April 27, 2023
By News Director Jared Atha
Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, said he appreciates the support of Gov. Kevin Stitt after Senate Bill 913 was signed into law Thursday. Jech is the author of the measure, which will hold medical marijuana grows accountable by requiring them to submit a bond along with their application covering the area where they will conduct business.
“Our state has had many problems with marijuana grows abandoning land and leaving behind a large mess,” Jech said. “This will set a minimum bond amount of $50,000 that can be used to restore the property in the event it is abandoned, or the operation loses its license. Some grows may be required to have a higher bond depending on their reclamation requirements set by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). Ultimately, this will help clean up valuable farmland that has been harmed by illegal operations and allows OMMA or any other appropriate state agency to recoup costs associated with the cleanup.”
Commercial operations may operate without a bond if the licensee has owned the land for at least five years before submitting their application.
“This legislation has been a work in progress and did not make it through the legislative process last year. This gave us time to improve the bill and bring it back this year in its best form. I greatly appreciate Attorney General Drummond’s advice and assistance on this measure, as well as the House author, Rep. Anthony Moore for getting this bill through his chamber,” Jech said.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Bill Requiring Bonding For Marijuana Grows Signed Into Law
April 27, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, said he appreciates the support of Gov. Kevin Stitt after Senate Bill 913 was signed into law Thursday. Jech is the author of the measure,
Elk City Water Line Replacement Project Ahead of Schedule
April 27, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha The water line replacement project taking place along the west side of Elk City’s main street is nearly complete says City Manager Tom Ivester. In fact, as of last
Elk City Aquatic Center On Track For Mid June Opening
April 26, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Elk City’s new aquatic center, which is currently under construction at Ackley Park, passed an important water test says City Manager Tom Ivester. Ivester says construction crews have told
Moore’s Food Insecurity Bill Becomes Law
April 26, 2023 OK House of Rep. Press Release Legislation allowing restaurants and school cafeterias to donate leftover food without threat of civil liability, except in certain circumstances, has been signed into law. House Bill 1542, authored
ODOC Announces North Fork Correctional Closing
April 26, 2023 ODOC Press Release The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) announced today it has entered into a lease agreement with The Geo Group, owner of the Great Plains Correctional Facility (GPCF) near Hinton. Under the
Accomplished Artist Enhances Elk City Museum
April 25, 2023 By Landry Brewer The Elk City Museum Complex recently served as the canvas for an Oklahoma Michelangelo to ply his trade. Newcastle artist Dean Codner has spent a lot of time in town lately
Bill Providing Paid Maternity Leave for State Employees Passes House
April 25, 2023 OK House of Rep. Press Release Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, on Tuesday passed legislation in the Oklahoma House of Representatives to provide six weeks of paid maternity leave for full-time state employees following
Accused Kings Inn Arsonist Arrested
April 25, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha An Elk City woman was arrested over the weekend and charged with one felony count of arson after she allegedly set a motel on fire. According to court records
Oklahoma School Report Cards Released
April 25, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha The Oklahoma State Department of Education’s latest school report cards have been released. This is the first report card report released from the State Education’s Office of Accountability since
Wellington, TX Man Given Lengthy Prison Sentence
April 24, 2024 Press Release On Monday, April 10, two pleas took place in the 100th Judicial District Court in Collingsworth County. Luke Inman, the District Attorney for the 100th Judicial District, along with Assistant District Attorney
Rollover Accident Near Weatherford Hospitalizes Man
April 24, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha A single vehicle rollover accident near Weatherford Sunday afternoon has put one person in the hospital. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at 3:45 p.m. on
Bomb Threat at Local High School Called a “Hoax”
April 24, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Weatherford residents got a scare on Saturday afternoon after a bomb scare was called in to local authorities. Turns out, the threat was later determined to be a hoax.
Traffic Stop Leads to Fentanyl Discovery
April 21, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha The Wheeler County Texas Sheriff’s Office announced that a traffic stop recently led to the discovery of suspected fentanyl. According to the office’s Facebook page, on Monday (April 17)
Dollar Tree Coming to Elk City
April 21, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha New retail businesses are coming to Elk City. During the latest meeting of the Elk City Commission, the Commission approved the final plat for “Elk City Strip Center” which,
Fires Keep Local Crews Busy
April 21, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha A couple of overnight fires kept local crews busy late Thursday night and early Friday morning. The first occurred on Interstate 40 near mile marker 20 near Sayre when,
Lt. Governor’s Turkey Hunt Returns to Elk City
April 20, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell was in Elk City Thursday as part of the 35th Annual Lt. Governor’s Turkey Hunt that tours Oklahoma towns and cities and showcases Oklahoma
Hit-and-Run Suspect Charged – Other Crime News
April 20, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha A Weatherford man received a felony charge recently after leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in an injury. According to the probable cause affidavit, 37-year-old Edward Lamont
Clinton Hospital Authority Parts Ways with Carrus
April 20, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Once again, The City of Clinton is seeking a company to operate the city’s hospital once it re-opens. During the regular meeting of the Clinton Hospital Authority it was
Lucas, Lankford Remember OKC Bombing
April 19, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Today marks the 28th anniversary of one of Oklahoma’s darkest days. The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. Two lawmakers from Oklahoma reflected
Woman and Child Escape Serious Injury After I-40 Wreck
April 19, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha A woman and 3-year-old child were treated for minor injuries on Tuesday after a semi rear-ended them on Interstate 40 near Hydro. According to the collision report provided by
UPDATE: Chase Suspect Arrested in OKC
April 18, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Authorities announced Tuesday night that the search for the man who led multiple jurisdictions on a high speed pursuit Sunday night has ended after being arrested in Oklahoma City.
Red Flag Warning Returning Wednesday For Western Oklahoma
April 18, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Another warm and windy day in Western Oklahoma means another day of potential fire weather throughout the region Wednesday. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, temperatures will range from the
Latest Sales Tax Numbers Look Positive
April 18, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha The latest sales tax numbers are in and the larger cities in Western Oklahoma saw gains when compared to last year. According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s report that
Texas Man Charged with Manslaughter After Dewey County Weekend Wreck
April 18, 2023 By News Director Jared Atha Troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said drugs could be to blame for a two vehicle collision in Dewey County on Saturday afternoon that left one man dead. As
Dr. Jerry Dunn: SWOSU Agricultural Scholar
April 18, 2023 By Landry Brewer How Jerry Dunn wound up teaching at SWOSU in Weatherford is a good story. The 1992 Canute High School graduate thought that after college he’d eventually return to western Oklahoma to
