July 12, 2025 Issue, Page 11 of 12

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The Elk City News NEWS SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025 • 11 An OSU horticulture graduate student is conducting surveys centered around the barriers grocery stores face while assessing programs and policies that hinder food security. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Agriculture) OSU Agriculture PSO Urges Customers to Beware of partners with nonprofit to Utility Scams Underway in Oklahoma fight food insecurity TULSA, Okla. – PSO is re- without responding. ID and password for each person minding the public and its cus- • In-Person: Close the door. who will receive alerts and add By Macy Shoulders she hopes to increase market quality diets. tomers across Oklahoma to re- Ensure Your Security: One their cell phone number and/or access for local growers. “By doing this survey and main vigilant against ongoing effective way to enhance your email address. STILLWATER, Okla. – Con- “Through the horticulture having conversations, we will scam attempts. security and maintain a strong This allows you to customize nections between grocery lens, I see the disparities in better understand the position Recent reports indicate that connection with PSO is by keep- alerts and receive updates on out- stores, local producers and Oklahoma's fruit and vegeta- grocers are in, learn where individuals posing as utility repre- ing your contact information up ages, bill due dates, and other im- consumers could help com- ble production and health,” they are experiencing success, sentatives are demanding imme- to date by visiting psoklahoma. portant information. bat food insecurity in the Darrow said. “Consumer edu- the areas they need support diate payment for services, spe- com/account/settings. Please en- Verify Your Account: One of state, according to Oklahoma cation, represented in both nu- and how to use resources to cifically targeting residents and sure that we have your current the following methods: State University researchers trition and business, is crucial help them,” she said. businesses in PSO service areas. cell phone number, home phone • PSO App and Hunger Free Oklahoma, to sustaining local producers, A second survey being con- Important Reminder: number, and email address. • Website: Login to psoklaho- a nonprofit organization that and right now, fruit and veg- ducted by Hunger Free Okla- • PSO will never call customers We also encourage customers ma.com. works to ensure Oklahomans etable producers experience homa is related to food as a demanding immediate payment. to opt-in to their communication • Phone: Call us directly at have access to affordable, nu- hardships and difficulties in source of health and well-be- If you receive a suspicious call, preferences to sign up for alerts. 1-833-776-7697 tritious foods. production because consumers ing. The survey will identify email, or in-person visit, please To sign up for PSO alerts and opt- For more information on rec- Sophia Darrow, a horticul- are not educated on a healthy the state’s current, past and fu- take the following actions: in to emails, visit psoklahoma. ognizing scams and protecting ture graduate student in the diet.” ture efforts related to food as a • Phone: Hang up immediately. com/account/settings/notifica- yourself, please visit psoklahoma. OSU Ferguson College of Agri- Darrow said her goal is to means of healing and wellness. • Email: Delete the message tions. You’ll need to create a user com/stopscams. culture, is conducting surveys connect the fields of horticul- Larsen said the hope is that centered around the barriers ture, nutrition and business the surveys will give an under- grocery stores face and assess- together to create awareness standing of where to intervene ing programs and policies that for people in the food industry to help increase access to lo- 15th Annual Fit and Fun hinder food security. “This project is a unique op- portunity for Sophia because she gets to work with nonprof- and adjacent fields and pol- icymakers, leading to better support, understanding and resources within the food sys- cally grown foods in grocery stores and increase the number of programs available to pa- tients living with diet-related Bike Run Scheduled its and industry partners. She is assessing real-world prob- lems with real-world solutions that have a direct impact on tem. “We will remedy the dis- parity in local food systems by identifying the importance chronic conditions. “The Oklahoma Food is Medicine Coalition is thankful for the support Sophia is pro- By Sheryl Ponce outside. They wanted to provide Registration the day of the our state,” said Justin Quetone of local food systems, creat- viding. Her research is helping children the opportunity to love event will take place at 8 a.m., and Moss, department head for the ing the necessary resources us identify barriers and oppor- The 15th Annual Fit and Fun exercising with a solid