{"data": [{"title": "Pacific gopher snake", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific gopher snake (\"Pituophis catenifer catenifer\") is a subspecies of large nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the western coast of the United States. Pacific gopher snake adults range in size from 2.5\u20137 feet (76\u2013213\u00a0cm) in total length. However, most of the subspecies reach a length of 4.5\u20135 feet (137\u2013152\u00a0cm). The hatchlings are relatively long, and they have been recorded at lengths upward of 20 inches (51\u00a0cm). The Pacific gopher snake has a base color ranging from yellow to dark brown and has a gray coloring on the sides of the body. It is a spotted snake, with the spots being dark brown. Usually there are 41 to 99 spots on the body, while the tail spots range from 14 to 33. The side of the body has 2 or 3 rows of alternating black and brown spots."}, {"context": " A snake with keeled scales, and a narrow head that is wider than the neck, the Pacific gopher snake also displays a protruding rostral scale on the tip of the snout. The two most common base colors are straw and straw gray, though the species' color varies widely. The dorsal blotches, or saddles, are well-defined and generally dark to chocolate brown, though some specimens have had black blotches. The side blotches are often brown or gray. The back of the neck is dark brown. In many areas, such as Solano County, California, the snake can be found in a striped morph."}, {"context": " The ventral side may be cream-colored to yellowish with dark spots. On the dorsal side, especially near the tail, there is often a reddish coloration. As aforementioned, there are 2 to 3 rows of spots on the side of the Pacific gopher snake. However, the San Diego gopher snake (\"P. c. annectens\") has 3 to 4 rows of smaller spots on its side. The Pacific gopher snake's saddle spots do not have the barren characteristic as those of the San Diego gopher snakes do. Also, the spots in the second row of spots are much larger on \"P.c. catenifer\" as compared to \"P.c. annectens\". Finally, the Pacific gopher snake generally has more saddle spots than the San Diego gopher snake."}, {"context": " The snake is diurnal, though sometimes active at dusk and nocturnal during warm weather. They prefer drier habitats such as meadows, fields and agricultural farmland, and are seldom found in dense forests. Like other gopher snakes, the Pacific gopher snake can produce a loud hiss when agitated or fearful. When threatened, this species will inflate its body, flatten its head, and vigorously shake its tail, which may produce a rattling sound if done in dry vegetation. However, gopher snakes are nonvenomous, generally good natured, and not harmful to humans."}, {"context": " The Pacific gopher snake is carnivorous. Their diet consists of small mammals, notably pocket gophers; birds and their eggs; the occasional lizard and insect, and even bats. The Pacific gopher snake is observed to live twelve to fifteen years in the wild. The oldest known individual lived over thirty-three years in captivity. They are an oviparous species in which eggs are laid from June to August and hatch in 2 to 2.5 months. In captive breeding, the snake goes through a winter brumation period to improve breeding success. The clutches average 12-14 eggs and hatch in the same time period as in the wild.  The Pacific gopher snake ranges up and down the West Coast of the United States, its range ending in the southern coast of California. Gopher snakes are rarely seen above 2000 feet and are most commonly seen adjacent to farms in semi-arid brushy areas. The Pacific gopher snake can also be found in southern British Columbia and Alberta, and in Mexico."}]}, {"title": "Pacific gull", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific gull (\"Larus pacificus\") is a very large gull, native to the coasts of Australia. It is moderately common between Carnarvon in the west, and Sydney in the east, although it has become scarce in some parts of the south-east, as a result of competition from the kelp gull, which has \"self-introduced\" since the 1940s. Much larger than the ubiquitous silver gull, and nowhere near as common, Pacific gulls are usually seen alone or in pairs, loafing around the shoreline, steadily patrolling high above the edge of the water, or (sometimes) zooming high on the breeze to drop a shellfish or sea urchin onto rocks."}, {"context": " The Pacific gull was first described by English ornithologist John Latham in 1801 from a Thomas Watling drawing, where the local name had been recorded as \"Troo-gad-dill\". Its specific epithet refers to the Pacific Ocean. Two subspecies are recognised: the nominate race \"L. p. pacificus\" from the south-east coast and Tasmania, and \"L. p. georgii\" from South Australia and Western Australia. Pacific gulls are the only large gulls in their range, besides the occasional kelp gull. This species can range in length from and span across the wings. They typically weigh from . This species is mostly white, with dark wings and back, and a very thick (when compared to other gull species), powerful, red-tipped yellow bill. They have salt glands that secrete salty water through the nostrils. Young birds are mottled-brown all over, and attain their adult plumage only gradually; by its fourth year, a young Pacific gull has usually become difficult to tell apart from an adult bird.  Of the two subspecies, the nominate eastern race prefers sheltered beaches, and the western race \"L. p. georgii\" is commonly found even on exposed shores. Both subspecies nest in pairs or loose colonies on offshore islands, making a cup of grasses and sticks in an exposed position, and laying two or three mottled brown eggs."}]}, {"title": "Pacific hagfish", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific hagfish (\"Eptatretus stoutii\") is a species of hagfish. It lives in the mesopelagic to abyssal Pacific ocean, near the ocean floor. It is a jawless fish and has a body plan that resembles early paleozoic fish. They are able to excrete prodigious amounts of slime in self-defense. The Pacific hagfish has a long, eel-like body, but is not closely related to eels. Maximum body lengths of have been reported; typical length at maturity is around . It is dark brown, gray or brownish red, often tinted with blue or purple. The belly is lighter and sometimes has larger white patches. It has no true fins, but there is a dorsal fin-fold. The head, as in all agnathans, does not have jaws, and the sucker-like mouth is always open."}, {"context": " Hagfish have loosely fitting, slimy skins, and are notorious for their slime-production capability. When disturbed, they ooze proteins from slime glands in the skin that respond to water by becoming a slimy outer coating, expanding into a huge mass of slime. This makes the fish very unsavory to predators, and can even be used to clog the gills of predatory fish. Pacific hagfish can create large amounts of slime in just minutes. The slime is notoriously difficult to remove from fishing gear and equipment, and has led to Pacific fishermen bestowing the nickname of 'slime eel' on the species."}, {"context": " Hagfish also possess the unique ability to tie knots into their bodies. This adaptation becomes useful when the fish needs to remove the suffocating nature of its own slime by pulling itself through a knot. The knots also provide aid in the process of ripping apart meat. The Pacific hagfish occurs in the Eastern North Pacific from Canada to Mexico. It inhabits fine silt and clay bottoms on the continental shelves and upper slopes at depths from . The species appears to be abundant within its range."}, {"context": " While Pacific hagfish likely take polychaete worms and other invertebrates from the sea floor, they are also known to enter dead, dying or inhibited large fish through the mouth or the anus, and feed on their viscera. The Pacific hagfish's skin can absorb nutrients, which has been demonstrated in the laboratory by showing the passage of amino acids through hagfish skin. The diet of other hagfish species includes shrimps, hermit crabs, cephalopods, brittlestars, bony fishes, sharks, birds and whale flesh, but specific information about the Pacific hagfish is lacking."}, {"context": " Hagfish fertilise their eggs externally after the female has laid them. On average females lay about 28 eggs, about in diameter, which are carried around after they have been fertilised. Females will however try to stay in their burrows during this period to ensure the protection of their eggs. There is a well-developed hagfish fishery on the US West Coast that mostly supplies the Asian leather-market. Hagfish-skin clothing, belts, or other accessories are advertised and sold as \"yuppie leather\" or \"eel-skin\"."}]}, {"title": "Pacific halibut", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Hippoglossus stenolepis, the Pacific halibut, is a species of righteye flounder. This very large species of flatfish is native to the North Pacific and is fished by commercial fisheries, sport fishers, and subsistence fishers. The Pacific halibut is found on the continental shelf of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. Fishing for the Pacific halibut is mostly concentrated in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea, off the west coast of Canada. Small halibut catches are reported in coastal Washington, Oregon, and California. Pacific halibut is broken up into 10 regularity management areas."}, {"context": " Halibut are demersal, living on or near the bottom of the water and prefer water temperatures ranging from . Pacific halibut belong to the family Pleuronectidae. They are among the largest teleost fishes in the world. From November to March, mature halibut concentrate annually on spawning grounds along the edge of the continental shelf at depths from . Halibut are strong swimmers and are able to migrate long distances. Halibut of all ages and sizes are involved in a predominantly clockwise (northwest to southeast) migration from their settlement areas (western part of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea), reproductive fish also make regular seasonal migrations from more shallow feeding grounds in summer to deeper spawning grounds in winter."}, {"context": " Pacific halibut have diamond-shaped bodies. They are more elongated than most flatfishes, the width being about one-third of the length. It has a high arch in the lateral line over the pectoral fin, and a lunate, or crescent-shaped tail, which is different from other flat fishes. Small scales are embedded in the skin. Halibut have both eyes on their dark upper side. The color on the dark side varies, but tends to assume the coloration of the ocean bottom. The underside is lighter, appearing more like the sky from below. This color adaptation allows halibut to avoid detection by both prey and predator. They are one of the largest flatfish (only surpassed by the closely related Atlantic halibut), and can weigh up to and grow to over long."}, {"context": " Being strong swimmers, halibut are able to eat a large variety of fishes, including cod, turbot, and pollock, and some invertebrates, such as octopus, crab and shrimp. Sometimes, halibut leave the ocean bottom to feed on pelagic fish, such as salmon, sand lance, and herring, and even seal remains have been found in their stomach. Spawning takes place during the winter months, with the peak of activity occurring from December through February. Most spawning takes place off the edge of the continental shelf in deep waters of . Male halibut become sexually mature at seven to eight years of age, while females attain sexual maturity at eight to 12 years. Females lay 0.5 to 4.0 million eggs annually, depending on the size of the fish."}, {"context": " Fertilized eggs hatch after about 15 days. Free-floating larvae float for up to six months and can be transported several hundred miles counter-clockwise by North Pacific currents. During the free-floating stage, many changes take place in the young halibut, including the movement of the left eye to the right side of the fish. During this time, the young halibut rise to the surface and are carried to shallower water by prevailing currents. At six months, the halibut has its adult form and is about long. In the shallower water, young halibut then begin life as bottom dwellers. Most young halibut ultimately spend from five to seven years in rich, shallow nursery grounds such as the Bering Sea."}, {"context": " Young halibut are highly migratory and generally migrate in a clockwise direction east and south throughout the Gulf of Alaska. Halibut in older age classes tend to be less migratory, but continue to move predominately on a clockwise direction. Mature fish are also involved in winter spawning migrations towards deeper waters, migrating across several areas in some instances. Research has indicated small, localized spawning populations may occur in deep waters such as in Chatham Straight in northern Southeast Alaska. However, because of the free-floating nature of larvae and subsequent mixing of juvenile halibut from throughout the Gulf of Alaska, only one genetic stock of halibut is known in the northern Pacific."}, {"context": " Halibut growth rates vary depending on locations and habitat conditions, but females grow faster than males. The oldest recorded female and male were 55 years old. The largest recorded sport-caught halibut was near Unalaska, AK, in 1996. As Pacific halibut grow longer, they increase in weight, but the relationship between length and weight is not linear. The relationship between total length (L, in inches) and total weight (W, in pounds) for nearly all species of fish can be expressed by an equation of the form:"}, {"context": " formula_1 Invariably, b is close to 3.0 for all species, and c is a constant that varies among species. A weight-length relationship based on a least-squares fit to data published in 2003 by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IHPC) suggests, for Pacific halibut, c = 0.00018872 and b = 3.24. This relationship predicts a Pacific halibut will weigh about , a halibut will weigh about , and a halibut will weigh about . Commercial halibut fishing probably began in 1888 when three sailing ships from New England fished off the coast of Washington. As the industry grew, company-owned steamers carrying several smaller dories, from which the fishing was actually conducted, dominated the halibut industry. Subsequently, smaller boats of schooner design from were used by fishermen. These boats carried crews of five to eight and were specifically designed for halibut fishing. Today, many types of boats are used in the halibut industry. Most of the old-style halibut schooners have been replaced by more versatile craft that may also be used in commercial salmon seine, troll, gill net, and crab fisheries."}, {"context": " Halibut gear consists of units of leaded ground line in lengths of referred to as \u201cskates\u201d. Each skate has about 100 hooks attached to it. \u201cGangens\u201d, or the lines to which the hooks are attached, are either tied to or snapped onto the ground line. A \u201cset\u201d consists of one or more baited skates tied together and laid on the ocean bottom with anchors at each end. Each end has a float line with a buoy attached. Hooks are typically baited with frozen herring, octopus, or other fresh fish. Depending on the fishing ground, depth, time of year, and bait used, a set is pulled two to 20 hours after being fished. Longlines are normally pulled off the ocean floor by a hydraulic puller of some type. The halibut are cleaned soon after being boated and are kept on ice to retain freshness."}, {"context": " Homer, Alaska, claims the title of \"Halibut Capital of the World\" because of the large volume of both sport and commercial halibut fishing in the area. In 2018 the International Pacific Halibut Commission set the catch limit at 2,823.18 tonnes, of which 2,402.25 tonnes was for commercial fisheries and 420.93 tonnes for recreational fisheries. Sport fishing for halibut in Alaska is a very popular activity; it is a strong fighter and one of the world\u2019s largest bony fish with an impressive yield of firm, white flesh. Over 65% of the effort and harvest occurs in Cook Inlet, southeast Alaska, the Kodiak area, and near the mouth of Deep Creek in the Lower Cook Inlet."}, {"context": " Halibut taken by anglers are generally in weight; but fish over are regularly caught. The current Alaska state record for a sport-caught halibut is , and a fish must weigh at least to qualify for the state\u2019s trophy fish program. Anglers use stout saltwater gear to harvest halibut. Most anglers prefer to fish with bait, especially herring, but also squid, octopus, cod pieces, or other small bottom fish. To get the bait down to the halibut, it is usually fished on a wire spreader or a sliding-sinker rig with sinker size to , depending on such factors as depth and current."}, {"context": " Halibut, along with salmon, provide sustenance for several Pacific Coast native groups. Many of these groups smoke and dry the halibut for winter use. Sportsmen\u2019s effort and interest in catching these fish is increasing each year. In southeast Alaska, halibut are second only to king salmon in sport angler preference. Fishing for Pacific halibut is regulated by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. Members from the United States and Canada meet yearly to review research, check the progress of the commercial fishery, and make regulations for the next fishing season. The management of halibut fishing by this commission is intended to allow a sustainable yield."}]}, {"title": "Pacific herring", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific herring, \"Clupea pallasii\", is a species of the herring family associated with the Pacific Ocean environment of North America and northeast Asia. It is a silvery fish with unspined fins and a deeply forked caudal fin. The distribution is widely along the California coast from Baja California north to Alaska and the Bering Sea; in Asia the distribution is south to Japan. \"Clupea pallasii\" is considered a keystone species because of its very high productivity and interactions with a large number of predators and prey. Pacific herring spawn in variable seasons, but often in the early part of the year in intertidal and sub-tidal environments, commonly on eelgrass, seaweed or other submerged vegetation; however, they do not die after spawning, but can breed in successive years. According to government sources, the Pacific herring fishery collapsed in the year 1993, and is slowly recovering to commercial viability in several North American stock areas. The species is named for Peter Simon Pallas, a noted German naturalist and explorer."}, {"context": " There are disjunct populations of \"Clupea pallasii\" in North-East Europe, which are often attributed to separate subspecies \"Clupea pallasii marisalbi\" (White Sea herring) and \"Clupea pallasii suworowi\" (Chosha herring). Pacific herring have a bluish-green back and silver-white sides and bellies; they are otherwise unmarked. The silvery color derives from guanine crystals embedded in their laterals, leading to an effective camouflage phenomenon. There is a single dorsal fin located mid-body and a deeply forked tail-fin. Their bodies are compressed laterally, and ventral scales protrude in a somewhat serrated fashion. Unlike other genus members, they have no scales on heads or gills; moreover, their scales are large and easy to extract. This species of fish may attain a length of 45 centimeters in exceptional cases and weigh up to 550 grams, but a typical adult size is closer to 33 centimeters. The fish interior is quite bony with oily flesh."}, {"context": " This species has no teeth on the jawline, but some are exhibited on the vomer. Pacific herring have an unusual retinal design that allows filter feeding in extremely dim lighting environments. This species is capable of rapid vertical motion, due to the existence of a complex nerve receptor system design that connects to the gas bladder. Pacific herring prefer spawning locations in sheltered bays and estuaries. Along the American Pacific Coast, some of the principal areas are San Francisco Bay, Richardson Bay, Tomales Bay and Humboldt Bay. Adult males and females make their way from the open ocean to bays and coves around November or December, although in the far north of the range, these dates may be somewhat later. Conditions that trigger spawning are not altogether clear, but after spending weeks congregating in the deeper channels, both males and females will begin to enter shallower inter-tidal or sub-tidal waters. Submerged vegetation, especially eelgrass, is a preferred substrate for oviposition. A single female may lay as many as 20,000 eggs in one spawn following ventral contact with submerged substrates. However, the juvenile survival rate is only about one resultant adult per ten thousand eggs, due to high predation by numerous other species."}, {"context": " The precise staging of spawning is not understood, although some researchers suggest the male initiates the process by release of milt, which has a pheromone that stimulates the female to begin oviposition. The behavior seems to be collective so that an entire school may spawn in the period of a few hours, producing an egg density of up to 6,000,000 eggs per square meter. The fertilized spherical eggs, measuring 1.2 to 1.5 millimeters in diameter, incubate for approximately ten days in estuarine waters that are about 10 degrees Celsius. Eggs and juveniles are subject to heavy predation."}, {"context": " Historically the Pacific herring has been an important species, due to its productive abilities to generate significant species biomass. Biomass estimates have been performed by scuba divers from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game since 1975 but the estimates remain highly variable. Herring has long been fished by First Nations on the Central Coast of British Columbia, and elsewhere. In 1997 the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its decision in the Gladstone decision (R. v. Gladstone)- recognizing a pre-existing aboriginal right to herring that includes a commercial component to the Heiltsuk Nation."}, {"context": " Due to overfishing, the total North American Pacific herring fishery collapsed in 1993, and is slowly recovering with active management by North American resource managers. In various sub-areas the Pacific herring fishery collapsed at slightly differing times; for example, the Pacific herring fishery in Richardson Bay collapsed in 1983. The species has been re-appearing in harvestable numbers in a number of North American fisheries including San Francisco Bay, Richardson Bay, Tomales Bay, Sitka Sound, Half Moon Bay and Humboldt Bay. In other areas, such as Auke Bay, which, in the late 1970s was the largest harvestable stock of herring in Alaska, the species remains severely depleted."}, {"context": " Pacific herring are currently harvested commercially for bait and for roe. Past commercial uses included fish oil and fish meal. On April 2, 2007, the Juneau group of the Sierra Club submitted a petition to list Pacific herring in the Lynn Canal, Alaska, area as a threatened or endangered distinct population segment under the criteria of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). On April 11, 2008, that petition was denied because the Lynn Canal population was not found to qualify as a distinct population segment. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service did announce would be initiating a status review for a wider Southeast Alaska distinct population segment of Pacific herring that includes the Lynn Canal population. The Southeast Alaska DPS of Pacific herring extends from Dixon Entrance northward to Cape Fairweather and Icy Point and includes all Pacific herring stocks in Southeast Alaska."}]}, {"title": "Pacific horned frog", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific horned frog (\"Ceratophrys stolzmanni\"), also known as Pacific big-mouthed frog, Stolzmann's horned frog and Ecuadorian horned frog, is a species of frog in the Ceratophryidae family. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and sandy shores. Its geographical range is very fragmented; it has a total area of about 20,000\u00a0km and is continuously shrinking due to human activities. Breeding is triggered by heavy rain fall and Pacific horned frogs reproduce explosively over the course of a single night. Typically, Pacific horned frogs lay underground during day and they are most active after sundown. Male frogs reproduce by approaching females both on land and shallow water and clasp on to the female . in a variation of axillary amplexus, in other word called \"neck amplexus\".<sup>2"}]}, {"title": "Pacific hurricane", "paragraphs": [{"context": " A Pacific hurricane is a mature tropical cyclone that develops within the eastern and central Pacific Ocean to the east of 180\u00b0W, north of the equator. For tropical cyclone warning purposes, the northern Pacific is divided into three regions: the eastern (North America to 140\u00b0W), central (140\u00b0W to 180\u00b0), and western (180\u00b0 to 100\u00b0E), while the southern Pacific is divided into 2 sections, the Australian region (90E to 160\u00b0E) and the southern Pacific basin between 160\u00b0E and 120\u00b0W. Identical phenomena in the western north Pacific are called typhoons. This separation between the two basins has a practical convenience, however, as tropical cyclones rarely form in the central north Pacific due to high vertical wind shear, and few cross the dateline."}, {"context": " Documentation of Pacific hurricanes dates to the Spanish colonization of Mexico, when the military and missions wrote about \"tempestades\". In 1730, such accounts indicated an understanding of the storms. After observing the rotating nature of tropical cyclones, meteorologist William Charles Redfield expanded his study to include storms in the eastern North Pacific Ocean in the middle of the 19th century. Between June and October 1850, Redfield observed five tropical cyclones along \"the southwestern coast of North America\", along with one in each of the three subsequent years. In 1895, Cleveland Abbe reported the presence of many storms between 5\u00b0 to 15\u00b0\u2013N in the eastern Pacific, although many such storms dissipated before affecting the Mexican coast. Two years later, the German Hydrography Office \"Deutsche Seewarte\" documented 45\u00a0storms from 1832 to 1892 off the west coast of Mexico."}, {"context": " Despite the documentation of storms in the region, the official position of the United States Weather Bureau denied the existence of such storms. In 1910, the agency reported on global tropical cyclones, noting that \"the occurrence of tropical storms is confined to the summer and autumn months of the respective hemispheres and to the western parts of the several oceans.\" In 1913, the Weather Bureau reinforced their position by excluding Pacific storms among five tropical cyclone basins; however, the agency acknowledged the existence of \"certain cyclones that have been traced for a relatively short distance along a northwest course... west of Central America.\""}, {"context": " After California became a state and the discovery of gold there in 1848, shipping traffic began increasing steadily in the eastern Pacific. Such activity increased further after the Panama Canal opened in 1914, and the shipping lanes moved closer to the coast. By around 1920, Pacific hurricanes were officially recognized due to widespread ship observations, radio service, and a newly created weather network in western Mexico. Within 60\u00a0years, further studies of the region's tropical activity indicated that the eastern Pacific is in fact the second most active basin in the world."}, {"context": " During the 1920s, a few documents in the Monthly Weather Review reported additional storms within off the Mexican coastline. The Eastern Pacific hurricane best track database was initially compiled on magnetic tape in 1976 for the seasons between 1949 and 1975, at the NHC to help with the development of two tropical cyclone forecast models, which required tracks of past cyclones as a base for its predictions. The database was based on records held by the United States Navy and were interpolated from 12 hourly intervals to 6 hourly intervals based on a scheme devised by Hiroshi Akima in 1970. Initially tracks for the Central Pacific region and tracks for tropical depressions that did not develop into tropical storms or hurricanes were not included within the database. After the database had been created Arthur Pike of the NHC made some internal adjustments, while in 1980 a review was made by Arnold Court under contract from the United States National Weather Service and resulted in additions and/or modifications to 81 tracks in the database. Between 1976\u20131987, the NHC archived best track data from the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center , and in 1982 started including information on Central Pacific tropical storms and hurricanes started to be included in the database based on data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and research done by Samuel Shaw of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in 1981."}, {"context": " The format of the database was completely revised by the NHC during 1984, so that the format could resemble the Atlantic database before they took over the warning responsibility from the EPHC for the Eastern Pacific during 1988. During 2008 and 2013 several revisions were made to the database to extend tracks in land, based on reports in the Mariners Weather Log and extrapolation of the tracks since the EPHC stopped issuing advisories on systems before they made landfall. The archives format was significantly changed during 2013 to include non-synoptic best track times, non-developing tropical depressions and wind radii. During February 2016, the NHC released the 1959 Mexico hurricane's reanalysis, which was the first system to be reassessed, using methods developed for the Atlantic reanalysis process."}, {"context": " The presence of a semi-permanent high-pressure area known as the North Pacific High in the eastern Pacific is a dominant factor against formation of tropical cyclones in the winter, as the Pacific High results in wind shear that causes environmental conditions for tropical cyclone formation to be not conducive. Its effects in the central Pacific basin are usually related to keeping cyclones away from the Hawaiian Islands. Due to westward trade winds, hurricanes in the Pacific rarely head eastward, unless recurved by a trough. A second factor preventing tropical cyclones from forming during the winter is the occupation of a semi-permanent low-pressure area designated the Aleutian Low between January and April. Its presence over western Canada and the northwestern United States contributes to the area's occurrences of precipitation in that duration. In addition, its effects in the central Pacific near 160\u00b0\u00a0W causes tropical waves that form in the area to drift northward into the Gulf of Alaska and dissipate. The retreat of this low allows the Pacific High to also retreat into the central Pacific, leaving a warm and moist environment in its wake. The Intertropical Convergence Zone comes northward into the East Pacific in mid-May permitting the formation of the earliest tropical waves, coinciding with the start of the eastern Pacific hurricane season on May\u00a015."}, {"context": " Hurricane season runs between May 15 and November 30 each year. These dates encompass the vast majority of tropical cyclone activity in this region. The Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for this basin is the United States' National Hurricane Center. Previous forecasters are the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Hurricane Warning Center. The RSMC monitors the eastern Pacific and issues reports, watches and warnings about tropical weather systems and cyclones as defined by the World Meteorological Organization."}, {"context": " This area is, on average, the second-most active basin in the world. There are an average of 16 tropical storms annually, with 9 becoming hurricanes, and 4 becoming major hurricanes. Tropical cyclones in this region frequently affect mainland Mexico and the Revillagigedo Islands. Less often, a system will affect the Continental United States or Central America. Northbound hurricanes typically reduce to tropical storms or dissipate before reaching the United States: there is only one recorded case of a Pacific system reaching California as a hurricane in almost 200\u00a0years of observations\u2014the 1858 San Diego Hurricane."}, {"context": " Most east Pacific hurricanes originate from a tropical wave that drifts westward across the intertropical convergence zone, and across northern parts of South America. Once it reaches the Pacific, a surface low begins to develop, however, with only little or no convection. After reaching the Pacific, it starts to move north-westward and eventually west. By that time, it develops convection and thunderstorm activity from the warm ocean temperatures but remains disorganized. Once the tropical wave becomes organized, it becomes a tropical depression. Formation usually occurs from south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec to south of Baja California with a more westerly location earlier in the season. In the eastern Pacific, development is more centered than anywhere else. If wind shear is low, a tropical cyclone can undergo rapid intensification as a result of very warm oceans, becoming a major hurricane. Tropical cyclones weaken once they reach unfavorable areas for a tropical cyclone formation. Their remnants sometimes reach Hawaii and cause showers there."}, {"context": " There are a few types of Pacific hurricane tracks: one is a westerly track, another moves north-westward along Baja California and another moves north. Sometimes storms can move north-east either across Central America or mainland Mexico and possibly enter the Caribbean Sea becoming a North Atlantic basin tropical cyclone, but these are rare. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with a strong peak in August and September. However, tropical cyclones have formed outside those dates. Should a tropical cyclone enter the central north Pacific from the western north Pacific, where they occur year-round, or from the eastern north Pacific, where the season starts in May, it is not known if such a system will be considered out of season or not."}, {"context": " The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is the RSMC for this basin and monitors the storms that develop or move into the defined area of responsibility. A previous forecaster was the Joint Hurricane Warning Center. Central Pacific hurricanes are rare and on average 3 or 4 storms form or move in this area per year. Most often, storms that occur in the area are weak and often decline in strength upon entry. The only land masses impacted by tropical cyclones in this region are Hawaii and Johnston Atoll. Due to the small size of the islands in relation to the Pacific Ocean, direct hits and landfalls are rare.  Hurricanes in the Eastern Pacific tend to move westward out to sea, harming no land\u2014unless they cross into the Central Pacific or Western Pacific basins, in which case they might harm land such as Hawaii or Japan. However, hurricanes can recurve to the north or northeast, hitting Central America or Mexico early and late in the hurricane season."}]}, {"title": "Pacific imperial pigeon", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific imperial pigeon (\"Ducula pacifica\") is a widespread species of pigeon in the family Columbidae. It is found in American Samoa, the Cook Islands, the smaller islands of eastern Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, the smaller satellite islands of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna Islands. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests on smaller islands and tropical moist montane forest on larger islands. Across parts of its range it will travel between islands in order to forage. They may form large flocks in fruiting trees, and travel some distances in order to forage. The species is frugiverous, taking a number of different species of fruit, and occasionally leaves and flowers. The species nests in high trees, constructing a concealed, unlined untidy nest of twigs. Usually a single egg is laid, with incubation being undertaken by both sexes.  While the species has suffered from habitat loss and hunting pressure, and has declined locally in some areas, it remains common over much of its range, and is listed as least concern by the IUCN. The species is most vulnerable in smaller islands. The Pacific imperial pigeon was hunted in prehistoric times in Tonga and Samoa with elaborate traps on stone platforms, and these hunts were of considerable cultural significance."}]}, {"title": "Pacific jack mackerel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific jack mackerel (\"Trachurus symmetricus\"), also known as the Californian jack mackerel or simply jack mackerel, is an abundant species of pelagic marine fish in the jack family, Carangidae. The species is distributed along the western coast of North America, ranging from Alaska in the north to the Gulf of California in the south, inhabiting both offshore and inshore environments. The Pacific jack mackerel is a moderately large fish, growing to a maximum recorded length of 81\u00a0cm, although commonly seen below 55\u00a0cm. It is very similar in appearance to other members of its genus, \"Trachurus\", especially \"Trachurus murphyi\", which was once thought to be a subspecies of \"T. symmetricus\", and inhabits waters further south. Pacific jack mackerel travel in large schools, ranging up to 600 miles offshore and to depths of 400 m, generally moving through the upper part of the water column."}, {"context": " The Pacific jack mackerel is distributed through the eastern Pacific Ocean from Alaska in the north, south to the western North American seaboard to the Baja California peninsula in the Gulf of California. It has been reported as far south as the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands, but at these latitudes it would be sympatric with \"T. murphyi\", possibly resulting in confusion of the two species. Pacific jack mackerel occur in both pelagic and inshore environments, often venturing up to 600 miles offshore and to known depths of 400 m. In more coastal environments, they are known to inhabit bays and very shallow waters."}, {"context": " The Pacific jack mackerel is very similar to all other members of \"Trachurus\" and a number of other carangid genera, having an elongated, slightly compressed body with both the dorsal and ventral profiles of the body having the same degree of curvature. It is a medium- to large-sized fish, growing to a maximum known length of 81\u00a0cm (32\u00a0in), although more common at below 55\u00a0cm. The two separate dorsal fins are composed of eight spines and one spine followed by 31 to 35 soft rays, respectively. The anal fin is composed of two spines anteriorly detached followed by one spine connected to 26 to 30 soft rays. In some larger individuals, the last few rays at the posterior of the soft dorsal and anal fins are almost entirely separate from the rest of the fin, forming finlets. The caudal fin is strongly forked, typical amongst the Carangidae, while the ventral fin consists of one spine and five soft rays. The pectoral fin terminates before the front of the anal fin, having 22 to 24 rays in total. The lateral line dips strongly after the pectoral fin, having 50 to 53 scales on the upper section and 43 to 52 keeled scutes posteriorly. The species' teeth are minute, with a patch of teeth on the tongue in a narrow club-shaped strip. There are 24 vertebrae in total."}, {"context": " Pacific jack mackerel are metallic blue to olive-green dorsally, becoming more silvery ventrally, before transitioning to a white belly. The top of the head and area near eye is quite dark with a dark spot on the upper rear of the gill cover. The fins are mostly hyaline to dusky, although caudal fin may be yellow to reddish. Pacific jack mackerel are fished commercially as well as for sport. They are often caught on baited hook from piers and boats, and also while salmon trolling. Commercial fishing occurs along the coast. Large individuals often move inshore and north in the summer."}, {"context": " Pacific jack mackerel is canned in the same manner as salmon. Fish are cleaned, gutted and finned, then packed into cans with salt and water. Before 1947, the pacific jack mackerel was of minor importance. It was referred to as horse mackerel, and had little market appeal. However, in 1948, the US Food and Drug Administration decided to allow the use of \"jack mackerel\" on all labeling, and it affected its appeal. The new label, combined with low catches of Pacific sardine in 1947-48 and increased catches of pacific jack mackerel during the same time, resulted in the fish gaining importance. In the past, mackerel consumption was considered a sign of low income. In the American segregated Southern states, it was often associated with black Americans. Today, most of these stereotypes are gone."}, {"context": " Pacific jack mackerel tastes similar to canned sardines. It may be used interchangeably with salmon or tuna in recipes. Jack mackerel is considered safer to consume than tuna because it is a smaller fish, and not a top predator, thus avoiding accumulation of heavy metals such as mercury. The Pacific jack mackerel is classified within the genus \"Trachurus\", commonly known as the horse mackerels or jack mackerels. \"Trachurus\" is part of the jack family Carangidae, a group of perciform fish in the suborder Percoidei. Recent genetic studies have divided the Carangidae into four subfamilies, with the genus \"Trachurus\" falling into the 'Caranginae' (or tribe Carangini), being most closely related to the 'scads' of the genera \"Decapterus\" and \"Selar\"."}, {"context": " The species was first scientifically described by William Orville Ayres in 1855 based on the holotype specimen taken from San Francisco Bay, California. He named the species \"Caranx symmetricus\", correctly identifying its relationship to the jacks, but incorporating it into what was later found to be the wrong genus. The fish was redescribed in 1944 under a different name, \"Decapterus polyaspis\", from a specimen caught in Oregon, which under the ICZN rules classifies as a junior synonym, and it is therefore discarded. In 1983, \"C. symmetricus\" was transferred to \"Trachurus symmetricus\" by William N. Eschmeyer and Earl Herald. The species has twice been treated as a subspecies; once as \"Trachurus picturatus symmetricus\" (a subspecies of the blue jack mackerel), and the second more commonly used subspecies of \"Trachurus symmetricus symmetricus\". For many years, the latter was accepted as a valid combination, with \"Trachurus symmetricus murphyi\" considered to be a southern subspecies population. Mitochondrial DNA analysis has now confirmed these subspecies to be separate species, with \"T. s. murphyi\" now simply \"Trachurus murphyi\", the Inca scad. The divergence time of these two species was deemed relatively recent, at around 250 000 years ago.  \"T. symmetricus\" is known commonly as the 'Pacific jack mackerel' in reference to its distribution, with the species often called simply 'jack mackerel' or 'mackereljack'"}]}, {"title": "Pacific jumping mouse", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific jumping mouse (\"Zapus trinotatus\") is a species of rodent in the family Dipodidae. It is found in Canada and the United States. Its natural habitats are temperate grassland and swamps. Pacific jumping mice can be distinguished from other rodents that belong to the same genus by their larger size. They have a distinct color separation between the back and underside. See reference for further detailed anatomical information. These rodents prefer to live in moist habitats, and are frequently found in riparian or meadow areas near rivulets. They rely on grass seeds as their main diet, thus they prefer inhabiting areas with thick vegetation, which provide refuge from many predators as well as food resources. Besides eating grass, they feed also on fungi and insects. They spend most of the autumn season fattening up in preparation for their winter hibernation time, which is spent in small burrows in the ground. When their hibernating period of up to 8 months is over, they mate and produce a litter of four or more young. Pacific jumping mice have many predators, including snakes, coyotes, owls, and foxes."}, {"context": " Pacific jumping mice prefer living in moist regions that are characterized by alder / salmonberry / skunk-cabbage marsh, and riparian alder ecosystems that are commonly found in coastal redwood woodlands. In northern regions they dwell in dense woodlands, wet grassy regions, and alpine meadows of the Cascade Mountains in Washington and Olympic peninsula. They can be found in marshy thickets, woodlands edges that contain both weedy understory and ferns, and in moist meadows. The habitat of Pacific jumping mice includes streams, brushlands, lakes, woodlands, forests, fields, swamps, meadows, shrubs, bogs, marshes, and the banks of rivers and ponds. Their range covers the entire Pacific Northwest, California, and western Canada."}, {"context": " Food items for Pacific jumping mice include fungi, fish, insects, mollusks, wild fruits, seeds, and wild berries. They forage for food material at ground level, and will cut down tall plant stems in order to reach the seeds, and will cut grass and leave it in an orderly pile. They do not store food. The dental formula of \"Zapus trinotatus\" is = 18. Their infants make a sharp squeal. Mature Pacific jumping mice evade their predators by leaping distances of over 150\u00a0cm; they leap with their head turned downwards, arching their back and diving on the ground, and at the same time preparing to make another leap. They may also evade predation by remaining motionless, and depending on their camouflage effect. They are most active from dusk until dawn. They feed by seizing food with their forepaws."}, {"context": " Their behavior is typically nervous and high-strung, and they can be aggressive when trapped. However, despite showing some signs of aggressiveness, the Pacific jumping mouse is naturally gentle. When they engage in fighting, they produce a characteristic squeaking noise and at the same time pulsate their tail against the substrate and thus produce a drumming noise. When this rodent is agitated, it jumps and moves madly from one place to another. Pacific jumping mice prepare for summer by constructing a domed-shaped, fragile nest with a single entrance, usually placed on the ground. The Pacific Jumping Mouse has peculiar behavior that sets it apart from the other rodents, for instance, it is a high strung and nervous animal, and it can depict aggressive tendencies whenever it is trapped. These aggressive tendencies are manifested by biting the individual who has trapped it."}, {"context": " Pacific jumping mouse sexually mature the year after they are born. Males become sexually active in May or June, which is when females are also fertile. Their gestation period lasts about 18\u201323 days and give birth in July or August. Each litter consist of about 4-8 young, which are weaned after 4 weeks. The Pacific jumping mouse are born pink and hairless, and weigh around 0.7 - 0.9 grams at birth. They are also born with their eyes shut and depend on their mother to survive the first few weeks. They become independent after about a month."}, {"context": " The genetic makeup of a given population of Pacific jumping mice depends on their mating system, characteristics of the species, demography, and dispersal. However the following three components seem to be important to the genetic health of the Pacific jumping mouse. The first component is behavioral instigation of dispersal. The second component is the significance of species dispersal as an initiator of migrating patterns that also include mating selections. The third component is the impact of dispersion on gender-specific models of species relatedness, and thus, on allelic allotment within the population."}]}, {"title": "Pacific kingfisher", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific kingfisher (\"Todiramphus sacer\") is a medium-sized kingfisher belonging to the subfamily Halcyoninae, the tree kingfishers. It has a wide range throughout the South Pacific islands. It was previously considered a subspecies of the collared kingfisher. It has a variety of calls which vary geographically. The most typical call is loud, harsh and metallic and is repeated several times. It is most commonly found in coastal areas, particularly in mangrove swamps. It also inhabits farmland, open woodland, grassland and gardens. It is usually seen further inland than the collared kingfisher, where it was previously considered conspecific,ranging into forest or into mountain areas. Birds often perch conspicuously on wires, rocks or bare branches."}, {"context": " On the Pacific islands it is usually common in a variety of coastal and inland habitats with various subspecies present on the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and American Samoa. There are numerous subspecies. Small crabs are the favoured food in coastal regions but a wide variety of other animals are eaten including insects, worms, snails, shrimps, frogs, lizards, small fish and sometimes other small birds as well. The bird perches almost motionless for long periods waiting for prey. When it spots something it glides down to catch it and then flies back to the perch where larger items are pounded against the branch to subdue them. Any indigestible remains are regurgitated as pellets.  The nest is a hole, either a natural tree hole or a burrow excavated by the birds themselves in a rotten tree, termite mound or earth bank. They will also occupy old woodpecker holes. Two to seven rounded whitish eggs are laid directly on the floor of the burrow with no nest material used. Both parents take part in incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. The young birds leave the nest about 44 days after hatching. Two broods are often raised in a year."}]}, {"title": "Pacific koel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific koel (\"Eudynamys orientalis\"), also known as the eastern koel, is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. In Australia, it is colloquially known as the \"rainbird\" or \"stormbird\", as its call is usually more prevalent before or during stormy weather. It has often been considered conspecific with the Asian and black-billed koels, but they are increasingly treated as a separate species. Alternatively, the population breeding in Australia has been considered a separate species, the Australian Koel (\"Eudynamys cyanocephalus\"), with the remaining taxa then considered subspecies of the Asian koel."}, {"context": " The Pacific koel is found in forest, woodland, plantations and gardens from Wallacea east to the Solomon Islands and south to northern and eastern Australia. The Pacific koel has not been rated by IUCN, but the Australian Koel (here included in the Pacific koel) is considered to be of Least Concern. The Pacific koel is a brood parasite. In Australia, their hosts are mainly large honeyeaters (especially noisy friarbirds and red wattlebirds). Unlike in other parasitic cuckoos, the young do not attempt to kill the host chicks. This trait is shared with the channel-billed cuckoo, which \u2013 as in the Pacific koel \u2013 are largely frugivorous as adults. A study of vocalization noted that the duetting behaviour may indicate the possibility of short-term pair-bonding in its otherwise polygynous mating system."}]}, {"title": "Pacific ladyfish", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific ladyfish (\"Elops affinis\"), also known as the Pacific tenpounder and Machete, is a species of fish in the genus \"Elops\", the only genus in the monotypic family Elopidae. The Pacific ladyfish can be found throughout the southwest U.S. and other areas in the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific ladyfish have very round bodies with terminal mouths, and profound gill formations known as pseudobranchiae. They have a larger number of dorsal fin rays than most Arizona fish, with numbers ranging from 27 to 35. Anal fin rays usually range from 13 to 19, and they have 12 to 16 pelvic rays. This species is very different from most chordates in that it has no conus arteriosus, a tendinous band of tissue from which the pulmonary artery arises. Because of this absence, they have a much smaller pulmonary artery. This fish's lateral lines are unbranched, and lateral line scales are usually within ranges of 95 to 120. All scales are silvery and cycloid, along with the overall color of the fish; however, yellow pigment can occur in the eyes. Some aids to identification include the prominent auxiliary and inguinal processes."}, {"context": " This species is restricted primarily to the Southwest United States. Most records come from the Colorado River Delta and the Gulf of California, as they spawn here and then travel southwest into Arizona. They were also common in the Salton Sea in California, but their numbers have been slowly declining. During floods, Pacific ladyfish enter the Lower Colorado River from the Gulf. They can be found in Yuma Colorado River portions, with records as far south as certain Mexican dams. Pacific tenpounders are primarily a marine form, meaning they require a higher salinity water content then most freshwater fish. Because of this, they have evolved efficient swimming techniques allowing them to swim in lagoons and estuaries with higher salinities. Their maximum depth is around ."}, {"context": " This species uses a wide range of water salinities when spawning. Under normal conditions, the Pacific tenpounder are located in brackish water, but they travel deep into oceanic, salty waters for breeding. They place their eggs far from shore in more planktonic regions to provide them with nutrients as juveniles. The larvae look like eels at birth, but their forked tails distinguish them. Their young usually feed on the crustaceans in the brackish or coastal waters. This may explain their instinct to move from the Gulf of California into the Lower Colorado during flood conditions."}, {"context": " Pacific ladyfish are pelagic, marine forms preferring either brackish or fresh water unless they are breeding. They prefer specific water depths of no more than . Little is known about the ecology of this species, but they are known to be highly carnivorous, feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans. This behavior is very similar to their relative, the Atlantic ladyfish. Maximum size is relatively larger than most Arizona fish, reaching lengths of . A negative correlation exists between size and presence in the Colorado River. As they become larger in size, they enter more brackish waters for unknown reasons. Larval and juvenile stages of fish have large records of distribution near Rocky Point, in the Sea of Cortez tidal inlets. Their spawning areas are usually closer to coastal areas, because they use saltier waters for their young.  This species uses estuarine areas and hypersaline lagoons; changes in the quality of these habitats may affect this species' population dynamics. Although this species may not be closely associated with any single habitat, it may be adversely affected by development and urbanization."}]}, {"title": "Pacific lamprey", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific lamprey (\"Entosphenus tridentatus\" or \"Lampetra tridentata\") is an anadromous parasitic lamprey from the Pacific Coast of North America and Asia. It is a member of the Petromyzontidae family. The Pacific lamprey is also known as the three-tooth lamprey and tridentate lamprey. Pacific lampreys grow to about as adults. They are anadromous and semelparous. They have slender, elongated bodies with two dorsal fins arising far back on the body. The anal fins are rudimentary and the lower lobe of the caudal fin is larger than the upper lobe and both lobes are continuous with the dorsal fin and the anal fin. Adults living in the sea are a bluish-black or greenish colour above and pale below, but those in fresh water are brown. This species is distinguished by having three (or occasionally two) sharp teeth on the supraoral bar above the mouth and three sharp points on each lateral plate."}, {"context": " Although the adult and juvenile stages are more noticeable, lampreys spend the majority of their lives as larvae (ammocoetes). Ammocoetes live in fresh water for many years (usually 3\u20137 years, but at least one species has been recorded for +17 years). Ammocoetes are filter feeders that draw overlying water into burrows they dig into soft bottom substrates. After the larval period, the ammocoetes undergo metamorphosis and take on the juvenile/adult body morphology. Juveniles/adults have a jawless, sucker-like mouth that allows them to become parasitic on other fish and sperm whales, attaching themselves with their suckers and feeding on blood and body fluids. The adults live at least one to two years in the ocean and then return to fresh water to spawn. Whether Pacific lampreys return to their natal streams or seek spawning areas based on other cues is not known. They typically spawn in similar habitat to Pacific salmon and trout. Lampreys construct a nest (redd) in small gravel and females can lay over 100,000 eggs, which are fertilized externally by the male. After spawning, the adults usually die within four days. Also, like salmon, the Pacific lamprey does not feed while migrating to spawn."}, {"context": " Pacific lampreys are an important ceremonial food for Native American tribes in the Columbia River basin and the Yurok people of the Klamath River Wiyot people of the Eel River in northern California. Pacific lamprey numbers in the Columbia River have greatly declined with the construction of the Columbia River hydropower system. Almost no harvest opportunity for Native Americans remains in the Columbia River and its tributaries except for a small annual harvest at Willamette Falls on the Willamette River (tributary to the Columbia River). The Yurok and Wiyot snag lampreys in the surf at the mouth of the Klamath River, often at night, using hand-carved wooden \"hooks\". It is dangerous work."}]}, {"title": "Pacific leaping blenny", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific leaping blenny (\"Alticus arnoldorum\"), also known as the leaping rockskipper, is a species of combtooth blenny (family Blenniidae) in the genus \"Alticus\". The blennies are oviparous, and form distinct pairs when mating. Males can reach a maximum total length of 8 centimetres (3.15 inches). These fish feed primarily on benthic algae, which they consume by scraping off rocky surfaces. The Pacific leaping blenny is a tropical blenny found in reefs in Samoa and the Marianas, Society, and Cook Islands, in the western and southern Pacific Ocean. The blennies are noted for leaping from hole to hole in the limestone rocks they inhabit, when disturbed; each of the common names for the species is derived from this. They are able to dwell on land for several hours at a time, and have been reported performing many activities, including foraging and mating while out of the water. However, they are only able to survive on land during midtide; if they remain out of water when the tide lowers enough that they cannot be kept moist, they dry out and suffocate. In a study performed by Tonia Hsieh of Temple University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was discovered that members of \"A. arnoldorum\" are able to thrive on land due to their ability to twist their tails axially at 90 degrees, to propel their bodies. Hsieh noted that the twisting of the tail was a behaviourism unique to \"A. arnoldorum\" and species in the genus \"Andamia\"; the two genera were subsequently considered terrestrial."}]}, {"title": "Pacific lodge", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific lodge style of architecture is based loosely on vague notions of cedar lodges and log cabin dwellings of early inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada. This style can be seen in historic National Park hotels, such as the Lake Quinault Lodge, and in the houses of some wealthier Seattleites of the timber baron era. However, most early Seattleites preferred to mimic the accepted styles of the East; to this day, historical pastiches remain more popular throughout the region."}, {"context": " The \"Pacific Lodge\" style of architecture is based on necessity. The homes were made out of nearby materials, which were often cedar and stone. The stone base seen in many Pacific Lodge homes is to both accent the nature around the house, as well as to protect it from snowfall and ground water. Most \"Pacific Lodge\" homes have unique sizes and shapes, and this is due to the fact that historically pacific lodge homes were built out of necessity. A small house was initially built and then later modified and expanded, creating a compound look."}, {"context": " Pacific Lodge homes often feature exposed wood exteriors and interiors, high ceilings with interlocking exposed beams, and large windows. Most \"Pacific Lodge\" houses are large due to the fact that they have to match the massive landscapes they are often built next to or on. Large angled roofs are used to keep off snow and the elements. Most roofs extend past the house a few feet to ensure that snow and water are not falling on or near the sides of the house. \"Pacific Lodge\" homes can range from giant mansions to tiny cabins."}, {"context": " The architectural style of \"Pacific Lodge\" homes is based off the log homes built in the northwest and national parks in the past. The biggest influence on the \"Pacific Lodge\" home was the lodges built in many western National Parks that still stand today. The railroad system had a huge influence on expanding the \"Pacific Lodge\" style of architecture as well. Buildings were needed to house both people and goods, and builders used whatever they had lying around. This led to the idea of tying your house in with nature and using locally sourced materials.  The Bill Gates estate is based on this style."}]}, {"title": "Pacific long-tailed cuckoo", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific long-tailed cuckoo (\"Urodynamis taitensis\"), also known as the long-tailed cuckoo, long-tailed koel, or the koekoe\u0101 in M\u0101ori, is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. The species breeds in New Zealand, and migrates to the islands of the south-western Pacific in the winter. The long-tailed cuckoo is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of yellowheads, whiteheads and brown creepers. The eggs hatch before those of the host and the young chicks eject the eggs of the host. Long-tailed cuckoo chicks are able to mimic the calls of their host's chicks."}]}, {"title": "Pacific loon", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific loon or Pacific diver (\"Gavia pacifica\"), is a medium-sized member of the loon, or diver, family. The Pacific loon, previously considered conspecific with the similar black-throated loon, was classified as a separate species in 1985. The genus name \"Gavia\" comes from the Latin for \"sea mew\", as used by ancient Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder. The specific epithet \"pacifica\" is Latin for the Pacific Ocean, the term meaning \"peaceful\". The phylogeny of this species is debated, with the black-throated loon and the Pacific loon traditionally being considered sister species, whereas a study using mitochondrial and nuclear intron DNA supported placing the black-throated loon sister to a clade consisting of the Pacific loon and the two sister species that are the common loon and the yellow-billed loon. In the former phylogeny, the split between the Pacific loon and the black-throated loon is proposed to have happened about 6.5 million years ago."}, {"context": " Breeding adults are like a smaller sleeker version of common loon. They measure in length, in wingspan and weigh . They have a grey head, black throat, white underparts and chequered black-and-white mantle. The black throat has purple reflections. Non-breeding plumage is drabber with the chin and foreneck white. Its bill is grey or whitish and dagger-shaped. In all plumages, lack of a white flank patch distinguishes this species from the otherwise very similar black-throated loon. The Pacific loon can be differentiated from the red-throated loon in winter by the latter's paler look, the fact that the red-throated loon has less of a contrast between both the crown and hindneck and the throat, and the bill that looks to be upturned."}, {"context": " This bird makes a yodelling high-pitched wailing call on its breeding grounds, as well as harsh growls and barks, like its harsh \"kok-kok-kok-kok\" call. The Pacific loon breeds on tundra lakes, and winters in the open ocean or other large bodies of water. It breeds primarily in northern Canada and eastern Siberia, and winters along the Pacific coast of North America. Unlike other loons/divers, this bird may migrate in flocks. It winters at sea, mainly on the Pacific coast, or on large lakes over a much wider range, including China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, United States and Mexico. It has occurred as a vagrant to Greenland, Hong Kong, Great Britain, Spain, Finland and Switzerland (Dec 2015)."}, {"context": " The Pacific loon constructs its nest on the ground near deep lakes. This nest is made out of piled-up vegetation. This loon lays a clutch of one to two light buff or green eggs with brown spots of various sizes. These eggs typically measure . Although the eggs are laid a few days a part, they can usually be seen to hatch at intervals not more than a day. Incubation lasts 23 to 25 days. This species, like all divers/loons, is a specialist fish-eater, catching its prey underwater. It also forages in groups, usually swimming under schools of fish and forcing them up towards the surface. It does, although, generally feed closer to the shore than other loons.  The following articles deal with separation of Pacific diver/Pacific loon from black-throated diver/Arctic loon:"}]}, {"title": "Pacific monarch", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific monarch may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Pacific motorcycle Grand Prix", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific motorcycle Grand Prix was a round of the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship between 2000 and 2003."}]}, {"title": "Pacific mud eel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific mud eel (\"Pythonichthys asodes\") is an eel in the family Heterenchelyidae (mud eels). It was described by Richard Heinrich Rosenblatt and Ira Rubinoff in 1972. It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the eastern central Pacific Ocean, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Nicaragua. It dwells at a maximum depth of 17 metres, typically habituating muddy substrates in estuaries. It is able to survive in water with a low salt concentration. Males can reach a maximum total length of 47.2 centimetres. The eels' diet consists primarily of benthic gastropods and worms, and bivalves.  Due to its wide distribution, lack of threats and lack of observed population declines, the IUCN redlist currently lists the Pacific mud eel as Least Concern."}]}, {"title": "Pacific nurse shark", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Ginglymostoma unami, also known as the Pacific nurse shark is a nurse sharks of the family Ginglymostomatidae. It is found in southeastern coast of Baja California, Mexico to Costa Rica including Gulf of California. This species differs from \"Ginglymostoma cirratum\" between posterior end of the second dorsal fin and the beginning of the caudal lobe, both being shorter; the new species also differs by the position of the insertion of the first dorsal fin with regard to the pelvic fins and in the form and number of keels on the dermal denticles and teeth morphology."}]}, {"title": "Pacific ocean perch", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific ocean perch (\"Sebastes alutus\"), also known as the Pacific rockfish, Rose fish, Red bream or Red perch has a wide distribution in the North Pacific from southern California around the Pacific rim to northern Honsh\u016b, Japan, including the Bering Sea. The species appears to be most abundant in northern British Columbia, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands (Allen and Smith 1988). Adults are found primarily offshore on the outer continental shelf and the upper continental slope in depths 150\u2013420 m. Seasonal differences in depth distribution have been noted by many investigators. In the summer, adults inhabit shallower depths, especially those between 150 and 300 m. In the fall, the fish apparently migrate farther offshore to depths of ~300\u2013420 m. They reside in these deeper depths until about May, when they return to their shallower summer distribution (Love \"et al.\" 2002)."}, {"context": " This seasonal pattern is probably related to summer feeding and winter spawning. Although small numbers of Pacific ocean perch are dispersed throughout their preferred depth range on the continental shelf and slope, most of the population occurs in patchy, localized aggregations (Hanselman \"et al.\" 2001). Pacific ocean perch are generally considered to be semi-demersal but there can at times be a significant pelagic component to their distribution. Pacific ocean perch often move off-bottom at night to feed, apparently following diel euphausiid migrations. Commercial fishing data in the Gulf of Alaska since 1995 show that pelagic trawls fished off-bottom have accounted for as much as 20% of the annual harvest of this species."}, {"context": " There is much uncertainty about the life history of Pacific ocean perch, although generally more is known than for other rockfish species (Kendall and Lenarz 1986). The species appears to be viviparous (the eggs develop internally and receive at least some nourishment from the mother), with internal fertilization and the release of live young. Insemination occurs in the fall, and sperm are retained within the female until fertilization takes place ~2 months later. The eggs hatch internally, and parturition (release of larvae) occurs in April\u2013May."}, {"context": " Information on early life history is very sparse, especially for the first year of life. Pacific ocean perch larvae are thought to be pelagic and drift with the current, and oceanic conditions may sometimes cause advection to suboptimal areas (Ainley \"et al.\" 1993) resulting in high recruitment variability. However, larval studies of rockfish have been hindered by difficulties in species identification since many larval rockfish species share the same morphological characteristics (Kendall 2000). Genetic techniques using allozymes (Seeb and Kendall 1991) and mitochondrial DNA (Li 2004) are capable of identifying larvae and juveniles to species, but are expensive and time-consuming."}, {"context": " Post-larval and early young-of-the-year Pacific ocean perch have been positively identified in offshore, surface waters of the GOA (Gharrett \"et al.\" 2002), which suggests this may be the preferred habitat of this life stage. Transformation to a demersal existence may take place within the first year (Carlson and Haight 1976). Small juveniles probably reside inshore in very rocky, high relief areas, and by age 3 begin to migrate to deeper offshore waters of the continental shelf (Carlson and Straty 1981). As they grow, they continue to migrate deeper, eventually reaching the continental slope, where they attain adulthood."}, {"context": " Pacific ocean perch are mostly planktivorous (Carlson and Haight 1976, Yang 1993, 1996, Yang and Nelson 2000, Yang 2003). In a sample of 600 juvenile perch stomachs, Carlson and Haight (1976) found that juveniles fed on an equal mix of calanoid, copepods and euphausiids. Larger juveniles and adults fed primarily on euphausiids, and to a lesser degree, copepods, amphipods and mysids (Yang and Nelson 2000). In the Aleutian Islands, myctophids have increasingly comprised a substantial portion of the Pacific ocean perch diet, which also compete for euphausiid prey (Yang 2003). It has been suggested that Pacific ocean perch and walleye pollock compete for the same euphausiid prey. Consequently, the large removals of Pacific ocean perch by foreign fishermen in the Gulf of Alaska in the 1960s may have allowed walleye pollock stocks to greatly expand in abundance."}, {"context": " Predators of adult Pacific ocean perch are likely sablefish, Pacific halibut, and sperm whales (Major and Shippen 1970). Juveniles are consumed by seabirds (Ainley \"et al.\" 1993), other rockfish (Hobson \"et al.\" 2001), salmon, lingcod, and other large demersal fish. Pacific ocean perch is a very slow growing species, with a low rate of natural mortality (estimated at 0.06), a relatively old age at 50% maturity (10.5 years for females in the Gulf of Alaska), and a very old maximum age of 98 years in Alaska (84 years maximum age in the Gulf of Alaska) (Hanselman \"et al.\" 2003). Age at 50% recruitment to the commercial fishery has been estimated to be between 7 and 8 years in the Gulf of Alaska. Despite their viviparous nature, the fish is relatively fecund with number of eggs/female in Alaska ranging from 10,000-300,000, depending upon size of the fish (Leaman 1991)."}, {"context": " The evolutionary strategy of spreading reproductive output over many years is a way of ensuring some reproductive success through long periods of poor larval survival (Leaman and Beamish 1984). Fishing generally selectively removes the older and faster-growing portion of the population. If there is a distinct evolutionary advantage of retaining the oldest fish in the population, either because of higher fecundity or because of different spawning times, age-truncation could be ruinous to a population with highly episodic recruitment like rockfish (Longhurst 2002). Recent work on black rockfish (\"Sebastes melanops\") has shown that larval survival may be dramatically higher from older female spawners (Berkeley \"et al.\" 2004, Bobko and Berkeley 2004). The black rockfish population has shown a distinct downward trend in age-structure in recent fishery samples off the West Coast of North America, raising concerns about whether these are general results for most rockfish. De Bruin \"et al.\" (2004) examined Pacific ocean perch (S. alutus) and rougheye rockfish (S. aleutianus) for senescence in reproductive activity of older fish and found that oogenesis continues at advanced ages. Leaman (1991) showed that older individuals have slightly higher egg dry weight than their middle-aged counterparts. Such relationships have not yet been determined to exist for Pacific ocean perch or other rockfish in Alaska."}, {"context": " Few studies have been conducted on the stock structure of Pacific ocean perch. Based on allozyme variation, Seeb and Gunderson (1988) concluded that Pacific ocean perch are genetically quite similar throughout their range, and genetic exchange may be the result of dispersion at early life stages. In contrast, preliminary analysis using mitochondrial DNA techniques suggest that genetically distinct populations of Pacific ocean perch exist (A. J. Gharrett pers. commun., University of Alaska Fairbanks, October 2000). Withler \"et al.\" (2001) found distinct genetic populations on a small scale in British Columbia. Currently, genetic studies are underway that should clarify the genetic stock structure of Pacific ocean perch."}, {"context": " The fishery for Pacific ocean perch developed nearly synchronously from the U.S. West Coast to the Bering Sea. The Gulf of Alaska fishing history captures a typical catch history: A Pacific ocean perch trawl fishery by the U.S.S.R. and Japan began in the Gulf of Alaska in the early 1960s. This fishery developed rapidly, with massive efforts by the Soviet and Japanese fleets. Catches peaked in 1965, when a total of nearly 350,000 metric tons (t) was caught. This apparent overfishing resulted in a precipitous decline in catches in the late 1960s. Catches continued to decline in the 1970s, and by 1978 catches were only 8,000 t. Foreign fishing dominated the fishery from 1977 to 1984, and catches generally declined during this period. Most of the catch was taken by Japan (Carlson \"et al.\" 1986). Catches reached a minimum in 1985, after foreign trawling in the Gulf of Alaska was prohibited.  Conservative management measures, an excellent observer program, and perhaps higher productivity in Alaska have allowed the stock to recover to a level to allow about 26,000 tons per annum. The U.S. West Coast stock was declared rebuilt in 2017 after 17 years in a rebuilding plan (PFMC 2017)."}]}, {"title": "Pacific oyster", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific oyster, Japanese oyster, or Miyagi oyster (\"Magallana gigas\"), previously and currently also known as \"Crassostrea gigas\", considered by part of the scientific community to be the proper denomination [2][2] [3][3] as an accepted alternative in WoRMS, is an oyster native to the Pacific coast of Asia. It has become an introduced species in North America, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand. The genus \"Magallana\" is named for the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and its specific epithet \"g\u00edg\u0101s\" is from the Greek for \"giant\". It was previously placed in the genus \"Crassostrea;\" from the Latin \"crass\" meaning \"thick\", \"ostrea\" meaning \"oyster\""}, {"context": " The shell of \"M. gigas\" varies widely with the environment where it is attached. Its large, rounded, radial folds are often extremely rough and sharp. The two valves of the shell are slightly different in size and shape, the right valve being moderately concave. Shell colour is variable, usually pale white or off-white. Mature specimens can vary from 80 to 400\u00a0mm long. \"M. gigas\" is an estuarine species, but can also be found in intertidal and subtidal zones. They prefer to attach to hard or rocky surfaces in shallow or sheltered waters up to 40 m deep, but have been known to attach to muddy or sandy areas when the preferred habitat is scarce. The Pacific oyster can also be found on the shells of other animals. Larvae often settle on the shell of adults, and great masses of oysters can grow together to form oyster reefs. The optimum salinity for Pacific oysters is between 20 and 35 parts per thousand (ppt), and they can tolerate salinities as high as 38 ppt; at this level, however, reproduction is unlikely to occur. The Pacific oyster is also a very temperature tolerant species, as it can withstand a range from -1.8 to 35\u00a0\u00b0C."}, {"context": " The Pacific oyster has separate sexes, but hermaphrodites sometimes do exist. Their sex can be determined by examining the gonads, and it can change from year to year, normally during the winter. In certain environmental conditions, one sex is favoured over the other. Protandry is favoured in areas of high food abundance and protogyny occurs in areas of low food abundance. In habitats with a high food supply, the sex ratio in the adult population tends to favour females, and areas with low food abundances tend to have a larger proportion of male adults."}, {"context": " Spawning in the Pacific oyster occurs at 20\u00a0\u00b0C. This species is very fecund, with females releasing about 50-200 million eggs in regular intervals (with a rate at 5-10 times a minute) in a single spawning. Once released from the gonads, the eggs move through the suprabranchial chambers (gills), are then pushed through the gill ostia into the mantle chamber, and finally are released in the water, forming a small cloud. In males, the sperm is released at the opposite end of the oyster, along with the normal exhalent stream of water. A rise in water temperature is thought to be the main cue in the initiation of spawning, as the onset of higher water temperatures in the summer results in earlier spawning in the Pacific oyster."}, {"context": " The larvae of the Pacific oyster are planktotrophic, and are about 70\u00a0\u00b5m at the prodissoconch 1 stage. The larvae move through the water column via the use of a larval foot to find suitable settlement locations. They can spend several weeks at this phase, which is dependent on water temperature, salinity, and food supply. Over these weeks, larvae can disperse great distances by water currents before they metamorphose and settle as small spat. Similar to other oyster species, once a Pacific oyster larva finds a suitable habitat, it attaches to it permanently using cement secreted from a gland in its foot. After settlement, the larva metamorphoses into a juvenile spat. The growth rate is very rapid in optimum environmental conditions, and market size can be achieved in 18 to 30 months. Unharvested Pacific oysters can live up to 30 years."}, {"context": " The genome of \"M. gigas\" has been sequenced, revealing an extensive set of genes that enables it to cope with environmental stresses. \"M. gigas\" was originally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg in 1795. It originated from Japan, where it has been cultured for hundreds of years. It is now the most widely farmed and commercially important oyster in the world, as it is very easy to grow, environmentally tolerant, and easily spread from one area to another. The most significant introductions were to the Pacific Coast of the United States in the 1920s and to France in 1966. In most places, the Pacific oyster was introduced to replace the native oyster stocks which were seriously dwindling due to overfishing or disease. In addition, this species was introduced to create an industry that was previously not available at all in that area. In addition to intentional introductions, the Pacific oyster has spread through accidental introductions either through larvae in ballast water or on the hulls of ships. In some places in the world, though, it is considered by biosecurity, primary industry, and conservation departments and ministries to be an invasive species, where it is outcompeting native species, such as the Olympia oyster in Puget Sound, Washington; the rock oyster, \"Saccostrea commercialis\", in the North Island of New Zealand; and the blue mussel, \"Mytilus edulis\", in the Wadden Sea."}, {"context": " Numerous methods are used in the production of Pacific oysters. These techniques depend on factors such as the seed supply resources, the environmental conditions in the region, and the market product, i.e., whether the oysters are sold in a half shell, or shelled for meat extraction. Production can either be entirely sea-based or rely on hatcheries for seed supply. Most of the global Pacific oyster spat supply comes from the wild, but some is now produced by hatchery methods. The seed from the wild can either be collected by the removal of seaweed from beaches or by hanging shell (cultch in suspension from long lines in the open water. The movement towards hatchery-reared spat is important, as wild seed is susceptible to changeable environmental conditions, such as toxic algal blooms, which can halt the supply of seed from that region. In addition, several pests have been noted as considerable dangers to oyster seed. The Japanese oyster drill (\"Ocenebra inornata\"), flatworm (\"Koinostylochus ostreophagus\"), and parasitic copepod (\"Mytilicola orientalis\") have been introduced accidentally to aquaculture areas, and have had serious impacts on oyster production, particularly in British Columbia and Europe."}, {"context": " Pacific oyster broodstocks in hatcheries are kept in optimum conditions so the production of large amounts of high quality eggs and sperm can be achieved. Pacific oyster females are very fecund, and individuals of 70-100 g live weight can produce 50-80 million eggs in a single spawn. Broodstock adults are held in tanks at 20-22\u00a0\u00b0C, supplied with cultured algae and with salinities of 25-32 ppt. These individuals can be induced to spawn by thermal shock treatment. Yet, the eggs from a small sample of females (about six) are more commonly stripped from the gonads using Pasteur pipettes and fertilized by sperm from a similar number of males."}, {"context": " Pacific oysters have a pelagic veliger larval stage which lasts from 14\u201318 days. In the hatcheries, they are kept at temperatures of 25-28\u00a0\u00b0C with an optimum salinity between 20 and 25%. Early-stage veligers (<120\u00a0nm shell length) are fed daily with flagellated algal species (\"Isochrysis galbana\" or \"Pavlova lutherii\") along with diatom species (either \"Chaetoceros calcitrans\" or \"Thalassiosira pseudonana\"). The larvae are close to a settlement stage when dark eye spots and a foot develop. During this time, settlement materials (cultch), such as roughed PVC sheets, fluted PVC pipes, or shells, are placed into the tanks to encourage the larvae to attach and settle. However, particularly on the US West Coast, mature larvae are commonly packed and shipped to oyster farms, where the farmers set the oysters themselves."}, {"context": " Pacific oyster spat can be grown in nurseries by sea-based or land-based upwelling systems. Nursery culture reduces mortality in small spat, thus increasing the farm\u2019s efficiency. Sea-based nursery systems are often located in estuarine areas where the spat are mounted on barges or rafts. Land-based nursery systems have spat mounted on barges in large saltwater tanks, which either have a natural algae supply or are enriched with nutrients from fertilizers. This stage of oyster culture is almost completely sea-based. A range of bottom, off-bottom, suspended, and floating cultures are used. The technique used depends on site-specific conditions, such as tidal range, shelter, water depth, current flow, and nature of substrate. Pacific oysters take 18\u201330 months to develop to the market size of 70-100 g live weight (shell on). Growth from spat to adults in this species is very rapid at temperatures of 15-25\u00a0\u00b0C and at salinities of 25 to 32 ppt."}, {"context": " In 2000, the Pacific oysters accounted for 98% of the world\u2019s cultured oyster production, and are produced in countries all over the world. Global production has increased from about 150 tonnes in 1950 to 750 tonnes in 1980. By 2003, global production had increased to 4.38 million tonnes. The majority was in China, which produced 84% of the global production. Japan, France and the Republic of Korea also contributed, producing 261 000, 238 000 and 115 000 tonnes produce, respectively. The other two major producers are the United States (43 000 tonnes) and Taiwan (23 000 tonnes). In 2003, global Pacific oyster production was worth $ 3.69 billion, with Asia contributing over half of this amount."}, {"context": " Pacific oysters are nonspecific filter feeders, which means they ingest any particulate matter in the water column. This presents major issues for virus management of open-water shellfish farms, as shellfish like the Pacific oyster have been found to contain norovirus strains which can be harmful to humans. Globally, noroviruses are the most common cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis, and are introduced into the water column by faecal matter, either from sewage discharge or land runoff from nearby farmland. Numerous gastroenteritis outbreaks in the world have been directly caused by the consumption of shellfish from polluted areas."}, {"context": " Pacific oysters, like other shellfish, are able to remove heavy metals, such as zinc and copper, as well as biotoxins (microscopic toxic phytoplankton), from the surrounding water. These can accumulate in the tissues of the animal and leave it unharmed (bioaccumulation). However, when the concentrations of the metals or biotoxins are high enough, shellfish poisoning can result when they are consumed by humans. Most countries have strict water regulations and legislation to minimise the occurrence of such poisoning cases."}, {"context": " Various diseases are known to infect Pacific oyster: Numerous predators are known to damage Pacific oyster stocks. Several crab species (\"Metacarcinus magister\", \"Cancer productus\", \"Metacarcinus gracilis\"), oyster drills, and starfish species (\"Pisater ochraceus\", \"Pisater brevispinus\", \"Evasterias troschelii\", and \"Pycnopodia helianthoides\") can cause severe impacts to oyster culture. Productivity of the Pacific oyster can be described as the amount of meat produced in relation to the amount of seed planted on cultch. The productivity of a farm also depends on the interaction of biotic factors, such as mortality, growth, and oyster size, as well as the quality of the seed and the growing technique used (off bottom, bottom, suspended or floating culture). The main causes of mortality in the Pacific oysters are natural mortality (age), predators, disease, environmental conditions (ice, freak winds), competition for space (crowding of cultch), silting (sediment runoff from land), and cluster separation (process of breaking up clusters of oysters into as many individual oysters as possible)."}, {"context": " In New Zealand, the Pacific oyster was unintentionally introduced in the 1950s, most likely through ballast water and from the hulls of ships. Aquaculture farmers at the time noticed the Pacific oyster outcompeted the endemic species, the Sydney rock oyster (\"Saccostrea glomerata\"), which naturally occurs in intertidal areas in the North Island. Early experiments in rock oyster cultivation procedures attached spat to cement-covered sticks and laid them down in racks. The farmers noticed, however, the Pacific oyster outgrew the endemic species in most areas, and constantly was attaching to the rock oyster collection sticks. A few years later, Pacific oysters were the dominant species in the farms, as it grew three times faster than the rock oyster, produced a reliable and constant supply of spat, and had an already established market overseas. In 1977, the Pacific oyster was accidentally introduced to the Marlborough Sounds, and farming began there in the 1990s. Marlborough farmers developed a different method of cultivation in comparison to the North Island method of racks; they instead suspended their oysters on longlines."}, {"context": " The Pacific oyster is one of the three main aquaculture species in New Zealand along with king salmon and the greenshell mussels. Pacific oyster aquaculture production has grown from an export value of $11 million in 1986 to $32 million in 2006. In 2006, the 23 Pacific oyster farms throughout New Zealand covered a total of 750 hectares of marine space and produced 2,800 tonnes of product per year. Annual production is now between about 3,300 and 4,000 tonnes. In 2005, the value of New Zealand's Pacific oyster production was $12 million domestically, and $16.9 million for export. New Zealand's main export markets are Japan, Korea, the US, the EU and Australia."}]}, {"title": "Pacific parakeet", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific parakeet or Nicaraguan green conure (\"Psittacara strenuus\") is a species of parakeet. Some ornithologists consider it a subspecies of the green parakeet (\"Psittacara holochlorus\"). This bird is endemic to a small area in western Nicaragua, the Chocoyero-El Brujo Natural Reserve. Nesting sites lie within this protected area, but the birds still face threats from the outside world when they leave the reserve to feed. Nonetheless, its population is considered not immediately threatened (especially compared to some of its relatives such as the Socorro parakeet), and when BirdLife and the IUCN considered it a good species, it was listed as least concern."}]}, {"title": "Pacific parrotlet", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific parrotlet (\"Forpus coelestis\"), also known as Lesson's parrotlet or the celestial parrotlet, is a species of small parrot in the family Psittacidae, native to Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest. Parrotlets are the second smallest group of all parrots. Pacific parrotlets are between long. The average weight is in the wild. They come from the South American countries of Peru and Ecuador. There are seven species of parrotlets in the genus \"Forpus\". Only three of these species are kept as pets. Of these, the Pacific parrotlet is the most common."}, {"context": " The Pacific parrotlets have olive green and grey bodies and lighter blue streaking back from their eyes. It is a dimorphic species. The males have a striking cobalt rump with blue patches on the underside of their wings and lighter yellowish green faces. Females are mostly green with much less brightly colored blue patches behind the eyes and no cobalt rump or blue in their wings. These dimorphic color variations are true of most of the color mutations as well. They are from long. This species is not very common in pet stores in the USA and is valued by breeders. Its normal price range is 150-200 USD. This price is much lower than other species because since 1930 the US has had an established breeding population in captivity, before the CITES laws preventing importing wildlife from foreign countries. Some of the color mutations in aviculture include blue, American yellow, American White, European yellow and white, fallow, dark factor green and lutino. Captive bred Pacific parrotlets can be expected to live between 10 and 15 years with good care and regular veterinary examinations, although individuals may have shorter or longer life spans."}]}, {"title": "Pacific pocket mouse", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific pocket mouse, Perognathus longimembris pacificus, is endemic to California. It lives in sandy coastal soils of the coastal sage scrub ecoregion. It eats seeds and some insects. It was believed to be extinct until 1993, when a small population was discovered. It is now a federally listed Endangered animal species. The Pacific pocket mice all have different characteristics ranging from the male, female and the baby mice. Since the pocket mice are members on the Heteromyidae, which consists of animals surviving on seeds and grain, they have fur-lined cheek pouches externally. Most of the pocket mouse\u2019s body is covered in fur that feels silky. The coats of the pocket mice are spineless and bristle free. The color of the Pacific pocket mouse has to do with the environment they live in, hence the color of the soil. The dorsal side of the pocket mouse is usually brown and pinkish while the ventral is usually white. On the pocket mouse, there are typically two patches of hairs that are lighter at the base of the ear. The tail of the pocket mouse can either be distinctly or indistinctly bicolored. The soles of the hind feet are hairy, which are also the distinguishing marks on the Pacific pocket mouse along with the two patches of hair that are lighter at the base of the ear."}, {"context": " The young baby of a pocket mouse is called a \u201cpinkie, kitten or pup.\u201d The females are called \u201cdoes\u201d and the males are called \u201cbucks.\u201d The pocket mouse group is called a \u201cnest, colony, harvest, horde or mischief.\u201d The skull, hind foot and skull are almost the smallest of all the pocket mouse species. Since the Pacific pocket mice are in the midst of the smallest subspecies of little pocket mice, they range from to in length from the nose to the tip of the tail. The tail of the pocket mouse is . The height of the pocket mouse is .625\u00a0inches. The pocket mice weigh usually from 0.25 oz. to 0.33 oz."}, {"context": " A pocket mouse can have 8 to 10 pups (baby mice) every year. The Pacific pocket mouse is endemic to the immediate coast of southern California from Marina del Rey and El Segundo in Los Angeles County, south to the vicinity of the U.S.-Mexican border in San Diego County. They have not been recorded farther than away from the ocean. They are found in fine-grain or sandy areas that are close to the Pacific Ocean. Their habitat consists of coastal strand, coastal dunes, and coastal sage scrub growing on marine terraces."}, {"context": " The Pacific pocket mouse is the smallest mammal that hibernates. They hibernate during the winter season. During hibernation they feed on seed caches that are stored in their burrows. They eat the seeds of grasses and forbes, and they also eat leafy material. A Pacific pocket mouse lives around seven years in captivity and about three to five years in the wild. Pacific pocket mice normally only interact with their own species. Interactions are experienced within their own habitat. When they are not interacting with one another they are escaping predators that roam their habitat. Predators such as a gray fox and feral or domestic cats threaten the survival of the Pacific pocket mouse. Along with trying to avoid such predators they are also in danger because of the exotic Argentine ants. These ants invade the coastal sage scrub areas of the Pacific pocket mouse\u2019s habitat. The Pacific pocket mouse has been on the endangered species list since 1994."}, {"context": " Like other heteromyids, the Perognathus longimembris pacificus (Pacific pocket mouse) is generally asocial and solitary. Other than during reproduction, they do not engage in direct social interactions often. There is relatively little information on the breeding biology of the Pacific pocket mouse. The Pacific pocket mouse does not reproduce offspring in large quantities or at a high speed. Most females typically produce one litter per year, sizing from about two to eight pups; occasionally, females may produce two litters in one year. Generally, the breeding season for the Pacific pocket mouse is the months April through July, peaking in the spring. But, the breeding season can vary due to a few factors. The temperature, amount of food available, and the quantity of plant growth around the Pacific pocket mouse\u2019s habitat can all affect its breeding season. In years with lower than average rainfall, reproduction may not take place. The gestation period for the Pacific pocket mouse lasts for twenty-two to twenty-three days. Newly born mice are smaller than one inch long and weigh less than one gram. As a mammal, the first thing Pacific pocket mouse subsists on is its mother\u2019s milk. Young are weaned after approximately thirty days. The Pacific pocket mouse attains sexual maturity two to five months after birth, but a small number of young may be able to breed less than a month after weaning."}, {"context": " In the wild, the Pacific pocket mouse lives about three to five years. The life span of a Pacific pocket mouse is sporadic because of their vulnerability in their own habitat. The Pacific pocket mouse is very simple. They stay within the habitat of their birth and feed on simple vegetation that are available within their surroundings. In captivity, its longevity increases to approximately four to six years, no longer than seven and one-half years. In captivity, Pacific pocket mice are able to breed and reproduce more times than in the wild."}, {"context": " The Pacific pocket mouse\u2019s diet consists of seeds, nuts, and green vegetation, when available. These granivores will leave the burrow at night to gather the seeds, in order to avoid direct contact with the desert sun. Most of these seeds and vegetation can be found in bushes or small shrubbery close to the burrow. When seeds are not easily accessible, the mouse will use its forelimbs to dig holes in order to find resources. Due to the harsh climate, many pocket mice are susceptible to droughts, heat, and extreme temperature changes that can happen within the day. It can live for long periods of time without water by using the moisture from its food and digestive system."}, {"context": " A pocket mouse is highly influenced when seeking its food. Many foraging factors play a part in a pocket mouse\u2019s dietary needs. These factors can range from: 1. Seed size: The size of the seed can determine how filling it will be. 2. Density of food supply: This aspect can determine if a pocket mouse will have enough resources available within a certain distance of its burrow. 3. Nutritional value: This determines if the food is healthy and adequate enough to last through harsh environmental changes."}, {"context": " 4. Predation Risk: Pocket mice living in highly vulnerable predator areas are less likely to scavenge for food and must do so with caution. 5. Type of soil: If the soil is too hard, pocket mice must find other means of obtaining their food. When a pocket mouse has found sufficient seeds, it will begin to store these resources in its fur-lined cheeks. These pockets can vary in length from three inches (76\u00a0mm) to twelve. The sizes of the pockets are determined by the ratio of body length and jumping span. These pockets aid the mouse by trimming the amount of time and energy needed to scavenge over a period of time. Its pouches also allow the mouse to survive when there is limited food or predation risk. Once the pocket mouse has filled its cheeks with the seeds, it will scurry down into its burrow to unload its provisions. These seeds are then stored in certain compartments within its burrow. When the time comes, these seeds will be taken out of storage and used as food for the pocket mouse. If supplies are low, a pocket mouse will leave the burrow to refill its supply. Also, during the spring and autumn months, pocket mice will forage more often in order to prepare for the coming of summer and winter when it will be harder to find food."}, {"context": " Perognathus longimembris pacificus (Pacific pocket mouse) was believed to be extinct for nearly 20 years until it was rediscovered in 1993. It was immediately placed on emergency listings by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and received full protection status in 1994. In September 1997 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a recovery plan for the Pacific pocket mouse with the intent of down listing its status to threatened by the year 2023. Currently it is estimated that there are only 150 Pacific pocket mice left in existence. In attempts to conserve the Pacific pocket mouse the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is focusing its efforts on stabilizing current populations, searching for new populations, and establishing additional populations by means of the release of captive-bred individuals. Their goal is to protect the Pacific pocket mouse until it is no longer necessary."}, {"context": " Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego and the city of Dana Point have expressed deep concern for the protection of the Pacific pocket mouse. The United States Marine Corps has authorized the relocation of the Pacific pocket mouse to off-base sites in order to create new populations. The Dana Point City Council unanimously supported a residential development proposal that would give the Pacific pocket mouse in the Dana Point Headlands in 1998. They also decided that the Dana Point Headlands Pacific pocket mouse property would be privately owned. It is the intention of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance with the U.S. Marine Corps and the city of Dana Point to relocate the Pacific pocket mouse out of MCB Camp Pendleton and into the Dana Point Headlands. In 2010, as part of a U.S.G.S. project at Camp Pendleton, scat detection dogs from Conservation Canines were used to locate Pacific pocket mice. They discovered a 5-fold increase in occupied habitat."}, {"context": " The principal threats to the species and the cause of its present reduced state are habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation. These threats are due to different kinds of area development such as urban, agricultural, residential, and recreational. Other threats include ground disturbances or vegetation removal from grading, ripping, or off-road driving. Impacts from construction of roads, railroads, airports and other structures also impact the survival of the Pacific pocket mouse. The loss of groundwater and or blow-sand necessary for habitat maintenance is significant to this species' survival. Because this mouse is an invasive species, factors such as illegal trash dumping, domestic animal predators, road kill, and inadequate regulatory mechanisms affect the species' well being, not to mention the elevated extinction risks that can play a common role on greatly reduced populations. There are five factors that figure into whether or not a species may be determined endangered or threatened. One of those factors is the present or threatened destruction, modification and curtailment of its habitat or range. This is recognized as a form of destruction, modification and curtailment of Pacific pocket mouse habitat and range. This was a major factor in affording it endangered status. Both physical and biological features figure into an organism's critical habitat. In the case of the Pacific pocket mouse, its physical requirements are sandy loamy soil and its biological requirements are a suite of plant communities including coastal sage scrub and grassland. Due to interaction of demographic, genetic, and environment factors, small populations are more susceptible to extinction than larger populations. In addition to the ongoing threats to its habitat, several development projects are proposed or approved within core habitat areas."}]}, {"title": "Pacific pygmy owl", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific pygmy owl (\"Glaucidium peruanum\") is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest."}]}, {"title": "Pacific razor clam", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific razor clam, \"Siliqua patula\", is a species of large marine bivalve mollusc in the family Pharidae. Pacific razor clams can be found along the Pacific West Coast from the eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska, to Pismo Beach, California. They inhabit sandy beaches in the intertidal zone down to a maximum water depth of about . This species has an elongated oblong narrow shell, which ranges from in length in the southern portion of its range, with individuals up to found in Alaska. It is similar to the smaller Atlantic razor clam, \"Siliqua costata\", which is found on the East Coast of the United States. The name razor clam is also used for the Atlantic jackknife clam, \"Ensis directus.\" While the Atlantic jackknife clam is in the same family as the Pacific razor clam the jacknife clam is in a different genus."}, {"context": " Pacific razor clams are a highly desirable shellfish species and are collected by both commercial and recreational harvesters. Razor clams, like other shellfish, may accumulate dangerous levels of the marine toxin domoic acid. Harvesters should check current public health recommendations by marine authorities before collecting razor clams. In the United States, razor clam harvesting is typically authorized by state officials several times a year. Harvesters locate the clam by looking for a \"show,\" which can present as either a hole or depression in the sand. Some clams expose their siphons as the surf is receding making them far easier to spot; this behavior is called \"necking\".  Razor clams are commonly battered and fried in butter. They can also be used to make clam chowder."}]}, {"title": "Pacific redfin", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific redfin (\"Tribolodon brandtii\") is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is found from the Siberian Pacific Coast through coastal Japan."}]}, {"title": "Pacific reef heron", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific reef heron (\"Egretta sacra\"), also known as the eastern reef heron or eastern reef egret, is a kind of heron. They are found in many areas of Asia including the oceanic region of India, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Polynesia, and in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Pacific reef herons are medium-sized herons, reaching 57 to 66\u00a0cm in length. They have a wingspan of between 90 and 110\u00a0cm and reach an average weight of 400\u00a0grams. The species displays an unusual, non-sexual dimorphism, with some members having entirely white plumage and others (the larger portion) being charcoal-grey. The reason for the colour variation or \"morph\", is unknown, though it is most commonly thought to be related to camouflage."}, {"context": " Eastern reef egrets have very short, yellow legs, and the grey variety's throats and chins are marked by a narrow, white stripe. They have brown beaks, gold-yellow coloured eyes and the surrounding areas of their faces are normally of a greenish to yellow cast. Their food sources are made up predominantly of varieties of ocean-based fish, crustaceans and molluscs. The species lay clutches of eggs year-round in colonies in the jungle, between palms and mangroves or in cavities of old buildings. Two to three paled greenish-blue eggs are laid in nests constructed from branches and blossoms. Males and females share brooding tasks. They normally have a 28-day brood period. After chicks are hatched, parents provide approximately 5 weeks of support."}]}, {"title": "Pacific reggae", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific reggae is a style of reggae music found in the Pacific. This style is found in Polynesia (including New Zealand and Hawaii), and Melanesia (including Papua New Guinea). Within this genre there are differing styles, for example between the New Zealand reggae sound (such as Katchafire), and that found in the Pacific Islands. According to Herbs co-founder Dilworth Karaka, it is a phrase UB40 came up with. Pacific reggae differs from Jamaican reggae in the use of instruments such as the ukulele, traditional wooden drums, and keyboard synthesizers. Reggae in the Pacific is not typically Rastafarian; in the Pacific Islands, songs are often remakes of traditional songs e.g. Small Axe's remake of \"Kalipolina\". New Zealand reggae has M\u0101ori influences.  Notable Pacific reggae groups include Herbs, who originally played a more Jamaican reggae style. They were subsequently encouraged by Bob Marley when he toured New Zealand in 1979, to explore and develop the Pacific reggae sound. Other notable Reggae groups include Three Houses Down, BrownHill, Kolohe Kai, Rebel Souljahz and artists such as Fiji Veikoso, Swiss and Majic"}]}, {"title": "Pacific robin", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific robin (\"Petroica pusilla\"), is a red-breasted Australasian robin in the passerine bird genus \"Petroica\" found in Melanesia and Polynesia. It is similar in plumage to the scarlet robin of Australia, and until recently the two were considered conspecific until split in 1999 by Schodde and Mason. 14 subspecies of Pacific robin are currently recognised, and these subspecies display considerable variation in plumage, foraging preferences and habitat. The Norfolk robin was previously considered a subspecies of the Pacific robin, but is now considered a distinct species."}, {"context": " The Pacific robin is a small passerine, 11.5\u201313.5\u00a0cm long and weighing 9\u201311 g. Over much of its range it is the smallest species of bird. The plumage of the males and females is dimorphic, and the extent of this varies depending on the subspecies. The male of the nominate race has a black head with a white forehead, a black back and tail, and the wings are also black with a white bar. The breast and belly are red, and the lower belly and rump are white. The female lacks the white forehead and the white bar on the wing; and the black plumage of the male is replaced by dark brown feathers instead. The breast is a duller red than the male and has more brown on the sides, and the white on the rump also smaller. Both sexes have black legs and bills. Amongst the subspecies, some males have more female-like plumage, for example \"P. m. femenina\" of central Vanuatu; in others the female more closely resembles the male. The males of \"P. m. polymorpha\" of Makira in the Solomon Islands have two different plumage morphs, including one with no white on the forehead but an all rufous-brown head. For a complete list of the differences in subspecies plumages see below."}, {"context": " The Pacific robin inhabits the islands of the south western Pacific. It ranges from Bougainville in Papua New Guinea through the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. (although the species is absent from New Caledonia) and eastwards through Fiji into Samoa. Across its range the species is resident, although there may be some small localised movements of birds in the non-breeding seasons. A fossil found on the islands of Ha'apai in Tonga show that the species once occurred in the group but is now extinct there."}, {"context": " The Pacific robin is a seasonal breeder, although the timing of the breeding season varies across its range. Information on the timing of the season is patchy or absent in many islands. On Norfolk Island the breeding season is from September to December, and in Vanuatu the season is from October to January. Parents with young have been seen in mid August in the Solomon Islands and in June through to September in Samoa. The species builds a compact nest which is a cup of plant fibres and spider webs. The outside of the nest is decorated with moss and lichen, and is therefore easily overlooked. The nest is usually set into a fork or stump on a tree branch, or on a horizontal branch."}, {"context": " Around two to four eggs are laid in each clutch, with two being the typical clutch size in Norfolk Island, and two to three being typical in Fiji. The eggs are dull grey or greenish, and are incubated by the female. The nests of Pacific robins are parastised by fan-tailed cuckoos where the two species co-occur. Insects, spiders and pseudoscorpions make up the majority of the diet of Pacific robins. They generally feed in the lower sections of the forest, although they will ascend to the forest canopy occasionally. They will join with mixed-species feeding flocks to forage. Prey is obtained by aerial flycatching, gleaning, sallying and pouncing, with different populations favouring different methods."}, {"context": " The Pacific robin is not considered globally threatened. Individual subspecies may be threatened by local habitat loss, and the nominate race from Norfolk Island is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and introduced species. The Pacific robin was originally described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789, from a collection in Norfolk Island. It was considered conspecific with the scarlet robin of Australia, and until split in 1999 by Schodde and Mason. It forms a species group along with the scarlet robin and the tomtit of New Zealand. It was further split from the Norfolk robin in 2015. Since the Norfolk birds were discovered first, the Norfolk robin presumed the specific name \"multicolor\", with the Pacific group talking the next earliest name of \"pusilla\". The bird follows then to be described by Titian Peale in 1848."}, {"context": " It is one of five red- or pink-breasted species of robin in the genus \"Petroica\"; they are colloquially known as \"red robins\". Although named after the European robin, is not closely related to it or the American robin. Along with the other Australian robins, it was classified for many years as a member of the old world flycatcher family Muscicapidae, before being placed in the whistler family Pachycephalidae. The robins were also placed in their own family Petroicidae, or Eopsaltridae. Sibley and Alquist's DNA-DNA hybridisation studies placed the robins in a Corvida parvorder comprising many tropical and Australian passerines including pardalotes, fairy-wrens and honeyeaters as well as crows. However, subsequent molecular research (and current consensus) places the robins as a very early offshoot of the Passerida (\"advanced\" songbirds).  <onlyinclude> </onlyinclude>"}]}, {"title": "Pacific royal flycatcher", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific royal flycatcher (Onychorhynchus occidentalis) is a species of passerine bird in the family Tityridae. It is found in relatively dry forest and woodland in western Ecuador and far north-western Peru. It is threatened by habitat loss."}]}, {"title": "Pacific rudderfish", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific rudderfish (\"Psenopsis anomala\") is a marine fish also known by such names as Japanese butterfish, melon seed, wart perch, ibodai (Japanese name, \u30a4\u30dc\u30c0\u30a4) or simply but ambiguously as butterfish. This fish, which can grow to TL, is found in the Western Pacific, near Japan, in the Taiwan Strait and in the East China Sea. The Japanese butterfish prefers tropical waters: around 42\u00b0N\u201319\u00b0N. It has been found in the waters near Hong Kong. Generally they inhabit the epipelagic layer to 370 m. Adults are mainly bottom-dwelling but migrate upward at night in search of food."}, {"context": " The Japanese butterfish has a compressed body, somewhat oval-shaped, and is whitish to grayish in colour; in the young fish, the colour is darker: a pale brown or blackish brown. Some other features of this fish are a robust snout, a relatively small mouth, and the upper jaw extending to below anterior margin of eye. The fish's teeth are small, conical, and incisor-like. Spines of the Japanese butterfish's dorsal fin are short and not separated from the soft-rayed portion. The scales on the body of the butterfish are small, cycloid, and very deciduous (meaning that they are shed off easily).  This species is of economic importance, commercially sought after, and caught by trawl by Japanese and Taiwanese fishermen. The total catch reported for this species in 1999 was 10,871 t, with Taiwan (5,075 t), and Japan (4,996 t) making up nearly all the catch. The meat of the Japanese butterfish is very popular as food in its native range. It is said to be a tasty fish that can be steamed, pan-fried, or used in sushi."}]}, {"title": "Pacific sand sole", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific sand sole, \"Psettichthys melanostictus\", is the only fish in the genus, \"Psettichthys\", in the, \"Pleuronectidae\", family. It is a flatfish and inhabits northeastern Pacific waters where it lives on sandy bottoms. The Pacific sand sole, belongs to the order \"Pleuronectiformes,\" and the family \"Pleuronectidae\". They are considered a flatfish due to their body shape, just like Hippoglossus (halibuts), Solea (soles), and Platichthys (flounders). This fish can get over 62.95\u00a0cm (24.78\u00a0in) in length and on average this fish can weigh approximately 2.484\u00a0kg (5.476\u00a0lbs). Their dorsal side, which houses both of their eyes, can come in a variety of colors like gray, green, or brown, with blotches of dark brown or black. Their underside or ventral side is usually white. By obtaining these colors, the pacific sand sole fish can have a better advantage of camouflaging into their surroundings; making them harder to see by their prey."}, {"context": " When they are first born, their eyes are on both sides of their body like other fish. However, when the pacific sand sole starts to mature, one of their eyes starts to migrate to either the left or the right side of their body, just like a flounder when their eyes migrate. From that point, their eyes will stay that way. They will live on the bottom of the ocean, on the sand, lying on one side of their body, while both of their eyes are on top of their body. These fish can be found in and around the Bering Sea, all the way down to Southern California, in the North Pacific Ocean. These fish will stay on the bottom of the ocean at an average depth of 155\u00a0m (508.53\u00a0ft). They live on the sandy bottoms of the ocean. They feed on other fish, worms, crustaceans, and molluscs."}]}, {"title": "Pacific sanddab", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific sanddab (\"Citharichthys sordidus\") is a species of flatfish. It is by far the most common sanddab, and it shares its habitat with the longfin sanddab (\"C. xanthostigma\") and the speckled sanddab (\"C. stigmaeus\"). It is a medium-sized flatfish, with a light brown color mottled brown or black, occasionally with white or orange spots. The Pacific sanddab is endemic to the northern Pacific Ocean, from the Sea of Japan to the coast of California. They are most commonly found at depths of , though the young inhabit shallower waters, occasionally moving into tide pools.  It is an opportunistic predator, feeding on a variety of crustaceans, as well as smaller fish, squid, and octopuses. It is a popular game fish in northern California, found on menus in the Monterey Bay and San Francisco area, though more difficult to find in southern California restaurants and markets. Usually sold frozen, some regard it as a delicacy. It is also popular in restaurants and stores along the coasts of Oregon and Washington, where it can be found more readily."}]}, {"title": "Pacific sandfish", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific sandfish (\"Trichodon trichodon\") is a species of sandfish native to the Pacific coast of North America, from San Francisco Bay to Unimak Island in the Aleutian Islands. Like its cousin the sailfin or Japanese sandfish (\"Arctoscopus japonicus\"), the Pacific sandfish is a small, deepwater fish distributed over sandy and muddy depths. It is not valued for sushi like its Japanese cousin, but is occasionally caught from piers by recreational anglers. Pacific sandfish are small, reaching a maximum length of 12 inches (30.5\u00a0cm) and a weight of 12 oz (350 g). They have a long, slender body, with a silvery belly and a darker top side with black spots. The fish's fins and tail are long and thin, with a scaleless body. The Pacific sandfish is found over muddy and sandy bottoms to depths of 1,230 feet (375 m). Females lay a clutch of about 1000 eggs during the spawning months in winter. After a one-year incubation, the eggs hatch 0.5 inch (14\u00a0mm) larvae. Sandfish larvae are excellent swimmers, swimming freely in open nearshore water, sometimes in the company of juvenile salmon. These schoolings of sandfish and salmon are considered beneficial to the former since the latter swarm in schools and give protection from predators to the normally solitary sandfish. Sandfish and salmon smolt are also considered to have the same diet, which is another theory for these schoolings."}, {"context": " At 2\u20133 months and 2.5 inches(50\u201360\u00a0mm) in length, they have attained the laterally compressed adult form, and bury themselves in the seabed. The Pacific sandfish is known to live a maximum of 9 years; females grow larger than males. Adult sandfish are only known to inhabit sandy shores along beaches, whereas the egg masses are usually laid near rocky shores where they can be attached to rocks and seaweed easier. The larvae must begin swimming and schooling immediately after birth because they have a high metabolism and must eat almost constantly. The sandfish has a synchronized hatching method that ultimately prevents the eggs from getting beaten or destroyed by the waves. The eggs are laid and hatched at the lowest tides of the year to avoid the powerful storms. The baby fish begin to look like their parents at 25 days of age, when their mouth becomes upturned and their fins become bigger, like their parents'. At fifty-six days, they bury in the sand; this is when they truly begin to look like sandfish. Finally, at seventy days, they are considered to be full grown."}, {"context": " Pacific sandfish are mostly shrimp eaters, feeding by waiting for small fish, shrimp or krill to come into range and then sucking the prey up with its unusually large upturned mouth. The sandfish's teeth are needle-sharp for grasping prey. Most shrimp eaten are between 1 and 3 inches long. The sandfish waits for prey by burying itself in sand or mud and using is upturned eyes to watch passing prey. Sandfish themselves are preyed upon by Pacific cod and Pacific halibut. Seabirds such as pigeon guillemots, gulls, and puffins will also prey on sandfishes.  Although they are occasionally taken and retained by recreational anglers, Pacific sandfish are of no commercial value."}]}, {"title": "Pacific saury", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific saury (\"Cololabis saira\") is a member of the family Scomberesocidae. This saury, which is a food source in some East Asian cuisines, is also known by the name mackerel pike. It is known as \"sanma\" (\u3055\u3093\u307e / \u30b5\u30f3\u30de / \u79cb\u5200\u9b5a) and \"saira\" (\u3055\u3044\u3089 / \u30b5\u30a4\u30e9 /\u4f50\u4f0a\u7f85) in Japanese, \"kkongchi\" (\uaf41\uce58) in Korean, Pinyin: \"qi\u016b d\u0101o y\u00fa\" in Chinese (\u79cb\u5200\u9c7c in Simplified Chinese or \u79cb\u5200\u9b5a in Traditional Chinese), and \"saira\" (\u0441\u0430\u0439\u0440\u0430) in Russian. The term \"saira\" used in its scientific name is the fish's local name in the Kii Peninsula region of Japan. The Kanji used in the Japanese name of the fish (\u79cb\u5200\u9b5a) literally translate as \"autumn katana fish\", in reference to its body shape, somewhat resembling a katana, and its peak season.This name was born in Japan and it was derived from Japanese to Chinese."}, {"context": " The name \"saira\" also changed from Japanese (Wakayama dialect) to scientific name and Russian. Pacific saury are often imported to the United Kingdom where they are used as bait for pike and sea fishing. In the UK they are usually called \"blueys\", possibly due to people confusing the Pacific saury with blue mackerel. It is a fish with a small mouth, an elongated body, a series of small finlets between the dorsal and anal fins, and a small forked tail. The color of the fish is dark green to blue on the dorsal surface, silvery below, and there are small, bright blue blotches distributed randomly on the sides. The average overall body length of a mature Pacific saury is 25 to 28\u00a0cm, and their maximum reported age is four years."}, {"context": " These pelagic schooling fish are found in the North Pacific, from Korea and Japan eastward to the Gulf of Alaska and southward to subtropical Mexico; 67\u00b0N \u2013 18\u00b0N, 137\u00b0E \u2013 108\u00b0W, preferring temperatures around 15 \u2013 18\u00a0\u00b0C. Pacific saury are usually found near the surface (though they may have a depth range of 0 \u2013 230 m), and they are known to glide above the surface of the water when moving away from predators (a behavior that links them to the flying fish, a cousin of the saury family). The Pacific saury is a highly migratory species. Adults are generally found offshore, near the surface of the ocean, in schools. Juveniles associate with drifting seaweed. Pacific saury are oviparous. Eggs are attached to one another and to floating objects such as seaweed via filaments on the shell surface."}, {"context": " The saury feeds on zooplankton, such as copepods, krill, amphipods, and the eggs and larvae of common fish, such as anchovies, due to their lack of stomach, and their short straight intestines . This is much different from its counterpart the Northern Pike. This is most likely due to the great size difference. A few of the natural predators of Pacific saury include marine mammals, squid and tuna. Pacific saury (often marketed as \"mackerel pike\") are sought after by Chinese, Taiwanese, Russian, North and South Korean and Japanese fishermen. This fish has great economic importance where it is found."}, {"context": " Fishing of saury is facilitated by their attraction to light. So, a common way of catching them is to affix powerful lighting fixtures with a number of 500 W blue or white lamps to one side of a boat, and some weaker red lamps to the other. When fish congregate under the stronger white lamps, the lighting is switched to the other side, where the fish \u2013 often the whole school \u2013 are collected in nets . Saury, or \"sanma\", is one of the most prominent seasonal foods representing autumn in Japanese cuisine. It is most commonly served salted and grilled (broiled) whole, garnished with \"daikon oroshi\" (grated daikon) and served alongside a bowl of rice and a bowl of miso soup. Other condiments may include soy sauce, lime, lemon, or other citrus juices. The intestines are bitter, but many people choose not to gut the fish, as many say its bitterness, balanced by the condiments, is part of the enjoyment. Salt-grilled saury is also served in Korea, where it is known as \"kkongchi gui\" (\uaf41\uce58\uad6c\uc774)."}, {"context": " \"Sanma\" sashimi is becoming increasingly available but is not common. Although rarely used for sushi, \"sanma-zushi\" is a regional delicacy along parts of the Kii Peninsula, especially along the coast of southern Mie Prefecture. It is prepared by pickling the saury in salt and vinegar (depending on the region, bitter orange or citron vinegar may be used), and then placing it on top of vinegared rice to create the finished sushi. The fish can also be pan-fried or canned kabayaki. Gwamegi is a Korean dish of half-dried Pacific saury made during winter. It is mostly eaten in the region of North Gyeongsang Province in places such as Pohang, Uljin, and Yeongdeok, where a large amount of the fish are harvested.  Simmered saury (\uaf41\uce58\uc870\ub9bc, \"kkongchi-jorim\") is a common variety of jorim, Korean traditional simmered foods. Pacific saury is also popular in Russia which has direct access to the Pacific Ocean. In Russia it is sold in tinned variant with salt and spice, sometimes with addition of vegetable oil or tomato sauce. It is also eaten smoked. In some Western countries it is used for fish meal and pet food."}]}, {"title": "Pacific screech owl", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific screech owl (\"Megascops cooperi\") is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, and heavily degraded former forest. It is strictly nocturnal, preying mostly on large insects (such as moths, beetles, scorpions) along with the occasional small rodent."}]}, {"title": "Pacific seahorse", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific seahorse, also known as the giant seahorse, (\"Hippocampus ingens\") is a species of fish in the family Syngnathidae. This species is the only seahorse species found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Adult pacific seahorses range in size from in height, with a maximum known size of . Offspring are approximately 9\u00a0mm after birth. Pacific seahorses can be a variety of colors, including green, brown, maroon, grey, and yellow. Males can be distinguished from females by their prominent keel. Pacific seahorses share the common traits of seahorses, including a prehensile tail used for anchoring, skin instead of scales, a digestive tract without a distinct stomach, no teeth, and the ability to move each eye independently."}, {"context": " The pacific seahorse is distributed in the Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Peru, with an additional transient population off of San Diego.The only known oceanic island population occurs around the Galapagos Islands. Pacific seahorses are known to inhabit a variety of sub-tidal habitats to a maximum depth of . Habitats include mangroves, seagrass meadows, rocky reefs, coral reefs and sponges. Female pacific seahorses in captivity have been observed producing small broods at three months of age. Sexually mature females often develop a dark patch below the anal fin. Males reach sexual maturity at around in height. Unsuccessful reproductive activity in captivity has been noted at around three months of age, with successful pregnancies as early as six months of age."}, {"context": " Like all seahorses, females deposit their eggs in the brood pouch of the male, where they are subsequently fertilized by the male and sealed into the pouch. As the embryos develop, the fluid inside the pouch changes in salinity to acclimate the embryos to the salinity of the surrounding sea water. Research suggests that pacific seahorse males can brood up to 2000 eggs at once, and may brood multiple times in a breeding season. At the end of the fourteen day gestation period, the male goes into labor and must force the young out of the pouch one at a time, sometimes taking hours."}, {"context": " Birth marks the end of parental care, as young are born fully self-sufficient. It has been hypothesized that the juveniles spend the first few months after birth in the open ocean. This is based on their large juvenile dorsal fin and lack of juvenile anchoring behavior, and not specific field observation. The lineage of seahorses leading to modern pacific seahorses diverged from slender seahorses after the rise of the Isthmus of Panama, between 4 and 5 mya. Pacific seahorses and Fisher's seahorses split from this lineage 2.5 to 3 mya."}, {"context": " Pacific seahorses face many of the same threats that other seahorses face; over 20 million seahorses are sold each year to be used in Chinese medicine, the aquarium trade, or dried as curios. Mexico and Peru are the largest exporter of pacific seahorses, selling more than 1 dry ton annually. Seahorses are particularly susceptible to over-harvesting due to characteristics such as low fecundity, monogamous mating, long development of embryos, low dispersal ability, and limited geographic distribution. Habitat degradation also poses a threat to pacific seahorses. In 2004, the entire genus \"Hippocampus\" was included in appendix II of CITES."}]}, {"title": "Pacific seaweed pipefish", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific seaweed pipefish (\"Syngnathus schlegeli\") is a species of pipefish, found in the north-western Pacific Ocean, near Vladivostok (Russia), southern to Gulf of Tonkin. It is a marine, oceanic demersal fish, up to length. It is common in beds of \"Zostera\" sea grass."}]}, {"title": "Pacific series (railcar)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific series was a fleet of fifty lightweight streamlined sleeping cars built by the Budd Company for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1949\u20131950. Each car contained ten roomettes and six double bedrooms. Union Pacific sold several to the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (the \"Milwaukee Road\") in the late 1960s; Amtrak purchased most of the fleet in the early 1970s. Several remain in use as business cars. After World War II the 10-roomette 6-double bedroom (colloquially the \"10-6 sleeper\") design proved popular in the United States, with 682 such cars manufactured. All fifty Pacific series cars were built on Budd lot number 9660.039, and allocated Pullman Plan 9522. In this design the ten roomettes were numbered 1-10 and split down the middle by a hallway, while all six double bedrooms (designated A-F) were off to one side. A bathroom and porter's room were located across from each other at the vestibule end of the car. The car sides were corrugated instead of smooth, which was uncommon for Union Pacific equipment."}, {"context": " Budd delivered the fifty cars between December 1949 and June 1950; the \"largest class of sleepers on the Union Pacific rails.\" The Union Pacific used the Pacific series on various overnight streamliners in the 1950s and 1960s. One car, \"Pacific Empire\", was written-off after a rear-end collision at Wyuta, Wyoming in November 1951. The Milwaukee Road purchased five from the Union Pacific in June 1969 in order to equalise the per diem payments on their jointly-operated Overland Route passenger services. The final iteration of the Union Pacific's \"City of Everywhere\" (the joint operation of the \"Challenger\", \"City of Denver\", \"City of Los Angeles\", \"City of Portland\", and \"City of San Francisco\") included four \"Pacific\"-series sleeping cars, three from the Union Pacific and one from the Milwaukee Road.  Between 1971\u20131974 Amtrak purchased 43 of the remaining 44 \"Pacific\"-series cars from the Union Pacific fleet. Most were retired from service in the mid-1980s; several Amtrak rebuilt as crew dormitory cars and those remained in service into the 2000s. One, \"Pacific Cape\", remains in use as a business car. The Union Pacific retained \"Pacific Domain\", renamed \"Cabarton\", as a staff car. The Milwaukee Road's five cars were all sold to Mexico in 1971 and 1972."}]}, {"title": "Pacific sharpnose shark", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific Sharpnose shark, also known as \"Rhizoprionodon longurio,\" often migrates along the Pacific coast of Mexico. They are most commonly caught in the artisanal fishery of Mazatl\u00e1n. When a large sample of Pacific Sharpnose Sharks were observed scientists concluded that this type of shark was a \u201cviviparous shark of small size which is born at an average length of 31 cm.\u201d Their gestation period is between ten and eleven months. There was found to be no statistical relationship between the number of embryos to the average length. The sex ratio is one to one with the average number of embryos per female being around 7.4."}, {"context": " The Pacific Sharpnose shark inhabits the coastal waters of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. They can be found from southern California to all the way to Peru (Compagno, 1984). The shark is fished commercially in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico from the Gulf of California to Puerto Madero, Chiapas. The Pacific Sharpnose likes muddy bottom areas, however it is not known whether it utilizes coastal lagoons as nursery areas or if it utilizes only open waters. During the winter to spring period, the Pacific Sharpnose shark has movements of the population from southern Isla Tibur\u00f3n in the central Gulf of California to the southern region of the state of Nayarit along the eastern shore of the Gulf. From the summer to autumn period, the species moves in the opposite direction, either through the central axis of the Gulf of California or along the Sonora coast line until reaching its place of origin."}, {"context": " The catch of Pacific Sharpnose sharks in southern Sinaloa is seasonal, from November to April, with the maximum peak in February. This is due to the change of several factors, including sea temperature, which causes a massive movement of the species. It has been found that the species is very susceptible to being caught by gillnets and bottom long lines. Berglass boats of 22-25 feet are typically used to catch Pacific Sharpnose sharks with a workday of 12 to 24 hours and a crew of 2 to 3 members. Each boat has a capacity of up to 1.5 tons."}, {"context": " It has been found that females typically grow larger than males. In one study, there were two modal groups of adults, one at 96 cm and the other at 108 cm. The maximum length recorded was a female specimen at 129.5 cm. There are reports of nurseries in the Upper Gulf of California. The reproductive season goes from March to June with a peak in April. It is estimated that the gestation period of Pacific Sharpnose is 10-12 months. However, due to the great migratory movements of the species, this estimation was taken without the complete cycle of embryonic growth being observed.  In one study done with the stomach contents of 82 specimens examined, about 36% of the stomachs were empty. In the sharks with stomach contents, it was found that the diet consisted mainly of crustaceans and fish."}]}, {"title": "Pacific sheath-tailed bat", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific sheath-tailed bat or Polynesian sheath-tailed bat (\"Emballonura semicaudata\") is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae found in American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Micronesia, Palau, Samoa (where it is called \"pe'a vai, tagiti\" or \"pe'ape'a vai\"), Tonga, and Vanuatu. Its natural habitat is caves. In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation. It is threatened by habitat loss."}]}, {"title": "Pacific shortfinned eel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific shortfinned eel (\"Anguilla obscura\"), also known as the Pacific shortfinned freshwater eel, the short-finned eel, and the South Pacific eel, is an eel in the family Anguillidae. It was described by Albert G\u00fcnther in 1871. It is a tropical, freshwater eel which is known from western New Guinea, Queensland, Australia, the Society Islands, and possibly South Africa. The eels spend most of their lives in freshwater, but migrate to the Pacific Ocean to breed. Males can reach a maximum total length of 110 centimetres, but more commonly reach a TL of around 60\u00a0cm. The Pacific shortfinned eel is most similar to \"Anguilla australis\" (more commonly known as the Short-finned eel), and \"Anguilla bicolor\" (the Indonesian shortfin eel), but can be distinguished by the number of vertebrae.  The Pacific shortfinned eel feeds primarily off of bony fish (including the genus \"Oreochromis\"), crustaceans and mollusks. It is a commercial eel in subsistence fisheries."}]}, {"title": "Pacific shrew", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific shrew (\"Sorex pacificus\") is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to western Oregon in the United States. The Pacific Shrew is native to western Oregon, more specifically from the Siltcoos lake to the coast going from the border line of Douglas and Lane counties continuing south to the northern parts of California. The very first documented Pacific shrew to be caught was found at the mouth of the Umpqua River in 1858. They are normally found in damp areas along creeks in forests and sometimes near collapsed trees. Their refuge is of the utmost importance and they are seldom found far from it. This includes collapsed trees or dense vegetation. They use the flora to build a nest, gathering small plants such as grass, moss, lichen, or leaves into a pile and pushing themselves into the middle."}, {"context": " They are the biggest brown shrew in western Oregon. Which isn\u2019t saying much because they are quite petite. They weigh only ten to eighteen grams and their length (including the tail) is 135 to 160 millimeters. In the summer time they have short, red tinted brown hair, which gets longer and darker moving into the colder seasons.Their feet and tails are usually a tan color with the possibility of being brown. Sometimes older shrews will have dark tips to their tails. Like their fur, their incisor teeth have a reddish brown tint on the tips."}, {"context": " The Pacific shrew goes hunting and much of their prey is actually treacherous to them. They find their prey with their excellent hearing and sense of smell. They will jump into the air to catch flying prey and dig underground after food. Their prey includes: slugs, snails, earthworms, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions, and various insects. In general they will paralyze their prey, but if they are in danger, for example with a wasp, they will kill it immediately. When prey is captured they will either eat it right where it was killed or store it near their nest."}, {"context": " Not much is known about the population of the Pacific Shrew, but they are not a rare sight. It is very likely that their numbers are more than 10,000. In all likelihood, their population size has not decreased over twentyfive percent over a long period of time. According to the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) they are of least concern. They are doing very well in numbers. This might be because there have been no major threats recognized. They are nocturnal so their main predators are owls, but they have been known to be caught by salamanders. Although they are not threatened there are safe places for them to live such as the Crater Lake national park and other state parks.  2. Maser, Chris. \"Pacific Shrew.\" Mammals of the Pacific Northwest: From the Coast to the High Cascades. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State UP, 1998. 30-37. Print. 3. \"Sorex Pacificus .\" Sorex Pacificus (Pacific Shrew). International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2017."}]}, {"title": "Pacific sierra", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific sierra (\"Scomberomorus sierra\") also known as the Mexican sierra, is a ray-finned bony fish in the family Scombridae, better known as the mackerel family. More specifically, this fish is a member of the tribe Scomberomorini, the Spanish mackerels. It occurs in the eastern Pacific Ocean from southern California to Antofagasta in Chile."}]}, {"title": "Pacific sleeper shark", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific sleeper shark (\"Somniosus pacificus\") is a sleeper shark of the family Somniosidae, found in the North Pacific on continental shelves and slopes in Arctic and temperate waters between latitudes 70\u00b0N and 22\u00b0N, from the surface to deep. Records from southern oceans are likely misidentifications of relatives. Its length is up to , although it could possibly reach lengths in excess of . Pacific sleeper sharks, which are thought to be both predators and scavengers, can glide through the water with little body movement and little hydrodynamic noise, making them successful stealth predators. They feed by means of suction and cutting of their prey. They have large mouths that can inhale prey and their teeth cut up any pieces that are too large to swallow. They show a characteristic rolling motion of the head when feeding. Only in Alaska has the shark's diet been studied - most sharks' stomachs contain remains of giant Pacific octopus. They are also known to feed on bottom-dwelling teleost fishes, as well as soles, flounders, Alaska pollock, rockfishes, shrimps, hermit crabs, and even marine snails. Larger Pacific sleeper sharks are also found to feed on fast-swimming prey such as squids, Pacific salmon, and harbor porpoises. The diet of the Pacific sleeper shark seems to broaden as they increase in size. For example, a 3.7-m female shark found off Trinidad, California was found to have fed mostly on giant squid. Sleeper sharks found in Alaskan waters from seem to feed mostly on flounder, pollock, and cephalopods, while sleeper sharks long seem to consume teleosts and cephalopods, as well as marine mammals. A recent study in the Gulf of Alaska suggests that sleeper sharks may prey on juvenile Steller sea lions."}, {"context": " Very little is known about the early life of Pacific sleeper sharks. They are believed to produce eggs that hatch inside the female's body (reproduction is ovoviviparous), but gestation time is unknown and litter sizes are thought to be about 10 pups. Its length at birth is about or less. The average mature size is and . The largest Pacific sleeper shark verified in size measured long and weighed , although it could possibly reach or more. In 1989, an enormous Pacific sleeper shark was attracted to a bait in deep water outside Tokyo Bay, Japan and filmed. The shark was estimated by Eugenie Clark to be about long."}, {"context": " Due to living in frigid depths, the sleeper shark's liver oil does not contain squalene, which would solidify into a dense, nonbuoyant mass. Instead, the low-density compounds in the sharks' liver are diacylglyceryl ethers and triacylglycerol, which maintain their fluidity even at the lowest temperatures. Also, they store very little urea in their skin (like many deep sea sharks), but like other elasmobranchs, have high concentrations of urea and trimethylamine oxide (nitrogenous waste products) in their tissues as osmoprotectants and to increase their buoyancy. Trimethylamine oxide also serves to counteract the protein-destabilizing tendencies of urea and pressure. Its presence in the tissues of both elasmobranch and teleost fish has been found to increase with depth."}, {"context": " Because food is relatively scarce on the deep sea floor, the sleeper shark is able to store food in its capacious stomach. The sleeper shark's jaws are able to produce a powerful bite due to their short and transverse shape. The upper jaw teeth of the sleeper shark are spike-like, while the lower jaw teeth are oblique cusps and overlapping bases. This arrangement allows grasping and sawing of food too large to swallow. Pacific sleeper sharks have a short caudal fin, which allows them to store energy for fast and violent bursts of energy to catch prey.  In 2015 a pacific sleeper shark was filmed near the Solomon islands underneath an active volcano. The shark is able to survive in water with a high temperature and acidity. Sleeper sharks are preyed on by the offshore ecotype of killer whales off British Columbia. In addition, like the Greenland shark, the parasitic copepod \"Ommatokoita elongata\" can often be observed consuming the shark's corneal tissue."}]}, {"title": "Pacific smalltail shark", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific smalltail shark (\"Carcharhinus cerdale\") is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. It was described in 1898, but later mistakenly merged with \"Carcharhinus porosus\". The mistake was corrected in 2011. It is relatively small with skin of a light-brownish color, and it can also be found in the Pacific Ocean. Not much is known about this species of shark, and there have been no recorded attacks on humans from this animal. It resembles the copper shark and a sand tiger shark, yet it is much smaller than both. It is probably not dangerous toward humans. It also has a small, slender body, and five gills in front of its pectoral fins.  The Pacific smalltail shark feeds on rays, fish, and small invertebrates. Some adults even feed on the young of other sharks."}]}, {"title": "Pacific snake-eel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific snake-eel (Ophichthus triserialis, also known as the spotted snake eel in the United States) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by Johann Jakob Kaup in 1856, originally under the genus \"Muraenopsis\". It is a marine, subtropical eel which is known from the eastern central and southeastern Pacific Ocean, including California, USA, Peru, the Gulf of California, Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama. It dwells at a maximum depth of , and forms burrows in mud and sand sediments. Males can reach a maximum total length of , but more commonly reach a TL of .  The species epithet \"\"triserialis\"\" means \"three-rowed\" in Latin, and refers to the eel's spotted pattern. The Pacific snake-eel's diet consists of bony fish, shrimp and bivalves. It is frequently captured as a by-catch by shrimp trawlers, but is usually discarded. Due to its wide distribution, lack of known threats, and lack of observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the Pacific snake eel as Least Concern."}]}, {"title": "Pacific spadenose shark", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific spadenose shark (\"Scoliodon macrorhynchos\") is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. It was once regarded as conspecific to the spadenose shark (\"S. laticaudus\")."}]}, {"title": "Pacific spaghetti eel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific spaghetti eel (\"Gorgasia japonica\") is an eel in the family Congridae (conger/garden eels). It was described by Tokiharu Abe, M. Miki and Minoru Asai in 1977. It is a marine, temperate water-dwelling eel which is known from the northwestern and southwestern Pacific Ocean, including Japan (from which its species epithet is derived) and New Zealand. It dwells at a maximum depth of . It is non-migratory, and inhabits sand flats near reefs. Males can reach a maximum total length of ; the diameter of the body is approximately 10 millimetres.  The Pacific spaghetti eel's diet consists of zooplankton."}]}, {"title": "Pacific spiny dogfish", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific spiny dogfish (\"Squalus suckleyi\") is a common species of the Squalidae (dogfish) family of sharks and are among the most abundant species of sharks in the world. This species is closely related to \"Squalus acanthias\" and for many years they were treated as a single species. Recent research, using meristic, morphological and molecular data led to the resurrection of Pacific Spiny Dogfish as a separate species. The American Fisheries Society recommends the common name \"Pacific Spiny Dogfish\" for \"Squalus suckleyi\" over alternatives such as \"Spotted Spiny Dogfish\" and \"North Pacific Spiny Dogfish\" and \"Spiny Dogfish\" for \"Squalus acanthias\"."}, {"context": " The maximum length of a Pacific dogfish can be 130 centimeters and they can live up to 100 years. \"Squalus suckleyi\" has a slower growth rate, larger maximum size, and later maturity compared to \"Squalus acanthias\" species. The slower growth rate and time of maturity could be related to the colder temperatures these sharks face. Pacific spiny dogfish prefer to be in temperatures ranging from 7 to 15 degrees Celsius. Dogfish are found all over the world, but the Pacific spiny dogfish are found in the North Pacific Ocean. These areas range from Korea, Japan, and Russia. They are also found in the gulf of Alaska down to Baja, California. They are known to be piscivores and eat other fish such as octopus, squid, and crustaceans. \"Squalus suckleyi\" have a slow reproduction rate compared to other sharks, with their gestation period being roughly around two years. This makes the Pacific dogfish more vulnerable to threats since they take longer to reproduce."}, {"context": " The Pacific spiny dogfish are small and skinny members of the family Squalidae. Throughout the entire Pacific Ocean, male and female dogfish measure up to be around 100 to 130 centimeters. Female Pacific dogfish reach a weight of 15 to 20 pounds by maturity, while the males tend to be much smaller in weight. The average maturation of the sharks normally take up to around 25 years. They can even live to the age of 100 years old. This makes the Northeast Pacific spiny dogfish the longest living out of all dogfish."}, {"context": " Its distinctive snout, large eyes, and flattened head are just a few of the physical characteristics that give the Pacific spiny dogfish its distinctive look. The dogfish has a cylindrical shaped body. This type of shark also contains a unique body coloring. The top half of the shark has a gray color with scattered white spots while the bottom half has a white/light gray color. The scales of the dogfish is composed of the same material of shark teeth called dermal denticles, making the skin very hard and durable. The skin of the sharks used to be used as sandpaper once dried to do woodwork or even be used as leather, once the denticles are removed. Lastly, the Pacific spiny dogfish has a set of teeth specialized for grinding instead of tearing by the teeth being flat with sharp edges. If any of the teeth are worn down or broken, new teeth replace them from the two rows that are not being used to prey on other animals."}, {"context": " Another specific characteristic of this type of shark is the structure of their fins. Although the Pacific spiny dogfish does not have an anal fin, they have a special fin instead. Relating to their name, the spiny dogfish have two spines that are in front of each dorsal fin. The use of two spines on the outer body have been proven for the use of protection against enemies such as other sharks, humans, and even whales. The two fins are known for their venomous nature. This is where the name \"Spiny\" comes into play due to the thorn-like spines that are in front of each dorsal fin. The shark forms into a curled up ball and then attacks its predators."}, {"context": " Another feature of the dorsal spines is annuli on the enamel that can be used to estimate age. The dorsal fins also give the shark advantages. The first dorsal fin helps the spiny dogfish maintain a stable body position while swimming while the second aids in generating thrust. The caudal fin is larger than normal, which helps the sharks maneuver through the water quickly and efficiently. The Pacific spiny dogfish has a unique system of ventilation. This type of dogfish has five gills on each side of their heads, but do not have gill covers like bony fish. The shark is able to breathe with these gills by swimming or staying in a current. The Pacific spiny dogfish also has a special feature called a spiracle. These are gills that are behind the eyes of the shark that give oxygen to the eyes and brain. It is also used to breathe while resting or eating. The breathing of the dogfish happens as a two step process. First, the dogfish has water enter its mouth and exit through the parabranchial cavity, which then goes out through the five gill slits. The first three gill slits are primarily used for suction action. The fourth gill slit has the same purpose, but with a weaker activity. Finally, the fifth gill slit has water escaping while the Pacific spiny dogfish feeds on its prey."}, {"context": " Dogfish in general live in three main areas of the ocean: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian ocean. While dogfish can be found all around the world, this specific type of spiny dogfish can be found in the Pacific Ocean. Spiny dogfish in the northern Pacific Ocean have recently been reevaluated and found to constitute a separate species, now known as the Pacific spiny dogfish. The Pacific dogfish's habitat consists of bays, inshore and offshore waters. Female dogfish usually are usually seen in inshore waters while smalls pups are seen maneuvering in offshore waters. These animals are usually spotted at the bottom of the continental shelf or in other words the bottom of the sea. The Pacific dogfish prefers to live mainly in saltwater, but they can live in and tolerate brackish water (a mix of salt and fresh water)."}, {"context": " Migratory patterns of Pacific spiny dogfish are not well understood. Analyses of tagged dogfish have shown a seasonal north-south migration along the west coast of the United States and Canada as well as a seasonal pattern of dogfish tagged in the inside waters of the Puget Sound repeatedly leaving that area for outside coastal waters in the summer. Tagged dogfish released in Canadian waters off British Columbia were most often recaptured in the same area as released but 10 individuals were recaptured near Japan"}, {"context": " Pacific spiny dogfish have been frequently captured over 1000 km from shore in salmon research gillnets in the North Pacific Ocean, suggesting that the trans-Pacific migrations from Canada to Japan could have passed through the open ocean rather than following the coast The Pacific dogfish have a longer reproduction rate compared to other sharks, but have the same reproduction characteristics as \"Squalus acanthias\" . The gestation period for spiny dogfish is normally 18 to 24 months. Dogfish that live in cooler water may have an increased duration of pregnancy. Females are also known to migrate from deep to shallow water as the pregnancy continues. This migration pattern is known to influence embryonic growth. Baby dogfish, also known as pups, found near Newfoundland had an average of 1.1\u00a0cm/month and 24 month pregnancy period, while a warmer area such as Massachusetts had an average of 1.3\u00a0cm/month and 20-22 month pregnancy period. The sexual maturity of a dogfish is hard to determine because it varies anywhere from 10\u201330 years. Food supplies and water temperature also play a role in growth and development of the dogfish. The length of a newborn Pacific dogfish is around 22 to 23 centimeters. Females seem to be significantly larger than male dogfish. At sexual maturity the male dogfish is 60\u201370\u00a0cm while the female is about 70\u2013100\u00a0cm. This length difference can be caused by the reproduction process of the female. Their bodies need to be bigger to carry and protect their eggs within their bodies. Pacific dogfish are ovoviviparous. This means that they produce eggs that hatch within the body. The size of the litter ranges from 1 to 20 newborns. Fertilization usually occurs from the beginning of October to the beginning of February."}, {"context": " The Pacific dogfish is an elasmobranchs or cartilaginous fish which includes sharks, skates and rays. Dogfish are carnivorous or meat eaters. Their teeth are sharp and are inclined laterally in order to cut through their prey. The Pacific dogfish usually eat on mollusks or crustaceans such as squid, krill, and shrimp. They also eat other small sharks and fish. According to Jennifer Bigman, a marine scientist, there is no difference between what male dogfish eat versus what female dogfish eat. Their prey are usually found on the sea floor, so the Pacific spiny dogfish has to scan the bottom in order to invest in their prey. Elasmobranchs consume very little carbohydrates and glucose. During times of starvation, they rely on ketone bodies to give them enough energy to survive. Cartilaginous fish are able to endure severe hypoglycemia due to their ketone oxidation. \"Squalus suckleyi\" are able to eat more carbohydrates compared to other elasmobranchs. The rectal gland is activated when a dogfish consumes food. This gland helps the Pacific dogfish become glucose dependent. This means that they have the ability to break down a small amount of glucose."}, {"context": " The Pacific dogfish poses no immediate threat to humans. It is rare to hear about this type of shark attacking and injuring humans. The only significant way that the Pacific dogfish can cause harm to a human is if a person gets near the poisonous spikes that are located at the dorsal fin. The main species of animals that threaten the Pacific dogfish population are sharks, Killer whales, seals, and larger bony fishes. The Pacific dogfish has relatively few predators, as it\u2019s poisonous spines serve as a deterrent measure."}, {"context": " The slow growth and low reproductive rates of Pacific spiny dogfish make them vulnerable to overfishing, but unlike the spiny dogfish found in other regions, which has been declared overfished in the past, stock assessments for the Pacific spiny dogfish in Alaska, British Columbia, and the West Coast of the United States have either found that the data are not informative about the stock status, or that the stock is not overfished and that overfishing is not occurring. Dogfish have been harvested for subsistence use on the Pacific coast for centuries, but commercial fisheries first began targeting dogfish in the 1930s and commercial landings of Pacific spiny dogfish in the West Coast of the United States were highest in the 1940s, driven by a market for Vitamin A from shark liver oil. The mortality due to fishing was estimated to have peaked at over 15,000 mt in 1944 but rapidly declined in the years after that and remained below 3,000 mt for the years since 1950."}, {"context": " Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2017, from <nowiki>http://www.asmfc.org/species/spiny-dogfish</nowiki> Bigman, Jennifer (Summer 2013). \"Trophic Ecology of North Pacific Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Suckleyi) Off Central California Waters\". Moss Landing Marine Laboratories California State University Monterey Bay. Bigman, J.S., Ebert, D.A. & Goldman, K.J. 2016. \"Squalus suckleyi\". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T195488A2382480. <nowiki>https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T195488A2382480.en</nowiki>. Downloaded on 16 November 2017."}, {"context": " Dogfish. (2017). Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, 1. Fisheries, N. (n.d.). Pacific Spiny Dogfish. Retrieved November 16, 2017, from <nowiki>https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/pacific-spiny-dogfish</nowiki> Florida Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2017, from <nowiki>http://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu./</nowiki> Fordham, S., Fowler, S.L., Coelho, R.P., Goldman, K. & Francis, M.P. 2016. \"Squalus acanthias\". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T91209505A2898271. <nowiki>https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T91209505A2898271.en</nowiki>. Downloaded on 16 November 2017."}, {"context": " Jones, T. S., & Ugland, K. I. (2001). Reproduction of female spiny dogfish, \"Squalus acanthias\", in the Oslofjord. Fishery Bulletin, 99(4), 685-690. Ketchen, K. S. (1972). Size at maturity, fecundity, and embryonic growth of the spiny dogfish (squalus acanthias) in British Columbia waters. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 29(12), 1717-1723. Retrieved from <nowiki>https://search.proquest.com/docview/17936290?accountid=11667</nowiki> Maia, A. and Wilga, C. A. (2016), Dorsal fin function in spiny dogfish during steady swimming. J Zool, 298: 139\u2013149. doi:10.1111/jzo.12300"}, {"context": " McFarlane, G. A., & King, J. R. (2003). Migration patterns of spiny dogfish (squalus acanthias) in the north Pacific Ocean. Fishery Bulletin, 101(2), 358-367. Retrieved from <nowiki>https://search.proquest.com/docview/18844859?accountid=11667</nowiki> Natanson, L. l., McCandless, C. T., James, K., & Hoey, J. (2017). Gestation period and pupping seasonality of female spiny dogfish (\"Squalus acanthias\") off southern New England. Fishery Bulletin, 115(4), 473-483. Orlov, Alexei M.; Savinykh, Vadim F.; Kulish, Eugeny F.; et al. Scientia Marina Volume: 76 Issue: 1 Pages: 111-122 Published: MAR 2012"}, {"context": " Penaluna, B. E., & Bodensteiner, L. R. (2015). North Pacific Spiny Dogfish ( \"Squalus suckleyi\") Presence in Eelgrass Habitat in the Salish Sea, Washington. Northwestern Naturalist, 96(3), 222-226. doi:10.1898/1051-1733-96.3.222 Spiny Dogfish. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2017, from <nowiki>http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/fish/dog.htm</nowiki> Taylor, I. G., Gertseva, V., & Matson, S. E. (2013). Spine-based ageing methods in the spiny dogfish shark, \"Squalus suckleyi\": How they measure up. Fisheries Research, 14783-92. doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2013.04.011  The Uncommon Guide to Common Life on Narragansett Bay. Save The Bay, 1998. <nowiki>http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/fish/dog.htm</nowiki> Yang, M-S (November 2017). \"Diets of Spotted Spiny Dogfish, \"Squalus suckleyi\", in Marmot Bay, Gulf of Alaska, Between 2006 and 2014\" (PDF). NOAA Technical Memorandum \u2013 via Science Direct."}]}, {"title": "Pacific spiny lumpsucker", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific spiny lumpsucker, scientific name Eumicrotremus orbis, is a species of bony fish in the Cyclopteridae family. The pacific spiny lumpsucker is a globular shaped fish that typically measures in length, with a maximum known length of around . The body of the fish is covered in cone-shaped plates, called tubercles. Females are dull green in color, while males are dull orange to reddish brown. The pacific spiny lumpsucker's anal fin has evolved into a large suction cup, allowing it to attach to surfaces. Pacific spiny lumpsuckers are most commonly found attached to solid objects and are ineffective swimmers. They are considered harmless to humans."}, {"context": " Pacific spiny lumpsuckers are found from northern Washington state to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They can also be found in the Chukchi Sea and around northern Japan. This species inhabits a wide variety of habitats, including eelgrass beds, rocky reefs, kelp patches, shallow bays, and docks. They can be found in near shore waters to a depth of . Pacific spiny lumpsuckers feed on slow crustaceans, worms, and mollusks on the sea floor. This species is known to spawn in shallow waters between the months of July and October. The females lay large, spherical, orange-colored eggs on rocks. Females typically lay around 200 eggs at a time. After the eggs are laid, the male attaches himself to a nearby surface where he cares for the eggs by defending them from predators and circulating water over them with his fin.  Pacific cod, sablefish, and lancefish are known predators of pacific spiny lumpsuckers."}]}, {"title": "Pacific spiny rat", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific spiny rat (Proechimys decumanus) is a species of rodent in the family Echimyidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Morphological characters and mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences showed that \"P. decumanus\" represents one independent evolutionary lineage within the genus \"Proechimys\", without clear phylogenetic affinity for any of the 6 major groups of species."}]}, {"title": "Pacific spoon-nose eel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific spoon-nose eel (Echiophis brunneus, also known commonly as the Fangjaw eel in Mexico) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by Jos\u00e9 Luis Castro-Aguirre and Sergio Su\u00e1rez de los Cobos in 1983, originally under the genus \"Notophtophis\". It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the eastern central and southeastern Pacific Ocean, including the Gulf of California, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Panama. It dwells at a maximum depth of , and inhabits sand and mud sediments. Males can reach a maximum total length of , but more commonly reach a TL of .  Due to its wide distribution, lack of known major threats, and lack of observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the Pacific spoon-nose eel as Least Concern. It is sometimes caught as by-catch by trawlers, but is usually discarded."}]}, {"title": "Pacific spotted scorpionfish", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific spotted scorpionfish (Scorpaena mystes) is a fish species found in shallow water and seaweed-covered reefs as well as on open, sandy areas between 1 and 85\u00a0m depth. An opportunistic predator, this cryptic fish lies unseen on the reef top waiting for small fishes to pass by. Although the flesh is of excellent quality, it is not utilized commercially due to its venomous spines. Eastern Pacific: Southern California through the Gulf of California to Chile, plus the Revillagigedos, Gal\u00e1pagos, Cocos and Malpelo Islands."}]}, {"title": "Pacific staghorn sculpin", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific staghorn sculpin, \"Leptocottus armatus\", is a common sculpin (Cottidae) found in shallow coastal waters along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California. The sole member of its genus, it is unusual for having spined antler-like projections on its gill covers; it can raise the projections as a defense mechanism. Staghorn sculpins are slender fish, with a grayish olive above, pale creamy yellow sides, and a white belly. The first dorsal fin has 7 spines and usually a dark spot in the posterior half, while the second dorsal has 17 rays. The anal fin also has 17 rays, while the pelvic fins have four rays. The fins have barred patterns of varying prominence. They can reach a length of 46\u00a0cm.  They are common in estuaries and coastal lagoons, where they feed on a variety of invertebrates, primarily amphipods such as \"Corophium\"."}]}, {"title": "Pacific states", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific States form one of the nine geographic divisions within the United States that are officially recognized by that country's census bureau. There are five states in this division \u2013 Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington \u2013 and, as its name suggests, they all have coastlines on the Pacific Ocean (and are the only US states that border that ocean). The Pacific States division is one of two divisions can be found within the United States Census Bureau's Western region; the other Western division is the Mountain States."}, {"context": " Despite being slotted into the same region by the Census Bureau, the Pacific and Mountain divisions are vastly different from one another in many vital respects, most notably in the arena of politics; while nearly all of the Mountain states are regarded as being conservative \"red states,\" four out of five of the Pacific states (all except Alaska) are clearly counted among the liberal \"blue states.\" Although not states, the three inhabited pacific U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands) and the pacific U.S. Minor Outlying Islands (excluding Navassa Island) are sometimes grouped with Pacific states in statistics."}]}, {"title": "Pacific station (British Columbia)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific station is on the Canadian National Railway mainline in Pacific, British Columbia, on the north side of the Skeena River, across the river from Highway 16 (no bridge or ferry access). The area is only accessible by rail. The station is served by Via Rail's Jasper \u2013 Prince Rupert train as a flag stop."}]}, {"title": "Pacific studies", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific studies is the study of the Pacific region (Oceania) across academic disciplines such as anthropology, archeology, art, economics, geography, history, linguistics, literature, music, politics, or sociology. In the fields of anthropology and linguistics, Oceania is often subdivided into Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, while also including Australasia. In archeology and prehistory, Oceania extends into the southern Pacific Rim of Asia, especially the islands now comprising Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Study of the history, economics, and politics from the colonial period on is inextricably bound to that of the major colonial powers: Britain, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, the United States, and later Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia.  For many Pacific Islanders, Pacific studies involves projects of cultural renaissance, the reclamation and reassertion of cultural identity, while for many others, Pacific studies tends to focus more on modernization and development, on how to understand the region in ways that will improve people's lives (Firth 2003)."}]}, {"title": "Pacific stump-toed gecko", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific stump-toed gecko (\"Gehyra insulensis\") is a species of gecko found on Roratonga, Tonga, and Micronesia. It has been synonymized with \"Gehyra mutilata\" by many previous authors but more recently accepted as a valid species."}]}, {"title": "Pacific swallow", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific swallow (\"Hirundo tahitica\") is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It breeds in tropical southern Asia and the islands of the south Pacific. It is resident apart from some local seasonal movements. This bird is associated with coasts, but is increasingly spreading to forested uplands. The hill swallow was formerly considered conspecific. This species is a small swallow at 13\u00a0cm. It has a blue back with browner wings and tail, a red face and throat, and dusky underparts. It differs from the barn swallow and the closely related welcome swallow in its shorter and less forked tail.  The Pacific swallow builds a neat cup-shaped nest, constructed with mud pellets collected in the beak, under a cliff ledge or on a man-made structures such as a building, bridge or tunnel. The nest is lined with softer material, and the clutch is two to three eggs. It is similar in behaviour to other aerial insectivores, such as other swallows and the unrelated swifts. It is a fast flyer and feeds on insects, especially flies, while airborne."}]}, {"title": "Pacific swift", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific swift (\"Apus pacificus\") is a bird which breeds in eastern Asia. This swift is strongly migratory, spending the northern hemisphere's winter in Southeast Asia and Australia. The general shape and blackish plumage recall its relative, the common swift, from which it is distinguished by a white rump band and heavily marked underparts. The sexes are identical in appearance, although young birds can be identified by pale fringes to the wing feathers that are absent in adults. This swift's main call is a screech typical of its family. It is one of a group of closely related Asian swifts formerly regarded as one species."}, {"context": " The Pacific swift is found in a wide range of climatic zones and habitats. It breeds in sheltered locations such as caves, natural rock crevices or under the roofs of houses. The nest is a half-cup of dry grass and other fine material that is gathered in flight, cemented with saliva and attached to a vertical surface. The two or three white eggs are incubated for about seventeen days to hatching. Subsequently, the chicks have a long but variable period in the nest before they are fully fledged. When the parents cannot find sufficient food in bad weather, the young can survive for days without being fed by metabolising body fat."}, {"context": " Like all members of its family, the Pacific swift feeds exclusively on insects caught in flight. It tends to hunt higher than most of its relatives other than the white-throated needletail. The Pacific swift has a large population and extensive breeding area, and faces few threats from predators or human activities. It is classed as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It has occurred as far afield as the US and New Zealand, and it is a very rare vagrant in Europe."}, {"context": " The swifts form the bird family Apodidae, which is divided into several genera. The Pacific swift is in the Old World genus \"Apus\", which is characterised by dark, glossy plumage, a forked tail and sharply pointed wings. Until recently, the Pacific swift was considered to have five subspecies, but three have now been elevated to full species status as part of a \"fork-tailed swift\" superspecies. The proposed name of the superspecies was formerly a synonym for the Pacific swift. A 2011 study proposed the following treatment. The long-tailed birds from the Tibetan Plateau with a narrow white throat patch are separated as Salim Ali's swift, \"A. salimali\", the small swifts with narrow white rumps from the Himalayas of India, Nepal and Bhutan become Blyth's swift, \"A. leuconyx\", and the population that breeds in limestone caves in northern Southeast Asia, characterised by a green iridescence and shallow tail fork, is split as Cook's swift, \"A. cooki\". The remaining subspecies are the nominate \"A. p. pacificus\" and the southern race \"A. p. kurodae\" (which includes the Tibetan population formerly named as \"kanoi\"). This arrangement has been accepted by the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), but not the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A 2012 paper showed that \"cooki\" is closely related to the dark-rumped swift, \"A. acuticauda\", which should therefore be included in the \"pacificus\" clade, but made no further taxonomic recommendations."}, {"context": " This swift was first described by John Latham in 1801 as \"Hirundo pacifica\". Scopoli separated the swifts from the swallows as the genus \"Apus\" in 1777. \"Apus\", like Apodidae, is derived from the Greek \u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2, \"apous\", meaning \"without feet\", a reference to the small, weak legs of these most aerial of birds, and \"pacificus\" refers to the Pacific Ocean. At in length, the Pacific swift is the largest of the \"Apus\" swifts. It has a 43\u201354-cm (17\u201321-in) wingspan. Females are slightly heavier than males, averaging against . It is similar in general shape to the common swift, although slightly longer-winged and with a more protruding head. The fork of the tail is deeper, and the rump is broader. The upperparts are black, apart from a white rump band and a somewhat greyer head. The underparts are black, although white fringes to the feathers gives the belly a scaly appearance when seen well from below. The tail and the upper wings are black, and the underwings are brown. The eyes are brown and the small bill and very short legs are black. The sexes are identically plumaged, and juveniles differ from the adults only in that the feathers show pale fringes, particularly on the wings. The southern subspecies, \"A. p. kurodae\", has a narrower white rump (15\u00a0mm/0.6\u00a0in against the nominate form's 20\u00a0mm/0.8\u00a0in), a grey throat and blacker underparts. Juveniles of migratory \"Apus\" swifts have a partial moult prior to migration, but retain the larger wing feathers. The moult is completed in the wintering grounds, where adults have a complete moult."}, {"context": " This species is usually straightforward to identify. The white-rumped swift is similar to Pacific swift, but its slender body and long, deeply forked tail make it appear quite different from its more powerfully built relative. A possible pitfall is a partially leucistic common swift with a white rump. The Pacific swift can be distinguished with care by its deeper tail fork, longer wings, bigger head, larger white throat patch and patterned underparts. In parts of Southeast Asia, migrating Pacific swifts pass through the resident ranges of former subspecies, and good views are then necessary to be sure of correct identification."}, {"context": " The calls given by flocks near the breeding areas are typical swift screams, including a trilled \"tsiririri\" or harsher \"spee-eer\". They resemble the cries of the common swift, but are softer and less wheezy. Pacific swifts are less vocal on the wintering grounds, but produce a variety of twitters and buzzes. The nominate subspecies, \"A. p. pacificus\", breeds in eastern Asia from the Ob River northeast to Kamchatka and east to the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and Japan. It is strongly migratory, wintering in southern Indonesia, Melanesia and Australia, including Tasmania. It is a common migrant through coastal Malaysia, Sumatra and Java with \"vast numbers\" crossing the Strait of Malacca. Subspecies \"A. p. kurodae\" breeds from southeastern Tibet through eastern China to southern Japan, Taiwan and Orchid Island. It is a relatively short-distance migrant, wintering in the Philippines, Malaysia and northern Indonesia."}, {"context": " As a powerful long-distance migrant, the nominate subspecies of Pacific swift has occurred as a vagrant far from its normal range. Birds have been recorded from Brunei, the Maldives, New Zealand and Macquarie Island, and there have been multiple occurrences in the Seychelles. In the US, this species is casual in the Pribilof and Aleutian Islands; a claimed 2010 sighting from the Yukon will be the first for Canada and the mainland of North America if ratified. In South America, there is a 1959 record from Colombia. There are 13 European records as of 2013, from Denmark (two), Spain, Sweden (four) and the UK (seven). It is possible that this overstates the true number of visiting birds. All the listed countries had a sighting on different dates in the summer of 2013 which could be due to a single wandering bird. The four most recent English records in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2013 all included sightings at Spurn, East Yorkshire and may refer to one returning individual."}, {"context": " A mainly aerial species, this swift is not limited to particular land habitats or climatic zones; it breeds from the Arctic to sub-tropical China, and from sea level to at least in Japan. It is often found around human habitation. It tends to winter in lowlands, and in Australia it is found in arid areas as well as in towns and on the coast. Flocks of thousands may appear when there are hot strong winds. Pacific swifts often travel and feed with white-throated needletails. The Pacific swift probably sleeps in flight when not nesting, behaviour known to occur in the common swift and suspected in other \"Apus\" species, but there is an Australian record of these swifts roosting in a tree, and they are occasionally seen to land briefly on the ground or on vertical surfaces."}, {"context": " Most \"Apus\" swift species nest in rocky areas, and the majority will accept human habitations as a substitute for natural sites. The Pacific swift is a colonial species which nests in sheltered locations such as caves, crevices in vertical rock faces (including sea-cliffs), or under the eaves of houses. The nest is a half-cup of feathers, dry grass and other light vegetation collected in flight, cemented with saliva and attached to a ledge or vertical surface with the same substance. Two or three eggs is the normal clutch, the number varying with geographical location. In areas where three eggs are usual, a fourth may occasionally be laid; no larger clutches are known. The eggs are white, as with all swifts, and 24\u201327.5\u00a0x\u00a016\u201317\u00a0mm (0.95\u20131.08\u00a0x\u00a00.63\u20130.67\u00a0in) in size. They are incubated by both parents for about 17 days prior to hatching as unfeathered and blind altricial chicks. Both adults brood and feed the chicks, which fledge in an average 40.5\u00a0days."}, {"context": " Swifts as a family have smaller egg clutches and much longer and more variable incubation and fledging times than passerines with similarly sized eggs, resembling tubenoses in these developmental factors. Young birds reach a maximum weight heavier than their parents; they can cope with not being fed for long periods of time, and delay their feather growth when undernourished. Swifts and seabirds have generally secure nest sites, but their food sources are unreliable, whereas passerines are vulnerable in the nest but food is usually plentiful. These adaptations mean that when conditions are good, the survival rate is very high. One large Yellow Sea colony had hatching success of 73.5%, with 63.6% of the chicks fledging. The average productivity was 1.24\u00a0fledged young per pair per year."}, {"context": " All swifts feed on insects caught in flight, and the Pacific swift has been recorded as consuming bees, wasps, termites, moths and flies. A Chinese study found that it caught a wide variety of insect prey and considered that most of the species eaten were harmful to agriculture or forestry. The Pacific swift tends to hunt higher than sympatric swifts, sharing its airspace mainly with white-throated needletails. It typically feeds at heights up to , only flying close to the ground in poor weather. It often forages near low-pressure areas, which serve both to raise insects from the ground and to give the swifts additional lift. The swifts circle through the insect swarms in flocks typically of tens or hundreds of birds, although sometimes reaching tens of thousands in Australia. In Siberia, Pacific swifts feed at dusk to much later hours than the common swift, sometimes until midnight, and migrants have been seen flying with bats in the Philippines. The young are brought balls of insects bound with saliva. In bad weather, they are sometimes not fed for days, surviving on stored body fat."