Conservation Corner
‘Formless Matter’ Denise Duong and Gabriel Friedman’s monumental outdoor installation “Formless Matter and Its Devastating Gestures” is now open in Campbell Art Park. Page 13
Red Ridge Nature Preserve Deputy Director Lance Swearengin says protection from human disturbance is helping the area to thrive. Page 10
OKC Friday okcfriday.com • facebook.com/okcfriday Vol. 60, No. 4
June 5, 2026
2 Sections • 20 Pages
People You Should Know
Celebrating the city’s first art-wrapped sanitation truck are, from left, Nichols Hills Public Works Director Randy Lawrence, Nichols Hills City Manager Shane Pate, artist Tara Jouzits, Nichols Hills Public Arts Commission Chair Melissa Scaramucci and former councilman Peter Hoffman.
CATHY COSTELLO Owner, Chairman of the Board APIO Connectivity and Communication Solutions Where did you grow up, and do you have a favorite childhood memory? I was born and raised in Overland Park, Kan. I have great memories of my parents taking me to the Kansas City Lyric Opera, Starlight Theatre, the Kansas City Ballet, jazz clubs and attending the Kansas City Chiefs football games with my dad! What did you want to be when you grew up? A singer, actress and dancer on Broadway. What are you most passionate about professionally? I am passionate about the growth and development of my family-owned technology company. After the tragic death of my husband, Labor Commissioner Mark Costello, my oldest daughter Anna Marie and I rebranded our 25-plus-year international and global business U.S.A. Digital Communications Inc., We are now doing business as APIO, which reflects the ongoing development and expansion of our services. APIO is the latin verb which means “to connect, join, bind quickly and solidly.” APIO delivers advanced high-speed performance through innovative IT solutions for See PYSK, Page 7
(405) 606-2727
NHills unveils art-wrapped sanitation truck By Eric Oesch Staff Writer City leaders in Nichols Hills unveiled the first custom art wrap of a city sanitation vehicle last week as they work to create a fleet of roving art pieces on city streets. When complete, all four city sanitation trucks are to be envel-
oped with original art designs by local artists. The designs are part of the city’s ongoing public art initiation. The effort is led by the Nichols Hills Public Arts Commission and supported by city leaders to project a commitment to bringing public art into everyday community spaces.
“This project represents an intentional, creative effort to expand how residents experience art throughout our community,” said Nichols Hills Mayor Sody Clements. “Nichols Hills is committed to investing in initiatives like this that enhance our city’s identity and enrich our shared spaces in mean-
ingful ways.” The concept of creating a fleet of roving art pieces on city sanitation trucks originated when Melissa Scaramucci, chairman of the newly-formed Nichols Hills Public Arts Commission, identified an opportunity See NHILLS, Page 3
Work begins on May Avenue bridge replacement The City of Oklahoma City, in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, began construction to replace the May Avenue bridge over Northwest Expressway. The northbound May Avenue ramp is closed and the southbound May Avenue ramp is to intermittently close, as needed, to allow crews to safely complete con-
struction operations. Construction occurs in multiple stages throughout the project, with periodic traffic shifts to allow for bridge demolition and reconstruction, roadway improvements and final finishing work. Drivers should expect temporary lane closures, narrowed lanes and changing traffic patterns on both NW Ex-
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week Here is Jacki, Vonnie and Tim Garner’s shihpoo (shih tzu/poodle) mix. They adopted her from Nexus Pets and she will be a year old in July. Email Pet of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.
pressway and May Avenue during construction. At certain phases, traffic are routed onto temporary detour lanes while crews complete paving, drainage and other improvements. Construction timelines and traffic impacts are posted on vision.okc.gov as work progresses. Motorists are encouraged to stay alert for updates and
plan for possible delays in the area. As part of the twoyear project, crews are removing the existing May Avenue bridge and construct a new diverging diamond interchange. The redesigned interchange will improve traffic flow, enhance safety and increase mobility for See BRIDGE, Page 3
Help name the dog sculpture The community is invited to help name a new, larger-thanlife sculpture to be installed outside the MAPS 4-funded OKC Louisa McCune Animal Welfare Center. The new center is currently under construction behind the existing facility. People can view a rendering of the artwork and vote for their favorite name among these four finalists at vision.okc.gov. The finalists are: • Windy; See NAME, Page 2
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