The Oklahoma Publisher Official Publication of the Oklahoma Press Association

www.OkPress.com Vol. 87, No. 5 www.Facebook.com/okpress 12 Pages • May 2016

INSIDE Up your game at the OPA Convention BEN BLACKSTOCK: A If you’re ready to learn how to up your game, register now friend to many and an advocate for the Oklahoma Press Association Annual Convention on June CONVENTION SPEAKERS of Oklahoma newspapers, 10-11 at the downtown Sheraton in Oklahoma City. former OPA manager Ben The all-new two-day format provides an opportunity for you Blackstock dies at age 90. to get out of the office, meet with your peers and learn how to PAGE 5 improve your career. POSTAL TIPS: Firm bundles The convention kicks off with the annual OPA Business Meet- save money when prepared ing at 3:00 p.m. Friday where officers and directors for the 2016- correctly, but if you’re not doing 2017 term will be elected. The business meeting also includes the it right, it can delay delivery time treasurer’s report, necrology report and a legislative update. to your subscribers. At 4:15 p.m., the fast-paced News Flash session provides a range of topics presented by OPA members. It’s a great opportu- PAGE 7 nity to pick up some new ideas for your own newspaper. LOOKING BACK: Terry Then it’s all about fun and games at the Welcome Dinner and Clark marks his 20th year as Game Night. After dinner, attendees will form a group and vie for a columnist for The Oklahoma bragging rights as the 2016 Best Crossword Team. Then it’s time KATHLEEN MCELROY AMIE STEIN Publisher with reflections of to get to know a little more about each other by participating in a how it began – and changes networking scavenger hunt. Use your interviewing skills to find he’s seen. out specific things about your peers that you never knew before. PAGE 8 Start your day with laughter Saturday morning at the annual Blooper Show. It’s full of funny grammar, faux pas typos and DONATE TO ONF to receive other gaffes, and leaves everyone squirming in their seat until the this Will Rogers print. Details at Blooper of the Year is announced. OkPress.com/will-rogers. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has confirmed her invitation to address OPA members and answer questions at 10 a.m. Fallin will be followed by members of Oklahoma’s congressional delega- tion. Rep. Jim Bridenstine, Rep. Tom Cole, Rep. Frank Lucas, Rep. MarkWayne Mullin and Rep. Steve Russell are confirmed for the 11 a.m. session. Several awards will be presented at the noon Awards Luncheon MIKE STRAIN PHILLIP REID including ONG Column and Editorial Sweepstakes Awards, OGE Photo of the Year Awards, OPA Digital Media Awards, OPA Print Quality Awards and the ONF Joseph H. Edwards Outdoor Writer of the Year Award. AWARD WINNERS Concurrent sessions begin at 1:30 p.m. with “Basics of Jour- nalism in the Digital Age” or “Leveraging Events, Contests and Promotions for Revenue Growth.” Kathleen McElroy, an assistant professor at the School of Media & Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University, will present the Basics of Journalism. Her goal is for you to become better at communicating what is news and what is important to your audience, whether in print or online. Amie Stein will explore the best practices and case studies for successful events, contests and promotions. Stein is a 20-year veteran of the media industry. As director of training and development for the Local Media Association, she develops and implements custom sales and digital training programs for media executives across the country. A panel of former and current journalists will discuss “Cover- OPA MILT PHILLIPS ONF BEACHY MUSSELMAN AWARD WINNER AWARD WINNER ing Traumatic Events” at 2:30 while Stein presents “Digital Best Practices for Revenue.” Stein’s session also covers capabilities DR. TERRY M. CLARK ANDY RIEGER and opportunities of using other digital media platforms such as social, video and native. If you’ve been wanting to learn how to shoot and edit video, don’t miss Mike Strain’s session at 3:30. Strain, managing editor at the Tulsa World, will provide tips on best practices and sugges- tions for apps that can help you. Or, join an advertising roundtable for the opportunity to share ideas with others, also at 3:30. The final two concurrent sessions at 4:30 are “Politics: Focus- Continued on Page 3 12 The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS CONTEST WINNERS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MARCH 2016 WINNERS March Column: TED STREULI, The Journal Record March Editorial: BARB WALTER, The Hennessey Clipper

MARCH 2016 COLUMN WINNER TED STREULI, The Journal Record Enter and Win a $100 Check Make room for darkness from Oklahoma One morning last year I had a day that didn’t start very We have to make room. We visit the graves of people well. we loved so we can feel sadness fully, so it can surface Natural Gas! and dissipate. We have to let the sadness flow out There was tension at home, some arguing, a battle to The March Oklahoma Natural Gas or there’s no room for the good to come in. We have get the children out the door in time for the school bus. Column and Editorial Contest was I got in the car to drive to work and pulled out of the convinced ourselves that we are supposed to be happy judged by a member of the Oklahoma garage relieved to have the stressful household behind every moment and that if we’re not there is something Journalism Hall of Fame. me. It was raining. Blurry red lights stretched for uninter- wrong. But life is a pendulum. When we’re sad every- rupted miles down Interstate 35 as cars plodded, then one rushes to say, “Don’t worry! Things will get better!” 1. Each month, send a tear sheet or slipped, then squealed in front of me. The grayness But when we’re happy no one says – though it’s equally photocopy of your best column and/ seeped through and grabbed onto my soul. or editorial to Oklahoma Natural Gas true – “Don’t worry! Things will get worse!” If you doubt “Wait!” I thought. “I’ll turn off the radio and put in my new Contest, c/o OPA, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., that, check with someone in the oil business. Diana Krall CD!” Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. It had just arrived and I was looking forward to it; surely Why do we tell people, especially children, to stop cry- 2. Include the author’s name, name of it would lift my still darkening mood. I slid Wallflower into ing? Because we are selfish, because we do not like the sound, because we cannot stand a few minutes of publication, date of publication and the player and discovered that Krall had successfully category entered (column or editorial). put her soulful voice to a collection of songs about lone- discomfort no matter the benefit to the one releasing liness, unrequited love and longing. Alone Again. Sorry the tears. 3. Only ONE editorial and/or ONE column Seems to be the Hardest Word. Desperado. Operator, We should encourage it. “Cry!” we should say. “Feel!” per writer per month will be accepted. that’s not the way it feels. Don’t you remember, you told me you loved me baby? Never mind the Good News. Good Friday is a story is of 4. All entries for the previous month must death and burial, of tombs and darkness. It is a funeral, Realizing there was no conveniently located bridge I be at the OPA office by the 15th of the could drive off, I succumbed to the bleakness of the day a place where we reflect on the person we have lost, current month. with gusto. That darkness held the sadness of a lifetime, the others we have lost, and the times we have lost from trivial regrets to my father’s tomb and my son’s urn, ourselves. 5. Winning entries will be reproduced on the OPA website at www.OkPress.com. and I decided to let it envelope me. In John’s version, the crucifixion occurred on the Jewish Darkness is a solitary experience. day of Preparation, the day before a Sabbath, when no bodies could remain on crosses; that darkness had to Entries must have been previously The clouds roll in, the darkness fills your soul and it published in print. Contest open to starts to rain in your heart, eroding, cleansing. That be removed. all OPA member newspapers. kind of sadness isn’t for something we’ve lost, it’s for The significance of preparation is central to the Easter everything we’ve lost and everything we will lose. It’s theme. Adherents must indulge fully in the darkness of Although Oklahoma Natural Gas Company the sadness you didn’t know was there, the one that a torturous death and the aloneness of the burial to be selects representative contest winners’ makes you cry in the middle of the third hymn at church work for use in this monthly ad, the views prepared for the joy of the resurrection. and you don’t know why you’re crying. expressed in winning columns and editorials But for one day, let’s just cry. are those of the writers and don’t necessarily It lasted a while. And when it was over, I felt empty. reflect the Company’s opinions. Relieved. And open.

Thank you for continued support of “Share The Warmth” Read the Winning Columns & Editorials on the OPA website: www.OkPress.com (Under Contests) The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 11

SPJ announces award winners at annual banquet OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

The Oklahoma chapter of the Society at the banquet. The Carter Bradley First Oklahoma State University’s student STAFF DIRECTORY of Professional Journalists honored the Amendment Award went to Mvskoke newspaper, received the honor of Best best journalistic work in the state at its Media. Retired Tulsa World reporter Newspaper in Division B. Tulsa World ADMINISTRATION annual awards banquet on April 30 at the Janet Pearson was honored with the also received top honors in the Best MARK THOMAS Reed Center in Midwest City. Lifetime Achievement Award, and Darla News Website competition for Division Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Carl M. Jones Tresner of Bartlesville was A; The Oklahoma Daily received that Executive Vice President Bernstein was the keynote speaker at named Teacher of the Year. Tresner is honor in Division B. [email protected] • (405) 499-0033 the banquet. He highlighted the lessons director of Journalism Education for For a complete list of Okla- JEANNIE FREEMAN learned from Watergate and the need for Oklahoma. homa newspaper winners in the investigative journalism during his talk. Named Best Newspaper in Division SPJ contest, visit http://tinyurl. Accounting Manager Three special awards were presented A was the Tulsa World; The O’Colly, com/2015SPJNewspaperWinners. [email protected] • (405) 499-0027 SCOTT WILKERSON Oklahoma journalists honored with Great Plains Awards Front Office/Building Mgr. [email protected] • (405) 499-0020 The Tulsa Press Club recently Tulsa World staff members were hon- Nebraska, North Dakota and South announced the 2016 Great Plains Jour- ored for Sports Blog, Spot News Pho- Dakota. MEMBER SERVICES nalism Awards winners. tography, Sports Feature Photography, More than 770 entries were received LISA (POTTS) SUTLIFF Oklahoma State University’s campus Feature Writing, Feature Video, Spot this year, with winners and finalists Member Services Director publication, The O’Colly, was named News Video and Entertainment Feature. named in 70 professional and student Great Plains Student Newspaper of the The Great Plains Journalism Awards categories. Five student journalists were [email protected] • (405) 499-0026 Year. is a regional contest honoring print, awarded $1,250 scholarships named The Oklahoman staff members web, TV and magazine journalists. The after former Tulsa Press Club president ADVERTISING received honors for Sports Reporting, eight-state competition includes Oklaho- and ONEOK executive Dan Harrison. LANDON COBB Web Special Section, Sports Action Pho- ma, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Sales Director tography and Sports Video. [email protected] • (405) 499-0022 CINDY SHEA The most overused word in advertising Advertising Director [email protected] • (405) 499-0023 BY JOHN FOUST This approach presents the product BRENDA POER AD LIBS™ as a hero. If you face a specific problem, don’t you want the product that will Advertising Assistant I can imagine this scene playing out save the day? When you want certain [email protected] • (405) 499-0035 hundreds of times every day. A sales- benefits, don’t you want the product person sits in an advertiser’s office and that is proven to deliver those benefits? CREATIVE SERVICES says, “Let’s talk about your next ad campaign. What are your thoughts?” 2. HUMAN PROOF. There are two ways JENNIFER GILLILAND That’s a sensible conversation starter. to use human proof: (1) a testimonial Creative Services Director Ask an open-ended question, hear the from a happy customer or (2) a state- [email protected] • (405) 499-0028 other person’s ideas and go from there. ment from someone who works for Let’s say the advertiser answers, the advertiser. ASHLEY NOVACHICH “Quality. We’ve got to let people know When an advertiser says, “We’re Editorial/Creative Assistant we believe in quality.” That sounds really good,” that’s just another mar- [email protected] • (405) 499-0029 like a harmless comment, but it’s an keter bragging about themselves. But example of where bad ideas come from. it means something when a real live COMPUTER ADVICE If the salesperson does not probe for an customer says, “They’re really good, WILMA (MELOT) NEWBY explanation, “We believe in quality” will and here’s why.” That’s the power of a end up as theme of the advertising. And customer testimonial. Computer Consultant that ad campaign will get lost in a world A statement from someone repre- [email protected] • (405) 499-0031 of other vague advertising claims. senting the advertiser is what I call an I believe that “quality” is the most in-house testimonial. DIGITAL CLIPPING overused word in advertising. It’s For example, the technician who KEITH BURGIN everywhere. Advertisers boast of qual- types of evidence that can be used in tells you that when you buy a car from Clipping Director ity products, quality customer service, advertising: product proof and human his dealership you can count on his 24 [email protected] • (405) 499-0024 quality people, quality selection, quality proof. The right choice can define qual- years of experience to keep your car in traditions and quality reputations. They ity and make it come to life in the con- tip-top condition. Or the chef who tells KYLE GRANT act as though consumers automatically sumer’s mind. Let’s take a closer look: you she would be honored to prepare a Digital Clipping Dept. understand what they are talking about. meal for your special event. But in reality, the word “quality” is trite 1. PRODUCT PROOF. To find this kind [email protected] and has little meaning in today’s mar- of evidence, make a list of features © John Foust 2016. All rights reserved. JENNIFER BEATLEY-CATES ketplace. and benefits. Then narrow it to the Reprinted with permission. John Foust has “Quality” is not the answer to a ques- most relevant information. Are there conducted training programs for thousands of Digital Clipping Dept. tion. It’s another question. It’s your cue special ingredients? Is there a unique newspaper advertising professionals. Many [email protected] • (405) 499-0045 to dig for information. Pretend you’re manufacturing procedure? What ad departments use his training videos to a lawyer on a search for evidence to about guarantees? Is there a story save time and get quick results from in-house GENERAL INQUIRIES prove your point. Find where your of a customer who is still using the training. For more information email john@ (405) 499-0020 advertiser’s unique quality comes from, product after an impressive number johnfoust.com. and let that become the idea. of years – or miles – of service? Fax: (405) 499-0048 Generally speaking, there are two Toll-free in OK: 1-888-815-2672 10 The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 Recover lost photos with memory card recovery software

