Wednesday evening firefighters were called to the Gateway Academy building near Britton and Shartel.

Crews were able to get the flames under control.

The old elementary school is not being used and officials said the utilities have been turned off.

Arson investigators are now on the case.

Fire crews put out another fire at the Gateway Academy earlier this month.

Witnesses said they saw people running from that scene.

That fire is also considered “suspicious.”

The body of the actor was transferred to a hospital morgue in Rome early Thursday, where it awaited an autopsy.

By law, medical examiners in Italy are required to carry out the postmortem exam 24 hours after the body’s arrival in the morgue, a hospital spokesman said.

Before Italian authorities can release his remains for transport back to the United States, the U.S. Embassy in Rome must issue a death certificate.

Gandolfini was not alive when he arrived by ambulance at the Policlinico hospital late Wednesday, spokesman Antonio Spasola said.

No one from the embassy or Gandolfini’s family has contacted the morgue yet, he said.

CLICK HERE to read more on Gandolfini’s life and death

Enjoying Italy

Hours before he died, Gandolfini told Mario Sesti by phone how much he was looking forward to the next leg of his Italian vacation.

He was heading for Taormina in Sicily, a quaint town packed with historical architecture and nestled between lush green hills and the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

There, he was to receive an award at a local film festival held before the backdrop of an ancient Roman arena.

Sesti, who heads the festival, was eagerly awaiting Gandofini’s arrival Friday. He was shaken by the news of his death.

Sesti will replace the award ceremony with a tribute to Gandofini’s lifetime achievement.

“He was the American actor who better than anyone else was able to interpret the Italian-American society, with all of its rich contrasts, ambitions, pain, humor,” Sesti said.

Possible health risks

Though the cause of death is not yet known, his managers believe that a heart attack killed the man who portrayed Tony Soprano, a washed-up mob boss prone to keeling over from panic attacks.

He was 51.

“This is young to have a heart attack, even when you look at any pre-existing health conditions,” CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta said. Usually, first heart attacks don’t strike until the victim is older than 60.

But risk factors such as obesity, smoking, lack of exercise and stress can cause them to occur earlier in life, Gupta said.

“He loved his food. He didn’t push back from the table,” said journalist Larry King, who spent time with the actor on and off camera.

Photos and anecdotes indicate that Gandolfini enjoyed cigars.

Though intense outbursts of adrenaline-infused anger were a mainstay of Tony Soprano’s character, he was a far cry from Gandolfini.

Jovial, fun, reserved

Colleagues described him as funny, kind and gentle. He had a reputation for often being reserved and quiet. He didn’t seek publicity, avoiding media coverage, journalists have said.

Tributes poured in on social media, describing Gandolfini as jovial and likable.

Actor Mark Ruffalo shared his grief on Twitter: “Oh Jimmy. It’s a crying shame. You stormed in and out. Your voice like velvet granite. From a whisper to a shout. A comet of a man.”

Even after his “Sopranos” fame, he was very down to earth, said iReporter Pat Tantalo, who worked on the set of a 2006 movie Gandolfini starred in.

He lit up the room with a big smile the first time he walked into the production office, Tantalo recalled.

“We instantly connected. He planted his huge mitts on my shoulders and called me a little bull.”

Tantalo posted a goodbye tribute on CNN’s iReport website with a photo of Gandolfini’s arm around his shoulder. Both men are smiling ear to ear.

They exchanged telephone numbers and spent some of their evenings sitting around together on a deck by a lake smoking cigars and telling stories.

“It was like we had been friends forever,” Tantalo said.

IReporter Shana O’Neil met Gandolfini when he was shooting in her office in 1994. She remembers him as “Jersey through and through,” a trait he did share with mobster Tony Soprano.

But he was so much friendlier, O’Neil said. “I just always think of him as that guy.”

His “Sopranos” fame, she said, changed nothing about the way she remembers him.

CNN’s Hada Messia and Livia Borghese contributed to this report.

Oklahoma City Police responded to N.E. 26th St. after a dispute between two neighbors got heated.

As the officer made his way to the scene, we’re told the man left the argument and went home to get a gun.

Some witnesses said the victim, who was carrying a rifle, was shot in the back while running away from the officer.

That conflicts with what investigators said happened.

“He was running away from the officer,” Brandon Hines said. “I think it’s totally disrespectful, I think they could have shot him one time in the leg or they could have not shot him at all because the gun wasn’t being aimed at them.”

“The officer saw the subject approaching with the rifle,” OKC Police Capt. Dexter Nelson said. “The subject leveled the rifle at the officer and began firing at the officer. The officer returned fire striking the subject and that subject was transported to an area hospital”.

The victim’s name has not yet been released.

The officer has been placed on routine paid administrative leave.

The case is under investigation.

NewsChannel 4 talked with a public information officer for the Norman Police Department. He says they are classifying this as a burglary. However, they do confirm that someone was at home at the time of the incident although they wouldn’t say who was at home.

Police say this happened between 3:30 and 4:00 Wednesday morning. The thief got away with several items including one of the family’s vehicles.

The good news is that no one from the Stoops family was injured. Police are following up leads right now.

We’ll have more information as it comes in.

Cars that ended up smashed, dented and totaled. Some owners had no choice but to fix their cars right away. Now, victims want the motel to pay.

“We’re not asking for a lot of money. We want our vehicles fixed. That’s all I have left right now. That’s all I have,” said Kimberly Williams.

Williams survived the May 31st tornado that tore through El Reno. The Red Cross paid for her to stay at the motel because she had no where to go. She only had her car.

Williams says, “My car was already trashed from the first tornado, and now it’s more damage.”

Then there’s the McCall family.

“We went out, and my husband said, ‘Oh man, the truck is damaged, and it’s totaled,” said Tracy McCall.

Like most victims, the McCall’s only had liability insurance, and they say the motel isn’t helping.

“I’m angry because they won’t take the responsibility to do what’s right,” said McCall.

Workers at the motel say Monday morning’s thunderstorm blew the roof off. They also say they are working with their insurance company to see if it will pay for the damaged cars.

NewsChannel 4 called the motel’s property adjuster, Leonard Lipps. He said car owners are on their own.

“All I can say is their insurance should pay for their own vehicle,” said Lipps.

“It was not from a storm,” said Williams. “As you can see, the other hotels are not damaged at all. We got pictures their roof was not on right.”

Shortly after the property adjuster spoke with NewsChannel 4, Williams says he called her to say the motel will be helping pay for the damaged vehicles.

We will check back.

Just when Lisa thought they were safe, something else started threatening her family.

“The very first night, right after it happened, we came over to see if there was anything we could get, medicine-wise, for my son and stuff out of the house.” She said. “And we didn’t wear a mask. That was the night I really noticed when we got back that they were coughing a little bit and my youngest one was really scared.”

It’s called “tornado cough,” allergic reactions to debris in the air. It can strike even the healthiest people.

“You don’t have to have asthma to overwhelm your respiratory system.” Dr. Jason Sigmon said. “We saw that in 9/11 in the world trade center bombings and all the debris that was in the air.”

Drywall, fiberglass, and mold are some of the things that don’t normally affect us until they’re thrown into our air all at once.

“After we would leave and get some fresh air, for a few days after that we would be coughing a little bit.” Lisa said. “You feel like your chest is just a little bit heavier and then after a few days you feel fine.”

“That filtering mechanism, just like the filters in your house, can be overwhelmed to where they don’t work anymore.” Sigmon said. “And then you’re going to be directly challenged by those things in the environment. Those are the things that we see with patients who typically don’t have lung problems.”

Tornado cough can be deadly if you breathe in particulates over a long period of time. The best defense is to wear a mask when you’re around the debris.

“I have pictures of them in front of the school with masks on a few days afterwards because you don’t know what’s in the air right now and you hear so much.” Lisa said. “Mold, insulation…it’s just the ‘not knowing’ of what you’re breathing in and what could happen later and so we just tried to eliminate it as much as possible.”

You could have tornado cough if you feel increased coughing and congestion or feel like you have asthma.

Millions of dollars have been raised. Christopher Sommer, with the American Red Cross, tells a familiar story of a tornado victim who spoke with a case worker.

“She immediately began to cry and told us she had lost everything,” he said.

But four days after the May 20th tornado destroyed their home, the victim’s husband died from a heart attack. The Red Cross got her into a new apartment after helping her cope with two tragedies.

“She’s now able to start getting her own place again to live and to start the recovery process,” Sommer said, “And also to talk with our emotional and spiritual care that we have set up in the centers as well.”

“We talk to them, figure out what their needs are, and we give them money based on that,” said American Red Cross Spokesperson Ken Garcia. ”So not one area is going to get more than the other.”

Garcia said the Red Cross has raised $26.5 million for May’s tornado victims. Six million was used for immediate needs, like food and shelter. The remaining $20 million will fund long-term needs.

The United Way of Central Oklahoma received more than six million dollars from Blake Shelton’s benefit concert. That was half of the $12 million dollars they’ve raised so far, which helps in ways many don’t realize.

“In some cases, you have people that are insured but they may have lost their job because their business was impacted by the disaster,” said United Way of Central Oklahoma President and CEO Debby Hampton.  “So even though they have insurance, they may not have the means to pay for the deductible.”

Hampton said the United Way will work with partner agencies, like Goodwill and Catholic Charities, who meet with victims face to face, then report to the United Way on who needs what kind of help.

“…and this fund is taking care of all of central Oklahoma,” she said.

The United Way tells us 100% of every dollar they receive goes to those specific victims.

The American Red Cross says 91% of every dollar they get helps victims, which is their standard for all fundraising.

You can find more information here

Reiger vanished on Sunday while hiking a mountain with family outside the city of Baños. Ecuadorian officials say it is rare but there is a possibility he could have been kidnapped by rebels.

While August Reiger’s immediate family is still in the South American country scouring the trails where they last saw him, friends and family are worried and feeling helpless.

“He’s a son, a brother, a friend, a boyfriend,” said Candace Lockett, the mother of August’s girlfriend.

Lockett says everyone in the Reiger family is a world traveler, so it wasn’t a surprise to her that they would venture from Oklahoma City to vacation in the South American city of Baños.

“I’ve seen the pictures of Ecaudor,” said Lockett. “It’s beautiful there. I don’t blame them.”

What does surprise her is that a young man, fluent in Spanish, could have gotten lost on a trail that was clearly visible from their hotel.

“He’s in great shape. He’s very very smart as I mentioned– National Merit Scholar, Valedictorian,” said Lockett. “If anyone knew what they were doing I’d say it was him. Maybe his fault was that he’s very curious.”

Lockett says no one is more motivated to find him than his family but it is hard for her and her daughter to wait for hours for a single email.

“When there’s no news, there’s no news,” said Lockett.

Classen classmate Konner Drye is feeling helpless thousand of miles away.

“All that we can hear about is from the news in Ecuador. That’s all that we can hear from,” said Drye. “There’s really nothing that we can do here excpet for hope and pray that he is alive and safe.”

Everyone at home just wants to know that he is okay.

“I know he’s really special because my daughter loves him,” said Lockett. “He’s a real person and someone we really want back.”

The family thinks that whatever happened to him would have happened within only five to ten minutes. They say Ecuadorian officials have been exhausting all efforts.

“I understand that they’ve actually had a lot of help,” said Lockett. “You know the firefighters, policemen, military, they’ve had dogs, they had helicopters. So the government there seems to be being very helpful.”

EMSA medic, Angela Hall said, “You get a difference of opinion, it escalates very quickly.”

EMSA medics raced to Action Water Sports Monday night on reports that Clark Yowell had attacked his son with a ball peen hammer.

Hill said, “A hammer can be pretty bad. They can cause a fatality hit in the right spot hard enough.”

Witnesses say Jason was unwilling to pay the rent until his father, who owns this property, repaired the storm damage to the business.  

According to the police report, Jason started “getting in his face and bumping his chest.” 

That’s when his 66-year-old father began swinging. Oklahoma City Police Spokesperson, Jennifer Wardlow said, “His father pulled out a hammer and hit him in the face. We had several witnesses tell police what they saw. It appeared this man was missing eyeball.”

NewsChannel 4 spoke to Jason’s business partner, who asked not to be on camera.

“How bad was it?  He was injured. He’s going to be blind in his right eye,” the business partner says.

Clark Yowell is facing charges of domestic abuse and maiming.

Linda Cavanaugh interviewed Gayla Sesher from the City of Moore and Justin Scally from the American Humane Association. A pet adoption event has been set up.

The event will be held at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds this Saturday, June 22nd. It will be at 615 East Robinson in Norman.

Pet owners have until the end of Wednesday to claim lost animals after last month’s storms; they will soon be up for adoption.

Officials said hundreds of pets are still waiting to be claimed at locations across the metro.

Where to claim lost pets:

- The Animal Resource Center
- The Central Oklahoma Humane Society
- The Cleveland County Fairgrounds

If they pets aren’t claimed, they will be up for adoption at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds Saturday.

August Reiger graduated at the top of his class from Classen SAS last month.

The 18-year-old student vanished Sunday while hiking in the South American country’s mountains.

Local authorities in Baños, Ecuador are scouring the trails and the mountains near the resort town searching for any sign of the teen.

Officials said it is a rare occurrence in the region but many fear the teen could have been kidnapped by rebels.

The 19-year-old victim detailed a number of graphic sexual encounters between himself and his older relative.

“The bottom line is he messed up,” said that victim.

After serving time for forcible oral sodomy against two young relatives back in 1996, Thorp landed on the state’s sex offender registry before being arrested once again this week for allegedly having sex with one of the same victims.

That victim claims David Thorp sexually abused him on multiple occasions.

“From talking with the victim we did know this had gone on in the past. This wasn’t a one time incident. This abuse had been going on for quite some time,” said Oklahoma City police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow.

Police arrested Thorp at another relatives home Tuesday night. According to police reports, the victim claimed Thorp told him, “Sex is better with someone in the family than with someone else.”

“I think he’s guilty as sin.  What he gets, he’ll deserve every bit of it,” said family member Katie McCarn.

“This is one of those cases people don’t need to rush to judgement,” said Thorp’s attorney David Slane.

Slane says Thorp told him any sexual contact had been consensual.

“My client indicated to me he’s innocent of the charges.  Nothing was forced in this case.  This will have to work its way through the courts because there was a lot of drug use going on,” said Slane.

The alleged victim says he’s upset with Thorp, but still loves him.

“I love that guy.  You know he made a mistake.  He made a mistake and you known eventually someday I’ll forgive him,” said the victim.

The victim suffers from a bipolar mental disorder and admits to using meth along with the suspect.

The report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says immigration reform would boost the economy and cut the deficit by $197-billion dollars over ten years as increased taxes offset benefits to new citizens.

But conservatives rallying outside the Capital are not buying it.

“It’s a city of lies and they are going to have a Congressional Budget Office score designed to pretend that this costs nothing,” said Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation.

