The Oklahoma Publisher Vol. 92, No. 3 12 Pages • March 2021 www.OkPress.com www.Facebook.com/okpress State newspapers face diffi culties during winter storms, but rise to the challenge The arctic blast that swept into Oklahoma in February brought snow and plunging temperatures to the state. As citizens braced for rolling power blackouts, busted pipes and snow- packed roads, community newspapers made plans on how to get the newspaper out. We asked OPA mem- ber newspapers to tell us how they made it through the record-breaking tem- peratures. Here are their stories. THE CARNEGIE HERALD Faced with the approach of a historic storm and a nearly hour drive to Clinton Photos of the to print, The Carnegie Her- historic snowfall fi lled ald made the decision to pages of Oklahoma put out a rush edition, said newspapers. Above Lori Cooper, co-publisher is the Kiowa County of the weekly newspaper. Courthouse in Hobart, “We printed on Friday Okla., during a heavy instead of our usual Tues- snow. Photo by Todd Hancock, day. We had everything Hobart Democrat-Chief covered except the District Basketball Tournament,” At left, Washita County Cooper said. employees help clear “We were so glad that we Main Street in Cordell. did! We stayed open during Photo by Donald Cooper, the winter storm and I The Cordell Beacon See Snowstorms, Page 4

OPA President Mike OPA Nominating People on the move, OPA Computer Strain writes about the Committee makes including new editor at Consultant Wilma OPA contest and recommendations for The Norman Transcript Newby breaks down convention plus review of 2021-2022 officers and and two new general all the ways for a book that might help you directors. managed at Reid you to sign those 2 set priorities. 3 9 Newspapers. 11 PDF documents. OU, Arizona State From the President journalism schools partner to serve By Mike Strain, Tulsa World Native American OPA President 2020-2021 communities The University of Okla- A few thoughts on a windy March day… homa Gaylord College Overcoming tough circumstances: I will gladly take windy of Journalism and Mass March days over sub-zero February days. In this edition of the Communication and the Publisher, you’ll find five pages that share experiences from Walter Cronkite School of around the state. They show how people overcame problems that come with butt-deep Journalism and Mass Com- snow drifts and cold so severe it freezes pipes and turns a runny nose into an icicle (both munication at Arizona State happened to me). University are partnering to I probably sound like a cheerleader in some of these columns, but I don’t think I will expand coverage of Indige- ever stop admiring the work at newspapers all over the state. It’s not an easy job on the nous communities. best days. And on the hardest ones, people turn their dedication up even higher. Students from Gaylord Contest and convention time: The University of Oklahoma recently announced News and Cronkite News some big news about football season. In a letter sent by the university, Athletic Director will publish stories on both Joe Castiglione wrote: “… for now, we are working under the assumption that the stadium news organizations’ web- will be full.” sites, share story ideas and The key words in that statement are “for now,” and I can relate to that sentiment. Right pair up students to cover now, OPA is planning its annual convention, which will be June 11-12 in Oklahoma City. developing news stories. We’re working under the assumption we will have an in-person annual convention. The Students share a news- education and awards committees had recent meetings. Several topics were discussed, room in ASU’s new Ambas- including convention sessions and contest entries. sador Barbara Barrett and As you may remember, the OPA Board recommended making contest entries free this Justice Sandra Day O’Con- year. Since then, entries have arrived, and the total is the highest in the last three years. nor Washington Center, There were 70 papers that entered, and they combined for 1,375 entries this year. The located three blocks from entries eclipsed the number in 2019 (1,345) and 2018 (1,326). The number of papers is the White House, from comparable to those years. In 2019, there were 74 and in 2018 there were 75. which they cover national The number of COVID cases are declining and more and more people are getting vacci- news about Indigenous nated. My hope is that the trends will keep heading the right direction and the convention issues. will be much like we remember it in a pre-COVID era that seems like a lifetime ago. Both news organizations will distribute student work Interesting read: A few weeks ago, my wife recommended a book called “Essential- to more than 100 partner ism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less”. The book, she said, might help me do a better job news organizations across of setting priorities. Maybe she had noticed I scramble from task to task, often meeting the country. These media myself coming and going. Sound familiar? outlets will have access to My response: I don’t have time for a book! (OK, I may have said something like: That stories from both Cronkite sounds pretty good. I will listen to it.) I’m glad I did, because author Greg McKeown has and Gaylord students. some interesting observations and suggestions. Gaylord College and The short version: Making priorities takes focus and it can be a difficult process. After the Cronkite School each all, when you prioritize something, it means you might have to stop doing something else. have prioritized coverage of McKeown offers practical advice on how to set priorities and issued a warning that caught Native American commu- my attention: If I don’t set my priorities, they will be set for me by someone else or by the nities and issues through universe. reporting programs and If you’re someone like me, it could be a helpful book… if you have the time. classroom teaching. “This collaboration between the Gaylord News Enid News & Eagle forms community advisory board program and our friends at The Enid News & Eagle of the News & Eagle, said that matter to Enid and Cronkite will provide badly is establishing a communi- the community advisory Northwest Oklahoma. needed coverage of Native ty advisory board and ask- board will add a layer of “This board will not be American communities in ing its readers and commu- individuals who can help a large one,” Allen said. Oklahoma and Arizona, as nity members to become a them with good story ideas “However, we will occa- well as nationally,” said Ed part of what they do. and perspectives on issues sionally seek new members Kelley, dean of the Gaylord Cindy Allen, publisher as time goes by.” College. March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma March 2021 | 2 OPA Nominating Committ ee recommends The Oklahoma slate of offi cers, directors for 2021-2022 The OPA Nominating board positions to be filled term is Misti Publisher Committee met at the OPA by the committee. Rinehart. ISSN 1526-811X Building on March 4 to dis- After discussing possible Rinehart Official Publication of the cuss the slate of officers and candidates, the committee has been with OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION directors for 2021-2022. recommended the following the Tulsa OPA OFFICERS The seven-member com- slate of officers and direc- World for President mittee is composed of the tors for the year beginning five years, Misti Rinehart MIKE STRAIN six most recent OPA past July 1, 2021. and holds the Tulsa World presidents who are still John Denny Montgom- position of Sales Manager. Vice President active as newspaper execu- ery, co-publisher of The Prior to her employment JOHN DENNY MONTGOMERY tives and the current OPA Purcell Register, was rec- at the World, she worked at The Purcell Register president. ommended to serve as pres- the Claremore Progress for Committee members ident. Mark Millsap, pub- nearly eight years. Treasurer in attendance were OPA lisher of The Norman Tran- Rinehart graduated from JEFF MAYO President Mike Strain, script, was recommended Rogers State University in Sequoyah County Times Tulsa World; Nominating to serve as vice president. 