Mold Remediation in Norman, OK

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The National Weather Service (NWS) Norman has announced an evacuation order for the area east of Cushing.

According NWS, a large wildfire is threatening areas from the intersection of Highways 33 and 99 east of Cushing.

Residents in this area are being asked to leave immediately and travel toward either the east or west.

Featured Video Below: Raw Wildfire Video near Chickasha, courtesy Randy Richardson

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7 days ago

NWS Norman Update

Mario Gonzalez

According to NWS Norman, as of 6:25 p.m., wildfires continue to burn SW of Wellston, E of Cushing, SE of Yale, E of Seiling, E of Warren and S of Anadarko.

If you live close to any of these areas, it is advised to pay close attention on instructions by local officials.

7 days ago

Power outages

Terre Gables

Number of OG&E customers impacted by power outage across 23 counties in Oklahoma decreases to 994.

PSO customers impacted by power outages in Oklahoma at 2,022.

7 days ago

Power outages

Terre Gables

Number of OG&E customers impacted by power outage across 23 counties in Oklahoma increases to 3,360.

PSO customers impacted by power outages in Oklahoma at 1,431.

7 days ago

Power outages

Terre Gables

Number of OG&E customers impacted by power outage across 23 counties in Oklahoma decreases to 703.

7 days ago

Power outages

Terre Gables

PSO customers impacted by power outages in Oklahoma at 1,309.

Number of OG&E customers impacted by power outage across 23 counties in Oklahoma decreases to 3,364.

7 days ago

NWS Norman

Terre Gables

A Fire Warning has been issued for a dangerous wildfire located 4 miles south of Wellston (Lincoln Co.), near Hwy 102. This fire is moving rapidly north. Those near Sunset Dr., Summer Tree Lane, & up to CR 970 should evacuate. Avoid Hwy 102! KFOR has a team headed to the scene.

7 days ago

Temporary evacuation shelter

Mario Gonzalez

Edmond emergency management says St. Lukes Methodist Church in Edmond, located at 900 N. Sooner Road, is temporarily open for residents who have evacuated their homes due to grass fires in the area.

7 days ago

Grass fire near Edmond

Xavier Richardson

The Edmond Fire Department has issued a public safety advisory for those near I-35 and Covell due to and active grass fire.

EFD says heavy smoke and potential road closures may result on traffic delays and hazardous driving conditions.

Drivers are advised to plan an alternate route and allow for extra travel time.

Photo courtesy Edmond Fire Department.

7 days ago

Power outages

Terre Gables

Number of OG&E customers impacted by power outage across 23 counties in Oklahoma increases to 4,077 .

7 days ago

Traffic camera shows fire near Cashion

Mario Gonzalez

ODOT camera on I-35 and 2nd pointing North shows fire near Cashion.

7 days ago

Evacuation ordered for Twin Lakes

Xavier Richardson

The National Weather Service has issued an evacuation order for residents of Twin Lakes in Logan County.

A dangerous wildfire was located three miles north of Cashion, moving rapidly north at 2 to 3 mph. Residents are advised to evacuate to the gas station at Highways 33 and 74.

7 days ago

UPDATE @ 3:05 p.m

Kari King

NWS has updated the evacuation order, stating a large wildfire is threatening areas between Schlegel Road and Highway 99, east of Cushing. People should now evacuate to the north.

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No. 6 Tennessee football showcased its defensive prowess in a commanding 25-15 SEC-opening victory over No. 15 Oklahoma on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

The win marked the Vols' 10th over a ranked opponent under head coach Josh Heupel, who made the return to his alma mater a memorable one.

Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) established defensive dominance from the outset, limiting the Sooners to just 222 total yards. The impressive performance continues a trend, as the Vols have now held their last five opponents under 250 yards of total offense, dating to their Citrus Bowl triumph over Iowa on Jan. 1, 2024.

The Vols had an impressive defensive streak end on Saturday as they went 19 quarters without allowing an offensive touchdown until Oklahoma scored with 8:25 left in the fourth quarter. This streak went down as the second-longest in program history and the longest since Tennessee shut out 15 straight opponents from Nov. 5, 1938, to Dec. 9, 1939.

Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1 SEC) struggled early, committing multiple turnovers that the Vols capitalized on. Cornerback Jermod McCoy recorded his first interception as a Vol, halting Oklahoma's third drive and leading to Tennessee's opening points with a 27-yard field goal from kicker Max Gilbert.

After the Sooners tied the game with a field goal, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava found wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. for a spectacular 66-yard touchdown pass as the first quarter closed.

With Oklahoma deep in Tennessee territory after a turnover, the Vols' defense struck again. Defensive lineman Joshua Josephs forced a fumble and recovered it on the UT six-yard line to flip the game's momentum back in Tennessee's favor.

