Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday signed a measure to build an arch on the south side of the Oklahoma Capitol complex.

The cost is $4.3 million.

House Bill 4012 said the purpose of the arch is to honor the Oklahoma National Guard, which has a lengthy history of state and federal service.

Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, is the House author.

He said the arch could be built within the next two years.

“I think it will be a great addition to the Capitol complex to honor the Oklahoma National Guard,” McBride said.

He said the arch will tell the story of the Oklahoma National Guard, including the conflicts in which the men and women served.

Architect Solomon Layton included drawings of the arch in early plans for the Capitol, which was completed in 1917.

It was one of the structures, like the dome, that was not constructed because of a lack of funding at the time.

Some have been critical of spending money on an arch.

OPINION: Investing in a $4.3 million arch is a waste of Oklahomans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars

Sometimes people take for granted the freedoms they have, McBride said, adding that it is important to build the arch to demonstrate and honor the sacrifices.

The arch is expected to be 30 feet tall and 60 feet tall.

An amphitheater seating 100 people and a veteran’s park will also be constructed, said Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City.

“I am thrilled to death he signed it,” said Stanley, the Senate author. “It is going to be gorgeous.”

She said the arch will separate the Oklahoma Capitol from any other capitol in the country.

The state recently completed a $245 million renovation and upgrade to the building.

Years ago, a dome was added to the facility.

In 2015, the State Capitol Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee unveiled possible plans for a $65 million three-story parking garage, a reflecting pool and the arch.

The garage and reflecting pool have not been pursued.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

The Northern Colorado softball team left Greeley Wednesday evening for Stillwater, Oklahoma where the Bears will play in the NCAA Tournament this weekend.

Before the team bus to Denver International Airport, the UNC players, coaches and staff making the trip received a mini send-off celebration. Fans, alumni, other UNC staff and athletes were among those gathered outside of Butler-Hancock Athletic Center to send good wishes to the softball team.

UNC (27-24) is making its second straight appearance in the 64-team NCAA Tournament after winning a second consecutive Big Sky Conference Tournament title last weekend in Pocatello, Idaho.

The Bears were placed in the Stillwater region and will play No. 5 seed and site host Oklahoma State (44-1) at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The tournament’s first round is comprised of 16 four-team tournaments in double elimination format through Sunday. Michigan and Kentucky are the other two teams in Stillwater.

UNC played Michigan twice in Santa Barbara, California in February during its non-conference schedule and lost both games to the Wolverines, 9-1 and 4-1. Michigan led 3-1 after four innings in the first game before scoring six with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to turn in the lopsided result. UNC led the second game 1-0 through five innings. Michigan hit a grand slam in the top of the sixth for the win.

“Everybody we play will be good,” UNC coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm said Sunday of facing Oklahoma State. “It’s time to go to the show.”

Pendleton-Helm asked the well wishers Wednesday evening to join the team to form a large circle of about 75 people on the sidewalk near the team bus. The coach made the same request Sunday evening with those who watched the tournament selection show and the announcement of the challenging task of facing national powerhouse Oklahoma State.

On both evenings, Pendleton-Helm thanked everyone who was there and insisted the circle close tighter in a show of unity, pride and team spirit.

Pendleton-Helm has been in the UNC program for 23 months. In two seasons, the UNC teams have a 53-47 record with a regular-season Big Sky Conference title this year, the two conference tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

The Bears played at the University of Washington in last year’s NCAA Tournament, where they lost to the host Huskies and Minnesota in region play.

Active Watches & Warnings:

1. Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Osage, Pawnee, Washington counties until 1 a.m.

Strong to severe weather is likely Wednesday night in Northeast Oklahoma.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Kay, Noble, Osage, Pawnee, Payne and Washington counties until 1 a.m. on Thursday.

Chief Meteorologist Travis Meyer says that large hail, damaging winds and flooding are the biggest concerns, but the tornado threat will still be monitored.

News On 6 will have the latest updates on the storm timeline throughout the night.

What are the chances for severe weather in Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 15?

A period of unsettled weather is likely to produce periodic showers and storms across a large portion of the area Wednesday night through Friday morning.

This will bring increasing rain and thunder chances, including severe weather threats, to parts of the area beginning later Wednesday night across the western half of the state before storms begin migrating eastward into parts of northeastern and eastern Oklahoma.

All modes of severe weather will be possible, with the primary threats of damaging winds and hail. A tornado threat is possible with this system, mostly along and northwest of the I-44 corridor.

Due to antecedent conditions, and the possibility of pockets of moderate to locally heavy downpours, the potential for some low-land and street level flooding will be possible before ending as the last wave in this current series moves out of the area Thursday night late into early Friday morning.

Based on the current timing, most of Friday afternoon and evening should be precip free with mostly pleasant conditions.

What will the weather be like this weekend in Oklahoma?

This weekend some midlevel ridging should nudge northward from part of Texas into most of Oklahoma bringing dry weather, some sunshine, and highs into the mid and upper 80s both days.

South winds will continue to transport low-level moisture into the state resulting in increasing humidity values. Some minor heat index values should occur allowing values into the lower 90s.

The top-edge of the ridge positioned across far northern OK and southern Kansas may still allow a weak boundary to slide southward and stall Sunday into Monday where a complex of storms will be possible during this period.

Early next week, most data support the return of a stronger developing upper-level trough arriving from the southwest. This pattern coupled with climatology supports mentions of more spring severe weather opportunities nearing the region. As we draw closer to next week, we’ll offer more specifics regarding timing and locations.

Outages Across Oklahoma:

Northeast Oklahoma has various power companies and electric co-operatives, many with overlapping areas of coverage. Below is a link to various outage maps.

PSO Outage Map

OG&E Outage Map

VVEC Outage Map

Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC) Outage Map

Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Outage Map – (Note Several Smaller Co-ops Included)

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5j0ovActG8BZCOTqZQzrfU

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weather-out-the-door/id1499556141?i=1000646589555

Follow the News On 6 Meteorologists on Facebook!

Meteorologist Travis Meyer

Meteorologist Stacia Knight

Meteorologist Alan Crone

Meteorologist Stephen Nehrenz

Meteorologist Aaron Reeves

Meteorologist Megan Gold