}, {"context": " Swifts spend most of their time in flight. Few birds have the necessary speed and agility to catch them, hobbies being the main exception. The nest sites are also usually sufficiently inaccessible to be beyond the reach of snakes or mammalian predators. This swift is host to feather mites including \"Eustathia cultrifera\", \"Chauliacia canarisi\" and \"C. securigera\". Biting parasites include the louse fly \"Crataerina pacifica\", bat bugs and sucking mites. Chewing lice include two species first identified on this swift. Davaineidae tapeworms have been found as internal parasites."}, {"context": " The Pacific swift has a very large range, exceeding 10,000,000\u00a0km (3,800,000\u00a0mi). Its population is unknown, although it is common throughout its breeding range with no evidence of any decline. It is therefore classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as being of least concern. There appear to be no significant threats to this bird; predation is low, and this swift is not tied to a particular habitat. Some birds may die through misadventure or become exhausted when lost on migration (the first record for the Western Palaearctic was found resting on a North Sea gas platform), but swifts have high survival rates and are generally long-lived. The common swift, a close relative of the Pacific swift, has been recorded as reaching 21\u00a0years old."}]}, {"title": "Pacific temperate rainforests (WWF ecoregion)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific temperate rainforests ecoregion of North America is the largest temperate rain forest ecoregion on the planet as defined by the World Wildlife Fund (other definitions exist). The Pacific temperate rain forests lie along the western side of the Pacific Coast Ranges along the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America from the Prince William Sound in Alaska through the British Columbia Coast to Northern California, and are part of the Nearctic ecozone, as also defined by the World Wildlife Fund. The Pacific temperate rain forests are characterized by a high amount of rainfall, in some areas more than per year and moderate temperatures in both the summer and winter months ()."}, {"context": " This ecoregion is a subregion of the Cascadia bioregion. These rain forests occur in a number of ecoregions, which vary in their species composition, but are predominantly of conifers, sometimes with an understory of broadleaf trees, ferns and shrubs. In the WWF's system, sub-ecoregions of the Pacific Temperate Rain Forests Ecoregion are the Northern Pacific coastal forests, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia mainland coastal forests, Central Pacific coastal forests, Central and Southern Cascades forests, Klamath-Siskiyou forests, and Northern California coastal forests ecoregions."}, {"context": " The forests in the north contain predominantly Sitka spruce and western hemlock, while those in the coastal forests are home as well to coast redwood (\"Sequoia sempervirens\"), coast Douglas-fir (\"Pseudotsuga menziesii\"), western redcedar and shore pine. Notably, the three tallest species of trees are found here. Dense growths of epiphytes and mosses cover the trees, and lush vegetation is present everywhere. Hardwood trees such as the bigleaf maple and the alder are also common, especially at lower elevations and along stream banks, and are vital to the ecosystem, in part because of their nitrogen fixing."}, {"context": " About 200 million years ago (during the Triassic and Jurassic periods), the landscape was dominated by conifers, which were the most diverse group of trees and constituted the greatest majority of large trees. When flowering plants emerged (in the following Cretaceous period), they quickly prevailed, causing most conifers to become extinct, and those that survived to adapt to harsh conditions. Perhaps the most significant difference in this change is that the primitive conifers invested their energy in the basic food supply for every seed, with no certainty of fertilization; by contrast, flowering plants create the food supply for a seed only after it is triggered by fertilization. The Pacific temperate rain forest now remains the only region on Earth of noteworthy size and significance where, due to unique climatic conditions, the conifers flourish as they did before being displaced by flowering plants. The northern Pacific temperate rain forests are relatively young, emerging in the past few thousand years following the retreat of the ice sheets of the last ice age."}, {"context": " The ecosystem of Pacific temperate rain forests is so productive that the biomass on the best sites is at least four times greater than that of any comparable area in the tropics. In sheer mass of living and decaying material - trees, mosses, shrubs, and soil - these forests are more massive than any other ecosystem on the planet. In part, this is due to the rarity of fire. Unlike drier forests, which burn periodically, temperate rain forests are naturally subject to only small-scale disturbances, such as blow-downs and avalanches."}, {"context": " This rain forest spans a wide range of latitude - from about 40 degrees north to about 60 degrees north. The differences in climate from south to north create several major forest zones, characterized by different species. The first survey to systematically explore the forest canopy in the Carmanah Valley of Vancouver Island yielded 15,000 new species, a third of all invertebrates known to exist in all of Canada. Among the collection were 500 species previously unknown to science. The rain forest exists in a complicated landscape of islands and fjords, and many species depend on both the forest and the ocean. Salmon are one of the primary species of the rainforest, spawning in the forest streams. The marbled murrelet nests in old growth trees at night, but feeds in the ocean during the day."}, {"context": " Many of the most iconic photos of these forests include a large bear somewhere in the frame. Grizzly bears and black bears once thrived throughout the rain forest zone and beyond. Black bears can still be found throughout the forest's range, while grizzlies are largely confined to areas north of the Canada\u2013US border. These forests have some of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears in the world, mainly due to the region's rich salmon streams. The Great Bear Rainforest in Canada is home to the rare white variant of the black bear known as the \"spirit bear.\" The endangered spotted owl was at the center of logging controversies in Oregon and Washington. Other wildlife species of note include the bald eagle, marbled murrelet, wolf, and sitka deer."}, {"context": " Pacific temperate rain forests have been subject to ongoing large-scale industrial logging since the end of World War II, cutting over half of their total area. In California, only 4% of the redwoods have been protected. In Oregon and Washington, less than 10% of the original coastal rain forest area remains. An even larger percentage of the productive forest has been logged. Much of the land is rock, ice, muskeg, or less productive forest on steep slopes. The stereotypical old growth is limited to lowland flats and valleys, which have been preferentially targeted for logging. Historically, the most common protocol has been to place protected areas in the mountains, leaving the valleys to the timber industry. So while some very large areas are protected as parks and monuments, very little of the highest-value habitat has been protected, and much of it has already been cut."}, {"context": " In the Tongass National Forest, in the 1950s, in part to aid in Japanese recovery from World War II, the US Forest Service set up long term contracts with two pulp mills: the Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) and the Alaska Pulp Company (APC). These contracts were for 50 years, and divided up the forest into areas slated for APC logs and areas slated for KPC logs. These two companies conspired to drive log prices down, conspired to drive smaller logging operations out of business, and were major and recalcitrant polluters of their local areas. These long term contracts guaranteed low prices to the pulp companies \u2014 in some cases resulting in trees being given away for less than the price of a hamburger. Since 1980, the US Forest Service has lost over a billion dollars in Tongass timber sales."}, {"context": " Half a million acres (2,000\u00a0km) of the Tongass was selected by native corporations under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Much of this area has been clearcut. The most controversial timber sales in the Tongass are in the roadless areas. In September 2006, a landmark court decision overturned President George W. Bush's repeal of the Roadless Rule, reverting to the 2001 roadless area protections established under President Clinton. However, the Tongass was exempted from that ruling and it is unclear what the fate of its vast roadless areas will be."}]}, {"title": "Pacific thread herring", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific thread herring (\"Opisthonema libertate\") is a herring-like fish in the family Clupeidae."}]}, {"title": "Pacific tree frog", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla), also known as the Pacific chorus frog, has a range from the West Coast of the United States (from Northern California, Oregon, and Washington) to British Columbia in Canada and extreme southern Alaska. They live from sea level to more than 10,000 feet in many types of habitats, reproducing in aquatic settings. They occur in shades of greens or browns and can change colors over periods of hours and weeks. The naming of this frog has a very confusing history. First, the frog was moved from the genus \"Hyla\" to the genus \"Pseudacris\" in 1986. Then, in 2006, Recuero \"et al.\" split the frog into three species. Recuero \"et al.\" attached the name \"Pseudacris regilla\" with the central component, \"Pseudacris hypochondriaca\" with southern (Baja Californian) component, and \"Pseudacris pacifica\" with northern component. However, if this split is accepted, the correct name (i.e., the oldest available name) for the northern component is \"Pseudacris regilla\" and for the central one \"Pseudacris sierra\". This revision remains controversial. The Amphibian Species of the World 6.0 recognizes the split, but uses the name \"Pseudacris regilla\" for the northern component, the definition followed in this article."}, {"context": " The Pacific tree frog grows up to 2 inches from snout to urostyle. The males are usually smaller than the females and have a dark patch on their throats. The dark patch is the vocal sac, which stretches out when the male is calling. Pacific tree frogs can be a number of different colors, including green, tan, reddish, gray, brown, cream, and black, but most are a shade of green or brown, with pale or white bellies. They have a variety of dark and spotty markings on their backs and sides and can be identified by a black or dark brown eye stripe that stretches from the nose, across the eye, and back to the shoulder. They can change color seasonally to better match their environments. Their skin is covered in small bumps. They have long legs compared to their bodies and they tend to be slender. Their toes are long and only very slightly webbed. On the end of each toe is a round, sticky toe pad or disk used for climbing and sticking to surfaces. Males also have an extra, and far less noticeable toe on their outer thumbs used exclusively in amplexus. Fertilization is external."}, {"context": " Pacific tree frogs are common on the Pacific coast of Oregon and Washington, but they are found from extreme northern California to British Columbia. They can also be found in Idaho. A small population also exists in a pond on Revillagigedo Island near Ketchikan, Alaska, having been intentionally introduced there in the 1960s. They are found upland in ponds, streams, lakes and sometimes even further away from water; their habitat includes a wide variety of climate and vegetation from sea level to high altitudes. The Pacific tree frog makes its home in riparian habitat, as well as woodlands, grassland, chaparral, pasture land, and even urban areas including back yard ponds. Eggs of the Pacific tree frog may be consumed by the rough-skinned newt and other amphibians."}, {"context": " The Pacific tree frog begins mating in early winter to early spring. Since these frogs are so widespread geographically, their breeding season is thought to be determined by local conditions. When it is time, the males migrate to the water. They then make a call at the same time, calling \"ooh-yeeh\" or ribbiting loudly. This lures the females to the water and they mate. The females lay their eggs in clumps of 10-90, and usually put them on and under vegetation and leaf litter in the pond. Females usually lay their eggs in shallow, calm water that has little action around it. If they survive, embryos will hatch into tadpoles within one to three weeks. The tadpoles feed on periphyton, filamentous algae, diatoms, and pollen in or on the surface of the water. They feed using suction, and a beak-like structure that helps scrape vegetation off surfaces."}, {"context": " The species attracts mates using a choral song. Males call to females as loudly as possible and produce a croak so loud that they sound as though they are produced by multiple males. These sounds can be heard by numerous females. Once a female approaches, the male stops singing and attempts amplexus. Breeding takes place at night, near shallow water, typically after rainfall. Mating season usually extends from December to May, although some variation occurs. Altitude often affects the length of the breeding season. (Dickerson, 1906; Grinnell and Storer, 1924; Schaub and Larsen, Jr, 1978)"}, {"context": " Metamorphosis usually follows about two to two and a half months later, but experience raising these tadpoles shows that some may delay metamorphosis, changing up to five months after hatching. The survival rate of these delayed metamorphs is lower, and the evolutionary utility of this delayed metamorphosis is uncertain. It may be related to the prevalence of fire in their natural ecosystem. During the final stages of transformation when the tadpoles have four limbs and a tail, they stop feeding for a short time while their mouths widen and their digestive systems adjust from herbivorous to carnivorous."}, {"context": " For the most part, Pacific tree frogs are nocturnal, but they have been spotted during the day. These frogs spend a lot of time hiding under rotten logs, rocks, long grasses, and leaf litter, where they are very difficult to see unless they move. When they hunt, their toe pads allow them to climb on vegetation and other surfaces where they are to ambush their prey. Much of their diets consists of spiders, beetles, flies, ants, and other insects and arthropods; they can and do eat insects that are almost as large as they are, and will expand their bodies slightly to accommodate these meals."}, {"context": " Pacific tree frogs mature quickly, and are usually mate the season after metamorphosis. Predators include snakes, raccoons, herons, egrets, and other small mammals and reptiles. When they sense potential food nearby, they commonly twitch a toe to attract it within easy reach of their tongues. They can live up to 9 years in captivity. They produce several call types. These include the males' advertisement call, commonly described as \u201cribbit\u201d or \u201ccrek-ek\u201d, as well as an encounter trill call. The cre-ek call can be quite loud and can thus be heard from very far away. Males also produce a \u201cdry land call\u201d, a long cre-ee-ee-eeek, that can be heard anytime in the year except during the coldest and driest periods. Pacific tree frogs are the most commonly heard frogs along much of the West Coast of the United States."}, {"context": " These frogs have the ability to change color from brown to green. Previously, adults were thought to occur in two different fixed colors. Now, some of them have been found to be able to change between the two. They can also change from lighter to darker, shift from patterned markings to pure colors and \"vice versa\", and even display combinations of colors, brown/green being the most frequent. These color-changing morphs are triggered not by color change in their environments, but a change in background brightness. This type of environmental change would be caused by seasonal fluctuation. A full change in the dorsal coloration of a color morph can take from weeks to months, but initial changes can occur in just a few hours. This has been shown to be a very useful cryptic survival feature for these frogs."}, {"context": " Skin color is produced via pigment cells called chromatophores. Three types of chromatophores are commonly found in amphibians: Xanthophores, which contain yellow, orange, or red pigments and are found uppermost on the dermis; iridophores, which lie below the xanthophores and function by reflecting and scattering white light up through them (in the case of \"Pseudacris regilla\" and many other North American frogs, iridophores reflect blue light through the yellow pigment cells above to create a green frog) and melanophores, which are the deepest pigment cells and are responsible for the presence of black and brown pigments."}, {"context": " A rare, recessive \"blue morph\" is known. One is housed at the Humboldt State University Natural History Museum in Arcata, California. This mutation might inhibit the xanthophores' ability to produce yellow pigments, thus the normally green frog (possibly of the color-unchanging type) appears blue. Research was done on Pacific tree frogs to discover if they have homing instincts and what was their main source for knowing where their home was. To find the answer, these frogs were marked and moved 300 yards away from their pond. Several days later, the researchers did a recapture on the original pond in which 66.3% of the frogs were recaptured, indicating there was some source of homing instinct. This was made apparent again when 24 frogs were placed into a larger pond, and 20 of those frogs returned to their original pond. The frogs' movement patterns and olfactory, auditory, and kinesthetic senses could be explanations for the homing, but not a single factor was able to explain the results, indicating that these frogs might be using all or a combination of these factors for homing."}, {"context": " These frogs are the most common frogs on the West Coast of North America. Although Pacific tree frogs remain abundant, some other species found in the same areas, such as California red-legged frogs, are declining. Most populations of tree frogs appear healthy, and they have no concern or conservation status. In 2007, the Pacific tree frog was named the state amphibian of the State of Washington. It is also a very important species in all of the regions where it is found because it is a keystone species. Many other species, such as garter snakes, depend upon its abundance as a prey item for their survival."}]}, {"title": "Pacific typhoon climatology", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The following is a list of Pacific typhoon seasons. The seasons are limited to the north of the equator between the 100th meridian east and the 180th meridian."}]}, {"title": "Pacific viperfish", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific viperfish, \"Chauliodus macouni\", is a predatory fish that lives in the abyssal depths of the deep sea. In daytime it can be found from 200\u20135000 m below the ocean surface. At night it swims up into shallower depths of less than 200m where food is more plentiful. Pacific viperfish will mostly eat crustaceans and small fish. They typically reach lengths of up to 1 foot and are considered an example of deep-sea gigantism. According to O'Day (1973) luminescent silhouetting may aid the fish in mating, spacing themselves out as they hunt, maintaining conspecific aggregations, warning potential predators of their own formidable size, or perhaps allowing them to escape from predators by temporarily blinding them. These functions, however, remain speculative."}, {"context": " Pacific viperfish can be characterized by its large mouth, long fang-like teeth and long dorsal fin ray (as much as half its body length). They are iridescent dark silver-blue color in life with pale fins. They can also be a light black color with blue fins. As most fish species, the Pacific viperfish has several parasites. In 2018, Susumu Ohtsuka, Dhugal J. Lindsay and Kunihiko Izawa described a new genus and species of pennellid copepod, \"Protosarcotretes nishikawai\", from a single ovigerous female infecting a Pacific viperfish collected from the deep-waters of Suruga Bay, Japan. According to the authors, the new genus had the most plesiomorphic states in the first to fourth legs of pennellid copepods."}]}, {"title": "Pacific white line", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific White Line is a periodic but random natural feature in the Pacific Ocean. It is a huge collection of fish, foam and algae that usually occurs between January and August. When conditions are right it can be seen from space. The line can clearly be seen from space when at its greatest, being around wide and up to several hundred kilometres long. Although only covering 0.1% of the surface, it provides 50% of all the fish caught in the Pacific Ocean. The white line is formed because the currents bring fresh, cool and nutritious water loaded with minerals from the depths of the ocean to the surface. When this occurs, it moves west along the surface, with a 70-metre zone of cool water and a 40-metre zone of warm water, that has been subducted under the cold water leading to a lot of turbulence quite often. When these conditions are present tiny algae called Rhizosolenia, part of the diatom family, begin to flourish. No thicker than two or three times the width of a human hair, they pile up ahead of the line as it moves west. They breed once a day to form baby diatomettes and this creates a very localized food source, that all the fish are attracted to. The white color of the line is caused by the huge collection of diatoms, the cooler water and the whitecaps, formed by the turbulence in the water."}, {"context": " Even since 1926, records of the white line and associated features have been taking place. In that year an unnamed ocean explorer described the white line and its collection of diatoms as having \"the consistency of soup\" due to the abundance of ocean fauna. In these early days scientists were able to discover the time at which the line formed (between January and August, as mentioned earlier). During a 10-year international study called the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study the white line was photographed for the first time, as the scientists were studying how currents, chemicals, ocean color, and temperature affected the overall ocean and it was during this study that the line was photographed and the scale of the event was discovered, by the Space Shuttle."}, {"context": " Also, scientists have measured the concentrations of these diatoms by lasers in low flying aircraft, during normal conditions and during the time in which the white line is present, and it has been found that the concentrations of these algae is up to 100 times greater in the white line period. These conditions are only rarely present and once one of the needed conditions fails, the Pacific returns to its normal state. Often, the line collapses because of the currents returning to normal and the cool waters return to the depths, causing the diatoms to die out (they need the difference in ocean temperature to flourish), the turbulence to cease and the fish to move elsewhere."}]}, {"title": "Pacific white skate", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific white skate (\"Bathyraja spinosissima\") is a species of skate, family Rajidae. It is one of the deepest-living of all skates, occurring at a depth of 800 to 2,938 m on the continental slope. It is native to the southeast Pacific Ocean from the Galapagos Islands to off Waldport, Oregon; an egg case and embryo has been collected from the Farallon Islands off San Francisco. Reports of it from the Sea of Okhotsk may represent a different species. Its species name, \"spinosissima\", comes from the Latin \"spinosus\" meaning \"thorny\", referring to its covering of dermal denticles."}, {"context": " The flattened pectoral fin disc of the Pacific white skate is slightly wider than long, with broadly rounded tips. The disc is covered with numerous small denticles above and below, giving it a shagreen-like texture. Adult males possess alar spines (on the dorsal surface of the pectoral fins near the tips). The tail is slightly longer than the disc, bearing a single median row of 23-29 thorns and two similar-sized dorsal fins near the end without an interdorsal thorn. The caudal fin is long and taperine, with a filamentous fold on its upper surface. Its teeth number 34 in the upper jaw and 23 in the lower. This species is a uniform pale to salty gray above and below, with dusky outer disc margins.  The Pacific white skate feeds on benthic fishes. Like other skates they are oviparous; the egg cases are olive green in color and longitudinally striated, with horn-like projections on the shell. The size at birth is about 25\u00a0cm; the maximum known size is 1.5 m. They are of no commercial interest but are occasionally taken as by-catch."}]}, {"title": "Pacific white-sided dolphin", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific white-sided dolphin (\"Lagenorhynchus obliquidens\") is a very active dolphin found in the cool to temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean. The Pacific white-sided dolphin was named by Smithsonian mammalogist Theodore Nicholas Gill in 1865. It is morphologically similar to the dusky dolphin, which is found in the South Pacific. Genetic analysis by Frank Cipriano suggests the two species diverged about two million years ago. Though both are traditionally placed in the genus \"Lagenorhynchus\", molecular analyses indicate they are closer to dolphins of the genus \"Cephalorhynchus\". The new genus \"Sagmatias\" has been proposed for these species."}, {"context": " The Pacific white-sided dolphin has three colors. The chin, throat and belly are creamy white. The beak, flippers, back, and dorsal fin are a dark gray. Light gray patches are seen on the sides and a further light gray stripe runs from above the eye to below the dorsal fin, where it thickens along the tail stock. A dark gray ring surrounds the eyes. The species is an average-sized oceanic dolphin. Females weigh up to and males with males reaching and females in length. Pacific white-sided dolphins usually tend to be larger than dusky dolphins. Females reach maturity at seven years. From 1990 to 1991, a study conducted by Richard C. Ferrero and William A. Walker revealed the vast majority of Pacific white-sided dolphins that fell victim to the drift nets were between the ages of 8.3 to 11 when they sexually matured. The gestation period usually last for one year. Individuals are believed to live up 40 years or more."}, {"context": " The Pacific white-sided dolphin is extremely active and mixes with many of the other North Pacific cetacean species. It readily approaches boats and bow-rides. Large groups are common, averaging 90 individuals, with supergroups of more than 300. Prey includes mainly hake, anchovies, squid, herring, salmon, and cod. They have an average of 60 teeth. The range of the Pacific white-sided dolphin arcs across the cool to temperate waters of the North Pacific. Sightings go no further south than the South China Sea on the western side and the Baja California Peninsula on the eastern. Populations may also be found in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. In the northern part of the range, some individuals may be found in the Bering Sea. The dolphins appear to follow some sort of migratory pattern\u00a0\u2014 on the eastern side they are most abundant in the Southern California Bight in winter, but further north (Oregon, Washington) in summer. Their preference for off-shore deep waters appears to be year-round. The only known predator of the Pacific white-sided dolphin is the killer whale."}, {"context": " The total population may be as many as 1 million. However, the tendency of Pacific white-sided dolphins to approach boats complicates precise estimates via sampling. These dolphins keep close company. White-sided dolphins swim in groups of 10 to 100, and can often be seen bow-riding and doing somersaults. Members form a close-knit group and will often care for a sick or injured dolphin. Animals that live in such big social groups develop ways to keep in touch, with each dolphin identifying itself by a unique name-whistle. Staying close helps, too. Young dolphins communicate with a touch of a flipper as they swim beside adults."}, {"context": " Studies conducted on Pacific white-sided dolphins, as well as Risso's Dolphin have revealed a multitude of things about how they communicate as a species, which was revealed to be vastly different from bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins. The studies have revealed that their notches and spectral peaks happen to be more low pitched when juxtaposed with the bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins as mentioned earlier. Other studies have revealed some very similar behaviors. Two studies conducted back in 2010 and 2011 revealed that the vocalizations of Pacific white-sided dolphins can range differently only from their behavioral states, indicating strong similarities between the acoustic and surface behavior for various foraging behaviors, including the possibility of an undescribed subspecies. The oceanographical data in the area can also effect the behavioral patterns of the dolphins. The studies also revealed that the different types of echolocations do vary based on the geographical locations; the first population of Pacific white-sided dolphins that were observed, inhabiting the waters near the Pacific United States seemed to more activity during the night while the second population of Pacific white-sided dolphins, that were also observed, inhabiting areas near Baja California, were observed to be more active during the day. Some argue there are two major factors which are the cause of this sort of behavior: the seasons and the dolphins search for prey."}, {"context": " The first sighting of the species on Commander Islands involved a single dolphin to travel along with a pod of killer whales in 2013. Until the United Nations banned certain types of fishing nets in 1993, many Pacific white-sided dolphins were killed in drift nets. One researcher estimated 50,000\u201389,000 individuals were killed in the 12 years to 1990. Some animals are still killed each year by Japanese hunting drives. Although overshadowed in popularity by bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins are also a part of some marine theme park shows. Roughly 100 reside in dolphinaria in North America and Japan. In captivity, they tend to consume less amounts of food when compared to their wild counterparts, this could be the case due to the fact of temperatures changing in the water based on the seasons. However, the condition in which the dolphins lives, most likely in an aquarium tank, will impact how much energy is required for a captive dolphin to thrive in captivity. Studies have also shown that the highest amount of food intake that a captive Pacific white-sided dolphin displays in autumn when the dolphin increase their food intake as well as their body mass. http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=652:seasonal-resting-metabolic-rate-and-food-intake-of-captive-pacific-white-sided-dolphins-lagenorhynchus-obliquidens&catid=46&Itemid=157"}]}, {"title": "Pacific worm eel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific worm eel (Myrophis vafer, also known commonly as the worm eel in the United Kingdom) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels). It was described by David Starr Jordan and Charles Henry Gilbert in 1883. It is a marine, subtropical eel which is known from the eastern central and southeastern Pacific Ocean, including California, USA, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, and Peru. It dwells at a depth range of , and inhabits sand and mud sediments. Unlike many species of eel, it does not form burrows. Males can reach a maximum total length of .  Young Pacific worm eels are drawn to lights at the sea's surface. Due to its wide distribution, lack of known major threats and lack of observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the species as Least Concern."}]}, {"title": "Pacific wren", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific wren (\"Troglodytes pacificus\") is a very small North American bird and a member of the mainly New World wren family Troglodytidae. It was once lumped with \"Troglodytes hiemalis\" of eastern North America and \"Troglodytes troglodytes\" of Eurasia as the winter wren. It breeds along the Pacific coast from Alaska to California and inland as far as Wyoming and the Black Hills of South Dakota. It migrates through and winters across the western half of the United States and Canada. The scientific name is taken from the Greek word \"troglodytes\" (from \"trogle\" a hole, and \"dyein\" to creep), meaning \"cave-dweller\", and refers to its habit of disappearing into cavities or crevices whilst hunting arthropods or to roost."}, {"context": " Rufous brown above, richly colored below, barred with darker brown and dusky, even on wings and tail. The bill is dark brown, the legs pale brown. Young birds are less distinctly barred. By studying the songs and genetics of individuals in an overlap zone between \"Troglodytes hiemalis\" and \"Troglodytes pacificus\", Toews and Irwin (2008) found strong evidence of reproductive isolation between the two. It was suggested that the \"pacificus\" subspecies be promoted to the species level designation of \"Troglodytes pacificus\" with the common name of \u2018Pacific Wren\u2019. By applying a molecular clock to the amount of mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence between the two, it was estimated that \"Troglodytes pacificus\" and \"Troglodytes troglodytes\" last shared a common ancestor approximately 4.3 million years ago, long before the glacial cycles of the Pleistocene, thought to have promoted speciation in many avian systems inhabiting the boreal forest of North America."}, {"context": " The Pacific wren nests mostly in coniferous forests, especially those of spruce and fir, where it is often identified by its long and exuberant song. Although it is an insectivore, it can remain in moderately cold and even snowy climates by foraging for insects on substrates such as bark and fallen logs. Its movements as it creeps or climbs are incessant rather than rapid; its short flights swift and direct but not sustained, its tiny round wings whirring as it flies from bush to bush. At night, usually in winter, it often roosts, true to its scientific name, in dark retreats, snug holes and even old nests. In hard weather it may do so in parties, either consisting of the family or of many individuals gathered together for warmth."}, {"context": " For the most part insects and spiders are its food, but in winter large pupae are taken and some seeds. The male builds a small number of nests. These are called \"cock nests\" but are never lined until the female chooses one to use. The normal round nest of grass, moss, lichens or leaves is tucked into a hole in a wall, tree trunk, crack in a rock or corner of a building, but it is often built in bushes, overhanging boughs or the litter which accumulates in branches washed by floods. Five to eight white or slightly speckled eggs are laid in April, and second broods are reared."}]}, {"title": "Pacific!", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific! is a Swedish musical duo from Gothenburg consisting of Daniel H\u00f6gberg and Bj\u00f6rn Synneby playing electro."}]}, {"title": "Pacific, California", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific is a small unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California. It is located east of Pollock Pines, at an elevation of 3396 feet (1035 m). It lies along U.S. Highway 50 and is next to the town of Pacific House, California. The ZIP code is 95726. The community is inside area code 530. A post office operated in Pacific from 1880 to 1893 and from 1894 to 1958, when it was transferred to Pacific House."}]}, {"title": "Pacific, Missouri", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific is a city in Franklin and St. Louis counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 7,002 at the 2010 census. Pacific was platted in 1852 when the railroad was extended to that point. It was so named because here the new railroad started for the Pacific Ocean. A post office called Pacific has been in operation since 1854. The Gustav Grauer Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Pacific is located at (38.481503, -90.750015). The city straddles the Franklin/St. Louis county line, which lies halfway on the blocks between Elm and Neosho streets. St. Louis is northeast of Pacific, and the communities comprising the Missouri Rhineland are northwest of the city."}, {"context": " Pacific is bordered on the southeast by the Pacific Palisades Conservation Area. Access to the Meramec River, through the Pacific Palisades Conservation Area, is located east of the city, adjacent to Eureka on the north side. The majority of the Pacific Palisades Conservation Area is south of the river and can be accessed south of the city in Jefferson County. The Union Pacific (formerly Missouri Pacific) railroad, BNSF Railway (formerly St. Louis San-Francisco) Railroad, historic Route 66, Brush Creek, and Fox Creek run through the town."}, {"context": " According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. A total of of the city is located in St. Louis County. The city is located directly west from Eureka and east of Gray Summit. The Old Downtown Commerce Area is mostly located along First and St. Louis streets. The historic downtown buildings, built in the late 1800s, have been fully or partially restored, and new businesses have moved into the buildings. The Red Cedar Inn, on the east end of town, was a meeting place for people around the country seeking out one of the oldest restaurants still standing on Route 66. The restaurant closed in 2007."}, {"context": " As of the census of 2010, there were 7,002 people, 2,368 households, and 1,524 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,645 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.4% White, 8.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population. The population total also includes the Missouri Eastern Correctional Facility which houses over 1,000 inmates."}, {"context": " There were 2,368 households of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.6% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age in the city was 35.9 years. 20% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 55.6% male and 44.4% female."}, {"context": " As of the census of 2000, there were 5,482 people, 2,166 households, and 1,431 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,011.0 people per square mile (390.5/km\u00b2). There are 2,343 housing units at an average Value at $97,987.22 /km\u00b2 (432.1/sq\u00a0mi). The racial makeup of the city was 94.35% White, 2.92% African American, 0.38% Asian, 0.31% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population."}, {"context": " There were 2,166 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.05. In the city, the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males."}, {"context": " The median income for a household in the city was $39,554, and the median income for a family was $44,545. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $22,529 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,865. About 8.8% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over. Pacific and its surrounding communities are served by the Meramec Valley R-III school system and the St. Louis Community College district, and many residents attend nearby East Central College.  Elementary and secondary schools in the Meramec Valley School District: Pacific is mentioned in the 1980 dark fantasy novel \"The Land of Laughs\" by Jonathan Carroll. Considered a cult favorite, the novel is set in the environs of Pacific, in the fictional town of Galen."}]}, {"title": "Pacific, Washington", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific is a city in King and Pierce counties in the State of Washington. Located primarily in King County, the population was 6,606 at the 2010 census. Like its northern neighbor Algona, Pacific is sometimes mistaken for a part of Auburn. Platted August 10, 1906 by real estate promoter Clarence Dayton Hillman as \"C.D. Hillman's Pacific City Addition to the City of Seattle,\" Pacific was officially incorporated on August 10, 1909. Record-breaking rains in November 2006 pushed the White River over its river banks along Pacific City Park, creating a temporary lake."}, {"context": " In January 2009, release of stormwaters from the Mud Mountain Dam caused even greater flooding, inundating more than a hundred homes. Pacific is located at (47.263272, -122.247831). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water. The lower White River, also known as the Stuck River, runs through the east side of Pacific, between Auburn, Washington and Sumner, Washington. As of the census of 2010, there were 6,606 people, 2,269 households, and 1,605 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,422 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 69.2% White, 3.1% African American, 1.9% Native American, 9.0% Asian, 1.8% Pacific Islander, 8.5% from other races, and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.1% of the population."}, {"context": " There were 2,269 households of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.3% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.32. The median age in the city was 32.8 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 7.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female."}, {"context": " As of the census of 2000, there were 5,527 people, 1,992 households, and 1,444 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,158.1 people per square mile (833.6/km\u00b2). There were 2,090 housing units at an average density of 816.1 per square mile (315.2/km\u00b2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.38% White, 1.43% African American, 1.61% Native American, 4.72% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 2.95% from other races, and 3.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.48% of the population."}, {"context": " There were 1,992 households out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.16. In the city, the population was spread out with 31.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 women there were 99.4 men. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 98.9 men."}, {"context": " The median income for a household in the city was $45,673, and the median income for a family was $47,694. Males had a median income of $36,594 versus $28,301 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,228. About 7.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. The town has a mayor, city council and police department. On January 8, 2009, the Army Corps of Engineers released water from Mud Mountain Dam into the White River. The action was done to relieve pressure in the reservoir, which had reached its capacity due to heavy rain that was causing flooding around the Puget Sound region. A large amount of water was released very quickly, causing rapid and massive flooding in Pacific. Those affected had virtually no notice of the impending disaster. One of those affected by the flooding was noted local and international musician Jerry Miller, a founding member of Moby Grape, who had recently moved to Pacific from Tacoma. Miller lost virtually all of his possessions, including over forty years of memorabilia from his music career. Assistance to those affected by the flooding was provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)."}]}, {"title": "Pacific, Wisconsin", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific is a town in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,518 at the 2000 census. Pacific was established in 1854 when it was sectioned off from the neighboring city of Portage. Its first elected official was N.H. Wood, the owner of a large portion of the land within the town's borders. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.6\u00a0square miles (55.9\u00a0km\u00b2), of which, 20.3\u00a0square miles (52.7\u00a0km\u00b2) of it is land and 1.3\u00a0square miles (3.3\u00a0km\u00b2) of it (5.88%) is water. Over of the town are owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, consisting mostly of the Swan Lake Wildlife Area."}, {"context": " As of the census of 2000, there were 2,518 people, 1,007 households, and 784 families residing in the town. The population density was 123.8 people per square mile (47.8/km\u00b2). There were 1,108 housing units at an average density of 54.5 per square mile (21.0/km\u00b2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.57% White, 0.08% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.39% of the population. There were 1,007 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.83."}, {"context": " In the town, the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males. The median income for a household in the town was $49,122, and the median income for a family was $54,318. Males had a median income of $40,250 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,489. About 4.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over."}]}, {"title": "Pacific-Alaska Navigation Company", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific-Alaska Navigation Company was an American passenger and freight ocean shipping company that operated between 1912 and 1916 on the West Coast of North America. It was formed as a holding company during the merger of the Alaska Pacific Steamship Company and the Alaska Coast Company. During its four years of life, its fleet became known as the Admiral Line because its ships (for example, the \"Admiral Watson\") were usually named for former U.S. Navy admirals. The company was operated by president H.F. \"Bert\" Alexander, a former Tacoma longshoreman who worked his way up the ranks."}, {"context": " During the company's brief history, it suffered at least two significant accidents. The steamer \"SS Yukon\" ran aground June 23, 1913 on the northwest coast of Sanak Island on a reef subsequently named for the ship. A second major accident occurred Aug. 26, 1914 when the \"SS Admiral Sampson\" was rammed by the \"SS Princess Victoria\" of the Canadian Pacific Line. Both ships were operating in heavy fog within Puget Sound, 18 miles north of Seattle. The \"Admiral Sampson\" sank, killing 11, while the \"Princess Victoria\" returned to Seattle with the survivors of the accident.  In 1916, the Pacific-Alaska Navigation Company operated nine steamships when it merged with the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, operator of 13 ships. The resulting company became known as the Pacific Steamship Company."}]}, {"title": "Pacific-Antarctic Ridge", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific-Antarctic Ridge (PAR) is a divergent tectonic plate boundary located on the seafloor of the South Pacific Ocean, separating the Pacific Plate from the Antarctic Plate. It is regarded as the southern section of the East Pacific Rise in some usages, generally south of the Challenger Fracture Zone and stretching to the Macquarie Triple Junction south of New Zealand. Stretching for 4,300\u00a0km north-west from the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge to the Osbourn Seamount at Tonga and Kermadec Junction  is a long line of seamounts called the Louisville Ridge - the longest such chain in the Pacific - thought to have formed from the Pacific Plate sliding over a long-lived center of upwelling magma called the Louisville hotspot."}]}, {"title": "Pacific-Asia Curling Championships", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific-Asia Curling Championships (formerly the Pacific Curling Championships) are an annual curling tournament, held every year in November or December. The top team receives a berth to the World Curling Championships, while the second-placed team also receives a berth if the championships are held in the Americas or in Europe. The Pacific-Asia Curling Championships currently consist of teams from Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Qatar and South Korea. In 2018 WCF Congress, Nigeria is announced as the first African country accepted as member and will compete in the PAC zone beginning in 2019. Tournaments have been played in Canada, but Canada has never participated, since it is not part of the Pacific Zone.  \"As of 2018 \"As of 2018"}]}, {"title": "Pacific-Asia Junior Curling Championships", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific-Asia Junior Curling Championships (formerly known as the Pacific Junior Curling Championships) was an annual curling bonspiel held in the World Curling Federation's Pacific zone. The championships featured curlers under the age of 21 competing to qualify for a spot in the World Junior Curling Championships. Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea have participated in past championships. Replacing the European Junior Curling Challenge and the Pacific-Asia Junior Curling Championships in 2016, the World Junior B Curling Championships will now serve as the qualifier for the World Junior Curling Championships."}]}, {"title": "Pacific-Farallon Ridge", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific-Farallon Ridge was a spreading ridge during the late Cretaceous that extended 10,000\u00a0km in length and separated the Pacific Plate to the west and the Farallon Plate to the east. It ran south from the Pacific-Farallon-Kula triple junction at 51\u00b0N to the Pacific-Farallon-Antarctic triple junction at 43\u00b0S. As the Farallon Plate subducted obliquely under the North American Plate, the Pacific-Farallon Ridge approached and eventually made contact with the North American Plate about 30 million years ago. On average, this ridge had an equatorial spreading rate of 13.5\u00a0cm per year until its eventual collision with the North American Plate. In present day, the Pacific-Farallon Ridge no longer formally exists since the Farallon Plate has been broken up or subducted beneath the North American Plate, and the ridge has segmented, having been mostly subducted as well. The most notable remnant of the Pacific-Farallon Ridge is the 4000\u00a0km Pacific-Nazca segment of the East Pacific Rise."}, {"context": " As a spreading ridge, the Pacific-Farallon Ridge was a divergent plate boundary, which is where the two plates are moving away from each other. Partial mantle melting occurs beneath such ridges, which forms new oceanic crust. The Pacific-Farallon Ridge was thought to be a particularly productive spreading ridge, and there are estimates that the ridge and its remnants have formed up to 45% of all oceanic lithosphere since 83 million years ago. The spreading rate of the Pacific-Farallon Ridge has varied throughout its lifetime with an acceleration of its spreading rate occurring 55 to 48 million years ago, around the same time that a significant portion of the Farallon Plate broke to form the Vancouver Plate. The spreading rate decreased once the ridge made contact with the North American Plate 16 million years ago."}, {"context": " As the Farallon Plate made contact with the North American Plate and began subducting beneath it, it fragmented into the Juan de Fuca Plate and Cocos Plate, and then later fragmented further to form the Rivera Plate. Once the Pacific-Farallon Ridge began subducting beneath the North American Plate, the remains of the Farallon Plate broke apart to form the Monterey, Arguello, Magdalena, and Guadelupe Microplates, and the southern portion of the ridge rotated in a clockwise manner. The contact of the ridge with North America marked a transition of the Pacific-Farallon Ridge from being a globally oriented spreading ridge system to a locally oriented one. The distinction between these systems is that slab pull and gravitational gliding forces determine the characteristics of the globally oriented whereas those of the locally oriented are influenced by the contact of the ridge with the North American Plate.  As the Pacific-Farallon Ridge began its subduction underneath the North American plate 30 million years ago, its southern segment, the East Pacific Rise continued spreading. The East Pacific Rise did not begin its subduction under the North American Plate until 20 million years ago, and the presently surviving portion of the East Pacific Rise is the Pacific-Nazca segment. The present-day spreading from the East Pacific Rise dominates the spreading regime in the Central and South Pacific."}]}, {"title": "Pacific-Kula Ridge", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific-Kula Ridge is a former mid-ocean ridge that existed between the Pacific and Kula plates in the Pacific Ocean during the Paleogene period. Its appearance was in an east-west direction and the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain had its attribution with the ridge. The Pacific-Kula Ridge lay south of the Hawaii hotspot around 80 million years ago, moving northward relative to the hotspot."}]}, {"title": "Pacific-Union Club", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific-Union Club is a social club located at 1000 California Street in San Francisco, California, at the top of Nob Hill. It was founded in 1889 as a merger of two earlier clubs: the Pacific Club (founded 1852) and the Union Club (founded 1854). The clubhouse was built as the home for the silver magnate James Clair Flood. The former Flood Mansion is located in the Nob Hill neighborhood. It was designed by Willis Polk. It is considered the first brownstone constructed west of the Mississippi River. Along with the Fairmont Hotel across the street, it was the only structure in the area to survive the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906.  This club figured prominently in the history of the west coast of the United States. Many prominent citizens have been active among its membership."}]}, {"title": "Pacific-class patrol boat", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific class (also known as the Pacific Forum class and the ASI 315 class) is a class of 22 patrol boats built by Australia and donated to twelve South Pacific countries. They were constructed between 1985 to 1997 and are operated by militaries, coast guards or police forces of twelve island nations. These boats are supported by the Pacific Patrol Boat Program and used primarily for maritime surveillance and fisheries protection. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea took effect in 1982. It introduced a Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to the territories of all nations with an ocean coastline. Several Southwest Pacific island nations found themselves responsible for policing an area of ocean that was beyond their maritime capability, and often significantly larger than their land territories (at its most extreme, the EEZ of Tuvalu dwarfs its landmass by a ratio of almost 1:28,000). Following requests by several Pacific nations for assistance from the governments of Australia and New Zealand, the Australian government created a Defence Cooperation Project named the Pacific Patrol Boat Program to design and provide suitable patrol boats to nearby island nations. The program also provided training and infrastructure to support these ships. The Program was officially announced by Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke during the South Pacific Forum meeting held in Canberra on 29 and 30 August 1983."}, {"context": " Requests for tenders were issued in August 1984. Australian Shipbuilding Industries (ASI) designed a small vessel capable of maritime surveillance and interdiction, search and rescue operations, and fisheries protection. A smaller prototype was constructed by ASI in 1984. The prototype was later sold to the Solomon Islands Police Force and named \"Savo\". The contract for the Pacific class was awarded to ASI on 9 May 1985 and construction began in September 1985. It was initially planned that ten ships would be produced for eight countries, with the first ship, HMPNGS \"Tarangau\" delivered to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force on 16 May 1987. The program continued until 15 ships were ordered, then was terminated before being reopened in February 1993. By the time the program concluded, 22 ships had been delivered to 12 countries, with the final ship, FSS \"Independence\", delivered to the Federated States of Micronesia in June 1997. The Pacific Patrol Boat Project is the largest and most complex defence co-operation project ever funded by Australia."}, {"context": " Each patrol boat has a length of , a beam of , a draught of , and a full load displacement of 162 tonnes. They are fitted with two Caterpillar 3516TA diesel engines, which provide 2,820\u00a0horsepower to two propeller shafts, driving the vessel at a maximum of . Pacific-class vessels have a maximum range of at , and can remain at sea for up to ten days. Armament varies depending on the operating nation; the patrol boats may carry GAM-BO1 20\u00a0mm guns, 7.62\u00a0mm machine guns, or 12.7\u00a0mm machine guns, and these need not be permanently fitted. Each ship carries a Furuno 1011 surface search radar, which operates in the I band. The ship's company varies between 14 and 18, depending on the operating nation. In order to reduce construction and maintenance costs, the vessels were built to commercial, as opposed to military, standards. This facilitates companies in the operating nations to be capable of providing parts and minor maintenance in mind."}, {"context": " There were initial problems with the propellers, engine cooling systems, and air conditioning, but these were fixed before the completion of the third ship of the class. The class underwent refits during each ship's seventh or eighth year of operation, and again at the fifteenth year (which was ongoing until 2012). This has extended the predicted service life of the class to 2027. Several variant designs for the Pacific class have been produced by Australian Shipbuilding Industries (later Transfield ASI, then Tenix), for a variety of operators."}, {"context": " Four patrol boats of a slightly shortened design were produced for the Kuwait Coast Guard. An unarmed version of this design is also marketed to the operators of oil platforms as a crew transport. Six modified versions of the Pacific class were built for the Hong Kong Marine Police as the \"Protector\" class. The main difference is the installation of a pump-jet engine to supplement the main propulsion. A single navigation training vessel, \"Seahorse Mercator\", was built for Defence Maritime Services in 1999 which operates the ship under contract to the Royal Australian Navy. Although the hull design is the same, the interior and superstructure are significantly modified. The \"Seahorse Mercator\" design was used as the basis for the Royal Canadian Navy's eight \"Orca\"-class patrol vessels, although Canadian engineers modified the \"Orca\"s to the point where they only share the basic hull shape with the Australian ship."}, {"context": " A , all-aluminium design based on the Pacific-class hull, the \"Ilocos Norte\" class, was created for the Philippine Coast Guard. Four of these ships were delivered in December 2001, and are used as search and rescue vessels. An option for a follow on order by the Philippines of ten more ships was offered, but has not been used. The \"Ilocos Norte\" design was used in 2008 for the New South Wales Police Force patrol vessel \"Nemesis\"; the largest police-operated patrol boat in the Southern Hemisphere."}, {"context": " The Pacific-class patrol boats are used primarily for maritime surveillance and fisheries protection. They are often the only surveillance capability the operating nation has access to, and their presence has often deterred foreign fishing fleets. The ability to patrol the waters has provided boosts to economies through both fishing fines and improved negotiation stances when discussing foreign fishing rights and fees. As part of the patrol role, the Pacifics have been used for customs inspection of ships, and have stopped some smuggling and drug-running operations. Some nations charter the vessels out to other government agencies or private companies for salvage work, hydrographic surveying, or even tasks like helping to establish aquaculture farms. Pacific-class patrol boats have also seen use in humanitarian roles such as search-and-rescue, towing of disabled vessels, sea safety checks on vessels, and inter-island transport, particularly for disaster relief operations."}, {"context": " The patrol boats also provide indirect benefits to the operating nations. Operation of the Pacifics has often required the expansion of maritime facilities, providing jobs and facilitating access for other ships. In addition to the economic boost from fishing fees and fines, improved hydrographic charts created by the ships contributes to boosting tourism. The ships are seen as miniature warships, and are a point of pride and prestige for the island nations. Crew training by the Australian Maritime College (AMC) has increased the number of trained seafarers in the operating nations, improving the skill level of each nation's maritime sector."}, {"context": " The Pacific Patrol Boat Program has also provided benefits to Australia and New Zealand. These nations enjoy an improved strategic presence in the region, and the naval advisors supplied to operating nations create personal networks within those nations, while improving the skill set and knowledge of the Pacific-class operators. These advisors regularly interact with officials from agencies outside the normal scope of diplomats, and can obtain political and strategic information inaccessible through other avenues. The naval advisors also allow the military-operated vessels to maintain links to larger naval forces. The ability for the operating nations to provide their own humanitarian support likewise reduces the need for Australian and New Zealand assets to become involved in relatively small-scale incidents."}, {"context": " Australian Shipbuilding Industries (later Tenix) provides support facilities for the class in Brisbane, Australia, and Suva, Fiji. Crew training for the Pacific-class patrol boats is offered by the Australian Department of Defence and the Australian Maritime College (AMC). The AMC runs an average of 32 classes per year in support of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program. The AMC does not possess a Pacific-class patrol boat to use as a training vessel; instead, the TV \"Pinduro\" is fitted with identical electronic equipment."}, {"context": " The cost of the project to Australia as of 1998 has been A$249 million. Each recipient country has funded most operating costs, with the United States contributing to the costs of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia through the Compact of Free Association. Following the 2006 Fijian coup d'\u00e9tat, Fiji was suspended from the program and the associated support. Fiji rejoined the program in 2015. Twelve nations operate Pacific-class patrol boats, as part of their military, coast guard, or police force:"}, {"context": " The continuation of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program through a second generation of ships has been considered likely throughout the years, due to the benefits and capabilities provided to the operating nations, along with the work provided to the Australian shipbuilding industry. During the early 2000s, variants of the RAN's or the RNZN's were considered appropriate, although there were concerns that such complex vessels would be too challenging and financially restrictive to maintain by some of the smaller participating nations. A 2008 report also suggested discontinuing the program, due to rising operational costs being imposed on Australia (over double the expected annual cost of A$12 million two years in a row), poor operating rates (averaging 36 days at sea per ship per year) linked to the operating nations' difficulties in crewing and maintaining the ships, and a lack of support from the other nations with interests in the Pacific."}, {"context": " In June 2014, the Australian government announced that a replacement class of at least 20 vessels would be built by Australia as part of a new Pacific Patrol Boat Program. The A$2 billion Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement program (SEA 3036) (including A$594 million for construction and A$1.38 billion for through-life support costs) will replace the existing Pacific-class vessels, plus include East Timor as a new recipient. A request for tender was open to Australian shipbuilders on 5 March 2015, and concluded on 17 June. Tenderers are asked to submit proposals for a steel-hull vessel with a range of at , a top speed above , and an operational endurance of 20 days. The replacement patrol boats must be designed to commercial standards and easy to maintain. They will not be constructed with weapons fitted, but must be capable of having them installed later. Operation of the new patrol boats will be supplemented by aerial surveillance and intelligence from Australia, under the Pacific Maritime Security Program."}, {"context": " In April 2016, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that Austal had been selected to construct the vessels and in May 2016 a contract was signed for 19 Guardian-class vessels. An additional two vessels were offered to East Timor to be purchased at an agreed fixed price. This offer was subsequently accepted. The Guardian class is 39.5\u00a0m long, capable of travelling at and at possesses a , accommodates 23 people, carries a 6.35\u00a0m RHIB and has provision to be fitted with a 30\u00a0mm main gun and two 12.7\u00a0mm machine guns. The first vessel was launched on 29 May 2018 with completion expected in October 2018 and is to be gifted to Papua New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacific-slope flycatcher", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific-slope flycatcher (\"Empidonax difficilis\") is a small insectivorous bird of the family Tyrannidae. It is native to coastal regions of western North America, including the Pacific Ocean and the southern Gulf of California, as far north as British Columbia and southern Alaska, but is replaced in the inland regions by the Cordilleran flycatcher. These two species were formerly considered a single species known as the western flycatcher. In winter, both species migrate south to Mexico, where they are virtually indistinguishable from one another."}, {"context": " In plumage, the Pacific-slope flycatcher is virtually identical to the Cordilleran flycatcher, and differs only subtly from most \"Empidonax\" flycatchers in North America, but its breeding habitat and call are different. Its call can vary slightly by different regions and the bird itself. The Pacific-slope flycatcher inhabits either coniferous or deciduous forests. In its range it enters mixed woods, Douglas fir forests, redwood forests, and many other wooded environments including riparian woodlands.  As a flycatcher it will wait on a perch and when it sees a flying insect it will chase it without any apparent effort. They also enter swarms of gnats, mosquitos and wherever such insects congregate. They fulfill an important role in keeping insect populations in check, particularly mosquitoes, and they also eat caterpillars and spiders."}]}, {"title": "Pacific/Choco\u0301 natural region", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific/Choc\u00f3 natural region is one of the five major natural regions of Colombia. Ecologically, this region belongs entirely to the Choc\u00f3 Biogeographic Region and is considered a biodiversity hotspot. It also has areas with the highest rainfall in the world, with areas near Quibdo, Choc\u00f3 reaching up to annually. The Pacific region is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the West Andes to the east. To the north is the Dari\u00e9n Gap and the Serran\u00eda del Dari\u00e9n at the border with Panam\u00e1. The area is mostly flat and covered by dense rainforest, rivers, swamps, and mangroves. The Baud\u00f3 Mountains are a small, isolated range in this area along the coast. Gorgona Island is located off the southwest coast.  Politically, the region is within the following Colombian departments: Choc\u00f3, Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nari\u00f1o. From north to south the main rivers are the Atrato, San Juan, Dagua, Anchicay\u00e1, Sanquianga. This region has the distinction of being one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet."}]}, {"title": "PacificLight", "paragraphs": [{"context": " PacificLight is a Singapore-based power generator and electricity retailer. It runs an 800MW plant, operated by PacificLight Power Pte Ltd, which uses Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as its primary fuel. In 2015, PacificLight generated 9% of Singapore\u2019s total electricity needs. PacificLight Energy Pte Ltd sells electricity to eligible consumers in Singapore, which includes manufacturing companies, shopping malls, SMEs, and small businesses such as coffee shops or retail outlets. Under the current government regulations, only non-residential customers with an average monthly electricity consumption of less than 2,000kWh are eligible. However, in 2018, the threshold will be reduced such that all Singapore electricity customers will be eligible to purchase electricity from a licensed retailer such as PacificLight Energy."}, {"context": " The S$1.2 billion Power Generation Facility located on Jurong Island, an established industrial area in the south-west area of Singapore, commenced operation in 2014. The 800MW Power Generation Facility consists of two 400MW units, each comprising a Siemens SGT5-4000F combustion turbine and a Siemens steam turbine mounted on a single shaft, which operates in a combined cycle arrangement. The Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant is one of the most efficient power plants currently operating in Singapore and the first to be completely fuelled by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)."}, {"context": " PacificLight is owned 70:30 by FPM Power (Singapore) Ltd (HK) and PETRONAS International Corporation (Mauritius) Ltd. FPM Power (Singapore) Ltd (HK) is a wholly owned subsidiary of FPM Power Holdings, a joint venture between First Pacific Company, a Hong Kong-based investment management and holding company, and MERALCO PowerGen Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary and power generation arm of Manila Electric Company. PETRONAS International Corporation (Mauritius) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of PETRONAS. PETRONAS is the national oil and gas company of Malaysia and is a fully integrated oil & gas corporation with operations along the hydrocarbon value chain in over 50 companies.  In October 2014, PacificLight\u2019s 800MW power generation facility successfully registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project making it the largest CDM project in Singapore. The generation facility is the only fossil fuel-based power project of the five Singapore registered CDM projects and demonstrates the company\u2019s commitment to sustainability."}]}, {"title": "PacificSource Civil War Series", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The PacificSource Civil War Series is a series between Oregon and Oregon State. The schools started to officially keep track of the overall series at the start of the 1999\u20132000 school year with the introduction of the Northwest Dodge Dealers Civil War Series. To determine the overall winner, points are awarded to schools depending on the outcomes of Civil War games in various sports. PacificSource will sponsor the series through 2015. The current point system grants: For a total of 17 total points granted. Postseason matchups do not currently count towards point totals.  The record as of the end of the 2008\u20132009 school year has the Beavers with 4 wins, the Ducks with 4 wins, and two ties. The winners by year have been: The all-time point breakdown as of the end of the 2008\u201309 season is 88.0\u201385.0 in favor of Oregon State."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica (Fred Frith album)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica is a studio album by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith. It was composed by Frith in 1994 as \"a meditation for 21 musicians with texts by Pablo Neruda\", and was performed, under the direction of Frith, by the Bolognese Eva Kant ensemble in 1995 in Modena, Italy. Texts, taken from the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's works, were recorded by Sergio Meza in September 1997 in Santiago, Chile and were added to the music in 1998. The album was released on Tzadik Records' Composer Series in 1998."}, {"context": " Frith does not perform on this album. \"Pacifica\" was composed by Frith at Big Sur, California in a cabin overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is \"a slow meditation on life and death\" and reflects a series of events that occurred in Frith's life at the time, namely the death of two close friends and the birth of his daughter. \"Pacifica\" was composed for an ensemble that included prepared guitars, wind instruments, percussion, a vocalist and a performer on records, CDs and tapes. The 19 member Eva Kant ensemble (named after a 1960s comic strip heroine, Eva Kant) performed the piece, with fragments of recited text from the Death Song of the Cupe\u00f1o tribe of California and the tribal names of all the original inhabitants of California. The recording was supplemented later with texts from Pablo Neruda's \"Soneto IX\" and \"Cien sonetos de amor\", read by Sergio Meza.  All tracks composed by Fred Frith."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica (The Presets album)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica is the third studio album by Australian electronic duo The Presets. The album was released in Australia by Modular Recordings on 7 September 2012. It was released the following week (14 September 2012) by Casablanca / Universal Republic. The album features the singles \"Youth in Trouble\", \"Ghosts\", \"Promises\", \"Fall\" and \"Push\". The album was Triple J's Feature Album, Radar Radio's Feature Album and Fbi Radio's Sunset Album. The album was produced by The Presets and mixed by Tony Hoffer. The track \"Ghosts\" featured on the soundtrack of \"FIFA 13\"."}, {"context": " The Presets recorded the album in Sydney and Los Angeles. The bulk of the album was recorded at the home studios of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes, with additional drum sessions taking place in Los Angeles with Joe Baressi and Sean Beavan. The Presets returned to Los Angeles to mix the album with Tony Hoffer. Writing sessions for the album began as early as 2009. The band worked on as many as 30 songs towards the album. However it was towards the end of 2011 that the bulk of sessions came together."}, {"context": " \"Pacifica\" was released in Australia on 7 September 2012. In Australia the album was released on compact disc (the first pressing with a lenticular sleeve), gatefold vinyl album, deluxe box set (featuring, CD, vinyl album, lithograph and expanded artwork), and digital download. Both singles released from the \"Pacifica\" album made the ARIA charts; \"Youth in Trouble\" peaked at 13 on the ARIA club tracks chart, while accompanying single \"Ghosts\" peaked at 16. The album peaked at number three on the ARIA albums chart."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica (journal)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica: Australasian Theological Studies is a peer-reviewed academic journal that covers the field of theology. Its editor-in-chief is Kevin Lenehan (Catholic Theological College, Australia). It was established in 1988 and is published by Sage Publications on behalf of the Pacifica Theological Studies Association. The journal is abstracted and indexed in Academic Search Elite, ATLA Religion Database, New Testament Abstracts, Old Testament Abstracts, and Current Contents."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica (statue)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica was a statue created by Ralph Stackpole for the 1939\u20131940 Golden Gate International Exposition held on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. Stackpole's largest sculpture, it towered over the entrance to the Cavalcade of the Golden West in the Court of Pacifica. The Court of Pacifica was dedicated to the heroic explorers of Pacific Ocean territories. \"Pacifica\" was the theme statue for the exposition, representing world peace, neighborliness, and the power of a unified Pacific coast."}, {"context": " It took Stackpole two years to complete the statue, it starting out as a three inch figure. Stackpole went through 50 renditions before settling upon the final model which was tall. The model was then divided into cross sections. Each cross section was enlarged eight-fold though a process using a pantograph. Scaffolding was set up and prepared for the precise assembly of the enlarged sections. Iron was used for supports, bent and shaped around the proper contours of the statue. Next, mesh wire was layered over the entire iron frame, and then covered in a final blanket of plaster. Such a construction was always meant for temporary placement."}, {"context": " By November 1938, when \"Life\" photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt was capturing images to promote the event, \"Pacifica\" was ready for his camera. The magazine carried the image of this, Stackpole's most monumental work, \"a peaceful, contemplative, almost prayer-like female figure\". \"Pacifica\" was physically the biggest and most conspicuous statue at the exposition. She was placed in front of a metal prayer curtain that had a backdrop of stars made of metal and small tubes that would make sound when met with a breeze. In front of the statue, in the center of the court, was a circular fountain surrounded by the works of eight different sculptors of figures representing people living on shores of the Pacific."}, {"context": " The statue was lit by two 1500\u00a0watt underwater floodlights. The giant spotlights gave \"Pacifica\" a look of \"regal splendor.\" The backdrop, or Great Window, was lit by 75 amber, 150 red, and 300 blue floodlights, each 200 watts, all controlled by a thyratron. This gave the entire court a very colorful and mystical appearance after dark. \"The contrast brought the great figure to life, as if it were about to walk down the esplanade into the Court of the Seven Seas.\" Orange calendulas were in full bloom around the statue, as well as red, yellow, and purple ranunculus and anemones which were said at the time to be very fragrant and added a romantic edge to the court."}, {"context": " From 1939 to 1940, some 16 million visitors came to the exposition. The United States Navy purchased the island as a naval base in 1941, and \"Pacifica\" was demolished along with most other exposition structures. After the exposition, Stackpole proposed that the sculpture be recast in a more permanent form\u2014steel, stone or concrete\u2014and positioned prominently on an island in the San Francisco Bay, perhaps Alcatraz or Angel Island, in a manner similar to the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. The plan was not seriously considered by civic leaders whose attention was on the events that soon brought the U.S. into direct involvement with World War II.  Currently, a non-profit organization called The Pacifica II Statue Project is working to recreate and resurrect \"Pacifica\" on Treasure Island. There is currently an replica of \"Pacifica\" at City College of San Francisco Ocean Campus, 50 Phelan Avenue in the garden next to the Diego Rivera Theater."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica Amour", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica Amour is an album released in 1978 by New Zealand band, Hello Sailor."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica Cup", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacifica Cup was an international cricket tournament contested in 2001 and 2002 by teams from the Pacific Islands. The 2001 tournament was played in Auckland, New Zealand. The eight participating teams were divided into two pools of four teams for the first round. Fiji topped Pool A after winning all three of their matches, including a 362 run win against New Caledonia in their opening match. Tonga, who also beat New Caledonia by more than 300 runs, joined them in the semi-finals. Vanuatu finished third in the group ahead of the New Caledonians."}, {"context": " Pool B was topped by the New Zealand M\u0101ori, with Papua New Guinea joining them in the semi-finals. The Cook Islands were third in the group, with Samoa at the bottom of the table. The 2002 tournament was played in Apia, Samoa, with all games taking place on various grounds of the Faleata Oval. Seven teams took part in the tournament, with the New Zealand M\u0101ori team not taking part this year. The seven teams were split into two pools, with Fiji and Papua New Guinea alone in Pool A, whilst Pool B consisted of the other five teams.  Pool A was reduced to what was essentially a three-match series between Papua New Guinea and Fiji. All three matches were won by Papua New Guinea, who thus qualified for the final. Pool B was topped by Tonga, who reached the final after winning all four of their matches. As in 2001, New Caledonia were at the foot of the pool, losing all four of their matches, including a 314 run defeat at the hands of group runners-up the Cook Islands."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica Forum", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacifica Forum was a discussion group in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It was hosted by retired University of Oregon professor Orval Etter. According to the group's founder, Orval Etter, the Pacifica Forum's purpose is to \"provide information and points of view\" on \"war and peace, militarism and pacifism, violence and non-violence.\" The group was named the Pacifica Forum after a San Francisco-area supper club that had discussed similar issues. When it was founded in 1994, the Pacifica Forum had a generally left-wing orientation. However, in recent years it has also hosted right-wing speakers. Two regular members and presenters at the forum made a very public disassociation in August 2007 when it changed direction, publishing the following guest opinion in the Eugene Register-Guard :"}, {"context": " After hosting two Holocaust deniers, it was listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. A 2008 report by the SPLC stated, \"The number of people attending Pacifica Forum meetings is less than half what it was two years ago \u2014 and it's mostly a different crowd. Among those who left were Mariah Leung and Jack Dresser, who regularly made factual presentations on Israel and Palestine as well as on other topics related to war, peace and justice. Dresser, a former Army psychologist during the Vietnam War, told the Intelligence Report that after the Anelauskas lectures, he spoke to Pacifica Forum attendees about the psychology of racism and its consequences, showing photos of lynchings and anti-Jewish Nazi propaganda posters. \"Since Pacifica Forum is a public forum, Mariah and I had no objection to attendance by the self-described 'white separatists' and even entertained some hope of modifying their views,\" he emailed. \"However, we could not allow them any control of programming in a forum with which our names were regularly associated. Orval declined to exclude their influence in programming decisions and we thereupon formally dissociated ourselves.\" Its regular attendees respond that the forum is not a membership organization, and does not hold any positions itself. It offers a platform to all political views, including Zionism and anti-fascism."}, {"context": " Orval Etter was an emeritus professor of planning, public policy, and management, a musician, and a pacifist who was a conscientious objector during World War II. Etter died in 2013. Other than its meeting place, and having a retired professor as its founder, the group is not affiliated with the university. The group previously met in a room at the Erb Memorial Union at the University of Oregon. In January 2010, it was moved by UO to the less centrally located Agate Hall at the edge of campus. In March 2010, the group was moved to the Baker Downtown Center, still part of the UO campus but located in downtown Eugene, with UO citing \"declining attendance\" as the reason for the move."}, {"context": " The Pacifica Forum was described by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in 2010 as a \"formerly left-wing discussion group that has increasingly embraced right-wing extremism.\" It was listed as a white nationalist hate group by the SPLC in 2009. Valdas Anelauskas, a Lithuanian immigrant who describes himself as a white separatist, hosted a series of Pacifica Forum talks in 2006, 2008 and 2009. Another speaker, Jimmy Marr, described Martin Luther King, Jr. as a \"moral leper and communist dupe\", and that the American Civil Rights Movement was funded by Jewish communists and the USSR in an attempt to incite violence. Orval Etter and many other attendees strongly reject this perspective."}, {"context": " The group hosted right-wing intellectual Tomislav Sunic, former Croatian diplomat and author of \"Homo Americanus: Child Of The Post-Modern Age\" as a speaker in June 2008. David Irving was also a featured speaker during the same month, speaking on his imprisonment in Austria for Holocaust denial. In November 2007, Mark Weber of the Institute for Historical Review, appeared at an event organized by the Pacifica Forum. Weber was billed by the group as \"America's most prominent revisionist historian\". The Weber event was promoted using a flyer that depicts a snake curled in the shape of a Star of David and the headline: \"Free Speech versus Zionist power\". The meeting was attended by an estimated 60 people."}, {"context": " Orval Etter attended both the Irving and Weber talks, and states that both men are legitimate historians. The SPLC claims he stated \"I admit that there were some bad things done to Jews during World War II, but I don't believe that everything they claim is truthful.\" Etter and other regular attendees say the same of the SPLC, and gave a series of talks during 2009, based on the research of John Tanton, who criticizes the organization for inaccuracy. The former president of the University of Oregon, David B. Frohnmayer, criticized the Pacifica Forum and stated that its views do not represent those of the university. The forum is the only group Frohnmayer has singled out in this way. It has also drawn criticism from the University of Oregon , a Jewish student group. The forum had access to campus facilities, despite attempts by local anti-hate campaigners to evict it, due to a university policy allowing retired professors to host meetings on campus."}, {"context": " In December 2009, speaker Jimmy Marr gave a presentation entitled: \"National Socialist Movement: An Insider's View of America's Radical Right.\" During the presentation, Marr invited those in attendance to join him in giving the Sieg Heil salute. Marr also showed video footage from a National Socialist Movement demonstration in Phoenix, Arizona. According to a report in the \"Eugene Weekly\", the video shows one of the speakers pointing at a protester and shouting: \"YOU are a Jew! A traitor Jew!\"."}, {"context": " On January 8, 2010, Pacifica Forum held a meeting entitled \"Everything You Wanted to Know About Pacifica Forum but Were Afraid to Ask\". Of the seventy-five people in attendance, about half were protesting the forum. The protest was organized in reaction to Marr's December speech. The forum's supporters responded that the group champions free speech and has nothing to do with Neo-Nazism. One angry and tearful UO student spoke to Valdas Anelauskas, saying that statements he had made in the past had made her feel unsafe. At that point ASUO student body president Emma Kallaway asked the Pacifica Forum members to leave the building."}, {"context": " In early 2010, a swastika was found spray-painted into the carpet of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans Queer Alliance, in the basement of the Erb Memorial Union. A computer was also vandalized with black paint. It was speculated to be related to a recent discussion by the Pacifica Forum held about the meaning of the swastika. According to the SPLC, Orval Etter responded to accusations of antisemitism by stating: \"If you rub a substantial number of Jews the wrong way, you're anti-Semitic... In that sense, I have to admit that the Forum and I, in particular, are anti-Semitic.\" Etter and the forum's regular attendees contest this and most of what the SPLC has written about them, arguing that the forum is not pro- or anti- anyone, but an open discussion group that holds no positions. A report in the \"Oregon Daily Emerald\" stated that Etter did not consider himself antisemitic."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica Foundation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica Foundation is an American non-profit organization which owns five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations known for their progressive/liberal political orientation. Its national headquarters adjoins station KPFA in Berkeley, California. Pacifica Foundation also operates the Pacifica Network, a program service supplying over 180 affiliated stations with various programs, primarily news and public affairs. It was the first public radio network in the United States and it is the world's oldest listener-funded radio network. Programs such as \"Democracy Now!\" and \"Free Speech Radio News\" have been some of its most popular productions."}, {"context": " The Pacifica Radio Archives, housed at station KPFK in Los Angeles, is the oldest public radio archive in the United States, documenting more than five decades of grassroots political, cultural, and performing arts history. The archive includes original recordings of interviews with John Coltrane, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, and Langston Hughes, among many others. The Pacifica Radio Archives feature in their own 30-minute slot on BBC Radio 5 Live's \"Up All Night\" program. Pacifica was founded in 1946 by pacifists E. John Lewis and Lewis Hill. During World War II, Hill, as well as Lewis, filed for conscientious objector status. After the war, Lewis, Hill and a small group of former conscientious objectors created the Pacifica Foundation in Pacifica, California. KPFA in Berkeley commenced broadcast activities in 1949."}, {"context": " For most of its history, Pacifica gave each of its stations independent control of programming. During the 1990s, a major controversy arose over rumors that the Pacifica National Board and national staff were attempting to centralize control of content, in order to increase audience. The rumors included accusations that the board proposed changing the network's funding model away from a reliance exclusively on listener donations and toward a mix of listener donations and corporate foundation funding similar to that of NPR. There were also accusations that the Board was considering selling both KPFA and WBAI in New York City, which operate on commercial-band FM frequencies (94.1 and 99.5, respectively) worth hundreds of millions of dollars."}, {"context": " This led to years of conflict, including court cases, public demonstrations, firings and strikes of station staff, whose common plight inspired creation of Radio4all.net to preserve what they saw as the original spirit of Pacifica. Many listeners to the individual stations\u2014especially KPFA and WBAI\u2014objected to what they saw as an attempt to tone down the overtly left-leaning political content on Pacifica stations. The controversy included highly publicized ideologically-charged disputes between listener organizations and Mary Frances Berry, a former chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, who chaired the corporation's board at the time."}, {"context": " The board eventually was embroiled in counter-lawsuits by board members and listener-sponsors and, after global settlement of the lawsuits in November 2001, an interim board was formed to craft new bylaws, which it did in two tumultuous years of national debates among thousands of listener-sponsors and activists, finally giving listener-sponsors the right and responsibility to elect new Local Station Boards at each of the five Pacifica stations. These local boards in turn elect the national board of directors. Aside from some minor changes, the same 2003 bylaws remain in effect today."}, {"context": " Pacifica National News director Dan Coughlin was voted Interim Executive Director of the network in 2002 (the \"Interim\" was later dropped). The years of internal legal battles and financial mismanagement had taken a toll. In 2005, Coughlin resigned, the network was still largely disorganized, and Pacifica reverted to operating with an interim executive director for most of the year. In January 2006, Pacifica hired Greg Guma as the next executive director of the Pacifica Foundation. By the end of the year, the Foundation had fully recovered its financial health and had launched two new national programs: \"Informativo Pacifica\", a daily Spanish Language newscast, and \"From the Vault\", a weekly program drawn from Pacifica's extensive audio archives. Pacifica also produced \"Informed Dissent\", a ten-week series for the 2006 mid-term elections that drew from talent across the network."}, {"context": " Guma left his post in September 2007. The National Board unanimously chose former KPFA general manager Nicole Sawaya as the next executive director. Sawaya was among the staff members fired by the national board in 1999 amidst Pacifica's internal crisis. Sawaya began her tenure as executive director in mid-November 2007, but abruptly changed her mind two weeks later. Pacifica historian Matthew Lasar said she \"found the level of internecine dysfunction at Pacifica overwhelming, and fled her job.\""}, {"context": " The Pacifica National Board spent the next several months negotiating with her, and Sawaya resumed her job on March 5, 2008. She resigned effective September 30, citing \"dysfunctional\" governance and \"shoddy and opaque\" business practices that had plunged the organization into a financial crisis. Sawaya's departure was followed by major staff layoffs. In 2009, Pacifica Board chair Grace Aaron became interim executive director, former board member LaVarn Williams replaced Lonnie Hicks as chief financial officer, and the national office took control of WBAI in New York. Aaron appointed Williams acting GM of WBAI in May, and Hicks filed a lawsuit against the foundation alleging that he was dismissed because he is African American and a whistleblower."}, {"context": " After Pacifica's board of directors completed the 2016 board year with the exclusion of 75% of WBAI's board representation and then moved to decertify the 2016 board elections which were won handily by the independent faction not in power. The new 2017 board of directors replaced interim executive director Lydia Brazon with KPFT director Bill Crosier and reinstated WBAI's delegation. At the 02-10-17 Pacifica National Board (PNB) Meeting the newly formed PNB recognized the alternate tally for Affiliate Directors (which included votes of the disenfranchised WBAI delegation). This resulted in Efia Nwangaza being replaced, and her subsequent filing of a lawsuit against the Pacifica Foundation. Board Member Adriana Casanave, and resigned board member Sharon Brown. Attorney Sharon Brown became a party to this lawsuit against Pacifica because of a determination that a political appointment, by Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, appointing Brown as a Commissioner to the Los Angeles County Small Business Commission precluded Sharon Brown from serving as a PNB Director according to the Pacifica Foundation's Bylaws. Adriana Casanave is party to the lawsuit because of her admonishment by the PNB for dilatory behavior. [02/10/17 and 02/16/17 PNB minutes may be found at https://www.kpftx.org/archive.php][Lawsuit may be found at http://justiceunity.com/joomla34/index.php/component/tags/tag/lawsuit]"}, {"context": " The broadcast was co-anchored by journalist Aaron Glantz and KPFA Morning Show host Aimee Allison. California Attorney General Kamala Harris notified the Pacifica Radio Foundation's board of directors on December 17, 2014, that its office had opened a full and formal investigation into the actions of the Pacifica Radio Foundation in the persons of its executive directors, members of its board of directors, and other persons of the Pacifica Radio Foundation and its five member stations with respect to numerous alleged serious financial irregularities, failures to comply with California law governing nonprofit foundations and the Foundation's bylaws, and various other law violations. It required the Pacifica Radio Foundation to provide full and complete documentation as to its financial affairs from 2010 through the date of submission of those documents, due before January 15, 2015, as the first phase of its investigations. The California Attorney General ordered Pacifica's board to attend a meeting in January 2017 and demanded the filing of the delinquent 2015 financial audit by no later than August 27, 2017, and the replacement of restricted funds. The network's new interim executive director, Bill Crosier, pledged to get the organization back into compliance."}, {"context": " A show that for years has been considered the flagship of Pacifica Radio's national programming is \"Democracy Now!,\" an independent news organization that covers democracy, human rights and justice issues, and questions the motives of U.S. foreign and domestic policy. Hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonz\u00e1lez, this program is a compilation of news, interviews, and documentaries. \"Democracy Now!\" is heard and seen on more than 700 radio and TV stations across the U.S. including public-access television stations and satellite television channels Free Speech TV and Link TV. WDEV, based in Waterbury, Vermont, is the only commercial radio station in the U.S. that carries the program\u2014even though it is also heard in north-central Vermont over Pacifica affiliate WGDR in Plainfield and its sister station, WGDH in Hardwick."}, {"context": " In 2002, as Pacifica implemented its new listener-sponsor-accountability structure and as Pacifica and \"Democracy Now!\" settled outstanding disputes from previous years, \"Democracy Now!\" spun off with substantial funding from Pacifica to become an independent production. The Pacifica network, in addition to extensive community-based productions at its various stations around the United States, also featured a daily newscast \"Free Speech Radio News\" for over a decade. \"FSRN\" was a radio program founded by Pacifica Reporters Against Censorship, a group of mostly \"Pacifica Network News\" reporters who went on strike against the Pacifica board policies of the late 1990s. \"FSRN\" was primarily funded by Pacifica, and includes headlines and news features produced by reporters based around the U.S. and in scores of countries around the world. In September 2013, the board of directors of FSRN issued a lay-off notice to all staff, and confirmed that their last broadcast would take place on September 27, 2013. The board cited financial difficulties as the reason for the decision."}, {"context": " In 2006, Pacifica added two new national programs: \"From the Vault\" from the Pacifica Radio Archives, a weekly program that thematically repackages archival material, making it relevant to contemporary listeners; and \"Informativo Pacifica\", based at KPFK in Los Angeles, a daily Spanish-language newscast that includes reporters from the U.S. and many Latin American countries. Local Pacifica stations also produce many programs that are available to network stations and affiliates. These include: \"Sprouts\", a weekly showcase of producers and stations around the network, often in documentary format; \"Explorations in Science\" with Dr. Michio Kaku, a weekly radio program on science, politics, and the environment; Dennis Bernstein's \"Flashpoints\" a daily drive-time public affairs program; and many other regular programs."}, {"context": " Pacifica also produces a wide variety of special broadcasts, including live coverage of major U.S. Congressional hearings, national mobilizations against war, and other important events, such as the United States Social Forum. Special programs also include news documentaries, holidays and commemorations, and archival audio from the Pacifica Radio Archives. Stations are arranged in alphabetical order by state and city of license. Note: All stations except for WBAI were built and signed-on by the Pacifica Foundation."}, {"context": " On Friday, October 6, 2017, Pacifica lost a $1.8 million settlement over what they claimed was price gouging by Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), which had been raising antenna rental charges for WBAI at 9% per year for the last 12 years under a 15-year lease WBAI signed in 2005 that did not expire until 2020. The rent was set at more than half a million dollars annually, which Pacifica claimed was approximately 4 times the current market rent for Midtown Manhattan antenna rentals. Pacifica Radio's WBAI has housed its transmitter on the Empire State Building since 1966. The 9% annual rental increases were facilitated by the destruction of the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001, which dramatically reduced space available for comparable antennas. The ruling encumbered all of Pacifica's assets including KPFA and KPFB in Berkeley, KPFK in Los Angeles, WPFW in Washington, DC, and KPFT in Houston in addition to WBAI in New York City but does not affect the assets of any of its affiliates. On April 6, 2018, The Pacifica Foundation announced the settlement on a series of agreements that release WBAI, the organization\u2019s New York radio station, from a court judgment as well as the last two years of its lease at the Empire State Building as of May 31, 2018. The Foundation later completed an agreement to relocate its transmission facility to a new site nearby.  On August 9, 2013, Pacifica interim executive director Summer Reese announced that due to financial problems, Pacifica-owned radio station WBAI-FM in New York was laying off about two-thirds of its staff, effective August 12, 2013. The entire news department was reportedly included in the layoff."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica Graduate Institute", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica Graduate Institute is an accredited American graduate school with two campuses near Santa Barbara, California. The institute offers masters and doctoral degrees in the fields of clinical psychology, counseling, mythological studies, community, liberation, ecopsychology and the humanities. The institute is affiliated with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), specifically the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. The institute first gained accreditation on June 30, 1997, and continues to be accredited through WASC."}, {"context": " Six degree programs are offered through monthly and three or four-day learning sessions: Pacifica Graduate Institute dates its life as an educational institution from the 1976 inauguration of a nine-month para-professional Counseling Skills Certificate program offered by the Human Relations Center. The institute's original name was the Human Relations Institute. The M.A. in Counseling Psychology was initiated in 1982. In 1984 the institute announced a new M.A. Counseling Psychology program with an emphasis in depth psychology. The program was launched in 1984 by Stan Passy, who drew on his doctoral work in archetypal psychology with James Hillman at the University of Dallas. Faculty and visiting lecturers have included Marion Woodman, Thomas Moore, Robert A. Johnson, and Marija Gimbutas."}, {"context": " The name of the school was changed to the Pacifica Graduate Institute in 1989. One of the supporters of the institute's vision in the early years was the late mythologist Joseph Campbell. He offered guidance to the school's founders and appeared many times as a guest speaker in the institute's public conference series. After his death, his widow, Jean Erdman Campbell, felt that Pacifica would be able to carry Campbell's work into the future and, thus, would be the most appropriate home for his archives. She donated his 3,000-book library and archival collection to the Center for the Study of Depth Psychology, an independent non-profit organization housed at the Pacifica campus, which evolved into the Opus Archives and Research Center. The Joseph Campbell Archives and Library were installed in the school's Seminar Building and the home of the collection was formally dedicated in 1992."}, {"context": " The mythological studies program was created in 1994 by Jonathan Young, building on his work as founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives. The program combines folklore, literature, creative studies, and archetypal psychology. Reaching full capacity for Santa Barbara County permitted operations at the Lambert Road campus in 1999, Pacifica began offering additional sections of existing programs at La Casa de Maria's newly established Ladera Lane Retreat Center (site of a former Jesuit novitiate). Pacifica became a two-campus school by purchasing the Ladera Lane center from La Casa de Maria in September 2005."}, {"context": " The Engaged Humanities & Creative Life program, along with the Jungian & Archetypal Studies specialization of the M.A./Ph.D. program are the two online/hybrid programs Pacifica offers, with the majority of coursework accomplished online by students. The online studies are combined with quarterly four-day visits either on campus or at the New York Open Center. All other degrees are completed in monthly three-day or four-day retreats and one summer week annually. Pacifica Graduate Institute\u2019s library resources and services support graduate-level study in the areas of counseling psychology, clinical psychology, depth psychology, depth psychotherapy, mythological studies, and humanities. Subject area strengths are in Jungian and archetypal psychology, depth psychology, psychoanalysis, clinical psychology, mythology, religious studies, psychological studies of literature, and research methodology. The Graduate Research Libraries on the Lambert and Ladera campuses contain over 23,000 books, provide access to over 100,000 ebooks, 2,900 theses and dissertations, and 1,000 audio and video materials. They also provide access to thousands of journals, both in print and electronic formats. Special reference collections include faculty publications, rare and hard-to-find books, and other unique multimedia materials. The library also maintains an archive of open access digitized audio faculty lectures on various topics from prior years, stored in the Internet Archive. Lectures can be downloaded in different file formats or listened-to online."}, {"context": " The institute's bookstore stocks over 5,000 book titles focused on serving the needs of academic scholarship and enriching the psyche in the fields of Depth psychology, Archetypal psychology, the humanities, and mythology. The topics covered range from neuroscience to works by both well-known and unique and hard-to-find depth psychology scholars. The bookstore also has a consciously chosen selection of gifts, distinctive clothing and rare jewelry. The bookstore is located on both Pacifica Graduate Institute campuses in Montecito and Carpinteria. The bookstore also has a presence online with a full selection of merchandise available at both physical locations."}, {"context": " Pacifica's public programs explore the fields of psychology and mythological studies through the lens of depth psychology. Programs cover a wide range of topics from humanities and culture to counseling and clinical psychology. Most of the public programs offer continuing education units for professionals in the field. These events are open to the general public with the intention of bringing Pacifica's educational resources to the wider community. Past presenters include Joseph Campbell, Jean Houston, Michael J. Meade, Huston Smith, Malidoma Patrice Som\u00e9, Sonu Shamdasani, Thomas Moore, Marion Woodman, James Hillman, and Robert Bly."}, {"context": " The Pacifica Post is an online forum for Pacifica Graduate Institute faculty, scholars, and guest contributors to present observations on matters of broad interest and importance in the fields of Depth psychology, Archetypal psychology, the humanities, and mythology. The online platform is a place for psychology-related resources and engaging conversations about contemporary issues and connection with like-minded individuals. The forum is intended to be an interactive media site with student and alumni stories, and announcements for audio and video lectures which are found in on the institute's YouTube channel."}, {"context": " Pacifica's academic programs are all subject to review and approval on multiple levels by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the State of California Board of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), and U. S. Department of Education (DOE). Pacifica\u2019s M.A. in Counseling Psychology program provides its mission statements, program goals, student learning outcomes, and time to completion rates. The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program provides its mission statements, program goals, student learning outcomes, and time to completion rates as well. Pacifica's Clinical Psychology programs, along with all other Pacifica degree programs, are accredited by WASC. In September 2013, and March 2014, groups of former and current Ph.D. students from the Clinical Psychology program filed a lawsuit stating that the school misrepresented its APA accreditation status. They alleged negligent and intentional misrepresentation, concealment and unfair business practices, according to the complaint. Pacifica responded that the claims are without merit. Pacifica has never claimed that its degree programs in Clinical Psychology are accredited by the APA, an independent regulatory body whose future actions cannot be predicted. While some states and jurisdictions require graduation from an APA accredited school for licensure to practice as a clinical psychologist, California, where Pacifica is located, does not require APA accreditation. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences reports that 85% of the Pacifica graduates taking the MFT standard written exam from 1/1/2015-6/30/2015 passed the exam, which ranks higher than the state average of 65% for that time period. Clinical Psychology graduates had a 100% pass rate on the California Psychology Supplemental Examination (CPSE) exam from 1/1/14 to 12/31/14 and had a 85% pass rate on the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) from 1/1/14 to 12/31/14. Overall WASC accreditation information for Pacifica is also publicly available."}, {"context": " Pacifica\u2019s two campus locations are located within three miles of each other in the foothills of the Santa Barbara suburbs. The 13 acre Lambert Road Campus is the former Max Fleishman estate. The Ladera Lane campus is with views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. Each campus contains multiple gardens, while the Lambert Campus hosts the larger Organic Garden. The Organic Garden, consisting of , is farmed year round, producing vegetables and fruits available to the community. Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA) was formed on 17 April 2013. PGIAA is a California 501(c) Nonprofit Corporation for the purposes of developing an operational and charitable membership association that supports both the alumni (\u201cAlumni\u201d or \u201calums\u201d) of Pacifica Graduate Institute and the wider community in pursuit of developing their intellectual, spiritual, altruistic, and professional capabilities. The association fosters relationships at the institute and beyond. With more than 3,000 members and over 30 regional chapters across the United States and Canada, Pacifica\u2019s alumni association works to cultivate and deepen connections between the institute and the alumni community, with particular attention to assisting and advancing the pursuit of vocational excellence. Pacifica\u2019s alumni network has a worldwide reach, and its members are active in the fields of depth psychology, mythological studies, and the humanities. The PGIAA pursues and embodies eight vision statements emphasizing community, Gaia responsibility, ambassadorship, collective memory, sponsorship, sustainability, gratefulness, and groundedness. The alumni association also sponsors a number of events each year to help maintain relationships."}, {"context": " A not-for-profit organization with facilities on both Pacifica campuses, Opus Archives and Research Center works to preserve, develop, and extend the archival collections and libraries of eminent scholars in the fields of depth psychology, mythology, and the humanities. Opus makes these collections available to researchers, scholars, students, and the general public for research. To fulfill its mission of functioning as a living archive, Opus also offers scholarships, research grants, educational programs, and community events."}, {"context": " Joseph Campbell's papers and collections have been entrusted to the OPUS Archives and Research Center on the campuses of Pacifica Graduate Institute. The renowned author, scholar, and mythologist was a long-time friend of Pacifica and a frequent guest lecturer. After Campbell's death, Jean Erdman Campbell and the Joseph Campbell Foundation donated his papers, books and other effects to the Center for the Study of Depth Psychology at Pacifica. The center became OPUS Archives and Research Center and is the home of the collection. The founding curator, Jonathan Young, worked closely with Jean Erdman Campbell to gather the materials from Campbell's homes in Honolulu and Greenwich Village, New York City. The Campbell Collection features approximately 3,000 volumes and covers a broad range of subjects including anthropology, folklore, religion, literature, and psychology. The collection also includes audio and video tapes of lectures, original manuscripts, and research papers. The mission of Opus Archives and the Research Center is to preserve, develop, and extend to the world the archival collections and libraries of eminent scholars in the fields of depth psychology, mythology and the humanities. The center is a living archive, supporting interdisciplinary dialogue, education, grants, research opportunities and public programs."}, {"context": " OPUS holds over 15,000 slides utilized by Marija Gimbutas in her lectures and books on Neolithic civilizations and the goddess, thousands of research catalogue cards in numerous languages handwritten by Gimbutas, and extensive texts on the subjects of history, archaeology, and the humanities. James Hillman's collection includes first draft manuscripts of his books, including \"Re-Visioning Psychology\", which earned him a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize. Hillman's prolific career is documented through correspondence, personal notes, and unfinished projects that are available for pursuit by scholars of the next generation."}, {"context": " Pacifica\u2019s PlumX installation provides a story of Pacifica\u2019s faculty scholarship and publication impact, by means of altmetrics. Profiles for core, distinguished, and visiting faculty provide cumulative insights into how faculty research is interacted with, shared, commented on, purchased, and disseminated in both print and electronic format. PlumX gathers and brings together metrics for all types of scholarly research output, including published books, journal articles, conference papers, videos, data sets, interviews, and other online web resources. Pacifica\u2019s PlumX installation categorizes Pacifica metrics into 5 separate types: usage (e.g. downloads and library holdings), captures (e.g. bookmarks, favorites, readers, watchers), mentions (e.g. blog posts, comments, reviews), social media (e.g. likes, shares, tweets), and citations (how many times research has been cited).  Salient profiles include, but are not limited to:"}]}, {"title": "Pacifica High School", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica High School may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Pacifica High School (Garden Grove, California)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica High School is a high school in the West Grove neighborhood of Garden Grove, California and is a member of the Garden Grove Unified School District. Pacifica High School first opened its doors in 1965, and since then Pacifica has enrolled more than two thousand students each year. One of Pacifica's most valuable landmarks on campus is the Navy Anchor that sits in the quad, which was painted blue(now is Black-2011)The anchor was a donation which was made by the U.S Navy. Pacifica's sports teams are called the Mariners, and compete in Empire League of the California Interscholastic Federation's Southern Section. Prior to 2006, they competed in the Garden Grove League with the other schools in the district."}, {"context": " Sports offered are as follows: The Pacifica High School Orchestra in 2004-2005 received a unanimous superior at the SCSBOA Regional Festivals, held at Norwalk California. In that same year, the high school orchestra also received a superior at GGUSD (Garden Grove Unified School District) Orchestra. In 2005-2009 and in 2003, The Pacifica Marching Band's Drumline took the SCPA (Southern California Percussion Alliance) gold medal, and in 2006-2009, took the WGI (Winter Guard International) World Championship gold medal in the PSO (Percussion Scholastic Open) division, along with numerous first-place finishes throughout Southern California. Pacifica also finished with an SCPA Bronze medal in 2004 and a WGI silver medal in 2005. The Pacifica drumline is the second ensemble to ever capture four consecutive WGI World Championship gold medals."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica High School (Oxnard, California)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica High School, referred to as Pacifica or PHS, is a public four-year high school serving grades 9-12 in Oxnard, California. It opened on August 28, 2001. The current principal of Pacifica High School is Ted Lawrence. Pacifica High School was established in 2001. It occupies approximately of agricultural land, and was designed to accommodate up to 2,250 students, even though the current student population reaches over 3,000. There are nine major buildings (with seven marked with letters A, B, C, E, F, G, H) on campus comprising nearly ."}, {"context": " Pacifica contains five academies: The Health Science Academy (established 2006, California Golden Bell winner in 2008), the Teaching & Educational Careers Academy (established 2007), the Culinary Arts Academy (established 2010), the Academy of Business known as AoB (established 2012), and the CODE (Code Developer) Academy (established 2015). Pacifica also has a Performing Arts department which contains theatre, music, and dance classes. There are also various performances throughout the school year given by Pacifica's Symphonic and Jazz bands, Choir, Theatre, and Dance groups."}, {"context": " The following sports are offered at Pacifica: Soccer, Baseball, Football, Golf, Dance, Swim, Water Polo, Track and Field, Cross Country, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Wrestling and Cheerleading. Miguel \"Mikey\" Angel Garcia Cortez, Garcia, is an American professional boxer. He is a world champion in four weight classes. He has held the WBC lightweight title since 2017 and the lineal light welterweight title since 2018. Previously he held the WBO and Ring magazine featherweight titles in 2013, the WBO junior lightweight title from 2013 to 2014, the IBF light welterweight title from March to April 2018, and the IBF lightweight title from July to October 2018."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica Hotel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacifica Hotel building is an historic structure located at 547 4th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, in the U.S. state of California. It was built in 1910."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica Pier", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica Pier is a fishing pier in Pacifica, in western San Mateo County, California. The L shaped pier spans out into the Pacific Ocean for a quarter mile from the City of Pacifica. Its official name is the Rev. Herschell Harkins Memorial Pacifica Pier. The quarter mile pier was built in 1973 as part of the city of Pacifica's sewer system. It carries a pipe that continues one quarter mile offshore through which sewage was pumped into the Pacific Ocean. This ended with the creation of a new water treatment facility in 2004.  The pier has been closed on occasion for both repairs (1993) and during high surf. Since the pier was no longer being used to pump wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, its primary purpose has been for fishing. The pier is famous for salmon runs where hundreds of salmon are caught in a single day. When this occurs there is a frenzy of activity where every available space is used to catch fish and hundreds of anglers are fishing shoulder to shoulder. Other Recreation"}]}, {"title": "Pacifica Quartet", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacifica Quartet is a professional string quartet based in Bloomington, Indiana. Its members are: Simin Ganatra, first violin; Austin Hartman, second violin; Mark Holloway, viola; and Brandon Vamos, cello. Formed in 1994 by Ganatra and Vamos with violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson and violist Kathryn Lockwood, the group won prizes in competitions such as the 1996 Coleman Chamber Music Competition, the 1997 Concert Artists Guild Competition, and the 1998 Naumburg Chamber Music Competition. In 2001, violist Masumi Per Rostad replaced Lockwood. The group subsequently received Chamber Music America\u2019s prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award in 2002, the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2006, and was named \"Ensemble of the Year\" by Musical America in 2009. In 2017, violinist Austin Hartman replaced Bernhardsson and violist Guy Ben-Ziony replaced Rostad."}, {"context": " The Pacifica Quartet tours throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The ensemble is known for its traversal of the complete string cycles of a single composer, and in recent years have toured and recorded the quartets of Elliott Carter, Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Shostakovich. Currently the ensemble serves as Quartet-in-Residence and full-time faculty at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington. The members of the Pacifica Quartet are also Resident Performing Artists at the University of Chicago and were previously the Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Illinois School of Music from 2003-2012."}, {"context": " The Pacifica Quartet was formed in 1994 in southern California. Simin Ganatra and Sibbi Bernhardsson were both students of well-known pedagogues Roland and Almita Vamos, whose son is cellist Brandon Vamos. Sibbi moved from Iceland to the Chicago area to study with the Vamoses. Two members of the Pacifica Quartet \u2013 Ganatra and Vamos - graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. The quartet\u2019s original personnel included Ganatra, Vamos, and violist Kathryn Lockwood. In 1997, Sibbi Bernhardsson collaborated with violist Masumi Per Rostad at Yale School of Music\u2019s Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Rostad was subsequently invited to join the Pacifica Quartet a few years later, shortly after Lockwood\u2019s departure in 2001. At the end of the 2016-2017 season, Austin Hartman replaced Bernhardsson and Guy Ben-Ziony replaced Rostad."}, {"context": " The Pacifica Quartet gained international recognition as an interpreter of string quartet cycles. They have given performances of the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Elliott Carter's cycle in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Edinburgh and London; the Mendelssohn cycle in Atherton, Pittsburgh, as well as cities in Australia and Germany; and the Beethoven cycle in New York, Denver, St. Paul, Chicago, Napa, and Tokyo (in a presentation of five concerts in three days at Suntory Hall). The Quartet presented the complete cycle of fifteen quartets by Dmitri Shostakovich in Chicago and New York during the 2010-2011 season and in Montreal and at London\u2019s Wigmore Hall in the 2011-2012 season."}, {"context": " \"The Soviet Experience\" was a fourteen-month-long multidisciplinary festival that took place in Chicago, IL during the 2010/11 season. Spearheaded by Shauna Quill, Executive Director of University of Chicago Presents, the festival was inspired by the Pacifica Quartet's plan to perform all fifteen of Dmitri Shostakovich's string quartets in Chicago, the first time the city hosted the entire cycle. Eleven different institutions collaborated to present works by visual artists, choreographers, composers, and dramatists who lived under the Politburo of the Soviet Union in more than 48 events in a dozen venues across Chicago, making it one of the largest inter-disciplinary collaborative efforts in Chicago since the Silk Road Chicago project in 2006/07. In addition to five concerts during the season, the Pacifica Quartet gave master classes and free noon-time lecture demonstrations throughout the festival.  In 2011, Boston\u2019s WGBH radio started hosting violist Masumi Per Rostad\u2019s series of podcasts, Inner Voice. Often recorded in the far-flung locales where chamber music is presented, the podcasts take one behind the scenes in conversations with fellow musicians and insiders from the world of classical music and offer a sense of what it is like to be on the road as a touring musician today."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica School District", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica School District is a school district in California, USA. It consists of one middle school, three K-8 elementary schools, two K-5 elementary schools, and the Linda Mar Educational Center. It currently serves over 3,100 students Middle Schools Elementary Schools K-8 Elementary Schools K-5 Other"}]}, {"title": "Pacifica State Beach", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica State Beach is the southernmost of Pacifica, California's large beaches, it is a 0.75 mile long crescent shaped beach located at the mouth of the San Pedro Valley in downtown Pacifica off State Route 1, in San Mateo County. Pacifica State Beach is one of the most popular beginner surfing spots in the San Francisco area. Among surfers it is commonly known as Linda Mar Beach because it fronts Pacifica's Linda Mar subdivision. It is a State Beach managed by the City of Pacifica through an operating agreement with California State Parks. The Taco Bell restaurant on the beach side of the highway is reputed to be the world's most scenic Taco Bell location."}, {"context": " Pacifica State Beach provides habitat for the western snowy plover, a shorebird which is designated as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Between 1989 and 2005, Pacifica State Beach was the focus of an extensive beach habitat restoration program, in association with the San Pedro Creek flood control and habitat restoration. In 2002, as part of a partnership with the Pacifica Land Trust and the California Coastal Conservancy, this involved a $2.2 million purchase and removal of two ocean side homes and surrounding acreage for the purpose of beach and estuary restoration. This project was identified as a Top Restored Beach by the"}, {"context": " American Shore and Beach Preservation Association in 2005, cited as \"...an example of a well-planned, well-executed coastal project that is the product of cooperative efforts of the local community, state and federal agencies, scientists, engineers and citizens. The complex beach and habitat restoration project involved over 10 regulatory and permitting agencies, funding from eight granting agencies and the active participation of eight environmental groups. It is one of the first beaches to utilize managed retreat as a method of shoreline protection. In addition to beach nourishment, it has restored habitat for four threatened and endangered species and enhanced community access with expanded parking lots, trails and new restrooms. Over 1 million people visit this beach annually\"."}]}, {"title": "Pacifica, California", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifica is a city in San Mateo County, California, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay. The City of Pacifica is spread along a stretch of coastal beaches and hills in north central California. The city comprises several small valleys spread between Sweeney Ridge in the east, Montara Mountain to the south, and the Pacific Ocean's rocky bluffs to the west. Pacifica is well known regionally as a popular surfing destination. Surfers and families often visit Linda Mar Beach. Rockaway Beach is a scenic location and offers recreation, shopping and dining. 2005 marked the opening of the top ranked Pacifica Skateboard Park. Pacifica is also a popular mountain biking destination, with many trails crossing the hillsides that surround the city, including Pedro Mountain Road, Sweeney Ridge, and areas of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Fishermen frequent the local beaches and the Pacifica Pier, often catching striped bass and salmon. Pacifica is also a popular place to hike, with many trails that wind along the beaches and bluffs, including Mori Point, San Pedro Valley County Park, the Sanchez Adobe, Milagra Ridge, and the privately owned Pacifica quarry. For live local theater and performing arts, Pacifica Spindrift Players is a local and popular favorite, in addition to Pacifica Performances which regularly provides both musical presentations and performing arts as well. Pacifica is also home to the Sharp Park Golf Course, which was designed in 1931 by architect Alister MacKenzie. The world class bromeliad nursery, Shelldance Orchid Gardens is located just off Highway 1 in Pacifica, adjacent to the Sweeney Ridge hiking trailhead."}, {"context": " Pacifica is divided into roughly eleven districts from north to south: The 2010 United States Census reported that Pacifica had a population of 37,234. The population density was 2,941.1 people per square mile (1,135.6/km\u00b2). The racial makeup of Pacifica was 55.6% white, 16.8% (6,243) Hispanic or Latino of any race, 976 (2.6%) African American, 206 (0.6%) Native American, 7,230 (19.4%) Asian, 315 (0.8%) Pacific Islander, 1,703 (4.6%) from other races, and 2,638 (7.1%) from two or more races. The Census reported that 37,052 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 64 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 118 (0.3%) were institutionalized."}, {"context": " There were 13,967 households, out of which 4,511 (32.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 7,385 (52.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,592 (11.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 709 (5.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 869 (6.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 237 (1.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,126 households (22.4%) were made up of individuals and 1,098 (7.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65. There were 9,686 families (69.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.12."}, {"context": " The population was spread out with 7,707 people (20.7%) under the age of 18, 2,842 people (7.6%) aged 18 to 24, 10,011 people (26.9%) aged 25 to 44, 12,155 people (32.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 4,519 people (12.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males. There were 14,523 housing units at an average density of 1,147.2 per square mile (442.9/km\u00b2), of which 9,545 (68.3%) were owner-occupied, and 4,422 (31.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%. 26,567 people (71.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 10,485 people (28.2%) lived in rental housing units."}, {"context": " As of the census of 2000, there were 38,390 people, 13,994 households, and 9,655 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,038.9 people per square mile (1,173.6/km\u00b2). There were 14,245 housing units at an average density of 1,127.6 per square mile (435.5/km\u00b2). There were 13,994 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.21."}, {"context": " In the city, the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $31,737, and the median income for a family was $48,361 (these figures had risen to $52,000 and $62,463 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $50,761 versus $40,261 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,183. About 1.2% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over."}, {"context": " The oldest person to ever live in Pacifica is Rose G. Rosenthal who was born on April 8, 1901, and died December 27, 2008. The Reverend Herschell Harkins Memorial pier was constructed in 1973 and was designed to carry sewage piping out to sea. It was closed in 1992 due to corrosion of some of the structure. Since then the pier has been repaired and is a well known fishing spot; on July 8\u20139, 1995, over 1,000 salmon were caught from the pier. According to the City's 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:"}, {"context": " Pacifica straddles San Pedro Creek which flows from the western slope of Sweeney Ridge. The far eastern portion of Pacifica includes San Andreas Creek which flows down the eastern slope of Sweeney Ridge. The Portola expedition followed these two creeks in the discovery of San Francisco Bay. Calera Creek runs through Pacifica Quarry and is protected as ESHA Environmentally Sensitive Habitat. Pacifica has a cool summer Mediterranean climate (K\u00f6ppen climate classification \"Csb\") typical of coastal areas of California."}, {"context": " The National Weather Service has maintained a cooperative weather station in Pacifica since November 1, 1983. Based on those records, average January temperatures range from to and average September temperatures range from to . There are an average of 3.0 days with highs of 90\u00a0\u00b0F (32\u00a0\u00b0C) or higher and an average of 0.2 day with lows of 32\u00a0\u00b0F (0\u00a0\u00b0C) or lower. The highest temperature on record was on October 5, 1987, and the lowest temperature was on December 22, 1990. Annual precipitation averages and has ranged from in 1990 to in 1996. The most rainfall in one month was in February 1998 and the most rainfall in 24 hours was on December 27, 2004. There are an average of 66 days annually with measurable precipitation, most of which falls from October through May. Summer fogs often produce light drizzle in the night and morning hours. Condensation from the fogs also produces fog drip from trees overnight. No measurable snowfall has been recorded since records began. The southeastern portions of the municipality, such as Park Pacifica, are known to be much sunnier than the rest of the city."}, {"context": " Governed by a city council of five elected members, with each council seat in turn serving as mayor for a one-year term. A City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk are appointed and serve in support of the Council to enact the ordinances passed by the Council, which meets biweekly on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. The major City departments, ranked by cost: As of August 1, 2011, the South San Francisco Police Department took over the Pacifica emergency calls dispatch. In the California State Legislature, Pacifica is in , and in ."}, {"context": " In the United States House of Representatives, Pacifica is in . The local weekly newspaper, the \"Pacifica Tribune\", is one of the most politically conservative in San Mateo County, and is mailed out every Wednesday. It originated as the \"Coastside Tribune\" early in the twentieth century. Other media include: Pacifica Community Television, Pacifica's Emmy Award-winning local Public-access television cable TV channel 26, has continuously operated for 30 years featuring community based television."}, {"context": " The pornographic movie 'The Pleasures of a Woman' (1972), directed by Nick Millard, was partially shot on location at Coral Ridge Drive in the Edgemar district and on Rockaway Beach. Before European settlers arrived, Pacifica was home to two significant Ohlone Indian villages: Pruristac located at San Pedro Creek near present-day Adobe Drive, and Timigtac on Calera Creek in the Rockaway Beach neighborhood. Pacifica is the location of the oldest European discovery of the San Francisco Bay. An expedition led by Gaspar de Portol\u00e0 sighted the bay by climbing the hills of Sweeney Ridge in Pacifica on October 31, 1769. Before then, earlier Spanish maritime explorers of the California coast (such as Juan Cabrillo and Sebastian Vizcaino) had missed the San Francisco Bay because heavy fog so frequently shrouded the entrance of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean (the Golden Gate). Sighting the San Francisco Bay accelerated the Spanish colonization of Alta California because it was the only large, safe, centrally located harbor on the Alta California coast. The Spanish had used Monterey Bay up until then as their main harbor, but it was much more dangerous than San Francisco Bay. In the Spanish era, Pacifica was the site of the San Pedro Valley Mission Outpost (1786\u20131793) of Mission Dolores. This was dissolved when a newly independent Mexico secularized the mission system. Pacifica is also the site of the still extant Mexican-era S\u00e1nchez Adobe built in 1846. The city is located on a part of the Mexican land grant Rancho San Pedro given to Francisco Sanchez in 1839."}, {"context": " Pacifica was incorporated in 1957, relatively recently in the history of San Mateo County, as the union of nine previously separate, unincorporated communities, including Edgemar, Sharp Park, Pacific Manor (or just Manor), Vallemar, Rockaway Beach and San Pedro Terrace-By-The-Sea, stops on the short lived Ocean Shore Railroad. The name \"Pacifica\" was chosen from Thomas Barca, by vote. A close runner-up was the name \"Coastside\". In 1960, the city seal was designed by resident Ralph Barkey, who was inspired by Ralph Stackpole's towering \"Pacifica\" statue produced for the 1939\u20131940 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay."}, {"context": " The public elementary and middle school district, known as Pacifica School District, (formerly the Laguna Salada School District), consists of Vallemar, Cabrillo, Ingrid B. Lacy, Sunset Ridge, Ortega, Linda Mar and Ocean Shore schools, and also a home schooling program. The administration office is located at 375 Reina del Mar Avenue, adjacent to Vallemar School. Each school enrolls about 550-600 students. There are two private K-8 schools, Good Shepherd School and Alma Heights Christian Academy."}, {"context": " Pacifica has one private high school and two public high schools which are part of the Jefferson Union High School District. Oceana High School in the central part of the city while Terra Nova High School and Alma Heights Christian High School are in the south. Many students in the northern part of Pacifica attend Jefferson High School or Westmoor High School nearby in adjacent Daly City. Oceana's teaching paradigm is geared toward longer classes, senior exhibitions, and mandated community service. Much larger Terra Nova is a more traditional institution, featuring numerous sports, clubs, and a broad-based and enriching educational experience. Alma Heights Christian High School is a private high school located 5 minutes from popular Linda Mar Beach.  San Mateo County Libraries, a member of the Peninsula Library System, operates the Pacifica-Sanchez Library and the Pacifica-Sharp Park Library."}]}, {"title": "Pacificair", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacific Airways Corporation operating as Pacificair is a charter airline based in Manila in the Philippines. It operates scheduled passenger flights, as well as air taxi services, and agricultural work. Its main base is Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila. The airline was established in 1947. However, its franchise to operate air services was approved by Congress of the Philippines on February 23, 1995, through Republic Act No. 7909. On 2 April 1996, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 RP-C1154 taxied across Manila International Airport runway 13 at the Taxiway F1 intersection. At the same moment Boeing 737 (EI-BZF) was taking off and collided with the Twin Otter. The 737 carried the Twin Otter for before coming to a halt. The aircraft was taxiing to the Pacific Airways hangar after passenger disembarkation at the General Aviation ramp."}, {"context": " On 9 June 1999, Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander RP-C471 crashed near Coron Airport and was written off. There was two crew fatality (pilot: Angelito V. Ruiz, SR. & Co-pilot J. Cristobal). On 16 October 2004, Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander RP-C1325, bound from Coron Airport to Puerto Princesa Airport with 700 kilos of live fish, flew into the side of Mount Tagpao. Weather was poor with heavy rains. There were two crew fatalities. The aircraft was written off. Flightseeing tours are available to Boracay, Bohol, Calauit, Camiguin, Bicol, Banaue, Palawan, Davao and Corregidor.  The Pacificair fleet includes the following aircraft (at March 2007):"}]}, {"title": "Pacificana", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificana is a genus of spiders in the Miturgidae family. It was first described in 1904 by Hogg. , it contains only one species, Pacificana cockayni, found in New Zealand."}]}, {"title": "Pacificanada", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificanada is a National Film Board of Canada (NFB) Canadian documentary television miniseries about British Columbia which aired on CBC Television in 1975. \"Pacificanada\" was the NFB's third documentary television series on the regions of Canada, following \"Adieu Alouette\" on Quebec, then \"West\", about the Canadian Prairies. Originally, the NFB wanted to make a combined series on B.C. and the Maritimes, to be called \"Coastal Peoples\", but instead, the west and east coasts were explored individually, with the Maritimes the focus of a future series, \"Atlanticanada\"."}, {"context": " As with its previous regionally focused series, the NFB sought to give exposure to local filmmakers in \"Pacificanada\", with 5 of the 8 episodes directed by B.C. filmmakers. Ian McLaren, who had produced the \"Adieu Alouette\" series and directed one of the \"West\" films, was executive producer on \"Pacificanada\". Eight half-hour episodes of \"Pacificanada\" were broadcast. The series aired Wednesdays at 10:30\u00a0p.m. from 22 January to 12 March 1975. It was rebroadcast Sundays at 1:00\u00a0p.m. from 6 July to 17 August 1975.  Certain \"Pacificanada\" films were sold internationally. \"Soccer\" was sold to KCTS, Seattle\u2019s PBS station, as well as broadcasters in Israel, Scotland, Nigeria and South Africa. The Oscar nomination for \"Whistling Smith\" led to sales to networks in Iran and the UK. KCTS Seattle also bought the film, with excerpts from it also bought by CBS news for use in \"60 Minutes\"."}]}, {"title": "Pacificanthia", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificanthia is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae. There are at least four described species in \"Pacificanthia\". These four species belong to the genus \"Pacificanthia\":"}]}, {"title": "Pacificanthia consors", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificanthia consors is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America."}]}, {"title": "Pacificanthia rotundicollis", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificanthia rotundicollis is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America."}]}, {"title": "Pacification", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacification may refer to: The restoration of peace through a declaration or peace treaty: A military or police action: An analytic approach to understanding the security-industrial complex: A military, political, economic, and social process of establishing or reestablishing control by a government over a population impacted and divided by insurgency. A policing, military, political, economic, and social process of establishing or reestablishing control by a government over a population impacted by violent crime.  Other meanings:"}]}, {"title": "Pacification Sejm (1736)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacification Sejm was a session of the Sejm in 1736 that concluded the War of the Polish Succession in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that erupted after the death of Augustus II the Strong in February 1733. It confirmed the accession of Augustus III to the Polish throne, and gave Augustus the power to appoint as Duke of Courland a candidate who had the approval of Russia, Prussia, and the local nobility. (This power was in effect a retroactive approval of Augustus' agreement with Anna of Russia that she could name her preferred candidate, Ernst Johann von Biron, to that post.)"}]}, {"title": "Pacification actions in German-occupied Poland", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The pacification actions in German-occupied Poland during World War II were one of many punitive measures designed to inflict terror on the civilian population of local villages and towns with the use of military and police force. They were an integral part of the war of aggression against the Polish nation waged by Nazi Germany since September 1, 1939. The projected goal of pacification operations was to prevent and suppress the Polish resistance movement in World War II nevertheless, among the victims were children as young as 1.5 year old, women, fathers attempting to save their families, farmers rushing to rescue livestock from burning buildings, patients, victims already wounded, and hostages of many ethnicities including Poles and Jews."}, {"context": " War crimes committed during pacification actions in occupied Poland were probed by the West German Central Office of Justice in Ludwigsburg in September 1959 and, in accordance with the German Criminal Code (\u00a7 78/3 pt. 2, and \u00a7 212), ultimately thrown out as already expired due to German statutes of limitations. No further investigations were conducted until June 1971 when the 1939 crimes of the 1st Panzer Division in Poland (\"Polenfeldzug\") were also thrown out as unlikely after statement by Major Walther Wenck, which was accepted on good faith. The inquiries by the Polish Institute of National Remembrance into massacres in specific locations are ongoing. Historical data collected in Poland confirms the complete destruction of 554,000 farms valued at 6.062 million z\u0142oty (1938 level) with 8 million dead cattle and horses, on top of terrible human losses. Several hundred villages were wiped off the map.<ref name=\"Ow/Eb126\"></ref> In just a year and a half between January 1, 1943, and July 31, 1944, the Wehrmacht army alone conducted 1,106 pacification actions in occupied Poland, independent of the killing operations by \"Einsatzgruppen\" and auxiliary forces, and the ongoing Holocaust of the Jews."}, {"context": " The so-called \"pacification operations\" were introduced along with all other extermination policies directed against Poland already in September 1939, and were of a large scale, resulting in the confirmed murder of approximately 20,000 villagers. Massacres were conducted in the areas of General Government, Pomorze, and in the vicinities of Bia\u0142ystok and Greater Poland. The number of Polish settlements targeted in these operations is approximately 825 (in modern-day Poland, \"see below\"). The regular German army conducted 760 mass executions during their march across central Poland. Material losses from wanton destruction of Polish countryside unrelated to military maneuvers are estimated at 30 million z\u0142oty in the area of General Government alone."}, {"context": " As noted by World War II historians, the pacification actions were separate from the likes of Operation Tannenberg. They were not a part of the indiscriminate killings by the mobile \"Einsatzkommando\" squads active during the invasion of Poland of 1939, and characterized by often deliberate targeting of civilian population by the invading forces, with the active participation of the German minority living in the Second Polish Republic whose men joined the SS armed \"Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz\" battalions in West Prussia, Upper Silesia and Warthegau. In total, up to 200,000 Poles lost their lives at the beginning of war regardless of the nature of the conflict. Likewise, over 100,000 Poles died in the Luftwaffe's terror bombing operations."}, {"context": " The pacification actions were conducted in west-central Poland as well in the eastern Kresy regions re-captured from the USSR in 1941, including in the Polesie Voivodeship, Nowogr\u00f3dek Voivodeship and others, comprising most of contemporary West Belarus. These tactics were the main local means of the Holocaust in occupied Poland. Some 627 villages were razed in eastern Poland by the \"SS\" with the help of collaborationist battalions including Belarusian, Ukrainian and others, during 60 pacification and 80 punitive operations there. The battalions of Belarusian Home Defence (BKA) alone massacred some 30,000 Jews during pacification of villages. Collective punishment was used during such operations to discourage offering shelter to Soviet POWs and providing aid to any guerrilla forces. Pacifications included the extermination of entire villages including women and children, expulsions, the burning of homes, confiscation of private property, and arrests. In many instances the operations of this kind conducted jointly by the \"Einsatzgruppen\" and the German Order Police battalions, were characterized by extreme brutality. An example of such tactics was the burning alive of 91 hostages including 31 women and 31 children in the village of Jab\u0142o\u0144-Dobki in the Bia\u0142ystok region on March 8, 1944. Once the fire got going, a grenade was thrown in."}, {"context": " The first pacification action, conducted on the ground by the Wehrmacht officers and soldiers, took place in Z\u0142oczew on September 3 and 4, 1939, in which the German soldiers murdered some 200 Poles. According to Holocaust historian, Alexander B. Rossino, the atrocity was committed with the participation of the \"1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler\" (LSSAH) which was also involved in the murder of 50 Polish Jews in B\u0142onie near Warsaw, and the shooting actions in Boles\u0142awiec, Torzeniec, Goworowo, M\u0142awa, and W\u0142oc\u0142awek. LSSAH torched villages along the road without military justification."}, {"context": " The Polish Institute of National Remembrance has documented the use of military force with the goal of inflicting terror and suppressing Polish resistance. One example was a reprisal action by units of the 19th Panzer Corps Division taken for the operations of the Suwalska Cavalry Brigade of the Polish Army. During the evening of 13 September 1939 thirteen people from Olszewo and ten people from the nearby village of Pietkowo were killed. The victims among the villagers include women and children who were murdered in several ways, such as stabbing by bayonets, shooting, being blown apart by grenades, and being burned alive in a barn."}, {"context": " According to article by Witold Kulesza published in \"Komentarze Historyczne\" by the Institute of National Remembrance, German Regiment \"SS-Leibstandarte \"Adolf Hitler\"\" of the 17th Division arrived in Z\u0142oczew on September 3, 1939 on motorcycles and on bicycles. The burning of the town and mass killings began the same night. According to eye-witness Janina Modrzewska, who survived the pacification of Z\u0142oczew, the soldiers were killing everyone they saw. Total casualties amounted to 200 dead victims.<ref name=\"IPN/Kulesza\"></ref> From the air, Luftwaffe planes bombed the villages of Momoty Dolne, Momoty G\u00f3rne, Paw\u0142\u00f3w, Tokary, Sochy and Klew. Some places were subjected to multiple pacification operations. In the town of Aleksandr\u00f3w in Bi\u0142goraj County between 1939 and 1944, German authorities murdered 290 civilians (444 according to WIEM), wounded 43, deported 434 to forced labour camps, and burned at least 113 households."}, {"context": " The Bia\u0142ystok region fell under German occupation twice. Overrun by the Wehrmacht in 1939 it was the site of mass pacification actions even before it was ceded to the Soviets two weeks later in accordance with the Nazi-Soviet pact. It was invaded again in the course of Operation Barbarossa with similar results. At least 750 villages there had at least 10 inhabitants murdered, and at least 75 villages were destroyed completely (\"see: table for partial list of names of villages and the number of dead victims\"). Modern international law considers these types of actions against civilians to constitute genocide, whether conducted within national boundaries or in occupied territories."}, {"context": " Between November 1942 and March 1943 on direct orders from Heinrich Himmler, 116,000 Polish men and women were expelled in just a few months during Action Zamo\u015b\u0107. In Polish historiography the events surrounding the Nazi German roundups are often named alternatively as the \"Children of Zamojszczyzna\" to emphasize the apprehension of around 30,000 children at that time, snatched away from their parents who were transported from Zamojszczyzna to concentration camps. The expulsions encompassed the districts of Hrubiesz\u00f3w, Tomasz\u00f3w Lubelski, Zamo\u015b\u0107 and Bi\u0142goraj, and were completed in March 1943. In total 297 Polish villages were depopulated."}, {"context": " Investigations by the Polish Institute of National Remembrance into pacifications of specific villages focus on locations within contemporary Poland. They are exponentially greater within the prewar borders of the Republic. The list of pacified villages within the borders of postwar Poland was arranged by the IPN according to one of Poland's eleven voivodeships (administrative regions) which were not a part of Nazi Germany upon the 1939 invasion of Poland. Likewise, all settlements presently within the borders of post-Soviet Ukraine and Belarus are excluded from the list. They belonged to Poland's prewar Lw\u00f3w Voivodeship, Nowogr\u00f3dek Voivodeship (1919\u201339), Polesie Voivodeship, Stanis\u0142aw\u00f3w Voivodeship, Tarnopol Voivodeship, Wilno Voivodeship (1926\u201339), and Wo\u0142y\u0144 Voivodeship (1921\u201339). The number of pacified villages for each of the present-day voivodeships is as follows."}]}, {"title": "Pacification of 1917", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacification of 1917 was a political agreement between liberals and socialists on the left and Christian democrats on the right in the Netherlands, ending both the suffrage issue and the school struggle. The suffrage issue and the school struggle were issues that had dominated Dutch politics in the previous decades. When the liberal Cort van der Linden cabinet took office in 1913, it vowed to resolve both issues. A state committee tasked with finding a resolution to the suffrage issue was instituted on 15 November 1913. Although led by the liberal professor Jacques Oppenheim, it included members from all parliamentary parties and movements of the time, seeking a compromise that could rely on broad support. A second state committee for the school struggle was instituted on 31 December. It was led by the progressive liberal member of the House of Representatives Dirk Bos, but had a composition much like the first."}, {"context": " The committees quickly agreed that the two issues should be treated as a compromise. The Opperheim Committee handed its report to the cabinet in 1914, while the Bos Committee finished in 1916. The Christian democratic parties would be given a constitutional right to equal funding for religious schools, for which they had pleaded since the early 19th century. In return, the Christian democrats vowed to support universal male suffrage, which had long been a wish of the liberal parties and the Social Democratic Workers' Party. Although suffrage would not be extended to women as part of the compromise, the sex requirement would be taken out of the Constitution, thus allowing a parliamentary majority to introduce it afterwards. Additionally, the majoritarian two-round system would replaced by party-list proportional representation using one nation-wide district, and compulsory voting was introduced."}, {"context": " Since constitutional amendment required a majority in two successive parliaments, including a two-thirds majority in the second, a snap election was called in 1917. The major parties, all of which had agreed to the terms of the Pacification, did not field candidates against incumbent opponents in order to assure that the elected parliament would show the same level of support as the retiring one. Fifty incumbents stood unopposed, while another fifty were re-elected. Candidates challenging incumbents were mostly associated with the Anti-Constitution Committee, which opposed the prospective constitutional amendments, as well as members of the Peasants' League and the Christian Social Party. The newly elected House of Representatives, identical in composition to its predecessor, voted overwhelmingly in favour of the constitutional amendments on 25 September 1917; only two members voted against the education amendment. The Senate followed on 29 November, with only one Senator voting against all amendments."}, {"context": " After having passed the amendments, parliament was immediately dissolved again, leading to the first election in organised in accordance with the new Constitution in 1918. The Social Democratic Workers' Party grew substantially, but the Christian democratic parties dominated the election, collectively winning a majority of the seats. The liberal parties were the losers of the extension of suffrage; the two conservative liberal parties fell from 31 seats to only 10. Although women did not yet enjoy active suffrage (the right to vote), they did now have passive suffrage (the right to be voted for), leading to the election of the first female member of the House of Representatives, the Social Democrat Suze Groeneweg. Active female suffrage was approved by parliament in 1919."}, {"context": " Although the suffrage issue and the school struggle were now resolved, the Pacification did nothing to address the social question, which would subsequently become the dominant issue in Dutch politics. As a result, the terms left and right became less based on the religious/secular cleavage as it had been under the antithesis, and more based on the economic cleavage, with social democrats on the left, Christian democrats in the centre and liberals on the right. The end of the school struggle and the restructuring of the political spectrum paved the way for cooperation between Christian democrats and liberals, as would happen in the second Colijn cabinet. Another consequence of the Pacification was the development of consociationalism, manifesting itself as pillarisation, whereby Dutch politics and society were sharply divided into four \"pillars\" (Protestant, Catholic, liberal and socialist), each of which had a full set of its own social organisations, including churches (for the religious pillars), political parties, schools, universities, labour unions, sport clubs, youth clubs and newspapers."}]}, {"title": "Pacification of Algeria", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Following the conquest of the Regency of Algiers, the Pacification of Algeria was a series of military operations which aimed to put an end to various tribal rebellions, razzias and massacres of French settlers, which were sporadically held in the Algerian countryside. The pacification of Algeria is an early example of unconventional warfare. After the capture of Algiers by France and the defeat of Ottoman troops, France invaded the rest of the country. The end of military resistance to the French presence did not mean that the region was totally conquered. France faced several tribal rebellions, massacres of settlers and razzias in French Algeria. To eliminate the rebellion, many campaigns and \"colonisation\" operations were conducted over nearly 70 years, from 1835-1903."}, {"context": " Tribal elders in the territories near Mascara chose twenty-five-year-old `Abd al-Q\u0101dir (Abd-el-Kader), to lead the jihad against the French. Abd al-Q\u0101dir, who was recognized as Amir al-Muminin (commander of the faithful), quickly gained the support of tribes in the western territories. In 1834 he concluded a treaty with General Desmichels, who was then military commander of the province of Oran. The treaty, reluctantly accepted by the French administration, said that France recognized Abd al-Q\u0101dir as the sovereign of territory in Oran province not under French control, and authorized Abd al-Q\u0101dir to send consuls to French-held cities. The treaty did not require Abd al-Q\u0101dir to recognize French rule, something glossed over in its French text. Abd al-Q\u0101dir used the peace provided by this treaty to widen his influence with tribes throughout western and central Algeria."}, {"context": " While d'Erlon was apparently unaware of the danger posed by Abd al-Q\u0101dir's activities, General Camille Alphonse Tr\u00e9zel, then in command at Oran, did see it, and attempted to separate some of the tribes from Abd al-Q\u0101dir. When he succeeded in convincing two tribes near Oran to acknowledge French supremacy, Abd al-Q\u0101dir dispatched troops to move those tribes to the interior, away from French influence. Tr\u00e9zel countered by marching a column of troops out from Oran to protect the territory of those tribes on 16 June 1835. After exchanging threats, Abd al-Q\u0101dir withdrew his consul from Oran and ejected the French consul from Mascara, a \"de facto\" declaration of war. The two forces clashed in a bloody but inconclusive engagement near the Sig River. However, when the French, who were short on provisions, began withdrawing toward Arzew, al-Q\u0101dir led 20,000 men against the beleaguered column, and in the Battle of Macta routed the force, killing 500 men. The debacle led to the recall of d'Erlon."}, {"context": " General Clausel was appointed a second time to replace d'Erlon. He led an attack against Mascara in December of that year, which Abd al-Q\u0101dir, with advance warning, had evacuated. In January 1836 he occupied Tlemcen, and established a garrison there before return to Algiers to plan an attack against Constantine. Abd al-Q\u0101dir continued to harry the French at Tlemcen, so additional troops under Thomas Robert Bugeaud, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars experienced in irregular warfare were sent from Oran to secure control up to the Tafna River and to resupply the garrison. Abd al-Q\u0101dir retreated before Bugeaud, but decided to make a stand on the banks of the Sikkak River. On July 6, 1836, Bugeaud decisively defeated al-Q\u0101dir in the Battle of Sikkak, losing less than fifty men to more than 1,000 casualties suffered by Abd al-Q\u0101dir. The battle was one of the few formal battles al-Q\u0101dir engaged in; after the loss he restricted his actions as much as possible to guerilla-style attacks."}, {"context": " In May 1837, General Thomas Robert Bugeaud, then in command of Oran, negotiated the Treaty of Tafna with al-Q\u0101dir, in which he effectively recognized al-Q\u0101dir's control over much of the interior of what is now Algeria. Al-Q\u0101dir used the treaty of Tafna to consolidate his power over tribes throughout the interior, establishing new cities far from French control. He worked to motivate the population under French control to resist by peaceful and military means. Seeking to again face the French, he laid claim under the treaty to territory that included the main route between Algiers and Constantine. When French troops contested this claim in late 1839 by marching through a mountain defile known as the Iron Gates, al-Q\u0101dir claimed a breach of the treaty, and renewed calls for jihad. Throughout 1840 he waged guerilla war against the French in the provinces of Algiers and Oran, which Val\u00e9e's failures to adequately deal with led to his replacement in December 1840 by General Bugeaud."}, {"context": " Bugeaud instituted a strategy of scorched earth, combined with fast-moving cavalry columns not unlike those used by al-Q\u0101dir to progressively take territory from al-Q\u0101dir. The troops' tactics were heavy-handed, and the population suffered significantly. Al-Q\u0101dir was eventually forced to establish a mobile headquarters that was known as a \"smala\" or \"zmelah\". In 1843 French forces successfully raided this camp while he was away from it, capturing more than 5,000 fighters and al-Q\u0101dir's warchest."}, {"context": " Al-Q\u0101dir was forced to retreat into Morocco, from which he had been receiving some support, especially from tribes in the border areas. When French diplomatic efforts to convince Morocco to expel al-Q\u0101dir failed, the French resorted to military means with the First Franco-Moroccan War in 1844 to compel the sultan to change his policy. Eventually hemmed between French and Moroccan troops on the border in December 1847, al-Q\u0101dir chose to surrender to the French, under terms that he be allowed to enter exile in the Middle East. The French violated these terms, holding him France until 1852, when he was allowed to go to Damascus."}, {"context": " In the 1890s, the French administration and military called for the annexation of the Touat, the Gourara and the Tidikelt, a complex that had been part of the Moroccan Empire for many centuries prior to the arrival of the French in Algeria. An armed conflict opposed French 19th Corps Oran and Algiers divisions to the A\u00eft Khabbash, a fraction of the Moroccan A\u00eft Ounbgui \"khams\" of the A\u00eft Atta confederation. The conflict ended by the annexation of the Touat-Gourara-Tidikelt complex by France in 1901."}, {"context": " In the early twentieth century, France faced numerous incidents, attacks and looting by uncontrolled armed groups, in the newly occupied areas in the south of Oran (Algeria). Under the command of General Lyautey, the French army's mission was to protect these areas newly controlled in the west of Algeria, near the poorly defined Moroccan boundaries. This loose boundary, between French Algeria and the Sultanate of Morocco, promotes incursions and attacks perpetrated by Moroccan tribesmen. On 17 August 1903, the first battle of the South-Oranese campaign took place in Taghit, where French Foreign legionnaires were assailed by a contingent of more than 1,000 well-equipped Berbers. For 3 days, the legionnaires repelled repeated attacks of an enemy more than 10 times higher in number, and inflicted huge losses on the attackers, forcing them finally into a hasty retreat.  A few days after the Battle of Taghit, 148 legionnaires of the 22nd mounted company, from the 2e REI, commanded by Captain Vauchez and Lieutenant Selchauhansen, 20 Spahis and 2 Mokhaznis, forming part of escorting a supply convoy, were ambushed, on September 2, by 3,000 Moroccans tribesmen, at El-Moungar."}]}, {"title": "Pacification of Ghent", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacification of Ghent, signed on 8 November 1576, was an alliance of the provinces of the Habsburg Netherlands for the purpose of driving mutinying Spanish mercenary troops from the country and promoting a peace treaty with the rebelling provinces of Holland and Zeeland. In 1567 king Philip II of Spain, the overlord of the Habsburg Netherlands, sent Fernando \u00c1lvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba as governor general to the Netherlands with an army of Spanish mercenaries to restore order after the political upheavals of 1566 that culminated in the Iconoclastic fury of that year. He soon replaced the most important advisors of the former Regent Margaret of Parma by summarily executing them, such as the counts of Egmont and Hoorn, or by driving them into exile, such as William the Silent, the Prince of Orange. Philipe de Cro\u00ff, Duke of Aerschot, however, remained in his favor as leader of the royalist faction."}, {"context": " At first, Alba had little difficulty in repelling the rebel military incursions, led by Orange. However, maintaining a large military presence put a severe strain on the royal finances, especially as Spain at the same time was fighting expensive wars against the Ottoman Sultan and in Italy. Alba's attempts to finance these expenses by new taxes also estranged previously loyal subjects from the cause of the royalists. Then, in 1572, an incursion of privateers with letters of marque from Orange (known as \"watergeuzen\") into Holland and Zeeland met with unexpected success. Orange was able to take over the government in these two provinces, under the guise of his old post of royal Stadtholder, and bring them in open revolt against the government in Brussels. This brought about a formal state of war between Holland and Zeeland and the fifteen loyalist provinces."}, {"context": " This civil war was mostly fought with mercenary troops on both sides, with Spanish Tercios playing a preponderant role on the royalist side. Because of the dire state of the royalist finances, these Spanish mercenaries often went unpaid. They frequently mutinied, especially after victories, and during such actions they often pillaged nearby towns. This eventually brought disaffection with the Brussels government to a boil in the summer of 1576. Meanwhile, Alba had been replaced by Luis de Z\u00fa\u00f1iga y Requesens as governor-general in 1573. Requesens was also unable to prevail over the rebels. He was in bad health and died in March, 1576. This caused a power vacuum in the Brussels government, as the difficult communications of the day prevented a speedy replacement from Madrid. Philip appointed his younger brother John of Austria governor-general, but it took Don Juan several months to take up this appointment."}, {"context": " Meanwhile, in Brussels the Duke of Aerschot stepped into the breach. He had already held inconclusive peace talks with his former colleague in the \"Raad van State\" (Council of State), Orange. When Spanish troops mutinied because of lack of payment, and sacked the towns of Zierikzee and Aalst, the States-General of the Netherlands was immediately convened by the States of Brabant and Hainaut on 8 September 1576 to deal with the mutinous troops. Holland and Zeeland, as rebellious provinces, were not invited. Aerschot was now appointed by the States-General, acting in usurpation of the royal prerogatives, as head of the Council of State. This made him acting governor-general. This action was the equivalent of the comparable events in Holland and Zeeland, in which royal authority had been usurped by rebels pretending to act \"in the name of the king.\""}, {"context": " The States General referred to ancient precedent to justify their actions. They had acted similarly after the deaths of Charles the Bold in 1477 and Philip the Handsome in 1506. Now they authorised the provincial States to raise troops to defend against marauding foreign (especially Spanish) mercenaries. More importantly from a perspective of constitutional history, the States General also embarked on a program of institutional innovation. To facilitate its governance in permanent session (previously the States General only were in session for a few weeks at most) they appointed a rotating presidency. The president, from one of the provincial delegations, assisted by one or two of the pensionaries, would preside over the meetings for a week at a time. This system was followed during the existence of the later Dutch Republic. The pensionaries started acting as an executive committee of the States General."}, {"context": " The first order of business was now to bring about peace with the rebel provinces, to make a common front against the marauding mutineers. Hatred of these marauders was what united rebel and loyalist alike, even if there were few other common interests. The States General therefore appointed a committee to negotiate with the Prince of Orange and the provinces of Holland and Zeeland. As the Prince's troops were already invading the province of Flanders, where they were made welcome in the rebellious city of Ghent, the negotiations were held in that city."}, {"context": " The delegates met in the first week of October, 1576. The rebels were represented by Paulus Buys, Grand Pensionary of Holland, and Philips of Marnix, lord of Sint-Aldegonde; the States General by Elbertus Leoninus, a professor at Leuven University, among others. These negotiators had already met during the abortive negotiations at Breda the previous year, and therefore knew what the main stumbling blocks for reaching agreement were. They also knew that speed was of the essence, because the arrival of Don Juan was imminent, and it would be easier to reach agreement if the \"royalist\" side was not encumbered by his control (he was to arrive in Luxembourg in early November)."}, {"context": " The delegates reached an agreement on 30 October, less than three weeks after the beginning of the negotiations. Its ratification by the States General on 8 November 1576 was undoubtedly sped up by the Sack of Antwerp by Spanish mutineers of 4 November, which concentrated the minds of the waverers wonderfully. The preamble of the treaty held the previous Spanish government in Brussels responsible for the war. The provinces of the Netherlands were now to jointly drive out the Spaniards and their supporters \"so as to restore the citizens to their rights, privileges and liberties and to their former prosperity.\"."}, {"context": " Article 1 provided for a general amnesty for acts on both sides after the troubles started in 1568. Article 3 provided that \"once the Spaniards had been driven out\" the States General would return the country into the hands of the king, decide the issue of religion (which after all was an important cause of dissension), and return all military installations taken by the rebels to the authority of the king. Meanwhile (article 5), all placards by Alba for the suppression of heresy were revoked, and nobody would be punished for religious offenses pending the determination by the States General of the religious issue. Outside Holland and Zeeland no action against the Catholic religion was to be allowed (article 4). The remaining articles dealt with such issues as the free movement of goods and persons, the freeing of prisoners of war, the return of confiscated properties (especially those of the Prince of Orange), the reimbursement of the Prince for his expenses in the conduct of the war against the government troops before 1572, and the problems caused by the need to equalise the inflated currency in Holland and Zeeland with that in the other provinces."}, {"context": " The Pacification therefore bore the aspects of both a peace treaty (between the rebellious and the \"loyal\" provinces) and a project for a further defensive union. That further union was concluded on 9 January 1577 by the (first) Union of Brussels. The problem with the Pacification was that the provinces agreed on little, other than the need to confront the marauding mutineers. Once that problem had been solved by the withdrawal of the Spanish tercios to Italy in April 1577, the provinces started to diverge again."}, {"context": " Don Juan signed the Pacification on 12 February 1577, thereby apparently giving royal assent to it. He took care, however, to stress the clauses about maintaining the Catholic religion outside the provinces of Holland and Zeeland, that the States General had attempted to \"fudge.\" The States General then accepted him as the legitimate governor-general, and even agreed to pay the arrears of the royal troops (the refusal of which had arguably been the cause of the problems with the mutineers). This agreement was enshrined in the Edict of 1577. However, that Edict seemed to provide for a return to the \"status quo ante\" in which the States General would not be permanently in session. Holland and Zeeland protested against this arrangement and refused to submit to it. Neither would they give up the fortresses they had occupied, as provided for in the Pacification. The relations between the new governor-general and the States General also soon deteriorated. The States General even appointed their own governor-general, the Archduke Matthias."}, {"context": " In 1579, Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma, became royalist Governor General of the Netherlands and he immediately offered the southern Catholic nobles their original privileges back. With the Spanish army under control and their local liberties returned, the Walloon nobles and Southern provinces no longer had any reason to rebel. However, the Northern, Calvinist-controlled provinces were as unwilling to give up their religion as Philip II was to allow them to practice it. The French-speaking provinces thereupon concluded the Union of Arras, which the other provinces immediately answered with their own Union of Utrecht. The Habsburg Netherlands split up."}]}, {"title": "Pacification of Libya", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacification of Libya or Second Italo-Senussi War, was a prolonged conflict in Italian Libya between Italian military forces made mainly by colonial troops (the vast majority of the force employed by the Italians to crush local resistance in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica was composed of Libyans, Eritreans and Ethiopians) and indigenous rebels associated with the Senussi Order that lasted from 1923 until 1932, when the principal Senussi leader, Omar Mukhtar, was captured and executed. The pacification resulted in mass deaths of the indigenous people in Cyrenaica. One quarter of Cyrenaica's population of 225,000 people died during the conflict. The troops of the Italian Army committed some war crimes during the conflict -because the colonial troops from Somalia & Eritrea often retaliated with cruelty to the murders of those of them who were captured by the fanatical rebels of Omar Mukhtar- including the use of chemical weapons, episodes of refusing to take prisoners of war and executing surrendering combatants, and some mass executions of civilians. Italian authorities committed a possible ethnic cleansing by forcibly expelling 100,000 Bedouin Cyrenaicans, half the population of Cyrenaica, from their settlements that were slated to be given to Italian settlers"}, {"context": " In 2008, an agreement of compensation for damages caused by Italian colonial rule was signed between Italy and Libya. Muammar Gaddafi, Libyan ruler at the time, attended the signing ceremony of the document wearing a historical photograph on his uniform that shows Cyrenaican rebel leader Omar Mukhtar in chains after being captured by Italian authorities during the Pacification. At the signing ceremony of the document, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi declared: \"In this historic document, Italy apologizes for its killing, destruction and repression of the Libyan people during the period of colonial rule.\" He went on to say that this was a \"complete and moral acknowledgement of the damage inflicted on Libya by Italy during the colonial era\".These declarations about apologies received harsh critics from the \"Associazione Rifugiati Italiani dalla Libia\" and from some Italian historians because \"based on false assumptions created by Gaddafi propaganda\""}, {"context": " Italy had seized military control over Libya from the Ottoman Empire during the Italo-Turkish War in 1912, but the new colony swiftly revolted and transferred large areas of land to Libyan local rule. Conflict between Italy and the Senussis a Muslim political-religious tariqa based in Libya erupted into major violence during World War I when the Senussis in Libya collaborated with the Ottomans against Italian troops. The Libyan Senussis also escalated the conflict with attacks on British forces in Egypt. Warfare between the British and the Senussis continued until 1917."}, {"context": " In 1917 an exhausted Italy signed the Treaty of Acroma that acknowledged the effective independence of Libya from Italian control. In 1918, Tripolitanian rebels founded the Tripolitanian Republic, though the rest of the country remained under nominal Italian rule. Local agitation against Italy continued, such that by 1920 the Italian government was forced to recognise Senussi leader Sayid Idris as Emir of Cyrenaica and grant him autonomy. In 1922 Tripolitanian leaders offered Idris the position of Emir of Tripolitania. However before Idris was able to accept the position, the new Italian government of Benito Mussolini initiated a campaign of reconquest."}, {"context": " Since 1911 claims of massacres of Italian soldiers and Italian civilians by the Turkish and by local Moslem troops were made, such as a massacre in Sciara Sciat: The consequences of these massacres were the retaliation and revenge of fascism. Indeed the rise to power of Benito Mussolini as Prime Minister of Italy and his National Fascist Party resulted in a change in foreign policy of Italy (due to the importance that Fascists gave to Libya as part of the Italian Empire) that resulted in the Pacification of Libya."}, {"context": " From 1923 to 1924, Italian military forces regained all territory north of the Ghadames-Mizda-Beni Ulid region, with four fifths of the estimated population of Tripolitania and Fezzan within the Italian area; and Italian forces had regained the northern lowlands of Cyrenaica in during these two years. However attempts by Italian forces to occupy the forest hills of Jebel Akhtar were met with popular guerrilla resistance. This resistance was led by Senussi sheikh Omar Mukhtar. The Pacification began with Italian forces rapidly occupying the Sirte desert separating Tripolitania from Cyrenaica, using aircraft, motor transport, and good logistical organization that allowed the Italians to occupy 150,000 square kilometres of territory in five months. By doing this, the Italians cut off the physical connection formerly held by the rebels between Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. By late 1928, the Italians took control of Ghibla and its tribes were disarmed."}, {"context": " Attempted negotiations between Italy and Omar Mukhtar broke down and Italy then planned for the complete conquest of Libya. In 1930, Italian forces conquered Fezzan and raised the Italian flag in Tummo, the southernmost region of Fezzan. 12,000 Cyrenaicans were executed in 1931 and all the nomadic peoples of northern Cyrenaica were forcefully removed from the region and relocated to huge concentration camps in the Cyrenaican lowlands. Italian military authorities carried out the forced migration and deportation of the entire population of Jebel Akhdar in Cyrenaica, resulting in 100,000 Bedouins, half the population of Cyrenaica, being expelled from their settlements. These 100,000 people, mostly women, children, and the elderly, were forced by Italian authorities to march across the desert to a series of barbed-wire concentration camp compounds erected near Benghazi, while stragglers who could not keep up with the march were summarily shot by Italian authorities. Propaganda by the Fascist regime declared the camps to be oases of modern civilization that were hygienic and efficiently run - however in reality the camps had poor sanitary conditions as the camps had an average of about 20,000 Beduoins together with their camels and other animals, crowded into an area of one square kilometre. The camps held only rudimentary medical services, with the camps of Soluch and Sisi Ahmed el Magrun with 33,000 internees each having only one doctor between them. Typhus and other diseases spread rapidly in the camps as the people were physically weakened by meagre food rations provided to them and forced labour. By the time the camps closed in September 1933, 40,000 of the 100,000 total internees had died in the camps."}, {"context": " To close rebel supply routes from Egypt, the Italians constructed a 300-kilometre barbed wire fence on the border with Egypt that was patrolled by armoured cars and aircraft. The Italians persecuted the Senussi Order; zawias and mosques were closed, Senussi practices were forbidden, Senussi estates were confiscated, and preparations were made for Italian conquest of the Kufra Oasis, the last stronghold of the Senussi in Libya. In 1931, Italian forces seized Kufra where Senussi refugees were bombed and strafed by Italian aircraft as they fled into the desert. Mukhtar was captured by the Italians in 1931, followed by a court martial and his public execution by hanging at Suluq."}, {"context": " Mukhtar's death effectively ended the resistance, and in January 1932, Badoglio proclaimed the end of the Pacification of Libya. The \"Frankfurter Zeitung\" reporter and author Muhammad Asad interviewed a man from Kufra after its seizure by the Italians in his book \"The Road to Mecca\". But historian Tripodi pinpointed that no Italian plane -when Kufra was conquered- was able to transport passengers, because these airplanes were the first made in Italian aviation and only a pilot with a copilot could use it: this simple fact showed -in his opinion- that the Muhammad Asad interview was a fake propaganda issue, because no \"ulama\" could be hurled out of the planes."