sells other programs you might be inter- power outage. A big generator will be attaches to the phone. The EasyAcc Computer Notes ested in and is a safe site. used to keep your computer and other 8000mAh solar power bank solar flash- from the road Wondershare recovers lost files as essentials running, but outlets on gen- light portable charger for phones retails by Wilma (Melot) Newby well as restoring deleted files, files emp- erators aren’t plentiful. for $35. [email protected] tied from the trash, and files lost from Having a few external battery back- formatted or corrupted partitions with ups for phones can be a blessing. I’ve CREATIVE SUITE ON WINDOWS 10 If you’ve ever accidentally deleted original file name and structure tree. talked to publishers who said that the Adobe Creative Suite programs will a photo from your memory card, or Another feature is raw recovery, which loss of phone in a long term power out- run on Windows 10 – even the plain CS lost all your photos due to “format” or recovers files with a deeper scan. It also age was the worst problem they faced. version. The most common problem “reformat” operations in the camera, you has a partition recovery for hard drives And then there’s always the possibility with the new operating system is that know what a problem it can be – espe- that have been divided when part of that plugging your $500 phone into a the fonts may not jive with older sys- cially if you need that photo for the front it fails. It recovers data from both Mac generator that doesn’t produce clean tems. page of your newspaper. computers and storage media such as electricity could fry the phone’s internal Under the hood, Windows 10 is basi- Unfortunately, memory card corrup- hard drives, iPods, digital cameras, flash battery. cally like Windows 7. If your program tion, damage, error or an inaccessible cards, etc. Most Mac file recovery soft- A better option is to charge an exter- runs on Windows 7, it will most likely state often happens. Cards can become ware on the current market only recov- nal battery charger, then charge your run on Windows 10. damaged or show memory card errors ers data from media storage. phone with the right voltage from the On the Mac side, for those of you when the camera is unexpectedly turned Be aware that this type of software battery backup device. moving to the new OSX 10.11, Adobe off. does not unlock Ransom files. If you’re Some to look at are Uniden, which Creative Suite 4 and up works well. You To recover lost photos and videos trying to open files with that type of has rechargeable lithium-ion batteries still need Java 6 in order to run it. The from your phone’s micro SD and micro virus attack, make sure the software that offer long-lasting use and is com- new OSX comes with Java 8 so you may SDHC, take a look at the following pro- you buy is able to help. As far as I know, patible with most devices. The travel need to uninstall Java 8 and reinstall grams. Some of them even recover data the only thing you can do is revert to a charger lets you recharge while on the Java 6. Unfortunately, very old copies of loss on your computer’s hard drive. backup. In addition, if your drive doesn’t go. This charger can backup the inter- Microsoft Office will not make the leap CardRescue (www.cardrescue.com), spin up, these type of programs won’t nal battery for your phone for many to the new Mac OS X El Capitan, but the for $39.95, has been around many years. help. And if it’s the port that’s messed hours or days if you only use it when latest security code is worth a lot in the It gives you a clean download from a safe up, you’re going to need to send it to really needed. It can fully recharge two current environment of virus attacks. site without installing extra programs or the manufacture to try and get the data phones or one tablet without needing to malware. back. recharge itself. ONEDRIVE NO LONGER DOWNSIZING Next up is CardRecoveryPro (www. RecoverMyFiles (www.recovermy- This is how most of these devices Microsoft was planning on downsiz- cardrecoverypro.com). This Windows- files.com) is another program to look at. are offered. Look at how many charges ing its OneDrive free space from 15 GB only file recovery is simple to use and It has an evaluation program that is free, you’re getting out of the batteries and to 5 GB – until the backlash caught up recovers all types of SD card files. You but the software retails for $69.95. This how many ports are offered. with them. The company has backed can download it for $9.97 and use it for one is for Windows users but it’s rated Duracell® Portable Power Bank down and users will still have 15 GB, if seven days. It also recovers USB flash as one of the best. works in a similar way. It has a smaller you opt into their plan. In case you’re drives. As its name implies, Mac Free Data design, which is easier to carry around not aware, OneDrive is a cloud stor- Wondershare offers a recovery pro- Recovery is a free program, but there’s in a pocket or purse but the battery is age space that comes with Microsoft gram for Windows or Mac available at always a catch. You have to sign up not as big. These range in price from e-mail or Office. It runs as an app for www.wondershare.net/data-recovery- through Google or Facebook and take $14.99 to $29.99. your computer, tablet, phone or Xbox. mac/index.html. This software has been your chances downloading from some Verbatim Dual USB Power Pack OneDrive is built into Windows 10 and around for a long time. The cost for a unknown site. You can find it at mac- Charge is more costly at $50, but it will Windows 8.1. Mac user is higher than a Windows data-recovery-freeware.en.softonic. recharge two devices at once – a big plus If you have Windows 8, Windows 7, user. The Mac version is $89.95; Win- com/mac. I’d rate this as buyer beware. in an emergency. or Vista, you can install the OneDrive ® dows users pay $39.95 Wondershare Keep on eye on what the main program At $29.99, the Ativa Rechargeable desktop app for Windows. This creates is installing so you can uninstall hanger- Power Bank is a cool looking device a OneDrive folder on your PC that’s on programs. Also make sure you have with a shiny stainless steel look. It has kept in sync with the OneDrive cloud. a good antivirus software on your com- two USB ports for charging two devices Learn more about it at onedrive.live. puter. A lot of adware comes from free at once. com/about/en-us/support. software you’ve downloaded and those At a much more expensive price point, Cloud storage programs slow down little programs can really slow your com- Apple builds cases that hold backup bat- your computer. Boot up will be very puter’s browser. teries for the phone. The price starts slow if the machine has to sync calen- at $100 and goes up from there. Other dars, mail and 15GB of files. More RAM WEATHER THE STORM companies make battery backups that memory and a faster internet connec- Storm season is upon us. For years stay on the phones for Androids. tion will help your computer. I’ve encouraged publishers to back up The best rated external battery char- Any program that syncs lots of files both on- and off-site. ger I found for the money was an Iogear can slow down the computer includ- In addition to backups, you need to Mobile Power Station. It has two ports ing Apple’s iCloud Drive, Drop Box, plan how to charge phones during a for charging more than one phone and Google Drive, OneDrive and Box. In retails for around $30. The Iogear gives addition, programs that are waiting to you around four charges for your phone. update – such as anti-virus, Adobe and I found more than thirty phone Java updates – can slow your computer, LEGAL ADVICE rechargers online but most are compa- especially on startup. It’s better to bite is just one of the benefits of being a member of the Oklahoma Press rable to these. the bullet and spend the few minutes it Association’s Legal Services Plan. Remove the worry of needing There are more complicated devices, takes to update versus waiting for a slow professional advice by enrolling today. For more information contact: like the Bestek 600A peak current car startup several times a week. jump starter with 10000mAh external OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION’S battery charger for $50. It will jump OPA Computer Consultant Wilma Newby’s start a car, has a built-in flashlight and column is brought to you by the Oklahoma

LEGAL SERVICES PLAN two ports for recharging phones. It even Advertising Network (OAN). For more informa- 1-888-815-2672 or 405-499-0020 comes with small jumper cables. There’s tion on the OAN program, contact Oklahoma even a device with a solar cell that Press Service at (405) 499-0020. The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 9

Clark’s Critique Continued from Page 8

Thunder in Valley

WSPAPER WSPAPER NE C 9LVLWXVDWPFLQWRVKGHPRFUDWFRP NE C O R N R ON E T E T T E T Stillwater E T S T S E T E The 14th annual Thunder in the Valley T B 2014 B 2014 DRUMMOND event is Saturday, May 7 at the PV rodeo O O K N K N L + + O L + + O arena. Mutton bustin’ is at 5 p.m. and A I A I H T T O + + IA HO + + A M + C M + CI EYE CLINIC A SO A O PRESS AS 0F,QWRVK&RXQW\ PRESS ASS EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE / TRUST bull riding at 7 p.m. More on advance Monty L. Snowden, O.D. / Henry D. Reeves, O.D. tickets available at Reynolds Recreation News Press Jonathan E. Drummond, M.D. Center. News Press All-Area $286 in coupons and savings inside today’s paper HPRFUDW ¢ basketball awards Burn still felt 'Checotah’s Hometown Newspaper 75 Pauls Valley THURSDAY announced B1 C1 7ZR6HFWLRQV‡3DJHV‡Vol. 108, No. 18 • USPS 335-220 • Thursday, May 5, 2016 by many May 5, 2016 $1.50 Sunday, April 3, 2016 stwnewspress.com

