Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK) articles from October 2007

Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK) archives from October 2007

Uneasy lies the head ...
October 1, 2007... Byline: Berry Tramel Oct. 1--An Oklahoma team crosses the Red River this week for a showdown to determine leadership of Big 12 South football. In other news, Oklahoma and Texas play at the Cotton Bowl. Such is just one of the...

BRIEF: Downtown Hennessey burning.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Micah Gamino Oct. 1--HENNESSEY -- A large fire burned at least three buildings and threatened several others in downtown Hennessey Sunday night, authorities said. The fire started about 7 p.m. in the old American Legion...

BRIEF: Shooting victim dies after reaching hospital.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Micah Gamino Oct. 1--NORMAN -- An unidentified person died after walking into a hospital with a gunshot wound Saturday night, police said Sunday. A news release from the Norman Police Department issued Sunday said the person...

Police hope reward helps find 'missing piece' of rape puzzle.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Chad Previch Oct. 1--They may not be the most respectable residents around, but police couldn't care less. Frustrated by lack of clues and witness cooperation, detectives often use the lure of cash to generate tips. Sometimes a...

BRIEF: Gunman, cops exchange fire during chase.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Micah Gamino Oct. 1--MOORE -- A man shot at police tonight during a high-speed chase that began outside the police station and ended in south Oklahoma City, a department spokesman says. About 7 p.m., a woman called police to...

BRIEF: Police investigate reported shooting.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Micah Gamino Oct. 1--Police are looking for perhaps as many as two assailants after a man was shot at in south Oklahoma City, a spokesman said. Fire and medical personnel were called to the 1100 block of SW 77 Terrace about 7 p.m....

WHY STATE PAROLES ARE DOWN.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Josh Rabe Oct. 1--Parole rates are at their lowest point in nearly a decade as fewer inmates are making their way through the selection process and more still seem to have given up on parole as a viable way out. Inmates today...

BRIEF: Group offers low-cost spay, neuter service for those meeting income guide.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Chris Jones Oct. 1--Stop Pet Overpopulation Today (SPOT), a nonprofit organization in Oklahoma City, provides low-cost spay and neutering surgery for cats and dogs. The surgery is performed by Terry Yunker, a Tulsa veterinarian who...

BRIEF: OU vs. Missouri game time set.
October 1, 2007... Oct. 1--Oklahoma's game against Missouri on Oct. 13 in Norman will begin at 5:30 p.m. The game will be televised on FSN (Cox 37). To see more of The Oklahoman, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsok.com. ...

Scout's honor: Teaching loyalty and survival for 100 years.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Josh Rabe Oct. 1--LAWTON -- Pendleton Woods has no problem rattling off the 12 points of the Scout Law. After all, he's been in Scouting for 72 years now. Woods was one of five World War II veterans who returned to their...

BRIEF: Storms possible most of week.
October 1, 2007... Oct. 1--Moisture is expected to return today to northwest Oklahoma, producing a possibility of thunderstorms late tonight. The National Weather Service said the storms should not reach severe levels. The possibility of storms in the...

BRIEF: Hennessey fire cleanup begins.
October 1, 2007... Oct. 1--HENNESSEY -- Crews are clearing rubble this morning in the aftermath of a large fire that destroyed at least two buildings in downtown Hennessey. A portion of U.S. 81 that is the main street in the Kingfisher County town was closed...

BRIEF: Mascot Books to publish book on university.
October 1, 2007... Oct. 1--HERNDON, Va. -- Mascot Books Inc., the nation's leading publisher of children's sports books, has teamed with Oklahoma State University to produce "Hello, Pistol Pete!" part of a series of children's books geared toward young fans. ...

BRIEF: Atoka man dies in cycle accident.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Josh Rabe Oct. 1--COLEMAN -- An Atoka man was killed this morning when his motorcycle ran off a road near Coleman in Johnston County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Larry Don Evans Jr., 38, was driving south on State...

Emotional factors often figure into financial decisions.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Penny Cockerell Oct. 1--Let's talk about the emotion of money. Who among us hasn't taken a bad mood to the mall for some retail therapy? And avoided looking at the finance charges on our credit card bill because we just...

OSU must win some games outside Stillwater.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Mike Baldwin Oct. 1--Before the Cowboys kicked off the season a month ago, a two-game road swing to College Station and Lincoln was viewed as the tell-tale portion of the season. Because of the loss at Troy, it's even more...

EDITORIAL: Welcome reversal: Now let terror detainee cases proceed.(Editorial)
October 2, 2007... Oct. 2--A military court ruling this summer against the Pentagon's legal procedures for processing enemy combatants in the war on terror was widely hailed as a repudiation of Bush administration policies. With an appeals court reversing that...

