🌱Detention Officer Arrested For Contraband + Strip Mall Fire

Hey, people of Oklahoma City! It's me again, Helen Eckhard, your host of the Oklahoma City Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and mild. High: 67 Low: 45.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Oklahoma City:

1. A detention officer was arrested Tuesday for bringing contraband into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. During a standard protocol employee search, authorities discovered that officer Reagan Widener was carrying an unauthorized cell phone. Widener confessed that she had previously received $2,000 from an inmate to bring in tobacco and deliver packages of unknown drugs. Widener was terminated from her position and faces multiple charges including distribution of controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute. (KFOR Oklahoma City)
2. Fire crews responded to a three-alarm fire at a strip mall in northwest Oklahoma City on Tuesday night. The strip mall on 10th Street was mostly vacant but did contain two operating businesses, both of which were closed at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, which caused an estimated $202,000 in damage. (KOCO Oklahoma City)
3. A Meals On Wheels program is keeping seniors in Oklahoma County fed. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church announced that they deliver more than 600 meals every day to residents who would not otherwise have access to them. Throughout the year, St. Luke’s and 50 other area churches have served and delivered more than 5.5 million hot meals.(KOCO Oklahoma City)

From our sponsor:

Hey Oklahoma City, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Oklahoma City:

• Center Sphere Networking Meeting At Moore Chamber of Commerce (9:00 AM)
• Yukon Networking Luncheon At Interurban Restaurant (12:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Oklahoma City Fire Department rescued a French bulldog after the dog accidentally locked himself inside a car. (Facebook)
• The Oklahoma City Dodgers Front Office Staff and the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation partnered to help donate 100 children's bikes and helmets to the Latino Community Development Agency and families in need. (Facebook)
• Oklahoma City Public Schools students can participate in the district's Winter Break Reading Challenge to win exciting prizes when school resumes. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Cortes Law Firm — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31)
• Add your event

Loving the Oklahoma City Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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.