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6/30/2020 Two Stitt Cabinet secretaries resign - The Oklahoman, 6/30/2020

digital.newsok.com/Olive/ODN/Oklahoman/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=DOK%2F2020%2F06%2F30&entity=ar00201&ts=20200630083226&uq=201910110… 1/1

Two Stitt Cabinet secretaries resignBy Carmen FormanStaff writer cforman@oklahan.com

Two members of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Cabinet who have played a key role in the state’s response to theCOVID-19 pandemic announced their departures Monday.

Secretary of Health Jerome Loughridge and Secretary of Science and Innovation Kayse Shrum announcedthey were resigning from Stitt’s Cabinet to focus on their careers.

Both were volunteers in the Stitt administration and were juggling the duties of public service, along withtheir professional work. As part of the governor’s core team on the state’s response to COVID-19, bothhad been working long hours since the pandemic hit.

Loughridge is the president of Oklahoma City-based capital asset management firm TMG Service Co.

“At the outset of the COVID-19 response, Governor Stitt enumerated a specific set of priorities, amongthem protect the health and lives of Oklahomans and mitigate the impact to Oklahoma’s economy,” he saidin a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed, in some modest measure, to theformer. As a small business owner in a challenging economic environment, it is now time for me to returnto the workforce and do my part to help the latter.”

Shrum, president of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, said she needs to focus onsafely preparing the campus for students to return in the fall and bolstering the state’s health care deliverynetwork to combat COVID-19.

“My resignation does not diminish my support for Governor Stitt and his goals and my admiration for himremains unabated,” Shrum said in a statement.

Going forward, Stitt appointed Oklahoma Health Care Authority CEO Kevin Corbett to serve as hissecretary of health and promoted Deputy Secretary of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard to serve assecretary of science and innovation. Both appointments are contingent upon confirmation by theOklahoma Senate during the 2021 legislative session.

Stitt said the appointments of Corbett and Pollard will ensure a “seamless transition.”

FYI: Cabinet Secretaries

White House opposes $1.5 trillion House infrastructure measure

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) ­ The White House said Monday it opposes a $1.5 trillion pro­posal from congressional Democrats to boost U.S. infrastructure over the next decade, criticizing how it would pay for new spending.

The Democratic­controlled House of Representatives is set to begin on Tuesday debating the measure, which includes a massive boost in spending on roads, bridges, public transit, rail, ports and airports as well as water systems, schools and broadband inter­net. A final vote is expected later this week.

"America’s infrastructure is in crisis," House Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio, a Democrat, said. The country's "roads, bridges, public transit, rail, airports, ports and water systems are badly outdated, causing stress and safety hazards for our citizens, strain on our economy, and an enormous toll on public health and our planet."

WKZO| June 29, 2020

Federal Funding 1/2

The White House said it was "not a serious proposal," saying it "significantly favored" urban areas over rural America and that the measure appeared to be "entirely debt­financed."

Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to reauthorize surface transportation spending. White House officials confirmed earlier that President Donald Trump is expected in the coming weeks to unveil his surface transportation spending plan.

Trump and Democratic leaders in April 2019 agreed to spend $2 trillion on infrastruc­ture, but never hashed out how to pay for it. It appears increasingly unlikely Congress will pass any significant funding boost ahead of the November presidential election.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Monday opposed the Democratic bill, calling on law­makers to take up a bipartisan measure approved by a Senate committee as a starting point. The "stakes are too high for yet another failure," it said.

Congress abandoned largely requiring road users to pay for road repairs and has not hiked the federal gas tax since 1993. Since 2008, Congress has transferred about $141 billion in general revenues to the Highway Trust Fund.

To maintain existing spending, Congress will need to find $107 billion over five years; the House bill transfers $145.3 billion.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler)

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Local

TOPICAL TOP STORY

'We need this community to cometogether': Police chief asks for prayer,unity after o�cers shot during tra�cstop

By Harrison Grimwood Tulsa World 06.29.20

Tulsa’s police chief made a call for compassion Monday while two of his of�cers were hospitalized in critical condition after

being shot during an early morning traf�c stop.

