News

Kingfisher High School seniors Merrin Evans and Maddox Mecklenburg were recognized as the first Junior Lions of the 2022-23 school year by the Kingfisher Lions Club last Thursday.Evans is the daughter of Justin and Alicia Evans and is a member of National Honor Society and Oklahoma Honor Society.

After navigating the pandemic in a cramped, dated facility ill-equipped for mass vaccinations and testing, Kingfisher County Health Department moved into its newly renovated location last week.The former Kingfisher Regional Hospital physical therapy building at 421 W. Bowman Ave.

Maggie Jackson, former regional community engagement and health planning director for the health department who has ties to Kingfisher, has been promoted to regional administrative director.

BizConnect lunch“The State of the Schools” is the topic for this month’s BizConnect Luncheon Sept. 21 at the Federated Church in Kingfisher.Speakers include local superintendents Kurt Thomas of Chisholm Trail Technology Center and David Glover of Kingfisher Public Schools.

This year’s budget for Hennessey Public Schools is $14,552,768, and compares with $12,797,387 from last year.The $2 million jump is due to increased gross production taxes that had dropped over the past few years, said Superintendent Jason Sternberger.

With no immediate ceiling in sight for skyrocketing utility costs, a local longtime oil and gas producer is urging those benefiting from higher energy prices to contribute to an assistance fund.

September proved productive for many Kingfisher County towns with increases above sales tax collections last year.Kingfisher County showed the largest percentage of increase with a gain of 100.2%.Kingfisher County’s sales tax collections for September totaled $831,297.76, up from $415,191.

Brooke Cameron and Chase Foley, both of Kingfi sher, were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at Sorelle – The Meadow on Deer Creek in Thomas.Adam Barnes, the bride’s cousin, officiated the ceremony.

Sabra Tucker, Oklahoma Retired Educators Association state director, discussed the solvency of the state teacher retirement system at the fi rst Kingfi sher County Retired Educators Association meeting of the school year earlier this month. Tucker also discussed other education-related issues.

The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office will partner with the Oklahoma Press Association to host a seminar on Oklahoma’s open meeting and open records laws in Enid on Sept. 26.The seminar will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. in room 201 at the Autry Technology Center, 1201 W. Willow Road.