}, {"context": " Both the Senussi and the Italian armed forces were accused of committing numerous war crimes. The Senussi were accused by Italian sources of refusing to take prisoners from the Italian armed forces and torture including mutilation of Italian soldiers before death. Specific war crimes to have been committed by the Italian armed forces against civilians -according to Libyan authorities like Gheddafi- include deliberate bombing of civilians, killing unarmed children, women, and the elderly, rape and disembowelment of women, throwing prisoners out of aircraft to their death and running over others with tanks, regular daily executions of civilians in some areas, and bombing tribal villages with mustard gas bombs beginning in 1930.  At the time, Italian Fascist official Giovanni Gentile declared that only a few thousands died, mainly of disease (even related to the \"Spanish flu epidemy\" and consequences) and starvation Gentile pinpointed that the Spanish flu lasted until the early 1920s and resulted in the deaths of 50 to 100\u00a0million persons in the world, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history. The 1981 film Lion of the Desert by Moustapha Akkad is about this conflict."}]}, {"title": "Pacification of Manchukuo", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacification of Manchukuo was a Japanese anti-insurgency campaign during the Second Sino-Japanese War to suppress any armed resistance to the newly established puppet state of Manchukuo from various anti-Japanese volunteer armies in occupied Manchuria and later the Communist Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. The operations were carried out by the Imperial Japanese Kwantung Army and the collaborationist forces of the Manchukuo government from March 1932 until 1942, and resulted in a Japanese victory."}, {"context": " The earliest formation of large Anti-Japanese partisan groups occurred in Liaoning and Kirin provinces due to the poor performance of the Fengtien Army in the first month of the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and to Japan's rapid success in removing and replacing the provincial authority in Fengtien and Kirin. The provincial government of Liaoning Province had fled west to Chinchow. Governor Zang Shiyi remained in Mukden, but refused to cooperate with the Japanese in establishing a separatist and collaborationist government and was imprisoned. The Kwantung Army issued a proclamation on 21 September 1931 installing Colonel Kenji Doihara as Mayor of Mukden; he proceeded to rule the city with the aid of an \"Emergency Committee\" composed mostly of Japanese."}, {"context": " On 23 September 1931, Lieutenant General Xi Qia of the Kirin Army was invited by the Japanese to form a provisional government for Kirin Province. In Kirin, the Japanese succeeded in achieving a bloodless occupation of the capital. General Xi Qia issued a proclamation on 30 September, declaring the province independent of the Republic of China under protection of the Japanese Army. On 24 September 1931, a provisional government was formed in Fengtien (the new name of the former Liaoning Province) with Yuan Chin-hai as Chairman of the \"Committee for the Maintenance of Peace and Order\"."}, {"context": " In Harbin, General Chang Ching-hui also called a conference on 27 September 1931 to discuss the organization of an \"Emergency Committee of the Special District\", formed to achieve the secession of Harbin from China. However he was not able to act as much of the area surrounding Harbin was still held by anti-Japanese militias under Generals Ting Chao, Li Du, Feng Zhanhai and others. Meanwhile, in Mukden, the \"North Eastern Administrative Committee\" or Self-Government Guiding Board was set up on November 10 under the leadership of Yu Chung-han, a prominent elder statesman of Zhang Xueliang's Government, who favored the autonomy of Manchuria. After the Japanese defeated General Ma Zhanshan and occupied Tsitsihar on 19 November 1931, a local Self-Government Association was established in Heilungkiang Province; and General Chang Ching-hui was inaugurated as Governor of the Province on 1 January 1932."}, {"context": " After the fall of Chinchow, the independence movement made rapid progress in northern Manchuria, where Colonel Doihara was Chief of Special Services in Harbin. General Chang Ching-hui, upon learning of the defeat of Marshal Zhang Xueliang at Chinchow, agreed to the request of the Self-Government Guiding Board at Mukden and declared the independence of Heilungkiang Province on 7 January 1932. After General Ma Zhanshan had been driven from Tsitsihar by the Japanese in the Jiangqiao Campaign he had retreated northeastward with his beaten and depleted forces and had set up his capital at Hailun. There he attempted to continue to govern Heilongjiang province. Colonel Kenji Doihara began negotiations with General Ma from his Special Service Office at Harbin, hoping to get him to join the new state of Manchukuo Japan was organizing. Ma continued negotiating with Doihara, while he continued to support General Ting Chao."}, {"context": " The emergence of Chinese resistance to the Japanese occupation of Manchuria in the form of citizen militias, peasant brotherhoods and bandit gangs was facilitated by Japan's success in rapidly destroying Zhang Xueliang's government in the region. Most of the Kwantung Army's strength during November 1931 was concentrated against General Ma Zhanshan in north-central Heilungkiang, and in December and early January against Zhang Xueliang's remaining army in Chinchow in southwestern Liaoning. Away from the Japanese garrisons in cities and along the railroads, resistance units mustered openly and relatively free from molestation in late 1931-early 1932."}, {"context": " The frontier status of Manchuria, with endemic banditry and activities by opposing warlords, led leading citizens and village authorities to form private militias for the protection of their property and landholdings even before the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. After the start of the Japanese occupation, these militias became partisan bands, often known as \"plain-clothes\" men from their lack of uniforms, and styled themselves with various names, such as the \"Self-Protection Militia\", \"Anti-Japanese Militia\" or \"Chinese Volunteers\". One of the first such forces to form, called the Courageous Citizens Militia, had been established by November 1931 near the estuary port of Chinchow. These militias operated principally in southern Fengtien, which had half of Manchuria's population and the highest proportion of Han Chinese. Fengtien had come almost immediately under Japanese control, as most population centers and its capital of Mukden all lay along the tracks of the South Manchuria Railway in the S.M.R. Zone, which had been garrisoned by Kwantung Army troops since long before the conflict."}, {"context": " \"Peasant brotherhoods\" were a traditional form of mutual protection by Chinese small-holders and tenant farmers. Waves of immigrants fleeing the wars of the Warlord era that ravaged north and central China came to Manchuria since 1926 at the rate of one million a year. These included many peasants belonging to the two predominant brotherhoods, the Red Spear Society and the Big Swords Society, which aided the immigrants in establishing themselves and provided for protection against both bandits and rapacious landlords."}, {"context": " The Red Spear Society was strongest in the hinterlands of Fengtien and countryside around Harbin. The Big Swords Society predominated in southeastern Kirin and adjoining parts of Fengtien. In 1927, the Big Swords had spearheaded an uprising triggered by the collapse of the prevailing Feng-Piao paper currency. During the rebellion the Big Swords were respected by the peasants because they did not harm or plunder the common people, but resisted the officials of the warlord Zhang Zuolin. After the Japanese invasion, the Big Swords Society disturbed the Chientao District in southeast Fengtien along the Korean border, and rose en masse in response to the declaration of Manchukuo on March 9, 1932. The Big Swords became the principal component of partisan resistance in this region, forming loose ties with the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies. The bandit leader Lao Pie-fang commanded several bands of Big Swords in western Fengtien. The Big Swords in southeast Kirin were allied with Wang Delin, and General Feng Zhanhai organized and trained a Big Sword Corps of 4,000 men."}, {"context": " The Red Spear Society groups were more widespread. Members formed important centers of resistance as the war spread out through the countryside. Red Spears frequently attacked the S.M.R. Zone from the Hsinlintun and Tungfeng districts, close to Mukden and the Fushun coal mines. They were led by a young officer of the Fengtien Army, Tang Juwu. Red Spear Society units displayed extraordinary staying power in this area; almost two years after the Mukden Incident, a group of 1,000 Red Spear members stormed the Tungfeng prefecture near Mukden on June 3, 1933, long after the large Volunteer Armies had been defeated."}, {"context": " However, both the Red Spear Society and the Big Sword Society were made up largely of uneducated and poorly trained peasants, and had a traditionalist, quasi-religious character. Members of the brotherhoods placed their faith in rustic magic and belief in the righteous character's Heavenly reward. Big Sword members claimed that their spells made them immune to bullets. Red Spear bands were in many cases led by Buddhist monks as they went into battle, with their clothes and weapons decorated with magic inscriptions similar to that of the earlier Boxer Society."}, {"context": " Northeastern China was a poorly-governed frontier area at the turn of the 20th century and banditry was endemic. Some were hardened criminals who pillaged for a living; others were part-time bandits who robbed only to survive when crops failed and they could not make a living on the land. As the population of Manchuria increased through the 1920s, some newcomers became squatters, then wanderers, and then outlaws. Even in the settled Fengtien province, bandits known as Hun-hutze (\"red beards\") were common along the Peiping\u2013Mukden railway and in the wooded southeast of the province along the Mukden-Antung railway near Korea. Powerful bandit gangs operated within a day's march of such major cities as Mukden and Harbin. The term \"shanlin\" was often used to describe the bandits because they knew the local terrain very well. Most operated in a fairly small area and maintained the goodwill of local peasants. Government troops had great difficulty in suppressing them as would the Japanese and Manchukuo forces in later years."}, {"context": " There was also a tradition of nationalistic banditry, dating back to the Russian invasion in July 1900 when Tsarist forces were sent to Manchuria, ostensibly to protect the Russian-owned Chinese Eastern Railway after the Boxer Rebellion. Wang Delin, who opposed both the Russians and the Qing dynasty, led a major bandit force against the Russians. His career as an outlaw continued until 1917, when he agreed to join the Jilin provincial forces. For former bandits to join the regular army quite common in the Warlord Era, as the bandits formed a convenient source of new soldiers. The converse was true as well. As the Fengtien Army retreated from the Japanese onslaught, thousands of soldiers deserted into the countryside to resume their former careers as bandits. During the Russo-Japanese War, many bandit groups actively cooperated with the Japanese Army, providing valuable military intelligence on Russian troop movements and deployment, and assisting in the securing of supplies."}, {"context": " After December 1931, the Japanese Army began operations \"for the clearance of bandits\" into the Fengtien countryside beyond the South Manchuria Railway Zone in counties west of Mukden, largely due to repeated bandit attacks, robberies and kidnappings on the Dalian-Mukden trains. Fighting supported by aircraft reportedly broke up several of the bandit gangs. In consequence bandits now resented the Japanese invasion, and began retaliatory attacks against isolated Japanese communities along the Mukden-Antung railway. Hun-hutze chieftain Lao Pie-fang led several thousand followers to attack the southern portion of the S.M.R. mainline. The Japanese garrison of Newchwangcheng () was encircled and attacked by \"1500 Chinese bandits under Lao Pie-fang,\" while other troops under his orders attacked in the Haicheng area. Japanese reinforcements quickly dispatched from Mukden forced Lao's retirement, but Lao Pie-fang re-emerged later as a Volunteer Army general, and was acclaimed as commander by both local Peasant Brotherhoods and Anti-Japanese militias."}, {"context": " Many bandits were admitted into the Volunteer Armies as the Japanese conquest advanced and the partisan resistance became an increasingly popular cause. Some professional bandits such as 'Old North Wind' Zhang Haitian, led their followers against Japan, but just as often continued to loot villages along the railway. When General Xi Qia of the Kirin Army declared the province independent of the Republic of China, military and civil authorities in the province fractured into \"New Kirin\" adherents of his regime and loyalist \"Old Kirin\" elements in opposition to it; the former predominated near the capital and the latter predominated in Harbin and the rugged hinterland to the north and east."}, {"context": " Hostilities did not commence in the Harbin area until the end of January 1932, at about the same time as the January 28 Incident. General Ting Chao decided to defend the city, a key hub of rail and river communications in the north, against the approach of first General Xi Qia's \"New Kirin\" Army and then Japanese troops. He appealed to Harbin's Chinese residents to join his railway garrison regulars, and hundreds of volunteers joined the Jilin Self-Defence Army. The Defense of Harbin at the start of February, that rallied Harbin in the way that had already formed militias in Fengtien, convinced local authorities and leading citizens in the hinterlands of Kirin that they should resist Japan's occupation of the province and form their own bands and militia units."}, {"context": " General Ting Chao's beaten Jilin Self-Defence Army retired from Harbin to the northeast down the Sungari River, to join the Lower Sungari garrison of General Li Du to form the nucleus of armed opposition in north Kirin. Meanwhile, in southeast Kirin Wang Delin, a battalion commander and former bandit chieftain in the region established the Chinese People's National Salvation Army or NSA, on February 8, 1932. Numbering over 1,000 men at the time, within a few months this army became a rallying point for resistance and one of the most successful of the volunteer armies."}, {"context": " With General Ting Chao defeated, Ma Zhanshan agreed to defect to the new Manchukuo Imperial Army on 14 February 1932 and retained his post as Governor of Heilungkiang Province in exchange for cooperating with the Japanese. On February 27, 1932, General Ting Chao offered to cease hostilities, ending official Chinese resistance in Manchuria. Within days Henry Puyi, the Manchurian former emperor of China deposed in 1911, was made provisional president of the independent state of Manchukuo by the resolution of an All-Manchuria convention at Mukden, whose members included General Ma Zhanshan flown in from the north. The next day on March 1 the provisional Manchukuo Government was established with Ma Zhanshan as its Minister of War, in addition to his post as provincial governor. On March 9, the State of Manchukuo was inaugurated. The Chinese Government announced that not only did it not recognize the new state, but asserted that Puyi been kidnapped by the Japanese."}, {"context": " Despite the end of official resistance with the defeat of General Ting Chao, all was not calm in Manchuria. In late February General Wang Delin with 1,000 militia wrecked or burned 18 bridges on the Kirin-Tunhua Railway. Wang also recaptured the town of Dunhua on February 20. In March 1932 a Japanese and Manchukuo expeditionary force sent against Wang was defeated in a series of battles around the shore of Lake Jingbo losing hundreds of casualties. These battles were small in scale, with the militias using their knowledge of the local terrain to set ambushes, eventually compelling the Japanese to retreat to Harbin."}, {"context": " That the Japanese had suffered a military defeat at the hands of a motley collection of irregular forces was a considerable political embarrassment. Japan was anxious to present Manchukuo to the world as a peaceful nation, especially as a League of Nations delegation was now investigating the situation. When the news of the victories of Wang's Chinese People's National Salvation Army spread around eastern Kirin, hundreds of troops who had been reluctant members of the new Manchukuo Imperial Army defected to the NSA and estimates of its total strength in April rose from 4,500 to above 10,000 and, possibly nearer 15,000 organized in five brigades."}, {"context": " Following the establishment of Manchukuo, fires were set in the Japanese quarter of Mukden. General Honjo's train suffered an attack which was repulsed, and minor revolts began in the remoter parts of Manchuria. With the end of winter in 1932, the Japanese launched expeditions from Harbin into the interior of Kirin province, striking northeast down the Sungari River and east along the Chinese Eastern Railway mainline against General Ting's Jilin Self-Defence Army, (called the \u201cAnti-Kirin Army\u201d by the Japanese). This was the Subjugation of the Anti-Kirin Army campaign in Kirin province that lasted from March to June 1932. The campaign pushed the Jilin forces into the north and east of the Kirin province and secured control of the Sungari River, however, Ting's forces continued to resist, sometimes occupying towns along the eastern section of the Chinese Eastern Railway, between Harbin and the Soviet border."}, {"context": " To the southwest another force under General Li Hai-ching headquartered at Fuyu was in control of the territory round about and southward as far as Nungan. This force was called the Anti-Japanese Army For The Salvation Of The Country and equipped with light artillery and numerous machine guns. On March 29, 1932 Li Hai-ching's forces defeated regular troops of the Manchukuo Governor Xi Qia outside the town of Nungan, only from the capital of Shinkyo. On previous day, a party of 100 policemen was surrounded by volunteer troops in the afternoon as they were proceeding to Nungan in a truck convoy carrying 200,000 rounds of rifle ammunition and 50,000 trench mortar shells from the Kirin City Arsenal. All were either taken prisoner or surrendered. Deprived of their supply of ammunition, the resistance of Manchukuo forces in Nungan dissolved next day. Nungan was soon reported on the verge of surrender."}, {"context": " Small Japanese detachments sent from Changchun radioed for help, after suffering heavy casualties in the fighting. Japanese forces from the east at Yao-men, tried to fight their way through to Nungan with the support of bombers, but the defenders radio ceased broadcasting, Li's Anti-Japanese Army having captured the town. Finally the next day, the Japanese succeeded in driving Li's forces out of the town mainly as a result of airplane bombing, against which they had little defense. Despite being appointed Minister of War in the Manchukuo government and provincial governor, Muslim General Ma Zhanshan was kept under very strict control by the Japanese military. He had to ask for approval from his Japanese advisor on all matters regarding the provincial administration. Dissatisfied with the situation, Ma raised and re-equipped his private army in secret using Japanese money and weapons. As the Governor of Heilungkiang, he used his authority to secretly transport weapons and ammunition out of the arsenals and evacuated the wives and families of his troops to safety. He then led his troops out of Tsitsihar on April 1, stating that he was going on a military inspection tour."}, {"context": " At Heihe on April 7, Ma announced the reestablishment of the \u201cHeilungkiang Provincial Government\u201d independent of Manchukuo, and reorganized his troops into 9 brigades at the beginning of May. Ma also established another eleven troops of volunteers at Buxi, Gannan, Keshan, Kedong and other places. This became the Northeast Anti-Japanese National Salvation Army. Ma was also appointed nominal commander-in-chief, over all other Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies that were forming in various locations, and commanded a total fighting force of about 300,000 men at peak strength according to Japanese estimates."}, {"context": " After sending some troops to aid General Ting Chao in the lower Sungari River area, Ma struck out toward Harbin with six infantry and cavalry regiments, 20 field artillery pieces and a small squadron of seven planes. His units set ambushes along major roads and badly mauled Manchukuo and Japanese troops. When he was blocked from reaching Harbin, he turned southwest towards Tsitsihar. At the same time northwest of Harbin, irregular war began to flare up in the countryside of Heilungkiang province. Manchukuo troops mutinied, briefly holding the transportation hubs along the Tsitsihar-Keshan and Harbin-Hailun railways, or departing to join the forces of General Ma. Mounted bandits appeared by the hundreds to loot towns on the Chinese Eastern Railway mainline west of Harbin. Other partisans rose up in the Taonan region, disrupting service on the Taonan-Tsitsihar railway."}, {"context": " To restore control, the Japanese Army launched the Ma Chan-shan Subjugation campaign from April through July 1932. The Japanese struck northwards up the Harbin-Hailun and Tsitsihar-Keshan railways, driving back General Ma's forces, and setting out from the railheads in powerful pincer movements to encircle groups of Ma's troops. General Ma reported on June 8 that he had decided to adopt guerrilla warfare tactics, retaining only one detachment of 1,000 soldiers as his personal command as a regular force. All other units were dispersed as small groups of partisans, roving countryside on horseback. By July, General Ma Zhanshan\u2019s troops were seriously depleted in the resulting battles, and only small numbers of men were able to break through the tight Japanese encirclement."}, {"context": " General Ma Zhanshan commanded 3,500 guerilla fighters against the Japanese, conducting attacks such as a raid on the Manchukuo treasury, attacking Changchun, the capital, and hijacking from an airfield six Japanese planes. General Ma caused so much trouble to the Japanese, that when his equipment and horse were captured, the Japanese presented them to the Emperor in Tokyo, assuming that he was dead. They were enraged to discover that he had survived and escaped. After General Ma escaped, his men kept up the fight, terrorizing the Japanese invaders. They seized 350 Japanese and Korean hostages and held them for weeks and kidnapped foreigners such as a British General's son and an American executive's wife."}, {"context": " In late April, the Chinese Eastern Railway was cut south of Harbin, by an estimated 3,000 Chinese soldiers under General Li Hai-ching. Li's troops ripped up the railway tracks, tore down telegraph wires, and captured a train from Harbin. They looted the train and dispersed before Japanese troops arrived on the scene. In eastern Manchukuo, Wang Delin's troops set three minor railway stations afire and gutted the city of Suifenho near the Russian border. Drawing more troops from the seemingly quiet southern Fengtien province, the Japanese launched the Li Hai-ching Subjugation Operation in May 1932. A mixed force of Japanese and Manchukuo troops attacked Li Hai-ching's guerrillas in southern Heilungkiang province from three directions, rapidly dispersing them and securing control of the region."}, {"context": " However, in May 1932, with Japanese forces concentrated in the north, Tang Juwu in eastern Liaoning judged that the time was ripe for his army to go on the offensive. Tang's army, numbering 20,000 men surrounded the Japanese Tunghua garrison. In reaction the Manchukuo police and detachments of the Manchukuo Army attempted to relieve the siege in the First Tungpientao Clearance. They were unable to defeat Tang but did relieve the siege. However his force continued as a threat in the region to the east of Mukden and communications with Korea. Based in the Tungpientao area, his army fought with both the Japanese Kwantung Army stationed in Mukden and the Manchukuo Fengtian Army. Although all major cities had been lost, the volunteer armies gained a new lease of life during the summer of 1932 and reached their greatest strength."}, {"context": " Also in May, Feng Zhanhai and a sizeable detachment of the Jilin Self-Defence Army of 15,000 men in western Kirin province cut communications to the south and east of Harbin. In response the Japanese and Manchukuo armies launched two campaigns to clear Feng's force out of the countryside. From June to July 1932 the Feng Chan-hai Subjugation Operation cleared the Shuangcheng, Acheng, Yushu, Wuchang, and Shulan districts south of Harbin, of Feng's Anti-Japanese forces and forced Feng to retreat to the west."}, {"context": " Massive floods along the Nonni and Sungari Rivers inundated some round Harbin throughout August, providing a crucial breathing spell to Volunteer Army bands in the plains and lower Sungari, Japanese operations in the area had to halt until the waters subsided. The Japanese concentrated forces northwest of Harbin against General Ma Zhanshan in spring and summer of 1932, which permitted an escalation of partisan activity in Kirin and Fengtien provinces, which culminated in simultaneous attacks on cities throughout the South Manchurian Railway Zone when the August floods both halted Japanese operations based on Harbin, and isolated the troops engaged on them. However, the floods also ruined crops not already destroyed in the war, putting more pressure on the Volunteer Armies, which foraged for their sustenance in the countryside."}, {"context": " Mongolian bandit forces were able to attack the Ssutao (Siping - Taonan) Railway where it was isolated by the flooding in August, and took the small town of Tongyu. On August 20 a Manchukuo relieving force was sent on the Mongolian Bandit Subjugation Operation and after a short battle Tonyu was recovered on August 31, 1932. On September 2, 1932 during the Second Feng Chan-hai Subjugation operation a force of the Manchukuo Kirin Guard Army cornered Feng Zhanhai's Volunteer Army retreating from the previous subjugation operation. Although surrounded, over half the guerrillas were able to slip through the encirclement and make good their escape to Jehol."}, {"context": " General Su Bingwen the \"Barga District\" at the extreme west of Heilungkiang on the Soviet frontier, had kept his isolated command beyond the Hsingan Mountains, free any of the fighting or any Japanese troops, doing nothing in support of either Manchukuo or Ma Zhanshan. As a consequence the farmers settled along the Chinese Eastern Railway mainline west of Tsitsihar had remained undisturbed by warfare and were able to get in their harvests. On September 27, 1932 when the Japanese turned their attention south to restore the security of the vital facilities in the southern Manchukuo which were endangered by the activities of the Volunteer Armies, General Su Bingwen's soldiers staged a mutiny, seizing hundreds of Japanese civilians and isolated military personnel as hostages. The mutineers, calling themselves the Heilungkiang National Salvation Army moved eastwards aboard trains to join General Ma Zhanshan in recapturing the provincial capital of Tsitsihar."}, {"context": " Ma Zhanshan had emerged onto the plains again from his shelter in the Lesser Khingan mountains along the Amur River after the Japanese had defeated his forces in the north. He arrived in Longmen County in September and joined Su Bingwen's mutineers for a joint campaign. However food shortages were particularly acute in Heilungkiang after the devastation wrought by the August flooding. The Heilungkiang troops and Ma's Army were being supplied with provisions commandeered unwillingly from local farmers, and soon there was nothing left to seize."}, {"context": " In mid-October, Ma's forces captured Antachen west of Harbin on the C. E. R. mainline, forced the merchants of the city to give 50,000 dollars to them, and confiscated every horse they could find. On October 26 Laha, a town north of Tsitsihar, was attacked by Ma's forces with their remaining artillery in support. The Japanese garrison was subjected to a long, intensive, and well-directed bombardment. For eight days the Japanese garrison commanded by a Captain Hayashi at Taian on the Tsitsihar-Koshen railway was encircled by some 4,000 Volunteers, until it succeeded in repulsing them on October 28 following severe fighting, in which twenty eight Japanese (including Captain Hayashi) were killed or wounded. A cavalry detachment, the Kawase Detachment of 59 horsemen sent out toward Taian, disappeared on the frosted prairie. On November 8 the sole survivor, a Sergeant Iwakami, arrived in Tsitsihar to tell how the detachment had been annihilated outside Taian."}, {"context": " In reaction, the Japanese organized the Su Ping-wei Subjugation Campaign from November to December 1932. Nearly 30,000 Japanese and Manchukuo soldiers including the Japanese 14th Infantry Division and Mongol cavalrymen of the Manchukuo Hsingan Army directed a fierce campaign against Su and Ma's troops. On November 28, 1932, Japanese 14th division attacked Ma Zhanshan and Su Bingwen around Tsitsihar. Japanese planes bombed Ma Zhanshan's headquarters in Hailar. By December 3, the Japanese took Ma Zhanshan's Hailar headquarters. And the following day, after heavy fighting, Ma Zhanshan and Su Bingwen with the remnants of their forces fled Hailar for the Soviet border and entered Russian territory on December 5. Most of their troops were later transferred to Rehe."}, {"context": " Diverted from their preparations for invading Jehol province by the widespread partisan activity by the forces of Ma and Su in Heilungkiang, Japanese forces concentrated to the west. The forces of Feng Zhanhai and Wang Delin in Fengtian and Kirin were thus free attack the railroads and other places in the South Manchuria Railway Zone and managed to briefly occupy the capital of Kirin province. On September 10, 1932, at Yaomin on the C. E. R. spur-line between Changchun and Harbin, 1,000 bandits drove out the Manchukuo garrison. They then looted the town for two hours as fighting went on. The garrison was able to rally and counterattack and repulse their opponents."}, {"context": " On a raid on September 11, Volunteer Army partisans derailed a train between Changchun and Harbin and robbed the survivors, kidnapping some for ransom, including five Japanese. On September 15, a Red Spear militia not from the area, but merely passing through Pingdingshan village, fired on Japanese soldiers and later had attacked the Japanese garrison in the nearby industrial city of Fushun. The next day in retaliation Japanese soldiers and police in tracking the rebels as they fled back through the villages, assumed all who were in the vicinity either to be members of the militia or their confederates and punished them, by burning homes and summary execution, bayoneting and machine-gunning village residents and killing some 3,000 men, women, and children, leaving only one survivor in the whole village. This became known as the Pingdingshan Massacre."}, {"context": " Meanwhile, in October to the west, a Manchukuo and Japanese force in the Li Hai-ching Subjugation, confronted the 3,000 man Li Hai-ching guerrilla force that had returned to attack Manchukuo and Japanese forces in south Heilungkiang province and forced their retreat into Jehol province. Finally the Japanese took the initiative in the east. In mid-October, the Japanese estimated Tang Juwu's forces in the fourteen counties of south and eastern Fengtien at about 30,000 men. On October 11, 1932, the Japanese counterattacked in the Second Tungpientao Subjugation. The Fengtian Army of seven brigades supported a Japanese force of two cavalry brigades and one mixed brigade that spearheaded the clearance of guerrillas from the Tungpientao district. They attacked Tang Juwu's forces in the Tonghua and Huanren area. Tang Juwu broke through the Japanese encirclement to the west. On the 16th, the Japanese took over Tonghua, and on the 17th, Huanren, suffering casualties of 500 men while killing 270 and capturing 1,000."}, {"context": " Following that operation up from October to November 1932 in the Shenyang, Changchun, Jilin Subjugation the Japanese swept through the territory between Mukden, Changchun and Kirin, and forcing the Chinese guerrilla forces of Wang Delin to retreat towards Huinan and Siping. From November 6 to November 20, 1932 the Manchukuo Army launched the Ki Feng - Lung District Subjugation Operation clearing the Ki Feng-lung district of guerrillas with 5,000 Manchukuo soldiers consisting of a battalion of the Chinganyuchitui and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the Fengtien Army and a Cavalry detachment of the Kirin Army."}, {"context": " The Third Tungpientao Subjugation operation, from November 22 to December 5, 1932, was launched to finally clear the remnants of Tang Juwu's guerrilla forces that had regrouped after the Second Tungpientao Subjugation campaign. The Manchukuo force was made up of a unit of Chinganyuchitui as well as locally raised militia forces from the Yalu, Central and Shenghai districts totaling 5,000 men. The operation was a success and led to the capture of 1,800 \"bandits\", some of whom were later recruited into the Manchukuo Army."}, {"context": " On December 24, 1932, the Japanese 10th Division attacked guerrilla forces to the north of Mudanjiang River. January 5, 1933, General Kuan Chang-ching was forced to surrender his Volunteers at Suifehno on the Soviet frontier. On January 7, 1933, Japanese took over Mishan. On January 9, 1933, Li Du's guerrilla forces crossed Ussuri River into the USSR. By the end of February 1933, most of the large Volunteer Armies had dispersed into small guerrilla bands or had fled to the Soviet Union. This was not the end of the Volunteer Armies. Some fought on as small guerrilla units, frequently called \"shanlin\". The bandit experiences of some of the commanders stood them in good stead for they were adept at surviving in the Manchurian winters and adapted to guerrilla warfare and they continued to harass the Japanese and Manchukuo forces for many years."}, {"context": " The Japanese were forced to tie up considerable military forces and assets to continuously sweep the region with company-sized patrols for many months. Occasionally they organized larger operations. After a resurgence of activity the Japanese were forced to organize the large-scale Kirin Province Subjugation operation in October and November 1933. It involved 35,000 men of the Manchukuo Army in an attempt to clear the province of Kirin entirely of guerrillas. The Manchukuo force included the whole of the Kirin Army as well as the elements of the Heilungkiang Army, Hsingan Army and the Hsinching Independent Cavalry Detachment. The operation was deemed a success and led to the capture and death of a number of anti-Japanese commanders."}, {"context": " Of the forces that fled Manchukuo, Feng Zhanhai and his men went on to serve against the Japanese Operation Nekka in Rehe and later with Feng Yuxiang's Chahar People's Anti-Japanese Army in Chahar 1933. His forces were incorporated into the National Revolutionary Army as a division and fought in the Second Sino-Japanese War. Tang Juwu fought against the Japanese in Rehe, and was made head of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Volunteer 3rd Corps. After the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, he was assigned to operate behind the Japanese lines where he was killed on May 18, 1939. After his retreat to the Soviet Union, Su Bingwen served the Kuomintang government as a military board member and military inspection group director during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Out of favor with Chiang kai-Shek, it was not until after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident that Ma Zhanshan was made commander of the Northeastern Advance Force in charge guerrilla operations in the four northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Kirin, Heilungkiang and Rehe. Ma led his troops to fight the Japanese in Chahar, Suiyuan, Datong and Shanxi areas and he cooperated with Fu-Zuyi's troops in the defense of Suiyuan. Ma was appointed as Chairman of the government of Heilongjiang in August 1940, and continued to hold that position to the end of the war."}, {"context": " Of the Volunteer guerrilla leaders remaining in Manchukuo, Wang Fengge was captured in 1937 and executed, along with his wife and child. Wu Yicheng fought on with a small band of followers until 1937. Although Kong Xianrong, Wang Delin's deputy, gave up the struggle, his wife and another of Wang Delin's subordinates, Yao Zhenshan, led a small band which fought on until the spring of 1941 when it was annihilated. After the invasion of Manchuria in 1931, the Chinese Communist Party organized a number of small anti-Japanese guerrilla units dedicated both to resistance against the Japanese and also to social revolution. However these units were far smaller than the various Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies which had been raised by based on patriotic appeal."}, {"context": " When the first Volunteer Armies were organized, the Communist Party was initially completely hostile, mistrusting their motives and leadership. They also feared that the Volunteer Armies would give the Japanese a pretext for attacking the Soviet Union. The Communist Party in northeast China even issued an appeal for the volunteers to kill their officers and join the Communists in a social revolution. Despite Party disapproval, some Communist Party members joined or rendered assistance to the various Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies, and some rose to senior positions within the volunteer forces. They were particularly influential in Wang Delin's Chinese People's National Salvation Army (NSA), where Li Yanlu and Zhou Baozhong became high-ranking officers. At first the Party severely criticized their conduct."}, {"context": " However, the Communists eventually had to face the fact that their current propaganda made them almost irrelevant to the anti-Japanese cause. The actions of Party members who joined or aided the various Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies eventually persuaded the international Communist movement to move towards a popular front policy in 1935. The Communist Party came to accept that whole-hearted support for the anti-Japanese movement and the postponement of revolutionary goals was essential if the Chinese Communists were to remain a serious political force."}, {"context": " In 1934, after the defeat of the large Volunteer Armies, there were still various resistance forces with an estimated 50,000 men still in the field. All the Communist Party units were reorganized into the single Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, with Zhao Shangzhi as Commander-in-chief. The army was open to all who wanted to resist the Japanese and as it proclaimed its willingness to ally with all other anti-Japanese forces, this army won over some of the \"shanlin\" bands, including former NSA units."}, {"context": " In 1935, when the Party officially changed policy, and began creating a united front, the army welcomed and absorbed most of the remaining anti-Japanese forces in Manchuria and some Korean resistance fighters including Kim Il-sung. The number of insurgents in 1935 stood at about 40,000 men. The army was organized into Yang Jingyu's 1st Route Army (Fengtien Province), Zhou Baozhong's 2nd Route Army (Kirin Province), and Li Zhaolin's 3rd Route Army (Heilongjiang Province). The army's strategy was to form pockets of resistance in occupied areas, to harass the Japanese troops and undermine their attempts at administration, and when the Second Sino-Japanese War began in earnest in 1937, to make attacks to keep as many Japanese troops as possible from being sent into China. It conducted a protracted campaign which threatened the stability of the Manchukuo regime, especially during 1936 and 1937."}, {"context": " The recently reformed Manchukuo Imperial Army replied with a major campaign with 16,000 men from October 1936 to March 1937, against the 1st Route Army in the Tungpientao region. This was the first time it operated against the guerrillas without the support of Japanese troops. Despite heavy casualties the Manchukuo Army managed to kill over two thousand guerrillas including some of their leaders. Thus, the number of insurgents declined to 30,000 in 1936; and 20,000 in 1937. An even larger and longer campaign from November 1937 to March 1939, was waged by 24,000 Manchukuo troops against the 2nd Route Army in the area between the Amur, Sungari and Ussuri Rivers. In the latter half of 1938, the Japanese Army concentrated troops in eastern Fengtien province, to encircle the remnants of Yang Jingyu's army, the most dangerous of the Anti-Japanese forces, with the most reliable base area. Although the Japanese managed to cut off the supply lines to the guerrillas, they persevered, frequently launching attacks that compelled the Japanese and Manchukuoans to divert forces into punitive expeditions against them."}, {"context": " As of September 1938, the number of insurgents had dwindled to an estimated 10,000 combatants as a result of years of fighting and privation. The Kwantung Army then brought reinforcements with a plan to mop up the remaining anti-Japanese forces in Fengtien. This operation gradually produced a critical lack of supplies, and from January to mid-February 1940 Yang Jingyu led the struggle until he died on February 23, 1940 trying to break out of the encirclement when an officer betrayed his detachment.  With its strongest armies dispersed or destroyed and its base areas pacified, the remnant resistance fighters, including Kim Il-sung, were gradually forced to retreat into Siberia between 1940 and 1942. In November 1941, Li Zhaolin entered the Soviet Union. By July 1942 Zhou Baozhong followed. Finally on February 12, 1942, Zhao Shangzhi was captured by Japanese military police after being attacked by one of their agents, and later died."}]}, {"title": "Pacification of Tonkin", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacification of Tonkin (1886\u201396) was a slow and ultimately successful military and political campaign undertaken by the French Empire in the northern portion of Tonkin (modern-day north Vietnam) to re-establish order in the wake of the Sino-French War (August\u00a01884 \u2013 April\u00a01885), to entrench a French protectorate in Tonkin, and to suppress Vietnamese opposition to French rule. Following their colonisation of Cochinchina in the 1860s, the French attempted to extend their influence into Tonkin. A first, abortive attempt to intervene in Tonkin was made by Francis Garnier in 1873. Nine years later, in April 1882, Henri Rivi\u00e8re seized the citadel of Hanoi, inaugurating the second French intervention. Although Rivi\u00e8re's career ended in disaster a year later, with his defeat and death at the hands of the Black Flag Army at the Battle of Paper Bridge (19 May 1883), Jules Ferry's expansionist government in France sent strong reinforcements to Tonkin to avenge this defeat. Although it would take many years before Tonkin was truly pacified, the second French attempt to subdue Tonkin was ultimately successful."}, {"context": " In August 1883, in the wake of Admiral Am\u00e9d\u00e9e Courbet's victory at the Battle of Thu\u1eadn An, the Vietnamese court at Hu\u1ebf was forced to recognise a French protectorate over both Annam (French protectorate) and Tonkin. Efforts by the French to entrench their protectorate in Tonkin were complicated by the outbreak of the Sino-French War in August 1884, which tied down large French forces around H\u01b0ng H\u00f3a and L\u1ea1ng S\u01a1n, and later by the C\u1ea7n V\u01b0\u01a1ng uprising in southern Vietnam in July 1885, which required the diversion of French forces from Tonkin to Annam. When the Sino-French War ended in April 1885, there were 35,000 French troops in Tonkin, but the area of French control was restricted to the Red River Delta. Between April 1885 and April 1886 French troops closed up to the Chinese border, raising the tricolour and establishing customs posts at L\u00e0o Cai and other frontier crossings into Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, but large swathes of Tonkinese territory remained under the control of insurgent groups."}, {"context": " The Tonkin Campaign, a struggle by France since June 1883 against various opponents, including Vietnamese forces under the command of Prince Ho\u00e0ng K\u1ebf Vi\u00eam, Liu Yongfu's Black Flag Army, and finally the Chinese Yunnan and Guangxi Armies, officially came to an end in early 1886. On the recommendation of General Charles-Auguste-Louis Warnet (1828\u20131913), the commander-in-chief of the Tonkin Expeditionary Corps, Tonkin was declared 'pacified' in April 1886, and this achievement was symbolised by the formal downgrading of the expeditionary corps into a division of occupation under the command of General Ferdinand Jamont (1831\u20131918). This declaration, made for domestic consumption in France, where opposition to French adventures in Tonkin was growing, was purely cosmetic, and concealed the reality of a continuing, low-level insurgency in Tonkin."}, {"context": " The C\u1ea7n V\u01b0\u01a1ng insurgency against the French launched in Annam in July 1885 after H\u00e0m Nghi's flight from Hu\u1ebf was portrayed by the insurgents as a patriotic, anti-French, struggle to 'aid the king'. The insurgency in Tonkin was rather more complex. Many of the insurgents fought for patriotic motives, but others simply wanted to exploit the anarchy that prevailed in much of Tonkin at the end of the Sino-French War. The Chinese armies that had fought the Sino-French War dutifully withdrew from Tonkin in May and June 1885, but their ranks were by then full of Vietnamese volunteers or conscripts, and these men, unpaid for months, were simply disbanded on Tonkinese soil and left to fend for themselves. They kept their weapons and supported themselves by brigandage, in many cases sheltering behind the patriotic rhetoric of the C\u1ea7n V\u01b0\u01a1ng insurgency. The French, although reluctant to admit that any of the 'brigands', 'bandits' and 'pirates' in arms against them had noble motives, were well aware that they were fighting a range of enemies in Tonkin:"}, {"context": " Throughout Tonkin hard-working law-abiding cultivators had always been left defenceless in the face of the exactions of the mandarins and the Chinese and Annamese pirates. The reign of the mandarins was now ended, but force would be needed to deal with the pirates, whose number had increased in the past two years. The ranks of the Black Flags and the other professional brigands who had been fighting us were swollen by discharged Chinese soldiers, other soldiers who had deserted with their arms and equipment because they had not been paid, Annamese ne\u2019er-do-wells who preferred pillage to agriculture, and sometimes law-abiding peasants who had been forcibly conscripted."}, {"context": " Liu Yongfu's Black Flag forces continued to harass and fight the French in Tonkin after the end of the Sino-French War. With support from China, Vietnamese and Chinese freebooters fought against the French in L\u1ea1ng S\u01a1n in the 1890s. They were labelled \"pirates\" by the French. The Black Flags and Liu Yongfu in China received requests for assistance from Vietnamese anti-French forces. Pirate Vietnamese and Chinese were supported by China against the French in Tonkin. Women from Tonkin were sold by pirates. Dealers of opium and pirates of Vietnamese and Chinese origin in Tonkin fought against the French Foreign Legion."}, {"context": " The bandits and pirates included Nung among their ranks. By adopting their clothing and hairstyle, it was possible to change identity to Nung for pirate and exile Chinese men. Pirate Chinese and Nung fought against the Meo. The flag pirates who fought the French were located among the Tay. In 1891 \"Goldthwaite's Geographical Magazine, Volumes 1-2\" said \"\"FOUR months ago, a band of 500 pirates attacked the French residency at Chobo, in 'l\u2018onkin. They beheaded the French resident, ransacked and burned the town, and killed many of the people.\"\" In 1906 the \"Decennial Reports on the Trade, Navigation, Industries, Etc., of the Ports Open to Foreign Commerce in China and Corea, and on the Condition and Development of the Treaty Port Provinces ..., Volume 2\" said \"\"Piracy on the Tonkin border was very prevalent in the early years of the decade. Fortified frontier posts were established in 1893 by the Tonkin Customs at the most dangerous passes into China, for the purpose of repressing contraband, the importation of arms and ammunition, and specially the illicit traflic of women, children, and cattle, which the pirates raided in Tonkin and carried beyond the Chinese mountains with impunity. These posts were eventually handed over to the military authorities.\"\" In 1894 \"Around Tonkin and Siam\" said \"\"This, in my view, is too pessimist an estimate of the situation, a remark which also applies to the objection that these new roads facilitate the circulation of pirates. Defective as they may be, these roads must, it seems to me, be of service to cultivation and trade, and, therefore, in the long run to the pacification of the country.\"\" In 1893 \"The Medical World, Volume 11\" said \"\"Captain Hugot, of the Zouaves, was inclose pursuit of the fnmous Thuyet, one of the most redoubtable, ferocious, and cunning of the Black Flag (Annamite pirates) leaders, the man who prepared and executed the ambuscade at Hue. The captain was just about to seize the person of the young pretender Ham-Nghi, whom the Black Flags had recently proclaimed sovereign of Armani, when he was struck by reveral ar rows, discharged by the body-guard of HamNghi. The wounds were all light, scarcely more than scratches, and no evil effect was feared at the time. After a few days, however, in spite of every care, the captain grew weaker, and it became apparent that he was suffering from the effects of arrow poison. He was removed as quickly and as tenderly as possible to Tanh-Hoa, where he died in horrible agony a few days later, in spite of the most scientific treatment and the most assiduous attention.\"\u2014 National Druggist.\" The 1892 \"The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review and Oriental and Colonial Record\" said \"\"The French port of Yen Long was surprised by Chinese and Annamite pirates and the troops driven out with loss.\"\""}, {"context": " The 1892 \"A REVUE SOCIALISTE\" said \"\"La v\u00e9rit\u00e9 c'est que la piraterie est organis\u00e9e syst\u00e9matiquement, c'est qu'elle se produit dans des conditions qu'il suffit d'\u00e9noncer, m\u00eame rapidement, pour convaincre chacun de l'inefficacit\u00e9 des mesures r\u00e9pressives don't nous pouvons disposer l\u00e0-bas \u00e0 son \u00e9gard. Il convient d'abord d'\u00e9tablir une distinction, car selon qu'elle est chinoise ou annamite, la piraterie change de caract\u00e8re, d'organisation, de puissance. Les pirates chinois sont group\u00e9s en bandes permanentes, arm\u00e9es de fusils \u00e0 tir rapide, solidement \u00e9quip\u00e9es. aguerries \u2013 ce qui n'a rien de surprenant, l'\u00e9tiquette de pirates d\u00e9signant ordinairement dans ce cas des recrues chinoises qui passent continuellement la fronti\u00e8re.- Si l'on conservait le moindre doute \u00e0 cet \u00e9gard, il suffirait de consid\u00e9rer \u2013 leur \u0153uvre, qui est \u00e0 peu pr\u00e8s exclusivement militaire. Ces bandes r\u00e9sident dans les r\u00e9gions montagneuses, dans les d\u00e9fil\u00e9s, d'o\u00f9 elles peuvent harceler nos colonnes, faire le coup de feu avec les avantpostes, tuer quelques hommes et s'enfuir dans la brousse pour se reformer un peu plus loin. C'est par l'une de ces bandes qu'a \u00e9t\u00e9 surpris, le 9 juillet, le d\u00e9tachement en route pour Lang-Son. Avec la piraterie annamite le groupement par bandes n'est plus permanent, il ne se produit que lorsque se pr\u00e9sente une occasion favorable, il est plus fr\u00e9quent lorsque la r\u00e9colte est mauvaise. L'objectif est, le plus souvent, le pillage d'un village ou la capture des sampans charg\u00e9s qui descendent les nombreux affluents du Song-Co\u00ef ou du Ta\u00ef-Binh. Pour r\u00e9primer de telles exactions, les fonctionnaires qui ignorant g\u00e9n\u00e9ralement la langue et le pays, sont dans l'obligation d'avoir recours aux lettr\u00e9s et aux fonctionnaires annamites. Or, ceuxci nous d\u00e9testent cordialement, aussi est-ce avec beaucoup d'empressement qu'ils interviennent, non pour faire aboutir les poursuites, mais pour les faire avorter. Ils savent fort bien qu'une telle attitude n'est pas pour d\u00e9plaire \u00e0 leur gouvernement."}, {"context": " La cour de Hu\u00e9 est, on le sait, plus que jamais hostile \u00e0 notre \u00e9tablissement au Tonkin, elle encourage secr\u00e8tement tout ce qui peut l'entraver et nous d\u00e9consid\u00e9rer aux yeux des populations. Ajoutons que souvent les fonctionnaires annamites sont mat\u00e9riellement int\u00e9ress\u00e9s \u00e0 ce que la piraterie s'effleurisse librement. Les pirates en usent avec les mandarins comme les pirates financiers europ\u00e9ens avec certains journalistes et politiciens, et cela leur r\u00e9ussit admirablement. La discr\u00e9tion des notables annamites est telle, que les pirates, leurs m\u00e9faits accomplis, n'ont pas m\u00eame \u00e0 s'\u00e9loigner du village o\u00f9 ils ont fix\u00e9 leur r\u00e9sidence. Ils dissimulent simplement leurs armes et, tels des travailleurs rang\u00e9s, pr\u00eats \u00e0 fournir des renseignements aux Commissions d'enqu\u00eate, ils assistant tranquillement aux recherches."}, {"context": " ll n'est sans doute point besoin d'insister davantage pour que se d\u00e9gage \u00e9crasante, irr\u00e9alisable, avec les moyens actuels, la t\u00e2che assum\u00e9e par M. de Lanessan. Sans effort l'on comprendra que, m\u00eame avec des pouvoirs extraordinaires qui font de lui un v\u00e9ritable vice-roi, en d\u00e9pit de son incontestable comp\u00e9tence en mati\u00e8re de colonisation, le gouverneur actuel de l'Indo-Chine n'ait encore r\u00e9alis\u00e9 aucune des promesses, qu'aux applaudissements enthousiastes des coloniaux, il formulait l'an dernier, avec sa belle exub\u00e9rance de m\u00e9ridional.\"\""}, {"context": " The terrain of Tonkin was ideal for the hit-and-run tactics used by the insurgents. In the flat and fertile Delta, the insurgents were able to move much more quickly than the French from village to village along the dykes that separated the flooded rice paddies. Most Tonkinese villages were encircled with earth walls, ponds and thick bamboo hedges, and were consequently difficult to attack. If a band of insurgents was detected by the French, it could choose either to disperse or to strengthen a village's fortifications and wear the French down by fighting a regular defensive battle. In the mountainous regions of Upper Tonkin, the insurgents could exploit the scarcity of paths and the difficulties the French faced in supplying their columns to build strong lairs in nearly inaccessible spots. From these hideouts they would fan out into the surrounding regions, laying ambushes for French detachments. As the French troops they met were often sick and exhausted, these ambushes were sometimes successful."}, {"context": " To counter these tactics, the French used 'shandy columns' (\"colonnes panach\u00e9es\"), so-called because they normally contained a mix of white and native troops. Typically, a column would contain legionnaires and marine infantry, supported by companies of Tonkinese riflemen. To find the bandits, the French had to march into forests on the basis of imprecise and often misleading intelligence. When they discovered their position, they attacked, but in most cases it had already been abandoned for another. It was a tiring and frustrating struggle, which was not even interrupted during the stormy heats and the rains of summer. The soldiers of the Foreign Legion soon learned that it was more merciful to shoot wounded comrades who could not keep up with the marching columns than to leave them to be captured and tortured to death by the bandits."}, {"context": " For several years the French had frustratingly little to show for the enormous military efforts they were making to crush the insurgency. This was above all due to the duality of the command. The regional commanders only had military powers, and in all their operations had to obtain the agreement of the native authorities and the residents of the administrative provinces corresponding to their region. The residents themselves were assisted by merchants who improvised a transport business on which the supply of food and ammunition to the posts depended, and there was no recourse against these entrepreneurs if they failed to fulfil their engagements. Military action under such conditions could be neither swift nor sure. The insurgency resumed as soon as the columns had left, and the installation of posts in some important points did not, as had been hoped, win the French control of the country. Nevertheless, the French did win some successes, and by the end of 1890 the Delta was almost pacified and the insurgent bands had been pushed back into Upper Tonkin."}, {"context": " Beyond the Delta, however, the French had much less to show for their efforts. Their first major victory against the insurgents, at Ba Dinh in January 1887, owed more to the folly of the Vietnamese commander Dinh Cong Trang, who deliberately challenged the French to a set-piece battle near the Annam-Tonkin border, than to the skill of the French high command. The Vietnamese defeat at Ba Dinh was a disaster for the C\u1ea7n V\u01b0\u01a1ng movement in Annam, and cost the lives of many Vietnamese insurgents, but it did little to lessen the problems that the French faced in Tonkin."}, {"context": " The collapse of the C\u1ea7n V\u01b0\u01a1ng insurgency in Annam at the end of 1888 also did little to alter the state of affairs in Tonkin. Only two months after the capture of the young Vietnamese king H\u00e0m Nghi in October 1888 a French column of 800 men under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Borgnis-Desbordes incurred heavy casualties (95 men killed and wounded) driving a strong force of insurgents from the villages of Cho Moi and Cho Chu on the Song Cau River. Nevertheless, though resistance continued behind their lines, the French were able to widen their zone of occupation slowly but surely. In western Tonkin, a column under the command of \"chef de bataillon\" Bergougnioux advanced up the Clear River and occupied Bac Muc and Vinh Thuy in May 1886. On 1 September 1887 the French occupied H\u00e0 Giang. A column under Colonel Brissaud penetrated almost as far as the border with Siam and dislodged a Siamese force that had taken advantage of the chaos in Tonkin to cross the frontier and occupy the small town of Dien Bien Phu."}, {"context": " In northern Tonkin Commandant Servi\u00e8re traversed the region between L\u1ea1ng S\u01a1n and Zhennan Pass at Cua Ai, and protected the operations of the Border Delimitation Commission set up under the Treaty of Tientsin to demarcate the frontier between Vietnam and China. He dispersed several insurgent bands that had been operating around L\u1ea1ng S\u01a1n, and established a post at Chi Ma, on the Tonkin-Guangxi border. In November 1886 a large expedition under the command of General Mensier drove the insurgents from other localities near the Tonkin-Guangxi border and occupied the important frontier town of Cao B\u1eb1ng."}, {"context": " Considerable progress was also made in eastern Tonkin, a region that had seen little fighting during the Sino-French War and was still almost unexplored by the French. Between 1886 and 1888 \"capitaine de vaisseau\" de Beaumont's naval division hunted down the pirates who still infested Along Bay and most of the Delta coasts and completed the work that Admiral Am\u00e9d\u00e9e Courbet had begun in 1884. The wild country between L\u1ea1ng S\u01a1n and the Guangdong border that the French had been unable to subdue during the war with China was now tamed by the French occupation of Tien Yen, Ha Coi and Mong Cai. A vital preliminary to these operations was the completion of the naval survey of the coast of Tonkin by the naval hydrographer La Porte, who took over the work begun in 1883 by Renaud and Rollet de l'Isle. La Porte's moment of glory came when, as a result of this survey, he personally guided the French gunboats up the narrow river channels to Mong Cai, enabling the French to confront the town's defences with overwhelming strength. Mong Cai was occupied by the French in December 1886. La Porte crowned his career by making a general triangulation of Tonkin, from Haiphong to H\u01b0ng H\u00f3a and to Phu Lang Thuong, drawing on a series of topographical maps produced since 1883 by military engineering officers. Finally, a column of 600 soldiers and 400 coolies under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Alphonse Dugenne, the hero of the B\u1eafc L\u1ec7 ambush in June 1884, marched along the coastal plain of eastern Tonkin as far as the Chinese border and explored the sparsely-populated and mountainous hinterland running back to L\u1ea1ng S\u01a1n. The French completed their penetration of eastern Tonkin in January 1887 by driving insurgent bands from the Pak Lung peninsula, a border region disputed between Vietnam and China. In July 1887 the peninsula was awarded to China by the Border Delimitation Commission."}, {"context": " The tide finally turned in France's favour in Tonkin with the appointment of Jean-Marie de Lanessan as governor-general of Indochina in 1891. De Lanessan, an able, intelligent and energetic administrator, quickly put in place the administrative structures that would enable the military commanders first to contain and ultimately to master the insurrection. He reversed the policy of his predecessors, recalling the unwieldy militia units to the Delta and returning control of the mountain region of Tonkin to the military. He divided Upper Tonkin into four territories, centred respectively on Sept Pagodes, L\u1ea1ng S\u01a1n, S\u01a1n T\u00e2y and S\u01a1n La, and placed each territory under the orders of a military commander who was also entrusted (subject to his own oversight) with the civil powers of a \"r\u00e9sident sup\u00e9rieur\". This concentration of military and civil power in the hands of a small number of officers was potentially dangerous, but de Lanessan got on well with General Duchemin, the army commander in Tonkin, and was able to ensure that the commands went to the best officers available. These men included Lieutenant-Colonel Th\u00e9ophile Pennequin, who developed the famous 'oilstain' (\"tache d'huile\") tactics that were eventually to prove so effective in stamping out the insurgency, Colonels Joseph Gallieni and Servi\u00e8re, and \"chef de bataillon\" Hubert Lyautey. De Lanessan was lucky. Duchemin and his immediate subordinates were among the finest soldiers then serving in France's colonial empire. Two of them, Joseph Gallieni and Hubert Lyautey, would distinguish themselves in the First World War and end their lives as Marshals of France."}, {"context": " This galaxy of talented administrators and soldiers pursued French aims in Tonkin with a judicious mixture of political and military action. Political action came first. De Lanessan and Gallieni agreed that the most important task for the French was to win over the population to their side. If the ordinary Tonkinese farmers could be persuaded that French rule was preferable to anarchy, they would cooperate with the colonial power. The insurgents would eventually be isolated, and military victory would then follow as a matter of course. Accordingly, the French set out to demonstrate the benefits of their rule. Roads and paths were built to link up the French posts, enabling small French columns to move quickly from place to place. As it became easier for the French to protect law-abiding villagers from the depredations of the bandits, confidence gradually returned. Markets and schools were built in the villages, and the conditions were established in which agriculture, industry and commerce could once more flourish."}, {"context": " Seeing that the French were there to stay, and that they were increasingly capable of imposing law and order, the Tonkinese gradually turned against the insurgents. The French began to receive valuable intelligence on the whereabouts of guerrilla bands. Eventually, they felt secure enough to form local militia units to protect the villages, at last certain that their rifles would be turned against the bandits rather than against themselves. At this point the scales tipped decisively against the insurgents. Once they had lost the sympathy of the local population, they could not hope to win."}, {"context": " With the ground thus prepared politically, the French were able to implement Pennequin's 'oilstain' method with considerable success. This method involved building a strong barrier of solid posts, judiciously placed, to push back the insurgents little by little, to occupy effectively the conquered terrain, and to establish new posts further forward. The French did not enter a new troubled region until they had finished with the previous one. The dispatch of attack columns became the exception, and was used only to achieve a clear objective that could not be achieved by political means."}, {"context": " In this way, the French were able between 1891 and 1896 to reduce the final centres of resistance in Tonkin. In November 1891 they finally secured control of the Dong Trieu massif, a thorn in their side since 1884, and dispersed the Chinese guerrillas who had operated there for so long. Trouble in the region subsided immediately on the death of the insurgent leader Luu Ky a few months later. In March 1892 the French destroyed the last bandit concentrations in the Yen The region. This remote, wooded, mountain fastness between Tuy\u00ean Quang and Th\u00e1i Nguy\u00ean had been colonised by guerrilla bands during the war with China and held against the French ever since by the bandit chiefs Ba Phuc, De Nam and De Tham. Although French troops continued to skirmish with bandits in the Yen The until De Tham's death in 1913, they were no longer a serious threat to law and order. With the removal of these two running sores, the French were able to scale down their military operations in Tonkin between 1892 and 1896 to a very low level. The insurgents, once so formidable, were now reduced to kidnapping isolated French and Vietnamese officials and demanding ransoms for their safe return. They had become a nuisance rather than a threat. Routine sweeps and patrols by single companies now sufficed to police both the Delta and the mountain regions, and in 1896 it became possible for French politicians to speak of the 'pacification' of Tonkin with genuine conviction."}, {"context": " As internal order was restored, the security of the border with China loomed larger. The border had long been porous, and Chinese bands took advantage of the weakness of the French frontier garrisons to cross over into Tonkin, plunder as many villages as they could, then retreat back into China before the French could catch up with them. In 1887 China and France had agreed on the delimitation of the frontier, but this agreement proved to be almost worthless in practice, because the Chinese authorities in the frontier districts actively connived at the activities of the raiders. Indeed, the raiding bands often consisted of parties of regular soldiers of the Guangxi and Yunnan armies. Some French commanders, notably Gallieni, raided villages on the Chinese side of the border in retaliation, or conducted 'hot pursuit' operations across the border into China to track down bands of raiders. Formally, France and China now enjoyed the best of relations, and both the French and Chinese governments turned a blind eye to such incursions. Frontier security for Tonkin was finally achieved in the closing years of the nineteenth century, after the French lined the border with China with blockhouses and stationed enough soldiers there to deter incursions."}]}, {"title": "Pacification of Ukrainians in Eastern Galicia", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacification of Ukrainians was the punitive action by police and military of the Second Polish Republic against the Ukrainian minority in Poland, primarily in her eastern borderlands, in September\u2013November 1930 in response to a wave of more than 2,200 terrorist acts against ethnic Poles in the region perpetrated by the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. It took place in 16 counties of southeastern provinces of the country, or eastern Galicia. This area was in the interbellum part of the eastern Lesser Poland province. Therefore, in Ukrainian and Polish literature this event is also called \"Pacification in Eastern Galicia\" () and \"Pacification of Eastern Lesser Poland\" (), respectively."}, {"context": " Eastern Galicia was incorporated into the Polish republic after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the defeat of the short-lived Western Ukrainian People's Republic in 1919. From the outset the Polish government adopted the policy of assimilation and repression of the Ukrainian minority in these lands. Many Ukrainian organizations continued close contact with the Weimar Republic, later Nazi Germany, while others kept in contact with the new Soviet government to the east. The use of Ukrainian language was banned in government agencies in 1924 and support was steadily withdrawn from Ukrainian schools. Polish-Ukrainian relations deteriorated during the Great Depression, which led to much economic disruption, felt particularly hard in the rural areas. In this atmosphere radical Ukrainian nationalists propagating active resistance to Polish domination found a ready response from Ukrainian youth."}, {"context": " On 12 July 1930, activists of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), together with Ukrainian Military Organization, began the so-called \"sabotage action\", during which Polish real estates were burned, roads, rail lines and telephone connections were destroyed. Financing was provided and weaponry was illegally smuggled with Nazi support. The OUN used terrorism and sabotage in order to force the Polish government into reprisals so fierce that they would cause the more moderate Ukrainian groups ready to negotiate with the Polish state to lose support. OUN directed its violence not only against the Poles, but also against all those Ukrainians who wished for a peaceful settlement of the Polish - Ukrainian conflict. In the course of time, local Ukrainians, many of whom saw the Poles as occupiers of their land, joined the action. Offices of the Polish paramilitary organization Strzelec were burned, as were the stands of the popular trade fairs in Lw\u00f3w (Lviv). Government offices and mail trucks were attacked. This situation lasted until September, with some sporadic incidents taking place as late as November. The terror action was limited to Galicia, and did not take place in Volhynia."}, {"context": " In response, Polish authorities decided to pacify the turbulent province. The decision to carry out the action was made by Marshall J\u00f3zef Pi\u0142sudski in his capacity as Prime Minister of the Second Polish Republic. Recognizing that terrorist actions carried out by the OUN did not amount to an insurrection, Pi\u0142sudski ordered a police action, rather than a military one, and deputized the Minister of Interior, Felicjan S\u0142awoj-Sk\u0142adkowski with its organization. S\u0142awoj-Sk\u0142adkowski in turn ordered regional police commanders to prepare for it in the Lw\u00f3w Voivodeship, Stanis\u0142aw\u00f3w Voivodeship and Tarnopol Voivodeship. The commander of the planned action was Lw\u00f3w Voivodeship's chief of police, Czes\u0142aw Grabowski."}, {"context": " Before the action commenced, around 130 Ukrainian activists, including a few dozen former Sejm (Polish parliament) deputies were arrested. The action itself began on 14 September 1930, in several villages of Lw\u00f3w Voivodeship, where the cavalry unit of 14th Regiment of Jaz\u0142owiecki U\u0142ans was directed, even though the detailed plan for the action was not established until 18 September. From 20 to 29 September, 17 companies of police (60 policemen each) were used. Of these, 9 came from the police academy in Mosty Wielkie (Velyki Mosty), 3 from Lw\u00f3w Voivodeship, 2.5 from Stanis\u0142aw\u00f3w Voivodeship, 2.5 from Tarnopol Voivodeship (a total of 1041 policemen and officers)."}, {"context": " The main operations with the participation of military units took place in the first half of October. Overall, the action affected: Or in total 494 villages. Timothy Snyder and other sources give the figure of 1000 policemen used in the operation, affecting 450 villages. The operation was carried out in three stages. First, a basic edict was issued authorizing a particular action. Second, police units were brought in. Third units of the regular army carried out \"operational maneuvers\". The pacification involved the search of private homes as well as buildings in which Ukrainian organizations (including the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) were based. During the search, the buildings, belongings, and property of Ukrainians was destroyed and the inhabitants often beaten and arrested. Several Ukrainian schools (in Rohat, Drohobycz, Lw\u00f3w, Tarnopol and Stanis\u0142aw\u00f3w) were closed and the Ukrainian Youth Scout organization Plast was delegalized. On 10 September, five deputies of Ukrainian National Democratic Alliance were arrested."}, {"context": " The pacification was carried out by first surrounding a village with police units, then calling out the village elder or an administrator of the village. He in turn was informed about the purpose of the operation, and was ordered to give up any weapons or explosives hidden in the village. All villagers were to remain in their houses. Subsequently, the houses of those suspected of cooperation with Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists were searched, which included the tearing up of floors and ceilings. During the course of the search the furniture and property inside the houses were often destroyed. Policemen found about 100 kilograms of explosives and weapons (1287 rifles, 566 revolvers, 31 grenades). Also, during the searches, physical force was used and many people were publicly whipped. According to Polish historian W\u0142adys\u0142aw Pob\u00f3g-Malinowski, there were no fatalities, while, according to Ukrainian historian P. Mirchuk, 35 Ukrainian civilians died during the pacification. S. Horak estimates the number of victims at 7. Additional punishments included laying special \"contributions\" on the villages and stationing regiments of cavalry in the village, which had to be fed and quartered by the villages."}, {"context": " A committee of the League of Nations in its response to Ukrainian-Nationalists protest regarding the \"pacification\" action, while not approving the methods used, stated that it was the Ukrainian extremists themselves who were to be blame for consciously inviting this response by their sabotage activities and maintained that it was not governmental policy of persecution of the Ukrainian people. One of the unintended consequences of the action, from the point of view of Polish authorities, was that previously allegedly \u201cmoderately oriented\u201d Ukrainians became radicalized, and even those who had previously felt loyalty to the Polish state began supporting separation.  According to Ukrainian-Canadian historian, Orest Subtelny, \u201ccollective punishment\u201d meted out on thousands of \u201cmostly innocent peasants\u201d resulted in exacerbation of animosity between the Polish state and the Ukrainian minority."}]}, {"title": "Pacification of Wujek", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacification of Wujek was a strike-breaking action by the Polish police and army at the Wujek Coal Mine in Katowice, Poland, culminating in the massacre of nine striking miners on December 16, 1981. It was part of a large-scale action aimed to break the Solidarity free trade union after the introduction of martial law in Poland in 1981. Although the strike was suppressed, in a longer term, it turned out to be a milestone towards the collapse of the authoritarian system in Poland and, ultimately, to the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. It was a site of numerous protests, including by Solidarity activist Anna Walentynowicz who commemorated a plaque to the murdered miners shortly after she left prison at Go\u0142dap."}, {"context": " On December 16, three days after the introduction of the martial law in Poland, pro-Solidarity miners striking against the declaration of the martial law by General Wojciech Jaruzelski were dispersed by the troops of the Polish army and police. The forces used in the main thrust against the miners consisted of eight companies of riot police (ZOMO, supported by ORMO (police reservists) and NOMO) with seven water cannons, three companies of military infantry fighting vehicles (each of 10 vehicles) and one company of tanks. The miners repeatedly fought them off with their tools. During the brawl a number of strikers and 41 troops were injured, including 11 severely."}, {"context": " In the apex of the events, a commando-type special platoon of ZOMO opened the \"shoot to kill\" fire at the strikers, killing nine of them (Jan Stawisi\u0144ski, Joachim Gnida, J\u00f3zef Czekalski, Krzysztof Giza, Ryszard Gzik, Bogus\u0142aw Kopczak, Andrzej Pe\u0142ka, Zbigniew Wilk and Zenon Zaj\u0105c) and wounding 21 others. One of the deaths took place after 20 or more days in hospital with severe head-wounds. The repressions after the pacification included sentencing of three miners to jail terms of three to four years in prison."}, {"context": " On June 1, 2007, more than two decades after the incident, 15 former members of the special platoon were sentenced to prison terms for their part in the killings. Most of them were sentenced to the terms of 2.5 to three years in prison, except their former platoon commander, Romuald Cie\u015blak, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison. The court however failed to establish who sent the special platoon to Wujek (and thus acquitted the former vice-chief of communist police in Katowice, Marian Okrutny)."}]}, {"title": "Pacification sejm", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacification sejm () refers to a type of the sejm (parliament session) in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The pacification sejms were held after a period of conflict to bring peace and unity to the country, usually after a disputed royal election. Pacification sejms were held in 1586, 1673, 1698, 1699, 1717 and 1736."}]}, {"title": "Pacification theory", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacification theory is a counter-hegemonic approach to the study of police and security which views the contemporary security-industrial complex as both an organizing and systematic war strategy targeting domestic and foreign enemies while simultaneously acting as a process that actively fabricates a social order conducive to capitalist accumulation. According to its academic proponents, such an approach to police and security reveals inherent class war dimensions that have been reinforced by police intellectuals since at least the eighteenth century."}, {"context": " At base, pacification reflects the need to fabricate productive territories and subjects conducive to exploitation. As Neocleous, Rigakos and Wall explain: \"The extraction of surplus, as Adam Smith admits, can \u2018be squeezed out of [the labourer] by violence only, and not by any interest of his own\u2019 if he can subsist otherwise such as through access to communal land. This, in short, is the foundational bourgeois logic for the compulsion to pacify.\" Pacification theory may vary in its use depending on the analyst, but most scholars associated with Anti-security would likely agree that its central tenets encompass:"}, {"context": " Associated with this last point and serving an essential component of pacification is its immediate connection to making subjects economically \"productive\" both historically within the plans of military and colonial overseers and by contemporary police actions, both domestic and international. Neocleous has characterized this process as making war through peace: A final element of pacification invoked by scholars in this field of study is its connection to the apparent primacy of security thinking and planning in a capitalist economy. This pronouncement is often linked to Karl Marx's assertion that \"security is the supreme concept of bourgeois society\" in the Jewish Question. A connection believed to be so embedded that Rigakos has argued that \"security \"is\" hegemony\"."}, {"context": " The development of pacification theory is a re-appropriation of the historical usage of the term. It is offered as an alternative to security as part of a broader analytic Anti-security project. The development of pacification theory to re-cast security is believed to help radical scholars grasp the inherent objectives and operation of security politics since the Enlightenment, and is intended to give activists a ground to stand against the securitization of political discourse that increasingly surrounds the policing of dissent in the post-9/11 period."}, {"context": " During the social uprisings in the 1960s in North America and Europe against the Vietnam War, pacification came to connote bombing people into submission and waging an ideological war against the opposition. However, after the Vietnam War, pacification was dropped from the official discourse as well as from the discourse of opposition. Although approach towards the term and practices of pacification both in the concept\u2019s sixteenth-century and twentieth-century colonial meanings were somehow related to the concepts of war, security and police power, the real connection between pacification and these concepts has never been revealed in the literature on international relations, conflict studies, criminology or political science. Neocleous has argued that the connection between pacification and the ideological discourse on security is related to the terms use in broader Western social and political thought in general, and liberal theory in particular. In short, that liberalism\u2019s key concept is less liberty and more security and that liberal doctrine is inherently less committed to peace and far more to legitimizing violence."}, {"context": " In Anti-security: A Declaration, Neocleous and Rigakos provocatively summed this argument in the following way: \"In the works of the founders of the liberal tradition - that is, the founders of bourgeois ideology - liberty is security and security is liberty. For the ruling class, security always has and always will triumph over liberty because \u2018liberty\u2019 has never been intended as a counter-weight to security. Liberty has always been security\u2019s lawyer.\" From the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century onwards, the growth of towns in Europe generated a concern over \u201cmasterlesse men,\u201d as Thomas Hobbes puts it, and their forms of behaviour exposed in urban life such as gambling, drinking, adultery, blasphemy and wandering. Pacification, then, functions as a thread that connects sixteenth-century European colonialism and the fabrication of liberal social order in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the US project in Vietnam and contemporary military exercises of Empire both throughout the globe and domestically."}, {"context": " In Security/Capital, Rigakos offers a General Theory of Pacification. He argues that pacification is composed of three overlapping strata: (1) Dispossession; (2) Exploitation and (3) Commodification. Commodification is itself composed of three processes: (a) valorization; (b) prudentialization; and (c) fetishization. According to Rigakos, while different in their strategic targets of intervention, each of these three strata of pacification in their aggregate nonetheless both produce and rely on:  The aggregate effect of this theory is the conclusion that the global economic system is now conditioned by pacification as it never has been before. Rigakos suggests that \"the security\u2013 industrial complex is, materially and ideologically, the blast furnace of global capitalism, fuelling both the conditions for the system\u2019s perpetuation while feeding relentlessly on the surpluses it has exacted.\""}]}, {"title": "Pacifichelys", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifichelys is an extinct genus of sea turtle from the Middle Miocene of Peru (Pisco Formation) and California (Temblor Formation). It was first named by James F. Parham and Nicholas D. Pyenson in 2010, and the type species is \"Pacifichelys urbinai\" from Peru. A second species, \"P. hutchisoni\", was reassigned from the genus \"Euclastes\". It is known from the Miocene of California. Like the living Ridley and Loggerhead sea turtles, \"Pacifichelys\" was durophagous, consuming hard-shelled organisms with crushing jaws.  Cladogram based on Lynch and Parham (2003) and Parham and Pyenson (2010):"}]}, {"title": "Pacificibacter", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificibacter is a genus of bacteria from the family of Rhodobacteraceae."}]}, {"title": "Pacificibacter aestuarii", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificibacter aestuarii is a Gram-negative, strictly aerobic and non-motile bacterium from the genus of \"Pacificibacter\" which has been isolated from tidal flat sediments from Korea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificibacter marinus", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificibacter marinus is a Gram-negative and non-motile bacterium from the genus of \"Pacificibacter\" has been isolated from seawater from the Yellow Sea at Hwang-do in Korea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificibacter maritimus", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificibacter maritimus is a Gram-negative, aerobic and non-motile bacterium from the genus of \"Pacificibacter\" which has been isolated from sandy sediments from the Sea of Japan."}]}, {"title": "Pacificism", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificism is the general term for ethical opposition to violence or war, except in cases where force is deemed absolutely necessary to advance the cause of peace. It falls between pacifism, which usually states that killing, violence or war is unconditionally wrong in all cases, and defensivism, which accepts all \"defensive\" wars and acts of deterrence as morally just. Pacificism states that war can only ever be considered as a firm \"last resort\", condemning both aggression and militarism. In the 1940s, the two terms were not conceptually distinguished and pacificism was considered merely as an archaic spelling, although less 'barbarous' than the more common and shorter form."}, {"context": " The distinct theory was first put forward by A. J. P. Taylor in \"The Trouble-Makers\" (1957) and was subsequently defined by Martin Ceadel in his 1987 book, \"Thinking About Peace and War\". It was also discussed in detail in Richard Norman's book: \"Ethics, Killing and War\". The largest national peace association in history, the British League of Nations Union, was pacificist rather than pacifist in orientation. Historically, the majority of peace activists have been pacificists rather than strict pacifists.  Pacificism or Pacificist are also terms used to describe geographic region of the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Rim noting all nations bordering Pacific Ocean in regards to: The term is modern in use and may have been coined around 2006 by Paul Lyons, Associate Professor of English at the University of Hawaii at Manoa."}]}, {"title": "Pacifico (album)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifico is the first studio album by the rock band The Lassie Foundation. It was originally self-released in 1999, but the band re-released the album in 2000 on Grand Theft Autumn. The album has minor-key melodies and falsetto harmonies. The songs contain much guitar, which give the album a fuzzy, shoegaze feel with a lot of feedback. The album is heavily influenced by both My Bloody Valentine and The Beach Boys. The album is highly acclaimed by Allmusic."}]}, {"title": "Pacifico (singer)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Luigi (Gino) De Crescenzo (born 5 March 1964), best known as Pacifico, is an Italian singer-songwriter, composer and musician. Born in Milan, the son of a Neapolitan father and mother from Salerno, at 16 years old De Crescenzo formed his first band, \"La Goccia\". After graduating in political science and various experiences through rock, jazz, and fusion, in 1989 he formed together with Luca Gemma \"Rossomaltese\", a group in whom De Crescenzo was composer and guitarist. After the group disbanded he collaborated with the director Roberta Torre, composing the score of the film \"South Side Story\" and the incidental music for the play \"Invece che all\u2019una alle due\"."}, {"context": " In 2000 De Crescenzo adopted the stage name Pacifico, making his solo record debut in 2001 with a critically acclaimed album with the same name. In 2004 he entered the main competition at the Sanremo Music Festival, with the song \"Solo un sogno\". During the following years he alternated his activity as singer-songwriter (opening concerts for Kings of Convenience, Luca Carboni and Cousteau, among others) with the activity of composer, notably collaborating with Adriano Celentano, Andrea Bocelli, Gianna Nannini, Marco Mengoni, Antonello Venditti, Malika Ayane, Zucchero Fornaciari and Ornella Vanoni."}]}, {"title": "Pacifico Buzio", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifico Buzio (1843\u20131902) was an Italian painter, mainly of portraits, but also of illuminated manuscripts. He was born in Pavia and trained at the Scuola Civica of Painting in Pavia under Ezechiele Acerbi and Giacomo Tr\u00e9court He is said to have lived in bohemian and impoverished circumstances. Some of his paintings can be seen in the Cimitero Monumentale of Pavia. In 1864, his painting depicting a scene from Donizetti's opera, where \"Imelda de' Lambertazzi is next to the corpse of her lover\" (Museo Civico, Pavia) won the local Frank prize."}]}, {"title": "Pacifico Chiriboga", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pac\u00edfico Chiriboga y Borja (1810\u20131886) was an active politician during the first years of the Republic of Ecuador. He served as senator, minister, vice-president and acting president during these formative years. Pac\u00edfico Chiriboga was born in 1810, on the family estate in Riobamba, in what is now Chimborazo Province. He was the son of Don Martin Chiriboga y Leon, the last royalist \"corregidor\" of Riobamba. After the defeat of the Spanish forces, his father was exiled but died in the boat before they landed in Jamaica. His father's devotion to the crown did not affect the young Pac\u00edfico's rise in the new Republic. The family land that had been confiscated during the revolution was restored and Pac\u00edfico Chiriboga was involved early in the publication of the \"El Quite\u00f1o Libre\", a political periodical of great importance at the birth of the Ecuadorian nation. There, he worked with some of the most important intellectuals of his time, including Don Pedro Moncayo, Colonel Francisco Hall, Manuel de Asc\u00e1subi y Matheu and his brother Roberto de Ascasubi. His restored fortune and group of friends led to a very prolific public life."}, {"context": " When President Juan Jose Flores left office in 1835, Pac\u00edfico was elected to the Quito city council. He was then named Governor of Manabi and Pichincha in the 1840s. On August 30, 1852, he was elected Vice President with President Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Urvina, and was left in charge of the Executive branch for a total of 100 days in different periods between 1852 and 1854. Pac\u00edfico was also vice-president from 1858 to 1860, and later was part of the triumvirate in power with Gabriel Garcia Moreno and Jer\u00f3nimo Carri\u00f3n, both early presidents. He was also part of a second triumvirate. He also served as Senator, \"Diputado\" (i.e. Congressman), Minister of State and Mayor of the city of San Francisco de Quito. As was the case with most politicians of the time, even when he was involved in government, he was involved in the maintenance and expansion of the family land holdings. He often used his own money to finance his political allies. At one point, he sent 4,000 heads of cattle to feed the troops of Dr. Garcia Moreno, during the wars between the Liberals and Conservatives. He also bought many properties within the city (Quito) limits, which he seems to have used for his political meetings.  Don Pac\u00edfico married and had ten children. He died in 1886 in his \u201cmain\u201d Quito house after experiencing first-hand the birth of the new Republic."}]}, {"title": "Pacifico Marcos", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pac\u00edfico Edral\u00edn Marcos (born January 30, 1919) is a physician and the younger brother of former President of the Philippines Ferdinand E. Marcos. As of June 2018, he is the last surviving sibling of Ferdinand Marcos. Dr. Marcos was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte to Mariano Rubio Marcos and Josefa Quetulio Edralin. Marcos, a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and a member of the Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity, was a President of the Philippine Medical Association. In 1971 he was appointed the first chair of the nine-member Philippine Medical Care Commission. This commission was tasked to provide medical insurance to poor Filipinos. The commission's program ran for almost a quarter of a century. He was chair for 12 years."}, {"context": " In the 1970s, Marcos headed a defense fund which supported two Filipina nurses accused of killing 10 patients in the Ann Arbor Hospital Murders. He called their conviction a \"miscarriage of justice\". He owned, controlled, or had interests in 50 corporations, including a large car dealership, a sugar mill called Consolidate Sugar Corporation, a real estate firm called Citizens Development Inc, and Philippine Seed Inc. Marcos did not involve himself in politics, and distanced himself from his brother's regime when it grew unpopular during the 1980s. In a 1986 interview he said he was unaware of his brother's wealth. He did not join the Marcos family in Hawaii after the EDSA Revolution, and opted to stay in the Philippines in retirement."}, {"context": " In 1998 Marcos was the subject of a lawsuit over an under-collateralized \"behest loan\" in the amount of \u20b160 million which his company, Bagumbayan Corp, received from the Development Bank of the Philippines. It was one of a series of lawsuits over behest loans given to associates of President Marcos. The case was finally dismissed in 2007 by the Supreme Court, which said there was no evidence that the loan was given simply because Pacifico Marcos was a \"crony\" of the former president. His son, Mariano \"Nonong\" Marcos II, is now a provincial board member in Ilocos Norte."}]}, {"title": "Pacifico Salandanan", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifico Salandanan (born 22 September 1929) is a Filipino former sports shooter. He competed in the 50 metre rifle, prone event at the 1964 Summer Olympics."}]}, {"title": "Pacifico Seguros", "paragraphs": [{"context": " El Pac\u00edfico- Compa\u00f1\u00eda de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A. or Pacifico Seguros () is a leading insurance and reinsurance company in Peru and one of the largest in Latin America. Pacifico Seguros is a subsidiary of Credicorp, the largest financial holding group in Peru. Its corporate headquarters is located at 830 Juan de Arona Avenue in San Isidro District, Lima. The company was established in 1992 through the merger of El Pacifico Compa\u00f1ia de Seguros y Reaseguros (founded 1943) and Peruano Suiza Compa\u00f1\u00eda de Seguros y Reaseguros (founded 1948).  Pacifico Seguros offers various private and corporate insurance products. The policies cover health, automobile, life, home, travel, pensions and annuities, personal accident insurance, and many other types of risk. In addition, it offers corporate insurance products covering company\u2019s assets, which include heritage, engineering, transport, aviation and maritime insurance."}]}, {"title": "Pacifico Yokohama", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifico Yokohama (\u30d1\u30b7\u30d5\u30a3\u30b3\u6a2a\u6d5c), officially known as , is a convention and exhibition center in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. The center located in the western tip of waterfront Minato Mirai 21 district is one of the largest MICE venues in the nation. The Conference Center and Yokohama Grand InterContinental Hotel were completed first on July 29, 1991 with the Exhibition Hall subsequently completed on October 12. On April 25, 1994, National Convention Hall of Yokohama was completed. In 2001 it was designated the main press centre for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the Exhibition Hall was expanded.  The word \"Pacifico\" which stands for \"Pacific\" is derived from the Latin \"pacificus\" (\"peace\" in English), primarily meaning \"peaceful\" or \"quiet\". Pacifico Yokohama is also used as a music venue."}]}, {"title": "Pacificon", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificon may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Pacificreadium", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificreadium is a genus of trematodes in the family Opecoelidae. It consists of one species, Pacificreadium serrani (Nagaty & Abdel-Aal, 1962) Durio & Manter, 1968."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla is a genus of moth in the family Lecithoceridae."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla callisomata", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla callisomata is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Park in 2013. It is endemic to New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla cervicalis", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla cervicalis is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Park in 2013. It is endemic to New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla esdiparki", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla esdiparki is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Park in 2013. It is endemic to New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla flaviagra", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla flaviagra is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Park in 2013. It is found in Papua New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla geniola", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla geniola is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1931. It is found in New Guinea. The wingspan is 10\u201311\u00a0mm. The forewings are blackish with a broad orange median band, on the costa occupying less than the median third, widened downwards and on the dorsum reaching from about one-fourth to three-fourths. The hindwings are deep orange, in males with a small black submedian spot at the base and in females with a small blackish basal patch. There is a blackish apical band, occupying one-fourth of the costa in males and two-fifths of the costa in females. This band is narrowed downwards to a point on the middle of the termen."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla ignigera", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla ignigera is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1938. It is endemic to New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla kekamatana", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla kekamatana is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Park in 2013. It is endemic to New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla miltima", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla miltima is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Durrant in 1915. It is endemic to New Guinea. The wingspan is . The forewings are black, with a large triangular orange spot on the dorsum beyond the middle, its apex toward the costa, from which it is narrowly separated by the ground-colour, its inner side leaving the dorsum at an angle of about 45\u00b0, and its outer margin somewhat curved to the dorsum before the tornus. The hindwings are black, with a broad orange fascia on the median third of the wing, its inner edge continuous with that of the patch on the forewing, a small projection upward in the cell encroaching on the black basal area. The outer margin of the orange fascia is somewhat sinuate, the fascia being narrowed below the cell and toward the costa, where it is scarcely more than half the width of the patch on the forewing."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla philotima", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla philotima is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Alexey Diakonoff in 1954. It is endemic to New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla searsi", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla searsi is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Park in 2013. It is endemic to New Guinea."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla thrasydora", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla thrasydora is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1910. It is endemic to New Guinea. The wingspan is about . The forewings are purplish-black with a broad orange fascia rising from the dorsum beyond the middle and running towards three-fourths of the costa but not reaching it. The hindwings are purplish-black with a broad orange fascia from the middle of the costa to the outer half of the dorsum, occupying the median third of the wing."}]}, {"title": "Pacificulla zonias", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificulla zonias is a moth in the Lecithoceridae family. It was described by Meyrick in 1904. It is found in Australia, where it has been recorded from Queensland. The wingspan is about 14\u00a0mm. The forewings are dark purple-fuscous with a moderately broad straight ochreous-yellow fascia about the middle, slightly narrowed downwards. The hindwings are dark grey with a rather broad irregular pale ochreous-yellow transverse fascia rather before the middle, enclosing a dark grey discal dot."}]}, {"title": "Pacificus", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificus was a disciple of St. Francis of Assisi, born probably near Ascoli, Italy, in the second half of the twelfth century; died, it is thought, at Lens, France, around 1234. Local authors identify him with a certain William of Lisciano. Before becoming Friar Minor (Franciscan) he had been poet laureate at the Court of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor. Around 1212 St. Francis preached at San Severino, in the Marches; the poet had a vision of two resplendent swords crossed on the saint's breast. Deeply impressed by this vision, he asked to be received into the new order. St. Francis gladly complied, giving him the name of Pacificus."}, {"context": " In 1217 he was sent to France, where he is said to have become the founder, and first provincial, of the Friars Minor. In the Spring of 1226 Pacificus witnessed the holy \"Stigmata of St. Francis\". Saint Francis summoned Brother Pacificus and sent him, with other friars, throughout the world, preaching the praises of God. The last certain date we have in the life of Brother Pacificus is that of the Papal Bull, 12 April 1227, in which Pope Gregory IX recommends the Poor Clares of Siena to Pacificus' care. Cf \"Magna sicut dicitur\", 1227 (Bullarium Franciscanum volume I, 33-34)  Pacificus was sent back to France, where he later died. It has long been mooted that Pacificus' poetic abilities were put to use turning Saint Francis' songs into verse, however there is no evidence to support this. Certainly, in the case of the \"\"Canticle of the Sun\"\" its simple construction would suggest that the saint needed no help."}]}, {"title": "Pacificus Baker", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificus Baker, O.F.M. (1695\u20131774), was an English Minorite friar and noted Catholic spiritual writer of the 18th century. Baker served as the Procurator and Definitor of his Order, and was twice elected Minister Provincial of the English province of the Order of Friars Minor, first in 1761 and again in 1770. He appears to have been attached to the chapel of the Sardinian Embassy on Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. He certainly attended at the execution of the Scottish Catholic nobleman, Lord Lovat, on Tower Hill on 9 April 1747."}, {"context": " Baker's works were mostly guides for meditation for the proper reception of the Blessed Sacrament and on the liturgical seasons of the Church year. His reputation as a writer suffered in latter years. He was one of several religious authors who developed a series of books to allow Catholics who were isolated from the celebration of the Eucharist to meditate on its focus in keeping with the liturgical year of the Catholic Church. Baker encouraged the reception of the Blessed Sacrament by the laity as often as possible but recognized that, due to the lack of Catholic clergy in Britain in that era, this could be sporadic at best. His works provided the faithful with models for worship on the various Sundays through which they could participate in the liturgical life of the universal Church. His writings also proved popular for isolated Catholics on the American frontier.  An evaluation of Baker's work in the 19th century described it as \"remarkable for unction, solidity, and moderation\". Baker died in London on 16 March 1774."}]}, {"title": "Pacificus of Ceredano", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Blessed Pacificus da Ceredano (1424 - 4 June 1482) - born Pacificus Ramati - was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a professed member from the Order of Friars Minor. Pope Benedict XIV approved his \"cultus\" and beatified him on 7 July 1745. Pacificus Ramati was born in Novara in 1424. He was orphaned at some point in his childhood. Ramati decided to become a monk in the Order of Saint Benedict at their San Lorenzo convent but opted against it and decided to become a Franciscan. He entered the Order of Friars Minor - their Observants convent of San Nazario - in Novara in 1445. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1452 and then served as a preacher in which field the Observants of that time were quite prominent. Pacificus also had a share in the preaching of the crusade against the Turks that his order undertook. He had received a doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris in the Kingdom of France."}, {"context": " The General Chapter of the order held in Ferrara - on 15 May 1481 - sent him as a commissioner to Sardinia to administer and inspect the Franciscan monasteries in that area where he later died on 4 June 1482; Pope Sixtus IV reinforced the request for Pacificus to go there. According to his wish his remains were brought to Cerano and were buried in the church attached to the Franciscan convent. His head was given to the parish church of that place as a relic. Pope Benedict XIV - on 7 July 1745 - approved his \"cultus\" and therefore beatified him as a subsequent result of this recognition.  He is known as the author of a dissertation written in Italian and named after him as the \"Summa Pacifica\" which elaborates on the proper method of hearing confessions. It was first printed at Milan in 1479 under the title: \"Somma Pacifica o sia Trattato della Scienza di confessare\". The work was also published in Latin at Venice on two occasions first in 1501 and then in 1513."}]}, {"title": "Pacificus of San Severino", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Saint Pacificus of San Severino (1 March 1653 \u2013 24 September 1721), born Carlo Antonio Divini, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest known for being a miracle-worker. He was beatified on 4 August 1786, and canonized as a saint in 1839. Pacificus of San Severino was born at San Severino as the son of Antonio Maria Divini and Mariangela Bruni. His parents died soon after his Confirmation when he was aged three. He suffered hardships until December 1670 when he took the Franciscan habit in the Order of the Reformati at Forano in the March of Ancona."}, {"context": " Pacificus was ordained to the priesthood on 4 June 1678 and served as professor) of philosophy from 1680 to 1683 for the newer members of the order. Following this he worked for four or five years as a missionary in the surrounding area until suffering lameness and deafness in addition to blindness he was unable to continue giving missions. He then cultivated the contemplative life. Subject all his life long to intense bodily pains, \"he sought for comfort and relief in God alone, and was by him favoured with marvellous supernatural graces and with the gift of working miracles\". He was said to have \"borne his ills with angelic patience, worked several miracles, and was favoured by God with ecstasies\"."}, {"context": " Though he was a constant sufferer from 1692 to 1693 he held the post of Guardian in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in San Severino where he later died 24 September 1721. The canonization process commenced in 1740 under Pope Benedict XIV, in a move that accorded him the title of Servant of God as the first stage. Pope Pius VI beatified him on 4 August 1786; Pope Gregory XVI canonized him on 26 May 1839. His feast is celebrated on 24 September. Pscificus is considered the patron saint of those with chronic pain.  Locations named in honor of Pacificus are relatively few; only one church in North America, a chepel in Humphrey, New York, bears his name."}]}, {"title": "Pacificus of Verona", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacificus of Verona (Italian: \"Pacifico di Verona\") ( 776\u00a0\u2013 23 November 844 AD) was a 9th-century Carolingian Italian religious leader, notable for his tenure as the archdeacon of Verona from 803 until his death in 844, as well as the historiographical debate over the validity of the many achievements ascribed to him. During his residency in Verona, he is alleged to have accomplished a number of feats, including composing or copying a large volume of texts, founding or helping to found several institutions in and around Verona, as well as several inventions that have been attributed to him. His works have been referenced and idealized by many inhabitants of Verona throughout history, and his charters were frequently used as evidence in debates surrounding the authority of the bishops and archdeacons of the city. He was reportedly well educated on a variety of subjects and has been held up by some as an example of a Carolingian \"Uomo Universale\". There is a street named after him in Verona."}, {"context": " Not much can be determined about Pacificus from contemporary documents, as few survive from his time. His existence is proved by at least one private document bearing his autograph signature from 809, as well as possibly a second similar document from 814. These documents relate to the properties held by the \"schola sacerdotum\" (a school for priests) he is credited with founding in Verona. There are several other charters or documents claimed to have been written or signed by Pacificus, but their authenticity is currently a matter of debate. In addition there are several \"marginalia\" believed to have been written by Pacificus on manuscripts from Church's Veronese archives, as well as numerous manuscripts attributed to him."}, {"context": " What other information available on his life comes from later sources, and there is some debate as to the reliability of the information they give us. These sources include two epitaphs in the Verona Cathedral which had long been thought contemporaneous to Pacificus, but which some now argue date from the cathedral's construction in the twelfth century, some 270 years after Pacificus' death. Other sources providing details from Pacificus' life include the fourteenth-century work \"Historiae Imperialis\" (Imperial History) by Giovanni de Matociis (commonly known as Giovanni Mansionario), and the 16th-century work \"Antiquitates Veronenses\" by the Augustinian monk Onuphrius Panvinius."}, {"context": " Little is known about Pacificus' early life. He was supposedly descended from noble stock, and was educated at the Abbey of Reichenau, known for it clerical school which produced clerks for many Imperial and ducal chanceries during the Carolingian period. When he returned to Verona he took charge of the Veronese cathedral chapter's school and scriptorium. One of the few known events from his early life, when Pacificus was a deacon in Verona. The earliest account of this event comes from Panvinius' Antiquates Veronenses. In 798 Charlemagne decided to rebuild the city walls to protect the city against the threat of the Avar Khaganate. The cost of rebuilding the walls led to disputes between the clerical and civic authorities of the city over the burden of payment. The citizens demanded that the clergy pay one third of the cost, while the clergy insisted that they only need pay one quarter, as was customary. Without proof to support either side, it was decided to subject a representative of both sides to an ordeal by cross, and Pacificus was chosen to represent the clergy. Both parties stood against a cross holding their arms out while the Passion according to Matthew was read aloud. Pacificus held his arms upright through the entire reading while his opponent lowered his, leading the judge to rule that God favored Pacificus' side. Pacificus' victory was considered proof of an established custom afterwards, such as when Lothair planned to restore the city walls, and the clergy of Verona only had to pay one quarter of the costs of restorations of the walls."}, {"context": " Pacificus was promoted to the position of archdeacon of Verona most likely in 803, thought issues have been raised with this date. After this, there are two mutually exclusive accounts of his life, around which there is some debate. The long accepted version paints Pacificus as a pious, model clergyman, who was a staunch defender of his bishop Ratoldus, even going so far as to administer the diocese during Ratoldus' absence from 834-840, until his death in 844. As archdeacon, Pacificus was known for his active role in administering and establishing institutions in the city. He was reportedly the founder of the city's \"schola sacerdotum\" at the beginning of the ninth century, which he later made directly subject to the Patriarch of Aquileia. He is described as participating in writing a document from June 813 with Bishop Ratoldus which grants the \"schola\" an independent income, and later arguing that the schola was independent from the authority of the bishop. He also is credited with donating the land upon which the \"schola\"'s church was built, which was used as an argument that it remained outside the authority of the bishop. Pacificus was also supposedly involved with the building or renovating of a number of other churches throughout the area, including the Basilica of St Zeno. He also was responsible in his will for donating his house for the establishment of a \"xenodochium\", an institute which took care of the poor and sick, and the distributions of alms. This generosity was used by later archdeacons as a model for behavior and duties."}, {"context": " Pacificus is credited in his epitaph with having copied 218 books on a variety of subjects, including liturgical texts, poetry, and \"glossa\" on various texts. He also kept up a wide correspondence with other clerical figures of the time, including exchanging various texts. He was supposedly fluent in Hebrew and Greek as well as Latin, and was very well read. In the church's Veronese archives there are \"marginalia\" and notes attributed to Pacificus on texts such as the Sapiential Books, Psalms, and the Rule of St Benedict. He also was responsible for copying and restoring a number of other texts in the chapter's possession, and notes and corrections believed to be in Pacificus' hand are found on copies of texts by St Augustine, Pope Gregory the Great, Sulpicius Severus and St Jerome. Pacificus was also credited with the composition of the second of his two epitaphs for some time, until it was noted that the text was in fact an adaptation of the epitaph of Alcuin of York."}, {"context": " In addition to his religious compositions, Pacificus is also credited with the writing of several pieces on secular knowledge, including a book on astronomy. He is also credited with the invention of several devices, including a means to throw flames from ships, but his most famous invention is his clock. On his epitaph, he is credited with the creation of a \"nocturnal clock\" (\"horologium nocturmum\"). This was long believed to be the first mechanical clock, or Water clock, a fact repeated in numerous sources even up to the present day. In medieval texts and illustrations however, it is shown that his \"clock\" was in fact an observation tube with crosshairs, accompanied by an \"argumentum\", a text containing instructions on how to interpret the observations, and it was intended to be used not just so that monks could determine the hour of night, but also for calendrical purposes. The first of such medieval descriptions is the same poem by Pacificus, published as rhythmus 116 by K. Strecker in M.G.H. \"Poetae\" IV/2, and followed by rhythmus 117, \"Carmen sperae caeli\", a praise of the Christian zodiac, signed by the author himself with the same formula (Hirenicus humilis levita) found in the ms. Paris 1924 in a folio written, according to Campana, by Pacificus himself. Another poetical text on computus, rhythmus \"Anni domini notantur\", has been also attributed to Pacificus."}, {"context": " The life and accomplishments of Pacificus of Verona has recently come under fire, most prominently by the Italian medievalist Cristina La Rocca. La Rocca makes an argument that much of what is attributed to Pacificus is in fact a fabrication constructed by later medieval writers to support their own arguments. La Rocca argues that Pacificus, while still real and holding the position of archdeacon of Verona for some time, was not the illustrious, well-educated and charitable author, inventor and architect he is purported to be. La Rocca notes that Pacificus, along with the rest of the cathedral chapter, likely sided with King Bernard of Italy during his rebellion against his uncle, Emperor Louis the Pious, of whom the Veronese Bishop Ratoldus was a staunch supporter. According to La Rocca, this rivalry between Pacificus the Archdeacon and Ratoldus the Bishop likely ended with Pacificus' banishment following the failure of Bernard's rebellion, a fact supported by the fact that a monk named Pacificus (a relatively rare name) appears in the records of the Abbey of Nonantola in 826. If Pacificus was banished, it is likely that he remained in Nonantola until his death."}, {"context": " La Rocca's arguments hinge upon the fact that there are few documents about Pacificus that can be proven to have been written from his lifetime. She admits the two documents relating to the establishment of the \"schola\" as legitimate, and little else. The epitaphs in the Verona cathedral, which had long been thought contemporaneous to Pacificus, she argues in fact date from the construction of the cathedral in the twelfth century. She argues that it was during the tenure of Theobald as archdeacon of Verona (1120-1135), who was the first bishop to be appointed from the ranks of the cathedral chapter (1135-1157), that Pacificus' name first appeared in reference to many documents related to the cathedral chapter's history and the founding of the \"schola\" and \"xenodochium\". She argues that these documents were created to strengthen the chapter's claims to a number of churches and other properties in Verona, by constructing the story around Pacificus to illustrate the chapter's Carolingian roots and traditions in an attempt to support its claims of autonomy from the bishop of Verona and protect the chapter from the reforms within the church at the time. One of the items constructed during this period, according to La Rocca, is the epitaphs, or at least the first one, which were mounted in the Verona Cathedral, where they were publicly visible, to support their claims surrounding Pacificus and have him serve as a model of the duties of an archdeacon. She argues that it is based on this epitaph that much of the later work written about Pacificus is based upon, with later additions to his story being similarly constructed to serve the purposes of the present by moving the argument into the past, such as Panvinius' account of the trial surrounding the payment for the reconstruction of the city's walls being fabricated to underscore an argument the clergy of Verona were having at the time with the Venetian Republic's tax assessment of the church."}, {"context": " La Rocca was not the first to raise issues regarding the epitaphs, however, as there was much debate in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries over their provenance. Issues were raised regarding the date of their construction, their original location within the cathedral as well as that of Pacificus' tomb, and surrounding the dates mentioned for when Pacificus served as archdeacon. It was noted that the two epitaphs contained conflicting dates as to his death, and that the years listed for Pacificus archdeaconship conflicted with established facts regarding the dates during which Lothair was King of Italy, the fact that the first epitaph specifically names the day (Sunday) and month in which he died despite the fact that the day he supposedly died did not fall on a Sunday in the year mentioned, as well as the existence of separate documents listing different archdeacons in Verona during the years he was supposedly in office, Tisus in 806 and Audo in 845. The documents used to justify the chapter's exemptions were also challenged prior to La Rocca, and were eventually declared to be forgeries by an investigation instigated by Benedict XIV in 1756."}, {"context": " While La Rocca has raised a number of questions about the veracity of the claims surrounding Pacificus of Verona, her arguments are not entirely accepted among medieval scholars. Some scholars accept the conclusions she has reached, such as Nicholas Everett, who in his 2003 book \"Literacy in Lombard Italy\" describes \"... the more famous examples of marginalia attributed to Bishop Pacificus [sic] and his schola sacerdotum, both of which appear to belong more to the realm of myth than history.\" However there are also those who do not accept her version of Pacificus' history, such as the late Donald A. Bullough, who in his 2004 book \"Alcuin, Achievement and Reputation\", stated \"The elaborate attempt by C. La Rocca ... to impugn the authenticity of the epitaphs and their evidence for Pacificus' life and career has not persuaded me or others.\" Specialists of Carolingian poetry, such as Gabriel Silagi, Gian Paolo Marchi, Grazia Di Pasquale, Francesco Stella disputed some aspects of La Rocca's reconstruction and called attention to the poetical, exegetical and epistolary works of Pacificus which have been overlooked in La Rocca's volume."}]}, {"title": "Pacific\u2013North American teleconnection pattern", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacific\u2013North American teleconnection pattern (PNA) is a climatological term for a large-scale weather pattern with two modes, denoted positive and negative, and which relates the atmospheric circulation pattern over the North Pacific Ocean with the one over the North American continent. The positive phase of the PNA pattern features above-average barometric pressure heights in the vicinity of Hawaii and over the inter-mountain region of North America, and below-average heights located south of the Aleutian Islands and over the southeastern United States. The PNA pattern is associated with strong fluctuations in the strength and location of the East Asian jet stream. The positive phase is associated with an enhanced East Asian jet stream and with an eastward shift in the jet exit region toward the western United States. The negative phase is associated with a westward retraction of that jet stream toward eastern Asia, blocking activity over the high latitudes of the North Pacific, and a strong split-flow configuration over the central North Pacific."}, {"context": " The positive phase of the PNA pattern is associated with above-average temperatures over western Canada and the extreme western United States, and below-average temperatures across the south-central and southeastern US. The PNA tends to have little impact on surface temperature variability over North America during summer. The associated precipitation anomalies include above-average totals in the Gulf of Alaska extending into the Pacific Northwestern United States, and below-average totals over the upper Midwestern United States.  The negative PNA phase is associated with the opposite. Although the PNA pattern is a natural internal mode of climate variability, it is also strongly influenced by the El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. The positive phase of the PNA pattern tends to be associated with Pacific warm episodes (El Ni\u00f1o), and the negative phase tends to be associated with Pacific cold episodes (La Ni\u00f1a)."}]}, {"title": "Pacifier", "paragraphs": [{"context": " A pacifier (American English) or dummy (British English and Australian English), also known as a binky, soother (Canadian English), teether or Dodie is a rubber, plastic or silicone nipple given to an infant to suck upon. In its standard appearance it has a teat, mouth shield, and handle. The mouth shield and/or the handle is large enough to avoid the danger of the child choking on it or swallowing it. Pacifiers were cited for the first time in medical literature in 1473, being described by German physician Bartholom\u00e4us Metlinger in his book \"Kinderb\u00fcchlein\", retitled on later editions as \"Regiment der jungen Kinder\" (\"A Guide on Young Children\")."}, {"context": " In England in the 17th\u201319th centuries, a \"coral\" meant a teething toy made of coral, ivory or bone, often mounted in silver as the handle of a rattle. A museum curator has suggested that these substances were used as \"sympathetic magic\" and that the animal bone could symbolize animal strength to help the child cope with pain. Pacifiers were a development of hard teething rings, but they were also a substitute for the softer \"sugar tits\", \"sugar-teats\" or \"sugar-rags\" which had been in use in 19th century America. A writer in 1873 described a \"sugar-teat\" made from \"a small piece of old linen\" with a \"spoonful of rather sandy sugar in the center of it\", \"gathered ... up into a little ball\" with a thread tied tightly around it. Rags with foodstuffs tied inside were also given to babies in many parts of Northern Europe and elsewhere. In some places a lump of meat or fat was tied in cloth, and sometimes the rag was moistened with brandy. German-speaking areas might use \"Lutschbeutel\", cloth wrapped around sweetened bread or maybe poppy-seeds."}, {"context": " A Madonna and child painted by D\u00fcrer in 1506 shows one of these tied-cloth \"pacifiers\" in the baby's hand. Pacifiers were settling into their modern form around 1900 when the first teat, shield and handle design was patented in the US as a \"baby comforter\" by Manhattan pharmacist Christian W. Meinecke. Rubber had been used in flexible teethers sold as \"elastic gum rings\" for British babies in the mid-19th century, and also used for feeding-bottle teats. In 1902, Sears, Roebuck & Co. advertised a \"new style rubber teething ring, with one hard and one soft nipple\". And in 1909 someone calling herself \"Auntie Pacifier\" wrote to the \"New York Times\" to warn of the \"menace to health\" (she meant dental health) of \"the persistent, and, among poorer classes, the universal sucking of a rubber nipple sold as a 'pacifier'.\" In England too, dummies were seen as something the \"poorer classes\" would use, and associated with poor hygiene. In 1914 a London doctor complained about \"the dummy teat\": \"If it falls on the floor it is rubbed momentarily on the mother's blouse or apron, lipped by the mother and replaced in the baby's mouth.\""}, {"context": " Early pacifiers were manufactured with a choice of black, maroon or white rubber, though the white rubber of the day contained a certain amount of lead. \"Binky\" (with a \"y\") was first used in about 1935 as a trademarked brand name for pacifiers and other baby products manufactured by the Binky Baby Products Company of New York. The brand name is currently owned by Playtex Products, LLC as a trademark in the U.S. (and a number of other countries). There are negative effects from using a pacifier during breastfeeding for healthy babies. The AAP suggests avoiding pacifiers for the first month. Introducing a pacifier can lead to the infant ineffectively sucking at the breast and causing \"nipple confusion\". Babies will take their suck out on the pacifier instead of nursing or comfort nursing at the breast which is good for the infant's brain development and the mother's supply. Evidence in premature infants or infants that are not healthy is lacking but shows that it can have benefits. It may have clinical benefits for preterm babies, such as helping them progress from tube to bottle feeding."}, {"context": " Infants who use pacifiers may have more ear infections (otitis media). The effectiveness of avoiding the use of a pacifier to prevent ear infections is not known. Although it is commonly believed that using a pacifier will lead to dental problems, if the pacifier is used for less than around three years, it does not appear to lead to long-term damage. However, prolonged use of a pacifier or other non-nutritive sucking habit (such as finger or blanket sucking) has been found to lead to malocclusion of the teeth, that is teeth sticking out or not meeting properly when they bite together. This is a common problem and the dental (orthodontic) treatment to correct it can take a long time and can be expensive. A Cochrane Review of the evidence found that orthodontic braces or psychological intervention (such as positive or negative reinforcement) were effective in helping children stop sucking habits where that was necessary. An orthodontic brace that used a palatal crib design seems to have been more effective than a palatal arch design."}, {"context": " There appears to be no strong evidence that using a pacifier delays speech development by preventing babies from practicing their speaking skills. Researchers have found that use of a pacifier is associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. They are divided over whether this association is sufficient reason to prefer pacifier use. Some argue that pacifiers should be recommended on the strength of an association, just as back sleeping was recommended on the strength of an association. Others argue that the association is not strong enough or that the mechanism is unclear."}, {"context": " Pacifiers have also been found to reduce infants' crying during painful procedures such as venepuncture Some parents prefer the use of a pacifier to the child sucking their thumb or fingers. Researchers in Brazil have shown that neither \"orthodontic\" nor standard pacifiers prevent dental problems if children continue sucking past the age of three years. It is commonly reported anecdotally that pacifier use among stimulant users helps reduce bruxism and thus prevents tooth damage. It also is known to help infants sleep."}, {"context": " The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's \"Policy on Thumb, Finger and Pacifier Habits\" says: \"Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between 2 and 4 years of age. However, some children continue these habits over long periods of time. In these children, the upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come in properly. Frequent or intense habits over a prolonged period of time can affect the way the child's teeth bite together, as well as the growth of the jaws and bones that support the teeth.\""}, {"context": " A study of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) states that \"It seems appropriate to stop discouraging the use of pacifiers.\" The authors recommend the use of pacifiers at nap time and bedtime throughout the first year of life. For breastfeeding mothers, the authors suggest waiting until breastfeeding is well established, typically for several weeks, before introducing the pacifier. The British Dental Health Foundation recommends: \"If you can, avoid using a dummy and discourage thumb sucking. With prolonged use (see Drawbacks above), these can both eventually cause problems with how the teeth grow and develop. And this may need treatment with a brace when the child gets older.\""}, {"context": " Adult-sized pacifiers, consisting of a standard baby pacifier guard but a larger, wider nipple, are used by some members of the Adult Baby community. The nipples are often referred to as NUK5s, after the NUK brand of baby pacifiers manufactured by the German company MAPA GmbH. They are sold under the name NUK Medicpro L or NUK Size 5.fg. Since the early 2010s, there has been the advent of generic, NUK-style pacifiers on eBay, which have both adult-sized silicone nipples and adult-sized face guards and rings to match."}, {"context": " Recent studies have also shown that pacifier use among adults may reduce or completely eliminate snoring, and can also help with anxiety and sleep. At techno parties and raves, standard children's pacifiers are a common sight, being both used and sold there; a common side effect of entactogen and stimulant drugs, often used by rave attendees, is bruxism (grinding of the teeth), which can result in damage to the teeth, mandible, or tongue. The use of dummies, or, alternatively, chewing gum, are anecdotally claimed to help prevent this."}, {"context": " In the late 1970s researchers dispelled the notion that pacifiers were psychologically unhealthy and aberrant. Richard H. Passman and Jane S. Halonen at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee traced the developmental course of attachments to pacifiers and provided norms. They found that 66% of their sample of babies who were three months old in the United States demonstrated at least some attachment, according to their mothers. At six months of age, this incidence was 40%, and at nine months it was 44%. Thereafter, the rate of attachment to pacifiers dropped precipitously until, at 24 months of age and later, it was quite rare."}, {"context": " These researchers also provided experimental support for what were then only anecdotal observations that pacifiers do indeed pacify babies. In an unfamiliar playroom, one-year-old infants accompanied by their pacifier evidenced more play and demonstrated less distress than did babies without them. The investigators concluded that pacifiers should be considered to be attachment objects, similar to other security objects like blankets. Passman and Halonen contended that the widespread occurrence of attachments to pacifiers as well as their importance as security objects should reassure parents that they are a normal part of development for a majority of infants."}]}, {"title": "Pacifier (Nothingface album)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifier is the debut album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal music group Nothingface. The album was originally released in October, 1996 via DCide Records (the exact date is unknown). The album was re-released on February 6, 1997 and again on August 11, 1998. Many of the tracks on Pacifier were re-recorded from the band's 1995 independent release \"Nothingface\". The tracks \"Defaced\", \"Self Punishment\", \"Hitch\", \"Useless\", \"Perfect Person\", and \"Communion\" were all re-recorded from \"Nothingface\" with slight lyrical changes."}, {"context": " To help promote the album, music videos were made for the tracks \"Pacifier\" and \"Defaced\". In \"Pacifier\", singer Matt Holt is seen wearing a bright golden jacket, which he claimed the record label forced him to wear, in order to give the video a \"happier\" feel. Allmusic gave the album three stars out of five and said that although \"Pacifier has garnered unfair comparisons to Korn\", the band \"show a bright flair that could very well lead them to stardom.\" Mark Jenkins from The Washington Post criticized Holt's harsh vocals and a lack of variety on the album, although he acknowledged the technical skill and musicianship of the band.  Elements of alternative metal, post-punk, and death metal are incorporated throughout the album. Matt Holt's harsh and growling vocals are different from Nothingface releases that come after the album \"Pacifier\". The album's songs feature a musical formula that has been described as being similar to the band Korn. Lyrical themes explored include self-loathing, inner turmoil, self-esteem issues, animosity, and feeling suicidal. The track \"Defaced\" is about child molestation and abuse."}]}, {"title": "Pacifier (Shihad album)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifier is the fifth full-length album released by New Zealand band, Shihad. At the time of the release they were performing under the name \"Pacifier\" due to potential controversy surrounding the similarity of the word Shihad to jihad. The name \"Pacifier\" was derived from the single of the same name from their previous album, \"The General Electric\". Released in 2002, tracks such as \"Run\" and \"Bullitproof\" went on to become hit singles. \"Bullitproof\" peaked at #27 on the \"Billboard\" Mainstream Rock Tracks, and #37 on the \"Billboard\" Modern Rock Tracks. However, it still failed to break the band into the United States."}, {"context": " The band, and lead singer Jon Toogood especially, have since expressed displeasure with the album, calling it \"overproduced\", and \"bullshit --- that would've been the wrong album to be big on.\" This album features Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver) and DJ Lethal (Limp Bizkit and House of Pain) on the track \"Coming Down\". This double Platinum selling album was produced by Josh Abraham, of Thirty Seconds to Mars/Michelle Branch/Weezer fame. One version of this album included the \"Weapons of Mass Destruction\" bonus disc and yet another version contained a bonus disc featuring live acoustic tracks from the \"Helen Young Sessions\"."}]}, {"title": "Pacifier (song)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Pacifier\" is the sixth single by Welsh indie rock band, Catfish and the Bottlemen. The song was the fourth and final track on their extended play, \"Kathleen and the Other Three\" and the fifth track on their debut studio album, \"The Balcony\". The single was released on 1 December 2014. The single did not contain a B-side. The music video was exclusively released through Clash magazine on 3 October 2014. The band subsequently released the music video on their YouTube and Vevo pages on 5 October 2014."}]}, {"title": "Pacifier Live", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifier Live is a collection of Shihad tracks recorded over a tour in New Zealand in 2003. 1000 copies were released by the band on vinyl."}]}, {"title": "Pacifier-activated lullaby", "paragraphs": [{"context": " PAL: Pacifier Activated Lullaby is a pacifier fitted with an adapter, which houses a computer chip that activates a CD player outside the incubator. Developed in 2000 by Dr. Jayne M. Standley along with the Center for Music Research at Florida State University, the PAL is used during music therapy interventions in the neonatal intensive-care unit to promote and reinforce non-nutritive sucking (NNS) opportunities on premature infants. Dr. Standley found that infants could differentiate between silence and musical stimuli, which meant infants could be positively reinforced with music when they sucked with enough endurance and strength."}, {"context": " The sensors in the PAL detect correct non-nutritive sucking characteristics and activate a CD player which reproduces lullabies through small speakers placed binaurally in the incubator above the infant's head. Lullabies are selected for this intervention by credentialed music therapists following these basic criteria: The music is sustained for 10 seconds after receiving the first suck, and fades out if it is not reactivated by another one, therefore making the presentation of musical stimuli contingent on the sucking behavior of the infant. Provisions are made in the protocol to discontinue the intervention if signs of infant distress are observed.  Studies have shown that contingent music, such as pacifier activated lullabies, increased pacifier sucking rate of premature infants more than 2.5 times (Standley 2000), and that they have also increased subsequent feeding rates. Recent research observed that a PAL intervention can significantly reduce gavage feeding days and the length of hospitalization for premature infants when used at the specific gestation age of 34 weeks. Some criteria for referral are:"}]}, {"title": "Pacifika", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifika is a Canadian world music band formed in Vancouver, British Columbia by high school friends Silvana Kane (vocals) and Adam Popowitz (guitar) in 2004 and joined by Toby Peter (bass & drums) in 2006. According to Kane, who sings in Spanish, English and French, Pacifika \u201cis simply the Latin way of saying \u2018peaceful\u2019 in the feminine, except that we changed the 'c' to a 'k'.\u201d The group has released 4 albums; their independent debut \"Unveiled\" (2004), and three with Six Degrees Records: \"Asunci\u00f3n\" (2008), \"Supermagique\" (2010) and \"Amor Planeta\" (2014)."}, {"context": " Kane and Popowitz met while attending Catholic High School in Burnaby, BC and formed the band \"Big Bottom Swing.\" Kane left the band to join the Canadian pop trio West End Girls, signed a record deal with A&M Records and had a top 10 Canadian hit with \"Not Like Kissing You\" in 1991. Popowitz helped form the Vancouver hard-rock band Mollies Revenge, signed a record deal with Atlantic Records via David Foster's imprint 143 Records and released the Rick Parashar produced \"Every Dirty Word\" in 1997. Popowitz and Mollies Revenge frontwoman Yvette Narlock then formed Yve Adam and released the Carmen Rizzo produced \"Fiction\" (143/Atlantic) in 2000. Peter formed the fusion band Salvador Dream, signed a record deal with Warner and released \"UR\" in 1994. In 2004, K-os enlisted Peter for the touring band on his \"Joyful Rebellion\" World Tour. In the same year, Kane and Popowitz re-connected, then wrote and released \"Unveiled\". After seeing a live performance in 2006, Peter approached Kane and Popowitz about joining the band. Now a trio, and with funding secured with a FACTOR album loan, they wrote and recorded \"Asunci\u00f3n\" which they then successfully shopped to Six Degrees Records."}, {"context": " \"Unveiled\" was released independently in 2004 under the band's original spelling \"Pacifica\". The album was re-released in 2011 with the current spelling (Pacifika). The eleventh track, \"Save The Day\", was featured on the Syfy series Being Human in the episode \"Children Shouldn't Play With Undead Things\" and in the Space series Charlie Jade in the episode \"Bedtime Story\". \"Asunci\u00f3n\" was released by Six Degrees Records and Universal Motown in April 2008. It reached the peak position on the iTunes Latino Album chart, was named Best Album of 2008 by NPR and was on the \u201c2008 Editor Picks\u201d by Amazon. Pacifika has been praised by the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, and KCRW. KCRW picked the band to perform at the Hollywood Bowl at their 2008 World Festival alongside Feist and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. The album's second track, \"Me Cai\", was featured on the HBO series True Blood in the episode \"Scratches\" (Season 2). The USA Network used \"Libertad, Sol,\" and \"Paloma\" for their series Covert Affairs. The \"Asunci\u00f3n\" album tour included headlining spots at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Calgary Folk Music Festival, and Sunfest in London, Ontario. Radio-Canada picked the band for their \"R\u00e9v\u00e9lations 2008\" roster alongside Coeur de Pirate and Caracol."}, {"context": " \"Supermagique\" was released in August 2010 by Six Degrees. iTunes named the album the \"Best World Album\" of 2010 and was nominated for \"World Recording of the Year\" at the 2011 Juno Awards. The album contains a cover of the song \u201c25 or 6 to 4\u201d, originally recorded by the band Chicago in 1970 and was featured in the pilot episode of The CW show \"Ringer\". Album touring featured their first headlining tour in the province of Qu\u00e9bec. \"Amor Planeta\" was released on May 6, 2014 by Six Degrees Records."}]}, {"title": "Pacifiphantes", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifiphantes is a genus of spiders in the Linyphiidae family. It was first described in 1994 by Eskov & Marusik. , it contains 2 species."}]}, {"title": "Pacifique (album)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifique is the fourth studio album and soundtrack by the French duo Deep Forest released on December 12, 2000 by Sony Music / St George label. It mixes Pacific and island beats with electronic music. The music was written for the French film \"Le Prince du Pacifique\", directed by Alain Corneau. The album was less successful than were its predecessors."}]}, {"title": "Pacifique (band)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifique was a French group founded in 1988. It is a trio composed of two brothers, Christophe and St\u00e9phane Despr\u00e9s (musicians), and Cathy Nozeran n\u00e9e Lajous (singer). After their unsuccessful single \"Sur les ailes des aliz\u00e9s\" in 1988, they had their moment of glory with hits such as \"Quand tu serres mon corps\" and \"Sans un remords\", respectively #4 in November 1989 (Gold disc), and #15 in August 1990, on the French SNEP Singles Chart (Top 50). Another song, \"Another Love in L.A.\", ranked #40 in the end of 1990.  Their two albums \"California\", released in 1991, and \"Anges ou D\u00e9mons\" in 1994, have not been successful. Most of their songs deals with love and sex themes."}]}, {"title": "Pacifique Issoi\u0308beka", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifique Isso\u00efbeka (born 1941?) is a Congolese political figure who served in the government of Congo-Brazzaville as Minister of Finance from 2005 to 2009. He previously worked at the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and was its Vice-Governor from 2003 to 2005. Isso\u00efbeka was born in Mossaka, located in northern Congo-Brazzaville. He was Deputy Director of BEAC in Congo before becoming the National Director of BEAC in Congo in 1998. He was appointed as Vice-Governor of BEAC on 23 January 2003, taking office on 13 November 2003. He held that post until he was appointed to the Congolese government as Minister of Finance, the Economy, and the Budget on 7 January 2005 in replacement to Rigobert Roger Andely.  In June 2009, Isso\u00efbeka signed a deal with Switzerland's ambassador that would cancel five billion CFA francs of Congolese debt. President Denis Sassou Nguesso appointed Gilbert Ondongo to replace Isso\u00efbeka as Minister of Finance on 15 September 2009."}]}, {"title": "Pacifique Niyongabire", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifique Niyongabire (born 15 March 2000), is an Burundian-born Australian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Adelaide United. Niyongabire was born in war-torn Burundi, and spent his early childhood in Tanzania. At the age of 7, Niyongabire's family resided in Australia. After impressing head coach Marco Kurz while playing for Adelaide United in the Y-League and the NPL, Niyongabire debuted in the A-League against Sydney FC and in March 2018 signed a 2.5 year scholarship contract."}]}, {"title": "Pacifique Plante", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifique Plante (1907 \u2013 August 9, 1976 in Guadalajara, Mexico) was a crime fighting Montreal lawyer from the 1940s to the 1950s. He was also known as Pax Plante. Between 1940 and 1950, he waged war against organized crime, vice and corruption in Montreal. In 1948, Plante denounced corruption inside the police force. With the assistance of the journalist G\u00e9rard Filion, he published a series of articles in \"Le Devoir\" (from November 1949 to February 1950) where he affirmed that police \"protection\" encouraged the activities of the underworld. With Jean Drapeau, he took part in the Caron Inquiry, which led to the arrest of several police officers.  The non-fiction book \"City Unique\" by William Weintraub deals with his fight against vice in Montreal. The book has won a QSPELL Award."}]}, {"title": "Pacifique Recording Studios", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifique Recording Studios is a mixing and recording studio based in North Hollywood, California. By 1999, Pacifique installed its second SSL console, the 9000 J Series. In 2003, Pacifique housed two SSL K 9000 (96 input) consoles, which is still sought after by engineers and artists who prefer analog boards over digital ones. Pacifique has been featured in \"Billboard\", \"Mix\", and \"Audio\" magazines for its mixing and recording achievements over the past 25 years."}]}, {"title": "Pacifique de Provins", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifique de Provins (1588 in Provins \u2013 1648) was a French Capuchin Father of the 17th century. He established a French mission in Isfahan in 1627 with the agreement of Cardinal de Richelieu and P\u0117re Joseph, and the benevolence of Shah Abbas I of Persia. Pacifique de Provins relied on the help of an Armenian named Khajah Muchaq to obtain an agreement from the Shah. Results were minimum however in increasing relations and trade, and English and Dutch influence remained paramount. Progress was also hampered by the long-standing Franco-Ottoman alliance, the Ottoman Empire being a regular enemy of Persia.  A new mission was sent in 1665 under de Lalin and de la Boulaye le Gouz."}]}, {"title": "Pacifism", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifism is opposition to war, militarism, or violence. The word \"pacifism\" was coined by the French peace campaigner \u00c9mile Arnaud (1864\u20131921) and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress in Glasgow in 1901. A related term is \"ahimsa\" (to do no harm), which is a core philosophy in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. While modern connotations are recent, having been explicated since the 19th century, ancient references abound. In modern times, interest was revived by Leo Tolstoy in his late works, particularly in \"The Kingdom of God Is Within You\". Mohandas Gandhi (1869\u20131948) propounded the practice of steadfast nonviolent opposition which he called \"satyagraha\", instrumental in its role in the Indian Independence Movement. Its effectiveness served as inspiration to Martin Luther King Jr., James Lawson, James Bevel, Thich Nhat Hanh and many others in the civil rights movement."}, {"context": " Pacifism covers a spectrum of views, including the belief that international disputes can and should be peacefully resolved, calls for the abolition of the institutions of the military and war, opposition to any organization of society through governmental force (anarchist or libertarian pacifism), rejection of the use of physical violence to obtain political, economic or social goals, the obliteration of force, and opposition to violence under any circumstance, even defence of self and others. Historians of pacifism Peter Brock and Thomas Paul Socknat define pacifism \"in the sense generally accepted in English-speaking areas\" as \"an unconditional rejection of all forms of warfare\". Philosopher Jenny Teichman defines the main form of pacifism as \"anti-warism\", the rejection of all forms of warfare. Teichman's beliefs have been summarized by Brian Orend as \"...\u00a0A pacifist rejects war and believes there are no moral grounds which can justify resorting to war. War, for the pacifist, is always wrong.\" In a sense the philosophy is based on the idea that the ends do not justify the means."}, {"context": " Pacifism may be based on moral principles (a deontological view) or pragmatism (a consequentialist view). Principled pacifism holds that at some point along the spectrum from war to interpersonal physical violence, such violence becomes morally wrong. Pragmatic pacifism holds that the costs of war and interpersonal violence are so substantial that better ways of resolving disputes must be found. Pacifists generally reject theories of Just War. Some pacifists follow principles of nonviolence, believing that nonviolent action is morally superior and/or most effective. Some however, support physical violence for emergency defence of self or others. Others support destruction of property in such emergencies or for conducting symbolic acts of resistance like pouring red paint to represent blood on the outside of military recruiting offices or entering air force bases and hammering on military aircraft."}, {"context": " Not all nonviolent resistance (sometimes also called civil resistance) is based on a fundamental rejection of all violence in all circumstances. Many leaders and participants in such movements, while recognizing the importance of using non-violent methods in particular circumstances, have not been absolute pacifists. Sometimes, as with the civil rights movement's march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, they have called for armed protection. The interconnections between civil resistance and factors of force are numerous and complex."}, {"context": " An absolute pacifist is generally described by the British Broadcasting Corporation as one who believes that human life is so valuable, that a human should never be killed and war should never be conducted, even in self-defense. The principle is described as difficult to abide by consistently, due to violence not being available as a tool to aid a person who is being harmed or killed. It is further claimed that such a pacifist could logically argue that violence leads to more undesirable results than non-violence."}, {"context": " Although all pacifists are opposed to war between nation states, there have been occasions where pacifists have supported military conflict in the case of civil war or revolution. For instance, during the American Civil War, both the American Peace Society and some former members of the Non-Resistance Society supported the Union's military campaign, arguing they were carrying out a \"police action\" against the Confederacy, whose act of Secession they regarded as criminal. Following the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, French pacifist Ren\u00e9 G\u00e9rin (1892\u20131957) urged support for the Spanish Republic. G\u00e9rin argued that the Spanish Nationalists were \"comparable to an individual enemy\" and the Republic's war effort was equivalent to the action of a domestic police force suppressing crime."}, {"context": " In the 1960s, some pacifists associated with the New Left supported wars of national liberation and supported groups such as the Viet Cong and the Algerian FLN, arguing peaceful attempts to liberate such nations were no longer viable, and war was thus the only option. Advocacy of pacifism can be found far back in history and literature. During the Warring States period, the pacifist Mohist School opposed aggressive war between the feudal states. They took this belief into action by using their famed defensive strategies to defend smaller states from invasion from larger states, hoping to dissuade feudal lords from costly warfare. The Seven Military Classics of ancient China view warfare negatively, and as a last resort. For example, the \"Three Strategies of Huang Shigong\" says: \"As for the military, it is not an auspicious instrument; it is the way of heaven to despise it\", and the \"Wei Liaozi\" writes: \"As for the military, it is an inauspicious instrument; as for conflict and contention, it runs counter to virtue\"."}, {"context": " The Taoist scripture \"\"Classic of Great Peace\" (\"Taiping jing\")\" foretells \"the coming Age of Great Peace (\"taiping\").\" The \"Taiping Jing\" advocates \"a world full of peace\". The Lemba religion of southern French Congo, along with its symbolic herb, is named for pacifism : \"\"lemba, lemba\"\" (peace, peace), describes the action of the plant \"lemba-lemba\" (\"Brillantaisia patula T. Anders\"). Likewise in Cabinda, \"\"Lemba\" is the spirit of peace, as its name indicates.\" The Moriori, of the Chatham Islands, practiced pacifism by order of their ancestor Nunuku-whenua. This enabled the Moriori to preserve what limited resources they had in their harsh climate, avoiding waste through warfare. In turn, this led to their almost complete annihilation in 1835 by invading Ng\u0101ti Mutunga and Ng\u0101ti Tama M\u0101ori from the Taranaki region of the North Island of New Zealand. The invading M\u0101ori killed, enslaved and cannibalised the Moriori. A Moriori survivor recalled : \"[The Maori] commenced to kill us like sheep\u00a0... [We] were terrified, fled to the bush, concealed ourselves in holes underground, and in any place to escape our enemies. It was of no avail; we were discovered and killed - men, women and children indiscriminately.\""}, {"context": " In Ancient Greece, pacifism seems not to have existed except as a broad moral guideline against violence between individuals. No philosophical program of rejecting violence between states, or rejecting all forms of violence, seems to have existed. Aristophanes, in his play Lysistrata, creates the scenario of an Athenian woman's anti-war sex strike during the Peloponnesian War of 431\u2013404 BC, and the play has gained an international reputation for its anti-war message. Nevertheless, it is both fictional and comical, and though it offers a pragmatic opposition to the destructiveness of war, its message seems to stem from frustration with the existing conflict (then in its twentieth year) rather than from a philosophical position against violence or war. Equally fictional is the nonviolent protest of Hegetorides of Thasos. Euripides also expressed strong anti-war ideas in his work, especially \"The Trojan Women\"."}, {"context": " Several Roman writers rejected the militarism of Roman society and gave voice to anti-war sentiments, including Propertius, Tibullus and Ovid. The Stoic Seneca the Younger criticised warfare in his book \"Naturales quaestiones\" (circa 65 AD). Maximilian of Tebessa was a Christian conscientious objector. He was killed for refusing to be conscripted. Throughout history many have understood Jesus of Nazareth to have been a pacifist, drawing on his Sermon on the Mount. In the sermon Jesus stated that one should \"not resist an evildoer\" and promoted his turn the other cheek philosophy. \"If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well\u00a0... Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.\" The New Testament story is of Jesus, besides preaching these words, surrendering himself freely to an enemy intent on having him killed and proscribing his followers from defending him."}, {"context": " There are those, however, who deny that Jesus was a pacifist and state that Jesus never said not to fight, citing examples from the New Testament. One such instance portrays an angry Jesus driving dishonest market traders from the temple. A frequently quoted passage is Luke 22:36: \"He said to them, 'But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.'\" Pacifists have typically explained that verse as Jesus fulfilling prophecy, since in the next verse, Jesus continues to say: \"It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.\" Others have interpreted the non-pacifist statements in the New Testament to be related to self-defense or to be metaphorical and state that on no occasion did Jesus shed blood or urge others to shed blood."}, {"context": " Beginning in the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation gave rise to a variety of new Christian sects, including the historic peace churches. Foremost among them were the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Amish, Mennonites, and Church of the Brethren. The humanist writer Desiderius Erasmus was one of the most outspoken pacifists of the Renaissance, arguing strongly against warfare in his essays \"The Praise of Folly\" (1509) and \"The Complaint of Peace\" (1517). The Quakers were prominent advocates of pacifism, who as early as 1660 had repudiated violence in all forms and adhered to a strictly pacifist interpretation of Christianity. They stated their beliefs in a declaration to King Charles II:"}, {"context": " Throughout the many 18th century wars in which Britain participated, the Quakers maintained a principled commitment not to serve in the army and militia or even to pay the alternative \u00a310 fine. The English Quaker William Penn, who founded the Province of Pennsylvania, employed an anti-militarist public policy. Unlike residents of many of the colonies, Quakers chose to trade peacefully with the Indians, including for land. The colonial province was, for the 75 years from 1681 to 1756, essentially unarmed and experienced little or no warfare in that period."}, {"context": " From the 16th to the 18th centuries, a number of thinkers devised plans for an international organisation that would promote peace, and reduce or even eliminate the occurrence of war. These included the French politician Duc de Sully, the philosophers \u00c9meric Cruc\u00e9 and the Abbe de Saint-Pierre, and the English Quakers William Penn and John Bellers. Pacifist ideals emerged from two strands of thought that coalesced at the end of the 18th century. One, rooted in the secular Enlightenment, promoted peace as the rational antidote to the world's ills, while the other was a part of the evangelical religious revival that had played an important part in the campaign for the abolition of slavery. Representatives of the former included Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in \"Extrait du Projet de Paix Perpetuelle de Monsieur l'Abbe Saint-Pierre\" (1756), Immanuel Kant, in his \"Thoughts on Perpetual Peace\", and Jeremy Bentham who proposed the formation of a peace association in 1789. Representative of the latter, was William Wilberforce who thought that strict limits should be imposed on British involvement in the French Revolutionary War based on Christian ideals of peace and brotherhood. Bohemian Bernard Bolzano (1781\u20131848) taught about the social waste of militarism and the needlessness of war. He urged a total reform of the educational, social, and economic systems that would direct the nation's interests toward peace rather than toward armed conflict between nations."}, {"context": " During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, pacifism was not entirely frowned upon throughout Europe. It was considered a political stance against costly capitalist-imperialist wars, a notion particularly popular in the British Liberal Party of the twentieth century. However, during the eras of World War One and especially World War Two, public opinion on the ideology split. Those against the second World War, some argued, were not fighting against unnecessary wars of imperialism but instead acquiescing to the fascist evils of Germany, Italy and Japan."}, {"context": " During the period of the Napoleonic Wars, although no formal peace movement was established until the end of hostilities, a significant peace movement animated by universalist ideals did emerge, due to the perception of Britain fighting in a reactionary role and the increasingly visible impact of the war on the welfare of the nation in the form of higher taxation levels and high casualty rates. Sixteen peace petitions to Parliament were signed by members of the public, anti-war and anti-Pitt demonstrations convened and peace literature was widely published and disseminated."}, {"context": " The first peace movements appeared in 1815\u201316. In the United States the first such movement was the New York Peace Society, founded in 1815 by the theologian David Low Dodge, and the Massachusetts Peace Society. It became an active organization, holding regular weekly meetings, and producing literature which was spread as far as Gibraltar and Malta, describing the horrors of war and advocating pacificism on Christian grounds. The London Peace Society (also known as the Society for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace) was formed in 1816 to promote permanent and universal peace by the philanthropist William Allen. In the 1840s, British women formed \"Olive Leaf Circles\", groups of around 15 to 20 women, to discuss and promote pacifist ideas."}, {"context": " The peace movement began to grow in influence by the mid-nineteenth century. The London Peace Society, under the initiative of American consul to Birmingham Elihu Burritt and the reverend Henry Richard, convened the first International Peace Congress in London in 1843. The congress decided on two aims: the ideal of peaceable arbitration in the affairs of nations and the creation of an international institution to achieve that. Richard became the secretary of the Peace Society in 1850 on a full-time basis, a position which he would keep for the next 40 years, earning himself a reputation as the 'Apostle of Peace'. He helped secure one of the earliest victories for the peace movement by securing a commitment from the Great Powers in the Treaty of Paris (1856) at the end of the Crimean War, in favour of arbitration. On the European continent, wracked by social upheaval, the first peace congress was held in Brussels in 1848 followed by Paris a year later."}, {"context": " After experiencing a recession in support due to the resurgence of militarism during the American Civil War and Crimean War, the movement began to spread across Europe and began to infiltrate the new working class socialist movements. In 1870, Randal Cremer formed the Workman's Peace Association in London. Cremer, alongside the French economist Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Passy was also the founding father of the first international organisation for the arbitration of conflicts in 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The National Peace Council was founded in after the 17th Universal Peace Congress in London (July August 1908)."}, {"context": " An important thinker who contributed to pacifist ideology was Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. In one of his latter works, \"The Kingdom of God is Within You\", Tolstoy provides a detailed history, account and defense of pacifism. Tolstoy's work inspired a movement named after him advocating pacifism to arise in Russia and elsewhere. The book was a major early influence on Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869\u20131948), and the two engaged in regular correspondence while Gandhi was active in South Africa. Bertha von Suttner, the first woman to be a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, became a leading figure in the peace movement with the publication of her novel, \"Die Waffen nieder!\" (\"Lay Down Your Arms!\") in 1889 and founded an Austrian pacifist organization in 1891."}, {"context": " In New Zealand, during the latter half of the 19th century British colonists used many tactics to confiscate land from the indigenous M\u0101ori, including warfare. In the 1870s and 1880s, Parihaka, then reputed to be the largest M\u0101ori village in New Zealand, became the centre of a major campaign of non-violent resistance to European occupation of confiscated land in the area. One M\u0101ori leader, Te Whiti-o-Rongomai, inspired warriors to stand up for their rights without using weapons, which had led to defeat in the past. In 1881 he convinced 2000 Maori to welcome battle-hardened British soldiers into their village and even offered food and drink. He allowed himself and his people to be arrested without resistance for opposing land confiscation. He is remembered as a great leader because the \"passive resistance\" his practice prevented British massacres and even protected far more land than violent resistance."}, {"context": " Mohandas K. Gandhi was a major political and spiritual leader of India, instrumental in the Indian independence movement. The Nobel prize winning great poet Rabindranath Tagore, who was also an Indian, gave him the honorific \"Mahatma\", usually translated \"Great Soul.\" He was the pioneer of a brand of nonviolence (or \"ahimsa\") which he called \"satyagraha\"\u2014translated literally as \"truth force\". This was the resistance of tyranny through civil disobedience that was not only nonviolent but also sought to change the heart of the opponent. He contrasted this with \"duragraha\", \"resistant force,\" which sought only to change behaviour with stubborn protest."}, {"context": " During his 30 years of work (1917\u20131947) for the independence of his country from the British Raj, Gandhi led dozens of nonviolent campaigns, spent over seven years in prison, and fasted nearly to the death on several occasions to obtain British compliance with a demand or to stop inter-communal violence. His efforts helped lead India to independence in 1947, and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom worldwide. Peace movements became active in the Western world after 1900, often focusing on Treaties that would settle disputes through arbitration, and efforts to support the Hague conventions."}, {"context": " The sudden outbreak of the First World War in July 1914 dismayed the peace movement. Socialist parties in every industrial nation had committed themselves to antiwar policies, but when the war came, all of them, except in Russia and the United States, supported their own government. There were highly publicized dissidents, some of whom went to jail for opposing the draft laws, like Eugene Debs in the U.S. In Britain, the prominent activist Stephen Henry Hobhouse went to prison for refusing military service, citing his convictions as an \"International Socialist and a Christian\" Many socialist groups and movements were antimilitarist, arguing that war by its nature was a type of governmental coercion of the working class for the benefit of capitalist elites. The French socialist pacifist leader Jean Jaur\u00e8s was assassinated by a nationalist fanatic on July 31, 1914. The national parties in the Second International increasingly supported their respective nations in war and the International was dissolved in 1916."}, {"context": " In 1915 the League of Nations Society was formed by British liberal leaders to promote a strong international organisation that could enforce the peaceful resolution of conflict. Later that year the League to Enforce Peace was established in America to promote similar goals. Hamilton Holt published an editorial in his New York City weekly magazine the \"Independent\" called \"The Way to Disarm: A Practical Proposal\" on September 28, 1914. It called for an international organization to agree upon the arbitration of disputes and to guarantee the territorial integrity of its members by maintaining military forces sufficient to defeat those of any non-member. The ensuing debate among prominent internationalists modified Holt's plan to align it more closely with proposals offered in Great Britain by Viscount James Bryce, a former ambassador from the U.K. to the U.S. These and other initiatives were pivotal in the change in attitudes that gave birth to the League of Nations after the war."}, {"context": " Some of the many groups that protested against the war, as well as the traditional peace churches, were the Woman's Peace Party (which was organized in 1915 and led by noted reformer Jane Addams), the International Committee of Women for Permanent Peace (ICWPP) (also organized in 1915), the American Union Against Militarism, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and the American Friends Service Committee. Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, was another fierce advocate of pacifism, the only person to vote no to America's entrance into both World Wars."}, {"context": " After the immense loss of nearly ten million men to trench warfare, a sweeping change of attitude toward militarism crashed over Europe, particularly in nations like Great Britain where many of its citizens questioned why it was involved in the war. After World War One's official end in 1918, peace movements across the continent and the United States renewed, gradually gaining popularity among young Europeans who grew up in the shadow of Europe's trauma over the Great War. Organisations formed in this period included the War Resisters' International the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the No More War Movement and the Peace Pledge Union (PPU). The League of Nations also convened several disarmament conferences in the inter-war period such as the Geneva Conference, though the support pacifistic policy and idealism received varied across European nations. These organizations and movements attracted tens of thousands of Europeans, spanning most professions including \"scientists, artists, musicians, politicians, clerks, students, activists and thinkers.\""}, {"context": " Pacifism and revulsion with war were very popular sentiments in 1920s Britain. A stream of novels and poems on the theme of the futility of war and the slaughter of the youth by old fools were published, including, Death of a Hero by Richard Aldington, Erich Remarque's translated All Quiet on the Western Front and Beverley Nichols's expose \"Cry Havoc\". A debate at the University of Oxford in 1933 on the motion 'one must fight for King and country' captured the changed mood when the motion was resoundingly defeated. Dick Sheppard established the Peace Pledge Union in 1934 totally renouncing war and aggression. The idea of collective security was also popular; instead of outright pacifism the public generally exhibited a determination to stand up to aggression, but preferably with the use of economic sanctions and multilateral negotiations. Many members of the Peace Pledge Union later joined the Bruderhof during its period of residence in the Cotswolds. There, English, Jews and Germans lived side by side despite local persecution."}, {"context": " The British Labour Party had a strong pacifist wing in the early 1930s and between 1931 and 1935 was led by George Lansbury, a Christian pacifist who later chaired the No More War Movement and was president of the PPU. The 1933 annual conference resolved unanimously to \"pledge itself to take no part in war\". \"Labour's official position, however, although based on the aspiration towards a world socialist commonwealth and the outlawing of war, did not imply a renunciation of force under all circumstances, but rather support for the ill-defined concept of 'collective security' under the League of Nations. At the same time, on the party's left, Stafford Cripps's small but vocal Socialist League opposed the official policy, on the non-pacifist ground that the League of Nations was 'nothing but the tool of the satiated imperialist powers'.\" Lansbury was eventually persuaded to resign as Labour leader by the non-pacifist wing of the party and was replaced by Clement Attlee. As the threat from Nazi Germany increased in the 1930s, the Labour Party abandoned its pacifist position and supported re-armament, largely due to the efforts of Ernest Bevin and Hugh Dalton who by 1937 had also persuaded the party to oppose Neville Chamberlain's policy of appeasement."}, {"context": " The League of Nations attempted to play its role of ensuring world peace in the 1920s and 30s, although with the increasingly revisionist and aggressive behaviour of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan, it ultimately failed to maintain such a world order. Economic sanctions were used against states that committed aggression, such as Italy when it invaded Abyssinia, but there was no will on the part of the principal League powers, Britain and France, to subordinate their interests to a multilateral process or to disarm at all themselves."}, {"context": " The Spanish Civil War proved a major test for international pacifism, and the work of pacifist organisations (such as War Resisters' International and the Fellowship of Reconciliation) and individuals (such as Jos\u00e9 Brocca and Amparo Poch) in that arena has until recently been ignored or forgotten by historians, overshadowed by the memory of the International Brigades and other militaristic interventions. Shortly after the war ended, Simone Weil, despite having volunteered for service on the republican side, went on to publish \"The Iliad or the Poem of Force\", a work that has been described as a pacifist manifesto. In response to the threat of fascism, some pacifist thinkers, such as Richard B. Gregg, devised plans for a campaign of nonviolent resistance in the event of a fascist invasion or takeover."}, {"context": " As the prospect of a second major war began to seem increasingly inevitable, much of France adopted pacifist views, though some historians argue that France felt more war anxiety than a moral objection to a second war. Neighbors with Germany, Hitler's spreading influence and territory posed an enormous threat to French livelihood. The French countryside had been devastated during World War One and the entire nation was reluctant to subject their territory to the same treatment. Though all countries in the First World War had suffered great losses, France was one of the most devastated and did not want a second war."}, {"context": " As Germany dealt with the burdens of the Treaty of Versailles, a conflict arose in the 1930s between German Christianity and German nationalism. Many Germans found the terms of the Treaty of Versailles debilitating and humiliating. German nationalism offered a way to regain the country's pride. German Christianity warned against the risks of getting into a war similar to the one Germany lost in 1918. As the German Depression worsened and fascism began to rise in Germany, a greater tide of Germans began to sway toward to nationalistic side of Hitler who would come to crush pacifism."}, {"context": " With the start of World War II, pacifist and anti-war sentiment declined in nations affected by war. Even the communist-controlled American Peace Mobilization reversed its anti-war activism once Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, mainstream isolationist groups like the America First Committee, declined, but many smaller religious and socialist groups continued their opposition to war. Bertrand Russell argued that the necessity of defeating Adolf Hitler and the Nazis was a unique circumstance where war was not the worst of the possible evils; he called his position \"relative pacifism\". Shortly before the outbreak of war, British writers such as E. M. Forster, Leonard Woolf, David Garnett and Storm Jameson all rejected their earlier pacifism and endorsed military action against Nazism. Similarly Albert Einstein wrote: \"I loathe all armies and any kind of violence; yet I'm firmly convinced that at present these hateful weapons offer the only effective protection.\" The British pacifists Reginald Sorensen and C. J. Cadoux, while bitterly disappointed by the outbreak of war, nevertheless urged their fellow pacifists \"not to obstruct the war effort\"."}, {"context": " Pacifists across Great Britain further struggled to uphold their anti-military values during the Blitz, a coordinated, long-term attack by German aircraft on Great Britain. As the country was ravaged nightly by German bombs, pacifists had to seriously weigh the importance of their political and moral values against the desire to protect the home front of their country. Some scholars theorize that pacifism was the cause of France's rapid fall to the Germans after it was invaded by the Nazis in June 1940, resulting in a takeover of the government by the German military. Whether or not pacifism weakened French defenses against the Germans, there was no hope of sustaining a real pacifist movement after Paris fell to the Nazis. Just as peaceful Germans succumbed to violent nationalism, the pacifist French were muzzled by the totality of German control over nearly all of France."}, {"context": " The French pacifists Andr\u00e9 and Magda Trocm\u00e9 helped conceal hundreds of Jews fleeing the Nazis in the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. After the war, the Trocm\u00e9s were declared Righteous Among the Nations. Pacifists under the Third Reich were dealt with harshly, reducing the movement into almost nonexistence; those who continued to advocate for the end of the war and violence were often sent to labor camps; German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky, and Olaf Kullmann, a Norwegian pacifist active during the Nazi occupation, were both imprisoned in concentration camps and died as a result of their mistreatment there. Austrian farmer Franz J\u00e4gerst\u00e4tter was executed in 1943 for refusing to serve in the Wehrmacht."}, {"context": " German nationalism consumed even the most peaceful of Christians, either convincing them that the Nazis and Hitler were acting in the good faith of Germany or sufficiently suppressed by the fascist Nazi regime of the 1930s and 1940s that they were content to act as bystanders to the violence occurring around them. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an anti-Nazi German pastor who later died in 1945 in the Flossenb\u00fcrg concentration camp, once wrote in a letter to his grandmother: \u201cThe issue really is: Germanism or Christianity.\u201d"}, {"context": " After the end of the war, it was discovered that \"The Black Book\" or \"Sonderfahndungsliste G.B.\" list of Britons to be arrested in the event of a Nazi invasion of the UK included three active pacifists; Vera Brittain, Sybil Thorndike and Aldous Huxley (who had left the country). There were conscientious objectors and war tax resisters in both World War I and World War II. The United States government allowed sincere objectors to serve in noncombatant military roles. However, those draft resisters who refused any cooperation with the war effort often spent much of each war in federal prisons. During World War II, pacifist leaders like Dorothy Day and Ammon Hennacy of the Catholic Worker Movement urged young Americans not to enlist in military service."}, {"context": " During the World Wars, young men conscripted into the military but who refused to take up arms were called conscientious objectors. Though these men had to either answer their conscription or face prison time, their status as conscientious objectors permitted them to refuse taking part in battle using weapons and the military was forced to find a different use for them. Often, these men were assigned various tasks around the battlement including medical duties, though some were assigned various civilian jobs including farming, forestry, hospital work, and mining. Conscientious objectors were viewed by their fellow soldiers, the combatants of the war, as cowards and liars, claiming that any moral objection was most likely just a man's fear of being in the line of fire. In Great Britain during World War Two, the majority of the public did not approve of moral objection by soldiers but supported their right to abstain from direct combat. On the more extreme sides of public opinion were those who fully supported the objectors and those who believed they should be executed as traitors. The objectors of World War Two in particular were scorned as fascist sympathizers and traitors to their countries, though many of the men abstaining from taking up arms cited the influence of growing up in the shadow of World War One and their shellshocked fathers as major reasons for refusing to partake in the violence."}, {"context": " Martin Luther King Jr (1929\u201368), a Baptist minister, led the civil rights movement, which successfully used Gandhian nonviolent resistance to repeal laws enforcing racial segregation and work for integration of schools, businesses and government. In 1957, his wife Coretta Scott King, Albert Schweitzer, Benjamin Spock, and others formed the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (now Peace Action) to resist the nuclear arms race. In 1958 British activists formed the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament with Bertrand Russell as its president."}, {"context": " In 1960, Thich Nhat Hanh came to the US to study comparative religion at Princeton University and subsequently was appointed lecturer in Buddhism at Columbia University. Thich Nhat Hanh had written a letter to Martin Luther King in 1965 entitled \"Searching for the Enemy of Man\" and during his 1966 stay in the US met with King and urged him to publicly denounce the Vietnam War. King gave his famous speech at the Riverside Church in New York City in 1967, his first to publicly question the U.S. involvement in Vietnam."}, {"context": " Other examples from this period include the 1986 People Power Revolution in the Philippines led by Cory Aquino, and the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests which included the broadly publicized \"Tank Man\" incident. On December 1, 1948, President Jos\u00e9 Figueres Ferrer of Costa Rica abolished the Costa Rican military. In 1949, the abolition of the military was introduced in Article 12 of the Costa Rican constitution. The budget previously dedicated to the military is now dedicated to providing health care services and education."