July 27, 2022 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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July 27, 2022 News ‘The Elk City News - 3 Oklahoma voters who are blind to electronically Ombudsman cast votes in future elections volunteers have OKLAHOMA CITY - Governor Kevin Stitt retary will create a system for electronic the legislators who supported this land- rewarding experiences recently signed a new law that will enable delivery of absentee ballots and may in- mark legislation to empower Oklahoman registered voters who are blind to vote by clude requirements similar to those used voters who are blind to privately and in- By Cherrie Nutley, SWODA Ombudsman Supervisor, 580- electronic absentee ballots in Oklahoma, by voters in military service. 562-5032 if they are unable to vote at their precinct “The ability to personally vote is among dependently cast their ballots for the can- polling locations on election day. the highest fundamental rights in our De- didates of their choice,” Melinda Fruendt, Do you enjoy getting out and visiting with people? Do you House Bill 1711, authored by Senator Paul mocracy,” Representative Brian Hill said. executive director of Oklahoma Depart- have two hours a week to spare? Being an Ombudsman vol- Rosino (District 45) and Representative “Ensuring that visually impaired Oklaho- ment of Rehabilitation Services said. unteer is rewarding and interesting. An Ombudsman is com- Brian Hill (District 47), will become effec- mans’ ability to personally vote is crucial “We also acknowledge the efforts of advo- mitted to improving and enriching the lives of older people. tive July 1, 2023. and among the greatest duties we have as cates from the blind community, includ- You will receive training, guidance, and an introduction to “Voting is one of our greatest freedoms as Americans. the facility with which you will volunteer. You will only visit USS. citizens and providing this new, more ‘The signing of HB1711 into law ensured ing Fatos Floyd from Tulsa and Jean Jones one facility as a volunteer, and you can pick the facility that convenient way for those who are sight eligible voters. who are legally blind, will from Oklahoma City, who worked closely you would like to volunteer at within the SWODA area that impaired to exercise this critical right is have equal access to the ballot box, funda- with legislative leaders to make voting includes the counties of Custer, Kiowa, Greer, Beckham, Jack- a huge accomplishment and one I'm so mentally preserving their constitutional more accessible for those cannot use stan- son, Harmon, Roger Mills and Washita grateful to have been a part of,” Senator voting rights in Oklahoma.” dard print” Along-term care Ombudsman volunteer helps to improve the Rosino said. “I want to thank the advo- Eligible voters may use their personal quality of life and the quality of care available to residents of “Rusty Clark, OK State Election Board cates, my fellow legislators and everyone computers to privately and independent- nursing homes, residential care homes and assisted living fa- else who helped get this important piece ly mark accessible absentee ballots, which assistant secretary, was instrumental in cilities. of legislation across the finish line and must be returned to their county election coordinating with the blind community Ombudsman volunteers work with the Ombudsman super- signed into law.” board secretary using the existing absen- and leaders on this important legislation,” visor to mediate between resident and facilities when there ‘he legislation permits electronic delivery tee ballot process. Fruendt said. is a complaint or concern. The Ombudsman supervisor and of ballots and balloting materials to Okla- Election board secretaries will process volunteer serve as the voice for the residents and their friends Under provisions of the bill, an unquali- homans who are legally blind, as defined these absentee ballots using the same pro- and families. in section 72 of Title 7 in the Oklahoma cess required by law for absentee ballots. fied person who applies for an absentee We will be offering a volunteer training in the very near fu- Statutes. “We are grateful to Governor Stitt, Sen- ballot intended for voters who are blind ture. If you are interested, please call Cherrie Nutley at 580- The Oklahoma State Election Board sec- ator Rosino, Representative Hill and all will be guilty of a felony. 562-5032. Okc zoo’s sumatran tiger twins receive first wellness exam COACHES CORNER By Kerry Hookstra Tiger twins update! Okc zoo’s sumatran tiger cubs Elk Coaches Corner Cross country summer workouts are ongoing. Softball summer receive first wellness exam, the newborn siblings are league is playing with a split squad and without some the athletes. Last week they defeated Sayre, Laverne, and Binger-One. They dropped games to Mooreland and Arnett. With OCA Coaches Clin- in good health and meeting milestones. icrunning this week the Elkettes will play in Elk City July 29 before finishing the summer action with trips to Shawnee and Jones the following week. Oiler Coaches Corner Softball started summer league action saw the Oilerettes post a three win, one loss, and two tie mark last week. Due to Coaches Clinic this week the only softball games to be played will be junior high at Hobart July 29, Summer Pride conditioning has been com- pleted for Merritt athletes. Trojan Coaches Corner Baseball returned to the diamond July 18 to prepare for the Fall campaign and Head Coach Taylor Varnell is pleased with his squad as they work to fit the pieces together for Fall Ball. Soft- ball saw their first action in summer