The Senate’s bill, created by the so-called Gang of Eight of republicans and democrats, offers hope of citizenship to 11-million people.

“The good news in this C.B.O. report about the economic benefits of immigration reform is exactly one of the reasons why 70 percent of Americans support it. It’s good for the economy,” said democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey

But house republicans are backing a much different bill that makes it a federal crime to illegally live in the U.S. and tightens borders.

“The gang of 8 bill has empty promises doing nothing to increase border security and Americans are tired of empty promises,” said Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

House Speaker John Boehner says there will be no house vote unless there’s an agreement on tightening our borders. Senators agree that’s the main sticking point.

“Those of us who would like to see good, credible immigration passed believe as i do that this legislation is dead on arrival without real border security,” republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas said.

Despite its shaky future the senate bill, backed by President Obama, is set for a final vote as early as July 3rd.

UNION CITY, Okla. – Authorities have a man in custody after a seven-hour standoff overnight in Union City.

It started around 7 p.m. Tuesday near S.W. 59th St. and Wagon Wheel Circle.

As the sun came up Wednesday morning, the property in Union City looked nothing short of peaceful but Tuesday night was a different story.

A woman called police, fearing for her safety, saying her brother was on drugs.

When officials arrived, 42-year-old Patrick Wimberly was inside the home refusing to surrender.

“He said we would have to kill him to get him out,” Union City Police Chief Eddie Dickerson said.

Officers said they tried communicating with Wimberly by throwing a phone to him but Wimberly threw it back and walked back into the house.

After that, the Canadian County task force was called in to help.

“The task team used a ram to enter the front door and take him into custody,” Dickerson said. “He did resist and he did have a gun in the house but he didn’t have it with him.”

Wimberly is facing charges of possession of narcotics, resisting arrest and felony possession of a firearm.

Authorities said they’ve responded to Wimberly’s home in the past for disturbance calls but never expected a standoff.

“It doesn’t happen very often,” Dickerson said. “I think since I’ve been chief in the past 12 years, we’ve had maybe three.”

Fortunately, no one was injured in the seven-hour standoff.

Officials said even though the standoff lasted throughout the evening, they could not have hoped for a better outcome.

“For a 7-year old to have a knife and be carving something, it was awesome,” said Robinson. “I was hooked right away.”

Robinson achieved his Eagle Scout rank by the age of 13. Most scouts quit when they hit Eagle. Robinson was just getting started.

“If I didn’t have something to focus on, I was just going to fizzle out,” said Robinson.

So Troop 49 scoutmaster Jimmie Joyner gave Robinson a challenge: earn every single badge available — all 134.

“I’ve heard there have only been about 180-200 boys who’ve earned every badge out of the millions of scouts,” said Joyner.

Robinson had many weekends spent at scouting camps earning a few badges at a time, but he got there. Everything from dentistry to tracking and bugling, which was a pain.

Read more:

Fire officials said the blaze started at 19700 Newsom Rd. near S.E. 104th St. and Luther Rd. at about 3 p.m.

So far, no injuries have been reported.

Authorities have not said how the fire started.

Refresh this page and watch News Channel 4 for the latest updates. 

Sammy Hagar, Mel Tillis and John Anderson will join the already outstanding list including Keith, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood and Ronnie Dunn.

Organizers said 100 percent of ticket proceeds will go to benefit the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund to aid recovery efforts.

The twister relief show is Saturday, July 6 at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.

TICKETS: Buy tickets online here

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and showtime is 3 p.m.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

You can get them on Ticketmaster.com, call 1-800-745-3000 or visit Homeland store locations.

All seats are $25 (all taxes and fees included), all seats reserved – eight-ticket purchase limit.

The United Way of Central Oklahoma is also accepting donations online.

“When Toby asked me to come on board, I immediately said ‘Yes,‘” Sammy Hagar said. “He’s put together a hell of a concert lineup to help raise funds for the brave and resilient people of Oklahoma. My job is going to be to help them take their minds off their problems and have some much-needed, good old-fashioned fun.”

For Keith, this event and the May storms that led to it are deeply personal.

“I grew up in Moore, I live in Norman and I’ve got lots of family and friends who were directly affected,” he said. “I know these folks and they’re resilient but we’re going to keep helping them any way we can.”

“Once we got the news that the tornado had hit Toby’s hometown, Miss Yearwood and I told Toby we were at his service for whatever he chose to do,” Garth Brooks said. “I am amazed at the human spirit the tornado victims have shown. I am humbled by the giving of the volunteers. It is an honor to get to be a part of this healing process.”

You can find updates on the event and lineup at www.tobykeith.com.

Authorities said they are searching for two men who were running northbound from the scene at University and Boyd St.

OU ALERT: Armed robbery reported at University & Boyd. Two male suspects fled northbound on foot. Avoid area. bit.ly/17YDvBu—
OU Sooners (@UofOklahoma) June 19, 2013

Norman police said they are looking for two suspects.

They said one suspect is a 6-foot, 300-pound African American man who was wearing a  blue shirt and jeans.

The other suspect is described as a 5-foot-9, 160-pound African American man with a “buzz” haircut wearing a red shirt.

Officials have asked everyone to avoid the area at this time.

Immigration has been a hot topic for years and is now sparking a new debate.

You know that “French lady” out in the New York Harbor? Someone wants her deported.

A campaign to ship the Statue of Liberty back to France is gaining momentum.

Ishita Srivastava is a producer for a human rights organization called ”Breakthrough“ that is trying to break through the immigration debate with humor.

They created a fake campaign with fake Twitter accounts to deport the Statue of Liberty in favor of immigration reform.

They called themselves “Legals for the Preservation of American Culture.”

The statue’s grilling is supposed to represent what immigrants experience.

The singer-songwriter, born Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr., died of heart failure at Orange Park Medical Center in Florida, Roy Beagle said.

Whitman gained fame in Europe as well as the United States. “Love Song of the Waterfall,” which a Country Music Television biography calls his “breakthrough” hit, was released in the early ’50s.

His next single “Indian Love Call” brought him stardom, according to the bio.

“Whitman joined the Grand Ole Opry, and then went to Britain in 1956 as the first country singer to play the London Palladium. Throughout the late ’50s and early ’60s, he had a string of British hits, including ‘Tumbling Tumbleweeds,’ ‘Unchain My Heart,’ and ‘I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen,” the bio said.

He gained cult status after he filmed a TV commercial that touted a released of his top greatest hits, a compilation that was a great success.

“Between 1980 and 1984, Whitman had a small run of minor hits, highlighted by 1980′s number 15 hit ‘When.’ In the late ’80s, he returned to television-marketed albums, releasing Slim Whitman: Best Loved Favorites in 1989 and 20 Precious Memories in 1991. During the ’90s, Whitman recorded infrequently but continued to tour successfully, particularly in Europe and Australia,” CMT said.

His music was featured in the 1996 film “Mars Attacks!” In the film, the sound of Whitman’s “Indian Love Call” made the heads of invading Martians explode.

MOORE, OKLA. – Our In Your Corner team exposes a craigslist rental scam.

Greedy scammers are targeting families that lost everything in a tornado.

The tornado went right through Amber Harris’ home.

The large family is desperate for a rental house that sleeps 10.

“We have our five children and then three foster children,” she said.

A neighbor suggested she call 323-835-1852.

We traced it to a bogus craigslist post advertising rental properties for tornado victims. 

Builder, Mark Mathews, tells the In Your Corner team his homes are not for rent!

“We have these houses listed. We have them with the real estate agent,” Mathews said. “I’m sorry, but a $200,000 house, we’re not leasing them out for $700 a month.”

We started texting with the scam artist.

He told us he was in California for work, but he would mail us keys and a lease just as soon as we loaded $600 onto a prepaid money card.

Remember, all the thief needs to drain the card’s balance is the serial number on back.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s office is investigating. 

“A lot of times Scott, those folks are fleeing and sometimes they’re out of state, even in perpetrating the fraud,” Pruitt said. “We think folks doing the craigslist fraud were actually never in the state, then wires were being made to them at an off shore location.”

It’s not just us Okies they’re targeting.

The In Your Corner team has learned they’ve been running a similar rental scam in at least four states.

• Never wire cash.

• Prepaid money cards aren’t tied to a bank account, which means your money won’t be insured against loss.

The schools needs volunteers to help load, unload and sort donations delivered to Heritage Trails and Earlywine elementary schools.

If you are interested in helping, you can email the schools at donations@mooreschools.com.

Authorities said the suspect gave a note demanding money to a teller at the First Fidelity Bank on S.W. 29th St. and Shartel Ave. Tuesday afternoon.

The teller handed over an unknown amount of cash in a bank envelope.

Investigators said they believe the man is in his 40s and was wearing a black New Orleans Saints shirts with a Houston Astros baseball cap.

If you have any information, you can reach the FBI at (405) 290-7790.

The woman was killed during the incident just before 9 a.m.

Authorities have not released the victim’s name or why she may have been on the highway in the first place.

They are recalling Jeep Grand Cherokees from 1993 to 2004 and Jeep Liberty SUVs from 2002 to 2007.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said over 50 people have died from fiery crashes.

Last week, Chrysler stated it would not comply with the recall demand, arguing the vehicles are safe.

The car company said dealers will inspect the recalled vehicles and upgrade the rear structure if necessary.

A doctor told the Federal Oversight Board the engineer driving the train suffered from serious vision problems.

The doctor said the man was colorblind, he couldn’t tell the difference between the red and green signals.

That engineer and two railroad workers were killed when two freight trains collided and caused about $15 million in damages.

The NTSB Safety Board voted 5-0 that the operator’s failing vision was the probable cause of that collision.

The Federal Railroad Administration does not require comprehensive medical screening. 

Instead, they rely on operators to self-report medical conditions to the company. 

A mother raced her baby girl to a metro hospital where the infant tested positive for meth.

Pottawatomie County Deputies escorted the case worker to the home late Saturday night to investigate.

An undercover deputy told us, “When they did that, the man ran out and jumped into a vehicle and ran toward the deputies at a high rate of speed.”

Authorities said David Woods crashed the stolen vehicle and tried to flee.

He was tazed and taken into custody.

David Woods has a lengthy criminal record.

Authorities said he’s been in and out of prison since 1997.

In fact, Woods was released in 2010 after serving time for another felony drug conviction.

A search warrant uncovered a “major” drug trafficking operation at the home.

A can with traces of meth on it was found in the child’s room, explaining how the infant was exposed to dangerous drugs.

Agents found 140 grams of meth, $3,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.

“Basically this right here was all found in that ammo can with the packaging material in the ammo can,” Woods said.

Deputies also confiscated loaded guns, ammunition and stolen property.

The baby is recovering and is now in DHS custody.

Her father, David Woods, is back behind bars and authorities said Pott. County is a little bit safer.

The undercover deputy said, “We try to keep tabs on it as good as we can. This was fortunate, to take this amount of off the street. Deputies did a good job.”

2nd #okfugitive in custody Nsilo Hunter assault and battery warrant. http://t.co/T5qtD86Trf—
Oklahoma Co. Sheriff (@OkCountySheriff) June 19, 2013

The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department is live tweeting their warrant sweep Wednesday.

FOLLOW @OkCountySheriff live tweets here

If you have a warrant its likely you can participate in our "surrender program". oklahomacounty.org/sheriff/surren… #okfugitive #okcoso—
Oklahoma Co. Sheriff (@OkCountySheriff) June 19, 2013

A lot of what the Warrant Team does is make contact with people and track leads. #okfugitive #okcoso http://t.co/3H1cGSZAiQ—
Oklahoma Co. Sheriff (@OkCountySheriff) June 19, 2013

You can check if you have a warrant at oklahomacounty.org/sheriff/warran… . Contact a bondsman or attorney if you have one. #okfugitive #okcoso—
Oklahoma Co. Sheriff (@OkCountySheriff) June 19, 2013

Next target has warrant for concealing stolen property. #okfugitive #okcoso—
Oklahoma Co. Sheriff (@OkCountySheriff) June 19, 2013

Just knocked let's see what happens. #okfugitive http://t.co/ct1fTTDvkR—
Oklahoma Co. Sheriff (@OkCountySheriff) June 19, 2013

Next target has warrant for concealing stolen property. #okfugitive #okcoso—
Oklahoma Co. Sheriff (@OkCountySheriff) June 19, 2013

Next target assault & battery on a school employee. #okfugitive #okcoso—
Oklahoma Co. Sheriff (@OkCountySheriff) June 19, 2013

The parks have been closed since early June because of the heavy rainfall and flooding.

Wednesday morning all four public parks were reopened for everyone to enjoy.

If you plan to visit the lake, officials ask you to use extreme caution.

Lake levels are still about three feet above normal water elevation.

According to the latest information from the State Insurance Department, nearly 71,000 people have now filed claims.

Most of that cost is for homes, cars and businesses.

For anyone who still needs help navigating the damage claims process, the insurance dept. is hosting a series of forums.

All forums are from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Experts will explain how to file a claim, what to do if your claim is denied, how to file a complaint and how to spot fraud.

Wednesday will be hot, muggy and breezy with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s.

Isolated thunderstorms will develop over the afternoon.  

An upper level ridge will build by the end of the work week bringing hot temperatures to the Sooner state.

Highs will soar to the triple digits in parts of our state next week with breezy South wind.

That afternoon officers were called to a possible kidnapping at the Walmart Neighborhood Market near Reno and Midwest Blvd.

When they arrived, they found 37-year-old Sammie Lamont Wallace at the back of the store.

Authorities said Wallace grabbed a 2-year-old girl out of a shooting cart and was holding her hostage with a knife.

After several minutes of negotiating, police said Wallace began to count down the time left on the child’s life and acted like he was going to stab her.

That’s when an officer fired one shot, instantly killing Wallace.

The child was not injured.

Officials said Wallace did not know the toddler and they are still trying to determine his motive for the crime.

OKLAHOMA CITY – One man is in custody and two others were questioned and released after a bizarre robbery and shooting Tuesday in northeast Oklahoma City.

Authorities said Joseph Moore was arrested for the shot that put the victim in the hospital, luckily with non-life threatening injuries.

“A gentleman called 911 to report he had been shot,” OKC Police Sgt. Dexter Nelson said.

The victim told police he was previously at a casino and won a large sum of money.

He then met two men who wanted to sell him an ATV and drove the suspects to the area of N.E. 63rd St. and Midwest Blvd. to check out the 4-wheeler for sale.

“It’s an abandoned barn, there’s nothing inside that barn, it’s dilapidated, so there were no ATVs there,” Sgt. Nelson said.

From there, the suspects allegedly shot and robbed the victim but they didn’t get far.

Bob Moore Chopper 4 caught the three arrests from the sky, along with crews on the ground.

Police said they arrested three suspects, a husband and wife who live in a house on the 800 block of 26th St. and the wife’s brother who lives directly across the street.

