Miami News-Digest

12/17/2024

Oklahoma Rural Association Supports Energy Reform, Calls for Future Action

The Oklahoma Rural Association has voiced support for the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to act before the 118th Congress ends. While acknowledging time constraints, the association emphasized that permitting reform is vital for American energy production and lower consumer costs and should be a top priority for the next administration and Congress.

Read the full article at...

WASHINGTON — A coalition representing 80% of U.S. domestic oil and gas production has called on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La...

12/17/2024

Winter Is Coming, Are You Ready?

MIAMI, Okla. - December 17, 2024 Winter weather can be enchanting — the soft snowflakes, cozy sweaters, and warm drinks, but it ...

12/16/2024

REWARD! $500

Any information that leads up to an arrest
and conviction will be rewarded!

The Fairland Police Department is seeking
your assistance. Several vehicles were
burglarized late Saturday 12/14/2024 into
Sunday 12/15/2024.

If you have any
information please contact the PD at
(918)-676-3005

PLEASE SHARE!

12/16/2024

Oklahoma’s Role in the U.S. Space Force Grows as Aerospace Industry Thrives

Oklahoma is increasingly playing a significant role in the U.S. Space Force through its thriving aerospace industry, established military infrastructure, and academic advancements.

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OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma is increasingly playing a significant role in the U.S. Space Force through its thriving aerospace indus...

12/16/2024

The buck stops with Oklahoma for a Biden-Backed energy corridor

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BRISTOW, Okla. – Oklahoma lawmakers and local officials are mounting opposition to a controversial 18-mile-wide fede...

12/16/2024

Over budget and way behind
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority turnpike tax hike

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MIAMI, Oklahoma, Dec. 12, 2024 Tolls on Oklahoma’s turnpikes will increase by an average of 15% beginning Jan. 1, following a unanimous vote...

12/16/2024

Some of the last storms of 2024 are moving through the viewing area. Enjoy the thunder.

12/15/2024

Explore Affordable Homes in Miami, Oklahoma

If you're in the market for a budget-friendly home, Miami, Oklahoma, offers a range of options priced between $10,000 and $100,000. From charming fixer-uppers to move-in-ready properties, there's something for every buyer.

Discover homes with 2+ bedrooms and 1+ bathrooms in various neighborhoods, perfect for first-time buyers or investors. Explore the full list and details on Zillow to find your dream home at a price that fits your budget.

Visit Zillow for more information.

Zillow has 393713 homes for sale. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place.

12/14/2024

12/13/2024

Searching for Horse Near Miami, OK, 74354

NetPosse ID #: 8529

Name : Power Slidn Lize

Gender : Mare

Breed : AQHA

Description Missing 16-year-old Big Bay Horse with a star, two hind socks, black mane, and tail.

Sold by the farrier. Reward Offered. I will reimburse the New Owner. Notify Kimberly Briley Dean on Facebook or here.

The farrier said Lize died, but when the AG officer investigated, he said he sold her to a man in the Bentonville, Arkansas area.

State of OK AG Investigation case #2024-0070
Last Known At: Miami, OK, 74354 |
Date : 10/7/2024

Contact: (918) 541-5345/ [email protected]

Please visit netposse.com and enter the ID # 8529 to look up more information

Visit NetPosselD.com or scan the OR Code
enter the NetPosse ID # fromn above.

12/13/2024

Pardon and Parole Board Denies Clemency for Kevin Underwood, Ex*****on Scheduled for Dec. 19

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board on Friday denied clemency for Kevin Underwood, a death row inmate convicted of the brutal 2006 murder of 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed satisfaction with the board's decision, emphasizing the long wait for justice.

“I am pleased the board voted to deny clemency for this deeply evil monster and ensured that justice will be delivered for Jamie Rose Bolin,” Drummond said. “Jamie’s family has waited 18 excruciating years for justice that finally will be carried out when this murderer is executed.”

