULSA WORLD

TheArkansasRiverispictured with downtown Tulsain thebackgroundonWednesday.

KIRSTENLANG TulsaWorld Meteorologist

Please see COURTHOUSE, Page A10

Please see VOTING, Page A10

DorettaJane(BlueJacket)

Karns Pottorff,age 84,of Tulsa,Oklahoma,wentto paradisetobewithherSavioron May28,2022inthe morninghours.Dorettawas diagnosedwithALS,(amyotrophiclateralsclerosis).

Shewasdiagnosedwiththis diseaselastsummerandthe progressionwasveryfast

Shewas veryclose to all ofherfamilythroughouther life.DorettalovedherBarnardand Alexanderheritage fromCoffeyville and Independence,Kansas;herlove forher NativeAmericanheritage; hermanyaunts,uncleandcousins werealwaysonherlistofconcerns andinher prayers.Dorettawassuch acaringpersonandenjoyedbeing withherBunkofriends,BridgeClub membersand shelovedtoentertain at herhomewithspecial eventdinners, crawfishboilsforherhusband’s businessventures.Sheusedhermanagementandinteriordesignabilitiesto assistinmanyorganizations in Tulsa suchastheAmerican Theatre,loved workingand supportingtheShawnee and the Cherokee Nationactivities and culture.Sheplacedher Native American Heritageasthegreatest blessingshecouldhave.Shewas proudshewasthe 6thgenerationfrom the Shawnee WarChief,BlueJacket, “Weyapiersenwah”,Tecumseh’s Shawneepredecessor,whobeganthefight tosaveShawneelandsfromthewhite juggernautmoving West.Doretta BlueJacket hadthesamefightingspirit buttheabilitytobegraciousandcarrying,alwaysbeingkindtoothers. Dorettanever missedaday ofschool fromthe 1stgradeuntilshegraduatedin1955,fromFieldKindleyHigh SchoolinCoffeyville,KS.Sheloved herreunions.Shelovedattending Coffeyville JuniorCollegeandwasa cheerleaderforthefootballteam.She developedanearlyloveforfootball. Afterearningher AssociatesDegree, shemarriedherfirsthusband, A. W. Karns,IIin1957inCoffeyville.She had twochildrenwithhimduringher travels to Norman, Oklahomato attendOUandColoradoState University in Fort Collins,CO..Shetookmany artanddesigncoursesduringthe educationofherhusband,thisserved herwellin herprofessionalpursuits. ShemovedtoAuckland,NZwithher familyandbecamethenumberone interiordesignerin NewZealand. Afterherdivorce,she spent 8yearsin NZindecoratinganddesign,andshe continuallyboughthomes,refurbished anddecoratedthem,flippingthem beforetheworldknewwhat“flipping houses”was.Dorettamademany friendsand wasin many publications astoheraccomplishmentsinNZ. Herdaughterwantedtoreturntothe United States, so topleaseher,shesold mostofher possessions,moved some andreturnedtothe UnitedStates. She toldhersonanddaughterthatthey allwereflyingbacktoAmerica first class. “WeleftAmericafirstclassand weare goingbackfirstclass”.Aswith

William “Bill”Lee Trimm, 92,of JeffersonCity, died Saturday, May28,2022. He graduatedfromthe UniversityofMissouriin 1954with aB.S.M.Ain statisticsand aBachelorof ScienceinCivilEngineering. He wentontoserveasa CivilEngineerforthe MissouriState HighwayDepartmentuntilhisretirementin 1996.

Bill personifiedthegreatestgeneration. He tookprideinothers’achievementsoverhisown, valuedhiscommunity, hisfriends,andhisfamily,and was modest. He was akind gentleman to everyoneheencounteredandwas affectionateandloving tohisfamily. Longbeforeitwascommon,he supportedhiswifehaving asuccessful careerofherown,andtheyvalued education,sendingtheirthreedaughterstocollege. He beganlifeon afarm inthegreatdepressionandcommitted hislife’s worktoimprovinghishome Stateof Missouri.Afterspending his wholecareeras apublicservantwith the MissouriStateHighwayDepartment,hedevotedhisretirementto advocatingforthe needsofsenior citizensthroughhisleadershiproles intheSilverHairedLegislature. He wasalso amemberofthe Association ofRetired MissouriStateEmployees, theAARP,theCentral Missouri Area AgencyofAging,the MissouriSociety of ProfessionalEngineers,andthe

thiswonderfulperson,she personifiednotonlyoutward beautybutinternalspiritual beautyandclass.

Dorettawason herownin Americaandloved Newport Beach,CA.Shewassearchingforanopportunityto supportherfamilyas asingle Momandvisited Georgia Frontier,ownerofthe Los AngelesRams.Whenshe arrived at Georgia’shouse forherinitialinterview,themadetold herto go tothebackdoor; Doretta saidin anicebut stern mannerto

“please moveoutof my way, Idon’t go intobackdoors, Ialwaysusethefront door.” Georgiawasveryimpressed andshe gotthepositionof Manager oftheAnaheimStadium,Luxury Boxes,andmanyrelatedprofessional responsibilitiesfortheLARams.She isthefirst womanmanagerhiredinto the National Football League.She hadmanyNFLfriendsbothonthe teams,management,majorfansand mademanyacquaintancesofgovernmentnotables, Hollywoodcelebrities, entertainment “stars”.Dorettaused herpopularitywithcelebritiestobuild majornon-profitorganizationstofight childabuseintheSouthernCalifornia area.WhentheLARamsannounced they weremovingtoSt. Louis,sheleft theRamsandtraveled forayearto decide whatshe wantedtodo.

She cameback home,nottoCoffeyville,butclose.Shesettledin Tulsa in1990,workingwiththefounderof Indian HealthCare,tobuildhealthcare forherpeople.Sheremainedloyal tothis groupandsupportiveoftheir effortsthroughoutherlifeinTulsa. Shebecametheproperty managerof aMilwaukeefirmfor theirproperty holdingsin Tulsa,namelythe UniversityTowerApartmentsand Mansion House.Shemetherloveofherlife andhemethiswhenhecametolive inthisfacility. Dorettaand Jimhave had a23yearrelationship,marriedin 2005. Thiswonderful personmade thisworld abetterplaceforallofuse wherevershe wentandwithwhomevershemet.Dorettaconfirmedher trustinChrist asherSavior,andshe lovedthescripture,Ephesians2:8,9.

Dorettawas precededindeathby herparents, Franklin FriarBluejacket andDorisAnn Barnardandherson, AnthonyW.Karns,III.Sheis survived byherhusband, JimD.Pottorff;two sisters,Sheryl Tomanof PalmDesert, CAand Jolene Worthington, Chicago, Ill.;Daughter,ShawnBluejacket Roccamoandheronlygrandchildand majorjoyofherlife,SidonieBlueJacket Roccamoof Tulsa,OK.She capturedtheheartsofherhusbands daughter ;Melynda FrugeofLake Charles,LA; Charlie HelenAdamsof Iowa,LA.; andson, JimPottorff,Jr.; fourgrandchildren,andfourgreatgrandchildren. Serviceswereheld Wednesday, June 1,2022 at Moore’s Southlawn Chapel, Tulsa. Moore’s Southlawn918-6632233sharememories atwww.moorefuneral.com

SigmaPhiEpsilonfraternity. He servedas aDeaconin theFirstChristian Church formanyyears. He livedhis longlife curiously,actively, andindependentlyupuntil hislastweeks.

Billissurvivedby: two daughters,BillieTrimm Barnett of Tulsa, OK,andher husband Howard,andLinda TrimmKarcherof Houston TX,and herhusbandScott; hisfourgrandchildren,Adrienne Lee Barnett andherhusbandScottMccaulley, AllisonBarnett Simpsonand herhusband Matthew, Kaitlin Michele Karcher,andAndrewLeeKarcher;and his twogreat-grandchildren, Wallace LeeSimpson andMatildaBarnett Simpson. Avisitationandfuneralservicewill beheldin JeffersonCity, Mo.Thefamilywillgatherforgravesideservices andintermentat2:00p.m.Saturday, June4,2022 at the Tulsa Memorial Parkin Tulsa,Oklahoma withtheReverendAlexisEngelbrechtofficiating.

In lieuofflowers,memorialcontributionsaresuggestedto theFirst Christian Churchof JeffersonCity, the localAARPchapterin JeffersonCity, ortheSilver Haired Legislatureby mailingalldonationsto P.O. Box95, JeffersonCity, Mo.65102.

Funeralarrangementsareunderthe careof Freeman MortuaryinJefferson City, Mo. www.freemanmortuary.com

Kenneth “Vic”Powell

KennethVictor Powell, Jr. (Vic)wasborn July21,1950, in Helena,Arkansas,thesecondsonof KennethVictor Powelland MargieO’Neal Powell. Hisfatherhada careerinthe US Air Force whichresultedinnumerousmovesthroughouthis childhood.Vicgraduated fromEdison HighSchoolin Alexandria, VA in1968.Soon after,heJoinedthe United States Navy.Hegraduatedfrom Navy HospitalCorpsmanSchoolin1972and spenttimewiththe Marinesbefore beingtransferredto NavalStation, Exmouth, WesternAustralia.

Whilein Australia,he methis first wife,Patricia “Tricia”Williams. They weremarriedJune2,1974.SheprecededhimindeathinMay of2005. Togethertheyhadoneson,SeanVictor Powell. He returnedtotheStatesand attendedthe UniversityofArkansasfor MedicalSciencesCollegeofPharmacy, graduatingwith honors in 1982. He returnedto the Navy andwas commissionedas apharmacistinSeptember 1984. He spent atotalof32yearsin the Navy,retiring in 2000 to livein Hope,Arkansas. He continuedtowork as apharmacistatvarioushospitals untilhisfullretirementin2016.

Vicmet GreerFitesin2006andthey weremarried at All Souls Churchin TulsaonOctober4,2008. They spent

thirteenhappyyearsmaking ahomeanddoing agreat dealoftravel,visitingsix continentstogether.

Vicisknownbyhisfamily and friends as someone whowas generouswithhis timeandtalent. He hadan abilitytodevice asolution whenonewasneeded. He waswell-knownforthedetailed holidayyarddisplays hemade;forhis excellent woodworkingskills;forhis attention todetail;forhisloveofmedicineand willingnesstosharethatknowledge withothers. He wasanenthusiastic memberoftheAllSoulsAdult Choir andlovedtosingwithhisbeautiful tenorvoice.

He issurvivedbyhiswife,Greer Fitesof Tulsa;son,Sean Powellof LittleRock,AR;brotherandsister-in law, Pauland JoycePowellofArkadelphia,AR;sister-in-lawJan Powell ofArkadelphia;niecesandnephew Megan Talley, LauraPowell,and Chris Powell. He wasalso precededindeath byhisbrother,Mike, andhis parents.

