KOFM - KGWA News

July 24, 2009

CH)--More than 800 soldiers with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Fires Brigade are expected to return from Iraq early next month. Maj. Lindy White said there is not a precise date for the return — but the soldiers are expected during the first part of August. The Enid-based unit has been in Iraq since November. The brigade is normally an artillery unit but has been providing base and convoy security primarily in and around Baghdad. White said the troops will go first to Fort Hood, Texas, to be processed out before returning to Oklahoma. Local Guard officials said they expect them sometime between August 10-13. An Enid group plans a welcome-home party at D. Bruce Selby Stadium, but no time or date has been set according to Sgt. Cale Grauberger, National Guard recruiter in Enid. 

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TH)--Oklahoma families looking to get a little break on their back-to-school shopping will get some relief during the state’s annual sales tax holiday weekend Aug. 7-9. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 7 and ending at midnight Aug. 9, shoppers will not be charged sales tax on certain clothing and shoes. This includes state and any local sales taxes. Retailers are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax exempt during the sales tax holiday. The sales tax holiday exempts from tax the sale of individual clothing and shoes priced at less than $100. There are restrictions on what is exempt from sales tax. For example, accessories, jewelry and similar items still are taxable. For a list of items that are exempt and non-exempt from sales tax during the special weekend, go to the Oklahoma Tax Commission Web site at www.tax.ok.gov/stholiday.

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VB)—An Enid man was arraigned Thursday on a charge of stabbing his brother-in-law during a fight early Sunday morning. 19 year-old Joshua Cooper was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and faces up to a year in county jail or up to 10 years in prison. Enid Police officers responded to St. May’s Regional Medical Center about 3:30 Sunday morning in reference to a man who had been stabbed in the back. Police spoke with the victim, a 21-year-old man, who said he got into fight with his brother-in-law, during which he was stabbed in the back. The victim told police he did not see Cooper with a knife. The man suffered two stab wounds to the chest and two stab wounds to the back. When questioned by investigators, Cooper reportedly admitted stabbing the victim with a folding knife.  Cooper is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond and was ordered to return to court Aug. 24 for a bond appearance.

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EW)--A North Enid woman is facing up to 10 years in prison after being arraigned Thursday on charges stemming from the theft of more than $90,000 from a business she worked at from 2005 to 2008. 45 year-old Sandra Michele Chance, also known as Sandra Wisenhunt, was charged with embezzlement and altering/forging written instruments, both felonies. According to an affidavit filed in the case, the owner of North American Stone Crafters, Larry Augustus, discovered evidence that lead him to believe a former office manager, Chance, had embezzled funds. An FBI agent interviewed Chance, who reportedly admitted to taking the money from the company for personal use due to financial strain and a gambling problem. Chance is being held in lieu of $7,500 bond and was ordered to appear in court again Aug. 24 for a bond appearance.

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IA)--A Longdale woman was hospitalized after being injured in a one-vehicle accident Wednesday night in Blaine County. 28 year-old Connie Turley suffered trunk injuries and was admitted to Okeene Municipal Hospital in fair condition. Authorities said the accident happened about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on a county road north and west of Longdale. According to the report, Turley was a passenger in a 1994 Pontiac Firebird that was being driven south on the road. The driver, who fled the scene and has not been identified, was going too fast and swerved to the right, over-corrected and went off the road. The car rolled one-half time, coming to rest on its top. Turley was ejected 15 feet.

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FI)--Enid Woodring Regional Airport will hold its Fly-In 2009 beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday. A full, all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet will be available 8-10:30 a.m. Cost is $7. The public is invited to the breakfast and to watch the planes compete. The spot landing contest begins at 9 a.m. Pilots will have two landings for $10 or $10 worth of school supplies. All proceeds and supplies will go to Adams Elementary School. The pilot landing closest to a marked line will win the competition, said Michelle Moritz with airport operations. Moritz said the competition is a little different than what was held last year, and pilots will get the details Saturday morning. The winner of the competition will receive a $25 gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings.

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SV)--As the 2009-2010 school year approaches, parents and students are asked to mark their calendars for Enid Public Schools' enrollment verification dates. Enrollment verification and new student enrollment for all elementary schools will be July 31 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Parents are asked to call or visit their child's school. Secondary schools will have enrollment verification and schedule pick-up at the following times:

Enid High School

9th grade                  August 4          10 a.m.-12 p.m.

10th grade                August 4           8-10 a.m.

11th grade                August 3          10 a.m.-12 p.m.

12th grade                August 3          8-10 a.m.

New Students         August 5 & 7    9-11:30 a.m., 1-3 p.m.

New Students         August 6           9-11:30 a.m., 1-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m.                  

 

Emerson Middle School

6th-8th grade & New Students            August 3-5      5:30-8 p.m.

 

Longfellow Middle School

6th-8th grade             August 4-6         8 a.m.-12 p.m. / 1-3 p.m.

New Students         July 29 & 30        8 a.m.-12 p.m. / 1-3 p.m.     

 

Waller Middle School

6th-8th grade & New Students   July 29-31       8 a.m.-12 p.m. 

For those interested in getting an early start on their school shopping, supply lists for each school and grade can be downloaded by visiting www.enidpublicschools.org. Lists are also available at a number of local discount and school supply stores. EPS classes begin August 12. 

LD)—Enid’s American Legion Post 4 will hold a dance and membership drive Friday night in the post’s main ballroom, 121 W. Oak. The membership drive includes the auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. All veterans, active duty, reserve and national guard personnel and their families are invited to the event, which begins at 8:00 p.m. Cover charge is $5 for adults, $8 for couples and $3 for teens 13 through 18. Children under 12 will be admitted free.

BD)--The Enid community will partner with Oklahoma Blood Institute Friday for two blood drives. All healthy, Enid-area residents, age 17 and older, are encouraged to participate in either the blood drive noon to 6 p.m. at Kmart, 4010 W. Garriott, or 1:30-5:30 p.m. on the second floor of Cherokee Strip Conference Center, 123 W. Maine, hosted by Oklahoma EMT Association. All donors will receive two tickets to the Oklahoma City Zoo and a free T-shirt, along with free health screenings and Members for Life points to redeem at OBI’s online store. All donors will have the opportunity to forgo receiving a donor T-shirt in favor of Oklahoma Blood Institute making a financial contribution of similar value to American Cancer Society.  

LA)--The Public Library of Enid & Garfield County on Friday will host a free class in making fun bath and spa products.  All supplies will be provided for you to make cupcake bath bombs, bubble bath bars, and more. The class will be Friday morning at 10:30. The Public Library of Enid & Garfield County is proud to offer this program to you at no charge.  Registration is not required.  Please call the Library @ 234-6313 for more information. To search our collection, please visit: http://www.enid.org/library.