Newswire: April 15-30, 2015

Tragedy and remembrance

April 19 marks 20 years since the bombing of Oklahoma City’s Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The explosion killed 168 people, including 19 children, and injured hundreds. 

Eris Harris shooting 

The April 2 killing of Eric Courtney Harris, an unarmed man shot in the back by a Tulsa County deputy, has captured the world’s attention and raised questions about the transparency of investigations into deadly run-ins with law enforcement. The tragedy has also highlighted the dangers of including volunteers in high-stress operations.

Robert Bates, a 73-year-old volunteer reserve deputy, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter by the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office for killing Harris, a fleeing suspect, in an undercover operation. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Bates mistakenly fired his gun instead of his Taser.

Extremely disturbing video footage of the incident captures Bates declaring the deployment of his Taser, followed by a gunshot and Bates apologizing. The video shows law enforcement officers restraining Harris, with one officer placing his knee on Harris’ head while he is bleeding and gasping for breath. Harris yells that he’s been shot and says he can’t breathe. The officers tell him to shut the fuck up and also say, “Fuck your breath.” // BY LAUREN PARKINSON

Blue Bell recall

On the heels of a listeria outbreak originating in a Texas Blue Bell plant, Broken Arrow’s Blue Bell Creamery voluntarily closed this month while officials investigated how some of the plant’s products became tainted the bacterium, which is found in soil, water, poultry, cattle, deli meat and unpasteurized dairy, among other sources. At least eight cases in several states and three deaths have been linked to the outbreaks. With an incubation period of up to 70 days, listeria is only killed by cooking or pasteurization. 

Along with the voluntary shutdown, recalls have been issued for pints of several ice cream flavors; 3-ounce cups, pints and quarts of sherbet; and several half-gallon varieties. 

The people at highest risk for listeriosis include pregnant women, adults 65 and older and people with compromised immune systems. If infected, healthy individuals might suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Miscarriages and stillbirths are possible side effects among pregnant women infected by listeria. 

Products made at the Broken Arrow facility can be identified on the bottom of each package with codes ending in “O,” “P,” Q,” “R,” “S” or “T.” To participate in the recall, return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or visit bluebell.com for more information. 

QT backs off on potential Kendall-Whittier site

Citing internal uncertainty over a construction timeline, QuikTrip will not build a new store in the Kendall-Whittier district.

On April 8, the company withdrew its bid to Tulsa Public Schools for the vacant lot near Lewis and Admiral that was the former site of Whittier Elementary School. Had QuikTrip bought the property, it would have built a 6,000-square-foot store with eight gas pumps to replace its smaller location at Admiral and Delaware.

QuikTrip’s decision to withdraw allowed the board of education to sell the site to the only other bidder, LIFE Senior Services affiliate Vintage Housing, which bid $550,000 for the site. Vintage has announced plans to build a two-story, 40-unit apartment complex for independent low-income senior citizens.

Legislative update

All bills previously passed out of the State House this session had to be voted on by a Senate committee—or vice versa—by April 10 in order to stay alive this legislative session. 

Among the bills to get out of committee by deadline was SB 720, authored by Sen. Dan Newberry (R-Tulsa), which would ban powdered alcohol, a substance approved last month by the federal government. 

Also clearing a committee-level hurdle were SB 809 and SB 468, bills that would hamper local governments’ ability to regulate oil and gas drilling. Both bills are sponsored by Sen. Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa). 

Also inching closer to enactment was HB 1965, which would ban texting while driving. April 8, the Senate approved an amended version to make it a primary offense (grounds for being pulled over) rather than a secondary offense, as in the original bill. Due to the amendment, the legislation went back to the House for approval before going on to Gov. Mary Fallin, who has indicated she supports such a ban.