🌱 Car Part Thieves Caught + Zoo Rewards Healthcare Heroes

Get on up, Oklahoma City! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right. Here's everything worth knowing around town today.

First, today's weather:

Mild with plenty of sunshine. High: 68 Low: 33.

Here are the top 3 stories in Oklahoma City today:

1. Oklahoma City police officers have arrested three suspects after finding a trunk full of stolen catalytic converters in a metro parking lot. A total of 12 catalytic converters was discovered inside the trunk, alongside a saw that had been used to remove the car parts from their vehicles. A spokesperson for the police department says that catalytic converters are a target of thieves nationwide, who exchange the valuable car parts with metal recyclers for money. (KOCO Oklahoma City)
2. The Oklahoma City Zoo is offering free admission to all health care workers and emergency first responders. As part of the promotion for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Responders Appreciation Month, the Zoo will also offer a 50% general admission discount to up to four immediate family members of qualifying guests. No advanced registration is required to take part in the promotion. (Norman Transcript)
3. A new mixed-use retail development is slated to open in northwest Oklahoma City next year. The Rose Creek Plaza will include a new grocery store, town center, restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and more. Construction will begin on the development this summer, with plans to open to the public in 2023. (KFOR Oklahoma City)

Today in Oklahoma City:

• Stillwater Blue Thumb Training At Oklahoma State University (8:30 AM)
• Building Your Own First Aid Kit At Blue Haven Firearms (10:00 AM)
• Herb-Infused Honey At Myriad Botanical Gardens (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The newest bomb teams at the Oklahoma City Police Department recently headed south across the Red River to complete National Odor Recognition Testing for K9 explosive detection. The training took place at the AT&T/Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, TX. (Facebook)
• Interstate 35 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction about two miles south of Highway 53 East beginning Monday and continuing through February for the first phase of preventative maintenance work at the bridges over East 189 Road and Richland Road. (Facebook)
• "Oklahoma!" star and Oklahoma City University alumna Sasha Hutchings stopped by the Ann Lacy School of Dance on Thursday to share some wisdom with current students. Catch Sasha and the rest of the cast in "Oklahoma!" at Civic Center Music Hall until Jan. 30. (Facebook)

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

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing assistant at Lightning Media Partners. She is a self-professed logophile who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in library science. Outside of work, you can find Helen constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.