Tornado no match for teamwork DServing Garvin CountyEMOCRAT for 109 years www.pvdemocrat.com $.75 Volume 112, Issue 054 Upcoming court dates Sheriff’s case a real head-shaker Chambers to appear Pawnee’s Gideon By Barry Porterfield ting out there is simply wrong pose as a second deputy. actual deputy directed the “There’s an allegation the Gardner was named a for preliminary [email protected] and blown completely out of Apparently the deputy’s inmate to wear a black jacket deputy gave the inmate a gun. News Press Player of proportion. thinking was a second deputy and a deputy sheriff’s cap. That’s crazy.” the Year. conference Garvin County’s sheriff is “I still have difficulty was needed since it’s standard The inmate’s restraints were The real head-scratcher for By Tim Ahrens still shaking his head in dis- believing this happened,” policy for two to be present to removed and he was allowed the sheriff is the deputy could [email protected] belief about one of his trans- Rhodes told the PV Democrat. pick up inmates for a transfer to assist in handling the immi- have easily followed the prop- WEATHER port deputy’s poor judgment “It is so unbelievable that from another facility. gration detainees. er policies to get the inmates There are several up- in allowing an inmate to pose coming court appear- an employee took it upon him- It took place at the Customs According to the sheriff, the picked up in OKC. ances in the trials of as a law enforcement officer. self to do this.” Enforcement Processing first inmate never was given a For example, at the time of Payne County individu- Larry Rhodes is even more The sheriff is referring to Center in Oklahoma City. weapon, but he was left unat- the incident a second Garvin als charged with various surprised so much attention the early afternoon of April “He was transporting a tended for a period of time. County deputy was on the way felonies. The News Press from the media and even social 11 when a transport deputy, county inmate from Payne “He did these things to be to the metro center to assist. will provide coverage of media has been focused on an the upcoming hearings a full-time employee who County to here,” Rhodes said. deceitful; to give the impres- Instead, the deputy later fired for the week of April 4-8. incident taken care internally has worked for the sheriff’s “He then stopped in Oklahoma sion that there was a second had that canceled as the sec- some time ago. office the past four years here City to pick up two immigra- deputy there so he could com- ond deputy turned around and OSU Homecoming crash The big problem, he says, is in Garvin County, allowed an tion detainees.” plete the transfer without a returned to Garvin County. Hi: 81 Low: 49 At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, much of the information get- inmate being transferred to Once at the center the problem,” Rhodes said. See SHERIFF page 3A Adacia Avery Chambers Sunny. and her defense counsel – More on A6 will appear for a prelimi- nary conference ahead of OBITUARIES Sign a Song Zoo BEAU SIMMONS/STILLWATER NEWS PRESS Thursday, the first day Graves ...... 70 From left, Jody Harris, Dirk Mullins and Stefan Mullins of the Stillwater crew Three Hog Night celebrate McKee ...... 84 ➤ says no the announcement of their Grand Championship during Saturday’s Blazathon at the Elks Lodge. See Court, page A5 Morris ...... 73 SMILE OF Penuel ...... 87 THE DAY Rollins ...... 89 parking, A second Tuley ...... 82 Top of the cue no fair chance NOTABLES By Barry Day of Prayer Porterfield 7KH)LUVW%DSWLVW&KXUFKRI&KHFRWDKVWDQGVDVDEHDFRQRIKRSHDIWHUWUHHVDURXQGLWZHUHWRSSOHGDQGSXOOHGIURPWKHLUURRWVGXULQJDWRUQDGR7XHV Three Hog Night wins Grand Championship at 28th Blazathon Former inmate [email protected] GD\$SULO7KHFKXUFKKDVURRIDQGZDWHUGDPDJHVDLG3DVWRU6WHYH'HQQLV 6WDIISKRWRE\/HLODQL5REHUWV2WW A National Day Beau Simmons Organizer Chad Dun- credits divine of Prayer gather- No fair in every %\/HLODQL5REHUWV2WW )URP0D\RU'DQLHO7DUN EORZQ RXW EXVLQHVV VLJQV 7ZHOYH KRXVHV KDYH PLQRU ZHQWSUHWW\VPRRWKO\ SULRU WR WKH VLUHQV VRXQG [email protected] On the web can was excited with way — that’s what one 6WDII:ULWHU LQJWRQ WR /HVOLH 3KLOOLSV EURNHQ ZLQGRZV SDUWV RI GDPDJH DQG RQH EXVLQHVV 7KHUH ZLOO EH LPSURYH LQJµ 3KLOOLSV VDLG ´:H ing will be at noon 3HJJ\&KULVWLDQGLUHFWRU HPHUJHQF\PDQDJHUIRUWKH PLVVLQJ URRIV DQG PDQ\ KDV PDMRU GDPDJH 7KDW PHQWV PDGH LQ WKH VLUHQ ORVW SRZHU IURP WKH WRU the turnout of both Thursday, May 5 on longtime official with Home cooking indeed. You can find full results of the Stillwater Elks Lodge competitors and atten- intervention RI -HVXV +HOSLQJ +DQGV &LW\ RI &KHFRWDK WR /OR\G GRZQHGRUVSOLWWUHHV ZDV -HVXV +HOSLQJ +DQGV V\VWHP EHIRUH WKH QH[W QDGR ,W SRSSHG GRZQ RXW Blazathon at http://www.kcbs.us/event/6055/stillwa- the county court- a Wynnewood area zoo VDLGYROXQWHHUVFDPHOLNHD -HUQLJDQ &KHFRWDK &KDP 3KLOOLSVVDLGQXPEHUVRQ D WKULIW VKRS ZKHUH SHRSOH VWRUP 3KLOOLSV VDLG 7KH RI QRZKHUH WR WKH ZHVW RI Dirk Mullins, of Still- dants. ter-elks-lodge-blazathon: Editor’s Note: This is says about this week’s short on deadline. And until recently, ´PLQLWRUQDGRRIKHOSµDIWHU EHU RI &RPPHUFH H[HFXWLYH WKHGDPDJHDUHVWLOOFRPLQJ FDQ EX\ FORWKLQJ GLVKHV VLUHQV ZHQW RII DIWHU WKH WRZQµ water, might as well “We had 44 cook house lawn. Part 2 of a two-part se- DQ () WZLVWHU KLW &KHFR GLUHFWRUHYHU\RQHLVVD\LQJ LQ7RGDWHDERXWUHVL IXUQLWXUHWR\VDQGPRUHRU WRUQDGR WRXFKHG GRZQ KH 7KH &KHFRWDK (06 JHQ Gunner Garrison, vote to ban parking have been smoking teams come out,” Dun- ries. Part 1 ran in the WDK ODVW 7XHVGD\ $SULO  WKHFLWL]HQVSXOOHGWRJHWKHU GHQWV ZHUH GLUHFWO\ DIIHFW UHTXHVWKHOSZLWKSD\LQJDQ VDLG HUDWRUNLFNHGRQDW 20, OSU student along the sides of a near- meats in his backyard “It’s good and we story, they are not. can said. “I haven’t Lifestyle section of the RR crossing ULSSLQJ RII WKH URRI RI KHU WR KHOS HDFK RWKHU 7KHUH HG ZKHWKHU LW ZDV VKLQJOHV XWLOLW\ELOO ´:H ORVW SRZHU WR WKH from Elk City, is Saturday. Along with looked at ticket sales by county road. EXLOGLQJ ZHUH GRZQHG SRZHU OLQHV EORZQRIIRUWUHHVXSURRWHG 7DUNLQJWRQ VDLG FOHDQXS FRPPXQLFDWLRQ·V WRZHU 6HH672503DJH$ don’t have far to drive “Taking classes and a March 27 edition The railroad smiling because son Stefan, the pit mas- home,” Dirk said. “Good lot of hard work,” Dirk yet, but as far as the crossing at state Joe Maldonado was I’ve made or beat every deadline, though ters of Three Hog Night number of people, it there are $1.50 teams here, and they’re said. “A lot of good By Madison Reichert, Highway 19, or quick to respond to captured their first all good friends. You see friends and a lot of looks really good for us Anne Raun and Ali beers at El Bto Va- Grant Avenue, in Monday’s vote by Garvin Be safe down on the farm quero. Grand Championship, them all the time, just help. Everybody’s this year. Brooks %\/HLODQL5REHUWV2WW and a first ticket to the about every weekend.” happy for everybody.” “Last year, had 37 OSU Media Group PV will be closed County’s commissioners 6WDII:ULWHU American Royal in Three Hog Night hit Now they move on to teams. We’re not on for repairs from 6 to make it a no parking Jennifer granted me a day’s leeway once Nominate a smile: Send ,IDVWXGHQWVKRRWVDJXQIURP0F,QWRVK Kansas City by winning Easter Weekend this photos for our Smile of quite a few milestones, the American Royal, CLAREMORE – After p.m. Thursday, May zone for about a quarter &RXQW\ )DLUJURXQGV WKH EXOOHW FDQ WUDYHO the Stillwater Elks breaking the 700-point one of the country’s year and we won’t be her release, Rhonda XSWRWKUHHPLOHVDQGFRXOGSRVVLEO\VWULNH the Day. Include their 5 to 6 a.m. Friday, mile stretch of County Lodge Blazathon. barrier while also plac- biggest barbecue com- for the next 10 years, so Bear wanted to find a DVWXGHQWDW(XIDXOD(OHPHQWDU\6FKRRO name and why they are May 6. Road 3250. smiling. Send to read- Three Hog Night Has ing first in Pork and petitions. that’s better for us.” way to help women com- 7KRVHDUHZRUGVRIZDUQLQJJLYHQE\(G already made stops in He said that before The road runs in or twice this past year. 5RGHEXVK0F,QWRVK&RXQW\JDPHZDUGHQ [email protected]. second in both Pork “It’s huge,” Dirk said. ing out of prison. Accord- DVKHDQGJDPHZDUGHQ&RG\-RQHVWHDFK Louisiana and Texas, Ribs and Brisket. “Once you get the the auction, which also ing to Bear, women are Shriner onions front of the Greater ´)LUHDUP 6DIHW\µ ,W ZDV RQH RI VL[ VDIHW\ and will soon head “Trial and error has grands, you get your raised another few often released from jail The Garvin Wynnewood Exotic down the road to Col- thousand dollars for WRSLFV SUHVHQWHG WR DERXW  VWXGHQWV QUAKE TRACKER finally paid off,” Stefan name in the drawing at midnight on the day County Shrine Animal Park, which at RYHUWZRGD\VIURPWKH(XIDXOD6WLGKDP orado. But, it’s hard to said. for the Jack Daniels, Kickin Childhood As with you in these two decades, a +DQQDK DQG &KHFRWDK GXULQJ 3URJUHVVLYH Oklahoma leads the beat your hometown. An overnight success too.” ➤ ➤ Club will be sell- times has visitors park- See Top, page A2 See Chance, page A5 $JULFXOWXUH6DIHW\'D\SURJUDPDWWKH nation for most earth- ing Vidalia onions ing on either side of the quakes. Here’s a look at 6HH6$)(7<3DJH$ starting at 9 a.m. road. the latest quakes. STILLWATER HOME AND GARDEN SHOW SATURDAY Friday, May 6 on Maldonado, who until 6WXGHQWV ZULWH KXUWIXO ZRUGV RQ lot has happened, both good and bad – Time Site Mag. Voters called the Grant Avenue recently owned the zoo 0DUYLQ GXULQJ DQ H[HUFLVH DERXW 4:20 p.m. Edmond 2.6 lot across from the ´%XOO\$ZDUHQHVVµE\3DWWL+HUQDQ 4:19 p.m. Stillwater 2.7 Pauls Valley sophomore Macy Williams uses American Sign Language to sign out a song during but remains active in the GH]&UHHN1DWLRQ+SURJUDPDVVLV THURSDAY county courthouse this week’s student talent show at PVHS. Behind her is a video of herself signing the same song. care of animals, many 'DYLG:RRGWDONVRQKLVSKRQHDERXWJHWWLQJKHOSWRUHPRYHWKHURRI WDQWGXULQJ3URJUHVVLYH$JULFXOWXUH Time Site Mag. to polls Tuesday and Love’s store in (PV Democrat photo by Barry Porterfield) belonging to him, calls it RI D JDUDJH RII WKH QHLJKERU·V SOD\KRXVH :RRG DQG KLV ZLIH .HOOLH 6DIHW\'D\SURJUDPDWWKH0F,QWRVK 4:31 p.m. Luther 3.5 eight grandchildren, divorce, remarried, 4:21 p.m. Luther 3.3 PV. See ZOO page 3A RZQWKHKRXVHQHDUWKHJDUDJHZKLFKZDV1DQQLH·V7HD5RRPEHIRUHLW &RXQW\)DLUJURXQGVUHFHQWO\ Stillwater, Perkins and FORVHG 6WDIISKRWRE\/HLODQL5REHUWV2WW 6WDIISKRWRE\/HLODQL5REHUWV2WW Sports awards )RUHPDQKHDGJULOOPDVWHUZLOOKDYHWKH JXDUDQWHH WKDW ULEV ZLOO VWLOO EH DYDLODEOH :+$7·6,16,'( Mulhall-Orlando hold elections The Panther Ideal weather, family CHECOTAH NEWS old friends gone, new friends made, /LRQV· ODUJH VPRNHU RQ VLWH DQG ULEV ZLOO IRUWKRVHZKRKDYHQRWSXUFKDVHGWLFNHWV 2SLQLRQV $ Athletic Award By Michelle Charles tween Will Joyce, a EHZUDSSHGLQDOXPLQXPIRLOULJKWRIIWKH LQDGYDQFH7LFNHWVDUHDYDLODEOHIURPDQ\ [email protected] local attorney who pre- Ceremony will be at Lions smoking ribs for JULOO &KHFRWDK /LRQV &OXE PHPEHU RU $UP :DUUDQWV3ROLFH5HSRUW   $ fun for bike event viously applied to fill a 6:30 p.m. Monday, /LRQV DUH QRZ VHOOLQJ WLFNHWV IRU  VWURQJ%DQNDQG3HRSOHV1DWLRQDO%DQN 6SRUWV% Mother’s Day fundraiser IRU D IXOO VODE RI ULEV 3URFHHGV ZLOO EH Voters in Stillwater vacancy on the city May 16 at the Bosa By Ezra Mann 2XWGRRUV  % TODAY’S POLL [email protected] deaths of newspapers, disturbing news- &KHFRWDK /LRQV &OXE PHPEHUV DUH XVHG WR EHQHILW WKH 6NHHW )UDPH 0HPR Book Fair open at CIS and Perkins will decide council and Bahareh Community Center. SUHSDULQJ IRU WKH DQQXDO 0RWKHU·V 'D\ ULDO 6FKRODUVKLS )XQG 7KRVH ZKR GHVLUH 2ELWV  % municipal questions Mazrouee, a largely un- Conditions may just be about as good as they can 7KH%RRN)DLULVWKLVZHHNDW&KHFRWDK Would you pay RSVP by May 11. IXQGUDLVHUVPRNHGULEVDOHIURPDP ULEV DUH HQFRXUDJHG WR SXUFKDVH WLFNHWV and Mulhall-Orlando known candidate who get as Pauls Valley is set to welcome Valley Rally WRSP)ULGD\0D\DWWKHQRUWKZHVW LQDGYDQFH)RUHPDQVDLGKHLVVPRNLQJ ,QWHUPHGLDWH6FKRRO $UHD&DOHQGDU  % more sales tax to voters will vote in a has not actively cam- FRUQHU RI WKH 1LFKROV 'ROODU 6DYHU SDUN H[WUDULEVWKDWZLOOEHDYDLODEOHRQDILUVW &ODVVLILHGV/HJDOV% fund education? school board run-off paigned. Vintage aprons back to town this Saturday. LQJORWLQ&KHFRWDK/LRQ3UHVLGHQW0LWFK FRPH ILUVWVHUYHG EDVLV VR WKHUH LV QR paper news, changing job duties. 6HH1(:63DJH$ Yes 54% Tuesday. The electorate is also A free vintage Returning for the 21st year, the bike ride has )RRG  % No 46% Stillwater is electing being asked to approve apron show will be received an impressive response as 116 riders have a new city councilor to a proposition that 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. pre-registered for the event, according to PV Parks replace Joe Weaver, would change the city’s Next up who is terming out charter and save Thursday, May 5 and Recreation Director Jennifer Samford. There is great satisfaction in writing after six years on the money by eliminating at the county fair- Set to get going at Wacker Park at the Reynolds Will you vote in a JILL HUNT/STILLWATER NEWS PRESS local election Tues- council. city council primary grounds. Recreation Center, people are invited to come out Rosemary Angel, left, Payne County Extension Office, gives planting tips to Jo Voters will choose be- and support a cause that will benefit the whole com- day? Stephens of Stillwater at the Stillwater Home and Garden Show. See ➤ Voters, page A2 Senior tacos munity. this column; it’s a privilege. It keeps The Chickasaw “We’re going to have a really great turnout. That’s 9RWHVWZQHZVSUHVVFRP It’s not every day you need a new car. Senior Nutrition Site the most pre-registered riders we’ve had in the his- OK So why get your loan from an everyday bank? in PV, 109 N. Indian tory of the event,” said Samford. Meridian, will hold “We put the event on and they come and spend me and challenges me to be current in Set the wheels in motion | 405.372.2234 | bankSNB.com benefit Indian taco time in our community. I would hope that they would and bake sales on have such a good experience they would come back Friday, May 13. back and spend time in our community.” There will be a route for every level of rider once my teaching, and in touch with what’s would provoke a yawn, and never stop a they hit the trails at 9 a.m. and Samford noted a majority of them will be taking on the longest route, *Limited-time offer with approved credit. Not all applicants will qualify for the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) listed. Other factors that may impact the quoted APR are applicant’s Construction has come a long way on the US 77 bridge replacement credit, loan amount and vehicle age. An automatic loan payment from a Bank SNB deposit account is required to receive the stated APR, which is effective as of 3.14.16. which is a 67 mile trek through locales like Falls project, north of Paoli. Here, workers continue progress on the structure going on in state newspapers, in seeing reader on the page. Next month, I’ll run Vol. 108, No. 80 See BIKE page 3A Tuesday. (PV Democrat photo by Ezra Mann) and appreciating excellent journalism in a few of them as a list, without identify- many places. ing the papers. This month, a few stood As a result, I still wince when I hear out, demanding readers’ attention. ignorant people say newspapers are dead or dying. I don’t know what the HEAD’EM UP AWARDS: future holds because of technology and First place, The Oklahoman, on Paul economics, but I still have faith because Monies and Randy Ellis stories about of what I see each month writing this You’ve Got Questions! the wind farm incentives and the state column. My challenge is to try to keep it budget. Head by Paul Monies. fresh and relevant. • Can I photograph minors without consent? I won’t make Harry’s 30 years of WIND CHILL? DEBATE ON WIND BLOWS column writing, and I don’t want this col- • Can police deny access to records umn to end like his. When I took over, it THROUGH CAPITOL was “interim.” We’re all interim, when Second place, Tahlequah Daily Press, by issuing a press release? you think about it. on Sean Rowley’s story and photo about So in the interim, thanks for reading. the Cherokee program on gravesite • Should I alter my archives preservation: when a person demands it? LOOKIN’EM OVER. Didn’t do this 20 NO STONE UNTURNED years ago when I was writing about Harry. Now, I could add to the volumes Third place, tie, Pauls Valley Demo- • Can I report inaccurate crat, on Barry Porterfield’s story of stories already told about Ben. But no. tesimony given in open court? I just know I wouldn’t have been in Okla- SHERIFF’S CASE A REAL HEAD-SHAKER homa journalism without him getting Stillwater News Press, on Tim Ahrens me an interview with Harry Wimberly • What are the laws about liquor advertising? story about an increase to 79 DUIs at an at the Duncan Banner long ago. I loved annual calf fry: Ben’s business card: just his name and These are questions answered by the attorneys for the OPA phone number. No titles needed. Yep. A FEW TOO MANY Legal Services Plan members in recent months. Newspapers always Other reflections. We live in times Honorable mentions: McIntosh Coun- of change, and most of our papers have ty Democrat, on Leilani Robert Ott’s need timely legal advice on issues related to newspaper publishing. changed and are making changes. What story and photo, “Tornado no match for mystifies me is the few newspapers in teamwork”; Sand Springs Leader, on Kirk the state that still look roughly like they McCraken’s story about tournament You should join OPA’S did 20 years ago. Your readers have winners, “Hooked on Fishing”; Weath- changed. How they read has changed. erford Daily News, on Colin Murphy’s Their attention spans have decreased. story about garage sale signs trashing Why haven’t you? neighborhoods, “Bad sign”; and Nor- LEGAL SERVICES PLAN! That brings me to headlines, the best man Transcript, on Joy Hampton’s story tool we have to grab readers’ attention. about a bumper sticker (Everybody See www.OkPress.com/LSP or contact Lisa Sutliff While I see many great ones, there are Sucks – 2016) and disgruntled voters, at (405) 499-0026 or toll-free in Oklahoma 1-888-815-2672 a few that are just flat out boring, that “Sign of the times.” 8 The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 Refl ections on 20 years as columnist