2006. Executive Vice President Committee Chairman Ray Jeff Mayo, publisher of the Her work experience also MARK THOMAS Dyer, El Reno Tribune; Jeff Sequoyah County Times, includes serving as program OPA DIRECTORS Mayo, Sequoyah County was recommended to serve director for RSU Radio for Times, and Rod Serfoss, a second one-year term as five years. RAY DYER, Past President Clinton Daily News. treasurer. A general election for El Reno Tribune Rusty Ferguson, Jeff The committee also rec- new officers and directors MARK MILLSAP Shultz and Brian Blansett ommended the renewal of will be held at the annual The Norman Transcript were unable to attend. a three-year director term convention, tentatively ZONELLE RAINBOLT The committee reviewed for Shauna Belyeu, general scheduled for June 11-12, Wesner Publications the OPA By-Laws, Nom- manager of The Eufaula at the Sheraton Hotel in inating Committee struc- Indian Journal. downtown Oklahoma City. DON MECOY The Oklahoman ture, board policies regard- Recommended as a new ing board service, and the director for a three-year SHAUNA BELYEU The Eufaula Indian Journal SHEILA GAY Woodward News SUZIE CAMPBELL You’ve Got Questions! Countywide & Sun OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION • Can I photograph minors without consent? 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 • Can police deny access to records by issuing (405) 499-0020 a press release? Toll-Free in Oklahoma: (888) 815-2672 www.OkPress.com • Should I alter my archives when a person demands it? [email protected] www.Facebook.com/OKPress • Can I report inaccurate testimony given in open court? SUBSCRIBE TO March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher • What are the laws about liquor advertising? THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER $12 PER YEAR These are questions answered by the attorneys for the OPA Legal Services Plan THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER (USPS 406- members in recent months. Newspapers always need timely legal advice on issues 920) is published monthly for $12 per year by the Oklahoma Press Association, 3601 related to newspaper publishing. N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105- 5499. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma You should join OPA’S LEGAL SERVICES PLAN! City, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to See www.OkPress.com/LSP or contact Mark Thomas THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, 3601 N. at (405) 499-0033 or toll-free in Oklahoma 1-888-815-2672 today! Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105- 5499. 3 FEBRUARY 2021 WINTER STORM Continued from Page 1 might add that we were one of a few open in town,” she said. “Fortunately, we never lost power, however we were prepared with a gen- erator if we needed to work under those conditions.” COMANCHE TIMES The Comanche Times was able to print as normal, for the most part, said Todd Brooks, publisher of the weekly newspaper. “We went to press as normal on Tuesday around noon. We got the paper from the printer in Lindsay that afternoon and brought it to our home in rural Ste- phens County where we did the insertion and labeling,” said Brooks. “Meanwhile, we were getting about 10 inches of Lone Grove resident Merle Callis created this detailed dragon. The ground was covered in several inches of snow until the snow overnight and woke melt began on Friday, February 19. up to about 14 inches total Photo submitted by Linda Hicks, Lone Grove Ledger on the ground. “One of my sons and of publisher,” said Suzie it produced,” Campbell day afternoon the power to I dug an area in front of Campbell. said. the office was restored. the carport for me to back Campbell said although Campbell called her up my four-wheel drive this round of weather was brother, who has a business ENID NEWS & EAGLE truck in order to get some challenging, the October in Shawnee, to see if he It was Cindy Allen’s first momentum toward the ice storm is the one she will had power and if she could day as publisher of the Enid roadway,” Brooks said. always remember. work there. He told her to News & Eagle when the “In addition, I had to During that storm power come on over so she packed arctic blast hit. drop off my daughter for was out at the office and up and set up shop at his “We handled the weath- work in Marlow, which everyone was working business. er situation over the last added to the trip. Stores got remotely on the last publi- “The staff at his business two weeks by adjusting our their single-copy newspa- cation before the November came by to wish me luck deadlines earlier and trying pers a few hours late. We election. and to tell me all the ghost to get carriers out on deliv- also got the bags to the post Campbell was working at stories related to the build- ery earlier,” Allen said. office a few hours later than home until the power went ing. The one comment that When the weather was usual, but still in enough out early Tuesday morning. worried me all night was at its worst, Allen wrote time for subscribers to get “Still, I was not worried. the one about all the hiding a blurb every day for the their newspapers on time.” The crews would sure- places in the warehouse,” print and online edition ly have it back on soon. Campbell said. telling print subscribers COUNTYWIDE & SUN Around 3:00 that afternoon “Every strange noise I that they should expect The staff at the County- we still had no power. I was heard made my heart race. delivery delays. Allen said wide & Sun managed to get now beginning to panic. And let’s be honest, all the this effort cut down on the a paper printed, picked up The hot Congressional Dis- noises were strange since number of calls the newspa- and mailed to their sub- trict 5 race along with other this was not by normal per typically receives from scribers, but “it was not the local elections needed to get working space.” delivery disruption. best publication produced out before the vote and we But the paper made it to “We did make the deci- since I took the position needed to keep the revenue the printer and by Wednes- sion to not do a print edi-