foundation the riders kick off at 9 a.m. There OSU Department of Horti- for producers and consumers tunities for growth for some Bike Ride is scheduled for Aug. for a healthy lifestyle. will be food trucks, door prizes, culture and Landscape Archi- and by identifying the impor- truly impactful programs,” 16th, at the Arrowhead Center Oklahoma children have a 43 and every child who crosses the tecture and Darrow’s research tance of the consumption and said Lauran Larson, senior with Tiffany Ford as the organiz- percent obesity rate, and these finish line will get a free t-shirt supervisor. promotion of specialty crops,” manager of food and health at er. At this time, she is looking for parents want to help make a and medal. Darrow said she recognized Darrow said. Hunger Free Oklahoma. sponsors to help make this event change for these kids. The dona- To sponsor the Fit and Fun a link between the capabili- Through her study on gro- one that is bigger than any of the tions and volunteers in the area Bicycle Ride, contact Ford at ties of local producers and the cers, Darrow hopes to help OSU Ag Research is Oklaho- others. will be hosting a free bicycle ride 580-303-0341. This event has needs of grocers. By surveying shed light on market accessi- ma's premier research and tech- This event began in 2010 by for children 12-years-old and been supported by individuals select grocery stores in Okla- bility for local producers and nology development agency in parents who wanted to have younger. This is one way every- and businesses in the past. Ford homa about the challenges increase consumer awareness agriculture, natural resources something for children in the one can contribute to a healthy is looking for additional help to they face in sourcing produce, regarding local economies and and the life sciences. community, as well as other future of the children in Elk City make a difference in at least one communities, to be active and and surrounding communities. child’s life. Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for Dams Workshop Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Misdemeanors Felonies TIDBITS Continued from page 3 8:00 AM ± 4:00 PM MISDEMEANORS State of Okla vs Jesse A Shelton Domestic assault & 5,000 meters at Prefontaine Classic ODOT Training Center battery. Property damage. Disturbing the peace. Threat- at Hayward Field in the University 5307 NE 122nd St. of Oregon at 13:58.06 by more than Oklahoma City, OK 73131 ening an act of violence State of Okla vs Brent A Powers DUR. Speeding 2 seconds. Agnes Jebet, also from State of Okla vs Johnny E Evans Possession of marijua- Kenya came in second at 14:01.29, na & paraphernalia that’s 3 minutes difference! Did Be- Presented by Resilience Solutions Consulting, LLC in partnership with the OWRB. State of Okla vs Monte M Bentley Possession of CS & atrice say, “See you later!”? paraphernalia In the same meet, Faith Kipy- egon broke her own World Record Workshop Highlights vs Michael J Townsley Possession of marijuana & para- in the 1,500 meters! First woman phernalia vs Belinda B Sullivan Public intoxication to break the 3:49 barrier. She ran Tailored Framework: Focused on in 3:48.68 breaking her previous 2NODKRPD¶V'DP(PHUJHQF\$FWLRQ vs Luke Rogers DUI vs Raul Castaneda-Yanez Control of vehicle while intoxi- world record of 3:49.04. Where is Planning (EAP) process. she from? Kenya! cated vs Troy D Glenn DUS Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Stakeholder Collaboration: Build (USA) beat Olympic Champion connections to strengthen community vs Lawson G Simpson DUI. TOC. Possession of alcohol under age 21 Julie Alfred (St. Lucia) in the 100 resilience. meters race in Oregon. She also FELONIES beat Gabby Thomas (USA), an- Hands-On Strategies: Develop ready- other Olympica champion, in the State of Okla vs Jennifer McPherson Conspiracy. At- to-use tools and skills for emergency 200 meters!! IMPRESSIVE! Will tempted burglary planning. we have an American champion State of Okla vs Jeffrey L Wyrick Conspiracy. Attempted burglary in 100 and 200 meters in the 2028 Interactive Sessions: Learn through compelling videos, activities, and expert-led Olympics? State of Okla vs Taylor R Gordon DUI discussions. State of Okla vs Mitchell W Kidd Possession of firearm Sources: ESPN, Wikipedia, Per- State of Okla vs Corery H Crutsinger Obstructing an sonal Library, MSN Sports, On-Line 6-Hour Certificate of Completion Provided officer. Kidnapping. Domestic assault & battery media. State of Okla vs Michael O Winslow Key Topics x Why EAPs matter Marriages & Divorces x Components of effective EAPs x How EAPs fit into broader emergency planning MARRIAGES x Tools and resources for long-term success Daniel Stanton - Ann Coffman x Audience-driven insights tailored to Oklahoma communities DIVORCES *Topics are tentative and subject to change Grant Ray vs Megan Ray Jacob Rieman vs Cheyenne Rieman Brandon Hartman vs Jessica Hartman Latia Murray vs Darren Murray Fees & Registration