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Practicing for national emergencies

Tulsa Beacon

In an effort to prepare communities for a public health emergency, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) recently ran exercises across the state to ensure readiness if the need for mass immunization arises. Local coordinators and regional planners from the agency’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Service coordinated efforts in setting up a point of…

Ronda Vuillemont-Smith is honored

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma City Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge honored three local heroes at its annual awards luncheon March 12 at the Gaylord University Center at Oklahoma Christian University, in Edmond. Freedoms Foundation’s National Award, the George Washington Honor Medal, was presented by National President and CEO David Harmer. Freedoms Foundation is an American…

Gun bill is signed, SB13 gets blocked

Tulsa Beacon

Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, which establishes “Constitutional Carry” in the state of Oklahoma. “Oklahomans are strong supporters of the Second Amendment, and they made their voice known as I traveled across all 77 counties last year,” said Stitt. HB 2597 establishes “Constitutional Carry,” allowing the concealed or unconcealed carry of firearms by…

Habitual crimes targeted by bill

Tulsa Beacon

Individuals in Oklahoma serve, on average, nearly 70 percent longer for property crimes and 80 percent longer for drug crimes than the national average.  This is mainly due to the state’s “habitual offender” statute that can double and triple sentence lengths, and often increases the maximum term to life, according to Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca…

Professional help for state teachers

Tulsa Beacon

A bill authored by House Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, that will add professional development training for teachers to help them better recognize students with dyslexia passed unanimously in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1228 requires school districts to offer teachers a professional development program about dyslexia once per year, beginning with the 2020-2021…

Accountability for state agencies

Tulsa Beacon

Senate Bill 177, by Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, requires state agencies to provide on their website, or on a general website, certain financial information as prescribed by the State Auditor and Inspector and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). The legislation was one of seven recommendations made by the multi-county grand jury last…

More clarity for custody hearings

Tulsa Beacon

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation to help parents better understand judges’ rulings on child custody and visitation.  Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, authored Senate 65 after hearing from numerous constituents who are frustrated with their custody or visitation arrangements and have gotten no clear explanation about the court’s findings. “To judges, these individuals may just…

Online approval for state notaries

Tulsa Beacon

The Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation to allow notary publics to certify electronic documents.  Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, is the author of Senate Bill 915 which would create a Remote Online Notarization (RON) process in Oklahoma allowing notaries to perform their services online over secure audio video calls rather than in person.  Under…

Law enforcement grant helps catch drug dealers in Tulsa

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has filed drug trafficking and other related charges on two Tulsans after officers with the Tulsa Police Department searched a southeast Tulsa residence.   Officers found James Mitchell and Tynisa Williams in possession of nearly two pounds of methamphetamine, three pounds of ecstasy and 10 guns, including assault-style weapons, during the…

Assistance for motorcycle enthusiasts

Tulsa Beacon

Whether motorcycle riders want to cruise the Mother Road, see stunning fall foliage or learn more about Oklahoma’s history, a new Oklahoma Motorcycle Guide has the rides to help them plan their journey. Produced by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, the 40-page guide features 12 rides throughout the state that showcase Oklahoma’s diverse terrain….