March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma March 2021 | tion Tuesday, February 16, 4 FEBRUARY 2021 WINTER STORM for the safety of our carriers ling to drop off her papers, due to hazardous roads and he headed to Healdton. dangerous low tempera- “We were able to process tures,” Allen said. “We still postal reports and deliver did a digital edition and an newspapers to the post E-Paper for that Tuesday.” office Wednesday after- Customers mostly under- noon,” Christi Blakemore stood, Allen said. said. “Our print customers She waited until Thurs- also have total access to our day to deliver in town and digital product; however, to Wilson and finished that many of them have not acti- week’s deliveries to Fox, vated their digital accounts. Ratliff City and Velma on We were able to get a num- Friday. ber of these customers to “We had printed and go ahead and activate their delivered newspapers digital accounts,” she said. despite almost a foot of “In total, we had about snow dumped on us from 12 inches of snow over the two storm systems and Kids in Coalgate, Okla., make snow caves in drifts that came up to their chests. week.” 13 consecutive days of Photo submitted by Dayna Robinson, Holdenville News Allen said although they bone-chilling, sub-freezing never lost power, she had temperatures,” she said. going up a hill after having “All of our employees conversations with OGE “In our 14 ½ years of to stop and put a paper in a live inside Hobart city lim- about trying to avoid roll- news reporting, we have mail box. its so everybody was able to ing blackouts during press never seen conditions that “I had to back up to the get to work every day. times. bad. We sincerely hope next house, pull up in the “We also have the local our readers enjoy all of our driveway and go the oppo- tag agency and we were HEALDTON HERALD/ editions of The Healdton WILSON POST-DEMOCRAT site direction. able to keep it open every Herald and The Wilson “I was extremely proud day, but on Wednesday, Christi Blakemore, pub- Post-Democrat, but espe- of our staff. We got the Feb. 17 we had zero cus- lisher of The Healdton Her- cially that one!” paper out and delivered tomers and on Thursday, ald and Wilson Post-Dem- HEAVENER LEDGER almost on our usual sched- Feb. 18 we had one custom- ocrat, made the decision to ule, just a little later than er for a driver’s license. I work Sunday, February 14, Nearly all of the staff normal,” Hall said. guess we were open those in order to upload complet- at the Heavener Ledger days as a public service,” he ed pages to her new print- worked from home during said. er, Lindsay Web Press, on the arctic blast, with the HOBART DEMOCRAT-CHIEF Monday. exception of the circulation Hobart had a total of 16 HOLDENVILLE NEWS “We weren’t sure how director, said Craig Hall, inches from the two storms, Bill and Dayna Robin- long power would be able publisher of the Ledger. but was fortunate in that son, owners and publishers to stay on or if we would With the paper printed there weren’t any major of the Holdenville News, continue to have internet at Stigler, Hall picked up power outages, said Todd Hughes County Tribune, service,” Blakemore said. the copies. But when he Hancock, publisher of the Coalgate Record-Register Delivery of the news- started to deliver, he found Hobart Democrat-Chief. and The Allen Advocate, papers was a team effort. the roads were in bad Hancock said he usually have been working from Mark Gilliam, one of the shape.

