Altus Times - News, Businesses, Classifieds, Sports and Events in Jackson County, Oklahoma

News

Husband and wife arrested on child abuse charges
After a lengthy and thorough investigation, charges were sent to the Jackson County District Attorneys office and arrests warrants were issued late Friday afternoon for an Altus couple in connection with injuries to their 2-year old-child. Karen L. Lewis, 22, was arrested on charges of enabling child abuse and Philip A. Lewis, 24, has been arrested on charges of child abuse. The child suffered several fractures to the ribs and legs along ...
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Board of Education considered 2013-2014 employee contracts
The Board of Education of the Altus Public School District held their regular monthly meeting on Monday in the Board Conference Room of the Administrative Center, to discuss items on their agenda. After approving the consent agenda, Board members approved retirements and resignations within the school district. Retired certified personnel include Virginia Iken - 2nd Grade at Rivers Elementary effective May 24, and Debbie Nobles Will Rogers ...
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Commissioners approve resolution for Bitter Creek bridge
The Jackson County Commissioners held their regular meeting yesterday in the Commissioners’ Office of the County Courthouse to consider items on the consent agenda. Commissioners approved previous meeting’s minutes and a blanket purchase order for Highway District #3. They also approved the publication of Commissioners’ Proceedings for the month of April. Commissioners met with Karen Weaver Administrator from the Jackson County Health Dep...
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Contracts, new hires and facility use on School Board agenda for Monday
A regular meeting of the Altus School Board will be held Monday, May 13, in the board conference room at the administrative center, 219 N. Lee. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. There are several items on the consent agenda including a resolution to honor the 2013 District Teacher of the Year, land leases, activity fund raisers, and student transfers. The board will also accept retirements, reassignments, retirements, resignations, propose...
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Resolutions and cooperative agreements on Commissioners agenda
The Jackson County Commissioners will hold their regular meeting at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 13, in the Commissioners’ Office of the County Courthouse to consider a resolution to exempt the Altus Speedway from previously defined restricted uses as established by a zoning Ordinance enacted on in 1973. Commissioners will discuss a resolution for a Public Utility And Encroachment Agreement between the Department of Transportation, State of Oklaho...
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Altus Talks Drought
Gary McManus, the Associate Climatologist for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, returns to Altus this coming Tuesday, May 14, to discuss the lingering drought in southwest Oklahoma. The meeting is free and open to the public, and will be begin at 6 p.m. at Altus City Hall, 509 S Main. “He was here last November,” said Lloyd Colston, City of Altus Emergency Management director. “Then we were asking for voluntary water conservation.” Jo...
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Early Mother’s Day brunch held at Plantation Village
The Plantation Village Nursing Center held an early Mother’s Day celebration on Friday morning, May 9, with food and musical entertainment during a Mother’s Day Brunch. Music was provided by pianist Laverne Baker, a volunteer for several churches and events. “I find a lot of the church and christian songs they know the best and sing along to,” Baker said of the residents at Plantation Village. Residents were surrounded by Mother’s Day ballo...
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Altus receives much needed rain
With Altus being under a mandatory water conservation plan - stage 3 drought warning, it was nice to see some much needed rain fall Thursday evening and early today. Reports from Altus Air Force Base totaled 1.74 inches of precipitation. Folks in south Altus reported 2.34 inches collected in their rain gauges, while folks in north Altus reported a collection of 3 inches. With Lake Luggart at 16% of capacity and the Tom Steed Reservoir at 32...
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2014 budget discussed at special WOSC Regents meeting
The Western Oklahoma State College Board of Regents met for a special meeting on Wednesday, May 8 in Higher Learning Center at the College. Dr. Phil Birdine began the meeting with the introduction of guests who included: Larry Duffy, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations; Lisa Greenlee, Vice President for Academic and Student Support Services; Tricia Latham, Vice President for Business Affairs; Briar Jenkins, Secretary to the ...
