By State Rep. Rick West

I mentioned in a previous column that I met recently with Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz, addressing some concerns about area roads. I’m working on a date to have the secretary come down and meet with all interested parties, but in the meantime I got a detailed response from him to many of my questions.

Regarding the graffiti on the bypass at the bridge to Cavanal Hill, the secretary said he is happy to work with the city manager and any community leader that wants to participate in painting over the graffiti. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation would issue a permit and assist with any traffic control if necessary. We’re hoping to get this work done by April 8 before the Cavanal Killer run that is set for May.

The commissioner also addressed the surface condition of the frontage roads on U.S. 271 in Pocola. The frontage road between the ramps is on the ODOT system, the rest is on the county system. The secretary said there are absolutely some partnership opportunities for surface improvements. District 2 has offered labor and equipment, and ODOT would be happy to participate in a meeting to develop an effort to address the issues. As far as the erosion around the granite entry sign, that will be up to District 2.

The secretary addressed many other concerns as well, but they’re too numerous to mention in this one column. I will say the secretary is a great guy and seems very interested in helping us.

At the Capitol, we’ve started the committee process again with the House hearing Senate Bills. I am presenting Senate Bill 560 by Sen. Nathan Dahm in the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee. The bill provides that a person lawfully in a vehicle, who makes a reasonable effort to escape from a crowd unlawfully blocking the road and surrounding the vehicle shall not be subject to criminal or civil prosecution.

I also am running Senate Bill 1015, which allows an intergovernmental self-insurance pool to keep confidential records received from risk pool participants that can otherwise be obtained by those participants.

My House Joint Resolution 1003, which would have put the issue of legislative pay increases in the hands of voters instead of an appointed committee, did not get heard in the House this year. No joint resolutions were considered in the House. I will run this again next year, and I’ve been promised it will get heard.

Remember to listen to me on KPRV Radio each Thursday morning during the legislative session. And if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.

• Rick West represents District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes part of LeFlore County

Patrick Young

Putting your home on the market can be nerve wracking. There is so much to do, and chances are you’re in the midst of other aspects of your transition, like arranging school enrollment and a new job role. Staging a home adds another burden, financially and otherwise, but you can do this yourself with great success. Oklahoma Welcome invites you to keep reading!

Get to Know the Neighborhood

Doing a bit of research on other homes for sale in the area can tell you a lot about how to prepare for your own home sale. That way, you’ll have your ducks in a row when your listing goes live!

While local reconnaissance provides a general awareness of the marketplace, it also serves to provide examples. When you see how other homeowners have developed a welcoming atmosphere for showings and open houses, you can apply their ideas to your property. You may even find it productive to visit a few different open houses so you have a better idea of how to stage a home properly.

Take ‘You’ Out

As you prepare to put your home on the market, you need to look at it through the eyes of a house hunter. You want others to feel comfortable, and be able to envision living in the space. This means removing personal decor and expressive design elements. Everything from family photo albums to heirloom throws should be culled to make room for a more standardized atmosphere. This way, potential buyers feel as though they can customize the home to their liking without having to overlook your personal tastes.

Wide Open Spaces

As you go about pulling items, think about creating an open, welcoming feel throughout your home. If you have lots of bulky, awkward belongings crowding your home, or if you need extra storage space, another solution is to store items offsite.

You want to avoid filling closets and sheds to the brim, since when buyers stumble onto those spaces, they might think their own things won’t fit. Contemplate what type of storage unit would work best for the items you’re going to stash — climate-controlled, indoor, outdoor, and so forth — and take an inventory to guestimate how much room you need. To give you an idea of price, the overall average cost of a self-storage unit booked in Omaha, Nebraska over the past 180 days is $59.92.

Room to Move

As a general guideline, you want your home to have open floor space with obvious traffic patterns. Traditional Home notes it’s best to arrange your furniture so house hunters can go from room to room comfortably without having to dodge around pieces, and gathering places should include obvious conversational groupings.

Clean as a Whistle

With extra belongings out of the way, a thorough, deep cleaning is your next step. Eliminate dirt, dust, and any lingering odors, such as from trash and pets. Don’t overlook subtler sources of odors like a trash compactor or a musty basement. Carpet cleaning is often a practical step, brightening the space underfoot at the same time.

Recolor Your World

With a spotless home, it’s an ideal time to address your home’s color scheme. A neutral decor extends to the hues on your walls as well as style and belongings, and paint is one of the easiest, least expensive ways to achieve that atmosphere. Better Homes & Gardens suggests a palette in shades of grey, ivory, off-white, or soft tans. It’s easy for both you and the buyer to work with, and can brighten and soften the rooms.