sends PDFs to the Clinton home since March 2020 March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher owners of the Lindsay Web Although highways were Daily News late Tuesday due to the COVID-19 pan- Press, delivered the printed clear, the side roads were a afternoons for printing but demic. newspapers to Lone Grove disaster. on Monday, Feb. 15, he “I’m at high risk for on Wednesday morning “We deliver papers in moved everything ahead by pneumonia, so we thought where Blakemore’s hus- town and half of our deliv- one day and sent PDFs to it best to take the precau- band, Mark, picked up the eries are on roads with Clinton late that afternoon. tion,” said Dayna Robinson. Herald and Post-Democrat hills. I carefully plotted out “We basically did every- She credits the many along with The Ringling my route and delivered all thing a day ahead of sched- staff members at the four Eagle’s papers. After meet- the papers to the homes,” ule and it turned out very newspapers for their dedi- ing Melissa Grace in Ring- Hall said. “Only problem well,” Hancock said. Continued on Page 6 was I couldn’t get my car 5 FEBRUARY 2021 WINTER STORM Continued from Page 5 cation in getting the papers out during the winter weather. The Holdenville News and Coalgate Record-Regis- ter were both closed due to the winter weather. At the Allen office, Diane Brannan caught a ride to the news- paper so she could help get it out on time. “Everyone else was snowed in, but Bill and I were able to get the papers that we put together done Several inches of snow kept drivers off the roads and gave workers a chance to plow in Holdenville. from our home, which was a huge blessing,” Robinson Photo by Bill Robinson, Holdenville News said. I moved to the office on minutes,’ well last Monday by email and social media “It’s the first time we Saturday evening with five I was working on the front to keep them informed haven’t been able to open days worth of food, an air page and it was -4 degrees and directed those missing one of our offices since we mattress and clothes. with a wind chill of -27. issues to the website or started in the newspaper “My co-worker was Today it’s 46 degrees and e-edition. and printing business in unable to make it in so it beautiful and we are here “We received a lot of 1982. got a little tense getting it working on the News-Prog- positive feedback,” Stringer “God has truly blessed us together for our print dead- ress again,” Maxwell said. said. with good employees/fami- line as we were caught in ly/friends who have helped the rolling blackouts. We LAWTON CONSTITUTION LONE GROVE LEDGER to make our journey in the lost power for an hour but There were only minimal Linda Hicks, publisher newspaper business a much we got the paper out,” Max- difficulties at The Lawton of The Lone Grove Ledger, smoother and worry-free well said. Constitution, said David said she began preparing road than we could have But the problems didn’t Stringer, publisher of the when she heard the weather ever hoped for. We are very end there. Maxwell said daily newspaper. forecast. thankful,” Robinson said. their printer had mechani- “We lost power the “Because of the forecast, cal issues and had to drive morning of the 16th but we prepared a newspaper HOMINY NEWS-PROGRESS to Sallisaw to have the print only for about 90 minutes,” and uploaded the issue to At the Hominy plates made. Stringer said. the printer the day before News-Progress, Chris “When they weren’t The next day, only five the storm hit our area,” Maxwell camped out at ready by three o’clock, the staff members were able to Hicks said. the office to make sure the executive decision was make it to the office. But when it came time to newspaper went out. made to finish on Thursday “We had lots of missed get the paper out, the water “While I only live four morning,” Maxwell said. “I deliveries, beginning the was frozen and it was snow- miles from the office, I am called our retail outlets and 14th and running through ing heavily, she said. The out of range for Wi-Fi at let them know, posting on the 19th but customers newspaper was put in the home,” Maxwell said. all our social media sites as were overwhelmingly mail and delivered to the “The first week I was well.” understanding and saying stores that were open. only here Monday and On Thursday the paper they wanted their carriers “We were able to uncover Tuesday nights and slept was delivered and Maxwell to be safe,” Stringer said. the water meter so the city on an old couch in our back tried to make it home but “Lawton still porches HD could shut the water off to room,” she said. was unable to. She stayed customers in the city, so the building,” Hicks said. The next week she was at the newspaper office carriers had to get out of Lone Grove had issues more prepared. until Saturday when she their vehicles and walk up with its water wells and “Listening to the weather managed to make it to her sidewalks or driveways that, ended up with only two forecast and knowing that house. in most cases, hadn’t been functioning. The two wells my drive is steep, much “You know the old saying cleared.” couldn’t keep up with like a luge track, I knew I ‘if you don’t like the weath- Stringer said staff com- demand and the water