Thunder OUTLOOK 2016: GOING FOR THE GOLD That first column was a look at Harry Up to MAKING GREAT $1,025 to return STRIDES CHEAP READING PLAYING FOR STATE in valuable to OKC Last Chance Bookstore helps library Baseball regionals under way Take a look at “Excellence LOCAL PAGE 3 SPORTS PAGE 8 Clark’s Critique and his influence on Oklahoma journal- coupons inside with 3-1 & Innovation in Education,” Year to date, there has the final section our been $17,502 worth of series lead 2016 Outlook series. by Terry Clark valuable coupons in your Sunday paper. LOOK INSIDE TODAY’S PAPER ists, headlined “‘But this is Harry’ – a PAGE 1B FOR THIS WEEK’S SECTION Journalism Professor, look at the man who inspires our writ-

THE OKLAHOMAN 1 Section 12 pages • Vol. L No. 96 “Your award-winning premier information source since 1864.” Friday, May 6, 2016 • 75¢ University of Central Oklahoma, ing.” SUNDAY , APRIL 24 , 2016 REACHING MORE THAN 475,000 PEOPLE EACH DAY NEWSOK.COM OKLAHOMAN.COM [email protected] $2 It occurs to me that probably a major- Local man found guilty of having ‘bomb’ By JOSH NEWTON a firearm under federal law, and attached to the explosive wanted him to leave before she Lane seized the device and [email protected] possession of an unregistered device. was taken to jail. later learned it contained sever- firearm. Lane said he and Lane found Ritchie and woke al fireworks, which were WIND CHILL? MUSKOGEE – Jurors deliber- Ritchie, 26, of Tahle- other authorities him. When the investigator wrapped in tape and screws. ity of people working at our newspapers ated a few hours in federal court quah, was formally responded to Garden spotted a large bulge in Ritchie’s Authorities have said the device Though I began trying to write this Thursday before finding a charged in November Walk Apartments on July left front pocket, he asked about was essentially similar to a Cherokee County man guilty of 2015. According to 10 for an unrelated it, and Ritchie claimed it was homemade grenade, and con- possessing an explosive device. Cherokee County Sher- investigation. After a “just fireworks.” tained 20 “Thunder-pops” and Wade Lewis Ritchie was iff’s Investigator Larry woman was arrested, she Ritchie then handed Lane a the shrapnel. today are too young to remember Harry. indicted on charges of being a Lane, Ritchie was found RITCHIE told Lane that Ritchie bottle that contained the black According to a report by month’s column weeks ago, it actually felon in possession of a destruc- with a taped-up ball of was sleeping on the ball, approximately the size of a fireworks. Screws had been couch in her residence, and she golf ball. Here are the first few sentences, retyped tive device, which is considered See MAN, page 2 began 20 years ago this month. Bliss shifts NO STONE UNTURNED on Rainy That’s when editor Jennifer Gilliland by Ashley Novachich at OPA since the Day Fund; bound copy was hard to decipher. Gravestone Nichols asked me to “fill in,” after longtime Okla- preservation skeptical By JOSH NEWTON “‘But this is Harry.’ workshop [email protected] homa journalism professor and icon Dr. A requested change opens door to a new savings account ordinance would require the city “That’s what AP writer Owen Canfield to history of Tahlequah to set Harry Heath Jr. was badly injured in a aside nearly $4 million, By SEAN ROWLEY but elected officials are [email protected] butting heads over the possible effects and told Lawrence Gibbs, managing editor of Tahlequah Public Cemetery overall intent of the car wreck. Harry, one of my last men- was the site of a gathering of proposed amendment. about 30 people on Thursday, but The Tahlequah City not for graveside services. Council signed off on Cherokee Nation Cultural the original law in the Stillwater News Press, when he called Tourism was again putting on its April. It won’t take tors, and a colleague and friend, died in gravestone preservation work- effect until later this shop with the help of Preservation month, but on Monday, Oklahoma and the Tahlequah Ward 4 Councilor Historical Preservation Board. Joshua Bliss asked to for information on the car wreck that “I’m a faith healer in our Long- increase the city’s August 1996, aged 77. He’d written his house and I have a lot to do with required reserves. the funerals,” said William Tar- April’s ordinance, rant, culture and historic preser- when taking into Wind turbines stand at the Enel Green Power wind farm in Hennepin in southern Oklahoma. [PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES] vation officer for the Seneca- account the 2015-’16 critically injured Oklahoma journalist Cayuga Nation. “I kind of oversee budget, essentially column, “Heath’s Critique,” for 30 years. our grounds and our cemeteries. forces the city to ear- Jonathan Appell, historical gravestone conservator, led the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism gravestone preservation workshop on Thursday. He removed a weakened brass pin from the base of this marker, which Harry Heath Jr. Debate on wind blows through Capitol Wind incentives impacting state budget See STONE, page 2 allowed the monument to wobble. Photo by Sean Rowley/Daily Press See FUND, page 2 When that happened, The Publisher BY PAUL MONIES AND RANDY ELLIS are bending the ear of anyone who BY RANDY ELLIS About 2,800 wind turbines now Staff Writers will listen at the Capitol. Left in the Staff Writer dot the western Oklahoma landscape. middle are lawmakers and Gov. Mary [email protected] Meanwhile, the state struggles to The ongoing state budget crisis Fallin, who have to close a budget hole scrape together money to pay tens of City pool complex to open May 31, lessons available “Canfield’s response came when and the rapid growth of wind energy of $1.3 billion by the end of May. Sometimes legislation has unin- millions of dollars in promised incen- followed the old newspaper tradition in Oklahoma in the past decade has But behind the glowing wind tended consequences. tives in the midst of a budget crunch It’s bound to be a hot there will be an adult swim water, but the little ones reached an inflection point at the industry studies and doom-and- When the Oklahoma Legislature that is prompting teacher cutbacks and humid summer, but for those 18 and older. The See FIT, page 2 need it to be a little state Capitol, with energy industry gloom predictions by wind incentive decided to provide tax incentives to and severe cuts to health and social luckily, locals will be able pool is also offering lap swimmer can go down at a warmer. Last year, we’d heavyweights debating the future of opponents are real questions about the wind industry, the goal was to welfare programs. to cool off at the city’s new swimming from 9 to 11 time and no life jackets, have to pull them out, Gibbs explained he hadn’t called because incentives for renewable energy. how existing state incentives for wind entice investors to build wind farms to Lawmakers who negotiated the aquatics complex. a.m., Monday through Fri- because they mess up the wrap them up and warm of “turning the rules,” (old hot metal Both sides have dug in. Competing energy are working and the long-term create jobs and produce clean energy tax incentives failed to place a cap This will be the second day, for those who want to them up, so that’s why I slides.” billboards dotting highways in Okla- effects on local schools and the state for Oklahomans. on them or to make sure they were full year for Tahlequatics to exercise. Lockers are avail- Swim lessons are being pushed them back.” homa City tout the benefits of wind budget. It worked. structured so that any incentive be operational, and come able for $3 per day. offered at the pool this Tahlequatics also has energy or blast the cost of incen- In fact, many policymakers now summertime, the pool will Dee Dee Hensley, year, with a slight change two pavilions on site – he knew AP didn’t cover car wrecks. SEE WIND, PAGE 12A SEE INCENTIVES, PAGE 14A be packed with people try- event coordinator for the to class times. The lessons each with three tables – tives to the state budget. Lobbyists contend it worked too well. hairline column rules between columns ing to beat the heat. city of Tahlequah, said lap available for rent. Those are $40 for five sessions, The pool is set to open swimmers will be required and Hensley said parents interested in renting out Tuesday, May 31, weather to buy lap swimmer passes will need to stay at the the pool may do so on permitting, and will close for $60 for the whole sum- pool or at the complex Sundays for $250 for three “AP carried the story on the April 29 down Aug. 13. Hours will mer. Hensley said those during lessons. Lesson hours, with an additional of type – if turned upside down so the be Monday through Satur- passes will be available to $500 deposit that is dates are as: June 6-10, IN BUSINESS day, 1 to 6 p.m. Children 2 purchase on opening day. June 13-17, July 11-15 and refundable as long as there and under and those with Hensley said parents will July 18-22. The times are are no damages to the pool Boeing’s growth Bidding laws ignored in Yukon? military IDs get free admis- not be allowed to drop or pool equipment. Whole 11 to 11:45 a.m. and noon wreck at the west edge of Stillwater that sion, and those 3 and up their kids off and leave pavilions are available for to 12:45 p.m. thicker bases were printed) so they takes off in state will be $5. Season passes them. Unless swimmers rent for $60 a day, or peo- SPLITTING CONTRACTS INTO MULTIPLE INVOICES TO AVOID GETTING COUNCIL APPROVAL IS NOT LEGAL Hensley said the class As the company wraps up will be available for $85, can drive themselves to sizes will be topped off at ple can rent a single table construction of a new $80 BY BEN FELDER purchase $600,000 in trash to ignore competitive bidding ing to documents received in an allowing 60 entries, which and from the pool – in 10 to ensure students get under one of the pavilions million, 290-square-foot build- Staff Writer carts, thus circumventing city policies during his five-year Open Records Act request. saves the holder $250 on other words, 16 or older – more individual attention. for $20 an hour, in addi- broke Heath’s neck. He’s still in inten- ing in Oklahoma City, Boeing [email protected] and state competitive bidding tenure as city manager. The 24 invoices were paid admission over the sum- parents or guardians must tion to the cost of the Children must be at least 5 were black – sadly what has been done continues to draw workers mer. accompany them. swimmers. Hensley said The © Copyright 2016, laws, records obtained by In 2012, the city received with 24 different checks within years old to enroll. from other places — such as Oklahoman Along with regular “We also have a 48- other than birthday cake, The Oklahoman show. 24 individual invoices from a a one-month span. Dee Dee Henlsey, event coordinator for the city of Tahle- “Last year, I did the les- Seattle, Wichita and Long Emails and memos from Canadian company, IPL Inc., The Oklahoman was unable swim times, a few special inch height requirement sons at like 9 a.m., but the outside food and drink will Beach, Calif. — to the state. offerings are on tap at on our slides,” Hensley quah, took a break from the office Thursday afternoon to not be allowed. YUKON — Former