Finishing Touches

To pull things together, think about adding some inexpensive, classic finishing touches throughout your home. Throw pillows that match the wall color, inexpensive window coverings, a bowl of fruit in the kitchen, and a wreath on the front door will make house hunters feel at ease in the space. Once complete, you can either hire a professional photographer or DIY the task.

While preparing your home for sale presents some unique challenges, you give yourself a much better presentation when you follow these basic guidelines. With the right education and preparation, getting your home ready for sale is simple and easy.

Patrick created Able USA to offer resources and advice to others with disabilities in an effort to help them navigate the various aspects of life as a person with a disability.

Submitted by America Red Cross

As spring comes around, severe weather may also be on its way. Disasters can be frightening for adults – and even more so for children. That’s why the American Red Cross is teaching kids how to prevent and stay safe from the emergencies through our free youth preparedness programs.

Red Cross programs include Prepare with Pedro, for children in kindergarten to second grade, and the Pillowcase Project for children from third to fifth grade. Through Prepare with Pedro, students receive an introduction to the concept of emergency preparedness in a fun and educational way. Using storytelling and hands-on activities, students will learn to be prepared and take action in safe ways.

“It’s really important to teach children what they should do before and when severe weather hits,” said Brittney Rochell, Kansas and Oklahoma chief communications officer. “Knowing that everyone in the family is prepared to deal with emergency situations brings with it great peace of mind.”

Prepare with Pedro is presented by reading a storybook that follows Pedro the Penguin as he learns how to “be prepared and take action” during an emergency. The storybook includes hazards such as home fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. The 30-to-45-minute presentation teaches students to:

Identify the best ways to stay safe during emergencies that can occur in their communities.
Gain confidence in their abilities to be prepared for emergencies through hands-on activities.
Use coping skills to help manage stress during emergencies and everyday situations.
Use their knowledge to share what they have learned with members of their household and friends.

Through the Pillowcase Project, students learn, practice, and share safety information about disasters that may occur in their local community. This includes home fires and other emergencies like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, winter storms, and earthquakes. The Pillowcase Project teaches students about personal and household preparedness, local hazards, and coping skills. Trained Red Cross presenters will teach children about home fire safety, a local hazard common in their area (such tornadoes and severe winter storms common to Kansas and Oklahoma) and coping skills. Children are encouraged to share their skills at home by creating an emergency plan and kit with the adults in their household. The 40-to-60-minute presentation teaches students to:

Learn the science of disasters in their area – and how to prepare for them.
Practice what to do if an emergency happens and how to cope with related fear and stress.
Share information and skills they’ve learned with grown-ups and friends, so everyone in the household knows what to do. For example, they may work with their household to create a home fire escape plan and practice it until everyone can escape in less than two minutes.
“The intent with these courses is to invite communities to attend one of the virtual presentations scheduled throughout the months of March and April in preparation for the upcoming severe weather season,” said Rochell. “The virtual courses are available through Microsoft Teams and Zoom.”

These courses are designed to help participants understand, prepare and respond appropriately to emergencies through engaging and age-appropriate curriculum. To learn more about these programs, go to https://rdcrss.org/39cegjy. They also are perfect for schools and after-school programs.

Interested parties can email KSOKPrep@redcross.org regarding registration and more information.

For a complete list of preparedness classes:

Pillowcase 3/25/2021 2:30 p.m.

Prepare with Pedro 3/25/2021 5:45pm

Pillowcase 3/26/2021 2:30 p.m.

Prepare with Pedro 3/27/21 9:30 am

Prepare with Pedro 3/30/21 9:30 am

Prepare with Pedro 3/30/2021 1:15 PM

Pillowcase Project 3/31/21 9:30 AM

Pillowcase 3/31/21 9:30 AM

Pillowcase Project 3/31/21 5:45 PM

Pillowcase Project 4/3/2021 9:30 AM

Prepare with Pedro 4/6/21 9:30 a.m.

Prepare with Pedro 4/6/21 1:15 pm

Pillowcase April 7,2021 9:30 am

Pillowcase April 7,2021 9:30 am

Prepare with Pedro April 10.2021 9:30 AM

Pillowcase Project April 14, 2021 9:30 am

Pillowcase Project April 14, 2021 1:15 pm

Prepare with Pedro April 15,2021 9:30 am

Prepare with Pedro April 15,2021 5:45 pm

Pillowcase Project April 17, 2021 9:30 am

Pillowcase Project April 20,02021 9:30 am

Pillowcase Project April 20,02021 1:15 am

Prepare with Pedro April 21, 2021 9:30 am

Prepare with Pedro April 21, 2021 1:15 pm

Prepare with Pedro April 24, 2021 9:30 am

Prepare with Pedro April 28, 2021 9:30 am

Prepare with Pedro April 28, 2021 9:30 am

Pillowcase Project April 29,2021 9:30 am

Pillowcase Project April 29,2021 5:45 pm

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol a Spiro man was injured in a motorcycle accident that occurred on on March 27, 2021 at 3:15 pm on US Highway 59, approximately 5 miles West of Spiro, in LeFlore County.

