OKC FRIDAY Vol. 58 No. 16 • One Section • 14 pages •August 23, 2024 $1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 50 years
OMRF Fleming scholars reflect on experiences Four Fridaylanders spent their summer interning as Sir Alexander Fleming scholars at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Completing the eight-week program were: Abby Bailey, a Casady High School grad entering her sophomore year at Texas Christian University; Victoria Nwankwo, who is starting classes at the University of Oklahoma after graduating from Putnam City North High School; Ria Sachdev, a 2023 Casady grad who is beginning her sophomore year at OU; and Parinita Varshney, who will attend the University of Texas after graduating recently from the Classen School of Advanced Studies High School. In the lab of OMRF scientist Elizabeth Finn, Ph.D., Bailey grew lung muscle cells. Her experiments were designed to increase the lab’s understanding of the makeup of cancer cells. “My favorite thing about this experience was getting to work hands-on in the lab,” Bailey said. “We had full control over what we are doing in lab that day, with or without the help of the other See FLEMING, Page 3
Casady School graduate Ria Sachdev served a summer internship at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
Long-time officer named chief Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman announced the selection of Ron C. Bacy as Oklahoma City’s 51st police chief, effective immediately. Bacy has been an Oklahoma City police officer for 32 years and served as one of the police department’s five deputy chiefs. He succeeds former Police Chief Wade Gourley, who retired after 35
‘Glad you are here’
Village launches blitzes
years with OKCPD, including five years as chief. “Chief Bacy is a strategic planner, collaborative problem solver and proven leader,” Freeman said. “He cares deeply about our community and is committed to implementing the recommendations of
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week Hey there! My name is Birdie and I'm an English Bulldog. My favorite thing to do is make sure all of my toys have a chance to leave the toy box at least once every day. I have also found my voice and I like to use it to make sure my humans, Nina Kirpicheva and Dru Hancock have the warmest welcome each time they come home. I have also declared myself the most valuable member of the neighborhood watch. This is a self-appointed position I take very seriously. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.
See BACY, Page 3
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer “We’re glad that you’re in The Village and we want to support your prosperity.” That’s the message city officials shared with local businesses during the first of what they plan will be many Business Blitzes conducted this fall. RON C. BACY
See VILLAGE, Page 7
OKC FRIDAY: Fabulous at 50
It’s exciting to open newspaper By Brenda Jones Barwick President/CEO, Jones PR State Chair, Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women The excitement about Fridays is opening OKC FRIDAY to catch up on local happenings. It is so much fun to read articles and see photos of colleagues and friends supporting and strengthening our great city. OKC FRIDAY has been a great media partner on many projects since I began working closely with the editorial team on the
first official Oklahoma Centennial event, which was completing the Oklahoma State Capitol Dome on Statehood Day in 2002. More recently, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women appreciates the newspaper’s editorial support to informing Oklahomans on issues related to the quality of life and economic opportunities for women. OKC FRIDAY offers readers fabulous local and community news. Keep it up for another 50!