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Visitation canceled statewide this weekend Mimicking state trends, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections is experiencing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, increasing the cumulative total to 103 across the state. In the past 24 hours, 87 inmates inside one housing unit at the Lexington Correctional Center tested positive for COVID-19. ODOC has placed these inmates in isolation, all of whom reported no symptoms prior to testing. Earlier in the week, the Cleveland County Health Department tested 185 inmates quarantined together after two housed on this unit tested positive during hospital visits. Six tests are pending. ODOC staff is working with the Cleveland County Health Department to perform contact tracing on the first two inmates. That investigation will expand to the additional 87 positives. As a precaution, ODOC is requesting the health department test the remaining inmates at the adjoining Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. Since mid-March ODOC staff has strictly followed all guidelines offered by the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and Oklahoma State Health Department. The department has gone to great lengths to combat the pandemic, including screening all staff members before every shift; providing masks to all inmates, staff, and visitors; deploying inmate clean teams; limiting transfers and movement of inmates; and ensuring all inmates have access to proper sanitation and hygiene products. Recently, ODOC deployed a battery of disinfecting foggers. Within minutes, these portable machines emit a fine mist of disinfectant across every surface inside a room. Continually adjusting operations based on current data, ODOC is canceling visitation at all state facilities this weekend. Next weekend, structured visitation will resume on a bi-weekly basis for immediate family members. Visitors must follow all CDC guidelines including wearing masks, maintaining social distance, symptoms screening, and scheduling visits.
Read moreJuly 24, 1970
Read moreState Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister made the following remarks after the State Board of Education, on a 4-3 vote, disapproved the “requirements” contained in the Oklahoma School Safety Protocols in favor of making them “recommendations.” The proposal would have required face masks for all adults and students in public school buildings in counties where community spread of COVID-19 is occurring as designated by an Oklahoma State Department of Health color-coded map designating COVID-19 risk levels. “Today’s vote is very disappointing and one that likely will stoke more concerns for teachers, parents and families with a new school year only weeks away. We all realize how important it is for schools to reopen. But we are in the midst of a global pandemic with COVID-19 cases sharply rising in our state. I believe it entirely appropriate that the State Board establish a floor of recommended and required protocols to ensure a safer environment for all in the school community – teachers, staff and students. Now that the board has made its decision, we strongly urge districts across the state to do the right thing and demonstrate the ‘Oklahoma Standard’ by masking up and following social distancing guidelines. In the meantime, the Oklahoma State Department of Education will continue working to secure the PPE our schools need.”
Read moreOvertraining can be just as harmful as overeating, and athletes can help themselves by learning to recognize various signs of overtraining. Decreased performance: ACE notes that a lack of improved performance, despite an increase in training intensity or volume, is a telltale sign of OTS. Athletes who recognize a decrease in their agility, strength and endurance might be dealing with OTS.
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The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has released the following situation update about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Oklahoma:
Read moreAs part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a Boxed Beef and Fed Cattle Price Spread Investigation Report on its ongoing boxed beef and fed cattle price spread investigation. “The closure of the Tyson beef packing plant in Holcomb, Kansas, after a fire at the facility, and the COVID-19 pandemic clearly disrupted the markets and processing systems responsible for the production and sale of U.S. beef,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “The report examines these economic disruptions and the significant increase in the spread between boxed beef and fed cattle prices that resulted from them. While we’re pleased to provide this update, we assure producers that our work continues in order to determine if there are any violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. If any unfair practices are detected, we will take quick enforcement action.”
Read moreThe United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that the federal grand jury has issued an Indictment charging Bobby Ray Scott III, age 42, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, with Bank Robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and 2113(d). Bank Robbery is punishable by not more than life imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, or both. The Indictment alleges that on or about June 12, 2020, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, by force, violence and intimidation did take from the person and presence of another, money belonging to and in the care, custody, control, management and possession of BancFirst located in Paden, Oklahoma, the deposits of which were then insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and in committing such offense, the defendant, Bobby Ray Scott III, did assault and put in jeopardy the life of another person by the use of a dangerous weapon, that is a firearm. The charges arose from an investigation by the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office, the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Trails Task Force. The Oklahoma Safe Trails Task Force is comprised of the FBI and nine partner agencies including: Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police, Okmulgee Police Department, Okmulgee Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, District 25 District Attorney’s Investigators, Cherokee Nation Police, Tahlequah Police Department, and Wagoner Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represents the United States.
Read moreEast Central University is gearing up to reopen for the fall 2020 semester, taking every precaution to protect students, employees and campus visitors while taking a flexible approach to instruction. “ECU holds as paramount the health, safety and welfare of every member of its community,” President Katricia Pierson wrote in a letter to students and employees. “We will continue to do our part to have a meaningful, productive and safe semester.”
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