Baby, it’s COLD outside! Heather Harmon northern Oklahoma today, Staff Reporter along with areas of blowing snow. he familiar phrase NWS predicts wind chill “if you don’t values are likely to drop like the weather into the single digits behind in Oklahoma, the cold front Saturday Twait a minute and it’ll and will continue to fall to change” rings true today. below zero Sunday morning Winter temperatures and across much of Oklahoma precipitation has finally and North Texas. arrived in the state. Strong north winds will According to the National follow today’s cold front, Weather Service, 1-2 with wind speeds of 20-30 inches of snow will be mph and gusts more than possible across central and 40 mph are predicted. Provided Weatherford Middle Schoolers dressed in their Christmas-sweater-best Friday to celebrate the season. Pictured, from left are Rylan Smith as an elf, Morgan Wells as the grandma who got run over by a reindeer, Addi Diaz as a snow globe, Devin Brown as a Santa after too many cookies No School and Emma Coats as a snowman. fun begins! Heather Harmon Change is coming Staff Reporter eatherford Public Schools is dismissed for winter break until January 3, and the Great Plains YMCA has winter-break fun to A‐F report card for school-aged kids covered. W “No school fun days” offers all the fun of the YMCA Heather Harmon In the previous structure of your high performing same for everybody, is part in a daycare setting when schools are dismissed. Staff Reporter for high schools, college scores were only factored of that controversy.” Children participate in crafts, games, reading and sports and career-readiness in once because of how Wilson said this is far activities during the day, and the Y provides breakfast, he Oklahoma was factored in through they were labeled,” Wilson from the first time the lunch and snacks. The program is available for children State Board graduation rate and said. “They’re making system has been changed, in Kindergarten through 12 years of age. of Education advanced classwork, both some adjustments to that, and in its second year of The drop-in rate for non-members is $27 each day, and approved a new of which were only factored and I think there is some implementation, it was drop in rate for members is $22 each day. Paperwork, TA-F School Report Card in as bonus points. In the controversy there. The changed eight times in the including shot records, must be complete prior to the system earlier this week, new structure, college and question of are they making 48 hours during the release day of attendance. after months of collaboration career readiness is given the same expectations the of the grades. Those interested in more information about “no school between OSDE staff and greater emphasis. Wilson fun days,” can call the YMCA at (580) 772-0202. a 95 member-committee said he believes college- representing educators, readiness being weighed in parents, students, higher more heavily weighed into education, Career the structure is a positive Tech, business and ‘Punishable by death’ change. community leaders, tribal A controversial nations, lawmakers and adjustment to the system organizations advocating changes how academic D. A.’s office to seek death penalty for students with disabilities growth is measured. and English learner According to the state students. department of education in for an accused to be tried in the The plan was created to Helen L. Carson the old system, the bottom Social Media Editor venue where the incident occurred. meet new state and federal quartile of students changed Dirickson ruled the case would not guidelines, including the from year to year and the riday afternoon following be “chopped up into pieces” and tried Every Student Succeeds bottom quartile of students the conclusion of two days in three different counties. Hardy Act, the replacement of could be counted multiple of arguments and witnesses, is being represented by Oklahoma No Child Left Behind times, skewing the overall Custer County District Indigent Defense System attorneys authorized by Congress calculation. In the new FAttorney Angela Marsee presented a Mitchell Solomon, Shea Smith and last year. system, academic growth filed motion to seek the death penalty Ben C. Brown. Friday, Brown argued Weatherford Public is measured by following in the double first-degree murder trial the charges should be heard in the Schools Superintendent individual students from one of Jeremy Doss Hardy. The defendant county in which they were alleged. Chad Wilson said, “I think year to the next; growth also was emotionless as he stood and was Judge Dirickson stated Custer County the big question on (the is measured across the full escorted out of the courtroom by Court did have the