Police Chief Wendell Franklin asked for prayer while noting the situations his of�cers have faced in recent weeks — from

the pressure of a search for two missing children to the anger directed at of�cers during protests against police brutality.

“I stood before you several weeks ago when we talked about two missing children, and there was compassion from the

community in the loss of those two children,” Franklin said. “A few weeks later, I stood before you and sent out

correspondence, and there was hatred towards this department and hatred towards law enforcement, and I stand before

you today with two of�cers that are �ghting for their lives.

“We need this community to come together.”l

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin explains the events that occurred wh…

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin explains the events that occurred wh…

Traffic/Lighting

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Of�cer Aurash Zarkeshan and Sgt. Craig Johnson were shot multiple times during a traf�c stop in east Tulsa early Monday.

Investigators allege in court documents that David Anthony Ware, 32, shot the of�cers. He was arrested after a manhunt.

“Here in Tulsa today, we’re going to have to pray, and we’re also going to have to take action,” Franklin said during a half-

hour news conference at police headquarters in downtown Tulsa.

About 3:30 a.m. Monday, Zarkeshan stopped a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt with an expired temporary tag near the intersection

of 21st Street and 89th East Avenue. Johnson arrived shortly afterward to back up Zarkeshan.

Ware, who investigators say was driving the vehicle, refused to get out of the car when the of�cers told him it was to be

towed for taxes due to the state.

Johnson told Ware 12 times to get out of the car, and he demonstrated three times that his Taser was charged, Franklin

said.

Johnson and Zarkeshan then tried to pull Ware from the vehicle. During the scuf�e, Johnson shot Ware with his Taser, and

Ware ripped out the Taser probes, an investigator wrote in an af�davit.

Johnson then pepper-sprayed Ware twice as the of�cers continued the struggle to remove him from the vehicle.

“Ware reaches under his seat and as the of�cers are pulling him out, he produces a gun and �res three times at each

of�cer,” the af�davit says.

Ware then shot Johnson three more times while he was on the ground, police allege.

Both of�cers were struck in the head and torso.

Ware was arguing that the of�cers were “violating his rights” as they informed him that the vehicle would be towed due to

the expired temporary tags, according to court documents.

The investigator wrote in the af�davit that Ware ran from the scene and escaped in a red Jeep SUV, which police allege

was driven by Matthew Nicholas Hall, 29.

During the press conference, Franklin provided more information about Ware’s escape.

“The of�cers went down, and the driver slowly walked away from the vehicle and got into a waiting vehicle that had

arrived to the scene and drove away,” he said.

Tulsa County prosecutors charged Ware early Monday morning, before his arrest, with two counts of shooting with intent

to kill and possession of a �rearm after a former conviction of a felony.

Hall was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with accessory to a felony punishable by four years or more.

According to court records, Ware has an extensive criminal history in Tulsa County with numerous run-ins with local

police dating as far back as 2006.

His �rst felony conviction recorded was for second-degree burglary in 2008, followed by convictions for drug-related

offenses in 2014, weapon and larceny offenses in 2015, larceny again in 2016, and possession of drug paraphernalia and

burglary tools in 2017.

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Johnson, 45, joined the Tulsa Police Department in 2005. He later earned the rank of sergeant and is a graveyard-shift

supervisor on the east side of town.

Zarkeshan, 26, is a patrol of�cer. A recent Tulsa Police Academy graduate, he completed his training in May and has been

on patrol for about six weeks.

Franklin remarked about the symbolism of the uniform that police of�cers wear and how “we sometimes believe that

we’re invincible.”

“Every time I put this uniform on, I remember the last part of our oath (of) of�ce, and that says ‘with my life if need be,’” he

said.

