Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are teaming up with the state Department of Transportation to provide educational classes on motorcycle safety.

Officials said the need for the program became apparent after motorcycle crashes and fatalities continued to rise, both nationally and locally.

For those interested in taking one of the classes, here is a Q&A of requirements and equipment needed to participate.

Read more about the program here. (Information below via www.ohpsaferiders.com)

Q: How do I sign up for a motorcycle safety course?

Q: Who is instructing the motorcycle training course?

Q: What safety gear is required for the motorcycle training course?

Q: Does Oklahoma law require a motorcyclist to wear a helmet?

Q: If state law doesn’t require a helmet, why do I have to wear one to the safety course?

Q: Do I have to have a motorcycle endorsement on my driver’s license before I show up for the course?

Q: Will a motorcycle be provided to me for the course?

Q: Is there a minimum age requirement to sign up for the motorcycle safety course?

Q: What is the minimum age requirement for a motorcycle license?

Q: Will I receive a discount on my insurance on completion of the course?

Q: How much does the motorcycle safety course cost?

Q: What if the motorcycle safety course is full?

Q: Do I need to bring anything other than my safety equipment to the motorcycle training course?

A: Yes. Water bottles and snacks would be a good idea. Due to extreme heat that Oklahoma sometimes experiences, staying hydrated is a must. Water will be provided during breaks, but bring your own to be on the safe side. Also, a lunch break will be given. The break will not be long because of the amount of information to be covered. So, bringing a sack lunch might be a good idea.

Q: Will any type of motorcycle be able to negotiate the exercises that are set up?

Q: Do I have to be an experienced rider to benefit from this motorcycle training course?

Q: How do I obtain a motorcycle endorsement on my driver’s license?

Patrick Venable, 28, was ordered to stand trial after Special judge R.L. Hert Jr. ruled April 4 that there was enough evidence presented at the preliminary hearing for Venable to face trial in district court on a count of second-degree rape.

Court records show that Venable’s pretrial is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 15 in Logan County. At his arraignment last week, Venable pleaded not guilty to the charge.

For more on the judge’s order for Venable to stand trial, click here.

Read about the preliminary hearing and testimony here.

Photo by Paul Southerland: Former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Patrick Venable leaving a courtroom during his preliminary hearing at the Payne County Courthouse in Stillwater Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. 

Police filed a search warrant Monday for items inside a southwest Oklahoma City home where three people were found dead earlier this month.

Officers responded to shots fired at the home at 3221 S Durland Avenue shortly after midnight April 14. Witnesses told police they saw several people run from the home after the shots were fired and left in different vehicles.

Upon arrival, police found James Lumpkin, 42, dead outside the residence. Two other victims, Kayla Ramirez, 19, and Francisco Grajeda, 19, were found inside.

Arrest warrants were issued April 18 for Genaro Hernandez, 25, Luis Humberto Solis, 24, and Jesus Solis-Acosta, 26, who are all wanted in connection with the shootings.

As of Wednesday, police said the three men have not been arrested or located.

Two brothers who live in the home were also arrested on drug possession complaints and questioned in the murders April 17.

In the search warrant affidavit, officers requested permission to search the home for several items that could be evidence in the case, including knives, cutting instruments, weapons and firearms.

The following items were recovered from the home:

• Numerous rounds of live ammunition
• Spent Shell Casings
• Swabs taken from inside the residence
• Multiple cell phones
• Beer bottles
• Necklace
• Green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana
• Cigarettes, lighters
• A knife
• Semi-automatic firearm
• Digital scales with white residue and glass pipes
• An illegally sawed-off shotgun

See more updates on the Pottawatomie County sheriff’s office Facebook page.

A man was shot in the stomach after police said he pointed a gun at an Edmond police officer in the area of E 2 Street and S Bryant Avenue Tuesday.

Read more about the shooting on the Storify below. If you can’t read the text, click here.

Spokeswoman Jessica Brown said agents were called Tuesday morning to look into the death of Michael Hall, 29, of Lawton, who was booked into the jail on a complaint of public intoxication. Hall was found dead inside his cell Tuesday. Officials said he was inside the cell by himself and there were no obvious signs of trauma to his body.

The medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Agents have spent the day conducting interviews of those working at the jail facility.

Police Chief Clint Gaylord said an employee told officers a parent made a threat about 8 a.m. Thursday at Stroud Elementary School, located at 220 West 2 Street. He said the woman made the comment that “she would just bomb the school,” prompting officers to investigate the situation.

Superintendent Joe Van Tuyl said the school took safety precautions and classrooms were locked. He said it was ultimately determined that the children were in no imminent danger.

Police said the woman was interviewed at her home and denied making the threat. She was not arrested.

Stroud Elementary School currently has more than 400 students enrolled. Van Tuyl said classes were not disrupted by the incident.

Two bodies have been found inside a home in northeast Oklahoma City, police said.

Lt. Jason Samuel said officers received a call about 11 a.m. Tuesday to go to the house in the 12700 block of Teakwood Road. He said officers had to get a warrant to enter the home and recently discovered the bodies.

He said officers are at the scene investigating. Other details weren’t immediately available.

Michael Albert Morton, 55, has been charged with 4 felony counts of conspiracy to commit theft of methamphetamine, 5 counts of theft of methamphetamine, and 4 counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

According to an affidavit filed with the charges, Morton told investigators he used his position as a police detective to steal methamphetamine from evidence to give to his then wife Christine Sue Morton.  The couple has since divorced in June 2010.

Read more here.

Capt. Jeff Parsons said firefighters responded about 2:30 p.m. to the aid of a man who suffered burns to his face and arms while working on the roof of the Warr Acres City Hall building at 5930 NW 49. He said the building houses police officers, city officials and firefighters, so they were able to respond quickly.

Lara O’Leary, spokeswoman for Emergency Medical Services Authority, said the man was taken to a hospital in fair condition.

Photo by Steve Gooch: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Thursday, May 15, 2003) ROOFERS: A roofer with All-American Roofing Co. uses a roofing hammer and nails on a home in NW Oklahoma City.