Oklahoma
Oklahoma County GOP voters choose Hines in SD47 runoff
Last Updated on August 27, 2024, 10:41 PM | Published: August 27, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — Oklahoma County voters cast their ballots Tuesday night to decide the GOP nominee for Senate District 47 and weighed in on several ballot initiatives around the county.
In the northwest OKC Senate District 47 GOP runoff race, Kelly Hines overwhelmingly defeated Jenny Schmitt securing 60.3 percent of the vote compared to Schmitt’s 40 percent, according to the unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board.
In the June 18 primary, Hines led the field by 310 votes, outpacing Schmitt, who received the governor’s endorsement.
The seasoned Army veteran will go up against Democrat Erin Brewer in the November general election to replace Speaker Pro Tem Greg Term, who is term-limited.
“I’m glad that the voters put me in this position. I look forward to moving on securing the race against the Democrat,” said Hines in a phone interview with Free Press following the victory. “I’m very humble that, you know, I had an army of volunteers… This is truly a community outpouring that’s got me here.”
OKC and surrounding areas in the county held elections to determine whether to approve or reject several propositions related to tax increases and the authorization of bond sales.
OKC Hotel Tax increase
Oklahoma City residents voted overwhelmingly to raise the hotel tax from 5.5% to 9.25%, effective October 1. According to the unofficial results from the State Election Board, 68.4% voted for the initiative while 31.4% voted against it. The tax will apply to hotel guests or renters of home-sharing properties in OKC.
According to a financial impact report, Oklahoma City’s lodging tax rate has remained at 5.5% since 2004, bringing in approximately $18.8 million yearly. The 3.75% increase is estimated to generate an additional $11.8 million, primarily to promote tourism in the city. A small portion of the revenue will go towards event sponsorship and improving the OKC Fairgrounds and Convention Center.
Deer Creek Fire Protection [millage increase]
In Deer Creek, voters passed a ballot initiative to increase the mill or property tax rates to generate more revenue for the Deer Creek Fire Protection District.
For the first time in 28 years, the Deer Creek FPD has requested an increase in the millage rate from 7.3 mills to 10 mills in Oklahoma County. One mill represents $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. A rate of 10 mills means $10 of tax is applied to every $1,000 of property value.
This will lead to an annual increase of approximately $125 for the average property owner within the fire protection district in Oklahoma County. The additional funding will be used for increased staffing, capital improvements, and ambulance services.
The increase is set to take effect in late 2025 or the beginning of 2026.
Mcloud Public Schools’ propositions
In some Oklahoma County precincts, voters denied a bond package with two propositions for McLoud Public Schools.
According to the unofficial results, only 131 people voted and it failed to pass by just 15 votes.
The first, which totaled nearly $30 million, was proposed to fund district-wide improvements, from the Early Childhood Center to McLoud High School. The second, valued at $1.1 million would have been allocated for transportation equipment for the district.
Election results are still subject to change and won’t be considered final until they are certified by the appropriate election board.
Brianna Garcia is a freelance journalist covering local politics and culture for Free Press. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — If you have been waiting for the opening of a popular fast-food chain in Oklahoma City, your wait is almost over.
On Tuesday, Bojangles will open its first Oklahoma location in Oklahoma City.
The new restaurant, located at 13135 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City, has a list of events planned throughout opening day.
The first 100 guests in line on April 28th will receive a $100 gift card and exclusive, Oklahoma City -themed merchandise.
Also, 10 dine-in guests can enter for a chance to win free Bojangles breakfast for a year.
At 3 p.m. on April 28, the restaurant will transform into a full-scale block party. Guests will be able to enjoy a live DJ, a mechanical bull, branded merchandise, and a sweepstakes.
“We are ecstatic about introducing Bojangles to Oklahoma and bringing our unique Southern charm to the market,” said Jose Armario, CEO of Bojangles. “Our recent expansions into new markets have been met with tremendous enthusiasm, and we are confident that the Oklahoma City community will embrace our delicious offerings with the same excitement.”
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
The new store will open its doors at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28th.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of their opening-round series. The OKC Thunder are hoping that they can repeat their Sunday afternoon performance in this contest. Game 2 will be an interesting test with the Suns having more time to prepare.
Phoenix was up against a rock and a hard place in the series opener. The Oklahoma City Thunder not only have the talent advantage but the rest advantage as well. Phoenix punched their ticket to the NBA Playoffs on Friday night by staving off the Golden State Warriors on Friday night before landing in Oklahoma City on Saturday and playing on Saturday afternoon to the tune of a 119-84 blowout Thunder victory.
The NBA has seen plenty of upsets already. The Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers have all stolen games from the higher seed. The Thunder know they have to keep the foot on the gas in this contest.
“These series are unpredictable. No 2 games are the same. The minute you make an assumption, you are overconfident, or the minute you go down and you’re overly urgent, that can impact your ability to be present in the next game,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said pregame on Wednesday night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are seeing the Suns make an adjustment with their starting lineup by inserting Collin Gillespie to give Phoenix a trio of ball handling scoring options alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green. This gives the Suns hope to be able to find better shot quality against this stifling Thunder defensive unit.
Oklahoma City is healthier now than they have been all season. The Thunder only are missing rookie Thomas Sorber (ACL) who is out for the year. This allows the Bricktown Ballers to roll out their traditional first five in this contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 2 Starting Lineup
Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G
- Lu Dort, G
- Jalen Williams, F
- Chet Holmgren, F
- Isaiah Hartenstein, C
Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup
- Devin Booker, G
- Jalen Green, G
- Collin Gillespie, G
- Dillon Brooks, F
- Oso Ighodaro, C
The series will shift to Phoenix this weekend as the Oklahoma City Thunder hope to head into Saturday afternoon’s Game 3 with a 2-0 advantage in the series.
Stay tuned to Thunder on SI for complete coverage of the NBA Playoff run for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Follow
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA (KOKH) — The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to a home fire late Tuesday evening, around 10:42 p.m.
According to OKCFD, fire could be seen from a window of the home located in the 4200 block of N. Phillips Avenue.
Firefighters were able to rescue an adult female from inside the home. No injuries were reported in connection with the fire.
Investigators believe that the fire may have originated from an outlet near the refrigerator that had a power strip plugged in that was supplying multiple appliances.
There was also no smoke detector present within the home.
For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.
-
Nevada4 minutes agoThree more Nevada counties included in disaster declaration
-
New Hampshire10 minutes agoN.H. lawmakers to vote on increasing tolls, civil rights, and k-12 education – The Boston Globe
-
New Jersey16 minutes agoWhen do hummingbirds return? See the migration map
-
New Mexico22 minutes agoState Police investigate shooting involving US marshals in Deming
-
North Carolina28 minutes ago
Halifax County man wins $209 million in Powerball drawing
-
North Dakota34 minutes agoNorth Dakota Lands All-Conference ATH Brady Lee Out of Wisconsin
-
Ohio40 minutes agoNew mail-in ballot deadline as Ohio changes impact primary election
-
Oklahoma46 minutes agoBojangles announces events, giveaways planned for opening of OKC location