Serviceswillbeheld at AllSouls Unitarian Churchon Thursday, June 2,2022, at 4PMandwillbelive streamedon thechurch’s Facebook page. In lieuofflowers,donationscan be made toAllSouls ChurchorSt. Jude’s Hospital. https://www.stanleysfuneralhome.com/obituary/kenneth-powell

MarilynHinkefent

MarilynAlice Hinkefent, aka Mert,delivered byher ownfather at the Masonic Hospital,5:45 AM March26, 1932,in Cherokee,Oklahoma.Shedied Memorial Day, May30,2022,age90, at homewithherchildren besideher.Sheispreceded indeathbyhusband, James C. Hinkefent,belovedolder brother James Mercer, parents,Dr.J.Wendalland DorothyMercer andgrandson,Coleman Wayne Hinkefent. SheissurvivedbyherchildrenEric Hinkefent,SallyKarlovitz, Mary Ann O’Dell,allof Tulsa,AmyThomasofEdmond,sixgrandchildren:Emil Hinkefent,WendallSobol,AnnaSobol, Erica

DEATHNOTICES TULSA

Chiles, Uliet, 33,cashier, diedThursday,May 26. Viewing 8a.m.-1p.m. Fridayand service2 p.m. Friday, bothat Moore’sEastlawn Funeral Home.

Garton, ErnestR.,88, DepartmentofHuman Services case workerandArmy veteran,died Wednesday, May29. Graveside service 3p.m.Friday,MemorialPark Cemetery. Moore’sSouthlawn.

Hinkefent, Marilyn “Mert,”90, homemaker, died Monday, May30. Visitation5-7p.m.Friday,Floral HavenFuneralHomeVisitationSuites,BrokenArrow, and service1 p.m. Saturday, HeritageBibleChurch,Catoosa Kimmel, William,95, mechanicalengineer,died Sunday, May29. Service 1p.m. Saturday, Moore’s Southlawn Funeral Home Chapel.

Hinkefent, HaleyHinkefent andEmilyO’Dellaswellas greatgranddaughterSunday James Hinkefent,herfirst cousin,DonRankinandhis family,and extendedfamily,Maurice McHenryand daughters,Rozleyand Zoey. Marilynspentherlifein serviceas awife,mother, child evangelist,hostess, cook,grandmother,and friend. Alongtimemember ofSouthwoodBible ChurchandPEO, shenevermetastranger.Herhome wasa refugefulloflife.

In lieuof flowers,contributionsmay bemadeto Child Evangelism Fellowship(cefofok.com). www.floralhaven.com

service11am.Friday,Church ofSt.Mary. Fitzgerald Ivy.

STATE/AREA

Funeralhome,churchand cemeterylocationsareinthe cityunder whichthedeath noticeislistedunlessotherwise noted.

Bixby Ernst, Verna,87, homemaker,died Friday, May27. Visitation10a.m.-5p.m. Thursday and service 10a.m.Friday,bothatStanleys Funeral Home, Tulsa. Butler-Stumpff &Dyer, Tulsa.

Broken Arrow

May31. Viewing10 a.m.4:30 p.m. Friday,Garrett Funeral Home, and graveside service1 p.m. Monday, Memorial Park Cemetery MausoleumChapel,Muskogee.

Glenpool

Howerton, DustyRose, infant,died Wednesday, May25. Gravesideservice noon Friday, HaskellCemetery. MarkGriffith Westwood, Tulsa.

Oilton Murphy, HenryJr.,93, rancher,diedMonday, May 30.Service11a.m.Friday, FirstBaptistChurch. Michael’s, Drumright.

Courthouse

Cherokee Reservation.

Accordingtothetribe’s rezoningapplication to the Board of Adjustment, theCherokee Nationhas forseveral yearsbeen

looking to establish alocationwithinitsreservation whereitcouldprovideday-to-daycivic servicesand conductother operations forits growing populationin Tulsa. Theneed forthoseserviceshasonlyincreased sincethe U.S. Supreme

FromA9 Createfreeonline memorials at tulsaworld.com/ourlives

Court’s historic2020 rulingin McGirt v. Oklahoma, according to the rezoning application.

Hoskin’sstatement Tuesdaymadeno referencetowhetherthetribe hopes to findanothersite to establishanadditional courthouse.

Niver, LawrenceJ. “Larry,”51, Comp Source insuranceadjuster,died Tuesday, May31. Memorial

Bullard, Marshall, 74, glass plantengineer,died Tuesday, May 31. Visitation6-8 p.m. Friday and service10a.m. Saturday, bothat RivercrestChapel and Event Center,Bixby. Bixby-SouthTulsa Funeral Service,Bixby. Hughes, Louise,83,real estateagent,died Tuesday,

Sand Springs

Voting FromA9

boxes. Physical addresswith morethanfiveregisteredvoterswillbe sent confirmation cards,whichifnot returned likelywillresultin cancellation ofany orall five registrations.

Myrick, OwenE.,85, citywateremployeeand Armyveteran,diedSunday, May29. Visitation6-8 p.m. Thursday,Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service,and service2 p.m. Friday,HarvestChurch. allowedforregistrationswithoutidentificationnumbers, butonlythroughtheendof the year.The exceptiondoes notapplytoregistrationswith neitheridentificationnumbersnorbirthdates.Absentee requestsusingthoseregistrationsmustbemadeinperson.

Mostsuch registrations, saidOklahomaStateElection BoardSecretaryPaul Ziriax, datefrombeforethemid1990s,whensuchinformation wasnotstandard.That’s led to concernsthatthose most likelytostrugglewiththenew lawwillbeolderpeople.

“We’lltrytomakeitaseasy to complyaspossible,”Ziriax said. Addressesare alsogoing underthemicroscope. New statelawsarepickierareabout wherevoteridentification cardscanbe sentandquicker tocancelsomeregistrations.

Withafewexceptions,beginningnext year,new voter registration cardswillbe mailedonlytophysicaladdressesratherthanpostoffice

Separately,10ormoreregistrationsatanaddresswill besubject to investigation by adistrictattorney. Ziriax said Cleveland Countyrecently lookedinto27registrationsat oneaddressandfoundittobe aUnited Parcel Servicestore thatrentsmailboxes.

Thepeopleinvolved were advisedtochangetheirregistrations,Ziriaxsaid.

Thelawrequires cancellationof existing registrations if apersonisfound to have movedtoanother countyor anotherstateor if aperson surrenderstheirOklahoma driver’slicensetoobtain alicenseinanotherstate.

New voterregistration cardsweremailedthisspring to everyoneon TulsaCounty’s rollsand to manyregisteredvoters across thestate because of Census-related redistrictingandprecinct reorganization. New laws requireallofthose returned

asundeliverable to benoted onthe rolls,aswellassubsequentlyreturned cards. Itdoesoccasionallyhappen —usually the resultof someonesubmittinganabsentee ballotandthen dyingbefore electiondayorafamilymembersubmittinganabsentee ballotrequestedbyaspouseor parent whodiedbeforecompletingit. Thereare alsonew laws aboutcheckingthe rolls for felonsandothersineligible to vote.

Onedemographicthat almost everyoneagrees shouldn’tvoteare thedead, andtheLegislatureworked hardtomakesurethathappens evenlessthanitalready does.

Oneofthenewlawstakingeffectnext year requires funeraldirectorstonotifythe Health Department when someonedies (currentlyit’s voluntary) and fordeath certificatestoincludethedeceaseddriver’slicensenumber orthelast fourdigitsoftheir SocialSecuritynumber,when available.

randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com

Doretta Jane(BlueJacket) Karns Pottorff

William LeeTrimm

Youthful photos of ex upsetcurrent wife

thoroughlydigital age, thesematerial objectsare visceralremindersthat we exist in the world, in manysplendidly awkward settingsand posedalongside people we no longer know. And yet— thereweare!

perateattempt to getcomfort. It never works.

Italkmyself in circles,and he watches,sometimes saying that he’s sorryI’m sad.

DearAmy: Manyyears ago, Iwas married to “Annie” forabout 10 years. Our divorcewas amicable, and sincewehad no children, we have not had anycontact sinceour divorce.

Acouple of yearsafter my divorce

Imet and married “Bea.” We’venow been married forover30 years.

Ihaveanalbum of photographs This album consistsofchildhood photos,photos of my parents, siblings and me through high school and college. The album includes three photos of Annie —nothing suggestive or racy —theseare just remindersofthe good times from my youth.

Beastrenuouslyobjectsto me keeping the photos of Annie and wantsme to destroy them, while Ithink that theyare harmlesssouvenirsofmylife, and that destroying them is an irrational attempt to erasethe past.

Am Inuts?

—Charlie Dear Charlie: Yousound likea perfectlynormal personwith aperfectlynormal past.

Ihavea knee-jerkand negative reaction to the ideaofdestroying photos.Aswemoveintoanalmost

ON NUTRITION

At the risk of angering your wife, it would be thoughtful foryou to scanor copy thesephotos and send copies to “Annie.”(Do not post them on social media.) Iwould think that anyone would enjoy atangible reminder of their much-younger self It might help youtoleanintoward your wife’sreaction if youunderstand that behind her anger might be regret that she wasn’teveryoungalongside you.

Meet her with affection and understanding forthe youthful period you didn’tget to share, but gratitude for the adulthood you’ve been granted together

Dear Amy: When Iam sad, especiallyabout asituation relating to my boyfriend (but alsowhenI’m just stressedout), Itend to cry.

Itry to explain to my boyfriend what’s wrong, and he does not comfort me.

He doesn’tput his arm around me, he doesn’tsay he understands what I’msaying, he just watches and listens from the other side of the room.

This makes me feel lonely, sad and embarrassed. Iend up trying to explain again whyI’m upset, in ades-

When he leaves,and I’mbymyself, Irecover becauseI’m no longer upsetbythe lack of comfort. When I’m alone Ican makemyself feel better

What should Ido?

—Alone Together

Dear Alone Together: The best time to discussyour boyfriend’sreaction to your strong emotions is when youaren’texperiencing such strong emotions

As it is,when the tearsare flowing, youare conveying that your boyfriend’sactions have made youcry.He mayconclude that if his behavior has made youcry,then he should respond by retreating.

Talk about this during acalm moment. Tell him,“WhenI’m upset, I have amuch easier time if youwill sit near me, hold my hand, put your arm around me and comfort me.”

Obviously, youshould alsoexamine what about this relationship is bringing on thesestorms,and whether experiencing this sort of emotional imbalanceishealthyfor you.

Youcan email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.comorsend alettertoAsk Amy, P.O. Box194, Freeville, NY 13068

Howpeanutbuttercan getcontaminated

to drythem off with adirty towel.If acompanydoes nothaveproper hygiene and food-safetyprotocols,its productsare at risk.

DearDr.Blonz: Ienjoy nutsand nut butters,but Iamconcerned aboutthe recent recall of peanut butter due to salmonellacontamination.I have stayed away from rawnuts due to thisconcern,but had thought that roasting killed that bacteria.

Whywouldpeanut butter madefrom roasted whole peanutsbe recalled?—

I.D.,Chicago

DearI.D.: When good manufacturingpractices arefollowed,the risk of salmonella contamination is eliminated during the peanut roasting process.Both oil and dryroasting take placeattemperatureswell above that neededtodestroy thisorganism. However,it has to be done right,ensuring thatall the nutsget up to the right temperature.

Assuming that the roasting is not the issue,the riskmustcomeafterward.Think,forexample,ofdoinga greatjob of washing your hands,only

Recalls aredesignedtoeither prevent orstopanoutbreakwhile the food safety detectivesidentify howthe food wastainted andhow it gotinto your store.Formoreaboutthe May 2022 peanut butter recall,seeb.link/ wpeupa.General information about salmonella canbe foundatb.link/ uupfnh.