“This uniform is just that: It’s a uniform,” Franklin said. “Inside of this uniform is just a regular person. I’m just like you, and

we’re just like you. The only difference is we do a different job than what you do. So, for us, we’re just as much a part of the

community as you are.”

Franklin noted that “for more than 24 years, our department has not had to deal with a situation such as this.”

The last time a Tulsa police of�cer was killed while on duty was in June 1996. Of�cers Steve Downie and Dick Hobson

were chasing an armed robbery suspect into a dark alley. They had a police dog with them and were wearing vests. The

man they were chasing ambushed them, shooting both Downie and Hobson, killing Hobson.

About two years ago, a man shot a Tulsa police lieutenant in the leg while the lieutenant was assisting two other of�cers

who were attempting to persuade a man to get out of his van at a midtown convenience store.

Mayor G.T. Bynum expressed gratitude to the community at large who provided tips that eventually led to Ware’s and

Hall’s arrests.

Johnson and Zarkeshan chose to be law enforcers “at a historically challenging time,” Bynum said. He said he has worked

before with Johnson, who was essential in remedying the blackout on Tulsa highways after a string of copper thefts.

“If you drive down our highways right now and notice that the lights are on, it’s because of his work,” Bynum said. “It’s the

classic example of someone in the Tulsa Police Department who goes out and does their job to make your life better and

you may have never heard their name.

“And I also think about Of�cer Zarkeshan,” Bynum said. “Think about the type of person that is willing to step up and

choose law enforcement as a vocation right now in this environment in our country, and you think about what is just a

remarkable, sel�ess public servant it takes to do that.”

As of Monday afternoon, Johnson and Zarkeshan were still in critical condition at two Tulsa hospitals and had both

undergone at least one surgery.

The Police Department released a statement from Zarkeshan’s brother on Monday evening in which he said the of�cer

was “out of surgery and stable” but “not out of the woods yet.”

Related stories

O�cers known for professionalism, commitment to serving others

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Crime-and-courts

TOPICAL FEATURED

Wounded o�cers known forprofessionalism, commitment toserving others

By Andrea Eger Tulsa World 06.29.20

One is a department veteran with a track record of problem solving, entrusted with training reserve of cers and

supervising novice of cers.

The other is just such a novice, only six weeks into patrol duty.

People who know the two Tulsa police of cers who were gunned down during a traf c stop early Monday recalled

examples of their compassion, empathy and commitment to serve others and to better the community as a whole.

Craig Johnson, 45, joined the Tulsa Police Department in 2005 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant, currently

working as a graveyard shift supervisor in east Tulsa’s Mingo Valley Division.

Of cer Aurash Zarkeshan, 26, entered the Tulsa Police Academy in 2019 and completed his training in May.

‘Such a compassionate heart’

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Former Tulsa City Councilor Karen Gilbert knows Johnson from several ride-alongs she took with him during her years on

the council and because of his leadership in helping city leaders tackle a chronic copper theft problem that had literally

kept Tulsa motorists in the dark for several years.

“Craig is just one person, but he saw something that was affecting our community, and he took it upon himself to do as

much research as he could to help prevent that theft and to make sure all residents and visitors coming through Tulsa had

safe travels,” Gilbert said.

At the time, Johnson was serving on a task force studying a rash of copper thefts throughout Tulsa. The repeated targeting

of copper components on highway lights encircling downtown and all along Interstate 44 and the Broken Arrow

Expressway cost the city so much that it had become impossible to keep the lights in working order.

Then Johnson discovered that Oklahoma City had an ordinance on the books that Tulsa did not. It served as a deterrent

for thieves and helped law enforcement of�cers track down the culprits.

It requires scrap metal buyers to log the identities of copper sellers. Gilbert said she and her fellow councilor David Patrick

gladly worked with Johnson to replicate the ordinance here.

City Traf�c Engineer Kurt Kraft called Johnson a great guy and also recalled his key role in apprehending Tulsa’s copper

thieves.

