Original members of the band Nazareth embroiled in name dispute

Bowling Pin Jigsaw Puzzle
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

 

PONCA CITY, OK. — When you work as a journalist, you never know who you may end up meeting, interviewing, or talk to on the phone.

A Visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum

Charlie Hanger tells how he arrested Tim McVeigh

OKLAHOMA CITY — This years marks the 22nd Anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and many are expected to make the trip to Oklahoma to mark the anniversary with a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

Oklahoma officials explain Open Meeting Records Act

PONCA CITY, Okla. — Members of the Oklahoma Press Association and the Oklahoma Attorney General's office are traveling the state presenting seminars on the state's open meeting and open record acts. 

The seminars are designed to answer questions and inform elected or appointed officials about their responsibility under the law.

Under the law, many records kept by law enforcement, school boards, health departments, counties, cities and other public bodies are open to the public.

These items include arrest affidavits, police radio logs, inmate listings, and restaurant inspections conducted by the State Department of Health.

"We often hear about officials worried about the public knowing about decision making," said assistant attorney general Gay Tudor. "Maybe they are in the wrong business." 

Oklahoma's First Assistant General Attorney General, Tom Gruber said that the two laws are important to the public because the nation was founded on the principle of open government and that the Acts were created to keep government transparent so that people can understand what is being done.

Under the law, a public body is defined as the governing bodies of all municipalities located within Oklahoma, boards of county commissioners, boards of public and higher education, and all boards, bureaus, commissions, agencies, trustee-ships, authorities, councils, committees, public trusts, task forces or study groups in the state supported in whole or in part by public funds or entrusted with the expending of public funds, or administering public property, and sell include all committees or subcommittees or any public body.

Meeting shel day public bodies must be open to the public and held at a convenient time in and open public place. 

Tudor spoke of a story about a public bod that held a meeting in locked building on a holiday which would not be approved under the Act. 

"I had one public body ask if they could hold a meeting on a cruise ship," said Tudor. "The answer is no."

A public body must also post an agenda 24 hours before a regularly scheduled meeting and 48 hours before a special meeting.

Gruber explained that agendas should explain clearly what is going to be discussed. "If you wanted to go to someone's meeting what would you need to know in order to decide if you wanted to attend," he asked. 'That is the information that needs to  on the agenda."

Another rule is that the board members may only discuss what is on the agenda. 

The fine for violating the Act ranges from a $500 fine to imprisonment.

Tudor explained that public records must be publicly accessible during regular business hours and that under the law, members of the public have the right to request, copy and review public documents including records of government spending, jail logs and police affidavits.

The requesting party may not be charged more than 25 vents per copy. However if a person makes a request tat may require extensive searching or copying, a search fee may be charged.

During the seminar, Braman, mayor Jerry Johnston asked Tudor if small towns with only one office worker have to supply requested documents.

The answer is yes. Tudor said the size of the town or staff is no excuse not not to prove the documents. 

Citizens who believe they have been denied public records should make a report with their local law enforcement.

Fireworks Stickers
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

My top fantasy football studs going into week six, 2007

Stadium Crowd Wrapping Paper
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

Week six of the National Football League is upon us and it is time for fantasy players to begin finalizing week six choices.

Star Wars Slot Machine comes to Newkirk, Oklahoma

Welcome to Wyoming Jigsaw Puzzle
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

The Star Wars: A New Hope slot machine has arrived at Kaw Southward Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma.

The penny slot offers 30 lines to bet on with the maximum bet totaling $3. Playing the game is like watching the movie as the pay lines are featured on a 19-line color monitor.

At the top of the machine is a silver sphere that resembles the Death Star weapon from the original 1977 movie. When a bonus round is won the sphere will spin.

The machine offers a chance at a progressive jackpot as high as a million dollars. Variety of music and animation is offered with each spin including the popular theme song.

Players of the game will have the chance to visit Luke Skywalker's home planet, Tatoonie when betting between one and four credits.

When five to nine coins are bet per line the gambler is taken to the bar where Luke met Han Solo and Chewbacca.

Betting the maximum amount not only gives the gambler a chance at the progressive jackpot, but also allows the gambler to experience tens from the Death Star Sequence.

A friend and I played the game for the first time and my luck was not that good but the sights and sounds took me back to my childhood when Star Wars debut.

My friend on the other hand hit a bonus round and experienced the spinning of he sphere and the scary Darth Vader invading the screen among other excellent animation.

When Death Star spins, the gambrel wins the amounts on which two of three arrows land. Then the player is taken to different levels of the coins round including one featuring Han Solo battling storm troopers. the gambler will be prompted to select a villain for Solo to destroy. The is action will light up an arrow on top of the Death Star. 

The player is then again asked to choose a store trooper for Solo to destroy, thus lighting up an arrow beneath Death Star. Finally spinning of the sphere begins and the bonus round may end or continue.

It is possible to cause the Death Star to explode and walk away with $1,000 extra credits. 

Another bonus round is called the Light Saber Bonus round in which the light saber duel between Darth Vader and Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi takes place.

As part of this round, the gambler chooses a character and if here man wins, their bonus is higher.

Regardless if you are playing the game for fun or possible financial gain, the slot offers an enjoyable and somewhat unforgettable gaming experience.

StableRidge Vineyards: A Tasty Wine on Route 66

Bourbon Street Sign Wine Tote
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

STROUD, OK. — If you are traveling on historic Route 66 in Oklahoma anytime soon, you might want to consider making a wine stop in Stroud at StableRidge Vineyards.

North Central Oklahoma casino plans weekend grand opening

Bowling
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

RED ROCK, Okla. — Paraidise Casino, located in Red Rock, Oklahoma south of Ponca City, will celebrate the grand opening of their new casino addition on Sept. 28-29.

The new and enlarged addition replaces a portion of the facility that was severely damaged in a winter storm last January.

“We have worked diligently the past eight months to design and construct a new entertainment facility unlike any other in northcentral Oklahoma,” said Dallas Teerlink, general manager.

“What makes us unique is the range of exciting, fun options we can now offer our customers. We have added an elevated live music stage above our full liquor bar, complete with room for dancing. We will also be opening a full line buffet in the very near future. From the gaming standpoint, we have doubled the number of slots and created a state-of-the-art poker room and our newly designed blackjack tables are set in a tropical “paradise,” complete with a thatched roof.”

“Entertainment and players rewards are just two new items that will be spotlighted during the grand opening,” said David Gordon, marketing director.

“Our new 7-Clans Players Club us one of the most exciting things we are introducing with numerous benefits available to those who join.

Festivities will include live music by G Note, selected as one of the Who’s Who of Oklahoma entertainment in 2005.