City Man- various Yukon city depart- none exceeding the $25,000 to find any record of the city clean the pool up a bit at Tahlequatics. water was still cold,” Hens- sive care at St. Francis Medical Center Story, PAGE 1C Tahlequatics this year. said. “They must hit 48 ager Grayson Bottom appeared ment heads also appear to show threshold that would require ley said. “When I swim for this month for another icon, mentor and Monday nights from 6 to 9, inches, and only one Photo by Hunter Lane/Daily Press See COMPLEX, page 2 to engage in bid splitting to Bottom encouraged city staff city council approval, accord- SEE YUKON, PAGE 20A fitness, I need that cold in Tulsa, paralyzed from the chest down. Inside Today Local 3 Education 4 Comics/Puzzles 7 Sports 8-9 Classifieds 10-12 tahlequahTDP.com friend, Ben Blackstock. To my knowl- Business 1C Volume 125, 113 CUSTOMER SERVICE TODAY’S PRAYER WEATHER Classified 1E Six sections We look around and realize there is Online portal: Deaths 24A Copyright 2016 a God. If You were not with us, our CLOUDY The Oklahoma oklahoman.com/account Opinion 18A lives would be meaningless. Amen. H: 78 L: 63 Publishing Co., …” Puzzles Comics Oklahoma City Phone: (405) 478-7171 edge, these are the only times The Pub- All rights reserved Sports 1B PAGE 26A lisher has done so. Since then the column has changed, After Harry’s death, Jennifer first along with changes in journalism, Okla- named this column, “The Color of homa newspapers, technology and Words,” and then it gradually became myself. Newspapers featured this month are The Oklahoman, Tahlequah Daily Press, Sand “Clark’s Critique.” What I did keep from Harry was his Springs Leader, McIntosh County Democrat, Stillwater News Press and Pauls Valley “Looking ’em over” section, because Democrat. as the former owner of the Waurika News-Democrat, I always hoped to see ing?” (As opposed to being smeared topics keep cropping up. I thought once our name there. In the weekly newspa- with too much lipstick). In addition to about trying to put together a book of per business, before anyone invented Harry’s obit (By the way, when I was at those columns, but realized it would be the word “hyperlocal,” I knew “names OSU, Harry was a model for my news like those books of former newspaper are news.” Newspaper people rarely get photography class, and a student took columnists’ writing… a good idea, but their names in print, and there’s a lot of that great photo of him at left, which ran nobody buys nor reads them – they deserving journalism in this state that with his obit). “Grab them with drama” gather dust like the newspaper back needs recognition. I eventually added (Leads, with advice from Oklahoma shop. the “Head ’em up awards,” because I journalists). “Ask a question and a verb Anyway, here are some of the more believe they are critical to newspaper will answer.” frequent subjects among the 240 col- success. In the early years of the column, there umns: verbs, headlines, leads, layout, How has the column changed? Here were few visuals. Every month I’d drive typography, editing, newspaper trends, were the first four monthly topics: to OPA and pick up a month’s supply of and photos. “Technology changes back shops into papers in one of those USPS bins, drive Special ones have included content dumping grounds” (When visiting news- home, sit down on the floor and start review of news like 9-11, tornadoes, papers, I always ask to see “your shop”). going through them. With the advent storms, drought, flooding. Covering vic- Dr. Harry Heath Jr. “What are the best dressed papers wear- of the digital archives in about 2008, I tims and disasters. Interviewing. Cover- slowly adjusted, but now it’s much bet- ing veterans. Grammar guides, punctua- ter because we can easily feature many tion guides, using quotes, and one of the papers to let you see what’s going on. most popular, diagramming sentences. My college teaching experience knows Will Rogers, Hemingway, and Homer Make Sales Soar Like Magic that being exposed to excellence begets Ray have been featured. excellence – which is why I emphasize There have been columns about cut- Improve your close ratios to 70% or more with the New MiAD your good writing, headlines and news- line, brief, obit, column and feature writ- Wizard! paper layouts. It beat the old exchange ing. paper system in being able to share Past and future have figured. Nos- It's a fact that spec ads help close more sales— and yet spec ads are ideas you can make “hyperlocal.” talgia, like the darkroom, and comics, used less than 20% of the time. Now, with the real-world magic of MiAD®Wizard, personalizing and presenting spec ads for EVERY prospect is as easy as 1-2-3! I no longer have printer’s ink on my and Oklahoma journalism history. The hands from riffling thought your pages, future, like blogging, the internet, Twit- No training. No time wasted. No more tough sells. but I still have it in my blood. ter, cell phones, digital photography. Go to miadwizard.com and see the magic for yourself! The column is also supposed to be So far there have been very few guest instructive, to help our journalists do a columns, and I’ve not gone back over [email protected] better job, and the first section usually the years to pick one to reprint when ® 800.223.1600 www.metrocreativeconnection.com miadwizard.com is. Going back through the files, certain Continued on Page 9 The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 7 Consistency is key HOW TO PREPARE A FIRM BUNDLE The USPS Firm Bundle discount can save your newspaper money – but only if it’s done correctly. Make sure whoever is preparing your mail understands how to make a firm bundle. Bundling incorrectly causes delay in delivery of your newspaper – and could result in fines. A firm bundle is made up of individually addressed mail pieces for the same address. The recipient on each addressed piece within the firm bundle can be different but the delivery address must be identical. Firm bundles may not be bundled with any other bundle. Design elements share the same look – The bundle must be secured with at least two bands running in both and use the same fonts as the headline typeface directions without covering the address block. BY ED HENNINGER cares about the details. When it comes By utilizing the Firm Bundle, the mailer only pays one piece price. For to design, you sweat the small stuff. FOR YEARS NOW, I’ve heard quite a example, if you’re sending two copies of your newspaper to the Oklahoma CREDIBILITY. If you’re careful with few arguments against design consisten- your design, it stands to reason that Press Association, you would only pay one piece price rather than two. cy, with some dragging out a quote from you’re also careful with your reporting If you claim the discount, you must make up the mail correctly. Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Consistency is and your editing, your ads and all the the hobgoblin of small minds…” FIRM BUNDLES HAVE THE WORDS “FIRM XXXXX” (5-digit ZIP code) on other things you do. Wrong. CLASS. Consistency brings a higher the optional Endorsement Line at the top of the label. Emerson never said that. What he level of sophistication to your newspa- said was “A foolish consistency is the Firm bundles must always be separate bundles, and not a bundle within a per, giving your readers and advertisers hobgoblin of little minds…” bundle. a sense that you offer them a high-qual- When it comes to newspaper design, ity product. “Sophistication” does not consistency is more than just important. mean “snooty.” It means a level of skill It’s critical. EXAMPLE and care that’s above the norm. Nothing ADDTÿÿDTTADAAATTATDATTADTÿTAAAÿDDTDATTADDDDAÿAAATATÿATÿÿAÿÿATTATA Consistent design tells your readers The Oklahoma Publisher mails *******FIRM ECRLOT 0001A**B050 wrong with that! CHRISTOPHER P. REEN, PUBLISHER and advertisers that yours is a newspa- THE OKLAHOMAN EFFICIENCY. Consistent design ele- 11 copies to different people at per that is planned and put together with PO BOX 25125 ments are part of a design system. Those OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73125-0125 purpose. The Oklahoman each month. who assemble pages at your newspaper Some may argue that they need to be don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it (Only three labels are shown AATÿDDÿADÿAADTDDÿÿÿTÿADDDTTDAÿDÿADÿÿADDDTADTAADÿDTDDÿÿÿTÿADTTATÿÿ creative with the design, that creativity *******FIRM ECRLOT 0001A**B050 comes to creating a new standing head here as an example.) Since ROBBY TRAMMELL, NEWS DIRECTOR is more important to them than consis- THE OKLAHOMAN or column sig. They just follow the style tency. That may be so, but it is not the every label is sent to the same PO BOX 25125 that’s already in use. There’s no leap of OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73125-0125 mission of a newspaper to satisfy the faith involved. address with the same punctua- creative urges of any of its staff. If you want your design to appeal to tion, a FIRM bundle is made and DAÿÿÿTADDTATTDADDDAÿÿAAAÿTDDDTDAAÿTÿÿÿTAATDDTÿÿTÿDÿTÿADTDTDÿÿÿÿÿA Rather, it is part of the mission of *******FIRM ECRLOT 0001A**B050 more readers – and to more advertisers KELLY DYER FRY, ED. a newspaper to deliver the news and postage is paid for only one copy THE OKLAHOMAN – make it cleaner and more comfortable. doings of its community in a manner that of The Publisher. PO BOX 25125 One of the fastest, easiest ways to do OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73125-0125 is clear, concise and comfortable to read. that? Make it more consistent. That’s where consistency comes in. Here’s how: ED HENNINGER, an independent newspaper con- BUNDLING COMFORT. Readers find it easier to sultant and director of Henninger Consulting, offers get through a newspaper that wears the comprehensive newspaper design services including When assembling your mailing, same look from page to page, section to redesigns, workshops, design training and design take all copies going to the same section. evaluations. Contact Henninger at www.henninger- address and make a CARE. Consistency reinforces the consulting.com, email edh@henningerconsulting. com or phone (803) 327-3322. FIRM bundle by strapping it feeling that yours is a newspaper that together with bands running in both directions. Do not cover the label. Well known newspaper seller honored Calvin Steves is a legendary newspa- In honor of his service to Norman KEEP FIRM BUNDLES per seller in Norman, Oklahoma. and the University of Oklahoma, the city SEPARATE When he was 18, Steves was struck designed a bike rack after Calvin. Down- Firm bundles must always be by a hit-and-run driver while riding his town Norman has acquired many new separate bundles. Do not strap bicycle and has worn a bike helmet and unique bike racks over the years every day since then. including a scissor-tailed flycatcher, a your firm bundle together with He walks nearly 10 miles a day selling lightening bolt coming from a cloud and any other bundle. more than 120 copies of The Norman a dream catcher. Transcript a day. On OU football game On Campus Corner, you can now find days, he sells close to 300 copies. the bike rack that honors Calvin. 6 The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 THE OG&E PHOTO CONTEST