On OU's next drive, a false start by the Sooners then pushed them back to their 2-yard line, where defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins burst through the line to tackle Oklahoma's running back in the end zone for a safety, extending Tennessee's lead to 12-3 with 9:12 remaining in the second quarter.

The Vols continued to capitalize on mistakes, forcing their third takeaway of the first half when defensive back Jakobe Thomas recovered a fumble on a backward pass that hit the turf. Tennessee made Oklahoma pay, as running back Dylan Sampson plunged in for a one-yard touchdown on UT's ensuing drive, marking his 10th of the season and pushing the lead to 19-3.

Gilbert added two more field goals in the second half from 41 and 32 yards, keeping Oklahoma at bay.

The Sooners made a quarterback change at halftime, bringing in freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who led Oklahoma on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives.

Linebacker Arion Carter was a standout for Tennessee's defense, recording six tackles, including one for a loss, and breaking up a pass. Andre Turrentine, Christian Harrison, and Keenan Pili each contributed five tackles, with Pili particularly disruptive, adding a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries. As a unit, the Vols' defense registered three sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

On the offensive front, Iamaleava had a solid performance, completing 13 of 21 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown in his first SEC start. Wide receiver Bru McCoy was the top target, catching four passes for 92 yards. Sampson finished with 92 yards on 24 carries, while fellow running back DeSean Bishop contributed 65 yards on 16 carries.

Iamaleava presented the game ball to his head coach as the clock expired.

Up next, after an open week, Tennessee travels to Fayetteville to face Arkansas on Oct. 5. A game time will be announced next week.

Welcome to the University of Oklahoma (OU), home of the Sooners! If you’re heading to town to catch some Oklahoma football, here’s what you need to know about where to stay, eat, drink, and tailgate. First, a few key facts:

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WHERE TO STAY IN NORMAN

While Norman has fewer options than larger college towns, you can still find a comfortable place to stay near campus.

We are grateful to all our sponsors:

Casa Bella Bed and Breakfast

642 E Brooks St, Norman, OK 73071 • (405) 329-2289

Casa Bella Bed and Breakfast is an easy 15-minute walk from the University of Oklahoma campus. This darling bed and breakfast is styled after a Mexican casita, with vibrant colors and lush gardens. You’ll never know you’re in the Midwest.

The Montford Inn

322 W Tonhawa St, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 321-2200

The Montford Inn is a charming bed and breakfast near campus. You can enjoy the relaxing quiet of comfortable rooms and a large front porch with swings, but it’s still walkable to the buzzing downtown.

The Manor Bed & Breakfast

917 W Boyd St, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 310-2254

Just two blocks from the University of Oklahoma campus, The Manor Bed and Breakfast is an intimate spot with a luxurious guest suite. You’ll even wake up to a home-cooked breakfast in the morning.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center

2501 Conference Dr, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 364-8040

While it’s a little further from campus, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Normal Hotel & Conference Center is a great choice for larger groups or anyone looking for a more corporate stay.

NOUN Hotel

542 S University Blvd, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 701-5858

The NOUN Hotel is a Marriott Tribute Portfolio property that brings boutique hotel vibes to downtown Norman. The Oklahoma landscape inspires its decor, and you can’t beat the location, which is just steps from campus.

We are grateful to all our sponsors:

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WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN NORMAN

Whether you go to Main Street or Campus Corner, you’ll find a wide range of cuisine perfect for reliving your college days. They’ve got it all: Mexican, Greek, burgers … and it tastes even better after a long day of tailgating.

Greek House

768 S Jenkins Ave, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 364-6300

Ask any OU fan the best spot to grab a bite to eat in Norman, and there’s a near 100% chance they’ll answer Greek House. This local restaurant is the best place to grab falafel, gyros, and other Mediterranean dishes.

Pepe Delgados

786 Asp Ave, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 321-6232

Pepe Delgados is a go-to Mexican favorite for students and alums alike. You can’t beat a big plate of tacos after a winning game.

The Garage Burgers & Beer

307 E Main St, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 701-7035

Head to The Garage Burgers & Beer for the burgers and beer, and stay for the arcade games. This vibrant spot has crinkle-cut fries, specialty drinks, and upbeat energy.

Van’s Pig Stands

320 N Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071 • (405) 703-3000

If you’re craving barbecue, head to Van’s Pig Stands. You’ll find brisket, pulled pork, and some Midwestern flavor with St. Louis ribs.

The Mont

1300 Classen Blvd, Norman, OK 73071 • (405) 329-3330

Head to The Mont for everything from burgers to Mexican. This perennial favorite restaurant has a great outdoor space perfect for posting up after an early autumn game.

The Diner

213 E Main St Ste. B, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 329-6642

Chili and hearty comfort food is why fans flock to The Diner. Well, and because Guy Fieri put it on the map with Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives!

