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Oklahoma Supreme Court rules Rock Creek Plan referendum petition legally insufficient

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Oklahoma Supreme Court rules Rock Creek Plan referendum petition legally insufficient


The Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a judge’s rule that a Referendum Petition for the Rock Creek Entertainment District Project Plan in Norman is legally insufficient.

On Sept. 20, 2024, the Referendum Petition was submitted seeking an election for Norman voters to approve or reject the two TIF Districts for the Rock Creek Plan.

The Supreme Court says in its ruling that the gist in the petition misstates the maximum amount of public assistance made to the plan and omits that the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts will remain active until either $230 million in principal plus interest is repaid to the lender, $600 million in public assistance is provided, or 25 years passes, whichever occurs first.

Those against the petition claim, “The gist in this case suggests that the incremental taxes would last for a period of up to twenty-five years, rather than ending at the first of three occurrences.” They also say the gist misidentifies the categories of incremental sales/uses taxes allocated to the Rock Creek Plan.

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Protestants also claim “The phrasing of the authorized costs in the gist inaccurately conveys that the Ordinance and the Rock Creek Plan authorize $600,000,000 in project costs in addition to $230,000,000 in financing instead of $600,000,000 and $230,000,000 as two of three separate triggers.”

The Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed that the gist misstates the maximum amount of public assistance and omits that the TIF districts will remain active until the first of the three triggering events, ultimately ruling that the referendum petition is legally insufficient.

Cleveland County Commissioner Rod Cleveland issued a statement after the Supreme Court’s decision, saying he is thrilled with the Supreme Court’s decision against the petition.

Today marks a pivotal milestone for Cleveland County, the City of Norman, the University of Oklahoma, and our broader community following the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling on the Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF appeal. As County Commissioner, I am thrilled to see this project advance after more than 12 years of dedicated work on my part to bring it to fruition.

This development represents smart, responsible growth that does not raise property taxes while delivering significant benefits to our community’s quality of life. OU Athletics stands as the largest economic driver for Cleveland County, and this project will further amplify its impact, drawing even more visitors, investment, and vitality to Norman.

Sports and entertainment districts like this one have proven successful across the country, creating vibrant hubs where people eagerly visit, spend their time and money, and build lasting connections. In collaboration with the University and the County Trust, we’ve advanced key steps, including a design-build RFP, to ensure this initiative is poised for success.

This district, set to host several OU Athletics programs and other great entertainment for the community, embodies a shared vision of progress, partnership, and purpose. This is for our community. Together, we’re forging a brighter future where families, students, and professionals can live, work, play, and thrive in a community that’s stronger than ever.

The University of Oklahoma also issued a statement after the ruling, saying the entertainment district will become home to several OU Athletics programs and community events. The development would expand the University North Park to add additional hotel, office, residential, and retail spaces with a multipurpose arena and a public plaza.

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Putnam City West moves to virtual learning after student incident

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Putnam City West moves to virtual learning after student incident


PUTNAM CITY, Okla. –

Putnam City West High School will shift to virtual learning on Tuesday after an incident involving two students prompted an investigation by the district and Oklahoma City police, according to Putnam City Schools.

District officials said administrators were alerted near the end of the school day Monday to an altercation involving two students in the school’s arena area.

Officials said the students left campus, and the case was turned over to Putnam City Campus Police and the Oklahoma City Police Department for investigation.

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District officials said no students or staff were harmed and there is no ongoing safety threat related to the incident.

What we know

Putnam City West sent the following email to all families and staff at the school:

All PCW students and staff will transition to virtual learning for Tuesday, April 21st.

Today, an isolated serious incident involving two students occurred on school grounds. Near the end of the school day, administrators were alerted to an altercation between two students in the arena area. The individuals involved quickly left campus, prompting an initial fact-finding response by school administrators before the matter was turned over to Putnam City Campus Police and the Oklahoma City Police Department for further investigation. Because this is an active investigation involving students, no further information will be released at this time.

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We understand this information may be concerning to students, staff, and families. Please know we are committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for all students. At Putnam City Schools, student and staff safety remains our highest priority. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution and to allow for a thorough investigation, all PCW students and staff will transition to virtual learning for Tuesday, April 21st. Students will need to check Google Classroom for updates from teachers.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of PC West.

Putnam City Schools

All students and staff at Putnam City West will transition to virtual learning on Tuesday, April 21, while investigators continue their work, according to the district.

Students were told to check Google Classroom for instructions from teachers.

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The district said it is withholding additional details because the case involves students and remains under investigation.