“He was very instrumental in working with us in arresting a lot of those people who were stealing millions of dollars in

copper,” Kraft said. “I am just really sad to hear this.”

The early morning news that Johnson was one of two of�cers critically injured on duty brought back a �ood of memories

Gilbert witnessed him having with domestic abusers and their victims and even one particularly belligerent drunk.

“He had such a compassionate heart. Anytime we were on a domestic call when I was on a ride-along, he was very kind-

hearted to the victims and very patient to everyone involved,” said Gilbert, who is now executive director of Tulsa Crime

Stoppers.

She also recalled how un�appable Johnson was as he endured endless verbal abuse and threats from a highly intoxicated

man he was taking to jail.

“I was sitting in the backseat, so this guy was in the front right next to Craig,” Gilbert said. “He was being called the most

horrible names, and this guy even threatened to go after his family, and he just took it like a saint. I would have come

unglued had someone told me they were going after my family. He was just trying to calm him down.”

Carol Freeman said she relishes the occasions when she runs into Johnson in the Tulsa County Clerk’s Of�ce, where she

works, because she has known him since he was a teenager in the Union High School band with her daughter.

Beyond friendship, she and her family have long felt a special sense of gratitude toward Johnson because he ended up

introducing Freeman’s daughter to her now-husband when the three were young adults working together at a toy store in

a local mall.

Freeman also saw Johnson frequently in her previous job with Moody’s Jewelry, where Johnson was employed as an off-

duty of�cer for about �ve years.

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“This guy has the sweetest smile, and he’s always just so loving and friendly. How could anybody do this to somebody that

is just so nice? It just breaks my heart. I’ll be honest — I’ve been in tears on and off all day, texting with my daughter and

son-in-law.”

Freeman said her thoughts have been with Johnson’s family, and in particular, his devoted parents, because he is their only

child.

“This man is a human being — he is not just a uniform. People need to stop and realize. I mean, this man has two little boys,”

she said.

‘Empathetic, driven and servant-hearted’Zarkeshan’s brother posted about the shooting on Facebook just ahead of Monday afternoon’s news conference by city

and law enforcement of�cials.

“All I can ask for is prayers for my brother and his supervisor. He is out of surgery and stable but he is not out of the woods

yet,” Armin Zarkeshan’s post reads. “I have never experienced these emotions before, but please just keep him in your

prayers. Thank you to Tulsa PD for treating us like family and for everyone who has reached out. I love you bro.”

Citizens Bank of Edmond CEO Jill Castilla said Aurash Zarkeshan was a valued employee of the bank for nearly two years

as he worked toward his ultimate goal of entering law enforcement.

She called him an “amazing and honorable young man” and described Monday’s news out of Tulsa as a devastating tragedy.

“He was highly engaged in serving as a volunteer in our community and wanted to make a positive impact as a

peacekeeper. I wholeheartedly supported his goal and wrote recommendations as he pursued joining the Tulsa Police

Department,” said Castilla.

“For his age, I have never worked with someone so empathetic, driven and servant-hearted. From the very beginning,

Aurash has inspired us with his will to do good. He spoke of making a positive impact as an of�cer and using his service as a

way to build community.”

Castilla added: “Aurash remains a treasured member of our Citizens family and we are devastated by this tragedy. We are

here for him, his family and his friends however they need us.”

In his own words, Zarkeshan shared his outlook on his future in law enforcement in a March 2019 marketing video for

Citizens Bank.

“When you are in that �eld, you are a huge in�uence to the community, and I want to use that in a positive way to change

negative misconceptions and to give back to the community in which I serve,” he said.

Kevin Can�eld contributed to this story.

https://www.chickashanews.com/community/odot-independence-day-weekend-travel-advisory/article_54394192-ba25-11ea-8da1-7fc43e2014e0.html

FEATURED

ODOT Independence Day Weekend Travel Advisory Oklahoma Department of Transportation Jun 29, 2020

The following construction projects will impact travel on major highways and interstates from Thursday, July 2 to Monday, July 6. For daily traffic advisories visit www.odot.org and follow @OKDOT on Twitter and Facebook. For turnpike information, contact the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority at 405-425-3600 or visit www.pikepass.com and follow @OKTurnpike on Twitter and Facebook.