EDITORIAL: Off to school: Parents' hovering knows no bounds.(Editorial)
October 2, 2007... Oct. 2--Helicopter parents aren't confining their prying, overprotecting ways to the playgrounds and classrooms of grade school and high school. No, they're hovering more and more over their children's activities even after they've sent them...

Parents should be able to see day care records.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Nolan Clay Oct. 2--New rules went into effect Monday requiring Oklahoma's day cares to have on site inspection reports and other records for parents to view. However, several of the state's more than 5,000 facilities may not...

For shelter resident, volunteering lets him give something back.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Jeff Raymond Oct. 2--Nine months ago, Ernie Goins had everything to lose. The award-winning television photojournalist was making a good living in a successful career, having worked in Dallas; Memphis, Tenn.; Atlanta and...

Investigation continues into vo-tech campaign.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Randy Ellis Oct. 2--ATOKA -- A board member of a state career technology center and four others have been accused of illegally using career technology equipment to print political material for his successful campaign. Norman...

Fans file lawsuit against Sonics.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Darnell Mayberry Oct. 2--The Oklahoma City-based ownership group of the Seattle Sonics now has two lawsuits filed against them in Washington state. Two of the team's season ticket holders jointly filed a lawsuit in King County...

OU class leads graduate to pursue his dream career.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Jim Stafford Oct. 2--Ted Goodridge is a 29-year-old University of Oklahoma graduate pursuing a dream of turning a business plan developed in an OU classroom into a commercially successful company. Goodridge hasn't quit his day...

Fans' beer woes may be brewing.
October 2, 2007... Byline: John Estus Oct. 2--IF the Sooner loss in Boulder stung, just think how a sweltering stint in the Cotton Bowl would feel without a cold beer to calm the nerves. No beer? Bummer, Sooner. This past weekend, servers at Fair...

Sweet tooth's ultimate reward.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Sara Ganus Oct. 2--The cupcake. Its moist, decadent center and rich, sugary frosting are enough to make any sweet tooth's mouth water while conjuring up childhood memories of mom baking in the kitchen. First baked in the...

For Hennessey, a loss of history.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Chad Previch Oct. 2--HENNESSEY -- Two century-old buildings in downtown Hennessey were destroyed and two others damaged by a fire Sunday night. No one was injured, Hennessey Fire Chief Bert Gritz said. The fire was probably...

Jurors to consider assault rifle lesson.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Jay F. Marks Oct. 2--The pursuit of justice moved outside Monday morning so an Oklahoma County jury could learn how an assault rifle works. Such a weapon was used in a Jan. 16, 2006, drive-by shooting that killed two men and...

Philanthropist dies at 77.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Randy Ellis Oct. 2--Jeannine Tuttle Rainbolt, wife of BancFirst chairman H.E. "Gene" Rainbolt, died Sunday after a five-year battle with lung cancer. She was 77, and her death from lung cancer was viewed as a sad irony by...

The Oklahoman Steve Lackmeyer column: City leaders hope to learn from Denver.(Column)
October 2, 2007... Byline: Steve Lackmeyer Oct. 2--If you're looking for some of the most powerful and influential people in Oklahoma City today, you might want to hop a flight to Denver. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber organized a trip for the city's...

Immigration enforcement faces setback.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Devona Walker Oct. 2--The Social Security Administration's plans to send out thousands of "no-match" letters were delayed again Monday, vexing foes of illegal immigration and causing mass confusion among business owners. ...

Tulsa's vets get aid panel.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Chad Previch Oct. 2--TULSA -- A council to address the needs of veterans in Tulsa was announced on Monday by Mayor Kathy Taylor. The group will focus on employment, health, housing, disabilities and returning veterans. There...

As commissioner, district needs still a priority for Johnson.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Bryan Dean Oct. 2--Willa Johnson can't sit down for a plate of food at her favorite barbecue restaurant without being approached half a dozen times for a hug and congratulations from friends and well-wishers. When she drives...

School land trust to auction leases.
October 2, 2007... Oct. 2--The 25th annual Oklahoma School Land Trust lease auctions will begin Oct. 22 in Beaver and conclude Nov. 6 in Lawton, with 578 leases to be auctioned in 36 counties. "Over 168,000 acres are being offered in these auctions," said...

EDITORIAL: Mental health: Schools, colleges need more counselors.(Editorial)
October 2, 2007... Oct. 2--STATE and higher education leaders should listen up when a task force examining college campus security makes recommendations for improvement later this year. They've already got some good ideas. The Campus Life and Safety and...