correct ‘right to A-F system) is how they spectrum of performance, court deputies. The courtroom was venue’ based on precedent and the calculate a school into one not solely proficiency. silent except for a few tearful sniffles constitution of Oklahoma. Dirickson summative score. It’s easy “I think part of the from the attendees as Hardy filed summarized, “in the economy of to understand — everyone argument, from the old around the filled courtroom benches, resources for the State of Oklahoma,” Jeremy Hardy knows what an A means, way if they take a low and out the door to return to the and based on the testimony she a B means, a C means, I performing score, and Custer County jail. heard over the two days, ruled the think the argument is can that low performing score Prior to Hardy exiting the courtroom, District Court Judge Doug Haught. sentencing arraignment would be Thursday morning, the state you really wrap up the will be factored in two final defense arguments were heard in court January 30, 2017, by strengths and weaknesses times, possibly three times, presented to Judge Donna Dirickson. prosecution presented testimony of the schools in one letter depending on how they The defense pleaded the Constitution grade?” •Please see PENALTY, were labeled, and some of Oklahoma guarantees the right Page 3 CHATTERBOX “Merry, Merry Christmas! Thank you, Weatherford Daily News for capturing this sweet photo,” Kalie Kerth, on her WDN Christmas picture. SWOSU and Weatherford Public Schools are dismissed for winter break. Happy Birthday to WDN Facebook friends Heidi Hill, Joshua Morris, Tamara Mae Harrall, Taylor Matthews, Sherri Kauk, Andrew Arnold, Mary Russell and Kaleb Smart. 50¢ PAGE 2A - WEATHERFORD DAILY NEWS, WEEKENDER, DECEMBER 17, 2016 Weatherford Fire Department celebrates Christmas, awards Jessica Braun Staff Reporter uring the Weatherford Fire Department Christmas party Monday, December 12, Chief Mike Karlin gave awards to outstanding firefighters, a holiday dinner was catered and door prizes were given away. DAwards presented were as follows: Outstanding Volunteers: Blane Whitson, Kalen Johnson and Barrett Karlin Provided Volunteer Firefighter of the Year: Hal Penner Santa and Jaylee Career Firefighter of the Year: Parker Skinner Moore discuss Acts of Valor: Kory Selman and Travis Dyck her Christmas Also recognized was former Fire Chief David Wright. Wright was chief wishes during from 2006 to July 2014. He was given his helmet and a watch. He also was the Weatherford presented with an ax from Local Union 4236 members. “It was a great time. We do this every year. It is a time to look back at Firefighter everything we did throughout the year and recognize our accomplishments,” Christmas party. Karlin said. Holiday safety Jessica Braun and they are less likely to Staff Reporter be noticed. Use a credit card when hursday the shopping. Debit cards are Blaine County linked to a bank account. Sheriff’s Office Credit card companies was called to have excellent fraud Ta report of a “Home alert divisions and many Invasion.” A suspect times it is possible to is in custody but no get money back from further details can be purchases made on a released at this time due stolen credit card. If a to it still being under credit or debit card does investigation. get stolen alert the card Weatherford Police company or bank right Chief Louis Flowers away so it cannot be used gave several suggestions any longer. on how to have a safe When shopping online holiday. use reputable websites. Do not post pictures of Check the Better the Christmas tree with Business Bureau when gifts under it. Pictures in doubt. like this show potential Have packages thieves exactly what to delivered to a safe place. expect at a home. Some Have them delivered to pictures even show work or a place where doorways and escape someone will for sure routes for a quick be available to receive it. getaway. The post office will hold Do not post holiday packages until they can travel plans. It is basically be picked up and alternate an outright broadcast that plans can be made with no one will be home UPS and Fed Ex also. on certain dates and at Thieves often travel certain times. through neighborhoods Wait and post holiday looking for boxes on photos upon return home. front porches. Once again, it is a signal When merchandise to potential thieves a is in a vehicle either home is vacant. cover it up or put it in Turn on the porchlight the trunk where it cannot at night. The electricity be seen. If it is visible used is not significant. thieves may be tempted “Burglars are less likely to bust out windows to to steal from a lighted get it. Lock car doors. area where they can Unlocked vehicles are be seen,” Weatherford an easy target.