Local News
Fight on to restore funds
Seniors who receive food from nutrition sites are angry -- angry that $7.4 million has been cut from the various nutrition programs.
They want the money returned.
The funding cuts by the state have led to some nutrition sites closing down and others reducing the number of days they serve food to seniors.
In Woodward, meals at the senior center have been cut back to four days, starting Nov. 1.
Elise Solloway, outreach worker for Panhandle Nutrition which oversees nutrition sites in 10 communities in Northwest Oklahoma, said her agency’s cuts were $126,242 starting Nov. 1.
To express the opinions of the staff of Panhandle Nutrition and the senior citizens it serves, Solloway attended a rally on Wednesday at the state capitol for senior nutrition sites that have had their funding cut.
The purpose of the rally was to bring concerns about the funding cuts to the governor, legislators, the Department of Human Services and the general public, Solloway said.
In attendance were about 400 clients and staff members from different nutrition sites plus the Area Agency on Aging, the American Association of Retired People and some state legislators, she said.
“Absent from this rally were the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House , Senate ProTem, director of DHS and many state legislators,” she said. “The audience’s response to this reality was both loud and angry.”
During the rally, options for getting the funds back were addressed, she said.
They included:
•Having Gov. Brad Henry appropriate money from his discretionary fund to the nutrition sites.
•Having DHS give money back to the nutrition budget.
•Adding an additional dollar per car tag to go the nutrition sites.
•Holding a special legislative session that could be called in order to get money from the state’s Rainy Day Fund and put it into the nutrition sites.
Most people are unaware of the importance of nutrition sites and services for citizens, Solloway said.
“Many have extremely limited income and rely on the meals they receive through the nutrition site,” she said.
For example, in Woodward, seniors are only asked to make a donation of $2.50 per meal.
“Many clients resort to dividing their lunch meals from the nutrition site in half so they will be able to have two meals a day to eat,” she said, adding, “many clients have no family, or they rarely see their family members, so their congregate meals at the nutrition site provide them with their primary means of socializing with their peers.”
“State nutrition recognizes that Oklahoma is experiencing hard economic times but firmly believes that taking meals away from our senior citizens and disabled citizens is not the way to balance the budget,” she said.
“Those attending the rally demanded that funds be found now, not later...,” she said.
- Local News
-
-
Dedication held to show off park improvements
One of Oklahoma’s original 7 state parks is in the process of getting a facelift.
And a big part of the renovation at Boiling Springs was dedicated in a Wednesday morning ceremony and ribbon cutting. -
'Elvis' coming to Woodward
It’s time to get the sparkly jumpsuits out and head to the Woodward Arts Theatre.
Because?
Elvis is on the way. -
Camping areas going fast at parks
Labor Day Weekend marks the final major holiday of the summer season.
-
Appreciation Day to include free health screenings
The Family Wellness Center will be holding free health screenings for emergency service responders on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Room.
-
Remote pilots plan fun event
Remote control pilots like to fly their planes as a group to share in the fun.
-
Fargo sets open house at school
Fargo Public Schools is inviting past and present students, parents and community members to attend its open house tonight from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.
-
Enrollment up at several schools
Several local schools in the area had quite an increase in student enrollment for the 2010 - 2011 school year.
-
Heisman winners enjoy visit
Saturday afternoon hundreds of University of Oklahoma football fans attended an autograph signing at Southgate United Supermarket featuring Sooner Heisman Trophy Winners Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), and Jason White (2003).
-
Cupcake decorating among High Plains courses
Cupcakes are everywhere.
Just turn on your cable and you’ll see shows like “Cupcake Wars” on the Food Network and “DC Cupcakes” on The Learning Channel (TLC). -
CBR ticket sales to help area non-profits
The Woodward Tourism and Convention Bureau is spending $30,000 to bring in a Championship Bull Riding (CBR) event on Sept. 18.
- More Local News Headlines
-
