Local News
Norman church dedicates playground, hosts block party
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — This past Sunday was a busy day for Bethel Baptist Church.
After morning worship service, the congregation dedicated a new playground at the church, 1717 W Lindsey St., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Then, that same evening, the church hosted a Block Party for the neighborhood.
Sunday's Block Party included an obstacle course, bounce house, face-painting, balloon animals, food and more.
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Former Sooner Roy Williams to sign autographs Saturday before OU-Army game
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — Former Sooner Roy Williams will be signing autographs from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The “Take Your Tailgate to the Next Level” event with Williams, an All-American defensive back who played professionally with the Cowboys and Bengals, is sponsored by GO RVing.
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Celebration, hearing planned for Cleveland County area improvements
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — A public hearing followed by a community celebration is planned at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Little Axe Community Center, 1000 168th Ave NE.
The hearing is in conjunction with the completion of Cleveland County road projects funded by Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief funds.
“It has been amazing to watch as the entire community has pulled together to rebuild lives and property following the devastation that struck East Cleveland County in 2012 and again in 2013,” Cleveland County Commissioner Darry Stacy said.
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Hot, windy day Wednesday in OKC, rain moving in Friday
From Staff Reports
Sunny, hot weather is ahead Wednesday in central Oklahoma, but rain chances will move in Friday and last through the weekend, the National Weather Service reported.
The high temperature Wednesday will be near 92 degrees.
Cooler weather moves into central Oklahoma early Friday with a 70 percent chance of rain.
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Watercolor workshop set for October
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — Connie Seabourn will teach her fifth “Wonderful Watercolors” workshop from 9:30 a.m.
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Workshop shares culture of dance, drums
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Norman Cultural Connection will be hosting a weekend African Drumming and Dance Workshop with Gordy and Zoe Ryan from Oct.
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Rescuers from Oklahoma continue to help people Monday in North Carolina flooding
From Staff Reports
Oklahoma City firefighters and other task force members from Oklahoma continue Monday to assist in rescue efforts in North Carolina from Hurricane Florence flooding, officials reported.
Firefighters from Oklahoma City and Norman are assisting with Oklahoma Task Force 1 Swift Water Rescue Team and the Helicopter Search and Rescue Team, the Oklahoma City Fire Department reported.
Swift water rescue team members from the Oklahoma City area and from Coal County have been responsible for rescues in Robeson County, North Carolina, including the cities of Pembroke and Lumberton.
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OU dance panel to discuss Angelou poem legacy
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma School of Dance is commemorating the 40th anniversary of Maya Angelou's poem, “Still I Rise,” with a free panel discussion before the world premiere of “I Rise,” a dance work inspired by the poem.
The discussion will be at 6 p.m.
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Programs benefit families shopping farmers markets for Oklahoma grown and made products
FROM STAFF REPORTS
As summer is fading and fall is just around the corner, Oklahoma farmers markets are still open to provide goods and produce through the fall harvest.
In addition to locally grown squash, okra, peppers and more, fall markets also have year-round favorites such as meat, eggs, dairy, jams, bread and other packaged food.
Oklahoma has 40 farmers markets accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Senior Farmers Market benefits across the state.
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Cleveland County training focuses on emotions, attitudes
By Joy Hampton For The Oklahoman
The Cleveland County sheriff's office is going back to school this month as everyone from Sheriff Todd Gibson to other staff members attend RITE Academy training.
RITE, or Racial Intelligence Training and Engagement, provides skills to help deputies and staff, including detention deputies, become more aware of their emotions and the attitudes they carry with them when they engage with the public.
“This training brings a new perspective to individuals working within law enforcement that allows them to work on themselves before they have to deal with others,” Gibson said.
The course involves private self-evaluation, along with peer engagement and discussion of various scenarios and information presented through real-life videos.
“The RITE training isn't about placing blame,” Gibson said.
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OU meteorologists early Friday near eye of Hurricane Florence
By Robert Medley
A team of University of Oklahoma meteorologists are in the direct path of Hurricane Florence early Friday as the storm heads for their radar truck near Wilmington, North Carolina.
With winds gusting near 85 mph about 5:20 a.m., OU meteorologist Mike Biggerstaff said the eye of Florence was headed straight for the SMART Radar truck location.
Inside the truck, he watched radar of the hurricane while parked on the Interstate 144 bridge over Cape River just outside Wilmington.
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University of Oklahoma budget work uncovers millions of dollars in savings, surprise expenses
By K.S. McNutt Staff Writer kmcnutt@oklahoman.com
TULSA — Officials working to shore up the University of Oklahoma's budget have discovered millions of dollars in savings and millions more in expenses that were not "properly accounted for," OU President Jim Gallogly said Thursday.
"Our budgeting process is very weak and, as a result of that, there seems to be surprise after surprise," Gallogly reported to the OU Board of Regents during a meeting on the university's Tulsa campus.
Among the surprises are costs related to two upperclassmen housing projects — the OU-funded residential colleges, which opened in fall 2017, and Cross Neighborhood, a third-party project that opened this year.
"We have been told that we had no fiscal responsibility related to that (Cross) project and, of course, we're not involved in the debt," Gallogly said.
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University of Oklahoma will take a year to rebuild budget
By K.S. McNutt Staff Writer kmcnutt@oklahoman.com
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma President Jim Gallogly will report on the millions of dollars in inefficiencies his administration has found to date when the OU Board of Regents meets Thursday on the university's Tulsa campus.
"We have found very, very significant opportunities to save money," Gallogly said.
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Events set Friday at The Depot in Norman
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — The 2nd Friday at The Depot event will include a variety of activities from 6 to 9 p.m.
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Cantus in concert Thursday at the University of Oklahoma
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma School of Music will present Cantus in concert at 8 p.m. Thursday in Sharp Concert Hall of Catlett Music Center at the University of Oklahoma.
The men's vocal ensemble Cantus is known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming and engaging performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century.
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Pop-up shopping Friday in downtown Norman
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — STASH's pop-up shopping event will return Friday to downtown Norman.
Oklahoma makers, artists, vintage vendors and growers will sell handmade and homegrown products.
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Not even a pet detective has clues for location of a Norman woman's Yorkshire terrier
BY CHRIS JONES For The Oklahoman
NORMAN — "Still Missing!"
Colorful ribbons blow in the breeze from elaborate signs throughout Norman.
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Silver Alert issued Thursday for missing 83-year-old Noble man
From Staff Reports
A Silver Alert was issued Thursday for a missing 83-year-old Noble man.
Billy Roberts has been missing since about 8 p.m.
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Man hospitalized Tuesday after neck cut in Norman
From Staff Reports
NORMAN — The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office is investigating a Tuesday incident that left one man hospitalized with a gash to his neck.
Another man was taken into custody on outstanding warrants in east Norman, the sheriff's office reported.
About 8:55 a.m., deputies found a 48-year-old man had been wounded by a cut on his neck at the abandoned East Main Place, 1000 E Main St.
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New security measures in place at OU football games
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — Visitors to the Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium went through enhanced screening Saturday as the University of Oklahoma implemented new security measures.
Those attending the OU vs.
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