The clemency hearing faced delays earlier this month after two board members resigned, temporarily stalling proceedings. Drummond fought to keep the ex*****on on schedule, ultimately succeeding.

Underwood’s ex*****on is set for Dec. 19.

12/13/2024

The potential for some rainfall is now moving into the viewing area.

12/13/2024

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Visits Taiwan for Energy and Aerospace Trade Mission...

See the full story in the link:

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt traveled to Taiwan on Monday for a trade mission focused on energy and aerospace. During the visit...

12/13/2024

On December 15, 2024, the "Long Night Moon" is expected to rise, shining its silver light over the longest nights of the year. Across time and cultures, this full moon has served as an important symbol for marking seasons, honoring traditions, and connecting humanity to the rhythm of creation and Life...

Read the full article by following the link below

On December 15, 2024, the "Long Night Moon" is expected to rise, shining its silver light over the longest nights of the year. A...

12/13/2024

Oklahoma Lawmakers, Local Officials Push Back Against Biden-Backed Energy Corridor Ahead of Federal Announcement

Read the full story by following the link

BRISTOW, Okla. – Oklahoma lawmakers and local officials are mounting opposition to a controversial 18-mile-wide fede...

12/12/2024

MIAMI, Oklahoma, Dec. 12, 2024

Turnpike Toll Hike

Tolls on Oklahoma’s turnpikes will increase by an average of 15% beginning Jan. 1, following a unanimous vote by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) on Dec. 10. The rate hike is intended to fund the ACCESS Oklahoma program, a long-term infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding and improving the state’s turnpike system.

Originally estimated at $5 billion when announced in 2021, the cost of the ACCESS program has risen to $8.2 billion, largely due to a 60% increase in inflation, according to OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle. The project is designed to improve connectivity and boost the state economy, with OTA Chairman John D. Jones emphasizing its potential to create jobs across Oklahoma.

Echelle noted that when ACCESS was first introduced, officials anticipated an initial 10% toll increase, followed by 5% hikes every other year. However, the recent inflationary pressures necessitated a steeper rate adjustment. "Inflation is something everyone is dealing with," Echelle explained.

For PikePass users, the new rates include the following increases:

Turner Turnpike (Tulsa to OKC): $4.50 to $5.40

Will Rogers Turnpike (SH266 to the state line): $4.10 to $4.92

Muskogee Turnpike (I-40 to Tulsa): $3.30 to $3.80

Drivers using PlatePay will see even higher rates.

Looking ahead, tolls could rise by an additional 6% every two years to address an estimated 3% annual inflation rate. However, Echelle clarified that any further increases would require OTA approval and could vary depending on turnpike usage.

Press Release Details:

OTA Board approves resolutions to issue $1 billion in revenue bonds for ACCESS Oklahoma long-range plan The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Board unanimously approved three resolutions Thursday in its November monthly meeting that authorizes the Authority to issue revenue bonds sufficient to generate $1 billion in construction fund proceeds to fund the ACCESS Oklahoma long-range plan projects.

ACCESS Oklahoma is a strategic corridor plan that focuses on travel time reliability, easing congestion in Oklahoma's metro areas, moving freight across the state and adding access through new interchanges to communities that previously were not connected to turnpikes. At the core of the long-range plan is improving safety for motorists while enhancing the state's transportation infrastructure for future growth.

The Authority sold $500 million in bonds for the initial phase of the long-range plan in late October 2023, which has paid for initial engineering design work among other items to start the long-range plan.

After Thursday's Board approval, the next step in the oversight process for issuing this second round of bonds will be an application to the Oklahoma Council of Bond Oversight (COBO). This agency reviews all bond issues by or on behalf of the state and its authorities and instrumentalities to ensure that all authorizations and compliance are in place. COBO also approves all fees associated with the bond offering. However, COBO does not evaluate the merits of the project, only that all financial and legal requirements are met.