}, {"context": " According to the Ahmadiyya understanding of Islam, pacifism is a strong current, and jihad is one's personal inner struggle and should not be used violently for political motives. Violence is the last option only to be used to protect religion and one's own life in extreme situations of persecution. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said that in contrary to the current views, Islam \"does not allow the use of sword in religion, except in the case of defensive wars, wars waged to punish a tyrant, or those meant to uphold freedom\"."}, {"context": " Ahmadiyya claims its objective to be the peaceful propagation of Islam with special emphasis on spreading the true message of Islam by the pen. Ahmadis point out that as per prophecy, who they believe was the promised messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, rendered the concept of violent jihad unnecessary in modern times. They believe that the answer of hate should be given by love. Bah\u00e1'u'll\u00e1h, the founder of the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed Faith abolished holy war and emphasized its abolition as a central teaching of his faith. However, the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed Faith does not have an absolute pacifistic position. For example, Bah\u00e1'\u00eds are advised to do social service instead of active army service, but when this is not possible because of obligations in certain countries, the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed law of \"loyalty to one's government\" is preferred and the individual should perform the army service. Shoghi Effendi, the head of the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed Faith in the first half of the 20th century, noted that in the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed view, absolute pacifists are anti-social and exalt the individual over society which could lead to anarchy; instead he noted that the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed conception of social life follows a moderate view where the individual is not suppressed or exalted."}, {"context": " On the level of society, Bah\u00e1'u'll\u00e1h promotes the principle of collective security, which does not abolish the use of force, but prescribes \"a system in which Force is made the servant of Justice.\" The idea of collective security from the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed teachings states that if a government violates a fundamental norm of international law or provision of a future world constitution which Bah\u00e1'\u00eds believe will be established by all nations, then the other governments should step in. Buddhism is generally seen as among the least violent religious traditions, and Ahimsa (do no harm), is a primary virtue in Buddhism."}, {"context": " Aung San Suu Kyi is a Buddhist nonviolent pro-democracy activist and leader of the National League for Democracy in Myanmar (Burma), who became State Counsellor (similar to prime minister) of Myanmar in April 2016. A devout Buddhist, Suu Kyi won the Rafto Prize and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and in 1991 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful and non-violent struggle under a repressive military dictatorship. One of her best known speeches is the \"Freedom From Fear\" speech, which begins, \"It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.\""}, {"context": " Peace churches are Christian denominations explicitly advocating pacifism. The term \"historic peace churches\" refers specifically to three church traditions: the Church of the Brethren, the Mennonites (and some other Anabaptists, such as Amish Hutterites, and the Bruderhof), and the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends). The historic peace churches have, from their origins as far back as the 16th century, always taken the position that Jesus was himself a pacifist who explicitly taught and practiced pacifism, and that his followers must do likewise. Pacifist churches vary on whether physical force can ever be justified in self-defense or protecting others, as many adhere strictly to nonresistance when confronted by violence. But all agree that violence on behalf of a country or a government is prohibited for Christians."}, {"context": " Jay Beaman's thesis states that 13 of 21, or 62% of American Pentecostal groups formed by 1917 show evidence of being pacifist sometime in their history. Furthermore, Jay Beaman has shown in his thesis that there has been a shift away from pacifism in the American Pentecostal churches to more a style of military support and chaplaincy. The major organisation for Pentecostal Christians who believe in pacifism is the PCPF, the Pentecostal Charismatic Peace Fellowship. The United Pentecostal Church, the largest Apostolic/Oneness denomination, takes an official stand of conscientious objection: its Articles of Faith read, \"We are constrained to declare against participating in combatant service in war, armed insurrection\u00a0... aiding or abetting in or the actual destruction of human life. We believe that we can be consistent in serving our Government in certain noncombatant capacities, but not in the bearing of arms.\""}, {"context": " The Peace Pledge Union was a pacifist organisation from which the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship (APF) later emerged within the Anglican Church. The APF succeeded in gaining ratification of the pacifist position at two successive Lambeth Conferences, but many Anglicans would not regard themselves as pacifists. South African Bishop Desmond Tutu is the most prominent Anglican pacifist. Rowan Williams led an almost united Anglican Church in Britain in opposition to the 2003 Iraq War. In Australia Peter Carnley similarly led a front of bishops opposed to the Government of Australia's involvement in the invasion of Iraq."}, {"context": " The Catholic Worker Movement is concerned with both social justice and pacifist issues, and voiced consistent opposition to the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Many of its early members were imprisoned for their opposition to conscription. Within the Roman Catholic Church, the Pax Christi organisation is the premiere pacifist lobby group. It holds positions similar to APF, and the two organisations are known to work together on ecumenical projects. Within Roman Catholicism there has been a discernible move towards a more pacifist position through the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Popes Benedict XV, John XXIII and John Paul II were all vocal in their opposition to specific wars. By taking the name Benedict XVI, some suspected that Joseph Ratzinger would continue the strong emphasis upon nonviolent conflict resolution of his predecessor. However, the Roman Catholic Church officially maintains the legitimacy of Just War, which is rejected by some pacifists."}, {"context": " In the twentieth century there was a notable trend among prominent Roman Catholics towards pacifism. Individuals such as Dorothy Day and Henri Nouwen stand out among them. The monk and mystic Thomas Merton was noted for his commitment to pacifism during the Vietnam War era. Murdered Salvadoran Bishop \u00d3scar Romero was notable for using non-violent resistance tactics and wrote meditative sermons focusing on the power of prayer and peace. School of the Americas Watch was founded by Maryknoll Fr. Roy Bourgeois in 1990 and uses strictly pacifist principles to protest the training of Latin American military officers by United States Army officers at the School of the Americas in the state of Georgia."}, {"context": " The Greek Orthodox Church also tends towards pacifism, though it has accepted defensive warfare through most of its history. However, more recently it took a strong stance towards the war in Lebanon and its large community there refused to take up arms during its civil wars. It also supports dialogue with Islam. In 1998 the Third Pre-conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference drew up a text on \"the contribution of the Orthodox Church to the achievement of peace\" emphasizing respect for the human person and the inseparability of peace from justice. The text states in part: \"Orthodoxy condemns war in general, for she regards it as a consequence of the evil and sin in the world.\""}, {"context": " The Southern Baptist Convention has stated in the Baptist Faith and Message, \"It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.\" The United Methodist Church explicitly supports conscientious objection by its members \"as an ethically valid position\" while simultaneously allowing for differences of opinion and belief for those who do not object to military service."}, {"context": " Members of the Rastafari Movement's Mansion Nyabinghi are specifically noted for having a large population of Pacifist members, though not all of them are. Non violence, or ahimsa, is a central part of Hinduism and is one of the fundamental Yamas - self restraints needed to live a proper life. The concept of ahimsa grew gradually within Hinduism, one of the signs being the discouragement of ritual animal sacrifice. Most Hindus today have a vegetarian diet. There are debates on how far the principle of ahimsa applies and if there is such a thing as a \"just war\"."}, {"context": " Non-violence, Compassion for all life, human and non-human, is central to Jainism. Human life is valued as a unique, rare opportunity to reach enlightenment. Killing any person, no matter what crime he may have committed, is considered unimaginably terrible. It is a religion that requires monks, from all its sects and traditions, to be vegetarian. Some Indian regions, such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh have been strongly influenced by Jains and often the majority of the local Hindus of every denomination are also vegetarian."}, {"context": " The attitude of Jews toward pacifism, as with most other aspects of religion, is heavily influenced by the Holocaust which was a program of Nazi Germany to murder every man, woman and child who was Jewish as well as people of other religions who had a Jewish grandparent. As a result, some six million people were exterminated by various means because the Nazis considered them Jews and therefore unworthy of life. In hindsight, there were opportunities for a number of years to defeat Nazi Germany before it could build a military force strong enough to capture and kill most of the Jews of Europe. Forces which deterred the democracies from acting to stop Hitler early on and at a much, much lower cost in human life were pacifism, appeasement, and isolationism. People who offered no resistance to the Nazis enabled them to carry out their oppression and aggression, costing tens of millions of lives in World War II. Had pacifism gained more support, the Allies might have lost the war and virtually all Jews would have been killed."}, {"context": " The Jewish Peace Fellowship is a New-York based nonprofit, nondenominational organization set up to provide a Jewish voice in the peace movement. The organization was founded in 1941 in order to support Jewish conscientious objectors who sought exemption from combatant military service. It is affiliated to the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. The small Neturei Karta group of anti-Zionist, ultra-orthodox Jews, supposedly take a pacifist line, saying that \"Jews are not allowed to dominate, kill, harm or demean another people and are not allowed to have anything to do with the Zionist enterprise, their political meddling and their wars.\". However, the Neturei Karta group do support groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas that are violent towards Israel. The Hebrew Bible is full of examples when Jews were told to go and war against enemy lands or within the Israelite community as well as instances where God, as destroyer and protector, goes to war for non-participant Jews. The Holocaust Remembrance Day (called Yom Hashoah in Hebrew) is a day a remembrance for many Jews as they honor those who fought to end the Hitler government which starved, shot, gassed and burned over six million Jews to death. It is observed on the day corresponding to the 27th day of the month of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar."}, {"context": " Non-violence is an important doctrine within Ra\u00eblism. The founder of this religion Rael has said \"\"The one holding the weapon is as responsible as the one giving the orders\"\". Other Rael statements include \"\"even if the Elohim asked them to kill someone they should refuse\"\". While many governments have tolerated pacifist views and even accommodated pacifists' refusal to fight in wars, others at times have outlawed pacifist and anti-war activity. In 1918, The United States Congress passed the Sedition Act of 1918. During the periods between World Wars I and World War II, pacifist literature and public advocacy was banned in Italy under Benito Mussolini, Germany after the rise of Adolf Hitler,"}, {"context": " Spain under Francisco Franco, and the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. In these nations, pacifism was denounced as cowardice; indeed, Mussolini referred to pacifist writings as the \"propaganda of cowardice\". Today, the United States requires that all young men register for selective service but does not allow them to be classified as conscientious objectors unless they are drafted in some future reinstatement of the draft, allowing them to be discharged or transferred to noncombatant status. Some European governments like Switzerland, Greece, Norway and Germany offer civilian service. However, even during periods of peace, many pacifists still refuse to register for or report for military duty, risking criminal charges."}, {"context": " Anti-war and \"pacifist\" political parties seeking to win elections may moderate their demands, calling for de-escalation or major arms reduction rather than the outright disarmament which is advocated by many pacifists. Green parties list \"non-violence\" and \"decentralization\" towards anarchist co-operatives or minimalist village government as two of their ten key values. However, in power, Greens often compromise. The German Greens in the cabinet of Social Democrat Gerhard Schr\u00f6der supported an intervention by German troops in Afghanistan in 2001 if that they hosted the peace conference in Berlin. However, during the 2002 election Greens forced Schr\u00f6der to swear that no German troops would invade Iraq."}, {"context": " The controversial democratic peace theory holds that liberal democracies have never (or rarely) made war on one another and that lesser conflicts and internal violence are rare between and within democracies. It also argues that the growth in the number of democratic states will, in the not so distant future, end warfare. Some pacifists and multilateralists are in favor of international criminal law as means to prevent and control international aggression. The International Criminal Court has jurisdiction over war crimes, but the crime of aggression has yet to be clearly defined in international law."}, {"context": " The Italian Constitution enforces a mild pacifist character on the Italian Republic, as Article 11 states that \"Italy repudiates war as an instrument offending the liberty of the peoples and as a means for settling international disputes\u00a0...\" Similarly, Articles 24, 25 and 26 of the German Constitution (1949), Alinea 15 of the French Constitution (1946), Article 20 of the Danish Constitution (1953), Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution (1947) and several other mostly European constitutions correspond to the United Nations Charter by rejecting the institution of war in favour of collective security and peaceful cooperation."}, {"context": " However, some pacifists, such as the Christian anarchist Leo Tolstoy and autarchist Robert LeFevre, consider the state a form of warfare. In addition, for doctrinal reason that a manmade government is inferior to divine governance and law, many pacifist-identified religions/religious sects also refrain from political activity altogether, including the Anabaptists, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mandaeans. This means that such groups refuse to participate in government office or serve under an oath to a government."}, {"context": " Anarcho-pacifism (also pacifist anarchism or anarchist pacifism) is a form of anarchism which completely rejects the use of violence in any form for any purpose. The main precedent was Henry David Thoreau who through his work Civil Disobedience influenced the advocacy of both Leo Tolstoy and Mohandas Gandhi for nonviolent resistance. As a global movement, Anarchist pacifism emerged shortly before World War II in the Netherlands, Great Britain and the United States and was a strong presence in the subsequent campaigns for nuclear disarmament."}, {"context": " Violence has always been controversial in anarchism. While many anarchists during the 19th century embraced propaganda of the deed, Leo Tolstoy and other anarcho-pacifists directly opposed violence as a means for change. He argued that anarchism must by nature be nonviolent since it is, by definition, opposition to coercion and force and since the state is inherently violent, meaningful pacifism must likewise be anarchistic. His philosophy was cited as a major inspiration by Mohandas Gandhi, an Indian independence leader and pacifist who self-identified as an anarchist. Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis was also instrumental in establishing the pacifist trend within the anarchist movement. In France anti-militarism appeared strongly in individualist anarchist circles as \u00c9mile Armand founded \"Ligue Antimilitariste\" in 1902 with Albert Libertad and George Mathias Paraf-Javal."}, {"context": " Many pacifists who would be conscientious objectors to military service are also opposed to paying taxes to fund the military. In the United States, The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund works to pass a national law to allow conscientious objectors to redirect their tax money to be used only for non-military purposes. One common argument against pacifism is the possibility of using violence to prevent further acts of violence (and reduce the \"net-sum\" of violence). This argument hinges on consequentialism: an otherwise morally objectionable action can be justified if it results in a positive outcome. For example, either violent rebellion, or foreign nations sending in troops to end a dictator's violent oppression may save millions of lives, even if many thousands died in the war. Those pacifists who base their beliefs on deontological grounds would oppose such violent action. Others would oppose organized military responses but support individual and small group self-defense against specific attacks if initiated by the dictator's forces. Pacifists may argue that military action could be justified should it subsequently advance the general cause of peace."}, {"context": " Still more pacifists would argue that a nonviolent reaction may not save lives immediately but would in the long run. The acceptance of violence for any reason makes it easier to use in other situations. Learning and committing to pacifism helps to send a message that violence is, in fact, not the most effective way. It can also help people to think more creatively and find more effective ways to stop violence without more violence. In light of the common criticism of pacifism as not offering a clear alternative policy, one approach to finding \"more effective ways\" has been the attempt to develop the idea of \"defence by civil resistance\", also called \"social defence\". This idea, which is not necessarily dependent on acceptance of pacifist beliefs, is based on relying on nonviolent resistance against possible threats, whether external (such as invasion) or internal (such as coup d'\u00e9tat)."}, {"context": " There have been some works on this topic, including by Adam Roberts and Gene Sharp. However, no country has adopted this approach as the sole basis of its defence. (For further information and sources see social defence.) Japanese, Italian and Nazi aggression that precipitated World War II often is cited as an argument against pacifism. If these forces had not been challenged and defeated militarily, the argument goes, many more people would have died under their oppressive rule. Adolf Hitler told the British Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax in 1937 that the British should \"shoot Gandhi, and if this doesn't suffice to reduce them to submission, shoot a dozen leading members of the Congress, and if that doesn't suffice shoot 200, and so on, as you make it clear that you mean business.\""}, {"context": " Adolf Hitler noted in his Second Book: \"...\u00a0Later, the attempt to adapt the living space to increased population turned into unmotivated wars of conquest, which in their very lack of motivation contained the germ of the subsequent reaction. Pacifism is the answer to it. Pacifism has existed in the world ever since there have been wars whose meaning no longer lay in the conquest of territory for a Folk's sustenance. Since then it has been war's eternal companion. It will again disappear as soon as war ceases to be an instrument of booty hungry or power hungry individuals or nations, and as soon as it again becomes the ultimate weapon with which a Folk fights for its daily bread.\""}, {"context": " Hermann G\u00f6ring described, during an interview at the Nuremberg Trials, how denouncing and outlawing pacifism was an important part of the Nazis' seizure of power: \"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.\" Some commentators on the most nonviolent forms of pacifism, including Jan Narveson, argue that such pacifism is a self-contradictory doctrine. Narveson claims that everyone has rights and corresponding responsibilities not to violate others' rights. Since pacifists give up their ability to protect themselves from violation of their right not to be harmed, then other people thus have no corresponding responsibility, thus creating a paradox of rights. Narveson said that \"the prevention of infractions of that right is precisely what one has a right to when one has a right at all\". Narveson then discusses how rational persuasion is a good but often inadequate method of discouraging an aggressor. He considers that everyone has the right to use any means necessary to prevent deprivation of their civil liberties and force could be necessary."}]}, {"title": "Pacifism in Germany", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The existence of pacifism in Germany has changed over time, with the consistent feature of having diverse groups with a shared belief in an opposition to participating in war. These movements both individually and collectively, have historically been small in their numbers and have not been well organised. With a culture of war in the early history of Germany, pacifism was not a culturally significant group. This was driven by the government as they attempted to use the media in order to promote the expansion of Germany as a growing empire. The exception to this is during the Cold War with the Bonn demonstration with a large turnout of around 300,000 people. Christian peace groups have been the most consistent groups within the classification of pacifists as an opposition to violence is a key part of their faith. The size, whilst remaining small varies over the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. The reception from the public regarding pacifists also changes depending on the historical period."}, {"context": " With the unification of Germany as a single state, the country began to expand militarily as an international power, which in turn created a pacifist movement in Germany. This first movement was called the German Peace Society and was founded in 1892. However, the movement was small with only 10,000 active members at its peak, as it did not resonate with the wider population who was in favour of the German expansion. With relatively low support the ability of the movement to grow was limited to the ability to speak freely which was later limited due to the government declaring a state of war. The rapid military expansion of Germany was also largely popular with the population. The movement, prior to the outbreak of war began to decline in support for the movement as the public support of a war grew and avoid a response from the government. During this time there were two Hague Peace Conferences, these conferences resulted in various multi-lateral treaties regarding military expansion and foreign policy. The conference was also about establishing the universal values and therefore the obligations of states. In 1899 there was a Hauge Peace Conference, however, Germany did not attend, and it was not until the 1907 conference where Germany would participate. At this conference Germany was considered uncooperative, which was due to the restrictions on their ability to expand their military power. Also, as Germany was a rising power there was a hesitation to reduce their expansion as it would restrict their self-defence capabilities."}, {"context": " German Pacifism was not as organised in this era when compared to that of Cold War Germany; however, a large number of groups adopted pacifist attitudes, which evolved throughout the war. During this period a group of female war opponents emerged, which was a pacifist group who were opposed to the war as it was, according to this group, caused by masculine values and attitudes. This group also overlapped with the group of advocates for women\u2019s\u2019 rights during the same period, as well as the socialist movement. This activism from female groups was the result of changing cultural, political and social roles of women which had developed during the war. Early in the war attitudes towards war were very positive, this along with the conscription of German soldiers resulted in the pacifists\u2019 movement remaining a relatively small group. As the country was in a state of war, the government was heavily involved in censorship of the population, so the pacifist publications were censored to not have views which directly opposed the government, rather they would be written in order to talk about the wider issue of war with other countries having the primary role at the beginning of war. The government remained lenient towards those with pacifist attitudes which contrasts the government attitude of the Nazi Government and other governments which enacted the concept of total war on the home front. In 1915 at the Hague, the Women's Peace Conference met to discuss methods to end the war through negotiations. Attending this event was four German delegates. After this conference, the government began to restrict pacifists and their groups as there was a consensus that this conference had weakened the position of Germany for negotiations. Towards the end of the war, the public support massively declines, which resulted in an increase in the support for pacifist ideas, despite this the movement remained small in size. At this time the government tried to assert more control over the home front in order to provide more resources for soldiers on the front line. With the Russian Revolution, the pacifist movement also gained support and inspiration through the Marxist ideology behind the revolution. The literature during the war was restricted and the literature that was promoted all displayed similar views. These views support the war effort which was achieved through the justification of the war, as well as the celebration of acts of heroism and sacrifice. Pacifist literature was virtually non-existent during this time period which continued until the end of the war before it became more widely discussed in the literature."}, {"context": " The existence of pacifists in Germany is at its lowest and least organised during this time, as a result of the Nazi Government\u2019s policies regarding movements which oppose their regime. Pacifists during this time are mostly individuals, who may not necessarily be a part of a formalised group, rather they act out the ideology of pacifism. A key reason for this was the continued support of the war effort as well as public support for the Fuhrer of Germany, Adolf Hitler remaining high throughout the war. This period was also when popular support for pacifism was at its lowest as there was significant support for the war effort. As Nazism was built on the outcome of the First World War, there was significant pro-war sentiment in the ideology as a means of resolving the issues which occurred after the war. This was in opposition to the pacifist ideology which was one reason for the Nazi response to Pacifist groups and individuals during the course of the Second World War. The atrocities of the Second World War also inspired the pacifist movement after the end of the war."}, {"context": " The pacifist movement was at its most popular during the Cold War era. This is evident as a peace protest at Bonn occurred in 1981 which was a demonstration against the production of nuclear weapons and the militarism of the NATO alliance system. The reason for the popularity was the outcome of the First and Second World War, as the significant loss of lives shifted the culture towards militarism in Germany. Another key issue which was protested was the ability of the United States government to use West German weapons without consulting the West German government. The event had approximately 300,000 people attend, which was a significant number for a pacifist event in West Germany, as it contrasts the historical size of the pacifist movements. This event was made up of 700 individual groups which protested together with the common link of the pacifist ideology. Another factor which influenced the size of the Bonn demonstration was the NATO plan to introduce intermediate-range theatre nuclear forces (INF) into Germany as a part of their military arsenal. This debate was a prominent part of West German discourse during 1957 and 1958. The main concerns around the policy were the implications for domestic and international responsibilities as a nuclear state. The SPD initially opposed this proposition; however, they made a concession to introduce a military without nuclear capabilities. The following election the SPD lost to the Christian Democrats, which resulted in the SPD reforming their party and their ideology. The part ideology after the reform, resembled Marxism as pacifism became an integral part of the party. Western Germany had a much greater presence of pacifists than Eastern Germany. Christian-moral ethics were the driver of the movement, however, not all pacifists were Christian. While these Christian movements and groups have historically been the only consistent pacifists, this era saw the rise in pacifists not from the Christian faith. From the 1960\u2019s, there was a significant increase in student protests as part of the pacifist movement. Unions were also another group which became heavily involved in pacifism during this time. Even during its most popular stage, pacifism was not a characteristic of either political wing. The policy of disarmament was also a heavily discussed policy at the time and the pacifist movement was advocating for the adoption of this policy."}, {"context": " The foreign policy of Contemporary Germany has been more pacifist than those of the previous historical eras. This is driven primarily by the history of German during the First and Second World Wars, as there was a significant loss of lives as a result of the perception of pacifism by the wider population. The use of force rarely occurs unless there is a need for humanitarian intervention, which is derived from the United Nations principle of collective security. One example of the government use of pacifism is demonstrated in their response to the United States\u2019 declaration of war on Iraq, as they were the first allied nation to condemn the decision and decide against participating in the war. This damaged bi-lateral relations between the nations and was a significant moment for modern German foreign policy and its reliance on pacifism. There was no bi-partisan support for pacifism as it was primarily linked to the left-wing parties, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and The Greens. The German government also abstained from participating in Kosovo War which was another war NATO participated in without German military support. After the Rwandan Genocide and the Bosnian War, the left-wing German parties allowed for military intervention on the basis of humanitarian reasons, while their right-wing counterparts believed in the strategic use of force for foreign policy. The NATO intervention during the later stages of the Yugoslavia Wars demonstrated this movement towards military intervention on the basis of humanitarian reasons. This was voted on by the two major left-wing parties the SPD and The Greens, who voted 75% and 50% in favour of the humanitarian intervention. The use of pacifism has changed as the major German political parties\u2019 ideologies and positions change over time. During the 1990\u2019s there was limited agreement on whether the German government should oppose the use of force. However, from the early 2000's, the left-leaning parties have evolved to adopt policies of pacifism and an opposition to participating in the war. While the right-wing Christian-Democratic party has adopted a policy stating that Germany should be capable of defending itself through the use of military force. During this same era, Germany has consolidated its economic and political power over Europe, making the impact of their foreign policy significant. The non-intervention in the Syrian Civil War shows how despite humanitarian intervention allowing for military action, the German government is still unlikely to use military force. With the Annexation of Crimea Russia has shown an aggressive use of military force in their conduct of foreign policy which provides the German Government with difficulties maintaining their pacifist ideology as the breach of human rights has had little impact on the Russian foreign policy, which is considered to be the result of Germany pacifism to some extent."}]}, {"title": "Pacifism in Islam", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Islam does not have any normative tradition of pacifism, and warfare has been integral part of Islamic history both for the defense and the spread of the faith since the time of Muhammad. Prior to the Hijra travel Muhammad struggled non-violently against his opposition in Mecca. It was not until after the exile that the Quranic revelations began to adopt a more violent perspective. Fighting in self-defense is not only legitimate but considered obligatory upon Muslims, according to the Qur'an. The Qur'an, however, says that should the enemy's hostile behavior cease, then the reason for engaging the enemy also lapses."}, {"context": " Prior to the Hijra travel, Muhammad struggled non-violently against his opposition in Mecca, providing a basis for Islamic pacifist traditions such as Sufism and the Ahmadiyya movement. Warfare in defense of the faith has also been part of Muslim history since the time of Muhammad, with violence mentioned in Quranic revelations after his exile from Mecca. In the 13th century, Salim Suwari a philosopher in Islam, came up with a peaceful approach to Islam known as the Suwarian tradition. The Senegalese sufi sheykh Amadou Bamba (1850\u20131927) spearheaded a non-violent resistance movement against French colonialism in West Africa. Amadou Bamba repeatedly rejected calls for jihad against the Europeans, preaching hard work, piety and education as the best means to resist the oppression and exploitation of his people."}, {"context": " The earliest massive non-violent implementation of civil disobedience was brought about by Egyptians against British occupation in the Egyptian Revolution of 1919. Zaghloul Pasha, considered the mastermind behind this massive civil disobedience, was a native middle-class, Azhar graduate, political activist, judge, parliamentary and ex-Cabinet Minister whose leadership brought Muslim and Christian communities together as well as women into the massive protests. Along with his companions of Wafd Party, who started campaigning in 1914, they have achieved independence of Egypt and a first constitution in 1923."}, {"context": " According to Margaret Chatterjee, Mahatma Gandhi was influenced by Sufi Islam. She states that Gandhi was acquainted with the Sufi Chishti Order, whose Khanqah gatherings he attended, and was influenced by Sufi values such as humility, selfless devotion, identification with the poor, belief in human brotherhood, the oneness of God, and the concept of Fana. David Hardiman notes that Gandhi's garb was similar that of Sufi pirs and fakirs, which was also noted by Winston Churchill when he compared Gandhi to a fakir. According to Amitabh Pal, Gandhi followed a strand of Hinduism that bore similarities to Sufi Islam. During the Indian independence movement, several Muslim organizations played a key role in nonviolent resistance against British imperialism, including Kh\u0101n Abdul Ghaff\u0101r Kh\u0101n and his followers, as well as the All-India Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah."}, {"context": " Kh\u0101n Abdul Ghaff\u0101r Kh\u0101n (6 February 1890 \u2013 20 January 1988) (), nicknamed B\u0101ch\u0101 Kh\u0101n (Pashto: , lit. \"king of chiefs\") or P\u0101ch\u0101 Kh\u0101n (), was a Pashtun independence activist against the rule of the British Raj. He was a political and spiritual leader known for his nonviolent opposition, and a lifelong pacifist and devout Muslim. A close friend of Mohandas Gandhi, Bacha Khan was nicknamed the \"Frontier Gandhi\" in British India. Bacha Khan founded the Khudai Khidmatgar (\"Servants of God\") movement in 1929, whose success triggered a harsh crackdown by the British Empire against him and his supporters, and they suffered some of the most severe repression of the Indian independence movement. Khan strongly opposed the All-India Muslim League's demand for the partition of India. When the Indian National Congress declared its acceptance of the partition plan without consulting the Khudai Khidmatgar leaders, he felt very sad and told the Congress \"you have thrown us to the wolves.\" After partition, Badshah Khan pledged allegiance to Pakistan and demanded an autonomous \"Pashtunistan\" administrative unit within the country, but he was frequently arrested by the Pakistani government between 1948 and 1954. In 1956, he was again arrested for his opposition to the One Unit program, under which the government announced to merge the former provinces of West Punjab, Sindh, North-West Frontier Province, Chief Commissioner's Province of Balochistan, and Baluchistan States Union into one single polity of West Pakistan. Badshah Khan also spent much of the 1960s and 1970s either in jail or in exile. Upon his death in 1988 in Peshawar under house arrest, following his will, he was buried at his house in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of mourners attended his funeral, marching through the Khyber Pass from Peshawar to Jalalabad, although it was marred by two bomb explosions killing 15 people. Despite the heavy fighting at the time, both sides of the Soviet\u2013Afghan War, the communist army and the mujahideen, declared a ceasefire to allow his burial."}, {"context": " The Palestinian activist Nafez Assaily has been notable for his bookmobile service in Hebron dubbed \"Library on Wheels for Nonviolence and Peace\", and hailed as a \"creative Muslim exponent of non-violent activism\". The First Intifada began in 1987 initially as a nonviolent civil disobedience movement. It consisted of general strikes, boycotts of Israeli Civil Administration institutions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, an economic boycott consisting of refusal to work in Israeli settlements on Israeli products, refusal to pay taxes, refusal to drive Palestinian cars with Israeli licenses, graffiti, and barricading. Pearlman attributes the non-violent character of the uprising to the movement's internal organization and its capillary outreach to neighborhood committees that ensured that lethal revenge would not be the response even in the face of Israeli state repression."}]}, {"title": "Pacifism in Spain", "paragraphs": [{"context": " In the 1930s Spain became a focus for pacifist organisations including the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the War Resisters' International whose president was the British MP and Labour Party leader George Lansbury. Prominent Spanish pacifists such as Amparo Poch y Gasc\u00f3n and Jos\u00e9 Brocca supported the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. Brocca argued that Spanish pacifists had no alternative but to make a stand against what he viewed as fascism. He put this stand into practice by various means including organising agricultural workers to maintain food supplies and through humanitarian work with war refugees.  Pacifism was proscribed in Francoist Spain,"}]}, {"title": "Pacifism in the United States", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifism has manifested in the United States in a variety of forms (such as peace movements), and in myriad contexts (such as opposition to the Civil War and the 2014 Ferguson unrest). In general, it exists in contrast to an acceptance of the necessity of war and violence. In early America religious groups such as the Brethren, Mennonites, and Quakers disseminated \"antiwar sentiments...fostered by a growing colonial aversion to the carnage of the European imperial wars.\" In the 1930s influential theologian Reinhold Niebuhr rejected overly idealist pacifism as \"perverse sentimentality,\" in favor of just war."}, {"context": " In contrast to pacifism based on religious beliefs, some in the U.S. have opposed violent conflict on economic grounds, or for other practical, non-religious reasons. U.S. Congress created the United States Institute of Peace in 1984 to promote international peace through education. The war ended in February 1815. Peace groups formed shortly thereafter: the New York Peace Society (est. August 1815) and Massachusetts Peace Society (est. December 1815). The American Peace Crusade formed in 1951, in opposition to U.S. involvement in the Korean War."}]}, {"title": "Pacifist Socialist Party", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacifist Socialist Party (, PSP) was a left-wing Dutch socialist political party. The PSP played a small role in Dutch politics. It is one of the predecessors of the GreenLeft. In 1955 a group of \"politically homeless\" activists had formed. The group mainly consisted of former members of the Labour Party (PvdA) and the Communist Party of the Netherlands (CPN). They had left the PvdA over the military intervention against the Indonesian independence movement and the Labour party's support for NATO. Many of them had a background in the orthodox Marxist wing of the Social Democratic Workers' Party or the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which had merged into the PvdA. The former members of the CPN had left their party over the Stalinist course of the CPN. There was also a group of these politically homeless that had never been members of parties, while others had been member of pre-war parties such as the Independent Socialist Party."}, {"context": " These politically homeless individuals were a diverse group: progressive Christians, leftwing socialists, orthodox Marxists, anti-Stalinist Trotskyists, left communists, liberal pacifists and some anarchists. Many of them were active in the developing peace movement. The rise of the Cold War, the 1956 French/English/Israeli intervention in the Suez and the Soviet intervention in Hungary had made this group sceptic of both the Eastern bloc and Western bloc. They were oriented at a Third way between Stalinist communism and western capitalism."}, {"context": " In 1956 the group asked the PvdA to put two candidates of these politically homeless on their list for the next elections, one on a 'safe' electable position on their candidate list and one that would need to be elected by preference votes. These candidates would have an independent position in parliament. The PvdA, although originally sympathetic to the idea rejected this. Thus the group felt forced to found its own party and it founded the Action group for the formation of a Party on Anti-militarist and Socialist principles in November 1956. It would chart the possibilities of a new political party."}, {"context": " On 26 January 1957 the PSP was founded by the Action group. The first year was devoted to the organisation of the party and the preparation for the elections which were expected to be in 1960. The party sought to expand its membership, its branches and its electoral support. The founders were joined by members of the Socialist Union, a group which had split unsuccessfully from the PvdA in 1950. In 1958 it entered in the provincial elections and it won two seats in the North Holland provincial legislative. In the 1959 elections the party won two seats in the House of Representatives."}, {"context": " In the early years the party became known for its parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition against the rising Cold War, and especially the placement of nuclear weapons. The socialist revolution in Cuba and uprisings against the South African system of Apartheid led to considerable debate within the party between groups who opposed all violence and groups who opposed repressive violence (from the ruling class) and supported liberating violence (against the ruling class). In 1961 the party threw off its principled pacifism and advocated the minimization of violence. Extra-parliamentary action against colonialism also became more important; the party supported New Guinean and Algerian independence."}, {"context": " In the 1963 elections the party performed particularly well. It doubled its seats to four. This success can be attributed to several developments: the rising opposition to the Cold War, the party's appeal to the developing students' movement and especially the anarchist Provo movement, for whom the PSP was the only acceptable party, and finally the CPN's internal conflicts \u2013 in 1958 three MPs had left the CPN and formed their own parliamentary party, led by Henk Gortzak, called the \"Bridge Group\" (Dutch: Brug-groep) and unsuccessfully competed in the 1959 elections. The group subsequently founded the Socialist Workers' Party (Dutch: Socialist Werkerspartij; SWP). This internal dissent had caused the CPN to fall to only one seat in the 1963 elections."}, {"context": " In the mid-1960s the Vietnam War became an important issue. The PSP was heavily involved in opposition against the American intervention. It was the first party to pay attention to the war and it was involved in the organisation of demonstrations, rallies and teach ins. The monarchy also became an issue as Crown Princess Beatrix would marry Claus von Amsberg in 1966. The PSP used this opportunity to voice its support for a republican constitution. In the same year the CPN-dissenters of the SWP joined the PSP. The PSP held on to its four seats in the 1967 election. In 1969 Gortzak, previously leader of the SWP returned as MP: now for the PSP."}, {"context": " The 1970s were characterized by internal conflicts between moderate and more radical members of the PSP. The most important reason for this was the radicalization within the PvdA. A new, more radical, generation had gained power in the PvdA. They wanted to form a majority cabinet with only leftwing parties. To achieve this they formed the Progressive Accord with the new left-liberal Democrats 66 and the progressive Christian PPR. The PSP also participated in these talks but broke off, because the majority of the PSP congress thought this alliance was neither pacifist nor socialist. The cooperative minority clashed strongly with the isolationist majority. In the 1971 elections the party lost two of its four seats, while the PvdA won seats."}, {"context": " In 1972 the party's political leader, Hans Wiebenga (1917\u20132005) was replaced by the younger Bram van der Lek, who emphasized the environment as an important issue. He was unable to win seats in the 1972 elections. As party leader he would embrace extra-parliamentary protest of all kinds of groups: the PSP was involved in the nascent environmental, squatting, women's and students' movements. Both the moderates and the most radicals left the party. Until 1974 a Trotskyist group, the Proletarian Left, led by Erik Meijer, now MEP for the Socialist Party operated within the party because they wanted to use the PSP to electrify the masses. In 1974 nearly all of them (except for their leader Meijer) left the party to found what later became the group Socialist Alternative Politics. In 1975 the moderate so called \"progressive cooperatives\" left the party. Many members of them joined the PvdA."}, {"context": " From 1975 on, the party membership exhibited strong growth and doubled in the next five years. Nevertheless, the 1977 elections were disastrous: the party lost all but one seat \u2013 this is attributed to the political competition between the social-democratic prime minister Joop den Uyl and his Christian democratic competitor Dries van Agt, which caused many PSP-sympathizers to vote for Den Uyl. The internal dissent within the party also damaged its popular appeal. After one year Van der Lek left parliament, and he was replaced by Fred van der Spek."}, {"context": " In the early 1980s the placement of American nuclear weapons became an important political issue. The PSP was involved in the organisation of national demonstrations against nuclear weapons and more than 80% of the members of the PSP attended one of the two mass protests against the placement nuclear weapons of 1981 and 1983. In the 1981 election the PSP was rewarded for its principled opposition: it won three seats. In the subsequent 1982 election it kept its seats. The party membership nearly reached 10,000 in this period."}, {"context": " Since the 1980s the party began to cooperate more with the PPR, which had broken with the PvdA, and the CPN, which had destalinized. It cooperated mainly in municipal and provincial elections and legislatures, because a higher percentage of votes is necessary to gain seats in such elections. At the 1984 European Parliament election the PPR, CPN and PSP formed the \"Green Progressive Accord\" that entered with one joint list. They won one seat, which rotated between the PSP and PPR. Party members also met each other in grassroots extraparliamentary protest against nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. The cooperation led to internal conflicts. Before the election of 1986 the CPN and the PPR wanted to form an electoral alliance with the PSP. This led to a crisis within the party: chair of the parliamentary party, Fred van der Spek who opposed cooperation was replaced by the party congress by Andr\u00e9e van Es, who favoured cooperation. Van der Spek founded his own Party for Socialism and Disarmament (Dutch: \"Party voor Socialisme en Ontwapening\"; PSvO). The 1986 PSP congress however still rejected cooperation. In the elections of 1986 nuclear weapons were no longer an issue: the party was left with only one seat. The membership of the party rapidly declined. The pressure to cooperate increased."}, {"context": " In 1989 the PSP initiated talks with the PPR and the CPN. Their initiative was supported by an open letter from members of trade unions, environmental movements and the arts which called for one progressive formation left of the PvdA. After long negotiations, which were pressured by the fall of the Second cabinet Lubbers and the subsequent earlier elections, the party entered in the 1989 elections as part of GreenLeft. Andr\u00e9e van Es was second on the list. In 1991 the PSP dissolved itself into GreenLeft. In 1992 a group of former PSP-members who had refused to join GreenLeft formed the PSP'92."}, {"context": " The PSP made a considerable mark on GreenLeft, although it has moderated its pacifism and socialism. Especially the progressive, tolerant and non-dogmatic ideals of the PSP still play an important role. MPs Kees Vendrik, Ineke van Gent and Leo Platvoet were active within the party, as was MEP Joost Lagendijk. The name Pacifist Socialist Party is an obvious combination of the party two main issues: peace and social justice. Other proposals on the 1957 foundation congress were \"Radical Socialist Peace Party\" (Dutch: Radicaal Socialistische Vredespartij), \"League for General Welfare\" (Bond voor Algemeen Welzijn), \"Progressive Party\" (Vernieuwingspartij) and \"Dutch Workers' Party\" (Nederlandse Arbeiderspartij)."}, {"context": " The party's ideology was based on pacifism, socialism, and democracy. These three values were united by human rights. In war, capitalism, and dictatorship human rights are infringed. In its 1957 manifesto of principles the PSP advocated two major societal renewals: Firstly, a spiritual renewal, which sought to replace a society based on fear, division and power with a society based on trust, unity and justice \u2013 this reflected the party's pacifism. Secondly, an economic renewal, which sought to replace a society based on classes by a classless society. This reflected the party's socialism. The PSP furthermore advocated a democratic political system and a democratic economy, it rejected the use of violence to solve international conflicts and it proposed a federal world state in which wealth would be shared by both the former colonizing powers and their former colonies."}, {"context": " In the 1970s and 1980s new issues were incorporated into the PSP's ideology: women's liberation, gay rights, and environmentalism. These radical principles are reflected in the party's concern for a democratic socialist economy, a pacifist foreign policy, a directly democratic political system, and a feminization of society. The PSP advocated a democratic socialist society where government planning and workers' self-management played an important role: The PSP advocated an anti-militarist and socialist foreign policy:"}, {"context": " On the national level the party advocated radical democratization of society and protection of civil rights: The PSP wanted to radically feminize society, liberate other oppressed groups and democratize society: This table shows the PSP's results in elections to the House of Representatives (HoR), Senate (S), European Parliament (EP), States-Provincial (SP) and municipalities (M), as well as the party's political leadership: the fractievoorzitter, is the chair of the parliamentary party and the lijsttrekker is the party's top candidate in the general election, these posts are normally taken by the party's leader. The membership of PSP and the party chair is also represented."}, {"context": " (a): elected on combined PSP/PvdA/PPR lists<br> (b): elected on combined PSP/CPN, PSP/PPR or PSP/CPN/PPR lists (estimate)<br> (c): PSvO split from the PSP<br> (d): cooperating in GreenLeft parliamentary parties. The PSP had a provincial stronghold in North Holland, which gave the party more than half of its vote. It had some municipal strongholds in the Zaanstreek and Amsterdam, but also in some cities, where it had particularly strong branches, such as Midwoud, Bussum, Hoorn and Goirle. Because of its isolated position it did not supply many aldermen, though between 1974 and 1975 its supplied one Amsterdam alderman."}, {"context": " In the following figure one can see the election results of the provincial election of 1962 per province. It shows the areas where the PSP was strong, namely the urban areas like North Holland and South Holland. The party was weaker in rural Catholic provinces like Limburg and North Brabant, but also strong in the rural traditional socialist strongholds such as rural Groningen and Friesland. The party's electorate was very heterogeneous, although most voters could be seen as intellectuals, students, scientists, artists, while most socialist parties are oriented at workers. The party was a refuge for people who no longer felt at home in the social-democratic PvdA and the Communist Party of the Netherlands. It was supported by progressive Christians, especially Mennonites. Most of its voters lived in Amsterdam or Rotterdam."}, {"context": " The electorate of the PSP fluctuated; the changing appeal of the PvdA and the CPN played a role, as did the events of the Cold War. The rise of youth movements, like Provo, and the Vietnam war boosted the electorate of the party in the 1960s. Internal conflicts in the PSP and radical course of the social-democratic PvdA cost the PSP votes in the 1970s. The mass demonstrations against the placement of nuclear weapons boosted the party's support in the early 1980s. The highest organ of the PSP was the congress, formed by delegates from the municipal branches. It convened once every year. It appointed the party board and decided the order of the Senate, House of Representatives and European Parliament candidate lists and had the final say over the party program. For the months that the congress did not convene, a party council took over its role. It consisted out of representatives of all the municipal branches."}, {"context": " The party board consisted of 10 members: a party chair, general secretary, treasurer, political secretary, parliamentary secretary, international secretary, youth secretary, education secretary, the secretary for propaganda and a chair for the committee for radio and television. The PSP published its own magazine which was called \"Liberation\" (Dutch: Bevrijding) between 1957 and 1966 and 1978 and 1991 and \"Radical: Weekly for Socialism and Peace\" (Dutch: Radikaal: Weekbad voor Socialisme en Vrede) between 1967 and 1977. It was printed at the PSPs own printing company also called Liberation."}, {"context": " The PSPs youth was organised in the Pacifist Socialist Young Working Groups (Dutch: Pacifistisch Socialistische Jongeren Groepen, PSJG) between 1977 and 1991. Between 1985 and 1991 the PSJG became more independent as it saw itself as the youth organisation of both the PSP and the PSvO which had split from the party. It published \"Keihard Tegengeweld\" (The title is a pun as it means both strongly against violence as strong counter-violence) and \"Disaster\" (Dutch: RamPSPoed, which spells PSP). In 1991 the PSJG merged into DWARS GreenLeft youth, which continued publishing Disaster until 1995."}, {"context": " In the 1980s the scientific institute of the PSP cooperated strongly with the scientific institutes of the PPR and CPN. They published \"De Helling\" together since 1985. The \"Rode Draad\" was published since 1985 it was a magazine for municipal and provincial councillors the PSP, PPR and CPN. For a long time the party refused to cooperate with other parties and preferred a position of testimonial party, which resembles the position of the Dutch orthodox Protestant parties, like the Political Reformed Party. The PSP's members of parliament, although isolated because of their radical position, were often respected across all parties for their principled position, commitment, rhetoric abilities and demeanour."}, {"context": " Between 1956 and 1981 it was at \"cold war\" with the Communist Party of the Netherlands as many former communists had joined the PSP's ranks. The PSP was highly critical of the CPN's Stalinist course. After 1981 the CPN, which had destalinized and PSP, began to cooperate more closely. The Christian left Political Party of Radicals and the Evangelical People's Party were also dismissed by the PSP as too supportive of the PvdA and too moderate on important issues. After 1981 the PPR broke its links with the PvdA and became more oriented toward PSP and CPN. In the 1980s the four parties began to cooperate in municipal and European elections, because fewer seats can be won there. In 1989 this intensive cooperation led to the formation of a new party, the GreenLeft."}, {"context": " The party was originally sympathetic to the Labour Party PvdA. Before the party was founded, the group of politically homeless activists had asked to have an independent candidate on their lists. During the 1960s the relation deteriorated, as the PSP rejected the PvdA's moderate course and the PvdA the PSP's radical course. In 1971 the PvdA, which had become more leftwing under pressure of a new generation of party members, opened the door to the PSP. It wanted the PSP to cooperate in the Progressive Accords together with left-liberal Democrats 66 and the PPR. The PSP rejected as it felt these accords would be neither socialist nor pacifist. This decision let to considerable upheaval within the party. In the 1980s as the PvdA became more centrist, the PSP rejected the PvdA even more."}, {"context": " There are very few parties, internationally, that resemble the PSP. Scandinavian parties espousing popular socialism like the Danish Socialist People's Party and Norwegian Socialist Left Party come close. These parties also combine socialist with new left ideals, and stand between United States-oriented social democracy and Soviet Union-oriented communism. The French Unified Socialist Party which was formed by leftwing dissenters in the main socialist SFIO and anti-stalinist dissenters in the French Communist Party is also similar in its opposition to both social democracy and communism. The Australian Nuclear Disarmament Party shared its priority of nuclear disarmament."}]}, {"title": "Pacifist Socialist Young Working Groups", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifist Socialist Young Working Groups (in Dutch: \"Pacifistisch Socialistische Jongerengroepen\") was the youth wing of the Pacifist Socialist Party (PSP) in the Netherlands."}]}, {"title": "Pacifisticuffs", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacifisticuffs is the fourth studio album by Swedish avant-garde metal band Diablo Swing Orchestra. It was released on December 8, 2017. It is the first album with singer Kristin Eveg\u00e5rd and drummer Johan Norb\u00e4ck. Recorded between July and October 2016, the album was originally set for a late 2016 release, before mixing issues led to significant delays. It features a reworked version of their 2014 non-album single \"Jigsaw Hustle\", as well as two new singles, \"Knucklehugs\" released on November 3, and \"The Age of Vulture Culture\" released on December 1."}, {"context": " In the tradition of the band, \"Pacifisticuffs\" blends various genres such as heavy metal, rock, swing, progressive, and classical; influences such as jazz, bluegrass, schlager, disco, folk, gospel, blues, tango, and Latin were also noted, as was the transition to the more pop-like vocals of Eveg\u00e5rd from the operatic style of former singer AnnLouice L\u00f6gdlund. The album received very positive reviews from music critics. The band announced that they started working on their next album on August 16, 2014, at the same time they announced Eveg\u00e5rd as their new female singer."}, {"context": " Recordings started with producer Roberto Laghi at Gothenburg based Top Floor Studios (together with the studio's engineer Jakob Herrmann) with drums on July 16, 2016, which were done by July 24. Recording of guitars and bass guitar started on August 3, with bass done by September 4. The recording of brass instruments started on September 18, strings on September 19, a five-person choir on September 24, and grand piano on September 27. Recording of lead vocals started on September 29, and ended on October 9, concluding the main recordings."}, {"context": " Mixing was supposed to be done by late October 2016, but technical difficulties led to a delaying of the album's release; the band finally announced completion of mixing and the beginning of the mastering process on January 14, 2017. On February 10, 2017, they revealed the title, adding \"Say it a hundred times before bed and wake up an even better person.\" The tracklist was revealed on March 25, and the cover art on April 22. After an originally announced release date of October 2017, the band announced on October 14, 2017, the final release date of December 8. They also announced that two new singles will be released before the album: \"Knucklehugs\" on November 3 (titled \"Knucklehugs (Arm Yourself with Love)\" in the album), and \"The Age of Vulture Culture\" on December 1."}, {"context": " The cover of the album was made by Sebastian Kowoll. Band member Anders Johansson was in charge of the art direction of the booklet. According to the band, one of the main visual themes of the album is \"gnarly geometry\". The album received very positive reviews from music critics, with most praise going to its blend of different genres, uniqueness, and musical performances, particularly from newcomer Kristin Eveg\u00e5rd and the brass section. In a highly positive review, \"Lords of Metal\" called \"Pacifisticuffs\" \"a record that\u2019s catchier than anything this band has ever done\", and called it \"the prog record of the year\". \"Antichrist Magazine\" gave a very positive review as well, highly praising Eveg\u00e5rd and the album's mix of genres."}, {"context": " \"It Djents\" gave the album a rating of 9 out of 10, applauding its songwriting, diversity stating \"if you appreciate challenging listens that are made more accessible by the blending of several different genres, masterful writing, impassioned performers, and a lot of heart, you need to hear this\". \"Dangerdog.com\" gave the album a rating of 4 out of 5, stating \"Diablo Swing Orchestra has peaked in creativity and performance. So much so that, they've become predictable by example, a genre unto themselves that has gone as far as it can go. Nevertheless, if you dig Diablo Swing Orchestra, you will be completely satisfied with \"Pacifisticuffs\"\"."}, {"context": " \"Heavy Blog is Heavy\" reviewer Karlo Doroc gave high praise to the mixing, production, songwriting, and instrumental performances. He also raised Eveg\u00e5rd, stating \"whilst her voice can come across as whiny and somewhat annoying at first, it proves to be an acquired taste and one which is much more suited to the myriad of other styles found on the album. Indeed, the longer the record progresses the more she seems in her element, at home amongst the frenzied madness swirling around her\". \"Angry Metal Guy\" called the album \"witty, fun and well-written\", feeling that the band \"always manages to merge between styles with alacrity, demonstrating excellent musicianship and compositional flare\". However, he criticized the mixing and mastering of the album, calling it \"claustrophobically brickwalled\".  Despite being displeased with the lack of \"spirit of metal\" in the album, \"Crom Magazine\" gave a positive review, stating \"this is not a release for the pure metalhead, it dares way too much and offers far too little metal. \"Pacifisticuffs\" is a feast for the ears for those who love energetic music that continually pushes boundaries.\" On December 12, 2017, the album was ranked 72nd on Amazon's bestselling list for digital music. Credits adapted from the album's liner notes."}]}, {"title": "Pacifying Police Unit", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacifying Police Unit (, also translated as Police Pacification Unit), abbreviated UPP, is a law enforcement and social services program pioneered in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which aims to reclaim territories, more commonly favelas, controlled by gangs of drug dealers. The program was created and implemented by State Public Security Secretary , with the backing of Rio Governor S\u00e9rgio Cabral. The stated goal of Rio's government is to install 40 UPPs by 2014. By May 2013, 231 favelas had come under the UPP umbrella."}, {"context": " For decades, many of Rio de Janeiro's favelas have been controlled by gangs of armed drug traffickers. Beginning with the first UPP that was implemented in Dona Marta in 2008, many of Rio's major favelas have received pacifying police forces. For decades, Rio has seen a cycle of police raiding favelas, having shootouts with traffickers, and then withdrawing again. And also part of the cycle were frequent wars between different traffickers, leading to more shootouts, endangering the lives of the people living in many of these favelas."}, {"context": " The favelas chosen for the UPP program have previously not paid for public utilities but would have to pay fees to whatever criminal organization controlled the area; this often leads to a recurrence of extortion and tax evasion. Therefore, the concept for the UPP (which was given even more impetus once Rio was chosen to host the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympic Games) was finally put into action as a first-step solution to deal with the urban cycle of violence. Before a UPP is established in a favela area, gang leaders are driven out by Rio's elite police battalion, BOPE, who search for heavy weaponry and drug caches (during this stage, and thereafter, there is an effort to encourage residents to report criminal activity to an anonymous phone number managed by Rio's government called \"Disque Den\u00fancia\")."}, {"context": " The inauguration of a new UPP is timed with the exit of BOPE from the area and the replacement of hundreds of newly trained policemen, who work within the particular area of favelas as a permanent police force. As of September 2013, 34 UPPs have been established within Rio de Janeiro with the stated goal of Rio's government to install 40 UPPs by 2014. Some UPPs, such as for that for Rocinha, only cover the territory of one specific favela, while other UPPs such as Manguinhos or Jacarezinho, also each cover smaller favela communities under their administrative umbrella."}, {"context": " Other favelas that now have UPPs include Cidade de Deus, Dona Marta, and Morro da Babil\u00f4nia. In general, where the UPPs have been implemented, violent crime has fallen dramatically, while property values have increased. Because the favelas with UPPs had formerly been controlled by armed drug traffickers for more than twenty-five years, the fear of retribution, which was a mainstay of the \"law of the traffickers\", is slow to die. For instance, in April 2012 when a drug trafficker who had formerly controlled the favela of Mangueira was shot and killed during a police operation in Jacarezinho (before the area had received its own UPP), others from the same criminal faction ordered businesses to close their doors early in Mangueira \u2014 which they did. This despite the fact that Mangueira has a permanent pacification police force as part of its own UPP. A similar occurrence of businesses closing their doors early in Mangueira because the traffickers ordered it occurred in February 2013."}, {"context": " In May 2012, Beltrame acknowledged that armed criminals had migrated from parts of Rio that have a large police presence due to areas with less police and no UPPs, such as nearby Niter\u00f3i, across the bay. Beltrame has stated however that he believes based on analysis of crime data that only gang leaders higher in the hierarchy could reestablish in other favela communities (without UPPs); and that lower level traffickers have a much harder time integrating into other geographic areas. While the favela areas under pacification have seen improvements, the concentration of criminals has increased in other parts of Rio de Janeiro that don't have the direct benefits of permanent pacification police forces actively patrolling the neighborhoods. Among these are the Baixada Fluminense, Niter\u00f3i, and certain neighborhoods in the North Zone."}, {"context": " It was obvious early on that criminals fled particular favelas before BOPE entered. Previously, when police had attempted to encircle a favela to arrest and kill traffickers in surprise attacks, large-scale shootouts would ensue, and innocent residents were caught in the crossfire. While more high-profile gang leaders (also referred to in Rio's media as \"traffickers\") have been forced to leave favelas now administered by UPP police forces, their familial connections remain. Also, gang members from other favelas who are of the same faction as residents under UPPs, still coordinate and visit each other. Exemplifying this point, one of Rio's newspapers reported on 9 July 2012 that groups of criminals fired upon police in different locations within the Complexo do Alem\u00e3o on the same day that military forces completed their final withdrawal from the area."}, {"context": " There is a well known history of police abuse and corruption in Rio de Janeiro, and for years this only added fuel to the war between drug traffickers controlling Rio's favelas and the police. In recent years there have been concerted efforts under Secretary Beltrame to root out corrupt police; and this is the very reason that the community policing of the favelas under the UPP program are staffed by new recruits coming straight from the UPP police academy \u2014 such as the 750 officers who will be policing the large Rocinha favela beginning in August 2012."}, {"context": " Beltrame has stated that the main purpose of the UPPs is more toward stopping armed men from ruling the streets than to put an end to drug trafficking. A 2010 report by the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) did note the drop in the homicide rate within Rio de Janeiro's favelas. A survey that was conducted among Rio's favela residents in July 2012 (where UPP's have been implemented) showed that there has been a reduction in the number of violent crimes and deaths. Other crimes that previously went unreported in favelas are now showing up in the crime statistics such as theft, domestic violence, and rape. Other results of the survey showed that people felt more free to discuss previously taboo topics such as street violence and illegal drug activity, but many are still intimidated to speak out, fearing that the UPP measure is only temporary."}, {"context": " Unemployment is reportedly quite low in some South Zone favelas such as Pav\u00e3o-Pav\u00e3ozinho, (in Copacabana) where the unemployment rate was reported as 5% in July 2012, compared with neighborhoods in the North Zone where life is often more difficult, where the median income is 34.4% less than in pacified favelas in the South Zone. In the South Zone favela of Chap\u00e9u Mangueira, (near Rio's famous beaches) 92.2% of residents own a cell phone. Journalists within Rio studying ballot results from the 2012 municipal elections observed that those living within favelas administered by UPPs distributed their votes among a wider spectrum of candidates compared to areas controlled by drug lords or other organized crime groups such as \"mil\u00edcias\"."}, {"context": " On 23 July 2012, the first police officer to die in a UPP administered favela was shot and killed by criminals within the Nova Bras\u00edlia area of the Complexo do Alem\u00e3o. At the time of the shooting, the female officer, 30-year-old Fabiana Aparecida de Souza, who had only been on the force a few months, was at a small UPP station within the favela, when the building was shot at by 12 assailants and she was hit in the abdomen by a rifle bullet. Ten minutes before this occurred, eight assailants shot at two officers patrolling the Pedra do Sapo part of the Complexo, but nobody was injured.  The previous week, police were patrolling the area of Fazendinha within the Complexo when they were attacked two different times. In one of the incidents, a grenade was thrown which exploded near their patrol car. (As a result of the attack resulting in the death of the police officer, an additional 500 UPP police officers were assigned to the Complexo, raising the total number to 1,800 officers working within that particular community)."}]}, {"title": "Pacilia (gens)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The gens Pacilia was an obscure plebeian family at ancient Rome. Few members of this gens are mentioned by the ancient historians, of whom the most famous may be a certain Marcus Pacilius spoken of by Cicero in his second oration against Verres. However, many Pacilii are known from inscriptions. The nomen \"Pacilius\" belongs to a class of gentilicia formed from other names, using the suffix \"-ilius\". In this case, the nomen is derived from the cognomen \"Pacilus\", a name of Oscan origin, itself perhaps derived from the Oscan \"Paccius\", which was used both as praenomen and gentilicium. It would therefore be a cognate of \"Paccius\", and perhaps also of \"Pacidius\".  The main praenomina of the Pacilii were \"Publius, Lucius, Marcus, Gnaeus, Quintus\", and \"Gaius\". There are individual examples of other names, including \"Aulus, Sextus\", and \"Spurius\". All but the last were common throughout Roman history; \"Spurius\" was used chiefly during the Republic. One of the Pacilii also bore the feminine praenomen \"Posilla\", meaning \"little\"."}]}, {"title": "Pacing (surveying)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacing is a reasonably easy and quick method of measuring distance in the field. It is used to measure a distance and is often used with a sighting or a hand compass. Most commonly, pacing is split up into segments, such as chains, which are set measures of distance. By determining one's own pace, distance can easily be estimated. To estimate one's own pace, a measure of known distance, such as or , should be marked in a straight line on level ground. One pace is defined as two footsteps. The distance is paced several times and the number of paces that it takes to walk the distance each time is recorded."}, {"context": " If the distance paced is longer than one chain, the number of paces is divided by the number of chains paced. To determine the average distance of one pace, the total distance walked is divided by the number of paces that it takes to pace that distance. This pacing chart has paces per chain and feet per pace. Pacing can also be applied to the more commonly used metric system by simply walking 100 m and marking down the number of paces required. Doing that several times and using the average will give a good idea of how many paces are made every 100 m. In the field, paces are counted until the target number for 100 m, which is then repeated."}, {"context": " It is commonly done with pacing beads, with every 100 m being counted with a bead. As noted above, terrain alters pacing and requires practice to master. Common uses of pacing consist of measuring tree height or measuring the distance between plots. Pacing saves time but is not as accurate as using a tape measure and can be affected by terrain such as steep slopes, rocky areas, streams, and thick brush. A common practice in pacing when an obstacle is encountered is to offset or pace around the obstacle. However, sometimes pacing around an obstacle is not always an option. Good pacing can only be accomplished by practice. Knowing the distance of one's pace will help to ensure accuracy and precision of pacing distances.  Pacing can also be used with a map. In the field, pacing can be used to accomplish the correct distances referred by a map. Traversing a property line or boundary where distance and length are important produces opportunities for pacing to be applied to record accurate data."}]}, {"title": "Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The journal is abstracted and indexed in Current Contents, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Science Citation Index, and Scopus."}]}, {"title": "Pacing strategies in track and field", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacing strategies in track and field are the varied strategies which runners use to distribute their energy throughout a race. Optimal strategies exist and have been studied for the different events of track and field. These optimal strategies differ for runners in sprint events, such as the 100 metres, runners in middle-distance events, such as the 800 meters or the mile run, and runners in long-distance events, such as the 5000m or marathon. Additionally, pacing typically differs between different styles of races. For instance, in a time trial, where the goal of a racer is simply to run the fastest time, participants will typically employ the aforementioned optimal pacing strategy. However, in a championship race, where the goal of the racer is to win, the pace is typically slow in the beginning of the race and gradually speeds up for a sprint finish, often meaning the race is run with a negative split. Typically, to run a world record, the runner must employ a near-optimal pacing strategy."}, {"context": " Track and field racers have a variety of options in the ways they can choose to pace their races. Even-splitting is a strategy in which the racer attempts to hit the same split in every lap of the race. The racer tries to run an \"even\" pace during the entire race. In long-distance events, this can often be an optimal strategy. Positive-splitting is a racing strategy that involves completing the first half of a race faster than the second half. Typically, the runner goes out at a pace faster than he or she can maintain for the entire race, leading to a slower end of the race. Positive-splitting can be employed as a tactic, or can simply be a byproduct of an overambitious early pace."}, {"context": " Negative-splitting is a racing strategy that involves completing the second half of a race faster than the first half. The racer runs slow in the beginning, and gradually runs faster as the race progresses. This is typically seen as a conservative racing strategy, but in distance events, many world records have been run with a slight negative split. Sit-and-kick, a related strategy to negative-splitting, is one in which the racer typically sits in the pack of the race, not taking the lead or going very fast, and then attempts to \"kick\" or sprint by the other racers during the last laps of the race. The sit-and-kick can be employed by individual runners or, in the case of many championship races, the entire field may attempt to sit-and-kick, thus leading to drastically slow times for the first few laps and faster than normal times for the last laps."}, {"context": " While all of the above strategies can be employed, certain pacing strategies, for physiological reasons, will yield the fastest times. For the 100m and 200m events, pacing is not a factor. Because the race is so short, racers simply run at their top speed for the duration of the race. However, for the 400m at the elite level, the event is almost uniformly run with a positive-split strategy. Runners run the first 200m faster than the final 200m. In the 800 meters, the fastest times have almost always been achieved with a positive-split strategy. A study of 26 world-record 800m races from 1912 to 1997 showed that in 92% of the fastest 800m races, the first half of the race has been run faster than the second half. This implies that the optimal strategy for the 800m is to positive-split."}, {"context": " In the 5000 meters and 10000 meters, the optimal strategy shifts to even-splitting. An analysis of world-record performances in these events shows a clear pattern: relatively even pacing throughout most of the race, and a slight increase in speed in the last 1000m of both the 5000m and 10000m. While one could interpret this concluding increase in speed as evidence of a sit-and-kick strategy, the increase in speed observed in these performances is not nearly as dramatic and pronounced as what is typically observed in a sit-and-kick type race."}]}, {"title": "Pacinje", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacinje () is a village on the right bank of the Pesnica River in the Municipality of Ptuj in northeastern Slovenia. The area is part of the traditional region of Styria. It is now included with the rest of the municipality in the Drava Statistical Region."}]}, {"title": "Pacino Horne", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacino Horne (born November 23, 1983 in Ypsilanti, Michigan) is a professional Canadian football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He most recently was a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He signed as a free agent with the Toronto Argonauts on May 30, 2012. Horne was a member of the 100th Grey Cup winning team, recording a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown in that game. He also played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas. On June 17, 2013, Horne was cut by the Argonauts. On September 3, 2013, Horne signed a practice roster agreement with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  On September 5, 2013, Horne left the Ticats. \"Pacino wasn't ready to commit completely to being here, wants to explore another potential opportunity,\" said head coach Kent Austin."}]}, {"title": "Pacino di Buonaguida", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacino di Buonaguida (active circa 1303 - about 1347) was an Italian painter active in Florence in the Gothic. Little is known of his biography, and only one work is signed, an altarpiece at the Accademia in Florence. Scholars now attribute over 50 works to the painter. The \"Chiarito tabernacle\" at the Getty Museum in California is attributed to Pacino. A complex \"Tree of Life\" attributed to Pacino is at the Accademia."}]}, {"title": "Pacione", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacione is an Italian surname. Notable people with the surname include:"}]}, {"title": "Paciorek", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Paciorek is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:"}]}, {"title": "Paciorkowa Wola Nowa", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Paciorkowa Wola Nowa is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Zwole\u0144, within Zwole\u0144 County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. <br>"}]}, {"title": "Paciorkowa Wola Stara", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Paciorkowa Wola Stara is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Zwole\u0144, within Zwole\u0144 County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. <br>"}]}, {"title": "Paciorkowizna", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Paciorkowizna is a settlement in the administrative district of Gmina Gomunice, within Radomsko County, \u0141\u00f3d\u017a Voivodeship, in central Poland. It lies approximately north of Gomunice, north of Radomsko, and south of the regional capital \u0141\u00f3d\u017a. <br>"}]}, {"title": "Paciphacops", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Paciphacops is a genus of trilobites from the order Phacopida, suborder Phacopina. This genus is easily mistaken for the more common and popular genus \"Phacops\" and \"Kainops\". It takes a careful eye to spot the difference. One major difference between \"Paciphacops\" and \"Phacops\" is that the central raised area (or glabella) of the headshield (or cephalon) extends beyond its anterior margin. The difference between Paciphacops and \"Kainops\" is that \"Kainops\" has more eye facets than \"Paciphacops\". The skin (or sclera) is thickened and bulges compared to the edge of each lens. This genus can be found primarily in the United States and Australia.  Some Known Species and Locations."}]}, {"title": "Pacisporaceae", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pacisporaceae are a family of fungi in the order Diversisporales. The family contains the single genus Pacispora. Species in this genus are widespread in distribution, and form arbuscular mycorrhiza and vesicles in roots."}]}, {"title": "Pacita Abad", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacita Abad (October 5, 1946 \u2013 December 7, 2004) is an Ivatan and Filipino visual artist. She was born in Basco, Batanes, a small island in the northernmost part of the Philippines, between Luzon and Taiwan. Her more than 30-year painting career began when she traveled to the United States to undertake graduate studies. She exhibited her work in over 200 museums, galleries and other venues, including 75 solo shows, around the world. Abad's work is now in public, corporate and private art collections in over 70 countries."}, {"context": " Abad earned a BA in political science at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1967. In 1970, she went to the United States intending to study law, but instead earned a degree (MA) in Asian History at Lone Mountain College (University of San Francisco) in 1972 where she supported herself as a seamstress and a typist. Abad studied painting at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. and The Art Students League in New York City. She lived on 6 different continents and worked in more than 50 countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, India, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, Mali, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Indonesia. At Corcoran School of Art Pacita studied under Berthold Schmutzhart and Blaine Larson in which the two professors had helped launch her artistic career. Pacita then further pursued her studies at The Art Students League in New York where she concentrated on still life and figurative drawing under John Helicker and Robert Beverly Hale."}, {"context": " During Pacita's time in San Francisco art scene she had married painter George Kleiman, though they later separated. She then decided to travel for art scenes across Asia for a year with Jack Garrity, and then returned to the U.S. to study painting, first at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. and later, at The Art Students League in New York City. While in California, she then married Stanford MBA student, Jack Garrity, who became an international development economist. Her early paintings were primarily figurative socio-political works of people and primitive masks. Another series was large scale paintings of underwater scenes, tropical flowers and animal wildlife. Pacita's most extensive body of work, however, is her vibrant, colorful abstract work - many very large scale canvases, but also a number of small collages - on a range of materials from canvas and paper to bark cloth, metal, ceramics and glass. Abad created over 4,500 artworks. She painted a 55-meter long Alkaff Bridge in Singapore and covered it with 2,350 multicolored circles, just a few months before she died."}, {"context": " Abad developed a technique of trapunto painting (named after a quilting technique), which entailed stitching and stuffing her painted canvases to give them a three-dimensional, sculptural effect. She then began incorporating into the surface of her paintings materials such as traditional cloth, mirrors, beads, shells, plastic buttons and other objects Pacita had also received numerous awards during her artistic career in which her most memorable award was her first. Pacita had received the TOYM Award for Art in the Philippines in 1984. Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) is an award that has always been given to men for the last 25 years until in 1984 where Pacita Abad became the first woman ever to receive this prestigious award. In Pacita receiving this award it had created a public uproar where angry letters sent to editors of published newspapers from men and male artists who thought that they, not Pacita, should have received the award. Despite such uproar Pacita was thrilled that she had broken the sex barrier in which she stated in her acceptance speech that \u201cit was long overdue that Filipina women were recognized, as the Philippines was full of outstanding women\u201d and referred proudly to her mother."}, {"context": " She established a unique trapunto technique in painting, and has influenced numerous art scholars throughout her lifetime. She is one of the few of her generation to have received numerous international awards in the field of painting. Many of her works have been acquired and prized by numerous art museums in Tokyo, Paris, London, Singapore, San Francisco, New York City, Hong Kong, and Manila, among many others. Her art has been in the national collections of at least 70 countries worldwide. The Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge in Basco, Batanes, \"was lovingly refurbished\" by her brother, Butch Abad.  \"I always see the world through color, although my vision, perspective and paintings are constantly influenced by new ideas and changing environments. I feel like I am an ambassador of colors, always projecting a positive mood that helps make the world smile.\" <br><br> - Pacita Abad"}]}, {"title": "Pacita Complex National High School", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacita Complex National High School (PCNHS), known as Pacita National, is a public secondary high school in San Pedro, Laguna, in the Philippines. It was founded on 13 November 1997, began offering education in 1999, and now runs a curriculum in scienc, technology, and engineering program and secondary basic education. PCNHS is on Sampaguita Street, Pacita Complex I, San Vicente, San Pedro, Laguna. It has three buildings and a bungalow, housing 28 classrooms that serve 2,800 students (as of SY 2006-2007)."}, {"context": " As a young school, it is facing several major problems: One is insufficient resources. Though it has an organized library, the reference materials are not enough for the demands of the students and teachers. Moreover, the school adopted AM-PM sessions, wherein classes are done in two shifts because of limited classrooms and teachers. HS Level and Sections (Science Curriculum) Paciklaban is a celebration during the annual Foundation Day. It is the highlight event during the celebration of the founding anniversary. This is to showcase the talents of Pacitians in singing, dancing and playing Instruments."}, {"context": " The \"Dove\" and \"Ang Dalisay\" are the official publication of Pacita National. The organization equips the students to enhance journalistic skills. The school is known for excellence in radio script writing and broadcasting in the Division of Laguna. For two consecutive years, PCNHS hailed as Champion in radio script writing and broadcasting Filipino category during the conduct of Division Secondary Schools Press Conference (DSSPC) 2013 and 2014 while the English category placed third during the DSSPC 2014. This marked PCNHS as warriors in radio broadcasting. Furthermore, PCNHS excels in individual categories such as news writing, editorial writing, editorial cartooning, copyreading and headline writing, sports writing.  As of school year 2018-2019 the school has launched the \"Co/Duo Teaching\" program aimed to improve teaching experience due to the rise of the number of the school's enrollees. Issued at Grade 9 and 10 BEC Curriculum the students have two homeroom advisers and two subject teachers as well. An average of 70 students per classroom is divided into to two groups (A & B) in order to ease the handling of their student's records. If the program proves successful it will be made permanent."}]}, {"title": "Pacita Madrigal-Warns", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Maria Paz Paterno Madrigal-Warns (May 4, 1915 - September 12, 2008), commonly known as Pacita Madrigal-Warns (from 1945 to 1956), later Pacita Madrigal-Gonzales (from 1956 until her death), was a Filipina ballet dancer, and politician. She served as the administrator of the Social Welfare Administration under Ramon Magsaysay's cabinet from 1953-1955 and was a Senator of the Philippines from 1955 to 1961 during the Third and Fourth Congresses. She was the third woman to be elected to the Philippine Senate."}, {"context": " Maria Paz Paterno Madrigal was born on May 4, 1915 to Vicente Madrigal L\u00f3pez of Albay, a Filipino-Spanish business tycoon and senator from 1945 to 1953 and Susana Ramos Paterno of Laguna. Second of seven siblings, Maria Paz, or \"Pacita\", grew up in San Miguel, Manila. Pacita studied in Philippine Women's University and became Colegio de San Juan de Letran's \"Princess of Education\" at the age of fifteen. She graduated class valedictorian in the same school, and later entered Sorbonne University in Paris. She took business administration degree at the University of Santo Tomas where she graduated \"magna cum laude\". She also took finishing courses at the Le Coll\u00e8ge F\u00e9minin de Bouffemont in France, and at Dale Carnegie Course and Powers School in New York."}, {"context": " In 1934, she joined the Manila Carnival (equivalent to today's Binibining Pilipinas) under the sponsorship of Dee Tees, the country's leading publication during that era. She was defeated by Clarita Tankiang, a Chinese \"mestiza\", for the crown. In 1941, Pacita was in New York when the Second World War reached the Philippines. During that time, Pacita enlisted as a volunteer nurse for the Red Cross and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After the war, Pacita married Herman Warns, an executive of the Manila Gas Corporation. In 1952, she represented the League of Women Voters, the Triennial Congress of International Allience of Women in Naples, Italy and UNESCO Seventh General Conference in Geneva. From 1945 to 1953, Pacita managed her husband's ballet school. Later that year, she gave up the administration of their school to head the Women for Magsaysay Movement (WMPM), which supported the candidacy of the then Ramon Magsaysay for presidency. Upon his assumption of office, Magsaysay appointed Madrigal-Warns as the chief of the Social Welfare Administration (SWA) in 1953. Later, she re-structured the organization of WMPM from a civic organization to a social welfare society. She also established the Samahang Manang Pacita (Manang Pacita Movement) which focused on community development."}, {"context": " In 1955, she decided to run for the Senate under the Nacionalista banner, where she obtained the topnotch slot garnering a total vote of 2,544,716, or 50.4% of the total vote turnouts. Madrigal-Warns became the third female senator of the Philippines after Geronima Pecson and Maria Kalaw Katigbak. During her term, she was the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice. Community Development and Welfare. She was also the lone woman in the upper house during the 3rd (1954-1957) and 4th Congresses (1958-1961)."}, {"context": " In 1956, Pacita married Gonzalo Wilfrado Gonzales, a lawyer, after the death of Herman Warns. She unsuccessfully bid for re-election in 1961, ended up being 11th, which was said to be due to the accusations of her public funds misuse in 1956. Pacita-Gonzales was charged with malversation, misappropriation and misuse of public funds of the Social Welfare Administration during the years of 1954-1955, which was later dismissed by the Supreme Court in 1963. Pacita Madrigal was married to Herman Warns from 1945 until his death in 1956. They had one issue, Vicente Madrigal Warns, known as \"Bu Madrigal\".  At the death of Warns, Pacita married lawyer Gonzalo Wilfrado Rafols Gonzales, son of Bienvenido Ma. Gonzales, an educator and president of the University of the Philippines from 1939-1943 and 1945-1951. They had one issue, Ana Maria Gizela Madrigal Gonzales. Pacita is the aunt of Jamby Madrigal, who also served as senator from 2004 to 2010. She died on September 12, 2008."}]}, {"title": "Pacita Main Gate railway station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacita MG Station, also called Pacita Main Gate Station or Pacita Complex Station, is a railway station on the South Main Line (Southrail) of the Philippine National Railways. Like all PNR stations, the station is at grade. It is located in Pacita Complex 1, San Pedro City, Laguna. Pacita Main Gate was once named as Pacita Complex Station in the COMMEX era. It was changed to Pacita Main Gate when Metro South Commuter was introduced, and replaced COMMEX."}]}, {"title": "Pacita Weidel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacita Weidel (born 31 March 1933) is a Canadian fencer. She competed in the women's individual foil event at the 1964 Summer Olympics."}]}, {"title": "Pacita del Ri\u0301o", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Helen Johnson, stage name, Pacita del R\u00edo, was a Filipina actress known for playing countless roles as the Villain. She is one of the leading actresses before World War II. Del R\u00edo always played a mistress or lover in the movies made by Carmen Rosales. Helen Johnson was born in Manila, Philippine Islands (now Philippines) on September 23, 1921. She had one boy, Bernard Johnson. She died in San Diego on November 13, 1989 at the age of 69."}]}, {"title": "Pacitan Regency", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacitan () is a regency located in the southwestern East Java Province, with Central Java Province on its west border. Located between 7.55\u00b0 - 8.17\u00b0S and 110.55\u00b0 - 111.25\u00b0E. The borders of Pacitan Regency are: Wonogiri Regency (Central Java) in the west, Ponorogo Regency and Wonogiri Regency in the north, Trenggalek Regency in the east, and Indian Ocean in the south. The capital of Pacitan Regency is Pacitan city. The majority of citizens in Pacitan speak Javanese as their first language, while speaking Indonesian as a second language."}, {"context": " The area of Pacitan Regency is about 1,342.42\u00a0km\u00b2. Most of it is mountainous and rocky, also having a few rocky canyons. That sort of geography covers about 88% of the regency, and this is because Pacitan is located in the Thousand Mountains. The highest mountain in Pacitan is Mount Lima in Kebonagung, and Mount Gembes in Bandar as the spring of Grindulu River. Comparison of land types: Generally, the land in Pacitan can be divided into two categories, calcium rich in the south, and fertile land in the north. The land consists of lithosal association, red mediterranean lithosal, tuf and volcanic compound, reddish lithosal complex, and grey alluvial, clay sediments containing many potential minerals. The minerals are feldspar, ball clay, bentonite, pyrophyllite, calcite, gypsum, phosphate rock, quartz, coal, dolomite, gemstone, tin ore, and manganite."}, {"context": " Pacitan Regency consists 130.87\u00a0km\u00b2 of rice fields and 1,211.55\u00a0km\u00b2 of dry land. According to irrigation type the rice fields can be grouped into: technical irrigation rice field (16.06\u00a0km\u00b2), half technical irrigation rice field (11.88\u00a0km\u00b2), simple irrigation rice field (40.63\u00a0km\u00b2), and rain-dependent rice field (62.3\u00a0km\u00b2). Pacitan Regency is divided into twelve districts (\"kecamatan\"): Pacitan Regency has 17 beaches, in the west of Pacitan City: Banyu Tibo, Buyutan, Karang Bolong, Srau, Klayar, and Watu Karung, near Pacitan City: Pantai Teleng Ria, Tamperan Gung, Kali Uluh, and Wawaran, in the east of Pacitan City: Pidakan, Soge, Tawang, Taman, and Kunir. All beaches are near 70 kilometers of South Coast Road from Wonogiri Regency to Trenggalek Regency. Soge Beach can be accessed in 30 minutes drive or by bus public transport from Pacitan City, but all beaches are relatively far from big cities as Surabaya (7 hours) and Surakarta (4 hours).  Some of the beaches are recognized as great beaches for surfing. Although still relatively unknown among the international surfing world, a consistent stream of surfers from around the world enjoy its beaches. Among many beautiful beaches in Pacitan Regency, these four beaches are ideal for surfing: Pacitan is also the birthplace of the former army general and the former and first directly elected President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono."}]}, {"title": "Pacitto", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pacitto is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:"}]}, {"title": "Paciwood Music & Entertainment Ltd", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Paciwood Music & Entertainment Ltd. is a Hong Kong-based entertainment and artist management agency founded on 31 May 1991. In 2004, Paciwood co-invested with Esun Group to develop a music record company, East Asia Record Production Limited, with the music label Amusic. Artists being managed by Paciwood include Leon Lai, Janice M. Vidal, Charles Ying, Aarif Rahman, Janice Man, Emily Wong, and JW. Paciwood is involved in a variety of business ventures, including concert organization and production, advertisements, TVC production, movie making, etc."}]}, {"title": "Paci\u0301fica Ferna\u0301ndez", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pac\u00edfica Fern\u00e1ndez Oreamuno (August 23, 1828 \u2013 March 31, 1885) was the inaugural First Lady of Costa Rica and wife of President Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Castro Madriz. She was born in San Jos\u00e9, Costa Rica on August 23, 1828 to her parents former Head of State Manuel Fern\u00e1ndez Chac\u00f3n and Dolores Oreamuno Mu\u00f1oz de la Trinidad, and was sister of President Pr\u00f3spero Fern\u00e1ndez Oreamuno. She married Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Castro Madriz on June 29, 1843 who later became Head of State (1847\u20131848) President of the Republic of Costa Rica (1848\u20131849 and 1866\u20131868). She still holds the title as the youngest First Lady or spouse of a Costa Rican head of state, as she was only 18 when her husband first gained power.  She is known as the original designer of the flag of Costa Rica, which she designed based on the flag of France although with the following description: \"\u201cFrance received civilization from the south with perfectly vertical rays, and so the stripes in their flag reflect this. In Costa Rica this does not happen and thus the stripes are horizontal, as the rays get to us.\u201d\" The flag designed by Fern\u00e1ndez was first sewn on November 12, 1848. She died in San Jos\u00e9, Costa Rica on March 31, 1885."}]}, {"title": "Paci\u0301fico (Madrid Metro)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pac\u00edfico is a station on Line 1 and Line 6 of the Madrid Metro. It is located in Zone A. It has been opened to the public since 8 May, 1923. On 10 November, 1979 it was added to Line 6. The \"Nave de motores de Pac\u00edfico\", an old power station previously used for powering the Metro, is nearby."}]}, {"title": "Paci\u0301fico (Madrid)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pac\u00edfico is a ward (\"barrio\") of Madrid belonging to the district of Retiro."}]}, {"title": "Paci\u0301fico (beer)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Cerveza Pac\u00edfico Clara, better known as Pac\u00edfico, is a Mexican pilsner-style beer. Cerveza Pac\u00edfico is named so because the Pac\u00edfico brewery is located in the Pacific Ocean port city of Mazatl\u00e1n, in the state of Sinaloa, M\u00e9xico. It was first brewed in 1900 when three Germans opened a brewery, the \"Cerveceria del Pac\u00edfico\", in Mazatl\u00e1n. Its label includes a picture depicting a lifesaver encompassing a hill with the port's lighthouse hill, known locally as \"Cerro del Crest\u00f3n.\" In Mazatl\u00e1n, the beer is available in four different size bottles: \"cuartitos\" (6 fl. oz), \"medias\" (12 fl. oz.), \"ballenas\" (32 fl. oz.) and \"Ballen\u00f3n\" (1.2 L).  Alcohol content: 4.5 percent. \"Clara\" means clear, blonde, as opposed to \"oscura\" (dark). The Pac\u00edfico brewery was bought by Mexican brewing giant Grupo Modelo in 1954. The Belgian-Brazilian Anheuser-Busch InBev company currently owns a 50% stake of Grupo Modelo."}]}, {"title": "Paci\u0301fico F.C.", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pac\u00edfico F.C. was a Colombian football (soccer) team, based in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The club was founded in 2010 and played in Categor\u00eda Primera B. The club was formerly known as Girardot F.C. based in Girardot, which then moved to Palmira becoming Deportes Palmira but due to financial difficulties, the club relocated to Buenaventura and was rebranded as Pac\u00edfico F.C. The club only lasted less than two years after it was moved again and became Sucre F.C.."}]}, {"title": "Paci\u0301fico Power Plant, Madrid", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The old Pac\u00edfico Power Plant () is a former power station belonging to the Madrid Metro. On April 11, 2013, the Directorate General of Historical Heritage of the Community of Madrid declared it a \"Bien de Inter\u00e9s Cultural\". It is known by the name of its most important components, three massive diesel ship engines, and the Pac\u00edfico Metro station nearby. Built in the 1920s, the \"Nave de motores de Pac\u00edfico\" was an active electric power station until the 1950s. It is now an exhibition and event space. Its architect was Antonio Palacios.  At present it is, along with Chamber\u00ed station, which is over 5\u00a0km away, one of the two sites of Platform 0, the visitor centre of the Madrid Metro."}]}, {"title": "Pack", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pack or packs may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Pack & Stack", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pack & Stack (original German name: Zak Pak!) is a 2008 board game designed by Bernd Eisenstein. \"Pack & Stack\" is a game about moving, where players stack three-dimensional objects on top of each other. The game can be played by three to six players. Every player starts out with 75 points. On each round, the each player rolls a set of five colour-coded dice, which then determine how many items the player must take. The items vary in length from 1 to 5 units. The player then draws two cards, representing moving trucks, from a pile, face down."}, {"context": " When each player has their items and cards, the players turn their cards face up. Each player selects a moving truck to fill from some other player, except the last player to do so, who must instead select a truck from the pile. Each truck is 5\u00d73 units in surface area and 1 to 4 units high, although part of the surface area might be filled up in advance. The players then do their best to stack their items in the remaining volume in the truck. Any space left vacant counts as penalty points, and any items left over count as double penalty points. The player with the fewest penalty points is awarded 10 points.  When every player is finished, the players deduct their penalty points, and a new round begins. The game proceeds this way until one player runs out of points. At this point, the game is over, and the player with the highest number of points left wins."}]}, {"title": "Pack (canine)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pack is a social group of conspecific canids. Not all species of canids form packs; for example, small canids like the red fox do not. Pack size and social behaviour within packs varies across species. African wild dogs (\"Lycaon pictus\") live and hunt in packs. Males assist in raising the pups, and remain with their pack for life, while the females leave their birth pack at about the age of two and a half years old to join a pack with no females. Males outnumber the females in a pack, and usually only one female breeds with all of the males. African wild dogs are not territorial, and they hunt cooperatively in their packs, running down large game and tearing it apart. They cooperate in caring for wounded and sick pack members as well as the young."}, {"context": " Gray wolves (\"Canis lupus\") usually live in packs which consist of the adult parents and their offspring of perhaps the last 2 or 3 years. The adult parents are usually unrelated and other unrelated wolves may sometimes join the pack. Wolves usually hunt in packs, but they hunt singly in the spring and summer when there is plenty of prey available. They are found in both Eurasia and North America. Black-backed jackals (\"Canis mesomelas\") in Africa and coyotes (\"Canis latrans\") which are only found in North America have a single long term mate, but they usually either hunt singly or as a pair. Both parents care for the young, and the parents and their current offspring are the pack. They occasionally cooperate in larger packs to hunt large game."}, {"context": " The Ethiopian wolf (\"Canis simensis\") has different social behavior from the gray wolf: pack members hunt alone for rodents, and come together mainly to defend their territory from other packs. Domestic dogs (\"Canis lupus familiaris\"): Domesticated dogs have had humans as part of dog social structure for at least 12,000 years, and human behaviour is not the same as wolf behaviour. Studies of dog behaviour include studies of dogs and their interactions with humans, and \"dumped\" or \"road\" dogs that were raised by humans and then left to fend for themselves."}, {"context": " Animals which typically predominate over others are associated with the term \"alpha\". Among pack-living wolves, alpha wolves are the genetic parents of most cubs in the pack. Such access to mating females creates strong selective pressure for intra-sex competition. Wolves show deference to the alpha pair in their pack by allowing them to be the first to eat and, usually, the only pair to reproduce. Wolves use eye contact as an indicator of dominance or submission, but in order to establish a dominant position they often also show physical superiority through playing or fighting. The smaller and more nuclear a pack is, the status of alpha is less likely to be obtained through fighting, and young wolves instead leave the pack to find a mate and produce offspring of their own. Larger or less-nuclear packs may operate differently and possess more complex and flexible social structures."}, {"context": " In the case of other wild canids, the alpha male may not have exclusive access to the alpha female; moreover, other pack members may guard the maternity den used by the alpha female; as with the African wild dog, \"Lycaon pictus\". As dominant roles may be deemed normal among social species with extended parenting, it has been suggested that the additional term \"alpha\" is not required merely to describe dominance due to its ubiquity, but should be reserved for where they are the predominant pack progenitor. For instance, wolf biologist L. David Mech stated \"calling a wolf an \"alpha\" is usually no more appropriate than referring to a human parent or a doe deer as an \"alpha\". Any parent is dominant to its young offspring, so \"alpha\" adds no information. Why not refer to an alpha female as the \"female parent\", the \"breeding female\", the \"matriarch\", or simply the \"mother\"? Such a designation emphasizes not the animal's dominant status, which is trivial information, but its role as pack progenitor, which is critical information. The one use we may still want to reserve for \"alpha\" is in the relatively few large wolf packs multiple litters. ... In such cases the older breeders are probably dominant to the younger breeders and perhaps can more appropriately be called the \"alphas\". ... The point here is not so much the terminology but what the terminology falsely implies: a rigid, force-based dominance hierarchy.\""}, {"context": " One of the most persistent theories in dog training literature is the idea of the \"alpha wolf\", an individual gray wolf who uses body language and, when needed, physical force to maintain its dominance within the wolf pack. The idea was first reported in early wolf research. It was subsequently adopted by dog trainers. The term \"alpha\" was popularized as early as 1976 in the dog training book \"How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend\" (Monks of New Skete), which introduced the idea of the \"alpha roll\", a technique for punishing unwanted dog behaviours. Psychologist and dog trainer Stanley Coren in the 2001 book \"How to Speak Dog\" says \"you are the alpha dog...You must communicate that you are the pack leader and dominant\"."}, {"context": " Training techniques assumed to be wolf pack related such as scruff shaking, the alpha roll and recommendations to be alpha to the dog continue to be used and recommended by some dog training instructors. It has been suggested that the use of such techniques may have more to do with human psychology than with dog behaviour; \"dominance hierarchies and dominance disputes and testing are a fundamental characteristic of all social groups... But perhaps only we humans learn to use punishment primarily to gain for ourselves the reward of being dominant.  Most leading veterinary and animal behavior associations, and most contemporary trainers would agree, advocating the use of rewards to teach commands and encourage good communication between owners and their pets. Modern best practices dictate an abandonment of outdated \"pack\" methods. Some canine behaviourists suggest that kind, efficient training uses games to teach commands which can be utilised to benefit the owner's everyday life."}]}, {"title": "Pack (compression)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pack is a (now deprecated) Unix shell compression program based on Huffman coding. The unpack utility will restore files to their original state after they have been compressed using the \"pack\" utility. If no files are specified, the standard input will be uncompressed to the standard output. Although obsolete, support for packed files exists in modern compression tools such as gzip and 7-zip. Files compressed by \"pack\" are typically given the extension \".z\" (not to be confused with the \".Z\" of compress). Files can be returned to their original state using \"unpack\". In addition, there may also be a \"pcat\" command which reads in a compressed file and sends its output to stdout."}]}, {"title": "Pack Horse Library Project", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Pack Horse Library Project was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) program that delivered books to remote regions in the Appalachian Mountains between 1935 and 1943. Women were very involved in the project which eventually had 30 different libraries serving 100,000 people. Pack horse librarians were known by many different names including \"book women,\" \"book ladies,\" and \"packsaddle librarians.\" The project helped employ around 200 people and reached around 100,000 residents in rural Kentucky."}, {"context": " Because of the Great Depression and a lack of budget money, the American Library Association estimated in May 1936 that around a third of all Americans no longer had \"reasonable\" access to public library materials. Eastern, rural Kentucky is a geographically isolated area, cut off from much of the country. Prior to the creation of the Pack Horse Library Project, many people in rural Appalachian Kentucky did not have access to books. The percentage of people who were illiterate in eastern Kentucky was at around 31 percent. People who lived in rural, mostly inaccessible areas wanted to become more literate, seeing education as a way to escape poverty. While there were traveling libraries, which were created by the Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs starting in 1896, the lack of roads and population centers in eastern Kentucky discouraged the creation of most public library services in those locations. The traveling libraries were discontinued in 1933. In Kentucky, 63 counties had no library services at all during the early 1930s."}, {"context": " The first Pack Horse Library was created in Paintsville in 1913 and started by May F. Stafford. It was supported by a local coal baron, John C.C. Mayo, but when Mayo died in 1914, the program ended because of lack of funding. Elizabeth Fullerton, who worked with the women's and professional projects at the WPA, decided to reuse Stafford's idea. In 1934, A Presbyterian minister who ran a community center in Leslie County offered his library to the WPA if they would fund people to carry the books to people who could not easily access library materials. That started the first pack horse library, which was administered by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) until the WPA took it over in 1935. By 1936, there were eight pack horse libraries in operation."}, {"context": " The Pack Horse Library Project was headed by Ellen Woodward at a federal level. The project ran between 1935 and 1943. \"Book women\" were hired by the WPA and worked for around $28 a month delivering books in the Appalachians via horseback or on mules. They delivered both to individual homes and to schoolhouses. The WPA paid for the salaries of the supervisors and book carriers; all books were donated to the program. Members of the community had to not only donate books but also provide facilities to store the books and other supplies needed by the librarians on horseback. Each local pack horse library had a clerk, or head librarian, who handled various library duties and four to ten book carriers who delivered books to mountain schools and homesteads. The head librarian would process donations at the headquarters, repair books and get items ready to deliver. Librarians repurposed items like cheese boxes into card catalog files or license plates bent into shapes for bookends. Monthly, the librarians would meet at their central facility in what they called \"conferences.\" Most of the people involved in the Pack Horse Library Project were women. Most of the pack horse librarians were the only person in their family who was then earning an income."}, {"context": " Book carriers provided their own horses or mules, some of which were leased from local farmers. Some routes were so steep that one book woman, Grace Caudill Lucas, had to lead her horse across the cliffs. Other areas had deep water and her feet sometimes \"froze to the stirrups.\" Another librarian chose to hike her 18\u00a0mi route on foot after the death of her mule. One librarian had a very old mule and so walked with her animal part of the route instead of riding. Over the course of a month, women would ride and walk an average of 4,905 miles. The book packs that the librarians carried could hold around 100 books."}, {"context": " Books were rotated between locations and were chosen based on the preferences of the library patrons. The collection of the libraries were focused on children's books. Maggie Mae Smith, a supervisor at the Whitley County Pack Horse Library wrote that the children all ran to meet the book women, saying, \"Bring me a book to read.\" For adults, the collection focused on current events, history, religion and biographies. The \"Bible\" was one of the most requested books, along with \"instructive literature.\" Other popular books were \"Robinson Crusoe\" and literature by Mark Twain. Women enjoyed reading illustrated home magazines and books about health and parenting. Another unique aspect of the collection was the recipe and quilting pattern books that women created, writing down their favorites into binders which were shared throughout the area. The scrapbooks also contained cuttings from other books and magazines and eventually, there were more than 200 different books generated by patrons and librarians. In 1938, four Tru-Vuers with 40 films were purchased to circulate through the different libraries so that people could see their first moving pictures. The books were in such demand that one young man walked 8\u00a0mi to the closest pack horse library to get new books. In 1936, around 33,000 books were circulated to around 57,000 families. The lending period for books was usually about a week."}, {"context": " Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) and women's clubs in Kentucky were key to helping raise money to purchase new books. Lena Nofcier, who was involved in promoting the book donation program through the PTA, helped raise money by book drives and penny donations. In Paintsville, Kentucky, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) helped pay shipping expenses for the books donated. The head of the library in Paintsville, Stafford, also solicited books by writing to the editor of \"The Courier-Journal\". PTA's in Kentucky helped promote the Pack Horse Library Project. Local communities held book drives and open houses to support libraries."}, {"context": " The Pack Horse Library Project not only distributed books but also provided reading lessons. Librarians and book women would also read aloud to families. Librarians were also seen as educators, bringing new ideas into isolated areas. In order to do so, librarians had to deal with their community's suspicion of strangers and deal with a \"hostility toward any outside influence.\" The librarians managed to overcome the attitude to such a degree that one family was reported as refusing to move to a new county because it lacked a packhorse library service."}, {"context": " The project ended in 1943, when the WPA stopped funding the program. While local communities tried to keep the libraries going, they were unable to continue without funding. It was only in the 1950s that the remote communities would have access to bookmobiles. There were around 30 different pack horse libraries who served around 100,000 different people in the mountain areas. The libraries also served around 155 schools in these counties by 1937. Breathitt County was an early pack horse library location, opening in 1935. Campbellsville, Kentucky opened a pack horse library on November 3, 1938. The head of the project was Louise S. Van Cleve. Burkesville in Cumberland County started up a pack horse library in 1938 that had around 1,000 books and 3,000 magazines in the collection."}, {"context": " To obtain books for a planned Floyd County library, an open house was held in Prestonburg in 1938. The supervisor for Floyd county was Grace Moore Burchett, who oversaw services at Prestonburg, Martin, Lackey and Wheelwright. Greenup County started a pack horse library in 1939. Hindman was the central location for Knott County which had a pack horse library in 1935. By 1937, there was a pack horse library in Lee County. A major headquarters was located in Lexington. Letcher County also had its own library."}, {"context": " London, Kentucky in Laurel County was one of the more centrally located pack horse libraries. The center was run by Ethel Perryman, who was a local director of the WPA, women's work division. London also served as a central receiving area for book donations. One large central book distribution program was run out of Pittsburgh by Mrs. Malcolm McLeod, wife of the head of the English department at Carnegie Tech, who sent her donations to London. The first location to have a pack horse library was Leslie County, Kentucky. Leslie's collection was donated by their minister, Benton Deaton, who kickstarted the project. The pack horse library in Leslie started in the Wooton Community Center in Wooton, Kentucky."}, {"context": " A pack horse library existed in Martin County by 1941. The headquarters of the pack horse library in Morehead experienced a fire in 1939. In Owsley County, they had a pack horse library by 1937. Paintsville, Kentucky revived its original pack horse library idea when the WPA funded it. May F. Stafford was in charge of the project there. The Painstville library had grown to hold around 5,000 books by 1938. It was estimated that it cost around $40 a month in rent and utilities to run the central facility for the pack horse library. The Pikeville pack horse library was run by Naomi Lemon. Pine Mountain school was the headquarters for the pack horse library in Harlan County, which had been opened up by 1937. The supervisor of the library in Harlan County was Ann Richards, a WPA employee."}, {"context": " In 1936, the WPA began planning to open a pack horse library in Somerset, Kentucky. The Somerset library was supervised by Imogene Dutton. By 1937, there was a pack horse library in Whitely County. Maggie Mae Smith was the supervisor at that location. Several books have been written about the Pack Horse Library Project. \"That Book Woman\" (2008), by Heather Henson and illustrated by David Small, is a children's book that introduces children to the project. Another children's book that mentions the pack horse libraries is \"The Great Depression for Kids\" (2015) by Cheryl Mullenbach. In 2010, Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer published \"Down Cut Shin Creek\", a non-fiction book that describes the travels of the book women and men who helped deliver books throughout east Kentucky. Poetry about the \"book women\" has also been created."}]}, {"title": "Pack Monadnock", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Pack Monadnock or Pack Monadnock Mountain , is the highest peak of the Wapack Range of mountains and the highest point in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. The mountain, a monadnock, is located in south-central New Hampshire within the towns of Peterborough and Temple. The Wapack Trail and a number of shorter trails traverse the mountain. A firetower and ledges on the summit offer long views north to the White Mountains, west to Mount Monadnock, and south into Massachusetts. North Pack Monadnock Mountain is located directly to the north along the Wapack ridgeline; Temple Mountain to the south."}, {"context": " Much of the mountain is located within Miller State Park. A seasonal automobile road ascends from the south to a picnic area at the summit. The summit also has a manned air-pollution monitoring station. The east side of the mountain drains into the Souhegan River watershed, thence into the Merrimack River and Atlantic Ocean; the west side drains into the Contoocook River, thence into the Merrimack River. The mountain is the home of the Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory, where birdwatchers from around the region gather for the annual hawk migration. During the peak migration season in September, birdwatchers search the sky for kettles of hundreds of hawks swarming above rising thermals as they migrate south.  The mountain's summit at Peterborough is also home to the transmitter of NOAA Weather Radio station WNG575. According to local tradition, the word \"pack\" is a Native American word for \"little\" and \"monadnock\" is used to describe an isolated mountain summit; thus \"Little Monadnock\" refers to its relationship to the higher Mount Monadnock, , to the west. Pack Monadnock should not be confused with Little Monadnock Mountain, located to the west."}]}, {"title": "Okey Johnson", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okey Johnson (born Long Reach in what was then the state of Virginia, March 24, 1834; died New York City, New York, June 16, 1903) was a lawyer, politician, judge, and educator in the state of West Virginia. He served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia from January 1, 1877 to December 31, 1888. After graduating from Marietta High School across the river in Ohio in 1856, Johnson entered Harvard Law School, earning a degree in 1858. After several years farming and undertaking trading voyages on riverboats, he established a law practice in Parkersburg in May 1862. An active Democrat, Johnson was an elector for George B. McClellan in 1864. Johnson was elected to the state senate in 1870 and to the constitutional convention of 1872. In 1876 he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals, serving a 12 year term.  In 1896 Johnson served on a committee of the West Virginia Academy of Science to inquire into forest protection and draft legislation to set aside forest reservations in the state. Johnson served as the dean of the West Virginia University College of Law from 1895 to 1903. He died in New York City after having surgery there. Johnson married Sarah Elizabeth Stephenson (1836-1921), widow of Benjamin Jackson. They had five children."}]}, {"title": "Okey L. Patteson", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okey Leonidas Patteson (September 14, 1898July 3, 1989) was the 23rd Governor of West Virginia for the term following the 1948 election. He was a member of the United States Democratic Party and of the \"machine\" that totally controlled politics in that era in the state. Okey Patteson was son of L.C. and Lola (Groves) Patteson. He was born at Dingess, West Virginia and raised at Mount Hope, Fayette County. He married Lee Hawse in 1923 and they had two children, Fanny Lee and Anna Hughes. His religious affiliation was Methodist. In 1932, a hunting accident left him disabled, as both of his legs had to be amputated below the knees."}, {"context": " Patteson graduated with a bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and did post-graduate work at Carnegie Institute of Technology. He was awarded honorary degrees of L.L.D. from West Virginia University in 1949 and from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Patteson worked as an automobile dealer and with real estate in Mount Hope. He served as President of Fayette County Court 1935\u201341 and as sheriff of Fayette County 1941\u201344. In the 1944 elections, he was Campaign manager for the Democratic Party and became a Presidential elector. The new governor, Clarence W. Meadows, appointed him his personal assistant, a position he held for three years, until he resigned to run for Governor, January 1, 1948. He won the nomination with a margin of 62 000 over the nearest opponent and was elected by majority of 110 000 in the general election. He served as governor for one term."}, {"context": " Patteson was a member of the Board of Trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan, and of a number of societies: Free masons, Knights Templar, Moose International, Lions, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution and Elks. He was a member of the National Guard for three years. After his term he served as general manager of the Turnpike, returned to real estate business, and became president of the Raleigh County Bank. In 1969, Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. named Patteson to the newly created Board of Regents."}, {"context": " He is best known for his decision to place the state's first medical school at West Virginia University in Morgantown, in the northern part of the state, rather than in the more centrally located Charleston. A section of West Virginia Route 705 leading to West Virginia University Hospitals is named Patteson Drive in his honor. He also is known for the initial construction of the West Virginia Turnpike, which was to be a 4-lane road system throughout the state, although, after his term, it was superseded by the interstate highway system, with only a 2-lane section between Charleston and Princeton ever completed.  During his term, the legislature created the position of state Tax Commissioner and authorized cities to levy sales taxes. He was praised by crime writer Erle Stanley Gardner for his careful re-investigation of the case of convicted murderer Robert Bailey Ballard when doubts were raised about the validity of the conviction. Gardner dedicated his detective novel \u201cTop of the Heap\u201d to Patteson."}]}, {"title": "Okey McCabe", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okey McCabe (1904 \u2013 19 November 1977) was a South African cricket umpire. He stood in one Test match, South Africa vs. New Zealand, in 1953."}]}, {"title": "Okey Ndibe", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okechukwu Ndibe, better known as Okey Ndibe, (born 1960) is a novelist, political columnist, and essayist. Of Igbo ethnicity, Ndibe was born in Yola, Nigeria. He is the author of \"Arrows of Rain\" and \"Foreign Gods, Inc.\", two critically acclaimed novels published in 2000 and 2014 respectively. Ndibe is one of the foremost respected and admired contributors to the social and political essence of Nigeria or lack of it. Okey Ndibe was born in Yola, Nigeria. His father was a postal worker, and his mother a teacher. His early life in Nigeria was marked by the Biafran War, a subject that he later wrote about in an essay entitled \"My Biafran Eyes\". At the end of the Biafran War, he finished his elementary school education in the town of Enugu Ukwu and attended St. Michael's Secondary School, Nimo, in Anambra State, Nigeria."}, {"context": " Ndibe worked in Nigeria as a journalist and magazine editor, and came to the United States in 1988 at the invitation of famous Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. In the United States, Ndibe helped to found \"African Commentary\", a magazine described as \"award-winning and widely acclaimed\". Ndibe holds both an MFA in writing and a PhD in literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst He continued to write for magazines and papers in the United States, winning the 2001 Association of Opinion Page Editors award for best opinion essay in an American newspaper for his piece \"Eyes to the Ground: The Perils of the Black Student\"."}, {"context": " Ndibe has worked as a professor at several colleges, including Connecticut College, Bard College at Simon's Rock, Trinity College Connecticut, and Brown University. He is currently the Shearing Fellow at the Black Mountain Institute at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Ndibe is an author of short fiction, novels, poetry and political commentary. He is a regular columnist for \"NEXT\", a Nigerian newspaper. He also contributes to many other publications, including \"The Hartford Courant\", \"The Fabian Society Journal\", \"Black Issues Book Review\", BBC Online. He has contributed poetry to \"An Anthology of New West African Poets\". His first novel, entitled \"Arrows of Rain\", was published in 2000. His second novel, \"Foreign Gods, Incorporated\", was published by Soho Press in 2014; it was named one of the best books of the year by such publications as \"The New York Times\", \"Inquirer\", \"Cleveland Plain Dealer\", and \"Mosaic\", as well as being included in National Public Radio's list of best books of 2014."}, {"context": " His fiction has been praised by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka (\"...quite a while since I sensed creative promise on this level\"), John Edgar Wideman (\"first rate fiction\"), Ngugi wa Thiong'o (\"Moliere-like\"), Janet Maslin of the \"New York Times\" (\"razor-sharp\"), \"Los Angeles Times\" (\"Ndibe seems to have a boundless ear for the lyrical turns of phrase of the working people of rural Nigeria\"), and \"Paste\" magazine (\"just about perfect\"), among many others. Janet Maslin, the \"Philadelphia Inquirer\", National Public Radio, \"Mosaic\" magazine, \"Cleveland Plain Dealer\", among others, named \"Foreign Gods, Inc.\" one of the best 10 or most remarkable books of 2014. The Houston, Texas-based USAfricaonline.com named Ndibe its \"African Writer of 2014\"."}, {"context": " Ndibe is co-editor (with the Zimbabwean writer Chenjerai Hove) of a collection of essays entitled \"Writers, Writing on Conflicts and Wars in Africa\" (Adonis Abbey, 2009). Ndibe relocated to the United States in 1988 to serve as founding editor of \"African Commentary\", a magazine described as \"award-winning and widely acclaimed.\" His essay \"My Biafran Eyes,\" about his childhood experience of war, is published in \"Best of the Web 2008\" (Dzanc Books). His poetry is published in \"New West African Poets\", edited by the Gambian writer Tijan Sallah. Ndibe has taught at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, Simon's Rock of Bard College in Great Barrington, MA, Connecticut College, New London, CT, and the University of Lagos (as a Fulbright scholar). He is currently working on a novel titled \"Return Flights\" as well as a memoir, \"Going Dutch and other American Mis/Adventures.\""}]}, {"title": "Okey Wali", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okey Wali, SAN (born October 29, 1958) is a Nigerian lawyer and the 26th president of the Nigerian Bar Association. Wali was born on October 29, 1958 at Obio-Akpor local government area in the metropolis of Port Harcourt, a southern part of Nigeria. He attended the Port Harcourt Township School for his primary education but completed it at St. Paul\u2019s Primary School in Diobu, Port Harcourt. He later attended Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1973 and proceeded to the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, where he received a Bachelor of Law degree in 1983."}, {"context": " He returned to Nigeria for professional training at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos State and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. After few years of working experience, he was appointed as secretary of Port Harcourt branch of the NBA in 1992. He later served as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State before he was elected as the 26th president of the Nigerian Bar Association, having polled 688 votes to defeat Emeka Ngige (SAN), who had 449 votes.  He was succeeded by Augusustine Alegeh, a senior advocate of Nigeria. In October 2014, it was reported that Wali was abducted in Rivers State by unknown gunmen and released a few days after the abduction."}]}, {"title": "Okezie", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okezie is both an Igbo surname and given name. Notable people with the name include:"}]}, {"title": "Okezie Alozie", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okezie Alozie (born November 29, 1993) was an American football player for the University of Buffalo. Alozie attended Freedom High School where he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 21 TD\u2019s as a senior for the Patriots. As a track sprinter he ran the 100 meters in 10.9h seconds and was on the 4x100 relay team. In 2015, Alozie finished with 85 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions(1 for TD), 2 forced fumbles, 9 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery. Was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week and Bleacher Report All-Week 8 Second Team after recording 2 interceptions(1 TD), 3 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss along with a sack, and 4 passes defended against Ohio University (10/25). Named Bleacher Report All-Week 10 Second Team after registering 12 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and a sack at Kent State (11/5). Alozie was named an Honorable Mention All-American by ProFootballFocus as a senior in 2015.He was also honored as an All-MAC selection by both the league's coaches and Phil Steele."}]}, {"title": "Okezie Ikpeazu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is the 9th and current Governor of Abia State, in office since May 29, 2015. He was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He was born on October 18, 1964, to the family of late Pa Ishmael and Deaconess Bessie Ikpeazu of Umuebere in Umuobiakwa village, Isialaukwu, Mbato Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Ikpeazu attended Amaise Central Primary School, Umuobiakwa. In 1973, while in primary five, he gained admission into Eziama High School, Aba and later moved to Ihie High School, Isiala Ngwa where he took his School certificate examination in 1979. In 1980, at the age of 16, he gained admission into the University of Maiduguri to study Clinical Biochemistry and graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons.) Second Class Upper Division in August, 1984."}, {"context": " From August 1984 to August 1985, he served as a clinical biochemist in the medical laboratory of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt for his National Youth Service. He returned to the University of Maiduguri for an M.Sc degree in Biochemical Toxicology and graduated in 1990. In 1994, at the age of 30, he obtained a doctorate degree, Ph.D in Biochemical Pharmacology from the University of Calabar. Before joining politics, he had been a lecturer in several Nigerian educational institutions.  On December 31, 2015, a Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri sacked Ikpeazu as Governor and declared Alex Otti as the winner of the 2015 gubernatorial election held in April 11 and April 25, 2015. On 27 June 2016, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered Ikpeazu to vacate his office as governor upon allegations of false information and forgery of documents prior to the 2015 gubernatorial election. The suit was however dismissed by a Federal High Court in Owerri."}]}, {"title": "Oke\u0328cie", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Ok\u0119cie () is the largest neighbourhood of the W\u0142ochy district of Warsaw, Poland. It is the location of Warsaw Chopin Airport and the PZL Warszawa-Ok\u0119cie aircraft works, and home to the Ok\u0119cie Warszawa professional association football club."}]}, {"title": "Oke\u0328cie Airport incident", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Ok\u0119cie Airport incident () was a dispute between players and technical staff of the Poland national football team on 29 November 1980, starting at the team hotel in Warsaw and climaxing at Ok\u0119cie Airport. An incident of footballing insubordination at a time when strike action and other forms of civil resistance were intensifying in communist Poland, it caused a domestic press storm, which led first to the suspension of several prominent players, then the resignation of the team manager, Ryszard Kulesza."}, {"context": " J\u00f3zef M\u0142ynarczyk, the team's goalkeeper, was hungover when the time came to leave the hotel for the airport, having not been to sleep following a night on the town with a friend. Kulesza and one of his assistants, Bernard Blaut, decided to leave M\u0142ynarczyk behind, much to the indignation of some players, including Stanis\u0142aw Terlecki, Zbigniew Boniek, W\u0142odzimierz Smolarek and W\u0142adys\u0142aw \u017bmuda. Terlecki, a stridently pro-Western intellectual with a reputation for mocking the communist establishment, was particularly angered, and himself drove M\u0142ynarczyk to the airport, where the players continued their protests. Kulesza eventually relented and allowed M\u0142ynarczyk to travel with the team."}, {"context": " The Polish media took hold of the story and vociferously attacked the rebellious players over the following days. Meanwhile, Terlecki again defied the communist authorities by arranging for the players to meet Pope John Paul II. The Polish Football Association sent Terlecki, M\u0142ynarczyk, Boniek and \u017bmuda home and imposed various bans preventing them from playing at the international and club level over the next year. Terlecki and Boniek in particular were condemned by the association as insubordinate \"rabble-rousers\". Smolarek received a more modest, suspended ban. Kulesza resigned in protest at the sanctions imposed on the players, saying they were too harsh. Most of the banned players were reinstated during 1981, but Terlecki was not\u2014he emigrated to the United States in June that year and although he returned home five years later, he never played for Poland again."}, {"context": " In June 1976, a series of protests took place across communist Poland soon after the government announced plans to increase sharply the fixed prices charged nationwide for many basic commodities. Violent incidents occurred in P\u0142ock, Radom and Ursus as the protests were forcibly put down, and the planned price hikes were cancelled. These demonstrations and the events surrounding them brought the Polish workforce and intellectual political opposition together, and by 1980, a campaign of civil resistance for political change was intensifying strongly. Industrial strike action in Lublin in July 1980\u2014the so-called Lublin July\u2014preceded the formation of Solidarity (\"Solidarno\u015b\u0107\") in the port city of Gda\u0144sk during the following months. This was the first non-communist trade union in an Eastern bloc country. The government took several steps to obstruct Solidarity's emergence, enforcing press censorship and cutting off telephone connections between the coast and the hinterland, but despite these efforts four out of every five Polish workers were members of the union by late 1980."}, {"context": " Poland's national football team, managed by Ryszard Kulesza, was then regarded as one of the world's best, having finished third at the 1974 World Cup. In November 1980 it was ranked sixth in the world by the Elo rating system. Late that month, the team was preparing for a 1982 World Cup qualifying match away against Malta on 7 December. The squad's departure was scheduled for 29 November, 10 days before the game, so the players could attend a training camp in Italy, then contest a warm-up match against a team representing the Italian league."}, {"context": " One of Poland's key players at the time was Stanis\u0142aw Terlecki, a forward whose club was \u0141KS \u0141\u00f3d\u017a. The son of university lecturers, Terlecki held a degree in history from the University of \u0141\u00f3d\u017a, as well as fervent anti-communist political views and a strident attitude regarding their display. He was known for openly mocking the establishment with subversive abandon, and regularly made jokes in public about communist authority figures and organisations, prompting the ire of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) and the Warsaw police force. The first Polish international player with a university degree in anything other than physical education, he eschewed the Polish sports magazines read by many of his teammates on road trips in favour of Western news journals such as \"Newsweek\" and \"Time\". Like many Polish intellectuals, he sympathised with movements such as Solidarity; following their example, he twice attempted to unionise Polish footballers during the late 1970s. The PZPN blocked both attempts, banning Terlecki from all organised football each time; first for six months, then for a year."}, {"context": " Late on 28 November 1980, the night before the team's departure for Italy, goalkeeper J\u00f3zef M\u0142ynarczyk and forward W\u0142odzimierz Smolarek, both of Widzew \u0141\u00f3d\u017a, left the team hotel in Warsaw, the Hotel Vera, without permission. According to Smolarek they did this to get some dinner because they did not like the food at the hotel. They met a friend of M\u0142ynarczyk's, sports journalist Wojciech Zieli\u0144ski, at the Adria nightclub. According to Andrzej Iwan, another member of the team, the main topic of conversation was Zieli\u0144ski's estranged wife, who had been caught prostituting herself around Warsaw, and had since moved to Italy. Several Poland players knew her, and M\u0142ynarczyk had just been to Italy to play for Widzew \u0141\u00f3d\u017a against Juventus. According to Iwan, the journalist encouraged M\u0142ynarczyk to drink as they talked, hoping the goalkeeper might have news of her. Smolarek left the club around 02:00, but M\u0142ynarczyk and Zieli\u0144ski stayed until about three hours later."}, {"context": " A senior national team official, Colonel Roman Lisiewicz of the Polish Army, said he saw the goalkeeper and the journalist reach the hotel in a taxi soon after 05:00\u2014but rather than going to his room, M\u0142ynarczyk then left again with Zieli\u0144ski before returning again around 07:00. Tired and hungover, M\u0142ynarczyk joined the rest of the players for breakfast, and according to Terlecki spent most of the meal getting worked up about possible managerial retribution. M\u0142ynarczyk was in such bad shape that he was unable to carry his own bags; Smolarek took them for him. Next to the team bus, one of Kulesza's assistants, Bernard Blaut, confronted Smolarek and told him that M\u0142ynarczyk was to stay behind."}, {"context": " Smolarek, Terlecki and two other Polish players\u2014Zbigniew Boniek and W\u0142adys\u0142aw \u017bmuda, both of Widzew \u0141\u00f3d\u017a\u2014angrily objected and nearly came to blows with Blaut. Grzegorz Lato, one of the team's forwards, did not join the protest but later said that he had not thought M\u0142ynarczyk drunk enough to warrant exclusion. The team eventually left without Terlecki or M\u0142ynarczyk. Terlecki, whose own car was to hand, drove himself and M\u0142ynarczyk to the airport, where the confrontation continued. Terlecki tried to stop the many pressmen at the airport from photographing M\u0142ynarczyk by running around, yelling, and snatching cameras and microphones from their hands. Meanwhile, the other players attempted to talk Kulesza around, telling him that M\u0142ynarczyk had serious personal problems. Kulesza eventually relented and allowed the goalkeeper to travel with the team."}, {"context": " Among the journalists at the airport were Jacek Gucwa of Polish Television, Bogdan Chru\u015bcicki of Polish Radio, and Remigiusz Hetman of the weekly football journal \"Pi\u0142ka No\u017cna\". News about the incident quickly spread across the country, partly because of Terlecki's outlandish actions in the reporters' presence\u2014Iwan later reflected that Terlecki had \"made so much commotion it was impossible to sweep everything under the carpet\". Boniek corroborates this version of events: \"Terlecki was massively to blame. He brought M\u0142ynarczyk to the airport in his own car, then pulled the plug powering a TV camera out of the wall.\" Grzegorz Majchrzak, a historian of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance, questions Boniek's words, positing that he might have distorted events in an attempt to distance himself from Terlecki."}, {"context": " The government attempted to use the scandal as a popular distraction, aiming to deflect attention from the strikes and other industrial action. A number of journalists attacked the players who had supported M\u0142ynarczyk; the \"Przegl\u0105d Sportowy\" sports magazine ran the headline \"No Mercy for Those Guilty of the Scandal at the Airport\" while \"Tempo\", another journal, was similarly severe, proclaiming \"This Cannot Be Tolerated\". \"Pi\u0142ka No\u017cna\" condemned the \"magnificent men\u00a0... who think they can do what they want\", but at the same time questioned the conduct of the team's non-playing staff."}, {"context": " In the Italian capital, Terlecki continued to defy the establishment. The players were under strict instructions not to associate with the Vatican while in Rome, but Terlecki arranged for them to meet Pope John Paul II, who was himself Polish. Seeing this as a second act of defiance, the PZPN promptly sent Terlecki, M\u0142ynarczyk, Boniek and \u017bmuda home, escorted by General Marian Ryba of the Polish Army, who was also the football association president. Lech Pozna\u0144's Piotr Mowlik replaced M\u0142ynarczyk for the match against Malta, which Poland won 2\u20130."}, {"context": " Ryba announced on 1 December 1980 that he intended to bar the dissenting players from the Poland squad. When the rest of the team returned to Poland, Terlecki once again attempted to form a footballers' union. Securing the support of 16 other Poland international players, he wrote a letter to the PZPN declaring their intention to do so, leading the authorities to order them to face a tribunal. Only Terlecki, Boniek, \u017bmuda and M\u0142ynarczyk continued to endorse the letter when challenged in court. On 15 December, PZPN officials attempted to reconstruct the night's events, asking various players and staff to give accounts of what had happened. Several journalists were present. The stories told contradicted each other in several places, notably regarding how much M\u0142ynarczyk had had to drink. The team's technical staff said that he had been obviously intoxicated when they had seen him, while the goalkeeper insisted he had taken only \"three glasses of champagne and a sip of beer\" with his friend. Another point of contention regarded the conversation at the airport, which had caused Kulesza to yield. It was generally agreed that the players had talked the manager around by telling him that M\u0142ynarczyk had personal problems, but the non-playing staff now accused them of emotional blackmail. The players said their intention had been to explain the goalkeeper's off-field issues to help the manager make a more informed decision."}, {"context": " Terlecki's answers at this meeting under the questioning of General Ryba, a former military prosecutor, were typically provocative; when the general asked what time Terlecki had left the hotel on 29 November, the \u0141KS forward said 08:00. \"Are you sure it was 08:00?\" Ryba pressed\u2014\"Are you sure it wasn't 08:02?\" The player replied that he wasn't: \"No. Maybe it was even 08:03. I don't know this time exactly, because I have one of your Russian watches.\" A week later, the PZPN announced its final verdict. The only versions of events accepted for consideration were those recounted by Kulesza and Blaut; those of all the players and of the team physiotherapist and sport psychologist were dismissed. \u017bmuda and M\u0142ynarczyk were barred from playing for either Poland or their clubs for eight months, and Terlecki and Boniek for twelve. Smolarek received a two-month ban, which was suspended for six months. Citing their previous records of insubordination and misconduct, the PZPN called Terlecki and Boniek \"rabble-rousers\"."}, {"context": " Kulesza left his job soon afterwards; according to Majchrzak, he resigned in protest at the players' punishments, which he thought were too harsh. Officials at Widzew \u0141\u00f3d\u017a accused the PZPN of bias, saying the association had not supervised the players properly and should shoulder some of the blame. Directors at Widzew and \u0141KS \u0141\u00f3d\u017a briefly considered resigning their PZPN memberships and organising their own league championship, but did not. The national team players' council, at that time comprising Marek Dziuba, Pawe\u0142 Janas and Wojciech Rudy, wrote an open letter expressing surprise at what they saw as excessive sanctions against Terlecki, Boniek, \u017bmuda and M\u0142ynarczyk. They admitted the goalkeeper's conduct had been far from exemplary, but contended that the incident was only minor, and had been exacerbated by disproportionately prominent and negative press coverage."}, {"context": " Despite being without some of their top players, Widzew \u0141\u00f3d\u017a were crowned champions of Poland at the end of the 1980\u201381 season. Ryba left his post in April 1981, along with a number of his contemporaries, described by Stefan Szczep\u0142ek, a sports journalist and football historian, as \"honest officials, together with some football-friendly Polish Army officers\". In their place came a number of communist officials, most prominently W\u0142odzimierz Reczek, an erstwhile Politburo member, who took over as head of the football association despite a reputation for not liking the sport."}, {"context": " M\u0142ynarczyk, Boniek and \u017bmuda had their bans cancelled early. \u017bmuda and M\u0142ynarczyk returned in the 1\u20130 home win over East Germany on 2 May 1981, and Boniek was reinstated four months later. The players' recall was partly due to the efforts of Kulesza's replacement, Antoni Piechniczek, to secure their return. According to Majchrzak, Boniek and \u017bmuda apologised for their actions before the General Committee for Physical Culture and Sport of the Polish People's Republic, the PZPN's governing body, but kept this from Terlecki, who appealed to have his ban lifted several times, but to no avail."}, {"context": " Terlecki openly participated in students' strikes at his old university in \u0141\u00f3d\u017a and across Poland over the next few months, providing food to the students by the car-load. \u0141KS cancelled his registration in early 1981. Majchrzak stresses that Terlecki was the only player involved in the incident not to regain his place in the Poland team, and claims that this was down to an intense grudge held against him by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Secret Police (SB). Terlecki developed his own theory that the media circus following the airport incident had been deliberately engineered by the SB to head the players off forming their own trade union. There were several other incidents of drunkenness involving M\u0142ynarczyk, Majchrzak writes, but this was the only occasion when any player was punished for it. In October 1981, when the team travelled to Argentina, M\u0142ynarczyk arrived at Ok\u0119cie \"completely drunk\", according to Iwan, but far from reprimanding him, team staff gave him even more alcohol during the flight to help ease the pain of his broken finger."}, {"context": " Poland qualified for the 1982 World Cup with a perfect record, and performed strongly in the competition, losing to Italy in the semi-finals but beating France in a play-off to claim third place. Kulesza became the manager of Tunisia, and later founded a coaching school in Warsaw. Saying he was \"being treated like a leper\", Terlecki emigrated to the United States in June 1981, and joined the Pittsburgh Spirit of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He pursued a new life in America with great vigour. Terlecki's on-field displays in the U.S. were widely praised\u2014in three seasons with Pittsburgh he became the club's all-time top goalscorer\u2014but managers reportedly had trouble \"harness[ing] Terlecki's fiery temper\", and his wife Ewa became intensely homesick. Terlecki announced his intention to move back to Poland in 1985, saying that he believed the political situation had improved and that he wished to reunite his family. He returned home the following year, and resumed his career in Polish club football. He expressed a desire to play for the national team again, but was never selected."}]}, {"title": "Oke\u0328cie Warszawa", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Ok\u0119cie Warszawa is a Polish sporting club from the Ok\u0119cie neighbourhood of Warsaw. Founded in 1929 as Skoda Warszawa, its name was changed to Ok\u0119cie in 1936. The club is located at 1 Radarowa Street in Warsaw. Its colors are blue-white. Ok\u0119cie is most famous for its boxers (including Antoni Czortek), who in the 1930s were multiple champions of Poland, including the team championship of the country (1934), and its soccer team, which played in the Polish 3rd Division. Currently the soccer team plays in the 4th regional Division of Mazovia."}]}, {"title": "Okfuskee", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okfuskee are a Muscogee tribe. They formed part of the former Creek (Muscogee) Confederacy in Alabama, prior to their removal during the 1830s to the Indian Territory."}]}, {"title": "Okfuskee County, Oklahoma", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okfuskee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 12,191. Its county seat is Okemah. The county is named for a former Muscogee town in present Cleburne County, Alabama, that in turn was named for the Okfuskee, a Muscogee tribe. The area now covered by Okfuskee County was occupied by the Quapaw and Osage tribes until 1825, when they ceded the land to the United States government. The Creeks moved here in the early 1830s and built two towns, Greenleaf and Thlopthlocco. During the Civil War, Thlopthlocco served as headquarters for Confederate Col. Douglas H. Cooper. Greenleaf was the place where Chief Opothleyahola camped while he tried to retain unity among the Creeks, before leading over five thousand Creeks to Kansas to avoid the war."}, {"context": " After the war, the Creeks were required to free their African American slaves. Many of these people remained in the same area and founded all-black communities. These towns included Boley, Bookertee, Clearview, Chilesville, and Rusk. Okfuskee, a Creek town, grew up around Samuel Checote's trading post after the Civil War. The St. Louis and San Francisco Railway built a north-south line through this area during 1901-03. The Fort Smith and Western Railroad constructed an east-west line in 1903. Okfuskee County was created at statehood from the former Creek Nation, and Okemah was designated as the county seat. Oil and gas production began in the county in 1914, when the Prairie Oil and Gas Company completed a well near Paden. Other wells followed elsewhere in the county, creating a population boom that peaked in 1930."}, {"context": " According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.6%) is water. The county lies within the Sandstone Hills physiographic region. The northeastern part is drained by the Deep Fork of the Canadian River, while the southern part is drained by the North Canadian River. As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 12,191 people residing in the county. 64.4% were White, 19.7% Native American, 8.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% of some other race and 6.5% of two or more races. 2.9% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race)."}, {"context": " As of the census of 2000, there were 11,814 people, 4,270 households, and 2,971 families residing in the county. The population density was 7/km\u00b2 (19/mi\u00b2). There were 5,114 housing units at an average density of 3/km\u00b2 (8/mi\u00b2). The racial makeup of the county was 65.46% White, 10.41% Black or African American, 18.20% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.57% from other races, and 5.27% from two or more races. 1.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 92.5% spoke English, 3.5% Muskogee, 2.1% Spanish and 1.3% German as their first language."}, {"context": " There were 4,270 households out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.06. In the county, the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 106.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.90 males."}, {"context": " The median income for a household in the county was $24,324, and the median income for a family was $30,325. Males had a median income of $24,129 versus $17,819 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,746. About 17.30% of families and 23.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.60% of those under age 18 and 17.50% of those age 65 or over. The following sites in Okfuskee County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Okfuskee was the home county of American folk icon Woody Guthrie, who was born in Okemah. Guthrie refers to Okfuskee in one of his lost lyrics, \"Way Over Yonder In the Minor Key.\" The lyrics were set to music by Billy Bragg and Wilco for their 1998 collaboration, \"Mermaid Avenue\"."}]}, {"title": "Okgok station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okgok Station is a railway station on the Gyeongjeon Line in South Korea."}]}, {"title": "Okgu Line", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okgu Line(, ) is a cargo branch line from Gunsan Hwamul Line, connecting from Gunsan Hwamul Station to Okgu Station. Okgu line is registered in distance post, but suspended as cargo or passenger transportation several years ago This line was virtually closed status, but April 1, 2011, resumed cargo transport. Okgu line was supply railway for United Nations peacekeeping(Seventh Air Force) in Gunsan Airfield. May 20, 1952, construction of Okgu line began by UN army, and finished construction at February 25, 1953. Operation of Okgu line started March 9. Okgu line also did the corn transport to Gunsan Port.  For some time, \"bidulgiho\" was operated in line, 6 times per day. But passenger transportation was suspended in 1990s. And cargo transportation also suspended in 2000. In 2011, \"Haiman\"(Company that responsibility for Airfield supply) requested train operation, so cargo train occasionally operating for now. Original name at line open was Gunsan Airfield Line(, \u7fa4\u5c71\u98db\u884c\u5834\u7dda), but name changed to Okgu line at September 1, 1955."}]}, {"title": "Okha", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okha may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okha - Howrah Link Express", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okha - Howrah Superfast Express is a superfast train in the Western Railway zone running between Okha and Howrah Junction in India. It is currently operated with 22905/22906 train numbers on a tri-weekly basis. The 22905/Okha - Howrah Link Express has average speeds of 58\u00a0km/hr and covers 2593\u00a0km in 44h 55m. The 22906/Howrah - Okha Link Express has average speeds of 51\u00a0km/hr and covers 2593\u00a0km in 26h 15m. The line's important stops are: Each train on the Express has standard ICF rakes and a maximum speed of 110 kmph, and consist of seven coaches:"}, {"context": " Both trains are hauled by a Vatva Loco Shed based WDM 3A diesel locomotive from Okha to Ahmedabad. From Ahmedabad trains are hauled by a Vadodara Loco Shed based WAP-4 electric locomotive up till Howrah and vice versa. The train share is attached with 12905/12906 Aradhana Express at Ahmedabad. 22905 - Leaves Okha railway station every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:05 Hrs IST and reach Howrah Jn on 3rd Day at 3:35 AM IST 22906 - Leaves Howrah Jn every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday at 22:50 Hrs IST and reach Okha on 3rd Day at 20:00 Hrs"}]}, {"title": "Okha - Jaipur Weekly Express", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okha - Jaipur Weekly Express is a Express train belonging to Western Railway zone that runs between Okha and Jaipur Junction in India. It is currently being operated with 19573/19574 train numbers on weekly basis. The 19573/Okha - Jaipur Weekly Express has averages speed of 53\u00a0km/hr and covers 1056\u00a0km in 19h 55m. The 19574/Jaipur - Okha Weekly Express has averages speed of 50\u00a0km/hr and covers 1056\u00a0km in 21h 10m. The important halts of the train are : The train has standard ICF rakes with max speed of 110 kmph. The train consist of 22 coaches :  Both trains are hauled by a Vatva Loco Shed based WDM 3A or WDM-3 diesel locomotive from Okha to Jaipur and vice versa. The train share its rake with 22969/22970 Okha - Varanasi Superfast Express."}]}, {"title": "Okha - Nathdwara Express", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okha - Nathdwara Express is an express train belonging to Western Railway zone that runs between Okha and Nathdwara in India. It is currently being operated with 19575/19576 train numbers on weekly basis. The 19575/Okha - Nathdwara Express has averages speed of 52\u00a0km/hr and covers 1137\u00a0km in 22h 5m. The 19576/Nathdwara - Okha Express has averages speed of 49\u00a0km/hr and covers 1137\u00a0km in 23h 10m. The important halts of the train are: The train has standard ICF rakes with max speed of 110 kmph. The train consist of 17 coaches :  Both trains are hauled by a Vatva Loco Shed based WDM 3A diesel locomotive from Okha to Ahmedabad. From Ahmedabad trains are hauled by a Vadodara Loco Shed based WAP-4E electric locomotive uptil Ratlam. From Ratlam trains are hauled by a Ratlam Loco Shed based WDM 3A diesel locomotive uptil Nathdwara and vice versa. The train share its rake with 22939/22940 Hapa - Bilaspur Superfast Express. Train Reverses its direction 2 times:"}]}, {"title": "Okha - Tuticorin Vivek Express", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The 19567 / 68 Tuticorin - Okha Vivek Express is a Express train belonging to Indian Railways Western Zone that runs between and in India. It operates as train number 19567 from to and as train number 19568 in the reverse direction serving the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra & Gujarat. The 19567 / 68 Tuticorin - Okha Vivek Express has one AC 2-tier, two AC 3-tier, 9 sleeper class, six general unreserved & two SLR (seating with luggage rake) coaches . It does not carry a pantry car coach."}, {"context": " As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand. The 19567 - Vivek Express covers the distance of in 51 hours 35\u00a0mins (53\u00a0km/hr) & in 55 hours 15\u00a0mins as the 19568 - Vivek Express (49\u00a0km/hr). As the average speed of the train is lower than , as per railway rules, its fare doesn't includes a Superfast surcharge. The 19567 / 68 Tuticorin - Okha Vivek Express runs from via , , , , , , to . As the route is going to electrification, a based WDM-3D diesel locomotive pulls the train to its destination with one reversal at ."}]}, {"title": "Okha - Varanasi Superfast Express", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okha - Varanasi Superfast Express is a Superfast train belonging to Western Railway zone that runs between Okha and Varanasi Junction in India. It is currently being operated with 22969/22970 train numbers on weekly basis. The 22969/Okha - Varanasi SF Express has averages speed of 55\u00a0km/hr and covers 2042\u00a0km in 37h. The 22970/Varanasi - Okha SF Express has averages speed of 58\u00a0km/hr and covers 2042\u00a0km in 34h 55m. The important halts of the train are : The train has standard ICF rakes with max speed of 110 kmph. The train consist of 22 coaches :  Both trains are hauled by a Vatva Loco Shed based WDM 3A or WDM-3 diesel locomotive from Okha to Ahmedabad. From Ahmedabad trains are hauled by a Vadodara Loco Shed based WAP-4 or WAP-5 electric locomotive from Varanasi and vice versa. The train share its rake with 19573/19574 Okha - Jaipur Weekly Express. Train Reverses its direction 1 times:"}]}, {"title": "Okha Airport", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okha Airport (), also known as Novostroyka Airport is an airport in Okha, Russia. The airport is located in the village of Novostroyka, about 10km south-west of the centre of Okha."}]}, {"title": "Okha Port", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okha port is a census town in Devbhumi Dwarka in the Indian state of Gujarat. India census, Okha port had a population of 18,847. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Okha port has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 70%, and female literacy is 48%. In Okha port, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. It is located at the sea coast and Pakistan is quite close to the Port of Okha. Okha has Coast Guard as well as Navy protecting the sea border which has been very helpful during wars in the past."}, {"context": " Import - Export business is carried out in a large scale which mainly consists of the aluminium ore bauxite and the chemicals manufactured at Tata Chemicals Limited situated in Mithapur (10\u00a0km away) Interesting Places Beyt Dwarka is a pilgrimage place to visit which is just 2\u00a0km away from Okha Nageshwar, one of the 12 jyotilings of Lord Shiva is at a distance of 22\u00a0km from Okha Dwarka, the golden city of Lord Krishna is 30\u00a0km from Okha Now in 2014 Okha comes Under New District name \"DevBhumi Dwarka\"."}]}, {"title": "Okha railway station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okha railway station is a railway station in Okha, Gujarat. It belongs to Rajkot Division of Western Railway in India. Okha Railway Station was one of the westernmost broad gauge railway stations in India. It serves the port of Okha. There are trains to different destinations in India like Mumbai, Gorakhpur, Puri, Guwahati, Rameswaram, Kochi, Tuticorin,varanasi and Jaipur . Jamnagar-Okha metre gauge line was opened for traffic in the year 1922 by Jamnagar & Dwaraka Railway. Later Jamnagar & Dwaraka Railway was merged into Saurashtra Railway in April 1948. Later it was undertaken by Western Railway. Gauge Conversion of Hapa-Okha section was later completed in 1984 by Indian Railways."}]}, {"title": "Okha, India", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okha is a coastal town in Devbhoomi Dwarka district of Gujarat state in India. It has a sea port. Dwarka situated some 30\u00a0km south and Bet Dwarka island situated 2.9\u00a0km across a small creek from Okha port are a major Hindu pilgrimage sites due the temple dedicated to Krishna. The town is mentioned in ancient Indian epic literature. It is associated with story of marriage of Aniruddha, the grandson of Krishna and Usha (called \"Okha\" in Gujarati), the daughter of Banasur. 18th century Gujarati Akhyana entitled \"Okhaharan\" by Premanand Bhatt recounts the same story."}, {"context": " Okha, along with Dwarka and Bet Dwarka, was under Gaekwad of the Baroda State. During Indian rebellion of 1857, the Vaghers captured the region in 1858. Later by joint offensive of British, Gaekwad and other princely states troops ousted the rebels and recaptured the region in 1859. Okha is situated on a narrow strip of land that projects into sea. It is surrounded by sea on three sides and has a sandy beach on Arabian Sea coast. It has a sea port on the lee side. Bet Dwarka lies on the other side of a small creek from Okha port."}, {"context": " Okha is a busy and historical port in Gujarat strategically located. Historically it was the first port on west coast of India that a ship travelling along the coast from Arabia encountered. Indian Navy, Indian Coastguard, Indian Customs and Gujarat marine police have their operational command centre in Okha. Okha port imports mainly lignite from the Indonesia for the thermal power stations of Gujarat and for soda ash plant of Tata Chemicals. Okha has an automobile-assembly plant. Fishing and salt processing are also industries."}, {"context": " Some of the major companies in Okha is Tata Chemicals at Mithapur, about 10\u00a0km away towards Dwarka city. Okha is connected by railway at Okha railway station, and by bus, to major cities of Gujarat and the rest of India. The population of the city was estimated at 18,885 in 2001. There are four main schools in Okha. 1) Kendriya Vidyalaya, Okha <br> 2) Okha Gram Panchayat School <br> 3) V A English Medium School <br> 4) Bansi Highschool <br> Bet Dwarka, an island in the Arabian sea off the coast of Dwarka. Considered the original residence of Krishna, Bet Dwarka was the old port during the ancient times of Krishna before the Okha port was developed in Dwarka. The temple built here is credited to the religious Guru Vallabhacharya of the \"Pushtimarg Sampradaya\". Rice is the traditional offering here to the deity as it is believed that Sudama offered rice to his childhood friend Krishna. There are also smaller shrines on Bet Dwarka which are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Hanuman and Devi.[42] According to a legend, Vishnu killed the demon Shankhasura on this island. There are temples of Vishnu in the incarnation of matsya, or fish. Other shrines here are of Rukmini, Trivikrama, Devaki, Radha, Lakshmi, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Lakshmi Narayan, and many other gods.[39].Hanuman Dandi temple is another notable temple located in Bet Dwarka, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away from Dhwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka. The temple is deified with many images of Hanuman and his son Makardhwaja. The legend associated with the birth of a son to Hanuman, who is considered celibate, is that the sweat of Hanuman was consumed by a crocodile which then gave birth to a son named Makardhwaja.[42] The Jethwa Rajput clan of Kshatriyas claim their descent from Makardhwaja."}]}, {"title": "Okha, Russia", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okha () is a town and the administrative center of Okhinsky District of Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, located on the east coast of the far north of Sakhalin island, approximately north of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, near the shoreline of the Sea of Okhotsk. Population: It was founded shortly after the discovery of petroleum in the area in 1880, initially under the name \"Okhe\". The name is derived from an Ainu word meaning \"Bad Water\". Industrial exploitation of the petroleum reserves began in 1923, during the Japanese occupation of Sakhalin from 1920-1925. Town status was granted to it in 1938."}, {"context": " The town suffered significant damage in the 1995 Neftegorsk earthquake that occurred on May 28, and was used as pivotal base for rescuers deployed to Neftegorsk, which was destroyed to the extent that it was not rebuilt. A number of survivors of Neftegorsk were later transferred to Okha. Another smaller earthquake hit the town on May\u00a010, 2005, but there were no fatalities or significant damage. Within the framework of administrative divisions, Okha serves as the administrative center of Okhinsky District and is subordinated to it. As a municipal division, the town of Okha and ten rural localities of Okhinsky District are incorporated as Okhinsky Urban Okrug."}, {"context": " Okha, along with the oblast's administrative center Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, is the center of Sakhalin's petroleum industry. An oil pipeline and gas main runs from Okha to Komsomolsk-on-Amur on the Russian mainland. A number of oil wells exist in close proximity to the town, mainly controlled by the company Rosneft. The town is the northern end point for the island's road system. There was a rail connection to the island's narrow-gauge rail network at Nogliki; however, this was closed in 2006. There is an airport in Okha with service to Khabarovsk and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk."}]}, {"title": "Okhahlamba Local Municipality", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhahlamba Local Municipality is a municipality in the Uthukela District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This large battlefield located some 30\u00a0km outside Ladysmith contains the mass graves of British soldiers, individual graves as well as a number of memorials, including a Boer memorial, British memorial, South Lancashire memorial and Imperial Light Infantry memorial. from Ladysmith is one of South Africa\u2019s popular wildlife sanctuaries, Spioenkop Nature Reserve. This reserve is home to animals such as the rhino, giraffe and zebra. The sporting activities that Spioenkop offers include hiking, horse riding, angling, yachting, water-skiing and power boating. Spioenkop is also supplies other parts of Gauteng with water because in Gauteng there is a shortage of water."}, {"context": " The 2001 census divided the municipality into the following main places: The municipal council consists of twenty-nine members elected by mixed-member proportional representation. Fifteen councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in fifteen wards, while the remaining fourteen are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received. In the election of 3 August 2016 the African National Congress (ANC) won a majority of fifteen seats on the council.  The following table shows the results of the election."}]}, {"title": "Okhai", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhai (Urdu: \u0627\u0648\u06a9\u06be\u0627\u0626\u06cc) Memons are a large branch of Memons in India. Named for the town of Okha, the community has spread with a large migration to Karachi having taken place in the mid 19th century."}]}, {"title": "Okhaldhunga", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhaldhunga is the headquarters of Okhaldhunga District, in the Sagarmatha Zone of Nepal. It falls in Siddhicharan Municipality. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 3761 living in 790 individual households. The district gets its name from \"okhal\", meaning a grinding stone. As if in evidence of the same, a large grinding stone still lies at the district headquarters, which is also named Okhaldhuga. The district contains ancient forts such as Okhaldhunga Gadhi, Taluwagadhi, Chisankhukot, Bhaluithumkagadhi, and Chyanmakotgadhi that were important in the history of Nepal."}, {"context": " The birthplace of the Nepalese poet, Siddhicharan Shrestha, Okhaldhunga is also known as the 'District of Martyrs'. It is believed that more than 56 citizens of the area died in the Nepalese struggle for democracy. The district provides scenic views of snow-capped mountains Sagaramatha, Kanchenjanga, Gaurishankar, Tholedemba, Taklung, Rawadelu and many others. It also possesses many sparkling springs like Pokali, Lipu, Patle, Sepli, Dhikure and more, which descend along the hills from heights of around 300 metres. The district is known as a good source of slate, especially on cliffs like Khiji Khijee, Ragani and Dandapakha. The proper development of the slate industry, with procurement, processing and transporting to lucrative markets could be a boon not just for Okhaldhunga but the entire nation. Other industries that could be developed are copper and iron ore mining as the district is said to be rich in these metals. In the agricultural sector the district is well known for various cash crops such as tea, coffee, and cardamom. The climate is most suitable for these crops as well as for many different citrus fruits."}, {"context": " Tourists are attracted to Okhaldhunga by rafting and waterfalls. Pathibhara is an example of a Devi temple in Taplejung district, the public in Ilam named it as Pathibhara. Visitors from Darjaling and Sikkim visit Pathibhara. Gadhi \u2013 Historical corners \u201cgadhi\u201d are found to be constant. Repair and maintenance of gadhi could attract the tourist. Chasankhu gadhi of Diyale and Kotkateni gadhi of Thulachhap are also found to be not well taken care of. Cave \u2013 Cave has great significance throughout the world. Our ancestors used to live in the cave and wodhar? One of the most popular cave of Pokhara \u201cMahendra gufa\u201d has demonstrated of attraction of tourist towards cave and wodhar. Chameru Gufa of Okhaldunga Bilandu has proved to be playground \u201ckridasthal\u201d of chameru. The darkness inside the chameru gufa makes it difficult for people to go inside."}, {"context": " If proper arrangements could be made, travel would be convenient for the people in the district, and it would make it possible to collect the money as well. Religion- Okhaldhunga has a lot of religious conviction center. After Kathmandu the most faithful conviction center and ????? ?????? should be in Okhaldhunga district. The Pokali water fall and forest shaman cave \u201cban-jhakri gufa\u201d are found in the district, we have established an institution, \u201cPokali Jharana Sewa Samajh\u201d to spread the information of these beauty and also to help the sufferers and the orphan locally."}, {"context": " Okhaldhunga has the most faithful temples; Shree Champadevi temple in Bilandu-9, Kotika Kalika Devi temple in Chisankhu, Jageshwar Mahadev temple in Salleri Laglage, Pokhara devi temple in Tin Kanya Devi temple Pokhara-1, Narmadeshwor Mahadev temple in Likhu Rural Municipality-3, Kuibhir-5, Mahadev temple of Thulibanshi in Bunnam and Kuntadevi temple of Khudampa in Diyale, Samanawati devi temple in Barnalu-9, Raghuwireshowr Mahadev temple in Okhaldhunga bazaar, and Kalikadevi in Saraswati sthan, Jalpadevi in Bhimsensthan, Watuk bhairab Ganesh temple."}, {"context": " Gumba \u2013 15% of Buddhist are in Okhaldhunga and we have eight gumba which are also not well known to the public. Some gumba of the district are Tolthol gumba, Riyal gumba and Dolakhark gumba of Patle, Kimardin gumba of Bhusinga, Ketuke gumba of Ketuke, Bhirkhark gumba of Khiji, Ghunsa gumba of Baruneshwor and Lamja gumba of Ragani. These gumba attract both national and foreign tourists, as well as nuns and monks. To promote local culture Okhaldhunga has one FM radio station Radio Likhu - 91.3\u00a0MHz which is a Community radio Station. To Promote local culture Okhaldhunga has one FM radio station Ramailo Samudayek Radio - 100.6\u00a0MHz which is also a Community radio Station."