Franchise Opportunities in Oklahoma City, OK

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – New questions have come up following Swadley’s countersuit to the state involving former deputy director of tourism Gino Demarco.

A news article from local publication The Frontier details Demarco’s dealings in a marina development at Lake Murray State Park, while also buying land nearby.

All those things mentioned above were going on. Page 36 in Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen’s lawsuit details Demarco and top state employees directed Swadley’s on the dredging at Lake Murray.

That page in the countersuit also shows a text message from Demarco mentioning a dredging at Lake Murray. In it he said they would “have to get a dredging permit but it will be easy…” and that someone was working on it. This took place as the state was working with Swadley’s to get their restaurants put into state parks including at Lake Murray.

The article from The Frontier also states around this same time Demarco “has access to information about a new marina development at Lake Murray State Park that wasn’t yet public and participated in talks about the scope of the project while also planning his own nearby business venture.”

Also, in February 2020, that same article states Demarco bought 26 acres of land near Lake Murray State Park for nearly $700,000 to plan a development there. That new marina opened in May 2021. That’s the same year Demarco sold the land he bought, and in The Frontier article, Demarco said he bought it to “increase the property value by doing development on it.”

KFOR went to Demarco’s home twice Wednesday to try and get clarification on the timeline of the dredging directed by him and other state officials and of the other ventures mentioned by The Frontier. However, no one answered the door both times. We also reached out by phone call and text. We never received a response to those either.

It should be noted that Demarco claims to have recused himself from activities dealing with the new marina since he bought land near the state park. KFOR also reached out to the tourism department for a timeline of that dredging and its location. They said they are inundated right now, but will process our request as quickly as they can.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Empowering women and providing educational tools to help them succeed in their agricultural endeavors is the goal of the upcoming Women in Agriculture and Small Business conference. The event is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, August 4-5 at the Champion Convention Center, 803 S Meridian Avenue, in Oklahoma City. Registration will take place from 8:15 – 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The welcome keynote speech will be “Current Trends and Impact Affecting Cattle Markets and Agriculture,” by Kelli Payne, General Manager Oklahoma National Stockyard.

“Women in the agricultural field usually don’t have a lot of local counterparts,” said Sonya McDaniel, Oklahoma State University Extension educator and director of the Pottawatomie County OSU Extension office. “This conference will bring together women who walk the same walk they do.”

The $75 registration fee increases to $125 after July 13. The full agenda is available online.

Four educational programs have been developed, including agricultural production, alternative enterprises, beginning farmer and business and finance. The programs will feature a total of 24 breakout sessions on topics from record keeping, farm to food production and farmers markets to building healthier soil, preventing plant diseases and estate planning.

Feedback from previous events indicated the participants found it beneficial to have time to network with others.

“We’ve built in a lot of time for networking and for the women to be social and build connections with other women in agriculture across the state,” McDaniel said.

“We also have several inspirational speakers who will talk about the influence women have in the agricultural industry in communities in Oklahoma,” McDaniel added. “Simply because you’re a producer from a small area doesn’t mean you can’t have a big impact in the agricultural world.”

Courtney Bir, OSU Extension farm management specialist, said the planning committee worked to create a learning opportunity that would appeal to women involved in all aspects of the agricultural industry.

“There will be something for everyone, from beginning farmers/ranchers to established operators,” Bir said. “We’ll talk about traditional topics and enterprises, such as cattle, as well as diverse enterprises and new ways of interacting with customers.”

Typically seen as a male-dominated industry, women are coming to the forefront in agriculture, and roles are changing, according to Bir.

“Women have always been involved in agriculture, but now more women own their own operation or have official management roles in a larger family operation,” Bir continued. “We hope this conference will help these women answer questions and spark new ideas.”

Special guest keynote presenters will include Brandi Buzzard, a rural life blogger of Buzzard’s Beat. She will discuss, “Making Your Own Luck.” A rancher, working mom and wife, for more than a decade, Buzzard has been a passionate agriculture advocate, while helping others share their agriculture story, the press release stated.

Sponsored by Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Brooke Clay Taylor, with Rural Gone Urban, will give a presentation about living the life you want, professionally and personally, despite obstacles and challenges.