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BARS IN NORMAN

Norman has a classic bar scene, with great dive spots and sports bars. This may not be where you’ll find a trendy wine bar, but you’ll always be able to grab a cold beer.

O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille

769 Asp Ave, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 217-8454

Grab a drink at O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille, a classic sports bar right on Campus Corner. It opens at 11 a.m. on Saturdays (so you can grab a pre-game drink), and then it stays open until 2 a.m. for all of your late-night celebrating.

Louie’s Grill & Bar

301 W Boyd St, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 366-6291

Every college town needs a good sports bar, and Norman has Louie’s Grill & Bar. This local chain has classic American dishes, good beer, and sports continuously running on the TVs.

Bison Witches Bar & Deli

211 E Main St, Norman, OK 73069 • (405) 364-7555

If you get hungry while you’re drinking, Bison Witches Bar & Deli has you covered. Grab a beer and a bread bowl soup or a creative sandwich.

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WHERE TO TAILGATE IN NORMAN

OU makes its campus a hotspot for tailgating activities on game day. Fans can tailgate across the campus, including on Boyd Lawn and near Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Spots are free for the taking, and they’re first come, first served, so plan on getting there early to nab the prime tailgating location!

Boomer Sooner!

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Editor's note: This story was updated at 8:41 a.m. on Sept. 18 to include emailed statements from President and CEO of the Norman Chamber of Commerce Scott Martin, OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. and OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione.

Norman City Council approved the project plan for the $1 billion University North Park entertainment district on Tuesday after months of pushback from residents.

At the second public hearing regarding the project plan, Norman residents flooded city hall to voice their concerns or support for the plan.

The Rock Creek Entertainment District project plan creates two tax increment finance districts to fund the development. The first TIF uses sales tax, the second is an ad valorem increment district.

“We’re here for a project we believe will change our community for forever,” Sean Rieger, attorney for the applicant, said in his opening presentation. “For the better.”

Community members react

Over 70 community members signed up to speak in the public hearing.

Ward 3 resident Rob Norman was on the University North Park TIF committee.

“I voted against the financing because it is the worst possible public financing tool we could use, and it's for one reason, and that's to avoid a vote of the people,” Norman said. “Depending on what you do tonight, that's going to happen anyway.”

While addressing council, Norman called for an open debate and public vote on the project plan.

In an interview with OU Daily during the hearing, Norman said he was concerned about economic harm because spending activity would be concentrated in the district. A TIF district would decrease the city of Norman’s general fund revenue, he said.

Many entertainment districts are funded without TIFs, Norman said. Instead, they use private funding, bonds or other tax revenue.

“The reason that that is not the plan here, which is what everyone else does, is that that brings it to a vote of the people,” Norman said. “And I don't think the strongest advocates for this plan want this to go to a vote of the people.”

Norman said he wants there to be a public debate so citizens can speak for longer than the allotted time in city council meetings, which is three minutes.

“We have to make our case somewhere else,” Norman said. “We can and we will.”

Norman said citizens opposed to the district plan to create a referendum petition for a public vote if the project is approved.

“If they pass it, we’re going to do everything we can to get this voted on by the people,” Norman said.

Cynthia Rogers, an OU economics professor, said in an interview with OU Daily that such a contentious and large spending program should be voted on by the public.

“You get to vote on everything else that uses tax dollars: sales tax, new sales tax,” Rogers said. “This uses the thing that we vote on, diverting it to something that we didn’t vote on.”

Rogers also said the property taxes the TIF collects are intended to fund public schools.

“The most important thing for families to come to Norman, they look at the schools,” she said. “That's the first thing they look at. I doubt they’re like, ‘Do you have an arena?’”

Most current city council members will not be on the council when school and infrastructure funding issues arise as a result of the TIF, she said.

Rogers said she does not want the district to be completely funded by TIFs, but the city should finance the public infrastructure portions of the project.

Ward 6 resident Marguerite Larson said city surveys reflect that the Norman community does not want the project approved.

Larson also said the TIF will impact school and city funding, and that OU should finance the arena. She also said she was disappointed with the results of a previous TIF.

Larson said she doesn’t agree with the project developers’ assumption that a large amount of funding would be coming in from the TIFs.

“We were promised the moon and the stars and sunshine and dancing girls, and we got Dollar Tree,” she said. “We got Target. We got Office Max.”

In an interview with OU Daily, Larson said she was concerned about housing costs in the district and potential tornado damage.

“Why not invest in something that’s already here?” Larson said. “Why not invest in the community as a whole, as something that’s going to benefit everyone?”

Ward 6 resident Andrew Rasner said that a TIF is the worst way to fund the project plan and no other SEC schools financed their arenas through TIFs.

“This plan severely impacts both our short-term fiscal stability and our long-term ability to invest elsewhere,” he said.

