http://www.ardmoreite.com/section/state news ardmoreite.com delivers up-to-the-minute news and information on the latest top stories, weather, entertainment, politics and more. Fri, 24 May 2013 20:49:09 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130524/NEWS/130529831/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130524/NEWS/130529831/1006/NEWS Governor Mary Fallin Thursday applauded the Oklahoma Legislature for passing a bill transferring $45 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to the Emergency Fund. The funds will be administered by the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management and used to reimburse local governments for relief efforts related to natural disasters, including the May 19 and May 20 tornadoes.
 
"The tornadoes that struck [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130524/NEWS/130529832/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Fri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130524/NEWS/130529832/1006/NEWS Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) said Thursday he was pleased President Obama would visit Moore, Sunday.
 
"I am pleased that the President is coming to Oklahoma this Sunday," said Cole. "By visiting Moore and the surrounding areas, he can observe firsthand the challenges that we are facing after these deadly storms. He will also have the opportunity to thank the wonderful local, state and federal first [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130523/NEWS/130529880/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130523/NEWS/130529880/1006/NEWS The state Senate voted Wednesday to direct $45 million from the state Rainy Day Fund for immediate tornado disaster relief. Senate Bill 249, passed unanimously in the Senate, directs funds to the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management to aid recovery efforts in affected communities. SB 249 was passed in response to a request by Gov. Mary Fallin.
 
At least 24 people were killed and more than 200 others [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130523/NEWS/130529881/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Thu, 23 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130523/NEWS/130529881/1006/NEWS Emergency and clean-up crews are requesting motorists please avoid I-35 in Moore. Heavy traffic in the area is greatly hindering clean-up operations and ongoing emergency response. The I-35 off-ramps at 4th St., 19th St. and Indian Hills Rd. in Moore remain closed with only essential personnel and homeowners allowed access. One of the biggest things the general public can do to help is to avoid I-35 in this area and find an alternate route.
]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130523/NEWS/130529882/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130523/NEWS/130529882/1006/NEWS Governor Mary Fallin today announced that a memorial and prayer service will be held this Sunday at the First Baptist Church in Moore, Oklahoma. The service will honor and remember the victims of the May 20 tornado that killed 24 people in Moore and the May 19 tornado that killed 2 in Shawnee. It is open to the public.
 
"The people of Oklahoma are resilient," said Governor Fallin. "The grief we are [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529912/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Fri, 24 May 2013 14:24:09 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529912/1006/NEWS The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office has released the names, ages and causes of death on 16 of the 24 victims who died in the Moore tornado.
 
The list contains the names of 10 children, seven who were killed in the Plaza Towers Elementary School. It should be noted in cases listing mechanical asphyxiation as the case of death, the term refers to suffocation not drowning as has been [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529922/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529922/1006/NEWS Governor Mary Fallin, in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma, has established the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund to assist with the long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the May 20 tornado in Moore and the May 19 tornado near Shawnee.
 
"We are appreciative and grateful for the outpouring of support for our state in the wake this week’s devastating tornadoes, [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529923/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529923/1006/NEWS In an effort to help prevent water and land dump sites from popping up, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are joining forces to host three Environmental Law Enforcement Officer Training workshops. The first training will take place June 14 at the Rogers County Building in Claremore from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This session is limited to 40 participants. A second training is scheduled for July 1 in [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529924/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529924/1006/NEWS Several buildings in the state Capitol complex were closed for health and safety reasons Tuesday afternoon that were related to the deadly tornado that struck Moore the previous day. Officials at the Office of Management and Enterprise Services acted at the direction of OMES Director Preston L. Doerflinger.
 
Michelle R. Day, administrator of the Division of Capital Assets Management of the OMES, said low [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529925/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529925/1006/NEWS In response to the disasters that fell upon Oklahoma this week, House Republicans are in support of $45 million to be used in relief from the rainy day fund and a pay raises to state troopers in recognition of their dedication to service during this crisis.
 
Republican leadership is supporting a relief package which includes Senate Bill 249 and House Bill 2145. SB 249 will take $45 million from the [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130521/NEWS/130529942/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130521/NEWS/130529942/1006/NEWS The devastation of yesterday’s tornado highlighted the lack of adequate storm shelters in our state, according to state Rep. Joe Dorman.
 