Longhorns' McCoy given the OK to play Saturday against Sooners.
October 2, 2007... Byline: John Helsley Oct. 2--AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas coach Mack Brown wasn't about to answer this one for Colt McCoy. Brown, uneasy discussing the medical issues surrounding his quarterback, kept deferring to McCoy to address his status...

State tournament schedules released.
October 2, 2007... Oct. 2--The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association released state tournament pairings for fast-pitch softball, volleyball and fall baseball. Softball state tournaments in Classes 4A-A will be played Thursday through Saturday at...

BRIEF: Accident Monday kills one.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Micah Gamino Oct. 2--BROKEN BOW -- An Arkansas woman died after a head-on collision west of here this afternoon, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said. Lena Garcia, 25, of DeQueen, Arkansas was pronounced dead at McCurtain Memorial...

Despite gaudy stats, offense needs work.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Bob Hersom Oct. 2--TULSA -- Statistically, Tulsa has the third-best offense in major college football. But that wasn't mentioned early Monday morning when TU coach Todd Graham met with his offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn. ...

Grant to boost diabetes fight.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Jim Killackey Oct. 2--The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center received a $6.6 million grant Monday to boost the fight against diabetes, which researchers say has reached epidemic proportions among the state's American...

A&M rushing game provides test.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Mike Baldwin Oct. 2--STILLWATER -- Think wishbone. That's essentially Texas A&M's offensive philosophy. After weeks of struggling against passing teams, Oklahoma State has an opportunity to move into sole possession of...

The Oklahoman Jenni Carlson column: Cowboys' Robinson originally gave his commitment to 'Cats.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Jenni Carlson Oct. 2--STILLWATER -- Zac Robinson has long known the way to Stillwater. He first made the trek to Payne County when he was a youngster. Since his mother attended Oklahoma State and his parents first settled in...

Uncle Joe shows football ropes to prep standout.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Justin Harper Oct. 2--BLANCHARD -- The name is familiar. More impressively, so is the game. Mike Aska isn't a clone of his uncle, former NFL running back Joe Aska, but whether describing himself or Uncle Joe, the scouting...

Sooners' Johnson returning to old self.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Scott Wright Oct. 2--NORMAN -- Oklahoma receiver Juaquin Iglesias hears the questions on a weekly basis, mostly from family. "Where's Manny?" they ask. "When's Manny gonna get the ball?" So far, Manuel -- or Manny --...

Big 12 spotlight pans to Nebraska-Mizzou battle.
October 2, 2007... Byline: John Helsley Oct. 2--The teams have been talking with contempt, back and forth since summer, anticipating this first Saturday in October. Their showdown Saturday is complete with Big 12 championship implications and national...

Bombers' Flanders rated top corner in state, among nation's elite talents.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Blake Jackson Oct. 2--Watch any Midwest City football game and its easy to see Timothy Flanders is a stud. The junior tailback is averaging nearly 10 yards per carry and two touchdowns a game for the Bombers. But it's his...

BRIEF: Broken Arrow police release sketch of possible rapist.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Chad Previch Oct. 2--BROKEN ARROW -- Broken Arrow police this afternoon released a sketch of a man who may have raped a 5-year-old girl. After interviewing several witnesses, the Broken Arrow Police Criminal Investigations Unit...

Officer faces assault charge.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Augie Frost Oct. 2--A misdemeanor assault and battery charge was filed this morning in the Oklahoma County District Court against an Oklahoma City police officer, accusing him of kicking a handcuffed and detained man in the face in...

TABOR signature collector charged with felony.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Nolan Clay Oct. 2--The leader of a signature-collecting organization has been accused in a felony conspiracy charge of illegally using out-of-state circulators in a petition drive in Oklahoma in 2005. Susan Johnson, president...

8 cowboys to receive honors.
October 2, 2007... Oct. 2--The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's Rodeo Hall of Fame will induct its 2007 honorees during Rodeo Weekend at the Museum, Oct 19-21. Rodeo Historical Society board members Monday announced the four living and four...

Stoops: How could OU-Texas be any bigger?
October 2, 2007... Byline: Scott Wright Oct. 2--NORMAN -- With both teams coming off defeats and the loser of the Oklahoma-Texas game facing an 0-2 start in Big 12 Conference play, it seems the need to win might be increased in the Cotton Bowl Saturday...

BRIEF: Ardmore police to get new radios.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Julie Bisbee Oct. 2--ARDMORE -- Police officers in Ardmore will soon be getting new radios. Members of the city council last night agreed to allow the department to spend $10,000 toward the purchase of 33 new radios. The...

