🌱Celebrate Juneteenth This Weekend+Porch Pirate Steals Child Medicine

Hey, neighbors. It's Thursday in Tulsa and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town. Today you'll read about...

• Celebrate Juneteenth!
• Women shot used cell phone to alert family member of her location.
• Porch pirate leaves child without medicine.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 90 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories today in Tulsa:

1. The annual Tulsa Juneteenth Festival will begin today and last through the end of the weekend on the historical, Greenwood Avenue. The weekend festivities include a block party, art exhibitions, wellness activities, vendors and more. For a full schedule of activities click here. (Tulsa Juneteenth.org)
2. Using her cell phone to send her location to a family member, a woman who was shot at an apartment complex near East 81st Street & South Sheridan Road at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday night was able to be found by the police. According to News On 6, "Police say the woman who was shot does not live in the area and suffered a wound to her left shoulder. Police have not provided updates on the victim's condition, but say she was able to drive herself to the hospital. According to police, a friend of the victim called 911." (News On 6)
3. A child in Tulsa had to go with the medicine they needed because the package containing the medicine was stolen from the front porch of the child's home. Allison Martin was caught on camera and later identified by the Tulsa Police Department. According to KOKI Fox 23 Tulsa, "After Martin was arrested, she admitted to the crime [and] to throwing the packages in a dumpster after finding nothing useful to her. TPD tried to get the packages back for the victim, but they were gone. TPD said the family was very grateful Martin was arrested, but they are still trying to get their insurance company to resend the medicine." (KOKI FOX 23 TULSA)

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Today in Tulsa:

Thursday, June 15

• The Y Saves Lives Blood Drive — Bixby Chamber of Commerce (9:00 AM)
• "Becoming Bob Dylan: Photographs by Ted Russell 1961 - 1964" at Bob Dylan Center (10:00 AM)
• Happy Hour, 2-6pm! $2 off glass of wine / $4 off bottle of wine! $3.50 mules AND 1/2 price apps with any bar purchase! at The Chowhouse (2:00 PM)
• 2023 June After Hours — Bixby Chamber of Commerce (4:30 PM)
• Bridges "Back Roads Bash" — Bixby Chamber of Commerce (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tulsa Zoo: "Our 37-year-old hyacinth macaw, Baby, is doing well after successful cataract removal surgery this week, thanks to zoo veterinary staff and Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists Veterinary Ophthalmologist Jonathan Pucket, DVM DACVO." (Tulsa Zoo via Facebook)
• The University of Tulsa: "The numbers are in, and the success is undeniable. 97 percent of The University of Tulsa Class of 2022 reports being employed or in a graduate program This is a record high for TU and crushes the national college placement average of 84 percent." (The University of Tulsa via Instagram)
• Tulsa Fire Department: "Every year we celebrate the selection of the first American flag in 1776. During his presidency, President Woodrow Wilson signed off establishing June 14 as Flag Day." (Tulsa Fire Department via Facebook)
• Tulsa Farmers’ Market: "Vendor Spotlight. Oklahoma Mushroom Company. Meet the folks behind the fungus, Joel Myers & Don Colpitt! Oklahoma Mushroom Company officially formed in 2020, but Joel’s fascination with mushroom cultivation started over a decade ago." (Tulsa Farmers’ Market via Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tulsa Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com