State
2 students die of meningitis-related illness
Written by Dick Pryor Friday, 12 March 2010 21:09
OOLOGAH, Okla. (AP) - State and Rogers County health officials say two Oologah-Talala elementary school students have died of a disease related to meningitis.A 7-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl died Wednesday and Thursday of meningococcal disease. Health officials say four other children in the area have become ill with symptoms and are hospitalized. Superintendent Rick Thomas says the school is closed Friday and will be closed next week for spring break. Antibiotics are being offered at the school to students, staff and those who have had close contact with those affected.
Oolagah superintendent: Student dies of meningitis
Written by Dick Pryor Thursday, 11 March 2010 22:31
BREAKING: A second student from Oologah has died from bacterial meningitis. State Health Department says 6 more students are showing symptoms. Investigation is continuing.
OOLOGAH, Okla. (AP) - The superintendent of the Oologah-Talala School District says an elementary school student has died of bacterial meningitis. Superintendent Rick Thomas said Thursday the Oologah Lower Elementary student died and two other students are hospitalized. Details of the death and the child's name and age were not released.Thomas says state health officials have been sent to the school. The state Health Department says on its Web site that bacterial meningitis is spread by direct contact with the saliva or body fluids from the nose and throat of an infected person. Symptoms of meningitis may include fever, rash, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
Oklahoma's jobless rate continues to improve
Written by Dick Pryor Thursday, 11 March 2010 00:12
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma's jobless rate declined to 6.7 percent in January. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reported Wednesdaythat Oklahoma's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 6.8 percent in December. Oklahoma's rate has either remained the same or improved
slightly since peaking at 6.9 percent in August. The rate still trails the January 2009 rate of 5 percent, but is 3 percentage points better than the current national rate of 9.7 percent. The trade, transportation and utilities sector saw the most growth, with a net increase of 1,000 jobs fueled by increases in retail trade jobs.
After slow start, tornado season under way
Written by Dick Pryor Tuesday, 09 March 2010 20:28
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Forecasters say a wetter-than-usual winter and a jet stream dipping deep into Tornado Alley could lead to an active spring for tornadoes. The 2010 tornado season got off to a slow start with only one twister reported nationwide in February. But a strong twister ripped through Hammon in western Oklahoma Monday night, destroying five homes.
Greg Carbin of the Storm Prediction Center in Norman said Tuesday there will be an uptick in thunderstorm activity as spring approaches and the Southern Plains warms up. Dr. Harold Brooks of the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman says Monday's tornado does not necessarily mean the season will be more active. But more tornados are possible in the coming weeks if the same weather pattern remains in place.
Former Cherokee Chief Mankiller diagnosed with cancer
Written by Dick Pryor Wednesday, 03 March 2010 00:30
A spokesman for the Cherokee Nation has announced that former Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller has been diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. Chief Mankiller is an author, lecturer and feminist who was first elected principal chief in 1987 and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 1991. She chose not to run for re-election in 1995. Mankiller has been honored with numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She has served on several philanthropic boards, including 12 years on the board of trustees of the Ford Foundation, four years on the Board of the Ms. Foundation for Women, and four years on the board of the Seventh Generation Fund. She currently serves on the board of the Freedom Forum and its subsidiary, the Newseum, in Washington, D.C.
The complete text of the statement released by Cherokee Nation spokesman Mike Miller follows:
Former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer
Charlie Soap regrets to announce his wife Wilma Mankiller has been diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. Mankiller is an author, lecturer and former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller served 12 years in elected office at the Cherokee Nation, the first two as Deputy Principal Chief followed by 10 years as Principal Chief. She retired from public office in 1995. Among her many honors, Mankiller has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton. Soap requests that the public respect the family's privacy during this time.
In a brief statement, Mankiller said:
"I decided to issue this statement because I want my family and friends to know that I am mentally and spiritually prepared for this journey; a journey that all human beings will take at one time or another. I learned a long time ago that I can't control the challenges the Creator sends my way but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them. On balance, I have been blessed with an extraordinarily rich and wonderful life, filled with incredible experiences. And I am grateful to have a support team composed of loving family and friends. I will be spending my time with my family and close friends and engaging in activities I enjoy. It's been my privilege to meet and be touched by thousands of people in my life and I regret not being able to deliver this message personally to so many of you. If anyone wants to send a message to me, it is best to email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ."