Norman Earthquake Shakemap

Earthquake 5.1 intensity. 

Epicenter 10 - 15 miles east of Norman. 

Quake felt in over 300 ZIP codes, including Kansas and Texas

Only in the People's Republic of Norman

Got this in a email...

I was on Flood at the tire shop and we were talking about The City.

He said the merchants were told the work on Flood would include replacing the sewage line.

He said they just did that 2 years ago and was told no they didn't.

They had to go down town and finally someone realized it had been done under contract and they didn't have that in the roads department records so they didn't know.

Is Illegal Immigration why black tar heroin is on the rise in Norman, Oklahoma?

Law enforcement agents have tracked a decrease in oxycontin and an increase in black tar heroin during the last four to six months, Norman police said.

Norman Police Capt. J.D. Younger said police cannot determine how much of the drug flow has been interrupted and redirected.

"It's difficult to pinpoint the exact impact you've had," he said. "The significant impact is based on the decreased availability and increase in price."

Investigators theorize why numbers have dropped: "Operation Pill Box."

In December, state and federal law enforcement, broke up an alleged oxycontin ring in the Norman area. The investigation was dubbed "Operation Pill Box."

Younger said most of the heroin supply is coming from Mexico. Police suspect someone is acquiring heroin and bringing it into the Norman area.

Suppliers frequently use Interstate 35 and Interstate 40 to transport drugs, Younger said. I-35 runs through Cleveland County and intersects with I-40 in Oklahoma City.

The Medical Examiner's Office tracks overdose deaths across the state and has data through 2009. Data for 2010 is not complete.

In 2008, 32 people in Cleveland County died from drug overdoses. Oxycodone killed five people. One person died from a heroin overdose.

Oxycodone also is found in combination with other ingredients in prescription pain killers. In its pure form it is oxycontin.

In 2009, drug overdose deaths decreased to 28, according to state statistics. One person died from oxycodone. Statistics on heroin related deaths were not available.

So far in 2010, there have been four heroin related overdoses reported in Norman. None have resulted in death, according to state officials.

Burnett said methamphetamine and cocaine are the most common drugs that county investigators come across. However, heroin is making a come back, he said.

Heroin has a massive addictive affect, Burnett said.

"It puts you out," he said.

Dr. David Fish, who joined the emergency department at Norman Regional Hospital in July 2009, said in the past nine months, he's treated at least two heroin overdoses. Both patients lived.

Heroin relaxes the body, Fish said. The narcotic slows down the respiratory system and induces a seemingly euphoric mental state.

Overdose patients brought into the emergency department typically are not breathing, Fish said. The person also likely is in a coma.

"If you take too much you will stop breathing and die," he said.

Fish said someone can become addicted to heroin in a single dose.

"People can be psychologically addicted pretty quickly and physiological over time," he said.

He said heroin originally was designed to be a pain reliever. Another opiate, oxycontin also is known to ease physical pain.

Fish said as an emergency room physician, he treats short-term pain. Oxycodone, in conjunction with other ingredients, is marketed as Percocet. Instead of oxycontin or an oxycodone compound, Fish said he normally prescribes a short dose of Vicodin or Lortab for pain relief.

"It's not something we give out regularly," he said of oxycontin.

Fish said compared with heroin overdoses, he's treated more patients who suffer from prescription drug overdoses.

"It's almost a daily thing," he said.

RIP: Jim and Mina Hibdon was found dead at their West Norman home Friday.

Norman Police said they do not consider the deaths suspicious.

Norman Police Sgt. Jennifer Newell confirmed Saturday night that police were sent to a house in west Norman Friday afternoon. Officers went to check on those who lived at the home.

When police arrived, they found a man and woman dead inside the house, Newell said.

She said because the deaths were unattended, the bodies were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Oklahoma City.

The Hibdons moved to Norman in 1961 when Jim Hibdon accepted a job teaching economics at the University of Oklahoma. Jim Hibdon retired from OU in 1991.
Mina Hibdon, a Republican, was elected in 1973 to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in a special election and served through 1976. She represented House District 44 and was a member of the Republican Party.

Services for the Hibdons are pending.

Medieval Fair of Norman is just one week away!!!!!!

Admission is free!

Order of Merriment

Opening Ceremony & Grand Procession
10:00 - Friday only – begins at

SCA Compound and ends at Royal Pavilion

Jousting Tournament – Jousting Field
11:00 & 3:00 each day

Human Chess Game – Camelot Stage
1:00 & 5:00 each day

Wedding – Minstrel Circle
2:00 -Saturday & Sunday – public invited!

Costume Contest – Camelot Stage
2:30 – Saturday & Sunday only

Royal Procession
4:00 -Saturday & Sunday – begins at Royal Pavilion

Last Huzzah
Gryphon Stage – 6:15 -Sunday only

Held annually since 1976, this event relives the Middle Ages with arts and crafts, food, games, jousting tournaments, human chess games, costume contests, and more.

Entertainment for the whole family includes minstrels, dancing, theater and reenactments, jugglers, magicians, knights jousting on horseback and human chess games. Brightly costumed characters include King Arthur, mermaids, and the fair's king and queen.

The Medieval Fair of Norman is the state's largest weekend event and the third largest event in Oklahoma, and was selected by Events Media Network as one of the top 100 events in the nation.

Merriment abounds with jugglers, minstrels, dancing, human chess games and knights jousting on horseback.

Six Stages with continuous performances!

Games & rides for all ages!

King Arthur and Sir Lancelot!

Face painting and wax hands!

Fighting demonstrations!

New suprises each year!

Browse through the medieval village of over 200 art and craft booths offering unique and handcrafted wares. Offerings include pottery, wood crafts, stained glass, armor, costumes, fairy wings, jewelry, leather crafts, hair garlands, and much more.

Experience the Middle Ages with food fit for a king, Feast on a smoked turkey leg, roasted corn or handcrafted root beer.

Admission is free!

Admission is free!

The Medieval Fair is located at:
Reaves Park
2501 South Jenkins Avenue
Norman, Oklahoma 73072

Norman is located in central Oklahoma, just 17 miles south of Oklahoma City on Interstate 35. See state map below.

Reaves Park is located on Jenkins Avenue between Lindsey St. and HWY 9 East. From I-35 take HWY 9 East to Jenkins Avenue. Turn north (left). See Norman street map below.

Admission is free!

Norman street map
Click on image for larger view

Admission is free!

Admission is free!

34th Annual Medieval Fair of Norman

Admission is free!

Held annually since 1976, this event relives the Middle Ages with arts and crafts, food, games, jousting tournaments, human chess games, costume contests, and more.

Entertainment for the whole family includes minstrels, dancing, theater and reenactments, jugglers, magicians, knights jousting on horseback and human chess games. Brightly costumed characters include King Arthur, mermaids, and the fair's king and queen.

The Medieval Fair of Norman is the state's largest weekend event and the third largest event in Oklahoma, and was selected by Events Media Network as one of the top 100 events in the nation.

Merriment abounds with jugglers, minstrels, dancing, human chess games and knights jousting on horseback.

Six Stages with continuous performances!

Games & rides for all ages!

King Arthur and Sir Lancelot!

Face painting and wax hands!

Fighting demonstrations!

New suprises each year!

Browse through the medieval village of over 200 art and craft booths offering unique and handcrafted wares. Offerings include pottery, wood crafts, stained glass, armor, costumes, fairy wings, jewelry, leather crafts, hair garlands, and much more.

Experience the Middle Ages with food fit for a king, Feast on a smoked turkey leg, roasted corn or handcrafted root beer.

Admission is free!

Admission is free!

The Medieval Fair is located at:
Reaves Park
2501 South Jenkins Avenue
Norman, Oklahoma 73072

Norman is located in central Oklahoma, just 17 miles south of Oklahoma City on Interstate 35. See state map below.

Reaves Park is located on Jenkins Avenue between Lindsey St. and HWY 9 East. From I-35 take HWY 9 East to Jenkins Avenue. Turn north (left). See Norman street map below.

Free parking is available one block from the park at Lloyd Noble Center, located just north of HWY 9 East on Jenkins Avenue. (Handicapped parking is available on the park grounds.)

Admission is free!

Norman street map
Click on image for larger view

Admission is free!

Admission is free!

Mark Amspacher R.I.P.

Mark Amspacher, longtime owner of the downtown Diner, died Monday in Norman Regional Hospital. He was 56.

Services are pending with Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.

Mark has owned the Diner since 1996. A popular downtown gathering spot, the restaurant at 212 E Main St., was featured on a segment of the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" in 2009.

Mark was a butcher in Norman and became more interested in food and cooking, he said, and went to work as a manager at The Diner. He came to work one day about 1992 and the door was locked.

"The guys who hired me forgot to pay their taxes," Amspacher said.

An attorney that ate breakfast at the diner almost every day called Amspacher and told him he would do the legal work if Amspacher would buy the diner and open the doors.

The Diner hasn't changed much over the years, Amspacher said, and he tries to keep it looking the way it did.

Vinyl booths (10) with Formica table tops and 10 stools line the Formica counter for a total of 50 seats.
Best known for his award-winning chili, Mark also prepares a chocolate chili, which is a staple at the annual Chocolate Festival in Norman. Bowls of it were served Saturday at this year's event.

He won the state's chili championship cookoff two years running before they asked him to retire and serve as a judge.

Raised in and around a south Norman grocery and deli owned for years by his family, Mark also trained under chefs from the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, N.Y. He worked as a chef in restaurants in Oklahoma City and Norman before buying the Diner in 1996.

Corrections Training Academies to Move to OKC

Action Will Save
More Than
Half-Million Dollars
a year!

The Department of Corrections will relocate its correctional officer training from Wilburton to the Highway Patrol Training Center in Oklahoma City, officials announced today.

The agency will also relocate a separate employee training facility from the OU College of Continuing Education in Norman to the Oklahoma City facility.

The move is expected to save the state more than $500,000 without a reduction in services.

“In this time of budget downturn, this is going to save money in one of our most vital public safety areas – corrections,” said state Sen. Anthony Sykes, a Moore Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary. “This helps both agencies better utilize existing resources in the most cost-effective way possible while maintaining public safety standards.”

Sykes noted the announcement comes a day before Senate Republicans plan to discuss their public safety agenda – on Thursday at an 11 a.m. press conference.

“This move will centralize and consolidate training for correctional officers,” said state Rep. Randy Terrill, a Moore Republican who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee on public safety and judiciary. “We believe this move will produce a nice synergy between the DPS and DOC and save taxpayer money while maintaining training standards.”

Closing the Wilburton facility is expected to save about $250,000 annually and moving the training center at the College of Continuing Education at OU will save another $350,000 – bringing the total annual savings to approximately $600,000.

Staff at the Wilburton and OU facilities will be relocated to fill higher-priority positions currently vacant or understaffed at DOC.

The Department of Corrections just completed the agreement with the Department of Public Safety to use the DPS facility.

As part of the agreement, inmate labor will be used to provide food, janitorial, maintenance and grounds-keeping services at the Oklahoma City facility. As much as 70 percent of food products served at the facility will come from prison farms.

“From a budget standpoint, the Department of Corrections is out of cash,” said Justin Jones, director of the state Department of Corrections. “We have no other option than to look at consolidation of services with other state agencies. This happened to be one option that was very workable and amenable to both state agencies and it provides greater efficiencies without reduction in quality of training or reduction in public safety preparedness.”

“Some agencies have assets that can be used by other agencies in these tough economic times,” said Commissioner of Public Safety Kevin Ward. “It appears the Department of Public Safety’s facility is compatible with DOC’s training needs, so we are glad to share assets and make better use of personnel and infrastructure at both agencies. By combining resources, we believe our two agencies will both save money and put out a great work product.”

The move should also enhance recruitment and retention efforts as well as save some correctional officers the cost of extensive travel to southeast Oklahoma to attend the more-than-month-long training sessions.

(RINO?) Ezzell announces for People's Republic of Norman Mayor

Just like we said, Ward 3 city councilman (RINO?) Hal Ezzell has announced his candidacy for Mayor of the People's Republic of Norman.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal announced that she would run earlier in the month.

(RINO?) Ezzell said the city is failing miserably at taking care of the resources and infrastructure that already exists in Norman, adding there are $8 million in capital maintenance. He also said the city relies too heavily on costly outside consultants as they make decisions and undertake costly and ambitious projects.