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Tipton senior awarded Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship
Kennedy Gilbert of Tipton has been awarded the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship. This is the first time since 2002 that a Tipton High School senior has received this award. Only 1,000 students, world-wide, receive this scholarship each year. Applicants have to be from an ethnic minority - Gilbert is Cherokee Indian. They also must complete a lengthy application process, have a high GPA, and come highly recommended. Gilbert said that she ...
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Extraordinary nurses recognized at JCMH outreach clinics
Nurses at the JCMH Outreach Clinics are being honored with The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses . The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform everyday. JCMH Outreach Clinics include the JCMH Pediatric Clinic, JCMH Medical Clinic, Women’s Health Associates, Southwest Orthopedics, and the JCMH FamilyCare Clinic in Mangum. The not-for-profit DAISY...
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Pray for Rain
The Jackson County Ministerial Alliance will be sponsoring a community prayer service for rain on Sunday evenings beginning May 19. The location of the prayer service will at the Jackson County Court House at 8 p.m. With Lake Luggart at 16% of capacity and the Tom Steed Reservoir at 32% the need for rain has become critical for every resident in the county. At a recent meeting of the Ministerial Alliance, area pastors and church leaders ack...
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Rail safety topic of upcoming training
According to area emergency management officials, railroad safety will be the focus of training conducted by a representative of Burlington Northern Santa Fe on Thursday, May 16 at the Southwest Technology Center. Two sessions are planned. The first will be from 8 a.m. to noon, and the second session will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. The free training will help area first responders learn what they need to know to safely interact with railroa...
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City of Altus/Altus Power pledges support to WOSC Foundation, Pioneer students
The WOSC Foundation, Inc. welcomes another new donor to the President’s Partners Program. The City of Altus/ Altus Power joined many other donors comprised of individuals, businesses and organizations that provide financial support above and beyond operational funding provided by the Oklahoma Legislature. In order to become involved in the President’s Partner Program, a donor contributes an annual gift in the amount of one thousand dollars ...
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Article items on next Freeholder meeting agenda
A Board of Freeholders meeting will be held at Southwest Technology Center on Monday, May 20 starting at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend and give input. Agenda items are to discuss and possibly take action on the following article items: Incorporation, Form of Government, Powers; Elective Officers, Meetings, Ordinances, Resolutions; City Manager, City Attorney, Administrative Departments; Department of Finance, Fiscal Affairs; Muni...
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Free Children’s Carnival to be held tomorrow
Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group Head Start will be hosting a free Children’s Carnival at the Altus Community Center on Friday May 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. They will have free food, free games, free entertainment, and free drawings for prizes. Tickets will be handed out for various door prize drawings throughout the event, but ticket holders must be present to win. Various games and entertainment will be scheduled throughout the event. ...
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Shamrock Bank postpones Pays for A’s event
The growth in employees and customers has allowed the expansion and reconstruction of Shamrock Bank. Due to the current construction, Shamrock Bank, N.A.’s annual Pays for A’s End of School Bash has been postponed. Pays for A’s is a program designed to reward and honor students in the Jackson County school systems for their academic achievements throughout the school year. Shamrock Bank N.A. hosts two events each school year - one after...
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Chautauqua coming to Altus May 28 - June 1
Chautauqua 2013 - “Anything Goes: America in the 1920s” living history is coming to Altus Tuesday, May 28 through Saturday, June 1. Entertaining and informative workshops will be presented by the visiting historians each day at the Altus Public Library at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The historical character performances will begin with local entertainment starting at 7 p.m. each evening under the tent located on the WOSC campus. Call the Altus Pub...
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Olustee School Bond Election set for next Tuesday
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, for the Olustee School District Special Bond Election. Jennifer L. Wilson, Secretary of the Jackson County Election Board, offered voters some tips on how to make their votes count. Wilson said that a valid marking —-fill in the box next to your choices —- is shown on posters at the polling place and inside the voting booths. If voters make mistakes marking their ballots, Wilson s...
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