}]}, {"title": "Okhaldhunga District", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhaldhunga District () is one of 14 districts of Province No. 1 of eastern Nepal. The district, with Okhaldhunga as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,074.5\u00a0km\u00b2 and had a population of 156,702 in 2001 and 147,984 in 2011. Okhaldjunga is the place where Siddhicharan Shrestha was born. Siddhicharan Shrestha is known as the 'Yug Kawi (\u092f\u0941\u0917\u0915\u0935\u0940)' of Nepal. The district contains the following VDCs from 2017: Andheri Narayansthan, Baksa, Balakhu, Barnalu, Baruneshwor, Betini, Bhadaure, Bhussinga,"}, {"context": " Bigutar, Bilandu, Chyanam, Diyale, Fediguth, Fulbari, Gamnangtar, Harkapur, Jantarkhani, Jyamire, Kalikadevi, Khijikati, Katunje, Ketuke, Khiji Chandeshwori, Khijifalate, Kuibhir, Kuntadevi, Madhavpur, Mamkha, Manebhanjyang, Moli, Mulkharka, Narmedeshwor, Okhaldhunga, Palapu, Patle, Pokali, Pokhare, Prapcha, Ragadip, Ragani, Raniban, Ratmate, Rawadolu, Rumjatar, Salleri, Serna, Shreechaur, Singhadevi, Sisneri, Taluwa, Tarkerabari, Thakle, Thoksela, Thulachhap, Ubu, Yasam Siddhicharan Municipality  Khijee Tholedamba Tourists are attracted towards the beauty of Khiji Okhaldhunga."}]}, {"title": "Okhale", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhale is a village development committee in Sindhuli District in the Sagarmatha Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2722 people living in 507 individual households.<ref name=\"National Population and Housing Census 2011(Village Development Committee/Municipality)\"></ref>"}]}, {"title": "Okhali Mohlah", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhali Mohla is a village and one of the 51 Union Councils (administrative subdivisions) of Khushab District in the Punjab Province of Pakistan."}]}, {"title": "Okhamandal State Railway", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhamandal State Railway was a metre gauge railway financed by the Okhamandal State. The line between Kuranga and Arthara was sanctioned in 1913. As at 1918, work on this line was been stopped or the present due to the war. In 1921, the Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway (GBSR) took over the management and operation of the Okhamandal State Railway. In 1922 the Kuranga\u2013Okha Railway branch was opened which linked to the Okha Port Trust Railway. In 1923 the operation and maintenance of the Okhamandal State Railway was passed to the Jamnagar & Dwarka Railway. Saurashtra Railway came into being in April, 1948 with the amalgamation of a number of state railways which included Okhamandal State Railway.  The railway was converted to broad gauge in 1984."}]}, {"title": "Okhangaron", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhangaron (, ) is a town in Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan. It is the administrative center of Okhangaron District."}]}, {"title": "Okhangaron District", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhangaron is a raion (district) of Tashkent Region in Uzbekistan. The capital lies at Okhangaron. 78 100 people."}]}, {"title": "Okhansk", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhansk () is a town and the administrative center of Okhansky District in Perm Krai, Russia, located on the right bank of the Kama River, southwest of Perm, the administrative center of the krai. Population: First mentioned in 1597 as the village of Okhannoye (), it was also called Okhanskoye () or Okhan (). Town status was granted to it in 1781. Within the framework of administrative divisions, Okhansk serves as the administrative center of Okhansky District, to which it is directly subordinated. As a municipal division, the town of Okhansk is incorporated within Okhansky Municipal District as Okhanskoye Urban Settlement."}]}, {"title": "Okhansky", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhansky (masculine), Okhanskaya (feminine), or Okhanskoye (neuter) may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okhansky District", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhansky District () is an administrative district (raion) of Perm Krai, Russia; one of the thirty-three in the krai. Municipally, it is incorporated as Okhansky Municipal District. It is located in the southwest of the krai. The area of the district is . Its administrative center is the town of Okhansk. Population: The population of Okhansk accounts for 44.6% of the district's total population. The Kama River is the largest in the district and forms the district's border with Permsky District.  The district was established in December 1923. It was merged into Ochyorsky District on February\u00a01, 1963 but was restored on January\u00a012, 1965. Ethnic composition: The economy of the district is based mostly on light industry and agriculture."}]}, {"title": "Okhansky Uyezd", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhansky Uyezd () was an administrative division (uyezd) of Perm Governorate, which existed until 1923. Administrative center was the town of Okhansk. Area: 14,280.17\u00a0km\u00b2. Population according to the 1896 data: 276,986."}]}, {"title": "Okharbot", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okharbot is a village development committee in Myagdi District in the Dhaulagiri Zone of western-central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2009 people living in 379 individual households."}]}, {"title": "Okhare", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhre is a village development committee in the Himalayas of Terhathum District in the Kosi Zone of eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 4302 people living in 723 individual households. https://www.facebook.com/OkhreTehrathum?fref=ts"}]}, {"title": "Okharkot", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okharkot is a town and Village Development Committee in Pyuthan, a \"Middle Hills\" district of Rapti Zone, western Nepal. \"Okhar\" () - walnut tree (\"Juglans regia\"). <br> \"kot\" () - guardroom, prison, police station. Machcch\u012b is the VDC's administrative center at the confluence of Dharmawati River and Gartang Khola. Okharkot village with its ancient fortress sits on a ridgetop 2\u00a0km. east and some 675 meters (2200 feet) higher. It is listed in IUCN's inventory of historic sites."}]}, {"title": "Okharpauwa", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okharpauwa is a village development committee in Nuwakot District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 5572 people living in 1003 individual households."}]}, {"title": "Okhinsky District", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhinsky District () is an administrative district (raion) of Sakhalin Oblast, Russia; one of the seventeen in the oblast. Municipally, it is incorporated as Okhinsky Urban Okrug. It is located in the north of the Island of Sakhalin. The area of the district is . Its administrative center is the town of Okha. Population (excluding the administrative center):"}]}, {"title": "Okhla", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhla (Old Canal Housing & Land Authority) is a suburban colony located near Okhla barrage in South Delhi district of National Capital Territory of Delhi. It is more commonly known as Okhla Industrial Area (OIA) or Okhla Industrial Estate, an industrial suburb in South Delhi which is mainly divided into three Phases. Okhla has lent its name to the nearby planned township of NOIDA (New Okhla Industrial Development Area). Okhla is among one of the oldest villages in Delhi near the bank of Yamuna river. This can be judged from the making of Okhla canal (Agra Canal) by Britishers in 1874, presently known as Okhla Head."}, {"context": " The Okhla barrage, is a barrage, which was developed by British, is also the starting point of the Agra Canal built in 1874, today it is also the location of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, and further down the canal towards Agra, the Keetham Lake, National Bird Sanctuary. OKHLA is an acronym for Old Kanal Housing & Land Authority. K for Canal was used since CH would have a different sound. The present campus of Jamia Millia Islamia university was established here in 1925. The \"Okhla Mandi\" is an important wholesale markets in Delhi, NSIC, IIIT Delhi, Govind Ballabh Pant Engineering College, Meera Bai Institute of Technology, Kalkaji Temple, Lotus( Baha'i) Temple, Okhla vihar, Okhla Railway Station, Surya Hotel, C.C and the Okhla Water Works."}, {"context": " Okhla Industrial Estate, an industrial suburb of New Delhi in South Delhi was established by National Small Industries Corporation and was one of the 12 such estates being developed across India to encourage small industries. Construction work at the site began in 1952 and it was finally inaugurated in 1958, and in time became synonymous to growth of small scale industries in region. Today it is divided in three phases. The Okhla village became an important theatre centre of Delhi in the 1950s, when veteran theater director, started establish \"Okhla Theatre\" here, using many local artists as actors, starting longing tradition of theater here."}, {"context": " Apart from Industrial Estate, Okhla also has an extension of residential area which includes Zakir Nagar, Batla House, Jogabai and Jogabai Extension, Abul Fazal Enclave, Okhla Head, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Johri Farm, Noor Nagar, Gaffar Manzil etc. and includes the colonies situated on the bank of river Yamuna. Today, there are a host of MNCs, Call center, BPO, Showrooms and Media Group operations in the area. The whole industrial area is named after the main area Okhla Village, in South Delhi, with nearby areas now as its own parts like Jogabai extension, Batla House, Okhla Vihar, Zakir Nagar, Zakir Bagh, Jamia Nagar, Abul Fazal Enclave, Shaheen Bagh, Kalindi Colony, and Kalindi Kunj."}, {"context": " The Okhla area has a high density of Muslim population areas of Delhi, and show high linguistic literacy rate. It is a state assembly constituency part of the South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. East of Kailash, New Friends Colony, Nehru Place, Kalkaji, Abul Fazal Enclave, Sukhdev Vihar, Greater Kailash, Govindpuri, Sriniwaspuri, Tuglakabad, Sarita Vihar, Jasola, Shaheen Bagh, Jaitpur, Madanpur, Badarpur, Zakir Nagar, Okhla Vihar, Ghaffar Manzil Colony, Haji colony, Batla House Ishwar Nagar and Harkesh Nagar (a village attached with Okhla Phase 2 & 3)."}, {"context": " Hospitals in the area include Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and Fortis Escort Heart Hospital, Al-shifa multi speciality Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, M.A Ansari Health Center. Jamia Millia Islamia University located in Okhla. Sarvottam Institute of Technology & Management in Noida is one of the favourite choices among students for pursuing Engineering & MBA. Al Falah University is also a prominent choice of students living in Okhla. SAYEED EDUCATION CENTRE(the institute of mathematics )and CEC COACHING CENTRE Situated at okhla head is one of the best institute in OKHLA. Other various small institute also present in Okhla that help student in preparation for various entrance exam & test."}, {"context": " 1. Kalindi Kunj,Okhla Head is the most famous public garden close to the river of Yamuna. The main attractions are the fountains adorned with colorful lights. A large number of tourists arrive in the evening to enjoy the scenic view of the fountains. Delhi Ride Park also open in kalindi kunj park (also known as 9 Number Park) 2. Ashoka Park adjacent to Zakir Nagar near New Friends Colony. 3. Tikona Park near Malik Electronics, Zakir Nagar. 4. Tikona Park near Okhla Village. 5.Campus Jamia hill cover by the forest surrounded by Noor Nagar, Ghaffar Manzil, Jamia Girls Hostel"}, {"context": " 6. Canal colony Batla house. It is well connected by road and rail and is not far from the airport, as it is located in the centre of the National Capital Territory. Business districts such as Nehru Place and Connaught Place are not far and even the inland container terminal of the Container Corporation of India is also close at hand. Okhla is also connected to the Delhi Metro Network. The Okhla metro station on the Violet Line (Delhi Metro) is near Harkesh Nagar in Phase-II. It is also connected by Magenta Line and has many stations - Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Millia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC."}, {"context": " The entire Industrial Area Phase-1,2 and 3 allotted by DDA, DSIDC and Directorate of Industries, this area known for Industrial establishments however In result private builders and Govt real estate company NBCC as well DLF, involve in to the vicinity their commercial and hotel project in the Area, being a prime locality of South Delhi most economical place in the capital Indian business houses as well MNCs and investor have interest in this vicinity, two Metro station connectivity and underpass connected Mathura Road become a strong point for locality. due to small and medium size industrial and commercial establishments and great connectivity by bus as well as metro it attracts both medium entrepreneurs and corporate.  Sonipat"}]}, {"title": "Okhla (Delhi Assembly constituency)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhla assembly constituency is one of the seventy Delhi assembly constituencies of Delhi in northern India. Okhla assembly constituency is a part of East Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency). Key"}]}, {"title": "Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhla Bird Sanctuary Metro Station is located on the Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro. As part of Phase III of Delhi Metro, Okhla Bird Sanctuary is the metro station of the Magenta Line. Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station is outside Delhi situated on the Magenta Line of Delhi Metro. List of available ATM at Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station are, Delhi Transport Corporation bus routes number 8, 8A, 34, 34A, 443, 493, serves the station."}]}, {"title": "Okhla NSIC metro station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhla NSIC Metro Station is located on the Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro. The station was opened on 25 December 2017. Okhla NSIC elevated metro station situated on the Magenta Line of Delhi Metro. List of available ATM at Okhla NSIC metro station are, Delhi Transport Corporation bus routes number 47A, 306, 411, 427, 433A, 433LnkSTL, 463, 480, 493, 534A, OMS(+)(-), OMS(+)AC serves the station. Okhla railway station of Indian Railways situated nearby."}]}, {"title": "Okhla Sanctuary", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhla Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary at the Okhla barrage over Yamuna River. It is situated in Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar district, on Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border and known as a haven for over 300 bird species, especially waterbirds. In 1990, an area of on the river Yamuna was designated a bird sanctuary by the Government of Uttar Pradesh under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The site is located at the point where the river enters Uttar Pradesh. The most prominent feature of the sanctuary is the large lake created by damming the river, which lies between Okhla village to the west and Gautam Budh Nagar to the east."}, {"context": " The Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS) is roughly 4 square kilometres in size and is situated at the entrance of NOIDA in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated at a point where river Yamuna enters in the state of Uttar Pradesh leaving the territory of Delhi. It is one among fifteen bird sanctuaries in the state. The bird species of thorny scrub, grassland and wetland are seen in the sanctuary due its location. This wetland was formed by the creation of Okhla Barrage. The Uttar Pradesh Government designated this a sanctuary in the year 1990. It is now one of the 466 IBAs (Important Bird Areas) in India."}, {"context": " The areas around Okhla barrage, encompassing the river Yamuna and the marshes associated with it, have been a favorite haunt for birdwatchers, ever since the construction of Agra Canal, which started from here in 1874. Major-General H. P. W. Hutson recorded the birds of Okhla during the course of his ornithological surveys in the Delhi region during June 1943 to May 1945. Subsequently, Mrs Usha Ganguli also recorded the avifauna from this site in her book, A guide to the birds of the Delhi area. Following the construction of a barrage and the resulting lake in 1986, birdwatching activity has increased at this site."}, {"context": " Spread over on the river Yamuna, the sanctuary is in the Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It was declared a protected area in 1990, under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Over the years, due to increasing pollution in the Yamuna, and shrinking habitat of marshlands and water areas, the bird count has reduced. The habitat of the sanctuary has been under threat due to rapid urban development and construction activities in the surrounding areas. On 14 August 2013, responding to a petition filed by local environmentalist, National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the Noida authority to stop unauthorised constructions by private builders within a 10-km radius of the sanctuary. It also asked the authority to conduct fresh land-survey in the area. In October 2013, the tribunal issued an interim directive stating \"all the building constructions made within 10 km radius of the Okhla bird sanctuary or within distance of Eco-sensitive zone as may be prescribed by the notification issued by the MoEF shall be subject to the decision of the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) and till the time the clearance of NBWL is obtained, the authority concerned shall not issue completion certificates to projects.\" Thereafter, in June 2014, the Supreme Court upheld the order."}, {"context": " A total of 302 species have confirmed records from Okhla bird sanctuary and the areas in its immediate vicinity. An additional 27 species have been listed by Harris (2001) as probable, but unconfirmed, occurrence. In January 2011, as a part of Asian Waterbird Census 2011, a leucistic coot, known for its unusual bright white plumage, was spotted with the flock of common coots, for the first time in India. The sanctuary hosts over 400 species year round and over 1 lakh migratory birds in winter months. It hosts 30% of the 1200 to 1300 bird species recorded in the Indian sub-continent."}, {"context": " The total Okhla list includes: Main causes for the dwindling of bird population and shrinking of bird habitat is felling of 10,000 trees by Mayawati for the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden, buzz from the overhead high-tension electric wires, 24 hours bright lights, heavy traffic over the barrage itself on the Delhi-Noida road, pollution and sewage, construction, etc. Even though UP government has claimed that it is taking all steps to protect Okhla Bird Sanctuary, the forest is declining, The Okhla bird sanctuary is seeing a record low turnout with every coming year. Once a thriving habitat for flamingos and sarus and pochards, the Okhla Bird Sanctuary today is devoid of most of its winged visitors. Even the number of small terrestrial birds like stonechats, warblers and paradise flycatchers has declined. The question is that why are the birds giving this important birding area, a miss?."}, {"context": " Experts allege that constructions like commercial complexes, DND expressway, flyovers and even the Ambedkar Park, have destroyed the feeding grounds around the bird sanctuary. Then there are other threats like high tension wires that run all along the boundary of the sanctuary. Birds steer clear from the 400\u00a0kV lines. Yet despite the threats, the Baikal teal, a migratory duck was seen after 40 years in Okhla Bird Sanctuary near Delhi giving that one sign of hope for this bird haven. The waters at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary were once teeming with birds. Today there are scanty number of birds. The empty landscape is perhaps a wake up call for the UP and Delhi state governments to ensure better protection for this neglected sanctuary."}, {"context": " The WII had observed that the ESZ should cover the entire flood plain from Wazirabad barrage to Jaitpur in Delhi to Asgharpur in Uttar Pradesh. \"Hence the area west to Geeta Colony Road, Noida Link Road in the east to the river and area east to G.T. Road-National Highway 1 up to Jaitpur in the west to river can be included as ESZ,\" the report said.But the environment ministry has reportedly agreed to the Uttar Pradesh government's proposal of notifying only 100 metres as ESZ. The Haryana government has claimed that none of its territory falls within 5,000 metres of the sanctuary and is thus outside the ESZ."}, {"context": " According to the report, emphasis should be given to protecting flood plains to the north and south of the sanctuary by increasing the width of the ESZ. The northern boundary of the zone was to be extended to Wazirabad Barrage as the sanctuary is a riverine area and any development activity upstream would affect its integrity. \"The southern boundary of the ESZ should be extended to at least 5,000 metres down to Asgarpur Jagir (UP)-Jaitpur (Delhi), covering both sides of the river. A diagrammatic land use in this area (flood plains) needs to be maintained unaltered to avoid further increase in pressure on the sanctuary. A buffer of vegetation needs to be maintained at both the edge of the eastern and western boundary of the sanctuary,\" the WII recommended.  The sanctuary is approachable from Mathura Road (NH-2), via Sarita Vihar going towards Noida. The nearest stations of Delhi Metro is Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station on Magenta Line ."}]}, {"title": "Okhla Vihar", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhla Vihar is a new settlement in Okhla, in South Delhi, India, in the district of South East Delhi. It consists of many lanes(roads) and many sub-lanes (Sub-roads). Over 80% of the area of Okhla Vihar is covered with 5-story apartments. The area consists of three mosques and a church. Amanatullah Khan is the local M.L.A (from AAP(Aam Admi Party)). Jamia Nagar is one of the Delhi's many religious-ethnic enclaves, much like Chittaranjan Park (Bengalis) and Tilak Nagar(Sikhs), where Delhi shows its class and religious divides. Jamia Nagar is located on the coasts of Yamuna river which divides Delhi with Uttar Pradesh."}, {"context": " Okhla Vihar is very close to the campus of Jamia Millia University with its parks and ponds, trees and benches, ducks and koyals. And very near to Johri Farm ,Janta Flats and Jasola. Okhla Vihar has many nursing homes and maternity centers such as Iqbal Faizy Hospital, Riaz Medical Centre, and Sabir nursing Home. There is also a primary school, St. Mary Cambridge School. Okhla Vihar is a ten-minute drive from the business hubs Nehru Place. River Yamuna, Escorts Hospital, Jamia Millia Islamia university, Holy Family Hospital. Rickshaws,E-rickshaws, Auto-Rickshaws, Cabs,Taxis are main public transport here. Transport is available to nearby commercial and official areas such as NOIDA (New Okhla Industrial Development Authority), Nehru Place, Sarita Vihar, Jasola,Johri farm, Okhla Industrial Area, and Okhla Railway Station. A metro train network is also proposed by 2016 to Kalindi Kunj. A metro train station will be present to 10- 20 metre from Mother dairy jasola."}, {"context": " The economy of the area is diverse. Apart from a wholesale market,property sales, schools, Mosques,church other places of interest in and around the area include Jamia Millia Islamia, New Friends Colony, Maharani Bagh, johri farm, Holy Family Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Escort and Fortis Hospitals, Kalka Mandir, Lotus Temple, Okhla Railway Station, Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Computer Market in Nehru Place. A number of non-vegetarian restaurants are also present in the colony such as Rafeek Nihari hotel, Ateek Hotel, Nusrat Hotel, etc."}]}, {"title": "Okhla Vihar metro station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhla Vihar Metro Station is located on the Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro. It is located in Abul Fazal Enclave just behind Jamia Nagar Police station. This Metro station has three gates. One named as Abul Fazal Enclave Part-I another Hari Kothi Road and the last one as Jamia Nagar Police Station. As part of Phase III of Delhi Metro, Okhla Vihar is the metro station of the Magenta Line Okhla Vihar elevated metro station situated on the Magenta Line of Delhi Metro. List of available ATM at Okhla Vihar metro station are,"}]}, {"title": "Okhla barrage", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhla barrage (Okhla Weir and Okhla bridge), is 791 meters or roughly 800-yard long weir across Yamuna River opened in 1874, is today the location of Okhla Bird Sanctuary 10\u00a0km to the south of New Delhi and downstream of Nizamuddin bridge at Okhla, where Agra canal originates from it. The top of barrage also serves as the Delhi-Noida carriageway of Mahamaya-Kalindi Kunj road. Nearby later-era New Okhla barrage is 554 meters long. It is under the management of the government of Uttar Pradesh, ITO barrage is under Haryana government, and Wazirabad barrage is managed by Delhi government."}, {"context": " The barrage and Agra canal were opened in 1874 by the British Raj for the purpose of irrigation and water navigation from Delhi to Gurgaon, Mathura and Agra districts, and Bharatpur State. Navigation stopped in 1904. It was built seven-feet higher than the summer level of the river. The Yamuna, from its origin at Yamunotri to Okhla barrage, is called Upper Yamuna which is managed by Upper Yamuna River Board created in 1995. Yamuna flows for 48\u00a0km in Delhi, including 22\u00a0km from Wazirabad barrage where it enters Delhi to Okhla barrage after which it enters Haryana. Upstream barrages in Delhi are Wazirabad barrage (north) and ITO barrage (center)."}, {"context": " A canal was built from Okhla barrage to Gurugram district (now Faridabad) during the 3rd Five-Year Plans of India (1961-66). That canal now has a downstream Palla barrage in Faridabad. Okhla barrage now also serves as the location of Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Downstream on Agra canal is also Keetham Lake National Bird Sanctuary. The road over the barrage was shut for 45 days in September 2017, for repairs to 18 of its 27 water release gates, prior to the arrival of migratory birds in November. This barrage on Yaumna is part of National Waterway NW110, one of India's 111 National Waterways. Okhla barrage lies on the following two under-development waterways projects."}]}, {"title": "Okhla landfill", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhla landfill is a dumping ground in Okhla, Delhi. Okhla landfill is situated in Okhla, Delhi."}]}, {"title": "Okhla railway station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhla railway station is a railway station in Okhla which is a residential and commercial neighborhood of East Delhi area of Delhi. Its code is OKA. The station is part of Delhi Suburban Railway. The station consists of 7 platforms. The platform is not well sheltered. It lacks many facilities including water and sanitation. Station is located just behind the Okhla subzi mandi and play a vital role of transportaion for vendors who trader vegitable and fruits. Some of the important trains that runs from Okhla are :"}]}, {"title": "Okhlee", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhlee is Nepalese masher, grinder which is made up of stone having a beater and a base where items are mashed up. Items like dal, species, rice etc. are thrashed in okhlee."}]}, {"title": "Okhli", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhli (, also Romanized as Okhl\u012b) is a village in Garmkhan Rural District, Garmkhan District, Bojnord County, North Khorasan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 233, in 58 families."}]}, {"title": "Okhli-ye Bala", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhli-ye Bala (, also Romanized as Okhl\u012b-ye B\u0101l\u0101) is a village in Daland Rural District, in the Central District of Ramian County, Golestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 348, in 82 families."}]}, {"title": "Okhli-ye Forugah Farahnak", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhli-ye Forugah Farahnak (, also Romanized as Okhl\u012b-ye For\u016bg\u0101h Farahn\u0101\u1e35; also known as Okhl\u012b-ye For\u016bdg\u0101h) is a village in Daland Rural District, in the Central District of Ramian County, Golestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 330, in 87 families."}]}, {"title": "Okhli-ye Pain", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhli-ye Pain (, also Romanized as Okhl\u012b-ye P\u0101\u2019\u012bn; also known as Okhl\u012b-ye Paeen) is a village in Daland Rural District, in the Central District of Ramian County, Golestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 371, in 92 families."}]}, {"title": "Okhlos", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhlos (stylized as OKHLOS) is an action roguelike video game developed by Argentina-based independent video game developer Coffee Powered Machine and published by Devolver Digital. It was released on 18 August 2016. \"Okhlos\" is set in ancient Greece, where the land is ruled by the Olympian gods, who are highly praised by the people. However, the game's protagonist, an unnamed philosopher, is critical about their behaviour, as they show no signs of interest in the human well-being. But, when the philosopher suddenly witnesses, how the School of Athens is bruised down by one of the god's foot, killing everyone inside, he decides to take action. Going from city to city, he convinces the people that the gods are no good for mankind, as they turn people into animals, impregnate women and kill innocents, and recruits them to form a giant mob. As the mob grows, the philosopher continues executing his plan to overthrow the gods, kill their minions, and form an ochlocracy, while his mob destroys everything standing in their way."}, {"context": " \"Okhlos\" is often compared to \"Pikmin\", as the player rules over a huge mob, directing it to go to the commanded spots, in combination with \"Katamari\" for the fast-paced action. Upon touching, the mob will automatically start tearing down buildings, attack enemies or recruit new people. Additionally, the player can make the mob block or spread around the city they are in to protect the player from enemies or hazards. The game's eight worlds are procedurally generated, each featuring different hazards and enemies to face. Every city includes shops, in which the player may buy upgrades for individual units of the mob, or increase the number of people able to join it. To that, the player may, in the shops, also trade units for famous Greek philosophers and heroes, such as Aristotle and Heracles. Over the course of the game, the player will face and battle all of the Twelve Olympians, as well as randomly encountering other major enemies, like the Oracle of Delphi or the Minotaur. In case the player dies, he will take over one of the philosophers from the mob, except if there is no philosophers left, which will cause the player to lose."}, {"context": " Development on \"Okhlos\" started in November 2012, after Argentinian indie studio Coffee Powered Machine released the \"Enhanced Edition\" of their previous title, \"Gravity Fleet\", to the App Store on 13 November 2012. The team decided to create a game about an angry mob in ancient Greece, consisting of mythological heroes, that is fighting the Olympian gods. The team started off working on the non-player character's flocking behavior, and continued working on core mechanics for the game's \"angry mob\" concept. When procedural generation was implemented into the game, the team was unhappy about its simple algorithm and instead shifted their design focus to static, pre-built worlds. A longer silent development phase took place, until they revealed the new designs and mechanics, and also the different gameplay types the tested, on 26 June 2013. A total of 24 prototypes were created, which included, but was not limited to, a beat 'em up, a stealth game and the roguelike style the decided to build on. Another successful six months of development went by, to the point, where Coffee Powered Machine decided to get to work on the procedural generation algorithm again, and therefore dropped the static worlds in early 2014. However, the project nearly ceased, as the team ran out of money shortly after, but where help up by private investors. The development could continue and the team made a lot of progress by the end of 2014. This progress later led to the game being sent to the Independent Games Festival 2015, which was held from 2 March 2015 until 6 March 2015 in San Francisco, California. Additionally, it was announced to be featured in the Leftfield Collection at EGX Rezzed 2015, which took place from 12 March 2015 to 14 March 2015 in London, United Kingdom. Due to the good reputation, Coffee Powered Machine submitted the game to Steam Greenlight on 12 May 2015, which was eventually greenlit just six days after, namely, on 18 May 2015, to which pre-orders were opened. The game's growing popularity then brought the team to the third edition Brazil's Independent Games Festival, which was held from 27 June 2015 until 5 July 2015 in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil, where they won the \"Melhor Gameplay\" (\"Best Gameplay\") award. New big news arose, as Devolver Digital announced that they had signed-up with Coffee Powered Machine for a publishing deal for \"Okhlos\", on 25 August 2015. Devolver Digital then brought \"Okhlos\" onto the stage of PAX Prime 2015 in Seattle, Washington, United States. On 25 January 2016, it was announced that the game will be released in March or April 2016, however, it was delayed to June 2016, and finally, as announced on 28 July 2016, was released on 18 August 2016."}]}, {"title": "Okhnebin", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhnebin is a village in Sagaing District in the southeast of the Sagaing Division in Burma. It is located northwest of the regional city of Sagaing."}]}, {"title": "Okhota River", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhota River (, lit. \"Hunting\", and from a Tungus word meaning \"river\") is a river in Khabarovsk Krai which flows south to the Sea of Okhotsk at the town and port of Okhotsk. Okhota River is long, and its drainage basin covers . It is frozen from early November to May. Snow cover in the valley can last until late June. To the east is the parallel Kukhtui River and then the Kukhtui Range. To the west is the short Urak River and to the north of it, the Yudoma Range. North of its headwaters, on the other side of the Suntar-Khayata Range, another river runs north to join the Indigirka River near Omyakon."}, {"context": " It begins in the Suntar-Khayata Range at about above sea level at the junction of the Left Okhota and Right Okhota rivers. These are about long and start from an elevation of . First a mountain stream, the river later flows along with the Kukhtui River in a wide valley between Yudom and Kukhtuy Ranges to join the Kukhtui River to form the harbor of Okhotsk a natural harbour of the Sea of Okhotsk formed by a sand spit. In 1810 the ice-choked river cut a new mouth through the spit at Novoye Ustye."}, {"context": " The banks of the river are mostly forested. There is an important salmon run. The lower reaches of the river are navigable for small craft. In the fur hunting trade, since there are no easy portages to the Okhota, the Russians usually approached Okhotsk from the Urak River or the Ulya River to the west. The only main route that used the Okhota ran from the \"corner\" of the Yudoma River over the Okhotsk Portage to the Okhota about 100 kilometres north of its mouth. There was some pasture along the river but not enough to keep many Yakutsk pack-horses over winter. Larch was cut and floated down the river for shipbuilding. Around 1750 there were 37 peasant families and from 1735 a few Yakut cattlemen.  James R Gibson, \"Feeding the Russian Fur Trade\", 1969"}]}, {"title": "Okhotigone", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotigone is a genus of spiders belonging to the Linyphiidae family. The genus contains one species, Okhotigone sounkyoensis, found in Russia, China and Japan. It was originally described in 1986 as \"Walckenaeria sounkyoensis\" but moved to the new genus \"Okhotigone\" in 1993."}]}, {"title": "Okhotnichy", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotnichy (; masculine), Okhotnichya (; feminine), or Okhotnichye (; neuter) is the name of several rural localities in Russia:"}]}, {"title": "Okhotnik", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotnik () means \"hunter\" in Russian and may refer to"}]}, {"title": "Okhotny Ryad", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotny Ryad (, literally: \"Hunters' Row\") may reference:"}]}, {"title": "Okhotny Ryad (Moscow Metro)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotny Ryad () is a station on the Sokolnicheskaya Line of the Moscow Metro. It is situated in the very centre of Moscow in the Tverskoy District, near the Kremlin, Manezhnaya Square and State Duma. It is named after a nearby street, which name literally means \"hunters' row\". Okhotny Ryad station is located under what was originally the swamplands of the upper Neglinnaya River. Later two ancient churches stood on the site, and their graveyards were excavated during the construction of the station. The station opened as part of the original Metro line on 15 May 1935."}, {"context": " Okhotny Ryad has been renamed more times than any other Metro station. Planned to be called Okhotnoryadskaya, it was opened as Okhotny Ryad instead. The station was renamed Imeni Kaganovicha in honour of Lazar Kaganovich during the brief period between 25 November 1955 and 1957, when its original name was restored. The station's name was changed once more on 30 November 1961, to Prospekt Marksa (the station still contains a mosaic portrait of Karl Marx). Finally, on 5 June 1990, the original name was restored once more."}, {"context": " The construction of Okhotny Ryad presented a number of engineering challenges. The task of wedging a metro station into the narrow space between two major buildings, the Hotel Moskva that has been re-built, and what is now the State Duma building, at a depth of only without damaging their foundations was further complicated by the difficult soil conditions in the area, including numerous underground water channels. The station was built using a so-called \"German\" method in which the station walls were constructed above ground and then lowered into the construction site. This helped to brace the foundations of the nearby buildings during the subsequent construction of the station vault and pylons."}, {"context": " The station was originally planned to be a bi-vault design similar to many London Underground stations, but Lazar Kaganovich, who was in charge of the Moscow Metro project at the time, insisted that the station be changed to a tri-vault design after of tunnel had already been bored. A major setback occurred when accumulated rainwater broke through the vault before it had been completely sealed and flooded the station. Though no one was injured in the disaster, construction had to be halted while the damage was repaired."}, {"context": " The architects, Yuri Revkovsky, N. Borov, and G. Zamskoy, employed a silvery marble from Italy for the finishing of the pylons, the only documented case where imported material was used in the Metro. The walls are faced with ceramic tile. The finishing of the station, which involved the installation of more than of marble, of plaster, and thousands of square metres of tile as well as lighting and decorations, was completed in just two weeks. In 2004, Okhotny Ryad underwent a major renovation which included replacing the lighting elements inside the spheres and repainting the plaster from light beige to white. A further renovation took place in 2007/2008 when the old ceramic tiles were replaced by bright marble, though a small tiled section was retained. An average of 42,110 passengers per day enter the station through its vestibules with an additional 241,000 passengers entering via Teatralnaya."}, {"context": " The station has two subterranean vestibules, each linked with the platform via an escalator. During the construction of the vestibules, orders of the Moscow's party committee prohibited the obstruction of traffic, so \"American\" bridges had to be built over the pits of the future vestibules. The eastern vestibule, through a mezzanine level is situated on the ground floor of a building situated on the corner of Bolshaya Dmitrovka street, Teatralny Drive, and Teatralnaya Square. The facade of this building was redesigned by Dmitry Chechulin and originally incorporated sculptures of athletes which were modeled after performers from the Moscow Circus. The original three N-type escalators were replaced by ET-5M units in 1997 (9.2 metres/30\u00a0ft high). The vestibule also acts as a transfer point to the Teatralnaya station."}, {"context": " The western vestibule's original N-type escalators were replaced in 1990 by the ET-5M series (also 9.2 metres/30\u00a0ft high). The vestibule's original entrance was built into the ground floor of Hotel Moskva, on the corner of Manezhnaya Square and Okhotny Ryad street. In 1959 the original structure was expanded with the first of many underground subway networks, and opened on 21 November. Dual descent entrances appeared on both corners of the Tverskaya Street, in front of the original entrance. The tunnel the continued along the facade of the Hotel Moskva, to offer entrance on both sides of the driveway between Manezhnaya Square and Revolution Square (closed to traffic only in 1990s). The final addition came in 1997 when a new underground mall was opened under the Manezhnaya Square, a direct access was made possible from the 1959 network. When the original Hotel Moskva was closed for demolition in 2004, the original entrance on its northwest corner was also demolished. It is unknown whether there are plans to restore it in the new building."}, {"context": " Okhotny Ryad station is connected to Teatralnaya station of the Zamoskvoretskaya Line. Originally, when opened in 1938, transfer was only possible via the eastern vestibule. A direct transfer was under construction, but did not open until 30 December 1944. It features a long inclined tunnel that descends towards Teatranalaya. As the system grew, the original arrangement proved inadequate to handle the large passenger load and on 7 November 1974 a second transfer tunnel was opened. Access to both transfer routes is done via escalators in the centre of the platform. The original two tandem N-type escalator pairs were replaced in 2001 by ET-5M series (8.3 metres high). In the mezzanine under the platform the northwards direction carries passenger to Teatralnaya, whilst the southern direction brings them from the station via the older 1940s transfer. Thus the escalators are also one way, with the western on descent and vice versa.  There is no direct transfer to Ploshchad Revolyutsii station of the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line, which must be reached via Teatralnaya station."}]}, {"title": "Okhotnyche", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotnyche (; ; ) is a rural settlement in the Yalta Municipality of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, a territory recognized by a majority of countries as part of Ukraine and annexed by Russia as the Republic of Crimea. Okhotnyche is the highest located settlement in Crimea, at an elevation of . The settlement is located on the Ai-Petri mountain southwest from Livadiya, which it is administratively subordinate to. Its population was 34 in the 2001 Ukrainian census. Current population:"}]}, {"title": "Okhotnykovo Solar Park", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotnykovo Solar Power Station is a Photovoltaic power station in Crimea with installed capacity of 82,65\u00a0megawatts (MW). , it is the world's 6th largest solar plant and the second largest PV station in central and eastern Europe. The power station is located at Okhotnykovo in Crimea, Ukraine and was developed by the Austrian company Activ Solar. The first and second phases of the project were commissioned in July 2011, the third and fourth in October 2011. The park comprises 360,000\u00a0modules, generating around 100\u00a0GWh of electricity per year, enough to meet the needs of 20,000\u00a0households. The larger capacity is installed in the plants in Perovo (Ukraine, 100\u00a0MW), Sarnia Canada (97\u00a0MW) and Montalto di Castro Italy (84.2\u00a0MW).  The solar power plant is part of the Ukraine's National Natural Energy Project which is aiming to reduce Crimea's dependence on mainland Ukraine for energy. The State Agency of Ukraine for Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation launched the project in 2010 in the hope of attracting investors to the reputed high solar radiation area, which reaches a capacity of 800-1450\u00a0W/m2."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotsk () is an urban locality (a work settlement) and the administrative center of Okhotsky District of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, located at the mouth of the Okhota River on the Sea of Okhotsk. Population: It was the main Russian base on the Pacific coast from about 1650 to 1860, but lost its importance after the Amur Acquisition in 1860. It is located at the east end of the Siberian River Routes on the Sea of Okhotsk where the Okhota and the Kukhtuy Rivers join to form a poor but usable harbor."}, {"context": " In 1639 the Russians first reached the Pacific 65 miles southeast at the mouth of the Ulya River. In 1647 Semyon Shelkovnikov built winter quarters at Okhotsk. In 1649 a fort was built (Kosoy Ostrozhok). In 1653 Okhotsk was burned by the local Lamuts. Although the Russian pioneers were skilled builders of river boats they lacked the knowledge and equipment to build seagoing vessels which meant that Okhotsk remained a coastal settlement and not a port. In 1682 Okhotsk had eight dwellings and five other buildings. When the Russians entered the Kamchatka Peninsula they had to travel overland from the north."}, {"context": " In 1714, Peter the Great sent a party of shipbuilders to Okhotsk to allow faster access to the furs of Kamchatka. In 1715, they built the \"Vostok\" and in 1716\u201317 Kozma Sokolov sailed it to Kamchatka. For the next 145 years Okhotsk was the main Russian seaport on the Pacific, supplying Kamchatka and other coastal settlements. In 1731 the Siberian Military Flotilla was established here. In 1736, Okhotsk was moved two miles downstream to a spit of land at the mouth of the Okhota, converting the \"ostrog\" into a proper port. Vitus Bering's two Pacific expeditions (1725\u20131729 and 1733\u20131742) brought in large numbers of people and the first scholars and expert sailors and led to a great deal of building. In 1742 there were 57 buildings, 45 other buildings in the Bering's \"expedition settlement\" and eight ships in the harbor. Anton de Vieira, of Portuguese origin (son of a Jewish father and Christian mother), was the town's governor at that time. From 1737 to 1837 there was a salt works several miles west on the coast that produced 14\u201336 tons annually. In 1827 it was worked by 150 exiles and about 100 guards and overseers."}, {"context": " Bering's men found valuable sea otters east of Kamchatka. Fur hunters began island-hopping along the Aleutian Islands. Furs were brought back to Okhotsk and carried inland, mostly to be sold to the Chinese at Kyakhta. The Russian-American Company was founded in 1799 with its base at Okhotsk. This brought in more money. In 1822 the English traveler Captain John Cochrane ranked Okhotsk just after Barnaul as the neatest, cleanest and most pleasant town he had seen in Siberia. From at least 1715 it was clear that Okhotsk was a poor site. In addition to the difficult track inland, (see Okhotsk Coast) the harbor was poor and the short growing season and lack of plowland meant that food had to be imported. Around 1750 there were only 37 peasant families and a number of Yakut cattlemen. There was so little pasture in the area that pack horses sometimes had to be returned to Yakutsk unloaded. The harbor was ice-free from May to November but the sailing season was only four months from June through September. The town was built on a low narrow spit blocking the mouths of the two rivers. The harbor inside the spit was large, but three quarters of it was a mud flat during low water. Large ships could only cross the bar on an incoming or outgoing high tide and sailing ships sometimes had to wait for days for the wind to blow in the right direction. Ice-choked water during the spring breakup frequently flooded the town (20 times from 1723 to 1813), as did high surf on a number of occasions. In 1810 the Okhota, its mouth jammed by ice, cut a new channel through the spit and isolated the townsite. In 1815 the town was moved to the spit east of the harbor mouth. Goods now had to be unloaded and barged across the harbor. Because the harbor was shallow, Yakuts had to wade with loads from shore to barge. Fresh water had to be fetched from two and a half miles away. Goods could not be brought down along the Kukhtui River because of swamps."}, {"context": " In 1840 Vasily Zavoyko became head of the Russian-America Company post at Okhotsk and decided to move RAC post south to Ayan. This was done in 1845. The Yakutsk-Ayan Track was built and then rebuilt in 1852 at a cost of 20,000 rubles. In 1849 Siberian governor Nikolay Muravyov-Amursky decided to move the Siberian Flotilla to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and other government facilities to Ayan. The Amur Acquisition in 1860 shifted most things south. From 1870 Okhotsk was supplied form Nikolayevsk-on-Amur. In 1867 Russian America was sold to the United States. The population of Okhotsk declined from 1,660 in 1839 to 100 in 1865."}, {"context": " Between 1849 and 1866, American whaleships cruised for bowhead whales in the waters off Okhotsk. Some caught whales within sight of the settlement while others visited the town itself. They also fished for salmon in the Okhota River. Okhotsk was of some military importance during the Russian Civil War, when the White army generals Vasily Rakitin and Anatoly Pepelyayev used it as their place of arms in the Far East. Okhotsk was also a launch site of sounding rockets between 1981 and 2005. The rockets reached altitudes of up to 1,000\u00a0km .  The importance and population of Okhotsk sharply declined following the demise of the Soviet Union. Okhotsk is served by the Okhotsk Airport. Okhotsk has a subarctic climate (K\u00f6ppen climate classification \"Dwc\") with very cold, dry winters and mild, wet summers."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk (train)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which runs between and . As of March 2012, there are four services per day running in both directions, with the journey time taking approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 110\u00a0km/h. It is named after the Sea of Okhotsk. \"Okhotsk\" services are normally formed of 4-car KiHa 183 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains as shown below, with car 1 at the Sapporo and Abashiri end (train reverses at Engaru Station)."}, {"context": " All cars are no-smoking. The \"Okhotsk\" service was first introduced by Japanese National Railways from the start of the revised timetable on 22 September 1959, as a semi-express service operating between and , using KiHa 22 2-car DMUs, with five return workings daily. From July 1960, services were extended to Sapporo, and ran coupled with \"S\u014dya\" semi express services over the Hakodate Main Line. From the start of the revised timetable in October 1961, services were upgraded to \"Express\" status, and were operated using KiHa 56 4-car DMU formations, including a KiRo 26 Green (first class) car."}, {"context": " From the start of the revised timetable on 2 October 1972, services were upgraded to \"Limited express\" status, and were operated using KiHa 80 series DMU formations. From the start of the revised timetable in November 1986, the KiHa 80 series rolling stock was replaced with KiHa 183 series 6-car DMUs. From 1992, the former express overnight sleeper service was integrated with the \"Okhotsk\" (becoming \"Okhotsk\" 9 & 10), featuring a SuHaNeFu 14-500 series sleeping car sandwiched in the DMU formation. From March 2006, this became a seasonal-only train (\"Okhotsk\" 81 & 82), and the overnight service was discontinued entirely from 16 March 2008.  JR Hokkaido operates seasonal \"SL Okhotsk\" services formed of 14 series passenger coaches hauled by a JNR Class C11 steam locomotive and assisted by a JNR Class DE15 diesel locomotive."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk Airport", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotsk Airport () is a former military airbase in Okhotsk, Russia. It serves small transport aircraft."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk Coast", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotsk Coast is an informal name for the northwest coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. Although it was never an administrative unit there is some reason to treat it as a distinct region. Here in 1639 the Russians first reached the Pacific Ocean. From here, beginning in 1716, Russian ships sailed east to the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Aleutian Islands and Alaska. \"The western section\" is historically the most important. It runs northeast about from Uda Gulf to the town of Okhotsk. At the westernmost point of the Sea of Okhotsk is the Uda River which was the Russo-Chinese border from the Treaty of Nerchinsk (1689) to the Treaty of Aigun (1859). To the east is Uda Gulf and the Shantar Islands. About up the coast is Ayan with its good harbor but poor communications inland. northeast is the mouth of the Ulya River where the Russians first saw the Pacific. northeast is the mouth of the southeast-flowing Urak River (an important route to the coast) and further is the town of Okhotsk where the south-flowing the Okhota River and Kukhtui River join to make a poor but usable harbor."}, {"context": " \"East-West section:\" The east-west section runs about from Okhotsk to the P'yagin Peninsula. About east of Okhotsk is one of the Inya Rivers. The coast soon becomes rocky. About east of Okhotsk is the rectangular Taui Bay. At the northwest corner of the Bay are the mouths of the Taui River and a Yana River (not the Arctic one). Near the northeast corner is the good harbor of Nagayev Bay where, in 1929, the Nagayevo settlement was built which grew into a GULAG city of Magadan with its road north to the Kolyma gold fields. east of Magadan the east-west section ends at the P'yagin Peninsula and the Yamsky Islands."}, {"context": " \"Shelikhov Bay:\" The coast runs northeast forming the west side of the Shelikhov Bay. One of the Yama Rivers enters at the base of the P'yagin Peninsula. up the coast is the head of Gizhigin Bay with Gizhiga Ostrog, the Taygonos Peninsula and the 300-kilometre long Penzhina Bay and the route north to Anadyrsk. The east side of Shelikov Bay is the Kamchatka Peninsula. From the head of Penzhina Bay back to the Uda River is about 2,000 kilometres. The western section is backed by the Dzhugdzhur Mountains which reach 600 to 1,000 metres. They drain westward to branches of the Aldan River and Maya River. Once over the mountains one could travel by boat with few portages all the way to the Ural Mountains. On the east side numerous short, swift rivers cut valleys down to the sea. Their lower floodplains and the negligible coastal strip are the only flat land. The climate is monsoonal. From October to February cold heavy air blows seaward from the interior. From May to July damp air blows landward bringing a cold foggy drizzle. Average temperature is around 10\u00a0\u00b0C in summer and around zero in winter. Growing season rarely exceeds three months. Only root crops grew well. The few peasants found fishing and trapping more profitable. The high value of sable pelts made it possible to buy imported food. This and the poor soils meant that the Russians had to import food despite the abundance of Salmon."}, {"context": " The natives were Lamuts, a branch of the Tungus who are now called Evens. Like most coastal Siberians, they were reindeer herders in the interior with a few semi-sedentary fishers and sealers along the coast. They had some metallurgy. On both sides of Penzhina Bay were the Koryaks. They were economically similar to the Lamuts, but more warlike. The Lamuts were subdued by the 1690s and the Koryaks much later. In Russian times a number of Yakuts came down to the coast. Food passing through Okhotsk was mostly grown near Irkutsk and floated down the Lena River to Yakutsk, carried to Okhotsk and from there most went by ship to Kamchatka. European goods and travelers joined the Lena at the Ust-Kut portage. Lighter west-bound goods -mostly furs- took the reverse route. After 1729 most furs were sold to the Chinese at Kyakhta. In 1805 a pood (34 pounds) of flour cost 0.5 rubles at Irkutsk, 1.5 rubles at Yakutsk, 10 rubles at Okhotsk and 12 rubles at Kamchatka, the difference being the transport cost."}, {"context": " \"Water route:\" The route ran from Yakutsk up the Aldan river to the Maya River, transferred to smaller boats, went up the Maya and south up the Mati River, over the Lama portage or Alanchak portage and the down the Ulya River to the coast. By 1700 it was more common to go to the head of the Maya and overland to the head of the Urak River and downstream. A later route went up the Yudoma River, a large west-flowing branch of the Maya, and either over the Yudoma Portage (80\u2013100 kilometres from Yudoma Cross southeast to Urak Landing) and 150\u2013200 kilometres down the Urak River or further up the Yudoma and over the long Okhotsk Portage to the Okhota River. This was surveyed in 1715 by Maksimov and Antipin and was preferred by Bering. The river route was circuitous and mostly upstream. There was a good deal of tracking (see portage) on the upper reaches. After about 1741 it was mostly replaced by the easier horse route."}, {"context": " \"Yakutsk-Okhotsk Track:\" By at least 1715 there was a 1,100-kilometre horse track from Yakutsk to Okhotsk. It gradually became the main route until Okhotsk lost its status as the main port in 1844-51. The Yakutsk-Okhotsk Track ran east from Yakutsk, crossed the Aldan River at the Okhotsk Ferry, went southeast up the Belaya River to the settlement and river of Allakh-Tun, east to Captain's Clearing on the Yudoma Plateau, south to Yudoma Cross on the Yudoma River, southeast parallel to the Yudoma Portage to Urak Landing and down the Urak River and along the coast to Okhotsk. The spring shipment left Yakutsk about the first of May to take advantage of the still-frozen bogs and rivers. The summer shipment left Yakutsk in mid-June after the rivers had gone down and the spring mud dried and reached Okhotsk in mid-August. It carried goods that had reached Yakutsk after the thaw but was more difficult and handled less goods. Yakuts and their hardy breed of horses were required to serve the route and were paid. A convoy would have about 100-150 horses divided into strings of about 10 horses tied head-to-tail each led by a Yakut conductor. Each horse carried about 225 pounds. 5,000-10,000 horses were used annually. Around a thousand of these died every year. Cattle were also driven down the track. When Sir George Simpson used the track in 1842 he was amazed by the volume of traffic. Horses returning from Okhotsk carried about half the outbound load because of the lower volume of freight and the lack of pasture at Okhotsk. Returning horses were also cheaper to rent for the same reason. There were ferries on the larger rivers and corduroy roads over the bogs. The numerous fords became impassable during the spring melt and were difficult until the mud dried or refroze. Bogs were especially bad on the flatter western section. The route was littered with horse bones."}, {"context": " Three other routes were used. A winter non-freight route went from Yakutsk east to Omyakon and then directly south to the upper Okhota River. The Yakutsk-Udsk Track is described under Uda River. The Yakutsk-Ayan Track (1844 to 1867) is described under Ayan. \"Russian arrival:\" In 1639 Ivan Moskvitin left Brutalsk on the Aldan River, went southeast up the Maya, crossed the mountains and reached the mouth of the Ulya River after 11 weeks. He built winter quarters and next year sent parties south to Uda Gulf and north to Taui Bay. In 1646 Vasili Poyarkov sailed north from the Amur and re-used Moskvitin's huts on the Ulya. In 1647 Semyon Selkovnik built winter quarters at Okhotsk and in 1649 a proper ostrog was built there. In 1651-57 Mikhail Stadukhin made a poorly documented journey along the whole coast from Penzhina Bay to Okhotsk. Okhotsk was burned down by the Lamuts in 1653 or 54. They revolted again in 1665 and 1677."}, {"context": " \"Kamchatka Opened:\" Russian attention was concentrated on the Amur until they were driven out by the Manchus. Northward, in 1697-1699 Vladimir Atlasov went south from Anadyrsk and explored the Kamchatka Peninsula. There was no sea route but a very difficult coast trail was used mainly to send messages. There were ostrogs at Insk, Tauisk, Yamsk and Gizhiga at the mouths of their corresponding rivers. George Kennan (explorer) gave a hair-raising account of his journey along this coast in 1867. Barth\u00e9lemy de Lesseps made the same journey in 1788."}, {"context": " \"Sea-going ships:\" Although the Cossacks were master boatmen, they did not know how to build large ships and had no knowledge of navigation. Thus they were confined to the coast. In 1714 sailors and shipwrights arrived from European Russia and built the \"Vostok\" in 1715. In 1716-17 Kozma Sokolov sailed the \"Vostok\" along the coast to Kamchatka. The sea route to Kamchatka soon replaced the land route. Because of the lack of naval infrastructure both ships and sailors were of poor quality. Ships were built from local larch and local substitutes were used for proper naval stores. Frequent fogs and uncharted coasts added to the problem. There was often a shortage of ships. Of the 81 ships built for the Okhotsk flotilla between 1715 and 1856, almost all were wrecked. Adam Johann von Krusenstern (1805) may have been the first Russian to reach the area by sea from European Russia."}, {"context": " \"Bering:\" Vitus Bering's two Pacific expeditions (1725\u201329 and 1733\u201342) used Okhotsk as a base. This led to a great deal of building and brought in large numbers of people and the first scholars and competent sailors. \"The sea otter boom and Russian America:\" The remnants of Bering's second expedition returned with more than 1500 sea otter pelts. At Kyakhta prices they were worth one tenth of the expedition's enormous cost. Russian fur-hunters began island-hopping along the Aleutian Islands. The Russian America Company was formed in 1799 with Okhotsk as its Siberian base."}, {"context": " \"Okhotsk Abandoned:\" From at least 1719 it was clear that the Okhotsk route needed to be replaced if possible. Okhotsk was a poor port and the route to it the most expensive major route in Siberia. Over the next hundred years many attempts were made to find a better port with a better route over the mountains. Failing that work was done to improve the Yakutsk-Okhotsk track. Nothing came of this until 1840 when Vasily Zavoyko became head of the Russian-America Company post at Okhotsk. He determined to move RAC post south to Ayan. This was done in 1845 and it was found that the route was one third cheaper and eight days shorter. The Yakutsk-Ayan Track was rebuilt in 1852 at a cost of 20,000 rubles. When Nikolay Muravyov-Amursky became the first Siberian governor to use the Okhotsk track he was appalled by its condition and proposed to move the Siberian Flotilla fleet to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. All this became irrelevant with the Amur Annexation in 1860 when everything was moved south. Russian America was sold to the United States in 1867 and from 1870 Okhotsk was supplied from Nikolayevsk-on-Amur. The population of Okhotsk declined from 1,660 in 1839 to 100 in 1865.  \"Twentieth Century:\" The last battle of the Russian Civil War was fought at Ayan. In 1929 Magadan was founded and was the headquarters of the Dalstroy Gulag complex. Magadan is now the largest city on the coast. The Kolyma Highway was built from Magadan to Yakutsk. The coast is now divided between Khabarovsk Krai (Tuguro-Chumikansky District, Ayano-Maysky District, Okhotsky District) and Magadan Oblast."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk High", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotsk High is a semi-permanent high pressure system that forms over the Sea of Okhotsk during the summer months. Its associated air mass is maritime polar, marked with frequent sea fog over ocean areas, and cool and moist conditions over land. It typically dominates the weather pattern over eastern Russia, northern Japan and the Korean Peninsula during the spring and summer months."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk Plate", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotsk Plate is a minor tectonic plate covering the Sea of Okhotsk, the Kamchatka Peninsula, Sakhalin Island and T\u014dhoku and Hokkaid\u014d in Japan. It was formerly considered a part of the North American Plate, but recent studies indicate that it is an independent plate, bounded on the north by the North American Plate. The boundary is a left-lateral moving transform fault, the Ulakhan Fault. On the east, the plate is bounded by the Pacific Plate at the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench and the Japan Trench, on the south by the Philippine Sea Plate at the Nankai Trough, on the west by the Eurasian Plate, and possibly on the southwest by the Amurian Plate."}, {"context": " The boundary between Okhotsk Plate and Amurian Plate might be responsible for many strong earthquakes that occurred in the Sea of Japan as well as in Sakhalin Island, such as the M7.1 (M7.5 according to other sources) earthquake of May 27, 1995 in northern Sakhalin. The earthquake devastated the town of Neftegorsk, which was not rebuilt afterwards. Other notable intraplate earthquakes, such as the 1983 Sea of Japan earthquake and the 1993 Hokkaid\u014d earthquake, have triggered tsunamis in the Sea of Japan."}, {"context": " The boundary between Okhotsk Plate and Pacific Plate is a subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the Okhotsk Plate. Many strong megathrust earthquakes occurred here, some of them among the largest on world record, including the Kamchatka earthquakes of 1737 (estimated M9.0~9.3) and 1952 (M9.0). Such strong megathrust earthquakes can also occur near the Kuril Islands, as the M8.3 earthquake of November 15, 2006, Hokkaido, as the M8.3 earthquake of September 26, 2003 and the M9.0 2011 T\u014dhoku earthquake off the coast of Honshu.  GPS measurements and other studies show that the Okhotsk Plate is slowly rotating in a clockwise direction. Models indicate that it rotates 0.2 deg/Myr about a pole located north of Sakhalin."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk Subprefecture", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Abashiri Prefecture was named after the subprefectural office in Abashiri. However, the area was more commonly referred to as the , as it faces the Sea of Okhotsk, and the name Abashiri was changed to the more commonly used Okhotsk during the administrative redivision of Hokkaido's 14 subprefectures to 9 subprefectural bureaus in April, 2010."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk atka mackerel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotsk atka mackerel (\"Pleurogrammus azonus\") commonly known as hokke in Japan, also known as the Arabesque greenling, is a mackerel-like species in the family Hexagrammidae. The primary population of the fish is found off the Sea of Okhotsk. According to legend, it was discovered by Nichiji. \"Pleurogrammus azonus\" is occasionally considered synonymous with the Atka mackerel, \"P. monopterygius\" (Nelson 1994). However, it is probably a separate species. This fish was also documented as \"Stellistius katsukii\" but the older name \"Pleurogrammus azonus\" takes precedence.  The Okhotsk atka mackerel is an important fish in Japanese cuisine. Known as \"hokke\" in Japanese, the fish can be fresh, dried, or frozen, and can be served raw, boiled, grilled or fried."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk culture", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotsk culture is an archaeological coastal fishing and hunter-gatherer culture of the lands surrounding the Sea of Okhotsk (600\u20131000 in Hokkaido, until 1500 or 1600 in the Kuril Islands): the Amur River basin, Sakhalin, northern Hokkaido, the Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka. It appears to have spread outwards from the Amur River region, only to be partially absorbed or pushed back by the Satsumon culture spreading north from Japan, but nevertheless surviving, for example, in the Nivkh of Sakhalin and the Amur and in Itelmen of Kamchatka. The historical Ainu people appear to have retained a strong element of the Okhotsk, but the Satsumon culture, and perhaps language, appears to have dominated the mix of people who contemporaneously became known as the Ainu. Fundamental Okhotsk elements remained, however, such as the bear cult.  Kisao Ishizuki of the Sapporo University claimed that the people of the Okhotsk culture was recorded under the name Mishihase on the Japanese record \"Nihon Shoki\"."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk region", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotsk region may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk-Chukotka Volcanic Belt", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotsk-Chukotka Volcanic Belt (OCVB) is a Cretaceous volcanic belt in the Russian Far East region of northeast Asia. It is found in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and Khabarovsk Krai of northeastern Russia. The volcanic belt is one of the largest subduction-zone related volcanic provinces in the world, stretching some and comprising about 2 million km of volcanic and plutonic material. The volcanism within the volcanic belt was related to the subduction of the ancient Kula Plate, which moved in a northward direction about 55 million years ago."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsk-Manchurian taiga", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okhotsk-Manchurian taiga ecoregion (WWF ID:PA0606) is an area of coniferous forests in the Russian Far East, covering the Amur River delta, the west coast of the Okhotsk Sea, and the rugged extension of the northern Sikhote-Alin Mountains that run southwest-to-northeast through the Primorsky and Khabarovsk regions. It is the southernmost taiga forest in Eurasia. The ecoregion is distinguished from surrounding ecoregions by the slightly warmer climate due to the maritime influence and the shield of the mountains to the west, and by the mixing of flora and fauna species from Okhotsk-Kamchatka communities to the north and Manchurian species from the south. The forest at lower altitudes is \"light taiga\" (mostly larch), and \"dark taiga\" (spruce and fir) at higher altitudes."}, {"context": " The ecoregion covers an area about 700\u00a0km west-east by 1,200\u00a0km north-south, the north-south distance being extended by long narrow strips along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk to the north, and down the spine of Sikhote-Alin to the south. The Amur River delta and Sikhote-Alin Mountains run through the center of the ecoregion, meeting at the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shantar Islands offshore. To the west is the Manchurian Mixed Forest ecoregion, an area of low hills with cover of pine and deciduous forest. The eastern edge is the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sakhalin Gulf. To the north is the East Siberian taiga ecoregion, a colder region of larch forest and less snow. The Ussuri-broadleaf forest ecoregion lies to the south, with warmer temperatures and mixed broadleaf forests."}, {"context": " The region has a Humid continental, cool summer climate (Koppen classification (Dwb)). This climate is characterized by high variation in temperature, both daily and seasonally; with dry winters and cool summers. Average temperatures range from in January to in July. The wind blows from the east (sea to land) during the warm period, bringing 80-90% of the precipitation, and blows west to east (from Siberia towards the sea) during the cold season. The Okhotsk-Manchurian taiga ecoregion is the most southern of the boreal ecoregions; the dominant forest cover is dark taiga (spuce and fir) at high altitudes, and larch at lower altitudes. The region is farther north, and higher than, the Ussuri mixed broadleaf forest ecoregion which supports Mongolian oak and other broadleaf species. The Amur River delta provides extensive wetlands and associated plant life."}, {"context": " Among mammals, common predators are red fox, wolverines, wolves and lynx. Also common are forest mammals such as brown bear, and ungulates such as moose, sika deer, and caribou. The Shantar Islands and the Sea of Okhotsk are host to large colonies of seabirds. Common land birds include northern goshawk, Ural owl, Oriental cuckoo, and Eurasian treecreeper. Notable protected areas of the Russian Federation in the Okhosk-Manchurian taiga include: Commercial gas extraction in the area of Sakhalin Island has brought more industrial human activity, including pipelines through the forests. As with most of the maritime Far East, pressure from commercial logging affects the forests.  The area is sparsely populated; the largest city is Komsomolsk on the Amur River at the southern edge of the region. The region is in the Palearctic ecozone (Euro-Siberian region). It covers ."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsky", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotsky (masculine), Okhotskaya (feminine), or Okhotskoye (neuter) may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okhotsky District", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotsky District () is an administrative and municipal district (raion), one of the seventeen in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia. It is located in the north of the krai. The area of the district is . Its administrative center is the urban locality (a work settlement) of Okhotsk. Population: The population of Okhotsk accounts for 51.4% of the district's total population."}]}, {"title": "Okhotsky-Perevoz", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhotsky-Perevoz () is a rural locality (a \"selo\"), the only inhabited locality, and the administrative center of Okhot-Perevozovsky Rural Okrug of Tomponsky District in the Sakha Republic, Russia, located from Khandyga, the administrative center of the district. Its population as of the 2010 Census was\u00a0142, down from\u00a0157 recorded during the 2002 Census."}]}, {"title": "Okhovvat", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhovvat e Shiraz () is an Iranian newspaper in Fars Province. The concessionaire of this magazine was \"Abdolkarim Maaroofli\" and it was published in Shiraz since 1908."}]}, {"title": "Okhposu railway station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhposu railway station is a railway station on the Yangon Circular Railway in Yangon, Burma."}]}, {"title": "Okhrana", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Department for Protecting the Public Security and Order (), usually called \"guard department\" () and commonly abbreviated in modern sources as Okhrana () was a secret police force of the Russian Empire and part of the police department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) in the late 19th century, aided by the Special Corps of Gendarmes. Formed to combat political terrorism and left-wing revolutionary activity, the Okhrana operated offices throughout the Russian Empire and satellite agencies in a number of foreign nations. It was concerned primarily with monitoring the activities of Russian revolutionaries abroad, including in Paris, where Pyotr Rachkovsky was based (1884\u20131902)."}, {"context": " The task was performed by multiple methods, including covert operations, undercover agents, and \"\"\u2014reading of private correspondence. Even the Foreign Agency served this purpose. The Okhrana was notorious for its agents provocateurs, including Dr. Jacob Zhitomirsky (a leading Bolshevik and close associate of Vladimir Lenin), Yevno Azef, Roman Malinovsky and Dmitry Bogrov. The Okhrana tried to compromise the labour movement by creating police-run trade unions, a practice known as \"zubatovshchina\". The agency was blamed by the Communists in part for the Bloody Sunday event, when imperial guards killed hundreds of unarmed protesters who were marching during a demonstration organized by Father Gapon, who was alleged by the Bolsheviks to have collaborated with the Okhrana (though in fact this was unproven), and Pyotr Rutenberg."}, {"context": " Other controversial activities included alleged fabrication of \"The Protocols of the Elders of Zion\" (many historians such as the German historian Konrad Heiden and Russian historian Mikhail Lepekhine maintain that Matvei Golovinski, a writer and Okhrana agent, compiled the first edition) and fabrication of the antisemitic Beilis trial. Suspects captured by the Okhrana were passed to the Russian judicial system. The Okhrana never received more than 10% of the police budget, the most it ever received being five million rubles in 1914."}, {"context": " The first special security department was the Department on Protecting the Order and Public Peace under the Head of St. Petersburg, created in 1866 after a failed assassination attempt on Alexander II, with a staff of 12 investigators. Its street address, Fontanka, 16, was publicly known in the Russian Empire. After another failed attempt, on August 6, 1880, the Emperor, acting on proposals made by Count Loris-Melikov, created the Department of State Police under Ministry of the Interior (MVD) and transferred part of the Special Corps of Gendarmes and the Third Section of the Imperial Chancellery to the new body. The position of Chief of Gendarmes was merged with the Minister, and Commander of the Corps was assigned Deputy of the Minister. Still, these measures did not prevent the assassination of Alexander II in March 1881."}, {"context": " In an attempt to implement preventive security measures, Emperor Alexander III immediately created two more Security and Investigation (\u043e\u0445\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e-\u0440\u043e\u0437\u044b\u0441\u043a\u043d\u044b\u0435) secret police stations, supervised by Gendarme officers, in Moscow and Warsaw; they became the basis of the later Okhrana. The Imperial Gendarmerie still operated as security police in the rest of the country through their Gubernial and Uyezd Directorates. The Tsar also created Special Conference under the MVD (1881), which had the right to declare a State of Emergency Security in various parts of the Empire (which was actively used in the time of 1905's Revolution), and subordinated all of the imperial police forces to the Commander of the Gendarmes (1882)."}, {"context": " The rise of the socialist movements called for the integration of security forces. Since 1898, the Special Section (\u041e\u0441\u043e\u0431\u044b\u0439 \u043e\u0442\u0434\u0435\u043b) of the Department of Police succeeded the Gendarmes in gaining information from domestic and foreign agents and \"perlustration\". Following the Socialist-Revolutionary Party's assassination of MVD Minister Dmitry Sipyagin on April 2, 1902, the new Minister Vyacheslav von Plehve gradually relieved Directorates of Gendarmes of investigation power in favor of Security and Investigation Stations (\u041e\u0445\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e-\u0440\u043e\u0437\u044b\u0441\u043a\u043d\u043e\u0435 \u043e\u0442\u0434\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435) under respective Mayors and Governors (who as a matter of fact were subordinate to the MVD Minister)."}, {"context": " The Okhrana used many seemingly unorthodox methods in the pursuit of its mission to defend the monarchy; indeed, some of the Okhrana\u2019s activities even contributed to the wave of domestic unrest and revolutionary terror that they were intended to quell. Perhaps most paradoxical of all was the Okhrana\u2019s collaboration with revolutionary organizations. Among the early Okhrana agents to work alongside revolutionaries was Lieutenant-Colonel Gregory Sudeykin of the St. Petersburg Special Section, who, in 1882, set up an illegal printing operation to publish the revolutionary People\u2019s Will with Okhrana funds. Sudeykin and his colleague, a revolutionary-turned-police-informant named Sergey Degayev, passed drafts of the publication through Okhrana censors before printing. This episode marked the beginning of the Okhrana\u2019s efforts to surreptitiously observe, but also influence and undermine, revolutionary movements. This focus on infiltrating and influencing revolutionary groups, rather than merely identifying and arresting their members, was intensified by the innovations of one Okhrana bureau chief, Sergey Zubatov. While P.I. Rachkovsky, as head of the Okhrana\u2019s Foreign Agency, had long ordered Okhrana agents to infiltrate and influence revolutionary movements abroad, Zubatov brought these tactics to a new level by creating Okhrana-controlled trade unions, the foundation of police socialism. Perhaps recognizing the same discontent among factory workers that the Bolsheviks sought to exploit to start a revolution, Zubatov hoped the unions would mollify factory workers with improvements in working conditions and thus prevent workers from joining revolutionary movements that threatened the monarchy. To this end, Zubatov created the Moscow Mechanical Production Workers\u2019 Mutual Aid Society in May 1901. After Zubatov was made head of the Special Section in 1902, he expanded his trade unions from Moscow to St. Petersburg and Southern Russia."}, {"context": " Zubatovite trade unions achieved moderate success at channeling workers\u2019 political agitations away from revolutionary movements and toward labor improvements, especially in the cities of Minsk and Odessa, with one high-ranking official noting that many revolutionaries and workers were joining the unions. However, Zubatov, if not police socialism, was discredited in the summer of 1903 after the Okhrana officer in charge of the Odessa union allowed a strike to get out of hand, causing a mass movement which paralyzed the region. Although the police-run unions continued to operate after Zubatov\u2019s ousting, without Okhrana funding, they proved more a liability than an asset. The Assembly of Working Men, a police-run union with about 6,000\u20138,000 members, formed by the alleged Okhrana agent Father Georgy Gapon, sparked the Bloody Sunday massacre, a milestone in the Revolution of 1905, when union members marched peacefully on the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and were fired upon by Imperial soldiers. The Okhrana complemented police socialism and other projects to prevent the conditions in which revolutionary movements could take hold by pursuing initiatives to curtail the activities of existing organizations. Yevno Azef, the notorious Okhrana provocateur who managed to become the head of the Socialist Revolutionary Fighting Organization, epitomized the Okhrana's inscrutable practice of revolutionary group infiltration. While the Okhrana managed to imbed many of its agents in revolutionary organizations, the police preferred to slowly gather intelligence and attempt to interfere with revolutionary work surreptitiously rather than immediately arrest known revolutionaries. This policy led to numerous dubious acts on the part of police spies, who needed to participate in revolutionary activities to avoid suspicion, as when Yevno Azef, as head of the SRFO, ordered the assassination of V. K. Plehve on July 15, 1904."}, {"context": " For over twenty years, the Okhrana had focused on interfering with the activities of relatively small, and distinct, revolutionary groups. The Revolution of 1905, characterized by seemingly spontaneous marches and strikes, exposed the Okhrana's inefficacy at controlling mass popular movements. Not only did the Okhrana lack the capacity to prevent the mass movements of 1905, or even to contain them once they began, the Okhrana\u2019s misguided attempts may even have worsened the unrest. D. F. Trepov, the Assistant Minister of the Interior in charge of police affairs, and P. I. Rachkovsky, now in charge of all domestic political police operations, attempted to mount an aggressive offensive against those they believed to be responsible for the unrest, namely \"zemstvo\" employees, in May 1905, but backed down three months later. In October of that year, Trepov again attempted a violent repression of the revolution only to call off the effort for lack of manpower. Since these attempts at repression never reached fruition, they only served to aggravate the already enraged Russian populace and to deepen their distrust of the Imperial government. Trepov\u2019s replacement by P.N. Durnovo in late-October ushered in a period of even more vicious repression of the Revolution. Indicative of this new period is the head of the St. Petersburg Special Section, A.V. Gerasimov\u2019s, strike on the St. Petersburg Soviet. To Tsar Nicholas II's delight, Gerasimov arrested delegates of the Soviet \"en masse\" on December 3, 1905. Along with this repression and the end of the Revolution of 1905 came a shift in the political police\u2019s mentality; gone were the days of Nicholas I\u2019s white-gloved moral police: post-1905 the political police feared that the Russian people were as eager to destroy them as to depose the Tsar."}, {"context": " Following the outbreak of the 1905 Revolution and assassination of Plehve, Pyotr Stolypin, as the new MVD Minister and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, created of a nationwide net of Security Stations. By 1908, there were 31 Stations and more than 60 by 1911. Two more Special Sections of the Department of Police were organized in 1906. The centralized Security Section of the Department of Police was created on February 9, 1907; it was located on 16, Fontanka, St. Petersburg. The exposure of Yevno Azef (who had organized many assassinations, including that of Plehve) and Dmitri Bogrov (who assassinated Stolypin in 1911) as Okhrana double agents put the agency's methods under great suspicion; they were further compromised by the discovery of many similar double agents-provocateur. In Autumn 1913, all of the Security Stations but original Moscow, St Petersburg and Warsaw were dismissed. The start of World War I marked a shift from anti-revolutionary activities of the Department of Police to counter-intelligence; however, the efforts of the Department were poorly synchronised with counter-intelligence units of the General Staff and the Army."}, {"context": " Just as the Okhrana had once sponsored trade unions to divert activist energy from political causes, so too did the secret police attempt to promote the Bolshevik party, as the Bolsheviks seemed a relatively harmless alternative to more violent revolutionary groups. Indeed, to the Okhrana, Lenin seemed to actively hinder the revolutionary movement by denouncing other revolutionary groups and refusing to cooperate with them. To aid the Bolsheviks at the expense of other revolutionaries, the Okhrana helped Roman Malinovsky, a police spy who had managed to rise within the group and gain Lenin\u2019s trust, in his bid to become a Bolshevik delegate to the Duma. To this end, the Okhrana sequestered Malinovsky\u2019s criminal record and arrested others candidates for the seat. Malinovsky won the seat and led the Bolshevik delegation in the Fourth Duma until 1914, but even with the information Malinovsky and other informants provided to the Okhrana, the police were unprepared for the rise of Bolshevism in 1917. Although the secret police had agents within the Bolshevik organization, other factors contributed to the Okhrana\u2019s inefficacy at averting the events of 1917. Among these factors was the Deputy Minister of the Interior, General V. F. Dzhunkovsky\u2019s ban on police spies within the military, a practice he found dishonorable and damaging to morale. While, initially, the beginning of World War I moved the Okhrana\u2019s attentions from countering revolutionaries to countering German espionage, the focus quickly shifted back as it was revealed that the Germans were heavily funding Russian revolutionary groups in order to destabilize the nation. Despite the renewed attention, the February Revolution took the secret police, and the nation, by surprise. Indeed, the Okhrana\u2019s persistent focus on revolutionary groups may have resulted in the secret police not fully appreciating the deep-seated popular unrest brewing in Russia."}, {"context": " The Okhrana was identified by the revolutionaries as one of the main symbols of Tsarist repression, and its headquarters were sacked and burned on 27 February 1917. The newly formed Provisional Government then disbanded the whole organization and released most of the political prisoners who had been held by the Tsarist regime. Revelations of the Okhrana\u2019s earlier abuses heightened public hostility towards the secret police after the February Revolution and made it very dangerous to be a political policeman. That fact, along with the St. Petersburg (now Petrograd) Soviet\u2019s insistence on the dissolution of the regular Tsarist police force, as well as the political police, meant that the Okhrana quickly and quietly disappeared.  Historians have claimed that despite the reforms in the early 19th century, the practice of torture was never truly abolished. Possibly, the creation of Okhrana led to increasing use of torture, due to the Okhrana using methods such as arbitrary arrest, detention and torture to gain information. Following the revolution, civilians claimed the Okhrana had operated torture chambers in places like Warsaw, Riga, Odessa and in a majority of the urban centres."}]}, {"title": "Okhre", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhre is a village development committee in Bhojpur District in the Kosi Zone of eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2729 persons living in 534 individual households."}]}, {"title": "Okhreni", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhreni was a village development committee in Ramechhap District in the Janakpur Zone of north-eastern Nepal now it has encluded on Ramechhap municipalicy. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 3007 people living in 549 individual households."}]}, {"title": "Okhrey", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhrey is a small village situated in West Sikkim district, India. Okhrey is mostly inhabited by Sherpas. Okhrey comes under Daramdin BAC Block Administrative Center, and is approximately from the capital Gangtok. The nearest town from Okhrey is Sombaria at a distance of around . The main occupation of the people of Okhrey is farming, and they mainly produce potatoes. The temperature of Okhrey can fall to in winter, and it has a moderate climate during summer."}]}, {"title": "Okhta", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhta may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okhta Center", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhta Center or phonetically O\u1e31hta-Tse\u0144tr (Russian: \u041e\u0301\u0445\u0442\u0430-\u0446\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0442\u0440), known before March 2007 as Gazprom City (Russian:\u0413\u0430\u0437\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0301\u043c-\u0441\u0438\u0301\u0442\u0438), is a failed construction project of a business centre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was supposed to include the first supertall skyscraper in the city. The 403 meters high main tower of Okhta Centre is set to be the tallest building in Europe amongst live building proposals. This project, remained unrealised, was supposed to house headquarters of the Gazprom energy company, along with museums, library, sports and leisure facilities, and a concert hall. It was to be built in the mouth of the river Okhta, on the right bank of the river Neva. Its 403-meter high tower was conceived not only as a dominant, but also as a new symbol of Saint Petersburg. It was to be completed by 2016. However, the project met fierce opposition from citizens, civil groups, and international organizations. When the project ideas were introduced to international jury, three out of four architects walked off the jury in protest, the competition was also boycotted by the Russian Union of Architects. It was eventually relocated to the new site Lakhta in Saint Petersburg in December 2010."}, {"context": " The core design team of the Okhta Centre includes Chief Design Architect Charles Phu, Russian architect Philipp Nikandrov, Roger Whiteman and Tony Kettle. In 2008, Arabtec, the construction company involved in construction of the world\u2019s tallest building in Dubai, has won a contract to build this 60 billion-ruble ($2.56 billion) complex. Gazprom's CEO Alexei Miller claimed that he is \"positive that St. Petersburg\u2019s citizens will be proud of these new architectural masterpieces.\" However, the Director of the Hermitage Museum, Mikhail Piotrovsky, has spoken out against the plan. Russia's culture ministry has also been reported to object to the tower's plan."}, {"context": " As the historical centre of Saint Petersburg is a World Heritage Site in 1991; in December 2006 UNESCO World Heritage centre Director Francesco Bandarin reminded Russia about its obligations to preserve it and expressed concern over the project. In 2007, the World Monuments Fund placed the historic skyline of St. Petersburg on its 2008 Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites due to the potential construction of the building, and in 2009 reported that the tower \"would damage the image of Russia.\""}, {"context": " In 2010 it was reported by Russian and UK press that the project's designer Charles Phu said at a public debate in London that the architect has been getting regular memoranda from Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, encouraging them to go ahead with the project of Okhta Centre and promising support from the government. This was proved to be untrue according to Putin, Phu himself and the debate participants. This controversial report, followed by heated public discussions, has resulted in certain impact on the politics in Russia."}, {"context": " Lakhta Center, presently under development on a site farther from Saint Petersburg's historic center, is based on the Okhta Center plans including its main tower, but on an even larger scale. Gazprom City project was first introduced in November 2006. Russian Academy of Arts hosted an exhibit of the six competitive designs. Representatives from Gazprom Representatives from the Saint Petersburg administration Architects All the presented projects conceptulized the building as a new architectural dominant with proposed height ranging from 300 to 400 meters."}, {"context": " Three out of four architects walked off the jury. Kurokawa stated that the height of construction in Saint Petersburg is \"the most sensitive issue to keeping the existing cultural value of the old city centre\". The competition was also boycotted by the Russian Union of Architects. British architecture company RMJM London Limited won the competition. The decision was announced on December 1, 2006. In addition to the opinion of the jury, Gazprom invited the public to cast their votes on the company's web-site (it was closed after the project was renamed Okhta Center) and through the ballots distributed at the exhibit."}, {"context": " Notably, the ballots did not provide a \"none of the above\" option, which automatically made all those who had cast their votes into supporters of the construction. Newsportal Vedomosti organized their own survey, asking whether respondents considered it an option to construct a 300-meter skyscraper on the site of the Nyenschantz fortress. Out of 735 respondents only 68 replied affirmatively. The proposed twisting tower is inspired by a Swedish fortress named Landskrona, occupied the site in the early 14th century, and another fortress Nyenschantz on the site until the 18th century in the form of a five-sided star to maximise views for defensive purposes. The inspiration for the design also comes from energy in water, with the building form deriving its shape from the changing nature of water and ever changing light. It gives a new interpretation to the historical fortresses with modern aesthetics and technology - transparency and democracy, internal and external interactions. It also features a unique environmental strategy, which acts as a low energy double-layered skin of the tower allowing maximum daylight and minimum heat loss in the extreme climate of the city."}, {"context": " The area of the complex was to be divided according to the following ratio: 35% - public use, 49% - business offices, 16% - offices of Gazprom and its subsidiaries. The complex was to consist of three main zones: Zone 1: Multifunctional high-rise complex. 396 meters high, 67 floors. The complex would have contained office spaces and parking, 67th floor would have been turned into an observation deck. Sport complex and conference hall were to be constructed next to it. Zone 2: Multifunctional cultural center. Museum of modern art, Museum of architecture, and a theater building were to be constructed in this area."}, {"context": " Zone 3: Zone for prospective development, most likely to include sports and recreations center containing a swimming pool, skate ring, and fitness and spa centers, apartment hotel, and parking. Architects planned to create green zones and linear parks along the embankment of the river Neva. The 396 meter high-rise was to be pentagon-shaped in its base - a reference to the Landskrona fortification and Nyenschantz fortresses that were located at the same site in the 14th and 17th centuries respectively. Remnants of the fortresses were uncovered during archaeological excavations that begun as a result of the contention around the project"}, {"context": " Originally, the 60 billion rubles construction was supposed to be 100% funded from the city budget. The city was supposed to disburse annual payments of 6 billion rubles starting in 2006 through 2016. In return, Gazprom was to pay 7 billions in taxes annually. The building was supposed to become the property of Gazprom Neft. The city was also supposed to fund construction of housing for Gazprom executives. This scheme, in which city was supposed to return a ten-year worth of taxes to a commercial company, provoked a public outcry from a number of civil groups and the Democratic party Yabloko. The latter demanded a citywide referendum to uphold the height regulation of 48-meters."}, {"context": " In March 2007 Gazprom City was renamed Okhta Center. Simultaneously, as a result of the pressure from opposition groups, financial scheme was changed: now Gazprom was supposed to provide 51% of the cost of the construction, city would have covered the remaining 49% and received capital stocks in exchange. However, according to the federal law about joint stock companies, shareholders do not become owners of the property. Thus, Gazprom would have still been a full owner of the Okhta Center real estate. As a result of contention around the construction, it became apparent that Valentina Matviyenko, the governor of Saint Petersburg, included funding of the construction in the city budget in the absence of feasibility studies and land agreement. Yabloko initiated a court case questioning the legality of the financing scheme. Saint Petersburg City Court denied the case  December 28, 2008 Alexey Miller announced that Gazprom will cover the full cost of the construction. However, even though officially the city did not fund the construction, it established a tax break for Gazprom, that over ten years would have come up to the cost of the construction. Thus, even in the third version of the financial scheme, construction of Okhta Center would have been paid for by the taxpayers."}]}, {"title": "Okhta River (Neva basin)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhta River () is a river in Vsevolozhsky District of Leningrad Oblast and the eastern part of the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the largest right tributary of the Neva river. It joins the Neva upstream of the Neva's mouth, within the city limits of Saint Petersburg. The length of the Okhta is , and the area of its drainage basin is . Its largest tributary is the Okkervil River (left). The Rzhevsky Reservoir ( long, wide, with a volume of 4 mln m\u00b3) has been built on the Okhta. The Utkina Dacha estate is located on the banks of the Okhta close to the mouth of the Okkervil."}, {"context": " The source of the Okhta is in the swamps in the northwestern part of Vsevolozhsky District, north of the town of Sertolovo. The Okhta flows southeast, downstream of the settlement of Vartemyagi turns east, passes southwest of the urban-type settlement of Toksovo and turns south. Below Toksovo, it essentially flows through the suburbs of Saint Petersburg. Downstream of the village of Murino it enters the city of Saint Petersburg, passes Ladozhsky railway station and has its mouth under the Malookhtinsky Bridge, which separates Malookhtinskaya and Sverdlovskaya Embankments.  The drainage basin of the Okhta includes the south of the Karelian Isthmus. The town of Vsevolozhsk and the urban-type settlements of Toksovo and Kuzmolovsky are located in this river basin. Large lakes in the basin of the Okhta include Lake Kavgolovskoye and Lake Khepoyarvi."}]}, {"title": "Okhtar", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhtar () is a village and rural community (municipality) in the Syunik Province of Armenia. The National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (ARMSTAT) reported its population was 87 in 2010, down from 124 at the 2001 census."}]}, {"title": "Okhtyrka", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhtyrka (; also known by its Russian variant Akhtyrka ) is a small city in Sumy Oblast in Ukraine. Okhtyrka serves since 1975 as the administrative center of Okhtyrka Raion. It is administratively incorporated as a city of oblast significance and does not belong to the raion. Population: Okhtyrka is a town of Hussar and Cossack Fame. It was also once a regional seat of Sloboda Ukraine and the Ukrainian SSR. Since the discovery of oil and gas in 1961 Okhtyrka has become an \"oil capital of Ukraine\". It is home to Okhtyrka air base, historical and religious places of interest. Population 50,400 (), 25,965 (1900), 17,411 (1867)."}, {"context": " The villages of Velyke Osero (274 inhabitants), Saluschany (28 inhabitants), Prystan (7 inhabitants) and Kosyatyn (6 inhabitants) belong to the Okhtyrka city administration which is designated into a separate subdivision of the Sumy Oblast. There are many versions of the city's name origin. According to one of them, the most probable, its name descends from the name of the river with the same name that flows through the city. According to some local historians, the river's name in translation from Turkic language means \"lazy river\". In opinion of others, the city's name from the same Turkic language is translated as the \"place of ambush\", \"white fort\". Yet the Russian philologist Oleg Trubachyov considered that there are no serious grounds to accept the Turkic etymology and that the river's name is \"insufficiently clear in origin\"."}, {"context": " The linguist Kostiantyn Tyshchenko points to the Gothic origin of the name \"Okhtyrka\". Located in the south of the Sumy region in the center of a triangle created by regional centers \u2013 Sumy, Kharkiv and Poltava. The city is situated on the left bank of the Vorskla River \u2013 the blue pearl of Ukrainian rivers. Okhtyrka was first established by former Ruthenians of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth who were escaping Polonization moving from the Right-bank Ukraine to Sloboda Ukraine. Next to the new settlement Polish authorities established a border outpost against the Muscovite Belgorod Border Line. The settlement and the outpost were founded on the site of an ancient Ruthenian settlement on Akhtyr Hill and was part of Severian principality. During the Mongol invasion, it was destroyed. The first written mention of Okhtyrka settlement dates to 1641."}, {"context": " In 1647, according to the act of demarcation of borders that drawn by the Treaty of Polyanovka of 1634, Okhtyrka was ceded by the Crown of Poland to Muscovy as being built on territory that belonged to the Tsardom of Muscovy. Polish border guard vacated the outpost destroying the fort. It was rebuilt by the local peasants and Cossacks who decided to stay and be with new arrivals seeking the tax free life promised by Muscovite Tzar. Sloboda Ukraine territory at this time was heavily populated (both spontaneous and planned) on one hand by refugees, the Ukrainians from the territory formerly under the control of Poland, and on the other by musketeers and Cossacks. It was important for Muscovy to have an outpost established in this area, so it supported the settlers by removing tax collections for the time being. Okhtyrka's outpost served to strengthen the Belgorod defense line skirting the southern border of the Muscovite state in the middle of the 17th century. Being bolstered in this prominent position during the 17th and 18th centuries, Okhtyrka rose to such heights that it rivaled Kharkiv itself. The first census of the city was taken in 1655 by governor of Okhtyrka Trofim Khrushchev, listing 1339 residents."}, {"context": " The coat of arms The town's coat of arms (blue field, golden cross and shining sun above) celebrates the city's great number of visiting pilgrims. It was introduced by Simon Bekenshtein on September 21, 1781 and reinstated in 1991 by the city council. In 1655\u20131658 the Okhtyrka Cossack Regiment was formed and it lasted until 1765, when by order of Catherine II, all of Cossack regiments had been dismantled. In 1709 the territory of the Cossack regiment became the scene of fierce fighting with the Swedes. More than a hundred years the Cossack regiment fought against the invasion of the Tatars, and the troops shared not only the bitterness of defeat but the majestic glory of victories over the Turks, Tartars, the Swedes. Later, Okhtyrka's Cossack regiment reformed into the Hussars. Bravery was always of the best qualities of fighters from Okhtyrka."}, {"context": " Okhtyrka Fortress Okhtyrka, like all of Sloboda Ukraine, had a chaotic structure of buildings. The central core of the city was represented by the fortress, which occupied a dominant place in the strategic sense. The buildings ran around, fitting into the terrain without any order. Okhtyrka's fort was sitting on a shore of a small Okhtyrka river, where it makes a loop, forming a natural protection. The fortress was surrounded by numerous lakes, complicating approaches to it. The fortress had the shape of an irregular quadrilateral, and occupied a territory of the present city center, from the river to the area, where there is now \"Intercession Cathedral\" (outside the castle). It was surrounded by a wooden fence with five stone and fifteen wooden towers and two bastions. The fortress gates had drawbridges. Around the castle there was a moat that was dug and earth mound with caponier at the corners. The water filled moat gave the island fortress a situational advantage, strengthening its defense capacity."}, {"context": " The visit of Peter the Great In the early 18th century warriors from Okhtyrka regiment took an active part in the Great Northern War recapturing the Swedish and Russian lands bordering the Baltic Sea. On December 26, 1707 Peter the First himself came to the city to personally verify the readiness of the garrison and hold a council of war. The Russian Tsar knew and appreciated soldiers from Okhtyrka, who have shown courage and perseverance during combat tours. Hussars An important role in the fight against Napoleon's troops during the War of 1812 was played by Okhtyrka Hussars. They participated in the battles of Smolensk, Vyazma, Borodino. For services in battle the regiment was honored to open the parade of victors at the entry of Allied troops in Paris. In this regiment served, as one of the leaders of the partisan movement during the War in 1812 the Russian poet Dmitry Davydov, Russian composer AA Alyabyev. In 1823, the regiment was commanded by a future Decembrist A. Muravyev and Mikhail Lermontov - Russian poet."}, {"context": " Many people fought and died in WW-I and a lot more in WW-II defending the motherland. The fights around Okhtyrka were fearsome and resulted in having the common grave of Soviet soldiers in the area. The site is known to everyone in the city. Soviet Times During the Great Patriotic War (World War II), Okhtyrka was occupied by the German Army from 15 October 1941 to 23 February 1943 and again from 11 March to 25 August 1943. Okhtyrka was near the southern flank of the Kursk Bulge, and fighting for the possession of the city in the summer of 1943 got extremely fierce. That is why the city and its surroundings have so many monuments of the last war: the eternal flame of remembrance in the city park, Valley of Heroes, T-34 tank on a pedestal in one of the city's entrances, the Mound of Glory, etc. After the war, large army garrisons settled in the area of Okhtyrka and the new planes started circling the skies with swept wings. Military parades in the city, arranged on the occasion of Soviet holidays, could compete with the capital due to the number of participating vehicles and machinery of all kinds."}, {"context": " In the last decade of the Soviet Era Okhtyrka has been militarized. It housed many army regiments of all sorts. The Dachny precinct became a home to officers' families from all around the former USSR. Many of them served in Eastern Bloc countries (East Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia etc.), took part in Vietnam and Afghanistan wars and served as consultants in Cuba. As USSR started to fall apart all the machinery and ballistic rockets were transported back to Russian territory, however it took a very long time for the regiments to move or to transform. A lot of military personnel or their families stayed in Okhtyrka or still have connections to this city where they spent many years of their lives and that offered them home."}, {"context": " Okhtyrka was the first city in Ukraine to acquire a tobacco factory. The city has a beautiful Cathedral of the Holy Virgin (1753\u201362) [Russian: \u0421\u043e\u0431\u043e\u0440 \u041f\u043e\u043a\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0430 \u041f\u0440\u0435\u0441\u0432\u044f\u0442\u043e\u0439 \u0411\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0434\u0438\u0446\u044b], formerly attributed to Bartolomeo Rastrelli and currently to Dmitry Ukhtomsky with managing architect S. Dudinsky. Its singular architecture is the complex medley of traditional Sloboda Ukraine Baroque with fashionable elements derived from the imperial capital. The interior is decorated with pilasters with Ionic capitals, and paintings on sails. It had suffered during the Great Patriotic War. The restorations started in 1970-1972 but were completed only after collapse of USSR. The construction is unique in its three-dimensional solution and has no analogy in the Ukrainian Baroque architecture. Near at hand stands the Nativity Church (1825), which resembles a palace rather than a church. The cathedral bell-tower was built in three tiers and adorned with statuary in 1783."}, {"context": " There are many more wooden and brick churches of importance and beauty in the area. On a beautiful hill that locals always called \"Monastery Hill\", just outside Akhtyrka [Russian], nestles a Holy Trinity Monastery (http://www.ahtyr.org/en/history) overlooking the Vorskla river. It was established in 1654 about 4\u20135\u00a0km north of Akhtyrka. These holy grounds have been practically destroyed during the Soviet era with exception of its bell tower that kept a bit of its structure intact. October revolt, World War II and anti-religious policies of Soviet era played a big part here. It has been reopened following restoration of religious life in Ukraine and Russia, for the 4th time during its uneasy history it enjoys its rebirth. Mostly surviving on donations and on the work of enthusiastic monks and volunteers, with Kiev Church blessings, it has started to rebuild its former glory and has become one of the main religious places for Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox Christian worshipers in the region, becoming a notable landmark in Ukraine."}, {"context": " The beautiful Cathedral of the Holy Virgin and other churches in Akhtyrka serve the growing interest of the general population to religious traditions and Orthodox Christian worshipping. Miraculous Icon of Okhtyrka Iconography of Akhtyrka's icon originates in the Italo-Greek art. Usually picturing - half-length image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with folded hands in supplication. To the left of it - the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified on the cross. (http://drevo-info.ru/articles/6725.html) The Okhtyrka Miraculous Icon was revealed on July 2, 1739 in Okhtyrka. The image, which emanated radiance, was uncovered by priest Vasily (Basil) Danilov in the grassland of Protection Church while he was mowing. The icon was moved to his home. After three years from the date of bringing it into the house, when the priest entered the room on the day of the feast of the Protection, he was struck by the extraordinary light of the icon. This has been repeated numerous times. The priest prayed devoutly near this icon but never said anything to anyone else. Once in his sleep, the priest saw the Virgin, and heard her command to remove dust from his newfound icon and to clean it with water. On the priest's awakening from his sleep he executed the command. The water that he used to clean the icon he left in a vessel planning to take it to the river next morning to empty and to wash the vessel there. Again he fell asleep and dreamed, as if he was going to the river next morning. He heard the voice of Mother of God \"Return home and keep this water, it will heal all who suffers from fever.\" He had a daughter, who had long experienced fevers and when he awoke, he gave her to drink this water, and the daughter soon recovered."}, {"context": " Then the priest asked Ioan (John) iconographer to repair paint damage on the icon. Knowing about the miraculous healing qualities of the icon from the priest, the icon painter washed it with water and watered his son, who suffered from fever, who also recovered. In preparation for the restoration that night he heard a voice coming from the icon: \"Get up! Now is the time to return the icon to where you took it. Fix it you can not. \" The painter was praying before the icon until the morning, and in the morning took it back to Basil, who being convinced of its miraculous power put it in the Protection Church. Fever sufferers began to resort to this icon prayerfully, receiving miraculous healings in great numbers."}, {"context": " The news of the miracles of the icon spread to the Imperial Court. The Mother of God appeared in a vivid dream to the widow Baroness von Veydel, who visited Okhtyrka in 1748. The Lady said to her that her days were numbered and ordered her to give away her estate distributing it to the needy and promised the protection to her two young daughters. Baroness rushed to distribute the property and actually died five days later. The news about this reached the Empress, and Elizabeth took the orphans to the court, raised them and married one to Count Panin, another to Count Chernyshov. Both of them made generous contributions to the cathedral, where the icon remained until the day they died."}, {"context": " In 1751 the Holy Synod decided to honor the icon of Okhtyrka as miraculous. In 1753 Empress Elizabeth donated funds and a stone Cathedral of the Holy Virgin was erected at the place where the icon was found. The icon was kept in the Cathedral until its abduction in 1903 during the voyage to St. Petersburg for restoration. It is unknown how the holy icon found its way to Harbin, but that's where it was acquired by S A Stepanov. According to the Harbin Archpriest Nikolai Trufanova, who repeatedly visited Okhtyrka icon in Okhtyrka it was the very icon that had gone missing. He confirmed that Stepanov acquired that very same wonder-working icon of Okhtyrka. In the 1950s, the son of Stepanov brought it to Brazil and then to San Francisco, where he passed it to the Committee of the Russian Orthodox youth as a blessing. Then Okhtyrka icon was placed under the jurisdiction of Sydney Archbishop Hilarion (Kapral)."}, {"context": " Blessed copies of Okhtyrka icon The icon of Okhtyrka, which is revered as a healer of many diseases, has been copied with blessing of the church in small numbers that were distributed mainly in the south of Russia, in Kharkiv diocese. One such icon from the 18th or 19th century is kept in Moscow, in the main aisle of the church of Resurrection in the Arbat (ap. Philip) Jerusalem monastery. Okhtyrka icon is called \"Samara\" - the main shrine of Samara Nicholas male monastery. In 1975, the information that the lost Okhtyrka icon was in San Francisco reached the Soviet Union. In 1995 the Metropolitan Nicodemus of Kharkiv (Rusnak) brought a copy of the icon, and handed it to Okhtyrka St. Basil's Cathedral. In the connection with this event there was a holy procession on the third day after the Holy Trinity with other icons to place the Okhtyrka icon into the Holy Trinity Monastery. These holy processions occurred yearly since 1844 on the Saturday of Pentecost, and later the icons were transferred back on the feast of All Saints. On June 15, 1999 Okhtyrka held celebrations to mark the 260th anniversary of the phenomenon of the miraculous Okhtyrka icon."}, {"context": " List of temples in honor of Okhtyrka icons Temple in the village Chernetove Bryansk region; Akhtyrsky nunnery in the village Gusevka Volgograd region; Church in the village of Akhtyrka Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region; Chapel at the Republican Hospital in Petrozavodsk; Akhtyrsky Cathedral in City Orel. People who live in Okhtyrka have origins in different nationalities with the mainstream culture being predominantly Ukrainian and Russian, which is widely accepted by all. This is also influenced by Orthodox faith traditions, the surrounding Christian architecture, the religious life and history of this city. In recent years, following the independence of Ukraine there is a noticeable shift to Ukrainian culture. The spoken language is Ukrainian and Russian, or a mixture of both, with Ukrainian language dominating."}, {"context": " Celebrations Okhtyrkivtsi (residents of Okhtyrka) celebrate the Day of the City on August 25, in honor of liberation of this city on this day in 1943 from Nazi invaders; Ukrainian independence day; Patronal feast days; Carnival; A festival in honor of the holiday of Ivan Kupala and many other. In 1718 the first Russian tobacco manufacture began, which was attributed to several villages (944 peasant households), but it proved unprofitable. And in 1727 the company sold its treasury to private individuals. The tobacco factory was served by an isolated plantation (50 acres), from which were collected seven thousand pounds of tobacco."}, {"context": " Since the discovery of oil and gas in 1961 Okhtyrka has become an \"oil capital of Ukraine\". Okhtyrka region produces the most oil in Ukraine. In the early 20th century there were manufacturers of light woollen stuffs and a trade in corn, cattle and the produce of domestic industries. The environs were fertile, the orchards producing excellent fruit. Obolon CJSC has a brewery in Okhtyrka. NGDU \"Okhtyrkanaftogaz.\" JSC \"Naftoprommash.\" JSC \"Okhtyrsilmash.\" JSC \"Okhtyrsky garment factory.\" JSC \"Okhtyrsky brewery.\" JSC \"Bakery Akhtyrsky.\" Branch \"Cheese Okhtyrsky\" PE \"Ros\"  The current city mayor is Igor Alekseev. Okhtyrka is home to the Ukrainian First League team FC Naftovyk-Ukrnafta Okhtyrka."}]}, {"title": "Okhtyrka Air Base", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhtyrka is an aviation training air base in Ukraine located 8\u00a0km east of Okhtyrka city in Sumy Oblast. It is a well-maintained, small military facility. It has been home to 809 UAP (809th Aviation Training Regiment) flying 102 L-39C aircraft as of 1992."}]}, {"title": "Okhtyrka Raion", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhtyrskyi Raion () is a raion in Sumy Oblast in Central Ukraine. The administrative center of the raion is the town of Okhtyrka, which is administratively incorporated as a city of oblast significance and does not belong to the raion. Population:"}]}, {"title": "Okhwan Yoon", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okhwan Yoon is a South Korean peace activist who has traveled to 193 countries by bicycle since 2001 in order to reunify the Korean peninsula. He is also a philosopher, writer, political analyst and peace activist. Okhwan Yoon got his first bike when he was 6 years old and started to cycle around the rooms of his family home. In his teenage years, after coming back from school, he would ride around the villages near Seoul until it got dark. He wondered who lived behind the mountains and what it looked like there."}, {"context": " His mother raised him to be independent. In 1984, Yoon was arrested while demonstrating against the Chun Doo-hwan regime. As a university student he was thrown into prison and tortured after peacefully protesting for Korean reunification during the Chun military regime. In 1987 Yoon graduated in law with a bachelor's degree and in 1991 he started a trading company in South Korea. In June 2001, he quit his career as a businessman. He embarked on a bicycle journey, his stated purpose to support the idea of a more peaceful world and to plant the seed of the reunification of Korea. He has survived five car crashes which resulted in surgery, contracted malaria five times, was kidnapped in Afghanistan and South Sudan, and almost lost his life from extreme heat and cold. He was brutally beaten and illegally arrested by police in Thailand and has undergone severe psychological trauma as a result of the human rights violation."}, {"context": " In September 2009 Yoon met Marek Mackovi\u010d, a Slovakian director, in Cyprus. Marek started to shoot a feature-length film about Yoon. On July 24, 2010, he filmed him in Kathmandu, Nepal and submitted the footage for the \"Life in a Day\" project, directed by Kevin MacDonald and produced by Ridley Scott. As top contributors, Marek Mackovi\u010d and Okhwan Yoon were invited to the premiere at Sundance Film Festival, where it debuted in January 2011. In the summer of 2014, Okhwan visited The Cook Islands, the 193rd country on his journey that has spanned over six continents. He has been to every U.N. country aside from North Korea. He ran marathons in Prague and France (Nice-Cannes) in 2011. He plans to climb Mt. Everest with his bicycle, and to visit Micronesia, Tuvalu, and Aruba. He eventually hopes to join the National Assembly of South Korea and publish a book about his journey."}]}, {"title": "Oki (musician)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki performs frequently in Japan, and he has also taken part in a number of folk music festivals in other countries. In 2006, he released the album \"K\u00edla & Oki\" with the Irish band, K\u00edla. His earlier solo albums include collaborations with the female Ainu singing group Marewrew, who sometimes appear in his live show as well. More recently, he has played with his own Oki Dub Ainu Band, which plays mostly traditional Ainu songs in an electric style which mixes dub rhythms with tonkori playing. During live concerts, he either plays with the Dub Ainu Band or as a solo acoustic act, singing and playing the tonkori."}]}, {"title": "Oki (surname)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki, \u014cki, Ooki or Ohki (written: \u5927\u6728 lit. \"big tree\") is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include: Fictional characters: Oki (written: \u6c96 lit. \"open sea\") is also a separate Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:"}]}, {"title": "Oki Airport", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki Airport is a Class III facility with a runway. It provides air service to Osaka International Airport (\"Itami\", ITM) and Izumo Airport (IZO). Oki Airport was first opened in August 1965 with a 1200-meter runway for irregularly scheduled services to Yonago Airport. Irregularly scheduled services to Izumo Airport began in July 1966. The airport received its Class-3 certification from the Japanese government in July 1968, permitting regularly scheduled passenger services to those locations. Services to Osaka began from April 1975. From November 1978, the airport was closed to permit strengthening of its runway. The airport reopened in April 1979 with a 1500-meter runway. However, a new airport was opened in July 2006 at a site adjacent to the former airport, with a 2000-meter runway, permitting jet operations. The airport terminal building is located on the southeast side of the runway. Boarding bridges are not installed."}]}, {"title": "Oki District, Shimane", "paragraphs": [{"context": " As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 24,500 and a density of 70.79 persons per km\u00b2. The total area is 346.10\u00a0km\u00b2. The Oki District encompasses the Oki Islands, historically called Oki Province."}]}, {"title": "Oki Doki Doc", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki Doki Doc (also known as Oki Doki Dok) is an ABS-CBN comedy sitcom which was shown from October 23, 1993 to December 2, 2000. It originally aired every Saturday nights, then transferred to Wednesday nights, and later transferred back to Saturday nights again. This show is referenced in the new ABS-CBN sitcom \"That's My Doc\". This sitcom revolves around the adventures and misadventures in the life of Dr. Aga, a young veterinarian who has inherited his brother's children. Dr. Aga has just opened his animal clinic in a middle-class subdivision and plans on a successful career. He lives with his best friend and \"kinakapatid\" Godo in the duplex that is in a compound owned by Don Berto Makunatan a.k.a. Babsy. His duplex unit doubles up as his vet office while the other unit is used by Babsy and his three children, Paolo, Alex (Agot Isidro) and Toni (Claudine Barretto)."}, {"context": " Aga was leading a normal single life and was quite enjoying his bachelorhood when his brother-in-law lost his job. Because of this unfortunate situation, his brother-in-law is forced to take on a job abroad which required him to bring his wife. Being the only relative who has a respectable status, Aga is stuck with the responsibility of caring for his sister's two children, Camille (Camille Prats) and Fonzie (Alfonso Martinez). This cuts short his life as a bachelor and catapults him into the status of a father and mother.  Claudine Barretto left \"Oki Doki Doc\" during the later years due to her busy schedules in soap operas and films. She was too exhausted with the tight schedule of taping hours when she decided to leave. In 1999, she became a recurring guest star. But due to her soap opera commitments she later on decided to leave the show totally. She was then replaced by Rica Peralejo."}]}, {"title": "Oki Dwi Putra", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki Dwi Putra Sanjaya (born 23 October 1983) is an Indonesian professional football referee."}]}, {"title": "Oki Electric Industry", "paragraphs": [{"context": " , commonly referred to as OKI, OKI Electric or the OKI Group, is a Japanese company manufacturing and selling info-telecom and printer products. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, OKI operates in over 120 countries around the world. OKI manufactured the first telephone in Japan in 1881, and now specializes not only in developing and manufacturing telecommunication equipment but also in information products and mechatronics products, such as Automated teller machine (ATMs) and printers. Its printer business is operated through OKI Data, under the brand name OKI. OKI had a semiconductor business, which it spun off and sold to Rohm Company, Limited on October 1, 2008."}, {"context": " OKI Data Group, which markets its products under the OKI brand, is focused on creating professional printed communications products, applications and services. The OKI Data Group provides a wide range of devices, from printers, faxes and multi-functional products to business applications and consultancy services. OKI Data Americas also markets the OKI proColor Series, a line of digital production printers designed specifically for the graphic arts and production market in North America to offer print solutions for color-critical applications."}, {"context": " The company was founded by Kibataro Oki (1848\u20131906) an engineer formerly employed at a Kobusho (Ministry of Industry) factory. In 1877, only a year after Graham Bell's invention, Kubusho had started an effort to make telephone receivers by reverse engineering and Oki was in the team that came up with the first prototype. In January 1881, convinced that the nation was about to enter the age of communications, Kibataro Oki founded Meik\u014dsha, which was later renamed OKI. The company manufactured the first telephone in Japan in 1881, only five years after Bell invented the phone, and presented a silver-award-winning lacquer-coated wire at the 1885 International Inventions Exhibition in London."}, {"context": " OKI contributed immensely to the spread of phones in Japan under the country\u2019s Telephone Expansion Plans. The company not only focused on telephones, but saw the need of automatic exchanges as phones became more common. During World War I, wartime demand brought large profits to OKI as demand for telephone service increased. A strong demand emerged for PBXs (Private Branch Exchange) and at that time, OKI installed the largest PBX system in Japan. In addition to business from Japan, overseas business also grew, providing railroad-type printers, portable telephones and electric wires outside Japan. From around 1920, OKI achieved notable advances in its technical development of the common-battery switchboard."}, {"context": " In the late 1930s, OKI\u2019s plants were used towards meeting the military demand for goods having a major influence on OKI\u2019s business. Based on this demand, OKI built new production plants, increased its capital and increased the number of its affiliates. Though OKI increased its production capacity after the war to restore magnetotype telephones and exchanges that were damaged during the war, OKI endured great difficulties as it moved toward rebuilding itself. On November 1, 1949, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (today\u2019s OKI) was established to replace the former Oki Electric Co., Ltd. And the two years later in November 1951, OKI\u2019s shares were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It was also at this time when OKI started mass-producing the \u201cType-4 telephone,\u201d which was called the \"symbol of Japan\u2019s postwar reconstruction. OKI was also aware of learning new telecommunication technologies, and in 1956, it was the first to produce a 100-line Ericsson-type crossbar-switching systems for commercial use."}, {"context": " OKI gradually transformed itself into an electronics company from the second half of 1960s into the 1970s. To respond to the high-level economic growth Japan was experiencing, OKI needed to speed up its business operations and clarify responsibilities. OKI began producing and supplying business machines such as Teletypewriters, and perforation typewriters. In June 1961, OKI launched OKITYPER2000, an electric teletypewriter that could simultaneously make perforation tapes and book entry forms. The company also developed and sold various general-purpose computers such as OKITAC-5090, the first domestically produced computer to use core memory."}, {"context": " In 1964 OKI developed OKISAVER, a terminal for online deposits which was provided to financial institutions. In addition to minicomputers such as OKITAC series developed in the mid-1960s, OKI began supplying various I/O devices, electroprinters, and dot printers, mainly to the financial industry in the 1970s. OKI\u2019s business at this time included cash dispensers(CDs), automatic depositors(ADs) and automated teller machines (ATMs). It was at this time when OKI expanded its overseas business providing telecommunication systems to countries in the Middle East, Central and South American countries as well as other Asian countries. In 1972, OKI established Oki Data Corporation (ODC: today\u2019s OKI Data Americas), a Japan-US joint venture in Philadelphia, to develop the DP100, dot printers."}, {"context": " Around that time in 1975, OKI developed the world\u2019s first automobile telephone system together with Bell Labs. This was the beginning of OKI\u2019s wireless technology, and today (as of 2009) OKI expands this technology into vehicle-to-vehicle communications and other ETC (Electronic toll collection) technologies. In May 1980, OKI launched its IF-800 series, which was a successful business-use PC business. It also added a facsimile business unit to develop private sector demand. In 1982, OKI introduced the world\u2019s first cash-recycling ATM, allowing deposited banknotes to be immediately used for withdrawal."}, {"context": " In the early 90s, Japanese economy was in the midst of recession that continued after the bubble economy collapsed, which also hit a strong blow to OKI\u2019s business. In October 1994, OKI spun off its printer and facsimile business, and established Oki Data Corporation. In the later 90\u2019s, with the spread of the Internet, OKI worked on being recognized as the company that offers network solutions. In 2004, OKI released its IP CONVERGENCE Server SS9100, the industry\u2019s first Microsoft.Net-compliant server, and in 2006, released its Center Stage NX5000, a carrier-grade communication server compliant with next-generation networks."}, {"context": " In 2008, as part of its business selection and concentration measures, OKI spun off its semiconductor business to Rohm Co., Ltd. Oki Data Americas, Inc., a subsidiary of Oki Data Corporation of Japan, produces PC peripheral equipment under the OKI brand, including digital color and monochrome printers, serial impact dot matrix printers, multifunction products and facsimiles. Oki Data Americas can be traced back to 1972 when the company was founded as a joint venture between two Philadelphia entrepreneurs and their Japanese customer, Oki Electric to develop and produce information technology products. One of its popular products was the Okimate 10 thermal transfer printer, one of the first affordable color printers for early home computers."}, {"context": " Oki Data Americas, Inc. is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Other Oki Data Americas offices are in Toronto, Canada; Mexico City, Mexico; and S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil. Since 2005, Oki have sponsored English Premier League football club Portsmouth F.C.. From 2003 to 2008, Oki owned the naming rights to OKI Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia, which houses the NRL team St. George Illawarra Dragons. OKI was also the major sponsor of 1.FC Kaiserslautern from 1990 to 1996. During the 1998-1999 season OKI sponsored the French Ligue 1 team HSC Montpellier."}]}, {"title": "Oki Islands", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oki Islands are volcanic in origin, and are the exposed eroded summits of two massive stratovolcanoes dating approximately 5 million years ago to the Tertiary and Quaternary periods. The oldest rocks in Japan have been found on the Oki Islands. D\u014dgo to the east is the largest island in area, and has the highest elevation, Mount Daimanji, at above sea level. The D\u014dzen group of islands to the west are all portions of single ancient volcanic caldera which collapsed, leaving three large islands (Nishinoshima, Nakanoshima and Chiburijima) and numerous smaller islands and rocks in a ring formation surrounding a central lagoon."}, {"context": " The archipelago is approximately north of Honshu coast at its closest point. For administrative purposes, the Japanese government officially considers the disputed islet of Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo or Takeshima) to be a part of the town of Okinoshima on D\u014dgo. The Oki Islands have been inhabited since the Japanese Paleolithic era, and numerous artifacts from the J\u014dmon, Yayoi and Kofun periods have been found by archaeologists, indicating continuous human occupation and activity. The island were organized as Oki Province under the \"Ritsury\u014d\" reforms in the latter half of the seventh century, and the name \u201cOki-no-kuni\u201d appears on wooden markers found in the imperial capital of Nara. The island of D\u014dgo is mentioned in the Nara period chronicles \"Kojiki\" and \"Nihon Shoki,\" and D\u014dgo Island was the location of the capital of ancient Oki Province."}, {"context": " During the late Heian period, due to its remoteness, Oki Province came to known as a place for political exile. In 1221, Emperor Go-Toba was sent to Oki, and died in exile on the islands; In 1332, Emperor Go-Daigo was also sent in exile to Oki, but later managed to escape and regain control of the country. From the Kamakura period Oki Province was governed primarily by the \"shugo\" of Izumo Province. In the Muromachi period, it was ruled successively by the Sasaki clan, the Yamana clan and the Ky\u014dgoku clan. In the Sengoku period the Amago clan held this province. After the Amago fell and the Tokugawa shogunate was established, Oki Province was declared a \"tenry\u014d\" dominion under the direct control of the \"sh\u014dgun\". The \"daimy\u014d\" of Matsue Domain, belonging to the Matsudaira clan, was appointed as governor."}, {"context": " The entire province had an assessed revenue of only 18,000 \"koku\", although its actual revenues were closer to only 12,000 \"koku\". The province was a frequent port of call for the \"Kitamaebune\" coastal trading ships during the Edo period. Following the Meiji Restoration, Oki Province became \"Oki Prefecture\" from February to June 1869. It was then attached to Tottori Prefecture until 1876, when it was transferred to Shimane Prefecture. In 1892, Lafcadio Hearn visited the islands, spending a month there, and writing about his experiences in \"Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan\". Oki was visited by the American naturalist Charles Henry Gilbert in 1906.  The population is approximately 24,500 inhabitants spread over the four municipalities of: Oki Airport (airport code \"OKI\") lies on the southeastern part of D\u014dgo and provides air service to Osaka International Airport (Itami, \"ITM\") and Izumo Airport (\"IZO\"). The Oki islands can be reached by ferries from harbours like Sakaiminato, Shichirui and Kaga on the mainland. There are also frequent ferries operating between the D\u014dzen islands throughout the year."}]}, {"title": "Oki Kibataro\u0304", "paragraphs": [{"context": " In January 1881, convinced that the nation was about to enter the age of communications, Oki founded Meik\u014dsha, which was later renamed Oki Electric Industry. The company manufactured the first telephones in Japan in 1881, only five years after the device was invented by Bell."}]}, {"title": "Oki Pro-Am", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oki Pro-Am was a men's professional golf tournament. It was a European Tour event that was only played in 1996 and 1997. It was played at Golf La Moraleja on the number 1 and 2 courses in Madrid, Spain."}]}, {"title": "Oki Province", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki is classified as one of the provinces of the San'ind\u014d. Under the \"Engishiki\" classification system, Oki was ranked as a \"inferior country\" (\u4e0b\u56fd) and a \"far country\" (\u9060\u56fd). The Oki Islands have been settled since the Japanese Paleolithic period, and numerous remains from the J\u014dmon, Yayoi and Kofun periods indicates continuous human occupation and activity. It was organized as a province under the Ritsury\u014d reforms in the later half of the seventh century, and the name \"Oki-no-kuni\" appears on wooden markers found in the imperial capital of Nara."}, {"context": " During the late Heian period, due to its remoteness, Oki Province came to known as a place for political exile. In 1221, Emperor Go-Toba was sent to Oki, and died in exile on the islands; In 1332, Emperor Go-Daigo was also sent in exile to Oki, but later managed to escape and regain control of the country. From the Kamakura period Oki Province was governed primarily by the \"shugo\" of Izumo Province. In the Muromachi period, it was ruled successively by the Sasaki clan, the Yamana clan and the Ky\u014dgoku clan. In the Sengoku period the Amago clan held this province. After the Amago fell and the Tokugawa shogunate was established, Oki Province was declared a \"tenry\u014d\" dominion under the direct control of the \"sh\u014dgun\". The \"daimy\u014d\" of Matsue Domain, belonging to the Matsudaira clan, was appointed governor."}, {"context": " The entire province had an assessed revenue of only 18,000 \"koku\", although its actual revenues were closer to only 12,000 \"koku\". The province was a frequent port of call for the \"Kitamaebune\" coastal trading ships during the Edo period. The exact location of the capital of the province is not known, but is believed to have been somewhere within Suki District on D\u014dgojima, within the borders of the modern town of Okinoshima. The \"Kokubun-ji\" still exists as a Shingon sect temple in Okinoshima, and the foundation stones of many of the original buildings can be found within its grounds, although a complete archaeological investigation has yet to be performed.  There are two Shinto shrines which claim the title of \"Ichinomiya\" of the province. The in Okinoshima, and the in Nishinoshima. Following the Meiji Restoration, Oki Province became Oki Prefecture from February to June 1869. It was then attached to Tottori Prefecture until 1876, when it was transferred to Shimane Prefecture. Oki Province was originally divided into four districts. All of the districts were merged into Oki District (\u96a0\u5c90\u90e1) on April 1, 1969."}]}, {"title": "Oki international school", "paragraphs": [{"context": " OKI International school, located in Wattala and 5 other branches in Sri Lanka, is a private school inaugurated in September 1998. OKI started out with only 2 teachers and 14 students. At present, the school network consists of over 500 teachers and well over 5000 students. The main school of OKI is located in Wattala; there are two separate buildings in this branch alone, one for the senior students and the other for the Junior Secondary students, Primary students as well as Pre-school. Official website"}]}, {"title": "Oki salamander", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oki salamander (Hynobius okiensis) is a species of salamander in the family Hynobiidae, endemic to Japan. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, rivers, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss."}]}, {"title": "Oki's Movie", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki's Movie () is a 2010 South Korean drama film written and directed by Hong Sang-soo. In a multipart narrative divided into four chapters, Hong fashions a new kind of love triangle. Oki is a young and beautiful college student majoring in film production and torn between the affections of two men: an older cinema professor and a former student/budding filmmaker. As the story shifts perspectives and timelines, Hong depicts each relationship with the authentically awkward rhythms of real life. A Day for Incantation (): In Seoul, winter, the present day. On his way to a screening of one of his films, struggling shorts director Nam Jin-gu (Lee Sun-kyun) is nagged by his wife Jang Su-yang (Seo Yeong-hwa) about his drinking, and he wonders if she is having an affair with a guy called Yeong-su. Nam's onetime professor at film school, Song (Moon Sung-keun), tells him that filmmaking as an art is now dead. At a dinner with film-school staff, Nam gets drunk and into a quarrel with Song, about whom he's heard a disquieting rumor. Afterwards, at the Q&A for his film, Nam is asked by a member of the audience (Lee Chae-eun) whether it's true he was dating the actress at the time and is therefore responsible for ruining her life. Nam says he has quit directing."}, {"context": " King of Kisses (): Some years earlier, Nam sees fellow student Jung Ok-heui (Jung Yu-mi) at film school and tries to go out with her, claiming he's never dated a woman before. When they smooch in a greenhouse, she says he's a good kisser. She's still getting over a relationship with an older man but finally gives in to Nam's persistence, and they sleep together and date. After the Snowstorm (): Following a heavy bout of snow, only Nam and Jung turn up one day for Prof. Song's class, and the three end up talking about relationships. Song has already decided to quit teaching.  Oki's Movie (): Jung narrates her own short movie based on her relationships with two guys, an \"older man\" and a \"younger man\", with whom she separately went walking with one winter on Mt. Acha, south of Seoul."}]}, {"title": "Oki-Matsushima Station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki-Matsushima Station features one platform serving a single track. There is no station building. The station opened on November 11, 1911, along with the rest of the Shido Line."}]}, {"title": "Okiagari-koboshi", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The makers of the earliest okiagari-kob\u014dshi likely modeled them after a Chinese toy called \"Budaoweng\" (\u4e0d\u5012\u7fc1; \"not-falling-down old man\") that is similarly weighted. Okiagari-kob\u014dshi has long been popular among Japanese children. It is mentioned in a 14th-century play called \"Manju-Kui\", and folklorist Lafcadio Hearn recorded a lullaby from Matsue in Izumo Province in the early 20th century that lists the doll as a gift for a young child: Nenneko, nenneko nenneko ya!<br> Kono ko nashite naku-yara?<br>"}, {"context": " O-chichi ga taranuka? \u2014 o-mama ga taranuka?<br> Ima ni ototsan no \u014dtoto no o-kaeri ni<br> Ame ya, o-kwashi ya, hii-hii ya,<br> Gara-gara, nagureba fuito tatsu<br> Okiagarikoboshi! \u2014<br> Neneko, neneko, nenneko ya! Translated, it says: Sleep, sleep, sleep, little one!<br> Why does the child continue to cry?<br> Is the milk deficient? \u2014 is the rice deficient?<br> Presently when father returns from the great Lord's palace,<br> \"Ame\" will be given to you, and also cake, and a \"hii-hii\" likewise,<br>"}, {"context": " And a rattle as well, and an \"okiagarikoboshi\"<br> That will stand up immediately after being thrown down. Okiagari-koboshi are popular in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. There, the dolls are sold in red and blue varieties. People buy the dolls during the \"Tokaichi\" (\"Tenth-day Market\") held each 10 January. Shoppers typically throw several okiagari-koboshi down at the same time; those that stand back up are supposedly the lucky ones. Tradition mandates the purchase of one okiagari-koboshi for each member of the family plus one extra in the hope that the family will grow over the coming year."}, {"context": " One kind of Daruma doll works on the same principle as okiagari-kob\u014dshi and is sometimes referred to by that name; whenever it is thrown down, it rights itself. This depiction of the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma likely arose in connection with a legend that says that he once meditated for nine years, which caused his legs to either atrophy or fall off. A 17th-century children's song shows that the okiagari-kob\u014dshi Daruma dolls of the time were almost identical to their modern equivalents: \u3072\u306b\uff01 \u3075\u306b\uff01\"Hi ni! fu ni!\"<br>  \u3075\u3093\u3060\u3093\u9054\u78e8\u304c \"Fundan Daruma ga\"<br> \u8d64\u3044\u982d\u5dfe\u304b\u3076\u308a\u3059\u3093\u307e\u3044\u305f! \"Akai zukin kaburi sunmaita!\"<br> Once! twice!<br> Ever the red-hooded Daruma<br> Heedlessly sits up again! Paper mache Daruma dolls without eyes are bought by those who have a goal in mind. The left eye is drawn in at the beginning of the quest, the right upon achieving it. For example, those hoping for recovery from an illness, or others wishing for their recovery would buy one for that purpose."}]}, {"title": "Okiato", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okiato or Old Russell is a small holiday spot in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, seven km south of present-day Russell. It was New Zealand's first national capital, for a short time from 1840 to 1841, before the seat of government was moved to Auckland. The car ferry across the Bay of Islands, the main tourist access to Russell, runs between Okiato and Opua. Pomare, the local M\u0101ori chief in the 1830s, sold land at Okiato to a British merchant and ship owner, Captain James Reddy Clendon, who settled there in 1832 and set up a trading station with partner Samuel Stephenson. Clendon became the first United States Consul for New Zealand in 1838 or 1839."}, {"context": " When the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson instructed the Surveyor-General, Felton Mathew, to report on possible locations for a capital in the Bay of Islands. Clendon's property met the requirements for a good anchorage and immediate availability of land suitable for subdivision and on-sale to settlers. Koror\u0101reka (present-day Russell) was discounted as it had insufficient available land, and locations such as Paihia and Kerikeri were bypassed for various reasons. Clendon wanted 23,000 pounds for the 1.24\u00a0km\u00b2 of land, the house, two small cottages, a large store and other buildings. Hobson eventually secured it for 15,000 pounds. He changed its name from Okiato to Russell, in honour of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord John Russell. Hobson and his family moved there in May 1840 and officials, troops, workmen and immigrants took up residence in permanent or temporary buildings and tents. Mathew drew up ambitious plans for a town, but only one of the intended roads was ever built \u2013 leading directly from the town hall to the town jail. A year later in 1841 New Zealand was established as a separate colony from New South Wales and Hobson moved the capital to Auckland and most of the Russell residents moved there too. A few officials lived on in the Government House at Russell but when it and the offices burned down in May 1842, they moved to Koror\u0101reka leaving Russell virtually deserted.  Koror\u0101reka was part of the Port of Russell and gradually became known as Russell also. In January 1844 Governor Robert FitzRoy officially designated Koror\u0101reka as part of the township of Russell. Now the name Russell applies only to the erstwhile Koror\u0101reka while Okiato has resumed its original name."}]}, {"title": "Okibacterium", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okibacterium is a Gram-positive and non-spore-forming genus of bacteria from the family of Microbacteriaceae."}]}, {"title": "Okibacterium endophyticum", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okibacterium endophyticum is a Gram-positive and non-motile bacterium from the genus of \"Okibacterium\" which has been isolated from the roots of the plant \"Salsola affinis\" from Xinjiang in China."}]}, {"title": "Okibacterium fritillariae", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okibacterium fritillariae is a bacterium from the genus of \"Okibacterium\" which has been isolated from seeds of Fritillaria ruthenica and Clematis recta."}]}, {"title": "Okica Glus\u030cc\u030cevic\u0301", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okica Glu\u0161\u010devi\u0107 (Polimlje, Herzegovina, 9 March 1856 - Belgrade, Kingdom of Serbia, 2 December 1898) was a Serbian journalist, writer and translator. He is best known for translating Lord Byron's Manfred, Don Juan, Leon Tolstoy's War and Peace, and The Death of Ivan Ilych. He was also the moving force behind the radical paper \"Odjek\" (Echo), founded in 1884 by his colleague Stojan Proti\u0107. He contributed to the New Belgrade publications \"Pokli\u0107\" and \"Odjek\", as well as numerous literary journals such as \"Javor\", \"Bosanska Vila\", \"\u010cas\", \"Gusle\", \"Delo\", \"Zora\". Though he died before completing his major work \u2014 War and Peace \u2014 it was his long-time friend and colleague Milovan Gli\u0161i\u0107, who completed the final chapters of his work after the \"Srpska knjizvna zadruga\" (Serbian Literary Society) turned to Gli\u0161i\u0107 for help."}, {"context": " He also translated (from Russian) the works of the following authors: Ivan Goncharov; Mikhail Saltykov-Schedrin; Vsevolod Garshin; Taras Schevchenko; Vladimir Korolenko; Mikhail Lermontov; and French author Guy de Maupassant. In 1893 the Russian consul in Shkoder, Krilov, gave the first edition of \"Inok Sava Bukvar\", printed in Venice on 20th of May 1597, as a gift to Okica Glu\u0161\u010devi\u0107, who was translating Leo Tolstoy's \"War and Peace\" at the time. Later, in 1903, Ljuba Stojadinovi\u0107, who was organizing the Catalogue of the National Library of Serbia, entered the book as part of Serbian literacy."}]}, {"title": "Okichitaw", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okichitaw ( ) is a martial art that allegedly encorporates the fighting techniques of the Plains Cree First Nations. It was created by a Canadian martial artist, George J. L\u00e9pine. Okichitaw is taught at a single dojo, has no competitive component, and relies heavily on the use of imitation indigenous weaponry. The Plains Cree name known as \u201cOkichitatawak\u201d was a term used to describe various societies (Warrior Society, Dance Society, etc.) within the indigenous community. Specifically, \u201cOkichitaw\u201d (Worth Young Men) were known among the community as the \u201cNeheyawak\u201d (the Warriors) who were persons within the community that possessed special skills that were acquired through the various applications learned through survival and warfare tactics. Historically, a person could not be invited into the lodge or society of the Okichitatawak until they had participated in many raids, fought adequately in battle, or acquired gifts as a result of their actions towards the enemy. This particular group of men are also men that are known to be generous and who are also known to exercise the lifestyle of \u201creckless bravery\u201d. Okichitaw carries much of the same philosophy and standards as it has been done for thousands of years \u2013 all that has changed is that the \u201cNeheyawak\u201d culture continues to adapt to the ever-changing environment through present social contexts."}, {"context": " In his youth, founder George J. L\u00e9pine learned traditional wrestling, tomahawk throwing and hand-to-hand combat techniques (\"miche che kiske\"). He also trained in other martial arts such as judo, taekwondo and hapkido. L\u00e9pine developed Okichitaw and established it in 1997. It is based in Toronto, Ontario. L\u00e9pine is the Director and Chief Instructor (\"Okimikahn Kiskino Huma Kew\" in Cree). George L\u00e9pine is Plains-Cree Michif from Manitoba and learned traditional hunting and tracking practices from a very young age. Teachings of traditional fighting techniques were also passed onto him. He started martial arts at age thirteen in Winnipeg. As he was progressing in his martial arts training, his Taekwondo Grandmaster encouraged him to embrace his traditions of native combat and to find ways to preserve, research and perpetuate this knowledge. This direction and guidance was also pressed into him by Traditional Elders throughout the indigenous community. On Canadian Plains Cree combat principles and methods \u2013 both from his own teachings and through extensive historical research \u2013 Okimikahn L\u00e9pine combined this knowledge of native combat with his indigenous culture and values and his extensive martial arts experience to create Okichitaw. For 40+ years he has been distilling this knowledge, codifying and systematizing it into a modern martial arts system. Okichitaw is a renewed expression of this traditional warrior knowledge, carrying these techniques and tactics and values to the present and into the future."}, {"context": " His family's indigenous ancestry and contributions are well documented throughout the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. George\u2019s Grandfather \u2013 Ambroise Lepine \u2013 was Louis Riel\u2019s Adjutant-General for the M\u00e9tis Provisional Government during their struggles in the late 1870s and 1880s. The political strategies adopted by the M\u00e9tis Government had roots stemming from the politics of the buffalo hunt, which was overseen by Ambroise Lepine. In charge of the military action, Ambroise facilitated every movement of the M\u00e9tis. Since Ambroise worked together extensively with Riel, the M\u00e9tis Government cast Ambroise as a major player in the M\u00e9tis Government."}, {"context": " Okimikahn L\u00e9pine has served as President for the Toronto M\u00e9tis Council, Regional Councillor for the M\u00e9tis Nation of Ontario, National Delegate for the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, President for the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Executive for the Ontario Aboriginal Sports Circle, and the Vice President for the North American Indigenous Games International Council as well as the Chairman for the World Martial Arts Union. He is very active in all aspects of the Indigenous Community throughout Canada, educating people through his experiences and culture."}, {"context": " In the late 1980s, L\u00e9pine began to organize and codify these techniques and methods, resulting in the system as it is practised today. The main Okichitaw training lodge (\"mistiko kamik\") is located at the martial arts school of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and the art is disseminated through classes, workshops and demonstrations. The scarcity of original reference materials does at time cast doubt upon any attempt to reconstruct indigenous systems mostly as a result of this system being taught through Indigenous Oral Traditions. But since the latter half of the 20th century, there has been an emerging acceptance of oral traditions as sources of historical record."}, {"context": " Elder Vern Harper has been involved with Okichitaw from its early stages, advising and encouraging L\u00e9pine in its development. Harper officiates at Okichitaw ceremonies and promotions tests. L\u00e9pine presented Okichitaw at the Chungju World Martial Arts Festival in 2002 where it was formally recognized as a unique indigenous martial art of Canada by the World Martial Arts Union. The Chungju Festival, the largest festival of its kind, is an annual forum and showcase for indigenous martial arts, with the country of each art's origin fielding teams. For example, only Japanese teams may demonstrate Karate, and only the Canadian team may present Okichitaw. In 2004 and 2008, L\u00e9pine led Okichitaw demonstration teams representing Canada at the Festival."}, {"context": " The World Martial Arts Union (WoMAU) carries out the work with the aim of exchange and cooperation between martial arts organizations, promotion and conservation of each country's traditional martial arts, research and study of martial arts and contributes positively to world peace. The WoMAU was first established in 2002 by representatives from 28 countries and agreed that the origin of traditional martial arts should be conserved, disseminated and developed at an international level and there should be an international organization for exchanges between nations undertakes organizing study and research activities such as seminars and conferences relating to martial arts, organizing or sponsoring demonstration or exhibition events, and providing administrative and technical assistances to the member organizations with a view to facilitating their participation in events."}, {"context": " With this, WoMAU which has been building massive archive with a view to systematically collecting, exchanging and disseminating traditional martial arts data through exchanges of personnel and information between the member organizations tries to establish a firm foothold for world central organization in the field of martial arts based on an official relation with UNESCO. Weapons are introduced early in a student's training because of the influence of the weapons on the hand-to-hand techniques. The main weapons used in the Okichitaw martial arts system are the Gunstock Warclub and the Long Knife. Although only advanced students will train with these weapons, all hand techniques of Okichitaw are based on the hand positioning and attack applications of these specific weapons."}, {"context": " The primary weapon of Okichitaw is the gunstock war club, (\"nontoni towin mistik\"). These war clubs were originally inspired by flintlock musket and rifle stocks; The Plains gunstock war club has a characteristic elbow in the stock in both the long (horseback) or short (ground) versions. Tomahawk, short and long lance and Plains dagger are also part of basic Okichitaw training. Hand-to-hand techniques often assume the use of tomahawk and knife, but do not always rely upon the use of weapons. In Okichitaw, the hand positions are held as though there are weapons \u2013 in the same way that Aikido's kamae position assumes the use of a sword \u2013 but, as in Aikido, the techniques do not presuppose use of weapons. Most Okichitaw techniques have both weapon and open-handed variations but the focus is primarily through the application of hard forearm impact techniques."}, {"context": " As in many martial arts, much of training is based upon one-to-one combat. The attacker initiates the combat, offering a physical threat using basic weapons \u2013 tomahawk and knife attacks, or a punch. The student demonstrating the technique responds to the attack, usually by immediately moving into the attacker's space with a combination of blocks, strikes, holds, rolls or throws to complete the technique. As in other grappling arts, rolls, flips and body dives are means of extricating oneself from an attack. In Okichitaw, these maneuvers are also methods of moving into a technique - the flip, roll or body dive are part of the takedown."}, {"context": " The word \"Okichitaw\" is based on the Plains Cree \"okichitawak\", an honorific applied to Cree warriors by the Elders after a younger man had proved himself in battle. \"Okichitawak\" was used to describe the warriors within the community who had developed special skills used for survival, protection and warfare. The name \"Okichitaw\" was suggested by Elders in L\u00e9pine's native Manitoba when he sought guidance in naming the martial art. \"Okichitawak\" was modified to be easily pronounced by non-Cree speakers."}, {"context": " Ceremonies and promotional testing of Okichitaw is based on Cree warrior society of the Canadian plains. Modern-day training is intended to give the Okichitaw student direction and focus through self-challenge and confronting his or her fears and limitations in a controlled environment while building physical and mental strength. Warriors in Cree societies are called 'People who watch over people': that concept of peaceful, protective engagement is central to the philosophy and practice of Okichitaw."}, {"context": " Love, Respect, Humility, Honesty, Wisdom, Bravery and Truth are the seven Grandfather teachings that inform the training and application of Okichitaw. Every student is expected to adhere to these basic principles in all aspects of their training. Proper conduct is required from students in their daily lives and interactions; this includes a renunciation of unnecessary violence and a commitment to conflict resolution in their lives. Among the indigenous peoples of North America, there is great significance to each of the Four Directions."}, {"context": " In daily training, the Four Directions are used when challenging an attack: a response is devised within a fraction of a second (east) and techniques are employed with energy, movement and commitment (south), so that the adversary is effectively controlled by the technique (north), before finally being taken down (west). All techniques are executed in an environment of the highest respect and restraint. East: The east represents balance, confidence and creativity. In battle, the East influences the identification or location of an adversary, and when setting up and developing a solid attack position."}, {"context": " South: The south represents strength, focus and success. In battle, the South influences the brave, aggressive challenge of an opponent. North: The north represents courage, energy and knowledge. In battle the North influences the control of an opponent with surprise or overwhelming force. West: The west represents challenge, choice, and proof. In battle, the West influences the takedown and finishing off of an opponent before moving on the next adversary. The teachings of the \u201cOld Ones\u201d also refer to the Seven Grandfather Teachings which embraces good manners, courtesy, respect and consideration for others. Ethics, on the other hand, is a fundamental set of acceptable behaviors which codifies the spirit of the martial arts and which martial artists can rely on to develop their mind and body, and to guide their everyday actions, behavior and judgment."}, {"context": " Ethics is an important part of the study of Okichitaw and sets the moral guideline for their practitioners. The principles outlined in Okichitaw training serve as the traditional, cultural and social standard by which practitioners are trained in Okichitaw. The foundation of these principles is the concept of non-violence, respect for oneself and others, loyalty to one\u2019s family, friends, teachers, and community, and following the natural way being Warriors of Peace. The adherence to the Seven Grandfather Teachings confirms a student's moral obligation to society and fellow human beings. A practitioner of Okichitaw is not only an athlete, well-versed in the art of combat, but also an upstanding citizen with strong moral and social virtues. An old native saying pertaining to that of becoming a Warrior of the Community, which says, \u201cA boy must first learn to hunt before he learns the skill of warfare, and he must first know the teachings of the Old Ones before he practices these skills\u201d."}]}, {"title": "Okic\u0301", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oki\u0107 is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D6 highway."}]}, {"title": "Okidaito\u0304jima", "paragraphs": [{"context": " , also spelled as Oki Dait\u014d Island or Oki-Dait\u014d or Oki-no-Dait\u014d, previously known as , is an abandoned island in the Dait\u014d Islands group southeast of Okinawa, Japan. It is administered as part of the village of Kitadait\u014d, Shimajiri District, Okinawa. Okidait\u014djima is a relatively isolated coralline island, located approximately south of Minamidait\u014djima, the largest island of the archipelago, and south of Kitadait\u014djima. Naha, Okinawa, is to the northwest. As with the other islands in the archipelago, Okidait\u014djima is an uplifted coral atoll with a steep coastal cliff of limestone (the former fringing coral reef of the island), and a depressed center (the former lagoon of the island). The island is roughly triangular in shape, with a circumference of about and an area of . The highest point is above sea level."}, {"context": " Due to extensive phosphate mining operations in the early 20th century, and decades of use as a bombing and gunnery range by the United States Navy, the island has very little topsoil and no trees. Okidait\u014d has a humid subtropical climate (K\u00f6ppen climate classification \"Cfa\") with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year; the wettest month is June and the driest month is February. The island is subject to frequent typhoons. It was first sighted by the Spanish navigator Bernardo de la Torre on 25 September 1543, during his abortive attempt to reach New Spain from the Philippines with the \"San Juan de Letran\". It was then charted as \"Abreojos\" (Keep your eyes open!) because being so flat and almost water level it was dangerous for navigation. It was later sighted by a Manila galleon on 28 July 1587, commanded by Pedro de Unamuno who charted the Dait\u014ds as the \"Islas sin Provecho\" (Useless Islands). Another Manila galleon, the \"Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Consolaci\u00f3n\" commanded by Felipe Tompson, reported its sighting in 1773 and charted it as \"Isla Dolores\". Its sighting was also reported by the British in 1788 and named \"Grampus Island\", but the recorded coordinates were not correct. The French also reported sighting an island in 1807. However, in 1815, the last Manila Galleon, the Spanish frigate \"San Fernando de Magallanes\", made a definite sighting at the present coordinates, and named the island \"Isla Rasa\" (Flat Island in Spanish). The island remained uninhabited until formally claimed by the Empire of Japan in 1900. In 1907, a team of pioneers from Hachij\u014djima, one of the Izu Islands located south of Tokyo, led by Tamaoki Han'emon (1838\u20131910), who had previously pioneered settlement on Minamidait\u014djima, became the first human inhabitants of the island. The island was surveyed in 1908 by Tsuneto Noritaka, a professor with the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, who recommended that its guano resources be exploited for fertilizer. \"The Rasa Island Phosphate Ore Company\" (; today: Rasa K\u014dgy\u014d KK) was created in 1911 for this purpose and also for the export of sugar. During this period (1911\u20131945), Okidait\u014djima was inhabited by up to 2000 people, with a settlement was located in the west of the island. Until 1929, the population was exclusively male and consisted of workers from Okinawa and managers from Hachijojima. The disparity in wages led to labor unrest in the 1920s."}, {"context": " Mining operations were halted from 1929 to 1940 for economic reasons, but were resumed in 1940 due to the need for phosphates in explosives. The inhabitants were evacuated to mainland Okinawa in 1945 due to the increasing threat of attack during World War\u00a0II. After World War II, the island was occupied by the United States and was used as a bombing range by the United States Navy. The island was returned to Japan in 1972, and remains the private property of Rasa Industries. In late October 2013 it was announced that Okidaitojima would be the site of large scale exercises by the JSDF, including live fire naval exercises and amphibious landings, intended to test the JSDF's ability to defend remote islands against hostile incursions. These would be among the largest exercises ever held by the JSDF, involving at least 34,000 troops along with vessels and aircraft."}]}, {"title": "Okiddo", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okiddo is the weekly educational show of ABS-CBN TV-4 Davao hosted by James Infiesto, Laica Teh & Mac-mac Dalagan. This show uses Filipino (2005-2006) and Cebuano (2006-2008), which aired every Saturday mornings."}]}, {"title": "Okido", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okido may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okido (magazine)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " OKIDO is a monthly art and science publication for young children, building the next generation of scientists through creativity, discovery and lots of fun. The magazine is published by Doodle Productions Ltd and was created in 2007 by artist Rachel Ortas and scientist Sophie Dauvois. They are assisted by Art Directors Alex Barrow and Maggie Li. \"OKIDO\" Magazine, an independent publication, was started by parents from a kitchen table in Brixton in 2007, it was designed to fire up young imaginations and spark a life-long love of art and science. Today its founders, scientist Dr Sophie Dauvois"}, {"context": " (PhD BSc PG Dip.) and artist Rachel Ortas, are still every bit as passionate about engaging young kids in the scientific world around them using play, art and fun. OKIDO Magazine is now published monthly with a circulation of over 9,000 having won a host of awards and celebrity fans. The magazine was funded by a Wellcome Trust Small Arts Grant from 2007 until 2009. In 2009, \"OKIDO\" was funded by a Wellcome Trust Large Arts Grant. In 2011, \"OKIDO\" became self-funded. Starting in 2014, \"OKIDO\" was published by Doodle Productions Ltd."}, {"context": " \"OKIDO\" magazine was created as an antidote to the plastic wrapped, poor quality publications on the market, OKIDO is a content-heavy, beautifully designed, quality product with high profile contributors including artist Paul Noble, illustrator and author Benji Davies and illustrator and animator Lesley Barnes. Each issue starts with a story from Rachel Ortas\u2019s much-loved, hand drawn character Messy Monster and also includes science answers from Zim, Zam, Zoom, regular character features, stories, puzzles, doodles, games, activities, science experiments, a poem, a recipe and a pull-out card activity."}, {"context": " Past themes have included: hair, body noises, music, weather, colors, friends, animals, space, babies, and health. Each issue's theme is explored through creative illustration, play, stories, stories, poems, songs, crafts, games, doodles, recipes, and activities. Regular character stories include \"Messy Monster\" by Rachel Ortas, \"Zim Zam Zoom\" by Alex Barrow, \"Yoga Monkey\" by Paul Noble, and \"Squirrel Boy\" by Beth Morrison. Each issue also includes stories from guest illustrators. In September 2015, \"Messy Goes to Okido\", which has been developed from the magazine, was launched on the BBC's CBeebies channel as a 52-part television series aimed at three to five-year-old children. Series 2 is currently on air."}]}, {"title": "Okie", "paragraphs": [{"context": " An Okie is a resident, native, or cultural descendant of Oklahoma. It is derived from the name of the state, similar to \"Texan\" or \"Tex\" for someone from Texas, or \"Arkie\" or \"Arkansawyer\" for a native of Arkansas. In the 1920s in California, the term (often used in contempt) came to refer to very poor migrants from Oklahoma (and nearby states). The Dust Bowl and the \"Okie\" migration of the 1930s brought in over a million newly displaced people; many headed to the farm labor jobs advertised in California's Central Valley."}, {"context": " Dunbar-Ortiz (1998) argues that \"Okie\" denotes much more than being from Oklahoma. By 1950, four million individuals, or one quarter of all persons born in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, or Missouri, lived outside the region, primarily in the West. Prominent Okies in the 1920s included Woody Guthrie. Most prominent in the late 1960s and 1970s were country musician Merle Haggard and writer Gerald Haslam. In the mid-1930s, during the Dust Bowl era, large numbers of farmers fleeing ecological disaster and the Great Depression migrated from the Great Plains and Southwest regions to California mostly along historic U.S. Route 66. Californians began calling all migrants by that name, even though many newcomers were not actually Oklahomans. The migrants included people from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico, but were all referred to as \"Okies\" and \"Arkies.\" More of the migrants were from Oklahoma than any other state, and a total of 15% of the Oklahoma population left for California."}, {"context": " Ben Reddick, a free-lance journalist and later publisher of the \"Paso Robles Daily Press,\" is credited with first using the term \"Oakie,\" in the mid-1930s, to identify migrant farm workers. He noticed the \"OK\" abbreviation (for Oklahoma) on many of the migrants' license plates and referred to them in his article as \"Oakies.\" The first known usage was an unpublished private postcard from 1907. Once the Okie families migrated from Oklahoma to California, they often were forced to work on large farms to support their families. Because of the minimal pay, these families were often forced to live on the outskirts of these farms in shanty houses they built themselves. These homes were normally set up in groups called Squatter Camps or Shanty Towns, which were often located near the irrigation ditches which ran along the outskirts of these farms. Indoor plumbing was inaccessible to these migrant workers, and so they were forced to resort to using outhouses. Unfortunately, because of the minimal space allotted to the migrant workers, their outhouses were normally located near the irrigation ditches, and some waste would inevitably runoff into the water. These irrigation ditches provided the Okie families with a water supply. Due to this lack of sanitation in these camps, disease ran rampant among the migrant workers and their families. Also contributing to disease was the fact that these Shanty Town homes that the Okie migrant workers lived in had no running water, and because of their minimal pay medical attention was out of the question. However, what native Californians failed to realize at the time was that these Okie migrant farm workers did not always live in the conditions that the Dust Bowl left them in. In fact, often these families had once owned their own farms and had been able to support themselves. This had often placed these migrant workers in a relatively comfortable middle-class situation for these families prior to the devastating drought (the Dust Bowl) in Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Historian James Gregory has explored the long-term impact of the Okies on California society. He notes that in \"The Grapes of Wrath,\" novelist John Steinbeck saw the migrants becoming active union and New Deal agitators demanding higher wages and better housing conditions. Steinbeck did not foresee that most Okies would move into well-paid jobs in war industries in the 1940s. The children and grandchildren of Okies seldom returned to Oklahoma or farming, and are now concentrated in California's cities and suburbs. Long-term cultural impacts include a commitment to evangelical Protestantism, a love of country music, political conservatism, and strong support for traditional moral and cultural values."}, {"context": " It has been said that some Oklahomans who stayed and lived through the Dust Bowl see the Okie migrants as quitters who fled Oklahoma. Most Oklahoma natives are as proud of their Okies who made good in California as are the Okies themselves \u2013 and of the Arkies, West Texans, and others who were cast in with them. In the later half of the 20th century, there became increasing evidence that any pejorative meaning of the term Okie was changing; former and present Okies began to apply the label as a badge of honor and symbol of the Okie survivor attitude."}, {"context": " In one example, Republican Oklahoma Governor Dewey F. Bartlett launched a campaign in the 1960s to popularize \"Okie\" as a positive term for Oklahomans; however, the Democrats used the campaign, and the fact that Bartlett was born in Ohio, as a political tool against him, and further degraded the term for some time. In 1968, Governor Bartlett made Reddick, the originator of the California usage, an honorary Okie. And in the early 1970s, Merle Haggard's country song \"Okie from Muskogee\" was a hit on national airwaves."}, {"context": " Also during the 1970s, the term Okie became familiar to most Californians as a prototype of a subcultural group, just like the resurgence of Southern American regionalism and renewal of ethnic American (Irish American, Italian American or Polish American) identities in the Northeast and Midwest states at the time. In the early 1990s the California Department of Transportation refused to allow the name of the \"Okie Girl\" restaurant to appear on a roadside sign on Interstate 5, arguing that the restaurant's name insulted Oklahomans; only after protracted controversy (and a letter from the Governor of Oklahoma) did the agency relent."}, {"context": " Since the 1990s, the children and grandchildren of Okies in California changed the meaning of Okie to a self-title of pride in obtaining success, as well to challenge what they felt was snobbery or \"the last group to make fun of\" in the state's urban area cultures. While some Oklahomans refer to themselves as Okies without prejudice, and it is often used jocularly; in a manner similar to the use of \"Hoosier\" by Indianans, \"Yankee\" by Northeasterners, or \"Cracker\" by native Floridians, none of whom consider these terms particularly insulting when applied to themselves. Others still find the term highly offensive."}, {"context": " Muskogee Mayor John Tyler Hammons used the phrase \"I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee\" as the successful theme of his 2008 mayoral campaign. He was 19 years old at the time. John Steinbeck's 1939 novel \"The Grapes of Wrath\" won the Pulitzer Prize for its controversial characterization of the Okie lifestyle and journey to California. In James Blish's \"Cities in Flight\" science fiction series, the term \"Okie\" was applied in a similar context to entire cities that, thanks to an anti-gravity device, take flight to the stars in order to escape an economic collapse on Earth. Working as a migrant labor force, these cities act as cultural pollinators, spreading technology and knowledge throughout the expanding human civilization. The later novels focus on the travels of New York City as one such Okie city, though there are many others."}, {"context": " In \"On the Road,\" the road novel by Jack Kerouac \u2013 written between 1948 and 1949, although not published until 1957 \u2013 the term appears to refer to some of the people the main character, a New York author, meets in one of his trips around the United States. In the novel \"Paint it Black\" by Janet Fitch, the protagonist (an LA punk-rocker in the early 1980s) thinks of herself and her family as \"Okies.\" Frank Bergon's 2011 novel, \"Jesse's Ghost\", draws attention to today's sons and daughters of the California Okies portrayed in Steinbeck's \"The Grapes of Wrath\".  In Hunter S. Thompson's semi-autobiographical novel \"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas\", Thompson describes an incident in the beginning of the novel where he and Oscar Zeta Acosta (under the pseudonyms of Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo respectively) pick up a hitchhiker on the way to Las Vegas, whom Thompson describes as a \"poor Okie kid\"."}]}, {"title": "Okie (album)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okie is the third studio album by J. J. Cale, released in 1974. Several songs from the album were later covered by other artists, including \"I Got the Same Old Blues\", by Eric Clapton, Captain Beefheart, Bobby Bland, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bryan Ferry; \"Anyway the Wind Blows\", by Brother Phelps in 1995 and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings in 1999; and \"Cajun Moon\", by Herbie Mann on his 1976 album \"Surprises\" with vocals by Cissy Houston, by Poco on their album \"Cowboys & Englishmen\", and by Randy Crawford in \"Naked and True\" (1995). \"I'd Like to Love You, Baby\" was covered by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in 2003, appearing on their 2009 album, \"The Live Anthology\".  Tracks 2 & 3\u201310 May 1973 Tracks 4,8\u20137 May 1973; Track 12\u20139 July 1973; Track 6\u201310 July 1973 Track 11\u20132 August 1973; Track 9\u20134 October 1973; Track 5\u20135 December 1973 Tracks 1,7 & 10\u201320 November 1973"}]}, {"title": "Okie Adams", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okie Adams (June 18, 1923 \u2013 November 16, 2007), born Carl Frederick Adams, was an American expert banjo maker, having provided unique, hand-crafted banjos to the likes of Doc Watson and Tom Sauber, among many others. Okie's banjos were entirely hand-made using his custom 'block pot' technique, which consisted of turning out a glued together ring of wood, usually walnut or maple, or a combination thereof. They are heavier than most, with a slightly wider neck (Okie claims this was favored by the guitar players he was trying to convert to banjo) and often the peghead is inlaid with a variety of shapes and symbols that are Okie signatures - a tall cowboy hat, claw hammer or double claw hammer, and a crescent moon with star."}, {"context": " Allen Hart uses an Okie Adams banjo on his \"Old Time Banjo\" album, playing in the claw-hammer style Okie favored and encouraged. Okie was a consistent presence on the West Coast folk festival circuit, and his son Jim 'Okie Jr.' Adams plays and competes often, wielding his father's prized banjos. Always a teacher, Okie's generosity touched and inspired many musicians and banjo makers, among them Greg Deering, founder of Deering Banjo company who recently stated that he'd produced and sent out over 60,000 banjos from his workshop and \"there was a part of Okie Adams in every single one.\"  He was also an accomplished race-car component maker, known for the Okie Adams \"drop axle\" he developed whilst working as a welder in 'blairs' automotive of Pasadena during the 1960s. Adams died at the age of 84 of smoke inhalation when his home in Eagle Rock, California, burned down on November 16, 2007. