🌱 Oklahoma Heart Gallery + Pet Adoption Event + Natural Gas Odor

Happy Saturday, Oklahoma City! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening locally today.

First, today's weather:

Pleasant with plenty of sun. High: 69 Low: 47.

Here are the top stories in Oklahoma City today:

1. KFOR is investigating after Oklahoma Department of Human Services abruptly ended their relationship with a non-profit providing free service to place children. Founder Gay Larsen and the members of the board of directors for the Oklahoma Heart Gallery received a letter from DHS earlier this year, notifying them the DHS would “not be renewing” the relationship, but it did not provide much more explanation. According to the letter, Director Deborah Shropshire wrote, "Our work with the Oklahoma Heart Gallery just doesn’t align as well now as it did in the past, and for that reason I want to notify you that we will not be renewing the Memorandum of Understanding between Oklahoma Human Services and the Oklahoma Heart Gallery." (KFOR Oklahoma City)
2. The Oklahoma City Fire Department was called to a southwest OKC strip mall where a strong scent of natural gas was detected on Friday morning. Fire crews said they believe damage to the roof may have caused the odor. Authorities evacuated the strip mall located near the intersection of Southwest 59th St. and May Ave. and instructed people to avoid the area, before properly ventilating the structure. (news9.com KWTV)
3. A pair of porch pirates reportedly struck again in Oklahoma City, as a third victim came forward to police on Thursday saying they believed these same individuals stole their stuff. Oklahoma City Police Department officers are looking for the pair, who have now victimized at least three homes in the last three weeks. Police ask that anyone with information on these porch pirates give them a call. (KFOR Oklahoma City)
4. The Mathis Brothers are partnering with FOX 25 to host a pet adoption event on Saturday at the Mathis Brothers’ clearance center. (KOKH FOX25)
5. Police have confirmed a teenage suspect has returned to threaten students and staff at Cesar Chavez Elementary School near Southeast Grand Blvd. and Shields Blvd. three separate times. (news9.com KWTV)

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Today in Oklahoma City:

• Folklife Festival - Oklahoma Historical Society (9:00 AM)
• Free Mini Photo Sessions in Oklahoma City! - 3701 S Lake Hefner Dr. (9:00 AM)
• Fall festival Presented by Red Earth - Myriad Botanical Gardens (10:00 AM)
• International Archaeology Day celebration - Oklahoma Historical Society (11:00 AM)
• History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip - Oklahoma Historical Society (11:00 AM)
• Creativity Blooms: Botanical Embroidery – Pumpkins - Myriad Botanical Gardens (1:00 PM)
• Family Day at the Museum - Oklahoma Historical Society (1:00 PM)
• 5th Annual Trunk or Treat Event - Palomar: Oklahoma City's Family Justice Center (2:00 PM)
• "Let's Talk About It" Book Discussion Series - Oklahoma Historical Society (6:00 PM)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! I'll see you around. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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.