OKC FRIDAY Vol. 57 No. 16 • One Section • 12 pages • August 25, 2023
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Despite safety concerns, Village to renew agreement with jail By Eric Oesch Staff Writer City officials learned earlier this summer that The Village’s Jail Services Agreement with the City of Midwest City has ended after a two-year partnership to house detainees arrested by The Village Police.
The news came as a surprise to Village leaders who learned of the development upon contacting Midwest City to renew the annual contract. Two years ago, The Village City Council unanimously voted to approve the agreement with Midwest City officials ending a decades long
association with the embattled Oklahoma County Detention Center. The controversial matter drew increased media attention and a packed chamber when put before the council. Now City Manager Dave Slezickey is developing a Jail Services Agreement for FY 2023-24 to resume the city’s
agreement with Oklahoma County to bring before the council for approval. The council originally voted to end the affiliation with the Oklahoma County Detention Center in June 2021 citing concerns of deteriorating conditions, overcrowding, maintenance issues and unusually high
See VILLAGE, Page 5
Mayfair to be Crossings’ next location
121 and counting
Super foster mom says anyone can do it
Mayfair Church of Christ and Crossings Community Church are embracing their shared love for the people of Oklahoma City and the things they hold in common to serve the community as one. Mayfair Church of Christ and Crossings announced that the current Mayfair is to become the next Crossings Community Church location. Addressing some of the differences between the traditions and practices of the two churches, Marty Grubbs, senior pastor of Crossings Community Church, said to the congregation of Mayfair Church of Christ, “Our doctrinal roots are very similar, and in the essentials, we are one.” In 1958, Mayfair Church of Christ — located west of Penn on 50th, just south of NW Expressway near the new Oak OKC development—launched an organization to serve the community on what was then the far north side of Oklahoma City. Just one year later, another church, Crossings Community Church
By Rose Lane Editor As she takes on her 121st foster dog, Susan Phillips says her “hotel doesn’t stay vacant.” Susan said she started fostering dogs in 2012. “I didn’t think about about anything, I just jumped in,” Susan said. “It was literally a Godcalling.” In the past 11 years, she has worked with several rescues, many of which pull dogs from animal shelters. These days, she is taking in small dogs from Forever Yours Dog Rescue. All of the rescues have different focuses. Susan said people wanting to foster should find
death and suicide rates as the reasons. The Village averages 11 adult detainees sent to jail annually. “I personally respect the decision the council made in valuing human life, dignity and humanity,” said City Manager Slezickey about the
See CHURCHES, Page 7 Mayfair Church of Christ and Crossings announced that the current Mayfair is to become the next Crossings Community Church location.
Susan Phillips with her foster dog “fail,” Nancy. She said the rewards far outweigh the messes you might have to clean up when fostering a dog.
the perfect fit for them. The responsibilities of a dog foster includes getting dogs to outreach events and sometimes, housetraining. Susan said, however, the rewards of fostering far outweigh the occa-
sional mess she has to clean up. “Saving a dog is more important,” she said. Tags identifying owners and microchipping are the keys to reuniting pets with their
owners. The foster mom has only had a few “fails’’ over the years. Nancy, her favorite “child,” escaped from her backyard and sat on her See FOSTER, Page 5
91st Town Hall Lecture Series to feature a variety of speakers, topics Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series detailing the 2023-24 Oklahoma City Town Hall Lecture Series. By Annabella Potts Student Intern
The Oklahoma City Town Hall Lecture Series is celebrating its 91st anniversary this year with a variety of nationally acclaimed speakers. From a professional diver and shark whisperer to a
combat veteran, this year’s round of speakers have exceptional stories to share with the community. U.S. Astronaut Dr. Thomas David Jones addresses Town Hall on Feb. 15, 2024. Dr. Jones is a
Engelke appointed to commission Calm Waters Center for Children and Families, a nonprofit providing free grief support services to children and families on their grief journey in Oklahoma City Metro Area, ERIN announced ENGELKE the organization’s Executive Director Erin Engelke has been appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women by Oklahoma
Governor Kevin Stitt. The Commission on the Status of Women is an organization that seeks to “strengthen and empower women in Oklahoma by improving their opportunities and quality of life,” according to the state of Oklahoma’s website. “The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women is a strong, recognized, and respected voice for the women in Oklahoma. Through education, collaboration and celebration the commission works on issues related to women, equity, and gender bias to elevate the status of See ENGELKE, Page 5
NASA veteran of more than 11 years, during which he flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth’s orbit. He led three spacewalks to complete the installation of the American Destiny laboratory at the International
Space Station and has spent 53 days in space. Dr. Jones flew as a mission specialist of the Space Shuttle Endeavor, where he ran scientific operations to help See TOWN Hall, Page 5
FRIDAY’s
Rescue Dog of the Week Belle is a female Pit/Hound mix, spayed and vaccinated, currently being treated for heart worms at The Village Animal Shelter. She is around 2-years-old. Belle is a sweet and obedient girl. She’s housebroken, sits and gets on her blanket when asked, and gets along great with other dogs. She doesn’t jump on us or the counters and doesn’t show interest in chewing things. Belle also does fine in a crate when needed. Belle doesn’t ask for much except an occasional belly rub and her own family to love. For more information, contact Village Animal Welfare Offier Kedin Keenom at (405) 7519518.