Okla. Senate panel kills stricter smoking bans
- Details
- Published on Monday, 18 February 2013 16:32
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma Senate panel has snuffed out a measure that would have allowed cities and towns to enact stricter bans on smoking.
The Senate General Government Committee voted 6-2 on Monday against the proposal that was endorsed by Republican Gov. Mary Fallin in her State of the State address.
Robbery convict escapes area prison
- Details
- Published on Friday, 04 May 2012 12:55
A man in prison for robbery has escaped from a minimum security facility in western Oklahoma near Woodward.
Bob J. Zordell was in custody at William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply and escaped Wednesday night.
He had been serving an eight year sentence and was convicted in Oklahoma County last year.
According to a prison spokeswoman, Zordell was present for the 6 p.m. count, but two hours later he was missing.
He is described as a six-foot tall white male, 165 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. He has a tattoo of a sword and heart on his left arm.
Those with information about Zordell's whereabouts should immediately call local police or the escapee hot line toll free at 866-363-1119.
More troops returning to Oklahoma
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 15 March 2012 11:54
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — Another group of Oklahoma National Guard soldiers are to return to Oklahoma.
The guard says about 45 soldiers with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are to arrive at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base on Thursday.
The group is the third to return to Oklahoma this week.
The soldiers are among about 2,200 who were deployed to Afghanistan nine months ago. Another 800 were deployed to Kuwait.
The guard has said about half of those soldiers are now home and all are expected back in the next three to four weeks.
Attorney General files $18.6M mortgage settlement
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 15 March 2012 10:00
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office has set a Sept. 13 deadline for residents to apply for compensation under the state's $18.6 million settlement with five mortgage lenders.
Attorney General Scott Pruitt filed the settlement Tuesday in Oklahoma County District Court. Oklahoma was the only state that didn't join a national settlement with the lenders. Pruitt says he reached a separate agreement and that affected Oklahomans would likely receive more money — and faster.
The money will be distributed by the public protection unit of the attorney general's office. Officials say they've already received 65 applications for compensation.
Bill would require pharmacists to determine medical need before selling pseudoephedrine
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 08 March 2012 08:57
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma pharmacists generally support a bill designed to restrict sales of medicines containing a key ingredient used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, even though it could place them in dangerous situations.
The legislation awaiting debate in the House requires pharmacists to determine the "legitimate medical and pharmaceutical" need of a customer trying to buy medicines containing pseudoephedrine, which is found in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines. Oklahoma Pharmacists Association Executive Director Phil Woodward said there is always concern that a desperate meth cook or addict could attack if turned down.
"It kind of puts us on the line again," Woodward said.
Nonetheless, he said pharmacists have been making judgment calls on medicines that can be abused for decades, such as selling cough medicine that contains codeine. Pharmacies can choose whether to make the sale, and some will not sell medicine containing codeine without a prescription.
"We've been doing that for 40 years," Woodward said.
Strong thunderstorms, gusty winds hit Oklahoma
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 08 March 2012 08:42
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — The National Weather Service says strong storms are possible throughout Oklahoma on Thursday, bringing gusty winds and hail to parts of the state.
Forecasters say widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected, particularly during the morning. But the weather service says tornadoes aren't expected with the storm system.
The strong thunderstorms are expected to be move south by Thursday afternoon, though scattered storms are likely throughout the rest of the day.
Forecasters said quarter-sized hail was possible with a storm that was moving through Garvin County on Thursday morning.
Auditor questions suspicious spending at Oklahoma Department of Education
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 07 March 2012 16:29
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma's chief auditor is questioning how some former Department of Education officials spent money from previously unknown bank accounts.
Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones released an investigative audit Wednesday requested by current State Schools Superintendent Janet Barresi.
Jones says auditors discovered three unauthorized and previously unknown bank accounts that they allege were utilized as a slush fund to spend more than $2.3 million over a 10-year period.
He says use of the accounts allowed former Education Department officials to spend money shielded from government oversight and public scrutiny.
No serial killer loose in Altus, Chief says
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 07 March 2012 08:39
Associated Press
ALTUS, Okla. — The Altus police chief says rumors of a serial killer are running rampant after the death of a 49-year-old resident — but that there's no truth to the gossip.
Police Chief Tim Murphy says the rumors of a serial killer in Altus are completely false. He says his office has received repeated calls that other victims have been found after the death of Melissa Bost, but that none have proven true.
Bost was found dead Feb. 28 inside a parked SUV in an alley. Investigators say she died from sharp force trauma to the head and neck.
Murphy tells the Lawton Constitution that the investigation into Bost's death is gaining traction, but no one's been arrested yet.
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- Beckham among 16 Oklahoma counties under red flag fire warning
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- Altus woman murdered, says medical examiner
- Examiner says woman died a 'violent' death
- Woodward police change procedures after drug evidence theft
- Four Oklahoma mail facilities to close
- Fire weather watch issued for Oklahoma, Arkansas
- New $7.5M jail opening in Caddo County
- 210-mile oil pipeline planned in Oklahoma
- Fallin asks tribes to drop water rights suit