School officials have not said what triggered the incident or whether any arrests have been made.

This is a developing story. Updates will be added as more information becomes available.





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Oklahoma launches program letting adults use past credits, test scores to earn diplomas

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Oklahoma launches program letting adults use past credits, test scores to earn diplomas


A new program in Oklahoma is giving adults another way to finish high school by allowing them to use past credits and test scores to earn a diploma, an option officials say could help thousands of people and strengthen the state’s workforce.

For years, adults in Oklahoma who did not finish high school largely had one main option: earning a GED. Now, Oklahoma CareerTech is rolling out the Career Readiness Diploma, a pathway designed to build on what students have already completed rather than requiring them to start over.

“So in Oklahoma right now, if you look at the demographics, we have about 279,000 people in our state without a high school diploma. So it’s almost 10% of our population doesn’t have a high school diploma,” said Lance Allee, an adult education and family literacy specialist with Oklahoma CareerTech.

Allee said the program allows adults to apply previously earned high school credit and combine different assessment scores into a single record to qualify for a diploma.

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“It allows the student to use previously earned high school credit. So, it’s kind of like a portfolio where you can take multiple assessment scores and put them into one portfolio to get your high school diploma,” Allee said.

The program is open to adults 21 and older. In some cases, officials said, participants can finish in just weeks, depending on how many credits they already have.

CareerTech officials say the program is also aimed at improving job prospects for individuals while helping Oklahoma remain competitive when attracting employers.

“When you’re a company and you’re looking at moving into Oklahoma, you look at the demographics and say, is there a workforce there that we can employ? And you say, well, about 10% of the population doesn’t have a diploma, they may start looking at states that surround us. So, we definitely want to get as many diplomas out there as we can,” Allee said.

The program started issuing diplomas in recent weeks, and officials said dozens more people are already in the process. For more information or to sign up click here.

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Cord Rager’s Return, Consistent Hitting Earns Oklahoma First SEC Sweep of Missouri

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Cord Rager’s Return, Consistent Hitting Earns Oklahoma First SEC Sweep of Missouri


NORMAN — Cord Rager’s return comes at a pivotal time for Skip Johnson’s Oklahoma Sooners. Not only do they get their day three starter back in time for big road matchups against Auburn and Arkansas on the horizon, but the Sooners pitching strength, their rotational depth, is primed and ready for the test.

The freshman lefty finished with eight strikeouts and only gave up one hit in only 65 pitches before his day ended in the sixth.

No. 14 Oklahoma earn its first conference sweep of the season, defeating Missouri 8-4. It was OU’s fourth conference series win.

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Oklahoma (27-12, 10-8) put their best foot forward as they turn the page to the meat of their schedule where they will do battle against No. 13, No. 20 and No. 16 over the next three weeks — two of those series’ on the road.

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Camden Johnson runs home against Missouri. | Carson Field / Sooners On SI

Four runs in five hits in the second got things rolling for the Sooners.

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Camden Johnson continued his brilliant play of late with a triple in the second. This came after a Brenden Brock solo home run to put OU up 1-0. Deiten LaChance grounded out to short but scored Johnson. Dasan Harris and and Nolan Stevens each found home before the inning ended.


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OU found fortune from the plate again in the fourth. Four runs off of four hits highlighted by a three-run home run by Johnson put Oklahoma up 8-0. It was Johnson’s seventh home run of the season, second on the team behind Brock’s nine.

Trent Collier got the nod in the sixth to relieve Rager.

In the seventh, Missouri finally got on the board for the first time since the ninth inning of Friday night’s Sooner victory. Cam Durnin hit a solo shot — his fourht of the season — to make the score 8-1 in favor of the home team.

The Tigers got their third hit of the game shortly after. From there, Collier’s short day was done. Gavyn Jones came on to relieve

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Dasan Harris runs home to score against Missouri. | Carson Field / Sooners On SI

LaChance missed a home run by inches when Tiger center fielder Kaden Peer made a leaping catch, jumping into the fence.

In the eighth, the Tigers continued to chip away. With bases loaded, Blaze Ward hit a basehit to score two Missouri base runners. OU led 8-3 heading into the final inning.

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Harris led the Sooners with three hits. His day was accented by an RBI, stolen base and a run.

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Oklahoma will travel to Auburn to take on the No. 13 Tigers for a three game series starting on Friday. Before that, they will host Oral Roberts for a midweek game at Kimrey Family Stadium in Norman. The Sooners won 4-0 against ORU earlier this season.

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