DearDr.Blonz: Iam74and am nowtaking2 mg of warfarin dailyafter aheart valvereplacement twomonths ago.Iwould liketogoout and enjoy corned beef and cabbage,afavorite dish of mine,butI have been warned to avoid cabbagewhile takingwarfarin. Iwanted to knowifthismealwould be OK.— S.B.,via email

DearS.B.: Warfarin,also known by itsbrand name Coumadin,isone of severalmedications givento inhibit blood clotting.Various health issues cancauseunwanted clots,whose medical term isvenous thromboembolism.Heart valveirregularitiesare on thatlist.Of course,wewant our

CRYPTOQUOTE 6/2

Here’show it works:

AXYDLBAAXRis LONGFELLOW Oneletterstands foranother.Inthissample,Aisused forthethree L’s. Xisfor twoO’s etc.

XWYETXARLLBVXVQXL

XY XZRWCOWQ?A TQW,RM

QUQV,P BSQ IQVMQPAYXZL.

—C XSQLVOLLQH HH BEQHH

Yesterday’sCryptoquote: If historyrepeatsitself,Iamsogettingadinosaur.— Unknown

bloodtoclotand stop the bleeding wheneverweare cut or injured.But an errant clot cantravelthrough the bloodvessels andblock the flow tovitaltissues and organs,resulting in dire consequences. The anticoagulant medication you were prescribed works byblocking the action of vitamin K.(In fact,the “K”stands for“koagulation,”the German spelling ofcoagulation.) Forany individual,the dose of warfarin gets adjusted to achieve the desiredlevel of anticoagulant activity.It is important to keep your intakeofvitamin Kpretty constant from daytoday to facilitate this aspect of your therapy.

Cabbageisa prettygood source of vitamin K,so caution is dictated. Checkthe article at b.link/ccq4s6.Itis best to talk with your pharmacist and anyhealth professionals overseeing this aspect of your care beforesitting down forthat favoritemeal.

Send questionsto: “OnNutrition,” Ed Blonz,c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 WalnutSt.,Kansas City, MO,64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com.

CELEBRITYCIPHER by Luis Campos 6/2

Today’sclue: HequalsV CelebrityCiphercrypotogramsarecreatedfromquotations by famous people,pastandpresent. Eachletterinthecipherstands foranother.

“B PR ZBFM DNPDXN DVYM

BMNLY NXHNY GVEBMNE

BMZK BMNS BMWKA BMNS

FZK,W B’Y ZI NZVBWG VX

BMWKO.W B’YENZXXS

MVLZ K.” —Z IIS RZLIZFM

Previous Solution: “Howdowechangethe world?One randomactofkindnessat atime.” —MorganFreeman

KingCrossword

KenKen is aregisteredtrademarkofKenKenPuzzleLLC.©2022KenKenPuzzleLLC.Allrightsreserved.Dist.byAndrewsMcMeelSyndicationwww.kenken.com

● Eachrowandeachcolumn mustcontainthenumbers1 through 4(easy)or 1through6 (challenging)withoutrepeating.

● Thenumberswithintheheavily outlinedboxes,calledcages, mustcombineusingthegiven operation(inanyorder)to

6-2-22

producethetargetnumbers inthetop-leftcorners.

● Freebies:Fillinsingle-box cageswiththenumberin thetop-leftcorner.

Youthful photos of ex upsetcurrent wife

thoroughlydigital age, thesematerial objectsare visceralremindersthat we exist in the world, in manysplendidly awkward settingsand posedalongside people we no longer know. And yet— thereweare!

perateattempt to getcomfort. It never works.

Italkmyself in circles,and he watches,sometimes saying that he’s sorryI’m sad.

DearAmy: Manyyears ago, Iwas married to “Annie” forabout 10 years. Our divorcewas amicable, and sincewehad no children, we have not had anycontact sinceour divorce.

Acouple of yearsafter my divorce

Imet and married “Bea.” We’venow been married forover30 years.

Ihaveanalbum of photographs This album consistsofchildhood photos,photos of my parents, siblings and me through high school and college. The album includes three photos of Annie —nothing suggestive or racy —theseare just remindersofthe good times from my youth.

Beastrenuouslyobjectsto me keeping the photos of Annie and wantsme to destroy them, while Ithink that theyare harmlesssouvenirsofmylife, and that destroying them is an irrational attempt to erasethe past.

Am Inuts?

—Charlie Dear Charlie: Yousound likea perfectlynormal personwith aperfectlynormal past.

Ihavea knee-jerkand negative reaction to the ideaofdestroying photos.Aswemoveintoanalmost

ON NUTRITION

At the risk of angering your wife, it would be thoughtful foryou to scanor copy thesephotos and send copies to “Annie.”(Do not post them on social media.) Iwould think that anyone would enjoy atangible reminder of their much-younger self It might help youtoleanintoward your wife’sreaction if youunderstand that behind her anger might be regret that she wasn’teveryoungalongside you.

Meet her with affection and understanding forthe youthful period you didn’tget to share, but gratitude for the adulthood you’ve been granted together

Dear Amy: When Iam sad, especiallyabout asituation relating to my boyfriend (but alsowhenI’m just stressedout), Itend to cry.

Itry to explain to my boyfriend what’s wrong, and he does not comfort me.

He doesn’tput his arm around me, he doesn’tsay he understands what I’msaying, he just watches and listens from the other side of the room.

This makes me feel lonely, sad and embarrassed. Iend up trying to explain again whyI’m upset, in ades-

When he leaves,and I’mbymyself, Irecover becauseI’m no longer upsetbythe lack of comfort. When I’m alone Ican makemyself feel better

What should Ido?

—Alone Together

Dear Alone Together: The best time to discussyour boyfriend’sreaction to your strong emotions is when youaren’texperiencing such strong emotions

As it is,when the tearsare flowing, youare conveying that your boyfriend’sactions have made youcry.He mayconclude that if his behavior has made youcry,then he should respond by retreating.

Talk about this during acalm moment. Tell him,“WhenI’m upset, I have amuch easier time if youwill sit near me, hold my hand, put your arm around me and comfort me.”

Obviously, youshould alsoexamine what about this relationship is bringing on thesestorms,and whether experiencing this sort of emotional imbalanceishealthyfor you.

Youcan email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.comorsend alettertoAsk Amy, P.O. Box194, Freeville, NY 13068

Howpeanutbuttercan getcontaminated

to drythem off with adirty towel.If acompanydoes nothaveproper hygiene and food-safetyprotocols,its productsare at risk.

DearDr.Blonz: Ienjoy nutsand nut butters,but Iamconcerned aboutthe recent recall of peanut butter due to salmonellacontamination.I have stayed away from rawnuts due to thisconcern,but had thought that roasting killed that bacteria.

Whywouldpeanut butter madefrom roasted whole peanutsbe recalled?—

I.D.,Chicago

DearI.D.: When good manufacturingpractices arefollowed,the risk of salmonella contamination is eliminated during the peanut roasting process.Both oil and dryroasting take placeattemperatureswell above that neededtodestroy thisorganism. However,it has to be done right,ensuring thatall the nutsget up to the right temperature.

Assuming that the roasting is not the issue,the riskmustcomeafterward.Think,forexample,ofdoinga greatjob of washing your hands,only

Recalls aredesignedtoeither prevent orstopanoutbreakwhile the food safety detectivesidentify howthe food wastainted andhow it gotinto your store.Formoreaboutthe May 2022 peanut butter recall,seeb.link/ wpeupa.General information about salmonella canbe foundatb.link/ uupfnh.

DearDr.Blonz: Iam74and am nowtaking2 mg of warfarin dailyafter aheart valvereplacement twomonths ago.Iwould liketogoout and enjoy corned beef and cabbage,afavorite dish of mine,butI have been warned to avoid cabbagewhile takingwarfarin. Iwanted to knowifthismealwould be OK.— S.B.,via email

DearS.B.: Warfarin,also known by itsbrand name Coumadin,isone of severalmedications givento inhibit blood clotting.Various health issues cancauseunwanted clots,whose medical term isvenous thromboembolism.Heart valveirregularitiesare on thatlist.Of course,wewant our

CRYPTOQUOTE 6/2

Here’show it works:

AXYDLBAAXRis LONGFELLOW Oneletterstands foranother.Inthissample,Aisused forthethree L’s. Xisfor twoO’s etc.

XWYETXARLLBVXVQXL

XY XZRWCOWQ?A TQW,RM

QUQV,P BSQ IQVMQPAYXZL.

—C XSQLVOLLQH HH BEQHH

Yesterday’sCryptoquote: If historyrepeatsitself,Iamsogettingadinosaur.— Unknown

bloodtoclotand stop the bleeding wheneverweare cut or injured.But an errant clot cantravelthrough the bloodvessels andblock the flow tovitaltissues and organs,resulting in dire consequences. The anticoagulant medication you were prescribed works byblocking the action of vitamin K.(In fact,the “K”stands for“koagulation,”the German spelling ofcoagulation.) Forany individual,the dose of warfarin gets adjusted to achieve the desiredlevel of anticoagulant activity.It is important to keep your intakeofvitamin Kpretty constant from daytoday to facilitate this aspect of your therapy.

Cabbageisa prettygood source of vitamin K,so caution is dictated. Checkthe article at b.link/ccq4s6.Itis best to talk with your pharmacist and anyhealth professionals overseeing this aspect of your care beforesitting down forthat favoritemeal.

Send questionsto: “OnNutrition,” Ed Blonz,c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 WalnutSt.,Kansas City, MO,64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com.

CELEBRITYCIPHER by Luis Campos 6/2

Today’sclue: HequalsV CelebrityCiphercrypotogramsarecreatedfromquotations by famous people,pastandpresent. Eachletterinthecipherstands foranother.

“B PR ZBFM DNPDXN DVYM

BMNLY NXHNY GVEBMNE

BMZK BMNS BMWKA BMNS

FZK,W B’Y ZI NZVBWG VX

BMWKO.W B’YENZXXS

MVLZ K.” —Z IIS RZLIZFM

Previous Solution: “Howdowechangethe world?One randomactofkindnessat atime.” —MorganFreeman

KingCrossword

KenKen is aregisteredtrademarkofKenKenPuzzleLLC.©2022KenKenPuzzleLLC.Allrightsreserved.Dist.byAndrewsMcMeelSyndicationwww.kenken.com

● Eachrowandeachcolumn mustcontainthenumbers1 through 4(easy)or 1through6 (challenging)withoutrepeating.

● Thenumberswithintheheavily outlinedboxes,calledcages, mustcombineusingthegiven operation(inanyorder)to

6-2-22

producethetargetnumbers inthetop-leftcorners.

● Freebies:Fillinsingle-box cageswiththenumberin thetop-leftcorner.

Blondie

Pickles

Zits

BroomHilda

BabyBlues

PearlsBeforeSwine

Hi &Lois

Garfield

Sudoku

Bizarro

Wallace theBrave

BeetleBailey

Red& Rover

Dilbert

Luann

Yesterday’s Solution

Blondie

Pickles

Zits

BroomHilda

BabyBlues

PearlsBeforeSwine

Hi &Lois

Garfield

Sudoku

Bizarro

Wallace theBrave

BeetleBailey

Red& Rover

Dilbert

Luann

Yesterday’s Solution

Stepping away

JAMES D. WATTSJR.

TulsaWorld

Since taking over Tulsa’siconicThe Chalkboardrestaurant alittlemorethan adecadeago,Josh Ozarasand Shannon Ozaras-Garner have beenmorethanjust the ownersofthis finediningestablishment.

Theyalsoare usuallythe firstpeopleone sees upon entering therestaurant, locatedon the first floorof theAmbassador,Tulsa’s originalboutique hotel.