Both keynote presenters will provide a break out session during the conference focusing on marketing, how to tell your story and sell your brand.

The day two opening session will feature Joni Nash, discussing "Being a Leader for Rural Development in Your Community."

For more information about the Women in Agriculture and Small Business Conference, contact Sonya McDaniel at 405-273-7683.

The deadline is approaching to submit nominations for the Oklahoma Bar Association’s annual awards presentations. Awards are open to individuals and organizations who have positively impacted the community, and those submitting nominations do not need to be lawyers. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, July 1 and will be presented to recipients at the OBA Annual Meeting this November at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

Attorney LeAnne McGill of Edmond chairs the statewide committee that will review the nominations and select award winners. “The OBA Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate both lawyers and non-lawyers who have made lasting impacts on the community,” said McGill. “The nominating process is easy, and all submissions are carefully considered. It’s important to recognize and celebrate the high caliber of legal service in our state.”

Lawyers who have upheld the highest ideals of the legal profession may be nominated for the Professionalism, Ethics or Courageous Lawyer Awards. Awards such as the Outstanding Service to the Public, Alma Wilson and Outstanding Pro Bono Service recognize lawyers who advocate on behalf of their community, children or the less fortunate. Non-lawyers and law organizations that promote legal issues will be recognized by the Liberty Bell Award.

Additional awards are presented to judges and attorneys who have contributed to continuing legal education or the promotion and publicity of matters regarding the legal system through the Judicial Excellence Award and Earl Sneed Award for Continuing Legal Education.

To nominate an individual or organization, send a letter explaining why the candidate should receive the award. Please limit the letter to five single-sided pages. A nomination form is available at okbar. org/awards, but it is not required. Nominations must be received by the deadline. Email your nomination to [email protected] or mail it to OBA Awards Committee, Oklahoma Bar Association, P.O. Box 53036, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

More information and a list of award categories are available by visiting the OBA website at www. okbar.org/awards.

The 18,000-member Oklahoma Bar Association, headquartered in Oklahoma City, was created by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to advance the administration of justice and foster and maintain learning, integrity, competence, public service and high standards of conduct among Oklahoma’s legal community.

OKLAHOMA CITY - OKC Pride on 39th Street 2022 will be held Friday through Sunday, June 3rd-5th. Pride events will include the annual Pride Parade and Pride Festival.

OKC Pride, Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to the Health Education and Welfare of the Oklahoma LGBTQ+ Community.

OKC Pride has been the official management team of Oklahoma City’s annual Pride event since 1988, establishing itself as the not-for-profit organization OKC Pride, Inc in 2004. OKC Pride, Inc continues to organize Oklahoma City’s annual Pride week and has developed it to be the largest privately-held event in Oklahoma.

“Our Pride on 39th event has developed into the largest privately-held event in Oklahoma,” organizers said. “Join us as tens of thousands of people come together from across Oklahoma and the surrounding states to celebrate pride, diversity and equality for the LGBTQ+ Community.”

The official OKC Pride Pre-Party will take place on Sunday, May 29 at the Aloft Hotel Quail Springs, 13111 Highland Park Boulevard. The event, starting at 6 p.m., will feature a pool with DJ, games, and prizes. Appetizers will be provided. There will be a cash bar, Dive-In Movie at sunset, and late-night Drag Karaoke inside with second DJ. To purchase tickets, click here.

The OKC Pride Opening Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 1, at 1 p.m. on 39th street at Barnes Avenue. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt will read the OKC Pride Declaration. The event will include Happy Hour Social, welcoming speeches, official opening of Pride, and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Appetizers and cash bar available. ? This is a Free event for all ages.

Also on Wednesday, June 1, OKC Pride will host a Pickle Ball Tournament at Chicken ‘n Pickle located at 8400 N Oklahoma Avenue at 6 p.m. Tournament will occur on the four outdoor courts with accompanying pavilions. The indoor, bar, kitchen, and seating area is adjacent to courts. Servers will be available in the court/pavilion area. Purchase tickets here.