Statewide:

I-40 narrowed at US-62 West/SH-27 in Okemah, Okfuskee Co.

I-40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction between Clearview Rd. (mm 227) and US-62 West/SH-27 (mm 221) in Okemah for pavement reconstruction.

I-40 narrowed at US-69B in Checotah, McIntosh Co.

I-40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at US-69B (mm 265) in Checotah for abridge reconstruction project.

I-40 narrowed at SH-82 in Vian, Sequoyah Co.

I-40 is intermittently narrowed to one lane in each direction at SH-82 (mm 297) in Vian fora bridge reconstruction project.

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Chickasha News

I-40 narrowed at US-64 near Sallisaw, Sequoyah Co.

I-40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at US-64 (mm 311) in Sallisaw as part of aninterchange improvement project.

I-35 narrowed at US-60 near Tonkawa, Kay Co.

I-35 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction between US-60 (mm 214) nearTonkawa and SH-15 (mm 203) in beginning June 29 for bridge rehabilitation.

I-35 lanes shifted between Goldsby and Purcell, McClain Co.

North and southbound I-35 lanes are shifted between SH-74 South (mm 104) and Ladd Rd. (mm 101) between Goldsby and Purcell two bridge and ramp improvement projects.

I-35 narrowed at SH-59 near Wayne, McClain Co.

Northbound I-35 is narrowed to one lane from just south of SH-59 (mm 86) near Wayne to about three miles north of SH-59 for pavement reconstruction. Southbound I-35 is narrowed to one lane between SH-59 (mm 86) and about three miles south of SH-59. Drivers can expect lengthy delays and congestion in this work zone.

I-35 narrowed at SH-19 in Pauls Valley, Garvin Co.

I-35 is narrowed to one lane in each direction SH-19 (mm 72) in Pauls Valley for bridgerehabilitation.

US-75 narrowed at Kansas state line, Washington Co.

US-75 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at the Kansas state line as part of an improvement project by the Kansas Department of Transportation just north of the state line.

US-75 narrowed near Copan, Washington Co.

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US-75 is narrowed to one lane in each direction two miles north of SH-10 near Copan for a bridge rehabilitation project.

US-75 narrowed between Ramona and Bartlesville, Washington Co.

Drivers can expect various lane closures on north and southbound US-75 from seven miles north of the Tulsa/Washington County line near Ramona to six miles south of US-60 near Bartlesville for bridge rehabilitation projects.

US-75 narrowed in Henryetta, Okmulgee Co.

US-75/US-62 is narrowed to one lane in each direction between I-40 and US-266 in Henryetta for a bridge rehabilitation project.

US-69 narrowed south of Adair, Mayes Co.

Southbound US-69 is narrowed to one lane south of Adair from CR E440 and extending south two miles for surface repairs.

US-69 narrowed near McAlester, Pittsburg Co.

US-69 is narrowed to one lane in each direction just north of US-270, north of McAlester, for pavement rehabilitation.

US-69/75 narrowed near Caney, Atoka/Bryan Co.

Southbound US-69 is narrowed to one lane between Caney and Caddo for pavement reconstruction.

US-69/75 intermittently narrows near Durant, Bryan Co.

US-69/75 is intermittently narrowed to one lane in each direction south of US-70 near Durant for an interchange project.

US-81 narrowed at SH-45 near Enid, Garfield Co.

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US-81 is narrowed to one lane in each direction between SH-45 near Enid and Keowee Rd. near Kremlin for pavement rehabilitation.

US-81 narrowed near US-412 in Enid, Garfield Co.

US-81 is narrowed to one lane in each direction north of US-412 in Enid for an bridge reconstruction project.