“Fromthebeginning, when wewere working for our father, we were very hands-onas owners,” Ozaras-Garner said.“We couldneverbe the type of owner whojustturns everythingovertosomeone elsetorun.”

However, come June 30,the brotherand sister teamwillleavetheChalkboardasownersfor thelast time.They decided earlier this yearnot to renewtheir leasewithCouryHospitality, theDallas-based companythat operatesthe Ambassador Hotel.

“Ourdecisionhasnothing to dowith ourrelationshipwiththehotel,or even withtherestaurantbusiness,”Ozarassaid.“It’sjust that ShannonandIhave beeninthisbusiness togetherfor agood20 years, andwebothdecideditwas timetocarve newpaths for ourselves.”

“When we started,neitherofushadchildren,” Ozaras-Garneradded.

“Now we both have families,and no matterhow much we love thisbusiness,

itdoestakeusawayfrom ourfamiliesalot. So that was the real driving force forme— justtobeable to spend moretimewithmy family.”

CouryHospitalitywill take overtheoperations of The Chalkboard and plans to retainasmuchof thecurrent team,including executive chef DanielGibb,aspossible.Ina statement,the company saiditplans to doupgrades to therestaurant’s design andmenu.

TheChalkboardRestaurantandtheAmbassador Hotelhavebeenintrinsically linked forsome 45 years. ChefJohnPhillips openedTheChalkboardin 1976, andrantherestaurant, which made aname foritself withsuchsignature dishes asbeef Wellington, until 1986,when theAmbassadorHotel closed.

When Tulsanative Paul Couryboughtthe then-derelictbuildingin thelate1990swithplans to turnitintoanupscale hotel,heapproachedPhil-

lips aboutresurrecting The Chalkboard forthebuilding.

Phillips would soon sellTheChalkboardtoa groupthatincluded Ayhan Ozaras,JoshandShannon’s father. The family would also beinvolvedinother restaurants,includingthe Garlic Rose and theGreen Onion,butTheChalkboardremainedthe family’s mainstay.

Whentheir father was thinkingabout sellingThe Chalkboard in2011,the siblingsdecided to buythe restaurantand take over runningitthemselves.

Throughoutitshistory, TheChalkboardhas remainedone ofthecity’s mostacclaimed restaurants. The TulsaWorld last reviewedTheChalkboard in2017,givingit five stars.

Therestaurantwasalso amongthe firstinthecity to addanoutdoordining area duringthe COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate dinersnot yetcomfortable witheatingindoors.

“I knowthat somepeople will say, ‘Oh,COVID

TulsaVegFest setfor Saturday

JAMESD.WATTSJR.

TulsaWorld

TulsaVegFest,a celebrationofthecity’s booming plant-based food scene,will take place 10a.m.to4 p.m. Saturday, June 4, atGuthrie Green,101E.Reconciliation Way.

More than 70 food,health andsustainability-focused vendors,nationallyrecognizedauthoritiesonplantbasedlifestyleswillattend. Thefood courtwillbe100% plant-based,withabout20 foodtrucksand vendorsofferingavarietyoffoods,from smoothiebowls to sweets andsoul food to favorites like pizza,burgers anddeli products. Farmers willhave fresh,locallygrownproduce.

“Theplant-basedmovementisgrowingleaps and bounds,”said Melissa Furman, co-founderandexecutive directorofTulsa VegFest.“Weare seeing significantincreasesof healthy resourceslikemenu optionsat restaurants and

plant-basedproductsat grocerystores, all of which, when consumedinthediet regularly,helptoreducethe impactandoccurrenceof many lifestylediseases, aid animal welfareand improve theenvironment.Tulsa VegFestaims to serve asa catalystinthismovement.”

TulsaVegFest“swagbags,” filledwithmagazines,product samplesand coupons, willbehandedout to the first500attendees who

pushedyou outofthe business,’”Ozarassaid. “In fact, we actually were thrivingduring COVID. So we’reabletohandover asuccessful restaurant to the newowners.”

Ozaras saidheandhis sister went to Dallas totell Couryinpersonabouttheir plans.

“Iknow it cameas asurprisetohim,” he said.“But we have alotof respect for Paul,and we feltthiswas somethingthat wouldn’t beright to do by Zoom or justwith aphonecall.”

In astatement,Coury said:“Ihave enjoyedthe partnership withJosh, Shannonandtheir family overthe past twodecades. We’relookingforward to continuingthelegacy of The Chalkboard and to serve localsandhotel guests alike.”

Whilethesiblingsagree theyare atpeacewiththeir decision,andareconfident thatthe restaurantthathas been apart of their family’s legacy fortwo decades isin goodhands,theysaid theyaregoing to misstheir regularcustomers —both localsandtravelerswho regularly stay attheAmbassadorHotel.

“Wehavereallybecome close witha lot ofourcustomers,”Ozaras-Garner said. “Someofthemhave evenattendedourweddings— andthatincludes people whoare regularhotelguests. Getting to see them regularly is somethingIknowwebothwill miss.”

james.watts@tulsaworld.com

JAMES D. WATTSJR. TulsaWorld

TheMcNellie’sGrouphas closedGhostDragonExpress,itsChinese-American takeaway concept.

GhostDragonExpresswas the company’s first“ghost kitchen” concept,started in September2020inthe kitchensofthe Bond Event Center,608E.ThirdSt., whenthe COVID-19pandemic restrictionshaddinersseekingmoretakeaway options.

In aFacebookpostannouncingtheclosure,it says the concept wasalsoaway of“doinganything we could to generaterevenueand keep peopleemployed.

“Asourbusinesshas returned to asemblanceof normal, demand foracarry-outonlyestablishment has waned,”thepoststates. “Plus,headwindsfromrising commodityprices,delivery fees,and packaging costsmakeit impossible to runGhostDragonprofitably. The goodnews is we now have jobs forourallofour GhostDragonExpressemployeesatourother restaurants, including RedLight Chicken, whichisopening soonindowntownTulsa.”

RedLightChicken,a conceptthathasbeenin the worksfor sometime,is scheduled to take overthe spaceonceoccupied by El Guapo Mexican Restaurant indowntownTulsa.

ThepostaddsthatDraculaSandwich, whichshared kitchenspacewithGhost DragonExpress, “will continuetoliveon...as we meet theneedsofpeople returning to downtownoffices,” andthat someofthemore popular Ghost Dragon Expressitems,suchasthe DragonDumplings,Sesame Chickenand Pork Lo Mein, maybeadded to themenuof Yokozuna,another McNellie’sGroupproperty.

El Fogontoclose

El Fogon, apopular Mexican restaurantin Owasso, hasannouncedit would close itsrestaurant June1.

In apostonthe Owassoisms Facebook page,the restaurant’s ownerssay: “Itiswithheavyheartsand hopefulmindsthat we write toyou...thatourlastday willbe June1.

“Due to unforeseencircumstances related to personalhealthissuesandthe lackofemployees,wewillbe closedinhousetemporarily withhopeof reopeningin thenearfuture,”thepost states “Catering will still be available.

“Wefeelgratefuland blessedfor youtoallowus to be partof your familyand community,”thepoststates. “Yourloyaltyandsupport throughoutthe yearshave meant so much to us.”

El Fogonopenedin2006,

andislocatedat11515N. Garnett Ave.It earned a3½ star ratingfromthe Tulsa Worldin2018.

BostonDeli goes tropical

TheThursday Chef’s Special forJune at theBostonDeli,6231E.61stSt., willhaveadistinctlytropical flair,withisland-spiced applewoodroastedpork tenderloin,servedwith agrilledpineapplesalsa, prepared ontherestaurant’s signatureHasty Bakecharcoalovens.

Thetenderloinisaccompanied by coconutrice, Cubanblackbeansand friedplantainswithamojo verdesauce,andskewersof spiced,grilled shrimpwith lemonandcilantro. Dessertis aspicedpineapple upside-downcakewithan islandrum caramel sauce. Wineandbeerpairingsare available.

Thespecialis available5 to 8p.m.eachThursdayin June.

Costis$28perperson, and reservationsarerecommended.918-492-4745, thebostondeli.com.

RoyalAscot party at White Lion

TheWhiteLionPub, 6927 S. Canton Ave., will host its annual Royal AscotRaceParty, 6p.m.Sunday, June 5. Theevening will featurethechance to “bet”onone’sfavoritehorse whileenjoyinga four-course English feast thatincludes abeetand cucumber saladwithvinaigrettedressing,mushroom alacreme vol-auvents(creamedmushrooms inpuff pastry),poached salmonandpeach Melba fordessert.

One canalsosamplea ginDubonnet,known to be QueenElizabeth’scocktail ofchoice,duringthe festivities.

Costis$65perperson (beveragesare extra),and reservations are required. Call918-491-6533after 4p.m. Tuesdaythru Saturdaytoreserve. james.watts@tulsaworld.com

donatetwo cansofbeans, fruits or vegetables,ora $5donation.Onehundred percent ofthefoodand fundsdonatedvia the swag bageffortwillgodirectly to RestoreHopeMinistries for those inneedinthe Tulsa area.

Acompletelistofsponsors,vendorsand eventdetailsisavailableattulsavegfest.org.

james.watts@tulsaworld.com

TheChalkboardrestaurantatAmbassadorHotel tochangeowners

STEPHEN PINGRY PHOTOS,TULSA WORLD

Brother andsisterJoshuaOzarasand Shannon Ozaras-Garner,who ownThe Chalkboard restaurant, recentlyannounced theyare handingoverownershipto CouryHospitality.

The ownersof finediningestablishment The Chalkboard restaurantsay theyare movingon.

TULSA WORLDFILE El Fogon, apopularMexican restaurantinOwasso,has announcedit would close its restaurantJune1.

OU AD sticks to SEC timeline

IRVING, Texas—Nonews hereatBig12 Conference springmeetingsregarding Oklahoma’sdepartureforthe SEC. “We’re stillontrack foraJuly 1,2025,transition,”OUathletic director JoeCastiglione reported Wednesday.

Gajewski’s evolution givesCowgirlsalift

Coachhas learned better waytolead

ELILEDERMAN

TulsaWorld

On aMarch eveningin2006at

theSheraton HotelinBurlington, Vermont,longbeforeStillwater

knewthenames KennyGajewski, KellyMaxwellandChyenne Factor,fate alteredOklahoma State’s 2022 softball seasonmorethan15 yearsbeforeit evenbegan.

That’s thenightBrianCain metDr.Rob Gilbert.

Gilbertwasthere,onthestage insidethehotel’sconference center,tospeakinfrontofthe state’sathleticdirectorsassociation. Aprofessorofsportsand performancepsychologyat New Jersey’s MontclairStateUniversity,hegracedthe gatheredaudiencewiththe secretstosuccess andnuggetsofwisdomGilbert hasmoldedacross 30 yearsin the field, eachonedispensedin deliberatetoneand aBostonaccent.

Inthecrowd,Cainabsorbed everyword. Sameastheman with the microphone in hand, the former UniversityofVermont baseballplayerheldaspirationsof acareeras aleaderin mentalperformance.

WhenCainintroducedhimself afterthespeech,Gilberthanded the youngathleticdirectorthe manuscript to abook.“IF YOU WANT TO WINTOMORROW

READTHIS TONIGHT”,thetitle read.Gilbert wouldn’tpublish

SARAHPHIPPS,THE OKLAHOMAN Oklahoma State’s Miranda Elish celebrates ahomerun with Oklahoma State head coach KennyGajewski in the sixth inning duringaStillwater Regional game May22against North TexasatCowgirl Stadium in Stillwater

ituntil2013. Cain wenthome, scannedall95 pagesandtreated thedocumentlikesacredscripture.