Additionally, the approved resolutions authorize the Authority to potentially refinance outstanding revenue bonds to realize potential savings if market conditions are favorable and will allow the Authority to reimburse certain capital expenditures on turnpikes and turnpike projects with the proceeds of tax-exempt turnpike revenue bonds should the need arise.

As part of his monthly report to the Board, Executive Director Joe Echelle provided additional ACCESS Oklahoma updates that included a revised total program cost now that the agency is nearing 60 percent engineering design plans on several projects. "The initial program estimate was $5 billion in a net present value — we used quantities and information to estimate those costs in 2021 dollars," Echelle said. "This was before any engineering design work was started and we knew those costs likely would go up."

The new total program cost estimate is $8.2 billion based on what it will take to fund and construct the 15-year infrastructure program through 2037. This new estimate factors in 60 percent inflation in material and labor costs since the program's announcement in December 2021 and anticipates future inflation. "The highway transportation industry is not tracking inflation-wise with the cost of a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk. We are experiencing a higher inflation rate and there are lots of causes to it," Echelle said. "Everything in this plan is more expensive and I do mean every line item is more expensive than when we estimated this three years ago."

ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike projects will be fully paid for with bonds and will not affect any part of the state's budgeting process, meaning revenue will not be diverted from other state priorities. Revenues from tolls, investments and concession leases pay all operating and maintenance costs for turnpikes and pay off the bonds issued to finance their construction.

The OTA has entered the bond market 21 times since 1950 and without fail, the requisite bond payments have been made every year on time. Currently, OTA has eight outstanding series of bonds that total $2.017 billion. Out-of-state traffic accounts for about 40 percent of Oklahoma's toll transactions. OTA does not receive any state tax appropriations.

2025 budget approved In other business, the Board unanimously adopted the 2025 budget, which includes $156 million for operations and maintenance and $166 million capital budget. This was the second step in a two-step process to approve the Authority's budget for the next fiscal year.

The budget is just under $400,000 more than the 2024 plan, which is a 0.26 percent increase. Here's an overview of changes for 2025:

• The Oklahoma Highway Patrol will add eight new troopers to patrol the turnpike system, which is an $835,000 budget increase to a total of $22.2 million.

• Streamlining of the authority's tolling model by converting to cashless tolling saved $9.5 million compared with the 2024 budget. However, some costs for cashless tolling are increasing such as higher postage and a higher volume of license plate lookups as part of the PlatePay electronic tolling.

• Inflation and unprecedented low unemployment have led to employee recruitment and retainment costs, which included a market adjustment for certain job categories Inflation also has increased costs in utilities, road maintenance materials and increased vehicle and equipment repairs due to supply chain issues totaling a $2.7 million budget increase.

• Software subscriptions to keep the authority functioning efficiently and better technology for field workers saw a $6.3 million increase.The Board also adopted a $1.3 million operations and maintenance budget for the Gilcrease Expressway in west Tulsa. The Gilcrease Expressway is a non-system project and tolls from this turnpike are not part of the overall system cross-pledging.

12/12/2024

Upper level storm systems are expected to bring showers and isolated thunderstorms to the area Friday night into Saturday morning and again Sunday night into Monday. A few strong storms
may be possible late Sunday night if enough instability develops.

KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1123 AM CST Thu Dec 12 2024

- Increased fire weather concerns today due to gusty winds,
above normal temperatures, and delayed moisture return.

- High chance of showers and low chance for thunderstorms mainly
Friday night into Saturday morning, with limited heavy rain
potential.

- Medium chance of showers and low chance for thunderstorms
mainly Sunday night into Monday, with limited heavy rain
potential.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Miami&state=OK&site=TSA&textField1=36.8868&textField2=-94.876&e=0

Miami News-Digest

12/12/2024

Tonight in Grove, Oklahoma
Grove, Community Center
Loaves & Fishes

TODAY! See us at the community center for a free meal...