MARCH 2016 DAILY WINNER: JASON ELMQUIST Stillwater News Press

MARCH 2016 WEEKLY WINNER: TRAVIS Stillwater High’s Diego Marek (8) kicks the ball past a charging Coweta goalkeeper for a goal during an opening round game in the Stillwater Cup. BARNARD Photo by JASON ELMQUIST, Stillwater News Press, March 26, 2016 The Mooreland Leader

The March 2016 contest was judged by a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. View all winning photos at www.OkPress.com/OGE-Photo-Contest ENTER AND WIN A $100 CHECK FROM OGE ENERGY CORP. For more information about the photo contest,visit

Flames are visible leaping skyward through fence panels at Miller Cattle Company as the result of a wildfire www.okpress.com/ that burned nearly 300 acres three miles northwest of Mooreland. oge-photo-contest Photo by TRAVIS BARNARD, The Mooreland Leader, March 3, 2016

It’s time … for OG&E’ss new SmartHours™ Price Plans. 1-877-898-3834 OGE.COM M I D NIG H T N OON M I D N I G H T 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 MONEY-SAVING OFF PEAK PEAK TIME, WATCH YOUR USE PEAK OVER. START SAVING … © 2012 OGE Energy Corp. The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 5 Former OPA manager Ben Blackstock dies nalism and was director of public rela- He was preceded in death by his tions at Central State College in 1951- wife Bonnie; stepson Michael Wayne THANK 52, prior to being named Executive Rookstool; son Daniel Dana Black- Vice President and Secretary-Manag- stock; his parents and two brothers, er of Oklahoma Press Association. Loy Fowler and Bob Blackstock. YOU During his 44 years at OPA, he Ben is survived by two children: to the following individuals and was the recipient of numerous profes- Sam Blackstock and Melissa Black- organizations for their recent sional honors, including OPA’s Milt stock Edwards; and four grandchil- donations to the Phillips Award, the Boy Scout Silver dren: Brian Blackstock, Jessica Black- Beaver Award, OKC Ad Club Silver stock, Beau Blackstock and Tiffany Oklahoma Newspaper Medal, the FOI Oklahoma Marian Edwards. Foundation: Opala First Amendment Award and Donations may be made to the In memory of Ben Blackstock: the National Newspaper Association Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation, Amos Award. 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, H.E. Rainbolt Trust FOI Oklahoma annually honors OK 73105, or Free to Live animal Don & Sally Ferrell Blackstock through the presentation rescue. of the Ben Blackstock Award for a To read more about Ben Black- Kansas Newspaper Foundation person or organization that has shown stock’s life and years at the OPA, Morley Piper Ben Blackstock, manager of the a commitment to freedom of informa- download his memoir, “Nearly Oklahoma Press Association for more AAFP Chapter Execs Fund tion. Famous,” or the tab that commemo- than four decades, died April 25, 2016. Kamas Consulting In 1973, he was inducted into the rated his service to the OPA titled He was 90. Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. “The Ben Years” at www.OkPress. Joe & Michele Carter Benny Lee Blackstock was born in He also was named a distinguished com/Ben-Blackstock-memoirs. Drumright, Okla., on Sept. 4, 1925, to Mary & James Erwin graduate of the University of Okla- Pearl Parks and Boyd Lee Blackstock. Pinellas Pediatrics homa journalism school. During World War II, Blackstock Tradition of turning Blackstock served as president of Dean Rinehart served in the U.S. Air Force from the Newspaper Association Manag- the column rules 1943-1946 as a B-29 radio operator A donation to the Oklahoma Newspaper ers, American Newspaper Representa- flying off Tinian, and in the USAF The tradition of turning the Foundation will support its efforts to tives, Oklahoma Society of Associa- Reserve from 1946-1954. He received column rules is an old and dignified improve the state’s newspaper industry tion Executives and Sigma Delta Chi. the American Campaign Medal, Asi- custom dating back to the early and quality of journalism. He also was president of the atic Pacific Campaign Medal, Good 1800s. Edmond Hospital Board, a co-founder ONF’s programs include training and Conduct Medal and World War II Vic- We turn the rules in The of AMCARE and a 16-gallon A-nega- education for professional journalists, tory Medal for his service in the war. Publisher this month as a tribute tive blood donor. scholarship and internship programs for In 1954, Blackstock married Bon- to Ben Blackstock – our colleague, Blackstock believed in “the therapy journalism students, and Newspaper in nie Lou Michael Rookstool. They lived mentor, friend, and newspaper of controversy” and did his best to Education efforts. in Edmond and Oklahoma City for advocate. comfort the afflicted and afflict the more than 55 years. Turning the column rules was a ONF relies on donations and memorial comfortable. Ben graduated from the University newspaper’s way of mourning the contributions to fund these programs. He was a dog lover, a Friend of Bill of Oklahoma in 1951 with a bachelor’s loss of a fellow printer or a leader in and an unterrified Democrat. If you would like to make a donation, degree in journalism. He taught jour- the community. please send a check to:

OKLAHOMA DEATHS NEWSPAPER DARREN L. CURRIN, former reporter at Southern Nazarene University in 1995 and daughter Kaitlyn of Yukon; parents FOUNDATION The Journal Record, died May 3, 2016. with a degree in journalism. Doyle and Glenda Currin of Greenville, He was 42. Along with his journalism career, Texas; in-laws Larry and Gayla Ryan of 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. Currin was born July 20, 1973, in Currin also worked in commercial real Yukon; and several siblings, nieces and Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Greenville, Texas. He graduated from estate and ministry. nephews. Currin is survived by his wife Amy

PAUL ENGLISH, a longtime award-win- covering the Office of the Governor for also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in ning Oklahoma journalist, died April 20, United Press International, The Daily 1995 for his coverage of the Oklahoma In Memory of 2016. He was 79. Oklahoman and The Tulsa World. City bombing. English was born Feb. 17, 1937, in He was inducted into the Oklahoma He is survived by his wife Nancy; Our Friends & Ada. He was a graduate of Ada High Journalism Hall of Fame in 1995 and daughter Melody English; son Richard School and Oklahoma City University. served as a Freedom of Information English; stepdaughter Lisa Hall; stepson Colleagues During his 50-year journalism career, he Oklahoma board member, and president Michael Mount; and several grandchil- worked at several different newspapers. of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Society dren. of Professional Journalists. English was State Rep. David Dank He began at The Duncan Banner before April 10, 2015 Ralph Marler JOANN SUE LARKINS THOMPSON, for- she worked as a reporter for The Lawton before eventually taking on administra- mer reporter for The Lawton Constitu- Morning Press. She began her career in tive professional roles. April 13, 2015 tion, died April 13, 2016. She was 68. journalism at The Lawton Constitution Thompson is survived by her daugh- Charles Edward Cagle Thompson, a Lawton native, was born and was one of the first female reporters ter, Michelle Thompson Boyer of Den- April 24, 2015 July 27, 1947. She graduated Lawton to have a news beat. ver; sister Mary Stevens; three broth- High School in 1965 before attending She continued working in journalism ers, John, Jerry and James; and several Claire Britton Branson Cameron University. While in college, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. May, 4, 2015 4 The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 Roundup of staff changes at state newspapers ALTUS TIMES NAMES Rayo OKC. He also served four years at book page and website. She will upload CNHI NOW HAS FULL-TIME WRITER STEINKOPFF AS EDITOR the Mustang News as both sports editor photos and video of events in real-time TO COVER OKC THUNDER and general manager. as well as conduct interviews. Eric Steinkopff Community Newspaper Holdings, “The experience I gained from being Carson’s goal for this new position is has been promoted Inc. recently hired a journalist to cover at the Mustang News was invaluable and “to give Weatherford Daily News read- to managing editor the Oklahoma City Thunder full-time. I look forward to bringing those experi- ers the information they want, when of The Altus Times. Fred Katz, a native of New York City, ences to The Yukon Review,” Salomon they want it.” Steinkopff has been graduated from the University of Mis- said. Carson lives in Clinton with her hus- with Civitas Media, souri with a degree in journalism. Salomon graduated from the Uni- band and three daughters. She also spe- The Altus Times’ par- He is a multimedia journalist with versity of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s cializes in digital marketing. ent corporation, in experience in television, radio and online degree in journalism. He is originally North Carolina for more than two years journalism. from Jenks. in its pagination hub. Katz’ content, which will go beyond He entered the civilian workforce in DELAWARE COUNTY JOURNAL game scores and explore the team in- 2000 after 23 years as a Marine Corps NAMES COLLUMS AS EDITOR depth, will be available online through- intelligence specialist and Russian lin- DESTINEE WEEKS NEW EDITOR Zach Collums is the out the year. guist. He began his second career as AT DEWEY COUNTY RECORD new editor of the Dela- On Katz’ first day in Oklahoma, he a journalist and photographer cover- The Dewey County Record recently ware County Journal. was welcomed with a tornado warning. ing the military beat for a daily news- welcomed new editor Destinee Weeks Cheryl Franklin, “I spent an unexpected amount of paper in Jacksonville, North Carolina. to its staff. publisher of the week- time huddling with others at the base of Steinkopff’s experience also includes Weeks graduated with a bachelor’s ly newspaper, said my Oklahoma City hotel stairwell,” he working as a copy editor, page design- degree in English and Mass Communi- Collums interned for said. “It was a heck of a welcome.” er, managing editor and marketing and cations from Northwestern Oklahoma them in the past and sales. State University. was a “great writer and diligent worker.” TREVOR BROWN JOINS “I hope to learn more about the area “I am honored to be given the oppor- “We are also looking forward to Zach OKLAHOMA WATCH STAFF and write stories to share with others tunity,” Weeks said. “I am eager to serve bringing a lot of digital reporting to the Oklahoma Watch has hired Trevor what I have found,” he said. “I’ve never the community with newsworthy infor- mix of quality print stories,” Franklin Brown as its State Capitol/State Issues lived in Oklahoma before, but I got here mation with each issue.” said. reporter. From 2011 to 2016, Brown as fast as I could.” Weeks lives in Seiling with her hus- Collums served as an intern at the worked at the Wyoming Tribune’s Eagle band and eight-month-old son. Miami News-Record and attended Okla- as a statehouse reporter. homa State University where he served He also previously covered state SALOMON NAMED EDITOR on the campus newspaper, The O’Colly. issues for CNHI’s Oklahoma newspa- AT YUKON REVIEW NEW DIGITAL POSITION FILLED “I am honored to take up the role of pers. editor for the Delaware County Journal, Kyle Salomon has joined the Yukon AT WEATHERFORD DAILY NEWS Brown received his bachelor’s degree and I’ll do my best to give Jay and Dela- Review staff as managing editor. The Weatherford Daily News has in journalism and political science from ware County the best news possible,” Before coming to Yukon, Salomon added a new face to its staff. Helen Car- Indiana University. Collums said. was the public relations director for son will oversee the newspaper’s Face-

 ³63216257(67,021,$/³ Tulsa World reporter honored with

´7KH'LVFRYHU$PHULFD·V 0DNHPRQH\RII\RXUDUFKLYHZLWK Bar Association’s Liberty Bell Award DGYHUWLVLQJDQGSURPRWLRQFDPSDLJQV 6WRU\SURJUDPLV Julie DelCour, who has worked at the ty and U.S. district courts, as well as WKDWJLYH\RXUDUHDEXVLQHVVHVDQ Tulsa World for 39 years, received the the Oklahoma City bombing investiga- VRPHWKLQJZHIHOWYHU\ LUUHVLVWLEOHZD\WRVKRZFDVHWKHLU Tulsa County Bar Association and Foun- tion and trials of defendants Timothy FRPPLWPHQWWR\RXUFRPPXQLW\³ dation Liberty Bell Award at a Law Day McVeigh and Terry Nichols in Denver. VWURQJO\DERXWDQGZH event on April 29. She has served as an editorial writer VSRQVRULQJWKHGLJLWL]DWLRQRI\RXU The award recognizes non-lawyers for the past 18 years, writing about ZDQWHGWREHDSDUWRI ERXQGYROXPHDUFKLYH for outstanding service to the legal pro- legal issues and trends including prison  fession and community. reform, victims’ rights, the death penalty ³VSRQVRULQJWKHRQOLQH During DelCour’s career at the Tulsa and legislation affecting the judiciary 'LVFRYHU$PHULFD·V6WRU\ZDVSURYHQ World, she reported on the Tulsa Coun- and legal system. DUFKLYHVVRHYHU\RQHFDQ VXFFHVVIXOZLWK7KH0RRUHODQG KDYHDQRSSRUWXQLW\WR /HDGHULQ2NODKRPDZKLFKFRPSOHWHG GLJLWL]DWLRQLQUHFRUGWLPHWKDQNVWR Joe Hight named UCO chair UHDGHYHU\LVVXHRI WKHODUJHQXPEHURIORFDOVSRQVRUVZKR The University of Cen- stitution, the Shawnee News-Star and 7KH0RRUHODQG/HDGHU SDLGWRSUHVHUYHWKHLUWRZQ·VKLVWRU\ tral Oklahoma’s Depart- The Oklahoman.  ment of Mass Commu- Currently, Hight is the president and VLQFH7KLVLVD nication has named Joe co-owner of Edmond’s Best of Books  Hight as the E.K. Gaylord and writes a weekly column for The JUHDWSURJUDPµ Endowed Chair for Jour- Journal Record.  nalism Ethics. Hight earned his bachelor’s degree 'LUN'HZDOG3UHVLGHQW  Hight has more than 35 years of news- in journalism from Central State Uni- &HQWUDO1DWLRQDO%DQN paper experience as an editor, reporter versity, which is now the University of .DUHQ7DULFD and managing editor. Central Oklahoma. RI(QLG 2NODKRPD  'LVFRYHU$PHULFDV6WRU\FRP During his career he has worked at He was inducted into the Oklahoma the Guthrie News Leader, Lawton Con- Journalism Hall of Fame in 2013. The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016 3

