Duncan man dies from crash injuries
A Duncan man has died from injuries suffered in a two-vehicle crash in Stephens County Monday morning, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Troopers said Christopher Brunson, 44, was driving his pickup eastbound on State Highway 29 about a mile east of Potts Road shortly before 8 a.m. when he collided with a van. The driver of the other vehicle lost control due to ice on the road and struck Brunson.
Brunson was taken to a Duncan hospital before being transferred to OU Medical Center. He died about 12:30 p.m. Monday from his injuries.
Get the boots out. Snow is on the way to Oklahoma City
Dust off the snow boots. Snow could be on the way Sunday night in Oklahoma City. Forecasters predict a chilly Saturday with a cold wind and nighttime temperatures in the teens. A sunny Sunday with a high near 38 is expected before a wintry mix of snow and sleet hits the area.
This Afternoon: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Northeast wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. East wind between 7 and 11 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. South southeast wind between 8 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Snow likely before midnight, then snow and sleet likely. Cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind between 14 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
Monday: Freezing rain and sleet likely before noon, then a slight chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Southwest wind between 13 and 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Live chatting about Oklahoma news
Live chatting is not a new concept in journalism, but it’s one the NewsOK breaking news team is looking into using more.
You’re probably familiar with our sports team chatting with fans on the Sports page in a Cover It Live window. It’s a pretty simple way to communicate with readers and allow them to be part of the conversation.
Recently, the breaking news team has tried to use the chats as a way to provide real-time information. (more…)
December Winter Storm Chat
Oklahoma Red Cross calls community earthquake meeting in Prague
The American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma has organized a community meeting to discuss recent earthquakes.
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Prague Community Center, 1319 N Westlawn Drive, local Red Cross spokesman Rusty Surette said. The meeting had to be moved to the community center from a smaller venue because of an expected large turnout.
Officials from the Oklahoma Geological Survey, state Emergency Management Department, Lincoln County emergency management office, state Insurance Department, Salvation Army and other groups are expected to attend.
Officials will answer questions residents have about the earthquakes, their aftermath and preparedness for future disasters, Surette said.
Our reporters have written about the earthquake damage in Lincoln County lately, and we want to know if the meeting was helpful to residents? Did you learn anything about earthquake preparedness or insurance? Let us know below.
Photo by Sue Ogrocki: Chad Devereaux works at cleaning up the bricks that fell from three sides of his in-laws home in Sparks, Okla., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, after two earthquakes hit the area in less than 24 hours.
People have been talking, tweeting about Oklahoma’s recent earthquakes
Looking back at the Edmond wildfires
Edmond Wildfire from Insight Visual Media Productions on Vimeo.
It’s been nearly three months since wildfires ripped through Edmond and destroyed several homes. I remember it and the Oklahoma City wildfires pretty well, considering our team of breaking news reporters spent days reporting on the fires and structural damage.
I was trying to find something to blog about and came across this Vimeo video of the Edmond wildfires by Insight Visual Media Productions. After posting my second time lapse video, it’s probably obvious that I love this effect. But this video shows much more than colorful footage. I think it really captures the cloud of smoke and devastation that could be seen for miles.
The production company explains more about the video in a blog post on its website.
When I saw a huge tower of smoke billowing over Edmond this weekend I couldn’t miss the opportunity to get out and shoot some time-lapses. I actually went outside to look at the cumulus clouds from a storm that was rolling over the north edge of town and when I saw the smoke I immediately knew this would be a good opportunity to shoot bracketed.
I’ll let you watch and decide what you think of the video.
I-44 exit ramps reopen Tuesday
Exit ramps between Classen Boulevard and Interstate 44 were reopened Tuesday afternoon.
The westbound I-44 exit ramp to Classen Boulevard and the eastbound entrance ramp from Classen to I-44 were closed all day Monday, said Cole Hackett, an Oklahoma Department of Transportation spokesman.
“We knew with that rain coming in this weekend that these problems might come up,” Hackett said. “We were doing some inspections in that area about a month ago. Where it is supposed to drain, there is a pipe. We noticed the flow wasn’t very good. Once we looked into it, we realized that pipe had been damaged and was pinched off where no water could get through there.”
Crews were able to pump the water out of the area and clear the ramps.
Photo by Paul Southerland: Westbound off ramp and eastbound on ramp to I-44 closed at Classen Boulevard due to flooding from weekend rains in Oklahoma City Monday, Oct 10, 2011.
Families rebuild after tornado damage
I’m visiting residents in Piedmont today to talk about the recovery process since the May 24 tornadoes. It’s part of my weekend story about financial assistance and people rebuilding their homes.
If you’re a resident in Piedmont or were affected by the tornadoes, I’d like to hear from you. Or if you have questions or concerns regarding the recovery process, send me an email at tgibson@opubco.com or comment below.
Photo by Jim Beckel: Kiley Witte, 34, far right, is comforted by a woman as they look at what remains of his home on SH 74 east of Cashion after a tornado destroyed it Tuesday afternoon, May 24, 2011, Witte and his dog were in a storm cellar in his front yard.
Tornado Watch until 10 p.m.
WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 307
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 307 IN
EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN OKLAHOMA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 16 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
KINGFISHER
IN NORTHERN OKLAHOMA
GARFIELD GRANT KAY
NOBLE
IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA
ALFALFA BLAINE DEWEY
ELLIS HARPER MAJOR
WOODS WOODWARD
IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA
BECKHAM CUSTER ROGER MILLS
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…ALVA…ARNETT…BUFFALO…
CHEROKEE…CHEYENNE…CLINTON…ELK CITY…ENID…FAIRVIEW…
KINGFISHER…MEDFORD…PERRY…PONCA CITY…SAYRE…TALOGA…
WATONGA…WEATHERFORD AND WOODWARD.