Dorman said he has requested that House staff draft a bill containing language for a $500 million bond issue, with $400 million of that amount going to pay for storm shelters in public schools through a program currently in the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130521/NEWS/130529943/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130521/NEWS/130529943/1006/NEWS Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt Tuesday issued a warning for Oklahomans and donors around the country to beware of charity fraud and scams following the severe storms in Oklahoma.
 
"For those folks around the country who want to donate funds to help families in Oklahoma, please be alert and only donate to reputable relief charities such as the Salvation Army or the Red Cross. The first scam we [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130521/NEWS/130529956/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130521/NEWS/130529956/1006/NEWS The USDA and Natural Resources Conservation Service are accepting applications for the Wetlands Reserve Program. Landowners interested in restoring or protecting wetlands that have been impacted or converted are encouraged to contact the NRCS office in Ardmore, located at 39 N. Washington, Suite 109 or call (580) 223-7277.
 
"Wetlands benefit nature by providing fish and wildlife habitat, improving water [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130521/NEWS/130529979/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130521/NEWS/130529979/1006/NEWS Law-abiding gun owners should not face felony charges and jail time for simply boarding a bus with a firearm, according to the author of a bill approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
 
Under current law, anyone found boarding a bus or other form of public transportation with a firearm, concealed or otherwise, is guilty of a felony. House Bill 1558, by state Rep. Paul Wesselhöft and state [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130520/NEWS/130529985/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130520/NEWS/130529985/1006/NEWS The Legislature’s most vocal opponent of wasteful tax credits said Friday that some legislators are again trying to pass last minute "stealth" tax credits and incentives during the final days of the 2013 session.
 
"Once again a bunch of very questionable tax credits are emerging from the cracks in the walls of our crumbling State Capitol," said Rep. David Dank, R-Oklahoma City. "There are stealth [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130520/NEWS/130529986/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130520/NEWS/130529986/1006/NEWS The state’s multicounty grand jury will reconvene Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
 
The grand jury will meet through Thursday at the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, 313 NE 21st St.
 
Led by Assistant Attorney General Megan Tilly, chief of the AG’s Multicounty Grand Jury Unit, the 14th multicounty grand jury has [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130520/NEWS/130529990/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Mon, 20 May 2013 9:37:36 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130520/NEWS/130529990/1006/NEWS More Oklahomans need to take a stand against bullying in Oklahoma schools, according to state Rep. Anastasia A. Pittman and Kirk Smalley of "Stand for the Silent."
 
The annual rally against bullying in Oklahoma begins at 9 a.m. , in the House Chamber on the Fourth Floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol.Guest speakers include Smalley, state Reps. Kay Floyd and Kevin Matthews, State Superintendent of Public [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130517/NEWS/130519792/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130517/NEWS/130519792/1006/NEWS One of the main roadblocks faced by Oklahomans recently released from prison who are trying to reintegrate into society is a lack of finances to afford driver license reinstatement fees. The costs associated with reinstating a suspended driver license after being released from prison can often times range anywhere from $300 to $700, and for those already struggling to pay off court fines still owed after incarceration, such a sum can be in surmountable. In an effort to help these [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130517/NEWS/130519794/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130517/NEWS/130519794/1006/NEWS Beginning on July 1, SoonerCare HMP will shift the structure of service delivery. One of the key changes will be embedding nurses in health coaching roles in targeted primary care practices as opposed to the current combination of face to face and telephonic case management. The health coaches will be highly skilled in Motivational Interviewing, a counseling approach developed by Dr. William Miller and Dr. Stephen Rollnick that emphasizes a patient-centered, patient-driven approach [...]]]> http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130516/NEWS/130519823/1006/NEWS?rssfeed=true Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000 http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20130516/NEWS/130519823/1006/NEWS Gov. Mary Fallin has signed legislation that would prohibit the use of welfare cash cards in strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos. Authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, Senate Bill 667 would help ensure public assistance is ultimately being used to support families and children who need it most.
 
"This law ensures these funds serve as a more effective safety net for families in need," said Standridge, R- [...]]]>