With a situation that could have ended tragically, police said there’s a serious lesson to be learned.

“If you’re at a casino and you do happen to win some money and someone wants to be your recent friend, be weary of that individual,” Sgt. Nelson said.

There was a friend with the victim at the time of the shooting and after searching the crime area, police were able to locate the friend unharmed.

Officials also said they believe the victim and suspects took some form of narcotic between the time at the casino or drive to the abandoned barn.

Newschannel 4 spoke with county officials about Gaillardia’s money troubles.

NewsChannel 4 is unaware of why Gaillardia is having financial problems because the owner, Phil Herrington, won’t return calls.

It needs to be noted that Gaillardia homeowners and members have been paying their bills, according to one member.

First Liberty Bank wants Gaillardia to remain open during court proceedings, but what they, and the Country Treasurer, really want is their money.

Forrest “Butch” Freeman, OK County Treasurer, says, “They owe a total of $64,400.” (2010)

Oklahoma County Treasurer Freeman says that’s only what Gaillardia Golf and Country Club owes in overdue property taxes for 2010. If they don’t pay that amount by next June, the property will be up for sale to the highest bidder.

In total, they’re behind nearly half a million dollars in property taxes. Freeman says Gaillardia called his office last year to find out what they owe.

Butch Freeman says, “Uh, I don’t know what they did with the information. I know what they didn’t do. They didn’t use it to pay the taxes.”

The trouble is worse than that. On Friday, First Liberty Bank of Oklahoma City has begun foreclosure proceedings against the ownership group in Arkansas.

In their lawsuit First Liberty “Loaned $1.6 million to the owner and the owner defaulted on its loan when it failed to pay the monthly loan installment payments due in April and May.”

The lawsuit says Gaillardia also owes more than $19,000 in interest on loans and the bank claims “only a (court-appointed) receiver can prevent the looming, irreparable harm” to the club.

They want the money management taken over because they say, currently, Gaillardia is falling apart.

Liberty Bank says that gorgeous 55,000 square foot country club has a leaky roof from hail damage that Gaillardia won’t repair, despite receiving insurance money.

Liberty Bank says “Immediate action is required to safeguard the golf course’s sole source of irrigation water.”

They say greens and tee boxes could dry up, because Gaillardia is behind in payments to the OKC Water Utilities Trust.

The President and CEO of First Liberty Bank released a statement, saying “After much effort, First Liberty was unable to reach common ground with the borrower on a viable solution. The window for a collaborative solution has closed. We believe the legal approach we have chosen represents the quickest and best way to put the club on a solid footing, protect our investment, and preserve the quality of the community.”

The state treasurer says Deer Creek Schools and Francis Tuttle are the ones who could really suffer because 70 percent of those overdue property taxes go to them.

Surveillance video shows a white van sitting across the street from the church’s parking lot for five minutes. Then one man inside the van walks up to a trailer carrying a high dollar lawn mower.

Once he is sure no one is around, the van backs up, he hitches the trailer to the van and they drive off.

“It’s like you’ve been violated,” said Dr. Joe Cannon. “You just feel filthy.”

Cannon is the pastor of the church, and he owns the lawn mower and trailer. He left it alone at the church for a matter of minutes.

“I would rather somebody walk up and slap me in the face or spit in my face than do something behind my back and steal from me,” said Cannon. “So that bothers me.”

Even more bothersome, thieves have hit up Crown Heights more than 15 times in just three years.
Cannon says they take air conditioners, car parts, metal, copper. By the looks of it, these criminals aren’t scared of cameras. Not surprising to police.

“Fences help prevent crime. In some cases, people may need to hire security or just watch their habits and what they’re doing to not be a victim of a crime,” said Capt. Dexter Nelson.

With a congregation of just 50 people, Cannon says the church can’t afford to hire security or replace the stolen stuff.

“They don’t care who they hurt. It’s like I preached last Sunday: Every sin hurts somebody. If you do something wrong, it hurts somebody from yourself to your family to the people who you do wrong,” said Cannon.

With wrong doing caught on camera. He hopes someone can make this right.
If you recognize the man in the video or the white van, call Crime Stoppers at 405-415-5666. You could get a cash reward.

The threats are all part of a rambling email sent by an account owned by Scott Helling. Much of it is hard to read, and laced with profanity. At one point the email says, “…enough is enough, time to shoot a cop, sheriff, or detective.”

“The only thing I can figure is that he’s lost everything, his family, his job, his house, and  he’s just mad at the world,” said Sheriff Don Hewett, one of those targeted by name in the email.

The investigation into the email turned criminal, and OSBI even launched an investigation.

 ”Threatening me is one thing, but when you start threatening other people a large amount of people, that starts to get other people’s attention,” said Hewett.

Helling has been arrested on a complaint of computer fraud and threatening an act of violence. Both are serious charges and could carry felony sentences if he’s convicted.

Danielle Bradbery, the 16-year-old country-singing beauty, captured the Season 4 crown on “The Voice” Tuesday night.

Michelle Chamuel finished second and the Swon Brothers took third on NBC’s popular singing competition.

Bradbery’s victory came as no surprise. She was considered the competition’s front-runner for most of the season.

Blake Shelton, who coached both Bradbery and the Swon Brothers enjoyed his third straight win on “The Voice.”

Usher mentored Chamuel. This was Usher’s first-year as a coach.

They may not look like much on the outside; but once the doors swing open it makes people who have lost everything feel right at home.

It looks like a normal 400 square foot shipping container on the outside – but on the inside it’s a fully functional living space. Equipped with beds, a shower, a bathroom, kitchen sink, refrigerator, and even a full size leather couch, it’s the perfect place to live while you rebuild your life.

That’s exactly what Mark Mulanax is doing. He and his wife and three children are living in a MODS (modular on demand structure) while they pick up the pieces of their lives destroyed by the May 31st tornado.

“It’s a complete house.” Brian Fezatte said. “So when we set this thing down out here it’s got everything that they need to survive right now.”

These temporary emergency housing units are built by a company called MODS International. It’s a new company that got its start during Hurricane Katrina building comfortable, sturdy living spaces for victims of natural disasters.

“The house is complete.” Fezatte said. “You can sees that he’s lost everything and now he’s going to have a place to stay. He’s got the linens in there already, he’s got his bedding in there already.”

Because the house is built inside shipping containers, they can go anywhere in the United States in just a few days and be set up in just an hour.

It’s help that means the world to the families and the community.

“Anytime that you don’t have faith in people, it takes a disaster to see that come back.” Fire Chief Kent Lagaly said. “We saw that come back in Moore. If you lose a little faith in people sometimes it all comes back all of a sudden and people are just so giving from all over the country it’s not just here in Oklahoma.”

This MODS was donated by the founder and president of MODS International. The Mulanax family can stay there completely free until they rebuild their house. After that, the company will take the unit back and give it to another family who needs it.

This is the only MODS in Oklahoma right now, but MODS International is hoping they can send more soon.

They have space for up to 60 campers for this fully funded camp.

Of all the people affected by disaster, children are among the most emotionally vulnerable. Children often react to their disaster experience with increased fear (especially of the weather), sadness / depression, grief for what was lost, nightmares, acting out, regressive behaviors, fear of sleeping alone and separation anxiety.

Camp Noah’s Summer Day Camp Program partners with local communities to provide a safe, caring and fun environment where children can process their disaster experience. Campers build important resiliency skills within the familiarity of their own communities, using a proven curriculum led by trained staff.

Owned and operated by Minnesota’s largest human services non-profit organization, Lutheran Social Service of MN, Camp Noah has been helping children affected by disasters since 1997.

Camp Noah has been hosted in 22 states and been recognized nationally for its achievements in responding to a wide range of natural and human-caused disasters.

Since becoming a national program in 2006, Camp Noah has:
• Facilitated more than 250 camps nationwide.
• Served more than 8,000 children and their families.
• Trained and equipped more than 3,500 staff volunteers and local site coordinators.

Camp Noah is coming to Oklahoma next week, June 24th – 28th, 2013!

Any elementary age child qualifies to participate.

It’s June 24th through the 28th, 2013 (Monday—Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Doors open at 8:00 am) at University Lutheran Church, 914 Elm Ave, Norman, OK

Camp Noah is FREE for campers; each child will receive over $150 in supplies, crafts, and gifts. Transportation, breakfast and lunch is provided.

Register today – space is limited! You can register here online.

In our 10:00 pm newscast we showed mugshots of Kenneth Conner 43, as Pursuit Team bounty hunters searched for him. In court documents investigators say Conner molested a four-year-old little girl. Authorities say he missed a court hearing and had been on the run since.

After the story aired, calls started pouring in and within hours Conner was in hand cuffs.

“This is one less person off the streets that can’t hurt a small child. Catching suspects like this is really rewarding for our team, said Ryan, lead agent with Pursuit Team.

Charles Mansfield 34, the other man shown in the first story remains on the loose facing drug charges. If you have information on his whereabouts on call Pursuit Team at 405-808-5921. There is a cash reward.

We did a story on these bounty hunters last week. You can see that story here.

“I immediately turned around and walked away to get the keys out of the ignition of the car, shut the car door, and lock my sister and my wife in,” said one victim.

The suspect, still on the lose, has all of their information; so the victims wanted to be sure their identities stayed concealed.

“And then he robbed my brother in law, forced my sister and wife to open the door. Took their wallets and then came to me and asked me for mine,” said the victim. “I felt like there was no real threat. That he just wanted our wallets.”

The victims say the whole ordeal was quick. He got what he wanted and left, but it was 48 hours before they could finally get some rest.

“Really, just being together the rest of the weekend, it was really nice to kind of decompress from the situation,” said the victim.

The suspect got away with wallets, purses and an Iphone, but Oklahoma City Police are thanking the suspect for walking into the convenience store.

“[There is] a very clear picture of this man as he walks into the business,” said Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow. “So we’re confident that someone will recognize him and be able to help us solve this case.”

The victims are very anxious waiting for that arrest, but are confident they will get justice.

“Honestly, it really went as well as it could have,” said the victim. “I mean everyone acted perfectly. Everyone was calm and collected and gave them what they wanted. I feel like there were so many different scenarios that could have played out at any given time that just didn’t.”

Oklahoma City Police are looking for a black male in his early twenties, medium build with gold teeth. The vehicle he fled in is described as a dark colored SUV, with chrome wheels and the tag number 642-JCC.

If you have any information, contact Crime Stoppers at (405) 235-7300.

Leaders of the Antioch Christian Academy, near S.W. 119th St. and Portland, asked city leaders to install a school zone and traffic light nearby.

School leaders hoped to replace a traffic sign with a traffic light.

A wood cross sits close to where a mother died teaching her teenage daughter to drive earlier this year.

“The child pulled into the front of somebody and got broadsided and if there was a light there it may have been avoided,” Cindy Megonigle said.

That deadly accident is one reason why Cindy lobbied for a traffic light and school safety zone to be built.

“To provide safety for younger kids, we need to control the intersection better,” Megonigle said.

Cindy said because the intersection sits just off I-44, drivers often go faster than the legal limit of 45 miles per hour.

“The frame of mind of people getting off I-44 is ‘let’s go fast,’” Megonigle said.

“Safety is first and foremost when we analyze these things,” Oklahoma City traffic engineer Stuart Chai said.

Still, Chai said after studying the intersection, engineers didn’t see enough foot traffic to justify a school zone nor enough total accidents to spend the money on a new light.

“There’s not enough traffic through the intersection for this to be a good candidate for signalization,” Chai said.

“It’s difficult for us to go against the traffic commission recommendations,” Oklahoma City councilman David Greenwell said.

In the end the city council unanimously agreed not to make improvements to the intersection.

Yet councilman Greenwell did suggest there may be room for compromise by increasing police enforcement of speed limits and maybe lowering the legal speeds.

“The level of development is getting close to where we could look at speed limit reduction,” Chair said.

City engineers said the deadly wreck back in March was the only fatal collision at the intersection dating back to 1998.

“The pig farmer has been feeding them marijuana for the last two and a half months of their life and they’ve been happy as hell,” said William Von Schneidau, owner of the butcher shop.

This is all thanks the voters of Washington who legalized marijuana in the last election. That’s when Von Schneidau saw the opportunity wasn’t just blowing smoke.

“And then all of a sudden marijuana, you know, became legal a few months ago and somehow, I don’t know how, I met the commercial growers and they needed to get rid of some of their stuff. So rather than going into the compost pile we said, ‘Lets try it out.’ So here we go,” he said.

Read More:

High winds and tornadoes broke out across the state May 31st followed by severe flooding. Many of our viewers and visitors captured some amazing photos.

Have severe weather pictures?

Show us by clicking the “Submit Your Photo” button below.

The Salvation Army Continues Service to Tornado Survivors

Close to 30 days after the first of a series of tornadoes occurred on May 19th, May 20th and May 31st in Central Oklahoma, The Salvation Army continues to provide emergency financial assistance as well as meals, snacks, and hydration at locations in the impacted areas.

The Salvation Army has provided over 300,000 meals, drinks, and snacks to those impacted by the May tornadoes and flooding. 28 Canteens (mobile feeding units) and Catering Trucks have been deployed from across the country to assist in the disaster response.

Additionally, Clean-up and Comfort (hygiene) kits, as well as other necessary items have been provided. Emotional and spiritual care remains a high priority. The Salvation Army has now prayed with over 11,500 persons.

For the latest updates on The Salvation Army’s response to this disaster, there are many options to follow:

• disaster.SalvationArmyUSA.org
• www.salvationarmyaok.org
• Blog.SalvationArmyUSA.org
• www.youtube.com/salarmyeds
•
http://salvationarmytoday.org

UPDATES BY LOCATION:
The Salvation Army will continue to provide relief services for tornado and flooding survivors indefinitely. Food, hydration, emotional and spiritual care and other supplies are being provided to residents of the heavily impacted areas including: Canadian, Cleveland and Oklahoma counties.

MARCS (Multi-Agency Resource Centers)
Hours: Doors Open at 9:00 a.m.

The Salvation Army is located in the El Reno and Moore MARCs.
Assistance includes:
• Financial Assistance to Tornado Survivors
• Salvation Army Family Stores Clothing Vouchers to Tornado and Flooding Survivors
• Referrals for Other Services

Canadian County:
El Reno: Jenx Simmons Field House
214 N. Country Club Rd, El Reno, OK

Moore: Westmoore High School
12613 S. Western Ave. Moore, OK

IN KIND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (Bulk Distribution) of In-Kind Gifts
At this location, The Salvation Army is providing water, food, hygiene items, and clean-up kits for anyone affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding.

Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads Distribution Hours:
Monday thru Wednesday: 10 AM until 6 PM
Thursday: 10 AM until 9 PM
Friday and Saturday: 10 AM until 6 PM
Sunday: CLOSED

7000 Crossroads Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK
(Located on Lower Level West entrance of mall in former JC Penney store)
Directions: Use I-240 entrance. Drive behind the AMC Theatre and park at the JC Penney Entrance.