According to the report a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Steven Dees 72 of Spiro, was travelling Westbound on US Highway 59, went to negotiate a left turn, lost control and struck the ground.

Dees was transported by EMS to Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR with  a head injury.

The accident was investigated by OHP and assisted by LeFlore County EMS.

Press release

STILLWATER, Oklahoma,  — An electric motor that circumnavigated the globe by air will soon have a new permanent home at Oklahoma State University.

Skydweller Aero Inc., an aerospace company whose global headquarters is located in Oklahoma City, will donate the motor to OSU for research and development efforts at its Unmanned Systems Research Institute (USRI).

The motor was originally flown on the Solar Impulse 2, a piloted solar-powered aircraft which circumnavigated the globe in 2016. Skydweller Aero acquired the aircraft in 2019 and is now in the process of converting and enhancing this aircraft to use as a testbed for developing an ultra-persistent unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for defense and commercial industries.

“We are excited to be working with Skydweller Aero on their advanced technology. This is a unique opportunity for OSU students and researchers at USRI to work on cutting edge systems and push the leading edge of aeronautics,” said Dr. Jamey Jacob, OSU professor of aerospace engineering and director of USRI. “OSU has been working on solar-powered aircraft for over 20 years, but this remains one of the hardest problems in aerospace engineering — to be able to assist in the pinnacle of solar flight is truly exciting.”

The USRI team first plans to test the engine in its propulsion cell in its Excelsior laboratory to gather valuable data and specifications for the engine to determine which projects will yield the most beneficial results.

Jacob said the partnership and donation will provide exciting opportunities for researchers to focus on new horizons that will benefit the aeronautics industry for years to come.

“University research and development partnerships are one of Skydweller’s top priorities,” CEO Dr. Robert Miller said. “We are thrilled to be donating our electric motor to Oklahoma State University’s Unmanned Systems Research Institute and look forward to continued opportunities for collaboration.”

Students and researchers plan to evaluate the current motor’s performance and advanced designs for Skydweller’s future vehicles. USRI will be testing the systems in their propulsion test lab, which will provide performance curves for them to optimize flight profiles and improve flight efficiency. Developing new motor designs and low speed propellers are some of the team’s specialties that they will rely on to give the motor a new life.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Hopper | College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Marketing | 405-744-2745 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 34,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 24,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 100 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 275,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world.

Funeral Services for Harold Holderfield, 90 of Fanshawe, Oklahoma will be at 2:00pm on Monday, March 29, 2021 at Fanshawe Cemetery in Fanshawe, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home in Poteau, Oklahoma.

He was born on May 1, 1930 in Fanshawe, Oklahoma to Pearl (Newby) Holderfield and Edgar Holderfield and passed away on March 25, 2021 in McAlester, Oklahoma. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, numerous brothers, and daughter, Deana Carleton. He was a United States Air Force Veteran.

Survivors include his two grandchildren, Cassidy Phelps and husband Allen, John Carleton and wife Jennifer, four great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen to entrust the care of the services to Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK

Billy Shropshire, 63, passed away Friday, March 26, 2021 at Summerfield, Oklahoma. Billy was born November 7, 1957 in Hobbs, New Mexico to Leonard and Geneva (Dison) Shropshire.

Survivors include wife, Lori (Aud) Shropshire of the home; daughters, Misty Burt and Bryan of Hennessey, OK, Lori Cooper and Chris of Clarksville, TN, and Destiny Rolen and Ashley of Ft. Smith, AR; sons, Billy Shropshire, Jr. and Martha of Sapulpa, OK, and Blake Shropshire of Summerfield, OK; brothers Melvin Shropshire and Mary of Midland, TX and Gary Harris and Angie of Kingston, OK; sister, Michelle Ellison of TX.; grandkids, Aschton Shropshire, Taelor Shropshire, Colton Cleere, Randee K. McPherson, Tyler Cooper, Brittany Cooper, Mackenzie Cooper, Austin Shropshire, Ruth Shropshire, and Kori Shropshire; great grandkids, Ryker Shropshire,Weston Shropshire, Ozzella Mae Ford, and one on the way. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, loved ones, and friends.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Geneva Shropshire; his daughter, Taylor Rolen; sisters, Deborah K. Hopkins, Mary Turnage, Kathy Shropshire; and brother Brandon Ellison.

