NF)--City of Enid officials are seeking more information after the Oklahoma Tax Commission earlier this month decided not to approve a request from the city to receive tax reimbursements for expenses related to The One from the state’s Quality Events Incentive grant program. Enid News and Eagle reports, city officials say they are still in the dark as to why their Feb. 1 application was denied during the Tax Commission’s weekly meeting, and have asked the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to help sort out the issue. The joint ODOC-OTC program reimburses municipalities in tax revenue for any relevant expenses incurred for so-deemed “quality” events. Enid City Manager Gerald Gilbert said after reportedly being told by state staff, the city had expected to receive the maximum $250,000 from the reimbursement program. However, the three-member Oklahoma Tax Commission unanimously denied the city’s application on May 10. An OTC spokesperson said the application was rejected because it failed to meet all statutory requirements, but that the department would not comment further on what requirements weren’t met.
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CT)--Enid Police Department will participate in the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign through June 5. During this time, which includes Memorial Day weekend, EPD will have officers out day and night enforcing seatbelt and child restraint seat laws with one goal in mind, saving lives. In 2020, 54.8% of all vehicle fatality victims were not using safety belts or child restraint devices. Buckling up helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle, whereas not buckling up can result in being totally ejected from the vehicle in a crash, which is almost always deadly. Air bags are not enough to protect you; in fact, the force of an air bag can seriously injure or even kill you if you’re not buckled up. Improperly wearing a seat belt, such as putting the strap below your arm, puts you and your children at risk in a crash. The citation for drivers and passengers not wearing a seatbelt is $20. Having an unrestrained or improperly restrained child can result in a $115 citation.
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FW)--A drinking water warning has been issued for the city of Fairview due to high levels of nitrate in the city's water supply. According to a notice issued by Fairview City Manager Chris Gdanski, the greatest danger is to infants under 6 months old. A water sample collected May 6 showed the nitrate level in Fairview water was slightly above the maximum contaminant level considered safe for drinking. Nitrate in water can come from natural, industrial and agricultural sources, and levels can vary. Boiling city water will not help, according to the release, and could increase the nitrate concentration as water evaporates. Freezing, filtering or letting water stand also does not help. Water, juice or formula should not be prepared with tap water for children under 6 months of age, the release states. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used until further notice. Fairview officials are evaluating the situation for corrective action, according to the release and will provide updates.
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