FIXED FEEDING LOCATIONS
• Westmoore High School MARC (Multi-Agency Recovery Center) at 12613 S. Western Ave., Oklahoma City.
• Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads Tornado Relief Distribution Center at 7000 Crossroads Boulevard, Oklahoma City.
• El Reno MARC at Jenx Simmons Field House, 214 N. Country Club Rd.

ROVING FEEDING FROM CANTEENS:
• At 10 a.m. Salvation Army canteens began patrolling the following areas, offering food and hydration as well as spiritual and emotional care by trained counselors: 35 th East and West areas.

DONATIONS:
Monetary donations are the most critical need as supplies and personnel move into the areas of greatest need.
• Donors are encouraged to give online at http://www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling
1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
• You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”*
• Checks may be made out to:
The Salvation Army Disaster Relief
PO BOX 2536
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Please designate “Oklahoma May Tornadoes” on all checks.

In-Kind:
The Salvation Army cannot accept unsolicited in kind donations for the Oklahoma tornado relief operation.

• Corporations, foundations and others interested in donating to The Salvation Army response effort should contact Lanita Lloyd at Lanita_Lloyd@uss.salvationarmy.org or 404-728-1300 ext. 10680.

• Due to the high expense and time demands associated with delivering your gently used household goods and clothing (gifts-in-kind), The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that any individual gifts-in-kind donated will be sent to the disaster area. In times of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. By continuing to donate gently used household goods to your local Salvation Army store, you not only help your community, you help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please visit http://www.satruck.org .

VOLUNTEERS:
Those interested in volunteering with The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services should register at http://www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
• Please note that disaster service training is a prerequisite for volunteering in a disaster zone and not all registered volunteers will be called on to serve.
• You can reach our Volunteer Coordinator at 405-620-2027 or S alArmyOKTornadoVolunteer@gmail.com.

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a broad array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.

The Red Cross says the best way to assist families is to make a donation to www.redcross.org/okc or www.redcross.org or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Shelter info – Red Cross shelter information

United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund is open.
Donations may be made online at www.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK  73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief.

Contributions to the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund can be made securely online at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at 7030 S. Yale, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK, 74136.

Norman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Starts Plaza Tower Memorial Fund. Goal is to put a storm shelter in every Oklahoma school. Norman Chrysler Jeep Dodge announced the creation of the Plaza Tower Memorial Fund last night with a $100,000 donation to kick start the funds goal of putting storm shelter in every Oklahoma school. “We started the Plaza Tower Memorial Fund to not only help people now, but for generations to come. We started by thinking we could donate cars, because that is what we have, but that simply is not enough,” said John Hunt, counsel for NCJD. “We were at a loss as to what we can do to possibly help people through this terrible time, but we knew we had to do something. Nothing will ever restore those people to where they were.”

Regional Food Bank - Make a donation online at regionalfoodbank.org or text TORNADO to 32333 to donate $10 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.  The charge will be added to your phone bill.

If you would like to donate items, the most-needed food items are Gatorade (and similar drinks); healthy ready-to-eat, individual serving snacks, such as granola bars and cereal bars; and ready-to-serve pop-top canned foods, such as Vienna sausages. We ask that you drop off items at one of the locations listed below.

Mathis Brothers Furniture (OKC)
First Baptist Church Moore (Moore)
All OKC and Tulsa LifeChurch.TV locations (OKC & Tulsa)
Eagle Heights Church (OKC)
JourneyChurch.TV (Norman)
Riverwind Casino (Norman)
Saltcreek Casino (Pocasset)
St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church (OKC)
Luther Town Hall (Luther, OK)
Brendle Corners (Little Axe)
Newcastle Storm Shelter (Newcastle)
Panera Bread
Oakcrest Church of Christ (OKC)
Eastside Church of Christ (OKC)
Northeast Church of Christ (OKC)
Memorial Road Church of Christ (Edmond)
Harvest Church (Norman)
One Church (Moore)
Penn Square Mall (OKC)
No Greater Love Kingdom Center Church (OKC) – beginning 5/25

Penn Square Mall, operated by Simon Property Group, is accepting relief drop-off needs as well. Penn Square Mall is at the intersection of NW Expressway and Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City.

Bob Moore Dealerships are accepting cash and gift card donations for The Salvation Army at all their locations. Click here for all Bob Moore locations.

How to register your storm shelter so crews can know to look for you after a disaster: 
http://okc.gov/action/stormshelter/

Lost animals: If you find displaced animals, you can take them to the Animal Resource Center at 7949 S. I-35 Service Rd. (405) 604-2892. They are also offering displaced people shelter for the night as well.

Animal aid: The Pet Food Pantry of OKC is offering dog food, cat food, leashes, collars, food bowls, etc to those in need. (405) 664-2858 www.petfoodpantryokc.org

Donation and Distribution sites for tornado relief in Shawnee, Bethel Acres, Dale, Little Axe

Shawnee Expo Center, 1700 W. Independence (405-275-7020)

Blackburn Baptist Church - located 5 miles west of Shawnee on Lake Rd in Bethel Acres. From I-40, take the Hwy 102 South Exit (which is the Dale / Bethel Acres Exit), go south on Hwy 102 to Lake Rd. Turn left on Lake Rd. & go 2 1/4 miles & the church is located on the south side of the road. (4052-273-6763)

Dale Public Schools – 300 Smith Avenue (405-964-5514; Elementary Office)

Bethel Acres Community Center / Fire Department – (405-275-6555)

Other facilities open to tornado victims:

University of Oklahoma – student housing (Norman)

Oklahoma Baptist University – student housing (Shawnee)

Graceway Baptist Church, located at 1100 S.W. 104th in Oklahoma City.

Oakcrest Church of Christ at 1111 S.W. 89th Street in Moore.

Victory Church, located 4300 North MacArthur in Oklahoma City.

Journey Church in Norman I-35 and Tecumseh Road is open as a shelter.

Fifth Street Missionary Baptist Church, located at 801 N.E. 5th St. Oklahoma City.

St. Andrews Church, located at S.W. 119th and May.

Trinity Church of the Nazarene is open as an emergency shelter. It is located at 7301 S. Walker, just on the north side of I-240.

“My niece had just pulled up. Her, her baby’s father and the baby. The guy came out of nowhere, coming at him and just started shooting,” said Louis Jasey, the victim’s uncle.

In the back seat of the car was 5-month-old Harmony Jasey.

“I opened up the backseat, unstrapped her and just grabbed the whole car seat and ran in the house,” Jasey said.

The couple suffered from bullet wounds and was taken to the hospital but is expected to survive. Relatives said it was a miracle the five-month-old baby girl wasn’t hurt.

Read more about it:

An Australian aerospace company will soon be opening there.

Governor Mary Fallin announced Tuesday that Ferra Engineering plans to expand into a new location.

Company officials said they plan to employ about 20 highly skilled workers at the new site.

Ferra specializes in manufacturing and testing aerospace parts.

They also produce medical devices for the health care industry.

Officials said they chose Oklahoma because of its central location, the low cost of living and friendly business environment.

If you are an Oklahoma City resident, just bring your gas mower, completely drained of all gasoline and oil, to OSU/OKC’s Farmers Market Saturday. 

They will give you a $100 voucher to go towards the purchase of a new electric mower from the Black and Decker service center.

Now, some are expecting a sigh of relief as they learn volunteers are working to build them new homes.

In the neighborhood, trailers are torn, ripped and shredded. Others are barely standing.

“This wall it just doesn’t stay anymore,” said Chelsea Cullip. “The roof was over in the neighbor’s yard.”

Just 16-years-old, Cullip’s home is in no condition for her and her father to live in, but it’s all they have.

“It’s just me and my dad out here,” said Cullip. “We don’t have family so finding a place to stay wasn’t easy because we don’t have a lot of money.”

Out here, working families like the Cullips live among the rubble week after week.

The tornado that tore through Steelman Estates flattened nearly 100 houses, and volunteer organizers say 75 percent of the people who live there have little or no insurance. So all they have left are the piles of that used to be their homes.

A sight Tonia Allen, a volunteer with God’s Hand Ups from Texas, set out to change.

“I had a vision,” said Allen. “They need homes and not a year from now. They need homes in three months.”

Her vision is coming together. More than six local and national organizations are gathering the supplies.

“They will help us with building supplies as they come available,” said Allen.

Nationally, World Vision plans to donate supplies for the first seven homes.
Locally, Global Production Solutions says it will help store the supplies.

“This is mind blowing. Reality just set in today That we’re really going to do this,” said Allen.

An unbelievable reality to this Cullip.

“I was very thankful. I was excited.”

If you would like to help by donating building supplies, call God’s Hand Ups 903-931-2892.

President Dilma Rousseff said Tuesday their message was being heard.

“The direct message from the streets is for more citizenship, better schools, better hospitals, better health, for direct participation,” she said in a nationally televised address. “My government is trying and committed to social transformation.”

The protests blocked seven lanes of the main ring road around Sao Paulo on Monday night in what was a largely peaceful, even festive demonstration.

Other protest groups marched down major business avenues in the city, while in Rio de Janeiro, crowds clogged entire city blocks, waving Brazilian flags and chanting against corruption and for democracy.

“Brazilians want to put a stop to the various problems that exist in the country,” said CNN iReporter Phillip Luiz Viana, who participated in the protests in Sao Paulo. “We see no reason to have such bad infrastructure when there is so much wealth that is so highly taxed.”

Police stayed largely on the sidelines after being accused of using heavy-handed tactics in earlier demonstrations.

But they did push back when protesters attempted to storm government buildings in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo and attempted to rush the National Congress building in Brasilia, the nation’s capital. Police held them at bay, the official Agencia Brasil news service reported.

In Rio de Janeiro, protesters looted and vandalized several shops and burned cars, the news agency said.

Police also used tear gas to break up a protest trying to form near a stadium in Belo Horizonte, one of six Brazilian cities hosting a dry run for Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament.

The agency reported that an 18-year-old who was not part of the demonstrations fell from an overpass when the crowd of protesters passed by. He was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, the agency said.

While praising the largely peaceful protests, Rousseff said that what she characterized as “isolated and minor acts of violence” should be confronted “with vigor.”

More protests are expected Tuesday in Sao Paulo. They are being organized largely by university students and a group called the Free Fare Movement, which wants public transportation to be free of charge.

The protests follow a week of smaller demonstrations that began in response to plans to increase fares for Brazil’s public transportation system, from 3 to 3.20 reais ($1.38 to $1.47), but have broadened into wider protests over economic and social issues plaguing the country.

Protesters say they are angry about, among other things, government decisions to spend money on the World Cup and other projects instead of improving health care, education and other social programs.

Brazil is building stadiums and revamping its infrastructure ahead of the World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, events that will put the world’s focus on the Latin American nation of 201 million people.

But before the party can begin, Snooty needed a visit from a doctor. Once snooty was led into a small, enclosed pool, he knew what was coming.

The large mammal started pacing back and forth and swimming in circles just as Dr. Dave Murphy, Snooty’s veterinarian, arrived.

Murphy said, “He’s comin’ up 65, so we thought we ought to take another look at him.”

On July 21st, Snooty will turn 65 years old. He’s spent his whole life in captivity – born at a Miami aquarium and has lived in Bradenton since 1949.

So just as you would at any physical, Snooty was weighed. He was very cooperative. After all, he’s done this quite a few times.

Read More about it here:

All five arrested are Cuban nationals in the country legally, but are not citizens, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Ashley Crater lives next door to the reported underground marijuana operation that was one of four grow houses in Clay County. She says the week leading up to the bust, stench of marijuana was overwhelming.

“I’d get light headed you’d feel kind of nauseous and stuff it was very overpowering and I wouldn’t let my son come out,” said Crater.

But before the arrests, Crater says no one suspected any illegal activity.

Read more information here:

Ever asked yourself, “Where can I get a suit of armor for my pet?”

Well, ask no more.

A suit fit for a guinea pig is up for auction.

The little guy in the suit of armor goes by the name “Lucky.”

His luck ran out this month when he died of natural causes.

Sean McCoy, Lucky’s owner, said, “I took a nap, he took a nap. I woke up, he didn’t.”

McCoy decided to auction off his furry friend’s protective suit on ebay with funds going to an organization that helps guinea pigs find homes in the Washington D.C. and Virginia areas.

He said it took him weeks to weave the stainless steel scales. 

“You should have seen blisters on my hands from two pairs of pliers,” he said. “It’s horrible.”

The ebay description reads, “Is your pet guinea pig tired of wandering around the house unarmored and vulnerable? Has your guinea pig ever wanted to go with you to a renaissance fair but had nothing to wear?”

It turns out Sean bought the helmet at a renaissance fair.

“Unreally [sic] perfect for lucky,” he said. “It’s like guinea pig size.”

Some have suggested perhaps Lucky should have been buried in his noble suit of armor.

But it wasn’t exactly Lucky’s favorite thing. 

“He hated it,” McCoy said. “He absolutely hated wearing it. It’s pretty big and pretty heavy.”

Actually, he’d worn it only once for about 10 minutes while McCoy took the now-famous photos.

He kept fidgeting and squeaking and then suddenly stood still in the perfect pose.

“The reason he was fidgeting is ‘cause he had to go to the bathroom and the reason he stood still was he was going to the bathroom,” he said. “That’s his finest moment.”

Though Lucky wasn’t much of a swordsman, a fan on the website Reddit sketched him ready to do battle.

Bids on his suit of armor jumped from $400 to over $800 in hours and continued to climb.

A Jury found 36-year-old James DeRosa guilty of stabbing to death 73-year-old Curtis Plummer and his 70-year-old wife, Gloria.

He was sentenced to death.

Last month the Pardon and Parole Board voted to follow through with the execution.

Prosecutors said DeRosa and another man talked their way into the elderly couple’s home in Poteau in Oct. 2000.

The other defendant testified against DeRosa in exchange for a lesser charge of life in prison.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A little girl selling lemonade a dollar at a time raised a lot of money for “The Rainbow House” and got more attention that anyone could have guessed.

The Equality House got its share of attention when Jon Hemmet and his organization, Planting Peace, painted the home in rainbow colors right across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church earlier this year.

It also caught the attention of a 5-year-old Kansas City girl, Jayden Sink.

Jayden’s dad, Jon Sink, said, “She saw pictures of it and thought it was the most beautiful house in the world.”

That’s when Jayden decided to set up a lemonade stand at the Equality House to raise money for peace.

A simple idea that became much more complicated in the days after her sale which raised $13,000 and counting.

The Westboro Baptist Church is fighting back with its usual anti-gay message.

“Jayden and I went out there to raise money for planting peace, to spread love to spread compassion,” Jon said. “Our mission was not to stand up to the Westboro Baptist Church.”

The military is expected to reveal a new plan expanding jobs for women in combat.