Funeral services will be held 2pm Monday, March 29, 2021 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, Oklahoma with Tracey Loyd officiating. Burial will follow in the Summerfield Cemetery under the direction of Evans and Miller Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Shropshire, Melvin Shropshire, Austin Shropshire, Colton Cleere, Aschton Shropshire, Gary Harris, and Blake Shropshire . Honorary pallbearers will be Ruth Shropshire, Kori Shropshire, Taelor Shropshire, Randee McPherson, Tyler Cooper, Mackenzie Cooper, Brittany Cooper, Destiny Rolen, and Ashley Rolen.

Viewing will be Sunday 12pm-8pm. You may leave an online message at evansandmillerfuneralhomes.com

Funeral Service for Mildred Ferguson, 103 of Pine Bluff, Arkansas will be at 10:00am on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Poteau, Oklahoma with Reverend Phil McGehee officiating.

Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home in Poteau, Oklahoma.

She was born on January 22, 1918 in Ashdown, Arkansas to Levada (Waddell) Bass and William Bass and passed away on March 18, 2021 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Survivors include her great niece, Tracey Powell and husband Joe; great nephews, Todd Goodson, Robert Brown; great great niece, Madison Dempsey, great great nephew Jay Dempsey, numerous other nieces, nephews and other loved ones.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Legislative Democrats released a joint statement today after the Oklahoma State School Board spontaneously voted Thursday to move millions of dollars from traditional public schools to charter schools. 

“Yesterday, four unelected people, the governor’s handpicked appointees, chose to rewrite Oklahoma’s laws. Against the advice of counsel, they willfully chose to overstep their authority. This clear violation of the constitutional separation of powers should be and will be challenged in the courts. 

"It is the responsibility of the duly elected representatives of the Oklahoma Legislature to determine how state funds are applied to schools. The law says how those funds are distributed, not unelected members of the state school board. 

"It is abundantly clear why the governor chose to replace former board member, Kurt Bollenbach, with Trent Smith. The governor’s latest handpicked replacement to the board instigated yesterday’s unconstitutional action.

"Once again the governor has shown both his lack of understanding and his complete lack of respect for the rule of law.”

State Rep. Andy Fugate
State Rep. Melissa Provenzano
State Rep. Trish Ranson
State Rep. Jacob Rosecrants
State Rep. John Waldron
State Sen. Mary Boren

Press release

(STILLWATER, Oklahoma, March 26, 2021) — Oklahoma State University has now vaccinated more than 10,000 members of the university community.

University Health Services began administering the Pfizer vaccine in January and reported crossing the 10,000 vaccine threshold Thursday.

UHS Associate Director of Clinical Operations Pam Stokes said the largest on-campus vaccination event at OSU to date resulted in nearly 1,300 vaccinations. She said UHS is planning to continue mass vaccination clinics for students, faculty and staff with supplies provided by the state.

“We plan to have mass vaccination clinics weekly, even multiple times a week as vaccine supply allows,” she said.

With such high turnout for vaccines within the university community, she said it feels like there’s now a light at the end of the tunnel. Still, Stokes said everyone should continue to follow safety measures and monitor the latest guidelines from the CDC.

OSU Regents Professor of English Elizabeth Grubgeld received her second dose of the vaccine last month. She called the atmosphere at UHS “celebratory.”

“It felt like a miracle,” she said. “I was so relieved and grateful that I could hardly speak. The process was easy, and I had no side effects beyond some soreness at the injection site.

“I’m delighted at the way OSU has been able to contribute to an eventual recovery from this terrible pandemic, and I fervently hope people will continue to wear masks and avoid exposure as even a vaccinated person can still be an asymptomatic carrier and infect someone without having any idea they've done so.”

Joan Donelson Jacques Endowed Professor of Health Promotion Bridget M. Miller said the process at UHS was very efficient and smooth.

“I’m very grateful that even though Stillwater is a smaller community, we have access to this incredible resource at UHS,” she said.

Miller also felt a tremendous sense of relief after getting the vaccine, but she recognizes the pandemic isn’t over yet.

“It’s a gigantic relief, but it’s only a partial step because I’m only one person,” she said. “It requires everybody participating and doing their part. Just like with the masks, which are only effective if most people are using them properly.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Doug Hallenbeck said UHS has done an outstanding job of coordinating, organizing and executing the university’s vaccination plan. He said the university continues to work with Payne County and the city of Stillwater to maximize vaccine distribution and remains focused on combating the spread of COVID-19.

“While I believe we all feel a great sense of hope that the worst is behind us, if we don’t come together and remain vigilant, we could easily see widespread infection that could impact our overall success in fighting this virus,” he said. “We want all our students, faculty and staff to be safe and healthy, and we must all work together to make that happen.”

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 34,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 24,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 100 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 275,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world.