"I want to restore fiscal responsibility and transparency to Norman city government," (RINO?) Ezzell said. "While searching for solutions to difficult and far-reaching issues, we must be mindful of the unprecedented economic circumstances that confront the city, state and nation."

Pointing to his promotion of the curbside recycling program, a better animal control facility and a measured approach to city growth, (RINO?) Ezzell said he's done plenty while a councilmember to benefit Norman.

"I am proud of all I have accomplished during my service on the city council," he said. "I am especially proud of being actively involved with police officers, firefighters and the citizens' group Rescue Norman to pass the public safety sales tax."

(RINO?) Ezzell also criticized Rosenthal and other members of the city council for not adopting tougher ethics reform, instead choosing "weak policy with no real teeth or consequences."

"As mayor, I will adopt a meaningful ethics ordinance to prove we are serious about transparency in city government and fully answers the question of conflicts of interests," he said.

The filing dates for the upcoming election, which includes Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, are Jan. 11-13, 2010.

The election will be March 2, 2010.

Cindy Rosenthal has announced that she would seek a second term as Norman's mayor

Cindy Rosenthal has announced that she would seek a second term as Norman's mayor.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to work with citizens across our community to try to sustain the outstanding quality of life that we have come to expect in Norman," Rosenthal said. "While we have accomplished a lot as a city and a community over the past two and a half years, we face a critical set of challenges that we can tackle by pulling together."

Rosenthal pointed to several accomplishments during her first term, including passage by voters of a public-safety sales tax, which has allowed the city to implement a community-oriented policing strategy and improve fire services. "Plans are well under way for construction of two new fire stations, and we have developed a five-year strategic plan for community-oriented policing that will put more police officers on neighborhood patrols and increase community partnerships aimed at preventing crime," she said. She added that other public safety initiatives include plans to improve city streets, enhance bicycle safety, and replace the city's outdoor warning system, which will be brought to the voters for approval in March.

"I have been privileged to lead a hard-working City Council that has passed a number of new, comprehensive policies to improve public events, animal welfare, ethics, maintenance of public facilities, and energy efficiency," Rosenthal said. "Citizens also soon will benefit from technological improvements that make City Council meetings more accessible on the Internet and other efforts to help ensure city government is more transparent and responsive."

Under Rosenthal's leadership, the city has launched curbside recycling, adopted a fleet management policy utilizing CNG and alternative fuels vehicles, promoted health and recreational initiatives, begun inclusive community dialogues, conducted its first comprehensive citizen satisfaction survey, and promoted beautification efforts that include a master plan for bridge designs in the I-35 corridor.

"We have major challenges ahead on which I hope to work with Council and our citizens during a second term," she said. "We continue to work on the management of storm water to protect water quality in Lake Thunderbird and to mitigate the periodic flooding that threatens homes and businesses. In addition, we have begun the important work of assessing our park and recreation needs, identifying opportunities for trails and greenways for both pedestrians and bicyclists, and evaluating strategies to revitalize the Porter Corridor."

Rosenthal recently was elected vice president of the Oklahoma Municipal League and also serves on the steering committee of the Regional Transit Dialogue sponsored by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments.

"Norman must be a leader in addressing some of the critical issues facing the metropolitan area, including the creation of a 21st century public transit system and dealing with such long-range challenges as water supply and air pollution," she said.

Rosenthal noted that as Norman deals with the effects of the current economic downturn in the coming months, responsible and transparent management of city resources will be a high priority.

"Norman has been recognized by various national media as a great city and our citizens tell us that they are very pleased with city services. Nonetheless, we can always make improvements, and that will be the goal of my second term working with the Council, the City Manager and our citizens," she said.

Twice elected to represent Ward 4 before winning the mayoral election in 2007, Rosenthal also is the director of the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma and a professor of political science and public administration. In 2009, she was awarded the distinguished public service award by the Oklahoma chapter of the American Society of Public Administration.

Hal Ezzell to run for Mayor of Norman

It look like Ward 3 Councilman Hal Ezzell has jump off the cilff and is running for Mayor of the People's Republic of Norman

Ezzell is making phone calls all over Norman and has call most of the City Council telling them that He is running for Mayor.