According to CNN, women could begin training for jobs in Army Ranger and Navy Seal units by the middle of 2015.

In January, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta ordered all jobs open to women in combat, unless military services requested a specific “exception.”

Since then, the Pentagon has been working on plans to implement those orders.

This announcement could open about 6,000 jobs to women in the Army, in addition to the 14,000 added in 2012.

Penatta’s decision overturns a 1994 rule that banned women from being assigned to smaller ground combat units.

Once the policy is changed, the Department of Defense will enter what is being called an “assessment phase,” in which each branch of service will look at the jobs and create a timetable to integrate them.

The Army and Marine Corps will likely examine physical standards and gender-neutral accommodations of combat units.

The American Civil Liberties Union recently filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Defense, claiming combat exclusion is unfair and outdated.

The plaintiffs in the case said the exclusion hurts their chances of getting a promotion.

The Navy has put its first female officers on submarines and some female ground troops have been attached to combat units in Iraq and Afghanistan.

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. – It was just after 3 p.m. Monday when things went haywire at a Walmart in Midwest City.

A mother was shopping at the Neighborhood Market near Reno and Midwest Blvd. when a man grabbed her 2-year-old daughter.

The man held the little girl at knifepoint and threatened to kill her.

Syd Porter from the Midwest City Police Department said they were forced to shoot and kill the man.

“He would not put down the child and continued to make threats that he would hurt this little child. When you have a suspect counting down on a child’s life we’re going to have to take appropriate action and unfortunately we had to use deadly force, but the little child is ok,” Porter says.

After 30 minutes of negotiating with him an officer shot him to save the little girl.

Sid Porter, Assistant Chief of Police for Midwest City says, “Eventually, he basically, began doing a countdown with this child’s life. At that time one of our officers had to use deadly force to take the suspect; to stop the threat of this little child.”

Police are working on a motive right now. Witnesses said they heard the man ranting about his family and wanting to see his kids. Donita Owens said he was clearly very upset.

“He was saying he wants to go home and see his kids too. He just wants to go home and see his family. Then later he was saying he had nothing to live for nothing lose,” Ms. Owens explains.

The woman and child were not injured. No names have been released at this point.

Location: KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV

Principal Functions:

Works with news department to create graphics for daily news shows.

Works with promotions to create graphics and animation for promos.

Creates and produces animated graphic opens and elements for newscasts.

Works with sales, production and other departments to fulfill station’s graphic needs as necessary.

Performs other graphic duties, including on-line, print work, signage, animation and set design as assigned by art director.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Fills in for other artists as needed.

Weekend, holiday and overtime work required.

Must be available to work station promotional events.

Skills and knowledge requirements:

Strong design, illustration and typographic skills required.

Previous Broadcast Design experience a plus.

Experience with the Mac OS, Adobe After Effects, Illustrator and Photoshop computer art programs preferred.

Degree in Graphic Design preferred.

5. Knowledge of 3D animation software and Vizrt computer system a plus.

STATEMENT ABOUT OTHER DUTIES:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, especial projects, technical developments, etc.)

Other duties may be assigned.

Email resume to jobs@kfor.com

You may also mail resume and non-returnable DVD to KFOR-TV, 444 East Britton Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73114.

No phone calls please.

Detective Mike Carnell said “He plays in cars on the grounds where they live. He gets in and out, playing. You shouldn’t be allowed to do that.”

His curiosity and the sweltering Oklahoma heat proved deadly last last week. 

According to detectives, the babysitter thought the little boy was inside the house watching cartoons. But he somehow sneaked outside, climbed into the family’s Chevy Impala, and strapped himself into his car seat.

The mother’s fiance told detectives he was working in the garage, unaware the little boy was trapped.  The man who called 911 said, “He climbed into the car and nobody knew it and he just sat there until he got hot and he’s not; I don’t know if he’s breathing or not.”

The family estimates the boy had been in the car less than 15 minutes, but the 90F degree temperatures outside soared to 125F in the car.

Carnell said, “The car had a glass sunroof which was like a magnifying glass, [that] heats it up even more.”

Authorities say it’s a reminder to all parents how quickly child’s play and our sweltering heat can turn tragic. 

“If you just keep your vehicles locked to where they can’t get in them, three-year-old’s are curious. If he can get in a car he’s going to get in it,” Detective Mike Carnell explains.

The medical examiner is investigating to determine the official cause of death.  No charges have been filed against the family.

NewsChannel 4 was told the body was badly decomposed and the Medical Examiner will now have to determine the sex of the victim, and the cause of death.

No other information was available.

“The air conditioner, the board was fried, the transformer was fried, the refrigerator, microwave.” said Hollingsworth “This is just my house. Two televisions, a Wii and oven. Everything that basically wasn’t plugged into the surge protector.”

They had 250 volts running through their 110 volt wires and as much as $10,000 in damage. At least six houses down the street were affected. When Hollingsworth’s neighbor, Dennis Webb, turned everything on in his mother’s house, they smelled smoke.

“My mother turned her light bulbs on and they blew,” said Webb. “The ceiling fan was on slow but it was turning like it was a prop to an airplane.”

The neighborhood, worried about a fire, quickly filed a claim with OG&E and received a formal letter back.

“Basically it’s storm related and they’re not responsible,” said Hollingsworth.

OG&E spokeswoman Kathleen O’Shea says they have investigated the area but found a different story.

“My understanding is there was possibly an outage and then some trees fell on some lines and after that it impacted the customers stuff,” said O’Shea. “But we haven’t found that it was something we did that caused that to happen.”

Matt Smith of Baxter Electronics says the appliances just can’t handle that much power. To demonstrate, he fed 110 volts through one light bulb and 220 volts through another. One was so bright it looked like it could blow any minute. He also ran an exhaust fan off of the same 220 volts. It just dies minutes later after it’s wires are fried.

“When I came home I tried to turn it all on and the lights blew,” said Hollingsworth. “The refrigerator was making a loud noise.”

After Hollingsworth and his neighbors filed claims with OG&E, the electronic company said they have found no wrongdoing on their end.

“We do investigate and try and find out what happened,” said O’Shea. “But again when it is storm related like this we can’t take responsibility for that.”

They say it has nothing to do with power being restored and they will be denying the claims. Regardless of what really happened O’Shea wants the neighborhood to know what they can do to protect themselves next time.

“It is probably just again another thing to remember that when you are having really bad storms sometimes it helps to turn off the appliances if you can,” said O’Shea.

“I can’t even believe it,” Haylie Ritchie, an instructor at Francis Tuttle Technology Center, said. “I can’t imagine it, especially being a former police chief doing that.”

Ritchie teaches summer courses at the Rockwell campus of Francis Tuttle. She says teachers often act like best friends to students, but former El Reno police chief Fred Savage allegedly crossed the line with a 17-year-old high school student, who was in Savage’s criminal justice class.

According to an affidavit that reads in part, “… in early February 2013, she initially texted (Savage) to get information about upcoming homework.”

The affidavit said their texting continued and within a few weeks, the relationship became sexual. She said he was her first sexual experience, and stated it was “awkward.”

She also said they “had sex somewhere between 10-15 times at various locations in Edmond and Oklahoma City.”

“I’d be like, you know, it’s ok if you have questions about class, but don’t be texting me about things that are inappropriate,” Ritchie said.

Mark Myers, spokesperson with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department, said, “The victim in this case had told a friend about the relationship she had. The friend became quite upset and concerned about it.”

One of the state’s definitions of rape is, “Where the victim is at least sixteen (16) years of age and is less than twenty (20) years of age and is a student, or under the legal custody or supervision of any public, or private elementary or secondary school, junior high or high school, or public vocational school, and engages in sexual intercourse with a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and is an employee of the same school system.”

“That’s someone definitely knows better than to start an inappropriate relationship with a student,” Myers said.

Francis Tuttle released a statement Monday afternoon, saying, “On April 15, the school district received a complaint against an instructor and administrators immediately began an investigation.At the end of the school day, the instructor was placed on leave. Two days later, with the investigation still on-going, the instructor resigned his position with Francis Tuttle. The matter was turned over to the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s office for further investigation.”

The El Reno police department did not return our call about their former employee.

Savage posted a $25,000 bond and will have a preliminary hearing June 27th.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Police are investigating a homicide involving a woman found dead in her town home. Police responded to the Autumn Ridge Apartments about 1:30 a.m. near NW 36th and Meridian after the victim’s daughter called 911.

The daughter had asked authorities to check on her mother. Police found her body, apparently she died from stab wounds.

The victim’s name has not been released. Police say the victim’s son is suspected of the crime.

He is in police custody.

UPDATE: An urgent phone call to police from a daughter wondering about the well-being of her mother, led officials to find Ocie Hardeman, dead in her town home.

“She had obvious signs of trauma to her body, consistent with homicide,” said Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow, assistant public information officer with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Officials said Ocie suffered from stab wounds and her son, 38-year-old Fredric Hardeman Jr., is suspected of killing her.

“Our investigators obviously spoke with him out at the scene, through further investigation it was determined that he would be in fact arrested for 1st degree murder,” said Wardlow.

The manager of Autumn Ridge Townhomes said normally, it’s very quiet in the area; however, this was not the first time police have responded to a domestic violence disturbance in the unit where the alleged crime took place.

“When we checked that address and we did have one previous call in the past six months,” said Wardlow.

Investigators are now left to put the pieces of the puzzle together, and find out exactly what caused a fight between a mother and a son, turn deadly.

With one deceased, and the suspected killer in custody, officials believe this was an isolated incident.

“I don’t think there’s any reason for the general public to be in fear for their safety or for their life,” said Wardlow.

The manager of Autumn Ridge Townhomes did not want to talk on camera, but said the mother and son lived at the complex for nine years and said the victim, Ocie Hardeman, was a very sweet woman.

The decision protects what’s known as the motor voter law and it keeps states from adding requirements to a federal registration form. The 1993 voter registration act requires individuals to promise in writing that they are citizens but Arizona wanted more.

Arizona lawmakers passed a law requiring proof of citizenship, for instance a birth certificate, from anyone using the federal form. On Monday justices ruled that the Arizona law went too far.

“90 percent of the people’s whose applications were rejected because they didn’t have proof of citizenship were U.S. citizens,” said Laura Murphy of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The 7-2 decision striking down the Arizona law impacts four other states with similar requirements, Alabama Georgia, Kansas, and Tennessee as well as at least 12 others considering similar legislation.

“What’s so important about this ruling is it is saying to all these other states you can’t come up with all these restrictions that make it harder for voters to vote,” said Barbara Arnwine, of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil rights under law.

Read More Here:

You could win a house! You will make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. Reserve your $100 Dream Home ticket and help St. Jude continue its lifesaving research.

Your ticket makes you eligible to win a home valued between $300,000 and $600,000 plus other fantastic prizes. The St. Jude Dream Home is at 3309 Libby Lane, in the Fallbrook community near Western and Covell. It’s about 3200 square feet.

St. Jude Dream Home Early Bird Entry

Purchase a St. Jude Dream Home Ticket before June 28th and you could win the dream home and a Toyota Yaris from Jim Norton Toyota of Oklahoma City! You will make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. Reserve your $100 Dream Home ticket and help St. Jude continue its lifesaving research.

Your ticket makes you eligible to win a home valued between $300,000 and $600,000, plus other fantastic prizes. The St. Jude Dream Home is at 3309 Libby Lane, in the Fallbrook community near Western and Covell in Edmond. It’s about 3200 square feet in size.

To purchase your St. Jude Dream Home Ticket, click on the image below. (link image to https://www.stjude.org/dhoklahomacity)

Find out about the St. Jude Dream Home house in your market. Search by ZIP code to learn more or to reserve your ticket.


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A LITTLE HISTORY

The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway was created in 1991 by Dr. Donald Mack, a pediatric physician from Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Mack has relied on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to treat young patients with catastrophic diseases and was the first doctor to send an out-of-state patient to St. Jude.

The first St. Jude Dream Home was constructed in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised $160,000 for the hospital. Since that first giveaway, the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in Shreveport has become an annual fundraiser, raising more than $23 million for the hospital.

Today, the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is one of the largest single-event fundraisers for St. Jude nationwide and has raised more than $224 million.

This year, the program will include more than 30 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaways and will continue to grow.

Thanks to all of the sponsors involved with the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program. Your continuous support helps raise money for St. Jude where no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for their child’s care.

Official Rules:

Dream Home Terms and Conditions

Thank you for supporting the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway conducted by ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH) (if applicable, through or by its local chapter). The following Terms and Conditions shall apply:

A ticket represents a chance to win the opportunity to accept an offer of the stated prize on these terms and conditions and, upon winning, those in the “Winner Notification Agreement,” the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference. If you hold a ticket or a receipt, your ticket has been entered in the raffle, subject to these terms and conditions. Winning tickets shall be selected by random drawing and all participants have an equal opportunity to win.

Tickets, receipts and the winners’ rights are not transferable. Winners need not be present to win.

Winners must accept prizes “AS IS, WHERE IS”, subject to all latent and patent conditions, with absolutely no express or implied warranties of any kind by SJCRH.

Winner will be notified in writing in the Winner Notification Agreement (“WNA”), which will be sent by certified, return receipt U. S. Mail to the address provided by that winner. Winner will have seven (7) days from the date of receipt of the WNA to accept the prize by executing and returning the WNA pursuant to the terms stated therein. Failure to execute and return the WNA and accept the prize “as is,” timely, and pursuant to the terms stated in the WNA, will automatically result in forfeiture of the prize, with no substitution or alternative prize available to the original winner. In the event of forfeiture, the next winner that was selected will be awarded the prize, in addition to the prize awarded to that winner.

Prize will not be awarded, and will be forfeited, if the ticket was issued in exchange for a check returned for “insufficient funds” or for a credit card charge deemed “declined,” “invalid,” or “stolen.”

Prizes may not be substituted or exchanged by winner. SJCRH may substitute a prize of equal or greater value if a featured prize is unavailable. Travel prizes are subject to availability and other restrictions apply.

The IRS has adopted the position that the $100 ticket price is not deductible as a charitable donation for Federal income tax purposes.

All sales of raffle tickets are final and there will be no refunds.

SJCRH does not rent or sell its donor or supporter list information to third parties.

Winner shall have no rights in prize until the prize is fully and unconditionally accepted by winner by the timely execution and return of the WNA and until complete delivery of the prize is made to winner. All prizes remain the sole property of SJCRH until unconditionally accepted “as is, where is” by winner.

Acceptance of a prize is permission for SJCRH to use the name, picture, video image, and relevant quotes of winner and agreement that the prize will not be used for further fundraising.

