April 21, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 14

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4 April 21, 2021 News Lucas Cosponsors Legislation to Designate Chisholm, Western Trails as National Historic Trails Washington, D.C. – Yester- an integral part throughout series of trails that led ranch- were driven up the Chisholm two of those elements that through the Great Plains, day, Congressman Frank Lucas Oklahoma’s history, establish- ers from Texas to Kansas, Trail to Abilene from 1867 helped shape the midwestern but showcasing the historical (OK-03) joined Representative ing a number of local econo- crossing the Red River though to 1871. The trail crossed the economy – with millions of significance of the people who Ron Estes (KS-04) in introduc- mies across the Plains through current-day Oklahoma. The Red River south of Duncan, cattle traveling through the traveled the more than 1,300 ing legislation to amend the trade and transportation,” said trail acquired its name from Oklahoma, led north through Great Plains,” said Rep. Estes. miles through multiple states, National Trails System Act Congressman Lucas. “Desig- Jesse Chisholm, a Scotch/ Indian Territory to Wichita, “Farmers and ranchers from and their way of life.” to designate the Chisholm nating these trails as historic Cherokee trader and govern- Kansas, and on to the railway Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Lucas cosponsored similar National Historic Trail and trails will not only preserve ment interpreter, who estab- in Abilene. It is estimated that Nebraska have always been a legislation- the Chisholm the Western National Historic the significance of these trails lished a trading post in what more than 5 million Texas critical part of this country, National Historic and West- Trail. in Oklahoma and across the is now western Oklahoma City cattle were driven north to and the cowboy culture that “As our country expanded Great Plains, but it will also al- on a wagon road between trad- markets from 1866 to 1884, was evident on the Chisholm ern National Historic Trail westward, the Chisholm Trail low us to continue to educate ing posts in Wichita, Kansas the majority over the Ch- and Western Trails are at the Designation Act- in the 116th and the Western Trail be- future generations of Ameri- and the Red River. isholm Trail. very heart of who we are as Congress. came critical lifelines for the cans and provide countless According to the National “When we think about Americans – hard-working, Reps. Estes and Lucas are people of the Great Plains. economic opportunities across Cowboy & Western Heritage advances that moved our rugged and independent. joined by Rep. Tom Cole (OK- Cattle ranchers across Western Oklahoma.” Museum, more than 1.5 mil- country forward, the Ch- Designating these trails is 04), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Oklahoma have always played The Chisholm Trail was a lion head of Longhorn cattle isholm and Western Trails are more than just noting paths and Tracey Mann (KS-01). WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR NEWSPAPER TODAY? ©1991 and 2021, photo by Millie Moseley, Oologah Lake Leader Friends help a family shift through the debris after an April 26, 1991 tornado hit Oologah, Okla. 1991 swept tornado alerts into digital age The Kid’s early TV magic included fun, fascinating the April 26 severe storms, forecasters activated it shows, and weather bulletins when heavy storms early. They warned that a tornado would hit McCon- started rumbling nearby. He knew to act fast when nell Air Force Base at 6:29 pm and Andover, Kansas warnings showed where and when violent storms about 6:40 pm. would hit and how to stay safe. Just as forecast, an F-5 tornado (the strongest cat- It was different for his parents or grandparents. TV egory) struck Andover, killing 17, far fewer than the or radio warnings then could be late or incomplete. 80 who perished in Udall 36 years before. The Mc- Stations broadcast “all clear” just before a hidden Connell warning allowed the B1B bomber �leet to be monster devoured whole communities. kept safe. Disaster hit Udall, Kansas, in 1955 because radar That same day, Tulsa TV forecaster Jim Giles and his lost the twister’s hook. Forecasters thought it was team put another new system into service. Path�inder waning. Udall folks went to bed. The F5 tornado hit radar showed the storm on TV along with its project- minutes later, killing more than 80 people in Kansas’s ed path and arrival time. It gave Oologah time to pre- deadliest tornado. pare as it tracked an F-4 tornado across NE Oklahoma. New hope dawned April 26, 30 years ago. Forecast- Damage exceeded $60 million, but no one died. ers unveiled two new radar technologies, activated Even modern warnings may provide just minutes early because grim indicators foretold of incredibly to get inside before disaster hits. Don’t be in a car or widespread violent weather the week of April 22, on foot when it does. 1991. They pinpointed the most dangerous of the 55 tornadoes April 26 across six states from Texas to Ne- braska, saving untold lives. Federal forecasters, testing a new radar called Cross Five O Place these six words in NEXRAD, could identify hidden rotation. Because of the crossword grid: March, North, Order, Radar, Siren, Storm ACTIVITY: When your family is blessed with a beautiful spring day, take a pre-tornado trip. Check your newspaper, local visitor guide, internet site, or local Emergency Manage- ment Agency to find the nearest public tornado shelter. When you locate it, check notices on how to use it. Write a letter to UNLOCK YOUR INNER CHILD the editor about your finding. Family Friendly Features for 26 years • www.forthekidinyou.net