🌱 One Dead In Aloha Backyard Shooting + OKC Zoo Gets New Fishing Cat

Hello, friends! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Oklahoma City Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

A heavy t-storm in the a.m. High: 78 Low: 63.

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Here are the top three stories today in Oklahoma City:

1. A series of free Medicare assistance programs is coming to Oklahoma City this summer. The Medicare 101 series will take place from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the Oklahoma Insurance Department's conference room on Jun. 19, Jul. 17, Aug. 21, and Sep. 18. Participants will learn how to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage and be able to have their questions answered by trained counselors. (KFOR Oklahoma City)
2. One man is dead following an argument at Aloha Backyard early Monday morning. Officers responded to a shooting at the venue around 3:30 a.m., where they discovered 31-year-old Justin Smith deceased from gunshot wounds. Johnathon Thomas, 21, was arrested at the scene and has been booked on a first-degree murder charge. (City-sentinel)
3. A new fishing cat has joined the Cat Forest exhibit at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. Marley, the 8-year-old female, was relocated to the zoo just four months after the fishing cat family's 14-year-old patriarch was humanely euthanized. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recently recommended Marley's relocation to the OKC Zoo. (KFOR Oklahoma City)

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Today in Oklahoma City:

Tuesday, June 13

• Oklahoma Mustang Club Cruise In At Bricktown Brewery (6:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• On Sunday, the Oklahoma City Dodgers tied a Bricktown-era record for runs with a 24-5 win against El Paso. Click to view the full game recap. (Oklahoma City Dodgers via Facebook)
• The 2023 Oklahoma City University Piano Camp begins tomorrow, Jun. 14. Students in grades eight through 12 are invited to take their piano skills to the next level in this three-day camp. Click here to register. (Oklahoma City University via Facebook)
• The Sonic Summer Outdoor Movie Nights are back for the 10th year in a row. Stop by the Myriad Botanical Gardens tomorrow, Jun. 14, around 7:00 p.m. to enjoy pre-movie family activities before a free screening of Matilda at sundown. (Oklahoma City Mom via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.