March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma March 2021 | had to make a decision. So er in Oklahoma, wait 5 municated with customers tower was drained from 6 FEBRUARY 2021 WINTER STORM dripping faucets and peo- SEMINOLE PRODUCER ple at home because they “It’s been said that the couldn’t get to work. key to success is ‘planning your work and working REID NEWSPAPERS your plan,’ and that’s exact- “With 11 newspapers to ly what we did,” said Ken print and 18 editions per Childers, editor of the Sem- ‘snow week’ it takes a lot of inole Producer. teamwork to keep newspa- “Our ‘snowmageddon’ pers in readers hands,” said editions were the result of Phillip Reid, owner and the culmination of extreme- publisher of Reid Newspa- ly accurate weather fore- pers. casts and strategic planning “We did it, while con- on our part,” Childers said. As shown above, Reid Newspapers prepared an agenda each day during the tinuing to print for other The Seminole Producer winter storm. Below, Phillip Reid’s workspace allowed him to respond to 30 newspaper owners and it publishes seven newspapers emails per hour about schedules. could have only happened per week, including five Photos submitted by Phillip Reid, owner and publisher of Reid Newspapers with a strong team like we editions of the Seminole have put together,” Reid Producer and two week- said. “Employees dug them- lies, The Wewoka Times selves out of snow drifts, and Konawa Leader. All hitched rides with passers- seven papers are written, by and ran presses while designed and printed on standing in 6 inches of site by the same crew. A water from a broken pipe. team of carriers delivers the This is the kind of dedi- papers, and many custom- cation we have from our ers live on rural routes, said team.” Childers. Knowing that power was “Our goal was to not out for some readers across miss a single edition while the state and that the news- keeping all employees as paper would be their only safe as possible, and that link to the outside world, goal was met,” Childers Reid held leadership meet- said. “We knew from the ings each morning to see weather forecasts that the removed from the website was expected on Tuesday what could be done to get crew would likely be unable so anyone could see the night,” Biggs said. the newspapers out. to make it to the office on current edition for free in “The (Muskogee) Phoe- “We shared stories of Monday, Feb. 15, which is case a subscriber’s carrier nix printed us on Monday food and water services, when we normally put the was unable to get to them. night and we got our papers warming centers, rolling Tuesday Producer out. We “Thanks to an amazing to the Postal Center on outage maps and in the got ahead of the curve by crew, we were able to do all Tuesday afternoon. Most midst, stories of continuing doing the Tuesday edition of that on schedule and on local subscribers got their COVID vaccinations,” Reid on Feb. 12. budget,” Childers said. Tulsa Beacon on Thursday, said. “It’s a bit risky printing the normal delivery day,” “For the worst week of that far in advance, but we TULSA BEACON he said.

snow and ice, I responded March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher were careful to use non- Charles Biggs, publisher Biggs said Tulsa had to 30 emails and an equal time sensitive stories for of the Tulsa Beacon, said more than 10 inches of number of texts each hour that run.” the Beacon made it to the snow but he didn’t lose coordinating everything With more snow in the Tulsa Postal Center during power or water service. from frozen news racks to forecast for Wednesday, both of the ice and snow- “Tulsa had to issue a vol- closed roadways,” he said. Feb. 17, the staff put out storms in February. untary boil water order due As temperatures finally four papers on Tuesday – “We normally go to press to the number of waterline began to rise, Reid said, the two weeklies plus the on Tuesday afternoon but breaks and trouble with “We’ve never appreciated Wednesday and Thursday we went a day early on equipment at water treat- 40 degrees so much in our editions of the Producer. February 15 as a snowstorm ment plants,” he said. lives!” The paywall was also 7 JANUARY 2021 DAILY WINNER: BILLY HEFTON Enid News & Eagle

JANUARY 2021 WEEKLY WINNER: Kyle Dillingham plays the violin as he skateboards on the new Enid Skate Park follow- ing a ribbon cutting Friday, January 8, 2021. Photo by BILLY HEFTON, Enid News & Eagle, Jan. 9, 2021 JEFF HARRISON Midwest City Beacon

The January 2021 contest was judged by a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.

PHOTO CONTEST View all winning photos at OkPress.com/ OGE-Photo-Contest

Enter and Win a $100 Check from OGE ENERGY CORP.

For more information about the photo contest, visit okpress.com/ oge-photo-contest

Jaden Harrell drives by Del City’s Damarius Vealy. Photo by JEFF HARRISON, Midwest City Beacon, Jan. 27, 2021