Adecadeand ahalflaterlast month,onthe eveof the Cowgirls’Big12titleboutwith toprankedOklahoma,the samePDF manuscriptand acorrespondingaudio recordingofthebook landedinGajewski’sinbox.

OSU’sheadcoachdevoured theaudio fileandthenextday, after OSUbeatthe Soonersto claimtheprogram’s firstconferencetitlesince1995,Gajewski creditedCainandthemessage of abookhesharedwithhis team

hoursbefore firstpitch.

“Ithithomewithme.It’s probablygoingtohit homewith someof(myplayers),”hesaidon May14.“It’s just findingenough thingsthatallofthem cangrab onto.”

This versionofGajewski, willing to embrace anoutside perspective ontheprecipice of aconferencechampionship game,isonethat’s found adistinct comfort sevenyears intohis tenureatOSU.

Reachingthispoint,though, has takenwork.Atthesuggestionthat apast versionofhimself,say theone whoarrivedto

Oklahoma Statevs. Arizona Women’s College World Series 8:30 p.m.

Complex, Oklahoma City

OSUfromFloridain2016,might nothave beenasopen-minded, Gajewskilaughs.

“That guy could barely get his listdone eachday,”the50-yearold coach saidfrom ahotelin OklahomaCityearlier this week. “I wasjust fighting everyday to keep my headabove water. Iwas adifferentguy.”

Gajewskihaschanged,andthe seventh-seeded Cowgirlsenter the2022 Women’sCollegeWorld SeriesonThursday inOklahoma City stillchurningintheir finest season yetunderhis watch.

Already thisspring, OSUhas itsmostvaluablepieceofsilverware in theBig12era.The Cowgirls’ 46 wins to date in 2022 sit twoshy ofthe record win totalof theGajewskieraset lastspring.

Sooners getweaponbackenteringWCWS

ERIC BAILEY

TulsaWorld

OKLAHOMACITY —Oklahomaentersthe Women’sCollegeWorld Serieswithanaceup itssleeve.

The top-ranked Soonerswill have starpitcher JordyBahl available forthe firsttimein nearly amonth whentheyopen play against No. 9Northwestern at1:30 p.m.Thursday.

Bahl,namedthenational freshmanplayerofthe yearon Tuesday, hasn’tseenthecircle sincea May6contestagainst OklahomaState.

“You’regoing to seeherpitch this week,”OUcoach PattyGasso saidduring aWednesdaynews conferenceatthe USA Softball Hallof Fame Complex.“How much? We’restill working.”

Sooner Nationhas kept aclose watchonBahl’srightarm,which suffered sorenessduring warmupsprior to theregular-season finaleagainstthe Cowgirlson

May7.

Doctorshaveadvisedher during OU’s unbeatenrun throughtheBig12and NCAA postseason tournaments.During the seven-gamespan,Bahl wasn’tusedalthoughGasso did saylast weekthatthepitcher was getting some work.

“Wehavefolloweddoctor’s ordersanddone everything we’resupposedtodo, including talking to Jordy, talkingwith doctors, communicatingwith her parentstomakesurethisis therightthing to doandsheis notinenoughseverepain,”Gasso said.“Ifshe was, this wouldn’t

Series.

evenbeanoption.But we have done everythingrightandthat hasallowedher to have thisopportunity.” OU (54-2) rolledthroughthe

That’s frustratingnews for Sooner fans whoache to see Alabama,Georgia,LSUand Florida come to Owen Fieldin 12 Saturdays,notthe fallof’25. Idon’tblamethem.

Theseare fans whohavehad morethanenoughof watching Kansas,Texas Tech, TCUand West Virginiatrudgethrough Norman.Theseare fans who haveto pay to watchthe Jayhawks,RedRaiders, Horned Frogsand Mountaineersinthe Big12’severy-other-yearrotation.

Forthesefolks, the HoustonChroniclelit afusethat couldneverbeshortenough10 monthsagobyreporting OU’s and Texas’intention to jetfor theSEC, collegesports’richest conferenceand collegefootball’smostprestigious.

Thefusemightturnout to be four yearslongif we aretotake Castiglioneathispublic word, that OU intends to runoutthe lengthofitscontractwiththe Big12, somethingmorecommonlyreferred to asits“grant ofrights.”

Askedifanythingmight changethat2025 targetdate, Castiglione said:“NotthatI’m awareof. Isitpossible Iguess? You’dhavetoaskotherpeople ...” Idon’tknowifhemeanslawyers ornetworkexecutivesor lawyersofnetworkexecutives, butlet’s save that foranother column.

Castiglione: OU-Texas seriessafe

GUERIN EMIG TulsaWorld IRVING, Texas—Joe Castiglione representedOklahomaat Big12springmeetingsWednesdaywhile keepingabreastof SECmeetingsinDestin,Florida, anecessityseeingashow the SoonerswillbeintheBig12 untiltheyrelocatetotheSECno laterthan July 1,2025.

That couldbe construedasan awkward situation forreasons bothpersonal,asCastiglione has relationshipswith several long-standingBig12peers, and professional,withbothleagues trying to navigate scheduling modelsmoving forward.

“Itis whatitis,” Castiglione saidattheendof Wednesday’s meetings. “Weknewtherewere going to be timesof awkward discussionsanddifficult conversations.We’ve pastthat.”

“I wouldbelessthan forthright to notadmitthatthere aresome strangenesstoitand perhapsevensome periods wherethere’salittlebitof tension,”Big12 commissioner Bob Bowlsbyrecognizedoftheday’s general tenor.“Butpeopleare working togetherin good faith. We getalongand work together becausewehaveto. Ithinkit’s been fine.Themeetingshave

BRYANTERRY,THE OKLAHOMAN

Oklahoma Statecoach KennyGajewskitalkswithplayers duringpracticeinStillwateronMay25.

TPSHallofFameceremonyThursday

and Lukken Peterson (Edison) areinthe UniversityofTulsa

Athletic Hall of Fame as they excelled in football and golf,respectively

Thirteen will be inducted into the TulsaPublic Schools Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

The 10th annual banquetwill start at 6:30 p.m. at theDoubleTreeTulsaatWarrenPlace Areceptionisscheduledat

5:30 p.m.

Inductees will be Caleb Green, Josh Atkinson, TomMaxwell, Adele Lukken Peterson, John Hammond, Jamilah O’Neal-Carter, Leah Hope Taber,Robert MayesSr., PerryMoss, Bob Brumble, Allen Mullinax, Shardell Johnson and GradyPeninger

All nine TPShigh schools are represented, and that will bring the totalnumber of Hall of Fame membersto131.

“This classofinductees is another group of outstanding student-athletes that have been successful both on and off the field,”TPS athletic director Mick Wilson said Wednesday. “They have all represented TulsaPublic Schools in apositive manner,and each one has made an impact in their community.”

Individual ticketsare available at the door for$100 Green (Memorial) and Atkinson(East Central) went on to become basketball standoutsat Oral Roberts. Brumble (Rogers)

Johnson wasthe statetournament most valuable player in 1976 when she led Booker T. Washington to its firststate volleyball title. Peninger wasastate wrestling champion at Webster and became one of collegewrestling’s topcoaches at Michigan State.

Maxwell, beforebecoming Flintco’s President and CEO, was an infielder on twostate championship baseball teamsfor Webster and wasateamcaptain. He wasanAll-Big Eight selection at Oklahoma.

Hammond wasanAll-State selection in football and basketball forCentral and wasaquarterback at OU

O’Neal-Carter wasatwo-time winner of the TulsaTribune AllCityPlayerofthe Year in girls basketball in 1990 and ‘91 for McLain.

Mullinax wasanAll-State selection and team captain for Rogers in baseball, football and wrestling. He playedpro baseball in the MontrealExposfarm system.

Mayeshelped Booker T. Washington win five statefootball titles in 15 yearsasanassistant coach.

Moss,a Central graduate, had acoaching career of morethan 50 yearscombined at the proand collegelevels after helping TU

and Illinois win NewYear’sDay bowl games as aplayer. Hope Taber earned All-State honorsinsoccerand basketball, and was all-district in softball at Hale beforeastellar soccercareer at Oklahoma State. Thereare still openingsfor the 22nd annual TPSAthletics Golf Tournament, playedina scramble format, scheduled forFridayatLaFortune Golf Course with ashotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be at 12:30 p.m. The individual entry feeis$125 and $450 forteams Proceeds from theseevents go to the Legends Foundation (501c3) to support and enhance TPSathletic programs.Toenter, call LaFortune at 918-4966200

Jenksnames interimboyscoach

BARRYLEWIS

TulsaWorld

Jenksassistant Will Finfrock waspromotedWednesday to interimheadboysbasketball coachandwillleadthe Trojans duringthe2022-23season.

FinfrocksucceedsClayMartin, whoresignedafter acombined 17 yearsas head coach over twostints.

“Coach Finfrockis someone whoknows ourplayers and understandsthecultureof our basketballprogram,”Jenks athleticdirectorTonyDillingham saidin amediarelease. “Hehasmaturedand grownas acoach underthe leadership of CoachMartin,and hehas takenonmoreresponsibility

with each year onthestaff.

McLain’sAD Johnsonretires

Philip Johnson has retired after 12 seasons as McLain’sathletic director and 24 yearsonhis high school alma mater’sstaff Johnson, a1976McLain graduate, coached McLain’sgirls basketball team from 1998-2011. He alsowas atrack coach for20 years, including the last 18 with the girls squad. Before moving to McLain, he wasthe girls basketball coach at Rogers and led the LadyRoperstoa pair of state tournament appearances While he wasMcLain’sAD, abasketball arena wasbuilt, a weight room wasconstructed and artificial turf installed in the football stadium. Johnson also

helped launch McLain’sAthletic Hall of Fame and re-energized the school’shomecoming festivities.And as AD,hesaw one of its graduates,JoshJacobs, selected in the NFL Draft’s firstround.

Johnson wasafour-sport athleteatMcLain —football, basketball, baseball and track and field. He said about his future plans,“I’mgoing to rest and relax, and let God direct my path to what I’mgoing to do.”

Hubbard honored as Faith7 MVP

Memorial’sBradynHubbard wasnamed the Faith 7Basketball MVP after he had 24 points and 15 rebounds to help lead Oklahoma past Texas127-98on SaturdayatOklahoma Baptist University’sNoble Complex. Booker T. Washington’sAaron Potter produced14points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Memorial’s Ty Frierson added13points. Jenks’ BenAveritt had10pointsand Owasso’s Caden Fryscorednine.

OologahHOF

classannounced

Oologah’sfirstAthleticHallof FameclasswillbehonoredinOctober.TheinducteeswillbeDanny Bennett,LanceBennett,Larry Bennett,EdenWiensEnsley,Erin WiensEnsley,ClayHolly,Gerrit Simpson,PeggyVancurenBrunson, ChadWeeksandVanessaWelch. barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com

TULSADRILLERS UPDATE

Thursday Upnext:TulsaDrillersatSanAntonioMissions,7:05 p.m.,atNelson

W. Wolff MunicipalStadiumin San Antonio

Radio: KTBZam1430

“Hehas earnedthisopportunity, and we areexcited to watchhimleada teamthatplays withgreateffort onthecourtand demonstratesgreatcharacter off thecourt.”