US-81 intermittently narrows in Kingfisher, Kingfisher Co.

US-81/Main St. is intermittently narrowed to one lane in each direction between SH-33 and Sheridan Ave. in Kingfisher for a pavement rehabilitation project.

US-412 narrowed at Verdigris River Overflow near Catoosa, Rogers Co.

US-412 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at the Verdigris River Overflow, located just west of the Verdigris River, near Catoosa for a bridge replacement project.

US-270 narrowed near McAlester, Pittsburg, Co.

US-270 is narrowed to one lane in each direction just east of US-69 near McAlester for a bridge rehabilitation project.

US-70 closed, detoured east of US-183 near Davidson, Tillman Co.

East and westbound US-70 is closed east of US-183 near Davidson for a bridge reconstruction project. Traffic is detoured to US-183, SH-5 and SH-54.

US-60 lanes shifted near US-75 near Bartlesville, Washington Co.

Drivers should be alert to lane shifts on US-60 about two miles east of US-75 near Bartlesville for a highway and bridge reconstruction project.

US-60 narrowed near SH-125 near Fairland, Ottawa Co.

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Drivers should be alert to temporary signals or flaggers directing traffic on US-60 from SH-125 to half a mile to the northeast in Fairland for a pavement rehabilitation project.

US-64 narrowed near SH-99 near Cleveland, Pawnee Co.

US-64 is narrowed and lanes are shifted just south of SH-99 in Cleveland for bridge replacement.

US-59 narrowed near I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike near Afton, Ottawa Co.

Drivers should be alert to various lane closures with flaggers directing traffic on US-59 from just north of the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike junction to near US-69 for a resurfacing project.

SH-51 ramp narrowed at I-35 near Stillwater, Payne Co.

The westbound SH-51 ramp to southbound I-35 near Stillwater and the merge area onto southbound I-35 are narrowed to one lane for bridge repairs.

SH-66/I-40 Business narrowed in Elk City, Beckham Co.

Westbound SH-66/I-40 Business is narrowed to one lane about one mile west of I-40 in Elk City for bridge reconstruction.

SH-5 closed, detoured west of SH-6 near Eldorado, Jackson Co.

North and southbound SH-5 is closed about two miles west of SH-6 near Eldorado for bridge reconstruction. Traffic is detoured to US-62, SH-34 and SH-6.

SH-20 narrowed near SH-10 near Jay, Delaware Co.

SH-20 is narrowed to one lane with temporary signals directing traffic one mile east of SH-10 near Jay for a bridge rehabilitation project.

SH-82 narrowed near SH-20 in Salina, Mayes Co.

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SH-82 is narrowed to one lane with temporary signals directing traffic over Saline Creek about two miles south of SH-20 in Salina for bridge replacement.

SH-99 narrowed south of Kansas state line, Osage Co.

SH-99 is narrowed to one lane with temporary signals directing traffic approximately two miles and four miles south of the Kansas state line for a bridge replacement project.

Tulsa Metro:

US-64/SH-51 ramp closed at 15th St., city streets narrowed •The westbound US-64/SH-51 on-ramp at 15th St. South remains closed until further notice as part of an ongoing bridge rehabilitation project.

• Lewis Ave. and 15th St. South are narrowed under US-64/SH-51; expect delays in thesecorridors.

• I-44 lanes shifted, ramps closed at 33rd W. Ave. •Drivers should be alert to lane shifts on eastand westbound I-44 at 33rd W. Ave. until further notice as part of an ongoing bridge replacementproject.

• The eastbound I-44 off-ramp to 33rd W. Ave. and the westbound I-44 on-ramp from 33rd W. Ave.are closed until further notice.SH-11 narrowed, ramps closed and detoured near Tulsa International AirportAs part of a SH-11 bridge rehabilitation project in Tulsa scheduled for overall completion insummer 2020, delays can be expected in the following areas. Drivers should plan ahead for extratravel time, especially those heading to the Tulsa International Airport complex.•SH-11 isnarrowed to one open lane in each direction from Pine St. to the Tulsa International Airportcomplex until further notice. Be alert to traffic shifts in this corridor.