Councilman Ezzell has lived in Norman for over 30 years. Hal is an attorney in private practice specializing trusts, estate planning and taxation. He began his service on City Council in July of 2007. Council Member Ezzell currently serves on the Council Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees of the City of Norman Retirement System.

Hal graduated from Norman High School. Hal received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

Councilman Ezzell has served on the board for the Center for Children and Families and is previously served on the board of Independent Living Services for Youth (ILSY). Hal is also on the Board of Directors for the First Presbyterian Church of Norman Foundation. Hal is a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of the Leadership Norman Class in 2005.

People's Republic of Norman not spending Money well

Editor, The Transcript:

Did the City of Norman really spend a million dollars on "speed humps" in the last six years? What were we thinking? Now some are having second thoughts about "humps" on CART and emergency vehicles routes.

No mention of school bus routes though. These concerns were voiced by many citizens years ago but were ignored. Whatever happened to Law Enforcement "calming traffic?"

The "humps" continue to grow. Thirty-seven of the latest ones need to be modified due to severity of graduation at a cost of $2,000 each. Did we not have specifications when we contracted for these to be installed? Did we not check before we paid the contractor to be sure the "humps" were installed correctly? Are we really that stupid?

Or as long as it is someone else's money you're spending it doesn't matter. Voters of Norman wake up. On next election day, remember how this City Council is spending your money. Or better yet demand a stop to this nonsense now!

BARBARA ELLIS

Norman

2 Earthquakes Rattle Oklahoma Senate District 43

See:
Earthquake hits Southeast OKC,
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2009


Is someone trying to tell Oklahoma State Senator Jim Reynolds something ? LOL

Three earthquakes shook the Oklahoma City metro Tuesday afternoon.

The United States Geological Survey reported a 2.4 magnitude earthquake at 3 p.m. south of Norman a couple of hours after two other minor quakes were reported in Oklahoma Senate District 43.

A 2.7 magnitude earthquake occurred at 12:25 p.m. and a 2.5 magnitude quake at 12:41 p.m. near S.E. 15th Street and Bryant Avenue, according to the USGS.

2.7 quake at 12:25 p.m.

2.5 quake at 12:41 p.m.

2.4 quake at 3 p.m.

There were no immediate reports of damage. A 2.5 to 3.0 magnitude quake is normally the smallest felt by humans.

Workers at nearby Tinker Air Force Base reported feeling the quake and noticed desks shaking during the noon quakes.

There have been 13 earthquakes in Oklahoma in the past six months, according to USGS records.

Researchers from Purdue University and Northwestern University say that seismic activity from the the midwestern New Madrid Seismic Zone is shifting to adjacent faults in the nation's midsection, including those in southern Illinois, Arkansas or Oklahoma.

Other scientists called those conclusions premature, in part because the study was based on a relatively narrow time period from the area that remains seismically active.

U2 to play Norman on October 19

U2 announced today they will to play in Norman on Monday, October 19 at the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The band released a schedule of their 360 tour dates on their website through September 24 and also included Norman on October 19. The tour will include 14 European cities followed by a North American tour.

There will be about 10,000 tickets for each show being priced at only $30, according to a press release.

According to the site: “Long-time U2 Show Director Willie Williams has worked again with architect Mark Fisher (ZooTV, PopMart, Elevation and Vertigo), to create an innovative 360˚ design which affords an unobstructed view for the audience. U2 360° also marks the first time a band has toured in stadiums with such a unique and original structure.”

It's almost Medieval Fair time !

Since 1976, the Medieval Fair in Norman has been one of the largest events in Oklahoma.

With arts and crafts, food, games, human chess, costume contest, jousting tournaments and free admission, this annual event transports you to the Middle Ages.

Watch master crafters demonstrating their skills, browse booth after booth of unusual handcrafted wares and feast on a smoked turkey leg.

The Medieval Fair features entertainment including minstrels, dancing, theater, jugglers, magicians and re-enactments.

Journey to an age of kings, queens and knights in shining armor, and gobble up a wide variety of food from roasted corn to handcrafted root beer.

The Medieval Fair of Norman is the state's largest weekend event and the third largest event in Oklahoma, and was selected by Events Media Network as one of the top 100 events in the nation.

The Medieval Fair will be from
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
April 3-5 at Norman’s Reeves Park

Admission is free!