Finfrock

Finfrock,a 2006 Jenksgraduate,spentthe past sixyears asanassistantonthe varsity staff.Asastudent,he wasthe boys basketball teammanager forthree seasons.

“Asa Jenksliferand someone whohas workedwiththe Jenksbasketballprogramin

some capacitysince2003, it’s adream cometrue to have theopportunitytoleadthis program,”Finfrock saidina media release. “I owea lot to CoachMartinwithhissupportandtrustthroughthe years. He showed me how to run aprogramtheright way. Ourstaffis atight-knitgroup, anditwillbegreat to continue sharingthebond we’vedeveloped overthelast several years.”

Jenkswas 21-7 duringthe past season andlostinthe Class 6A state quarterfinals to eventualchampionEdmond North. barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com

Probablepitchers: Tulsa, LandonKnack(1-2,2.82ERA); San Antonio,TBD

Seasonseries:Missionslead2-0

Nexthomegame:7:05 p.m.June 7vs.NWArkansas($2 Tuesday)

Wednesday’sgame

The TulsaDrillersdroppedthe secondstraight game to opentheir triptoSanAntoniowitha5-4lossto theMissionsin11inningsatNelson W.WolffMunicipalStadiuminSan Antonio.Tulsascored first, getting toMissionsstartingpitcherThomas Eschelmaninthesecondinningona pairofsinglesfromDevinMannand Leonel Valera to claima1-0lead. But SanAntonioansweredback

with atrioof solohomerunsinthe bottomofthethirdoffofTulsastarter ClaytonBeeter.TheDrillersandMissions exchangedsinglerunsinthe fourthand fifthinnings, and Tulsa tiedthe gameintheeighthonAndy Pages’sixthhomerunoftheseason.

Both teams were scorelessinthe ninthand10thinnings,but SanAntonio’sThomasMilonesingledonthe firstpitchfromTulsa’sJoseHernandezinthebottomofthe11th,drivinghomeYorman Rodriguez, who startedtheinningatsecondbase.

MISSIONS5,DRILLERS4 Tulsa010100 02000— 4100 SanAntonio00301000001 —5 80 Beeter, Adames(4),Gamboa(5),Leasure (8),Ochsenbein (9),Varland(10),J.Hernandez(11)andFeduccia;Eshelman, Morejon(6),O.Hernandez(8),Kopps(9),Cosgrove(9),Fox (11)and Rodriguez. W: Fox(2-1). L: J. Hernandez(0-1). HR: TUL, Pages(6);SAM,Kaiser(2), Leyba(2). RBI: TUL,B. Lewis(9),Pages2(29),Valera(1);SAM,C.Kaiser(9),Leyba (17),Milone(5),Y.Rodriguez(30),E.Ruiz(37).LOB:TUL13, SAM 8. DP: TUL0,SAM 2. T: 3:12. A: 2,724.

—Fromstaff reports

FC Tulsa fights Rowdiestoa draw

BARRYLEWIS TulsaWorld

FC Tulsagoalie Austin Wormell kepthisteamwithin strikingrange againstthe TampaBayRowdiesin his firststart ofthe USLChampionship season Wednesdaynight.

Wormell’seffortseventuallypaid offasRodrigodaCostacameoffthe benchandscoredthe tying goalin the83rdminutetohelpFCTulsa come away with a1-1 draw before 2,549 fansat ONEOKField.

“Wekept fighting,”daCosta said. FC Tulsa(4-8-1), whichhad been1-6initspast sevenmatches, playedwithout sixregulars.

Threewerecalledupbytheir national teamsasthe2022-23

CONCACAFNationsLeaguestarts

Thursday— Rivasand RonaldRodriguezbyElSalvador,and Jorge Corrales by Cuba.

Inaddition,FC Tulsa,whichhad itslastprevious scheduled home matchpostponedduetoCOVIDissues,wasmissingafewplayersdue to USLhealthandsafetyprotocols.

“A pointisagoodstartingpoint forustobuildon,”FCTulsacoach Michael Nsiensaid.

FCTulsaonlyhadoneofitsthree goalkeepers available— Wormell —who splitplayingtimelastyear whenstarterSeanLewis wassidelinedwith injuries.

“Itfelt good to getbackout there,”saidWormell,aBishopKelley graduate.

Wormell came upwitheight saves.

“Onethingabout Austinthat we’vecome to expectis whenever he’scalleduponhe’s goingtobe therefullof confidenceand ready to take thegameon,”Nsien said. “Someofthose were greatsaves.”

FC Tulsacaptain BradleyBour-

geoisproducedanunofficial save whenheknocked away Lucky Mkosana’sshotduringstoppage timeafterWormell wascaught away ofthenet. Afew moments later,Mkosanahadanother good scoringchance,buthisclose-range header waswideoff athrow-in. TampaBay (5-3-5), whichdefeated Tulsa3-1 on April 16,took a1-0 leadin the 17th minuteas LaurenceWyke knockedhomea reboundafterKyleGrieg’s shot bouncedoff therightpost.

Wormell,however,cameupwith threesavesbeforehalftime,includingadivingstoponSebastian Dalgaard’sblastin stoppagetime. Inthe58thminute,Jake LaCava, whohad athree-game scoring streak,wasdeniedbyWormell,and thenGrieghadashotdeflectoffthe leftpost.Afewminuteslater,Wormell cameupwithanother save on ashotbyLeo Fernandes.

FC Tulsa, whichhadnotgeneratedmuchoffenseinthe secondhalf,broke throughwhenda

Costa,thefranchise’s all-time goalsleader, scoredfrom12 yardsout afterbeing fedbyMachuca followingMatheusSilva’s longball.DaCosta,whose traininghadbeenlimited recently, hadsubbedinseven minutes earlier.

TampaBaythenansweredwitha furiousattackduringtherestofthe match,butcouldn’tcomeupwith the go-aheadgoal.

“TokeepTampa at 1withsome oftheopportunitiestheyhad was

afeatinitself,”Nsiensaid.“ButI’m very proudofAustinandlooking forwardtoanothermatchwithhim Saturday(againstMiami).”

TULSA WORLDFILE

Caleb GreenposeswiththeMemorial Chargers’ Class6A Championship trophyafterbeingnamedthe Tulsa World’s2003stateplayerofthe year.

BARRYLEWIS TulsaWorld BARRY LEWIS Tulsa World

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

TampaBay’sKyle Grieg(22) battles forthe ball against FC Tulsa’s JohnnyFenwickandMatheusSilvaonWednesday at ONEOK Field.

All-American team

hasBedlam flavor

Oklahoma(five players)and OklahomaState(one) madeup athirdofthe18membersofthe

NFCA Division IAll-America first team,theassociationannounced on Wednesdayduring aWomen’s CollegeWorldSeriespressconference.

The Soonershadunanimous selectionsinutilityplayerJocelynAloand second baseman TiareJennings.JordyBahl(pitcher), Jayda Coleman(center field)and GraceLyons (shortstop)also earnedhonors.

OSUwas represented by pitcher KellyMaxwellonthe firstteam. MirandaElish wasnamed to the second team.

Oklahomahashadatleastthree first-teamselections forfour consecutiveyears. AlohasbeenanAll-American selectioninfour years, including three first-teampicks.

Jenningsishitting .385with 24 homeruns,whichis fourthnationally.

Lyons,the two-timeBig12 defensiveplayerofthe year,has smacked apersonal-best21home runsthis season.She’shitting .418.

Colemanis batting .429 andhas a.590on-basepercentage, which isthird-bestinthe NCAA.

Bahl wasnamedthenational freshmanofthe year.She has thrown 1321/3 inningswitha 0.95ERAand 199strikeouts. She’s beennursing asorearm sinceMay 6, butOUcoach PattyGassosaid shewillbe available to pitchinthe WCWS.

Maxwellis 19-4with a1.16ERA. Shehasamassed279 strikeouts this season,including a16-strikeoutperformance during ano-hitteragainst TexasTechearlierthis season.

Elish was13-4(2.09ERA)inthe circlewith128strikeoutsin104 inningspitched.She’s hitting .351

Cowgirls

FromB1

Andtheprogram’scurrentrunof threestraight WCWS appearances marks itslongestsince1982.

With afoundationofsuccess establishedinStillwateroverthe past sevenseasons,the Cowgirls arebackat USA SoftballHallof Fame Complexfor athird successive June.Thistime,their eyesare focusedontheultimateprize.

“We’re not satisfied(just)being hereanymorebecausethat’s the standardwe’ve set,”outfielder Chelsea Alexander told reporters WednesdayafternooninOklahomaCity. “...Our goalisn’tjust to be hereanymore. We’regoing to win anationalchampionship.”

AscrucialasMaxwell’sleftarm andthe bats of SydneyPennington, MirandaElishorKatelynn Carwile to theCowgirls’bestrun of softballin40 years, hasbeen the evolutionof —and awillingnesstoevolvefrom—Gajewski, the coachatthe centerofitall.

“The reason whysomany coachesdon’tmakeitisthey don’tchange,”saidCain, whotodayconsultswiththenation’stop athleticprograms.“TimCorbin (atVanderbilt) evolved.Thebest coaches evolve.I thinkas acoach it takesyou awhile to getthere.

“Kennyhas gottenthere.”

Losing touch

By his ownadmission,Gajewski hassoftenedinthe past fewyears, mostlyforbetter.

“Ithinkin some regardsit’shurt us,” he’llalsocontend.

Former OSUpitcherCarrie Eberle,nowanassistantwith the Cowgirls,saysGajewskihas grownlessstringent.

But whenGajewskiassumedhis firstheadcoaching roleinhis early 40sinStillwater, he harkened to his baseball roots, allthe way back to CerritosCollegein1991, anddid whathe felthehad to do to build aprogram.

In part,thatmeantthe early days ofhis softballprogramlived ontraditional,old-school baseball values.Noexposedtattoosfor hisplayers.Novisiblepiercings, either.Alexander,who joinedthe programin2018,remembersa time whenplayers were yelledat whentheir socksdidn’tmatch.

Allofthathelditsoriginsat Cerritos,theCaliforniajunior collegewhereGajewskienrolledinat 17 and receivedhisinitial baseball education.

TimWalton,theFlorida softball coach, wasateammatethere.On thestaff thereunderGeorge Hortonwas DaveSerrano,thefuture CalState Fullertonand Tennessee coach. So toowasBill Mosiello, nowanassistantat TCU. He later

with sevenhomeruns.

‘Let’s go baby!Boomer!’

Jayda Colemanalways hasthe attentionofOklahoma’svast social mediafollowinguponarrival at astadium. Whenthe center fielderdepartsthebus,she screams“Let’s go baby!Boomer!”atthe camera. If youaskher,shedoesn’teven knowhow thetradition began.

“Ithink Iwasjustgoingcrazy off thebusonedayand P-Pac(OU assistantdirectorof communications PatrickDunn),our camera guy, waslike,‘oh my God,dothat again.’Andthenitjustbecamea trendand everyonestartedloving it.And Ilovedoingit,”Coleman said.

Coleman saidshe wantstoget creative withhershouts, but everyone seems to love thetraditional “let’s go baby!Boomer!” cheer.

Gajewskigratefulfor

contract extension

Onthesubjectofthe five-year contract extension settokeephim inStillwaterthrough2027 that wasannounced over Memorial Day Weekend,OklahomaState softball coach KennyGajewski washumbleWednesdayafternoon.

