OKC FRIDAY Vol. 58 No. 42 • One Section • 16 pages • March 21, 2025
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www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 51 years
The Deer Creek boys and Putnam City girls captured Class 6A state basketball championships last weekend at State Fair Arena. See Sports, Page 4-5
Village vice mayor alludes to racism in police department
Mercy gala to bring French Riviera to OKC Mercy Health Foundation is set to host its highly anticipated 2025 gala, themed “La Vie En Rose,” on Saturday, April 12, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, bringing a touch of the French Riviera to Oklahoma City. The vibrant evening, featuring live entertainment, exquisite cuisine, and lively dancing, takes place at 6 p.m.,
Antler boys, Panther girls net 6A titles
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
Dr. Laurie Orme, primary care physician at Mercy Hospital, and Dr. John Stanley, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, are the co-chairmen of the 2025 gala.
beginning with hors d’oeuvres and pré fête fun, followed by a formal dinner program and an after-party with music by DJ
LiTEBRiTE. This year’s gala aims to raise funds for a groundbreaking women’s behavioral health program housed
at Mercy’s new Love Family Women’s Center, focusing on improving perinatal
During the March Village City Council meeting Vice Mayor and Ward 3 council member Melodie Moore alluded to racism in The Village Police Department drawing surprise from her contemporaries on the council. Her statements were made during the Councilmember Comments item listed on the March agenda. During her comments, Councilmember Moore said she recently attended municipal court and observed that most of those in court for traffic offenses were people with “melaninated” skin. Judge Danny White oversees Municipal Court on the second and fourth Tuesday evening of each month at Village City Hall, 2304 Manchester Dr. When questioned about the term “melaninated” by Ward 2 councilman Bubba Symes See VILLAGE, Page 15
See MERCY, Page 7
NewView to celebrate 75th anniversary
Annie Bohanon and Henry Browne are serving as the honorary chairman for NewView’s soldout 75th anniversary gala.
Seventy-five years ago, a bold vision took shape in Oklahoma to empower people with vision loss to live independently and thrive. Founded in 1949 as the Oklahoma League for the Blind, NewView Oklahoma has become the state’s leader in employment, rehabilitation and advocacy for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Today, NewView continues to break barriers in accessibility and workforce development, operating low vision clinics in Oklahoma City and Tulsa and providing essential services such
as occupational therapy, assistive technology training, and mobility instruction. At its manufacturing facility, individuals with vision loss produce fire hoses for the U.S. Forest Service, wheel chocks for the U.S. military and first aid kits — demonstrating that meaningful careers are possible regardless of vision impairment. To celebrate this milestone, NewView Oklahoma is hosting a sold-out 75th Anniversary Celebration on March 28, at The Yale Theater in Oklahoma City. The event is to honor the
Honorable George and Donna Nigh with the Durward K. McDaniel Award for their dedication to expanding opportunities for Oklahomans with disabilities. Serving as honorary chairmen are Annie Bohanon and Henry Browne, both personally connected to NewView’s mission. Browne, who faces macular degeneration, was deeply moved by NewView’s life-changing services. “We were so impressed with See NEWVIEW, Page 7
NCAA Tournament Bracket, Pages 8 & 9
FRIDAY’s 2024 Celebrity Final Four Picker Panel
JEROME BENNETT
PHILLIP GOODE
Girls Basketball Coach Cristo Rey Iowa State Duke Florida Houston
Agent Shelter Insurance Auburn Duke St. Johns Houston
JONNA KIRSCHNER
VIVIA NIROULA
Chief of Staff, President Chickasaw Nation Industries Michigan State Duke Florida Houston
Founder Niroula Law Auburn Florida
Alaska, Frontier Airlines to offer nonstop flights to Seattle, Atlanta OKC Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) travelers now have more direct flight options this summer thanks to Alaska Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Alaska Airlines is set to begin a second nonstop service to Seattle, Wash., (SEA) from July 16 to Aug. 19. Both flights are to operate with B-737 planes, which typically hold 175 seats. Frontier Airlines announced it plans to fly nonstop to Atlanta, Georgia, (ATL) from May 22 to Aug. 17. This nonstop service operates three times a week. With
the addition of Atlanta, Frontier’s nonstop destinations from OKC include Denver, Las Vegas and Orlando. “This is great news for Oklahoma City,” Airports Director Jeff Mulder said. “Seattle is a busy market for OKC, and we are happy to see this service grow. Adding Atlanta with Frontier gives our passengers more options with our low-fare carriers. We appreciate Alaska and Frontier’s commitment to our community.” Flights are on sale now at flyfrontier.com and alaskaair.com.
Duke Houston
ANDREW OUSLEY Funeral Director Hahn-Cook Funeral Directors Auburn Oregon Florida Tennessee
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week Princess would like to wish her dad (Dr. Karl Boatman) a Happy 100th Birthday!! Email Pet of the Week submissions with complete descriptions to: rose@okcfriday.com.
MIKE SHEPHERD Athletic Director Casady School Michigan State Duke Florida Houston
JAKE BROWN Boys Basketball Coach Bishop McGuinness Auburn Duke Texas Tech Houston