Winner is subject to all Federal and State income taxes and any other taxes payable due to acceptance of the prize and the law, regulations, procedures, rules and directives applicable to raffles. All federal, state and local laws relating to the transfer, ownership or use of the prize applies. Prize shall not be transferred until all legal requirements have been met. Winner of the house agrees that the written determination of a licensed appraiser obtained by SJCRH will be used to determine the value of the house for income tax and all other purposes. The IRS requires that taxes on prizes valued greater than $5,000 must be paid upon acceptance and before SJCRH may deliver the prize to the winner. Winners are encouraged to consult a tax professional.

If there is more than one name on an entry, the prize will be awarded to the first name listed on the entry as the winner, so long as that person is 18 years old or older and a U.S. resident. It is the sole responsibility of the winner in a multiple party entry to allocate any prize among the participants in that entry.

The winner accepting the Dream Home house will be subject to all applicable laws and regulations including covenants and/or restrictions of the development or subdivision.

Purchase of this ticket constitutes full agreement by the purchaser that he/she agrees with all terms and conditions set forth herein.

Employees of SJCRH and their immediate families are not eligible to participate. The following groups, their employees, and their immediate family are not eligible to win any prize.

Media sponsors:
- Members of Epsilon Sigma Alpha
- Dream Home builders
- Dream Home developers
- Dream Home volunteers
- Contractors
- Ticket outlets

Prize sponsors:
- ALSAC/St. Jude Board Members
- Dream Home auditors and accountants

“Immediate Family” is defined as the spouse, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the employee and his/her spouse. This definition also includes individuals for whom an employee is the current legal guardian or individuals who are not legally related to but who reside with an employee. (“Step” relationships also are covered by this definition.) The determinations of SJCRH and the Dream Home Committee are final and binding with respect to any matter arising out of the interpretation or application of these terms and conditions.

SJCRH maintains no control of the personnel, equipment or operations of any supplier and assumes no responsibility for any financial loss, personal injury, property damage, other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which winners may experience by reason of (1) performance/nonperformance by any supplier; (2) wrongful, careless, negligent, or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any supplier or its employees, or on the part of any other party not under the control of SJCRH; (3) any defect, breakdown or other failure of any aircraft, train, automobile, ship, accommodation, or other equipment or instrumentality owned, operated, or otherwise used by a supplier or;(4) any acts of God, acts or omissions of third parties, damage or loss associated with any terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction failures, disease, local laws, climactic conditions, or other conditions or developments. SJCRH shall in no event be liable for special or consequential damages arising from the use or ownership of any prizes. Participants hereby release SJCRH from any such claims.

Must be a U.S. resident and 18 years of age or older to participate and to win any prize.

Void where prohibited by law.

This is not a solicitation. This is for informational purposes only.

This year will be the 7th annual bridal gown giveaway at salons nationwide. Impression Bridal will be the only location in the state of Oklahoma participating in this event. Brides Across America has donated over 7,000 wedding gowns from prominent designers. The gowns donated for Brides Across America are valued between $500 and $4,000 and range in many different sizes. Impression Bridal is hosting the Brides Across America event on July 9th 2013, from 11 A.M. to 8 P.M.

Brides Across America gives military brides a chance to choose from a designer gown, which may not have been possible for their special day, due to economic conditions. This organization has recently been honored by Joining Forces program, a national initiative to support and honor America’s troops and their families, and was launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. Brides Across America has also received national recognition from NBC’s “Making a Difference”. Since 2007, Brides Across America and its partners have made a difference in the lives of many military brides and is still growing.

How to qualify to be a candidate for Brides Across America is as follows:
• You must be engaged or had a civil ceremony and planning a wedding within the next 18 months.
• You or your fiancé were deployed within the past 5 years to Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, Bahrain, Libya, Kuwait and Japan and have not had a formal wedding.

OR

• You or your finance will be deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, Libya, Bahrain, Kuwait and Japan.
• All military brides must bring their driver’s license or their military ID for verification.
• Qualifying proof must accompany the bride on day of event:
o Copy of deployment papers for bride or their Fiancé that states the time of deployment and location.

I would love to speak with you more about this event and how we can get the word out to brides across the state. Feel free to call me at the store at 405-752-0200 or you can also reach me by email.

For more information about the organization itself, you can visit www.bridesacrossamerica.com.

Filling up his truck at a gas station on south Robinson, an armed thief stuck a gun in Ernesto Castillo’s face.

“He told me if I don’t give him money, he will kill me,” said Castillo.

“When he found out the victim didn’t have any money, he got very upset started punching the victim,” said Oklahoma City police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow.

After the assault the suspect forced Castillo to drive a short distance to an alleyway off S.W. 43rd.

When the suspect, Anthony Molina, momentarily put the gun down to search the victim’s truck, Castillo grabbed the gun but admits to being too scared to the pull the trigger.

“I tell him just let me go.  I don’t want to fight.  I don’t want anything.  Just let me go,” said Castillo.

According to police reports, Molina told Castillo, “You ain’t gonna do nothing, just give me the gun back,” and a wrestling match ensued.

“He was too close to me and we started pulling and fighting for the gun,” said Castillo.

Fortunately, a driver noticed the holdup and called 911. When police arrived they found the suspect still holding the shotgun.

“Any time you bring a weapon and it’s exchanging hands going back and forth, we’re lucky no one was seriously injured,” said Wardlow.

Castillo says Molina then begged forgiveness before being taken to jail.

“He started crying and he tell me, ‘I’m sorry. When you go to sleep, pray for me,’” recalled Castillo.

The suspect remains behind bars in the Oklahoma County jail. He does have previous felony convictions for child abuse and attempted armed robbery.

“I knew if I didn’t do something, I knew all of us could get hurt,” Dorothy Baker said.

Baker took her 2- and 5-year-old sons to the corner drug store to rent movies, but after they got back in the car and drove away, she realized a man with a knife was in the car with them.

“He was back here in the third row and he popped and he was waving a knife around leaning over the seat. My son, I was trying to get my son from up here to back here, but he grabbed my son and made him sit down next to him in the very back seat,” she said. “And then when I made that right on West James Street, that’s when he got made at me, he climbed over the seat and was standing on top of me.”

That man, according to Baytown police, was 53-year-old Ismael Martinez. Baker fought him as the car was moving. She took the knife away from him, he bit her hand, but she forced him out.

“That’s when I took my fist and punched him in the face and told him to get out of my car,” Dorothy said. “When I saw him running, all I could think was he was going to get away, he’s going to get away, somebody else could get hurt. Took after him and tried to clip him, turned too much, hit him and he ended up going under my wheels.”

“He messed with the wrong woman. You don’t come after a woman with kids thinking they’re an easy target. You don’t do this to people,” Baker said.

More Information:

Pediatricians and parents agree the pool is a great resource for play and exercise as long as you take the proper precautions.

Make sure your children are lathered in a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

The only people exempt from this rule are babies under the age of six months.

“The concern is some of the chemicals that are in the sunscreen could cause problems,” explains pediatrician Dr. Jim Fortenberry.

Dr. Fortenberry is the Chief of Critical Care Medicine at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

He says these little ones should stay in the shade and wear sun-protective clothing like a broad rimmed hat.

Also, watch out for dehydration.

“Thirst is not a great mechanism to prevent heat injury, so encourage your child to drink a lot before they go outside and get hot,” Dr. Fortenberry cautions.

He advises parents that lifeguards should not be the only safeguards in the pool.

Swimming safety experts say parents aren’t really watching their kids unless they’re looking right at them. That’s because a swimmer in trouble doesn’t have the energy to call out for help to get your attention. They’re already using all their strength to keep their head above water.

Finally, babies and toddlers who are potty training should wear swim diapers.

A recent study found more than half of community pools have traces of fecal matter in the water.

First, survivors who are approved to receive disaster assistance funds don’t have to wait for a check to come in the mail.

People who have bank accounts can choose to have the funds deposited electronically, but it may require one more step when registering.

Specialists are available at disaster recovery centers to help victims with electronic funds transfer and other steps in the process of filing claims.

Disaster assistance often covers more types of damage than insurance pays. Individuals affected by the May 18-June 2 severe storms, flooding and tornadoes are urged to apply for FEMA assistance even if they have insurance. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate items that insurance already covers. But we may be able to help with some disaster-related expenses, up to program limits.

For homeowners, renters and business owners in the six designated counties (Canadian, Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties) help is a phone call, mouse click or smartphone screen tap away. To register, find disaster recovery center locations, update personal contact information, call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585), go online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or type in m.fema.gov on a smartphone. The toll-free numbers remain open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

OEM and FEMA currently have six Disaster Recovery Centers DRCs, including newly opened sites in Midwest City and El Reno. For business owners, The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a Business Recovery Center in Moore. Specialists from OEM, FEMA and the SBA are at the DRCs to answer questions and help survivors.

Hazard Mitigation advisors are in the centers to offer brochures and discuss ways to rebuild safer and stronger with interested homeowners. To date, 4,655 people have visited the centers:

• Eastside Church of Christ, 916 South Douglas Blvd., Midwest City Hours: 8 a.m.—8 p.m. Mon.-Sun.
• Jenks Simmons Fieldhouse, 214 North Country Club Road, El Reno Hours: 8 a.m.—8 p.m. Mon.-Sun
• Little Axe Elementary School, 2000, 168th Ave. NE, Norman, Hours: 9 a.m.—7 p.m. Mon.-Sun.
• Carney High School, 204 South Carney St., Carney, Hours: 8 a.m.—7 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. through June 16. NOTE: The Carney center permanently closes 7 p.m. Wed., June 19th.
• Westmoore High School, 12613 South Western Ave., Oklahoma City Hours: 8 a.m.—8 p.m. Mon.-Sun.
• Gordon Cooper Technology Center, One John C. Bruton Blvd., Shawnee Hours: 8 a.m.—8 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun.
• Business Recovery Center: Moore Norman Technology Center, 13301 South Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City Hours: 9 a.m.—6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.—1 p.m. Sat.

Other recovery centers may open as suitable sites are identified, and some centers may periodically adjust their hours to match visitor demand. Disaster survivors can visit any of the disaster recovery centers, not just the one nearest their home. For updated information on locations and hours go to:
http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/
.

There is no charge to apply for disaster assistance, including completing an SBA loan application.

Renters are also eligible for state and federal disaster assistance.

If you can’t make it to a center, you can also call FEMA for help at 800-621-3362.

The Oklahoma Emergency Management and FEMA report that last month’s storms impacted 3,937 homes, businesses and non-residential buildings in five counties.

Of those, 1,248 were destroyed, 452 suffered major damage and 640 sustained minor damage.

So far, FEMA has approved more than $5 million for assistance and over 9,000 people have registered for help.

“Do I have a million dollars to donate? Nope,” said Diane Brothers of Diane and Company Salon. “And I thought well, I could do hair.”

Diane Brothers watched as her hometown was destroyed from Dallas and Project Beauty was born that night. It all started when a friend, also a teacher at Plaza Towers, started gathering friends for makeovers. Through word of mouth, Project Beauty grew into an eleven hour day of beauty with clients constantly moving in and out of her chair.

“The pampering. The touch. That`s one thing that hairdressers do,” said Brothers. “We are allowed to touch people and that creates basically a different level to talk to someone. Because you would never go up to someone and touch their head, but once you touch somebody`s head they trust you.”

Sheila Lowell lost her home on May 20th. She can’t remember the last time she had “me” time.

“A few minutes to yourself,” said Lowell. “A few minutes to not have to think about it.”

For the women who made the three hour trip, she has nothing but gratitude.

“It`s amazing that these people are willing to donate their time and products just to give us a normal, because we don`t have normal anymore,” said Lowell.

Now Sheila gets to look in the mirror and see that at least one thing is back to normal.

The man says OG&E told him it’s not their fault.

In the 3900 block of N.W. 14th in Oklahoma City, refrigerators are sitting outside. They became useless only after the power came back on following the May 31st storm.

Other appliances suffered the same fate.

Dennis Webb, who blames OG&E for the damages says, “My mother turned her light bulbs on. They blew. Her ceiling fan was on slow, but it was turning like it was a prop to an airplane.”

Dennis Webb says after the storm, his mom’s 110 volt outlets were cranking out 250 volts of power. He said it fried everything in the house, from the fridge to the A/C to the TV’s.

Webb said he found an OG&E worker at a substation who said it was a serious problem.

“When he got here, he found a primary line and a secondary line twisted together,” Dennis Webb says.

Webb called OG&E to file a complaint and didn’t like the response.

“He came back Friday and said that this was storm related, that they were not responsible,” Webb explains. “The damage didn’t occur until they failed to check the lines before they reenergized the power to the customers out here.”

Webb says the appliance damage to his mom’s house is from $8,000 to $10,000.

He says OG&E told him it was physically impossible for them to check every power line when there’s such a widespread outage.

Dennis Webb says, “To me, that’s a safety concern, not only for their workers, but for the homeowners here.”

We contacted OG&E over the weekend. A spokesperson told us they were not aware of this problem, but they are looking into it now.

Both were born and raised in Oklahoma and both are talented musicians. They moved to Los Angeles to take their careers to the next level.

That’s where they first heard about the May 20th tornado that hit the city of Moore. Overcome with emotion, they wrote a song right there in their recording studio: “Carry Me, Carry On.”

“We felt like we got punched in the chest.” Henry said. “Watching Newschannel 4 via The Weather Channel on the television in L.A. and it was sunny. It was just like nothing was happening there but we knew what was going on back home.”

The couple came back home to play in a local concert to raise money for the victims. They performed and recorded their new song in the middle of the rubble and then posted it on Youtube three weeks later.

“If you`re not here, it tends to go away. If you`re somewhere else, you see it on the news while it`s happening and then you forget about it.” McClure said. “But we kind of waited a little while to do this because we wanted to remind people this was only three weeks ago. This is still very fresh and people are devastated. People have lost everything.”

Music brought this couple together; now they’re using it to bring help back to Oklahoma.

“We wish we could donate a million dollars, we would totally do it if we could.” Henry said. “But for us, we can write a song, and hopefully that will impact as well.”

“We hope that our video reminds people maybe I should be praying for those people, maybe I should be helping people somehow.” McClure said. “We`re just representing our home state and hope that whatever we do helps.”

The song “Carry Me, Carry On” will be available on iTunes July 2.

You can see a full version of their song on their websites www.shanehenry.com and www.maggiemcclure.com

When fire crews arrived at 2221 E. Memorial Road they say they saw the smoke and evacuated the building as a precaution. Crews then got on the roof to try to find the cause of the fire.

They believe that lightning struck the building earlier in the day, and smoldered until it started smoking. They quickly doused the area with water to make sure a fire didn’t spark up.

The most challenging part of making sure the scene was safe was actually getting to where the smoke was coming from.

Batt. Chief Bobby Lax with the Oklahoma City Fire Dept., says “The most difficult part for us was actually gaining access to that portion of the roof because it is so steep. So, we’ve had to operate off an aerial ladder as well as ground ladders that we’ve had to set up in different locations.”

Water used to fight the fire did drip into the sanctuary, but crews went in and covered what they could with tarps to minimize damages at this Church of Christ.