“Idon’tunderstand whythisis getting so muchattention.It’s becauseof them,” theseventh-year coach said, gesturing to thetrio ofplayers sittingbesidehimat thepodium.“I’mjust reapingthe benefits Iguess. Me andmystaff They’re theones whowin.I’mjust trying to drive theshipandkeep themon path.”

OSUannouncedanew deal for the Cowgirls’ coach Saturday afternoon,lessthan 24 hoursafter Gajewskiand Co.sweptClemson inthe NCAAStillwaterSuper Regional,advancing to athird straight Women’sCollegeWorld Series.The contract remained

pendingapproval overthe weekend. Termsoftheagreementhave not yetbeen released.

Gajewski’slatest extension follows lastmonth’sBig12ChampionshiptitlevictoryovertoprankedOklahomaandarrived withthe Cowgirls setto make three consecutive WCWS appearances forthe secondtimein schoolhistory. Hisfreshened contractalso comesasprogramsacross the countrydiveintothe coaching marketwiththelikesof Texas A&Memergingamongthemost lucrative openingsafterthe Aggies chose not to renewthe contractof 26-yearhead coach Jo Evans.Gajewskiadmitshe’saware ofhow frequentlyhisname comesupthis timeof year.Hisplayersheard the murmursthistimearound, too.

“Hisnameisthrownaround in conversations alot,”saidoutfielderChelsea Alexander.“Ithink thatspeakstohimas acoachand hissuccess onthe field. We know howlucky we aretohavehim. When Ihearthose things(about Gajewskileaving)... Idon’tbelieve that until Iseeit.” Gajewski, whoemphasizedthe

importanceofhiscurrent, settled familylifeinStillwateraspartof hisdecision to extend,views the newdealasanothersignalof commitmentfrom OSU.

“I’mon my fourthorfifth amendmentin sevenyears. So Ithinkifpeopledon’talready know,we’re seriousabout softballhere,”hesaid. “We’re seriousabouteverything.AndI feel very luckythatI’minthis place.”

Elish’savailability remainsunclear

SinceMirandaElish exitedan April 24 win over Texaswithan apparentinjuryto herthrowing arm,Gajewski’spublicstanceon theright-hander’s timeline for returnhas remainedunchanged.

Whenhe wasaskedagainabout Elish’savailabilityin thecircle for the WCWS, therewerenosurprises.

“Idon’tknow. I’mgoing to give youthe sameanswer,”Gajewski said.“I seehertryingtothrow here and there I’ve tried to just putitoutofsight,outofmind. So ifshe walksupand says ‘I can

landingspot fortransferslike2022

fixturesElish,Morgan Dayand Julia Cottrillhasemerged

Central to itall,the relationshipsGajewski re-prioritized onceupon atime.

“You canhavenurturing, caring, relationshipdrivenkindof culturebutalsostillbe awinner,” saidEberle, whotransferred to OSUfromVirginia Teach.

Thechangedoutlookhasalso openedupGajewski to newideas. Sowhenhis Cowgirlsdropped five straight games to close the regular season earlierthisspring,Gajewski called Mosiello,hismentor fromCerritos, with arequest.

“I reallyneedBrianCain’s phonenumber,” Gajewski told him.

servedas agroomsmeninGajewski’swedding.

Fromthat contingentat Cerritos,Gajewski wasintroduced to an in-your-facestyleofcoachingthe game.Elementsofthat camewith him to OSU.

“It’skindofhowhewascoached whenhe wasyounger,”saidRachel FoxGajewski,the former Texas and TexasA&MpitcherGajewski marriedin 2021.“I thinkitkindof stuckwithhim.”

Theintensityextendedbeyond thesuperficial,pasttattoorigidity anduniform particulars. AsGajewskilaidthe foundationofhis program,hetried to doitallhimself.ByYear3,Gajewski feltthe relationalendof coaching —the programcornerstonehe socovets —slipping away.

“I wasn’taswilling to let other people work,” Gajewski said.“I wasveryinvolvedintheirbusinesseachday. Igot so involved with coachingandrunningthings Iwasn’tpayingattention to the reactionsandthe facial expressionsthekids’ faces.

“Ijusthadneverstoppedthe firstthree years. Ineverstopped. Therewerenovacations.Nothing.It wasjust gorecruit.Godo thenextthing. Igot to thispoint whereIwasjust so unhappy.”

Whenthat realizationhitone summer,Gajewskiturned to Brett Ledbetter.

Gajewski came to knowLedbetterasanassistantatFlorida. Later,Gajewski would convince former OSUathleticdirector Mike Holder to bringhim to Stillwater forsemi-regularvisitswiththe team.

Onhis website,Ledbetteris listedas aconsultant,authorand speaker.Gajewski considershim hislifecoach.

“He’shelpedmein so many ways,” Gajewski said. Throughlengthyconversations, questionafterquestion,LedbetterpushedGajewski to loosenhis gripandhelpedhim realizethat

thestandardshehad setcould morph whilethe foundationofthe programremainedintact.

Suddenly, tattoosweren’tthe worstthing,and soonenoughLoganSimunek waspitchingwitha fullsleeve onherarm.Players could rockpiercingsaroundthe team facility. And in delegating certainduties to his staff,Gajewski foundhimselfcrucially entrenchedagaininthe relationshipsofhisprogram.

“(Brett) allowed me to sit back anddo someotherlittlethings that Iwant to do,that Iknoware uberimportant,withoutlosing touchof my team,”hesaid.

Aboutthe sametime,Rachel FoxGajewski took agreaterhold inGajewski’sworld, too. Their firstinteraction came...in ajobinterview. Gajewskineeded apitching coach.Rachel wasa youngassistantlooking to break intocoaching.He letherknowshe neededmoreexperience,butthe twokeptin touchand eventually started arelationship.

In January2021,theyweremarriedinthe TexasHillCountrysurrounded by friendsand family. Duringthe ceremony,Rachel read vows not onlytohernewhusband, but to his twochildren —Preston andLogan—fromapreviousmarriage.

“That wasmyfavoritepart,”she said.

InRachel,20 yearsyounger thanGajewskiandoperatingwith theperspective of aformerplayer, Gajewskihas found balance.

“I reallylovehow muchhe trustsme,”she said.“Hevalues my opinion. At leastthat’s howI feel.”

‘Idon’t give adamn’

FromLedbetter,Rachelandthe evolutionGajewskiallowedfor himselfafterhis early seasonsat OSU, resultshavecome.Annual tripstothe WCWS arethe expectation. Andin thecultureGajewskihascultivated,anattractive

pitch’.We’ll take alook andsee.”

Elish(rightbiceps) hasnot pitchedsincedepartinginjured fromherlaststartinlateApril, leavingthe Cowgirlsdown a13gamewinnerwitha2.09ERA for the pastsix weeks. Whileunavailable to pitch,Elishhas remained effective attheplate;sheenters the WCWSasOSU’s second-leadinghitter batting .351withhitsin sixofher past sevengames.

AnotherelementatplayforElishthis weekinOklahomaCityis afamilydynamic.

Whenthe Cowgirls face Arizona inGame 1Thursday (8:30 p.m., ESPN),hersisterMadiwillbein theopposite dugout.The younger Elish, afreshmanpitcherforthe Wildcats, carries arecordof8-3 with a4.34ERAin771/3innings pitchedthis season.

“Thisiskindofwild —the fact thatthey’re hereand we’replayingtheminthe firstgame,”Gajewski said.

The Cowgirls coach saidhehad heardtheElish familyplans to splitits rootinginterests, atleast forthe WCWSopener.

“Ithinkit’s herdadandher brother whoare going to beonthe Arizonaside. Andhermomand herauntaregoing to beonourside to kindofmakeitfair,” he said.“I toldthemtheydon’thavetomake it fair.Theycanallbeonourside. We’ll seewhere that goes.”

Bedlamis thefavorite According to BetOnline,Oklahomais astrong favoritetowin the WCWS.

The Soonersare 4/7odds to win theirsixthnationalchampionship inhistory.

OklahomaState hasthe second-best odds(3/1)whiletraditionalpowerhouseUCLAsitsat 6/1.Floridais 7/1.

Northwesternand Texasare 12/1, whileArizonaandOregon Stateare 20/1.

—EricBaileyand EliLederman, TulsaWorld

FromB1

regionalandsuper regionalbehindHope Trautwein and Nicole May. Thepairallowedonlythree runsduringfive NCAA tournament games.

Therewas concern by Gasso earlierthisyearthatrun-rule victoriesateupinnings of work forthestaffduringthe season. Maythrew 15 inningsand Trautwein tossed13during thewins.

FromtheSheraton conference centerinVermont,Cainhasgrown aclientlistthatincludes Cy Young Awardwinners, UFCChampions and collegeprogramsatFlorida State, TCU and TexasA&M.

Theoriginal,unedited copy of Gilbert’s book remains afavoriteconsulting tool.Inthe early 2010s,he firstrecordedtheaudio version forformer welterweight UFCchampionGeorgesSt-Pierre.

Whenthebook foundGajewski onMay13,thenightbeforetheBig 12title game,he flew throughthe audioin alittle overanhourand shareditwithplayers and team staff as fastashe could.

One passage fromGilbert’s telling, focusedon releasingthe “mentalemergencybrake”inperformance, particularly resonated withGajewskithatnight.The storycenters on awrestler who overcomesperformancestruggles with adailymeditation,repeating to himself:“Idon’tgiveadamn. Idon’tgiveadamn. Idon’tgive adamn.”

It wasn’tthatthewrestler didn’tgiveadamnabouthowhe waswrestling,Gilbertwrites,but thathedidn’tgiveadamnabout what everyone wasgoing to think. OverbreakfastattheSkirvin Hotelthemorningofthetitle game, the Cowgirls readthose17pages togetheras ateam.

Later,while OSUbattledthe Sooners, Gajewskistoodinthe third-basecoach’sbox and found himselfmutteringthe samelineas thewrestler,straightfromGilbert’s book.

“Idon’tgiveadamn, overand over.I kept repeatingthat to myselfgivingsigns,andit wasfreaking awesome,”hesaid.“Ijust remember walkingfromthethirdbase boxtothe first-basebox like ‘I’minthemomenthere.’

“Justlikelovingit.Likejust walking. IfeellikeIwas floating as Iwalking.” Evolution complete. eli.lederman@tulsaworld.com

Gasso hasoftenmentioned howshe wasconcernedabout herstaff’s lackofinningsduring those 38run-rulewinsoutof 56 games.Butthe past month without Bahl may have been a blessing indisguise.

“Looking back, Ithinkitis anadvantagenow thatwe’re in postseason.They gotsignificant inningsinpostseason.Theyfelt it. So Ifeel that we areinavery healthyspace from apitching point of view,”Gassosaid.

JocelynAlois collegesoftball’sstrongesthitter.The NCAA careerhomerunleader has 117 in her career She said the Sooners’armsareamong thebestshe’sfacedall season.

“I’ve neverseen apitching stafflikethis, andtheyjustlove to diceusupatpractice,soIfeel like that’s whatmakesus good,” Alo said. “Justironsharpening iron everyday.Coachalways pushingus to thebestofour abilities.”

Whilemostteamsarethrilled to makeit to OklahomaCity, this wasanexpectation by the Sooners. Howdidtheydeal withthat?Wasthere pressure that some evenbelieve they mayhavethe topsoftball team in history?