On Thursday, June 2, OKC Pride Bowling Night will be held at the Dust Bowl, 421 NW 10^th Street in Oklahoma City. The Dust Bowl is providing use of the 8 main lanes from 7-10PM. $5 gets you as much bowling as we can fit in, and that includes your shoes. As lanes fill up OKC Pride volunteers will add new friends to your bowling lane. The event will include the traditional tater tot bar, as well as a cash bar, and the kitchens of both the Dust Bowl and Fassler Hall. At 9:30 p.m., Drag Karaoke will take place adjacent to the bowling area. The cost is $5 to bowl at the door only. Free to spectators. All ages ‘til bowling ends.

The annual ever-popular OKC Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 5 at 6 p.m. Parade entries celebrating diversity in Oklahoma will make their way down Northwest 39th Street from Classen to Youngs Boulevard. Floats, vehicles and walking groups will line up on the southbound lane of N. Classen between NW 46th and 39th Streets, beginning at 4 p.m.

VIP tickets to OKC Pride are available for $100 and can be purchased at prideon39th.com. VIP tickets give you access on June 5, during and before the parade to the ?VIP balcony of The Boom. Live band “On A Whim” will be performing exclusively for the VIP ticket holders.

“I would like to welcome everyone to our 35th annual OKC Pride celebration,” said Craig England, OKC Pride President. “We are focusing on keeping it local this year and we will feature live bands and entertainment on two stages during the festival starting June 3-5.

“OKC Pride has some incredible events this week starting with our kickoff tonight that will be a movie night at the pool at the beautiful Aloft hotel,” England continued. “We’re excited to bring more family events this year such as pickle ball at Chicken N Pickle, our opening ceremony on 39th street, and bowling at Dustbowl.

“All of these are leading up to our festival and parade,” he added. “On behalf of all of the OKC Pride board members I want to welcome everyone and we hope you have a safe and happy Pride.”

For sponsorship, vendor information, volunteer information, visit prideon39th.com.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister led a press conference Tuesday afternoon detailing new findings in an investigation into Epic Charter Schools and its administration practices.

Among many violations, one major point of emphasis for Hofmeister was an algorithm used to count student’s attendance.

She said it was run by a third-party vendor. The vendor’s name is Futuristic Education. Now the relationship between Epic Charter Schools and Futuristic Education is in the spotlight.

“There’s an understanding now that Epic Youth Services has a relationship of some sort with Futuristic Education,” said Ben Clark, General Counsel for ODSE. “That’s what was made known to us today.”

The Department of Education said they met with Epic Charter Schools Tuesday morning to go over the findings.

Hofmeister and Clark said that no one from the school knew much about Futuristic Education and its algorithm.

They emphasized that the relationship was from Epic Youth Services, started by co-founders of Epic, David Chaney and Ben Harris.

But the algorithm showed signs of circumventing existing attendance laws for virtual schools.

“We saw troubling patterns in ethics data system related to truancy,” said Hofmeister. “Specifically, the data reveals a pattern of students marked absent for 14 consecutive days marked present on the 15th day, then marked absent for 14 more consecutive days.”

A law passed in 2020 states if students are absent for 15 straight days, that student should be removed from the rolls and the school district will stop receiving funding for that student.

Since the 15th day was always marked “present,” Epic kept its enrollment numbers up and its funding.

Hofmeister said during the height of the pandemic, Epic Charter Schools had enrollment numbers north of 60,000 students.

In the report, during the school year of 2020-21, 6,436 students were absent more than 50 percent of the time they were enrolled. That comprised of 9 percent of the total population.

And 3,399 students, making up 5 percent of all students, were absent more than 75 percent of the time they were enrolled.

The Department of Education confirmed that of those 3,399 students, over 40 percent of them moved up a grade level for the following school year.

It was asked if some of the students could have been “ghost students,” but OSDE did not find that to be true.

Based on the findings, the State Superintendent recommended that Epic Charter Schools be placed on probation for the school year 2022-23; recommended the State Board of Education to adjust Epic’s accreditation status to “Accredited with Probation”; and recommended the State Board to consider further action, such as possibly sanctioning the superintendent of Epic.