Injured officer identified.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Chad Previch Oct. 2--BROKEN ARROW -- The name of the police officer who was shot on Monday as part of a police standoff was released today. Police officer Zachary Schatz was taken to a Tulsa hospital and released on Monday. He...

BRIEF: Missionary worker killed in overnight shooting.
October 25, 2007... Byline: Carrie Coppernoll Oct. 25--Police are investigating the fatal overnight shooting of a missionary worker in northwest Oklahoma City. Jonathan Chandler, 26, was found about 12:30 a.m. today lying in the parking lot of Springbrook...

Regents want funds to hire faculty.
October 25, 2007... Byline: Susan Simpson Oct. 25--State Regents for Higher Education are seeking $131.7 million more in state appropriations for the next fiscal year, a 10 percent increase from the current $1.099 billion budget. Much of the increase is...

BRIEF: Nice fall weather expected.
October 25, 2007... Oct. 25--Temperatures plunged below freezing this morning in parts of the Panhandle and northwest but should warm to the 60s and 70s later in the day, the National Weather Service says. Forecasters also said a dry and stable air mass over...

BRIEF: SOSU names new president.
October 25, 2007... Byline: Susan Simpson Oct. 25--DURANT --Michael Turner, a vice president at Rogers State University, has been named president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Turner becomes the 18th president of the Durant university. His...

The Flaming Lips Alley dedicated.
October 25, 2007... Oct. 25--Confetti was shot from guns, big balloons soared, and fans in alien and Santa costumes mingled with business-suited civic leaders Thursday as the city officially recognized the Flaming Lips as a part of its cultural landscape. The...

Warming trend will affect water supply.(Conference notes)
October 25, 2007... Byline: Julie Bisbee Oct. 25--The effects of climate change are real and need to be considered by officials formulating the state's 50-year plan for water usage and supply, the state's top climate official said. Oklahoma can expect to...

Regents vote on undocumented immigrants.
October 25, 2007... Byline: Susan Simpson Oct. 25--Undocumented immigrants that meet certain criteria still will be eligible for in-state tuition at Oklahoma public colleges, according to a policy adopted today by the State Regents for Higher Education. ...

OU says RUF/NEK students banned.
October 25, 2007... Byline: James S. Tyree Oct. 25--NORMAN -- University of Oklahoma officials Wednesday banned all current members of the RUF/ NEKS spirit group from official university events, citing evidence of alcohol abuse and hazing. The OU Office...

BRIEF: 'Pledge of resistance' to be presented to Gov. Henry.
October 25, 2007... Byline: Carla Hinton Oct. 25--A "Pledge of Resistance" opposing the immigration reform law and signed by a council of Catholic priests will be presented to Gov. Brad Henry's office Friday, Roman Catholic leaders announced today. The...

BRIEF: Highway re-opened after crash.
October 25, 2007... Oct. 25--CALERA -- U.S. 69/75 northbound and one lane southbound just south of Calera were blocked for about four hours this morning due to an injury traffic accident. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said that, shortly after 5 a.m., a...

BRIEF: Wrecks back up traffic.
October 25, 2007... Oct. 25--Rush-hour traffic was at a snail's pace in at least one location this morning due to a traffic accident. Oklahoma City police said a crash west of the state fairgrounds on Interstate 44 eastbound between I-40 and NW 10 was causing...

Additional free flu clinics.
October 25, 2007... Byline: Jim Killackey Oct. 25--The Oklahoma City-County Health Department has scheduled 11 additional clinics for free influenza-vaccine shots. Already, 2,600 flu shots have been given, agency spokesman H.R. Holman said. "We have...

BRIEF: Martin Park Nature Center site of arts festival.
October 26, 2007... Oct. 26--Oklahoma City's Martin Park Nature Center is hosting its inaugural "Fall Into Art" festival and art exhibition from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Local artists and craftspeople will explore how nature inspires their work at the...

EDITORIAL: Straits talk: China, Taiwan must cooperate for peace.(Editorial)
October 26, 2007... Oct. 26--CHINESE President Hu Jintao's recent peace offer to Taiwan looked fairly magnanimous, considering the cross-strait relationship between the two often looks like a Cold War relic. So it was encouraging when Hu talked of formally ending...

Missionary death poses a mystery.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Carrie Coppernoll Oct. 26--Police know no motive why a Mississippi missionary working in Oklahoma City was shot to death at a northwest Oklahoma City apartment complex. The body of Jonathan Chandler, 26, was found about 12:30...

Four honored for contributions.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Wendy K. Kleinman Oct. 26--The best part of the evening came after a dinner of truffle and herb-roasted chicken and five-spice beef tenderloin. And it wasn't the creme brulee. About 500 people joined the Oklahoma City Public...