• The westbound SH-11 off ramp to Virgin St. (Airport Terminal) is closed through thesummer; detour to Pine St. and follow signed detour route to Memorial Dr. until furthernotice. Allow extra time to reach the TIA Terminal complex for arriving/departing flightsduring this time.

• I-44 lanes shifted at 165 E. Ave.Drivers should be alert to reduced speeds and shifted lanes on east and westbound I-44 at 165E. Ave. through summer 2020 as part of an ongoing widening project.

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SH-11 (36th St. North) closed, detoured at Peoria Ave.

All lanes of east and westbound SH-11 (36 St. North) are closed between Peoria Ave. and Lewis Ave. through early fall 2020 for a bridge replacement project at Dirty Butter Creek. The detour will direct traffic to US-75, SH-20 and SH-11 around this closure. Drivers should plan ahead for extra travel time in this corridor.

US-412/US-64 narrowed at 209 W. Ave.

Drivers can expect various lane and shoulder closures on east and westbound US-412/US-64 at 209 W. Ave. through summer 2020 as part of a bridge rehabilitation project. Temporary signals are in place on 209 W. Avenue.

Oklahoma City Metro:

I-235/I-44 interchange work continues through 2021; expect lane shifts andintermittent ramp closures

Motorists should be alert to changing conditions including lane shifts, narrowed lanes and workers along northbound and southbound I-235 between N. 50th St. and N. 63rd St. and along eastbound and westbound I-44 between Western Ave. (mm 126) and Kelley Ave. (mm 128B). Eastbound and westbound I-44 lanes are shifted to the south through spring 2020. Motorists also should be prepared for limited merge areas at on- and off-ramps along I-235 and I-44. Drivers are reminded to plan ahead and use their Off Broadway alternate routes of I-35, I-40, SH-74/Lake Hefner Parkway and Martin Luther King Ave. to avoid the area.

More information: https://www.ok.gov/odot/I-235_I-44_interchange.html

I-40 narrows at Peebly Rd., I-40 work continues between I-240 and Peebly Rd.through summer 2020

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Westbound I-40 is narrowed to two lanes between Peebly Rd. (mm 169) and I-240 (mm 165) for ongoing widening and interchange reconstruction at Choctaw Rd. continuingthrough summer 2020. Eastbound I-40 is open to three lanes in this area; however, driverscan continue to expect lane shifts in the work zone.

More information: https://www.ok.gov/odot/I40_and_Choctaw_Road.html

SH-152/Airport Rd. ramps at Council Rd. shifted for turnpike project

The following traffic impacts are a part of an Oklahoma Turnpike Authority project:•SH-152/Airport Rd. is narrowed to one lane in each direction between Council Rd. and S.W. 59th St. and the westbound SH-152 off-ramp to Council Rd. has shifted to the east.For more information, contact the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority at 405-425-3600 or visit https://www.pikepass.com.

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Local

COVID-19: Death toll at 385 as casesrise by 228 across Oklahoma

From Sta� Reports

 06.30.20

Oklahoma’s COVID-19 cases rose by 228 on Monday, with 53 new cases in Tulsa County.

A fatal COVID-19 case reported Sunday was an Oklahoma County patient older than 65; the death toll Monday remains at

385, according to state health data.

Oklahoma State Department of Health of�cials have recorded 13,172 cases of COVID-19 across the state, with Tulsa

County seeing the most cases of Oklahoma’s 77 counties: 3,304 as of Monday, with 67 deaths.

Tulsa County’s rolling 7-day average for cases inched up to 130.3; there are 1,111 active COVID-19 cases in the county,

Tulsa Health Department reported Monday.

Hospitalizations are at 329 currently across the state, a number that started steadily rising May 22.