“I feellikealotof teams can getcaughtupinthatandit can affecttheirplay,” Alo said.“I’ve seenithappenbeforeand sometimestheyjust getlike‘Oh,I feellikeIhavetodosomuch.’ We just want to comeoutand hereand we justwant to play ball.

“That’s all.”

TeammateJayda Coleman agreedwithAlo.

“Wejustneedtotakeit one inningat atime,”Coleman said.“Wejusttrust eachother in everythingthatwedo, and justknowingthat,with our capabilities, we don’thaveto presstoomuch. We justhave to beusandwe’regoing to be justfine.

“I’mjust so excited.I’ve been onthisstagebeforeandI’mjust tryingto take in everysingle momentthat Ihave.” eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com

BRYANTERRY,THE OKLAHOMAN

OklahomasoftballplayerJocelyn Alo talks besidecoach PattyGasso during aWednesdaypress conferenceatthe USA Hall of Fame Complexin OklahomaCity.

SARAHPHIPPS,THE OKLAHOMAN

Oklahoma State head coach KennyGajewski coaches duringa Stillwater Regional game against Nebraska at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater

It just meansmore: SECweighsexpandingconferenceschedule

RALPHD.RUSSO AssociatedPress

DESTIN,Fla. —The Southeastern Conference’sslogan,“Itjust meansmore,”could soon referto thenumberof football gamesthe league schedules.

SECcoachesandathleticdirectorshavebeen meetingthis weekat aresortontheGulf Coast ofFlorida. Atoptheagendais whetherthe conferencescheduleshould expandfromeight to nine games whentheleagueitself growsfrom14to16teamswiththe additionsof TexasandOklahoma. Whether adecision comes by thetimethespringmeetingswrap up Fridayisstill to be determined —and seemingmoreunlikely at theendof Wednesday’ssessions.

“We’ve gotsomequestionsstill to answer,”CommissionerGreg Sankey said.“We’ve gotmore work to do.”

TheSECpresidents,whohave final sayonschedulechange,meet Thursday withtheADs. Sankey saidthe executive committee

wouldbeupdatedonthediscussionsandthe conferencewas inno rush to makeadecision,but would not commit to whetherthegroup would vote.

“Waittill Friday,”hesaid.

Eventhose inthe conference whohavegenerallybeensupportive ofplayingmoreleague gamesacknowledgeit’samove thatcomeswithpotential complications.

“Eighthas workedverywell forour conference,”Alabama athleticdirectorGregByrne said Wednesday. “You’veseenhow we’vescheduled(forfutureseasons)and we’veadded Power Five,AutonomyFive, games to our schedule. Nowwedidthat based off ofthinking we weregoing to continue to playeight games.”

The schedulingmodelchoices have been whittleddown to two:

Nine gameswiththreepermanentrivals foreach teamandsix opponentsthatwould rotate over afour-yearcycleor amodelmore similar to whattheSECusesnow

—eight gameswithoneannual rivalryandtheotherseven opponents rotating.

Regardlessofthenumberof gamestheSECplays amongitself, Sankey saidthis weektheleagueis headingtowardscrappingitsdivisional format whenOklahomaand Texasjumpon board.

TheBig12 schoolsarecurrently scheduled to jointheSECin2025. TheLonghornsand Soonersare contractuallybound to theBig12 untilthenandit could costtens ofmillionsofdollarstobreakthe deal even ayearearly.

Oklahomaathleticdirector JoeCastiglione saidattheBig12 meetingsinDallastheSEChas gotten feedbackfromthenewcomerson schedulingdiscussions.

“TheSEChasbeen very thoughtfulaboutengagingboth Oklahomaand Texasinconversationsabout schedulingmodels forall sports,”Castiglione said.

EventhoughtheSECmight notimplementa newformatun-

til2025,a decision needs to come fairly soon so itsschools canadjustor getout of game contracts fornonconferencegamesthat have beensigned yearsinadvance.

LongbeforetheSECdecided to expandtherewerecomplaintsin the conferenceabouthowinfrequentlysome teamsfromacross itsEastand Westdivisionsplay each other.

Themostglaring example: TexasA&M joinedtheSECin2012 andstillhasnothostedGeorgia. Dumpingdivisionswould help fixthat —andit seems to bea trendthroughoutmajor college football.

The Pac-12already tossedout itsdivisionalformat forthe coming seasonandthe AtlanticCoast Conferenceappearsheaded to do the same by 2023.TheBig12and Big Tenare alsoconsidering how best to structuretheir conferences anddetermineachampioninfutureseasons.

TheBig 12isaddingfournew membersassoonas2023andcould

beenproductive.” Complicatingthose meetings is thepresenceofBYU, Houston,Cincinnatiand UCF,thefourschoolsBowlsby addedlastSeptembertomake upforOU’sandTexas’looming departure.

“It’salittledifferent,”Castiglionesaid,“butwe’reallmakingdecisionsthataregoing to best-servetheinstitutions.For usashorterperiodoftimethan theothers.Butwearetryingto doourbesttobepositive,tobe acontributingmember.And we’reavotingmember.Servingthatrolethebestwecan.”

SoundslikeOU-Texas

assecureasever

“Rightnowwe’ve been inmeetings,”Castiglione saidoftheoneshejust steppedoutof Wednesday.

“We’re votingmembers. We’retalkingaboutfuture schedules.Planningnot justthis coming yearbut the‘23-24 and‘24-25 seasons.”

This tone wascatching.

“All Ican dois gooff of the word ofthe twoathletic directorsattheinstitutions,” West VirginiaathleticdirectorShane Lyons said WednesdayinreferencetoCastiglioneand TexasADChris DelConte. “Theysay they’regoing to be a(Big12)membertill 2025.Sothat’s whatI’m workingoff of.” 2025it remains,then,at least fornow.

Andhere’swhereno news mightactuallybe goodnews.

Castiglioneheadsan athleticdepartment where footballisn’tjustthebread andbutterbutthemouth thatdevoursit.That footballprogramisnow in sometransition,Brent Venableshavingridden to the rescueafterLincolnRiley’shigh-tail to USC.

Most everythingfrom

the pastsixmonthsindicatesVenablesishandling thattransitionsuperbly, butitstill atransition. Thereare newplayers and staff memberssurrounding aman we thinkis going to be asuccess asa first-time head coach, we justdon’t knowthat to be fact.

Theoddsofthisbecoming factaremorefavorable if Venablesnegotiates Kansas,Texas Tech, TCU and West Virginiathenext three seasonsinsteadof Alabama,Georgia,LSUand Florida.That’s practically pre-programmedsuccess, something Venablesought to beable to ridethrough the’22 calendar,theninto 2023 when BYUjoinsthe Big12,then2024 when Cincinnati, Houstonand UCFjointheBig12ifthey haven’tdone so in’23.

Itis atime-buyerthat allows Venablesnotjust to sethishead-coaching jaw,somethinghe seems to have already done,but to ringupan early statement. Somethingalongthe linesof:“I’m finewithout Dabo Swinney, my programis finewithoutRiley, and we’regonnabe fine bumpingheadswith Nick Saban.”

To runsmackintoSaban’sCrimson Tideand KirbySmart’s Bulldogs

next yearor eventhe year afterthat? Venables would likelybeallright.

He helped Swinneyrun anSECprogram,basically, outofthe ACCatClemsonthe pastdecade.Let’s just sayheismorefamiliar with whatthisis going to take thanRileywould have been.

Butjust forinsurance.

To putthisoff until2025 allows Venablesthreemore yearstorecruitplayers andbuildinfrastructure withSECintentions,while stringingupBig12successes.

Itallows Sabananother three yearsofretirement consideration.It easesthe four-teamCollegeFootballPlayoff squeeze,much tighterintheSECthanin theBig12, seeingashow theCFP can’texpanduntil afterthe’25 season.

Venables’ fansdon’tlike it.Theynodoubtdidn’t likeitWednesdaywhen Castiglionestuck to the originaltransitiondate.

Butifit’s truethat good thingscome to those who wait, we shouldacceptthat betterthingsare instore forthe Soonersin their great-and-powerfulnew conferenceiftheycan wait afew yearslonger to join. guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com

Asof Wednesday, OU’s SECtransitionisstillthree yearsaway. Meanwhile,the SECcontinues to debatefutureschedulingmodelswith theadditionof OU and Texas inmind.Itdoesn’tsoundlike Castiglioneisconcernedabout anySECschedulingresolution affectingthe Sooners’annual gameagainsttheLonghorns.

bea14-teamleagueuntilTexasand Oklahomadepart.Thecurrent10teamBig 12hasbeen playingwithoutdivisionsandmatchingthe top twoteams inits finalstandingsin itsfootballchampionshipgamefor severalyears.

“You go backnowandlookat the resultsandthehistoryand thatkindofproved to betheright call,”WestVirginiaathleticdirectorShane Lyons said.“Sowedon’t want to screwthatupas we move forward.”

Addinganother conference gameintheSECwouldalsohelp increase thefrequencywith which teamsplay, butitcomewith downside.

With anine-game schedule,everyotheryearteams wouldplay moreroadconferencegames(five) thanhome games(four).Plus,an extraconferencegameisaguaranteedadditionalloss forhalfthe teams each season.

Forsomeschools,addingan extradegreeofdifficultytocompetingin whathasbeenthe toughest

AskedWednesdayifhesees theRedRiverRivalrycontinuing pastitscurrent Cotton Bowl contract,due to expire in2025,Castiglione said:“In oneway,shapeorform.There willstillbe agamebetween ouruniversitiesin Dallas for theforeseeablefuture.”

The SoonersandLonghorns’arrivalwill balloonthe SECto16members, meaning itisatleast conceivable OUTexascould rotate outof the annualin-conferenceschedule.

“Idon’tthinkitwouldgetto that,”Castiglione said.“Until theactualmodelsare decided on,I’mnotsurehow we will getthere,butIpromiseyouwe willgetthereatsomepoint.”

Castiglione saidnegotiationstoextendthe OU-Texas Cotton Bowl contractbeyond the’25gamestartedlastfall.

“They’ve been very good,” he said.“Everybodyinvolved inthe gamelooksforward to trying to makeit special for yearstocome.”

Big12staying division-less?

TheSECisnottheonly league reconsideringitsdivi-

sionalstructure/scheduling model.That’s becausethe NCAAhaschangeditspolicy toallowconferencestodeterminetheirfootballchampionshipformat,doing away with the requirementthatleagues with12ormorememberssplit intodivisionsinordertostage atitlegame.

WhereistheBig12onthis?

“Wetalked alittlebitabout ittoday,”WestVirginiaathletic directorShane Lyons said.“It lookslikewe’ll waituntilthe summermonthstomakethat finaldecision.There’salotof thingswehavetotakeintoaccount.”

Amongthem—theBig12’s standingastheonlyPower5 leaguethathasbeenabletopit itstwobestteamsagainsteach otherforafootballtitle,somethingthathasworkedinOU’s favorinmaking severalrecent CollegeFootballPlayoffs.

“People,Ithink,questioned usatfirst saying we wantour toptwoteams goinginthere,” Lyons said.“Yougobackand lookatour history, andthat kind ofproved to betheright call.Sowedon’twanttoscrew thatupaswemoveforward.” guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com

Emig

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MIKE SIMONS,TULSA WORLDFILE

Oklahomafootball coach BrentVenables speaks duringhis firstnewsconferenceascoach Dec.6 in Norman. Listeningisdirector of athletics Joe Castiglione