State looks to its water future.(Conference notes)
October 26, 2007... Byline: Julie Bisbee Oct. 26--The effects of climate change are real and should be considered by officials formulating the state's 50-year plan for water usage and supply, the state's top climate official said Thursday. Oklahoma can...

The Oklahoman Gene Triplett column: Tour brings together different music styles.(Column)
October 26, 2007... Byline: Gene Triplett Oct. 26--Yellowcard violinist Sean Mackin and Lovedrug guitarist David Thomas Owen IV come from different stylistic regions of alt-rock country, but that doesn't keep them from sharing the same stage space and...

The Oklahoman Matthew Price column: ?Madden NFL' to release Spanish version in 2008.(Column)
October 26, 2007... Byline: Matthew Price Oct. 26--EA Sports announced that the 2008 version of "Madden NFL," one of the most popular games on the market, will be available in Spanish. While some games come with English, Spanish and French tracks, this...

The Flaming Lips Alley dedicated.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Gene Triplett Oct. 26--Confetti was shot from guns, big balloons soared, and fans in alien and Santa costumes mingled with business-suited civic leaders Thursday as the city officially recognized the Flaming Lips as a part of its...

DeForest relives his season of NFL glory.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Mike Baldwin Oct. 26--STILLWATER -- Twenty years ago, the NFL played three regular-season games with replacement players, better known as scabs. Oklahoma State associate head coach Joe DeForest was one of those scabs. "I...

Wahoo, Mule Train, Snorter: Nicknames better back then.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Berry Tramel Oct. 26--Bob Stoops has joined an exclusive club, of which I'm a proud member. The nicknamers club. And Bob, we're proud to have you. Stoops this week revealed that he has nicknamed Sam Bradford the Big Easy. ...

Guthrie linebacker's disorder causes him to see double.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Jenni Carlson Oct. 26--GUTHRIE -- Justin Chappell rattles off Guthrie's team motto without hesitation. "Keep the focus," he says. No one wants that more than the senior linebacker. Chappell is battling a rare...

Anti-Sonics feelings in Seattle keeps Stern on sidelines.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Darnell Mayberry Oct. 26--Regarded as a possible savior for basketball in Seattle, NBA Commissioner David Stern on Thursday reduced himself to a powerless bystander in the Sonics' fight with the city. Stern delivered his...

BRIEF: Parham, Irish face Guymon; Cason could run wild.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Ryan Aber Oct. 26--Kris Parham, RB, McGuinness -- Faces: Guymon at McGuinness -- So far: Parham, one of three standout running backs for the Irish, has 794 yards and nine TDs on 93 carries. -- Tonight: McGuinness has...

Devon Discovery sets sail for city.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Steve Lackmeyer Oct. 26--ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Devon Discovery is on the longest journey yet in its short life, traveling halfway across the country before it reaches the shore of the Oklahoma River. The 41-passenger Oklahoma...

3 years into merger, Metavante cuts jobs.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Jim Stafford Oct. 26--In the three years since Oklahoma City-based Advanced Financial Solutions was sold to Metavante Corp., the company has changed its name and its corporate leadership with very little impact on overall...

Smaller stores try to avoid toy recalls.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Trisha Evans Oct. 26--After examining Polly Pocket dolls at a Dallas toy market last year, Steve Kirby, owner of Kirby's World toy stores, turned them down. "It just didn't look right," he said. "I got away from it real...

The Oklahoman George Lang column: Bust of music file-sharing site could spawn industry scandal.(Column)
October 26, 2007... Byline: George Lang Oct. 26--The squeal heard 'round the world came from Middlebrough, England, on Tuesday when British police and international authorities shut down OiNK and arrested its proprietor, a 24-year-old unidentified defendant....

Performances will highlight hall of fame induction night.
October 26, 2007... Oct. 26--MUSKOGEE -- The 11th annual Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame concert and induction ceremony will be at 8 p.m. Thursday in the newly renovated Muskogee Civic Center. The event will include honors for Cal Smith and the late Sammi Smith...

Revived lawsuit cites specific damages.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Devona Walker Oct. 26--Just three days after a lawsuit challenging Oklahoma's immigration enforcement law was dismissed in Tulsa federal court, another has been filed. Most of the new state law, House Bill 1804, takes effect...

Regents want funds to hire faculty.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Susan Simpson Oct. 26--State Regents for Higher Education are seeking $131.7 million more in state appropriations for the next fiscal year. That's a 10 percent increase from the current $1.099 billion budget. Much of the...