ICU capacity became a cause for some concern late last week when one midtown Tulsa facility went on temporary ICU-

divert status due to a non-COVID in�ux of patients. According to state Health Department survey information, Hillcrest

Medical Center’s ICU was using 51% of its capacity as of Sunday; OSU Medical Center was at 61%. Saint Francis Hospital,

with the biggest ICU unit in Tulsa, was operating Sunday with only 10% of its ICU beds available.

Public health of�cials have been saying in the past week that the majority of new cases are traced back to routine aspects

of life: weddings, funerals, faith-based activities, bars, gyms, house gatherings and other small events — otherwise dubbed

as the “serious seven” by Oklahoma City health of�cials and co-opted by their counterparts in Tulsa.

COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, so hospital of�cials encourage wearing a mask or cloth

face covering.

Health experts also encouraged people to maintain social distancing. Social distancing means avoiding group or

congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others.

Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water, or use of hand sanitizer, can help prevent the spread of the

disease, according to the joint statement.

Coronavirus/ Death Toll

https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/meeting-online-for-sh-82-upgrades/article_e99aa2fc-255e-521d-8739-434d350e6861.html

Meeting online for SH 82 upgrades Jun 26, 2020

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual public meeting to provide updates on a proposed improvement project on State Highway 82 north of Tahlequah.

The project would improve safety and traffic flow for seven miles of SH 82 between Grand Avenue in Tahlequah to Gideon. The current roadway has narrow shoulders, sharp curves, and limited sight distance.

ODOT proposes a four-lane divided highway between Grand Avenue and the State Highway 51 Spur, and a two-lane highway with shoulders and room for other improvements. Three proposed roundabouts are at SH 82/Grand Avenue, SH 82/SH 51 Spur, and at West Jones Road/North Jarvis Road.

The estimated $36 million project is scheduled for a FFY2022 construction bid. Due to concerns about COVID-19, this presentation will be a web-based public format with no in-person meetings. The public can visit www.odot.org/SH82 to view the proposals and provide comments through July 3.

SH-82 Open House North of Tahlequah___Div. 1

Hwy 78 bridge over Red River to be completed early 2021Fannin County, Texas -- Construction continues on the bridge that connects Fannin County, Texas to Bryan County, Oklahoma -- the Hwy. 78 bridge over Red River. Work on this project began in the summer of 2019 and Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) expects the project to be completed in early 2021.

photo by Mike Porter

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) contributed half of the funding for construction. ODOT designed the new bridge, bid the project and provided oversight of the construction contractor. The more than $15 million contract for this project was awarded to L&N Bridge, LLC of Antlers, Oklahoma. ODOT will also be responsible for maintenance of the new bridge.

photo by Charlie Thomas

The historic bridge that currently connects Bryan County, Oklahoma and Fannin County, Texas is almost twice as old as the average bridge in the U.S. Built in 1938, the Hwy. 78 bridge is 2,100 feet long. The bridge over Red River bears a plaque with the names of Texas Highway Commission members in 1938, including wealthy Texas oilman Harry Hines, the namesake of Harry Hines Blvd. in Dal-las.

The 76-year-old bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a significant fact due to its association with federal relief pro-grams implemented during the Great Depression. Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) data indicates engineering of the bridge is also a rare example of its type.

The new bridge will be about 2,298 feet long with a roadway width of 44 feet, which is significantly wider than the old bridge.

The existing bridge will be demolished once the new bridge has been completed and opened to traffic.

Public access at this point is critical if Texas and/or Oklahoma ever develop an interstate paddle trail or other recreational opportunities along Red River. On the Oklahoma side of the bridge, there is a private business that continues to operate and maintain off-road trails around the area. The river access is primarily on Texas’ side of the bridge; ODOT says it will not be changed by the project.

photo by Mike Porter

photo by Charlie Thomas

photo by Mike Porter

This photograph shows the Texas side of the project, with the current bridge on the far right. photo by Charlie Thomas

SH-78 Red River___Div. 2