league July 18 at Hobart and Head Coach J. W. Gillet was pleased with their play. They did not keep score but worked on improving their game. With Coaches Clinic running this week Canute plays softball in summer league July 28 and 29, MISDEMEANORS State of Okla vs Alexander M Albright Contempt of court State of Okla vs JefferyA Monasmith Possession of CS & paraphernalia State of Okla vs Brandi J Christian DUI State of Okla vs Katie L Phillips Assault & battery State of Okla vs David L Robertson Domestic abuse FELONIES State of Okla vs Jimmy Delgado Jr Conspiracy. Assault & The Oklahoma City Zoo’s newest addi- Survival Plan® (SSP) for Sumatran tigers Asian elephants, Sumatran orangutans battery tions, 19-day-old critically endangered which made the recommendation for Lola and Sumatran tigers, are found here. Sumatran tiger twins, received their first and Kami to breed. The Zoo is committed ‘The Zoo will continue to share updates State of Okla vs Francisco J Costillo Villegas Driving wellness exam on Wednesday, July 20 on Lola and her twins on its social chan- to helping protect Sumatran tigers and without a license. Unlawful use or display of License or ID during which the Zoo's veterinary care sustain their population through its par- nels — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and card team determined the sex of each cub and ticipation in the AZA’s SSP for this critical- TikTok. State of Okla vs Deandre L Henderson Assault & battery it’s a girl and a boy for tiger mom, Lola! ly endangered species. Read the complete Beginning, Monday, July 25 and con- on corrections officer story about the twins’ birth here: OKC tinuing through August 31, the Oklaho- State of Okla vs Travis A Currie Burglary. Concealing sto- The OKC Zoo's veterinary care team ZOO CELEBRATES BIRTH OF CRITICAL- ma City Zoo will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 made a house call to the Zoo’s Cat Forest LY ENDANGERED SUMATRAN TIGER len property p.m. daily with the last entry no later than habitat to perform physical exams on the TWINS. 2 p.m. Connect to wildlife and tons of fun State of Okla vs Susan R Herring tiger twins checking their overall body Sumatran tigers are critically endan- as you experience the all new BRICKLIVE State of Okla vs Geriold B Levi Trafficking in drugs. condition and vitals. Both cubs have their gered with only an estimated 500 indi- Animal Paradise at the OKC Zoo. Spon- Acquiring proceeds from drug activity. Possession of CS & eyes completely open now and are becom- viduals living in the forests of Indonesia. sored by Devon, BRICKLIVE features 45+ ing more mobile. Currently they weigh al- ‘Their survival is seriously threatened by firearm life-sized animal statues made with almost most 6 pounds each. The vet team report- habitat loss driven primarily by the culti- State of Okla vs Caleb W Redd TOC. Concealing stolen ed everything looked great on the twins’ vation of palm oil plantations and by ille- two million toy bricks! BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise is open daily during regular Zoo property. Possession of CS & firearm exams and the pair are progressing well, gal hunting. In addition to supporting the meeting all necessary milestones. The AZA’s SSP for Sumatran tigers, the OKC hours. Purchase advance tickets for gener- al Zoo admission and BRICKLIVE at www. MARRIAGES € DIVORCES cubs have not yet been named. Zoo committed to protecting this species Lola, the OKC Zoo's 11-year-old female through a partnership with Rainforest okczoo.org/tickets. Located at the cross- Sumatran tiger, gave birth to her twins Trust, a conservation organization whose roads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a on Saturday, July 2 at the Zoo's Cat For- mission is to work with local partners to proud member of the Association of Zoos MARRIAGE LICENSES est habitat. The new tiger family has been purchase and protect threatened tropical and Aquariums, the American Alliance of spending time together behind-the-scenes forests. Using funds donated by OKC Zoo Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure Riley Forrester, Elk City ~ Mikiah Carnes, Elk City bonding. They will remain off public view guests through the Zoo’s Round Up for District and an Adventure Road partner. DIVORCES at Cat Forest until the cubs receive their Conservation program, Rainforest Trust Regular admission is $12 for adults and Brant Payne vs Christan Payne first round of vaccinations and can safely purchased 13,000 acres of rainforest in $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages Haley Coffelt vs Tyler Hodge navigate their outdoor habitat. central Sumatra. This lowland forest is 65 and over. Children two and under are Ausha Merz vs Chandler Merz The successful birth of these twins rich in biodiversity and is now designated admitted free. Katy Castro vs Valerie Castro makes this Lola’s second litter of cubs as a protected area, safe from conversion Stay connected with the Zoo on Face- Hope Rupp vs Michael Rupp with mate Kami, 14. The breeding pair to palm oil plantations and logging and book, Twitter, Instagram, Linktree and Leann Earnest vs Charles Earnest III welcomed male triplets in July 2017. The patrolled to prevent illegal activities, such TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Rachel Pinedavs Rotnie Pineda OKC Zoo participates in the Association as poaching. Some of the Zoo’s most pop- To learn more about Zoo happenings, call Jesse Gill vs Briyana Gill of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species ular and endangered species. including (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.ore.