AT OG&E, WE DO MORE THAN ENERGIZE A POWER GRID. We energize the economy by attracting new businesses, creating thousands of new jobs and

more than $1.2 billion of new investment. © 2020 OGE Energy Corp. March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma March 2021 | 8 New sports editor at Enid News & Eagle Norman Transcript names The Enid News & Eagle has named Tarik Tim Epperson as news editor Masri as sports editor. Tim Epper- elor’s degree in journalism “I‘m looking forward to Masri son has been from Humboldt State Uni- this new opportunity,” said grew up and named news versity in Arcata, Calif. Epperson. “While there’s attended editor of The He has worked in a num- still much more for me to high school Norman Tran- ber of markets as a print learn about The Transcript, in Grove. script. and digital editor, including Norman and Cleveland He is a Epperson Tim Epperson 10 years as assistant news County, in this new posi- Tarik Masri graduate of has worked at newspapers editor at the Los Angeles tion, I will be able to utilize the University of Okla- in California, Florida, Geor- Daily News. the knowledge I’ve formed homa with a bachelor’s gia, Missouri and Oregon Epperson moved to Nor- as an editor in a variety of degree in multi-disci- for close to three decades. man from Oregon where he markets across the coun- plinary studies. Originally from Bakers- was executive editor of The try.” While in school, Masri field, Calif., Epperson grad- World of Coos Bay for more worked in the OU Ath- uated in 1992 with a bach- than three years. letics communication department. He also post- ed game highlights for General managers named at two Reid newspapers social media and served Reid Newspapers recent- ed to begin this new ven- her life. She is a 1987 grad- as a senior sports writer ly appointed two new gen- ture managing the newspa- uate of Vinita High School for the OU Daily. eral managers. pers. and attended college at Before being named Andrew “I am excited to instill Northeastern A&M College sports editor, Masri Crawford has positive change into these in Miami. worked as a freelance been named community newspapers and Haskell began working reporter for the News & general man- serve the communities of for the Vinita Daily Journal Eagle. ager of Grove Grove and Jay,” said Craw- in 1993 in the circulation “We’re excited to have Sun and Del- ford. department and became Tarik join us at the News Andrew aware County Brenda Haskell has been lifestyles editor about a year & Eagle,” said Publisher Crawford Journal. named gen- later. Cindy Allen. “He is a tal- Crawford and his wife eral manager “I am so excited to be ented sports reporter and Megan moved to Grove of the Miami working for the Miami writer, and we know he from Kansas City to open a News-Record. News-Record and I look will be an engaging story- restaurant in 2018. Due to Haskell forward to meeting busi- teller for our athletes and the pandemic, they closed has lived in ness owners and residents,” sports teams.” the cafe in 2020. northeastern Brenda Haskell said. Crawford said he is excit- Oklahoma all of Haskell ATTENTION OPA BUSINESS MEMBERS ORDER YOUR 2021 Make Sales Soar Like Magic Improve your close ratios to 70% or more with the New MiAD PHOTO ID PRESS CARD These press March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher cards are Wizard! perfect for It's a fact that spec ads help close more sales— and yet spec ads are reporters, used less than 20% of the time. Now, with the real-world magic of MiAD®Wizard, photographers personalizing and presenting spec ads for EVERY prospect is as easy as 1-2-3! and any other staff members No training. No time wasted. No more tough sells. at your news- paper. Only Go to miadwizard.com and see the magic for yourself! $7 each! [email protected]

ORDER ONLINE AT ® 800.223.1600 www.metrocreativeconnection.com okpress.Com/press-cards miadwizard.com 9 There are several ways to sign an Adobe Acrobat PDF menu to sign on screen on the Home screen and other software you’re sup- Computer Notes with a mouse. A certified look for Actions. This pops posedly updating. from the road signature can also be set up a window that has a To stop it, download the by Wilma Newby up with a certificate in this menu for Sign a PDF. A sig- free trial version of Mal- [email protected] menu. nature can be made on any warebytes and run a full It’s becoming more com- PDF with a phone by using scan. mon for businesses to ask your finger to draw the sig- After it runs and scrubs you to sign documents in nature. the malware, you may want Adobe Acrobat. Here’s what If the phone doesn’t have to uninstall it. To do this you need to know to Office on it, just download first go to the Applications sign a PDF in Acro- With older versions of the Office App, an all-in- folder, trash the Malware- bat Reader and Pro. Acrobat Reader it may be one program that has all bytes program and empty On a Windows necessary to scan the sig- standard Office programs the trash. Notice that the 10 computer go to nature and then place the within it. program leaves a small the Sign menu, PDF and scanned signature Office Home screen > app in the menus across click the Sign & in a layout program and Actions is where you’ll be the top of the screen (looks Fill, choose the remake the PDF. You can working from so there’s no like a capital M). Go to Pen in the tool also print it out, sign the need to open the programs. that menu, then down to bar, then Add a Signature. form and then scan it back It’s worth noting that it’s settings. It will ask you to Now you can either type to the computer. possible to skip putting in uninstall. Malwarebytes is in your name or draw your Another way would be account information with great at keeping malware signature with the mouse. to print it out, sign it, take this app if an account is and viruses at bay. If you The signature can be a picture with a phone not already set up for the don’t have any anti-virus placed anywhere on the and send it back with the paper. But some sort of software on your computer, PDF. When finished do a phone’s email. email account has to be on download it and leave it Save As and give the docu- Acrobat on a phone will the phone to transfer the there. ment a new name. let you create a signature PDF. The Microsoft app is On a Mac with Creative- within the program. But cloud based so it will try to Spring Cleanup Cloud, first open Acrobat. you have to have an Adobe save to One Drive but it can As offices are being Look for Fill and Sign in the account of some sort as also be saved to the phone. cleaned for the spring options at the top of the well as an email account on season, don’t forget your screen or under Tools > Fill the phone. Silver Sparrow computers. Use 70 percent and Sign. Once selected it To use Acrobat on your The latest Mac virus isopropyl alcohol on a cloth brings up a smaller menu phone, open the PDF in is out and much is being or paper towel to clean in the options bar where it’s Acrobat then click the Pen- made of it online. Macs are surfaces of keyboards and possible to sign your name cil and choose Fill & Sign. known for being virus free mice. This also kills the with the mouse. Click the Pen tool to create a and security for the M1 Mac COVID-19 virus. Mac computers using signature, then add it to the is supposed to be the best. A gentle vacuum can be Acrobat Pro and Reader document and save it. Now This is the second malware used to clean crumbs (and follow a similar process. it can be emailed from the virus to break into M1 com- other debris) from your Look for Tools > Fill & Sign phone. puters. No one is sure what keyboard. It’s also good to to get the same menu if it’s It’s possible to sign a it does, except land on any clean that long slot on the not showing on the screen. PDF in Microsoft Apple computer it chooses. back of older iMac’s as well CreativeSuite users need Office on a phone. It piggybacks its way in on as the grid area under the to use the Apply Ink Signature Open the Office icon monitor. Don’t stick any- thing in the slots. On PCs, vacuum over the surface of the vents and keyboards using a soft LEGAL ADVICE attachment brush. Clean is just one of the benefits of being a member of the Oklahoma Press dust from the desk area and Association’s Legal Services Plan. Remove the worry of needing floors as it harms the com- professional advice by enrolling today. For more information contact: puters. OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION’S OPA Computer Consultant Wilma Newby’s column is brought to you by the Oklaho- LEGAL SERVICES PLAN ma Advertising Network (OAN). For more information on the OAN program, contact 1-888-815-2672 or 405-499-0020 Oklahoma Press Service at (405) 499-

