2017 Archive

At 40th anniversary, Norman’s Safety Town rolling strong

by Blake Honaker/Frisco High School

As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, Safety Town is helping the Norman community in ways its founders never could have envisioned. “We have noticed that children are now playing backseat drivers, telling their parents to get off their phones or telling them not to speed up through a yellow light,” Officer Thomas Zermeno said about graduates of the summer program that teaches 5- and 6-year-olds basic rules of the road.

Community’s farm market remains viable option to consumers

by Koal Kinder/Indiahoma High School

While it may be convenient to buy an apple from the local Walmart, where does the apple came from? And where is the money is going? More than likely, the apple is not locally grown, and the money spent on buying the apple isn’t invested back into the community. Charles Dennis, a veteran produce vendor of Norman’s Farm Market, emphasizes the benefits the farmer’s market brings to the community both economically and environmentally. “They know it comes from Oklahoma and not from somewhere else,” Dennis said.

Residential Colleges offer a clean slate to create community at OU

by Naaman Henager/Newcastle High School

It’s rare in life that you get a clean slate to make new traditions, develop communities and decide the future. In fall 2017, students at The University of Oklahoma will do just that in Headington and Dunham colleges.

Norman’s last used bookstore to close in July

by Claudia Standeford/Bartlesville High School

The Book Stall, the last used bookstore in Norman, is closing in July after 44 years because of declining sales. While its closing date is undecided, owner Susan Townly and manager Rick Hall said they will be shutting the doors after they liquidate their remaining inventory.

New students still feel impact of controversial video

by Gigi Robertson/Argyle High School

Incoming freshmen and students transferring to The University of Oklahoma are required to attend a three-hour special training program – the result of a video lasting less than a minute showing members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity singing a racially derogatory song in March 2015. “You have to be sensible, you have to be respectful to those around you because the world is changing. We are coming out more diverse, and we are becoming more aware. There is a lot less tolerance for intolerance.” said J.D. Baker, president of the OU Student Government Association.

Coffee shop owners, family prepare to explore cultures

by Alexandria Doyle/Holland Hall School

The Hefner family is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. For six years, Bridgett and Mari Hefner, their three children and three grandchildren ranging in age from 2 to 23, will travel the world learning languages and analyzing people’s dreams. The journey was sparked by Bridgett Hefner’s fascination with dreams. The 46-year-old from McComb wants to know how place and culture influence dreams. She wants to talk to dreamers of all cultures and walks of life.

Norman apartment complexes becomes more competitive

by Destyni Williams Edmond/Santa Fe High School

Related: Students Struggle to pay for housing With new on- and off-campus living options for students – such as The University of Oklahoma’s new residential colleges Dunham and Headington, as well as the construction of Callaway House Apartments – the rental market in Norman is becoming more competitive. The newest additions are all slated to open their doors just in time for the 2017-2018 school year.

Students struggle to pay for housing

by Destyni Williams/Edmond Santa Fe High School

Related: Norman apartment complexes become more competitive Along with the 5-percent tuition increase at The University of Oklahoma for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year, the cost of living on campus is also growing more expensive. The Oklahoma Daily reported June 20 that on-campus living rates such as “standard residence halls, apartments and meal plans” will undergo a 3-percent increase. With these new rates, some students are starting to seek ways to earn and save more money.

Muslim students worry about travel ban, Islamophobia

by Anushka Sukhadia/Bartlesville High School

Members of the Muslim Student Association are worried about the impact of President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from specific countries in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold parts of the president’s order. Chemical engineering junior Saad Ahmed and biochemistry junior Rehan Zefar are both officers in the Muslim Student Association. Ahmed serves as the association’s president while Zefar is its community outreach chairman.

Local business prepares to close after 42 years

by Koal Kinder/Indiahoma High School

Wright’s Family Market, a locally owned grocery store, has been a part of the Norman community for the past 42 years. At one time, Wright’s had four locations scattered throughout Norman. Currently, however, Wright’s Family Market is preparing to close permanently facing its final hours, preparing to close permanently.