By Traci Chapman
Published on February 28, 2008

Packed doctors offices and hospitals filled to capacity tell the story: there is no end in sight for Oklahoma’s influenza outbreak.

State health officials said Tuesday the level of influenza cases across Oklahoma remained “widespread” for the fourth consecutive week, as area hospital staffs and doctors scrambled to meet the influx of patients.

By Traci Chapman

Published on February 28, 2008

Mustang’s investment in softball may hit a home run if a national softball association relocates its headquarters to the city.

Ridge Hooks, Softball Players Association executive director, said the association is considering moving its offices from Oklahoma City to Mustang because its members “have been so impressed” with the city and its facilities.

By Carolyn Cole

Published on February 28, 2008

A few moments before Ashley Baumgartner was crowned the first Miss Mustang, four young girls hugged her Saturday during the pageant intermission.

The girls crowded around her, she said, and told her she was beautiful.

“I was so flattered, they were so cute,” Baumgartner, 21, said, and she made room for them on stage after the pageant for one more photo.

By Carolyn Cole

Published on February 28, 2008

Residents’ complaints of speeding in neighborhoods and along busy streets led Mustang police to put a new watchdog on its leash.
Police are now using a speed radar trailer to keep a silent but visible watch on city streets.
Until this week, Police Chief Monte James said additional police patrols were the department’s response to neighbors’ concerns. Drivers decreased speeds when the officers were present, he said, but continued with old habits once the patrols left the neighborhood.

By Traci Chapman
Published on February 21, 2008

The race to bring a jail proposal to a May vote cleared another hurdle Tuesday when County Commissioners hired the bond counsel for the project.

Commissioners chose Oklahoma City based Public Finance Law Group in a split 2-1 vote. District 2 Commissioner Don Young voted against hiring the firm and accused attorney Andy Bass, who was hired by Commissioners to help coordinate the project, of “blindsiding” him.

By Carolyn Cole
Published on February 21, 2008

Canadian County resident John Carter dreams of paying off his mortgage, opening a small repair shop and hunting with his 12-year-old daughter, Nicole.

By Traci Chapman
Published on February 21, 2008

One section of a proposed list of zoning changes hit a stone wall Tuesday when City Council members voiced concern it might hurt future development by placing too much of a financial burden on developers.

The proposed changes, based on recommendations from Richard Rolison, Mustang community development director, and his staff ranged from landscaping buffer requirements to the resizing of commercial lot requirements.

By Carolyn Cole
Published on February 21, 2008

Almost 6,000 drug screenings were given in a year at the Canadian County children’s justice center, or an average of 24 per day.

All of the screenings were given for free to Canadian County youth or to adults connected to a case involving children, said. Director Joan South, of the Gary E. Miller Canadian County Juvenile Justice Center. The tests are paid for using county funds — part of a 1/3-cent sales tax collected to support the center.

By Carolyn Cole
Published on February 21, 2008

Fifteen women will contend for the First Miss Mustang crown Saturday, and the winner will compete in the Miss Oklahoma pageant.

Two Canadian County residents, Brittany Whitman, a sophomore at Southern Nazarene University, and Skye Dawn Couts, Oklahoma City Community College sophomore, have entered the pageant, in which the winner will receive a $1,200 college scholarship, as well as training, clothes and expenses for the Miss Oklahoma Pageant. The top four contestants will receive gift packages from local businesses.

Agnes Simmons

Funeral services for Agnes Elizabeth Simmons, 77, were held Friday at The Bridge AG Church in Mustang with burial in Resthaven Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City. Services are under direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service.