March 16, 2024 Issue, Page 9 of 12

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News March 16, 2024 The Elk City News -9 Oklahoma Libertarians conclude Judge Revives successful convention Lawmakers’ Libertarian Party members from across the state met in conven- Spike Cohen who spoke about the need for Libertarians to com- tion in Oklahoma City over this past weekend. In addition to ad- dressing party business matters such as choosing national del- egates, members of committees, and presidential electors, state municate the basis of our commitment to individual liberty is re- spect of the rights of all individuals, and from research scientist Open Records delegates decided on by-laws and platform amendments as well Lawsuit and author Dr. Mary Ruwart whose talk centered on our increas- as approving a resolution in favor of legalizing the sale of organs ing understanding of COVID and how that clarifies the failures of and tissues for transplant. the politically driven response to the pandemic. Billy Roberts, author of the resolution, was motivated to do so after seeing a friend suffer heart failure while waiting for a With over twenty-two thousand Libertarian-affiliated voters By Keaton Ross | Democracy/Criminal Justice Reporter needed transplant. His belief that amending the Anatomical Gift across the state, the party looks forward to continued growth Act to allow for the purchase and sale of organs and tissue would during this presidential election year. State Reps. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane and Kevin McDugle, increase their availability for transplant and save the lives of as For more information, contact: R-Broken Arrow do in fact have standing to pursue an open many as thirty Americans a day was unanimously supported by records lawsuit against District Six District Attorney Jason the convention, Chris Powell Hicks, Stephens County District Judge Brent Russell decided Delegates also heard from 2020 LP vice-presidential candidate 405-408-4898 last week. The decision is a reversal from the court's initial ruling on Feb. 16, where Russell determined that Humphrey and McDugle SWOSU Hosting Spring 2024 could not be listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit because they retained Houston attorney Christina Vitale to request the re- cords on their behalf. The plaintiffs faced a March 15 deadline Commencement Ceremonies in May to amend the lawsuit or have the case dismissed. Upon further review, Russell determined there was a sufficient connection between the lawmakers and Vitale and the law- Southwestern Oklahoma State Saturday, May 11, at 9 a.m.: seniors for Spring 2024 are re- any questions. suit may proceed with Humphrey and McDugle as plaintiffs. University will host four com- SWOSU College of Arts & Sci- minded to visit the Alma Mater About Southwestern Oklaho- ‘The ruling does not “insinuate the validity” of the lawmakers’ mencement ceremonies on the ences and SWOSU College of Merc on March 12 and March ma State University claims, Russell wrote in the brief filing issued on March 6. Weatherford campus in May Business and Technology 13 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Since 1901, Southwestern In the initial lawsuit filed on Dec. 20, Humphrey and McDugle for the Spring 2024 graduating Saturday, May 11, at 12 p.m. During this time, they can col- Oklahoma State University claimed Hicks willfully withheld communication records relat- seniors. Eligible participants SWOSU College of Education lect their free caps, gowns, ed to death row prisoner Richard Glossip’s April 2023 clemency for the ceremonies include stu- and Behavioral Sciences and tassels. Additionally, the (SWOSU) has proudly stood dents who will complete their A live stream of the ceremony bookstore will provide the op- on the hilltop in Weatherford, hearing. Hicks denied the open records request, filed weeks after Glossip’s clemency hearing, asserting that the messages will be provided for friends and portunity to order graduation associate, bachelor’s, master’s, Oklahoma. Offering over 100 or doctoral degrees following family who cannot attend the announcements, stoles, and affordable undergraduate and were made in a personal capacity and therefore shielded from the 2024 spring and summer in-person ceremony. ‘The link diploma frames. the Oklahoma Open Records Act. graduate programs across semesters. to the live stream will be avail- The SWOSU Bookstore will Tn an interview with Oklahoma Watch, Humphrey said the three locations in Weatherford, ‘The commencement ceremony able on SWOSU's commence- continue to have regalia avail- Sayre, and Yukon, SWOSU duo filed the lawsuit on the suspicion that district attorneys for the College of Pharmacy ment page: https://bulldog. able until graduation day and were improperly influencing Pardon and Parole Board mem- will be held on Friday, May 3 at swosu.edu/commencement/ can arrange shipping if neces- provides a diverse range of bers. Both lawmakers have been ardent supporters of Glossip, 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center. streaming php. sary. For any inquiries regard- academic opportunities with whose execution has been stayed pending the outcome of aU.S. ‘The following week, the re- Further details about the ing graduation regalia, please high-quality education to its Supreme Court decision. maining commencement cer- Spring 2024 Commencement contact Ashley Hancock, Direc- students. The university boasts On Feb. 28, a bill sponsored by McDugle to implement a death emonies will take place at the Ceremony, including details tor of the Alma Mater Merc, at a vibrant community of nearly penalty moratorium cleared the House Criminal and Correc- Pioneer Cellular Event Center. about where students line up Ashley.hancockeswosu.edu. 5,000 scholars and over 200 tions Committee, which Humphrey chairs. House Bill 3138 has ‘The schedule for the ceremo- before the ceremony, can be Please note, the deadline for dedicated faculty and staff. a March 14 deadline to clear the full House and move to the nies honoring graduates with found on the SWOSU website: graduation applications is ap- Senate, where David Bullard, R-Durant, has agreed to sponsor https://bulldog.swosu.edu/ proaching on Monday, March With strong academic