In an interview with OU Daily, Rasner said he appreciates the walkability and higher density housing the project creates but he doesn’t agree with how the project will be supported.

“A lot of those things look really neat, but they are just tied intimately to the way of funding this,” Rasner said.

The project’s supporters

Ward 3 resident James Howard spoke in favor of the project. In an interview with OU Daily during the hearing, Howard said he has seen towns fail to progress “into the future.”

“They have fallen further and further behind in terms of maintaining their population and services to their citizens,” Howard said. “So it's either forward or backwards.”

Howard said the district would be a “marquee” visible to Norman tourists or drivers on the interstate.

“It basically lets them know that we're a destination to be taken seriously and enjoyed seriously, which is great for our businesses,” Howard said.

Ward 7 resident Gregg Garn, interim dean of professional and continuing studies, said he is in favor of the project.

“I think this is a powerful one for the university and for the city to come together to move forward in a powerful way,” Garn said. “And I don’t see adverse effects for the public schools.”

Howard said he would be happy if the project was approved.

“It would be a signal to others around us and to the state that we’re serious about being a good city – the place to be,” Howard said.

In an email to OU Daily, President and CEO of the Norman Chamber of Commerce Scott Martin wrote he wanted to thank Mayor Larry Heikkila and city council for their visionary support" of the entertainment district.

"This has been a lengthy process, but worthy of the magnitude of the impact it will have on our community. It is rare that this amount of private sector investment would be spent on one project in a community of our size," Martin wrote. "The return on this investment through real dollars flowing through our community will be staggering."

After the meeting, OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. wrote in an email to OU Daily that the vote was a historic moment in Norman's history, adding the "entire OU family" is grateful council approved the project.

Harroz wrote he was thankful for the citizens who worked to make the project happen, and called the vote a "milestone."

"A large coalition came together to support this initiative that will create thousands of new jobs, more housing and exciting new entertainment options for our residents that will help make Norman a destination city," Harroz wrote.

OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione wrote in the same email the vote was a "transformative" opportunity for the city and Cleveland County. Castiglione wrote OU had made it known it wants to be a partner in growth for the city, adding Norman can "reap" the benefits of fans from Southeastern Conference teams.

"Tonight, we saw strong leadership when our city needed it most," Castiglione wrote. "We’re endlessly thankful for the opportunity to have an environment where we can put Sooner Magic on full display, showing our state and region all Oklahoma has to offer. The district and arena will do wonders for our ability to compete and win."

This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ismael Lele. Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority modified plans for a Norman turnpike after public opposition.

The OTA removed plans for frontage roads and three interchanges on the turnpike after the Norman City Council on Aug. 27 refused to support a resolution calling for the interchanges and frontage road.

They were part of an East-West Connector turnpike corridor in Norman, Moore, Oklahoma City and Cleveland County.

Oklahoma is in the midst of a $5 billion, 15-year turnpike expansion and improvement project, called Advancing and Connecting Communities and Economies Safely Statewide, or ACCESS. Several projects are planned across the state.

Norman City Councilor Stephen Tyler Holman said OTA asked the city to pass the resolution supporting the Norman turnpike plan. Norman leaders were concerned that the city would be financially responsible for maintenance and funding of the frontage roads and interchanges, Holman said.

He said there was “overwhelming opposition” from Norman residents about the turnpike expansion plans and the requested resolution.

Holman said there was a concern the OTA would use the resolution to try to convince lawmakers the city supported the turnpike.

Residents are concerned about the taking of private property to build the roadway, Holman said.

Families will be displaced and may not be able to find housing in the area or at the same value, Holman said.

Residents expressed concern about the impact on Lake Thunderbird, a source of water for the area, and on the environment.

“We don’t want the turnpike in Norman, period,” Holman said.

Holman said he hopes that less access to the turnpike will make the project unviable.

Lisa Shearer-Salim, an OTA spokesperson, said the project will still be viable even with the changes.

The OTA was offering to pay for the bulk of costs of building the frontage road and interchanges, but the city would have had to maintain it, she said.

The estimated savings in construction costs, right-of-way acquisition and utilities is between $150 million and $200 million, Shearer-Salim said.

Initially, the 28-mile new alignment will connect the Interstate 44/Tri-City area of Newcastle, Blanchard and Tuttle at Oklahoma 37 and cross the South Canadian River east to Interstate 35. Ultimately, the corridor will continue northeast to Interstate 40 to connect to the Kickapoo Turnpike.

The East-West Connector is a segment of the Oklahoma City Outer Loop.

It will take some additional time to rework the design plans to remove the frontage roads and additional interchanges at 36th Street, Broadway and 48th Avenue, said T.J. Dill, OTA deputy director and chief engineer.

Salim said the changes are not expected to significantly alter the route.

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