Long-term effects of the state's new cold beer and expanded sales law are still just speculation at this point, with only one quarter of data to analyze. But The Oklahoman's David Dishman has a detailed look at the first few months. Voter registration in Oklahoma has reached an all-time high ... Following the November mid-term election, the Oklahoma State Election Board's annual Jan. 15 voter registration count eclipsed 2.1 million.TEACHER CAUCUS ... Dozens of Oklahoma educators were elected to the state House and Senate last year, including Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City. I visited with Hicks last week and asked her about the qualifications teachers bring to the state Capitol. She said people often mistake teachers for being single-issue candidates, when in reality they have some of the broadest perspective. Here's what she told me: “I think there is a sense from some that I am a teacher so that should be the reason that you vote for me since education is so … [Read more...] about Capital City: Mayor to deliver his first State of the City
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Gacy horrors retold 40 years later spur fresh tips that may ID remaining bodies
Widespread news coverage last month of the 40th anniversary of the arrest of serial killer John Wayne Gacy has resulted in more than two dozen tips for investigators still trying to identify six of the 29 bodies found under his house. “Of the 25 tips, I’d say 10 are worthwhile,” said Jason Moran, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s lead investigator on the Gacy case. “We always get a handful of calls and emails when Gacy is in the news, but this was quite a bit,” he said. Dart, a sophomore at Mount Carmel High School when Gacy was arrested, reopened the case in 2011 and undertook the task that previously had led only to dead ends. The renewed investigation has so far helped identify two bodies — most recently that of Jimmie Haakenson who, at 16, left his Minnesota home for a cross-country adventure that put him in Gacy’s path. Dart hopes at least one or two more names of the unidentified victims will come to light. “But I don’t … [Read more...] about Gacy horrors retold 40 years later spur fresh tips that may ID remaining bodies
Vladimir Putin gets lavish welcome on visit to ally Serbia
Published 4:46 am PST, Thursday, January 17, 2019 Russian President Vladimir Putin's plane seen as it flies over a church before its landing at the Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport, Serbia, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. Putin arrives in Serbia on Thursday for his fourth visit to the Balkan country since 2001. less Russian President Vladimir Putin's plane seen as it flies over a church before its landing at the Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport, Serbia, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. Putin arrives in Serbia on Thursday for his ... more Photo: Darko Vojinovic, AP Photo: Darko Vojinovic, AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 Russian President Vladimir Putin's plane seen as it flies over a church before its landing at the Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport, Serbia, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. … [Read more...] about Vladimir Putin gets lavish welcome on visit to ally Serbia
Family-owned Maplewood meat shop at risk of closing after string of thefts and bad luck
It was a dream come true for Dave and Donna Borchert when they opened their meat market in Maplewood in 2015. And then some harsh reality hit. Downed power lines led to a boiler room fire. Thieves damaged their freezers and refrigerator. And then there were the Christmastime thefts. The Borcherts say they have sustained about $80,000 in damages as a result, most of which they have paid out of pocket. “We’ve talked about shutting it down,” Dave Borchert said Monday during a visit to the cozy market on Frost Avenue. But “that’s the last thing we absolutely want to do.” Borchert’s Meat Market has not had a profitable year yet and the family may have to close shop if they do not get it on track. It may take a community’s help to save them. THE INCIDENTS The Borcherts took over the market after years working there as general managers and partners with the previous owner. It was known as Stokke’s then.It was a dream to own their own … [Read more...] about Family-owned Maplewood meat shop at risk of closing after string of thefts and bad luck
Ukraine OKs property law that could affect 12,000 churches
Updated 4:43 am PST, Thursday, January 17, 2019 Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, center, crosses herself during the service marking Orthodox Christmas and celebrating independence of Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. less Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, center, crosses herself during the service marking Orthodox Christmas and celebrating independence of Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, ... more Photo: Efrem Lukatsky, AP Photo: Efrem Lukatsky, AP Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Image 1 of 4 Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, center, crosses herself during the service marking Orthodox Christmas and celebrating independence of Ukrainian Orthodox Church in … [Read more...] about Ukraine OKs property law that could affect 12,000 churches