Local & Regional

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – On Monday, Jan. 11, a street rehabilitation and waterline replacement project will begin on Harvard Avenue between East 11th Street and Admiral Place. The contractor will start the project by replacing a 16-inch waterline between Sixth Street and 11th Street. Traffic will be limited to one northbound lane and one southbound lane for four months.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – 40 deaths now blamed on swine flu in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State health officials say the number of deaths related to swine flu in Oklahoma is now 40.

The latest confirmed swine flu-related death is that of a Sequoyah County man in September. The man's name and hometown were not released.

Health officials say nine of the deaths were children and 30 had underlying health problems.

By Associated Press/KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Grand jury indicts assistant police chief, clerk

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A federal grand jury has indicted the assistant police chief and the city court clerk of Catoosa on drug charges.

Federal prosecutors say assistant Chief Paul Whitmire and Phyllis June Matthews made initial court appearances after their arrests Thursday morning.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Expert disputes Okla. watershed pollution study

TULSA, Okla. (AP) An expert scientist says a report developed by the state of Oklahoma showing phosphorous pollution in a sensitive watershed was incomplete, riddled with errors and unreliable.

Scientist Victor Bierman testified Thursday as an expert witness for the Arkansas poultry industry in Tulsa federal court in Oklahoma's lawsuit against the companies.

By Associated Press

Warner,OK – Warner mayor announces plans to resign

WARNER, Okla. (AP) The mayor of the eastern Oklahoma town of Warner says he is planning to resign.

Mayor Jeff Collins says it is time for new ideas in the town and he will step down Friday.

Collins says his resignation is not related to a lawsuit in which the town and Vice Mayor Randy Brassfield are being sued by a couple who've been denied water service for a mobile home park.

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Information from: Muskogee Phoenix, http://www.muskogeephoenix.com

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The preliminary report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission regarding sales collections for the City of Tulsa show revenue sources for general fund operations have declined 11.4 percent from the previous year.

According to the preliminary report, sales tax collections from mid-November to mid-December totaled $16,978,329, an 11.4% drop from $19,170,192 for the same month last year. The collections are in line with the most recent revised revenue projections, said Mayor Dewey Bartlett.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Fire Chief Allen LaCroix details his budget cutting plan for the Tulsa Fire Department. Under the 4.4 percent reduction we would have to lay-off 116 Tulsa Fire Fighters and close some companies. He says such a cut would greatly lengthen the Fire Department's response time.

By Associated Press/KWGS News

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Frigid weather closes schools in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Numerous school in Oklahoma are closed because of bitterly cold temperatures.

School officials concerned about the danger to students who walk to school and those waiting at bus stops called off Thursday classes. Highs were expected from about 10 degrees into the 20s.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory statewide through Friday.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thousands of homes and businesses lost power and Oklahoma's two largest school districts canceled classes for the rest of the week as a winter storm brought freezing precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures to the region.

Oklahoma Gas and Electric reported nearly 20,300 customers without power late Wednesday after freezing drizzle fell across much of central Oklahoma. There were no reports of accidents or injuries.

By Associated Press

Columbia, S.C. – AP: State AGs make appeal over health care deal

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Two top state prosecutors are asking attorneys general across the country to let Washington know if they oppose the health care reform bill they say includes a political deal for Nebraska.

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and Oklahoma top prosecutor Drew Edmondson asked their colleagues Wednesday to call on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to remove the provision.