pro- associate, bachelor’s, and mas- the bill. ter’s degrees is as follows: commencement/spring-line- 25. Graduating seniors are en- grams and a commitment to Have thoughts, questions or story ideas? Let me know at Friday, May 10, at 6 p.m. up.php. couraged to apply for gradua- excellence, SWOSU continues [email protected]. SWOSU College of Nursing In preparation for the upcom- tion online or reach out to reg- to be a top choice for students Legislative and Health Professions ing ceremonies, graduating [email protected] if they have seeking a quality education. Nationally attended Scissortail Updates; Disabled Creative Writing Festival Veterans Sales scheduled for April 4-6, 2024 Tax Exemption known and up-and-coming writers from across the country to By By Rep. Nick Archer disabled veterans to miss out converge on the ECU campus and share their works with one an- (405) 557-7312 on their annual sales tax ex- other and an avid audience, emption. More than 70 published writers from Oklahoma, Texas, New We had a productive week To address this issue, the passing bills off the House House and Senate worked to- Mexico, California and other states will be reading in 25 sessions floor. Of the 2,600 House Bills gether to ensure that this bill during the 3-day event. The festival features former poet laure- eligible to be heard in com- would be sent to the Gover- ates, professors, graduate students, nurses, full-time authors mittees before the deadline, nor’s desk as soon as possible. and a wide variety of other professions. 495 House Bills and 10 House I believe that Oklahoma vet- ADA. ~ The annual Scissortail Creative Writing Festival returns ‘The schedule and updates are available at ecuscissortail. blogspot. Joint Resolutions successfully erans with a 100% disability to East Central University April 4-6, 2024, marking the 19th com, passed committee. rating should receive the tax year the festival has taken place. I am pleased to announce benefits they urgently need, For more information on the Scissortail Creative Writing Festi- Kai Coggin (Hot Springs, Ark.), Steve Yarbrough (Boston, Mass.) House Bill 3424 passed off the especially given the current and Quraysh Ali Lansana (Tulsa, Okla.), will be the featured au- val or for questions about group attendance, contact organizer House floor on Wednesday. challenging economic envi- thors this year. The event is free and open to the public. Dr. Ken Hada at 580-559-5557 or via email at [email protected]. It proposes the Community ronment. Quality of Life Enhancement Some veterans and surviv- ‘The three-day festival holds a rich history for not only ECU but Full bios and information on featured authors and all other par- Act, a significant piece of ing spouses previously denied for the hundreds of writers who have been featured over the ticipating writers can be found on the Scissortail Creative Writ legislation aimed at improv- by the Oklahoma Tax Com- years. The festival offers the opportunity for an array of well- ing Festival blog. ing the quality of life in our mission will automatically re- communities throughout the ceive new cards. If veterans or state. HB3424 addresses gaps Oklahoma Recycling Festival set surviving spouses submitted in our local infrastructure, rec- registry verification letters reational facilities, and public to the Oklahoma Tax Com- transportation systems. mission but were unable to This bill is about mak- receive new Exemption Cards for March 23 ing sure our communities are due to missing the registra- more than just places to live; tion deadline of July 1, 2023, they're places where we can or if they filed a protest or re- really thrive. By doing so, we demonstrate our commitment quested a hearing in response By Macy Shoulders trucks, educational games, ex- recycling and sustainability. Styrofoam (weather permit- to a happy, healthy, and pros- to the denial letter for new hibits and activities, collection ting) perous state. Exemption Cards, no further Who: OSU Extension Solid When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 23 action is required. ‘The Oklahoma Recycling Fes- of hard-to-recycle items and Waste Management Program, This week, the Governor To register with the Okla- signed Senate Bill 1215 into tival will feature music, food opportunities to learn about OSU Payne County Extension —_ Where: Southern Woods Park, law. It eliminates the registra- homa Veterans Registry, indi- viduals can visit registry.odva. HEart or Europe 600 W. 12th Ave., Stillwater tion deadline of November 1, What: Items eligible for free Gx 74974 2023, for Oklahoma veterans ok.gov/registration. collection: to register on the veteran's I intend to continually 15-day HEART OF EUROPE" Circle Tour of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, registry. keep you informed of what is Italy, France, Belgium 8 Holland by Image Tours . Clothing OSU Extension uses research- The primary objective of happening at the Capitol. It is Electronic waste (computers, based information to help all truly an honor and privilege $5290 televisions, etc.) Oklahomans solve local issues this bill is to protect qualify- ing disabled veterans who re- to represent you at the State September 3 & 17 departures and concerns, promote lead- Includes AIR from OKLAHOMA CITY Paper ceived the sales tax exemption Capitol. As always, please do Includes 21 meals, 13 nts.hotels, air taxes, transportation and escort in Europe, Cardboard ership and manage resources before November 1, 2020, not Eihesitate to reach out to per person, double occupancy. BOOK BY 4/24/24, Call for a FREE brochure. Tin and steel wisely throughout the state's from losing their exemption me with any concerns at (405) SW TRAVEL Aluminum 77 counties. Most information status due to failure to meet 557-7312 or at nick.archer@ Ph: 580-445-7215 Plastic is available at little to no cost. the registration deadline. okhouse.gov. To provide some context, Nick Archer, a Republican, the Legislature had previously serves House District 55 in filed legislation to safeguard the Oklahoma House of Rep- Send Legals to [email protected] Oklahoma veterans, but the change in the registration resentatives, which covers Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Ca- deadline caused many 100% nadian and Washita counties.