Worship has been moved tomorrow to The Hardeman Auditorium at Oklahoma Christian University. Worship is at normal times, but there are no classes.

The church had recently renovated part of their building. They say the damage should be minor and they are thankful no one was injured.

Officials say bounty hunters capture on average about 40,000 suspects a year. That saves tax payers money and takes some of the load off of police.

“We lock up anywhere from 10 – 20 people a week,” said Ryan with Pursuit Team. Ryan is a bounty hunter and lead agent with Pursuit Team. When we rode along the team was on a mission to find Kenneth Conner 43, an accused child molester with a long rap sheet.

“When guys go around doing this to kids, we definitely need to keep them off the street and that’s why we’re going after him so hard,” said Ryan.

In court documents, investigators say Conner’s victim was a four-year-old girl. Conner is out on bail and missed a court hearing. The team stopped by several homes he’s known to visit. He wasn’t found at any of those locations.

As the bounty hunters plan their next move they get word about another suspect they’ve been tracking for weeks. Charles Mansfield 34, who’s out on bond facing charges. He too has a long criminal background and failed to show up for court.

We were there when he drove by one of the homes we were told he would be visiting. A lookout warns him about our vehicles outside and he takes off. We stay a safe distance as he hightailed it, he drove erratically and even ran red lights.

Ryan calls Oklahoma City Police for assistance. While on I-35, Mansfield fakes out the agents by letting them think he was getting off at one exit but he haphazardly gets back on the freeway.

Ryan catches up with the vehicle, a few miles later. Mansfield had already ditched the SUV leaving a female acquaintance inside. He shakes everyone by dashing into a residential neighborhood.

Conner and Mansfield both remain on the loose and Pursuit Team is offering a cash reward for information leading to their capture.

If you know their whereabouts call 405.808.5921

Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs announced the hiring of Golloway on Friday night. Golloway leaves OU after nine seasons as the head coach.

Golloway traveled with his family to Auburn, Alabama, on Friday to meet with Auburn officials, who offered the job and Golloway took it.

Golloway told reporters in Auburn “I’m really excited about this opportunity because I’ve always held the Auburn baseball program in high regard. The history of the Auburn program was a huge factor in making this decision.”

SoonerScoop.com reported on Friday Golloway was not happy with the OU administration’s lack of commitment to upgrading L. Dale Mitchell Park, and Golloway contacted Auburn about their head coaching vacancy, rather than the other way around.

Sources indicate Golloway could make nearly twice as much in salary at Auburn, who fired their head coach John Pawlowski after the Tigers failed to make the NCAA Tournament this year, for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Golloway led OU to the Big 12 Tournament title this year, four super regional appearances and the College World Series in 2010.

Golloway will be formally introduced as the new Auburn head coach at a news conference Saturday morning.

“We have one rule at city council: We do what’s best for the citizens.” said Lewis.

He started first grade at Central Elementary in 1961; the school still sits in the shadow of City Hall.

Lewis was the senior class president in 1973.

His classmates remember he was the underdog in that election, not the favorite. They also remember a young man who scored the attention of the girls most of the time.

Lewis was, and is, part of a family of jewelers; he was always carrying around precious stones. This day, he pulled a Montana sapphire out of his pocket.

“We had a great class. I’m pretty proud of them.” said Lewis.

Steve Eddy moved to Moore in the second grade.

He is now the city manager.

“There’s still people in town that knew me when I was this tall. They call me ‘Stevie.’ I’m thankful there’s not many of them left.” said Eddy. “It’s an honor for me, and I think for all of us, to serve my hometown.”

Stan Drake has lived and worked in Moore for more than 20 years.

He helped rebuild Moore after the May 3rd, 1999 tornadoes.

Drake is the Assistant City Manager now, and a proud member of the Class of 1973.

“Each time we’ve come back bigger and better. Thank God. And we’re going to do it again.” Drake said.

The Class of ’73 produced a number of community leaders including:

• Moore Mayor, Glenn Lewis
• Moore City Manager, Steve Eddy
• Moore Assistant City Manager, Stan Drake
• Moore Assistant Fire Chief, Jack Briggs
• City Water Manager, Preston Glenn
• Personnel Department Manager, Denise Simpson

“No one can do the job these guys are doing right now. It’s hard to beat them.” said fellow Class of 1973 classmate Gaydawn Magee.

Running the City of Moore has been no small job the past three weeks, or the past 30 years.

Moore has seen tremendous growth since 1973, and tremendous tragedy. Three major tornadoes have hit Moore since 1999, including two EF-5s.

Having the Class of 1973 at the helm may have been the perfect storm, which apparently started brewing 40 years ago.

The Moore High School graduation used to be held on the football field, and back in 1973 there was severe weather in town the night of graduation.

So, in an ironic twist, the class of 1973 was forced to postpone their graduation ceremony.

They are nearing retirement age soon. Mayor Glenn Lewis jokes often that this term may be his last.

Thankfully for the citizens of Moore, it’s three years until the next election.

“We have built it and rebuilt it and rebuilt it again. That’s what we’re doing now. We will continue to do that. It’s good for everybody. We’re all neighbors. We’re all friends. We try to take care of each other.”

Indeed they do.

The Class of 1973 is celebrating 40 years this weekend. The class reunion is scheduled for Saturday night at the Reed Center in Midwest City.

The May 31st downpour caused the river to swell like never before. The water has been gradually chewing away the sandy river banks ever since, inching closer and closer to the Buford’s property.

The river has receded dramatically. But more rain is in the forecast. Experts believe it’s just a matter of time before the guest house joins their tin barn in the North Canadian River.

The foundation is also shifting on their home. Cracks are appearing in the walls. 

Rhonda Burford said, “The next time there is a great big rain or they let the water out of the Oklahoma River, it’ll crest and take the rest out.”

Meantime, Gary and Rhonda have found temporary housing in Midwest City, with the help of Congressman James Lankford’s office.

Buford said, “There are people in the world, strangers willing to help other strangers in need. For years, we have given. And now I guess it’s our turn.

And despite being declined by FEMA; and their insurance, the Bufords are grateful for family, friends and for their faith that allows them to endure anything.

Mrs. Buford told us, “Be thankful and thank God everyday for everything because you never know when it’s going to be gone.”

It won’t be long until crews start switching gears from cleanup to rebuilding. The city of Moore is making sure they’re doing all they can to keep sketchy builders and contractors out.

David Caddell has been building in Oklahoma for more than three decades and is the president of “David Caddell Homes.” He’s seen damage from all four tornadoes that have ripped through Moore and has always been there to help.

But a recent policy requiring home-builders and contractors to be registered with the City of Moore before they go to work is costing him.

“The city of Moore is asking $135 for building contractor to pull a license to show that they have insurance and so they are substantial and so they don’t run away with a person’s money.” Caddell said.

It might seem like a lot of money for a little license, but Caddell understands why it is necessary and says it’s worth it to give victims some peace of mind.

“They give you a physical license permit. You’re supposed to have that on your person when you’re working for them.” Caddell said. “If the home owner asks for presentation of that and they’re not able to present it that should raise question in their mind.”

“Our inspectors in the field are out there watching for people who aren’t registered, as well as the insurance commissions department was out there helping us watch for fraud.” Steve Eddy, the Moore City Manager, said.

It’s a team effort to help victims rebuild their lives without any more nasty surprises.

“A certified builder with my credentials, we still have to get licensing from Oklahoma City and Moore in order to build there.” Caddell said. “I think it’s protecting the general public.”

“They still are required to come in and register just so we know who’s doing business out there.” Eddy said.

If you’re still looking for someone to rebuild your home, Caddell says it’s a great idea to use a company that’s a part of a home-builders association.

He also said it’s always a good idea to get references to check your builder out and make sure he is who he says he is. Once you get a qualified builder, be patient and let him guide you through the process.

Today he stopped by Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College in Moore.

“The country is with you,” said Spear. “Praying with you and for you.”

The school has turned their basketball gym into a make shift grocery store for tornado victims. Spear was there to do some personal shopping.

“Feel free to take as many as you need Francesca,” said Spear to a shopper. “Do you need any paper plates or napkins or any of these things here?”

He also provided the muscle by packing her car full.

Now that he’s done shopping he has thirty miles to complete in the Oklahoma heat, but he’s not thinking about 95 degrees. He says he was humbled as he ran down the I-35 service road passing one of the hardest hit areas.

“It’s been cool to not only do this “Hope in Africa” deal but also to just see what I can do in little other parts of the country,” said Spear.

Before 2007 he would never believe you if you told he would be running over 3,000 miles cross country.

“Ran that one marathon. Thought it was a one and out deal,” said Spear. “But one became two, became three, became a few ultras and about a year ago made the decision to run across the United States.”

He also cant believe his age. He had to ask his wife to be sure.

“I’ll turn 50… wait how old? Will I turn 50 in December?,” questioned Spear. “50 in December! Sorry see I’m getting old I can’t even remember how old I am!”

50 years old and full of energy. Instead of being driven to the school, he ran to the door. He took a minute to cool off and then started shopping.

From here he’s headed to Joplin, Missouri, which he said is the half way point he has been waiting for.

Syrian rebels say they’re sad that 93,000 Syrians died before the U.S. agreed to send the rebels arms, but they’ll be happy to have them.

Khalid Saleh, Syrian National Council Spokesman says, “This is something that the Syrian revolution, the Free Syrian Army members, has been waiting for many, many months, something that we welcome.”

The Syrian government forces of Bashir Assad are already getting aid of their own missiles from Russia and grounds troops from Hezbollah allied with Iran.

Former President Bill Clinton was pushing for U.S. involvement.

President Clinton says, “With Hezbollah coming out of Lebanon. It’s an external as well as internal fight. And I think we should support the rebel groups more vigorously.”

The U.S. asserts the Syrian government did use the poison Sarin against the rebels.

Ben Rhodes Deputy National Security Advisor says, “This isn’t just a red line for United States, in our view; it should be a red line for the international community generally.”

The Russians reject the U.S. accusation because of Iraq. And the false U.S. claim that Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Making sure Syrian poison gas can’t be used ought to be a top U.S. goal, say some senate republicans.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) from South Carolina says, “The next bomb that goes off in a place like Boston could have more than nails and glass in it cause the people that want these weapons in Syria, the people who are trying to develop nuclear capability in Iran, if you don’t think they’re coming after us, you’re naive.”

Some lawmakers in the senate say it’s best to stay out of Syria.

Sen. Angus King (I) from Maine asks, “Once we get in how to we get out?”

Others like Senator John McCain want the U.S. to do more, like bombing Syrian government airfields.

The plan by the president is supported by just 11 percent of Americans according to an NBC news/Wall Street journal poll.

Leaders stress that the U.S. does not plan to arm Syrian rebels with ties to Al-Qaeda so when Assad is defeated, it won’t be Islamic radicals that win control of the country.

Steve Handelsman for NBC News

Deputies were told the pair was pulling copper wire from the destruction.

Authorities say the men admitted to taking copper and scrap metal for the past three days from the area to make a profit.

They were arrested for disturbing a disaster area.

Now authorities believe he may have jumped off a bridge into a fast-moving river.

This photo is from the Baron’s website. A spokesman said officials had suspicions the jumper was Pelss, but would not give any other information.

Pelss just returned home to the region after finishing last season with the Oklahoma City Barons.

Describing Oklahoma storm damage could be hard to sum up in words, but pictures say everything.

For Kylie Morgan, she re-lives one of the scariest times for her family, through song.

“I slammed the door with all my might, held onto my family tight, my whole life flashed before my eyes,” said Morgan.

A safe room, sparred these peoples’ lives, but the massive tornado took nearly every possession they own.

“You don’t know what you got until it’s gone,” said Morgan.

Many people in Newcastle are in desperate need of everyday items and a 16-year-old boy from Bridgeport, Ohio is helping provide just that.

“I really thought I could help,” said Paree.

Anthony Paree met Morgan when she was a guest speaker at his school. Morgan, a teen advocate for anti-bullying, used music to connect with other kids her age.

“It’s truly amazing how this nation has come together, from sending water to driving all the way from Ohio,” said Morgan.

Through word of mouth and flyer after flyer, Paree was able to pack a 26-foot truck with donated items from his community. Paree then drove 1,100 miles with his mom, to drop off the goods to Morgan’s home in Newcastle.

“We have water, cleaning supplies, teddy bears and everything. I hope everyone uses it and it will help,” said Paree.

“We will rebuild, we will fight, this great state of ours will rise,” said Morgan.

A truck full of needs that will help storm victims in Newcastle, move forward and Morgan said even though her family lost their home and belongings, life is not empty.

“I finally see that the best things in life aren’t things,” said Morgan.

Neighbors in Newcastle stopped by to grab donated items from the truck. After Friday, Newcastle’s Mayor will store the remaining goods at the community’s shelter, making it a free shop for residents’ in need.

The move should give the policyholders enough time to make repairs and obtain coverage from another insurer.

“As a result of the devastating tornado outbreak, thousands of Oklahomans have filed property claims,” said Doak. “Because of that, insurers are now reassessing risks and issuing non-renewal notices. Due to the backlog of work that contractors and repair shops are currently experiencing, many repairs won’t be completed before the policy expires. That results in open and pending claims that prevent the policyholder from obtaining replacement coverage. We want to prevent that.”

Affected homeowners should also remember that homeowners’ policies may not reflect a surcharge for weather-related claims. Additionally, state law states that insurers shall not cancel, refuse to renew or increase the premium of a homeowner’s policy which has been in effect more than 45 days, solely because the insured has filed a first claim against the policy.

Both provisions are part of the Insurance Consumer Bill of Rights passed by the Oklahoma Legislature earlier this year.
Policyholders with questions are encouraged to call the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance hotline at 1-800-522-0071.

The task force member arrested Michael Dean Osburn when he traveled to Guthrie believing he was meeting a 15-year-old boy for sex.

Osburn was arrested in the 200 block of Woodlawn Drive in Guthrie and booked into the Logan County Jail on a complaint of Violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act and solicitation of sexual conduct of a minor with the use of technology.

Nineteen-year-old Chris Kreis of Fort Myers was fishing 30 miles off the Captiva’s coast last Saturday when he encountered the world’s largest fish species.

“It’s massive, it’s the size of the boat” Kreis said of the gentle giant.

Kreis jumped in, grabbed the fin and rode the fish for about twenty seconds.

For more information:

The COHS was one of the primary organizations providing care and shelter for pets that were displaced after the devastating May 20th tornado outside of Oklahoma City.

The auction ended Thursday night, receiving 79 bids, with the winning bid going to Michelle Barker of Wichita, KS.

Michelle has ties to Oklahoma and states, “I wanted to take part, in a small way, in the extraordinary generous gesture and gift created by Arbor to help the COHS.”

The artwork will be a birthday gift to her best friend, Shadow, her Labrador/Border Collie mix, who will be 10 years old in July.