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined conclusively."}]}, {"title": "Okie Baroque", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okie Baroque is an EP by American indie rock band Blackpool Lights. After touring to support their 2006 debut album This Town's Disaster, the band dissolved in 2008 for unknown reasons. In early 2010 after the reunion of lead singer Jim Suptic's other band The Get Up Kids, it was announced on Twitter that Blackpool Lights had reunited and was recording new material. The album was released online on November 30, 2010."}]}, {"title": "Okie Blanchard", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Claire H. \"Okie\" Blanchard (? \u2013 1989), sometimes spelled \"Oakie\", was an American football player, coach of football and basketball, and college athletics administrator. His collegiate coaching career lasted one season, in 1940 with the University of Wyoming's Cowboys. His record was 1\u20137\u20131, earning the victory (7\u20133 over New Mexico) in his initial game, and the tie (scoreless against Colorado State) in his second. He was more successful as a high school coach, serving in that capacity in Cheyenne, Wyoming for many years. The football stadium at Cheyenne East High School there (which was also used by Cheyenne Central High School until 2000) is named for Blanchard. Blanchard also coached high school basketball in Cheyenne until 1958.  Blanchard was a graduate of the University of Wyoming, and in 1968 was one of the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award granted by the Alumni Association of that institution. In 1984, Blanchard was elected to the Wyoming Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Blanchard died in 1989."}]}, {"title": "Okie Dokie It's The Orb on Kompakt", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okie Dokie It's the Orb on Kompakt is the seventh overall studio album by The Orb released on Kompakt. It features new material in addition to tweaked versions of their previous Kompakt releases. Miss Kittin performed \"Traumvogel\" live at the S\u00f3nar festival and included it on her album \"Live at S\u00f3nar\". The Orb's music on Kompakt featured Thomas Fehlmann as the primary creative figure, \"inhibiting Alex Paterson's whimsical impulses\". Because of this, the album was considerably more focused, even, and less \"goofy\" than \"Cydonia\" and \"Bicycles & Tricycles\". Fehlmann's trademark hypnotic loops and delays made him the center of \"Okie Dokie\" production and, according to \"Pitchfork Media\", made it \"difficult to say where [Paterson] is in the picture\". Besides Paterson and Fehlmann, \"Okie Dokie\" featured Ulf Lohmann as a co-writer on a track as well as Schneider TM performing vocals for another. The Orb's releases with Kompakt gained The Orb back much of their musical credibility with the press and showed that The Orb could \"age gracefully\"."}]}, {"title": "Okie Noodling", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okie Noodling is a 2001 documentary film examining the practice of handfishing in rural Oklahoma. As much about the subculture surrounding handfishing, the film documents this practice of wading in murky water and sticking your hand into dark holes hoping a plus catfish will latch onto your hand and arm. Missing fingers and toes on some noodlers attest to the danger and excitement of the sport, a method hundreds of years old. The film emphasizes how noodling is believed to have originated with white settlers, with at least one reference known to have dated from 1775. Most evidence suggests that Native Americans typically only fished using tools such as spears and cages.  The soundtrack for \"Okie Noodling\" is performed by The Flaming Lips and was written specifically for the film."}]}, {"title": "Okie from Muskogee", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okie from Muskogee is the first live album by Merle Haggard and the Strangers released in October 1969 on Capitol Records. The album was a recorded performance at the Civic Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma on October 10, 1969, the day before the studio version of \"Okie from Muskogee\" hit the national country charts. In the documentary \"Beyond Nashville\", Haggard claims the song, which he wrote with drummer Eddie Burris on his bus, was more of a wistful tribute to his late father than any kind of political statement: \"My dad passed away when I was nine, and I don't know if you've ever thought about somebody you've lost and you say, 'I wonder what so-and-so would think about this?' I was drivin' on Interstate 40 and I saw a sign that said \"19 Miles to Muskogee.\" Muskogee was always referred to in my childhood as 'back home.' So I saw that sign and my whole childhood flashed before my eyes and I thought, 'I wonder what dad would think about the youthful uprising that was occurring at the time, the Janis Joplins...I understood 'em, I got a long with it, but what if he was to come alive at this moment? And I thought, what a way to describe the kind of people in America that are still sittin' in the center of the country sayin', 'What is goin' on on these campuses?'\" In the \"American Masters\" episode about his life and career, however, a more defiant Haggard states that the song was more than a satire: \"That's how I got into it with the hippies...I thought they were unqualified to judge America, and I thought they were lookin' down their noses at something that I cherished very much, and it pissed me off. And I thought, 'You sons of bitches, you've never been restricted away from this great, wonderful country, and yet here you are in the streets bitchin' about things, protesting about a war that they didn't know anymore about than I did. They weren't over there fightin' that war anymore than I was.\""}, {"context": " Haggard began performing the song in concert in the fall of 1969 and was astounded at the reaction it received. As David Cantwell notes in his 2013 book \"Merle Haggard: The Running Kind\", \"The Haggard camp knew they were on to something. Everywhere they went, every show, \"Okie\" did more than prompt enthusiastic applause. There was an unanticipated adulation racing through the crowds now, standing ovations that went on and on and sometimes left the audience and the band-members alike teary-eyed. Merle had somehow stumbled upon a song that expressed previously inchoate fears, spoke out loud gripes and anxieties otherwise only whispered, and now people were using his song, were using \"him\", to connect themselves to these larger concerns and to one another.\" The studio version topped the charts in the fall of 1969, where it remained for a month, and also hit number 41 on the pop charts, becoming Haggard's all-time biggest hit (until his 1973 crossover Christmas smash \"If We Make It Through December\") and signature tune."}, {"context": " In Haggard's episode of CMT's \"Inside Fame\", Brian Mansfield of \"USA Today\" insists, \"I think between 1966 and 1969/1970, when he's doing \"Okie from Muskogee\" and \"Fightin' Side of Me,\" that period was every bit the match of Hank Williams from about 1950 to 1952. I think it's \"that\" good...\" The album topped the \"Billboard\" country albums chart and hit number 46 on pop chart and won the Academy of Country Music award for Album of the Year in 1969. It also received the CMA Award for Album of the Year in 1970. Haggard also won Single of the Year for \"Okie from Muskogee\" as well as Top Male Vocalist.  Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote, \"While the record isn't necessary, it is a hell of a lot of fun and not bad evidence of why Hag was the most popular figure in country music at the end of the '60s.\" Music critic Robert Christgau wrote \"Despite some slack performances, this album.. is a passable sampler... But \"The Best of Merle Haggard\" is a lot more representative of a great iconoclast who's keeping it under wraps these days.\" All songs by Merle Haggard unless otherwise noted:"}]}, {"title": "Okie from Muskogee (song)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Okie from Muskogee\" is a song recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers, which Haggard co-wrote with drummer Roy Edward Burris. \"Okie\" is a slang name for someone from Oklahoma, and Muskogee is the 11th largest city in the state. The song was released in September 1969 as first single and title track from the album \"Okie from Muskogee\", and was one of the most famous songs of Haggard's career. Haggard told \"The Boot\" that he wrote the song after he became disheartened watching Vietnam War protests and incorporated that emotion and viewpoint into song. Haggard says, \"When I was in prison, I knew what it was like to have freedom taken away. Freedom is everything. During Vietnam, there were all kinds of protests. Here were these [servicemen] going over there and dying for a cause\u2014we don't even know what it was really all about. And here are these young kids, that were free, bitching about it. There's something wrong with that and with [disparaging] those poor guys.\" He states that he wrote the song to support the troops. \"We were in a wonderful time in America, and music was in a wonderful place. America was at its peak, and what the hell did these kids have to complain about? These soldiers were giving up their freedom and lives to make sure others could stay free. I wrote the song to support those soldiers.\""}, {"context": " It's important to mention in this interview he then calls the song a \"character study\" and that his 1969 self was the character. Haggard said: \"It was the photograph that I took of the way things looked through the eyes of a fool... and most of America was under the same assumptions I was. As it\u2019s stayed around now for 40 years, I sing the song now with a different attitude onstage. ... I\u2019ve become educated. I play it now with a different projection. It\u2019s a different song now. I\u2019m different now.\""}, {"context": " Critic Kurt Wolff wrote that Haggard always considered what became a redneck anthem to be a spoof, and that today fans\u2014even the hippies that are derided in the lyrics\u2014have taken a liking to the song and find humor in some of the lyrics. Cover versions of the song were recorded by such countercultural acts as the Grateful Dead, The Beach Boys, Phil Ochs, The Flaming Lips, The String Cheese Incident, and Hank Williams III backed by seminal stoner metal band The Melvins, all of which are and/or were avid users of marijuana, LSD, and other psychedelic plants and chemicals."}, {"context": " Written by Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (drummer for Haggard's backing band, and The Strangers) during the height of the Vietnam War, \"Okie from Muskogee\" grew from the two trading one-liners about small-town life, where conservative values were the norm and outsiders with ideals contrary to those ways were unwelcome. Here, the singer reflects on how proud he is to hail from Middle America, where its residents were patriotic, and didn't smoke marijuana, take LSD, wear beads and sandals, burn draft cards or challenge authority."}, {"context": " While it can be viewed as a satire of small-town America and its reaction to the antiwar protests and counterculture seen in America's larger cities, Allmusic writer Bill Janovitz writes that the song also \"convincingly (gives) voice to a proud, strait-laced truck-driver type... (I)n the end, he identifies with the narrator. He does not position the protagonist as angry, reactionary, or judgmental; it is more that the guy, a self-confessed 'square,' is confused by such changes and with a chuckle comes to the conclusion that he and his ilk have the right sort of life for themselves.\""}, {"context": " Session personnel were James Burton, Roy Nichols and Jerry Reed on guitar; Chuck Berghofer on bass and Ron Tutt on drums. \"Okie from Muskogee\" immediately broke in popularity when released in late September 1969. By November 15, it reached No. 1 on the \"Billboard magazine\" Hot Country Singles chart, where it remained for four weeks. It also became a minor pop hit as well, reaching number 41 on the \"Billboard\" Hot 100 chart. The version of \"Okie from Muskogee\" that reached No. 1 was the studio recording. After the song became widely popular, a live concert recording was issued and although that version never charted, it became very popular as well. The live version's distinguishing characteristics include an enthusiastic crowd and Merle responding with his own quips at the end of at least two verses. The most popular live version, and the only live version released as a single, was recorded during a 1970 Haggard concert in Philadelphia that became the live album \"The Fightin' Side of Me\". The song was included on a couple of Haggard's other live albums from the era, notably \"Okie From Muskogee\", released in 1969 and \"I Love Dixie Blues\", released in 1973. However, these recordings are not the live version the general public is familiar with."}, {"context": " \"Okie from Muskogee\"\u2014along with the album, \"Okie From Muskogee\"\u2014was named the Country Music Association Single and Album of the Year in 1970. The song was the subject of parody versions by The Youngbloods as \"Hippie From Olema\", by David Peel and The Lower East Side Band as \"Hippie From New York City\", by Patrick Sky, as \"NOsha from Kenosha\" by Howie Dewin, and most notably by Chinga Chavin as \"Asshole from El Paso\"; the latter in particular uses Haggard's melody but substitutes more extreme lyrics. Kinky Friedman later covered \"Asshole from El Paso\" and the song subsequently became more associated with Friedman than with Chavin. The Grateful Dead has played the song live with The Beach Boys. Phil Ochs performed the song as included in a 1970 album recorded live at Carnegie Hall. In New Zealand, comedian Jon Gadsby recorded a local version as a satire, called \"Scourer from Mataura\" (a scourer being a worker in a wool processing plant)."}, {"context": " Straight cover versions of the song were recorded by the Melvins on their album \"The Crybaby\" with Hank Williams III providing vocals, Tommy Cash in 1970, and Jeannie C. Riley's cover from the early 1970s. The Beach Boys covered the song and placed on their 2011 album \"Live & Alternative songs\". The group's cover can also be seen on the 1985 biographical musical film, . John Denver performed a live version of the song, with backing vocals provided by Taffy Nivert. In his version, Denver added an extra verse, in which the Okie wants to join the Ku Klux Clan, burn the Hippies and slap them in the face.  The David Nelson Band has performed a song called \"Humboldt County Hippie\" at various performances. The song lyrics parallel and are a parody of Haggard's song."}]}, {"title": "Okiek people", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okiek (Ogiek: ), sometimes called the Ogiek or Akiek (although the term Akiek sometimes refers to a distinct subgroup), are an ethnic and linguistic group based in Northern Tanzania, Southern Kenya (in the Mau Forest), and Western Kenya (in the Mount Elgon Forest). In 2000 the ethnic Okiek population was estimated to number 36,869, although the number of those speaking the Akiek language was as low as 500. Many Ogiek speakers have shifted to the languages of surrounding peoples: the Akiek in northern Tanzania now speak Maasai and the Akiek of Kinare, Kenya now speak Gikuyu. The Ogiek are one of various groups of hunter-gatherers in Kenya and Tanzania to which the term Dorobo or Ndorobo (a term of Maasai origin now considered derogatory) has been applied.  The Ogiek have made numerous claims against the government of Kenya alleging unfair treatment, especially that they have been illegally dispossessed of their land. Timsales Ltd is active in deforestation in its area for long. It is partly owned by relatives of former presidents Kenyatta and Moi."}]}, {"title": "Okiep", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okiep is a small town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, and was in the 1870s ranked as having the richest copper mine in the world. The town is on the site of a spring that was known in the Khoekhoe language of the Nama people as \"U-gieb\" (\"large brackish place\") and was originally spelled as \"O'okiep\". Early settlers in the Cape Colony heard rumours of mountains in the north-west that were fabulously rich in copper. Governor Simon van der Stel was inclined to believe these tales when, in 1681, a group of Namas visited the Castle in Cape Town and brought along some pure copper. Van der Stel himself led a major expedition in 1685 and reached the fabled mountains on 21 October. Three shafts were sunk and revealed a rich lode of copper ore - the shafts exist to this day. For almost 200 years nothing was done about the discovery, largely because of its remote location. The explorer James Alexander was the first to follow up on van der Stel's discovery. In 1852 he examined the old shafts, discovered some other copper outcrops and started mining operations. Prospectors, miners and speculators rushed to the area, but many companies collapsed when the logistical difficulties became apparent."}, {"context": " The first miners were Cornish, and brought with them the expertise of centuries of tin-mining in Cornwall. The ruins of the buildings they constructed as well as the stonework of the bridges and culverts of the railway built to transport the ore to Port Nolloth, can still be seen. The Namaqualand Railway started operating in 1876 and lasted for 68 years, carrying ore to Port Nolloth and returning with equipment and provisions. The carriages were initially pulled by mules and horses, which were later replaced by steam locomotives - the last of these, the \"Clara\", stands at Nababeep. Nowadays road transport is used to convey the ore to the railhead at Bitterfontein. The other principal mines of the area are at Carolusberg and Nababeep."}, {"context": " Okiep\u2019s mine saw action on 4 April 1902 during the Anglo-Boer war when some 700 officers and men of the 3rd Battalion Queen's Royal Regiment, 5th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Namaqualand Border Scouts, the Town Guard and the Cape Garrison Artillery, withstood a 30-day siege by Jan Smuts\u2019 forces. The village of Concordia with a garrison of 100 men, surrendered a day after the siege started. On 4 May 1902 a British relief column arrived from Port Nolloth and ended the siege. A ruined blockhouse is still visible on a hill north-east of the town.  As with most metals copper suffered mixed fortunes, and in the early 20th century the copper price dropped below the profitable level, so that mining operations ceased, but were resumed when prices rose."}]}, {"title": "Okieriete Onaodowan", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okieriete \"Oak\" Onaodowan (, born August 16, 1987) is an American actor, known for originating the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the 2015 musical \"Hamilton\" and the role of Dean Miller in the ABC drama and \"Grey's Anatomy\" spin-off series, \"Station 19\". Onaodowan was born in Newark to Nigerian parents. He grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, and graduated from West Orange High School in 2005. Onaodowan briefly played football at West Orange High School but stopped after an injury during practice. As a result of the injury, Okieriete started to explore acting as an alternative extracurricular activity."}, {"context": " Onaodowan previously had roles in \"Rocky the Musical\" and \"Cyrano de Bergerac\" on Broadway and was in the ensemble of the first national tour of \"American Idiot\". His screen credits include Lou in \"Thanks for Sharing\", and roles in \"Gravity\" and \"Blue Bloods\". An experienced stage actor, Onaodowan had the leading role in Young Jean Lee's 2009 play, \"The Shipment,\" and played the title role in J.C. Lee's, \"Luce.\" In 2015, Onaodowan originated the roles of James Madison and Hercules Mulligan in the musical \"Hamilton\" on Broadway. He won a Grammy Award as part of the cast album of \"Hamilton\".  Beginning July 11, 2017, he took on the role of Pierre in the musical \"Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812\", replacing the outgoing Josh Groban. Onaodowan was originally supposed to take over the role on July 3. He is now playing the role of firefighter Dean Miller in the \"Grey's Anatomy\" spin-off \"Station 19\". Onaodowan was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list in 2016 for his acting in \"Hamilton\"."}]}, {"title": "Okiersk", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okiersk is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Cekcyn, within Tuchola County, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, in north-central Poland. It lies approximately north of Cekcyn, east of Tuchola, and north of Bydgoszcz. <br>"}]}, {"title": "Okigo\u0304, Nan'yo\u0304, Yamagata", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okigwe", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okigwe is the third largest city, after Owerri and Orlu, in Imo state of Nigeria. The city lies between the Port Harcourt-Enugu-Maiduguri rail line. Thus, the city has grown into a major cattle transit town for the southeast and south subregions of Nigeria. Okigwe has a population of 132,237 (2005 census). Most of the population is made up of immigrant workers from other states. Okigwe city was the primary host site of the old Imo State University (now Abia State University). Okigwe has various tourist and historical sites. The Federal Government College in the city has remained one of the best unity schools in Nigeria. Okigwe remains one of the breadbaskets of Nigeria with terrace cultivation practised on its hilly farmlands. Okigwe also boasts many relaxation spots such as Alexandra Suites & Hotels Limited Okigwe Imo state which is situated at No 1 Alexandra Ave, Umuchima Road, Ubahu. St. Mary\u2019s Cathedral in Okigwe is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Okigwe."}]}, {"title": "Okiharu Yasuoka", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Yasuoka is a licensed attorney. He left the LDP in 1994 to join the now-defunct Shinshinto party, but returned to the LDP in 1995. Yasuoka is known to work himself and his staff very long hours. He was one of the key participants in the launch of Fukuda's administration in 2007. Yasuoka also chairs the LDP's Constitution Research Commission. An avid jogger and swimmer, Yasuoka has repeatedly swam the 2.1\u00a0km-wide Kinko Bay in Kagoshima Prefecture. In October 2017, Yasuoka lost his seat to Hiroshi Kawauchi of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan."}]}, {"title": "Okihide Hikosaka", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okihide Hikosaka is an award-winning neuroscience research professor that specializes in the mechanisms of motivation, learning, skill, decision-making, attention, and oculomotor control. His research into neuronal mechanisms of voluntary behavior and basal ganglia function created breakthroughs in the understanding of the neurochemistry behind information-seeking behavior and the efficacy of grouping motor sequence learning actions (otherwise known as \u201cchunking\u201d) in order to remember more than individual actions."}, {"context": " Dr Hikosaka\u2019s researched proved that the brain is chemically wired be rewarded with dopamine for learning information about the future. \u201cThis result supports the notion that midbrain dopamine neurons are coding for both primitive and cognitive rewards. So why do dopamine neurons treat information as a reward? It\u2019s easy to see how treating information this way might be a useful evolutionary adaptation. For many animals, each day consists of numerous decisions that pertain to eating, reproducing and socializing. Obviously, having access to more relevant information \u2013 such as knowing where the food is located - allows animals to make better decisions. Furthermore, having access to such information might give us better control over our environment, thus increasing our chances of survival.\u201dDr Hikosaka's research impacts the understanding of drug abuse, Parkinson\u2019s and many other aspects of behavior and brain function and dysfunction."}]}, {"title": "Okija", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okija is the largest town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State in Southeast Nigeria. The town is the oldest of all the towns in Ihiala local government area, and one of the biggest towns in Igboland. The people of Okija are predominantly Christians. Okija is the home to Madonna University and Legacy University. Bordered in the east by Ihembosi and Ukpor cities, within the west by olu or Ogbakubara, within the north by Ozubulu and within the south by Ihiala. In Okija, the Ulasi River on its flow to the Atlantic, joins Okposi river one of its tributaries."}, {"context": " The Okija Shrine or Ogwuwu Akpu is the popular local shrine in the city. It was a dispute settlement shrine where people with personal, land and business issues go to in order to seek adjudication by the gods. Okija is home to many notable Nigerians, including; The vegetation of Okija Is mainly forest with palm trees because the chief economic tree. The land is of course terribly fertile, thus the chief occupation in Okija is farming or agriculture. Okija is that the largest food Producer in Ihiala L.G.A and Anambra State. She grows lots of huge and little yams, cassava, coco yams, maize, plantain and palm manufacture (oil and kernel) etc. The chief occupations in Okija is fishing, searching and animal-keeping (especially goats, sheep, pigs and fowls). Okija is once more the most important meat and fish producers and provider in Ihiala LGA."}, {"context": " Okija \u2013 Achala \u2013 Ogidi According to one legend, Okija, Ihiala, Ihembosi and Uli had one father referred to as Achala, the son of Ogidi. this can be why Okija is a few times called Okija \u2013 Achala \u2013 Ogidi. According to this legend, Okija was the primary son: Ihembosi, the 2nd, Ihiala, the 3rd, and Uli the fourth and last. Naturally, they need to decide on things and break Kola so as of seniority. This can be why Okija breaks Kola nut for all the cities in Ihiala LGA, the court of law connected cities ,though settled at Ihiala, is thought as Achala city court up to nowadays."}, {"context": " THE THIRTY VILLAGES IN OKIJA OR OKIJA \u201cOHU EBO NA IRI; 1. Umuezedam, 2. Umuakporom, 3. Ugwucheleku/Ekpe, 4. Umuapani, 5. Ubahuagbugba, 6.Umudalaegwu (Uhuosu), 7. Umudioka, 8. Ezieke 9. Umuokpala ezike, 10. Umuawa, 11. Umuchiuwa, 12. Umu- Uzu ,13. Umunakwa ,14. Ubahu-Ezike, 15. Umuezeobi, 16. Umunzele, 17. Ohukabia, 18. Umuofo, 19. Umu- Ezewulum , 20. Uhungwu , 21. Isieke / Ubahudara , 22. Ubahueze , 23. Isifulu,24. Etiti Umuhu or Umuhu, 25. Umuigwe, 26. Umuodogwu, 27.Ohuogwugwu, 28. Umuezim/ Ezimbala, 29. Umuanumoge, and, 30. Umunnafojolo."}, {"context": " Okija or the thirty mentioned Villages loosely divided into three; 1. Ubahu Abu Ubahu: This conjure Ubahu, Umuohi (Umunhi), ubahuezike and umuhu 2. Uhuobo and Uhuowere: This consists of Uhuobo, Ohukabia and Uhuowere. 3. Ihite abu Ihite: This contains Ubahummonu, Ubahudara, Isieke and Ihite. Traditionally or a few years a gone, Okija city had no king or didn\u2019t respect and regard someone because the chief of the thirty villages in Okija. In those years, sturdy individuals assumed leadership of various villages and quarters.  Now Okija has its own city council. In recent years, His Royal Highness, Chief R. Oraelosi, Ezegedegwum 111 of Okija. Therefore the governance currently rests on the Igwe and also the native councilors still at the Okparas. People who facilitate within the regime of the city embrace the cohort (the age group) and Igwe in council."}]}, {"title": "Okija Shrine", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okija Shrine or Ogwuwu Akpu is a popular local shrine located in Okija, a town in Ihiala local government of Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria. On 3 August 2004, the shrine was invaded by a team of policemen led by former Anambra State Commissioner of Police Felix Ogbaudu who arrested over 40 native doctors, keepers and attendants. Over 70 dead human bodies and skulls were discovered in the premise of the shrine. Okija Shrine was a dispute settlement shrine where people with personal, land and business issues go to in order to seek adjudication by the gods.  Over the years, Okija Shrine is believed to have been patronized by influential Nigerian politicians. In 2003, it was revealed that former Anambra State governor, Chris Ngige visited the shrine in the company of Chris Uba to swear an oath of allegiance to his \"political godfathers\" on winning the 2003 Anambra State gubernatorial election."}]}, {"title": "Okikatsu Arao", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Colonel was one of the original plotters in a scheme to prevent the Emperor's declaration of surrender at the end of World War II. He was the chief of the War Affairs section of the Military Affairs Bureau of the Imperial Japanese Army. Given his relatively high station, Arao acted as the representative of the plotters to some extent, hoping to enlist the aid of Minister of War Korechika Anami. Meeting with Anami on the night of August 13 (two days before the surrender), Arao was informed that the Minister stood behind the Emperor's decisions, and that in any case, Japan could not afford to continue fighting. Unthinkable as it was, surrender was the only option."}, {"context": " As one of his chief contributions to the \"coup\", Arao drafted an 'Instruction to the Troops' which was to be broadcast to all of Japan's soldiers, encouraging them to keep fighting. This was originally supported and approved by General Anami; however, while he spoke with the War Minister, several of the more rash members of the conspiracy broadcast an earlier, more inflammatory, draft. The following morning, Arao and the other conspirators met to plot the actual details of their plan to take over the Imperial Palace, placing the Emperor under house arrest, and preventing the surrender speech from being delivered. Arao drafted the orders that were to be given to those elements of the Imperial Guards Division and other groups involved in the \"coup\". The conspirators then met with Anami once more; the Minister, having wavered back and forth several times in his support of their plan, once again told them the \"coup\" would have to be abandoned. He said that Army Chief of Staff Yoshijir\u014d Umezu felt that employment of armed forces within the Palace grounds would be sacrilege.  Though he was one of the original conspirators, Arao in the end turned his back on the \"coup\", and helped write the generals' agreement document stating that those military commanders who signed swore to abide by the Emperor's decision. Unlike many of the other conspirators, Arao survived through the events of August 15, 1945, and would, many years later, continue to admire General Anami, and the devotion and strength it took to bring the war to an end in the way he did."}]}, {"title": "Okikaze-shu\u0304", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okikaze-sh\u016b (\u8208\u98a8\u96c6), is a Japanese anthology of \"waka\" poetry. It is the personal anthology (\"kash\u016b\") of Fujiwara no Okikaze. It is one of the \"Sanj\u016broku-nin Sh\u016b\" (\u4e09\u5341\u516d\u4eba\u96c6). It was put together by an unknown compiler sometime after the mid-tenth century and survives in three variant textual traditions. It incorporates poems taken from the first two imperial anthologies, as well as a number of poems from an unknown source. Later imperial anthologies attributed poems to Okikaze based on their inclusion in this collection."}, {"context": " The \"Okikaze-sh\u016b\" is a personal collection (\"kash\u016b\") of the \"waka\" of the 10th-century poet Fujiwara no Okikaze. It was not personally compiled by Okikaze, but by a later, unknown compiler, in the mid- or late-Heian period. The \"Okikaze-sh\u016b\" has three distinct textual lines, but scholars consider them to have originated from a single Urtext. Line 1 is the \"rufubon\" (common) text, which was printed as part of the \"Kasen Kash\u016b\" during the Sh\u014dh\u014d era (the \"Sh\u014dh\u014d-ban Kasen Kash\u016b\", \u6b63\u4fdd\u7248\u6b4c\u4ed9\u6b4c\u96c6) and includes 52 poems. The last of these poems, however, is an interpolation (\u4ed6\u672c\u6b4c \"tahon-ka\") from the \"Gosensh\u016b\". Line 2 is represented by a manuscript traditionally attributed to , and includes 53 poems. Line 3 is represented by the edition included in the \"Nishihonganji-bon Sanj\u016broku-nin Sh\u016b\" (the Nishi Hongan-ji text), and includes 57 poems. Lines 1 and 2 more closely resemble each other than either resembles Line 3."}, {"context": " There is also a surviving fragmentary text, the so-called \"Fujiwara no Okikaze Sh\u016b\" (\u85e4\u539f\u8208\u98a8\u96c6). All three textual lines of the \"Okikaze-sh\u016b\" are composed of two sections, the first of which consists of poems borrowed from the \"Kokinsh\u016b\" and the \"Gosensh\u016b\", the latter sections being poems collected by an unknown compiler. The poems that were attributed to Okikaze by the \"Shinkokinsh\u016b\" and later imperial anthologies were all taken from this latter section. Facsimile editions include the \"Fukkoku Nihon Koten Bungakukan\", the \"Gosho-bon Sanj\u016brokunin-sh\u016b\", the \"Sanj\u016brokunin Kash\u016b\" and the \"Nishihonganji-bon Sanj\u016brokunin Kash\u016b\".  Modern printed editions include those of the \"Gunsho Ruij\u016b\", the \"Shoku Kokka Taikan\" (a supplement to the \"Kokka Taikan\") and the \"Katsura no Miya S\u014dsho\" Vol. 1."}]}, {"title": "Okiki Afolabi", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okiki Afolabi (born 12 December 1994 in Ibadan, Nigeria) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for ISMAILY SC. He was part of the Nigeria U-20 and U-23 country selected. He began his career in the Sunshine Stars F.C. in Nigeria Premier League, he managed to convert 13 goals in 17 games played. In August 2016, Okiki was tested at argentine Racing Club playing for Argentine Primera Divisi\u00f3n. However, he decided to emigrate to Cordoba and play for Talleres. After a couple of weeks of trial, he was accepted into the institution and Okiki became part of the first team. He was signed for one year with a purchase option."}, {"context": " Afolabi signed for Ethiopian Premier League debutantes Jimma Aba Jifar F.C. at the start of the 2017/18 season. He enjoyed a very successful debut season with the club securing top goal scorer honors (23) and helping the club win its first ever title. After a wonderful season in Ethiopia league he achieved the top scorer award and the most valuable player.OKIKI draw the attention of Some clubs and he received a lot of offers ,but he preferred to sign 4 years contract with the Egyptian giant Ismaily SC."}]}, {"title": "Okilani Tinilau", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okilani Tinilau (born 2 January 1989 on Nukulaelae) is a Tuvaluan sprinter and footballer. He plays for FC Manu Laeva football club in Tuvalu. At the 2012 NBT Cup he was the top scorer with 5 goals. He represented Tuvalu at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, during the country's first ever Olympic Games. While competing in the 100 metre sprint, he set a national record with a time of 11.48. His personal best time is 11.44.11. Tinilau also participated in the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, (11.57 sec) the 2011 World Championships (11.58 secs) and the 2013 World Championships (11.57 secs).  His personal best in the long jump is 6.52 m. Tinilau is also part of the Tuvalu national football team as a midfielder and participated in the Pacific Games. He made his debut in the match against New Caledonia on 1 September 2011, He also played in the games against Vanuatu; and the Solomon Islands."}]}, {"title": "Okileucauge", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okileucauge is a genus of spiders in the Tetragnathidae family. It was first described in 2001 by Tanikawa. , it contains 9 Asian species. \"Okileucauge\" comprises the following species:"}]}, {"title": "Okill Massey Learmonth", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okill Massey Learmonth, VC, MC (20 February 1894\u00a0\u2013 19 August 1917), was a Canadian soldier. Learmonth was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces. Learmonth served in the Canadian army during World War I. Learmonth was 23 years old, and an acting Major in the 2nd (Eastern Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC."}, {"context": " On 18 August 1917 east of Loos, France, during a determined counter-attack on our new positions, Major Learmonth, when his company was momentarily surprised, instantly charged and personally disposed of the attackers. Later, although under intense barrage fire and mortally wounded, he stood on the parapet of the trench, bombing the enemy and on several occasions he actually caught bombs thrown at him and threw them back. When unable to carry on the fight, he still refused to be evacuated and continued giving instructions and invaluable advice, finally handing over all his duties before he was moved to hospital where he died.  Born in Quebec City, Canada, he was elected a member of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in March 1914. He is buried at Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France, 2 miles northwest of Lens (plot 11, row K, grave 9). Learmonth Street in Quebec City, Canada is named after him. Major Learmonth's VC is apparently held by the Governor General's Foot Guards' museum on Queen Elizabeth Drive in Ottawa, Ontario."}]}, {"title": "Okilly Dokilly", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okilly Dokilly is a metalcore band from Phoenix, Arizona that plays \"Nedal\" music; a subgenre of metal music themed around the animated character Ned Flanders from the television series \"The Simpsons\". All five of the band's members perform dressed as Flanders, and the majority of the lyrics to their songs are quotes of his. The band members go by the names Head Ned, Bled Ned, Red Ned, Thread Ned and Stead Ned. The unusual concept behind the group has resulted in worldwide attention. The lead singer, Head Ned, said that Nedal music is \"Not as fast as Bartcore, and a little cleaner than Krusty Punk\u201d, references to hardcore punk and crust punk, respectively."}, {"context": " As of June 12, 2017, the band has acquired over 49,000 likes on Facebook. The band's first studio album, \"Howdilly Doodilly\", was released on November 11, 2016. They announced their first nationwide tour via YouTube on February 5, 2017. On March 3, the band announced on instagram that Stead Ned and Thread Ned would be replaced on the upcoming tour by Dead Ned and Cred Ned on lead guitar and bass, respectively. On the 31st of July the Band announced that Bled Ned, Red Ned, Cred Ned and Dead Ned left the Band and will be replaced by Shred Ned (guitars), Dread Ned (drums) and Zed Ned (synth) with the only remaining original Member being Head Ned. The Band also announced in the same news that they are working on their second Studio Album with the current working title Howdilly Twodilly.  Current Past Touring Members"}]}, {"title": "Okimate 10", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okimate 10 by Oki Electric Industry was a low-cost 1980s color printer with interface \"plug 'n print\" modules for Commodore, Atari, IBM PC, and Apple Inc. home computers. Unlike thermal printers, which use thermal printing technology and require thermal paper, the Okimate used thermal transfer technology and was advertised as being able to print on any type of paper. In practice, however, printing to common printer/copier paper did not produce adequate results. Best results were obtained by printing to special \"thermal transfer paper\" which looks like ordinary copier paper but is actually an ultra-smooth paper for the wax-transfer to adhere to."}, {"context": " A thermal transfer printer contains a ribbon cartridge that uses a wax ink. When the heating elements in the print head heat up, they melt the wax and transfer it to the paper, thus the need for the paper to be really smooth. This also means that the ribbon cannot be reused after the head runs over it, since the wax transfers off the ribbon to the paper. The Okimate 10 had two interchangeable wax-ink cartridges, a black one and a color one. The black cartridge was used for text printing, and the color was used for graphics. The color ribbon had three primary colors which were overlaid and dithered on top of each other to create secondary colors. Thus to print a graphic, the printer typically needed to make three passes over the same line before advancing."}, {"context": " It was one of the first low-cost color printers available to consumers and became a popular printer for printing computer art drawn with software packages such as KoalaPad, Deluxe Paint, Doodle! and NEOchrome but was criticized for its slowness and high cost of operation, as the wax-coated ribbon only lasted for one pass, unlike an ink ribbon. The Okimate 10 was succeeded by the Okimate 20. \"Ahoy!\" favorably reviewed the Okimate 10 with the Commodore 64 interface, calling the color output \"impressive enough\" given the slow speed. It concluded that \"for the home user for whom it is intended, it represents an excellent value\"."}]}, {"title": "Okimi, Hiroshima", "paragraphs": [{"context": " On November 1, 2004, Okimi, along with the towns of N\u014dmi and \u014cgaki (all from Saeki District), and the former town of Etajima (from Aki District), was merged to create the city of Etajima and no longer exists as an independent municipality. As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 3,849 and a density of 139.46 persons per km\u00b2. The total area was 27.60 km\u00b2."}]}, {"title": "Okimono", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Japanese word \"okimono\" compounds \"oku\" \"put; place; set; lay out; assign; station; leave\" and \"mono\" \"thing; object; article\". The \"Oxford English Dictionary\" defines the loanword \"okimono\" as, \"A standing ornament or figure, esp. one put in a guest room of a house\", and records the first usage in 1886 by William Anderson. An \"Okimono\" may be a small Japanese carving, similar to, but larger than \"netsuke\". Unlike \"netsuke\", which had a specific purpose, \"Okimono\" were purely decorative and were displayed in the \"tokonoma\". An \"Okimono\" can be made out of wood, ivory, ceramic or metal."}, {"context": " One subcategory of \"Okimono\" is the \"Jizai Okimono\", an articulated figure often made out of bronze or iron. \"Okimono\" were normally not larger than a few centimetres. They depicted all sorts of animals, mythological beasts, humans, gods, fruit, vegetables and objects, sometimes combined with each other, in all sorts of positions. Sometimes a scene was portrayed as well, either a daily scene or from a story. Anything that could be carved or made into a small object can be used in an Okimono. Some \"Okimonos\" were inspired by a group of objects and were supposed to be shown together as an ensemble.  During the Meiji period, many \"Okimono\" were made for export to the west. One of the most renowned artists in the area of metalwork was Yamada S\u014dbi (1871-1916), who made pieces out of a single sheet of metal."}]}, {"title": "Okimoto", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okimoto is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include: Okimoto is also a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include:"}]}, {"title": "Okin Ojara", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Philip Polly Okin Ojara (born 26 May 1971) is a Ugandan social worker and politician. He is the elected member of parliament for Chua West County, Kitgum District, and is an Independent politician who closely associates with FDC, the main opposition party in Uganda. He is a member the \"Caucus of Independent MPs\" and the \"Opposition Caucus\" and also serves as the vice chairperson of the \"Committee on Local Government Accounts\" and as a member of the \"Appointments Committee\" and the \"Committee on Agriculture\" in the 10th Parliament of Uganda."}, {"context": " Ojara is the chairperson of the select committee to investigate alleged mismanagement in Uganda Telecom (UTL) and a founder member of the Parliament Public Finance Management Forum. Also he is a member of both the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change and the Uganda Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast Fellowship. Ojara was born in Kitgum, Acholi sub-region, on 26 May 1971 in an Anglican family of the Acholi. He had his primary education in his home town of Kitgum and attained his PLE certification in 1987."}, {"context": " He then attended Lango College for his O-Level education and Sir Samuel Baker Secondary School for his A-Level education, attaining a UCE certification in 1991 and a UACE certification in 1994. Ojara further advanced to Makerere University where he attained a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Social Administration in 1997. He then went to Trinity College, Dublin, graduating in 2006 with a Master of Philosophy in International Peace Studies. Ojara started his professional career in 1998 after attaining his bachelor's degree and worked as a program officer for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) up until 1999 when he secured employment as a project officer for Save the Children. In 2002, he left the children's rights organization for Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI), an interfaith peace building and conflict transformation organization, where he worked as a program coordinator for three years. In 2005, he joined UNDP Uganda for a one year spell as a District Disaster Preparedness Coordinator in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)."}, {"context": " In 2007, Ojara secured employment at the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE International, Uganda) where he worked as a team leader up until 2009 when he was recruited as a senior technical advisor by UNDP South Sudan. In 2013, he worked as a distributor for Total Uganda before serving as the Prime Minister Acholi Kingdom in 2014 up until 2015 when he resigned to join active politics. In 2015, Ojara joined elective politics as an independent politician and strategized for the 2016 polls, a move that heavily contributed to his victory in the 2016 general elections thereby becoming a member of the 10th Parliament for the Pearl of Africa representing Chua West County in Kitgum District. In the 10th Parliament, Ojara serves as the vice chairperson of the \"Committee on Local Government Accounts\" and as a member of the \"Appointments Committee\" and the \"Committee on Agriculture\". In December 2016, Ojara was appointed by the speaker of parliament as the chairperson of the select committee to investigate alleged mismanagement in Uganda Telecom.  Ojara is a married man with a number of children. He is passionate about civil rights and social action, economic empowerment, education, health, human-rights, politics and poverty alleviation issues."}]}, {"title": "Okina, Spain", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okina or Oquina is a village of the municipality of Bernedo, in the province of \u00c1lava in the Basque Country of Spain, situated about 15 kilometres from Vitoria-Gasteiz. Its population (2014) is 29. Okina is situated at an altitude of 794 metres in the northwest of the municipality, in a valley in the southeastern foothills of the Vitoria Hills. The River Ayuda (a tributary of the Zadorra) passes through Okina and flows towards S\u00e1seta through the scenic Okina gorge, on the GR-38 long-distance path and much visited by walkers from Vitoria. The village is a starting point for a walk up to the peak of Kapildui (1,177m), and keen local cyclists often ride over the pass of \"Puerto de Okina\", by which Okina is reached from Ullibarri de los Olleros."}, {"context": " The name is shown as \"Okina\" in the Cartulary of San Mill\u00e1n de la Cogolla of 1025. It is recorded as \"Oquia\" and \"Oquina\" in documentation of 1257 and 1258. At the beginning of the 20th century Enrique de Eguren discovered in the outskirts of Oquina a dolmenic tumulus, after finding nearby the remains of human skeletons, pieces of ceramics and arrowtips. In the inventory made by the abbot Mir\u00f3n of the property of the monastery of San Mart\u00edn de Albelda in the late 11th century, it is explicitly stated that King Sancho IV of Pamplona granted the church of Santa Mar\u00eda of Okina with all its belongings to this monastery in 1073. Later developing into a village, it constituted a royal fraternity of the \"cuadrilla\" of Vitoria. This Fraternity consisted only of Okina village, and was represented in the provincial assemblies by the procurator of Vitoria. It was governed by an ordinary mayor, his assistant and a councillor."}, {"context": " This church possesses an early Gothic portal from the 13th century, as well as a small altarpiece. It was rebuilt in the 18th century, although it retains elements of the original late-16th century structure. The tower, square in plan, consists of three tiers, the last of which dates to 1884. The interior is rectangular, and divided into three sections: the first of these opens on to small chapels on either side. The village contained hermitages, now vanished: San Crist\u00f3bal, San Crist\u00f3bal Zarra and San Sumate.  This building is located beside the river, and houses a shield of the Gaona family. In 2014 Okina had a population of 29, of which 18 were men and 11 women. The village \"fiesta\" is celebrated on 10 July in honour of St. Christopher."}]}, {"title": "Okinami Station", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinashima Station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinashima Station is served by the Ban'etsu West Line, and is located 41.1 rail kilometers from the official starting point of the line at . Okinashima Station has two opposed side platforms connected to the station building by a level crossing. The station is unattended. Okinashima Station opened on July 15, 1899. The station was absorbed into the JR East network upon the privatization of the Japanese National Railways (JNR) on April 1, 1987."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa (film)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa is a 1952 War film directed by Leigh Jason, starring Pat O'Brien and Cameron Mitchell. Captain Hale commands a U.S. Naval vessel taking part in the battle of Okinawa. The lightly fictionalized film, which includes a lot of genuine historical newsreel footage, contains the full set of usual character types found in WWII movies made in the 1950s."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa 1st district", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa 1st district is a constituency of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan (national legislature). It is located in Okinawa Prefecture and encompasses the city of Naha and parts of Shimajiri District (Kumejima, Tokashiki, Zamami, Aguni, Tonaki, Minamidait\u014d, Kitadait\u014d). As of 2016, 270,872 eligible voters were registered in the district. The district has been represented by Seiken Akamine of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) since the 2014 general election, when he defeated the incumbent member K\u014dnosuke Kokuba from the Liberal Democratic Party. Akamine is the only JCP politician in the country to currently hold a single-seat constituency."}, {"context": " The 1994 electoral reforms split Okinawa's at-large constituency into four single-district constituencies. In the first three elections after the reforms, Okinawa's 1st district was won by Tai'ichi Shiraho of New Frontier Party and later New K\u014dmeit\u014d (NKP). The district also features several significant voting blocs. The reliable and sizable Soka Gakkai voting bloc in Naha helped to deliver the district to Shiraho in those elections. The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) has also maintained a relatively large share of vote in the district, banking on the urban voter support and local opposition to the US military bases in Okinawa. Another bloc consists of corporate workers that tend to support the LDP."}, {"context": " In the 2014 general election, the district was won by JCP's Seiken Akamine. Akamine's election was a watershed as it marked the first time a JCP candidate managed to win a single-seat constituency since the 1996 general election. This is also only the third constituency JCP has won since the introduction of parallel voting. The anti-base camp aligned to Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga created an alliance behind Akamine to oppose the LDP incumbent at that time, K\u014dnosuke Kokuba. Kokuba supports the relocation of the US air base in Futenma to Henoko, following the policy of the LDP and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The centre-right vote was split further with the candidacy of former representative Mikio Shimoji. A strong anti-base vote and the split in the centre-right camp delivered the district to Akamine, completing JCP's surge in the election.  Akamine retained the district in the 2017 general election despite the JCP losing seats across the country. Akamine managed to keep the anti-base camp solidly behind him, giving him a slightly larger majority than 2014."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa 2nd district", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa 2nd district is a constituency of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan (national legislature). It is located in Okinawa Prefecture and encompasses the cities of Urasoe and Ginowan, and Nakagami District. As of 2016, 288,070 eligible voters were registered in the district. The district has been represented by Kantoku Teruya of the Social Democratic Party since 2003. Teruya is the only SDP politician in the country to currently hold a single-seat constituency. The district has been considered a stronghold for veteran Social Democrat Kantoku Teruya, who has held the district continuously since 2003. Such is the strength of the SDP vote in the district that during the LDP landslides in 2005 and 2012, Teruya still managed to hold the district comfortably. The significant presence of US military bases in Ginowan is regarded as a major factor contributing to the wide aversion of the local population to voting LDP candidates, who are typically pro-base.  Okinawa-2nd is also one of the few districts that the . The party has continuously endorsed Teruya in each election since 2009. Other centre-left parties have also generally refrained from contesting the district and regularly back Teruya in general elections."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa 3rd district", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa 3rd district is a constituency of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan (national legislature). It is located in Okinawa Prefecture and encompasses the cities of Nago, Okinawa, Uruma, Kunigami District and parts of Shimajiri District (Iheya and Izena). As of 2016, 312,171 eligible voters were registered in the district. The district was last represented by Denny Tamaki of the Liberal Party who automatically forfeited his seat after becoming a gubernatorial candidate in September 2018. The by-election is not expected to be held in the next by-election slot in October 2018, but probably only in April 2019 or even later because a Supreme Court decision on the consitutionality of the malaportionment in the last general election to the House of Representatives is still pending."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa 4th district", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa 4th district is a constituency of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan (national legislature). It is located in Okinawa Prefecture and encompasses the cities of Miyakojima, Ishigaki, Itoman, Tomigusuku, Nanj\u014d, the village of Tarama, Yaeyama District and parts of Shimajiri District (Haebaru, Yaese and Yonabaru). The district was formed after the 2002 national electoral district review assigned Okinawa an extra district. Constituency cities and towns in the 1st and 2nd district were reassigned to form the 4th district. As of 2016, 286,832 eligible voters were registered in the district.  The district is currently represented by K\u014dsabur\u014d Nishime of the Liberal Democratic Party."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Actors School", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Airakuen Sanatorium", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa Airakuen Sanatorium, (National Sanatorium Okinawa Airakuen) is a sanatorium for leprosy patients or ex-leprosy patients at Sumuide, Nago, Okinawa, Japan that was established in 1938."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Arena", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa Arena, also provisionally known as the Okinawa City Multi-Purpose Arena, is an indoor arena under construction in Okinawa City, Japan. It will be one of the venues of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Plans to build the Okinawa arena were made as early as 2015. In 2016, it was announced that the sports venue will be built over the site occupied by the Okinawa City bullfighting ring next to the Koza Sports Park. Sachiyo Kuwae, the city mayor, unveiled the master plan for the 10,000-person-capacity multipurpose arena on 12 July 2016. The facility will have five stories above ground and will have a parking area for 1,000 vehicles."}, {"context": " The Okinawa Arena will have a total area of . Its estimated total cost, including its parking facilities, is 17 billion yen. Demolition of the bullfighting ring was planned to commence in 2017 and was followed by the construction of the arena building itself. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 25, 2018 and is planned to open by September 2020. The Okinawa Arena is planned to be the home venue of the Ryukyu Golden Kings professional basketball team and is also meant to the primary events venue of Okinawa City.  It will be Japan's sole venue in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup which will also be co-hosted by the Philippines and Indonesia."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Bulletins", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa Bulletins were a two-part series of films made by the United States Marine Corps documenting the Battle of Okinawa in the summer of 1945. The first installment follows the American servicemen from the landings at Okinawa to the beginning of the siege at Naha. The first installment covers the surrender, and evacuation of Okinawan civilians, the taking of the hill country and the capture of some Japanese kamikaze planes and torpedoes. The mass suicides of the Okinawans is never mentioned."}, {"context": " The second installment covers the siege and capture of Naha, and the final fight against Japanese resistance in the extreme north of the island. It shows some of the Japanese suicides, as well as the few prisoners who were taken after fierce resistance. The film notes that of the 90,000 Japanese soldiers on the island, only 8,000 were taken prisoner. The film ends showing the runways and telling the audience that Okinawa was an important air and sea base for operation against the Japanese homeland."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Cellular Stadium", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa Cellular Stadium, originally known as Naha City Ohnoyama Baseball Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Naha, Japan. It is currently used mostly for baseball matches. The stadium was originally opened in 1959, but was renovated in 2010. It has a capacity of 30,000 spectators."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Centenarian Study", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa Centenarian Study is a study of the elderly people of Okinawa, Japan. The study, funded by Japan's ministry of health, is the largest of its kind ever carried out. Over the years, the scientists involved have had access to more than 600 Okinawan centenarians. The elderly of Okinawa enjoy what may be the longest life-expectancy in the world, and are also known for enjoying the relatively good health while doing so. The three leading killers in the West\u2014coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer\u2014occur in Okinawans with the lowest frequency in the world.  The goal of the study is to find out why this is the case. Compared to Westerners, the islanders age slowly and are about 80% less likely to get heart disease. They're also a quarter less likely to get breast or prostate cancer. In addition, they have half the risk of getting colon cancer and are less likely than Westerners to get dementia. On average they spend 97% of their lives free of any disabilities."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Christian Gospel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa Christian Gospel () is an independent Japanese church founded by Nakahara Masao (\u4ef2\u539f\u6b63\u592b) in 1977. Nakahara Masao was born in the town of Itoman on the main island of Okinawa in 1948. His father died when he was still a young child and he grew up in reather difficult circumstances. Following high school he moved to Kyoto and enrolled in a professional school in order to obtain credentials as a radiologist. It was while he was in Kyoto that he began to attend services at a Plymouth Brethren Church. Within three months he converted to the Christian faith and received baptism. Nakahara returned to Okinawa to work as a radiologist in a local hospital. In 1977 an experience of divine healing and revelation from God led him to resign from his position as a Radiographer to devote the remainder of his life to evangelistic work. His independent Christian fellowship grew rapidly and in less than twenty years had six branch churches, two mission outreach centers, and a membership of approximately 1,500. the movement also maintains several residences to care for individuals who are troubled by various spiritual and psychological problems. This is a charismatic movement in which the practices of speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, and exorcism play a central role."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Christian Junior College", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Christian School International", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI) is a school located in Yomitan, Okinawa, Japan. OCSI was established in 1957 to provide an English-language K-12 education for the children of American missionaries. During the first year, Esther Austin taught a class of 11 children in an unused building at the Far East Broadcasting Network's facility in Chatan. The purpose of the school was broadened to include children of non-Christian and non-church-affiliated families in the first few years. The school eventually moved into a more permanent facility on present-day Camp Lester (then called Camp Kuwae) consisting of two Quonset huts. OCSI purchased land on \"Hacksaw Ridge\" in Urasoe City, a site of fierce fighting during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. By 1965 students moved into a new, larger school facility. Shortly after this expansion OCSI celebrated its first commencement when the graduating class of 1969 received their high school diplomas. By 1986, OCSI was looking to expand again, and by 1996 a new campus overlooking the East China Sea in Yomitan Village was purchased. OCSI began classes in the new facility in the 1996-1997 school year."}, {"context": " OCSI, with over 400 PK-12 students, has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1981, and by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) since 1992. OCSI uses a curriculum that is based on an American approach and a Christian philosophy of education. The course sequence and content is very similar to U.S. schools. The school colors are white, red, and black. OCSI has a full-size gym with a newly remodeled fitness center. Next to the gym is a full-size soccer field.  OCSI competes in the following sports:"}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Christian University", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is located within the Ocean Expo Park in Okinawa, Japan. It welcomed its 20 millionth visitor on 30 March 2010 and is a member of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA). It was the largest aquarium in the world until it was surpassed by the Georgia Aquarium in 2005. The aquarium has the theme of \u201cEncounter the Okinawan Sea\u201d. In 1975, the World's Exposition or World's Fair was held in Okinawa, Japan at the Ocean Expo Park. Afterward, the park began to lose tourism and it was believed that a new aquarium would help revive the area and celebrate Okinawa's marine tradition. The aquarium was designed by Yukifusa Kokuba and was opened on 1 November 2002."}, {"context": " \"Churaumi\" was selected as the name of the aquarium by public vote amongst Japanese people. \"Chura\" means \"beautiful\" or \"graceful\" in the Okinawan language, and \"umi\" means \"ocean\" in Japanese. The aquarium is a part of the Ocean Expo Park located in Motobu, Okinawa. The aquarium is made up of four floors, with tanks containing deep sea creatures, sharks, coral and tropical fish. The aquarium is set on 19,000 m of land, with a total of 77 tanks containing 10,000 m of water. Water for the saltwater exhibits is pumped into the aquarium from a source 350\u00a0m offshore, 24 hours a day."}, {"context": " The main tank, called the Kuroshio Sea, is long, wide and deep. It holds of water and features an acrylic glass panel measuring with a thickness of , the largest such panel in the world when the aquarium was opened. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept alongside many other fish species in the main tank. The first manta ray birth at the aquarium was in 2007. As of July 2010, there have been a total of four manta rays born in the aquarium. The aquarium holds 80 species of coral. It is one of only a few aquariums that keeps whale sharks in captivity, and is currently trying to breed them."}, {"context": " Close to the Aquarium there are two different dolphin shows in which viewers can touch them and watch them perform in a show. They are bottlenose dolphin and false killer whale. There is also a manatee exhibit featuring manatees presented to the aquarium by the Mexican government. A recently closed exhibit featured assorted sharks. There is also Emerald Beach which is accessible by the 200 yen tram. Ocean Expo Park which holds the aquarium also has a selection of other activities. A native Okinawan Museum, Oceanic Culture Museum, Tropical Dream Center, and a Tropical & Subtropical Arboretum to a historic village."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa City Gymnasium", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa City Gymnasium is an arena in Okinawa, Okinawa, Japan. It is the home arena of the Ryukyu Golden Kings of the B.League, Japan's professional basketball league."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa City Stadium", "paragraphs": [{"context": " It is one of the home stadium of football club FC Ryukyu."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Convention Center", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is a multi-purpose convention center in the city of Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. They opened in 1987. It has a capacity of 5,000. It is the former home arena of the Ryukyu Golden Kings basketball team."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Development Finance Corporation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa Development Finance Corporation (ODFC), \"Okinawa Shink\u014d Kaihatsu Kin'y\u016b K\u014dko\" (\u6c96\u7e04\u632f\u8208\u958b\u767a\u91d1\u878d\u516c\u5eab), is a Policy-based financial services institution. ODFC's headquarters are located in Tokyo, Japan. The ODFC's key role is to promote the development of industries in Okinawa. This is through the provision of long-term loans and other financial facilities to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the island that are in the agriculture, housing, forestry, fishery and medical industries. The ODFC will also finance citizens who have met difficulties obtaining funding from private financial institutions. Through such financial assistance, the ODFC aims to vitalize the local economy of Okinawa and aid in the development of the local society."}, {"context": " The Okinawa Development Finance Corporation was established on May 15, 1972 with the passing of the Okinawa Development Finance Corporation Law. This law was established along with Okinawa's return to Japan from American military occupation in order to carry out a unified and comprehensive policy-oriented financing in Okinawa. The ODFC's objective was also to fill the socio-economic gaps that existed between Okinawa and mainland Japan. The Law led to the consolidation of the following special public corporations into the then newly formed ODFC:"}, {"context": " , the ODFC has lent out \u00a5 946.3 billion and \u00a5 4.2 billion in loans and investments respectively, 211 employees and 6 Offices. ODFC is wholly owned by the Government of Japan through the Ministry of Finance. The Okinawa Development Finance Corporation is governed by six person board of directors. The board consists of Chairman, a Vice Chairman, three directors and an auditor. The Chairman and auditor are appointed by the Minister of Finance while the Vice Chairman and directors are appointed by the chairman but approved by the minister."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Electric Power Company", "paragraphs": [{"context": " , OEPC or for short, is an electric utility with its exclusive operational area of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the smallest by electricity sales among Japan\u2019s ten regional power utilities, indeed, its electricity sales is approximately \u2044 of that of The Tokyo Electric Power Company, though it is the largest by revenue among companies headquartered in Okinawa."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Expressway", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The E58 is an expressway on Okinawa Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The expressway has a length of 57.3\u00a0km. West Nippon Expressway Company operates this expressway. The toll from end to end is 1020 yen. For comparison, the Tomei and Tohoku Expressways radiating from Tokyo have tolls of 1650 yen for similar distances. In 2002, an average of 23,910 vehicles per day used the expressway. This was a 5.6% increase from the previous year. This is the only expressway in Japan having more than 20% Keicar traffic; the national average is 7.3%."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is an interdisciplinary graduate school located in Onna, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The school offers a 5-year PhD program in Science. Over half of the faculty and students are recruited from outside Japan, and all education and research is conducted entirely in English. OIST relies on public subsidies paid by the Japanese government. The government subsidy for OIST comes in two areas: a subsidy for operations and a subsidy for facilities. The PhD program is taught entirely in English and is individually tailored to each student. Students are encouraged to focus their research on cross-disciplinary areas of studies."}, {"context": " In June 2001 K\u014dji Omi, former Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs and former Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, announced plans to establish a new graduate university in Okinawa. A Board of Governors was appointed in 2004 and the following year, the Diet recognized OIST as an \"Independent Administrative Institution\". The first batch of students were welcomed in September 2012 after receiving approval. The research community consists of faculty and researchers divided into \"units\" based on area of study. The university has no departments\u2014OIST researchers conduct multi-disciplinary research in Physics, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Marine Science, Environmental and Ecological Sciences, Mathematical and Computational Sciences, and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa International Movie Festival", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa International Movie Festival is an annual Film Festival held in Ginowan City and Naha City on the Japanese island of Okinawa Island. The festival was founded by Japanese century-old comedy-entertainment giant Yoshimoto Kogyo in 2009 and focuses on comedy films from around the world, with the theme of \"Laugh & Peace\". It is held each year at the Okinawa Convention Center and Sakurazaka Theater with indoor and outdoor screenings of film premieres and recent movies from Japan and abroad. It also hosts fashion, music and trade shows and has been likened to a Japanese \"matsuri\" in atmosphere."}, {"context": " The most prestigious award given out at the Okinawa International Movie Festival is the \"Golden Shisa Award\" for the best film, selected by a jury. The 8th Okinawa International Film Festival was held from April 21, 2016 until April 24, 2016. The concept for the festival was inspired by a visit to Cannes Film Festival by Yoshimoto Kogyo CEO Hiroshi Osaki. While watching the premiere of Hitoshi Matsumoto's \"Dai Nipponjin\" he considered that the cost of making a film was higher than of putting on a festival, and so to allow people to enjoy watching films, perhaps his company could arrange their own."}, {"context": " Yoshimoto Kogyo, which was started by Sei and Kichibei Yoshimoto in 1912 with a \"rakugo\" theater in the grounds Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka, had been expanding throughout the 2000s with hundreds of new comedians graduating each year from New Star Creation, Yoshimoto's entertainment school. In addition it had spread out to manage athletes, producers and musicians, and two theatres in each of Tokyo and Osaka. With Busan Film Festival director Kim Dong-ho as a patron for the Okinawa International Movie Festival, he was able to give valuable advice while other staff brought expertise from Tokyo International Film Festival. The 1st Okinawa International Movie Festival took place over four days from March 19\u201322, 2009 at the American Village at Mihama Chatan-cho in Okinawa City."}, {"context": " The location of Okinawa was selected for its natural beauty by the sea in order to replicate the atmosphere of Cannes, but with comedy at its heart. Before each screening, every film is introduced by one of comedy agency giant and organizer Yoshimoto Kogyo's comedians. The festival's largest screen is shipped over from Sweden and placed directly on the beach at Okinawa Convention Center. It measures just under 30m wide and 15m tall. The Okinawa International Movie Festival is organised into two main sections:"}, {"context": " Prior to the beginning of each event, the Festival's board of directors appoints the juries who hold sole responsibility for choosing which films will receive a Cannes award. Jurors are chosen from a wide range of international artists, based on their body of work and respect from their peers. The most prestigious award given out at the Okinawa International Movie Festival is the \"Golden Shisa Award\" for the best film. In addition the Uminchu Prize Grand Prix is awarded to the best film in each of the two categories."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa International University", "paragraphs": [{"context": " , is a private university in Ginowan, Okinawa, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1959, and it was chartered as a university in 1972."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa International University Junior College", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The institute was founded in 1972\uff0cclosed in 1999."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Island", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa has been a critical strategic location for the United States Armed Forces since the end of World War II. The island hosts around 26,000 US military personnel, about half of the total complement of the United States Forces Japan, spread among 32 bases and 48 training sites. US bases in Okinawa played critical roles in the Korean War, Vietnam War, War in Afghanistan and Iraq War. The presence of the US military in Okinawa has caused political controversy both on the island and elsewhere in Japan."}, {"context": " Okinawa's population is among the longest living peoples in the world. Residents have less cancer, heart disease and dementia than Americans, while Okinawan women live longer than anywhere else on Earth. Early Okinawan history is defined by midden or shell heap culture, and is divided into Early, Middle, and Late Shell Mound periods. The Early Shell Mound period was a hunter-gatherer society, with wave-like opening J\u014dmon pottery. In the latter part of this period, archaeological sites moved near the seashore, suggesting the engagement of people in fishing. In Okinawa, rice was not cultivated until the Middle Shell Mound period. Shell rings for arms made of shells obtained in the Sakishima Islands, namely Miyakojima and Yaeyama islands, were imported by Japan. In these islands, the presence of shell axes, 2500 years ago, suggests the influence of a southeastern-Pacific culture."}, {"context": " After the Late Shell Mound period, agriculture started about the 12th century, with the center moving from the seashore to higher places. This period is called the Gusuku period. Gusuku is the term used for the distinctive Ryukyuan form of castles or fortresses. Many gusukus and related cultural remains in the Ryukyu Islands have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. There are three perspectives regarding the nature of gusukus: 1) a holy place, 2) dwellings encircled by stones, 3) a castle of a leader of people. In this period, porcelain trade between Okinawa and other countries became busy, and Okinawa became an important relay point in eastern-Asian trade. Ryukyuan kings, such as Shunten and Eiso, were important rulers. An attempted Mongolian invasion in 1291 during the Eiso Dynasty ended in failure. Hiragana was imported from Japan by Ganjin in 1265. \"Noro\", village priestesses of the Ryukyuan religion, appeared."}, {"context": " The Sanzan period began in 1314, when the kingdoms of Hokuzan and Nanzan declared independence from Ch\u016bzan. The three kingdoms competed with one another for recognition and trade with Ming China. King Satto, leading Ch\u016bzan, was very successful, establishing relations with Korea and Southeast Asia as well as China. The Hongwu Emperor sent 36 families from Fujian in 1392 at the request of the Ryukyuan King. Their job was to manage maritime dealings in the kingdom. Many Ryukyuan officials were descended from these Chinese immigrants, being born in China or having Chinese ancestors. They assisted the Ryukyuans in developing their technology and diplomatic relations. In 1407, however, a man named Hashi overthrew Satto's descendant, King Bunei, and installed his own father, Shish\u014d, as king of Ch\u016bzan. After his father died, Hashi became king, and the Xuande Emperor of China gave him the surname \"Sh\u014d\" (Chinese: Shang)."}, {"context": " In 1429, King Sh\u014d Hashi completed the unification of the three kingdoms and founded the Ry\u016bky\u016b Kingdom with its capital at Shuri Castle. His descendants would conquer the Amami Islands. In 1469, King Sh\u014d Taiky\u016b died, so the royal government chose a man named Kanemaru as the new king, who chose the name Sh\u014d En and established the Second Sh\u014d Dynasty. His son, Sh\u014d Shin would then conquer the Sakishima Islands and centralize the royal government, the military, and the noro priestesses. In 1609, the Japanese domain of Satsuma launched an invasion of the Ryukyu Kingdom, ultimately capturing the king and his capital after a long struggle. Ryukyu was forced to cede the Amami Islands and become a vassal of Satsuma. The kingdom became both a tributary of China and a tributary of Japan. Because China would not make a formal trade agreement unless a country was a tributary state, the kingdom was a convenient loophole for Japanese trade with China. When Japan officially closed off trade with European nations except the Dutch, Nagasaki, Tsushima, and Kagoshima became the only Japanese trading ports offering connections with the outside world."}, {"context": " A number of Europeans visited Ryukyu starting in the late 18th century. The most important visits to Okinawa were from Captain Basil Chamberlain in 1816 and Commodore Matthew C. Perry in 1852. A Christian missionary, Bernard Jean Bettelheim, lived in the Gokoku-ji temple in Naha from 1846 to 1854. In 1879, Japan annexed the entire Ryukyu archipelago. The Meiji government then established Okinawa Prefecture. The monarchy in Shuri was abolished and the deposed king Sh\u014d Tai (1843\u20131901) was forced to relocate to Tokyo."}, {"context": " Hostility against Japan increased in the islands immediately after the annexation in part because of the systematic attempt on the part of Japan to eliminate Ryukyuan culture, including the language, religion, and cultural practices. The island of Okinawa was the site of most of the ground warfare in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II, when U.S. Army and Marine Corps troops fought a long and bloody battle to capture Okinawa, so it could next be used as the major air force and troop base for the planned invasion of Japan. During this 82-day-long battle, about 95,000 Imperial Japanese Army troops and 12,510 Americans were killed. The Cornerstone of Peace at the Okinawa Prefecture Memorial Peace Park lists 149,193 persons of Okinawan origin \u2013 approximately one quarter of the civilian population \u2013 who either were killed or committed suicide during the Battle of Okinawa and the Pacific War."}, {"context": " During the American military occupation of Japan (1945\u201352), which followed the Imperial Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay, the United States controlled Okinawa Island and the rest of the Ryukyu Islands. The Amami Islands were returned to Japanese control in 1953, but the rest remained in American military possession until June 17, 1972, with numerous U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force bases there. As of September, 2009, the Japanese government estimates the population at 1,384,762, which includes American military personnel and their families. The Okinawan language, called \"Uchinaaguchi\", is spoken mostly by the elderly. But several local groups promote the use of the Okinawan language by younger people."}, {"context": " Whereas the northern half of Okinawa Island is sparsely populated, the south-central and southern parts of the island are markedly urbanized\u2014particularly the city of Naha and the urban corridor stretching north from there to Okinawa City. Okinawa is the fifth largest island in Japan (excluding the disputed islands north of Hokkaido). The island has an area of . It is roughly south of the rest of Japan. The island is connected to nearby islands by a land bridge: Yokatsu Peninsula (aka Katsuren Peninsula) is connected via the Mid-Sea Road to Henza Island, Miyagi Island, Ikei Island, and Hamahiga Island. Similarly, from the Motobu Peninsula on the northwestern side, all of Sesokojima, plus both of Yagaji Island and K\u014dri-jima are connected by bridges. Okinawa Island has multiple beaches such as Manza Beach, Emerald Beach, Okuma Beach, Zanpa Beach, Moon Beach and Sunset Beach."}, {"context": " The southern end of the island consists of uplifted coral reef, whereas the northern half has proportionally more igneous rock. The easily eroded limestone of the south has many caves, the most famous of which is Gyokusend\u014d in Nanj\u014d. An 850\u00a0m-long stretch is open to tourists. In the forests of Yanbaru, there are a small number of endemic Yanbaru kuina (also known as the Okinawa rail), a small flightless bird that is close to extinction. The critically endangered Okinawa woodpecker is also endemic on this island."}, {"context": " The Indian mongoose was introduced to the island to prevent the native habu pit viper from attacking the birds. It did not succeed in eliminating the habu, but instead preyed on birds, increasing the threat to the Okinawa rail. The island has a humid subtropical climate bordering on a tropical rainforest climate. The island supports a dense northern forest and a rainy season occurring in the late spring. There are many local pubs (\"izakaya\") and cafes that serve Okinawan cuisine and dishes, such as \"g\u014dy\u0101 chanpur\u016b\" (bitter melon stir fry), \"fu chanpur\u016b\" (wheat gluten chanpur\u016b), and \"tonkatsu\" (tenderized, breaded, fried pork cutlet). Okinawan soba is the signature dish and consists of wheat noodles served hot in a soup, usually with pork (rib or pork belly). This contrasts with the mainland soba, which is buckwheat noodles. Rafute, which is braised pork belly, is another popular Okinawan dish. American presence on the island has also led to some creative dishes such as taco rice, which is now a common meal served in bentos, and common use of spam."}, {"context": " Among the prefectures of Japan, Okinawa has the youngest and fastest-growing population, but has the lowest employment rate and average income. The island economy is primarily driven by tourism and the US military presence, with efforts in recent years to diversify into other sectors. Tourist attractions include Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (at one time the world's largest aquarium), Century Beach, Pineapple Park, the Orion Beer Factory and Hiji Falls. In recent years, Okinawa has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists from China and Southeast Asia."}, {"context": " There are 32 U.S. military bases located on Okinawa Island. In total, these bases occupy approximately 25% of the island's area. The major bases are Futenma, Kadena, Hansen, Torii, Schwab, Foster, and Kinser. The bases primarily exist to serve Japanese and U.S. strategic interests, but are unpopular with most local residents, despite recent efforts to move the bases out of core areas following incidents involving military personnel and resultant protests (including the 1995 Okinawa rape incident)."}, {"context": " Economically, the bases have been of declining importance, especially after Okinawan sovereignty returned to Japan, recently accounting for 4 to 5% of the island economy, but the economic impact may be double edged, as the presence of the bases may be hampering investment (and tourism potential). In 2012, an agreement was struck between the United States and Japan to reduce the number of U.S. military personnel on the island, moving 9,000 personnel to other locations and moving bases out of heavily populated Greater Naha, but 10,000 marines will remain on the island, along with other U.S. military units. Attempts to completely close bases on the southern third of the island, where 90% of the population lives (all but about 120,000 people) have been impeded by both the U.S. desire that alternative locations be found where bases subject to closure could move to (e.g. Henoko Peninsula roughly mid-island), as well as by local Okinawan opposition to any suggested locations on the island (who demand no US troops at all anywhere on the island). There exists also a smaller contingent of Japanese military bases on the island, whom the local Okinawans also view as colonizers. Tokyo itself has a different view of the situation from that of local residents, who complain that despite being home to less than 1% of Japan's population and area, Okinawa hosts the majority of the U.S. military presence in Japan. In late December 2013, the governor of Okinawa, Hirokazu Nakaima, gave permission for land reclamation to begin for a new U.S. military base at Henoko reneging on previous promises, furthering the effort to consolidate the American troop presence on the island, though away from urban Naha. This resulted in his loss of the governorship."}, {"context": " Several former US military facilities in Okinawa have been re-developed as commercial areas, most notably the American Village in Chatan, Okinawa, which opened in 1998, and the Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom in Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa, which opened in 2015. Naha Airport is the main transportation hub for the Ryukyu Islands and has an increasingly large role in regional logistics. All Nippon Airways opened a cargo hub at the airport in 2009, providing overnight freight service between Japan and other Asian countries."}, {"context": " Naha Airport serves the island. There are multiple bus companies, such as Toyo Bus, Ryukyu Bus Kotsu, Naha Bus, and Okinawa Bus. There is also a monorail. The Okinawa Expressway is a toll road that runs from Naha to Nago, and has a speed limit of , the highest on the island. There are also many ferries to many of the nearby islands, such as Ie Shima. Tomarin Port in Naha, has ferries to nearby islands such as Aguni, Tokashiki and Zamami. \"Teahouse of the August Moon\" (1956), starring Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford, was based on the hit Broadway play. The storyline of the play and the film were set in Okinawa, but actual filming took place in mainland Japan near Nara and in a studio in California."}, {"context": " Okinawa was the setting for the 1974 Japanese science fiction kaiju film \"Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla\", which featured a shisa dog as one of the monsters in the film; due to an awkward translation from Japanese to English, this monster is known in the film as King Caesar. Several scenes were filmed in the then-recently discovered Gyokusendo caves. Okinawa was also the setting for the 1986 film \"The Karate Kid, Part II\", in which Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) returns home to Okinawa with his student Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). Although Okinawa was the setting for the film, only short scenes of the film were actually filmed in Okinawa.  Okinawa was the setting of the World War II fighting in the 2016 movie \"Hacksaw Ridge\", detailing the true story of US soldier Desmond Doss. Okinawa was the setting for the horror anime series \"Blood+\" and sports manga \"Harukana Receive\". Okinawa was also the setting for the 2018 Japanese superhero kaiju film \"Ultraman Geed the Movie\"."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Islands", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The (Okinawan: \"Uchinaa\", informally \"Churaashima\" \"beautiful island\", Kunigami: \"Fuchinaa\") are an island group in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and are the principal island group of the prefecture. The Okinawa Islands are part of the larger Ryukyu Islands group, and are located between the Amami Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture to the northeast and the Sakishima Islands of Okinawa Prefecture to the southwest. The Okinawa Islands, apart from the four main islands, contain three smaller island groups: the Kerama, Yokatsu, and Iheya-Izena island groups."}, {"context": " The Okinawa Islands are the political, cultural and population center of Okinawa Prefecture. The prefectural capital of Naha is within the island group. 90% of the population of the prefecture reside within the Okinawa Islands, primarily on the largest island of the group, Okinawa Island. Access to the various Okinawa Islands is primarily via small airports which connect to Naha Airport. Additionally, the islands are connected via ferry service to the Port of Naha in the prefectural capital. The Okinawa Islands are within the subtropical climate zone, which supports the production of sugarcane, pineapples and cut flowers. The military bases of the United States in Okinawa Prefecture are located on the Okinawa Islands.  Historically the rule of the Ryukyu Kingdom, centered on Okinawa Island, consolidated the Okinawa Islands before spreading south to the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands and north to Amami \u014cshima."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Kariyushi FC", "paragraphs": [{"context": " In 1999, it was established as the football club of \"Kariyushi Hotel Group\", the largest hotel group in Okinawa Prefecture. Show a good fight to win second place in the \"Okinawa Times Cup Prefecture Football Championship\" which was also the Emperor's Cup Okinawa Preliminary tournament for that year. After that, they won the \"Okinawa TV Cup Prefecture Social League Games\". The team began to aim for J-League participation in earnest in 2001, when they ran the first division of prefectural society league. While inviting former Verdy Kawasaki's Ramos Ruwei as a player and technical advisor and organizing the team as a \"Kariyushi Football Club of Okinawa Kariyushi\", the satellite organization of \"Kariyushi Saussha\" (affiliated to the Prefectural Social League) established a youth organization. In the same year, they played for the first time as Okinawa Prefecture representative in the 81st Emperor's Cup, and will be the Emperor's Cup Okinawa Prefecture for the third consecutive year from that same year."}, {"context": " In 2002 they won the Kyushu Football League and moved to the regional league final tournament where JFL promotion took place but it was unfortunately lost in the preliminary round. At that time, a group players including Ramos left and formed a new team FC Ryukyu after a huge disagreement, and the team was in danger of survival. Next year, 2003 started with a lot of new players and director Hisaku Kato aiming for JFL entrance of the wish and entering the future J League, but as long as the year 2004 was sponsored, Kariyoshi's sponsorship was discontinued and the same year 9 in the month following Mr. Kato announced that all the 27 belonging players of that time will leave. At the national soccer football championship held in October of the same year, Honda Ruminoscso Sayama FC (a team of Saitama Manufacturing Co., Ltd.'s Hayato Saitama factory and Sayama factory) struggled to death and ended with a 0-0 equal tie Because it was not done because it was not done), it decorated the victory."}, {"context": " In 2005, we decided to continue the reorganization of the team centred on the satellite organization \"Kariyushi Saussha\" belonging to the team and to continue participating in the Kyushu league. In the same year, the youth organization was converted into a specified nonprofit corporation as \" Vicksare Okinawa \". In 2007, we won the first time in four years since 2003, the right to participate in the 87th Emperor Cup . Despite having competitors such as JFL affiliated FC Ryukyu and the Kyushu League affiliated Okinawa Tokai Bank, they have secured the main competition right for the third consecutive year from that same year."}, {"context": " However, after the end of the season of this year, he did not pay payment paid to de facto professional athletes, but strengthened its policy to bear the cost of away away (expedition in seven other prefectures of Kyushu). Because the burden of the operation cost of the team is increasing year by year, we will work on cost reduction measures to survive the team, \"at least repaying debts in the three-year plan until 2010 and only surviving in the Kyushu league\". In 2008, which was the first year of the reconstruction three-year plan, I played the Kyushu League winning 5 seasons for the first time in the Kyushu league and played the regional league final match, but in the first round 3 races Honda Rock (the same year Kyushu Football League 3, ranked at the top at the national soccer football championships to win the competition). With this, the team became the lowest in the first round and lost, Honda Rock of the opponent became 1st place in the league by this victory, finally ended up as a contrasting result of 2009 promotion of JFL ."}, {"context": " In 2009, he played the Kyushu Football League consecutive winning streak since the 2002 and 2003 seasons, but he decided to advance to the regional league final for the second consecutive year, but he lost the preliminary round for the second consecutive year and promoted JFL Missed. Immediately after that announced on 10 December 2009, the club will be dissolved at the end of January 2010. Regarding the reason, President Shigeru Yuanaga noted that it costs around 5000-60 million yen a year for the operating expenses such as player payment and expedition fee, \"The biggest reason is not to be able to make operating expenses, Before entering the J League, not only can not JFL promotion be fulfilled, but the team has become a de facto holiday without waiting for the final year of the team reconstruction three-year plan. The club advanced the negotiations with companies inside and outside the prefecture on the premise of survival, but it was suggested that the company could not return to the Kyushu league if it could not find a company to become a receiver within the prescribed period.\" Some of the affiliated persons have previously moved to FC Ryukyu separated and independent from Kariyushi.  \"Kariyushi\" is the word in local dialect meaning \"happiness\" and \"auspicious things\". \"I will aim for the local people's dreams and hopes, and aim for a team to give vitality\" was the teams motto. Team colours were Orange and Marine Blue, representing the sun and the sea of Okinawa. Goalkeeping kits were green (home) and yellow (away)."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Marine", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa Marine was the weekly publication produced by the United States Marine Corps public affairs office headquartered at Camp Butler, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan and distributed free to all military bases in Okinawa. It provided information on U.S. facilities and activities in and around Okinawa Island. The newspaper included area guide, living information, weather, and public affairs. The final edition was published on Feb 28, 2014. http://issuu.com/okinawamarine/docs/20140228lowlinks"}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Memorial Day", "paragraphs": [{"context": " In the Battle of Okinawa, Japanese soldiers as well as inhabitants, were pushed into the Southern border of Okinawa and Mitsuru Ushijima and Isamu Ch\u014d, top generals committed suicide on June 22 or 23, 1945. During the occupation of Japan, in 1961, Okinawa Memorial Day was made a holiday by the Government of the Ryukyu Islands in order to remember and pray for their family members and relatives who were killed during the Battle of Okinawa. In 1972, when Okinawa was returned to Japan, Okinawa Memorial Day lost its recognition as a holiday, but this was restored by the prefectural government in 1991. In Okinawa, it is treated like one of the Japanese national public holidays."}, {"context": " The Cornerstone of Peace is a monument in Itoman commemorating the Battle of Okinawa and the role of Okinawa during World War II. The names of over two hundred and forty thousand people who lost their lives are inscribed on the memorial. It was unveiled on June 23, 1995, in memory of the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa and the end of World War II at Mabuni, Okinawa. It was erected to: (1) Remember those lost in the war, and pray for peace; (2) Pass on the lessons of war; and (3) Serve as a place for meditation and learning. Another expression is Okinawa Peace Park. On June 23, or Okinawa Memorial Day, memorial services are held every year with the attendance of the prime minister."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Meteorological Observatory", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is a JMA located in Naha, Okinawa. It is responsible for weather services in Okinawa region and operates three Local Meteorological Observatories as well as an Aviation Weather Station."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Open", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa Open was a men's professional golf tournament that was co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour. It was played each December from 2002 to 2005 and counted as the first official money event of the following season for both tours, that is for example the 2005 event was part of the 2006 season. The first two events were sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour only, and co-sanctioning began in 2004. It was the only co-sanctioned event on the Japan Golf Tour. The Asian Tour also co-sanctions several events with the European Tour. The prize fund was US$830,000 each of the first two years.  Asia Japan Okinawa Open<br> \"Main listing is year played; the year in brackets is the relevant season.\" Fancl Open in Okinawa Fancl Okinawa Open DDI Group Okinawa Open Daikyo Open Ocean Expo Golf Tournament Okinawa TV Cup Okinawa Classic Okinawa Open"}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Plate", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa Plate is a minor tectonic plate in the northern and eastern hemispheres stretching from the northern end of Taiwan to the southern tip of the island of Ky\u016bsh\u016b. To the east lies the Ryukyu Trench and the Pacific Plate. It is separated from the Yangtze Plate (sometimes considered part of the Eurasian Plate) by a rift that forms the Okinawa Trough which is a Back arc basin. Bird, P. (2003) An updated digital model of plate boundaries, Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 4(3), 1027, ."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefectural Assembly", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is the prefectural parliament of Okinawa. Its 48 members are elected every four years in 14 districts by single non-transferable vote (SNTV). 13 electoral districts are multi-member district, one district is a single-member district where SNTV becomes equivalent to First-past-the-post voting. The assembly is responsible for enacting and amending prefectural ordinances, approving the budget and voting on important administrative appointments made by the governor including the vice-governors."}, {"context": " Unlike most mainland prefectural assemblies (Hokkaid\u014d is another exception) the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly was not in existence continuously since 1878. After the Battle of Okinawa, the United States military governed the prefecture. The civilian branch of the military government was the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands; a was created in 1952. After Okinawa's return to the mainland in 1972, the Prefectural Assembly was restored. Since then, it had been one of three prefectures in the country that do not elect their assemblies in unified local elections (last round: 2011), the other two being Ibaraki and Tokyo (In 2011, another three prefectures hit by the Great East Japan earthquake postponed their elections).  As of 2017, the assembly was composed as follows: Most electoral districts in Okinawa correspond to current cities or former counties (the counties, abolished as administrative unit in 1921, had initially by definition served as electoral districts for prefectural assemblies in the Empire)."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education is the prefectural education agency of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. The board oversees municipal school districts in Okinawa and directly operates many high schools."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefectural College of Nursing", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefectural Library", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefectural Museum", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is a museum in the most southern prefecture of Japan. The museum complex in the Omoro-machi area of Naha, the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture. It opened in November 2007, and includes art, history, and natural history museums focusing specifically on Okinawan topics. The museum building, constructed largely of local Okinawan limestone, was designed with the imagery of Okinawa's \"gusuku\" (castles) in mind. It contains roughly 24,000 square meters of floor space on its four above-ground levels and one basement level. The art museum and history/natural history museum are located on opposite sides of a common lobby, and visitors can buy admission to one or the other, or a combination ticket."}, {"context": " The Okinawa Prefectural Museum was originally established in May 1972, as a matter of course following the end of the US Occupation of Okinawa and its return to Japan, being primarily a renaming and reorganization of the Ryukyu Governmental Museum (\u7409\u7403\u653f\u5e9c\u7acb\u535a\u7269\u9928) established in 1946. It was based in the \u014cnaka-ch\u014d neighborhood of Shuri, near Shuri Castle, and was closed in 2007, moving to the new site. The museum in its former incarnation focused upon Okinawan history, natural history, folk life, and related topics. The art museum included on the new site is the first prefectural art museum in Okinawa."}, {"context": " The gardens in front of the museum include reproductions of two traditional-style Okinawan buildings - a thatch-roofed storehouse, and a traditional-style tile-roofed home - along with a number of \"shisa\" statues and other items representing Okinawa's tradition of pottery and ceramics. A sculpture garden located behind the museum features large contemporary artworks, and opens onto a large public park, Shintoshin Park. The Natural History section of the museum is entered via a glass-floored walkway designed to look as though one is walking over coral, approaching an island. A large wrap-around screen shows short films about the geological origins of the Ryukyu Islands and about its natural environment, flora, and fauna. Several rooms cover a variety of aspects of the islands' natural environment, including numerous specimens of the islands' flora and fauna, a discussion of the dangers facing coral reefs and endangered species, and Minatogawa man, the oldest \"Homo sapiens\" specimen found in East Asia."}, {"context": " The History section is organized around a large map of the Ryukyu archipelago projected onto the floor and connected into a number of computer terminals allowing visitors to explore aspects of individual islands, including satellite photographs of famous sites, native flora and fauna, and local culture. The several rooms of the history section of the museum cover the entire history of the Ryukyus, from early J\u014dmon period culture through the return to Japanese sovereignty following the US Occupation. Numerous artifacts, art objects, and reproductions thereof are employed to illustrate the historical topics."}, {"context": " The Art Museum includes spaces for special temporary exhibits along with galleries displaying objects from the museum's collection. The exhibitions focus on early modern and contemporary artworks by Okinawan artists, those relating to or associated with Okinawa in some way, and a number of other works by Japanese, other Asian, and American artists. The permanent exhibits are rotated three to four times a year. In addition to the main exhibit halls, cafe, museum shop, and auditorium, the museum includes an extensive library, and a where visitors can explore aspects of Okinawa's natural environment and folk culture in a hands-on manner, including traditional clothing, musical instruments such as the sanshin, and a variety of puzzles and games. The museum also hosts a variety of events, including live performances, lectures, and films."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum", "paragraphs": [{"context": " During World War II, the United States invaded the Ryukyu Islands to use as a staging area for the Invasion of Japan. Fighting occurred between March and September of 1945, resulting in over 250,000 casualties, including 150,000 Okinawan civilians. The Battle of Okinawa has been described as the deadliest battle of the war. The United States controlled the islands until 1972, when they were returned to Japan and Okinawa Prefecture was reestablished. The Peace Memorial Museam, Peace Prayer Park, and the Cornerstone of Peace were established in 1975 on Mabuni Hill, next to the \u201cSuicide Cliffs\u201d where the Battle of Okinawa ended. The Cornerstone of Peace is a semi-circular avenue of stones engraved with the names of all the dead from the Battle of Okinawa, organized by nationality (or by ethnicity for Chinese, Taiwanese, Koreans, and Okinawans). The Memorial Path includes 32 memorial monuments as well as the place where Lieutenant General Ushima committed suicide. There are a number of separate memorials including the Okinawa Peace Hall, a large tower erected in 1978, and individual monuments for each Prefecture of Japan."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefectural Railways", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The railway operated following four 762-mm gauge lines as of April 1, 1943: Note: Kohagura and Kokuba were intermediate stations of the Yonabaru Line. The Yonabaru Line opened on December 1, 1914. The freight line to Sanbashi Niatsukaisho opened on July 1, 1917. The Kadena Line and the Itoman Line opened on March 28, 1922 and July 11, 1923 respectively. The railway introduced gasoline railcars in 1930. The number of railcars increased to six by 1938. However, the shortage of gasoline soon resulted in less use of the railcars."}, {"context": " In the preparation stage for the Battle of Okinawa, the railway ceased normal operation on July 10, 1944, when 13,000 men of Imperial Army 9th Division started landing at Naha. From the next day the railway mostly operated trains for the military. After the air raid on October 10, 1944 which destroyed Naha Station as well as two locomotives, four railcars and six coaches, the operation was not resumed until early November. On December 11, 1944, a train on the Itoman Line carrying weapons, ammunition and fuel exploded for unknown reason in Haebaru. About 210 soldiers, eight students and three railway employees on board were killed. By the number of death, this is the deadliest railway accident in the history of Japan."}, {"context": " The attacks by the enemy preceding the landing (April 1, 1945) finally forced the railway operation discontinued by the end of March 1945. The exact date of final operation of the railway is not known. The railway used 12 steam locomotives, six railcars, 52 passenger coaches and 51 freight cars. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 were 0-4-2 locomotives made by Henschel in Germany in 1914. No. 4 was 0-4-0 locomotive made by Nippon Sharyo in Nagoya, Japan in 1921 and was scrapped in 1936. Nos. 6, 7 and 8 were 0-6-0 locomotives made by Orenstein & Koppel in Germany in 1923. Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 were 0-6-0 locomotives made by Avonside Engine Company in England between 1911 and 1913 for the Ishinomaki Line and were bought from the Japanese Government Railways which reconstructed the Ishinomaki Line to gauge in 1920. No. 20 was 0-6-2 locomotive made in Motoe Kikai Works in Toyama, Japan in 1942."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefecture", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Although Okinawa Prefecture comprises just 0.6 percent of Japan's total land mass, about 75 percent of all United States military personnel stationed in Japan are assigned to installations in the prefecture. Currently about 26,000 U.S. troops are based in the prefecture. The oldest evidence of human existence on the Ryukyu islands is from the Stone Age and was discovered in Naha and Yaeyama. Some human bone fragments from the Paleolithic era were unearthed from a site in Naha, but the artifact was lost in transportation before it was examined to be Paleolithic or not. Japanese J\u014dmon influences are dominant on the Okinawa Islands, although clay vessels on the Sakishima Islands have a commonality with those in Taiwan."}, {"context": " The first mention of the word \"Ryukyu\" was written in the \"Book of Sui\". \"Okinawa\" was the Japanese word identifying the islands, first seen in the biography of Jianzhen, written in 779. Agricultural societies begun in the 8th century slowly developed until the 12th century. Since the islands are located at the eastern perimeter of the East China Sea relatively close to Japan, China and South-East Asia, the Ryukyu Kingdom became a prosperous trading nation. Also during this period, many Gusukus, similar to castles, were constructed. The Ryukyu Kingdom entered into the Imperial Chinese tributary system under the Ming dynasty beginning in the 15th century, which established economic relations between the two nations."}, {"context": " In 1609, the Shimazu clan, which controlled the region that is now Kagoshima Prefecture, invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom. The Ryukyu Kingdom was obliged to agree to form a suzerain-vassal relationship with the Satsuma and the Tokugawa shogunate, while maintaining its previous role within the Chinese tributary system; Ryukyuan sovereignty was maintained since complete annexation would have created a conflict with China. The Satsuma clan earned considerable profits from trade with China during a period in which foreign trade was heavily restricted by the shogunate."}, {"context": " Although Satsuma maintained strong influence over the islands, the Ryukyu Kingdom maintained a considerable degree of domestic political freedom for over two hundred years. Four years after the 1868 Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government, through military incursions, officially annexed the kingdom and renamed it Ryukyu han. At the time, the Qing Empire asserted a nominal suzerainty over the islands of the Ryukyu Kingdom, since the Ry\u016bky\u016b Kingdom was also a member state of the Chinese tributary system. Ryukyu han became Okinawa Prefecture of Japan in 1879, even though all other hans had become prefectures of Japan in 1872. In 1912, Okinawans first obtained the right to vote for representatives to the which had been established in 1890."}, {"context": " Near the end of World War II, in 1945, the US Army and Marine Corps invaded Okinawa with 185,000 troops. A third of the civilian population died; a quarter of the civilian population died during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa alone. The dead, of all nationalities, are commemorated at the Cornerstone of Peace. After the end of World War II, the Ryukyu independence movement developed, while Okinawa was under United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands administration for 27 years. During this \"trusteeship rule\", the United States established numerous military bases on the Ryukyu islands."}, {"context": " During the Korean War, B-29 Superfortresses flew bombing missions over Korea from Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. The military buildup on the island during the Cold War increased a division between local inhabitants and the American military. Under the 1952 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, the United States Forces Japan (USFJ) have maintained a large military presence. Since 1960, the U.S. and Japan have maintained an agreement that allows the U.S. to secretly bring nuclear weapons into Japanese ports. The Japanese tended to oppose the introduction of nuclear arms into Japanese territory by the government's assertion of Japan's non-nuclear policy and a statement of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. Most of the weapons were alleged to be stored in ammunition bunkers at Kadena Air Base. Between 1954 and 1972, 19 different types of nuclear weapons were deployed in Okinawa, but with fewer than around 1,000 warheads at any one time."}, {"context": " Between 1965 and 1972, Okinawa was a key staging point for the United States in its military operations directed towards North Vietnam. Along with Guam, it presented a geographically strategic launch pad for covert bombing missions over Cambodia and Laos. Anti-Vietnam War sentiment became linked politically to the movement for reversion of Okinawa to Japan. In 1965, the US military bases, earlier viewed as paternal post war protection, were increasingly seen as aggressive. The Vietnam War highlighted the differences between the United States and Okinawa, but showed a commonality between the islands and mainland Japan."}, {"context": " As controversy grew regarding the alleged placement of nuclear weapons on Okinawa, fears intensified over the escalation of the Vietnam War. Okinawa was then perceived, by some inside Japan, as a potential target for China, should the communist government feel threatened by the United States. American military secrecy blocked any local reporting on what was actually occurring at bases such as Kadena Air Base. As information leaked out, and images of air strikes were published, the local population began to fear the potential for retaliation."}, {"context": " Political leaders such as Oda Makoto, a major figure in the Beheiren movement (Foundation of Citizens for Peace in Vietnam), believed, that the return of Okinawa to Japan would lead to the removal of U.S. forces ending Japan's involvement in Vietnam. In a speech delivered in 1967 Oda was critical of Prime Minister Sato\u2019s unilateral support of America\u2019s War in Vietnam claiming \"Realistically we are all guilty of complicity in the Vietnam War\". The Beheiren became a more visible anti-war movement on Okinawa as the American involvement in Vietnam intensified. The movement employed tactics ranging from demonstrations, to handing leaflets to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines directly, warning of the implications for a third World War."}, {"context": " The US military bases on Okinawa became a focal point for anti-Vietnam War sentiment. By 1969, over 50,000 American military personnel were stationed on Okinawa. The United States Department of Defense began referring to Okinawa as \"The Keystone of the Pacific\". This slogan was imprinted on local U.S. military license plates. In 1969, chemical weapons leaked from the US storage depot at Chibana in central Okinawa, under Operation Red Hat. Evacuations of residents took place over a wide area for two months. Even two years later, government investigators found that Okinawans and the environment near the leak were still suffering because of the depot."}, {"context": " In 1972, the U.S. government handed over the islands to Japanese administration. In a 1981 interview with the \"Mainichi Shimbun\", Edwin O. Reischauer, former U.S. ambassador to Japan, said that U.S. naval ships armed with nuclear weapons stopped at Japanese ports on a routine duty, and this was approved by the Japanese government. The 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl by U.S. servicemen triggered large protests in Okinawa. Reports by the local media of accidents and crimes committed by U.S. servicemen have reduced the local population's support for the U.S. military bases. A strong emotional response has emerged from certain incidents. As a result, the media has drawn renewed interest in the Ryukyu independence movement."}, {"context": " Documents declassified in 1997 proved that both tactical and strategic weapons have been maintained in Okinawa. In 1999 and 2002, the \"Japan Times\" and the \"Okinawa Times\" reported speculation that not all weapons were removed from Okinawa. On October 25, 2005, after a decade of negotiations, the governments of the US and Japan officially agreed to move Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from its location in the densely populated city of Ginowan to the more northerly and remote Camp Schwab in Nago by building a heliport with a shorter runway, partly on Camp Schwab land and partly running into the sea. The move is partly an attempt to relieve tensions between the people of Okinawa and the Marine Corps."}, {"context": " Okinawa prefecture constitutes 0.6 percent of Japan's land surface, yet , 75 percent of all USFJ bases were located on Okinawa, and U.S. military bases occupied 18 percent of the main island. According to a 2007 \"Okinawa Times\" poll, 85 percent of Okinawans opposed the presence of the U.S. military, because of noise pollution from military drills, the risk of aircraft accidents, environmental degradation, and crowding from the number of personnel there, although 73.4 percent of Japanese citizens appreciated the mutual security treaty with the U.S. and the presence of the USFJ. In another poll conducted by the \"Asahi Shimbun\" in May 2010, 43 percent of the Okinawan population wanted the complete closure of the U.S. bases, 42 percent wanted reduction and 11 percent wanted the maintenance of the status quo. Okinawan feelings about the U.S. military are complex, and some of the resentment towards the U.S. bases is directed towards the government in Tokyo, perceived as being insensitive to Okinawan needs and using Okinawa to house bases not desired elsewhere in Japan."}, {"context": " In early 2008, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice apologized after a series of crimes involving American troops in Japan, including the rape of a young girl of 14 by a Marine on Okinawa. The U.S. military also imposed a temporary 24-hour curfew on military personnel and their families to ease the anger of local residents. Some cited statistics that the crime rate of military personnel is consistently less than that of the general Okinawan population. However, some criticized the statistics as unreliable, since violence against women is under-reported."}, {"context": " Between 1972 and 2009, U.S. servicemen committed 5,634 criminal offenses, including 25 murders, 385 burglaries, 25 arsons, 127 rapes, 306 assaults and 2,827 thefts. Yet, per Marine Corps Installations Pacific data, U.S. service members are convicted of far fewer crimes than local Okinawans. In 2009, a new Japanese government came to power and froze the US forces relocation plan, but in April 2010 indicated their interest in resolving the issue by proposing a modified plan. A study done in 2010 found that the prolonged exposure to aircraft noise around the Kadena Air Base and other military bases cause health issues such as a disrupted sleep pattern, high blood pressure, weakening of the immune system in children, and a loss of hearing."}, {"context": " In 2011, it was reported that the U.S. military\u2014contrary to repeated denials by the Pentagon\u2014had kept tens of thousands of barrels of Agent Orange on the island. The Japanese and American governments have angered some U.S. veterans, who believe they were poisoned by Agent Orange while serving on the island, by characterizing their statements regarding Agent Orange as \"dubious\", and ignoring their requests for compensation. Reports that more than a third of the barrels developed leaks have led Okinawans to ask for environmental investigations, but both Tokyo and Washington refused such action. Jon Mitchell has reported concern that the U.S. used American Marines as chemical-agent guinea pigs."}, {"context": " On September 30, 2018 Denny Tamaki was elected as the next governor of Okinawa prefecture, after a campaign focused on sharply reducing the U.S. military presence on the island. , one ongoing issue is the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. First promised to be moved off the island and then later within the island, the future of any relocation is uncertain with the election of base-opponent Onaga as Okinawa governor. Onaga won against the incumbent Nakaima who had earlier approved landfill work to move the base to Camp Schwab in Henoko. However, Onaga has promised to veto the landfill work needed for the new base to be built and insisted Futenma should be moved outside of Okinawa."}, {"context": " , some 8,000 U.S. Marines were removed from the island and relocated to Guam. In November 2008, U.S. Pacific Command Commander Admiral Timothy Keating stated the move to Guam would probably not be completed before 2015. In 2009, Japan's former foreign minister Katsuya Okada stated that he wanted to review the deployment of U.S. troops in Japan to ease the burden on the people of Okinawa (Associated Press, October 7, 2009) 5,000 of 9,000 Marines will be deployed at Guam and the rest will be deployed at Hawaii and Australia. Japan will pay $3.1 billion cash for the moving and for developing joint training ranges on Guam and on Tinian and Pagan in the U.S.-controlled Northern Mariana Islands."}, {"context": " , the US still maintains Air Force, Marine, Navy, and Army military installations on the islands. These bases include Kadena Air Base, Camp Foster, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Camp Hansen, Camp Schwab, Torii Station, Camp Kinser, and Camp Gonsalves. The area of 14 U.S. bases are , occupying 18 percent of the main island. Okinawa hosts about two-thirds of the 50,000 American forces in Japan although the islands account for less than one percent of total lands in Japan. Suburbs have grown towards and now surround two historic major bases, Futenma and Kadena. One third () of the land used by the U.S. military is the Marine Corps Northern Training Area (known also as Camp Gonsalves or JWTC) in the north of the island."}, {"context": " On December 21, 2016, 10,000 acres of Okinawa Northern Training Area was returned to Japan. On June 25, 2018 Okinawa residents held a protest demonstration at sea against scheduled land reclamation work for the relocation of a U.S. military base within Japan's southernmost island prefecture. A protest gathered hundreds of people. On August 11, 2018 about 70,000 protesters gathered at a park in the state capital of Naha to protest the planned relocation of a U.S military base on the southern Japanese island. Opponents of the relocation say the plan to move U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded neighborhood to a less-populated coastal site would not only affect the environment, but would also go against local wishes to have the base moved from the island entirely."}, {"context": " On November 11, 2018, newly elected Okinawa Governer Denny Tamaki said opposing the Japanese government's plan to relocate a key U.S. military base within the southwestern prefecture was the will of local residents. In a speech at New York University, he said he was elected as governor in September on a platform of blocking the plan but that the Japanese government \"was forcing the relocation\" against the will of Okinawa's people. Tamaki was in New York on his first tour of the United States since becoming governor."}, {"context": " On November 27, 2018, Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki said the region will hold a referendum on February 24, 2019, over a project to move a U.S. air base. According his opinion, the symbolic, non-binding vote may draw renewed attention to the plight of Okinawans, who have fought against the Japanese-U.S. joint plan to close the US Marines' Futenma Air Station in an urban area and move it to a sparsely populated part of the island region. A vote against the proposed relocation could pile fresh pressure on the central government, which has argued that the plan is the best way to ensure Japan's national defense while reducing the current burden on Okinawa."}, {"context": " Since the early 2000s, Okinawans have opposed the presence of American troops helipads in the Takae zone of the Yanbaru forest near Higashi and Kunigami. This opposition grew in July 2016 after the construction of six new helipads. The islands comprising the prefecture are the southern two thirds of the archipelago of the . Okinawa's inhabited islands are typically divided into three geographical archipelagos. From northeast to southwest: Eleven cities are located within the Okinawa Prefecture. Okinawan names are in parentheses:"}, {"context": " These are the towns and villages in each district: As of March 31, 2008, 19 percent of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park; Okinawa Kaigan and Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Parks; and Irabu, Kumejima, and Tonaki Prefectural Natural Parks. The dugong is an endangered marine mammal related to the manatee. Iriomote is home to one of the world's rarest and most endangered cat species, the Iriomote cat. The region is also home to at least one endemic pit viper, \"Trimeresurus elegans\". Coral reefs found in this region of Japan provide an environment for a diverse marine fauna. The sea turtles return yearly to the southern islands of Okinawa to lay their eggs. The summer months carry warnings to swimmers regarding venomous jellyfish and other dangerous sea creatures."}, {"context": " Okinawa is a major producer of sugar cane, pineapple, papaya, and other tropical fruit, and the Southeast Botanical Gardens represent tropical plant species. The island is largely composed of coral, and rainwater filtering through that coral has given the island many caves, which played an important role in the Battle of Okinawa. Gyokusendo is an extensive limestone cave in the southern part of Okinawa's main island. The island experiences temperatures above for most of the year. The climate of the islands ranges from humid subtropical climate (K\u00f6ppen climate classification \"Cfa\") in the north, such as Okinawa Island, to tropical rainforest climate (K\u00f6ppen climate classification \"Af\") in the south such as Iriomote Island. The islands of Okinawa are surrounded by some of the most abundant coral reefs found in the world. The world's largest colony of rare blue coral is found off of Ishigaki Island. Snowfall is unheard of at sea level. However, on January 24, 2016, sleet was reported in Nago on Okinawa Island for the first time on record."}, {"context": " Having been a separate nation until 1879, Okinawan language and culture differ in many ways from those of mainland Japan. There remain six Ryukyuan languages which are incomprehensible to Japanese speakers, although they are considered to make up the family of Japonic languages along with Japanese. These languages are in decline as Standard Japanese is being used by the younger generation. They are generally perceived as \"dialects\" by mainland Japanese and some Okinawans themselves. Standard Japanese is almost always used in formal situations. In informal situations, \"de facto\" everyday language among Okinawans under age 60 is Okinawa-accented mainland Japanese (\"Okinawan Japanese\"), which is often misunderstood as the Okinawan language proper. The actual traditional Okinawan language is still used in traditional cultural activities, such as folk music and folk dance. There is a radio news program in the language as well."}, {"context": " Okinawans have traditionally followed Ryukyuan religious beliefs, generally characterized by ancestor worship and the respecting of relationships between the living, the dead, and the gods and spirits of the natural world. Okinawan culture bears traces of its various trading partners. One can find Chinese, Thai and Austronesian influences in the island's customs. Perhaps Okinawa's most famous cultural export is karate, probably a product of the close ties with and influence of China on Okinawan culture. Karate is thought to be a synthesis of Chinese kung fu with traditional Okinawan martial arts. Okinawans' reputation as wily resisters of being influenced by conquerors is depicted in the 1956 Hollywood film, \"The Teahouse of the August Moon\", which takes place immediately after World War II."}, {"context": " Another traditional Okinawan product that owes its existence to Okinawa's trading history is awamori\u2014an Okinawan distilled spirit made from \"indica\" rice imported from Thailand. Other prominent examples of Okinawan culture include the sanshin\u2014a three-stringed Okinawan instrument, closely related to the Chinese sanxian, and ancestor of the Japanese shamisen, somewhat similar to a banjo. Its body is often bound with snakeskin (from pythons, imported from elsewhere in Asia, rather than from Okinawa's venomous Trimeresurus flavoviridis, which are too small for this purpose). Okinawan culture also features the eisa dance, a traditional drumming dance. A traditional craft, the fabric named bingata, is made in workshops on the main island and elsewhere."}, {"context": " The Okinawan diet consist of low-fat, low-salt foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables, legumes, tofu, and seaweed. Okinawans are known for their longevity. This particular island is a so-called Blue Zone, an area where the people live longer than most others elsewhere in the world. Five times as many Okinawans live to be 100 as in the rest of Japan, and Japanese are already the longest-lived ethnic group globally. there were 34.7 centenarians for every 100,000 inhabitants, which is the highest ratio worldwide. Possible explanations are diet, low-stress lifestyle, caring community, activity, and spirituality of the inhabitants of the island."}, {"context": " A cultural feature of the Okinawans is the forming of moais. A moai is a community social gathering and groups that come together to provide financial and emotional support through emotional bonding, advice giving, and social funding. This provides a sense of security for the community members and as mentioned in the Blue Zone studies, may be a contributing factor to the longevity of its people. In recent years, Okinawan literature has been appreciated outside of the Ryukyu archipelago. Two Okinawan writers have received the Akutagawa Prize: Matayoshi Eiki in 1995 for and Medoruma Shun in 1997 for \"A Drop of Water\" (\"Suiteki\"). The prize was also won by Okinawans in 1967 by Tatsuhiro Oshiro for \"Cocktail Party\" (\"Kakuteru P\u0101ti\") and in 1971 by Mineo Higashi for \"Okinawan Boy\" (\"Okinawa no Sh\u014dnen\")."}, {"context": " Karate originated in Okinawa. Over time, it developed into several styles and sub-styles. On Okinawa, the three main styles are considered to be Sh\u014drin-ry\u016b, G\u014dj\u016b-ry\u016b and Uechi-ry\u016b. Internationally, the various styles and sub-styles include Matsubayashi-ry\u016b, Wad\u014d-ry\u016b, Isshin-ry\u016b, Sh\u014drinkan, Shotokan, Shit\u014d-ry\u016b, Sh\u014drinjiry\u016b Kenk\u014dkan, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai, and Sh\u014drinji-ry\u016b. Despite widespread destruction during World War II, there are many remains of a unique type of castle or fortress known as \"gusuku\"; the most significant are now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu). In addition, and thirty-six historic sites have been designated for protection by the national government."}, {"context": " Whereas most homes in Japan are made from wood and allow free-flow of air to combat humidity, typical modern homes in Okinawa are made from concrete with barred windows to protect from flying plant debris and to withstand regular typhoons. Roofs are designed with strong winds in mind, in which each tile is cemented on and not merely layered as seen with many homes in Japan. Many roofs also display a lion-dog statue, called a \"shisa\", which is said to protect the home from danger. Roofs are typically red in color and are inspired by Chinese design."}, {"context": " The public schools in Okinawa are overseen by the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education. The agency directly operates several public high schools including Okinawa Shogaku High School. The U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) operates 13 schools total in Okinawa. Seven of these schools are located on Kadena Air Base. Okinawa has many types of private schools. Some of them are cram schools, also known as juku. Others, such as Nova, solely teach language. People also attend small language schools."}, {"context": " There are 10 colleges/universities in Okinawa, including the University of the Ryukyus, the only national university in the prefecture, and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, a new international research institute. Okinawa's American military bases also host the Asian Division of the University of Maryland University College. In addition, various baseball teams from Japan hold training during the winter in Okinawa prefecture as it is the warmest prefecture of Japan with no snow and higher temperatures than other prefectures."}, {"context": " There are numerous golf courses in the prefecture, and there was formerly a professional tournament called the Okinawa Open. The major ports of Okinawa include: The 34 US military installations on Okinawa are financially supported by the U.S. and Japan. The bases provide jobs for Okinawans, both directly and indirectly; In 2011, the U.S. military employed over 9,800 Japanese workers in Okinawa. The Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau is exploring the possibility of using facilities on the military bases for large-scale Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions events."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Prefecture Government Building", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is one of the tallest buildings in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan, and is the center for Japanese governmental functions stretching across Okinawa Prefecture. There are 14 floors above ground and two below including a civic hall and government information center. The top floor houses a cafeteria where a panoramic view of Naha City can be seen. The building opened in 1990 and cost nearly 22 billion yen (about 200 million USD). It was designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Rendez-vous", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa Rendezvous () is a 2000 Hong Kong romantic comedy film produced and directed by Gordon Chan, and starring Leslie Cheung, Faye Wong, Tony Leung Ka-fai and Gigi Lai. While not one of Hong Kong's more significant films of the year, it was claimed by its director that it was filmed in less than 2 months without a script. It was shot entirely in the southern Japanese island of Okinawa and the film features many beautiful views of the island. Its theme song was sung by Leslie Cheung entitled \"Without Love\" (\u6ca1\u6709\u7231) and is also found in his 2000 album, \"Big Heat\" (\u5927\u70ed). Also, there were a few possible sub-themes like Faye Wong's \"New Tenant\" (\u65b0\u623f\u5ba2) which is as well available in her 2000 album, \"Fable\" (\u5bd3\u8a00)."}, {"context": " Jimmy Tong (Leslie Cheung) is an expert blackmailer and thief who specialises in white-collar crimes. With his side-kick (Vincent Kok), Jimmy steals a personal diary belonging to a Yakuza leader, Ken Sato (Masaya Kato), intending to use its details as a platform for blackmailing and to extort money. Sato agreed to the uneasy deal and made preparations to pay Jimmy his exorbitant demands only for Sato's girlfriend, Jenny (Faye Wong) to betray him and make off with the money to Okinawa. Elsewhere, Dat Lo (Tony Leung) was vacationing with his girlfriend (Gigi Lai) and another jilted girl (Stephanie Che) in Okinawa (intending to use the vacation to dump his own girlfriend), but stumbles into Jimmy whom he had little problems recognising as an international crook. From here onwards, Dat set aside his irrelevant plans to dump his companions and sought to devise a plan to entrap and to subsequently arrest Jimmy. Dat tried to convince Jimmy as an accomplice to a new bank heist of which Jimmy needed little persuasion. However, Jenny comes into the frame and before long, both Jimmy and Dat fell in love with her."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Roller Derby", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa Roller Derby is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Okinawa, Japan. Founded in 2010, the league currently consists of two teams, an all star team which competes worldwide and a B team which competes against teams from other leagues in Japan. Okinawa Roller Derby is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The league was founded as \"Kokeshi Roller Dolls\" in August 2010 by Amanda Harms (known as \"Pisa Cake\") and Nicole King (\"Nurse Fight'n Bail\"). It held its first practice in October, with only six members, but had twenty skaters by the end of the month, and in January 2011 formed three intraleague teams. In May, it played its first bout, an intraleague contest. This attracted more than eight hundred fans. Many of the league's members are not native Okinawans, and are often expatriate Americans in the armed forces, or come to Japan for work or with family.  In October 2011, Kokeshi was accepted as a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice Programme, and it became a full member of the WFTDA in June 2013. In March 2017, the league announced a rebrand as Okinawa Roller Derby, maintaining the Kokeshi Roller Dolls name for its B team."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa SV", "paragraphs": [{"context": " After leaving SC Sagamihara and professional football, former Japan NT member Naohiro Takahara opted to found a new club in Okinawa. The name took inspiration from Hamburger SV, a former German club in Takahara's career: this inspired \"Okinawa Sport-Verein\" (a German term for \"sports club\"). Takahara set himself as president, manager-player and captain, helping the side from Kyushu to start from the bottom of Japanese football. In their first year, Okinawa SV featured in the third division of Okinawa Prefectural League, marking an incredible debut: all matches were won and they scored 123 goals. Okinawa Football Association opted to give OSV a free pass to join the first division of the prefectural championship. In their second season, Okinawa SV got promoted again, this time to Kyushu Soccer League.  \"Updated to 27 February 2018\"."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Seidokan", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa Seidokan is a style of Okinawa classical karate (Tode) and Kobudo founded in 1984 by Shian Toma. It is a synthesis of the Shorin Ryu katas, Motobu Ryu two-person open hand grappling and weapons techniques, and kobudo katas mostly of the Ryukyu Kobudo lineages. Shian Toma opened his dojo in 1960 teaching Shorin Ryu and Kobudo to the local populace and US Servicemen. Originally Shian Toma named his dojo Toma Dojo, but later the name was changed to Sei-Do-Kan Dojo. This translated to \"True Way House/Style\" or A House of the True Way."}, {"context": " In the early 1960s Shian Toma's teachings were referred to as a style called Shorinji Ryu, and his dojo belonged to the Okinawa Kenpo Renmei under Shigeru Nakamura. In 1968 Shian Toma, Seikichi Uehara and Seiyu Oyata formed the Ryukyu Karate-do Renmei. Then in 1969 the dojo became an official member of the Motobu Undun Di society and the style came to be referred to as Seidokan Motobu Ryu, Toma was promoted by the 13th Soke of Motobu-Ryu, Seikichi Uehara, to 9th Dan Hanshi. Toma was the first person to introduce Motobu-Ryu outside of Okinawa, teaching in North American. The first student of Master Toma to bring Seidokan to the United States was John E. Kennedy who was promoted to 9th Dan by Grand Master Toma in 1991. He is the senior student of Grand Master Toma and continues to teach the true Seidokan in Spencerport, NY. His senior student is John LaMarca, 8th Dan and chief of instruction for Toma Karate Dojos in Spencerport and Ariona. After a separation from the Motobu Society in 1983, Shian Toma formed his own organization called the Zen Okinawa Seidokan Karate Kobudo."}, {"context": " Toma's most prolific student was Col. Roy J. Hobbs, USAF Retired, who was President of the Seidokan Shihan Kai and the most senior student for many years before leaving to form his own association the Sekai Dentokan Budo Renmei, Inc. Within the Dentokan are taught three styles of Karate (Goju-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, & Shito-Ryu), Okinawa Kobujutsu, Nihon Aikijujutsu, and Iaido (Morinaga Ha Toyama Ryu & Mugai Ryu). The mailing address for the Dentokan is 214 Evergreen Drive, O'Fallon, Illinois 62269, USA."}, {"context": " A need to develop and organize Okinawa Seidokan's international efforts gave birth to the Ryukoku Seidokan Karate Kobudo Renmei (RSKKR) in 2008. This international headquarters is located at the Nix Seidokan Dojo, 5-20-24 Misato, Okinawa City, Okinawa-Ken, Japan 904-2153. Ron Nix is the International Ambassador and President of the RSKKR. Due to the passing of the headmaster Shian Toma in May 2013, the mantel passed to Shigemitsu Tamaie of Yomitan Okinawa Japan to become the second headmaster of Okinawa Seidokan. The surviving Toma family officially retired the original organization \"Zen Okinawa Seidokan Karate Kobudo Renmei\" name. The first word 'Zen' was then dropped out of respect to the Toma Family wishes and Shigemitsu Tamaie formed the 'Okinawa Seidokan Karate Kobudo Renmei' (OSKKR) as the 'Honbu Dojo'. Shigemitsu Tamaie and Ron Nix travel out of Okinawa to teach seminars as well as host visiting karateka from all over the world to come to the heart of karate and train in the Okinawa Seidokan system."}, {"context": " In 2016 Michial Jones, who was graded to Shihan by Shian Toma and to Kyoshi by Col. Roy J. Hobbs in Seidokan Karate and Kobudo, founded the International Karate Kobudo Kyokai to further the teachings of Shian Toma. The largest contingent of Seidokan practitioners, outside of Okinawa Japan, exist in the United States of America. Kata Syllabi: Basic empty-hand kata added to the Dojo Curriculum during 2003 - 2016 by Tamaie and Nix Basic empty-hand kata added to the curriculum by Hobbs Original Toma Dojo Empty-hand Curriculum (est. 1960):  Original Toma Dojo Kobudo Curriculum (est. 1960)"}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Shogaku High School", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa Shrine", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The shrine is dedicated to Minamoto no Tametomo, Shunten, Sh\u014d En, Sh\u014d Kei, Sh\u014d Tai. The first fought in the H\u014dgen Rebellion before making his way to Okinawa and siring there the future king Shunten, as told in \"Ry\u016bky\u016b Shint\u014d-ki\" and \"Ch\u016bzan Seikan\", a tale that was exploited during the Meiji period and after to help legitimize the annexation of the kingdom and its reconfiguration first as the Ry\u016bky\u016b Domain and subsequently as Okinawa Prefecture. The three Sh\u014d Dynasty kings were, respectively, the founder of the dynasty, ruler during the kingdom's golden age, and its last king."}, {"context": " In 1889, the governor of Okinawa requested the establishment of a \"kokuhei ch\u016bsha\", not only \"to cultivate the spirit of reverence and respect\", but also on the grounds that this would be \"invaluable in the government of the prefecture\". Naminoue Shrine was proposed as the candidate. In 1910 it was proposed a new be established in honour of the fiftieth anniversary of the ascension to the throne of the Meiji emperor. Four years later there were similarly unsuccessful proposals to establish a prefectural shrine in the grounds of Naminoue-g\u016b. In 1915 the prefectural government proposed to the Home Ministry the foundation of a shrine dedicated to Sh\u014d Tai, Amamikyo and Shinerikyo; this was rejected on the grounds that the central figures of the Ryukyuan creation myth were not part of the Shinto pantheon."}, {"context": " In December 1922, the prefecture submitted another proposal for a prefectural shrine. With old Shuri Castle as the location, the submission was approved by the Home Ministry on 31 March 1923. The main hall of the castle, then in a state of some disrepair, was to be demolished to make way for the haiden. Despite the appeal of Higashionna Kanjun to the mayor of Shuri, work was already underway when approached It\u014d Ch\u016bta to help save the site. The pair visited Okinawa together before the prominent architect, a member of the Committee for the Preservation of Ancient Shrines and Temples, declaring the castle the \"representative work of Ry\u016bky\u016ban architecture\", intervened to secure an emergency designation under the Historical Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty, and Natural Monuments Preservation Law. Demolition was halted. It\u014d proposed the main hall be used as the shrine haiden, thus qualifying it for funds for repair under the Ancient Temples and Shrines Preservation Law. On 24 April 1925, as \"Okinawa Jinja haiden\", it was designated a Specially Protected Building (National Treasure). This ostensibly benign episode of heritage preservation might also be viewed as a violent colonial \"appropriation\" of the palace of the Ry\u016bky\u016b Kings, paradigmatic \"marker of prior independence\", for relocation within the \"ideological universe\" of State Shinto and service of the \"emperor-centred Japanese nation state\"."}, {"context": " The shrine and most of the rest of the castle were destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa, and five years later, the University of the Ryukyus was established on the former castle site in May 1950. Under United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands Proclamation 16 (USCAR 16) of 1952, concerning land with uncertain ownership, the shrine grounds were transferred to the administration of Shuri City, which two years later was merged into Naha. In 1960, a proposal to rebuild the shrine on a plot to the east of the former castle main hall was vetoed by the University. The following year a temporary shrine was erected by the entrance to Bengadake, construction work continuing into 1962. In 1969 a tenancy agreement for the land occupied by the temporary shrine was agreed with Naha City by the Association for the Realization of the Reconstruction of Okinawa Shrine. As of 2016, Okinawa Shrine is one of eleven shrines overseen by the Okinawa Prefecture Shrine Agency, a branch of the Association of Shinto Shrines."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Social Mass Party", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The party was founded on 31 October 1950 during the US occupation of the region. On 29 April 1952, the party launched an Association for Promotion of Reversion to Japan, which initiated a signature campaign for the demand of reunification with Japan. The campaign gathered more than 199,000 signatures (72%+ of the eligible voters of Okinawa). At the time, such a campaign was initiated by liberals/leftists, including Okinawa Social Mass Party and another local party called . After Okinawa's restoration to Japan in 1972, the latter party was merged into Japanese Communist Party. Okinawa Social Mass Party, on the other hand, did not join any mainland Japanese parties, and continues as a local party to this day.  The party has been influential as the leading liberal party in the prefecture. However, after New Komeito Party started to support Liberal Democratic Party from 1998, liberals in Okinawa, including Okinawa Social Mass Party, are gradually losing their influences."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Television", "paragraphs": [{"context": " , also known as OTV, is a Japanese broadcast network affiliated with the FNN. Their headquarters are located in Okinawa Prefecture."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Trough", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The (also called , literally China-Ryukyu Border Trough ) is a seabed feature of the East China Sea. It is an active, initial back-arc rifting basin which has formed behind the Ryukyu arc-trench system in the West Pacific. It developed where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting under the Eurasia Plate. It is a back-arc basin formed by extension within the continental lithosphere behind the far deeper Ryukyu Trench-arc system. It has a large section more than deep and a maximum depth of . The Okinawa Trough still in an early stage of evolving from arc type to back-arc activity."}, {"context": " The existence of the Okinawa Trough complicates descriptive issues in the East China Sea. According to Professor Ji Guoxing of the Asia-Pacific Department at Shanghai Institute for International Studies, On August 15, 2013, China\u2019s mission did a presentation to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The presentation was on the proposal that demarcates the limits of the outer continental shelf beyond 200 nm in part of the East China Sea. China states that China\u2019s continental shelf in the East China Sea extends to China-Ryukyu Border Trough naturally, which has been over 200 nautical miles away from the mainland baseline of Chinese territorial waters. According to UNCLOS, any country claiming continental shelves beyond 200 nm shall provide relevant scientific evidence to CLCS. To collect solid data, China deployed 14 scientific survey ships, covering an area of 250,000 square kilometers."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa University", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okinawa University Junior College", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The institute was founded in 1958 and closed in 2000."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Urban Monorail", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The , also known as , is a monorail line in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Operated by , it opened on August 10, 2003, and is the only public rail system in Okinawa Prefecture, the first rail line on Okinawa since World War II. Also Naha Airport Station is the westernmost, and Akamine Station is the southernmost rail station in Japan. It uses the OKICA as its contactless card. The monorail's \"Yui Rail\" brand name and logo were selected in a public competition. It consists of 15 stations, from in the west to in the east, running via Naha. The average distance between stations is 0.93 kilometers. It takes 27 minutes and costs \u00a5330 to traverse its 12.9\u00a0km length."}, {"context": " Trains are made up of two cars, with 65 seats and a total capacity of 165 people. Trains runs on an elevated track between 8 and 20 meters above the ground, with a top speed of 65\u00a0km/h (about 40\u00a0mph) and an actual average speed of 28\u00a0km/h (17\u00a0mph) counting stops. After lengthy deliberation of possible route options, the monorail corporation applied for construction permission for a 4.1-kilometer, 4-station extension from Shuri Station to Tedako-Uranishi Station (Urasoe City) in August 2011. Permission was granted on January 26, 2012, with construction planned to start in March 2013 and revenue operation in 2019."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Uta: Chikyu\u0304 no Kaze o Kanjite", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Almost all the songs originate from Natsukawa's first three album releases (2002\u20132003): \"Minamikaze\", \"\" and \"Sora no Keshiki\". There are three exceptions: \"Basi nu Turi Bushi\" is from her \"Michishirube\" single (2003), \"Matsuri no Ato Kaze\" is from \"Umui Kaji\" (2007) and \"Densaa Bushi\" is from \"\" (2007). The two final tracks are bonus live recordings of songs from \"Minamikaze\"."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Women's Junior College", "paragraphs": [{"context": " This college relocated from Naha, Okinawa to current location in 2015."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa World", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa World was originally called , named after the Gyokusendo Caves. There is also a traditional-style village showcasing glass making, Eisa dancing, and Habu snakes."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa Yanbaru Seawater Pumped Storage Power Station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The was an experimental hydroelectric power station located in Kunigami, Okinawa, Japan and operated by the Electric Power Development Company. It was the world\u2019s first pumped-storage facility to use seawater for storing energy. Its maximum output was 30 MW. The power station was built in 1999 at a cost of \u00a53.2 billion and was dismantled in 2016. The power station was a pure pumped-storage facility, using the Philippine Sea as its lower reservoir, with an effective drop of 136 m and maximum flow of 26 m\u00b3/s. Its pipelines and pump turbine were installed underground. Its maximum output was approximately 2.1% of the maximum power demand in the Okinawa Island recorded on August 3, 2009."}, {"context": " The upper reservoir, artificially excavated, was approximately away from the shoreline and approximately above sea level. It had an octagonal planar shape with a maximum width of . Its maximum depth was and its effective storage capacity was . The entire inner surface of the reservoir was covered with an impermeable liner to prevent seawater from leaking and damaging the surrounding vegetation. Fiber-reinforced plastic tubes were adopted for the penstock and the tailrace instead of steel tubes in order to avoid seawater corrosion and adhesion of barnacles. The pump turbine was partially made of stainless steel resistant to seawater."}, {"context": " A 66 kV line connected the power station with the power grid of The Okinawa Electric Power Company. The power station was a pilot plant funded by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy and constructed by the Electric Power Development Company. A five-year verification operation was conducted beginning on May 16, 1999. The Japan Society of Civil Engineers presented the company an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award on May 26, 2000 for its construction of the plant. The operator could not put the power station into practical use because the demand for electric power in Okinawa had not grown as predicted, and the plant was not profitable as a business. The power plant was dismantled in July 2016."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa at-large district", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa at-large district is a constituency of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan (national legislature). It consists of the entire prefecture of Okinawa and was created in 1970 following the agreement between US president Richard Nixon and prime minister Eisaku Sat\u014d on restoration of Japanese sovereignty over the Ry\u016bky\u016b islands. Okinawa is represented by two Councillors electing one every three years. Single-member districts for the House of Councillors ([\u53c2\u8b70\u9662]\u4e00\u4eba\u533a, \"[sangiin] ichininku\") usually get higher attention in House of Councillors elections because they are easier to swing completely than multi-member districts and thus play a decisive role for the outcome of elections. As a result of the concentrated US military presence in Okinawa, the prefecture has become a focal point of political debate over the mutual security treaty which is the cornerstone of Japanese foreign policy. The district was in many elections contested between only two candidates backed by the major postwar parties, the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Socialist Party (JSP). The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) in Okinawa unlike in most other districts for national elections cooperated with the Socialists in nominating candidates in the form of the \"Kakushin T\u014ditsu\" (\u9769\u65b0\u7d71\u4e00, \"progressive unification\").  Current Councillors for Okinawa are:"}]}, {"title": "Okinawa diet", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa diet describes the eating habits of the indigenous people of the Ryukyu Islands (belonging to Japan), which is believed to cause their exceptional longevity. It is also the name of a weight-loss diet based on this. People from the Ryukyu Islands (of which Okinawa is the largest) have a life expectancy among the highest in the world, although the male life expectancy rank among Japanese prefectures has plummeted in recent years. The traditional diet of the islanders contains 30% green and yellow vegetables. Although the traditional Japanese diet usually includes large quantities of rice, the traditional Okinawa diet consists of smaller quantities of rice; instead the staple is the purple-fleshed Okinawan sweet potato. The Okinawan diet has only 30% of the sugar and 15% of the grains of the average Japanese dietary intake."}, {"context": " The traditional diet also includes a tiny amount of fish (less than half a serving per day) and more in the way of soy and other legumes (6% of total caloric intake). Pork is highly valued, yet eaten very rarely. Every part of the pig is eaten, including internal organs. Between a sample from Okinawa where life expectancies at birth and 65 were the longest in Japan, and a sample from Akita Prefecture where the life expectancies were much shorter, intakes of calcium, iron and vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, and the proportion of energy from proteins and fats were significantly higher in Okinawa than in Akita. Conversely, intakes of carbohydrates and salt were lower in Okinawa than in Akita."}, {"context": " The quantity of pork consumption per person a year in Okinawa is larger than that of the Japanese national average. For example, the quantity of pork consumption per person a year in Okinawa in 1979 was which exceeded by about 50% that of the Japanese national average. The pig's feet, ears, and stomach are considered healthy everyday foodstuffs. The dietary intake of Okinawans compared to other Japanese circa 1950 shows that Okinawans consumed: fewer total calories (1785 vs. 2068), less polyunsaturated fat (4.8% of calories vs. 8%), less rice (154g vs. 328g), significantly less wheat, barley and other grains (38g vs. 153g), less sugars (3g vs. 8g), more legumes (71g vs. 55g), significantly less fish (15g vs. 62g), significantly less meat and poultry (3g vs. 11g), less eggs (1g vs. 7g), less dairy (<1g vs. 8g), much more sweet potatoes (849g vs. 66g), less other potatoes (2g vs. 47g), less fruit (<1g vs. 44g), and no pickled vegetables (0g vs. 42g)."}, {"context": " An Okinawan reaching 100 years of age has typically had a diet consistently averaging about one calorie per gram of food and has a BMI of 20.4 in early adulthood and middle age. In addition to their high life expectancy, islanders are noted for their low mortality from cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers. Wilcox (2007) compared age-adjusted mortality of Okinawans versus Americans and found that, during 1995, an average Okinawan was 8 times less likely to die from coronary heart disease, 7 times less likely to die from prostate cancer, 6.5 times less likely to die from breast cancer, and 2.5 times less likely to die from colon cancer than an average American of the same age."}, {"context": " The traditional Okinawan diet as described above was widely practiced on the islands until about the 1960s. Since then, dietary practices have been shifting towards Western and Japanese patterns, with fat intake rising from about 6% to 27% of total caloric intake and the sweet potato being supplanted with rice and bread. This shifting trend has also coincided with a decrease in longevity, where Okinawans now have a lower life expectancy than the Japanese average. The diet consists of a relatively high energy intake, and contains similar foods to the traditional Okinawan diet. The principal focus of the diet consists of knowing the food energy density of each food item."}, {"context": " The proponents of this diet divide food into four categories based on caloric density. The \"featherweight\" foods, less than or equal to which one can eat freely without major concern, the \"lightweight\" foods with a caloric density from 0.8 to 1.5 calories per gram which one should eat in moderation, the \"middleweight\" foods with a caloric density from 1.5 to 3.0 calories per gram which one should eat only while carefully monitoring portion size and the \"heavyweight\" foods from 3 to 9 calories per gram which one should eat only sparingly."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa flying fox", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa flying fox (\"Pteropus loochoensis\") is a species of megabat in the genus \"Pteropus\". It is endemic to possibly Japan. It was previously listed as extinct by the IUCN, but because the two known specimens are taxonomically uncertain and of unknown provenance, it was changed to 'Data Deficient'. Some place this animal into synonymy under \"Pteropus mariannus\". Two specimens are in the British Natural History Museum, and the whereabouts of the third is unknown. Two of the specimens are believed to have come from Southeast Asia, so the true distribution of the Okinawa flying fox is unknown."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa habu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa habu may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okinawa naval order of battle", "paragraphs": [{"context": " For the April 1945 invasion of Okinawa, the Allies assembled the most powerful naval force in history. Since the few remaining capital ships of the Imperial Japanese Combined Fleet had been sunk or otherwise put out of action at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Allies were effectively unopposed in terms of surface vessels; a single, essentially suicidal, mission consisting of the superbattleship and a few escorts was undertaken, but the task force did not get within 200 nautical miles of the invasion area."}, {"context": " Since the Japanese air arm had been equally decimated by this point in the war, the lack of trained and experienced pilots led them to deploy the \"kamikaze\" extensively in the waters off Okinawa. The roles of Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPOA) and Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC), were both exercised by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz from his headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Since Okinawa and its surrounding islands lie in the Central Pacific, their capture was the responsibility of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, led by Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance from aboard his flagship, heavy cruiser \"Indianapolis\"."}, {"context": " The ships and troops of Operation \"Iceberg\" were under direct operational command of Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner aboard amphibious command ship \"Eldorado\". 11 fleet carriers, 6 light carriers, 22 escort carriers, 8 fast battleships, 10 old battleships, 2 large cruisers, 12 heavy cruisers, 13 light cruisers, 4 anti-aircraft light cruisers, 132 destroyers, 45 destroyer escorts 84 attack transports, 29 attack cargo ships, LCIs, LSMs, LSTs, LSVs, etc. 52 submarine chasers, 23 fast minesweepers, 69 minesweepers, 11 minelayers, 49 oilers, etc."}, {"context": " 5 fleet carriers, 2 battleships, 7 light cruisers, 14 destroyers \"Losses:\"<br> The smaller ships were least able to withstand damage from \"kamikaze\" attacks. United States Pacific Fleet<br> Admiral Chester W. Nimitz at Pearl Harbor US Fifth Fleet augmented with RN forces<br> Admiral Raymond A. Spruance in heavy cruiser \"Indianapolis\" Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner in amphibious command ship \"Eldorado\" TG 51.1 Western Islands Attack Group Rear Admiral I.N. Kiland in amphibious command ship \"Mount McKinley\"<br>"}, {"context": " Embarking 77th Infantry (\"Statue of Liberty\") Division and one Marine BLT (Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce, USA) \"Screen:\" Captain Frederick Moosbrugger in amphibious command ship \"Biscayne\" TG 51.2 Demonstration Group \"Charlie\"<br> Rear Admiral Jerauld Wright<br> Embarking Demonstration Landing Force (2nd Marine Division), Major General Thomas E. Watson, USMC Rear Admiral William H.P. Blandy in amphibious command ship \"Estes\"<br> Rear Admiral C.T. Durgin Rear Admiral C.A.F. Sprague Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump"}, {"context": " Rear Admiral W.D. Sample Captain C.L. Lee (arriving 4 April) Rear Admiral Alexander Sharp and Captain R. P. Whitemarsh in \"Terror\" <br> Task Group 52.3 \u2013 Destroyer Minesweeper Group (Capt. R.A. Larkin) Task Group 52.4 \u2013 Minesweeper Group One (Captain T.F. Donohue)0 Task Group 52.5 \u2013 Minesweeper Group Two (Captain L. F. Freiburghouse) Task Group 52.7 Reserve Sweep Group (Cmdrs. E.D. McEathron and J.W. Wyckoff) Task Group 52.8 \u2013 Net and Buoy Group (Cmdr. G. C. King, USNR) Rear Admiral Lawrence F. Reifsnider in amphibious command ship \"Panamint\"<br>"}, {"context": " Embarking III Amphibious Corps (Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger, USMC)<br> TG 53.1 Transport Group \"Able\" (Commodore H.B. Knowles)<br> Embarking 6th Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., USMC) TG 53.2 Transport Group \"Baker\" (Commodore J. G. Moyer)<br> Embarking 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Pedro A. del Valle, USMC) TG 53.3 Northern Tractor Flotilla (Capt. J. S. Laidlaw) TG 53.6 Northern Attack Force Screen (Captain J. H. Wellings)<br> TG 53.7 Northern Defense Group (Capt. W. W. Weeden)<br>"}, {"context": " Embarking Marine Corps support units and high priority cargo: 21 LSTs carrying LCT and pontoon causeways Rear Admiral Morton L. Deyo in battleship \"Tennessee\" Rear Admiral John L. Hall in amphibious command ship \"Teton\"<br> Embarking XXIV Army Corps (Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge)<br> TG 55.1 Transport Group \"Dog\" (Commodore M.O. Carlson)<br> Embarking 7th Infantry (\"Bayonet\") Division (Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold, USA) TG 55.2 Transport Group \"Easy\" (Commodore C.G. Richardson)<br> Embarking 96th Infantry (\"Deadeye\") Division (Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley, USA)"}, {"context": " TG 55.6 Screen (Captain E.W. Young)<br> TG 55.7 Southern Defense Group (Commander B.T. Zelenka) Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr., USA (KIA 18 June)<br> Consisting of United States Tenth Army<br> \"Northern Landing Area:\" \"Southern Landing Area:\" \"Western Islands:\" Vice Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings, RN TG 57.2 First Aircraft Carrier Squadron (Rear Admiral Sir Philip L. Vian, RN) TG 57.1 First Battle Squadron (Vice Admiral Rawlings) TG 57.4 Fourth Cruiser Squadron (Rear Admiral E.J.P. Brind)"}, {"context": " TG 57.8 Screen (Rear Admiral J.H. Edelston) Task Force 112 \u2013 British Fleet Train (Rear Admiral D.B. Fisher, RN)<br> 70+ auxiliaries including repair ships, oilers, minesweepers, hospital ships, etc. Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier \"Bunker Hill Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark 3 fleet carriers: 2 light carriers: Battleship Division 8 (Rear Admiral J.F. Shafroth) Cruiser Division 10 (Rear Admiral L.J. Wiltsie) Cruiser Division 14 (Rear Admiral F.E.M. Whiting) Screen: Rear Admirals R.E. Davison and G.F. Bogan"}, {"context": " 3 fleet carriers: 1 light cruiser: Screen: Rear Admiral Forrest P. Sherman 3 fleet carriers: 2 light carriers: Battleship Division 6 (Capt. T.R. Cooley) Screen: Rear Admiral Arthur W. Radford 2 fleet carriers: 2 light carriers: Battleship Division 9 (Rear Admiral E.W. Hanson and L.E. Denfeld) Cruiser Division 16 (Rear Admiral F.S. Low) Screen: Commodore Dixwell Ketcham Rear Admiral D.B. Beary Commodore W.R. Carter at Ulithi Japanese Combined Fleet<br> Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa Vice Admiral Seiichi Ito (KIA)"}]}, {"title": "Okinawa no Kaze", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The album features 10 covers of songs by Okinawan artists. Eight of these are already released tracks. Of the new songs, \"Umi no Kanata\" is a Parsha Club cover, and \"Kui nu Hajimi\" is a Misako Koja cover. Both of these artists have been covered before by Natsukawa, and those songs also feature on the album (\"Famureuta\"/\"Manten no Hoshi,\" \"Warabigami\" respectively). Four of the songs are originally from \"Minamikaze\", and two from \"\" and \"Sora no Keshiki\" each."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa rail", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawa rail (\"Gallirallus okinawae\") is a species of bird in the rail family, Rallidae. It is endemic to Okinawa Island in Japan where it is known as the . Its existence was only confirmed in 1978 and it was formally described in 1981 although unidentified rails had been recorded on the island since at least 1973 and local stories of a bird known as the \"agachi kumira\" may refer to this species. It is a medium-sized and almost flightless rail with short wings and tail, olive-brown upperparts, black underparts with white bars and a red bill and legs."}, {"context": " It occurs in subtropical moist forests and in neighbouring habitats. It nests and feeds on the ground but usually roosts in trees. It is classified as an endangered species and is threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators. The species was first described in 1981 by Yoshimaro Yamashina and T. Mano in the \"Journal of the Yamashina Institute of Ornithology\". This was based on a specimen found dead on June 2 at Mt. Fuenchiji in Kunigami District, Okinawa. It was initially placed in the genus \"Rallus\" but then moved to \"Gallirallus\", a genus of medium-sized, often flightless, rails found in Australasia and Asia. It is closely related to the barred rail (\"G. torquatus\") and New Britain rail (\"G. insignis\") as well as to the Calayan rail (\"G. calayanensis\"), another recently discovered species."}, {"context": " It is about 30\u00a0cm long with a wingspan of 50\u00a0cm and a weight of around 435\u00a0g. It is almost flightless and has very short wings and tail. The bill is large and bright red with a whitish tip. The long, strong legs are red as are the iris and eye-ring. The upperparts are olive-brown while the underparts are black with narrow white bars. The face is black with a white spot between the bill and eye and a white line behind the eye, extending back to the side of the neck. The undertail-coverts are dark brown with pale bars."}, {"context": " Juvenile birds are paler than the adults and are mottled white below rather than barred. The spot in front of the eye is tinged with brown while the stripe behind is shorter than in the adult. The bill and iris are brownish and the legs and feet are yellow-ochre. It is a noisy bird with a variety of loud calls. It calls most often early and late in the day, usually from the ground but sometimes from trees. Pairs often call together and up to 12 birds have been heard in one area. It is found only in Yanbaru, the northern part of Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan, from where it gets its Japanese name. It has a total range of just 260\u00a0km. It occurs from sea-level to the highest mountains at 498\u00a0m above sea-level. In winter, some birds move lower down or move a little further south of the breeding range."}, {"context": " It mainly occurs in evergreen broad-leaved forest but also occurs in marshes, grassland and cultivated land close to forested areas and water. Itaji (\"Castanopsis sieboldii\") is the dominant tree in the rail's habitat but it also occurs among other trees such as Ryukyu Pine (\"Pinus luchuensis\"). It requires dense ground vegetation as well as standing water for bathing. It is a poor flyer but it can run rapidly. It spends most of its time on the ground but usually roosts in trees, climbing up to sleep on a branch or sloping trunk. In the morning, it preens and stretches before dropping straight to the ground. It is usually found in dense cover but comes into the open to bathe. It bathes for short bouts of 2\u20134 minutes before preening for 4\u201320 minutes."}, {"context": " It feeds on lizards, amphibians, snails and large insects such as locusts. Food is mainly taken from the forest floor but may also be taken from shallow water. Pairs are monogamous and appear to mate for life. The nest is built on the ground and made of leaves, grass and fern fronds. The eggs are laid between May and July and there are 2\u20134 in a clutch. The eggs are oval in shape and white with reddish, pinkish or brownish markings concentrated at the larger end. The downy young are black with yellowish legs and feet and a white bill with a blackish base and tip. The eggs and young are often predated by the habu (\"Trimeresurus flavoviridis\"), a venomous snake."}, {"context": " The species is classified as endangered by BirdLife International because of its small, declining population and restricted range. The total population was estimated at 1,800 birds in 1986. Surveys between 1996 and 2004 suggested a significant decline to about 720 birds and a northward contraction of the range of about 40%. However, a survey in 2006 found no further range contraction. It is threatened by the loss and fragmentation of its forest habitat due to logging, agriculture and the building of roads, dams and golf courses. Introduced predators such as cats, dogs and the small Asian mongoose probably have an impact while some birds are killed by vehicles on roads."}, {"context": " The species is legally protected in Japan and has been declared a \"Natural Monument\" and a \"Special Bird for Protection\". Yanbaru became a national park in 1996 and several forest sites have been bought by conservation organizations as nature reserves. Trapping is taking place to reduce predator numbers and traffic calming has been introduced to some areas to reduce the number of birds killed on roads. A captive breeding programme is planned for the future. The Japanese Ministry of Environment has plans to increase the population of the Okinawa rail by controlled breeding in special facilities. By 2017, they want to increase the number of this endangered bird to 200."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa soba", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The noodles tend to have a circular cross section in the Yaeyama Islands, and tend to be slightly flat in the rest of Okinawa Prefecture. It is served in a broth flavored with konbu (edible seaweed), katsuobushi flakes and pork. Standard toppings are kamaboko (fish cake), sliced scallion and a thick slice of stewed or soki (boneless pork ribs), and usually garnished with \"beni sh\u014dga\" (pickled ginger). For extra spice, diners can add a few drops of \"k\u014dr\u0113g\u016bsu\", which consists of chile peppers soaked in awamori rice liquor."}, {"context": " Varieties include: Today the word \"soba\" means buckwheat, in particular buckwheat noodles, in Japanese. This word is in origin an abbreviation of \"soba-mugi\" (buckwheat). The word \"soba\" refers to the edge in ancient Japanese, and \"soba-mugi\" meant \"edgy wheat\". Around the 16th century, buckwheat began to be processed into thin noodles. This method was originally known as \"soba-kiri\" (lit. soba cutting) but it was later abbreviated into \"soba\". Note that soba was mainly consumed in eastern Japan. It was not popular in western Japan including Okinawa. Buckwheat noodles remain rare in Okinawa, where they are known as \"Nihon soba\" (Japanese soba) or \"kuroi soba\" (black soba)."}, {"context": " In modern Japan, the meaning of \"soba\" was extended so that it could refer to other types of thin noodles. Yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) contain no buckwheat. \"Shina soba\", commonly known as \"Ch\u016bka soba\" or r\u0101men today, is also made from wheat flour. Okinawa soba falls into this category and is made entirely from wheat. Under a fair competition regulation, soba was standardized as \"the noodles contain at least 30% of buckwheat.\" This definition caused a problem when Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972. In 1976, the Fair Trade Commission tried to make Okinawa Prefecture drop the name \"soba\" because Okinawa's soba did not conform to the regulation. The Okinawa Noodle Manufacturing Co-op negotiated with the Fair Trade Commission and, as a result, it was accepted as one of several exceptions, under the name of \"Okinawa soba\"."}, {"context": " Some attempt to trace the origin of Okinawa soba back to the Ry\u016bky\u016b Kingdom period. It is pointed out that Chinese delegates possibly brought wheat noodles to the royal court. However, they fail to establish a link to the modern Okinawan cuisine. The first known documented reference to Okinawa soba is of 1902 or the late Meiji period. At that time, it was known as \"Shina soba\" (Chinese \"soba\") as in mainland Japan. Several soba restaurants are known to have run in Naha in the Taish\u014d period. They used to have close links with the red-light district. Soba restaurants were destroyed by U.S. attacks during the Battle of Okinawa. Its revival began in U.S. internment camps where wheat rations were supplied. In the 1960s soba was popularized with the introduction of noodle making machines. The popularization was accompanied by the transformation from a restaurant meal to home cooking. The mainland Japanese custom of eating soba on New Year's Eve was introduced to Okinawa in 1968 but buckwheat noodles were replaced by wheat noodles. Today Okinawa soba is considered as a vital part of traditional Okinawan culture although folklorist Nishimura Hidemi argued that it was an invented tradition.  Currently, the soba has been adopted as a local tradition in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, due to the large Okinawan-descendent population in the 850,000 inhabitants city. It\u2019s usual to find specialized restaurants along the city, serving a local adaptation of the dish, due to the originally difficulty of finding sea fish in that western region of Brazil. Nowadays, it became a local version of the Soba."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa woodpecker", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is a woodpecker endemic to the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan. It was previously placed in the monotypic genus \"Sapheopipo\". Other common names for this species are Noguchi's woodpecker, Okinawan woodpecker, Pryer's woodpecker and Ryukyu woodpecker. Some taxonomic authorities place this species in the monotypic genus \"Sapheopipo\". This is a medium-sized (31\u00a0cm), dark woodpecker. It is dark brown in color with red-tipped feathers. It has white spots on the primaries. The head is a paler brown, with a dark red crown on the male and a blackish-brown one on the female. The call is a sharp whit call and a variable \"kyu-kyu kup kup kup\" or \"kyu kyu kup\"."}, {"context": " Their breeding habitat is subtropical, evergreen broad-leaved forest that is at least 30 years old, with tall trees of more than 20\u00a0cm in diameter. Nesting is between late February and May. This woodpecker is critically endangered. It has a single tiny, declining population which is threatened by habitat loss of mature forest due to logging, dam construction, agriculture, military and golf course developments. A major problem now is that one of their main habitats is being destroyed. The current population is estimated at less than 600. This species is suspected to be declining at a rate of 10-19% over ten years, as a result of ongoing clearance of old-growth forests."}, {"context": " This woodpecker is legally protected in Japan. It occurs in Yonaha-dake Prefecture Protection Area and small protected areas on Mount Ibu and Mount Nishime and conservation organisations have purchased sites where it occurs, but it is mainly found in the Okinawa Prefecture. In 1996, Yambaru was designated as a national park. The habitat of the Okinawa woodpecker is threatened by the construction of six new American helipads in the Yanbaru forest of Takae. The lives of the birds themselves are also put at risk by the flights of Ospreys over the island."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa's Diet electoral districts", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawa currently sends 8 elected members to the Diet of Japan, 6 to the House of Representatives and 2 to the House of Councillors. The current House of Representatives Okinawa delegation consists of 2 members of the LDP, 1 JCP, 1 SDP, 1 LP and 1 NIK. Okinawa Prefecture is part of the Kyushu proportional representation block. In the current Diet, there are two Representatives from Okinawa elected through the Kyushu PR block. The current House of Councillors Hokkaido delegation consists of 2 independent members. Both are members of the Okinawa Whirlwind caucus in the House. The members are elected from the Okinawa at-large district."}]}, {"title": "Okinawa, Okinawa", "paragraphs": [{"context": " As of December 2012, the city has an estimated population of 138,431 and a population density of 2,625.12 persons per km\u00b2. The total area is 49.00\u00a0km\u00b2. Under the Ryukyu Kingdom the present-day area of Okinawa City was occupied by two magiri, a type of administrative district. The Goeku magiri occupied the south of the city, and the north of the city was part of the Misato magiri. In 1908, Okinawa Prefecture ended the magiri system and established the villages of Goeku and Misato. Both villages were agricultural and lacked urbanized areas prior to World War II."}, {"context": " After the Battle of Okinawa the United States established the first refugee camp in Okinawa in the area south of present-day Kadena Air Base. The population of the former villages swelled rapidly. An area of Goeku, called \"Goya\" (\u3054\u3084), was mispronounced by Americans as \"Koza\" (\u30b3\u30b6). During the occupation of Okinawa, the U.S. military government established the city of in Goeku. Koza was the first city to use the katakana syllabary for its name. Misato merged into a neighboring community, and in 1946, again became separate, as did Goeku. Both municipalities, which were formerly largely agricultural, became heavily urbanized as a result of the construction of refugee camps and the establishment of large-scale military bases. The area became a \"base city\" catering to United States military personnel. On June 13, 1956, Goeku changed its name to the village of Koza; on July 1 of the same year it became a city."}, {"context": " The city of Okinawa was the site of the Koza riot on the night of December 20, 1970. Roughly 5,000 Okinawans came into violent contact with roughly 700 American MPs. Approximately 60 Americans were injured and 75 cars were burned. Additionally, several buildings on Kadena Air Base were destroyed or heavily damaged. The Koza riot was considered a symbol of Okinawan anger after 25 years of US military occupation. The riot was unexpected, and strained the ongoing negotiations on the end of the United States administration of Okinawa."