Clinton
Interim City Manager’ Gene McCullough announced this week Clinton City Hall is closed to the public due to the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Clinton Daily News reported.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported Clinton had 34 active cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, an increase from 21 this past Friday.
City services will continued to be provided, staff will continue to work in their offices, but all physical transactions will made through the utility office drivethru. The city recommended online payments, the CDN reported.
Oklahoma City
As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt
As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Oklahoma City Field Office has assumed responsibility as an investigating agency in a number of cases within the territorial boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the FBI reported this week.
The decision regarding McGirt v. Oklahoma ruled land reserved for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation since the 19th century remains a Native American reservation, announced Thursday, July 9, the FBI reported.
This has resulted in the FBI becoming a responsible law enforcement agency for offenses committed in that area, including Major Crimes Ac21t violations, when a Native American is involved, the FBI reported.
While this increases the FBI’s role to investigate specific criminal matters within the territorial boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, they remain committed to ensuring public safety and security for all Oklahomans with our tribal, state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, the FBI reported.
Alva
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is requiring the wearing of face coverings on campus.
The developed policy reads face coverings will be required in all classroom settings, as well as campus buildings. The only exception will be face coverings may be removed in work offices when social distancing can be accomplished.
“Due to the surge of positive COVID-19 cases within Oklahoma, we must do what we can to help mitigate the spread of this virus and create an environment where we can keep classes as normal as possible,” President Janet Cunningham said.
“The decision to require face coverings comes after a recommendation to me by Northwestern’s Reopening Task Force which was comprised of faculty, staff, students and administration,” Cunningham said. “The Task Force unanimously recommended that face coverings be worn inside campus buildings.”
Northwestern’s Reopening Task Force also developed plans for the student body to return to campus and how some events may look. This plan is subject to change at any moment.
Oklahoma City
The deadline is Friday to register to vote or update a voter registration for Oklahoma’s Run-off Primary Election.
According to information from the Oklahoma State Election (OSE) board, applicants can fill out an application using the OK Voter Portal’s voter registration wizard. Using the wizard, applicants can complete the application, print, sign and then mail it to the county election board.
Applications also are available at all county election boards, most tag agencies, post offices and libraries, OSE reported.
Applications must be received by OSE or postmarked no later than Friday.
Norman
An Oklahoma man has been ordered to stand trial on murder charges in the deaths of three members of a high school cross country team in Moore, the Associated Press reported this week.
After more than 7 hours of testimony last week, a Cleveland County District Court judge found there was enough evidence for prosecutors to try Max Leonard Townsend, of Tuttle, for three counts of second-degree murder, as well as leaving the scene of an accident, AP reported.
Townsend, 57, is charged stemming from the February crash which killed Yuridia Martinez, 16, Rachel Freeman, 17, and Kolby Crum, 18. Five other team members were injured as well, AP reported. Police said Townsend was driving nearly 80 mph in a 25-mph zone, crossed two lanes of traffic, veered onto a sidewalk and it the runners near Moore High School, AP reported.
Court records did not show a trial date had been set yet, AP reported.