This is Arbor’s highest selling painting to date trumping her previous high of $453. Arbor’s parents, Bryce and Jennifer Henderson, of Henderson, NV, have an inquiry in with Guinness World Records to see if this is the highest selling painting, by a dog, ever sold.

The Henderson’s were elated with the final selling price of the painting.

“It’s hard to believe,” said Bryce, “that a little over two years ago Arbor was a stray sitting in a kennel at the county shelter with no home or future. She is a great example of the many wonderful pets you can find at your local shelter and we hope it encourages others to adopt.”

Amy Shrodes, Director of Outreach with the COHS says they already have plans for the donation, “The funds raised will be used to support our Adoption Program, and will help enable us to find loving homes for the homeless dogs and cats from the May 20th tornado.” She adds, “We are so thankful to be selected as the beneficiary of one of Arbor’s masterpieces during our time of need. Our animals consider her a role model for the canine population.”

The painting, entitled “Hope Through the Rubble,” was painted entirely by Arbor as she holds a paintbrush in her mouth. The only assistance she receives is applying paint on the brush and an occasional rotation of the canvas.

Watch this heartwarming video of Arbor painting “Hope Through the Rubble,” interspersed with pictures of pets found and reunited after the storm: http://youtu.be/Zpgi012WIhA

The fire, burning since Tuesday, has destroyed more than 15,000 acres and claimed the lives of two people as they were rushing to escape the fast moving flames.

More than 350 homes have been destroyed, including Katie Dubois’. Luckily, she did manage to save her animals.

“We’re thinking that we are going to stay, we’re going to clear our land,” Dubois says. “It’s torched. There are some areas that aren’t, so we’re going to rebuild. This is our community.”

Some 13,000 homes remain under evacuation orders. As of Friday morning the fire was only five percent contained, but firefighters remain optimistic.

“Hopefully if we can build off the success last night we’re going to start to turn the corner,” says Incident Commander Rich Harvey.

As the fire moves closer to the Colorado Springs city limits firefighters there are also on high alert.

About 38,000 people across roughly 70 square miles have been ordered out of their homes because of the current fire, including residents of 1,000 homes within Colorado Springs.

Read more here:

CARRIER, OKLAHOMA — Tall and straight, turned gold by the sun. Delbert Joyner likes what he sees in the wheat field beside his house.

“It’s not going to be long,” he says of the coming harvest.

There’s been a Joyner on the farm here since 1894.

But it’s only been six years since a chance meeting changed harvest time for good, thanks to brothers Steven and Kevin Clarke.

“He was running the same equipment that we had,” explains Steven on what got them together with the Joyners.

The Clarkes are farmers themselves near Norfolk, England.

But they take a couple of months off every year to tour America’s breadbasket.

“That’s the area we love,” says Kevin. “We don’t want to go to New York. Give me the Midwest every day.”

They liked Delbert’s old Massey -Ferguson combine because they had one.

The Clarkes bought their own combine in the states and started coming back every year to help out.

Delbert says, “Course when they offered to buy a machine and come to America and help me, in my mind I thought that will never happen. But it did.”

lift the hood on 2013.

The Clarke brothers, mainly Kevin, went partners with a custom cutter in North Dakota named Marvin Helland to buy another old combine.

This one is a 1971 Model 760 that sat for 25 years in a Kansas field.

“There was an awful lot to do,” says Kevin.

No one would have bothered much if it weren’t a piece of tractor history.

Of the 10 760 models built that year, this machine was number one.

“When she was launched this was the largest combine in the world,” says Steven.

It took more than two weeks. Kevin and Steven got everything working.

They hope to cut wheat with it in 2013, unless there’s something they missed in the restoration.

“One of Delbert’s friends is going to be on hand with a fire extinguisher,” jokes Steven. ”He’s not quite so optimistic.”

Most farmers will tell you the last things they want around harvest time are extra work and extra visitors.

The Joyners, in this case, are happy for both.

“They’ve been a huge blessing,” says Delbert’s wife Becky.

“Brett Bowyer, why did you lie to me?” the arresting officer is heard saying on the video.

Officials said Bowyer gave a Florida Highway Patrol trooper the wrong name when he was pulled over. After Bowyer gave the trooper the wrong name, the trooper ran a mobile fingerprint test. Troopers said the man’s nervous behavior tipped them off.

The test showed that Bowyer was sought by federal agents. Officials said he is wanted on child pornography charges in Virginia. Bowyer has been on the run since 2010, according to officials.

Read more here:

The adult male fin whale was 68 feet long. Researchers think a ship may have hit the whale.

“The marine biologists here have to work as quickly as possible to get all their research in because they’re racing against the incoming tide,” said Jessie Huggins of the Cascadia Research Center, who took samples from the whale to evaluate what its health was like before it died.

For More Information:

Look no further than down at the ground. Jesus Christ is there for you.

Apparently, some think a smudge in the Lord’s image has appeared on the floor near the security checkpoints at Terminal 3.

The image was first reported by the New Times’ Robrt L. Pela, whose TSA worker friend told him about “Tile Jesus.”

“He looks a little bit more like the Zig Zag Rolling Papers man than other Jesuses I’ve seen, but it’s definitely Him,” Pela writes.

Reports of Jesus Christ’s appearances in ordinary – even unlikely – objects are not uncommon. His likeness has famously made cameos on numerous pieces of toast and, most recently, in bird droppings on a windshield in New York.

The Myers family has owned their ranch for five generations, so they’re used to calves being born.

However, a few weeks ago they found a newborn calf with six legs. His name, Spiderman.

“My neighbor called,” Justin Myers said. “And it was actually on a place that his dad owns that I rent. And he said ‘I was down south of the pond and you have a six-legged calf.’ And I thought he was crazy.”

It sounded crazy but it was true.

It’s a rare condition called Polymelia, a birth defect of the limbs.

“I’ve been a vet for 22 years and I’ve seen this calf and a lamb with extra limbs and I’ve had two calves born with extra heads,” Dr. Wesley Booth said. “So that makes four of them, which is probably more than my share.”

The extra legs are not hurting Spiderman.

He’s happy and healthy and certainly gives the community a lot to talk about.

Josey Myers said, “My friend shows sheep and she was like ‘wow that’s weird.’”

Weird pets are one thing this family knows all about.

They currently have a gentle two-ton Brahma bull named Gus that roams around the property looking for affection.

When asked about the future of Spiderman and his extra legs, the family says they might have them removed as long as it won’t hurt him at all.

“If it’s something that’s going to endanger his life we’ll probably just keep him as a novelty, kind of like Gus here,” Myers said.

A little guy with a lot of legs that’s getting a lot of attention.

“We were just lucky,” Kim Myers said. “We were just blessed to get him and the fact that he’s healthy.”

In addition to becoming part of the family, Spiderman also shares a birthday with the Myers’ daughter Lacey.

Below is how the full story aired:
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NewsChannel 4 reported, their five-year-old son, Ayden Evans, was mauled to death last weekend by a dog.

The little boy was staying with a relative in Arkansas while his parents worked to rebuild; back here in Oklahoma.

Ayden’s parents talked about the death of their son.

“I want to see him and hear him,” Mica Evans says.

Ayden Evans liked spaghetti and riding sports bikes.

“He was my baby. We were close. We were very, very close,” Mica Evans tearfully recalls.

He also liked the Ninja Turtles. Her mother clutches a small toy his parents now hold close.

“My birthday was June 8th and he died June 9th,” Mica says.

Garland County deputies say the five-year-old died inside a Jessieville, Arkansas home after being attacked by a dog last Sunday. His mom says Ayden was staying with her sister for the summer when he was allowed to go to a neighbor’s home. That neighbor had a bull mastiff.

“I’ve been told he came home from church and was eating lunch and throwing a fit, I guess, and the dog came from another room and attacked him. I don’t know the people he was with. [We] never met them,” Ayden’s parents, Greg Moore and Mica Evans say.

After getting the news, Adyen’s parent drove the six hours from Oklahoma to Arkansas to carry their son back home.

“From what we gather from the funeral director is that we are… he can’t be seen, it has to be a closed casket. We still don’t know the extent of the injury. We have to have him cremated,” Greg Moore says.

Now, Ayden’s family is planning a service to remember a bright kid who was excited about entering kindergarten next fall.

Ayden’s mom, Mica says, “He should be home. I should not be taking him home in an urn.”

Ayden’s parents say they think some kind of criminal charges should be filed against the owners of the dog.

NewsChannel 4 will continue to follow this case.

Thursday shortly after 2:00 pm, police responded to a shooting call at 419 Tinker Diagonal. Officers located Laron McCoy inside of an apartment. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Shortly after, a separate shooting call came in at 226 SE 45th. The victim of that shooting was Santonio Johnson. He was transported to Presbyterian Hospital where he was admitted.

Investigation revealed that Santonio Johnson had been at the apartments on Tinker Diagonal at the time the shooting occurred. He then went to SE Oklahoma City, where police were called.

At this time, no arrests have been made in connection with this homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line 405-297-1200.

With obvious heartbreak a grieving mother pleads for answers into the death of her son.

Donetta Ventera, the victim’s mother says, “Anybody has information on this homicide; please call the homicide detective because that was my child that got killed today.”

It was around 2:00 in the afternoon. There was a shootout at some apartments near the Tinker Diagonal in Midwest City that left her son dead.

Neighbors say it happened during a loud argument. An argument that turned so violent that even the apartments across the parking lot from the scene were riddled with bullets.

And then a short time later there was another shooting on southwest Oklahoma City that looked awfully familiar.

“It is possible that these two incidents are related. Our investigators are on scene right now trying to determine if these shootings are related, and exactly what led up to this incident,” Jennifer Wardlow, with the OKC Police Department, says.

Ms. Ventera arrived on scene at the apartment about an hour later. She told us it was her son Laron who died.

Investigators broke the news to her in the parking lot. Neighbors who live around the murder scene told us they were too scared to talk on camera about the crime. Meanwhile police say the case is open and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police.

Police have not officially released the name of the other person hurt in the second shooting only that they were taken to the hospital.

MOORE, OKLA. – Yong Chae was doing yard work when he realized the tornado was racing right at him!

“There were power flashes,” he said.

There wasn’t a moment to spare.

“I’m quiet,” Yong said. “I’m quiet.”

He raced into his living room, flipped over the couch using it to shield his body.

Yong’s daughter, Bomi, a former golf star at Moore High School was hundreds of miles away in Seattle watching the horror unfold on TV.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Bomi said. “I automatically call my dad and of course I get the emergency signal where it doesn’t even ring. The same with my mom.”

Mother nature spared Bomi’s parents.

However, damage to their home is extensive.

A rift with American Airlines is the last thing they need.

Bomi said, “I just feel like they could have been more understanding.”

Here’s the issue.

Bomi’s mom had plans to visit her daughter in Seattle.

She was scheduled to leave on American Airlines just three days after the tornado rocked Moore. 

“And just through urgent situations of course she wouldn’t be able to fly out,”

Bomi says the airline wouldn’t cancel the ticket or waive the re-booking fee, only saying it was a non-refundable ticket.

They also refused to change the name on the reservation, so Bomi could fly home to be with her parents.

American did however offer to mail her mom a voucher.

Bomi said, “We don’t have a mailbox and the only people who can get through since our home is in the disaster zone would be emergency vehicles.”

Bomi tried contacting American through its website and on Facebook and Twitter, but says the company deleted her comments.

“I feel there should be exceptions made, especially when it’s a national declared disaster and have your employees use better judgment,” Bomi said.

It took a little persuasion but in the end American Airlines agreed to waive the change fee on the voucher.

Bomi’s mom now has a full year to use the ticket at her discretion. 

Daughter, Bomi, plans to fly home to be with her family in the coming weeks.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office requested help from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to help deputies look into a home invasion that happened in Crescent Wednesday afternoon.

After receiving a call from the 500 block of Ruth Ln., deputies arrived to find 49-year-old Monica Schemm dead inside her home. Her hands were bound with zip ties and a plastic bag was taped around her head with duct tape.

Her husband, 52-year-old Mark Alan Schemm, had been bound with zip ties and a plastic bag placed over his head.

He was able to create a hole in the bag by biting it.

Their son found the couple when he returned home from work and called police.

Initially, Mark Schemm told agents that two Hispanic men broke into the home, tied him and his wife up, put plastic bags over their heads and robbed them.

Later in the evening, he admitted to killing his wife and fabricating the home invasion story.

“There’s no way for us to verify that, we don’t have any calls or records showing that it was reported to our agency,” said Capt. Rich Stephens with Logan County Sheriff.

Agents say the stolen goods Schemm initially told them were stolen during the home invasion were recovered from a place he told them about.

Schemm is facing a first degree murder charge. Schemm claimed his wife suffered from a brain tumor that left her severely handicapped.

He said his wife repeatedly asked him to kill her as her attempts to commit suicide were futile.

Schemm was arrested for first-degree murder and booked into the Logan County Jail.

All nine Supreme Court justices agreed only synthetic DNA can be patented. As a result thousands of women could have increased access to life saving tests using natural human genes.

“It means that our bodies are our own, no one can own them,” says Lisa Schlager of ‘Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered’, or FORCE.

The decision reverses patents held by Myriad, a Utah research company, for two parts of DNA used to detect a risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Actress Angelina Jolie recently had a double mastectomy after taking the test and discovering she was at risk. Patient advocates say the ruling will save lives.

“This will open the door to women of more socioeconomic levels,” Schlager says.

The decision will have a significant impact on the biotech industry. It’s been receiving patents on genes for almost 30 years, but patent law says a company must first create something.

In his decision Justice Clarence Thomas wrote isolating natural DNA “is not an act of invention”.

“I think that researchers will be less worried about patent infringement and it therefore will have a good effect on our ability to do genomic research,” says genetics researcher Dr. James Evans.

In a statement, Myriad’s CEO said it was pleased the court protected patents on synthetic DNA. Myriad holds more than 500 of those.

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OKLAHOMA CITY — John Faulkner left work at the Bone and Joint Hospital early.

The certified radiology nurse wanted to check the progress of his car at the downtown Firestone.

But the mechanic working on his car was nowhere to be found.

Faulkner said, “I called his name and I didn’t hear anything.”

John began exploring the garage and was mortified by what he found.

A pick up truck rolled off the ramps and on top of his experienced mechanic.

He said, “I could see he was blue. I tried to pull and he was stuck.”

John called 911, raced for help and started CPR once employees freed the trapped victim.

Authorities say John’s actions may have saved the mechanic’s life.

Major Michael Paschel, with the Oklahoma City Fire Department, said, “Bystanders starting CPR, it’s the number one factor in survival. So, when crews arrived they took over from there and were able to get a pulse.”

EMSA medics transported the victim in critical, but stable condition.

Authorities said he’s alive because a nurse happened to be in the right place at the right time.