}, {"context": " The city of Okinawa was founded on April 1, 1974 with the merger of Koza and Misato. The commercial center of the city lies along Route 330. It extends from Goya Crossing to Koza Crossing. The district extending from Goya to the gate of Kadena Air Base, and Ch\u016b\u014d Park Avenue, has many visitors from the U.S. military, and many shops have signs in both Japanese and English. However, the development of large shopping centers in nearby communities has resulted in some decline in these areas. Neighboring municipalities consist of:"}, {"context": " In June 2013 more than 20 barrels were found on an Okinawa city civilian soccer field built on former U.S. military land. Barrels revealed traces of herbicides and nearby water had levels of dioxin 840 times above safe limits. A park in the southeastern portion of the city was the site of a National Sports Festival of Japan. Other city facilities include a baseball stadium where the Hiroshima Toyo Carp hold their spring training. The city operates 15 elementary schools and eight middle schools. There is also a private elementary school. The five high schools are operated by Okinawa Prefecture."}, {"context": " The Okinawa Expressway has two interchanges in the city. They are Okinawa North Number 5 and Okinawa South Number 4. The national highways passing through the city are Routes 329 and 330. Ry\u016bky\u016b, Okinawa, and T\u014dy\u014d buses operate on some 26 routes in Okinawa. The United States has six installations located at least partially in the city of Okinawa. These are Kadena Air Base, Kadena Ammunition Storage Area, which lie on the boundaries with the town of Kadena and the village of Onna, Camp Shields, Camp Foster, Awase Communication Station, and an Army Petroleum product depot.  The Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces operate an anti-aircraft training facility. The city will host some matches for 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup sharing with Philippines and Indonesia at the new Okinawa Arena. Notable people with links to the city of Okinawa include: Okinawa, Japan has the following sister cities, according to Sister Cities International and the city of Okinawa:"}]}, {"title": "Okinawa-Kyokuryu\u0304-kai", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is a yakuza criminal organization based on the Okinawa island of Japan. A designated yakuza group with an estimated 523 active members and 145 semi-active members, the Okinawa Kyokuryu-kai is the largest yakuza organization in Okinawa Prefecture. The Okinawa Kyokuryu-kai was formed in 1990 when it split from Okinawa's main yakuza group, the Kyokuryu-kai. The formation was led by Kiyoshi Tominaga, who became the first president. The Okinawa Kyokuryu-kai, along with the Kyokuryu-kai, was registered as a designated yakuza group under the Organized Crime Countermeasures Law in June 1992.  Headquartered in Naha, Okinawa, the Okinawa Kyokuryu-kai is one of the two designated yakuza groups in Okinawa Prefecture along with its former parent organization, the Kyokuryu-kai. The Okinawa Kyokuryu-kai is the largest yakuza organization in Okinawa Prefecture, followed by the second-largest Kyokuryu-kai and the third-largest Yoshimi-kogyo. The Okinawa Kyokuryu-kai's official policy forbids its members from engaging in drug trafficking."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan Boys", "paragraphs": [{"context": " 26th Blue Ribbon Awards"}]}, {"title": "Okinawan Japanese", "paragraphs": [{"context": " There are a number of aspects of Okinawan Japanese that are borrowed from Standard Japanese, but have different uses or meanings. For example, a number of verb inflections and words indicating aspect and mood are the same in Standard Japanese and Okinawan Japanese, but have different uses in both. \"Hazu\" means \"due, scheduled, or supposed to occur\", which indicates a high degree of probability in Standard Japanese. Yet in Okinawan Japanese it indicates a much lower degree of probability, more like \"probably\" or \"may occur\". In Standard Japanese, the auxiliaries \"masho\", \"yo\", and \"o\" are combined with the particle \"-ne\" after a verb and used to make a suggestion. An example is \"ikimasho ne\" (Let's go). In Okinawan Japanese, this would express a speaker's will. It would mean \"I will go\" instead."}, {"context": " Particles and demonstratives are another aspect of Okinawan Japanese grammar that differ from Japanese. The particle \"kara\" which means \"from\" or \"since\" in Japanese, means \"as\" or \"because\" in Okinawan Japanese. So, \"kara\" is used in Okinawan Japanese where \"wo\" or \"de\" is used in Japanese. Some words have different meanings in Standard Japanese. For example, \"aruku\" meanings \"go around\" or \"work\" in Okinawan Japanese, but means \"walk\" in Standard. \"Korosu\" means \"hit\" in Okinawan Japanese and \"kill\" in Standard.  Many Okinawan youth use words borrowed from Japanese slang, such as \"mecchaa\" (very) and \"dasadasa\" (country bumpkin). Although not nearly as substantial as the borrowings from Japanese, Okinawan Japanese does contain some English loan words. Examples are \"paaraa\" (parlor), \"biichii paatii\" (beach party), and \"takoraisu\" (taco rice). One word combines the English word 'rich' with the Okinawan suffix \"-aa\" to create \"ricchaa\" (a rich person)."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan cuisine", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawan cuisine incorporates influences from Chinese cuisine and Southeast Asian cuisine due to its long history of trade. The sweet potato, introduced in Okinawa in 1605, became a staple food in Okinawa from then until the beginning of the 20th century. An article about Okinawan food written by Kikkoman states that Goya (bitter melon) and Nabera (luffa or towel gourd) were \"likely\" introduced to Okinawa from Southeast Asia. Since Ryukyu had served as a tributary state to China, Ryukyuan cooks traveled to Fujian Province to learn how to cook Chinese food; Chinese influence seeped into Okinawa in that manner. The same Kikkoman article states that the method of distillation of awamori likely originated from Siam (Thailand) and traveled to Okinawa during the 15th century. After the lord of the Kagoshima Domain invaded the Ryukyus, Okinawan cooks traveled to Japan to study Japanese cuisine, causing that influence to seep into Okinawan cuisine."}, {"context": " Okinawa was administered by the United States after World War II, during which time various canned foods were popularized. American hamburger shops entered into the Okinawa market earlier than on the mainland. It was during this period that Okinawans became familiar with Americanized food culture. The cuisine has evolved in modern times, especially because of the American military presence on Okinawa since the end of World War II. Besides vegetables and fruits, the influences of southern and southeastern Asia are evident in Okinawan cuisine in its use of herbs and spices, such as turmeric, used in Okinawa more often than in mainland Japan, but less frequently than other tropical island cuisines. Okinawan cuisine's condiments consist mainly of salt, miso, bonito flakes (katsuobushi) or kombu. Compared to mainland diets, Okinawan dishes do not use as many kinds of mushroom."}, {"context": " Another characteristic of Okinawan cuisine is its reliance on meat. The main protein sources of Okinawan cuisine are derived from livestock, specifically pigs. Buddhism spread less widely in Okinawa, and the islands were less influenced by the non-meat eating practices of the Tokugawa shogunate. Okinawan has had a culture of using livestock since the Edo period. An Okinawan saying states that Okinawan cuisine \"begins with pig and ends with pig\" and \"every part of a pig can be eaten except its hooves and its oink.\""}, {"context": " Despite being surrounded by the sea, Okinawans eat relatively little seafood compared to other maritime cultures. Fish and other seafood products were traditionally difficult to preserve in the high temperatures of the Okinawan islands. Additionally, the islands are surrounded by relatively few fish species. The primary preparations of fish are pickling in salt (shio-zuke), dried, grilled, simmered in soy sauce (nitsuke), and as kamaboko, a processed seafood product typically made from white fish. Sashimi is served in Okinawa, but is limited by the inability to retain freshness due to high temperatures on the islands. Sashimi, unlike on the main islands of Japan, is not part of a full course meal."}, {"context": " Edible kelp varieties are also popular ingredients, such as kombu. Okinawans make salad, soup, or tempura using Cladosiphon okamuranus(\u30e2\u30ba\u30af), Hijiki and so on. Okinawan cuisine frequently uses kombu, not only in making soup stock, but also in preparing braised dishes, stir fried dishes and so on. Although it is not cultivated in the region, Okinawa is one of the largest consumers of kombu in Japan. Okinawan staple foods are traditionally potatoes, such as sweet potato or taro root, but they are substituted to rice or wheat flour, then Okinawans developed original dishes such as taco rice, etc.  After the end of the occupation, they still have original food cultures, and Americanized foods are frequently eaten in their diets. But, Okinawan people do not consume dairy foods so much, such as milk and cheese. Bread is not so popular as a staple food. Okinawans are known for their longevity; five times as many Okinawans live to be 100 than the rest of Japan, and the Japanese themselves are the longest lived nationality in the world."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan kobudo\u0304", "paragraphs": [{"context": " , literally \"old martial way of Okinawa\", is the weapon systems of Okinawan martial arts. Okinawan Kobud\u014d is a Japanese term that can be translated as \"\"old martial way of Okinawa\"\". It is a generic term coined in the twentieth century. Okinawan kobud\u014d refers to the weapon systems of Okinawan martial arts. These systems can have from one to as many as a dozen weapons in their curriculum, among the rokushakubo (six foot staff, known as the \"b\u014d\"), sai (dagger-shaped truncheon), tonfa (handled club), kama (sickle), and nunchaku (chained sticks), but also the tekko (steelknuckle), tinbe-rochin (shield and spear), and surujin (weighted chain). Less common Okinawan weapons include the tambo (short stick), the hanb\u014d (middle length staff) and the eku (boat oar of traditional Okinawan design)."}, {"context": " Okinawan kobud\u014d should not be confused with the term Kobud\u014d, which is described in the article Kory\u016b, because the term Kobud\u014d refers not to a weapon system but a concept of moral from the feudal Japan. It is a popular story and common belief that Okinawan farming tools evolved into weapons due to restrictions placed upon the peasants by the Satsuma samurai clan when the island was made a part of Japan, which forbade them from carrying arms. As a result, it is said, they were defenseless and developed a fighting system around their traditional farming implements. However, modern martial arts scholars have been unable to find historical backing for this story, and the evidence uncovered by various martial historians points to the Pechin Warrior caste in Okinawa as being those who practiced and studied various martial arts, rather than the Heimin, or commoner. It is true that Okinawans, under the rule of foreign powers, were prohibited from carrying weapons or practicing with them in public. But the weapons-based fighting that they secretly practiced (and the types of weapons they practiced with) had strong Chinese roots, and examples of similar weapons have been found in China, Malaysia and Indonesia pre-dating the Okinawan adaptations."}, {"context": " Okinawan kobud\u014d systems were shaped by indigenous Okinawan techniques that arose within the Aji, or noble class, and by imported methods from China and Southeast Asia. The majority of Okinawan kobud\u014d traditions that survived the difficult times during and following World War II were preserved and handed down by Taira Shinken (Ry\u016bky\u016b Kobud\u014d Hozon Shinkokai), Chogi Kishaba (Ry\u016bky\u016b Bujustsu Kenkyu Doyukai), and Kenwa Mabuni (Shito-ry\u016b). Practical systems were developed by Toshihiro Oshiro and Motokatsu Inoue in conjunction with these masters. Other noted masters who have Okinawan kobud\u014d kata named after them include Ch\u014dtoku Kyan, Shigeru Nakamura, Kanga Sakukawa, and Shinko Matayoshi."}, {"context": " Okinawan kobud\u014d arts are thought by some to be the forerunner of the bare hand martial art of karate, and several styles of that art include some degree of Okinawan kobud\u014d training as part of their curriculum. Similarly, it is not uncommon to see an occasional kick or other empty-hand technique in an Okinawan kobud\u014d kata. The techniques of the two arts are closely related in some styles, evidenced by the empty-hand and weapon variants of certain kata: for example, Kank\u016b-dai and Kank\u016b-sai, and Goj\u016bshiho and Goj\u016bshiho-no-sai, although these are examples of Okinawan kobud\u014d kata which have been developed from karate kata and are not traditional Okinawan kobud\u014d forms. Other more authentic Okinawan kobud\u014d kata demonstrate elements of empty hand techniques as is shown in older forms such as Soeishi No Dai, a bo form which is one of the few authentic Okinawan kobud\u014d kata to make use of a kick as the penultimate technique. Some Okinawan kobud\u014d kata have undergone less \"modern development\" than karate and still retain much more of the original elements, reflections of which can be seen in even more modern karate kata. The connection between empty hand and weapon methods can be directly related in systems such as that formulated in order to preserve both arts such as Inoue/Taira's Ry\u016bky\u016b Kobujutsu Hozon Shinko Kai and Motokatsu Inoue's Yuishinkai Karate Jutsu. M. Inoue draws direct comparisons between the use of certain weapons and various elements of empty hand technique such as sai mirroring haito/shuto waza, tonfa reflecting that of uraken and hijiate, and kama of kurite and kakete, as examples. The footwork in both methods is interchangeable."}, {"context": " Okinawans kobud\u014d was at its zenith some 100 years ago and of all the authentic Okinawan kobud\u014d kata practiced at this time, only relatively few by comparison remain extant. In the early 20th centuries a decline in the study of Ry\u016bky\u016b kobujutsu (as it was known then) meant that the future of this martial tradition was in danger. During the Taisho period (1912\u20131926) some martial arts exponents such as Yabiku Moden made great inroads in securing the future of Ry\u016bky\u016b kobujutsu. Many of the forms that are still known are due to the efforts of Taira Shinken who travelled around the Ry\u016bky\u016b Islands in the early part of the 20th century and compiled 42 existing kata, covering eight types of Okinawan weapons. Whilst Taira Shinken may not have been able to collect all extant Okinawan kobud\u014d kata, those he did manage to preserve are listed here. They do not include all those from the Matayoshi, Uhuchiku and Yamanni streams however."}, {"context": " The \"b\u014d\" is a six-foot long staff, sometimes tapered at either end. It was perhaps developed from a farming tool called a \"tenbin\": a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. The bo was also possibly used as the handle to a rake or a shovel. The bo, along with shorter variations such as the \"jo\" and \"hanb\u014d\" could also have been developed from walking sticks used by travelers, especially monks. The bo is considered the 'king' of the Okinawa weapons, as all others exploit its weaknesses in fighting it, whereas when it is fighting them it is using its strengths against them. The bo is the earliest of all Okinawan weapons (and effectively one of the earliest of all weapons in the form of a basic staff), and is traditionally made from red or white oak. Also most of the time they used dark oak for tournaments with the b\u014d."}, {"context": " The \"sai\" is a three-pronged truncheon sometimes mistakenly believed to be a variation on a tool used to create furrows in the ground. This is highly unlikely as metal on Okinawa was in short supply at this time and a stick would have served this purpose more satisfactorily for a poor commoner, or \"Heimin\". The sai appears similar to a short sword, but is not bladed and the end is traditionally blunt. The weapon is metal and of the truncheon class with its length dependent upon the forearm of the user. The two shorter prongs on either side of the main shaft are used for trapping (and sometimes breaking) other weapons such as a sword or bo. A form known as nunti sai, sometimes called \"manji\" sai (due to its appearance resembling the swastika kanji) has the two shorter prongs pointed in opposite directions."}, {"context": " The \"tonfa\" may have originated as the handle of a millstone used for grinding grain. It is traditionally made from red oak, and can be gripped by the short perpendicular handle or by the longer main shaft. As with all Okinawan weapons, many of the forms are reflective of \"empty hand\" techniques. The tonfa is more readily recognized by its modern development in the form of the police Side-handle baton, but many traditional tonfa techniques differ from side-handle baton techniques. For example, tonfa are often used in pairs, while side-handle batons generally are not."}, {"context": " A \"nunchaku\" is two sections of wood (or metal in modern incarnations) connected by a cord or chain. There is much controversy over its origins: some say it was originally a Chinese weapon, others say it evolved from a threshing flail, while one theory purports that it was developed from a horse's bit. Chinese nunchaku tend to be rounded, whereas Okinawan ones are octagonal, and they were originally linked by horse hair. There are many variations on the nunchaku, ranging from the three sectional staff (\"san-setsu-kon\", mentioned later in this article), to smaller multi-section nunchaku. The nunchaku was popularized by Bruce Lee in a number of films, made in both Hollywood and Hong Kong. This weapon is illegal in New York State, Canada, Australia (unless a permit is held) and parts of Europe."}, {"context": " The \"kama\" is a traditional farming sickle, and considered one of the hardest to learn due to the inherent danger in practicing with such a weapon. The point at which the blade and handle join in the \"weapon\" model normally has a nook with which a bo can be trapped, although this joint proved to be a weak point in the design, and modern day examples tend to have a shorter handle with a blade that begins following the line of the handle and then bends, though to a lesser degree; this form of the kama is known as the \"natagama\". The edge of a traditional rice sickle, such as one would purchase from a Japanese hardware store, continues to the handle without a notch, as this is not needed for its intended use."}, {"context": " The \"tekko\" or \"tecchu\" is a form of knuckleduster, and primarily takes its main form of usage from that of empty-hand technique, whilst also introducing slashing movements. The tekko is usually made to the width of the hand with anything between one and three protruding points on the knuckle front with protruding points at the top and the bottom of the knuckle. They can be made of any hard material but are predominantly found in aluminium, iron, steel, or wood. The \"tinbe-rochin\" consists of a shield and spear. It is one of the least known Okinawan weapons. The tinbe (shield) can be made of various materials but is commonly found in vine or cane, metal, or archetypically, from a turtle shell (historically, the Ry\u016bky\u016b Islands' primary source of food, fishing, provided a reliable supply of turtle shells). The shield size is generally about 45\u00a0cm long and 38\u00a0cm wide. The rochin (short spear) is cut with the length of the shaft being the same distance as the forearm to the elbow if it is being held in the hand. The spearhead then protrudes from the shaft and can be found in many differing designs varying from spears to short swords and machete-style implements."}, {"context": " The \"surujin\" consists of a weighted chain or leather cord and can be found in two kinds: 'tan surujin' (short) and 'naga surujin' (long). The lengths are about 150\u2013152\u00a0cm and 230\u2013240\u00a0cm respectively. It is a weapon which can be easily hidden prior to use, and due to this fact can be devastatingly effective. In the modern era, found with a bladed instrument at one end and a weight at the other, the surujin techniques are very similar to those of the nunchaku. Leather cords are used for practice or kumite, whereas chains are favored for demonstration, but rope (most commonly of hemp) was the original material used."}, {"context": " The Okinawan style of oar is called an \"eku\" (this actually refers to the local wood most commonly used for oars), \"eiku\", \"iyeku\", or \"ieku\". Noteworthy hallmarks are the slight point at the tip, curve to one side of the paddle and a roof-like ridge along the other. One of the basic moves for this weapon utilizes the fact that a fisherman fighting on the beach would be able to fling sand at an opponent. While not having the length, and therefore reach, of the b\u014d, the rather sharp edges can inflict more penetrating damage when wielded properly."}, {"context": " The \"tambo\", sometimes spelled \"tanbo\", is a short staff (compared to a bo, or a hambo) made of hardwood or bamboo. Its length is determined by measuring from the tip of the elbow to the wrist. Tambo can be used in pairs. The hoe is common in all agrarian societies; in Okinawa, the \"kuwa\" has been also used as a weapon for as long as there have been farmers. Compared to garden-variety hoes, the handle tends to be thicker and usually shorter, both due to Okinawan stature, and the fact that much of the agriculture takes place on hillsides where long handles would be a hindrance. A classic shape of blade is a simple rectangle of steel with a sharp leading edge, but may also be forked with tines."}, {"context": " The hanb\u014d is a middle length wood or bamboo stick, used for striking and joint locking techs. It measures about 90\u00a0cm, or can be made taking into account the length from the hip to the ankle. The \"nunti bo\" is similar to a spear, but typically composed of a bo with a manji-shaped sai mounted on the end. The \"sansetsukon\" is similar to a nunchaku, but has three sections of wood (or metal in modern incarnations) connected by a cord or chain. This table compares styles of Okinawan kobud\u014d. The weapons practiced by each style are listed. The styles listed below may practice strictly weapons, or may practice another martial arts (usually karate) as well.  Generally, weapons systems are not automatically formalized as karate systems. Some karate systems include weapons standard in their curriculum, while others may offer weapons training optionally. Some individual schools may teach additional weapons not necessarily taught by others in their system. Although many karate systems do not include weapons, individual schools may chose to teach Okinawan kobud\u014d. These karate systems may or may not be listed here."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan kusarigama", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawan kusarigama is a rare chain (\u9396) and sickle (\u938c) weapon found in the Okinawan kobud\u014d weapons set. A noted modern practitioner of the weapon was Seike Toma, a student of Ch\u014dtoku Kyan and a teacher of Seikichi Odo. Differing from kusarigama of Japanese Archipelago in anatomy and techniques, its use and design also varies depending on stylistic preferences or individual choices. The most common design, also known colloquially as \"flying kamas\", is where the chain (usually replaced with a rope) is attached to the bottom of the handle in the form of a loop. Another variation is where two kama are joint with a rope attached to the bottom of each. There also exists another, reminiscent of Japanese kusarigama but with a sickle smaller in size."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan language", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinawan language (/ \"Uchinaaguchi\" ), or Central Okinawan, is a Northern Ryukyuan language spoken primarily in the southern half of the island of Okinawa, as well as in the surrounding islands of Kerama, Kumejima, Tonaki, Aguni, and a number of smaller peripheral islands. Central Okinawan distinguishes itself from the speech of Northern Okinawa, which is classified independently as the Kunigami language. Both languages have been designated as endangered by the UNESCO \"Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger\" since its launch in February 2009."}, {"context": " Though Okinawan encompasses a number of local dialects, the Shuri-Naha variant is generally recognized as the \"de facto\" standard, as it had been used as the official language of the Ry\u016bky\u016b Kingdom since the reign of King Sh\u014d Shin (1477\u20131526). Moreover, as the former capital of Shuri was built around the royal palace, the language used by the royal court became the regional and literary standard, which thus flourished in songs and poems written during that era. Within Japan, Okinawan is often not seen as a language unto itself but is referred to as the or more specifically the . Okinawan speakers are undergoing language shift as they switch to Japanese, since language use in Okinawa today is far from stable. Okinawans are assimilating and accenting standard Japanese due to the similarity of the two languages, standardized and centralized education system, the media, and business and social contact with mainlanders. Okinawan is still spoken by many older people. It is also kept alive in popular music, tourist shows, and in theaters featuring a local drama called \"uchinaa shibai\", which depict local customs and manners."}, {"context": " Okinawan is a Japonic language, derived from Proto-Japonic. The split between Old Japanese and the Ryukyuan languages has been estimated to have occurred as early as the first century AD to as late as the twelfth century AD. Chinese and Japanese characters were first introduced by a Japanese missionary in 1265. When Ryukyu was annexed by Japan in 1879, the majority of people on Okinawa Island spoke Okinawan. Within ten years, the Japanese government began an assimilation policy of Japanization, where Ryukyuan languages were gradually suppressed. The education system was the heart of Japanization, where Okinawan children were taught Japanese and punished for speaking their native language, being told that their language was just a \"dialect\". By 1945, many Okinawans spoke Japanese, and many were bilingual. During the Battle of Okinawa, some Okinawans were killed by Japanese soldiers for speaking Okinawan."}, {"context": " Language shift to Japanese in Ryukyu/Okinawa began in 1879 when the Japanese government annexed Ryukyu and established Okinawa Prefecture. The prefectural office mainly consisted of people from Kagoshima Prefecture where the Satsuma Domain used to be. This caused the modernization of Okinawa as well as language shift to Japanese. As a result, Japanese became the standard language for administration, education, media, and literature. In 1902, the National Language Research Council (\u56fd\u8a9e\u8abf\u67fb\u59d4\u54e1\u4f1a) began the linguistic unification of Japan to Standard Japanese. This caused the linguistic stigmatization of many local varieties in Japan including Okinawan. As the discrimination accelerated, Okinawans themselves started to abandon their languages and shifted to Standard Japanese."}, {"context": " Under American administration, there was an attempt to revive and standardize Okinawan, but this proved difficult and was shelved in favor of Japanese. General Douglas MacArthur attempted to promote Okinawan languages and culture through education. Multiple English words were introduced. After Okinawa's reversion to Japanese sovereignty, Japanese continued to be the dominant language used, and the majority of the youngest generations only speak Okinawan Japanese. There have been attempts to revive Okinawan by notable people such as Byron Fija and Seijin Noborikawa, but few native Okinawans desire to learn the language."}, {"context": " The Okinawan language is still spoken by communities of Okinawan immigrants in Brazil. The first immigrants from the island of Okinawa to Brazil landed in the Port of Santos in 1908 drawn by the hint of work and farmable land. Once in a new country and far from their homeland, they found themselves in a place where there was no prohibition of their language, allowing them to willingly speak, celebrate and preserve their speech and culture, up to the present day. Currently the Okinawan-Japanese centers and communities in the State of Sao Paulo are a world reference to this language helping it to stay alive."}, {"context": " Okinawan is sometimes grouped with Kunigami as the Okinawan languages; however, not all linguists accept this grouping, some claiming that Kunigami is a dialect of Okinawan. Okinawan is also grouped with Amami (or the Amami languages) as the Northern Ryukyuan languages. Since the creation of Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawan has been labeled a dialect of Japanese as part of a policy of assimilation. Later, Japanese linguists, such as T\u014dj\u014d Misao, who studied the Ryukyuan languages argued that they are indeed dialects. This is due to the misconception that Japan is a homogeneous state (one people, one language, one nation), and classifying the Ryukyuan languages as such would discredit this belief. The present-day official stance of the Japanese government remains that Okinawan is a dialect, and it is common within the Japanese population for it to be called or , which means \"Okinawa dialect (of Japanese)\". The policy of assimilation, coupled with increased interaction between Japan and Okinawa through media and economics, has led to the development of Okinawan Japanese, which is a dialect of Japanese."}, {"context": " Okinawan linguist Seizen Nakasone states that the Ryukyuan languages are in fact groupings of similar dialects. As each community has its own distinct dialect, there is no \"one language\". Nakasone attributes this diversity to the isolation caused by immobility, citing the story of his mother who wanted to visit the town of Nago but never made the 25\u00a0km trip before she died of old age. Outside Japan, Okinawan is considered a separate language from Japanese. This was first proposed by Basil Hall Chamberlain, who compared the relationship between Okinawan and Japanese to that of the Romance languages. UNESCO has marked it as an endangered language."}, {"context": " UNESCO listed six Okinawan language varieties as endangered languages in 2009. The endangerment of Okinawan is largely due to the shift to Standard Japanese. Throughout history, Okinawan languages have been treated as dialects of Standard Japanese. For instance, in the 20th century, many schools used \u201cdialect tags\u201d to punish the students who spoke in Okinawan. Consequently, many of the remaining speakers today are choosing not to transmit their languages to younger generation due to the stigmatization of the languages in the past."}, {"context": " There have been several revitalization efforts made to reverse this language shift. However, Okinawan is still poorly taught in formal institutions due to the lack of support from the Okinawan Education Council: education in Okinawa is conducted exclusively in Japanese, and children do not study Okinawan as their second language at school. As a result, at least two generations of Okinawans have grown up without any proficiency in their local languages both at home and school. The Okinawan language has five vowels, all of which may be long or short, though the short vowels and are quite rare, as they occur only in a few native Okinawan words with heavy syllables with the pattern or , such as \"mensooree\" \"welcome\" or \"tonfaa\". The close back vowels and are truly rounded, rather than the compressed vowels of standard Japanese. A sixth vowel is sometimes posited in order to explain why sequences containing a historically raised fail to trigger palatalization as with : \u2192 \"tii\" \"hand\", \u2192 \"chii\" \"blood\". Acoustically, however, is pronounced no differently from , possibly because palatalization preceded this vowel shift."}, {"context": " The Okinawan language counts some 20 distinctive segments shown in the chart below, with major allophones presented in parentheses. The only consonant that can occur as a syllable coda is the archiphoneme . Many analyses treat it as an additional phoneme , the moraic nasal, though it never contrasts with or . The consonant system of the Okinawan language is fairly similar to that of standard Japanese, but it does present a few differences on the phonemic and allophonic level. Namely, Okinawan retains the labialized consonants and which were lost in Late Middle Japanese, possesses a glottal stop , features a voiceless bilabial fricative distinct from the aspirate , and has two distinctive affricates which arose from a number of different sound processes. Additionally, Okinawan lacks the major allophones and found in Japanese, having historically fronted the vowel to after the alveolars , consequently merging \"tsu\" into \"chi\", \"su\" into \"shi\", and both and into . It also lacks as a distinctive phoneme, having merged it into ."}, {"context": " There is a sort of \"formula\" for Ryukyuanizing Japanese words: turning \"e\" into \"i\", \"ki\" into \"chi\", \"gi\" into \"ji\", \"o\" into \"u\", and \"-awa\" into \"-aa\". This formula fits with the transliteration of \"Okinawa\" into \"Uchinaa\" and has been noted as evidence that Okinawan is a dialect of Japanese, however it does not explain unrelated words such as \"arigat\u014d\" and \"nifeedeebiru\" (for \"thank you\"). The Okinawan language was historically written using an admixture of kanji and hiragana. The hiragana syllabary is believed to have first been introduced from mainland Japan to the Ryukyu Kingdom some time during the reign of king Shunten in the early thirteenth century. It is likely that Okinawans were already in contact with \"hanzi\" (Chinese characters) due to extensive trade between the Ryukyu Kingdom and China, Japan and Korea. However, hiragana gained more widespread acceptance throughout the Ryukyu Islands, and most documents and letters were exclusively transcribed using this script, in contrast to in Japan where writing solely in hiragana was considered \"women's script\". The \"Omoro Saushi\" (), a sixteenth-century compilation of songs and poetry, and a few preserved writs of appointments dating from the same century were written solely in Hiragana. Kanji were gradually adopted due to the growing influence of mainland Japan and to the linguistic affinity between the Okinawan and Japanese languages. However, it was mainly limited to affairs of high importance and to documents sent towards the mainland. The oldest inscription of Okinawan exemplifying its use along with Hiragana can be found on a stone stele at the Tamaudun mausoleum, dating back to 1501."}, {"context": " After the invasion of Okinawa by the Shimazu clan of Satsuma in 1609, Okinawan ceased to be used in official affairs. It was replaced by standard Japanese writing and a form of Classical Chinese writing known as kanbun. Despite this change, Okinawan still continued to prosper in local literature up until the nineteenth century. Following the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government abolished the domain system and formally annexed the Ryukyu Islands to Japan as the Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. To promote national unity, the government then introduced standard education and opened Japanese-language schools based on the Tokyo dialect. Students were discouraged and chastised for speaking or even writing in the local \"dialect\", notably through the use of \"dialect cards\" (). As a result, Okinawan gradually ceased to be written entirely until the American takeover in 1945."}, {"context": " Since then, Japanese and American scholars have variously transcribed the regional language using a number of ad hoc romanization schemes or the katakana syllabary to demarcate its foreign nature with standard Japanese. Proponents of Okinawan tend to be more traditionalist and continue to write the language using hiragana with kanji. In any case, no standard or consensus concerning spelling issues has ever been formalized, so discrepancies between modern literary works are common. Technically, they are not syllables, but rather morae. Each mora in Okinawan will consist of one or two kana characters. If two, then a smaller version of kana follows the normal sized kana. In each cell of the table below, the top row is the kana (hiragana to the left, katakana to the right of the dot), the middle row in r\u014dmaji (Hepburn romanization), and the bottom row in IPA."}, {"context": " Okinawan follows a subject>object>verb word order and makes large use of particles as in Japanese. Okinawan dialects retain a number of grammatical features of classical Japanese, such as a distinction between the terminal form () and the attributive form (), the genitive function of \"ga\" (lost in the Shuri dialect), the nominative function of \"nu\" (Japanese: \"no\"), as well as honorific/plain distribution of \"ga\" and \"nu\" in nominative use. One etymology given for the \"-un\" and \"-uru\" endings is the continuative form suffixed with \"uri\" (Classical Japanese: \"wori\", \"to be; to exist\"): \"-un\" developed from the terminal form \"uri\"; \"-uru\" developed from the attributive form \"uru\", i.e.:"}, {"context": " A similar etymology is given for the terminal \"-san\" and attributive \"-saru\" endings for adjectives: the stem suffixed with \"sa\" (nominalises adjectives, i.e. high \u2192 height, hot \u2192 heat), suffixed with \"ari\" (Classical Japanese: \"ari\", \"to exist; to have\"), i.e.: Nouns are classified as independent, non-conjugating part of speech that can become a subject of a sentence Pronouns are classified the same as nouns, except that pronouns are more broad. Adverbs are classified as an independent, non-conjugating part of speech that cannot become a subject of a sentence and modifies a declinable word (\u7528\u8a00; verbs, adverbs, adjectives) that comes after the adverb. There are two main categories to adverbs and several subcategories within each category, as shown in the table below."}, {"context": " Verbs are classified as an independent, conjugating part of speech that shows movements. The conclusive form ends in . Adjectives are classified as an independent, conjugating part of speech that shows property or state. The conclusive form ends in . \u5b58\u5728\u52d5\u8a5e are classified as an independent, conjugating part of speech that shows existence or decision of a certain thing. attaches to a substantive. Adjectival verbs are classified as an independent, conjugating part of speech that shows the state of existence of events. attaches to words that shows state."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan martial arts", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawan martial arts refers to the martial arts, such as karate, tegumi and Okinawan kobud\u014d, which originated among the indigenous people of Okinawa Island. Due to its central location, Okinawa was influenced by various cultures with a long history of trade and cultural exchange, including Japan, China and Southeast Asia, that greatly influenced the development of martial arts on Okinawa. In 1429, the three kingdoms on Okinawa unified to form the Kingdom of Ryukyu. When King Sh\u014d Shin came into power in 1477, he banned the practice of martial arts. T\u014d-te and Ryukyu kobud\u014d (weaponry) continued to be taught in secret. The ban was continued in 1609 after Okinawa was invaded by the Satsuma Domain of Japan. The bans contributed to the development of kobud\u014d which uses common household and farming implements as weaponry."}, {"context": " The Okinawans combined Chinese martial arts with the existing local variants to form , sometimes called . By the 18th century, different types of \"Te\" had developed in three different villages \u2013 Shuri, Naha and Tomari. The styles were named Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te, respectively. Well into the 20th century, the martial arts of Okinawa were generally referred to as \"te\" and \"tii\" \u624b in Japanese and Okinawan for \"hand\". \"Te\" often varied from one town to another, so to distinguish among the various types of \"te\", the word was often prefaced with its area of origin; for example, Naha-te, Shuri-te, or Tomari-te."}, {"context": " Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te belong to a family of martial arts that were collectively defined as \"Tode-jutsu\" or \"To-de.\" Karate (\"Okinawa-te\" or \"Karate-jutsu\") was systematically taught in Japan after the Taisho era (after 1926). is a pre-World War II term for a type of indigenous martial art to the area around Shuri, the old capital city of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Important Okinawan masters of Shuri-te: Important kata: The successor styles to Shuri-te include Shotokan, Shit\u014d-ry\u016b, Sh\u014drin-ry\u016b, Shudokan, Sh\u014drinji-ry\u016b, Gensei-ryu and Motobu-ry\u016b."}, {"context": " refers to a tradition of martial arts originating from the village of Tomari, Okinawa. Important Okinawan masters of Tomari-te: Important kata: The successor styles to Tomari-te include Wado-ryu, Motobu-ry\u016b, Matsubayashi-ryu and Sh\u014drinji-ry\u016b is a pre-World War II term for a type of martial art indigenous to the area around Naha, the old commercial city of the Ryukyu Kingdom and now the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture. Important Okinawan masters of Naha-te: Important kata: The successor styles to Naha-te include G\u014dj\u016b-ry\u016b, Uechi-ry\u016b, Ry\u016bei-ry\u016b, Shito-ryu and T\u014don-ry\u016b."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan music", "paragraphs": [{"context": " , also known as , is the music of the Okinawa Islands of southwestern Japan. In modern times, it may also refer to the musical traditions of Okinawa Prefecture, which also covers the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands, and sometimes the Amami Islands. A dichotomy widely accepted by Okinawan people is the separation of musical traditions into \"koten\" (classical) and \"min'y\u014d\" (folk). Okinawa was once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The Yukatchu class in the capital of Shuri developed its high culture while they frequently suppressed folk culture in rural areas. Susumu Kumada added another category, \"popular music\", to describe songs that emerged after the kingdom was annexed by Japan in 1879."}, {"context": " was the court music of Ryukyu. was the traditional chamber music of the royal palace at Shuri Castle. The texture is essentially heterophonic using a single melodic line. Pitched accompaniment instruments each play a simultaneous variation on the vocal line. Created and sung by the commoners, folk music gained positive evaluation with the rise of folklorists led by Yanagita Kunio. Folk music is described by the Japanese term \"min'y\u014d\". Since the kingdom was annexed, some members of the former Yukatchu class spread Shuri-based high culture to other areas of Okinawa. Some of such new elements are today seen as part of folk culture."}, {"context": " Okinawa's folk songs are generally accompanied by one (or more) sanshin. The suffixes \"-ondo\" and \"-bushi\" (both meaning \"song\" or \"melody\") may also be attached to the title of folk songs, however songs named without these clarifiers are more common. Eisa and kach\u0101sh\u012b are Okinawan dances with specific music styles that accompany them. is a general term for nursery rhymes and children's songs. , composed in the style of traditional Okinawan min'y\u014d, have been written by several contemporary Okinawan folk musicians such as Rinsh\u014d Kadekaru, Sadao China, Shoukichi Kina, Seijin Noborikawa, and Tsuneo Fukuhara. These songs are often heard in contemporary pop music arrangements. , with music and lyrics by Sh\u014dkichi Kina, is typical of this genre."}, {"context": " Okinawa's (new) folk songs are sometimes referred to as \"shima-uta\". The term comes from the Amami language and was introduced in the 1970s. It was originally a genre of songs from the Amami Islands. The music of Okinawa came under the influence of American rock music beginning with the end of World War II. Many musicians began to blend the Okinawan folk music style and native instruments with those of American popular and rock music. This is called \"Uchinaa pop\". One example is Ryukyu Underground, who combine both classical and folk music with modern Dub music."}, {"context": " The instrument that defines Okinawan music is the sanshin. It is a three-stringed lute, very similar to the Chinese sanxian and a precursor to the Japanese shamisen. The body is covered in snake skin and it is plucked with a plectrum worn on the index finger. Okinawan folk music is often accompanied by various taiko drums such as , , and . Paaranku, a small hand-held drum about the size of a tambourine, is often used in eisa dancing. Other percussion instruments such as , and can often be heard in Okinawan music. \"Sanba\" are three small, flat pieces of wood or plastic that are used to make rapid clicking sounds, similar to castanets. \"Yotsutake\" are two sets of rectangular bamboo strips tied together, one set held in each hand, clapped together on the strong beat of the music. Traditionally they have been used in Ryukyuan classical music, but recently they have been used in eisa dancing."}, {"context": " A group of singers called a often accompanies folk music, singing the chorus or interjecting shouts called . Also finger whistling called is common in kach\u0101sh\u012b and eisa dance tunes. Additional instruments are often used in Ryukyuan classical music, and sometimes incorporated in folk music: \"The following is described in terms used in Western disciplines of music.\" Music from Okinawa uses tonal structure that is different in music from Japan and Amami, in particular the intervalic content of the scales used."}, {"context": " The chief pentatonic scale used in mainland Japan, for example, uses scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, also known as Do, Re, Mi, So, and La in the Kod\u00e1ly system of solfeggio. This structure avoids half step intervals by eliminating the fourth and seventh scale degrees. In contrast, music from Okinawa is abundant in the half steps. Common structures used in Okinawan music are a pentatonic scale utilizing scale degrees 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, or Do, Mi, Fa, So, Ti, or a hexatonic scale with the addition of the second scale degree, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, Ti. Half steps occur between the third and fourth (Mi and Fa), and also the seventh and first (Ti and Do) scale degrees. In particular, the interval from 7 to 1, or Ti to Do is very common. A folk tune can often be recognized as being Okinawan by noting the presence of this interval."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan name", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawan names today have only two components, the family names (surnames or last names) first and the given names last. Okinawan family names represent the distinct historical and cultural background of the islands which now comprise Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Expatriates originally from Okinawa also have these names. As Japanese citizens, Okinawans today comply with the Japanese family register (\"koseki\") system. Accordingly, an Okinawan name has only two components, a family name and a given name. A family name is called \"my\u014dji\" (\u82d7\u5b57 or \u540d\u5b57), \"uji\" (\u6c0f) or \"sei\" (\u59d3), and a given name is called the \"front name\" (\u540d\u524d, \"namae\") or \"lower name\" (\u4e0b\u306e\u540d\u524d, \"shita no namae\"). The family name precedes the given name. The given name may be referred to as the \"lower name\" because, in vertically-written Japanese, the given name appears under the family name."}, {"context": " Japanese family names generally show regional variation, but Okinawan family names are known for its distinctiveness. In contrast it becomes increasingly difficult to find unique Okinawan given names. This top 10 list is based on the name as written in kanji (Chinese characters). Since the Japanese language allows for multiple possible \"readings (pronunciations)\" for each character, the reading of Okinawan family names written with the same characters varies. In addition, the Okinawan language has its own means of reading Japanese kanji."}, {"context": " As in mainland Japan, historical names in Okinawa are more complicated. People with different social statuses bore different kinds of names, maintained several names to use in different occasions, and sometimes changed them in their lifetime. Okinawan names underwent great changes after the Ry\u016bky\u016b Kingdom fell under the Satsuma Domain's control. \"Warabi-naa\" (warabe-na/\"warabi-naa\", \u7ae5\u540d) were personal names. For example, the \"warabi-naa\" of Tamagusuku Ch\u014dkun was Umi-guraa (\u601d\u4e94\u826f). \"Warabi-naa\" were most prevalent among Okinawans, from the king to commoners, both male and female. They were the oldest component of Okinawan names as, like people in mainland Japan, the inhabitants of Ryukyu islands did not originally have names for families, clans or lineages. They were used as the official names during the early era of the Ryukyu Kingdom. They appeared even in appointment letters by the king, written mostly in hiragana. It was during the 17th century that other name components prevailed among the pechin class."}, {"context": " A \"warabi-naa\" was given soon after birth. Although literally meaning \"childhood name\", it was used by commoners for their entire life. While it was overshadowed by other name components, even adult male members of the pechin class used \"warabi-naa\" at home and when referring to their friends. Later in history, stylized use of prefixes and suffixes differentiated social statuses. A commoner used neither a prefix nor suffix, a samurai used either a prefix or suffix, and an aristocrat used both a prefix and a suffix. For example, Tuk\u016b (\u5fb3) was a name for commoners, Umi-tuk\u016b (\u601d\u5fb3) for samurai, and Umi-tuku-gani (\u601d\u5fb3\u91d1) for aristocrats."}, {"context": " A set of \"warabi-naa\" appeared in the very beginning of recorded history and has not been changed since then. The number of \"warabi-naa\" pooled in society was extremely small. It was not uncommon for a \"warabi-naa\" to be shared by more than one person in a household. The first male child was usually named after his paternal grandfather. For example, the last king Sh\u014d Tai had the \"warabi-naa\" Umi-jiraa-gani (\u601d\u6b21\u826f\u91d1), which was also the name of his grandfather Sh\u014d K\u014d. Even in the Old Ryukyu era, social development led Okinawans to acquire names other than \"warabi-naa\" for disambiguation. \"Kamei\" (\u5bb6\u540d) or \"Yaa-n-naa\" (\u5bb6\u306e\u540d), both meaning \"family name,\" were often attached to \"warabi-naa\". \"Kamei\" were toponyms, either the domains they ruled or the places of their origin. For example, an inscription of the Old Ryukyu era contains a personal name, \"Mafuto-kane \u00a0\u00a0 Ufusato no Ufu-yakumoi\" (\u307e\u3075\u3068\u304b\u306d \u5927\u3055\u3068\u306e\u5927\u3084\u304f\u3082\u3044), where \"Mafuto-kane\" (Mafutu-gani) was a \"warabi-naa\", \"Ufusato\" (Ufusatu) was a place associated with him, and \"Ufu-yakumoi\" (Ufu-yakumui) was the title he was given."}, {"context": " In the naming conventions after the separation of the Peichin class from peasants, only the Pechin class was allowed to have \"kamei\". Because the vast majority of the Pechin families lacked domains to rule, they inherited fixed \"kamei\". In contrast, an upper class member used the name of the fief he was given by the king. This means that his \"kamei\" was changed every time a different land was allotted. For example, Makishi Ch\u014dch\u016b (1818\u20131862) originally had the \"kamei\" Itarashiki (\u677f\u826f\u6577) but was then given a fief of \u014cwan (\u5927\u6e7e) before being finally renamed to Makishi (\u7267\u5fd7)."}, {"context": " In early times, \"kamei\" were written predominantly in hiragana. After the invasion of the Ry\u016bky\u016b Kingdom by Japan's Satsuma Domain in 1609, the Japanese-style use of Chinese characters (kanji) was adopted. The Keich\u014d Land Surveys of 1609-1611 probably conventionalized to some degree the choice of kanji for place names, and thus surnames based on them. In 1625 the Satsuma Domain instituted a . As a result, the kanji used to write \"kamei\" changed from characters that were common in Japan to new, unique character combinations. For example, the name \u6771 (Higashi) was often changed to \u6bd4\u5609 (Figa) or \u6bd4\u8b1d (Fija), the name \u524d\u7530 (Maeda) to \u771f\u6804\u7530 (the same reading), \u798f\u5c71 (Fukuyama) to \u8b5c\u4e45\u5c71 (the same reading), etc."}, {"context": " In practice, \"kamei\" represented a group who shared the founder of a relatively recent past. When it was necessary to distinguish branch families, the main family attached the prefix \"ufu\" (\u5927, great) to its \"kamei\" while the suffix \"gwa\" (\u5c11, small), for example, was used for a branch family. Officially, commoners did not have \"kamei\". At some point in history, commoners in the capital region, Shuri and Naha, started to assume \"kamei\". However, \"kamei\" of commoners were differentiated verbally and in writing. The last syllable of a commoner's \"kamei\" was lengthened (e.g. Arakachii) while that of a Pechin was not (e.g. Arakachi). For commoners, his \"warabi-naa\" is written first and is followed by his \"kamei\". For example, Taraa (\"warabi-naa\") from Yamagushiku was written as \u305f\u3089\u5c71\u57ce (Taraa Yamagushiku)."}, {"context": " Commoners in rural areas unofficially used names for households, which were also called \"Yaa-n-naa\" (\u5c4b\u306e\u540d). They were similar to \"yag\u014d\", private family names used by commoners in Japan. Like in Japan, a rank (\u4f4d\u968e) was also part of the addressing system. The following was the list of ranks after they were fixed: Young male members of the Pechin class who had no rank were addressed with honorific suffixes: \"shii\" (\u5b50) for the upper class and \"nyaa\" (\u4ec1\u5c4b) for the lower class. Commoners had no rank. Male members of the Pechin class adopted \"nanui\" (nanori/\"nanui\", \u540d\u4e57), or Japanese-style personal names, when they reached adulthood. Each \"nanui\" consists of two kanji characters, e.g. \u671d\u85ab (Ch\u014dkun). The first character of a \"nanui\", called \"nanui-gasira\" (nanori-gashira/\"nanui-gasira\", \u540d\u4e57\u982d), was shared by a lineage or \"munch\u016b\". For example, the character \u671d (\"ch\u014d\") was used by branch families of the royal family including Ch\u014dkun (\u7389\u57ce\u671d\u85ab), his father Ch\u014dchi (\u671d\u81f4) and his son Ch\u014dki (\u671d\u559c)."}, {"context": " The direct reference to a \"nanui\" verbally and in writing was usually avoided because it was considered rude. In domestic documents, a Pechin was usually addressed by the combination of a \"kamei\" and a rank (e.g. Kyan Peekumi (\u559c\u5c4b\u6b66\u89aa\u96f2\u4e0a)). This was similar to the convention of Japan, e.g. And\u014d Tsushima-no-kami (\u5b89\u85e4\u5bfe\u99ac\u5b88, And\u014d, Governor of Tsushima Province) for And\u014d Nobumasa. This combination can be found in as early as the first half of the 16th century. When necessary, a \"nanui\" was attached to the combination of a \"kamei\" and a rank. It is only a convention of historiography that people of the Ry\u016bky\u016b Kingdom are referred to by the combination of a \"kamei\" and a \"nanui\", e.g. Tamagusuku Ch\u014dkun (\u7389\u57ce\u671d\u85ab)."}, {"context": " \"Nanui\" came into use during the 17th century with obvious influence from Satsuma. The use of \"nanui-gashira\" is similar to that of \"ts\u016bji\" (\u901a\u5b57) in Japan. However, while \"ts\u016bji\" was usually assumed only by the successor of a household, the first son in most cases, each \"nanui-gashira\" was shared by all the male member of a lineage. From 1689 male members of the Pechin class also had \"kara-naa\" (\u5510\u540d) or Chinese names. Each \"kara-naa\" consists of a one-character name for a lineage called \"shii\" or \"uji\" (sei/\"shii\", \u59d3 or uji/\"uji\", \u6c0f) and a personal name called \"imina\" (\u8af1). For example, Tamagusuku Ch\u014dkun had the \"kara-naa\" Sh\u014d Juy\u016b (\u5411\u53d7\u7950). \"Kara-naa\" appeared neither officially nor privately in domestic affairs, but were used for diplomatic correspondence with Chinese dynasties. Thus a lower-class Pechin who had no post in the court had virtually no chance to use his \"kara-naa\"."}, {"context": " Names for Okinawan officials were recorded in early diplomatic documents written in Classical Chinese. They were actually corrupt forms of \"warabi-naa\" and \"kamei\". For example, \"a-fu-sat-to\" \u963f\u5e03\u85a9\u90fd and \"\u014d-sat-to\" \u738b\u5bdf\u5ea6 both referred to the \"kamei\" Ufuzatu (\u5927\u91cc). Similarly, \"go-ratsu\" \u5449\u524c and \"tatsu-ro-ka-ne\" \u9054\u9b6f\u52a0\u79b0 derived from \"warabi-naa\" Guraa (\u4e94\u826f) and Taru-gani (\u6a3d\u91d1) respectively. It is during the 16th century that some officials used names that could be analyzed as Chinese surnames and given names. It seems that at first these names were coined each time they were needed for a diplomatic trip to China. Some families from which diplomats came for generations began to succeed the first character of their ancestors' transcribed names as \"shii\". For instance, descendants of Mafutu-gani, who appeared as \"ma-botsu-to\" (\u9ebb\u52c3\u90fd) in diplomatic records, adopted the \"shii\" Ma (\u9ebb) after him."}, {"context": " The development of Okinawan naming conventions was closely related with that of \"munch\u016b\" (monch\u016b/\"munch\u016b\", \u9580\u4e2d), or patrilineages. In 1689 \"Keizu-za\" or the Board of Genealogies (\u7cfb\u56f3\u5ea7) was established and all the Pechin lineages were ordered to compile genealogical records. In 1690 the royal court assigned one-character \"shii\" or Chinese surnames to all registered lineages. Since commoners were forbidden to compile genealogical records, this effectively separated the Pechin class from commoners. Genealogical records became a status symbol of the Pechin class. The Pechin class came to be referred to as \"keimochi\" (\u7cfb\u6301), lit. possessing genealogy, while commoners were called \"mukei\" (\u7121\u7cfb), lit. without genealogy."}, {"context": " Among the Pechin class, lineages were identified by the combination of the Chinese-style \"shii\" and the Japanese-style \"nanui-gashira\". A lineage with the \"shii\" M\u014d (\u6bdb) shared the \"nanui-gashira\" Sei (\u76db), but this \"nanui-gashira\" was also used by a lineage named \u014c (\u7fc1). Also, there was another lineage whose \"shii\" was M\u014d, but its \"nanui-gashira\" was An (\u5b89). It should be noted that \"kamei\" cannot be a designator of lineages. The M\u014d lineage with the \"nanui-gashira\" Sei had was headed by the family with the \"kamei\" Tomigusuku (\u8c4a\u898b\u57ce), but its branch families had various \"kamei\" including Kunigami (\u56fd\u982d) and Tomikawa (\u5bcc\u5ddd)."}, {"context": " The title \"\u014c\" (\u738b) or king was of foreign origin. In Okinawan, the king styled himself \"anji-osoi-jyanashi\" or later \"Shui-tin-jyanashi\" (\u9996\u91cc\u5929\u52a0\u90a3\u5fd7). The king was referred to as \"ushu-jyanashi-me\" by his people and as \"myuumee-jyanashi\" or \"nuumee-jyanshi\" by his family members. Close relatives of the king were given the ranks of \"w\u014dji\" (\u738b\u5b50) and \"anji\" (\u6309\u53f8). Although \"w\u014dji\" literally means the king's son, its conferrers were not limited to the king's son. A \"w\u014dji\" or \"anji\" was referred to by his domain plus the suffix \"udun\" (\u5fa1\u6bbf). The crown prince was traditionally given the domain Nakagusuku (\u4e2d\u57ce) and therefore referred to as Nakagusuku-udun (\u4e2d\u57ce\u5fa1\u6bbf)."}, {"context": " Many early kings, up to Sh\u014d H\u014d, had divine names (\u795e\u53f7) in addition to \"warabi-naa\". For example, Sh\u014d Gen's divine name was \"tida-hajimi-aji-sui\" (\u65e5\u59cb\u6309\u53f8\u6dfb). It seems that divine names were assumed after accession to the throne. The king had a \"kara-naa\" and used it in diplomatic correspondence with China. The royal \"shii\" Sh\u014d (\u5c1a) was, according to Ryukyuan records, given to Sh\u014d Hashi by the Xuande Emperor of Ming China. This statement is highly questionable because no such record is found in Chinese documents and Sh\u014d Hashi used the \"shii\" even earlier. In 1692, the branch families of the royal house were given the \"shii\" Sh\u014d (\u5411, note the different kanji) and the \"nanui-gashira\" Ch\u014d (\u671d) no matter how distant from the king."}, {"context": " A district near the capital named Kumemura is said to have been founded by immigrants from Fujian, China. Its raison d'\u00eatre was to manage diplomatic contacts with China although some were later engaged in domestic affairs. The members of the community had \"kara-naa\" or Chinese names from the very beginning. It is known that they also had \"warabi-naa\" as early as the first half of the 15th century. Today historical figures from Kumemura are often known by \"kara-naa\", e.g. Sai On. He appeared in domestic documents as Gushichan Uwekata after his \"kamei\" Gushichan (\u5177\u5fd7\u982d) and his rank Uwekata (\u89aa\u65b9). He had a \"nanui\" Bunjaku (\u6587\u82e5), and therefore is sometimes known as Gushichan Bunjaku."}, {"context": " The Ry\u016bky\u016b Kingdom was forced to become a Japanese feudal domain by the Meiji government in 1872, and it was formally annexed by Japan in 1879. Ry\u016bky\u016bans were then entered into the Japanese family register (\"koseki\") system and, as in Japan, surnames were extended to all citizens, no longer being the province of the aristocratic classes alone. A large number of the names created at this time were taken from geographical names or places of residence. Direct descendants of Tamagusuku Ch\u014dkun, who by the time assumed the \"kamei\" Hentona (\u8fba\u571f\u540d), adopted Hentona as their new surname."}, {"context": " While the nobles had assumed new names when they reached adulthood, the new system forced them to adopt lifetime personal names soon after birth. At first, Japanese given names were often given when they entered school. For this reason, given names were informally called \"school names\" (\u5b66\u6821\u540d). \"Warabi-naa\" continued to be used unofficially until the early Sh\u014dwa period. With increasing contacts with Japan, many Okinawans felt it inconvenient to use their alien-looking surnames. Since the law made it extremely difficult to change surnames, they often changed the \"reading\" of surnames while leaving their written forms unmodified. For example, Naagusuku (\u5bae\u57ce) was usually changed to Miyagi (\u5bae\u57ce). It is reported that, during the American military occupation after World War II, many managed to change their surname relatively easily. The family registers were completely destroyed by American attacks and reconstructed on individual declarations."}]}, {"title": "Okinawan scripts", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawan language, spoken in Okinawa Island, was once the official language of the Ryukyu Kingdom. At the time, documents were written in kanji and hiragana, derived from Japan. Nowadays, most Japanese, as well as most Okinawans, tend to think of Okinawan as merely a dialect of Standard Japanese, even though the language is not mutually intelligible to Japanese speakers. As a \"dialect\", modern Okinawan language is not written frequently. When it is, the Japanese writing system is generally used with an \"ad hoc\" manner. There is no standard orthography for the modern language. Nonetheless, there are a few systems announced by scholars and laypeople alike. None of them are widespread among the native speakers, but those systems can write the language with less ambiguity than the \"ad hoc\" conventions. The Roman alphabet in some form or another is used in some publications, especially those of an academic nature."}, {"context": " The modern conventional \"ad hoc\" spellings found in Okinawa. The system devised by the Council for the Dissemination of Okinawan Dialect (\u6c96\u7e04\u65b9\u8a00\u666e\u53ca\u5354\u8b70\u4f1a). The system devised by Okinawa Center of Language Study, a section of University of the Ryukyus. Unlike others, this method is intended purely as a phonetic guidance, basically uses katakana only. For the sake of an easier comparison, corresponding hiragana are used in this article. \u65b0\u6c96\u7e04\u6587\u5b57 (\"Shin Okinawa-moji\"), devised by , in his textbook \"Utsukushii Okinawa no H\u014dgen\" (\u7f8e\u3057\u3044\u6c96\u7e04\u306e\u65b9\u8a00; \"The beautiful Okinawan Dialect\"; ). The rule applies to hiragana only. Katakana is used as in Japanese; just like in the conventional usage of Okinawan."}]}, {"title": "Okinawepipona", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawepipona is a small genus of east Asian potter wasps."}]}, {"title": "Okinawicius", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinawicius is a genus of spiders in the Salticidae family. It was first described in 2016 by Pr\u00f3szy\u0144ski. , it contains 9 species. \"Okinawicius\" comprises the following species:"}]}, {"title": "Okine", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okine is a surname. Notable persons with that name include:"}]}, {"title": "Okinka Pampa", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinka Pampa Kanyimpa, sometimes Kanjimpa (died 1930) was a queen-priestess of the Bijagos of Orango, in the Bissagos Islands of Guinea-Bissau. She lived in Angagum\u00e9. Queen Pampa Kanyimpa, member of the Okinka clan, succeeded her father Bankajapa as ruler of the island. She was entrusted to protect the island's ancestors and be the keeper of its traditions around 1910. This was a time when the government of Portugal was preparing to occupy the Bissagos archipelago as part of its territorial claims in Africa. Portugal saw the islands as an opportunity to expand their trade ports and improve the economy for Portuguese settlers. She resisted their campaigns of pacification, an attempt to maintain peace, for some time before ultimately signing a peace treaty with them. At the same time, she implemented societal reforms that expanded the rights of women and ended slavery. Okinka Pampa died in 1930 of natural causes; her legacy is today still celebrated in the islands and on the mainland. She was the last queen of the Bijago people. Okinka Pampa is still worshiped throughout the archipelago, and her tomb may still be visited."}]}, {"title": "Okino", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okino (written: \u6c96\u91ce) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:"}]}, {"title": "Okino coal mine", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okino Coal Mine is a coal mine located in southern Russia in Buryatia. The mine has coal reserves amounting to 126 million tonnes of coking coal, one of the largest coal reserves in Asia and the world. The mine has an annual production capacity of 3 million tonnes of coal."}]}, {"title": "Okinoerabu Airport", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinoerabu Airport was opened on 1 May 1969 with a 1200-meter runway, and was officially certified as a third-class airport by the Japanese government on 31 May 1969. In order to handle operations by Bombardier Q400 aircraft, the runway was reinforced and lengthened to 1400 meters on 12 May 2005. The last commercial operation of the NAMC YS-11 in Japan was on 30 September 2006 on a flight from Okenoerabu to Kagoshima."}]}, {"title": "Okinoerabu dialect cluster", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okinoerabu dialect cluster ( \"Shimamuni\"), also Oki-no-Erabu, is a dialect cluster spoken on Okinoerabu Island, Kagoshima Prefecture of southwestern Japan. It is part of the Amami\u2013Okinawan languages, which are part of the Japonic languages. Okinoerabu dialects are classified into two groups: The linguistic boundary between Eastern and Western Okinoerabu roughly corresponds to the administrative boundary between Wadomari (east) and China (west). In addition, the eastern community of Kunigami (part of Eastern Okinoerabu and not to be confused with Northern Okinawa) is known for sporadically retaining a centralized vowel, which is a characteristic of Northern Amami. For example, (\"root\", Standard Japanese /ne/) is contrasted with (\"loads\", Standard Japanese /ni/). The northwestern community of Tamina (part of Western Okinoerabu) has a distinctive accentual system."}, {"context": " Takahashi Takayo (b. 1967), a cultural anthropologist from the island, stated that the language of each community or the island as a whole was called \"shimamuni\". Each language variety within the island had distinctive characteristics. The language of the community of Kunigami on the island, for example, was referred to as \"Kunigami-bushi\". It retained mutually intelligibility with the languages of the island's other communities. It is said that Okinoerabu was mutually unintelligible with neighboring Yoron and Tokunoshima."}, {"context": " The following is the phonology of the Wadomari dialect (part of Eastern Okinoerabu), which is based on Hirayama et al. (1986). As with most Ryukyuan languages to the north of Central Okinawan, stops are described as \"plain\" C\u2019 and \"glottolized\" C\u2018. Phonetically, the two series are lightly aspirated and tenuis , respectively. Notes Eastern Okinoerabu has , , , and , long and short. Only major sound correspondences are listed. The following is the phonology of the China dialect (part of Western Okinoerabu), which is based on Hirayama et al. (1986).  Notes Western Okinoerabu has , , , and , long and short."}]}, {"title": "Okinoerabujima", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The island, 93.63 \u00a0km\u00b2 in area, has a population of approximately 15,000 persons. Administratively it is divided into the towns of Wadomari and China in Kagoshima Prefecture. Much of the island is within the borders of the Amami Gunt\u014d Quasi-National Park. Okinoerabujima is isolated from the other Amami islands, and is located in between Tokunoshima and Yoronjima, approximately south of the southern tip of Ky\u016bsh\u016b and north of Okinawa. The island is an elevated coralline island with a length of approximately and width of , with Mount \u014cyama at above sea level at its highest peak. In the eastern part of the island is an extensive limestone cave system, one of the largest in Asia. The coast of the island is surrounded by a coral reef."}, {"context": " It is uncertain when Okinoerabujima was first settled. It was ruled by the Aji nobility who built numerous gusuku fortifications from the 8th century onwards. From 1266 it was part of Hokuzan, and from 1422 the Ryukyu Kingdom. The island was invaded by samurai from Satsuma Domain during the 1609 Invasion of Ryukyu and its incorporation into the official holdings of Satsuma was recognized by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1624. Satsuma rule was harsh, with the inhabitants of the island reduced to serfdom and forced to raise sugar cane to meet high taxation, which often resulted in famine. The island was subordinate to Tokunoshima from 1616 to 1690, when an independent \"daikansho\" was established. Throughout the Satsuma period, the island was used as a prison settlement, especially for political offenders, including many members of the Ryukyuan royal family. Saig\u014d Takamori was exiled to Okinoerabujima from 1862 to 1864."}, {"context": " After the Meiji Restoration the island was incorporated into \u014csumi Province and later became part of Kagoshima Prefecture. Following World War II, along with the other Amami Islands, it was occupied by the United States until 1953, at which time it reverted to the control of Japan. In September 1977, a massive typhoon (Typhoon Babe (1977)) devastated the island, which experienced winds in excess of for two hours as the typhoon passed by. Nearly two-thirds of the homes across the island were damaged or destroyed by the storm and 73\u00a0people were injured. Most of the injuries across the island were caused by collapsing buildings."}, {"context": " Okinoerabujima has a humid subtropical climate (K\u00f6ppen climate classification \"Cfa\") with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is somewhat lower in winter. The island is subject to frequent typhoons. Okinoerabujima is home to several rare species of reptiles and insects endemic to the island itself, or more generally to the Ryukyu Islands. The island is one of fewer locations where swimming with whales (humpback whales) is legally approved. With moderate rainfall and a warm climate, the island is suitable for agriculture. Main crops include sweet potatoes, sugar cane and floriculture. Brown sugar refining and the production of distilled \"sh\u014dch\u016b\" liquor is the major industry. The island is not a major tourist destination, unlike many in the Amami archipelago.  The port of Wadomari, located in the town the same name has regular ferry services to Okinawa and Kagoshima and Kobe. The smaller port of China, in the town of China, has ferries to Kagoshima and other of the Amami islands. Okinoerabu Airport, in Wadomari, is located on the island."}]}, {"title": "Okinohara Site", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is an archaeological park containing the remnants of a middle J\u014dmon period settlement located in what is now part of the town of Tsunan, Niigata in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1978. The site is located on a river terrace of the Shinano River and contains the ruins of a large village from the middle J\u014dmon period (approximately 3,000 years ago). The first survey of the site was conducted from 1970-1973, revealing the foundations for 49 circular pit dwellings and three large rectangular-sided structures with sides measuring 10 meters, and one stone-paved structure. These structures were arranged around a roughly circular plaza 120 meters in diameter. In addition, over 1686 examples of \"flame style\" pottery, a typical Jomon period motif, were discovered.  The site is open to the public as an archaeological park with reconstructions of buildings. Many of the artefacts excavated are stored at the Tsunan Municipal History Museum."}]}, {"title": "Okinori Kaya", "paragraphs": [{"context": " In his obituary, \"Time\" magazine quoted Kaya as saying that \"communism means only a dog's life\"."}]}, {"title": "Okinoshima (Fukuoka)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The entire island is considered a shinto \"kami\", and the island is off limits to women. For centuries, only 200 men were allowed on the island on one day each year after they had \"purified\" themselves in the surrounding sea. The island covers area of and has maximum elevation of . The Okitsu-g\u016b shrine is located at the southwestern portion of Okinoshima. It was established in the mid 17th-century. Prior to the shrine's establishment as a sacred natural site, the surrounding site served as a location for the worship of the \"kami\". The shrine has been maintained in relatively the same condition since the Sh\u014dwa period 1932, prior to which, it had undergone repair and rebuilding several times."}, {"context": " The island's deity was said to guard a popular trade route to Korea. In exchange for safe passage, fishermen provided offerings that included swords, flat-iron ingots, elaborate mirrors and bronze dragon heads. The offerings were concealed underneath stones or scattered between boulders. In the 1600s a Christian feudal lord, Kuroda Nagamasa, collected the offerings and put them in a tower of his castle. According to legend, the tower began to shake, bright objects streaked through the sky, and diseases plagued Nagamasa's people. Nagamasa returned the objects to the island, and the unsettling events stopped."}, {"context": " Today many of the treasures are on display in the Munakata shrine on Kyushu. In 2009 the island was submitted for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the serial nomination Okinoshima Island and Related Sites in Munakata Region. The island gained status as a UNESCO World Heritage site on July 9, 2017. Local residents had expressed their worry that the island's inclusion on the UNESCO list would cause an increase of tourism that would threaten its sacredness. Takayuki Ashizu, the chief priest at Munakata Taisha, said that regardless whether or not Okinoshima is added to the UNESCO cultural heritage list they would not open it to the public because \"people shouldn't visit out of curiosity.\""}]}, {"title": "Okinoshima, Shimane", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinoshima Town takes its name from Okinoshima, the traditional name for all four inhabited Oki Islands. There is no single island named Okinoshima. Okinoshima Town was formed from the merger of the town of Saig\u014d, and the villages of Fuse, Goka and Tsuma on October 1, 2004, all from Oki District. Okinoshima occupies all of the island of D\u014dgo, in the Oki Islands archipelago in the Sea of Japan, along with numerous offshore uninhabited islands and rocks. For administrative purposes, the Japanese government officially considers the disputed islet of Takeshima (Liancourt Rocks) to be a part of the town of Okinoshima.  Okinoshima has a humid subtropical climate (K\u00f6ppen climate classification \"Cfa\") with very warm summers and cool winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year. The town economy is primarily based on agriculture and commercial fishing."}]}, {"title": "Okinotorishima", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The is a coral reef with two rocks enlarged with tetrapod-cement structures. It is claimed by Japan with a total shoal area of and land area . Its dry land area is mostly made up by three concrete encasings and there is a stilt platform in the lagoon housing a research station. There's a third complete artificial tetrapod-cement islet. It is located on the Palau-Kyushu Ridge in the Philippine Sea, southeast of Okidait\u014djima and west-southwest of South Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands or south of Tokyo, Japan. The atoll is the southernmost part of Japan and the only Japanese territory in the tropics."}, {"context": " Japan claims the atoll is significant enough for Japan to have a 200 nautical mile (370.4 km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the atoll, but China, South Korea, and Taiwan dispute the Japanese EEZ, saying that the atoll does not meet the definition of an island under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The English meaning of the name is \"remote bird islands\". The atoll has multiple designations in English (Okinotori coral reefs, Okinotori Islands). Its original name was Parece Vela, Spanish for \"it looks like a sail\" (alluding to the original appearance of the reef). This name has been retained in English as well, especially to designate the geological formations of the islets."}, {"context": " It was possibly first sighted by the Spanish sailor Bernardo de la Torre in 1543, certainly by Miguel L\u00f3pez de Legazpi in 1565, and its first recorded name was Parece Vela (\"looks like a sail\" in Spanish). In 1789, William Douglas arrived with the British ship \"Iphigenia\" and, in 1790, the place was named \"Douglas Reef\" (also spelled \"Douglass Reef\"). The existence of the atoll might not have been known by the Japanese until 1888. In 1922 and 1925, the Japanese navy ship \"Manshu\" investigated the area. In 1931, confirming that no other countries had claimed the reefs, Japan declared it Japanese territory, placing it under the jurisdiction of the Tokyo Metropolis, classifying it as part of the Ogasawara Village, and naming it \"Okinotorishima\"."}, {"context": " During 1939 and 1941, a foundation was completed for \"a lighthouse and a meteorological observation site\" but construction was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. After Japan's defeat, the United States assumed sovereignty over the Ogasawara islands, and returned authority over the islands to Japan in 1968. Between 1987 and 1993 the government of Tokyo and later the central government built steel breakwaters and concrete walls to stop the erosion of Okinotorishima, which today leaves only three of the five rocks that were present in 1939 above water; in 1988 the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center built a marine investigation facility which it has since maintained following typhoon damage. Funding for full repairs was finally allocated in early 2016. The facility also doubles as an EEZ observation post for the Maritime Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, being equipped with radar and various other sensors to help monitor activity in the zone."}, {"context": " On March 16, 2007, a light beacon was installed by the Japan Coast Guard. The beacon is plotted on the hydrographic chart. Geologically, the islets are a coral atoll, built on the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, the westernmost part of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc System. The name \"Parece Vela\" has been given to the extinct back-arc basin that lies immediately to the east (the northern half of this back-arc basin is known as the Shikoku Basin). This back-arc basin was formed by seafloor spreading between the late Oligocene and Miocene. The Parece Vela Basin contains the longest megamullion in the world. The original Spanish name of the islets is normally used for the geological formations, hence, Parece Vela megamullion, Parece Vela ridge, Parece Vela rift or Parece Vela basin."}, {"context": " The waters around the reefs are potentially rich in oil and other mineral and fisheries resources and it lies in an area of potential military significance. At high tide, one area of the reefs is , roughly the size of a twin bed, and pokes just out of the ocean. The other is , the size of a small bedroom, and rises , about twice as high. The entire reef consists of approximately , most of which is submerged even at low tide. The area has three tiny individual islets: Minami-Kojima is a completely artificial islet created in shallow water. But also the two original islets appear completely artificial today, with little if any trace of the two natural rocks that still appear on photographs of 1987. In 1925, there were still five above-water rocks, which have eroded since. A report from 1947 mentions five above-water rocks. Three smaller ones were on the west side, nearly impossible to see from seaward because of the breaking waves. The larger rocks on the southwest side and on the northeast side, possibly Kita-Kojima and Higashi-Kojima, were reported to be high, respectively. The original rocks appeared barren, obviously without any terrestrial vegetation. The current artificial dry land areas with their concrete surfaces appear unfit to support terrestrial vegetation either."}, {"context": " After concrete encasing, each of the islets appears as a circle with a diameter of 60 meters (196\u00a0ft) on detailed satellite images, which would correspond to a land area\u2014albeit mostly artificial\u2014of per islet, or in total. In addition, there is a platform on stilts in the shallow part of the lagoon east-northeast of the southern islet, built by the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center in 1988, which appears as a rectangle of . The platform has a helicopter landing pad and a large three-story building with a marine investigation facility and a meteorological station."}, {"context": " The rocks are in the western part of a lagoon surrounded by a submerged coral reef, over which the waves break, and that extends east-west and north-south, with an area of roughly 5\u00a0km\u00b2 within the rim of the reef. The lagoon is 3 to 4.6 meters deep, but there are numerous coral heads of lesser depths throughout the area. The fringing reef of the atoll is pear-shaped in an east-west direction with its greatest width at the eastern end. There is a small boat channel into the lagoon in the southwest, about wide and deep, southeast of the artificial islet."}, {"context": " Administratively, the island is considered part of Ogasawara village, Tokyo. In 1939, the construction of a Naval Base was started by Japan, but suspended in 1941, at the start of the World War II hostilities in the Pacific. Typhoons are constant threats to Okinotori's existence. In the 1970s there were about five or six visible protrusions, but by 1989, only two were visible. In order to prevent the island from submersion caused by erosion and maintain its claim to the EEZ, the Japanese government launched an embankment building project in 1987, and Higashikojima and Kitakojima were surrounded by concrete. Japan has encased the reefs with $280\u00a0million worth of concrete and covered the smaller one with a $50\u00a0million titanium net to shield it from debris thrown up by the ocean's waves. The Japanese government has spent over $600\u00a0million fortifying the reefs to prevent them from being completely washed away."}, {"context": " Furthermore, the Nippon Foundation has drawn plans to build a lighthouse and increase the size of the reef by breeding microorganisms known as foraminifera. Creating land using the microorganisms could take decades to a century before the island is large enough to be useful. Currently, Japan carries out maritime research and observation of the area, as well as repair work on the embankment. In 2005, the government installed a radar system (at the cost of \u00a5 330 million), repaired a heliport, and placed an official address plaque saying, \"1 Okinotori Island, Ogasawara Village, Tokyo\" in Japanese. Fishing expeditions also support the claim of economic activity."}, {"context": " Former Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara has talked of building a power station, despite protests by environmentalists. His government has helped fund expeditions to Okinotori by Japanese fishermen and scientists. Governor Ishihara himself toured the islands on May 20, 2005 to inspect the conservation and management efforts, went snorkeling to see firsthand the condition of the surrounding waters, and released Japanese horse mackerel fry to show support for the local fishing industry. The islands are an intermittent rallying point for Japanese nationalists, and, as such, a hot-button political issue in Japan."}, {"context": " On 22 April 2004, Chinese diplomats stated during bilateral talks with Japan that they regarded Okinotorishima as an atoll, not an islet, and did not acknowledge Japan's claim to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) stemming from Okinotorishima. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an island is \"a naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide\". It states that \"rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone.\" Japan signed the Convention in 1983; the Convention came into force in 1994\u20131996 for Japan."}, {"context": " Japan claims an EEZ over 400,000 square km (154,500 square miles) around Okinotorishima. China and South Korea dispute this claim in their addenda to the CLCS, saying the area only consists of rocks and not islands. Though neither China nor South Korea have territorial claims regarding Okinotorishima, but foreign policy analysts speculated that it wants to \"investigate the surrounding seabed for submarine operations in case of military conflict involving the Republic of China (Taiwan).\" Japan claims that rock is not defined in the Convention. Besides, the construction of port, lighthouse and power station may be used as a counterargument for PRC's claim regarding \"sustain human habitation or economic life\"."}, {"context": " The territory lies at a militarily strategic point, midway between Taiwan and Guam, the latter where U.S. forces are based. Vessels of the PRC are believed to have been mapping the ocean's bottom over which U.S. warships might pass on their way to Taiwan. The PRC conducted four maritime surveys near the Okinotori coral reefs in 2001, two in 2002, and one in 2003. However, the number of such incidents rose to four in 2004. These incidents have drawn protests from Japan. Jon Van Dyke, a law professor, has suggested that the situation is similar to the failed British attempt to claim an EEZ around Rockall, an uninhabited granite outcropping in the Atlantic Ocean. The UK eventually dropped its claim in the 1990s when other countries objected. Dr. Dyke has further asserted that it is impossible to make \"a plausible claim that Okinotorishima should be able to generate a 200 [nautical]-mile zone\". Tadao Kuribayashi, another law professor, disagrees, arguing in part that rocks and reefs differ in composition and structure, and that the intent of the provision was geared toward the former.  In 2016, Japan's arrest of a Taiwanese fishing ship's crew led Taiwan to protest against Japan's claim of island status for Okinotori and by extension the EEZ."}]}, {"title": "Okinoumi Ayumi", "paragraphs": [{"context": " At school he attended local sumo clubs and took part in national competitions, but had no desire to take up sumo as a profession, instead wanting to go to sea and taking examinations to become a licensed mariner. However, he ended up dropping out of high school and was introduced by an acquaintance to Hakkaku-\"oyakata\", the 61st \"yokozuna\" Hokutoumi, who persuaded him to join his Hakkaku stable. Okinoumi is known for his good looks. His stablemaster joked at a press conference after Okinoumi's promotion to \"j\u016bry\u014d\" that this made him envious."}, {"context": " He began his professional career in January 2005, fighting under his family name of Fukuoka. He was promoted to the second highest \"j\u016bry\u014d\" division after taking the \"y\u016bsh\u014d\" or tournament championship in the \"makushita\" division in January 2009 with a perfect 7-0 record. He changed his \"shikona\" to Okinoumi, a reference to his birthplace of Okinoshima (a tiny and remote island in Western Japan) which had been suggested by his father. He became the first \"sekitori\" from the Oki Islands since 1960. Troubled by a shoulder injury, he was demoted from \"j\u016bry\u014d\" after two losing records, but after reverting to the name Fukuoka he won immediate promotion back to \"j\u016bry\u014d\" in July 2009. Fighting as Okinoumi once again, in January 2010 he won promotion to the top \"makuuchi\" division, becoming the first wrestler from Shimane Prefecture to do so in 88 years. He came through with a \"kachi-koshi\" or winning record in his debut \"makuuchi\" tournament in March, winning his last three bouts to score 8-7. This saw him promoted to \"maegashira\" 10 for May."}, {"context": " He was suspended from the July 2010 tournament, along with several other wrestlers, after admitting involvement in illegal gambling on baseball. As a result, he dropped back to \"j\u016bry\u014d\" for September. Ranked at \"j\u016bry\u014d\" 8, a 10-5 record was enough to return him to the top division for the November tournament, where he secured his majority of wins on the final day. His best performance to date came in the January 2011 tournament where he finished runner-up to \"yokozuna\" Hakuh\u014d and received his first \"sansh\u014d\" award, for Fighting Spirit. This saw him promoted to a new highest rank of \"maegashira\" 4 for the May 2011 \"technical examination tournament.\" There he fought all the top-ranked men for the first time and defeated three \"\u014dzeki\": Kai\u014d, Harumafuji and Koto\u014dsh\u016b. He lost his last two bouts, to \"komusubi\" Kakury\u016b and Toyonoshima, to fall to a \"make-koshi\" 7-8 but remained at the same rank for the next tournament. Securing his majority of wins on the final day of the July tournament, he reached a new highest rank of \"maegashira\" 1 in September. He achieved his first gold star win against Harumafuji in November 2012, and his second Fighting Spirit award at \"maegashira\" 7 in March 2013."}, {"context": " He managed two non-consecutive \"komusubi\" appearances in 2013, but he slid down the rankings after four consecutive losing tournaments in the following year. Following the January tournament in 2015 he was promoted to \"sekiwake\" from the relatively low rank of \"maegashira\" 6, benefiting from the failure of most of those ranked directly above him to get winning records. He was injured in his \"sekiwake\" debut and had to withdraw from the tournament. Nine win in May and eleven in July saw him promoted to the \"san'yaku\" ranks for the fourth time (three at \"komusubi\", and one at \"sekiwake\"). He was unable to hold the rank, scoring 6\u20139, and he also had a losing record in his fourth attempt at \"komusubi\" in May 2016. He picked up a \"kinboshi\" from \"maegashira\" 2 in July 2016, and had a very successful start to the September tournament, defeating \"\u014dzeki\" Kisenosato on opening day, Kakury\u016b on Day 2 and Harumafuji on Day 3. By the sixth day he had defeated two \"yokozuna\" and three \"ozeki\" and was the undefeated tournament co-leader. However he began losing in the second week of the tournament and finished on 9\u20136. He was rewarded for this efforts with his first Outstanding Performance Prize, and promotion back to \"sekiwake\". The November 2016 tournament did not go well for Okinoumi who had a lingering injury that had caused him to miss the autumn tour. He ended the tournament with only a 5-10 record and fell back to the \"maegashira\" ranks.In the November 2017 tournament Okinoumi was a runner-up to Hakuh\u014d with a 11\u20134 record, and was awarded his third Fighting Spirit prize, shared with Aminishiki."}, {"context": " He is the owner of the Kimigahama \"toshiyori kabu\" or elder stock currently being borrowed by (former \"maegashira\" Hochiyama) , indicating he intends to stay in sumo as a coach upon his retirement. Okinoumi is a \"yotsu-sumo\" fighter, preferring grappling techniques to pushing or thrusting. His most common winning \"kimarite\" is \"yori-kiri\" or force out, and he favours a \"migi-yotsu\" grip on the \"mawashi\", with his left hand outside and right hand inside his opponent's arms. He also regularly uses \"uwatenage\", or overarm throw."}]}, {"title": "Okinsky District", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okinsky District (; ) is an administrative and municipal district (raion), one of the twenty-one in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. It is located in the west of the republic. The area of the district is . Its administrative center is the rural locality (a \"selo\") of Orlik. As of the 2010 Census, the total population of the district was\u00a05,353, with the population of Orlik accounting for 47.7% of that number. The district was established on May\u00a026, 1940. Within the framework of administrative divisions, Okinsky District is one of the twenty-one in the Republic of Buryatia. The district is divided into one selsoviet and three \"somons\", which comprise fifteen rural localities. As a municipal division, the district is incorporated as Okinsky Municipal District. Its one selsoviet and three \"somons\" are incorporated as four rural settlements within the municipal district. The \"selo\" of Orlik serves as the administrative center of both the administrative and municipal district."}]}, {"title": "Okir", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okir (also spelled as okkil, okil, or ukkil) is the term for geometric and flowing designs (often based on an elaborate leaf and vine pattern) and folk motifs that can be usually found in Maranao, Maguindanao and Muslim-influenced artwork, especially in the southern Philippines, and in some parts of Southeast Asia. \"Okir a dato\" refers to the ornamental design for men and \"okir a bay\" to that for women. In the Philippines, an ancient proof of okir's style of flowering symbols is the \"torogan\", the ancestral home of the highest titleholder in a Maranao village. It is a symbol of power and prestige usually adorned during festivities. Its prominent part is the \"panolong\", a carved beam that protrudes in the front of the house and styled with okir motif. The okir design is found woven or printed in textiles, carved into wooden cemetery markers and wooden boxes, and it can also be found etched into knife or sword blades and handles, and cast or etched into various brass and silver objects.  Other variations of the okir involves the use of \"n\u0101ga\" or serpent motif. Maranao instruments usually are styled with okir. A more prominent variation is the \"sarimanok\", a chicken-like figure that carries a fish in its beak. Okir is said to be firstly made in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, as Tugaya is known as the home of Maranao artisans and the Industrial capital of Lanao del Sur. It has been long known as the home of arts and crafts of Maranao tribe since time immemorial."}]}, {"title": "Okisaki shogi", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okisaki shogi (\u5fa1\u5983\u5c06\u68cb \"okisaki sh\u014dgi\" \"Queen shogi\") is a modern variant of shogi (Japanese chess). It was developed by Masayuki Nakayachi c. 1996 from suggestions by German chess player Ralph Blockhaus. Okisaki shogi is similar to standard shogi, but is played on a 10\u00d710 board. There are ten pawns and a queen, which moves like a queen in Western chess. The knights also move as in Western chess. Two players, Black and White (or \u5148\u624b \"sente\" and \u5f8c\u624b \"gote\"), play on a board ruled into a grid of 10 \"ranks\" (rows) by 10 \"files\" (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color."}, {"context": " Each player has a set of 22 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least powerful) they are: Listed here are the pieces of the game with their Japanese representation: English speakers sometimes refer to promoted bishops as \"horses\" and promoted rooks as \"dragons\", after their Japanese names, and generally use the Japanese name \"tokin\" for promoted pawns. Silver generals and gold generals are commonly referred to simply as \"silvers\" and \"golds\". The characters inscribed on the backs of the pieces to indicate promoted rank may be in red ink, and are usually cursive. The characters on the backs of the pieces that promote to gold generals are cursive versions of \u91d1 'gold', becoming more cursive (more abbreviated) as the value of the original piece decreases. Another convention has abbreviated versions of the \"original characters\", with a reduced number of strokes. The first version has been adopted for this article, as the abbreviated version of \u8df3 is not known (this piece not appearing in standard shogi)."}, {"context": " Piece moves are as in standard shogi, apart from the queen (\u5983\u5c06 or \u5983 \"hish\u014d\" or \"okisaki\" \"princess\") and the knights (\u8df3\u99ac or \u8df3 \"ch\u014dma\"), which move as in Western chess, and the lance, which can move directly forward or backwards (standard shogi knights and lances can only move forward.) An opposing piece is captured by \"displacement\": That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece, the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player)."}, {"context": " Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either \"orthogonally\" (that is, forward, backward, left, or right, in the direction of one of the arms of a plus sign, +), or \"diagonally\" (in the direction of one of the arms of a multiplication sign, \u00d7). The knight is an exception in that it does not move in a straight line. If a pawn, which cannot retreat or move aside, advances across the board until it can no longer move, it must promote. Some pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the direction in which they move. The movement categories are:"}, {"context": " Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.) The step movers are the king, gold general, silver general and the ten pawns on each side. The knight can \"jump\", that is, it can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on either. The bishop, rook, and queen can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is in its way. If a friendly piece intervenes, the moving piece is limited to a distance that stops short of the intervening piece; if the friendly piece is adjacent, it cannot move in that direction at all."}, {"context": " A player's \"promotion zone\" consists of the three farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's pawns and beyond (that is, the opponent's territory at setup). If a piece \"crosses\" the board within the promotion zone, including moves into, out of, or wholly within the zone, then that player may choose to \"promote\" the piece at the end of the turn. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank. Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is removed from the board. Each piece promotes as follows:"}, {"context": " If a pawn reaches the farthest rank, it must be promoted, since it would otherwise have no legal move on subsequent turns. Because they can back out, the rules in standard shogi making it mandatory to promote knights and lances in the final ranks do not apply to okisaki shogi. Captured pieces are retained \"in hand\", and can be brought back into play under the capturing player's control. On any turn, instead of moving a piece on the board, a player may select a piece in hand and place it\u2014unpromoted side up and facing the opposing side\u2014on any empty square. The piece is then one of that player's active pieces on the board and can be moved accordingly. This is called \"dropping\" the piece, or simply, a \"drop\". A drop counts as a complete move."}, {"context": " A drop cannot capture a piece, nor does dropping within the promotion zone result in immediate promotion. Capture and/or promotion may occur normally, however, on subsequent moves of the piece. A pawn may not be dropped on the furthest rank, since it would have no legal moves on subsequent turns. Because they can back out, the restrictions in standard shogi on dropping knights on the last two ranks and lances on the final rank do not apply to okisaki shogi. There are two additional restrictions when dropping pawns, as in standard shogi:"}, {"context": " The ability for drops in okisaki shogi give the game tactical richness and complexity, as no piece ever goes entirely out of play. Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement. Pieces are paired with their promotion. Pieces with a grey heading start out in the game; those with a blue heading only appear on the board after promotion. Betza's funny notation has been included in brackets for easier reference. A player who captures the opponent's king or all other pieces wins the game (unless the bared player immediately follows this baring by baring his own opponent, in which case it is a draw). In practice this rarely happens, as a player will resign when checkmated, as otherwise when loss is inevitable."}, {"context": " A player who makes an illegal move loses immediately. (This rule may be relaxed in casual games.) There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition (\u5343\u65e5\u624b \"sennichite\") and impasse (\u6301\u5c06\u68cb \"jish\u014dgi\"). If the same position occurs four times with the same player to play, then the game is no contest. However, if this is the result of perpetual check, the checking player loses. For the position to be considered the same, both the board position and the pieces in hand must be identical."}, {"context": " The game reaches an impasse if both kings have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither player can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material. The method used in English-language texts to express shogi moves was established by George Hodges in 1976. It is derived from the algebraic notation used for chess, but differs in several respects. A typical example is P-8g. The first letter represents the piece moved: P = pawn, L = lance, N = knight, S = silver, G = gold, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king. Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter. e.g., +P for a tokin (promoted pawn). The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an ordinary move and x for a capture. Next is the designation for the square on which the piece lands. This consists of a number representing the file and a lowercase letter representing the rank, with 1a being the top right corner (as seen from Black's point of view) and 10j being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2\u4e09 in Japanese.)  If a move entitles the player to promote the piece, then a + is added to the end to signify that the promotion was taken, or an = to indicate that it was declined. For example, Nx7c= indicates a knight capturing on 7c without promoting. In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant. Moves are commonly numbered as in chess."}]}, {"title": "Okiseius", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okiseius is a genus of mites in the Phytoseiidae family."}]}, {"title": "Okishio's theorem", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okishio's theorem is a theorem formulated by Japanese economist Nobuo Okishio. It has had a major impact on debates about Marx's theory of value. Intuitively, it can be understood as saying that if one capitalist raises his profits by introducing a new technique that cuts his costs, the collective or general rate of profit in society \u2013 for all capitalists \u2013 goes up. Okishio [1961] establishes this theorem under the assumption that the real wage remains constant. Thus, the theorem isolates the effect of 'pure' innovation from any consequent changes in the wage."}, {"context": " For this reason the theorem, first proposed in 1961, excited great interest and controversy because, according to Okishio, it contradicts Marx's law of the tendency of the rate of profit to fall. Marx had claimed that the new general rate of profit, after a new technique has spread throughout the branch where it has been introduced, would be lower than before. In modern words, the capitalists would be caught in a rationality trap or prisoner's dilemma: that which is rational from the point of view of a single capitalist, turns out to be irrational for the system as a whole, for the collective of all capitalists. This result was widely understood, including by Marx himself, as establishing that capitalism contained inherent limits to its own success. Okishio's theorem was therefore received in the West as establishing that Marx's proof of this fundamental result was inconsistent."}, {"context": " More precisely, the theorem says that the general rate of profit in the economy as a whole will be higher if a new technique of production is introduced in which, at the prices prevailing at the time that the change is introduced, the unit cost of output in one industry is less than the pre-change unit cost. The theorem, as Okishio (1961:88) points out, does not apply to non-basic branches of industry. The proof of the theorem may be most easily understood as an application of the Perron\u2013Frobenius theorem. This latter theorem comes from a branch of linear algebra known as the theory of nonnegative matrices. A good source text for the basic theory is Seneta (1973). The statement of Okishio's theorem, and the controversies surrounding it, may however be understood intuitively without reference to, or in-depth knowledge of, the Perron\u2013Frobenius theorem or the general theory of nonnegative matrices."}, {"context": " The argument of Nobuo Okishio, a Japanese economist, is based on a Sraffa-model. The economy consists of two departments I and II, where I is the investments goods department (means of production) and II is the consumption goods department, where the consumption goods for workers are produced. The coefficients of production tell, how much of the several inputs is necessary to produce one unit of output of a given commodity (\"production of commodities by means of commodities\"). In the model below two outputs exist formula_1, the quantity of investment goods, and formula_2, the quantity of consumption goods."}, {"context": " The coefficients of production are defined as: The worker receives a wage at a certain wage rate w (per unit of labour), which is defined by a certain quantity of consumption goods. Thus: This table describes the economy: This is equivalent to the following equations: In department I expenses for investment goods or for \"constant capital\" are: In Department II expenses for \"constant capital\" are: and for \"variable capital\": \"(The constant and variable capital of the economy as a whole is a weighted sum of these capitals of the two departments. See below for the relative magnitudes of the two departments which serve as weights for summing up constant and variable capitals.)\""}, {"context": " Now the following assumptions are made: Okishio, following some Marxist tradition, assumes a constant real wage rate equal to the value of labour power, that is the wage rate must allow to buy a basket of consumption goods necessary for workers to reproduce their labour power. So, in this example it is assumed that workers get two pieces of consumption goods per hour of labour in order to reproduce their labour power. A technique of production is defined according to Sraffa by its coefficients of production. For a technique, for example, might be numerically specified by the following coefficients of production:"}, {"context": " From this an equilibrium growth path can be computed. The price for the investment goods is computed as (not shown here): formula_30, and the profit rate is: formula_31. The equilibrium system of equations then is: A single firm of department I is supposed to use the same technique of production as the department as a whole. So, the technique of production of this firm is described by the following: Now this firm introduces technical progress by introducing a technique, in which less working hours are needed to produce one unit of output, the respective production coefficient is reduced, say, by half from formula_27 to formula_37. This already increases the technical composition of capital, because to produce one unit of output (investment goods) only half as much of working hours are needed, while as much as before of investment goods are needed. In addition to this, it is assumed that the labour saving technique goes hand in hand with a higher productive consumption of investment goods, so that the respective production coefficient is increased from, say, formula_26 to formula_39."}, {"context": " This firm, after having adopted the new technique of production is now described by the following equation, keeping in mind that at first prices and the wage rate remain the same as long as only this one firm has changed its technique of production: So this firm has increased its rate of profit from formula_41 to formula_42. This accords with Marx's argument that firms introduce new techniques only if this raises the rate of profit. Marx expected, however, that if the new technique will have spread through the whole branch, that if it has been adopted by the other firms of the branch, the new equilibrium rate of profit not only for the pioneering firm will be again somewhat lower, but for the branch and the economy as a whole. The traditional reasoning is that only \"living labour\" can produce value, whereas constant capital, the expenses for investment goods, do not create value. The value of constant capital is only transferred to the final products. Because the new technique is labour-saving on the one hand, outlays for investment goods have been increased on the other, the rate of profit must finally be lower."}, {"context": " Let us assume, the new technique spreads through all of department I. Computing the new equilibrium rate of growth and the new price formula_13 gives under the assumption that a new general rate of profit is established: If the new technique is generally adopted inside department I, the new equilibrium general rate of profit is somewhat lower than the profit rate, the pioneering firm had at the beginning (formula_46), but it is still higher than the old prevailing general rate of profit: formula_47 larger than formula_48."}, {"context": " Nobuo Okishio proved this generally, which can be interpreted as a refutation of Marx's law of the tendency of the rate of profit to fall. This proof has also been confirmed, if the model is extended to include not only circulating capital but also fixed capital. Mechanisation, defined as increased inputs of machinery per unit of output combined with the same or reduced amount of labour-input, necessarily lowers the maximum rate of profit. 1) Some Marxists simply dropped the law of the tendency of the rate of profit to fall, claiming that there are enough other reasons to criticise capitalism, that the tendency for crises can be established without the law, so that it is not an essential feature of Marx's economic theory."}, {"context": " Others would say that the law helps to explain the recurrent cycle of crises, but cannot be used as a tool to explain the long term developments of the capitalist economy. 2) Others argued that Marx's law holds if one assumes a constant \u2018\u2019wage share\u2019\u2019 instead of a constant real wage \u2018\u2019rate\u2019\u2019. Then, the prisoner's dilemma works like this: The first firm to introduce technical progress by increasing its outlay for constant capital achieves an extra profit. But as soon as this new technique has spread through the branch and all firms have increased their outlays for constant capital also, workers adjust wages in proportion to the higher productivity of labour. The outlays for constant capital having increased, wages having been increased now also, this means that for all firms the rate of profit is lower."}, {"context": " However, Marx did not know the law of a constant wage share. Mathematically the rate of profit could always be stabilised by decreasing the wage share. In our example, for instance, the rise of the rate of profit goes hand in hand with a decrease of the wage share from formula_49 to formula_50, see computations below. However, a reduction in the wage share is not possible in neoclassical models due to the assumption that wages equal the marginal product of labour. 3) A third response is to reject the whole framework of the Sraffa-models, especially the comparative static method. In a capitalist economy entrepreneurs do not wait until the economy has reached a new equilibrium path but the introduction of new production techniques is an ongoing process. Marx's law could be valid if an ever-larger portion of production is invested per working place instead of in new additional working places. Such an ongoing process cannot be described by the comparative static method of the Sraffa models."}, {"context": " According to Alfred M\u00fcller the Okishio theorem could be true, if there was a coordination amongst capitalists for the whole economy, a centrally planned capitalist economy, which is a Contradictio in adjecto. In a capitalist economy, in which means of production are private property, economy-wide planning is not possible. The individual capitalists follow their individual interests and do not cooperate to achieve a general high rate of growth or rate of profit. Up to now it was sufficient to describe only monetary variables. In order to expand the analysis to compute for instance the value of constant capital \"c\", variable capital \"v\" und surplus value (or profit) \"s\" for the economy as whole or to compute the ratios between these magnitudes like rate of surplus value \"s\"/\"v\" or value composition of capital, it is necessary to know the relative size of one department with respect to the other. If both departments I (investment goods) and II (consumption goods) are to grow continuously in equilibrium there must be a certain proportion of size between these two departments. This proportion can be found by modelling continuous growth on the physical (or material) level in opposition to the monetary level."}, {"context": " In the equations above a general, for all branches, equal rate of profit was computed given whereby a price had to be arbitrarily determined as num\u00e9raire. In this case the price formula_13 for the consumption good formula_2 was set equal to 1 (num\u00e9raire) and the price for the investment good formula_1 was then computed. Thus, in money terms, the conditions for steady growth were established. To establish this steady growth also in terms of the material level, the following must hold: Thus, an additional magnitude K must be determined, which describes the relative size of the two branches I and II whereby I has a weight of 1 and department II has the weight of \"K\"."}, {"context": " If it is assumed that total profits are used for investment in order to produce more in the next period of production on the given technical level, then the rate of profit \"r\" is equal to the rate of growth\u00a0\"g\". In the first numerical example with rate of profit formula_57 we have: The weight of department II is formula_60. For the second numerical example with rate of profit formula_61 we get: Now, the weight of department II is formula_64. The rates of growth \"g\" are equal to the rates of profit \"r\", respectively."}, {"context": " For the two numerical examples, respectively, in the first equation on the left hand side is the input of formula_1 and in the second equation on the left hand side is the amount of input of formula_2. On the right hand side of the first equations of the two numerical examples, respectively, is the output of one unit of formula_1 and in the second equation of each example is the output of K units of formula_2. The input of formula_1 multiplied by the price formula_11 gives the monetary value of constant capital\u00a0\"c\". Multiplication of input formula_2 with the set price formula_20 gives the monetary value of variable capital v. One unit of output formula_1 and K units of output formula_2 multiplied by their prices formula_11 and formula_13 respectively gives total sales of the economy \"c\"\u00a0+\u00a0\"v\"\u00a0+\u00a0\"s\"."}, {"context": " Subtracting from total sales the value of constant capital plus variable capital (\"c\"\u00a0+\u00a0\"v\") gives profits\u00a0\"s\". Now the value composition of capital \"c\"/\"v\", the rate of surplus value \"s\"/\"v\", and the \"wage share\" \"v\"/(\"s\"\u00a0+\u00a0\"v\") can be computed. With the first example the wage share is formula_49 and with the second example formula_50. The rates of surplus value are, respectively, 0.706 and 1.389. The value composition of capital \"c\"/\"v\" is in the first example 6,34 and in the second 12.49. According to the formula"}]}, {"title": "Okita", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okita is a Japanese surname. \u014ckita, sometimes spelled Ookita, is a different Japanese surname pronounced with a long vowel at the beginning. Notable people with these surnames include: Fictional characters with this surname include:"}]}, {"title": "Okita Mitsu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okita Mitsu (\u6c96\u7530 \u307f\u3064) (May 26, 1833 \u2013 November 2, 1907) was the eldest sister of Okita S\u014dji, captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi. She was born the eldest daughter of Okita Katsujir\u014d, in a samurai family from Mutsu Province. In 1846, she married Inoue Rintar\u014d, who later became Okita Rintar\u014d, after being adopted into the Okita family. They had a child in 1853. In 1868, during the Boshin War, S\u014dji was suffering from tuberculosis and thus stayed with Mitsu and her family in Edo, while the rest of the Tokugawa shogunate forces retreated to the Tohoku region. Mitsu looked after the terminally ill S\u014dji, until she and her family were forced to evacuate to Shonai han. S\u014dji died on May 30 of that year.  Mitsu returned to Edo in 1872. Her husband died in 1883, and she went to live with her youngest son in Manchuria. She died in 1907. In \"Gintama\", Okita S\u014dgo's sister, Okita Mitsuba, is based on her. In the 2004 Taiga drama \"Shinsengumi!\", she was portrayed by Yasuko Sawaguchi."}]}, {"title": "Okita Rintaro\u0304", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Born in Hino, Edo in 1826, he was Inoue S\u014dz\u014d's younger brother and related to Inoue Genzabur\u014d's family. He later became an adopted son of Okita Katsujir\u014d (Okita S\u014dji's father) and changed his name to Okita Rintar\u014d before his marriage to Katsujir\u014d's daughter Mitsu in 1846 (K\u014dka 3). He then served as the head of the Okita family in place of S\u014dji. A licensed practitioner of the Tennen Rishin Ryu, in 1863 he joined the R\u014dshigumi together with Okita S\u014dji and Inoue Genzabur\u014d. However, not long after their arrival in Kyoto, the R\u014dshigumi was disbanded, he and the rest went back to Edo, leaving behind Okita S\u014dji, Inoue Genzabur\u014d and few members there. While in Edo, he later became a commander of the Shinch\u014dgumi, which was under the sponsorship of the Sh\u014dnai-han. At that time, he and Mitsu moved to one of the barracks (\"kumi-yashiki\" \u7d44\u5c4b\u6577) in the former Edo residence of Tanuma Okitaka with their children. They lived there until the Boshin War."}, {"context": " After the start of the Boshin War, he and Mitsu took care of a terminally ill Okita S\u014dji until the forces of the northern domains, as well as the soldiers of the former shogunate, retreated to the Tohoku region. Since S\u014dji was not fit for traveling, Rintar\u014d and Mitsu had no choice but to leave him in Edo. Joining the Sh\u014dnai daimy\u014d Sakai Tadazumi in leaving the city, Rintar\u014d and his family traveled to Sh\u014dnai. Rintar\u014d subsequently fought alongside the Sh\u014dnai forces during the height of the Boshin War. In 1872, the family returned to Tokyo and lived in a place called Ume-yashiki (\u6885\u5c4b\u6577; \"Plum Mansion\") in Sumida-Mukaijima. Okita Rintar\u014d died in Tokyo, on February 13, 1883, at age 56."}]}, {"title": "Okita So\u0304ji", "paragraphs": [{"context": " He was born in 1842 or 1844 from a samurai family in the Shirakawa Domain's Edo mansion. His great-grandfather was Okita Kan'emon (d. 1819) and his grandfather was Okita Sanshiro (d. 1833.) His father, Okita Katsujiro, died in 1845; he had two older sisters, Okita Mitsu (1833\u20131907) and Okita Kin (1836\u20131908). In 1846, in order to marry the adopted son of the Okita family, Okita Rintar\u014d (1826\u20131883), his oldest sister Okita Mitsu became an adopted daughter of Kondo Shusuke in name. Kondo Shusuke was the third master of the \"Tennen Rishin-ry\u016b\" and Okita started training at the \"Shieikan\" with him around the age of nine. By that time, Kondo Shusuke had already adopted Shimazaki Katsuta (the later Kond\u014d Isami), but Hijikata Toshiz\u014d had not yet enrolled at the Tennen Rishin-ry\u016b school. Okita proved to be a prodigy; he mastered all the techniques and attained the \"Menkyo Kaiden\" scroll (\"license of total transmission\") in the \"ry\u016b\" at the age of eighteen or so."}, {"context": " In some accounts, Okita was described as not being very handsome. However, most describe Okita as actually quite an attractive man. In 1861, Okita became Head Coach (\"Jukutou\") at the Shieikan. Even though he was often commented to be honest, polite, and good-natured by those around him, he was also known to be a strict and quick-tempered teacher to his students. Okita changed his name to Okita S\u014dji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi some time before his departure with the R\u014dshigumi to Kyoto in March 26, 1863. However, the R\u014dshigumi was disbanded upon their arrival there in April 10, 1863. While the rest returned to Edo. Okita and several other founding members remained behind in Mibu to form the Mibu R\u014dshigumi, which would later be renamed as the Shinsengumi in August 18, 1863. Okita was the second youngest among the Shieikan members, most likely with T\u014dd\u014d Heisuke being the youngest. His brother-in-law Okita Rintar\u014d, also a practitioner of the Tennen Rishin-ry\u016b, became a commander of the \"Shinch\u014dgumi\" (the Shinsengumi's brother league in Edo.)"}, {"context": " Okita S\u014dji soon became a \"Fukuch\u014d Jokin\" (vice-commander's assistant) of the Shinsengumi. He was one of the members involved in the Serizawa Kamo (one of the original commanders of the Shinsengumi) and the Uchiyama Hikojiro assassinations in 1863. Equally skilled with shinai, bokken/bokutou, and katana, his signature technique was named the \"Mumyo-ken\" (which roughly translates as \"no light blade\" or \"unenlightened blade\") or \"Sandanzuki\" (which translates as \"Three Piece Thrust\"), a technique that could attack one's neck, left shoulder, and right shoulder with one strike. (the Mumyo-ken supposedly could hit all three points simultaneously, but this is an embellishment.) The Mumyo-ken was his own invention and may have been derived from an invention of Hijikata's, the Hirazuki."}, {"context": " It is a popular conception by the public that his tuberculosis was first discovered when he fainted during the Ikedaya incident, mostly due to the depiction appearing in a famous work chronicling the Shinsengumi as well as a number of period dramas based upon it. Some sources on the other hand say that he contracted the disease after that. Both theories are fairly reasonable, as tuberculosis can kill quickly (in weeks), or very slowly (many years). However, one should note that people rarely survived the disease longer than a year once it progressed to the point that they would collapse, and Okita did not die until four years after the affair. Some researchers now believe he instead collapsed due to some other ailment, such as anemia or heat stroke. While many of Shinsengumi fans believe that Yoshida Toshimaro was killed by Okita during the Ikedaya Affair (based on Shimosawa Kan and Shiba Ry\u014dtar\u014d's fiction), it is a historical inaccuracy."}, {"context": " Based on Shiba Ryoutarou's fiction, many also believe that Okita and Hijikata were like brothers. In history, Yamanami Keisuke was the vice-commander Okita shared a brotherly relationship with. Sannan's \"seppuku\" (with Okita as his second) in 1865 was an extremely painful incident in Okita's short life. There is no record showing that Hijikata and Okita were close; it is debatable whether Okita even got along with Hijikata. In 1865, Okita became the captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi and also served as a kenjutsu instructor; later that year, he was appointed by Kondo Isami to be the fifth master of the Tennen Rishin-ryu after him."}, {"context": " Although highly unlikely, it was rumored that he wielded a famous katana called \"Kiku-ichimonji\". However, he surely owned a set of \"Kaga Kiyomitsu\" (a katana and a wakizashi) and his so-called \"Kikuichimonji Norimune\" was likely a \"Yamashiro Kunikiyo\" instead. During the Boshin War, after the Battle of Toba\u2013Fushimi in the first month of the year Kei\u014d-4, Okita went into Matsumoto Ry\u014djun's hospital in Edo. He then moved to a guesthouse with Okita Rintarou, Okita Mitsu, and their children. When the shogunate forces (including the Shinsengumi and the Shinch\u014dgumi) retreated to the T\u014dhoku region, Okita remained in Edo alone. He died from tuberculosis on July 19 (the 30th day of the fifth month, by the lunar calendar), 1868. Later that night, he was buried at Sensh\u014d-ji Temple in Azabu, Edo, under his birth name (with Okita S\u014dji listed in the death records.) The claim that Okita died when he was 25 is based on the theory that he was born in 1844 and therefore was 25 by East Asian age reckoning when he died in 1868."}, {"context": " The Sensh\u014d-ji Temple cemetery had been open to the public for years until the release of NHK's Taiga drama, \"Shinsengumi!\" in 2004. Due to the newfound interest in the Shinsengumi and Okita thanks to the drama itself, many visitors flocked to the temple to see his grave, resulting in the temple's cemetery to become restricted to the public, except for one day each year in June. \"Okita\" (\u6c96\u7530) was his family name; \"S\u014dji\" (\u7dcf\u53f8) was his given name; \"Fujiwara\" (\u85e4\u539f) was his family clan (the surname of his ancestors); \"Kaneyoshi\" (\u623f\u826f) was his jitsumei, a formal given name (like a middle name for gentlemen equivalent). It is unclear whether Okita changed his name to \"Okita S\u014dji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi\" in 1863 or in 1862 (or less likely, in 1861.) There is a theory that he changed his name to S\u014dji because some people around him called him \"S\u014d-Ji\" (short for S\u014djir\u014d.) Other than his full name, he could be referred as \"Okita S\u014dji\" or \"Okita S\u014dji Kaneyoshi\". In writing, he was sometimes referred as \"Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi\" (formal name used in writing) or \"Okita Kaneyoshi\" (like the \"initials\" for his full name.)  Like the other members of the Shinsengumi, fictionalized accounts of Okita's life and actions appear in novels, period dramas and anime/manga series. Although his given name is sometimes pronounced as \"Soushi\" in the fictional world, it is actually \"S\u014dji\"."}]}, {"title": "Okitegami Kyo\u0304ko no Bibo\u0304roku", "paragraphs": []}, {"title": "Okitipupa", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okitipupa is a Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria. Her headquarters are in the town of Okitipupa, with a university that commenced academic session in year 2010/2011 section: Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUSTECH). It has always been known as Ode-Idepe. The name Okitipupa originated from the elevation of the town and the colour of the soil of the town which is red in colour referred to in Yoruba language and its dialects as 'pupa'.Okiti-pupa is derived from Yoruba language Okiti(Hilly) and Pupa(Red) which was used by people travelling from other communities to trade in the Okitipupa central market. Today, inhabitants interchangeably use the names of Okitipupa and Idepe freely."}, {"context": " It is native to the Ikales, who are a sub-set of the larger Yoruba tribe. It has always been the central town for inhabitants of the Ondo South senatorial district of Ondo state comprising okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo and Ile-oluji/Oke-Igbo local governments due to the presence of several amenities. It was a district in the colonial days before Nigeria's independence in 1960.It has a university, a Specialist hospital, several private hospitals, a Magistrate court, a High court, a Police division, an Army Base, Commercial banks, a Telephone exchange, numerous primary and secondary schools."}, {"context": " The Ikale natives are predominantly farmers. The major cash crop being cultivated in the area are Oil-Palm, Rubber and Cassava. They also cultivate Yam, Beans, Okro, Pepper, Melon and Vegetables. Staple food includes but is not limited to Baked cassava popularly known as Pupuru, Yam, Rice, Yam Flour and Cassava Flakes(Garri) among others. It has a market that has been a major shopping centre for traders from all of Yoruba land and beyond since the pre-colonial era due to the palm-oil sold there. A modern market was built by the administration of Chief Herbert Kuewumi in 1979 when he was chairman of the Old Okitipupa Local government before the administration of Dr Olusegun Mimiko as Governor of Ondo state rebuilt the market in 2009. A larger percentage of the roads in the town were constructed by the administration of Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu when he was Governor of Ondo state.  Major industries located in the town include the Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc and Oluwa Glass Factory(Both of listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange).Palm-Oil and Rubber plantations litter the landscape. It has an area of 803\u00a0km\u00b2 and a population of 233,565 at the 2006 census. The postal code of the area is 350."}]}, {"title": "Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc is an oil palm processing firm that manages oil palm estates in Southern Ondo State and processes raw materials from its plantation. The firm's estates located close to the town of Okitipupa in Ilutitun, Ikoya, Irele, Iyansan, Igbotako and Apoi. A Nucleus oil palm estate project was initiated by the Western Nigerian government under Adeyinka Adebayo as a way to boost the economy of small towns and rural areas. These oil palm estates were developed beginning in 1969 and additional acreage were to be developed between the years 1975 and 1983, initially planned to include 6,000 hectares of planted oil palm fruits and 4,000 hectares provided by small scale farmers. The expansion was to be financed by the Western State government and by multilateral loans. In 1974, an oil processing mill was installed at Okitipupa and in 1976, the firm was incorporated as a limited liability company. However, the planned expansion was inhibited by financial difficulties and reduced government interest in the project.  Another mill was installed in 1993 at Ipoke. In 2001, indebtedness led to decreased production and financial performance by the firm."}]}, {"title": "Okito box", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The okito box is a cylindrical box fitted to the size of a coin, used to perform coin magic. Invented by Tobias Bamberg, better known by the Stage name \"Okito\", who first discovered the effect using a pill box for indigestion tablets. In effect, one or more coins placed in the box seems to vanish, appear and penetrate the box. This is used to achieve tricks such as \"Coin Through the Box and Hand\" as well as \"Okito box, Coin and Handkerchief\", in which a signed coin transports from the box into the knot of a handkerchief.  Some magicians think that the box itself is so esoteric that it has no purpose. However people like David Roth, Mike Gallo, Chad Long, Chastain Criswell, and Paul Cummins have great routines. Chastain Criswell also uses a production of the box itself in order to make the prop less a prop and more a necessary container."}]}, {"title": "Okitsu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okitsu (written: \u8208\u6d25 or \u6c96\u6d25) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:"}]}, {"title": "Okitsu Station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okitsu Station was opened on February 1, 1889 when the section of the T\u014dkaid\u014d Main Line connecting Shizuoka with K\u014dzu was completed. It is located near the site of Okitsu-juku on the old T\u014dkaid\u014d. The area quickly developed into a summer seaside resort for the aristocracy, politicians and noted literary figures in the Meiji and Taish\u014d periods. A noted resident of Okitsu was the \"genr\u014d\" Saionji Kinmochi, whose practice was to order express trains to make a special unscheduled stop at Okitsu Station whenever he wanted to travel. The station building was rebuilt in 1930 and in 1981."}, {"context": " Between 1926 and 1964 Sodeshi Station was situated 2.4\u00a0km towards Shimizu Station, operating in the summer months to cater for beach goers. Sodeshi Station closed in 1971. Okitsu Station has a single side platform serving Track 1 and an island platform serving Track 2 and Track 3, connected to the station building by an overpass. Track 3 is used for terminating services arriving from east and west, and also for services departing in both directions. The station building has automated ticket machines, TOICA automated turnstiles and a manned \"Green Window\" service counter."}]}, {"title": "Okitsu-juku", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okitsu-juku was established in 1601, just before the beginning of the Edo period. At its peak, there were approximately 316 buildings and 1,668 people. Among the buildings were two \"honjin\", two sub-\"honjin\" and 34 \"hatago\". It was a little over 11 kilometers from the preceding post station, Yui-shuku. The classic ukiyo-e print by And\u014d Hiroshige (\"H\u014deid\u014d\" edition) from 1831\u20131834 depicts two sumo wrestlers being carried across the Okitsu River, one on a packhorse and the other in a \"kago\"."}]}, {"title": "Okiwi Airfield", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okiwi Airfield , also called Okiwi Station Airfield, is a small airfield located near the village of Okiwi on Great Barrier Island. It has a single bitumen runway, and a small terminal in the form of a wooden hut. The airfield is owned by Auckland Council and is used for both general aviation and commercial flights operated by Barrier Air and Fly My Sky. Okiwi Airfield originally consisted of a grass airstrip which was prone to flooding during bad weather and regularly had to be closed through the winter. In November 2013, work commenced on sealing the runway in order to alleviate these issues and attract more commercial operators to the airfield. The new runway took 6 months and $1.5 million to build and opened on 2 May 2014."}]}, {"title": "Okiya", "paragraphs": [{"context": " An is the lodging house in which a \"maiko\" or \"geisha\" lives during the length of her nenki (contract or career as a geisha). A young woman's first step toward becoming a geisha is to be accepted into an okiya (\"boarding house\"), a geisha house owned by the woman who will pay for her training. The proprietress of the okiya is called \"ok\u0101-san\" (the Japanese word for \"mother\"). The okiya normally pays all expenses, including for kimono and training. The okiya plays a large part in the life of a geiko or maiko, as the women in the okiya become her geisha family, and the ok\u0101-san manages her career in the \"kary\u016bkai\" (flower and willow world)."}, {"context": " \"Geiko\" (Kyoto dialect for geisha) live in an \"okiya\" and work in a teahouse (ochaya), where there are music, dancing, partying, sometimes food, and plenty of alcohol. A geisha pays a percentage of her earnings to maintain the house and support all the people living there who are not working geisha, including \"maiko\" (apprentice geisha), retired geisha and house maids. Kyoto is one of the places where the strict geisha training continues still and the geiko traditions are handed down. There may be more than one geisha or maiko living in an okiya at any given point. Inversely, there are houses licensed as okiya but without any geisha. Generally, a geisha who has fulfilled her financial obligations to the house may choose to live independently but will remain affiliated with the okiya for the remainder of her career. Inside the small confines of the geiko communities, it is women who wield power: everyone hopes for girl children, so that they can carry on the line of geisha. If a woman has a boy, she must move out or give him up, as it is forbidden for men to live in an okiya. For all of their focus on men when they are at work, geiko and maiko live in a matriarchal society. Women run the okiya, women teach girls the skills they need to become a full-fledged geisha, and women introduce new maiko into the teahouses that will be their livelihood. Women run the teahouses, too, and they can make or break a geisha's career. If a geisha offends the mistress of the main teahouse where she does business, she may lose her livelihood entirely.  The ok\u0101-san of the okiya may adopt one of the geisha as her daughter (\"musume\") and heiress (\"atotori\"). Henceforth that girl will live in the okiya permanently and all the money she earns will go to that establishment and other people who help to take care of the geisha's outfits, hairstyles and accessories. Under such an arrangement, the geisha's debts are absorbed by the okiya. <br>"}]}, {"title": "Okja", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okja is a 2017 action-adventure film directed by Bong Joon-ho and written by Bong and Jon Ronson. The film stars an ensemble cast headed by South Korean child actress Ahn Seo-hyun, South Korean actors Ahn Seo-hyun, Byun Hee-bong, Yoon Je-moon, and Choi Woo-shik, and Hollywood actors Tilda Swinton in a dual role, Paul Dano, Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, Shirley Henderson, Daniel Henshall, Devon Bostick, Giancarlo Esposito, and Jake Gyllenhaal. The film competed for the \"Palme d'Or\" in the main competition section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. It was released on Netflix on June 28, 2017."}, {"context": " In 2007, self-styled 'environmentalist' Lucy Mirando becomes CEO of the Mirando Corporation, succeeding her twin sister Nancy. She announces that they have been breeding a special kind of \u201csuper pig\u201d. The twenty-six produced specimens are sent to farmers in different locations around the world, and ten years later, one of them will be crowned the winner of a competition to breed the best pig. In 2017, a young girl named Mija lives in South Korea with her grandfather and their super pig, Okja. They are visited by Mirando spokesperson and zoologist Dr. Johnny Wilcox, who declares Okja the best super pig and announces they will take her to New York City. Mija's grandfather presents her with a gold pig and explains to her that he saved up money to buy the solid gold item to replace Okja when she was taken away. Devastated, Mija runs away to Seoul to find Okja, where she sees her as she is being loaded onto a truck. Mija chases down the truck but it is intercepted by the Animal Liberation Front (ALF). In the resulting chaos, Mija and Okja run away but are eventually saved by the ALF, led by Jay. Jay uses another ALF member, K, as a translator to tell Mija that they plan to put a recording device in Okja's ear and let her be re-captured by the Mirando corporation to show how they mistreat their animals. Mija tells them to return her to the mountains but K tells the group that Mija is in agreement with their plan. They abandon her, and Okja is recaptured."}, {"context": " To minimise the PR damage to the company, Lucy pays for Mija to come to New York to be reunited with her pig. Okja is taken to a laboratory where she is forcibly bred with another super pig and flesh is taken from her for a taste test. After the ALF sees the footage, K reveals that he lied to the rest of the group about Mija's support of the plan. Jay attacks K, and expels him from the ALF. In New York City, Mija is forced to agree to the wishes of the Mirando corporation. Jay slips into her room and tells her that they plan to rescue Okja while on stage. A parade is put on by the Mirando Corporation. Okja, blinded and battered, does not recognize Mija and attacks. Jay tries to hurt Okja, but Mija prevents him, calming Okja down. A video of the mistreatment of Okja is screened by the ALF to the public, who quickly turn on the Mirando Corporation. Mija and the ALF attempt to escape with Okja but fail. Okja is recaptured and the ALF members are arrested, except for Mija and Jay who are rescued by K. Nancy, having returned to control the company, closes the lab, scraps all of Lucy's promotional marketing, and starts full-time operations at their slaughterhouse."}, {"context": " Jay and K take Mija to find Okja at the processing plant and find her being forced up a ramp leading into a slaughterhouse. Mija finds Okja as she is about to be killed and shows the Mirando employee a photograph of herself with a baby Okja. Nancy arrives and Mija offers the golden pig in exchange for Okja's life. Nancy agrees to the deal and has Jay and K arrested. As Mija and Okja are leave a pair of superpigs manages to push their newborn through the fence, and Okja hides it within her mouth to take it away."}, {"context": " Back in the countryside, Mija resumes her life with her grandfather, Okja, and the new piglet. In a post-credits scene, Jay is released from prison and gets on board a bus with K and the other members of the organization. With their newest member Kim Woo-shik, a former driver for Mirando Corporation, they plan to disrupt a major meeting involving all of the Mirando shareholders. In October 2015, it was announced that director Bong Joon-ho's next film will feature a South Korean female lead and a cast of English-speaking supporting actors, with filming set in New York. On November 10, 2015 it was picked up by Netflix and Plan B Entertainment with a budget of $50 million, with production starting in late 2016 for release in 2017. Darius Khondji joined the film as cinematographer in February 2016."}, {"context": " Bong sought out Welsh author Jon Ronson to help with the script. Working with a rough draft of the story, Ronson helped develop the English-speaking characters. Principal photography began on April 22, 2016 in Seoul, South Korea. It moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for more filming on July 31, 2016. Director Bong Joon-ho visited a real Colorado slaughterhouse to prepare for the film's own slaughterhouse sequence, an experience that converted Joon-ho and producer Dooho Choi into temporary vegans."}, {"context": " Joon-ho has called Okja \"a very shy and introverted animal. It's a unique animal that we've not seen before.\" \"Okja\" had its world premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2017. During the first few minutes of its screening at its Cannes premiere, the film was met with boos mixed with some applause twice: once when the Netflix logo appeared on the screen and again during a technical glitch which projected the film in an incorrect aspect ratio for its first seven minutes. The festival later issued an apology to its filmmakers for projecting the film incorrectly. However, despite the initially negative audience response, the film received a four-minute standing ovation at its end."}, {"context": " The film was released on Netflix on June 28, 2017. Several independent theatres in South Korea screened the film to much success, with earnings totalling 2,271,855,400 KRW (2,128,019 USD) from 300,953 tickets sold. On the film review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 87% based on 204 reviews, with a weighted average of 7.5/10. The website's critical consensus reads, \"\"Okja\" sees Bong Joon-ho continuing to create defiantly eclectic entertainment \u2013 and still hitting more than enough of his narrative targets in the midst of a tricky tonal juggling act.\" On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 75 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating \"generally favorable reviews\".  Critic A.O. Scott wrote, \"\"Okja\" is a miracle of imagination and technique, and Okja insists, with abundant mischief and absolute sincerity, that she possesses a soul.\""}]}, {"title": "Okjeo", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okjeo () was a Korean tribal state which arose in the northern Korean peninsula from perhaps the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. Dong-okjeo (Eastern Okjeo) occupied roughly the area of the Hamgy\u014fng provinces of North Korea, and Buk-okjeo (Northern Okjeo) occupied the Duman River region. Dong-okjeo was often simply called Okjeo, while Buk-okjeo was also sometimes referred to as Chiguru (\u7f6e\u6e9d\u5a41, \uce58\uad6c\ub8e8) or Guru (\uad6c\ub8e8), the latter name being also applied to Goguryeo. Okjeo bordered the other minor state of Dongye on the south, and shared a similar fate."}, {"context": " In its early history, Okjeo oscillated between domination by the Chinese commanderies and by Goguryeo. From the 3rd century BCE to 108 BCE, it was controlled by Gojoseon. Due to the constant interference of its neighbours, Okjeo never grew into a fully centralised kingdom. In 28 BCE, King Dongmyeong sent Bu Wiyeom to attack the Northern Okjeo. In the 1st or 2nd century CE, King Taejo of Goguryeo reduced Okjeo to a tributary, which delivered local products to Goguryeo. During the 244 Wei Invasion of Goguryeo, Goguryeo\u2019s King Dongcheon briefly retreated to North Okjeo, and in 285, the Buyeo court also temporarily escaped to Okjeo under northern nomadic attacks.  In early 5th century, Okjeo was completely conquered by Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo. Our knowledge of Okjeo culture is fragmentary. As with the Dongye and Okjeo's language, food, clothing, architecture, and customs were similar to that of Goguryeo. The Okjeo people practised arranged marriage by which the child-bride lived with the child-groom's family until adulthood, and they interred the dead of a family in a single coffin."}]}, {"title": "Okka", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okka means various things: It might also refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okka Ammayi Thappa", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okka Ammayi Thappa() is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by Rajasimha Tadinada. Produced by Anji Reddy. It features Sundeep Kishan in the lead roles, with Ravi Kishan playing the role of the main Antagonist. Produced by Anji Reddy with music composed by Mickey J Meyer. The film was dubbed into Hindi as \"Asli Fighter\". The film's first look was released on 15 April 2016. The music was released on 8 May 2016. The audio launch was held in Hyderabad. The soundtrack comprises 5 songs composed by Mickey J. Meyer. Aditya Music acquired its marketing rights.  The film was released on 10 June 2016 across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. \"Okka Ammayi Thappa\" grossed \u20b91.3 crore on opening day at AP/Telangana boxoffice."}]}, {"title": "Okka Disk", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okka Disk is an independent American jazz record company and label founded in Chicago by Bruno Johnson in 1994. Okka began as a rock music label, but Johnson soon changed direction to record free jazz. \"Vintage Duets\", unreleased tapes recorded in 1980 by saxophonist Fred Anderson with drummer Steve McCall, and \"Caffeine\", a trio featuring Chicago scene instigator Ken Vandermark, were the albums that started the label. Okka Disk released many key early works by Ken Vandermark and was partly responsible for Fred Anderson's late-career renaissance.  The label also recorded European free jazz musicians such as Peter Br\u00f6tzmann, documenting his transatlantic Chicago Octet and Tentet over ten albums. Since 2009 it organizes the Okka Fest, held in Milwaukee, where Johnson moved in 2002."}]}, {"title": "Okka Kshanam", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okka Kshanam (English: \"One Second\") is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language romantic science fiction film directed by Vi Anand and produced by Chakri Chigurupati under Lakshmi Narasimha Entertainments banner. The film features Allu Sirish, Surbhi, Srinivas Avasarala and Seerat Kapoor in the lead roles. The film deals with a parallel life concept where the protagonist fights against his own destiny, fate and time. The film's cinematography is by Shyam K Naidu while the score and soundtrack is composed by Mani Sharma. The film is released worldwide on 28 December 2017 to good reviews from critics and audience."}, {"context": " The story starts of with a couple in a parking lot and their son, Jeeva, (Allu Sirish) he there finds Joshna (Surbhi) Quickly they both fall in love and then a few weeks later, Joshna invites Jeeva, to her apartment. She then shows that she enjoys people watching, and two interesting subjects, Srinivas (Srinivas Avasarala) and Swathi (Seerat Kapoor) The young couple constantly feud, and Jeeva chooses to follow around Srinivas who reveals his love story to Jeeva. Remarkably, Srinivas and Swathi are living Jeeva and Joshna's lives a year after. They visit a scientist (Jayaprakash) who says that they have parallel lives, and the final outcome is the same, after a year. When they return to the apartment, they find out that Swathi has been murdered, and Srinivas is the killer. Who really killed Swathi, and is going to murder Joshna, and how Jeeva will protect forms the rest of the story."}, {"context": " The film met with trouble for a brief period of time over the allegations that the film borrows the script from a Korean film titled \"Parallel Life\". Another producer Anil Sunkara reportedly had already brought the remake rights of the same film for his next production venture, \"2 Memiddaram\". Prior to the release it was assumed that the story line of \"Okka Kshanam\" closely followed the same path, Sunkara allegedly filed a complaint against the makers with the film chamber.However once the producer saw the film and understood the same and even wished the team goodluck for release on his official Twitter page.Post release it was cleared that Vi Anand\u2019 s story and screenplay was original.The director was also unanimously appreciated for his screenwriting in the film.  Music was composed by Mani Sharma and was released on Lahari Music."}]}, {"title": "Okka Magaadu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okka Magaadu (English: One Man) is a 2008 Telugu, patriotic film produced & directed by YVS Chowdary on his Bommarillu banner. Starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, Simran, Anushka Shetty and Nisha Kothari in the lead roles and music composed by Mani Sharma. The film is inspired by the 1996 Tamil film \"Indian\" (which was dubbed into Telugu as \"Bharateeyudu\"), which starred Kamal Haasan and was directed by S. Shankar. Later it was dubbed into Hindi as The Real Indian. The film had huge expectations before its release but the film bombed at box office and was a Disaster in Nandamuri Balakrishna's Career."}, {"context": " Veeravenkata Satyanarayana Swamy (Nandamuri Balakrishna) is beloved by villagers whose lives were forever changed by his presence. His grandmother, Baby (Simran Bagga), whose husband had dedicated his life to gaining independence for his country, was taken as a prisoner of war and declared Missing In Action. Meanwhile, corrupt doctors, lawyers, and journalists are allegedly killed but their bodies were never found. Suspected of the murders, Swamy is arrested. But an old man named Okka Magadu (Nandamuri Balakrishna) comes forward and claims to have committed the alleged murders. Okka Magadu looks like the older version of Swamy whose sworn enemy is Namboodriyar (Ashutosh Rana)--a politician whose son elopes with a middle-class girl under Swamy's protection.  Music composed by Mani Sharma. Lyrics were written by Chandrabose. All songs are hit tracks. Music released on Aditya Music. The music was released on 21 December 2007. The Audio Launch party was held at Cyber Gardens, Hyderabad with. Dr.Dasari Narayana Rao was honored at the function as the Guest of honor."}]}, {"title": "Okka Rau", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okka Rau (born January 5, 1977 in Leer, Lower Saxony) is a female beach volleyball player from Germany, who won the gold medal at the 2003 European Championships in Alanya, partnering Stephanie Pohl. She represented her native country at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Rau is playing for the volleyball department of the multi sport club Hamburger SV in Hamburg."}]}, {"title": "Okkad", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Awaqdaiin pronounced as \"Owkad\" is a village in Salalah, Dhofar, Oman in the Middle East."}]}, {"title": "Okkade", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkade () is a 2005 Indian Telugu language film directed by Chandra Mahesh and starring Srihari and Santoshi in the lead roles. The film has been dubbed into Hindi as The Great Kalicharan."}]}, {"title": "Okkadine", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkadine is a 2013 Telugu film directed by Srinivas Raga and produced by C.V Reddy under Gulabi movies. The film stars Nara Rohit and Nithya Menon in lead roles. The film was dubbed into Hindi as \"Aur Ek Dushman\" and into Malayalam as \"Kanalattam\". The movie begins with Shailaja arriving in Hyderabad from USA. She is the daughter of a famous philanthropist Shivaji Rao. Shivaji Rao is revealed to be a very good man. He owns many orphanages to help people and is set to start a political career. Shailaja is his pampered daughter. After Shailaja goes home, her father tells her he has to go abroad to speak to his supporters before he begins his foray into politics. Shailaja although disappointed as she was looking forward to spending time with him, wishes him luck and tells him she is planning to go a trip with her friend Sujatha, who she met online. The next day, Shailaja meets Sujatha and they plan to go to Vizag where Sujatha's uncle will take care of them. Meanwhile, outside the cafe they are meeting, a corrupt police officer is torturing a pregnant women so he can reveal the whereabouts of her husband. Shailaja and Sujatha go to the pregnant woman's aid. When the policeman threatens Shailaja and strikes Sujatha, Shailaja curses him saying people like him shouldn't be alive. At the same second, the policeman is shot with a sniper. The unnamed shooter is shown to be the protagonist (Nara Rohit)."}, {"context": " Shailaja and Sujatha reach Vizag and meet the latter's uncle. He asks to be called Sreenu Mama by everyone. Just as they are about to go sight seeing, Sujatha tells Shailaja that she has to go home immediately. Shailaja then wanders alone in the forest. She sees a small girl wearing a tiger mask and follows her. Her leg gets caught in an animal trap. The little girl calls out for her uncle. A man comes running up wearing a similar mask. When he removes it he is shown to be the shooter from before. He removes her leg from the trap and takes her to his home to treat her foot as the blood has clotted. When Shailaja goes to his home she sees a joint family who are very amicable and loving. She spends time with them and sees the relationship they have. She tells them that she lost her mother at a young age and the family reminds her of her mother. The man who helped her tells her his name is Surya. Shailaja meets with Surya's family everyday and takes part in their everyday fun and frolic. She sees a local MLA beating up a youngster for rebelling against him. She tries to go help him but is stopped by Sreenu Mama. He tells her that the MLA is ruthless and stops at nothing and only God can stop him. The MLA starts to leave and gets into a jeep. Shailaja yells that people like him should be killed. Instantaneously, the jeep blows up killing the MLA and his posse. Shailaja is shaken by this and believes he died because of her. She is consoled by Surya and his family."}, {"context": " One day Surya takes her to a small temple in the forest. There he tells her that whoever lights a diya in that temple gets their wish. Shailaja tells him she wishes to be a part of his family and that in her next life she wants to be her father's daughter again. She hounds Surya to tell her what he wished. He then tells her he wished to be by her side forever and proposes to her. Shailaja then reveals that she is leaving the next day. Surya's family tells her that they will see her off. Shailaja calls her father to tell him she has fallen in love. Her father is very happy and promises to talk to her about it when he returns."}, {"context": " The next day Shailaja goes to a fair that happens every two years. There she looks around for Surya but she cannot find him. Sreenu Mama asks her who she is looking for. Shailaja tells him she is looking for Surya and his family. Everyone around is shown to be shocked and frightened. Shailaja asks him why everyone is looking at her like that. Sreenu Mama tells her that Surya's family has been dead for two years and shows her their graves. She runs to their house and sees that it is in ruins and unkempt. She faints because of the shock. When she wakes up she receives a call from her father and tells him she needs to know what happened. Her father asks her whereabouts and promises to send an investigation team. Shailaja is then calmed by Sreenu Mama. A TV crew led by Sensational Sodhan arrives at the resort Shailaja stays in and tries to interview her, but Sreenu Mama sends them away. The investigation team sent by Shivaji Rao arrives and asks what happened to Surya's family. Sreenu Mama tells them that 2 years back, Surya's family was preparing for the fair as always and Surya was a day late. By the time Surya arrived the whole family was killed by a psycho. Unable to bear the grief Surya had jumped from a waterfall and was later buried by him. The team lead, Guru, asks for any pictures of the family. Sreenu Mama tells him that he had burned them as he couldn't see them anymore because of the bad memories. The team then digs up a newspaper which was printed the day after Surya's family died. The photos of the family however are different from the ones Shailaja has seen. They then go to the house and check under a table and finds two portraits and newspapers with Shivaji Rao on it."}, {"context": " Guru then reveals that it had been a set up from the start and Shailaja had been lured there by Surya with the help of Sujatha and Sreenu Mama. Shailaja is escorted away. Sreenu Mama is taken to a forest where Guru yells to Surya to reveal himself. Surya comes and kills the whole team. Shailaja witnesses this and slaps Surya for betraying her and asks him why he has lured her so. Surya then reveals the whole story to Shailaja. His sister, Archana had fallen in love with Shivaji Rao's son, Shailaja's older brother. The family had called Shivaji Rao to ask set up wedding preparations. Shivaji Rao had told them that he would come the next day with his son for the engagement. This news is conveyed to Surya who was in Dehradun for his IFS training, he starts home immediately. That night, a police convoy alerts everyone in the town about a psycho murderer running loose. Surya's family meanwhile is preparing for the engagement. One of Surya's nieces plays with a video camera and places it outside the house. She sees a masked man and mistakes him to be a guest. The masked man then proceeds to murder everyone in the family and leaves."}, {"context": " The next day Surya arrives and sees that his family is dead. The local MLA shown before is berating the police for not helping the family. Later on the police claim they have caught and killed the psycho responsible. Surya walks around his home and looks at the family photographs. He discovers the camera outside and sees the face of the actual murderer. He remembers seeing him in a photo and finds out that he is Shivaji Rao's driver. The driver attacks Surya to cover up his tracks. Surya kills him and tells Sreenu Mama. It is revealed that the driver was sent by Shivaji Rao himself."}, {"context": " The flashback ends and Shailaja finds it hard to believe it. Surya tells her that her father had masqueraded as a good man to get followers and has become like a God for everyone. He had Surya's family killed because he wanted his son to marry a multi millionaire's only daughter to funnel his wealth into his political foray. Surya tells Shailaja that he had lured her so that she realizes what he has lost and will reveal to the world the atrocities her father committed. Shailaja goes to her father and confronts him. He convinces that he had not planned the murders and that they were committed by his in law. Surya and the makeshift family are shown to be planning the final stage of their revenge. Surya reveals that he too had fallen in love with Shailaja. Sreenu Mama goes to Shivaji Rao and informs him of this and tell him that Surya should not be taken away from Shailaja because of their enmity. Shivaji Rao's men attack him and he kills them. He is then duped and killed by Shivaji Rao. This Whole thing was meanwhile recorded by Sodhan who shows the tape to Shailaja."}, {"context": " Surya is crestfallen seeing his dead uncle. Furious he attacks Shivaji Rao in broad daylight. He kills all of his henchman and points a gun at him when police arrive at the scene. The policemen threaten to shoot Surya if he doesn't put his gun down. The press people ask him why he is trying to kill such a good man. Surya tells them that Shivaji Rao is not a god but a ruthless man who killed his own family and that he is not afraid of death anymore. Shailaja comes and stops him. Shivaji Rao tries to convince her to save him but she tells him that she knows the truth. She tells everyone that what Surya is telling is the truth and she has evidence. Relieved, Surya puts his gun away. Shivaji Rao's henchman shoots at Surya and is killed by the police. Amidst this confusion, Shivaji Rao grabs hold of a gun and holds a policeman hostage. He tries to kill Surya but Shailaja shields him. Shivaji Rao yells at her to move but she does not budge. Shailaja tells him he deserves to die. Frustrated Shivaji Rao moves towards her and steps on a dead policeman's arm while doing so. The gun in the policeman's hand goes off and shoots Shivaji Rao dead. The movie ends with Surya in an embrace with Shailaja."}, {"context": " The film was launched formally on 5 Jan 2012 in Hyderabad. The first schedule of the film was started same day and it was continued to 9 January 2012 in Hyderabad. The second schedule of the film was started on 24 February 2012 in Araku. The climax scenes of the film was started on 28 June 2012 in Ramoji Film City. An item song \u2018Puttintollu Tharimesaru\u2026\u2019 (remix of Jaya Malini\u2019s super hit number) was filmed on Rachana Mourya and 70 other dancers in Ramoji Film City. The Music was composed by Karthik and this was his debut album in telugu, The audio release was held on 22nd october 2012 at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad. Nandamuri Balakrishna, Krishnam Raju, KL Narayana, Sagar, Prasanna Kumar, Shekar Babu, Tammareddy Bharadwaja, Gopinath Reddy, Ashok Kumar and others attended the function.The Audio was launched by Nandamuri Balakrishna."}, {"context": " The film satellite rights were sold to Sun TV Network for 4 crores. The Central Board of Film Certification rated it U/A. The film was initially planned to release on 7 December 2012, but was Postponed to several times. Finally the film was released on Valentine's Day on 14 February 2013. The film received mixed reviews to negative from critics, Timesofap.com gave Rating 2.25/5 and commenting as the film disappoints with illogical screenplay and dragging narration. Oneindia entertainment has given a rating 2.5/5 for the film. \"The Times of India\" gave 2 stars for 5. Rediff gave 1.5 stars for 5."}]}, {"title": "Okkadu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkadu (translation: \"The One\") is a 2003 Telugu action film written, and directed by Gunasekhar. It stars Mahesh Babu , Bhumika Chawla, and Prakash Raj. Music was composed by Mani Sharma and editing was helmed by A. Sreekar Prasad. M.S. Raju produced this film. The film has garnered eight Nandi Awards and four Filmfare Awards South, including Filmfare Award for Best Film\u00a0\u2013 Telugu, and led Mahesh Babu to instant stardom.It turned out to be \"Blockbuster\" at box-office. The film was later remade in Tamil as \"Ghilli\". The film was also remade in Bengali titled \"Jor\", and in Hindi as \"Tevar\" starring Arjun Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha, Kannada as \"Ajay\" and in Odia as \"Mate Aanidela Lakhe Phaguna\". The film was also dubbed in Hindi as \"Aaj ka Sharifzaada\" in 2015."}, {"context": " Ajay Varma (Mahesh Babu) is a Hyderabad-based Kabbadi player who visits Kurnool to take part in a state-level tournament. There, he saves Swapna Reddy (Bhoomika Chawla) from Obul Reddy (Prakash Raj), a dangerous faction leader, who is in love with Swapna and wants to marry her against her wishes. Ajay learns that Swapna is trying to leave to the United States for pursuing higher education after Obul killed her brothers. When Ajay saves Swapna, he humiliates Obul by pushing him into a mudpond. Obul refuses to cleanse the mud until Swapna is found and brought back. Ajay helps Swapna escape and takes her to his house in an old city, hiding her in his room with the help of his sister, Asha(Niharkia)."}, {"context": " Soon, his parents find out she is hiding in their house. Swapna and Ajay run away again and she falls in love with him. The next day, the police, led by Ajay's father Vijay,(Mukesh Rishi) surround the Charminar where Swapna is hidden by Ajay. The duo, along with Ajay's friends, reach the airport to go to the United States. They bring her parents to see her one last time before she leaves. After Swapna is past airport security, Ajay realises he loves Swapna. She shows up and hugs him while proposing him."}, {"context": " At the airport, Vijay arrests Ajay while Obul's men take Swapna away. After Swapna taunts him by saying that Ajay will definitely come for her, Obul goes to the jail and asks Ajay to come with him. Here, Vijay expresses that he's not worried about Ajay; rather, he's worried for Obul. Obul and his henchmen are kidnapped by Ajay, who, along with his friends, attend the finals of national level tournament. Meanwhile, Obul's brother Siva Reddy,(Rajan P.Dev) who happens to be the home minister of the state, is waiting at the venue of Obul's marriage with Swapna. After coming to know about his whereabouts, Siva reaches the stadium along with Swapna and his mother where Ajay and Obul are fighting with each other. Swapna's father (Chandra Mohan) stabs Obul, whereas his mother dies in a bomb blast. Siva decides not to react as it would harm his position as a minister and Ajay, whose team won the match, celebrates the victory with Swapna and his family."}, {"context": " During his days as an assistant director in Madras (now Chennai), Gunasekhar dreamed to direct a film with the backdrop of Charminar, a monument and mosque located in Hyderabad. After watching \"West Side Story\" (1961), he took inspiration from the war between two gangs and wrote a script choosing Charminar and Old city area of Hyderabad as the film's backdrop. Years later, Ashwini Dutt met Gunasekhar during the re-recording sessions of \"Choodalani Vundi\" (1998) where the latter saw the portfolio images of Mahesh Babu whose debut film \"Rajakumarudu\" was officially launched that day. Finding Mahesh apt for the protagonist he envisioned, Gunasekhar narrated the script to him and gained his consent."}, {"context": " After the release of \"Mrugaraju\" (2001), Gunasekhar resumed work on the film's script. After reading an interview of Pullela Gopichand who pursued a career in badminton against his father's wishes and faced many hardships, Gunasekhar made the protagonist a person who aspires to be a kabaddi player against his father's wishes. He met Ramoji Rao who expressed his wish to produce the film and permitted Gunasekhar to erect a Charminar set at Ramoji Film City. Rao walked out due to unknown reasons and Mahesh, along with Gunasekhar, met M. S. Raju at Padmalaya Studios office. Mahesh asked Raju to permit them to erect a Charminar set as they cannot avail police permission to shoot at the original after a person committed suicide by humping from the top. Raju agreed to do so after listening to the script narration and the project was subsequently announced."}, {"context": " Gunasekhar wanted to name the film as \"Athade Ame Sainyam\", but the title was already registered for another film which made Gunasekhar name the film as \"Okkadu\" after considering \"Kabaddi\". The film was produced under the banner Sumanth Art Productions with a budget of 130140 million. Impressed with her screen presence in \"Yuvakudu\" (2000), Gunasekhar chose Bhumika Chawla as the film's female lead to be paired with Mahesh. Mukesh Rishi and Geetha were signed to play Mahesh's parents in the film. The former called it a character close to his heart, calling it is a \"soft role after a string of ferocious roles that I have played\". Prakash Raj was signed as the antagonist and was seen as a politician who falls for Bhumika's character in the film. Telangana Shakuntala played the role of Prakash Raj's mother in the film for which she had to smoke cigar. Chandra Mohan and Niharika were seen in supporting roles as Bhumika's father and Mahesh's sister respectively."}, {"context": " Paruchuri Brothers were signed to write the film's dialogues. Mani Sharma composed the score and Sekhar V. Joseph was its cinematographer. A. Sreekar Prasad edited the film, and Ashok Kumar was its art director. Prasad called it a difficult film as it went through many forms of narration and he found it challenging to keep the pace very fast to make it slick and engaging. After the first copy was ready, Paruchuri Brothers suggested Gunasekhar to prefer a linear narrative to the non linear narrative being used. The latter, along with Prasad, changed the narration to linear within ten minutes."}, {"context": " The film's unit erected the Charminar set in a ten acres of land owned by D. Ramanaidu at Gopannapalle near Hyderabad. The original height of Charminar is and the height of each minaret is feet. The film's unit decided to construct the set with a length of feet by not altering the minarets and instead reduce the total length of the remaining part. The surroundings of Charminar were recreated in five acres around the set. 300 workers were employed in the construction of the set which lasted for three months and costed 17.5 million."}, {"context": " The makers decided to create the roads near the set using computer graphics in order to reduce the budget. Principal photography began in the same set and fifteen generators were used for illuminating the area. Strada Cranes were used for filming key scenes after ordinary cranes proved to be futile. The film's climax was shot in December 2002 for 11 days and 1000 junior artistes participated in the film's shoot amid extreme climatic conditions. Despite receiving training in Kabaddi, Mahesh was injured several times during the film's shoot."}, {"context": " The music for the film was composed by Mani Sharma. The lyrics were written by Sirivennela Sitaramasastri. \"Cheppave Chirugaali\" song was the chartbuster of the album. This song was later reused in the 2009 Tamil film \"Kadhalna Summa Illai\" as the song \"Ennamo Seithai Nee\". The film released on 15 January 2003 in 165 screens. The audio was released on 19 December 2002. The distributor's share of the film's revenue was 25\u201330 crore. The film received generally positive reviews from critics. M.S Raju said in an interview with \"idlebrain\" web-site \"\"Mrugaraju\" and \"Devi Putrudu\" were released at the same time and both these films bombed at the box office. I know the pain of a film becoming a flop and I do understand the agony Guna Sekhar was going through during that period. I told Guna Sekhar that we should make a movie together. Mahesh's acting in \"Murari\" inspired me. And that's when \"Okkadu\" came up\"."}]}, {"title": "Okkadunnadu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkadunnadu (English: \"There is one man\"; Telugu: \u0c12\u0c15\u0c4d\u0c15\u0c21\u0c41\u0c28\u0c4d\u0c28\u0c3e\u0c21\u0c41) is a 2007 Telugu action thriller film produced by Cherry on Clap Productions banner, who was an executive producer for hit films such as \"Chatrapati\" and \"Vikramarkudu\" and film directed by Chandra Sekhar Yeleti. Starring Gopichand in the lead role, Neha Jhulka is female lead, and Mahesh Manjrekar as the antagonist and music composed by M. M. Keeravani. The film recorded as \"Above Average\" at box office. Kiran (Gopichand) Sells his property through a real estate agent Gautami(Neha Jhulka),Sona bhai (Mahesh Manjrekar) an influential Don in Mumbai is on the lookout for a heart Donor and his blood group is quite rare (Bombay blood Group),How sona bhai Meets Kiran and their tussle forms the story."}, {"context": " Music composed by M.M. Keeravani. Music released on Vel Records Company. The film received the positive response from the critics. idlebrain.com gave a review of rating 3.25/5 terming it a \"Blood Chase\" and a \"Serious Psychological Thriller\". IndiaGlitz gave a review stating \"Chandrasekhar Yeleti, a champion of gripping screenplay passes yet again with flying colours. The director was able to carry the whole film on action and was able to cater to the masses.\" Oneindia Entertainment gave a review stating \"The film might run well in B, C centres because of its mass appeal with good action scenes. Can be recommended to watch once only if you are interested in action films.\" Sify gave a review stating \"Technically Okkadunnadu is brilliant with Gummadi Jaya Krishna excellent photography, and editing is slick. MM Keeravani's music is not great, but he scores in re-recording. In a nutshell, the film is an average flick which caters to urban audiences.\"  Krishna Vamsi choreographed two songs in the film. This is Neha Jhulka's debut film."}]}, {"title": "Okkan", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkan is a village in Kale Township, Kale District, in the Sagaing Region of western Burma."}]}, {"title": "Okkanadu Keelaiyur", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkanadu Keelaiyur is a village panchayat located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil-Nadu state, India. Chennai is the state capital for Okkanadu Keelaiyur village. It is located around 293.0 kilometer away from Okkanadu Keelaiyur. The other nearest state capital from Okkanadu Keelaiyur is Pondicherry and its distance is 155.3\u00a0km. The other surrounding state capitals are Pondicherry 155.3\u00a0km., Bangalore 323.9\u00a0km., Thiruvananthapuram 344.0\u00a0km."}]}, {"title": "Okkar Min", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkar Min ( , born 4 November 1984) is a Burmese politician who currently serves as a House of Nationalities member of parliament for Tanintharyi No. 8 constituency . He is a member of National League for Democracy. Okkar was born on 4 November 1984 in Yangon, Myanmar. He graduated B.Sc(Maths) from Myeik University. Okkar was elected as an Amyotha Hluttaw MP , winning a majority of 46,420 votes from Tanintharyi Region No.8 parliamentary constituency. He also serves as a member of Amyotha Hluttaw Local and Overseas Employment Committee."}]}, {"title": "Okkar Min Maung", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkar Min Maung (; born Ye Htoo Win in 18 September 1985) is a Burmese actor, model and singer. He has starred as a leading role in a slew of local productions, from commercials to films, and has catwalked for several fashion events. Okkar was born in 18 September 1985 in Yangon, Myanmar and moved to New York when he was 24. He graduated with English from a Myanmar's university and has another degree on Business Administration Management from Berkeley College. Okkar started acting career since he was age 18 and starred over 40 films. He has been modeling for fashion shows, numerous magazines and billboards until 2008. After 8 years gap in his acting career, he returned to movie industry with Burma's first LGBT film \"The Gemini\", where he played the leading role as Thit Wai in 2016.  In 2016, he won a Mister Tourism World Myanmar 2016 and represented Myanmar at the Mister Tourism World 2016, a international male beauty pageant. On 10 December 2016, he competed in Mister Tourism World 2016 which was held in Manila, Philippines. At the end of the event, he became winner and won three continental titles for \"Social Media Icon\", \"Best In Style & Fashion\", and \"Best In Tourism Speaker\". In 2018, Okkar came out on his Instagram account as gay."}]}, {"title": "Okkawa Station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkawa Station is served by the Taketoyo Line, and lies 12.8 km from the terminus of the line at \u014cbu Station. The station has two opposed side platforms. Okkawa Station opened on December 7, 1933, as a passenger station on the Japanese Government Railways (JGR). Freight operations commenced from April 1, 1944. The JGR became the Japanese National Railways (JNR) after World War II. Freight operations were discontinued from November 15, 1975, and small parcel operations from February 1, 1984. With the privatization and dissolution of JNR on April 1, 1987, the station came under the control of JR Central. The station has been unattended since March 1989. The station building was rebuilt in March 2006. Automatic turnstiles were installed in May 1992, and the TOICA system of magnetic fare cards was implemented in November 2006."}]}, {"title": "Okke Ornstein", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okke Ornstein (born 1965), is a Dutch Investigative Journalist who is known for his work on fraud and corruption. Ornstein was imprisoned in Panama in 2016, and was released after serving more than one month in prison. Ornstein's work on fraud and corruption has won several awards, including the Prix Europa. Ornstein has produced major stories through NTR, Newsmax and Al Jazeera. Ornstein previously published through his own site \"Bananama Republic\" but now publishes for \"Correspondent At Large\"."}, {"context": " Okke Ornstein was born in the Amstelveen, North Holland in 1965. Ornstein began his career in advertising. He also worked as a television producer and photographer. Later, Ornstein became an investigative journalist, whose interests included fraud and corruption. Ornstein first went to Panama to report in 2000. Prior to his 2016 arrest, Ornstein had been a resident in Panama for several years. Ornstein has a teenage daughter who lives in Panama and is in a relationship with Kimberlyn David. In 2012, Ornstein faced backlash after publishing a number of pieces on fraud and corruption through his website \"Bananama Republic,\" where he wrote about criminal activity. In one case, Ornstein wrote about the alleged fraudulent business practices of Monte Friesner, a citizen in Panama. Friesner allegedly had a criminal history dating back to 1966, and has been convicted on counts of money laundering, wire transfers, and other crimes. Friesner filed a complaint regarding Ornstein's posts, and Ornstein was prosecuted by Panamanian officials. Ornstein was convicted of criminal defamation and sentenced to a 20 month sentence in 2012. This sentence was never implemented and Ornstein lived freely in Panama following the conviction."}, {"context": " Ornstein travelled between the Netherlands and Panama several times between 2012 and 2016. When Ornstein arrived at Panama International Airport on November 16, 2016, he was arrested on account of his 2012 conviction. Several organizations worked to secure Ornstein freedom, including the Dutch Association and the International Federation of Journalists, who claimed the charges against him were unfounded. After a presidential decree by President Juan Carlos Varela, Ornstein was released from jail along with over 300 other prisoners on December 23, 2016 and his sentence was commuted. Ornstein has since started a new website, called \"Correspondent At Large\"."}, {"context": " Ornstein's arrest lead to a number of responses internationally. International Press Institute Executive Director Barbara Trionfi stated the imprisonment was \"appalling\" because it took place before an anti-corruption gathering of experts in Panama. The External Managing Director of Transparency International, Cobus de Swardt, said \"Journalists play an important role in showing that the corrupt cannot get away with their crimes. It\u2019s no time to be incarcerating the messengers.\u201d Thomas Bruning from the Dutch Journalist Association supported Ornstein arguing that \"A 20 month prison sentence over a series of blog posts is against the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression, principles that are acknowledged as fundamental rights world wide.\" The International Federation of Journalists wrote \"The substantive aspects of the case show that there is no ground for the criminal prosecution of Ornstein.\"  Okke Ornstein has won a number of awards for his work in journalism. The first was the Prix Europa in 2013 for a radio investigation piece regarding the environmental impact of a hydroelectric dam in Panama. Ornstein was nominated for the Tegel Award in 2015 for a radio documentary about refugees. Ornstein has also won the Prix Iris for his documentary series \"Urbania.\""}]}, {"title": "Okkelberg Chapel", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkelberg Chapel () is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Stj\u00f8rdal municipality in Tr\u00f8ndelag county, Norway. It is located in the village of Skjelstadmarka. It is one of the two annex churches for the Hegra parish which is part of the Stj\u00f8rdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros. The white, wooden church was built in a long church style in 1905 by the architect Ole Andresen. The church seats about 200 people."}]}, {"title": "Okkenhaug", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkenhaug is a village in the municipality of Levanger in Tr\u00f8ndelag county, Norway. It is located just north of the Levangselva river, about east of the town of Levanger. Okkenhaug Church is located here and the historic ruins of the Munkeby Abbey are located nearby."}]}, {"title": "Okkenhaug Church", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkenhaug Church () is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Levanger municipality in Tr\u00f8ndelag county, Norway. It is located in the village of Okkenhaug. It is the church for the Okkenhaug parish which is part of the S\u00f8r-Innherad prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros. The white, wooden church was built in a long church style in 1893 by the architect Ole Andresen. The church seats about 220 people."}]}, {"title": "Okker", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okker is a Dutch surname, and may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okkerneutboom", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkerneutboom is a town in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa."