🌱 Bill Targets Unmarked Police Cars + BurnCo BBQ Benefit Show

Hello again, Tulsa! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Tulsa 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 Tulsa Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Tulsa 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: 51 Low: 29.

Here are the top 3 stories in Tulsa today:

1. Senator Cody Rogers has filed a new bill that attempts to stop police from using unmarked police cars in traffic stops. Rogers said in a press release that he believes the unmarked vehicles "are being used for revenue generation" instead of public safety. Tulsa FOP President Jeff Downs has pushed back against the suggestion, saying that the bill would have "no benefit to the citizens of Tulsa." (KTUL)
2. A crash that occurred on Interstate 244 near Tulsa was caused by an impaired driver, according to a report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Officials say 58-year-old Donald Thornhill was driving under the influence late Wednesday evening when he struck the back of another car and sent both vehicles off the road. Thornhill was not injured in the incident, though the driver of the other car was transported to Saint Francis Tulsa with multiple injuries. (KOKI FOX 23)
3. The Tulsa community is rallying to help a local barbecue restaurant rebuild after it was destroyed in a fire on Wednesday night. Nobody was injured in the fire, which occurred at BurnCo Barbecue on 18th Street and Boston Avenue. A fundraising benefit show will be held at the Mercury Lounge this Sunday, Feb. 20, to help the restaurant rebuild and replace lost wages. (KRMG)

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Today in Tulsa:

• Ballet Magnificat! At Destiny Church (7:00 PM)
• Anne Of Green Gables At Broken Arrow Community Playhouse (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Winter’s finest will be available at this weekend’s Tulsa Farmers’ Market! Come shop the OKGrown goodness and support Oklahoma producers. (Instagram)
• Did you know you can rent the Pavilions at the Tulsa Botanic Garden for proposals, small events, or even a micro wedding with up to 12 guests? Reservation forms are available online. (Facebook)
• The Discovery Lab is hiring! Are you great with people? Love science and all things fun? Apply for the Weekend Guest Services Assistant position today. (Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Add your event

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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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.