Oklahoma
Ponca City homeowners warned to verify roofers offering Strengthen Oklahoma Homes grants
PONCA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Department of Insurance (OID) is warning homeowners in the Ponca City area about using out-of-state roofing contractors.
OID is warning homeowners about out-of-state roofing contractors making unsolicited offers to help secure grants through the state’s Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) program, as many of those claims are false.
OID said the SOH program provides grants of up to $10,000 to eligible Oklahoma homeowners for roof upgrades approved through an application process, and only OID- approved contracotrs and evaluators are authorized to participate in the program.
Residents should be cautious of unsolicited out-of-state roofers promising SOH grant access who are not verified by OID.
Statement from Ashley Scott, Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs for the Oklahoma Insurance Department:
If a contractor is knocking on your door and promising you a state grant, your first step is to verify them through our approved list. Do not sign anything until you confirm they are an approved contractor in the SOH program. Also, be sure to verify they are a registered roofer in Oklahoma through the Construction Industries Board and have proper liability insurance.
For a full list of approved evaluators and contractors, visit: https://www.oid.ok.gov/okready/
For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.
It was a historic night for the Oklahoma Sooners in their 10-2 win over the Georgia Bulldogs. Kendall Wells ‘ second-inning home run set a new record for home runs by a team in a season with 162, and Wells set the Oklahoma single-season home run record with her 35th of the season.
Audrey Lowry got the start for the Sooners against the No. 11 Bulldogs and threw six innings, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits, no walks, and had four strikeouts. Lowry held Georgia to 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Wells got the scoring started for the Sooners, taking the first offering from Georgia starter Addisen Fisher just over the wall in center field for her record-setting home run and a 1-0 lead. In the third, Isabela Emerling drove in Kai Minor on a groundout before Gabbie Garcia launched her 20th home run of the season, a two-run shot, to give OU a 4-0 lead.
The Bulldogs answered in the top of the fourth with a run to cut into the Sooners’ lead. Lowry limited the damage and kept UGA off the board in the fifth.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Sooners pulled away from the Bulldogs with a four-run inning. Garcia hit her second two-run home run of the day, and Abby Dayton had a two-run home run of her own to make it 8-1 heading into the sixth. It was Dayton’s eighth home run of the season and gave the Sooners 165 home runs this year.
Georgia added another run in the top of the sixth to make it 8-2, but Garcia added to her incredible day with a two-run double to earn the walk-off, run-rule win. The Sooners moved to 44-6 and 16-3 in SEC play. They moved a half-game in front of Alabama, which beat UAB in nonconference play. Thanks to South Carolina’s win over Texas A&M, the Sooners moved two games up on the Aggies. OU and Texas A&M will play each other in College Station on the final weekend of the regular season in a series that could decide the SEC regular season title.
Oklahoma and Georgia will play game two on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and stream on ESPN+.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
ENID, Okla. (KOKH) — As survey teams continue to investigate the damage left behind by vicious tornadoes on Thursday, shelters are now open across the area for those impacted by the storms.
The Chisholm Trail Expo Center, located at 111 W/ Perdue Ave., is one of the main shelters open in Enid.
Officials say it served as a shelter and reunification center where loved ones can try to reconnect after the storm.
The American Red Cross has stepped in, offering food, water, relief supplies and emotional support for those impacted.
All disaster assistance is free, but organizers are asking anyone coming in to bring identification, if possible.
However, the expo center isn’t the only option.
The Oakwood Activity Center, located at 401 N. Oakwood Rd., is also open as a temporary shelter, providing basic necessities for those who need it most.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
If you are in need of assistance, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or use the free Red Cross Emergency App to find aid near you.
ENID, Okla. (AP) — A powerful tornado in Oklahoma on Thursday ripped roofs off buildings, knocked down power poles and sent emergency crews rushing into a rural community near Vance Air Force Base, officials said.
The confirmed tornado moved across parts of Enid, a city of about 50,000 people near the state’s northern border, according to the National Weather Service. Video posted online show a rapidly rotating column of air touching down along with totaled homes.
There were no immediate reports of fatalities and only minor injuries hours after the tornado passed through, according to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities were going door-to-door in some neighborhoods to check on residents.
The Vance Air Force Base was impacted by the tornado, but the extent of the damage was not immediately clear. The base said in a social media post that officials “are currently conducting accountability procedures to ensure all personnel are safe and accounted for.”
“Please join me in praying for the Enid community, which has been severely impacted by tonight’s tornado,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt posted on social media.
Enid Police Department spokesperson Cass Rains said there had been early reports of people trapped in homes and extensive damage. Garfield County includes Vance Air Force Base, which is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City.
-
San Diego, CA3 minutes agoSan Diego Manager Gives Stone-Cold Response to Hirving Lozano Return Speculations
-
Milwaukee, WI9 minutes agoCoffee chain 7 Brew opens its first Milwaukee location
-
Atlanta, GA15 minutes ago
Kendal Daniels College Highlights | 2026 NFL Draft | Atlanta Falcons
-
Minneapolis, MN21 minutes agoFederal investigators looking into fatal plane crash, according to officials
-
Indianapolis, IN27 minutes agoIndianapolis Colts Select Ohio State Defensive End Caden Curry in Sixth Round of 2026 NFL Draft
-
Pittsburg, PA33 minutes agoPittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft grades: TE Riley Nowakowski
-
Augusta, GA39 minutes agoFree, inexpensive swim, lessons offered in Augusta, Aiken
-
Washington, D.C45 minutes agoSantana Moss hosts clinic for kids with disabilities in Southeast DC – WTOP News