March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma March 2021 | 0020. 10 DEATHS RICHARD “DICK” NEW- Newspaper Printing Corp. and later became a Reserve THANK MAN, who began his career in 1950 as a salesman and Officer. His last post was in advertising with the retired as advertising sales Liaison Officer for West YOU Newspaper Printing Corp. director in 1992. Point and area high schools. in Tulsa, died Feb. 15, 2021. Newman also had a long Newman is survived by He was 92. military career starting with his daughter, Pamela Hogg Newman was born Sept. being drafted in 1950 for and her husband Steve; 4, 1928, in Pueblo, Colo. the Korean War. He attend- a granddaughter and his He began working at the ed Officer Candidate School beloved Dachshund, Bree.

to the following individuals ended her 35-year career in man, of the home; son Troy and organizations for their ANNE MARIE ZIMMERMAN, recent donations to the who spent 35 years in the newspaper sales there. Wobschall and wife Donna Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation: “I personally had the of Decatur, Ark.; daughter newspaper business includ- In memory of ing 19 with The Ada News, honor of working with Ann Jodi Mason and husband died Feb. 11, 2021. She was for 16 years,” said Maurisa Jim, Gladstone, Mo.; two Janis Hruby and 74. Nelson, general manager step-daughters, Michelle Becky Mayo Zimmerman was born of The Ada News. “Ann Westerhoff and husband Richard R. Hefton April 24, 1946, in Faribault, Zimmerman will always be Jacob of Channhon, Ill., a part of the legacy here at and Elizabeth Hayson of A donation to the Oklahoma Minn. Newspaper Foundation will support She graduated from Ken- The Ada News.” Owatonna, Minn.; brother, its efforts to improve the state’s yon High School in Kenyon, She had a great love for Mark Hinderacker, Farm- newspaper industry and quality of Minn., in 1964. She married many friends and family ington, Minn.; two sisters, journalism. Daniel Zimmerman August and was very fond of Nor- Bonnie Archer and husband ONF’s programs include training wegian jokes. She loved Howard, Wabasha, Minn., and education for professional 18, 1984, in Owatonna, journalists, scholarship and Minn. going on cruises and was and Bette Wilhelmi and internship programs for journalism She began working at very well traveled. husband Steve, Duluth, students, and Newspaper in The Ada News in 2001 and She is survived by her Minn.; 10 grandchildren; Education efforts. husband, Daniel Zimmer- and one great-grandson. ONF relies on donations and memorial contributions to fund these programs. Remembering our friends & colleagues who died the previous year If you would like to make a Thomas Blakey, Grace Anne Leonhart, Sharon Ann Dean donation, please send a check to: Feb. 15, 2020 Feb. 5, 2020 March 16, 2020 Carol Louise Cole-Frowe, Joe W. McBride, Jr., Ron Henderson OKLAHOMA Feb. 25, 2020 Feb. 25, 2020 March 6, 2020 NEWSPAPER Verldine ‘Geri’ McClure Huston, Mercedes Elizabeth Wheeler, Fred B. Hilton Jr. Feb. 5, 2020 Feb. 6, 2020 March 3, 2020 FOUNDATION 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. John L. Clabes March 27, 2020 Oklahoma City, OK 73105

