Snow Day
As I write this, we're getting our first good snow of the year here in Elk City, Oklahoma. There's already an inch or so of snow on the ground, and it's still snowing. It's a wet snow, too. I bet there's some good snowman potential out there. Ha!
As much snow as we're getting, this is nowhere near the amount of snow I've seen growing up in northwestern Oklahoma. I remember a couple of snows measured in feet, not inches. It's been a while since I've seen that much snow. Down here in southwestern Oklahoma, we get a fair share of snow, but most of the time, it's ice. I'll take snow days over ice days anytime.
By the time I publish this newsletter, much of the snow could be gone. Monday's forecast is for highs near 50°F. You have to love Oklahoma weather sometimes.
I would love to hear your memories about a snow day you had here in Oklahoma. Please leave a comment.
Go Vote
If you're reading this before 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 13, 2024, you still have time to go vote. Fifty-seven counties have something on the ballot. Remember, every election matters.
The next time Oklahoma heads to the polls will be Tuesday, March 5, 2024, for the Presidential Preferential Primary. If you can't vote in person on March 5th, the deadline to get an absentee ballot is Monday, February 19, 2024. Visit the Oklahoma Elections Board for more information.
Please, go vote.
Bluesky
Bluesky has finally opened to the public. You no longer need an invite to join. Bluesky works a lot like a lighter and older version of Twitter. One of Bluesky's selling points, besides it not being Twitter(X), is that it's decentralized. However, don't expect federation with other services like Mastodon or Threads. Bluesky is using its own protocol, which is not compatible with ActivityPub.
And since they're now open, I've started cross-posting there (@blogoklahoma.bsky.social). On a trial basis, at least. So, for now, you'll find the latest Oklahoma news headlines posted most mornings on Mastodon, Threads, Lemmy, and now Bluesky.
As for my opinion of the service, I can't say I'm a big fan. I don't dislike it, but its functionality feels like a step backward for this kind of platform. However, I am optimistic for Bluesky and hope they will continue to grow and improve thier service.
What's your opinion on Bluesky?
In The News
A look at some of the latest headlines from around Oklahoma and beyond.
We fact-checked Gov. Stitt's 2024 State of the State address | The Frontier
Swadley's Bar-B-Q owner, two others indicted on criminal fraud, conspiracy charges | KGOU
The Oklahoman defamation verdict rocks newspaper industry | The Journal Record
State Superintendent responds to PETA's push for vegan commandments with a burger | KOKH
Parole Board Approves Revised Commutation Eligibility Requirements | Oklahoma Watch
Ignoring Indigenous rights is making the green transition more expensive | Oklahoma Voice
Oklahoma's Department of Corrections halts Signal app use following FOX 25 investigation | KOKH
Comanche Nation Vice-Chairman and committee woman beat recall vote | KSWO
Emergency Order shuts down operations on Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad | KOKH
Mojo Nixon, 'Elvis Is Everywhere' Singer, Dies on Country Music Cruise | Variety
Country singer Toby Keith dies at 62 after battle with stomach cancer | KOKH
Former Mayor of The Village Cathy Cummings dies of cancer at 62 | KFOR
About Oklahoma: Custer County
Welcome to Custer County.
Located in western Oklahoma, Custer County was originally formed as County G in 1891 from Cheyenne land. The count was open to settlement as part of the third land run on April 19, 1892. After an election in 1896, the county was renamed Custer after General George Armstrong Custer.
Arapaho, Oklahoma, in the center of the county on U.S. Highway 183, is the county seat. Weatherford, Oklahoma, in the southeastern part of the county, at the intersection of Interstate 40, State Highway 34, and Historic Route 66 is the county's largest city by population. Weatherford is also home to Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU).
Other notable communities include Thomas and Custer City in the northeastern, Clinton in the southern, and Butler in the western parts of the county.
The county is also home to Foss State Park and Reservoir, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, and the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford.
Established: 1891
County Seat: Arapaho, Oklahoma 73620
Nation: Cheyenne - Arapaho
Map: Google Maps
Area: 987 mi2 (2,556 km2)
Population: 28,513 (2020 Census)
Time Zone: UTC−6 (Central), DST observed
Area Code: 580
Congressional District: 3
State House District: 57
State Senate District: 26
Weather: NWS Norman
Tourism Region: Great Plains Country
History: Oklahoma Historical Society
Historic Places: Exploring Oklahoma History
More Information: Wikipedia
Extras
Here are some more things I hope you'll find interesting.
Why It Was Almost Impossible to Make the Blue LED | Veritasium
Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tennille | The Midnight Special
Mojo Nixon - Elvis is Everywhere
Toby Keith - Beer For My Horses (Official Music Video) ft. Willie Nelson
Forever Grateful For Toby Keith - Stephen Colbert Bids Farewell To A Country Music Legend
Feedback Welcome
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave a comment on Substrack, email me at blogoklahoma@blogoklahoma.net, or connect with me at Mastodon at @blogoklahoma@social.tulsa.ok.us or Threads at @blogoklahoma@threads.net.
Have a great week.
– K.