Local & Regional

Tulsa, OK – Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge of Berryhill and Rep. Lucky Lamons of Tulsa were presented with the 2009 Distinguished Service Award by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) and the Council of Presidents at a ceremony Wednesday at the West Campus of Tulsa Community College. OSRHE Chancellor Glen D. Johnson, OSRHE State Regent Stuart Price and TCC President Tom McKeon recognized Benge and Lamons for their ongoing work for the continued success of higher education in Oklahoma.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Dollar Thrifty boosts mileage of rental car fleet

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Tulsa-based Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group says it expects its fleet of rental vehicles will be about 10 percent more fuel-efficient after recent purchases of new car models.

Dollar Thrifty said more than 40 percent of its 2010 model year purchases were cars with highway ratings of more than 30 miles per gallon. Only about 10 percent of the 2009 models Dollar Thrifty bought met that mileage threshold.

Tulsa, OK – GIRAFFE REVIEW REQUESTED

In response to the Tulsa City Council's concern expressed in Tuesday's committee meetings, and after conferring with Council Chairman Rick Westcott today, Mayor Dewey Bartlett has asked City Auditor Preston Doerflinger to undertake a review of all circumstances surrounding the transport and delivery of a Tulsa Zoo giraffe.

Tulsa, OK – A public memorial service to honor evangelist Oral Roberts, founder of Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University, who died yesterday, has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Central Time, Monday, Dec. 21 at the Mabee Center on the campus of ORU, 7777 South Lewis Ave., at the corner of 81st St. and Lewis Ave., Tulsa.

Tulsa, OK – Mayor Bartlett is looking at forming a partnership with the county sheriff's office. The mayor says if the city has to trim additional police officers he would like to out-source some duties to the sheriff.

So far, there has been just one conversation. Mayor Bartlett says Sheriff Glanz was open to the idea.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Judge dismissed key claim in poultry lawsuit

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A federal judge has dismissed one of Oklahoma s key claims in the state's pollution lawsuit against Arkansas poultry companies.

U.S. District Judge Greg Frizzell on Tuesday ruled that bird manure isn't "solid waste" under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Okla. high court says judge had no jurisdiction

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Supreme Court says a judge didn't have jurisdiction when he ruled that a state tax credit for electric cars would apply to buyers of all such vehicles, contrary to a rule adopted by the Oklahoma Tax Commission but then withdrawn.

The high court's decision Monday, combined with the tax commission's actions, may leave some recent purchasers in limbo.

Tulsa, OK – Mayor Bartlett's office released the following statement:

"I am saddened by the passing of Oral Roberts, and my prayers are with his family," said Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett. "Reverend Roberts was an important force in Tulsa for many decades. He was a trendsetter in business, education and religion, and Oral Roberts University was a great example of his vision. So many of our fellow Tulsans owe their success to the education they received at ORU. His spirit and legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of local citizenry."

Oklahoma City, OK – Monthly funding allocations to state agencies will be reduced by 10 percent this month and possibly next as November revenue collections fell well short of the estimate and prior year collections for an 11th consecutive month, State Treasurer Scott Meacham announced today.

The 10-percent reduction in monthly allocations in December and January, as authorized by State Finance Director Michael Clingman, reflects a doubling of the five-percent cuts in effect since the start of the fiscal year.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Sullivan offered the following statement on the passing of Reverend Oral Roberts.

"I am personally saddened by the death of Oral Roberts. Rev. Roberts was not only an Oklahoma icon, but an icon of the modern Christian movement in the United States.

Roberts and his ministry advanced the teachings of Christ in ways we will never fully understand. Rev. Roberts was a pioneer in Christian higher education and his namesake university has become an Oklahoma landmark.