The OPA Nominating Committee makes recommendations Oklahoma The OPA Nominating Committee News & Eagle, and Gloria Trotter, The The Clinton Daily News, was recom- met in Oklahoma City on April 21 to Countywide & Sun. mended for a second one-year term Publisher recommend the slate of OPA officers The committee reviewed the OPA as treasurer. Current OPA President and directors for 2016-17. By-Laws, Nominating Committee Trammell was recommended to serve The seven-member committee is Structure, board policies regarding as past president. ISSN 1526-811X Official Publication of the composed of the six most recent OPA board service and the board positions The committee also recommended past presidents who are still active as to be filled by the committee. the renewal of a three-year director Oklahoma Press Association newspaper executives and the current Upon completion of the discussion, term for Mike Strain, managing editor PUBLISHER OPA president. the committee recommended the fol- at the Tulsa World. Recommended as Attending were Nominating Com- lowing slate of officers and directors a new director to serve a three-year Mark Thomas mittee Chairman Rusty Ferguson, The for the year beginning July 1, 2016. term was Barbara Vice, publisher of [email protected] Cleveland American; Rod Serfoss, Clin- Current OPA Vice President Dayva the Drumright Gusher. ton Daily News; Jeff Mayo, Sequoyah Spitzer, co-publisher/editor at Sayre A general election for new officers EDITOR County Times, and Robby Trammell, Record & Beckham County Demo- and directors will be held at the annual Jennifer Gilliland The Oklahoman. crat, was recommended to serve as convention during the OPA business [email protected] Those not attending but contrib- president. Brian Blansett, publisher meeting at 3:00 p.m. on June 10 at the uting input were Jeff Shultz, Garvin of the Tri-County Herald in Meeker, Sheraton in downtown Oklahoma City. OPA OFFICERS County News Star; Jeff Funk, Enid was recommended to serve as vice Nominations for officers and directors president, and Serfoss, publisher of may also be made from the floor. Robby Trammell, President The Oklahoman Dayva Spitzer, Vice President OPA Convention Continued from Page 1 Sayre Record & Beckham County Democrat The evening concludes with the Rod Serfoss, Treasurer 2016 OPA QUARTER CENTURY CLUB INDUCTEES announcement of winners of the OPA Better Newspaper Contest. Clinton Daily News For more information or to register, Mark Thomas, visit www.OkPress.com/convention. Executive Vice President, Oklahoma City OPA DIRECTORS

Newspapers Jeff Funk, Past President Gina Cato Mike Gifford Dawnyal Hill Dagmar Peery bring communities together. Enid News & Eagle ing on the Issues,” presented by Phillip tor of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Brian Blansett, Tri-County Herald Reid, CEO of Reid Newspapers. Reid will Fame and professor of journalism at the Ted Streuli, The Journal Record share a step-by-step process to take back University of Central Oklahoma. Andy politics. “Growing Active Accounts with Rieger will receive the ONF Beachy Ray Dyer, El Reno Tribune $ Non-Traditional Ads” is the concurrent Musselman Award. Rieger retired as 10 SHIRT Mike Strain, Tulsa World advertising session, led by Amie Stein. managing editor at The Norman Tran- Only BACK John Denny Montgomery, Stein will talk about creative ways to script in 2015. He is now a part-time Each! open more doors right inside your print teacher at the University of Oklahoma The Purcell Register product. in Norman. Mark Millsap, The evening will conclude with the The OPA Quarter Century Club will Don’t miss out on the 2016 shirt featuring The Norman Transcript Awards Reception beginning at 6:00, induct four new members at the award a community around a circle. The inside followed by the Awards Banquet at 7:00. banquet. This year’s honorees are Gina of the circle reads “Newspapers bring 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. The OPA Milt Phillips Award will be Cato, Mike Gifford, Dawnyal Hill and communities together.” Order your shirt Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 presented to Dr. Terry M. Clark, direc- Dagmar Perry. at www.OkPress.com/convention-tshirts. (405) 499-0020 Toll-Free in Oklahoma: (888) 815-2672 ATTENTION www.OkPress.com We should be your first call. [email protected] OPA BUSINESS MEMBERS W.B. Grimes & Company www.Facebook.com/OKPress SUBSCRIBE TO has sold more than 1,500 newspapers over the THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER 2016 years and appraised thousands of others. $12 PER YEAR PHOTO ID Gary Borders covers Oklahoma, Texas, THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER (USPS 406- Louisiana, New Mexico and Arizona. 920) is published monthly for $12 per year PRESS CARDS by the Oklahoma Press Association, 3601 N. [email protected] • 903-237-8863 Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. are now available! Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, What’s Your Paper Worth? Find Out Today. OK. ORDER YOURS TODAY! POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ONLY To download order form, visit A free confidential consultation awaits via our website. THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. $5 WWW.OKPRESS.COM www.MediaMergers.com 2 The Oklahoma Publisher // May 2016

as soon as he can – it’s important.” I at night that shattered the front plate started backing towards my car. The glass windows of The Producer’s offic- men, now silent, kept pace. es on Main Street in Seminole. The I was never so glad to lock a car vandalism was reported in The Pro- door in my life. Then I realized I ducer as well as The Daily Oklahoman. had not snapped a picture, but the – Commissioners brought hand- story was clear. The Producer’s banner picked supporters – two chartered headline read: “Threats, Insults Greet buses full – to the county courthouse Reporter at County Barn”. in Wewoka where the officials vowed Reporting on the county commis- to continue their questionable prac- sioner scandals of the late 1970s and tices. They denounced The Producer 1980s created some wild times. and Excise Board members to loud The Producer’s aggressive “watch- applause, cheering and standing ova- dog” reporting – backed and support- tions. I tape-recorded the proceedings ed by publishers Milt Phillips and son, and the transcripts were published Ted, – cost the paper financially, but verbatim in The Producer. (Later, the Courageous watchdog reporting rewarded it with credibility beyond Oklahoma State Bureau of Investiga- measure, and a growing circulation tion would play the tapes for a grand broke commissioner scandal story countywide among concerned citizens. jury as evidence of commissioner Consider: wrongdoing.) I jumped out of my car and snapped er,” he replied, advising that I should – Accused commissioners cut The The Seminole County scandal fore- a picture of a Seminole County dump follow him to the county barn. Producer off from publishing the coun- shadowed Oklahoma’s massive state- truck unloading gravel onto a driveway That’s when things turned ugly. ty’s legal notices and critical dollars to wide commissioner scandal of the at a house in Konawa. It was near quitting time, and some a small-town newspaper. We reported 1980s. Two Excise Board members had 15 workers were in the barn. As I the boycott on Page 1 and The Pro- It was the largest public corruption earlier refused to sign off on bud- walked with the driver through the ducer responded by publishing the scandal in U.S. history in terms of get expenditures claiming in a public large bay doors, he suddenly shouted, county’s legal notices for free as a the number of cases. Federal prosecu- meeting that county equipment, work- “Here’s the son of a b…. from the public service. (The notices were later tors obtained public corruption convic- ers and materials were illegally being newspaper that’s been writing all those restored by newly elected commission- tions and guilty pleas from 240 county used by elected commissioners on pri- bad things about the commissioner!” ers.) commissioners, ex-commissioners and vate property at taxpayer expense. Immediately I was surrounded by – Papers with stories that chal- suppliers. As a young reporter for The Semi- angry employees. They were glaring at lenged the commissioners’ practices Prices dropped more than 40 per- nole Producer, I drove to Konawa to me, glancing at one another, not sure were stolen out of The Producer’s cent in the massive bid-rigging scan- find out if the allegations were true. To what to do next, almost seeing who racks in Konawa. The thefts ended dal’s wake, saving taxpayers about my surprise, the first thing I spotted was going to throw the first punch. when The Producer twice responded $200 million a year, prosecutors said. was the dump truck. I raised my camera to my chest and with a “circulation promotion” that had The Oklahoma Press Association’s I ran up and asked the driver why pointed it at them, and quickly asked to carriers throw a sample paper – with annual top journalism award is named he was dumping gravel at a private see the commissioner. “He’s not here,” the commissioners stories reprinted – after the late courageous, civic-minded residence. someone growled. at every house in Konawa. Seminole newspaper publisher, H. Milt “You’ll have to ask the commission- “Then I want to leave a message – On two different occasions, the Phillips. for him to call me at the newspaper newsroom came under brick attacks

OPA CALENDAR OF EVENTS Journalists with Oklahoma THURS., JUNE 9, 2016 INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING TOOLS roots receive Pulitzer Prizes Cost: $35, 1:00 PM This webinar will introduce you to some of these tools, demonstrate why they are effective and Three journalists with Oklahoma screened at the 2016 Dallas Interna- explain how to use some of them. Most important, it will explain the process behind learning a roots were part of teams that won 2016 tional Film Festival. new tool. To register, visit www.onlinemediacampus.com. Pulitzer Prize honors. The couple were featured on the front FRI. & SAT., JUNE 10-11, 2016 Hailey Branson-Potts and her hus- page of the Perry Daily Journal on April band, Mark Potts, were part of the Los 20. OPA ANNUAL CONVENTION Angeles Times team that won the Break- Former Tulsa World reporter and DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY SHERATON HOTEL ing News Coverage award for coverage editor David Fallis was part of the team This year’s convention will be held on Friday and Saturday. Education/networking sessions and of the San Bernardino terrorist attack. at the Washington Post that won the social events are scheduled Friday afternoon through Saturday leading up to the annual awards The LA Times was cited “for excep- National Reporting Award for its police banquet Saturday evening where we will celebrate the winners of the Better Newspaper Contest. tional reporting, including both local shootings project. For more information or to register, visit www.okpress.com/convention. and global perspectives” in its coverage Fallis is deputy investigations editor FRI., JULY 15, 2016 of both the shooting and subsequent ter- at the Post. ror investigation. The Post staff was cited “for its reve- ACES EDITING BOOT CAMP Branson-Potts, a metro reporter for latory initiative in creating and using a 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM, UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA the LA Times, is a former reporter, national database to illustrate how often Cost: $100 for members, $175 non-members photographer, layout designer and copy and why the police shot to kill and who The Editing Boot Camp workshop covers a broad range of topics including why editing is important, editor at the Perry Daily Journal. the victims are the most likely to be.” grammar and punctuation basics, elements of proofreading, and much more! To register, visit Mark Potts, a graduate of Enid High All three of the journalists with Okla- www.copydesk.org/about/join-now. School, is an LA Times video editor homa ties are graduates of the Univer- and feature-film director of the super sity of Oklahoma and worked for the stu- For more information on upcoming events, visit the OPA website at www.OkPress.com or contact hero movie “Spaghettiman,” which just dent publication, The Oklahoma Daily. Member Services Director Lisa Sutliff at (405) 499-0026, 1-888-815-2672 or email [email protected].