Gov. Brad Henry and Legislative leaders announced an agreement on how to fill the budget hole for the remainder of the 2010 fiscal year. Because of lagging revenue, the budget was more than $1 billion short of appropriations. Under the agreement, most agencies will continue at the 10-percent cut to their monthly allocation through June. […]
Scott Cooper
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MAPS 3 campaign cost more than $2 million
More than $2 million was spent persuading voters to approve the MAPS 3 initiative, according to campaign reports. The latest reports filed with the Oklahoma City Clerk’s office show the Yes for MAPS campaign raised more than $2.025 million in contributions, with another pro-MAPS 3 group, Modern Transit Project, raising an additional $13,756. The majority […]
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New ordinance could dramatically alter use of electronic signs
The Oklahoma City Council is expected to take up a new ordinance that could dramatically affect the use of signs throughout the city at its Tuesday regular meeting. A proposal has been put forth that would place new guidelines concerning the size, scope and operation of advertising and business signs. The focus of the proposal […]
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Two months after opening, Laredo’s Mexican Restaurant came up against a trademark lawsuit
Julian Gonzales turned to the most famous English playwright in explaining why he is comfortable changing the name of his well-known restaurant. “As Shakespeare said, ‘A rose by any name still smells sweet.” Obviously, there is a backstory. Gonzales is the owner of Casa de los Milagros Mexican Restaurant, 5111 N. Classen, which opened last […]
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Mayor, chamber outline city’s next challenges in annual address
In his annual State of the City speech today, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett harked on the recent past with last month’s passage of the MAPS 3 initiative, but addressed what the city needs to accomplish in the coming years. “The last 10 years of this city have been incredible, but it won’t compare to […]
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James T. Fisher gets a third shot at a fair trial for a 1982 murder
A man convicted and sentenced to death twice for a 1982 murder will get a third try to prove his innocence. A judge set an Oct. 18 trial date for James T. Fisher Jr. Fisher was first convicted and given a sentence of death in 1983 for killing Terry Gene Neal at a northwest Oklahoma […]
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Local activists have an ax to grind on a variety of issues
It’s just a few hours before President Barack Obama gives a national address about a major surge of American military forces in Afghanistan. And Nathaniel Batchelder is where you would expect him to be: on the corner of Classen and 23rd holding a sign opposing the war. He is joined by several antiwar compatriots, and […]
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Oklahoma County residents not supportive of sales tax increase for new jail
What are the chances local voters will approve a second sales tax vote for another public improvement? Some previous polling data might give insight. Oklahoma County officials are expected to send the proposal to a vote sometime between May and July of next year. The proposed county sales tax to fund construction of a new […]
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William Joseph Foster free of drug-related charges after 15-year long case
A man Oklahoma authorities wanted back in prison for growing marijuana and violating parole is now free of jail and moved on to California. California, Here We ComeStates’ Rights The case of William Joseph Foster stretches nearly 15 years and involves two states. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections wanted the governor to revoke Foster’s parole; […]
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MAPS 3 has just passed, but new sales tax for Oklahoma County jail is already being discussed
If local residents thought the battle is over concerning votes for a sales tax, get ready for a new campaign come springtime. That is when Oklahoma County is expected to bring forth an election to impose a new tax on the sales of goods and services. INTERVENTION NO OPINION Just three days after Oklahoma City […]