OPA STAFF DIRECTORY ADMINISTRATION ADVERTISING CREATIVE SERVICES March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher MARK THOMAS, Executive Vice President LANDON COBB, Sales Director JENNIFER GILLILAND, Creative Services Director [email protected], (405) 499-0033 [email protected], (405) 499-0022 [email protected], (405) 499-0028 JEANNIE FREEMAN, Accounting Manager CINDY SHEA, Advertising Director [email protected], (405) 499-0027 [email protected], (405) 499-0023 COMPUTER ADVICE SCOTT WILKERSON, Front Office/Building Mgr. WILMA NEWBY, Computer Consultant 405) 499-0031 [email protected], (405) 499-0020 DIGITAL CLIPPING [email protected], ( KEITH BURGIN, Clipping Director GENERAL INQUIRIES MEMBER SERVICES [email protected], (405) 499-0024 LISA SUTLIFF, Member Services Director (405) 499-0020 JENNIFER CATES, Digital Clipping Dept. 405) 499-0026 [email protected], ( [email protected] Fax: (405) 499-0048 CHRISTINE FRANK, Membership & Meeting Dir. SAMANTHA SMITH, Clipping / Advertising OkPress.com 405) 499-0040 [email protected], ( [email protected], (405) 499-0035 Toll-free in OK: 1-888-815-2672 11 OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS CONTEST WINNERS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JANUARY WINNERS Column: JEFF CALI, The Ada News Editorial: DAVID STRINGER, The Lawton Constitution Enter and Win a $100 Check from Oklahoma JANUARY EDITORIAL WINNER Natural Gas! DAVID STRINGER, The Lawton Constitution The January 2021 Oklahoma Natural Gas Column and Editorial Contest was judged by a member of the City should examine rules for murals Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. A fresh look by the City of Lawton related to some of their zoning rules should be applauded by 1. Each month, send a tearsheet the citizenry. or photocopy of your best column and/or editorial to A recent kerfuffle related to the Vaska Theater and its “drive-in” movie showings in the parking Oklahoma Natural Gas lot as a violation of city zoning was challenged by the theater operators, noting that their Contest, c/o OPA, 3601 N. requirements reflected some old style thinking of what a “drive-in” might be and that things Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. Entries also change. may be emailed (full-page tearsheet) to news@okpress. To their credit, the city saw value in that argument and have agreed to rewrite city code. com. City ordinances, codes and regulations, like any rule can become outdated as society, 2. Include the author’s name, technology and conditions evolve. The codes should evolve as well. Too often, the rules are name of publication, date seen as a way to keep someone from doing something, and that shouldn’t be the goal. Instead, of publication and category city codes should be more closely aligned with setting a standard that improves the lifestyle of entered (column or editorial). the residents. We had an expert tell us once “My job is to find a way to help you do your job.” If 3. Only ONE editorial and/or that could be the mindset of city regulation, everyone would be better served. ONE column per writer per month will be accepted. So, in that light, we’ll propose another item for review. 4. All entries for the previous When the Lawton Public Library looked at a mural on the side of the building last year, one of month must be at the OPA the objections (there were others), was that because the mural had the word “Library” on it that office by the 15th of the it was a sign, had to comply with the city’s sign ordinance and was therefore not allowed. current month. That’s a rule that should be changed. 5. Winning entries will be reproduced on the OPA Lawton has many great examples of public art in its murals. Saying that, because a piece of art website at www.OkPress.com. has a word in it, it’s really a sign, reflects conditions that probably weren’t considered when the regulations were passed. Entries must have been previously The mural recently completed at Northwest 67th and Cache Road has the stylized word published in print. “Eagles” on it, reflecting the name of the band depicted in the artwork. So is it, therefore, a sign? We don’t think so. Likewise, if this newspaper wanted to put a mural on our building of Contest open to the U.S. Constitution, honoring the protection it affords the media through the First Amendment, all OPA member would it be rejected as a “sign” because it says “We the People” at the outset? newspapers. Again, kudos to the city for recognizing their drive-in movie restrictions needed some review. It’s Although Oklahoma Natural Gas our hope that city staff continue to look for opportunities to work with residents. To be fair, the Company selects representative contest winners’ work for use relationship may not be as bad as people think, but we know there are way too many citizens in this monthly ad, the views who do believe that. expressed in winning columns and editorials are those of the writers Cities (not just Lawton) are often seen as adversaries to businesses and citizens. If we can, and don’t necessarily reflect the working together, “flip that script”, it benefits everyone. Company’s opinions. March 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma March 2021 | 12