🌱 New Ordinance Protects Pets From Cold + 1 Shot In Norman

Hello again, Oklahoma City! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Oklahoma City Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Oklahoma City Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Oklahoma City long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and warmer. High: 52 Low: 31.

Here are the top 3 stories in Oklahoma City today:

1. Oklahoma City city councilors recently passed an emergency ordinance to prohibit pet owners from leaving their dogs outside in the cold. Dog owners must now bring their pets inside within 30 minutes after temperatures drop below freezing or face up to $500 in fines. Jon Gary, OKC Animal Welfare Superintendent, said many of the city's animal cruelty cases involve "animals left out in the cold without shelter, food or water." (KFOR Oklahoma City)
2. An Oklahoma City restaurant has received the state's first-ever James Beard Foundation award. Victoria Kent, one of the co-owners of Florence's Restaurant, called the recognition "the equivalent of receiving an Oscar" in the food industry. Florence's has been serving soul food to the Oklahoma City region for 70 years. (KOKH FOX25)
3. One person is injured and another is in custody following a reported shooting in Norman late Thursday morning. According to authorities, the male victim was shot in the chest at a mobile home near Southeast 149th Street and South Anderson Road. The man was transported to a nearby hospital and a female suspect was taken into custody in connection to the incident. (news9.com KWTV)

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Today in Oklahoma City:

• Gaither Vocal Band At Crossings Community Church (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• "Made in the U.S.A." opening night is tonight! Don't have your tickets yet? Check out the Oklahoma City Ballet website for tickets. (Facebook)
• Are you interested in serving on this year's ONE OKC planning committee? Apply today to help envision the ethical revitalization of Northeast Oklahoma City by serving alongside other trailblazers who are making history in OKC. (Facebook)
• Join Myriad Botanical Gardens for Black History Poetry Night featuring the Society of Urban Poets (S.O.U.P.) in the Crystal Bridge Lobby today, Feb. 18, from 5:30-7 p.m. This is a free event and no reservations are required. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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.