OKC FRIDAY Vol. 58 No. 21 • One Section • 14 pages • September 27, 2024 $1 per copy
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 50 years
ODOT to dedicate part of parkway in memory of Cathy Cummings By Eric Oesch Staff Writer A portion of Lake Hefner Parkway (OK-74) between Britton Road and Hefner Road is to be dedicated in memory of Cathy Cummings, the Ward 4 council member and former mayor of
The Village who passed away from colon cancer last February at age 62. City officials in The Village learned of the designation when the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) included an invoice for signage in correspondence about a pedestri-
an bridge the city has been exploring with the department. The city is unsure when the designation is happening. John Waldron (D), representing Tulsa’s 77th House District in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, included the memorial dedi-
Ribbon cut on Soccer Club OKC Parks and the North OKC Soccer Club officially cut the ribbon on the first phase of remodeling and expansion at C.B. Cameron Sports Complex. The $5 million athletic complex is funded through the Better Streets, Safer City bond program, passed by voters in 2017. The complex features five fully lit athletic fields, restrooms, concessions, field lighting, parking and a new entrance at 4000 NW 122. The ribbon cutting featured speeches by Mayor David Holt, former Mayor Mick Cornett, Oklahoma City
cation for Cummings in an Omnibus bill approved by the Oklahoma Legislature. The Village pays $1,750 from its General Fund to cover the cost for northbound and southbound signage along the parkway. ODOT estimates the Lake Hefner Parkway sees an average of
Mayor Holt, OKC Parks Director Melinda McMillianMiller, Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher and former Mayor Mick Cornett hold the C.B. Cameron Sports Complex ribbon.
Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher, OKC Parks Director Melinda McMillan-Miller, North OKC Soccer President Gabi Noble, Coaching Director Stephen Phillips and Inasmuch Foundation CEO Bob Ross. Also, civic leader
Tom McDaniel announced a gift of $500,000 to North OKC Soccer from the Cameron Family Foundation. The ribbon cutting included a community fair with games for families. The cheerleading squad and march-
OKC FRIDAY: Fabulous at 50
Hometown news in our mailbox By Marilyn Olson Executive Director VillagesOKC The board of directors and members of VillagesOKC congratulate OKC FRIDAY newspaper for 50 successful years. This publication is the last locallyowned, legal newspaper in the metro, yet it focuses on names and faces of local people who are making a positive difference in this community. At the outset, Leland Gourley intended the paper to be uplifting and focus on young and more mature
local leaders and local opportunities. Positivity was needed 50 years ago, and readers continue to be thirsty for something good. Thankfully, this newspaper has consistently provided readers with a weekly boost of photos of smiling faces and good news. We appreciate the weekly focus on local sports, book and film reviews, worship guide, humor and even focuses on pets. It is so good to read about honorees, award winners and innovators who live and work here in our community. See 50, Page 7
ing band from John Marshall High School also performed. Future phases of the sports complex are to include an investment from MAPS 4 and private contributions that add more fields and amenities starting in 2025.
110,000 vehicles per day along the one mile stretch of freeway that parallels Lake Hefner’s east shore. “Not only will this designation recognize Cathy for her contributions to the community, but provides The See VILLAGE, Page 7
Saturday is time to get rid of your hazardous waste By Rose Lane Editor The City of Nichols Hills and the Nichols Hills Environment, Health and Sustainability Commission are hosting a hazardous household waste and recycling event this Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, 1212 Bedford Dr. The event is open to all residents of Nichols Hills with proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, water bill, etc. Among acceptable items are paint, automobile batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, household cleaners, household chemicals, hazardous household products, pesticides, flammables, corrosives, cardboard and paperboard, glass containers without lids, plastics No. 1, 2 and 5 and metal cans. Electronics which can be brought on Saturday include computers, monitors, printers, scanners, power supplies, battery back ups, cable, toner/ink, cartridges, hard drives, CDs, speakers, VCRs, DVD players, stereo equipment, TVs, game consoles, digital cameras, audio/video equipment, networking
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week This is Phoebe, a 4-year-old pug. She spends much of her time shadowing her human servant, Thomas Hornbeek, and playing with her sisters, Lily and Bunny. She loves going on walks, meeting new friends and dunking her entire head in the dog bowl. Phoebe works tirelessly to make sure there are no cats trespassing on her property and is always trying to strike up a lively conversation with the neighbors' dogs. Email Pet of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.
See NHILLS, Page 11