}]}, {"title": "Okkert Brits", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkert Brits (born 22 August 1973 in Uitenhage) is a former South African track and field athlete who specialized in the pole vault. He was the silver medallist at the World Championships in Athletics in 2003. He was a four-time champion at the African Championships in Athletics and twice champion at the All-Africa Games. He was a gold medallist at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and took bronze at the 1995 IAAF World Indoor Championships. His personal best of 6.03 m, set in 1995, is the African record. This made him the first African in the 6 metres club of vaulters. He competed in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games finishing seventh in 2000. He ranked number one in the world for the 1995 season.  Married to Jane Gillespie in 2003 and father of Sarah Jane Brits, born in 2005 and David Okkert Brits born in 2006. In 2009, Okkert Brits and his (close friend) Elizabeth Ann Morris took part in the 3rd season of Survivor: South Africa, In January 2003, Brits tested positive for a banned substance ephedrine, which he claimed must have been in the energy supplement he took. For it being his first offense and ephedrine only being a stimulant, he was only given a public warning."}]}, {"title": "Okkervil River", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkervil River is an American rock band led by singer-songwriter Will Sheff. Formed in Austin, Texas in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya set on the river in St. Petersburg. They began as a trio made up of Sheff and friends he had met in his native state of New Hampshire but, over time, have gone through many lineups. Okkervil River self-released their first album, \"Stars Too Small to Use,\" which led them to the South by Southwest music festival. After recording their first album in a garage, they signed with Jagjaguwar. They continued by releasing four more albums, including the critically lauded concept album \"Black Sheep Boy\"."}, {"context": " After a period of touring for \"Black Sheep Boy\", Okkervil River followed up with \"The Stage Names\". The album sold 10,000 in its opening week in the United States. The group released a free covers album, \"Golden Opportunities Mixtape\" from their live performances. The band has garnered positive critical reception. They have appeared on the talk show \"Late Night with Conan O'Brien\" and have performed with acts such as The Decemberists, The New Pornographers, The National, and Lou Reed. Okkervil River released the album \"The Stand Ins\" on 9 September 2008. They promoted the release with a series of cover songs from the album on YouTube by people they've met as a band. Their 2010 collaboration as a backing band with psychedelic rocker Roky Erickson yielded \"True Love Cast Out All Evil\". On 10 May 2011, Okkervil River released their sixth full-length album, \"I Am Very Far\", which peaked at No. 32 on the \"Billboard\" 200. The band released their seventh album, \"The Silver Gymnasium\", on 3 September 2013. The album peaked at No. 66 on the \"Billboard\" 200. This was followed by the album, \"Away,\" which was released on September 9, 2016 on ATO Records."}, {"context": " Okkervil River's founding members became friends at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire, and after parting ways for college moved to Austin, Texas to live together and start a band. The band consisted of singer-songwriter Will Sheff, Zach Thomas on bass and mandolin, and Seth Warren on drums. Their first gig was at Steamboat in Austin on 11 January 1999. In 1998, the group self-released their first disc, \"Bedroom EP\". Over the course of two weekends in the summer of 1999, they recorded a seven song self-released album titled \"Stars Too Small to Use\", with recording engineer Jeff Hoskins."}, {"context": " They met Jonathan Meiburg at a gig with his band Whu Gnu at the Waterloo Brewing Company on December 3, 1999. Meiburg subsequently joined the band on accordion and later on pianos and organs. On the strength of \"Stars Too Small to Use\", Okkervil River was admitted into the 2000 SXSW music festival. Their first major press was a SXSW feature article in the \"Austin Chronicle\" on 3 March 2000. The band met recording engineer and producer Brian Beattie at their SXSW showcase on 18 March 2000 and soon agreed to make a record together. They spent much of the rest of that year working on \"Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See\". Warren moved to Berkeley, California in December and was replaced on drums by Mark Pedini."}, {"context": " By the time of that year's SXSW festival, Okkervil River had received interest in their new record from the Bloomington, Indiana-based record label Jagjaguwar. The record was released on Jagjaguwar on January 22, 2002. One year later the band traveled to San Francisco and reunited with Warren to record their third album at Tiny Telephone with engineer Scott Solter at the console. Jagjaguwar released \"Down the River of Golden Dreams\" on 2 September 2003. In 2003, Pedini left the band to pursue his graphic design work, leaving Okkervil River without a drummer for that year's SXSW. They invited Travis Nelsen, fresh off a tour filling in on drums for sister labelmates Secretly Canadian's Swearing at Motorists, to perform with them. He soon became the band's full-time drummer. The next year, during a long bout of touring, the band added keyboardist and lap-steel player Howard Draper as a fifth member."}, {"context": " In August 2004, the band began recording with Beattie again, finally putting the finishing touches on their third full-length album, \"Black Sheep Boy\" in November. It was released on 5 April 2005. As a result of the album's critical success, Okkervil River followed up with an EP entitled \"Black Sheep Boy Appendix\" on 22 November 2005. This was the first recording with Draper, horn and keyboardist Scott Brackett, guitarist Brian Cassidy, and touring bassist Pat Pestorius, who eventually replaced Zach Thomas in the band. The band signed to Virgin/EMI in Europe and the label re-released \"Black Sheep Boy\" and its follow-up \"Black Sheep Boy Appendix\" as a double disc on 28 April 2006. Jagjaguwar eventually followed suit, releasing the \"Definitive Edition\" with extra songs and videos."}, {"context": " \"The Stage Names\", their fourth full-length studio album (produced again by Beattie), was released on 7 August 2007. The disc features the line-up that toured extensively on \"Black Sheep Boy\" and the \"Black Sheep Boy Appendix\", with Cassidy replacing Draper who joined Shearwater. The album was met with critical acclaim and debuted at number 62 on the \"Billboard\" 200 with 10,000 copies sold. Okkervil River released their fifth album \"The Stand Ins\" on 9 September 2008. In its first week, the album charted at No.\u00a042 with 11,000 copies sold, according to the \"Billboard\" 200. On 12 December 2007, the band freely released a nine-song mixtape entitled \"Golden Opportunities Mixtape\" via their website. These recordings, along with the upcoming appendix, are the first to feature contributions from new touring keyboardist, Justin Sherburn, who joined the band in November 2007."}, {"context": " In 2008 guitarist Brian Cassidy stepped down from the band as a full-time touring member and was temporarily replaced by Charles Bissell of The Wrens for their spring and summer tours. Bissell was later replaced by Lauren Gurgiolo, singer and songwriter of the Austin, Texas band The Dialtones. After performing on the \"Late Show with David Letterman\" in early 2009, the \"Pop Lie\" single was released backed with the b-sides \"Millionaire\" and \"Pop Lie (One Man Band Version)\". Okkervil River's sixth album, \"I Am Very Far\", was released on 10 May 2011. To promote the album, the band went on tour in 2011 with Titus Andronicus, Julianna Barwick, Future Islands and NewVillager. In September 2013 Okkervil River released their seventh album, \"The Silver Gymnasium\", the content of which is inspired by Sheff's childhood and hometown."}, {"context": " \"Away\", the band\u2019s eighth album, was released on 9 September 2016. The album features a new backing band and sonic direction, including contributions from Marissa Nadler, Jonathan Meiburg and members of the classical group yMusic. The content of the album is largely based on Will Sheff's life during the 2013-2015 period after the release of The Silver Gymnasium, during which many members of the band left and his grandfather died. \"In The Rainbow Rain\" was released on April 27, 2018, and marks the ninth album for the band. Will Sheff produced the album while Shawn Everett (Perfume Genius, Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs) assumed mixing responsibilities."}, {"context": " The writing process incorporated Sheff's songwriting craftsmanship with an interplay of his new band mates, Benjamin Lazar Davis (bass), Will Graefe (guitar), Lip Talk (Sarah K. Pedinotti) (keys) and Cully Symington (percussion) \u2013 the same iteration of Okkervil River that joined Sheff on the Away tour. Sheff and the band started work on the new album shortly after the end of that tour \u2013 and the presidential election. \u201cIf December 2016 was good for anything, it was good for writing songs,\u201d he says. Sheff took a different approach to the album, sometimes co-writing with his new band, and occasionally attending local Quaker meetings."}, {"context": " In 2001, Meiburg and Sheff founded a second band known as Shearwater. Originally an outlet for Meiburg songs and some Sheff songs that didn't fit the Okkervil mold, Shearwater has gradually evolved into a full fledged band. The band's 2006 release, \"Palo Santo\" (sans Sheff's vocals, but including his musical input), has seen Meiburg receive great critical acclaim. The groups still share many fans, and, while on tour together in 2004, they released a limited edition split-CD entitled \"Sham Wedding/Hoax Funeral\". In 2008, Meiburg left Okkervil River to focus exclusively on Shearwater.  On 20 April 2010, former 13th Floor Elevators singer-guitarist Roky Erickson released the album \"True Love Cast Out All Evil\", produced by Will Sheff and backed by Okkervil River. Okkervil River also performed \"Candle on the Water\" for the 2016 remake of \"Pete's Dragon (2016 film).\""}]}, {"title": "Okkervil River (Neva basin)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Okkervil River () is a river in Leningrad Oblast and the eastern part of the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the largest left tributary of the Okhta River. It is long and wide. The name \"Okkervil\" appeared in the 17th century, after the Swedish colonel who owned an estate on the bank. On some ancient maps of Saint Petersburg, the river is called \"Little Okhta\" () as opposed to Big Okhta. Yet other times it is called \"Porkhovka\" (). \"Okkervil River\" is the title of a well-known short story by Tatyana Tolstaya. The Austin, Texas-based indie rock band named Okkervil River takes its name from the story.  There are eight bridges across Okkervil River:"}]}, {"title": "Okkiam Maduvu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkiam Maduvu or Okkiyam Maduvu or Oggiyam Maduvu is a 2.8 kilometers long water channel situated in Kancheepuram District located in southern suburbs of the city of Chennai, India. It gets water from the Pallikaranai Wetland and drains into the Buckingham canal. Okkiyam Maduvu originates as a narrow canal from the Pallikaranai marsh land and travels eastwards towards Old Mahabhalipuram Road near Karapakkam. It then passes through a few Chennai suburbs like Okkiampet, Okkiam Thuraipakkam, Kannagi Nagar and then drains into Buckingham Canal near Injambakkam through which it ultimately empties into the Bay of Bengal via Muttukadu lake which is around 16 kilometers from its origin."}, {"context": " Several Housing colonies like Kannagi Nagar, condominiums like Jains Pebble Brook, Nortels Prapancha and educational centers like KCG College of Technology, Shankara Matriculation School were developed in and around the course of the channel. The heavy rainfall during the annual northeast monsoon in November\u2013December 2015 that lashed Chennai and Kancheepuram districts has resulted in the flooding of Okkiyam Maduvu. The flood waters from some of the suburbs of Chennai like Velachery, Pallikaranai, Medavakkam has drained into Pallikaranai Wetland and subsequently into Okkiyam Maduvu. Since the Buckingham Canal is already overflowing because of excess drainage from Adyar river, the outflow of flood waters from the Okkiyam Maduvu was slow and had to travel 16 kilometers long to reach the Bay of Bengal near Mutthukadu, and thereby resulting in submerging of a few roads and partial submerging of a few buildings surrounding the lake.  Flood Protection Scheme: The Government of Tamil Nadu has emphasised the need to find a long-term solution to tackle the issue of flooding by ordering a detailed investigation to have a regulated canal (straight cut) direct to the sea from the Buckingham Canal area adjoining the Okkiyam Maduvu. 1. Jains Pebble Brook 620 Luxurious Apartments in 8.32Acres"}]}, {"title": "Okkie", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkie is a Dutch given name, a diminutive of Ockert or Ocker/Okker. It may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okkie Formenoij", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Ocker Nicolaas \"Okkie\" Formenoij (16 March 1899 \u2013 14 February 1977) was a Dutch association football player. He was part of the Dutch team that finished fourth at the 1924 Summer Olympics; Formenoij played three last games and scored three goals. In the quarter-final match against Ireland, Formenoij scored at seventh minute, Ireland equalized, and Formenoij scored again in extra time, bringing the Dutch team to the bronze medal match against Sweden. The match ended in a 1:1 draw, and a replay was set up on the next day. The Netherlands lost 1:3 with Formenoij scoring its only goal."}]}, {"title": "Okkie van Greunen", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkie van Greunen (28 November 1933 \u2013 17 May 1987) was a South African modern pentathlete. He competed at the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics."}]}, {"title": "Okko", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okko is a comic book published in a series of mini-series, or cycles. Originally published in France by Delcourt, Archaia Studios Press started reprinting the series in English in 2006. This series is intended for Mature Readers; it contains adult content, graphic violence, and nudity. Written and illustrated by Hub with colors done by Hub (Humbert Chabuel) and Stephan Pecayo. The English translation was provided by Edward Gauvin. The action of the first cycle of \"Okko\" takes place at the far end of the known lands of the Empire of Pajan. Pajan itself is a vast and diversified island, surrounded by a multitude of archipelagoes. Its name is derived from that of its Imperial Family. Though the Pajans have reigned for a millennium, in the last few decades three major families\u2014the Ataku, the Bashimon, and the Yommo\u2014have called into question their legitimacy and now refuse to cease their battles against the Imperial Family. These power struggles have destabilized the Empire, and famine and catastrophes follow one another. This period of chaos is commonly called the \"Era of Asagiri\" (the \"Time of Mists\")."}, {"context": " The \"Okko\" series begins in the middle of this tumultuous period, in the year 1108 of the official calendar. The way of life and various habits of the inhabitants of the Empire of Pajan are rather close to those of medieval Japan. However, one major difference is a great technological revolution that appeared a few centuries ago: the exo bunraku, colossal combat armors handled from within by marionettists. Their use has radically changed the ancestral art of war in the Pajan Empire. The Ataku family has taken the lead in the construction and the handling of these frightening machines of war."}, {"context": " The Cycle of Water was originally published as a two-issue mini-series by Delcourt in 2005, and has been reprinted by Archaia Studios Press as a four-issue mini-series (2006\u20132007). In French (Original): Delcourt, January 2005, In English (Reprint): Archaia Studios Press, Dec. 2006, (first half, as Issue 1 of 4) Archaia Studios Press, Feb. 2007 (second half, as Issue 2 of 4) The year is 1108 in the official calendar of the Pajan Empire. Far from the fields of battle, Okko the ronin heads a small group of demon hunters, wandering the realms of Empire. He is accompanied by Noburo, a mysterious giant who hides his face behind a red oni mask, and the whimsical monk Noshin, the sak\u00e9 lover with the power to summon and commune with the spirits of nature."}, {"context": " The young fisherman Tikku enlists the group's help in finding his sister, the geisha Little Carp, who was kidnapped by pirates. But the quest will have a price, and will lead our four heroes much farther afield than they\u2019d ever imagined... In French (Original): Delcourt, November 2005, Delcourt, January 2006, In English (Reprint): Archaia Studios Press, April 2007 (first half, as Issue 3 of 4) Archaia Studios Press, June 2007 (second half, as Issue 4 of 4) Archaia Studios Press, August 2007 (Hardcover compilation)"}, {"context": " While on the trail of Little Carp and her captors, Okko, Noburo, Tikku and Noshin are blown by a storm towards the Satorro castle. While accommodated well, the travellers begin to become suspicious of the mysterious atmosphere which reigns in the castle. Why was it deserted by the Kami? Tikku, impatient for an answer, decides to inspect the castle and unravel the mystery... The Cycle of Earth was originally published as a two-issue mini-series by Delcourt in 2007-2008, and has been reprinted by Archaia as a four-issue mini-series (2008\u2013 2009)."}, {"context": " In French (Original): Delcourt, January 2007, In English (Reprint): Archaia Studios Press, July 2008 (first half, as Issue 1 of 4) Archaia Studios Press, July 2008 (second half, as Issue 2 of 4) It is the Winter of 1109 in the official calendar of Pajan. Okko and his faithful campanions arrive at the City of Black Powder, escaping from the bloodthirsty battles on the Plains of Pajan. While seeking a guide to help them cross the perilous Mountains of the Seven Monasteries, they meet a skillful warrior woman: Windreaper (\"Fauche-Le-Vent\" in French). A scout with information for Okko is murdered and consequently their path crosses that of two sinister monks bearing on their tengai a raven emblem, symbol of dark foreboding! The group sets off to the monasteries to investigate this mysterious brotherhood..."}, {"context": " In French (Original): Delcourt, February 2008, In English (Reprint): Archaia, November 2009 (first half, as issue 3 of 4) Archaia, December 2009 (second half, as issue 4 of 4) Archaia, May 2010 (Hardcover compilation) Still on the trail of the demonic monks, Okko and his companions climb the immense mountain known as The Roof of the World and reach the myterious eighth monastery. There they gain entrance to the forbidden library, the heart of Pajan's knowledge, and discover the dark secret of their enemies: an army of the dead from the bowels of the earth prepares to invade the kingdom..."}, {"context": " The Cycle of Air was originally published as a two-issue mini-series by Delcourt in 2009-2010, and has been reprinted in English by Archaia as a four-issue mini-series (2010). In French (Original): Delcourt, April 2009, In English (Reprint): Archaia, April 2010 (first half, as issue 1 of 4) Archaia, May 2010 (second half, as issue 2 of 4) Okko is called upon to assist the daughter of Lady Mayudama, who has retreated into a profound silence. She had since been seen by the best doctors, who were unable even to assert the least diagnosis. Okko has proven to be her last resort. But a strange force that has been prowling around the region for over a week has also arranged a meeting with the ronin for a duel of incomparable violence..."}, {"context": " In French (Original): Delcourt, May 2010, In English (Reprint): Archaia, September 2010 (first half, as issue 3 of 4) Archaia, October 2010 (second half, as issue 4 of 4) Archaia, February 2011 (Hardcover compilation) Left for dead after a terrible duel, Okko's body lies in the countryside, his right hand severed, while the heavenly winds rise and the kamikaze (divine wind) cocoon season begins. His comrades have only one thought: to avenge their master, their friend. But even together, can they hope to overcome this killing machine, this formidable demon hunter in a bunraku, who goes by the name of Kubban Kiritsu, before he hunts down Noburo?"}, {"context": " The Cycle of Fire was originally published as a two-issue mini-series by Delcourt in 2011-2012 In French (Original): Delcourt, October 2011, Two great clans of the Empire have secretly arranged a marriage to seal a powerful alliance and put an end to the devastating \"Era of Mists\". To keep out the rival clans, the venue is kept confidential and a special guard has been created of the two families one hundred most valiant samurai. Quite unofficially, Okko and his companions have also been summoned ...  In French (Original): Delcourt, December 2012, Held responsible for the prevailing chaos, Okko and his companions are chased by the best bounty hunters in the Empire. His Lordship the Daimyo Oyatsu doubles the reward promised to those who offered him the head of the ronin. For his honour and the hope of saving the lives of his own, Okko has no choice but to unravel the mystery of what appears to be a dark conspiracy ..."}]}, {"title": "Okko Kamu", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okko Tapani Kamu (born 7 March 1946, Helsinki, Finland) is a Finnish orchestral conductor and violinist. Kamu was born into a family of musicians. His father played double bass in the Helsinki Philharmonic. He began violin studies at age two and entered the Sibelius Academy at age six. He formed his own string quartet, the Suhonen, in 1964 where he played first violin. At age 20, he was appointed first solo violinist at the Finnish National Opera, and held this post until 1968. He then began to conduct, initially with the Finnish National Opera orchestra. Primarily self-taught, he became principal guest conductor of the Royal Swedish Opera in 1969, the same year as he won the first Herbert von Karajan Conducting Competition in Berlin. From 1971 to 1977, Kamu was principal conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra."}, {"context": " Outside of Finland, Kamu was principal conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic from 1975 to 1979. He has also held leadership positions with the Stockholm Sinfonietta. He has been chief guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, , the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, and the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra. He was principal guest conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra\ufffc\ufffc until 2017. Kamu was chief conductor of the Finnish National Opera from 1996 to 2000. He has been a noted conductor of the operas of Aulis Sallinen in the opera house where he conducted the premieres of \"The Red Line\", \"King Lear\" and \"The Palace\", and on record. He also conducted the premieres of Sallinen's 2nd and 3rd symphonies, and has recorded others. In April 2009, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of Kamu as its next chief conductor, as of the autumn of 2011. Kamu's initial contract was through the spring of 2014. In November 2012, the orchestra announced the extension of Kamu's contract through the end of July 2016, at which time he concluded his tenure in Lahti."}, {"context": " Kamu has recorded more than 100 discs for various labels, such as Finlandia and Musica Sveciae. For Naxos Records, he has recorded Franz Berwald's four symphonies and his piano concerto; Aulis Sallinen's Complete Music for String Orchestra; flute concertos by Penderecki, Takemitsu and Sallinen. Kamu's two discs of Berwald for Naxos both received the rare Diapason d'Or award. In 1994, Kamu became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. He was awarded the Order of the Lion of Finland medal in 1999 by then president of Finland Martti Ahtisaari."}]}, {"title": "Okkodo High School", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkodo High School (Chamorro: Okkodo Mina'takhelo na Eskuela) is a public secondary school located in Dededo in the United States territory of Guam. The school occupies sixty-two acres of the island\u2019s most populated village, Dededo. Okkodo High School opened its doors on August 21, 2008, making it the fifth public high school under the Guam Department of Education. The school's district encompasses the areas of Astumbo Gardens, Liguan Terrace, NCS/Munoz/Finegayan, Fern Terrace, Machanao, Santa Ana, Harmon Loop, and the surrounding Okkodo area. Okkodo High School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges."}, {"context": " In compliance with Guam Education Board policy, Okkodo High School students are required 24 credits and 75 hours of service learning in order to graduate. Students are given the opportunity to choose between a college path or a career path. Students under the college path are required to take 4 years of English, social studies, math, and science. Under the career program, students are required to take 4 years of English and 3 years of math, science, and social studies. Students in the career prep program are required to take a career and technical education or CTE program which are offered in the school through the Guam Community College."}, {"context": " The school offers several honors and advanced placement (AP) courses including: Students at Okkodo High School compete in numerous academic competitions each year, including the Academic Challenge Bowl and Mock Trial. Okkodo High School participates in the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam (IIAAG) sports for both boys and girls. The sports offered include basketball, volleyball, golf, tennis, baseball, paddling, football, cross country, rugby, track and field, and wrestling."}, {"context": " The school also boasts outstanding sports facilities that include fields and courts for softball, baseball, soccer, football, basketball, volleyball and tennis. The track and field area was recently renovated to include a concession stand, restrooms, and updated rubberized surface for the track. Along with providing for the needs of the school\u2019s athletic program, the campus hosts sports competitions for other public schools and for notable community events such as the Special Olympics Guam. At the start of SY 2009-2010, Okkodo High School started offering the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Training Corps Program to its student population, being the first and only MCJROTC program on island. The MCJROTC program provides students with skills in citizenship and leadership. The program motivates students to learn, fosters a disciplined constructive learning environment, and instills essential skills such as time organization, responsibility, goal-setting, and teamwork."}, {"context": " Okkodo High School, in partnership with the Guam Community College, offers career and technical education programs that provide students with the knowledge and skills for entry in workforce or post-secondary college programs. The following are the offered CTE courses in OHS: In May 2017, the Guam Community College's CTE ProStart team from Okkodo High School placed 2nd place in the 2017 National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ProStart National Competition in Charleston, South Carolina."}, {"context": " Okkodo High School was recently granted Charter Number 7669 of the Tri-M Music Honor Society from the National Association for Music Education. The Tri-M Music Honor Society is a program of NAFME which focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy. Tri-M is the only national honor society for student musicians in grades 6-12. This honor society recognizes Okkodo High School's outstanding music students and the importance of music education in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. The school's music students also make an impact in our community through public performances and service projects."}, {"context": " In 2014, Okkodo High School started implementing the Freshmen Academy program. The program is intended to offer transition support for incoming freshmen and to provide them with a foundation for success. The expansion to the school facilities allows the freshmen to be apart from the rest of the school population. Classrooms and a dining area are designated for freshmen only. The students are divided into teams to increase support and monitoring from teachers. A Freshman Advisory Program (FAP) was implemented in 2014, as a component of the School-wide Intervention System (SIS)."}, {"context": " The following are clubs and organizations offered to students as of SY 2017-2018: The $78M construction of the four new Guam schools were initiated by Iron Bridge Capital on October 2006. The school constructions built a total of 326,650 square feet of 148 classrooms, laboratories, storage areas, and many more. For the Okkodo High School project, a 12,744 square feet high school gymnasium, built with a synthetic floor system, motorized basketball goals, and stacking bleachers, and state-of-the-art sports facilities were built to accommodate athletic events, including IIAAG middle school and high school games. All four projects were ahead of schedule and were ready for SY 2008-2009."}, {"context": " Situated along Route 3, the school is named after the area in which it is built. \"Okkodo\" is Chamorro for the word \"trap\". It was also the name of a Chamorro chief who resided in the village of Dededo. The school opened its doors on August 21, 2008, serving students in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Mr. Kenneth Denusta was the first principal of the high school. Upon its opening, Okkodo High School had 1,500 students, 300 students more than originally intended. In early 2012, Okkodo High School earned a three-year accreditation after a first full-visit by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In 2015, the school once again gained another three-year accreditation from W.A.S.C."}, {"context": " In July 2014, a $21.8M expansion project, now known as the Freshmen Academy, increased the high school's student capacity from 1,200 to 2,000 students, adding 800 more students from its current capacity. This project adds 23 standard classrooms, 7 science labs, an Electronics lab, a Drama lab, 4 Special Education resource classrooms, and more. This annex facility is currently being utilized by the 9th grade population of the school. The girl's locker room was expanded and an additional boy's locker room was constructed. The existing boys and girls locker rooms were expanded. The final part of the expansion included a culinary arts classroom and laboratory that was constructed adjacent to the original facilities. The Culinary Arts building include a commercial grade kitchen for the Guam Community College staff to teach and train the Okkodo High School students on the culinary arts subject. The Culinary Arts facility has a training kitchen where students learn and prepare meals, and a separate dining area where students will enjoy their culinary creations."}]}, {"title": "Okkonen (surname)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkonen is a Finnish surname. As of 2014, 88.7% of all known bearers of the surname \"Okkonen\" were residents of Finland (frequency 1:4,993), 3.5% of the United States (1:8,401,192), 2.5% of Estonia (1:42,635), 2.2% of Sweden (1:364,695) and 1.8% of Australia (1:1,080,631). In Finland, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:4,993) in the following regions:"}]}, {"title": "Okkots", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkot(s) is derived from the word \"okko\"' in Makassar language which literally means \"trespassing a dividing line\". This term was first introduced in traditional games played by children in South Sulawesi. Okkot is also a community among Aryans, okkot in Sanskrit means \"one who serves the sun\", as they worship the sun god Surya. There are various forms of okkots, some of the most generally occurred are removing the letter \"g\" in a word that ended with \"g\" and adding \"g\" in a word that ended with \"n\".  Examples:"}]}, {"title": "Okkult", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkult is the eighth studio album by the heavy metal band Atrocity. It was released in 2013 on Napalm Records. With this album, the band returned to their death metal roots once again, but also incorporated a symphonic metal edge."}]}, {"title": "Okkupert", "paragraphs": [{"context": " With a budget of 90 million kr (US$11 million), the series is the most expensive Norwegian production to date and has been sold to the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Serbia, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, and Portugal. It is also streamed by Netflix in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, India, Canada, Belgium, Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands. \" depicts a fictional near future in which Russia, with support from the European Union, occupies Norway to restore its oil and gas production, in response to a Europe-wide energy crisis caused by the coming to power of Norway's Green Party, which stopped the country's oil and gas production."}, {"context": " The series has been renewed for a third season. In the near future, Middle East turmoil compromises oil production. The United States achieves energy independence and subsequently withdraws from NATO, causing an energy crisis. A catastrophic hurricane fueled by climate change, Hurricane Maria, devastates Norway, killing thousands. The resulting chaos leads to the unprecedented rise of the Norwegian Green Party to power in response. The new Prime Minister of Norway, Green Party leader Jesper Berg, is an idealistic politician with bold plans for thorium-based nuclear power as a viable solution to replace oil, which could help avoid further emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere causing global warming and climate change. To this end, he cuts off all fossil fuel production, intensifying the energy crisis in the continent. The European Union, in desperation, acquiesces to a Russia velvet glove invasion of Norway."}, {"context": " At the inauguration of a thorium plant, Russian special forces kidnap Berg in front of his Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) bodyguard Hans Martin Djupvik and newspaper reporter Thomas Eriksen, and is flown by helicopter to a forest. There, via video chat, EU Commissioner Pierre Anselme demands that he submit to the demands of the EU or face a full-scale Russian invasion. Berg at first refuses, but after his kidnappers execute a random civilian who approached the helicopter, Berg submits, reasoning as a pacifist that nobody deserves to die. Berg is released and is picked up by Djupvik. To conceal the nature of the occupation, Berg spins the occupation as an \"energy partnership\", and promises the Norwegian people in an interview with Eriksen that the occupation would be a temporary measure until Norway's oil and gas production is restored by Russian working crews. This intention unravels as a series of events complicates Norwegian\u2013Russian interactions over the ensuing months."}, {"context": " The series of escalating complications begins when Stefan Christensen, a member of the Royal Guard, unsuccessfully attempts to assassinate the Russian ambassador, Irina Sidorova, only to be thwarted by Djupvik and the PST. The Norwegian military unit seizes two Russian officials who had been urging the Commander of the Royal Guard, Harald Vold, to surrender himself to the Russian authorities on suspicion of hatching the plot to assassinate Sidorova, inciting a hostage situation with the demands being the release of the attempted assassin from the Russian embassy, located just across the street from a restaurant frequented by Russians since the occupation began, run by Eriksen's wife Bente Norum. Peter Eriksen, Eriksen's son and Norum's stepson, joins protests against the Russians, and soon becomes involved with anti-Russian radicals."}, {"context": " When a Russian agent is the victim of a hit-and-run in front of the embassy and restaurant, the Russian government demands that Norway extrajudicially extradite the driver, a suspected Chechen terrorist named Elbek Musajev. The hit-and-run was an accident caused by his son Iljas rather than a deliberate attack, but Elbek commits suicide to avoid being deported to Russia. An insurgent group, Free Norway (\"), emerges, led by Christensen, Vold, nationalist academic Eivind Birkeland and Iljas Musajev, and attacks police headquarters, injuring a teenager who had been detained for posting anti-Russian messages inciting opposition to the occupation. The Russian government takes this as an excuse to prolong their occupation of Norway. A gas production facility is attacked, temporarily delaying the EU production target, and killing many Russian workers, further delaying the pullout. Tensions further increase as suspicious events occur at the Norwegian\u2013Russian border, where Russian troops infiltrate Lapland (Finnmark County), Eriksen is murdered while investigating the Russians, and a Russian naval fleet exercises off the coast of northern Norway. Berg asks the EU to protect Norway's sovereignty, but the EU fails to act decisively."}, {"context": " Free Norway receives assistance from inside the PST by its chief Wenche Arnesen, who chose to defect after discovering that she was terminally ill. The group begins a recruitment drive of retired military personnel and prisoners. Berg has in the meantime set up an interim government under the orders of the King of Norway after losing a no-confidence motion by the Green Party, and had known Russian sleeper agents sent to internment on Svalbard; however, it is pursued by Russian jets, forcing it to turn back. In light of this internment campaign, Russian \"terrorists\" seemingly armed with suicide vests storm Berg's office and hold him hostage. Berg is rescued and evacuated to the residence of the U.S. ambassador, setting up a government in internal exile. It emerges that the oil refinery attack was actually a false-flag attack staged by the Russians. When Norum's daughter, Maja Norum, discovers that the Russians killed Eriksen, Norum expels Russian staff members from her restaurant, and provides information to Free Norway."}, {"context": " Berg, hiding in the U.S. ambassador's residence, takes every opportunity to attempt engaging the United States in a series of Norwegian moves to try to dislodge the Russians, but the U.S. refuses direct involvement in any conflict they have a risk of losing. Events spiral further when after calling the public to resist the Russians, Free Norway kidnaps Sidorova and one of her bodyguards, executing the latter live over the internet; in response, Russian special forces seize Oslo Airport. Berg's pressure on the U.S. prompts the ambassador to poison his food and Berg is admitted to a hospital where he is captured yet again, this time by Free Norway, who also assassinate a high-ranking Russian general along with several Russian soldiers in front of the Russian embassy, using Norum's information (incurring a rebuke from her lover, a Russian agent named Nikolai). After being rescued, Sidorova calls Djupvik and tells him that Russia is now at war with Norway. Arnesen records and releases a video revealing her defection. She later commits suicide at a church to avoid capture, and its priest cremates her body. Berg is taken to a Free Norway resistance camp, and is asked by Vold if he is ready to fight for his country."}, {"context": " After being kidnapped, Berg is proclaimed as the new leader of Free Norway, and the group carries out a guerrilla campaign against the occupation, attacking both Russian and Norwegian forces and staging terror attacks throughout the country, nearly plummeting the country into a civil war. Six months later, however, the insurgents have lost much of their strength due to Russian military and Norwegian police action. Berg is thus sent into exile in neighboring Sweden, which had supported the initial Russian invasion as a member of the EU."}, {"context": " Berg's replacement as prime minister, fellow Green Party member Anders Knudsen, proves unable to handle the pressure and resigns. Following his exile to Sweden, Berg attempts to form a parallel government-in-exile. While acting as a go-between Berg and the leaders of Parliament, his political adviser and lover Anita Rygh sees her political role marginalized. Rygh instead recommends to the majority party that they form a new government. The president refuses, but offers her the prime ministerial position. She accepts, severing her ties with Berg."}, {"context": " A Norwegian Coast Guard officer approaches Berg with news that the Russians are installing cruise missile launchers on the oil installation of Melk\u00f8ya in northern Norway. From his position in Sweden, Berg contacts the insurgents and orders them to get photographic evidence. A platoon of guardsmen independently confronts members of a Russian private military company stationed there under the guise of an inspection. One of the guardsmen, a naturalized Somalian immigrant named Faisal Abdi, transmits a video of the missiles, but a gunfight breaks out and the guardsmen are captured and brought to a Russian prison. The leader of the expedition dies after being hit by gunfire. The return of the soldiers becomes a source of tension between the nations and Rygh's first true test."}, {"context": " Djupvik, now head of the PST, continues to walk a line between allegiances. Unable to track down Arnesen, his old boss and reported leader of Free Norway, he strong-arms the priest at the church where she died into admitting she has been dead the whole time. The Norwegian police capture Vold in an operation. The Security Service discovers Berg is using a video game to communicate with the rebels, and when they find proof that he ordered the illegal mission to Melk\u00f8ya, he is ordered to be arrested. Tipped off, Berg flees in the night, and emerges in Poland, where he meets a reporter from Germany's \"Stern\" magazine and leaks government documents, before fleeing to Belgium and then France, where he is arrested. He pursues a case in the European Court of Human Rights, demanding the right to return to Norway, which he succeeds in doing."}, {"context": " As the Russians are unwilling to free the guardsmen captured, Djupvik's wife Hilde, drafts a plan to have them tried in Norway but with a Russian lay judge presiding over the trial. The Russians agree and all of the soldiers are found guilty. A group of civilian government opponents, Free Our Soldiers (FOS), is created by Faisal's girlfriend, Frida Eng\u00f8, and her hacker friend Leon Tangen to peacefully force the government to pardon them. Christensen, one of the leaders of Free Norway who had incited the crisis with his attack on Ambassador Sidorova, becomes a straggler, kidnaps Djupvik's daughter and demands the soldiers be set free, prompting condemnation from FOS. Christensen is tracked down by the Russians and Djupvik's daughter is saved. The Russians allow him a chance to talk to Christensen. When Christensen says he regrets not killing the child, he is killed by Djupvik."}, {"context": " Rygh offers the rebels amnesty in return of their turning in their weapons, which is endorsed by Vold and the Russians. The government then releases the guardsmen. Vold then forms a new political party to succeed Free Norway, the Liberation Party. Rygh's mother, once an ardent supporter of her daughter, becomes despondent at how much Norway has lost. Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Anselme is succeeded by a Polish politician who is more sympathetic to Berg and his cause. Throughout the season, Bente Norum has opened a hotel with a Russian business partner named Zoya. Similar to her previous restaurant, this venue proves to be a real hit among Russians and it is a profitable venture. A powerful Russian, Konstantin Minnikov, stays at the hotel. Norum is approached by a Free Norway agent, Anette Kleven, to use a device to mirror Minnikov's phone. She declines, until she discovers that Minnikov is secretly buying out her partner. Minnikov's daughter Nadia replaces Zoya as Norum's business partner, and befriends Norum's daughter Maja. Minnikov finds out Norum has been spying on her, and he confronts her. She accidentally kills him during the confrontation. Afraid, she calls Nikolai who disposes of Minnikov's body. The rebels use this to blackmail her to spy on other Russians who are guests at her hotel. She keeps this a secret, and Zoya is blamed for the murder. When Norum discovers this, she goes to the police to turn herself in, only to find out that resistance fighters won\u2019t let her confess. She meets Djupvik, and gives him information on the activities of the rebels."}, {"context": " After being cleared, Berg returns to Norway with a group of European politicians to support him and serve as protection. However, the European politicians are forced to leave after the Norwegian government threatens gas supplies to Europe. In response, Berg recruits Tangen to hack a Russian missile system and shoot down a Finnish fighter jet in a false-flag attack, causing the EU to rebuke Russia. Tangen is killed by a Russian hit squad in retaliation for his role, but is able to pass proof of Berg's involvement to Eng\u00f8 beforehand. When Rygh orders the Norwegian Navy to detain Berg, they refuse, igniting a military coup led by Vold. Djupvik's wife leaves him over his involvement with the Russians, and Norum sells her hotel to Nadia, allowing her and Maja to leave Norway and immigrate to Russia."}, {"context": " To contain the situation, Rygh and Djupvik spin the coup as a restoration of order (which marginalizes Vold), and decide to accompany Berg to Norwegian shores, where he is met by an adoring crowd. Berg proclaims Rygh as his official successor, and she announces the end of the Russian occupation. However, she is shot by Abdi, who had become radicalized by Tangen's death (egged on by Vold, who watched from the sidelines). Later that night, Berg returns to the office of the prime minister and sits in the prime minister's seat, facing an uncertain future."}, {"context": " Jo Nesb\u00f8 wrote the first episodes in 2008, and the series, planned to be produced for Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, received a million production grant from the Norwegian Film Institute in April 2013. After four years of planning, disagreements over the progress led NRK to withdraw from the project; TV2 took over in October 2013. The series premiered in Norway on TV2, on 5 October 2015, and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 13 January 2016 on Sky Arts in HD. The series was added to the Netflix streaming service, in multiple countries, as of 20 January 2016. The series premiered on Pivot TV in the United States on 5 May 2016 and on the Canadian public television station TVOntario on 11 September 2016. In Poland, the series broadcasts on Ale Kino+."}, {"context": " \"The Daily Telegraph\"s cultural reviewer Gerard O'Donovan wrote of \"Occupied\" that the series' innovation more than made up for any lack of plausibility, citing the interesting historical, geopolitical interplay between Norway and Russia as fascinating. O'Donovan went on to praise the first episode, saying, \"the tense plotting and a pace sufficiently frenetic to carry all but the most curmudgeonly along.\" , the Russian ambassador to Norway, told Russian News Agency TASS, It is certainly a shame that, in the year of the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War II, the authors have seemingly forgotten the Soviet Army's heroic contribution to the liberation of northern Norway from Nazi occupiers, decided, in the worst traditions of the Cold War, to scare Norwegian spectators with the nonexistent threat from the east. The Russian embassy had been informed in an early stage of the work on the series."}]}, {"title": "Okkur", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkur is a village in Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, India. The village has a history of over 2000 years. The poet Okkur Maasathiyar wrote of this village during the Sangam period in PuraNanooru. Maasthiyar's memorial tower is located in the village. As per Ministry of Home Affairs, Directorate of Census Operations - Tamil Nadu, Census - 2001, Okkur had a population of 20270. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Okkur has an average literacy rate of 73.05%, which is higher than the national average of 59.5%. In Okkur, 13.5% of the population is under 6 years of age. The nearest villages of Karungapatti, Melamangalam, O.Pudur, Kulakkattapatti,Piravaloor,keelapoongudi have hundreds of skilled workers working for middle east, far east countries, Singapore, Malaysia, American continent. Okkur is the native place of Actor, Director, Politician \"Ramarajan\"."}, {"context": " The history of Okkur extends back more than 2000 years. This Village was a battle field in Sangam period. Okkur Maasathiyar, a female poet, lived here and she mentioned this village in Puranaanuru. Her poem (poem Number 279 ) describes a brave, courageous mother. This village is the headquarters of the AAroor vattagai Nadu (now called as AAru kootai nadu). Theivathiru Alagarsamy Ambalam ruled this AAru kootai nadu, a part of Sivagangai zamin, in the 19th century. In the chapters on the puRam ( \u0baa\u0bc1\u0bb1\u0bae\u0bcd) topics, the heroism of people in general, and women in particular, occupied a key place. The following is the description of the valour of a woman who lost her brother on the first day and her husband on the second. She dresses up her only son, gives him the spear and sends him to the battle on the third day after hearing the sounds of the bugle:"}, {"context": " \u0bae\u0bc7\u0ba9\u0bbe\u0bb3\u0bcd \u0b89\u0bb1\u0bcd\u0bb1 \u0b9a\u0bc6\u0bb0\u0bc1\u0bb5\u0bbf\u0bb1\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bc1 \u0b87\u0bb5\u0bb3\u0bcd \u0ba4\u0ba9\u0bcd\u0ba9\u0bc8 \u0baf\u0bbe\u0ba9\u0bc8 \u0b8e\u0bb1\u0bbf\u0ba8\u0bcd\u0ba4\u0bc1 \u0b95\u0bb3\u0ba4\u0bcd\u0ba4\u0bc1 \u0b92\u0bb4\u0bbf\u0ba8\u0bcd\u0ba4\u0ba9\u0ba9\u0bc7 \u0ba8\u0bc6\u0bb0\u0bc1\u0ba8\u0bb2\u0bcd \u0b89\u0bb1\u0bcd\u0bb1 \u0b9a\u0bc6\u0bb0\u0bc1\u0bb5\u0bbf\u0bb1\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bc1 \u0b87\u0bb5\u0bb3\u0bcd \u0b95\u0bca\u0bb4\u0bc1\u0ba8\u0ba9\u0bcd \u0baa\u0bca\u0bb0\u0bc1\u0ba8\u0bb0\u0bc8 \u0bb5\u0bbf\u0bb2\u0b99\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bbf \u0b86\u0ba3\u0bcd\u0b9f\u0bc1\u0baa\u0bcd\u0baa\u0b9f\u0bcd\u0b9f\u0ba9\u0ba9\u0bc7 \u0b87\u0ba9\u0bcd\u0bb1\u0bc1\u0bae\u0bcd, \u0b9a\u0bc6\u0bb0\u0bc1\u0baa\u0bcd\u0baa\u0bb1\u0bc8 \u0b95\u0bc7\u0b9f\u0bcd\u0b9f\u0bc1 \u0bb5\u0bbf\u0bb0\u0bc1\u0baa\u0bcd\u0baa\u0bc1\u0bb1\u0bcd\u0bb1\u0bc1 \u0bae\u0bc1\u0baf\u0b99\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bbf \u0bb5\u0bc7\u0bb2\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bc8\u0b95\u0bcd \u0b95\u0bca\u0b9f\u0bc1\u0ba4\u0bcd\u0ba4\u0bc1 \u0bb5\u0bc6\u0bb3\u0bbf\u0ba4\u0bc1 \u0bb5\u0bbf\u0bb0\u0bbf\u0ba4\u0bcd\u0ba4\u0bc1 \u0b89\u0b9f\u0bbf\u0b87\u0baa\u0bcd \u0baa\u0bbe\u0bb1\u0bc1\u0bae\u0baf\u0bbf\u0bb0\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bcd \u0b95\u0bc1\u0b9f\u0bc1\u0bae\u0bbf \u0b8e\u0ba3\u0bcd\u0ba3\u0bc6\u0baf\u0bcd \u0ba8\u0bc0\u0bb5\u0bbf \u0b92\u0bb0\u0bc1\u0bae\u0b95\u0ba9\u0bcd \u0b85\u0bb2\u0bcd\u0bb2\u0ba4\u0bc1 \u0b87\u0bb2\u0bcd\u0bb2\u0bcb\u0bb3\u0bcd \u0b9a\u0bc6\u0bb0\u0bc1\u0bae\u0bc1\u0b95\u0bae\u0bcd \u0ba8\u0bcb\u0b95\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bbf\u0b9a\u0bcd \u0b9a\u0bc6\u0bb2\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bc6\u0ba9 \u0bb5\u0bbf\u0b9f\u0bc1\u0bae\u0bc7. George L. Hart translated purananuru in English. Book Name:\"Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom: An Anthology of Poems from Classical Tamil, the Purananuru\" The economy of the village is primarily agricultural. Some villagers work abroad in places such as Dubai (U.A.E), Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Malaysia. But most of them are skilled labors. Some people (<1%) are in good position in these countries. Only a few locals have emigrated to the United States and Europe.  The area's main crops are sugarcane, paddy, groundnut and coconut."}]}, {"title": "Okkur, Pudukkottai", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Avadaiyarkoilrevenue block of Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu, India. As per the 2001 census, Okkur had a total population of 1251 with 578 males and 673 females. Out of the total population 809 people were literate."}]}, {"title": "Okky Asokawati", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okky Asokawati is an Indonesian former model and politician. Asokawati was born on 6 March 1961. She was one of the six children of adjunct police commissioner Anwas Tanuamijaya who was sentenced for life imprisonment for his alleged complicity in the 30 September Movement. Her mother worked as an English teacher to support the family. Tanuamijaya was released in 1985. She holds a Master of Science in Psychology degree from the University of Indonesia. When Asokawati was 17, she competed for a beauty contest organised by a magazine. Winning it led to her being signed as a photo-model. Soon, she established a name for herself and posed for Ungaro and Claude Montana's fashion houses. She started OQ Modeling school in 1988 and Persona finishing academy in 1990."}, {"context": " In 2003, she began writing her autobiography \"Jangan Menoleh ke Belakang\" and launched it two years later. From 2006 to 2008, she was a lecturer at the Pancasila University. Asokawati is affiliated to the United Development Party (PPP). At the request of PPP chief Suryadarma Ali, she contested the Indonesian legislative election, 2009 and was elected to the People's Representative Council from multi-member South Jakarta electoral district. As a member of the People's Representative Council of Indonesia, she serves on its Commission IX, overseeing health and labour affairs. She was re-elected in 2014, polling 35,727 votes. In 2015, her biography \"From Fashion to Politics\", authored by Threes Emir was published.  Asokawati married fashion photographer Firman Ichsan in 1985 from whom she has a daughter Tanisa Diva Siti Murbarani. They divorced in 2003. Later she was married to Fajar Tyas Sasono Padmodimulyo. Together they had a daughter Queentadira Asokawati. In 2007, Padmodimulyo died of a stroke."}]}, {"title": "Okky Lukman", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okky Ayudhia Lukman (born August 25, 1984) is an Indonesian actress, comedian, and host. Okky became known after starring in \"Lenong Bocah\" from 1993-1998. Chubby appearance, with a chatty conversational style and origin talk immediately attract the attention of viewers. Prior to joining \"Lenong Boy\", appeared in several soap operas okky in \"TVRI\". Aditya Gumay, leader \"Ananda Studio\" and \"Lenong boy\", who saw great talent within Oki. From there anyway Oki then involved in staging \"Lenong Boy\" broadcast on a television station. Oki now also venturing into the world of soap operas and television host."}]}, {"title": "Okky Madasari", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okky Puspa Madasari known as Okky Madasari is an Indonesian author. She won an Indonesian major literary prize, the Khatulistiwa Literary Award, in 2012 for her third novel, Maryam. At the age of 28, she is the youngest ever to win this prestigious award. Her novels were shortlisted three years in a row by the award's judges. Her first novel Entrok, an epic about life under totalitarian and militarism during the Indonesia's New Order era, has been translated into English and was published in July 2013 under the title of The Years of the Voiceless. Her two other novels, Maryam and Pasung Jiwa, have also been translated into English under the title of The Outcast and Bound respectively. Pasung Jiwa also has been translated in German under the title Gebunden in 2015."}, {"context": " Okky was born on October 30, 1984 in Magetan, East Java, Indonesia. She graduated from Gadjah Mada University\u2019s International Relations Department in 2005 with bachelor's degree in Political Science. She has chosen to become a journalist and writer ever since her graduation. In 2012, she took sociology for her master's degree from the University of Indonesia, and graduated in July 2014 with a thesis on Genealogy of Indonesian Novels: Capitalism, Islam and Critical Literature. Okky\u2019s novels consistently voice human rights and freedom, and are always against any form of repression. Okky is a realist, with all of her novels attempting to portray the face of Indonesia. While she tells mostly about Indonesia and its people, the issues she carries in her novels showcase basic and universal humankind's problems."}, {"context": " Her novels have won nationwide praises, with Apsanti Djokosujatno, one of Indonesia's prominent literary critic from the University of Indonesia, claiming that they are already categorized as canon and will become classic. She goes further to dub her as the next Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Okky\u2019s first novel, Entrok (2010), tells a story about how Indonesians live under the ruthless dictatorship of Suharto's regime and how they struggled to survive under oppression of the military's dominance. Her second novel 86 (2011) vividly describes the prevalent corruption within the country and especially among its civil servants The novel was shortlisted as top five in the Khatulistiwa Literary Award in 2011. Her third novel Maryam (2012) which describes how Ahmadis are violently thrown away from their own home and homeland without any protection from the government won the 2012 Khatulistiwa Literary Award. The novel has been translated into English under the title of The Outcast, and it's available in bookstores since March 2014."}, {"context": " Pasung Jiwa is her fourth novel, released in May 2013. It addresses individual struggle to break free from his or her own individual limitation as well as the containment of norm, tradition, religion, state and economic dominance of the few rich. The novel was shortlisted by the Khatulistiwa Literary Award in 2013. Pasung Jiwa has also been translated into English under the title of Bound in July 2014 and translated into German under the title Gebunden. Her fifth novel, Kerumunan Terakhir, was published in May 2016. In this novel Okky tries to capture how digital phenomena and social media take over people's lives, with new generation confusing reality with virtual activities."}, {"context": " In various interviews, Okky has clearly positioned herself on many issues. More than just appealing to the masses or attracting wide readership, she believes that writing is a way of fighting for the advancement of humanity. In her novels, she also consistently tries to voice problems within the society, including discrimination, oppression and unjust treatment by the state or the ruling elites. In several interviews and speeches, Okky stated that she reads Karl Marx and is influenced by the spirit of his human liberation ideas, but above all she believes in individual freedom and human creativity. For her, ultimate freedom can only be achieved through freeing individual creativity."}, {"context": " While her views have been very clear in her novels, speeches and interviews, she actively voices the need for her generation to take side with the unprotected minority and weakest part of the society as well as joining street rallies to condemn use of violence by the state, police and mass organizations. She is fiercely against religious-based organizations that take the law into their hands, and use their power to oppress the weak minority groups in Indonesia. Okky in 2014 co-founded (with Indonesian journalist Abdul Khalik) the ASEAN Literary Festival with aims among others to introduce ASEAN writers and their works to the global world while providing medium for writers to exchange ideas and works so that they are familiar with each other in helping shape the so-called ASEAN community. The first ASEAN Literary Festival took place in Jakarta in March, 2014. The festival quickly becomes one of the region's most important annual cultural events."}, {"context": " In the 2016 festival, the Indonesian police were trying to ban the festival by withdrawing the permit it had previously issued due to protests from militant organisations against the festival's insistence to prominently feature discussions of LGBT and 1965 Communist massacre issues. But with public support and the organizers' persistence, the festival prevailed, and gained even more wide coverage and popularity subsequently. Okky is married to Abdul Khalik, a journalist with English-language newspapers in Indonesia (The Jakarta Post, 2003-2012, and Jakarta Globe, 2012-present). They met when both of them covered the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Bali in January 2008 before they married in December 2008. In each of her novels, she acknowledges her husband as the first reader and her partner in discussing ideas for her novels.  Entrok/The Years of The Voiceless (2010) 86 (2011) Maryam/The Outcast (2012) Pasung Jiwa/Bound (2013) Kerumunan Terakhir/The Last Crowd (2016) Yang Bertahan dan Binasa Perlahan (2017) Mata di Tanah Melus (2018)"}]}, {"title": "Okkyung Lee", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okkyung Lee (born 1975 in Daejeon, South Korea) is a South Korean cellist, improviser, and composer. Lee moved to Boston in 1993, where she received a dual bachelor's degree in Contemporary Writing and Production and Film Scoring (Berklee College of Music), and a master's degree in Contemporary Improvisation (New England Conservatory of Music). In 2000, Lee moved to New York and immersed herself in the city\u2019s downtown music scene. Since then, she has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists, including Laurie Anderson, Arca, David Behrman, Mark Fell, Douglas Gordon, Jenny Hval, Vijay Iyer, Christian Marclay, Lasse Marhaug, Haroon Mirza, Thurston Moore, Ikue Mori, Lawrence D \u201cButch\u201d Morris, Jim O\u2019Rourke, Evan Parker, Marina Rosenfeld, Wadada Leo Smith, Swans, Cecil Taylor, C. Spencer Yeh and John Zorn.  In 2013, Lee curated the Music Unlimited festival in Wels, Austria, giving it the title \"The most beautiful noise on earth\". Lee received a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grant in 2010. and a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award in 2015"}]}, {"title": "Okla Jones II", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okla Jones II (September 23, 1945 \u2013 January 8, 1996) was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, Jones received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern University in 1968 and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 1971. Jones was a Reginald Heber Smith Fellow staff attorney of New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation from 1971 to 1973. He was a staff attorney of American Civil Liberties Union in 1973. He was a project director, New Orleans Office of the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law from 1973 to 1976. He was in private practice in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1976 to 1986. He was a special counsel, New Orleans City Council, Louisiana from 1983 to 1986. Jones was a City attorney of City of New Orleans, Louisiana from 1986 to 1990. He was a Civil district court judge, Parish of New Orleans, Div. 'N', Louisiana from 1990 to 1994.  On August 25, 1994, Jones was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana vacated by Judge Frederick Jacob Reagan Heebe. Jones was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 7, 1994, and received his commission on October 11, 1994. Jones served in that capacity until his death of leukemia, in New Orleans, Louisiana."}]}, {"title": "Okla, Saskatchewan", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okla is a hamlet in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Listed as a designated place by Statistics Canada, the hamlet had a population of 25 in the Canada 2006 Census. Country Pac Foods R.M of Hazel Dell No. 335 Office&Shop Church of the Messiah-Anglican Okla Community Hall Church of the Messiah"}]}, {"title": "Okladi", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okladi is a village in Bijelo Polje Municipality, in northern Montenegro. According to the 2003 census, the village had a population of 49 people."}]}, {"title": "Okladnikov", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okladnikov may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Okladnikov Cave", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okladnikov Cave () is a paleoanthropological site located in the foothills of the Altai Mountains in Soloneshensky District, Altai Krai in southern Siberia, Russia. The cave faces south and is located on a Devonian karst escarpment, lying about above the left bank of the Sibiryachikha River valley below; the river itself is a tributary of the Anuy River. Okladnikov Cave is one of the most extensively studied Paleolithic sites in the Altai-Sayan region. A rich Mousterian stone industry, dating to between 33,000 and 44,000 years ago, was discovered, as well as several highly fragmented hominin fossils. Along with a few other Neanderthal sites in the Altai-Sayan region, Okladnikov Cave contains fossil evidence for one of the most easterly confirmed sites with Neanderthal presence."}, {"context": " The cave was originally named after a nearby village, Sibiryachikha, located away. The cave was renamed by Anatoly P. Derevianko in honor of Alexey Okladnikov. Okladnikov Cave was first excavated in 1984. The cave is one of several Paleolithic sites located in the Anuy Basin, along with Denisova Cave, Ust-Karakol, Kamminaya Cave, Isrkra Cave, Karama and Anuy I-III. Palynological evidence suggest that, like today, the surrounding area during the time associated with Paleolithic hominin finds was composed primarily of dry forest steppe, albeit in a slightly colder and more humid context."}, {"context": " Situated around north of Denisova Cave, Okladnikov Cave is actually a complex of interconnected cavities: the cave consists of an overhang, an entrance stone bench that is wide, high and deep; and five corridors (galleries). The narrow cave extends into the hill for about . Its entrance faces south at above the river. Just one hundred meters away is an animal cave, dubbed \"Sibiryachikha VI\", in which an as yet unclassified child\u2019s humerus was found in 1985. Researchers suggested that this cave would have served better for human use than the actual Okladnikov Cave, although they found no traces of human occupation."}, {"context": " Archaeologists have identified seven archaeological layers at Okladnikov Cave. Nearly 4000 lithic tools have been recovered from Okladnikov Cave. Mousterian artefacts are found throughout all seven layers. The tool assemblage consisted mostly of scrapers and scraper-knives. Around a quarter of the tools at Okladnikov Cave were made from jasperoids, while around 5% were made from hornstones. The lithic industry at Okladnikov Cave shares most similarities with another site in the Altai-Sayan region, Chagyrskaya Cave, and are rather distinct from other Altai sites. However, unlike at Chagyrskaya Cave, Levallois-type tools are uniquely found at Okladnikov Cave. Both sites contain a great number of Neanderthal/Mousterian stone tools. The lithic culture was initially referred to as the \"Altai Mousterian\"; nowadays, the culture is more commonly referred to as the \"Sibiryachikha culture\" or the \"Sibiryachikha variant\"."}, {"context": " Over 6000 animal fossil elements were discovered at the cave, representing at least 20 different species. The remains of marmot, gray wolf, red fox, bear, horse, cave hyena, woolly rhinoceros, reindeer, steppe bison, red deer, Siberian ibex and argali sheep were commonly found inside the cave, with a heavy presence of cave hyena and woolly rhinoceros remains. Some beaver, \"Panthera spelaea\" and red wolf remains were also discovered. The heavy presence of cave hyena remains indicate that the cave was most likely intermittently shared between cave hyenas and hominins."}, {"context": " Comparative studies on diet show that Neanderthals from the Altai-Sayan region lived in a manner similar to that of late European Neanderthals. Both show signs of being specialized hunters who were likely dependent on the subsistence hunting of large herbivores. 168 hominin fossil elements were discovered at the cave, with the majority coming from adults. The hominin remains include five teeth and nine cranial fragments, most likely representing at least four distinct individuals. Archaeologists had long suspected that the fossil hominin remains belonged to Neanderthals; however, some had argued that the remains belonged to humans with mixed \"Homo erectus\" traits. Rather fragmented and consequently hard to classify, morphological comparisons with Neanderthals did not produce definitively convincing results. This question was resolved through the successful application of DNA testing to some of the hominin fossil remains."}, {"context": " Dating information was directly obtained from several hominin fossil elements at Okladnikov Cave (Source:). In 2007, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology succeeded in extracting DNA from two fossil hominin fragments from Okladnikov Cave: the humeral diaphysis of a juvenile and a separate femur fragment. mtDNA sequencing confirmed that both fragments most likely belonged the same individual, dubbed \"Okladnikov 2\". The mtDNA sequences of the HVR I (hypervariable region I) from \"Okladnikov 2\" confirmed that the individual was Neanderthal. On the basis of mtDNA analysis, \"Okladnikov 2\" was found to be more related to European and western Asian Neanderthals. A 2014 re-analysis teasing out ancient DNA from contaminated sequences allowed researchers to complete the mtDNA sequence from \"Okladnikov 2\". The completed sequence shows that the \"Okladnikov 2\" mtDNA is basal to that sequenced from \"Mezmaiskaya 1\" from Mezmaiskaya Cave and is even closer to western Neanderthals than previously thought."}, {"context": " DNA extracted from skeletal remains has shown that Altai Neanderthals (closely related to Neanderthals found in western Europe) roamed some 2000 kilometres further east than previously thought. This close relative of modern humans obviously migrated very long distances. The local habitat was rich in mammalian resources, allowing the Altai Neanderthals to permanently settle in the foothills of the Altai Mountains by at least 300,000 years ago. The Altai Neanderthals appeared to have chosen occupational sites primarily based on their strategic locations close to rivers and within valleys, locations ideal for hunting prey. During the early to middle Late Pleistocene, the broader region in general was most likely composed of forest and forest tundra, based on a mix of conifer and some broad-leaved trees. Under these conditions, the Altai-Sayan region provided the early hominin inhabitants with a very appealing environment."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma () is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, Texas on the south, New Mexico on the west, and Colorado on the northwest. It is the 20th-most extensive and the 28th-most populous of the fifty United States. The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words and , meaning \"red people\". It is also known informally by its nickname, \"The Sooner State\", in reference to the non-Native settlers who staked their claims on land before the official opening date of lands in the western Oklahoma Territory or before the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889, which dramatically increased European-American settlement in the eastern Indian Territory. Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory were merged into the State of Oklahoma when it became the 46th state to enter the union on November 16, 1907. Its residents are known as Oklahomans (or colloquially, \"Okies\"), and its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " A major producer of natural gas, oil, and agricultural products, Oklahoma relies on an economic base of aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology. Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa serve as Oklahoma's primary economic anchors, with nearly two thirds of Oklahomans living within their metropolitan statistical areas. With ancient mountain ranges, prairie, mesas, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the Great Plains, Cross Timbers, and the U.S. Interior Highlands, a region prone mainly to severe weather. More than 25 Native American languages are spoken in Oklahoma, ranking third behind Alaska and California."}, {"context": " Oklahoma is on a confluence of three major American cultural regions and historically served as a route for cattle drives, a destination for Southern settlers, and a government-sanctioned territory for Native Americans. The name \"Oklahoma\" comes from the Choctaw phrase \"okla\" \"humma\", literally meaning \"red people\". Choctaw Nation Chief Allen Wright suggested the name in 1866 during treaty negotiations with the federal government on the use of Indian Territory, in which he envisioned an all-Indian state controlled by the United States Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Equivalent to the English word \"Indian\", \"okla humma\" was a phrase in the Choctaw language that described Native American people as a whole. \"Oklahoma\" later became the de facto name for Oklahoma Territory, and it was officially approved in 1890, two years after the area was opened to white settlers."}, {"context": " The name of the state is and . Oklahoma is the 20th-largest state in the United States, covering an area of , with of land and of water. It lies partly in the Great Plains near the geographical center of the 48 contiguous states. It is bounded on the east by Arkansas and Missouri, on the north by Kansas, on the northwest by Colorado, on the far west by New Mexico, and on the south and near-west by Texas. Much of its border with Texas lies along the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen, a failed continental rift. The geologic figure defines the placement of the Red River."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma panhandle's Western edge is out of alignment with its Texas border. The Oklahoma/New Mexico border is to miles east of the Texas line. The border between Texas and New Mexico was set first as a result of a survey by Spain in 1819. It was then set along the 103rd meridian. In the 1890s, when Oklahoma was formally surveyed using more accurate surveying equipment and techniques, it was discovered the Texas line was not set along the 103rd meridian. Surveying techniques were not as accurate in 1819, and the actual 103rd meridian was approximately to the east. It was much easier to leave the mistake than for Texas to cede land to New Mexico to correct the surveying error. The placement of the Oklahoma/New Mexico border represents the true 103rd meridian."}, {"context": " Cimarron County in Oklahoma's panhandle is the only county in the United States that touches four other states: New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and Kansas. Oklahoma is between the Great Plains and the Ozark Plateau in the Gulf of Mexico watershed, generally sloping from the high plains of its western boundary to the low wetlands of its southeastern boundary. Its highest and lowest points follow this trend, with its highest peak, Black Mesa, at above sea level, situated near its far northwest corner in the Oklahoma Panhandle. The state's lowest point is on the Little River near its far southeastern boundary near the town of Idabel, Oklahoma, which dips to above sea level."}, {"context": " Among the most geographically diverse states, Oklahoma is one of four to harbor more than 10 distinct ecological regions, with 11 in its borders\u2014more per square mile than in any other state. Its western and eastern halves, however, are marked by extreme differences in geographical diversity: Eastern Oklahoma touches eight ecological regions and its western half contains three. Although having fewer ecological regions Western Oklahoma contains many rare, relic species. Oklahoma has four primary mountain ranges: the Ouachita Mountains, the Arbuckle Mountains, the Wichita Mountains, and the Ozark Mountains. Contained within the U.S. Interior Highlands region, the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains are the only major mountainous region between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians. A portion of the Flint Hills stretches into north-central Oklahoma, and near the state's eastern border, The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department regards Cavanal Hill as the world's tallest hill; at , it fails their definition of a mountain by one foot."}, {"context": " The semi-arid high plains in the state's northwestern corner harbor few natural forests; the region has a rolling to flat landscape with intermittent canyons and mesa ranges like the Glass Mountains. Partial plains interrupted by small, sky island mountain ranges like the Antelope Hills and the Wichita Mountains dot southwestern Oklahoma; transitional prairie and oak savannas cover the central portion of the state. The Ozark and Ouachita Mountains rise from west to east over the state's eastern third, gradually increasing in elevation in an eastward direction."}, {"context": " More than 500 named creeks and rivers make up Oklahoma's waterways, and with 200 lakes created by dams, it holds the nation's highest number of artificial reservoirs. Most of the state lies in two primary drainage basins belonging to the Red and Arkansas rivers, though the Lee and Little rivers also contain significant drainage basins. Due to Oklahoma's location at the confluence of many geographic regions, the state's climatic regions have a high rate of biodiversity. Forests cover 24 percent of Oklahoma and prairie grasslands composed of shortgrass, mixed-grass, and tallgrass prairie, harbor expansive ecosystems in the state's central and western portions, although cropland has largely replaced native grasses. Where rainfall is sparse in the state's western regions, shortgrass prairie and shrublands are the most prominent ecosystems, though pinyon pines, red cedar (junipers), and ponderosa pines grow near rivers and creek beds in the panhandle's far western reaches. Southwestern Oklahoma contains many rare, disjunct species including sugar maple, bigtooth maple, nolina and southern live oak."}, {"context": " Marshlands, cypress forests and mixtures of shortleaf pine, loblolly pine, blue palmetto, and deciduous forests dominate the state's southeastern quarter, while mixtures of largely post oak, elm, red cedar (\"Juniperus virginiana\") and pine forests cover northeastern Oklahoma. The state holds populations of white-tailed deer, mule deer, antelope, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, elk, and birds such as quail, doves, cardinals, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and pheasants. In prairie ecosystems, American bison, greater prairie chickens, badgers, and armadillo are common, and some of the nation's largest prairie dog towns inhabit shortgrass prairie in the state's panhandle. The Cross Timbers, a region transitioning from prairie to woodlands in Central Oklahoma, harbors 351 vertebrate species. The Ouachita Mountains are home to black bear, red fox, gray fox, and river otter populations, which coexist with 328 vertebrate species in southeastern Oklahoma. Also, in southeastern Oklahoma lives the American alligator."}, {"context": " Oklahoma has 50 state parks, six national parks or protected regions, two national protected forests or grasslands, and a network of wildlife preserves and conservation areas. Six percent of the state's 10 million acres (40,000\u00a0km) of forest is public land, including the western portions of the Ouachita National Forest, the largest and oldest national forest in the Southern United States. With , the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in north-central Oklahoma is the largest protected area of tallgrass prairie in the world and is part of an ecosystem that encompasses only 10 percent of its former land area, once covering 14 states. In addition, the Black Kettle National Grassland covers of prairie in southwestern Oklahoma. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the oldest and largest of nine national wildlife refuges in the state and was founded in 1901, encompassing ."}, {"context": " Of Oklahoma's federally protected parks or recreational sites, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is the largest, with . Other sites include the Santa Fe and Trail of Tears national historic trails, the Fort Smith and Washita Battlefield national historic sites, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Oklahoma is in a humid subtropical region. Oklahoma lies in a transition zone between humid continental climate to the north, semi-arid climate to the west, and humid subtropical climate in the central, south and eastern portions of the state. Most of the state lies in an area known as Tornado Alley characterized by frequent interaction between cold, dry air from Canada, warm to hot, dry air from Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., and warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. The interactions between these three contrasting air currents produces severe weather (severe thunderstorms, damaging thunderstorm winds, large hail and tornadoes) with a frequency virtually unseen anywhere else on planet Earth. An average 62 tornadoes strike the state per year\u2014one of the highest rates in the world."}, {"context": " Because of Oklahoma's position between zones of differing prevailing temperature and winds, weather patterns within the state can vary widely over relatively short distances and can change drastically in a short time. As an example, on November 11, 1911, the temperature at Oklahoma City reached in the afternoon (the record high for that date), then an Arctic cold front of unprecedented intensity slammed across the state, causing the temperature to fall 66 degrees, down to at midnight (the record low for that date); thus, both the record high and record low for November 11 were set on the same date. This type of phenomenon is also responsible for many of the tornadoes in the area, such as the 1912 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, when a warm front traveled along a stalled cold front, resulting in an average of about one tornado per hour over the course of a day."}, {"context": " The humid subtropical climate (Koppen \"Cfa\") of central, southern and eastern Oklahoma is influenced heavily by southerly winds bringing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Traveling westward, the climate transitions progressively toward a semi-arid zone (Koppen \"BSk\") in the high plains of the Panhandle and other western areas from about Lawton westward, less frequently touched by southern moisture. Precipitation and temperatures decline from east to west accordingly, with areas in the southeast averaging an annual temperature of and an annual rainfall of generally over and up to , while areas of the (higher-elevation) panhandle average , with an annual rainfall under ."}, {"context": " Over almost all of Oklahoma, winter is the driest season. Average monthly precipitation increases dramatically in the spring to a peak in May, the wettest month over most of the state, with its frequent and not uncommonly severe thunderstorm activity. Early June can still be wet, but most years see a marked decrease in rainfall during June and early July. Mid-summer (July and August) represents a secondary dry season over much of Oklahoma, with long stretches of hot weather with only sporadic thunderstorm activity not uncommon many years. Severe drought is common in the hottest summers, such as those of 1934, 1954, 1980 and 2011, all of which featured weeks on end of virtual rainlessness and high temperatures well over . Average precipitation rises again from September to mid-October, representing a secondary wetter season, then declines from late October through December."}, {"context": " All of the state frequently experiences temperatures above or below , though below-zero temperatures are rare in south-central and southeastern Oklahoma. Snowfall ranges from an average of less than in the south to just over on the border of Colorado in the panhandle. The state is home to the Storm Prediction Center, the National Severe Storms Laboratory, and the Warning Decision Training Division, all part of the National Weather Service and in Norman. Oklahoma's highest-recorded temperature of was recorded at Tipton on June 27, 1994 and the lowest recorded temperature of was recorded at Nowata on February 10, 2011."}, {"context": " Evidence suggests indigenous peoples traveled through Oklahoma as early as the last ice age. Ancestors of the Wichita, Kichai, Teyas, Escanjaques, and Caddo lived in what is now Oklahoma. Southern Plains villagers lived in the central and west of the state, with a subgroup, the Panhandle culture people living in panhandle region. Caddoan Mississippian culture peoples lived in the eastern part of the state. Spiro Mounds, in what is now Spiro, Oklahoma, was a major Mississippian mound complex that flourished between AD 850 and 1450."}, {"context": " The Spaniard Francisco V\u00e1zquez de Coronado traveled through the state in 1541, but French explorers claimed the area in the 1700s. In the 18th century, Kiowa, Apache, and Comanche entered the region from the west and Quapaw and Osage peoples moved into what is now eastern Oklahoma. French colonists claimed the region until 1803, when all the French territory west of the Mississippi River was purchased by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. The territory now known as Oklahoma was first a part of the Arkansas Territory from 1819 until 1828."}, {"context": " During the 19th century, thousands of Native Americans were expelled from their ancestral homelands from across North America and transported to the area including and surrounding present-day Oklahoma. The Choctaw was the first of the Five Civilized Tribes to be removed from the Southeastern United States. The phrase \"Trail of Tears\" originated from a description of the removal of the Choctaw Nation in 1831, although the term is usually used for the Cherokee removal. Seventeen thousand Cherokees and 2,000 of their black slaves were deported. The area, already occupied by Osage and Quapaw tribes, was called for the Choctaw Nation until revised Native American and then later American policy redefined the boundaries to include other Native Americans. By 1890, more than 30 Native American nations and tribes had been concentrated on land within Indian Territory or \"Indian Country\"."}, {"context": " All Five Civilized Tribes supported and signed treaties with the Confederate military during the American Civil War. The Cherokee Nation had an internal civil war. Slavery in Indian Territory was not abolished until 1866. In the period between 1866 and 1899, cattle ranches in Texas strove to meet the demands for food in eastern cities and railroads in Kansas promised to deliver in a timely manner. Cattle trails and cattle ranches developed as cowboys either drove their product north or settled illegally in Indian Territory. In 1881, four of five major cattle trails on the western frontier traveled through Indian Territory."}, {"context": " Increased presence of white settlers in Indian Territory prompted the United States Government to establish the Dawes Act in 1887, which divided the lands of individual tribes into allotments for individual families, encouraging farming and private land ownership among Native Americans but expropriating land to the federal government. In the process, railroad companies took nearly half of Indian-held land within the territory for outside settlers and for purchase. Major land runs, including the Land Run of 1889, were held for settlers where certain territories were opened to settlement starting at a precise time. Usually land was open to settlers on a first come first served basis. Those who broke the rules by crossing the border into the territory before the official opening time were said to have been crossing the border \"sooner\", leading to the term \"sooners\", which eventually became the state's official nickname."}, {"context": " Deliberations to make the territory into a state began near the end of the 19th century, when the Curtis Act continued the allotment of Indian tribal land. Attempts to create an all-Indian state named \"Oklahoma\" and a later attempt to create an all-Indian state named \"Sequoyah\" failed but the Sequoyah Statehood Convention of 1905 eventually laid the groundwork for the Oklahoma Statehood Convention, which took place two years later. On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma was established as the 46th state in the Union."}, {"context": " The new state became a focal point for the emerging oil industry, as discoveries of oil pools prompted towns to grow rapidly in population and wealth. Tulsa eventually became known as the \"Oil Capital of the World\" for most of the 20th century and oil investments fueled much of the state's early economy. In 1927, Oklahoman businessman Cyrus Avery, known as the \"Father of Route 66\", began the campaign to create U.S. Route 66. Using a stretch of highway from Amarillo, Texas to Tulsa, Oklahoma to form the original portion of Highway 66, Avery spearheaded the creation of the U.S. Highway 66 Association to oversee the planning of Route 66, based in his hometown of Tulsa."}, {"context": " Oklahoma also has a rich African-American history. Many black towns thrived in the early 20th century because of black settlers moving from neighboring states, especially Kansas. The politician Edward P. McCabe encouraged black settlers to come to what was then Indian Territory. He discussed with President Theodore Roosevelt the possibility of making Oklahoma a majority-black state. By the early 20th century, the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa was one of the most prosperous African-American communities in the United States. Jim Crow laws had established racial segregation since before the start of the 20th century, but the blacks had created a thriving area."}, {"context": " Social tensions were exacerbated by the revival of the Ku Klux Klan after 1915. The Tulsa Race Riot broke out in 1921, with whites attacking blacks. In one of the costliest episodes of racial violence in American history, sixteen hours of rioting resulted in 35 city blocks destroyed, $1.8 million in property damage, and a death toll estimated to be as high as 300 people. By the late 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan had declined to negligible influence within the state. During the 1930s, parts of the state began suffering the consequences of poor farming practice. This period was known as the Dust Bowl, throughout which areas of Kansas, Texas, New Mexico and northwestern Oklahoma were hampered by long periods of little rainfall, strong winds, and abnormally high temperatures, sending thousands of farmers into poverty and forcing them to relocate to more fertile areas of the western United States. Over a twenty-year period ending in 1950, the state saw its only historical decline in population, dropping 6.9 percent as impoverished families migrated out of the state after the Dust Bowl."}, {"context": " Soil and water conservation projects markedly changed practices in the state and led to the construction of massive flood control systems and dams; they built hundreds of reservoirs and man-made lakes to supply water for domestic needs and agricultural irrigation. By the 1960s, Oklahoma had created more than 200 lakes, the most in the nation. In 1995, Oklahoma City was the site of one of the most destructive acts of domestic terrorism in American history. The Oklahoma City bombing of April 19, 1995, in which Timothy McVeigh detonated a large, crude explosive device outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killed 168 people, including 19 children. For his crime, McVeigh was executed by the federal government on June 11, 2001. His accomplice, Terry Nichols, is serving life in prison without parole for helping plan the attack and prepare the explosive."}, {"context": " On May 31, 2016, several cities experienced record setting flooding. The United States Census Bureau estimates Oklahoma's population was 3,923,561 on July 1, 2016, a 4.6% increase since the 2010 United States Census. At the 2010 Census, 68.7% of the population was non-Hispanic white, down from 88% in 1970, 7.3% non-Hispanic Black or African American, 8.2% non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% non-Hispanic Asian, 0.1% non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race (non-Hispanic) and 5.1% of two or more races (non-Hispanic). 8.9% of Oklahoma's population was of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (they may be of any race)."}, {"context": " , 47.3% of Oklahoma's population younger than age 1 were minorities, meaning they had at least one parent who was not non-Hispanic white. The state had the second-highest number of Native Americans in 2002, estimated at 395,219, as well as the second-highest percentage among all states. In 2011, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data from 2005\u20132009 indicated about 5% of Oklahoma's residents were born outside the United States. This is lower than the national figure (about 12.5% of U.S. residents were foreign-born)."}, {"context": " The center of population of Oklahoma is in Lincoln County near the town of Sparks. The state's 2006 per capita personal income ranked 37th at $32,210, though it has the third-fastest-growing per capita income in the nation and ranks consistently among the lowest states in cost of living index. The Oklahoma City suburb Nichols Hills is first on Oklahoma locations by per capita income at $73,661, though Tulsa County holds the highest average. In 2011, 7.0% of Oklahomans were under the age of 5, 24.7% under 18, and 13.7% were 65 or older. Females made up 50.5% of the population."}, {"context": " The state is in the U.S. Census' Southern region. According to the 2010 United States Census, Oklahoma is the 28th-most populous state with inhabitants but the 19th-largest by land area spanning of land. Oklahoma is divided into 77 counties and contains 597 incorporated municipalities consisting of cities and towns. In Oklahoma, cities are all those incorporated communities which are 1,000 or more in population and are incorporated as cities. Towns are limited to town board type of municipal government. Cities may choose among aldermanic, mayoral, council-manager, and home-rule charter types of government. Cities may also petition to incorporate as towns."}, {"context": " The English language has been official in the state of Oklahoma since 2010. The variety of North American English spoken is called Oklahoma English, and this dialect is quite diverse with its uneven blending of features of North Midland, South Midland, and Southern dialects. In 2000, 2,977,187 Oklahomans\u201492.6% of the resident population five years or older\u2014spoke only English at home, a decrease from 95% in 1990. 238,732 Oklahoma residents reported speaking a language other than English in the 2000 census, about 7.4% of the state's population. Spanish is the second-most commonly spoken language in the state, with 141,060 speakers counted in 2000. The two most commonly spoken native North American languages are Cherokee and Choctaw with 10,000 Cherokee speakers living within the Cherokee Nation tribal jurisdiction area of eastern Oklahoma, and another 10,000 Choctaw speakers living in the Choctaw Nation directly south of the Cherokees. Cherokee is an official language in the Cherokee Nation tribal jurisdiction area and in the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians."}, {"context": " German has 13,444 speakers representing about 0.4% of the state's population, and Vietnamese is spoken by 11,330 people, or about 0.4% of the population, many of whom live in the Asia District of Oklahoma City. Other languages include French with 8,258 speakers (0.3%), Chinese with 6,413 (0.2%), Korean with 3,948 (0.1%), Arabic with 3,265 (0.1%), other Asian languages with 3,134 (0.1%), Tagalog with 2,888 (0.1%), Japanese with 2,546 (0.1%), and African languages with 2,546 (0.1%). In addition to Cherokee, more than 25 Native American languages are spoken in Oklahoma, second only to California (though, it should be noted only Cherokee exhibits language vitality at present)."}, {"context": " Oklahoma is part of a geographical region characterized by conservative and Evangelical Christianity known as the \"Bible Belt\". Spanning the southern and eastern parts of the United States, the area is known for politically and socially conservative views, with the Republican Party having the greater number of voters registered between the two parties. Tulsa, the state's second-largest city, home to Oral Roberts University, is sometimes called the \"buckle of the Bible Belt\". According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of Oklahoma's religious adherents are Christian, accounting for about 80 percent of the population. The percentage of Oklahomans affiliated with Catholicism is half of the national average, while the percentage affiliated with Evangelical Protestantism is more than twice the national average \u2013 tied with Arkansas for the largest percentage of any state."}, {"context": " In 2010, the state's largest church memberships were in the Southern Baptist Convention (886,394 members), the United Methodist Church (282,347), the Roman Catholic Church (178,430), and the Assemblies of God (85,926) and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (47,349). Other religions represented in the state include Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. In 2000, there were about 5,000 Jews and 6,000 Muslims, with 10 congregations to each group. Oklahoma religious makeup: Oklahoma has been described as \"the world's prison capital\", with 1,079 of every 100,000 residents imprisoned in 2018, the highest incarceration rate of any state, and by comparison, higher than the incarceration rates of any country in the world."}, {"context": " Oklahoma is host to a diverse range of sectors including aviation, energy, transportation equipment, food processing, electronics, and telecommunications. Oklahoma is an important producer of natural gas, aircraft, and food. The state ranks third in the nation for production of natural gas, is the 27th-most agriculturally productive state, and also ranks 5th in production of wheat. Four Fortune 500 companies and six Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in Oklahoma, and it has been rated one of the most business-friendly states in the nation, with the 7th-lowest tax burden in 2007."}, {"context": " In 2010, Oklahoma City-based Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores ranked 18th on the Forbes list of largest private companies, Tulsa-based QuikTrip ranked 37th, and Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby ranked 198th in 2010 report. Oklahoma's gross domestic product grew from $131.9 billion in 2006 to $147.5 billion in 2010, a jump of 10.6 percent. Oklahoma's gross domestic product per capita was $35,480 in 2010, which was ranked 40th among the states. Though oil has historically dominated the state's economy, a collapse in the energy industry during the 1980s led to the loss of nearly 90,000 energy-related jobs between 1980 and 2000, severely damaging the local economy. Oil accounted for 35 billion dollars in Oklahoma's economy in 2007, and employment in the state's oil industry was outpaced by five other industries in 2007. , the state's unemployment rate is 4.4%."}, {"context": " In mid-2011, Oklahoma had a civilian labor force of 1.7 million and non-farm employment fluctuated around 1.5 million. The government sector provides the most jobs, with 339,300 in 2011, followed by the transportation and utilities sector, providing 279,500 jobs, and the sectors of education, business, and manufacturing, providing 207,800, 177,400, and 132,700 jobs, respectively. Among the state's largest industries, the aerospace sector generates $11 billion annually. Tulsa is home to the largest airline maintenance base in the world, which serves as the global maintenance and engineering headquarters for American Airlines. In total, aerospace accounts for more than 10 percent of Oklahoma's industrial output, and it is one of the top 10 states in aerospace engine manufacturing. Because of its position in the center of the United States, Oklahoma is also among the top states for logistic centers, and a major contributor to weather-related research."}, {"context": " The state is the top manufacturer of tires in North America and contains one of the fastest-growing biotechnology industries in the nation. In 2005, international exports from Oklahoma's manufacturing industry totaled $4.3 billion, accounting for 3.6 percent of its economic impact. Tire manufacturing, meat processing, oil and gas equipment manufacturing, and air conditioner manufacturing are the state's largest manufacturing industries. Oklahoma is the nation's third-largest producer of natural gas, and its fifth-largest producer of crude oil. The state also has the second-greatest number of active drilling rigs, and it is even ranked fifth in crude oil reserves. While the state is ranked eighth for installed wind energy capacity in 2011, it is at the bottom of states in usage of renewable energy, with 94% of its electricity being generated by non-renewable sources in 2009, including 25% from coal and 46% from natural gas. Oklahoma has no nuclear power. Ranking 13th for total energy consumption per capita in 2009, The state's energy costs were eighth-lowest in the nation."}, {"context": " As a whole, the oil energy industry contributes $35 billion to Oklahoma's gross domestic product (GDP), and employees of the state's oil-related companies earn an average of twice the state's typical yearly income. In 2009, the state had 83,700 commercial oil wells churning of crude oil. Eight and a half percent of the nation's natural gas supply is held in Oklahoma, with being produced in 2009. The Oklahoma Stack Play is a geographic referenced area in the Anadarko Basin. The oil field \"Sooner Trend\", Anadarko basin and the counties of Kingfisher and Canadian make up the basis for the \"Oklahoma STACK\". Other Plays such as the Eagle Ford are geological rather than geographical."}, {"context": " According to \"Forbes\" magazine, Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy Corporation, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, and SandRidge Energy Corporation are the largest private oil-related companies in the nation, and all of Oklahoma's Fortune 500 companies are energy-related. Tulsa's ONEOK and Williams Companies are the state's largest and second-largest companies respectively, also ranking as the nation's second- and third-largest companies in the field of energy, according to \"Fortune\" magazine. The magazine also placed Devon Energy as the second-largest company in the mining and crude oil-producing industry in the nation, while Chesapeake Energy ranks seventh respectively in that sector and Oklahoma Gas & Electric ranks as the 25th-largest gas and electric utility company."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Gas & Electric, commonly referred to as OG&E (NYSE: OGE) operates four base electric power plants in Oklahoma. Two of them are coal-fired power plants: one in Muskogee, and the other in Red Rock. Two are gas-fired power plants: one in Harrah and the other in Konawa. OG&E was the first electric company in Oklahoma to generate electricity from wind farms in 2003. Source: The 27th-most agriculturally productive state, Oklahoma is fifth in cattle production and fifth in production of wheat. Approximately 5.5 percent of American beef comes from Oklahoma, while the state produces 6.1 percent of American wheat, 4.2 percent of American pig products, and 2.2 percent of dairy products."}, {"context": " The state had 85,500 farms in 2012, collectively producing $4.3 billion in animal products and fewer than one billion dollars in crop output with more than $6.1 billion added to the state's gross domestic product. Poultry and swine are its second- and third-largest agricultural industries. With an educational system made up of public school districts and independent private institutions, Oklahoma had 638,817 students enrolled in 1,845 public primary, secondary, and vocational schools in 533 school districts . Oklahoma has the highest enrollment of Native American students in the nation with 126,078 students in the 2009\u201310 school year. Oklahoma spent $7,755 for each student in 2008, and was 47th in the nation in expenditures per student, though its growth of total education expenditures between 1992 and 2002 ranked 22nd."}, {"context": " The state is among the best in pre-kindergarten education, and the National Institute for Early Education Research rated it first in the United States with regard to standards, quality, and access to pre-kindergarten education in 2004, calling it a model for early childhood schooling. High school dropout rate decreased from 3.1 to 2.5 percent between 2007 and 2008 with Oklahoma ranked among 18 other states with 3 percent or less dropout rate. In 2004, the state ranked 36th in the nation for the relative number of adults with high school diplomas, though at 85.2 percent, it had the highest rate among Southern states. According to a study conducted by the Pell Institute, Oklahoma ranks 48th in college-participation for low-income students."}, {"context": " The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Northeastern State University are the largest public institutions of higher education in Oklahoma, operating through one primary campus and satellite campuses throughout the state. The two state universities, along with Oklahoma City University and the University of Tulsa, rank among the country's best in undergraduate business programs. Oklahoma City University School of Law, University of Oklahoma College of Law, and University of Tulsa College of Law are the state's only ABA accredited institutions. Both University of Oklahoma and University of Tulsa are Tier 1 institutions, with the University of Oklahoma ranked 68th and the University of Tulsa ranked 86th in the nation."}, {"context": " Oklahoma holds eleven public regional universities, including Northeastern State University, the second-oldest institution of higher education west of the Mississippi River, also containing the only College of Optometry in Oklahoma and the largest enrollment of Native American students in the nation by percentage and amount. Langston University is Oklahoma's only historically black college. Six of the state's universities were placed in the Princeton Review's list of best 122 regional colleges in 2007, and three made the list of top colleges for best value. The state has 55 post-secondary technical institutions operated by Oklahoma's CareerTech program for training in specific fields of industry or trade."}, {"context": " In the 2007\u20132008 school year, there were 181,973 undergraduate students, 20,014 graduate students, and 4,395 first-professional degree students enrolled in Oklahoma colleges. Of these students, 18,892 received a bachelor's degree, 5,386 received a master's degree, and 462 received a first professional degree. This means the state of Oklahoma produces an average of 38,278 degree-holders per completions component (i.e. July 1, 2007 \u2013 June 30, 2008). National average is 68,322 total degrees awarded per completions component."}, {"context": " Beginning on April 2, 2018, tens of thousands of K\u201312 public school teachers went on strike due to lack of funding. According to the National Education Association, teachers in Oklahoma had ranked 49th out of the 50 states in terms of teacher pay in 2016. The Oklahoma Legislature had passed a measure a week earlier to raise teacher salaries by $6,100, but it fell short of the $10,000 raise for teachers, $5,000 raise for other school employees, and $200 million increase in extra education funding many had sought."}, {"context": " The Cherokee Nation instigated a 10-year language preservation plan that involved growing new fluent speakers of the Cherokee language from childhood on up through school immersion programs as well as a collaborative community effort to continue to use the language at home. This plan was part of an ambitious goal that in 50 years, 80% or more of the Cherokee people will be fluent in the language. The Cherokee Preservation Foundation has invested $3 million into opening schools, training teachers, and developing curricula for language education, as well as initiating community gatherings where the language can be actively used."}, {"context": " A Cherokee language immersion school in Tahlequah, Oklahoma educates students from pre-school through eighth grade. Graduates are fluent speakers of the language. Several universities offer Cherokee as a second language, including the University of Oklahoma and Northeastern State University. Oklahoma is placed in the South by the United States Census Bureau, but lies partially in the, Southwest, and Southern cultural regions by varying definitions, and partially in the Upland South and Great Plains by definitions of abstract geographical-cultural regions. Oklahomans have a high rate of English, Scotch-Irish, German, and Native American ancestry, with 25 different native languages spoken."}, {"context": " Because many Native Americans were forced to move to Oklahoma when White settlement in North America increased, Oklahoma has much linguistic diversity. Mary Linn, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Oklahoma and the associate curator of Native American languages at the Sam Noble Museum, notes Oklahoma also has high levels of language endangerment. Sixty-seven Native American tribes are represented in Oklahoma, including 39 federally recognized tribes, who are headquartered and have tribal jurisdictional areas in the state. Western ranchers, Native American tribes, Southern settlers, and eastern oil barons have shaped the state's cultural predisposition, and its largest cities have been named among the most underrated cultural destinations in the United States."}, {"context": " Residents of Oklahoma are associated with traits of Southern hospitality\u2014the 2006 Catalogue for Philanthropy (with data from 2004) ranks Oklahomans 7th in the nation for overall generosity. The state has also been associated with a negative cultural stereotype first popularized by John Steinbeck's novel \"The Grapes of Wrath\", which described the plight of uneducated, poverty-stricken Dust Bowl-era farmers deemed \"Okies\". However, the term is often used in a positive manner by Oklahomans. In the state's largest urban areas, pockets of jazz culture flourish, and Native American, Mexican American, and Asian American communities produce music and art of their respective cultures. The Oklahoma Mozart Festival in Bartlesville is one of the largest classical music festivals on the southern plains, and Oklahoma City's Festival of the Arts has been named one of the top fine arts festivals in the nation."}, {"context": " The state has a rich history in ballet with five Native American ballerinas attaining worldwide fame. These were Yvonne Chouteau, sisters Marjorie and Maria Tallchief, Rosella Hightower and Moscelyne Larkin, known collectively as the Five Moons. \"The New York Times\" rates the Tulsa Ballet as one of the top ballet companies in the United States. The Oklahoma City Ballet and University of Oklahoma's dance program were formed by ballerina Yvonne Chouteau and husband Miguel Terekhov. The University program was founded in 1962 and was the first fully accredited program of its kind in the United States."}, {"context": " In Sand Springs, an outdoor amphitheater called \"Discoveryland!\" is the official performance headquarters for the musical \"Oklahoma!\" Ridge Bond, native of McAlester, Oklahoma, starred in the Broadway and International touring productions of \"Oklahoma!\", playing the role of \"Curly McClain\" in more than 2,600 performances. In 1953 he was featured along with the \"Oklahoma!\" cast on a CBS Omnibus television broadcast. Bond was instrumental in the Oklahoma! title song becoming the Oklahoma state song and is also featured on the U.S. postage stamp commemorating the musical's 50th anniversary. Historically, the state has produced musical styles such as The Tulsa Sound and western swing, which was popularized at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa. The building, known as the \"Carnegie Hall of Western Swing\", served as the performance headquarters of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys during the 1930s. Stillwater is known as the epicenter of Red Dirt music, the best-known proponent of which is the late Bob Childers."}, {"context": " Prominent theatre companies in Oklahoma include, in the capital city, Oklahoma City Theatre Company, Carpenter Square Theatre, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, and CityRep. CityRep is a professional company affording equity points to those performers and technical theatre professionals. In Tulsa, Oklahoma's oldest resident professional company is American Theatre Company, and Theatre Tulsa is the oldest community theatre company west of the Mississippi. Other companies in Tulsa include Heller Theatre and Tulsa Spotlight Theater. The cities of Norman, Lawton, and Stillwater, among others, also host well-reviewed community theatre companies."}, {"context": " Oklahoma is in the nation's middle percentile in per capita spending on the arts, ranking 17th, and contains more than 300 museums. The Philbrook Museum of Tulsa is considered one of the top 50 fine art museums in the United States, and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, one of the largest university-based art and history museums in the country, documents the natural history of the region. The collections of Thomas Gilcrease are housed in the Gilcrease Museum of Tulsa, which also holds the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West."}, {"context": " The Egyptian art collection at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee is considered to be the finest Egyptian collection between Chicago and Los Angeles. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art contains the most comprehensive collection of glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly in the world, and Oklahoma City's National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum documents the heritage of the American Western frontier. With remnants of the Holocaust and artifacts relevant to Judaism, the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art of Tulsa preserves the largest collection of Jewish art in the Southwest United States."}, {"context": " Oklahoma's centennial celebration was named the top event in the United States for 2007 by the American Bus Association, and consisted of multiple celebrations saving with the 100th anniversary of statehood on November 16, 2007. Annual ethnic festivals and events take place throughout the state such as Native American powwows and ceremonial events, and include festivals (as examples) in Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Czech, Jewish, Arab, Mexican and African-American communities depicting cultural heritage or traditions."}, {"context": " During a ten-day run in Oklahoma City, the State Fair of Oklahoma attracts roughly one million people along with the annual Festival of the Arts. Large national pow wows, various Latin and Asian heritage festivals, and cultural festivals such as the Juneteenth celebrations are held in Oklahoma City each year. The Tulsa State Fair attracts over one million people during its 10-day run, and the city's Mayfest festival entertained more than 375,000 people in four days during 2007. In 2006, Tulsa's Oktoberfest was named one of the top 10 in the world by \"USA Today\" and one of the top German food festivals in the nation by \"Bon App\u00e9tit\" magazine."}, {"context": " Norman plays host to the Norman Music Festival, a festival that highlights native Oklahoma bands and musicians. Norman is also host to the Medieval Fair of Norman, which has been held annually since 1976 and was Oklahoma's first medieval fair. The Fair was held first on the south oval of the University of Oklahoma campus and in the third year moved to the Duck Pond in Norman until the Fair became too big and moved to Reaves Park in 2003. The Medieval Fair of Norman is Oklahoma's \"largest weekend event and the third-largest event in Oklahoma, and was selected by Events Media Network as one of the top 100 events in the nation\"."}, {"context": " Oklahoma has teams in basketball, football, arena football, baseball, soccer, hockey, and wrestling in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, Norman, and Lawton. The Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is the state's only major league sports franchise. The state had a team in the Women's National Basketball Association, the Tulsa Shock, from 2010 through 2015, but the team relocated to Dallas\u2013Fort Worth after that season and became the Dallas Wings. Oklahoma has teams in several minor leagues, including Minor League Baseball at the AAA and AA levels (Oklahoma City Dodgers and Tulsa Drillers, respectively), hockey's ECHL with the Tulsa Oilers, and a number of indoor football leagues. In the last-named sport, the state's most notable team was the Tulsa Talons, which played in the Arena Football League until 2012, when the team was moved to San Antonio. The Oklahoma Defenders replaced the Talons as Tulsa's only professional arena football team, playing the CPIFL. The Oklahoma City Blue, of the NBA G League, relocated to Oklahoma City from Tulsa in 2014, where they were formerly known as the Tulsa 66ers. Tulsa is the base for the Tulsa Revolution, which plays in the American Indoor Soccer League. Enid and Lawton host professional basketball teams in the USBL and the CBA."}, {"context": " The NBA's New Orleans Hornets became the first major league sports franchise based in Oklahoma when the team was forced to relocate to Oklahoma City's Ford Center, now known as Chesapeake Energy Arena, for two seasons following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In July 2008, the Seattle SuperSonics, relocated to Oklahoma City and began to play at the Ford Center as the Oklahoma City Thunder for the , becoming the state's first permanent major league franchise. Collegiate athletics are a popular draw in the state. The state has four schools that compete at the highest level of college sports, NCAA Division I. The most prominent are the state's two members of the Big 12 Conference, one of the so-called Power Five conferences of the top tier of college football, Division I FBS. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University average well over 50,000 fans attending their football games, and Oklahoma's football program ranked 12th in attendance among American colleges in 2010, with an average of 84,738 people attending its home games. The two universities meet several times each year in rivalry matches known as the Bedlam Series, which are some of the greatest sporting draws to the state. \"Sports Illustrated\" magazine rates Oklahoma and Oklahoma State among the top colleges for athletics in the nation."}, {"context": " Two private institutions in Tulsa, the University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University; are also Division I members. Tulsa competes in FBS football and other sports in the American Athletic Conference, while Oral Roberts, which does not sponsor football, is a member of the Summit League. In addition, 12 of the state's smaller colleges and universities compete in NCAA Division II as members of four different conferences, and eight other Oklahoma institutions participate in the NAIA, mostly within the Sooner Athletic Conference."}, {"context": " Regular LPGA tournaments are held at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, and major championships for the PGA or LPGA have been played at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oak Tree Country Club in Oklahoma City, and Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa. Rated one of the top golf courses in the nation, Southern Hills has hosted four PGA Championships, including one in 2007, and three U.S. Opens, the most recent in 2001. Rodeos are popular throughout the state, and Guymon, in the state's panhandle, hosts one of the largest in the nation."}, {"context": " Oklahoma was the 21st-largest recipient of medical funding from the federal government in 2005, with health-related federal expenditures in the state totaling $75,801,364; immunizations, bioterrorism preparedness, and health education were the top three most funded medical items. Instances of major diseases are near the national average in Oklahoma, and the state ranks at or slightly above the rest of the country in percentage of people with asthma, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension. In 2000, Oklahoma ranked 45th in physicians per capita and slightly below the national average in nurses per capita, but was slightly over the national average in hospital beds per 100,000 people and above the national average in net growth of health services over a 12-year period. One of the worst states for percentage of insured people, nearly 25 percent of Oklahomans between the age of 18 and 64 did not have health insurance in 2005, the fifth-highest rate in the nation."}, {"context": " Oklahomans are in the upper half of Americans in terms of obesity prevalence, and the state is the 5th most obese in the nation, with 30.3 percent of its population at or near obesity. Oklahoma ranked last among the 50 states in a 2007 study by the Commonwealth Fund on health care performance. The OU Medical Center, Oklahoma's largest collection of hospitals, is the only hospital in the state designated a Level I trauma center by the American College of Surgeons. OU Medical Center is on the grounds of the Oklahoma Health Center in Oklahoma City, the state's largest concentration of medical research facilities."}, {"context": " The Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa is one of four such regional facilities nationwide, offering cancer treatment to the entire southwestern United States, and is one of the largest cancer treatment hospitals in the country. The largest osteopathic teaching facility in the nation, Oklahoma State University Medical Center at Tulsa, also rates as one of the largest facilities in the field of neuroscience. On June 26, 2018, Oklahoma made marijuana legal for medical purposes. This was a milestone for a state in the Bible Belt."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City and Tulsa are the 45th- and 61st-largest media markets in the United States as ranked by Nielsen Media Research. The state's third-largest media market, Lawton-Wichita Falls, Texas, is ranked 149th nationally by the agency. Broadcast television in Oklahoma began in 1949 when KFOR-TV (then WKY-TV) in Oklahoma City and KOTV-TV in Tulsa began broadcasting a few months apart. Currently, all major American broadcast networks have affiliated television stations in the state. The state has two primary newspapers. \"The Oklahoman\", based in Oklahoma City, is the largest newspaper in the state and 54th-largest in the nation by circulation, with a weekday readership of 138,493 and a Sunday readership of 202,690. The \"Tulsa World\", the second-most widely circulated newspaper in Oklahoma and 79th in the nation, holds a Sunday circulation of 132,969 and a weekday readership of 93,558. Oklahoma's first newspaper was established in 1844, called the \"Cherokee Advocate\", and was written in both Cherokee and English. In 2006, there were more than 220 newspapers in the state, including 177 with weekly publications and 48 with daily publications."}, {"context": " The state's first radio station, WKY in Oklahoma City, signed on in 1920, followed by KRFU in Bristow, which later on moved to Tulsa and became KVOO in 1927. In 2006, there were more than 500 radio stations in Oklahoma broadcasting with various local or nationally owned networks. Five universities in Oklahoma operate non-commercial, public radio stations/networks. Oklahoma has a few ethnic-oriented TV stations broadcasting in Spanish and Asian languages, and there is some Native American programming. TBN, a Christian religious television network, has a studio in Tulsa, and built its first entirely TBN-owned affiliate in Oklahoma City in 1980."}, {"context": " Transportation in Oklahoma is generated by an anchor system of Interstate Highways, inter-city rail lines, airports, inland ports, and mass transit networks. Situated along an integral point in the United States Interstate network, Oklahoma contains three interstate highways and four auxiliary Interstate Highways. In Oklahoma City, Interstate 35 intersects with Interstate 44 and Interstate 40, forming one of the most important intersections along the United States highway system. More than of roads make up the state's major highway skeleton, including state-operated highways, ten turnpikes or major toll roads, and the longest drivable stretch of Route 66 in the nation. In 2008, Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City was Oklahoma's busiest highway, with a daily traffic volume of 123,300 cars. In 2010, the state had the nation's third-highest number of bridges classified as structurally deficient, with nearly 5,212 bridges in disrepair, including 235 National Highway System Bridges."}, {"context": " Oklahoma's largest commercial airport is Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, averaging a yearly passenger count of more than 3.5 million (1.7 million boardings) in 2010. Tulsa International Airport, the state's second-largest commercial airport, served more than 1.3 million boardings in 2010. Between the two, six airlines operate in Oklahoma. In terms of traffic, R. L. Jones Jr. (Riverside) Airport in Tulsa is the state's busiest airport, with 335,826 takeoffs and landings in 2008. Oklahoma has over 150 public-use airports."}, {"context": " Oklahoma is connected to the nation's rail network via Amtrak's \"Heartland Flyer\", its only regional passenger rail line. It currently stretches from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, Texas, though lawmakers began seeking funding in early 2007 to connect the \"Heartland Flyer\" to Tulsa. Two inland ports on rivers serve Oklahoma: the Port of Muskogee and the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. The state's only port handling international cargo, the Tulsa Port of Catoosa is the most inland ocean-going port in the nation and ships over two million tons of cargo each year. Both ports are on the McClellan\u2013Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which connects barge traffic from Tulsa and Muskogee to the Mississippi River via the Verdigris and Arkansas rivers, contributing to one of the busiest waterways in the world."}, {"context": " Oklahoma is a constitutional republic with a government modeled after the Federal government of the United States, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The state has 77 counties with jurisdiction over most local government functions within each respective domain, five congressional districts, and a voting base with a plurality in the Republican Party. State officials are elected by plurality voting in the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma is one of 32 states with capital punishment as a legal sentence, and the state has had (between 1976 through mid-2011) the highest per capita execution rate in the US."}, {"context": " The Legislature of Oklahoma consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. As the lawmaking branch of the state government, it is responsible for raising and distributing the money necessary to run the government. The Senate has 48 members serving four-year terms, while the House has 101 members with two-year terms. The state has a term limit for its legislature that restricts any one person to twelve cumulative years service between both legislative branches. Oklahoma's judicial branch consists of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, and 77 District Courts that each serve one county. The Oklahoma judiciary also contains two independent courts: a Court of Impeachment and the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. Oklahoma has two courts of last resort: the state Supreme Court hears civil cases, and the state Court of Criminal Appeals hears criminal cases (this split system exists only in Oklahoma and neighboring Texas). Judges of those two courts, as well as the Court of Civil Appeals are appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the state Judicial Nominating Commission, and are subject to a non-partisan retention vote on a six-year rotating schedule."}, {"context": " The executive branch consists of the Governor, their staff, and other elected officials. The principal head of government, the Governor is the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, serving as the ex officio Commander-in-chief of the Oklahoma National Guard when not called into Federal use and reserving the power to veto bills passed through the Legislature. The responsibilities of the Executive branch include submitting the budget, ensuring state laws are enforced, and ensuring peace within the state is preserved."}, {"context": " The state is divided into 77 counties that govern locally, each headed by a three-member council of elected commissioners, a tax assessor, clerk, court clerk, treasurer, and sheriff. While each municipality operates as a separate and independent local government with executive, legislative and judicial power, county governments maintain jurisdiction over both incorporated cities and non-incorporated areas within their boundaries, but have executive power but no legislative or judicial power. Both county and municipal governments collect taxes, employ a separate police force, hold elections, and operate emergency response services within their jurisdiction. Other local government units include school districts, technology center districts, community college districts, rural fire departments, rural water districts, and other special use districts."}, {"context": " Thirty-nine Native American tribal governments are based in Oklahoma, each holding limited powers within designated areas. While Indian reservations typical in most of the United States are not present in Oklahoma, tribal governments hold land granted during the Indian Territory era, but with limited jurisdiction and no control over state governing bodies such as municipalities and counties. Tribal governments are recognized by the United States as quasi-sovereign entities with executive, judicial, and legislative powers over tribal members and functions, but are subject to the authority of the United States Congress to revoke or withhold certain powers. The tribal governments are required to submit a constitution and any subsequent amendments to the United States Congress for approval."}, {"context": " Oklahoma has 11 substate districts including the two large Councils of Governments, INCOG in Tulsa (Indian Nations Council of Governments) and ACOG (Association of Central Oklahoma Governments). For a complete list visit the Oklahoma Association of Regional Councils. Oklahoma has been politically conservative for much of its history, especially recently. During the first half-century of statehood, it was considered a Democratic stronghold, being carried by the Republican Party in only two presidential elections (1920 and 1928). During this time, it was also carried by every winning Democratic candidate up to Harry Truman. However, Oklahoma Democrats were generally considered to be more conservative than Democrats in other states."}, {"context": " After the 1948 election, the state turned firmly Republican. Although registered Republicans were a minority in the state until 2015, starting in 1952, Oklahoma has been carried by Republican presidential candidates in all but one election (1964). This is not to say every election has been a landslide for Republicans: Jimmy Carter lost the state by less than 1.5% in 1976, while Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton both won 40% or more of the state's popular vote in 1988 and 1996 respectively. Al Gore in 2000, though, was the last Democrat to even win any counties in the state. Oklahoma was one of three states, the others being Utah and West Virginia, where Barack Obama failed to carry any of its counties in 2012, and it was the only state where Barack Obama failed to carry any county in 2008. In 2016, Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, again won every county, being one of only two states, the other being West Virginia, where Democrat Hillary Clinton failed to carry a single county."}, {"context": " Generally, Republicans are strongest in the suburbs of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, as well as the Panhandle. Democrats are strongest in the eastern part of the state and Little Dixie, as well as the most heavily African American and inner parts of Oklahoma City and Tulsa. With a population of 8.6% Native American in the state, it is also worth noting most Native American precincts vote Democratic in margins exceeded only by African Americans. Following the 2000 census, the Oklahoma delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives was reduced from six to five representatives, each serving one congressional district. In the current congress, Oklahoma's entire delegation are all Republicans."}, {"context": " Oklahoma had 598 incorporated places in 2010, including four cities over 100,000 in population and 43 over 10,000. Two of the fifty largest cities in the United States are in Oklahoma, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and sixty-five percent of Oklahomans live within their metropolitan areas, or spheres of economic and social influence defined by the United States Census Bureau as a metropolitan statistical area. Oklahoma City, the state's capital and largest city, had the largest metropolitan area in the state in 2010, with 1,252,987 people, and the metropolitan area of Tulsa had 937,478 residents. Between 2000 and 2010, the cities that led the state in population growth were Blanchard (172.4%), Elgin (78.2%), Jenks (77.0%), Piedmont (56.7%), Bixby (56.6%), and Owasso (56.3%)."}, {"context": " In descending order of population, Oklahoma's largest cities in 2010 were: Oklahoma City (579,999, +14.6%), Tulsa (391,906, \u22120.3%), Norman (110,925, +15.9%), Broken Arrow (98,850, +32.0%), Lawton (96,867, +4.4%), Edmond (81,405, +19.2%), Moore (55,081, +33.9%), Midwest City (54,371, +0.5%), Enid (49,379, +5.0%), and Stillwater (45,688, +17.0%). Of the state's ten largest cities, three are outside the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and only Lawton has a metropolitan statistical area of its own as designated by the United States Census Bureau, though the metropolitan statistical area of Fort Smith, Arkansas extends into the state."}, {"context": " Under Oklahoma law, municipalities are divided into two categories: cities, defined as having more than 1,000 residents, and towns, with under 1,000 residents. Both have legislative, judicial, and public power within their boundaries, but cities can choose between a mayor\u2013council, council\u2013manager, or strong mayor form of government, while towns operate through an elected officer system. State law codifies Oklahoma's state emblems and honorary positions; the Oklahoma Senate or House of Representatives may adopt resolutions designating others for special events and to benefit organizations. In 2012 the House passed HCR 1024, which would change the state motto from \"Labor Omnia Vincit\" to \"Oklahoma\u2014In God We Trust!\" The author of the resolution stated a constituent researched the Oklahoma Constitution and found no \"official\" vote regarding \"Labor Omnia Vincit\", therefore opening the door for an entirely new motto."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma (1979 film)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma is a 1979 independent 16mm film by James Benning, an instructor at the California Institute of the Arts."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma (Billy Gilman song)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Oklahoma\" is a song written by D. Vincent Williams and John Allen, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Gilman. It was released in October 2000 as the second single from the album \"One Voice\". The song reached number 33 on the \"Billboard\" Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. and number 63 on the \"Billboard\" Hot 100. The album from the single is taken was certified two-times multi-platinum in the United States. The song is about a boy reuniting with his birth father after somehow losing his mother and being put into foster care, after which he was shuffled around until his father was discovered.  In the video, we see the man, his father, is married with a wife and son, (played by Billy Gilman as he sings the song). \"Oklahoma\" debuted at number 66 on \"Billboard\"s Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the chart week of October 14, 2000."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma (Rodgers and Hammerstein song)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Oklahoma\" is the title song from the Broadway musical \"Oklahoma!\", named for the setting of the musical play. The music and lyrics were written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The melody is reprised in the main title of the 1955 film version and in the overtures of both film and musical productions. In 1953, the Oklahoma legislature chose it as the state song of Oklahoma, replacing a less well-known song, \"Oklahoma - A Toast\", that had been adopted in 1935. Midway through the second act of the play, after the principals Curly and Laurey are married, Curly begins to sing the song and is soon joined by the entire cast as a chorus. The lyric, which briefly depicts the Midwestern twang phonetically, describes the landscape and prairie weather in positive language. It further emphasizes the wholesome aspects of rural life, and the steadfast dedication of the region's inhabitants, against the overtly stated formal backdrop of the territory's impending admission to the Union in 1907."}, {"context": " Hammerstein's lyric is also notable and memorable for its trochaic re-iteration of its title as a chant, and the final iambic eight-letter spelling of the title as a play on the colloquial English word \"Okay\". Orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett's massive 8-part chorale near the end of the song extends it to include a spelling of the name, ending with an epic \"ritardando\" leading into one last iteration of \"Oklahoma.\" The state of Oklahoma officially adopted the song as its state song in 1953. It is the only official state song from a Broadway musical. State Representative George Nigh, who later served as the state's Governor, was the principal author of the legislation designating the state song."}, {"context": " The song also serves as one of the key songs of the University of Oklahoma. The song plays as one of the hourly tunes from the bell tower on campus. The song is also played by the Pride of Oklahoma at various Oklahoma Sooners athletic events and other campus events. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the first state song was \"Oklahoma - A Toast\". It was written in 1905 by Mrs. Harriett Parker Camden, a resident of Kingfisher, Oklahoma. It became a hit within the state, and was adopted as the state song by the legislature on March 26, 1935. The lyrics of the refrain are:  \"I give you a land of sun and flowers, and summer a whole year long, I give you a land where the golden hours roll by to the mockingbird's song, Where the cotton blooms 'neath the southern sun, where the vintage hangs thick on the vine. A land whose story has just begun. This wonderful land of mine.\" Members of the Western Writers of America chose \"Oklahoma\" as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma A & M College Agronomy Barn and Seed House", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Agronomy Barn Seed House, located on the Agronomy Research Station of Oklahoma State University, was built in 1934. It is a brick, concrete, frame barn, measuring 108 feet long, 44 feet wide, and 37 feet 9 inches high, and is distinguished by a large gambrel roof. The ground floor as well as the loft is concrete. In design it is very typical of barns of the period. The barn was designed and constructed by Oklahoma State University students, architects, professors, and engineers."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC) is an agency of state government that is responsible for promoting aviation in the State. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, the Commission fosters the growth of the aerospace industry and ensures that the needs of business and communities in the State are met by the State's airports. The Commission encourages the establishment and maintenance of public airports, including the preservation and improvement of the State's 110 public airports."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's mission is to promote aviation, which includes ensuring that the needs of commerce and communities across Oklahoma are met by the state's 110 public airports that comprise the state\u2019s air transportation system, and ensuring the growth and vitality of the state's aerospace industry. The Commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, serving six-year terms. Five members are appointed from among Oklahoma's five congressional districts with the remaining two appointed at-large. The Commission is responsible for appointing the State Director of Aeronautics to serve at its pleasure. The current Director is Victor Bird, having served in that position since December 2002."}, {"context": " The Commission was established in 1963 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon. The Commission was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1963. Its predecessor was the Oklahoma Aviation Commission. The Aeronautics Commission is under the supervision of the Secretary of Transportation. Under current Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Mike Patterson is serving as the Secretary. The Commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma. Each member serves a six-year term. One member is appointed from among each of Oklahoma's congressional districts with the remaining two appointed from the State at-large. To be appointed to the Commission, a member must be a citizen of the State with at least three years experience in aeronautics activities. The Governor may remove any member of the Commission for inefficieny or neglect of duty."}, {"context": " As of FY17, the members of the Commission are as follows: The Aeronautics Commission is a non-appropriated State agency. As such, it does not rely upon annual appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature in order to function. Instead, the Commission is funded by a dedicated 0.0008% tax on motor fuels bought for aircraft use and a dedicated 3.25% tax on the purchase of aircraft. Those two dedicated taxes make up 80% of the Commission's annual budget. The remaining 20% comes from federal grants and other fees for the Commission's services. About half of that budget is dedicated to providing assistance to local airport improvement projects. The remainder is used to operate the agency and to provide educational activities to inform the public about aeronautics."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station is a research facility located on the campus of Oklahoma State University-Stillwater (OSU), and part of its Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. It conducts research in agriculture, natural resources, rural economies and social issues, and accounts for 37% of the research conducted at OSU. The station was established by the Hatch Act of 1887."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Air National Guard", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Air National Guard (OK ANG) is the air force militia of the State of Oklahoma, United States of America. It is, along with the Oklahoma Army National Guard, an element of the Oklahoma National Guard. As state militia units, the units in the Oklahoma Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Oklahoma though the office of the Oklahoma Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Oklahoma Air National Guard is headquartered in Oklahoma City, and its commander is Brigadier General Gregory L. Ferguson"}, {"context": " Under the \"Total Force\" concept, Oklahoma Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the United States Air Force (USAF). Oklahoma ANG units are trained and equipped by the Air Force and are operationally gained by a Major Command of the USAF if federalized. In addition, the Oklahoma Air National Guard forces are assigned to Air Expeditionary Forces and are subject to deployment tasking orders along with their active duty and Air Force Reserve counterparts in their assigned cycle deployment window."}, {"context": " Along with their federal reserve obligations, as state militia units the elements of the Oklahoma ANG are subject to being activated by order of the Governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. State missions include disaster relief in times of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and forest fires, search and rescue, protection of vital public services, and support to civil defense. The Oklahoma Air National Guard consists of the following major units:"}, {"context": " Support Unit Functions and Capabilities: The 125th Observation Squadron was organized in December 1940 as the Oklahoma National Guard's first flying unit in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was federally recognized in January 1941. For the next three and a half years the squadron was attached to the 77th Observation Group and the 76th Reconnaissance Group at various locales in the United States before arriving at Liverpool, United Kingdom on D-Day, 6 June 1944. After moving across the English Channel to France in August 1944, the 125th Liaison Squadron was attached to the U.S. Ninth Army until V-E Day, participating in the campaigns of northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe, and was awarded the Belgian Fourrag\u00e8re for gallantry during the Battle of the Bulge in July 1945. Over the course of those five years, the 125th flew the Douglas 0-38E, the Curtiss O-52 Owl, and the Stinson L-5 Sentinel."}, {"context": " On 24 May 1946, the United States Army Air Forces, in response to dramatic postwar military budget cuts imposed by President Harry S. Truman, allocated inactive unit designations to the National Guard Bureau for the formation of an Air Force National Guard. These unit designations were allotted and transferred to various State National Guard bureaus to provide them unit designations to re-establish them as Air National Guard units. The 137th Wing traces its origins to the World War II 404th Fighter Group, which was allocated to the Oklahoma Air National Guard and re-designated as the 137th Fighter Group on 24 May 1946. The unit was founded on 21 November 1946 at Norman, Oklahoma as the 137th Fighter Group, and received its federal recognition on 18 December 1947."}, {"context": " The 125th Fighter Squadron returned to Tulsa in November 1945 and flew the F-51D Mustang until February 1947 when it was designated the 125th Fighter Bomber Squadron (Jet) and equipped with the F-84 Thunderjet. After receiving the Spaatz Trophy Award in 1950, the 125th was again ordered to active duty under the Ninth Air Force and sent to England AFB in Alexandria, Louisiana until July 1952. After returning to Tulsa under state control the squadron again flew the F-51 Mustang and the F-80 Shooting Star until becoming part of the 138th Fighter Group (AD) for duty with the Aerospace Defense Command flying the F-86D Sabre in August 1957."}, {"context": " January 1960 brought significant change to the 125th as the unit was designated the 125th Air Transport Squadron and assigned to the 137th Air Transport Wing in Oklahoma City. For the next eight years the unit flew the C-97 Stratofreighter, transporting cargo to Vietnam and throughout the world before converting to the C-124 Globemaster II in 1968. The 137th Tactical Airlift Wing received the C-130 Hercules transport in 1972. In October 1972, the 125th was redesignated Tactical Fighter Squadron and converted to the T-33 Shooting Star in preparation for equipping with the F-100D Super Sabre in March 1973. The 125th converted to the A-7D Corsair II in July 1978."}, {"context": " After conversion to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the 138th Fighter Wing has participated in Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Northern Watch, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit's deployment to Iraq in 2008 marked their 10th deployment to the Middle East. Additionally, the laser targeting pod system for precision guided munitions employment has been incorporated into the unit mission. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission brought an expansion to the 138th Fighter Wing's mission. The wing acquired three F-16 Block 42 aircraft from the 57th Wing located at Nellis Air Force Base as well as six F-16 Block 42 aircraft from 132d Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard. The 138th FW is also the host unit for the Defense Air Sovereignty Alert mission located at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. BRAC also recommended the realignment of the 137th Airlift Wing, which lost its C-130 transport aircraft in 2008. Since then, as the 137th Air Refueling Wing, it shares the aircraft with the 507th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, at Tinker AFB."}, {"context": " On 14 March 2008 a 138th Fighter Wing-assigned fighter aircraft en route to the Smokey Hill Gunnery Range in Salina, Kansas accidentally dropped a 22-pound, non-explosive practice bomb on an apartment complex in Tulsa, damaging a building foundation and knocking out the power to the building. No one was injured and the 138th Fighter Wing announced that they were investigating the incident themselves. In 2014 the \"Air Force Magazine\" annual almanac issue said that thirteen MC-12 Liberty electronic surveillance aircraft would be assigned to the Air National Guard, creating a new AFSOC-aligned surveillance unit at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission, often referred to as the ABLE Commission, is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. The ABLE Commission is charged with protecting the public welfare and interest through the enforcement of state laws pertaining to alcoholic beverages, charity games, and youth access to tobacco. Since the establishment of the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission, two officers have died while on duty."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Alliance", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Alliance is an American women\u2019s soccer team, founded in 2007. The team is a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League, the second tier of women\u2019s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team plays in the South Division of the Big Sky Conference. In earlier seasons the team played its home games in the stadium on the campus of Chickasha High School in the city of Chickasha, Oklahoma, but the team moved to the pitches of the Edmond Soccer Club in Edmond, Oklahoma\u2014a city in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The club's colors are black and white.  2011 Roster Most of the teams that the Alliance competes against are from Oklahoma, Arkansas or Texas. The inter-state and border state rivalries between these teams tends to promote \"very spirited\" competition. Approx. 60 people per game average in 2010 & 2011."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Annie", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Annie is a 1952 American Western film directed by R. G. Springsteen and written by Jack Townley and Charles E. Roberts. The film stars Judy Canova, John Russell, Grant Withers, Roy Barcroft, Emmett Lynn and Frank Ferguson. The film was released on March 24, 1952, by Republic Pictures. Taking after her mother, a western sheriff known as \"Oklahoma Annie\" to all, Judy manages to persuade new sheriff Dan Fraser to deputize her. After she helps capture outlaw Curt Walker, who's in cahoots with county supervisor Haskell, the sheriff feels confident enough in Judy to leave her in charge by herself while he rides to get the judge for Walker's trial.  Things instantly go wrong for Judy, whose shooting skills are so ineffective that she attempts to use fireworks instead. Walker gets away and Dan ends up in grave danger, but with all the men gone in a posse, Judy rounds up other women in town and together they ride to Dan's rescue. He decides to take the county supervisor's job and appoints Judy as the new sheriff."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Aquarium", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Aquarium is public aquarium built in 2002 and opened on May 28, 2003 in Jenks, a southern suburb of Tulsa. The facility, designed by the architecture firm SPARKS and constructed by Ross Group, features eight exhibits including sites that focus on invertebrates, Oklahoma species, Ozark habitats, a coral reef, and sharks. The aquarium also formerly housed the Karl and Beverly White National Fishing Tackle Museum, a major collection of 30,000 pieces of antique fishing tackle donated by Karl White. Mr. White withdrew his collection in 2010."}, {"context": " In July 2003, Discovery Channel's naturalist and filmmaker Nigel Marven (along with crew) documented four bull sharks at home in the architecturally innovative tank. The resulting shots and commentary were featured in the 2003 edition of Discovery Channel's Shark Week series. The Oklahoma Aquarium receives part of the funding of the 1 cent county sales tax approved in 2005 by voters under Vision 2025. The state legislature has authorized a specialty Oklahoma Aquarium license plate option with some of the fees going to support the facility."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Army National Guard", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Army National Guard is the Army National Guard component of the Oklahoma National Guard. The Commander in Chief of the Oklahoma National Guard is the Governor of Oklahoma, who appoints the State Adjutant General (TAG), a Major General from either Army or Air. Currently, the TAG is Major General (MG) Michael C. Thompson, formerly director of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The previous TAG was MG Robbie Asher. The history of the OK ARNG SOF aviation \"Lords of Darkness\" is complicated. Early aviation units in the OK ARNG appears to have included the 245th Air Ambulance (Clearing Company) and 145th Avn. Company (1968), seemingly amalgamated into the 445th Avn. Co. (1971); 445th Avn. Co. was reorganised as Company B, 149th Aviation (September 1978); and in May 1982, the 45th Aviation Battalion (Light Combat Helicopter) was organised as a Special Operations Forces unit. Organizational Authority #168-87 (5 August 1987) reorganised the 45th Avn. Bn. as the 1st Bn., 245th Aviation Regiment, as of 1 October 1987. On 5 August 1987 the 245th Aviation was constituted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, a parent regiment under the United States Army Regimental System. It was organized 1 October 1987 to consist of the 1st Battalion (Special Operations) (Airborne) at Sperry. The 1st Battalion relocated to Tulsa on 1 July 1989. In 1986-87 there was a struggle by the OK ARNG to be accepted as a Special Operations Aviation team member by Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg and the active Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. But it appears that that process was generally successful. The unit flew 6,298 flying hours in 1992. The unit may have been deactivated in 1994.  At some point 1st Bn., 245th Aviation (Special Operations) was reorganized into 1st Airfield Operations Battalion, 245th Aviation. In January 2016 the unit was preparing for deployment to the Middle East; at that time, pre-deployment training was scheduled for May-June 2016 at the state training site, Camp Gruber. The Oklahoma Army National Guard consists of the following elements: The OKARNG controls the Camp Gruber Maneuver Training Center located near Braggs, Oklahoma."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Association of Student Councils", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Association of Student Councils (OASC) is an educational, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational leadership training and opportunities for students and sponsors of member schools. The OASC, one of the nation's premiere state student councils, is sponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals. The Oklahoma Association of Student Councils is composed of 14 districts across the state of Oklahoma. The OASC sponsors a variety of activities that are available to all member schools. Activities include an annual convention held at an elected secretary's school, summer workshops, fall advisor's workshops, and additional activities."}, {"context": " The OASC's governing body is composed of an executive board consisting of an Executive Director, a 3rd-Year Advisor, a 2nd-Year Advisor, and a 1st-Year Advisor as well as three state officers. The OASC State Convention is held each November at the State Secretary's school. Each year, member schools send delegates to the convention to enhance their leadership skills, hear motivational speakers and network with other student leaders from throughout the state. Previous conventions have been held at various locations throughout the state of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The OASC hosts the Basic Leadership camp twice each summer for student leaders who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors at member schools. Basic is offered in both June and July at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. \"Students will be divided into 10 councils where they will come up with a school name, mascot, colors and a school song and yell. They also will participate in breakout sessions that will include leadership styles, team building, etiquette, school spirit and activities. The group also will be having a banquet\" and a mixer. Basic provides Oklahoma's student leaders with the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in communication, project planning and problem solving, plus work on interpersonal relations, team building, self-esteem and goal setting. Students will also work with a Junior Counselor (JC) during their Basic experience. A JC is a student who recently graduated from a member high school and previously attended Basic as a delegate. The JC's role is to help the adult advisor facilitate activities and presentations, supervise and assist student delegates, and serve as a role model for all students during the camp. Delegate and JC applications are available on the OASC web site. All delegate applications must be postmarked by May 1."}, {"context": " The OASC hosts the Advanced Leadership Camp four times each summer for student leaders who will be seniors at member schools and have previously attended Basic. Advanced is offered twice in June and twice in July on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Advanced provides Oklahoma's student leaders with the opportunity to \"advance\" their leadership skills through small-group leadership situations and team-building activities. Delegates will also participate in a high ropes course during their experience. Delegate applications are available on the OASC web site."}, {"context": " The OASC is also affiliated with the National Association of Student Councils. The NASC hosts a national student council convention each summer. The convention feature nationally known motivational speakers as well as nationally known speakers from the world of business, show business and sports. Student-led discussion groups, entertainment based on local attractions, and a community service project are all annual events. The National convention is an excellent opportunity for students and advisors to interact and connect with other students and advisors from around America and countries abroad. Applications and information about the NASC Convention are available at the NASC Convention web site.  The OASC hosted the 2012 Summer National Conference at Yukon High School . The theme for the conference was \"Blazing the Trail of Leadership.\" The conference was held at Yukon High School, from June 23\u201325, 2012. Featured speakers included Keith Hawkins, Judson Laipply and Monte Selby."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Atheists", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Atheists (AOK) is an American organization founded by Kim Shultz in 1999 to establish a community of atheists, freethinkers, and other non-religious people living in Oklahoma City and throughout the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The organization is a local affiliate of the democratic society Atheist Alliance International (AAI) and therefore has ratified formal by-laws and holds elections for officers annually. While the group engages primarily in social activities, such as meet-ups, it also organizes and hosts the occasional public lecture, debate, or protest. For example, in 2009, AOK coordinated with Trinity Baptist Church of Norman, Oklahoma to co-host a streaming webcast of a theological debate between Christopher Hitchens and William Lane Craig at Biola University."}, {"context": " In 2003 the group created a standalone committee called \"Stop Theocracy in Oklahoma Policy\" (STOP) in order to protest the National Day of Prayer by celebrating a National Day of Reason in its stead. This effort evolved over time into an inclusive and ecumenical celebration of religious liberty on the South Steps of the Oklahoma Capitol, known as the Interfaith Day of Prayer and Reflection, which was held for years on the Capitol Steps. In 2010, the National Day of Prayer was moved to the south steps and the AOK once again organized a protest of the prayer event, focusing on issues relating to the integration of church and state and the endorsement of religion by government officials."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Avenue (DC Streetcar station)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Avenue is a streetcar station located east of the intersection of Benning Road and 26th Street NE. It is located on the H Street/Benning Road Line of the DC Streetcar system. Oklahoma Avenue station opened to the public as one of the original stations on February 27, 2016. The station consists of one island platform in the center of Benning Road, which opened on February 27, 2016."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Badlands", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Badlands is a 1948 American Western film directed by Yakima Canutt and written by Robert Creighton Williams. The film stars Allan Lane, Eddy Waller, Mildred Coles, Roy Barcroft, Gene Roth and Earle Hodgins. The film was released on February 22, 1948, by Republic Pictures."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Ballot State Question 790", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Question 790 on the Oklahoma ballot in 2016 seeks to overturn a provision in the Oklahoma state Constitution called a Blaine Amendment. The impetus for the measure largely resulted from the Oklahoma Blaine Amendment being used as a justification for a 5-year legal battle to deny services and access to state funding for special needs children. The Oklahoma Supreme Court resolved that fight in early 2016 in \"Oliver v. Hofmeister\". After the Blaine Amendment failed to receive the super-majority of necessary votes to be considered for the U.S. Constitution, its advocates at the federal level began to demand states like Oklahoma include it in their Constitutions to be considered for statehood. The amendment arose during a time of strong anti-Catholic sentiment as a way to block funding for Catholic schools, but it has been more recently used in Oklahoma as a justification for a series of lawsuits against the state over a program meant to help provide better services to special needs children. It was also used as the justification for the removal of Oklahoma's Ten Commandment monument. Oklahoma was forced to adopt the Blaine Amendment at its constitutional convention in 1906.For the approval."}, {"context": " Question 790 largely arose in response to a series of lawsuits filed against the parents of a special needs child and then against the State Board of Education. Jenks vs. Spry, Kimery vs. Brown, and finally Oliver v. Hofmeister all revolved around the question of whether the state's Lindsey Nicole Scholarship Program for Children with Disabilities, which was created to allow disabled children whose needs could not be adequately met by public schools attend private schools, could be used by children attending qualified schools with a religious affiliation. Two local school districts sued the parents of a special needs child for accepting the scholarship from the state in a lawsuit which was eventually dismissed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court."}, {"context": " National groups then joined the school districts in suing the State Board of Education in a series of suits that again ended up before the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which ruled against the school districts, for the parents of the children with disabilities, and upheld the Scholarship Program. The attention and cost of these suits led a number of state legislators to question the Blaine amendment and introduce the ballot measure. If the ballot measure passes, service organizations with religious affiliations would be allowed to compete on equal footing for state funds as long as that money was not used for proselytizing."}, {"context": " The language that will appear on the ballot reads: \"This measure would remove Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, which prohibits the government from using public money or property for the direct or indirect benefit of any religion or religious institution. Article 2, Section 5 has been interpreted by the Oklahoma court as requiring the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the grounds of the State Capitol. If this measure repealing Article 2, Section 5 is passed, the government would still be required to comply with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, which is a similar constitutional provision that prevents the government from endorsing a religion or becoming overly involved with religion.\""}, {"context": " Question 790 was approved for consideration by a bi-partisan vote (39-5 in the Senate and 65-7 in the House). Neither political party and no statewide or national elected officials in Oklahoma have expressed their opposition to Question 790. National church-state separation groups have spoken out in opposition to Question 790 on the grounds that allowing religious groups to access state grants could tempt them away from their main mission. The ACLU has opposed Question 790 on the grounds that overturning it could allow the Ten Commandments monument to be returned to the grounds on the state Capitol.  \"They were designed to prohibit aid to parochial schools, especially those operated by the Catholic Church in locations with large immigrant populations. More recently, they have been used in attempts to block state funding to faith service providers."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Bankers Association", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Bankers Association (OBA) is a trade association based in Oklahoma City, representing more than 220 member banks. It has been running for over one hundred years. It assists its members with government relations, educational programs, and other products and services. Roger M. Beverage serves as the president and CEO."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Baptist Bison", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Baptist Bison are composed of 19 teams representing Oklahoma Baptist University in intercollegiate athletics, including men and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and track and field. Men's sports include baseball and football. Women's sports include lacrosse, softball, and volleyball. The Bison compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and are members of the Great American Conference (GAC). As of July 11, 2014, the NCAA Division II Membership Committee recommended the membership application for Oklahoma Baptist to set up the move from the NAIA to NCAA Division II, primarily joining the Great American Conference, effective the 2015\u201316 season."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Baptist has had 15 Major League Baseball Draft selections since the draft began in 1965. OBU has won NAIA championships in men's swimming and diving (2012 and 2013) and women's swimming and diving (2013). On March 9, 2012, swim team member Ivan Maciuniak, age 22, drowned in the pool. A native of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain, Maciuniak had joined his brother, Mateo, at OBU in January 2012. The Maciuniak brothers were on the four-man 400-meter relay team which won the final event of the meet to claim the national championship in OBU\u2019s first year of intercollegiate swimming."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) has provided homes for children affected by abuse, abandonment, neglect, or poverty for over a century. Founded in 1903 as an orphan's home, the Baptist Homes for Children is a family-style residential care facility with eight children residing in cottages on four campuses across the state. Public schools and local Southern Baptist churches assist in educational and religious goals. Houseparents provide a family atmosphere and training as well as love, nurturing and redirection."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children is the largest provider of private, not-for-profit, residential childcare in the state of Oklahoma, United States. The organization operates solely on private donations and contributions and does not accept any state or federal funding. OBHC serves over 200 children on four residential care campuses: Maternity/Parenting Services Hope Pregnancy Ministries OBHC offers five pregnancy centers; two in Oklahoma City, one in Edmond, one in Ardmore and one in Tulsa. Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children is an affiliate corporation of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Baptist University", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) is a co-educational Christian liberal arts university located in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and owned by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Established in 1910, OBU is ranked among the top five baccalaureate colleges in the western region in the 2013 \"U.S. News & World Report\" \"America's Best Colleges\" ratings and has been Oklahoma's highest rated regional college in the \"U.S. News\" rankings for 18 consecutive years. According to \"The Princeton Review\", OBU is a 2013 \"The Harvard of the Midwest\" institution and one of \"America's Best Value Colleges\". OBU was named among Oklahoma's top-ranked universitys in the Forbes.com 2013 listing of \"America's Best Colleges\" and was the state's top college in the Forbes.com list of \"America's Best College Buys\"."}, {"context": " Prior to the creation of the Baptist University of Oklahoma by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma in 1910, several other Baptist-affiliated schools were started in Oklahoma Territory. Oklahoma Baptist College in Blackwell began operation on September 4, 1901. The school fought financial problems throughout its history and closed in 1913. In the fall of 1907, the Baptists of Hastings, Oklahoma, Comanche County, Oklahoma and Mullins Baptist Associations opened Hastings Baptist College in the southwestern part of the state. A year later, the name was changed to Southwest Baptist College and then to Southwest Baptist Academy. It suffered similar financial challenges and ceased operation in 1912. Baptists in nearby Mangum were able to pay off debts of Southwest Baptist College and move the school to their city. It was reopened in the fall of 1912 in the First Baptist Church building and was called Southwestern Baptist College, then Western Baptist College. It was closed in 1915."}, {"context": " A commission to plan the founding of a Baptist university in Oklahoma was established by the Baptist Convention in 1906 (one year prior to Oklahoma statehood) while in session in Shawnee. At the second annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) at Ardmore in November 1907, the Baptist Education Commission unanimously passed a resolution stating its sense that \"as soon as practicable a new Baptist University be established\". A board of trustees was elected soon thereafter in 1907. A site for the university was sought, and from 1908\u20131909 negotiations were held with entities in El Reno, Lawton, Chickasha and Oklahoma City without reaching agreeable terms."}, {"context": " At the 1910 annual meeting of the BGCO in Enid, the trustees reported that Shawnee had been selected as the site of the new university and that an incorporation certificate for \"the Baptist University of Oklahoma\" had been issued by the State of Oklahoma on February 9, 1910. The school's Board of Trustees then signed an agreement with the City of Shawnee for sixty acres of land northwest of the town. The Kickapoo site, as the campus location became known, was deeded to the university by the Development Company of Shawnee. Shortly after the campus location was finalized, W.P. Blake, chairman of the trustees, and G. Lee Phelps, missionary to the Native Americans, visited the future building site. They gathered and arranged twelve stones, commemorating God's leadership of the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land."}, {"context": " Plans for the administration building had been drawn and a contract for construction of the building had been signed on June 3, 1910. The total estimated cost to construct, equip, and furnish the building was $140,000. The trustees reported that the City of Shawnee \"through its development company, gave to the denomination sixty acres of land worth $1,000 per acre and a cash bonus of $100,000\". Dr. J.M. Carroll, San Marcos, Texas, was selected as the school's first president and construction on an administration building commenced in February 1911."}, {"context": " The university opened in September 1911, holding classes for 150 students in the basement of the First Baptist Church and in the Convention Hall of Shawnee. Students came from other universities and preparatory schools, and at the close of the 1911\u201312 school year nine students received degrees. Included in the first student body were three men who later served as United States Senators: Josh Lee and Robert S. Kerr of Oklahoma and Huey P. Long of Louisiana. A general depression in the State in 1911 however had a negative effect on the finances of the BGCO, as well as the development company that had promised the $100,000 cash bonus, which it was unable to deliver, and construction on the Administration Building was halted. After the completion of the first school year in 1912 Dr. Carroll resigned and recommended that operations of the school be temporarily suspended. His recommendation was adopted and the university was placed in a period of \"suspended animation\" while further organization and fund-raising progressed. The report submitted by the Board of Trustees to the BGCO annual meeting in 1914 discussed the need for completion of the construction of the administration building and recommended the convention \"begin at once to provide for the equipment of the building and make other necessary provisions for the opening of school in September, 1915\". Frank M. Masters, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ardmore and a member of the BGCO's Education Commission, was selected by the school's Board of Trustees as the president who would re-open the university. The Administration Hall (renamed Shawnee Hall in the 1920s) was finally completed in September 1915 in time for the re-opening."}, {"context": " The university reopened for the fall 1915 semester with a total enrollment of 143; with about a third of them ministerial students. OBU has been in continual operation in Shawnee since that time. The name of the university was officially changed to \"The Oklahoma Baptist University\" in 1920. In 1915, Shawnee Hall housed faculty, staff, classrooms, library, an auditorium which doubled as a gymnasium, and the women's dormitory. Shawnee Hall did not house male students, as they were housed in two privately owned off-campus homes, known as \"Hill Hall\" (located half of a block south of the intersection of Kickapoo and MacArthur streets) and \"Douglas Hall\" (located on south University street where Bailey Business Center now stands). Shawnee Hall did not provide enough space for women's housing, therefore, in 1916 ground was broken on a new dormitory for women. The new residential unit was opened in 1917 and named Montgomery Hall, in honor of Dr. and Mrs. D.M. Montgomery, who provided significant financial support for the project. Montgomery Hall served as a dormitory, the fine arts center, the student center, and the location for administrative services. The original Montgomery Hall was located between Shawnee Hall and WMU Memorial Dormitory on the campus oval. The building was removed in 1989 due to structural concerns and a new Montgomery Hall was located on south University street west of the Bailey Business Center. From 1919 to 1928, campus facilities consisted of three buildings, Shawnee Hall, Montgomery Hall, and the combination men's dormitory and gymnasium. In the mid 1920s under the leadership of Berta K. Spooner; Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Oklahoma Women's Missionary Union, Baptist women of Oklahoma recognized the need for a new dormitory for women on Oklahoma Baptist University's campus. After a fundraising effort to procure sufficient financial support for the new dormitory, groundbreaking occurred in 1927 for the new facility. When WMU Memorial Dormitory opened in 1928, the building housed rooms for 200 female students, the university dining hall, parlors, assembly rooms, a recreation room, an infirmary, and a swimming pool. Due to the challenges of \"The Great Depression\" in the late 1920s to the 1930s, it would be another decade before another building was constructed on campus."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Baptist University served as an army aviation training site from February 1943 through the summer of 1944, hosting the 91st College Training Detachment. Cadets lived in WMU Dormitory, attended classes in Shawnee Hall, drilled on the campus oval, and exercised on the athletic fields. During the time of the U.S. Army attachment during World War II, approximately 2,000 cadets were trained during the sixteen months of OBU retaining military detachment. According to John Wesley Raley, OBU's president during that time, \"OBU's participation in the military program provided several benefits: Satisfaction that the university had participated in the war effort; favorable advertising through the cadets who had been on campus; the ability to maintain a strong faculty, despite the decline in regular enrollment which had dropped to 326 in 1943, the smallest enrollment since 1918; the maintenance and enlargement of the physical plant; and operating without a deficit during a 'most difficult period for colleges'\". Although the university participated in the war effort during World War II, the university does not have an active ROTC program at this present time."}, {"context": " Total annual enrollment in the university exceeded 1,000 for the first time in 1946. OBU was officially racially integrated in 1955, when the Board of Trustees approved a motion by Dr. Herschel H. Hobbs, pastor of Oklahoma City's First Baptist Church, to allow African American students admission to the university. In January 1964, during final examinations week, the school narrowly missed disaster when a man flew a small airplane into Shawnee Hall. The man had been hospitalized for mental health problems but had been released and was able to rent a plane in Tulsa. He radioed the Shawnee airport and reported that he was going to fly his plane into OBU's administration building. Authorities evacuated Thurmond Hall, which had been the university's administration building since 1954, and moved students to Shawnee Hall, the primary classroom building. Shawnee Hall had been the administration building prior to 1954. The pilot then flew his plane into one of the few empty classrooms in the building and when the plane crashed into room 307, the students made a calm and orderly exit. The pilot was killed and the exterior impact area along with two classrooms were badly damaged. None of the 300 students, faculty, or other staff were injured. Today, Shawnee Hall bears the scars of this incident. Although all damage has been repaired, the brick and mortar on the south side of the building is discolored in one area on the third floor when Shawnee Hall is viewed from the campus oval."}, {"context": " Enrollment passed 2,000 for the first time in 1989 and a record enrollment of 2,440, with 2,011 on campus, was set in 1994. In 1999, acquisition of land north of the campus enlarged OBU property from 125 to approximately . Under President Mark Brister, by 2005, the university's endowment exceeded US$80\u00a0million. In 2007, OBU's International Graduate School opened in Oklahoma City, offering a master's of business administration degree. Acquisition of 10 additional acres of land at the southwest edge of the campus in 2008 increased OBU's property to , and in 2010, the university celebrated its first centennial."}, {"context": " OBU offers two graduate degrees through the OBU Graduate School, based in downtown Oklahoma City. On February 20, 2012, The OBU Graduate School announced plans to relocate from Oklahoma City\u2019s Triangle District to the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma building, located at 3800 N. May Avenue in Oklahoma City, in May 2012. The Graduate School has been located in the Momentum Building at 111 N. Harrison in downtown Oklahoma City since January 2007. The move will not affect the time frame of the existing cohorts in the Graduate School\u2019s programs. Dr. Scott Harris, director of the OBU Graduate School, cited the reasoning behind the move as more classroom space for existing and future programs, easier access in Oklahoma City concerning location (near Interstate 44 and Lake Hefner Parkway), and other educational endeavors."}, {"context": " As a liberal arts university, OBU offers a substantial core curriculum. In addition to courses on the Bible and in science, all students take courses in OBU's distinctive Western Civilization sequence, which includes a Freshman-level course on ancient Greek literature and culture and then the sophomore-level, twelve credit hour, team-taught courses on the history and literature of the Western world from the Roman republic to today. The purpose of the Western Civilization sequence has been stated by faculty member, Dr. Benjamin Myers: \"Knowledge of Western civilization\u2014a true knowledge of its change and continuity over time\u2014gives the student room to breathe intellectually, morally, spiritually, and emotionally. It frees the student from the tyranny of the moment, from merely fashionable, inevitably superficial ways of being in the world. Life in the fullness of time is a life more abundant than living in the prison of the moment.\""}, {"context": " For the 2009\u20132010 academic year, OBU employed 113 full-time faculty members. 71% of the faculty possessed the highest degree available in their field. No classes are taught by graduate assistants. The student to faculty ratio is 15:1. OBU is located in northwest Shawnee, Oklahoma. The OBU campus, referred to as \"Bison Hill\" because a majority of the university is located on a small hill, contains over 30 buildings on in north Shawnee, Oklahoma, a city in central Oklahoma of 29,857 residents, east of Oklahoma City. The campus is bordered by N. Kickapoo Street to the east, W. Midland Street to the south and N. Airport Drive to the west. W. McArthur Street runs through the north side of the campus, with the main campus lying south of the street and residential and athletic areas to the north."}, {"context": " In December of 2018 the sale to Hobby Lobby of the Shawnee campus of the bankrupt St. Gregory's University, located at 1900 West MacArthur, was approved by the bankruptcy court. The campus is to be leased, at least in the short term, to Oklahoma Baptist University. Major campus buildings include the Art Building, Bailey Business Center, Ford Music Hall, Geiger Center, Jent Alumni Center, Mabee Learning Center (composed of a renovation of and an addition to the university\u2019s former library building, W.L. Brittain Hall, and the faculty office building, Owens Hall), Montgomery Hall, the Noble Complex, John Wesley Raley Chapel, Andrew Potter Auditorium, Shawnee Hall (the original 1915 administration building), Stubblefield Chapel (erected in 1894 and moved to the campus in 1963), Sarkeys Telecommunication Center, Thurmond Hall and the W.P. Wood Science Building."}, {"context": " Art Building Refurbished in 2001, the Art Building is located at the northwest corner of Kickapoo and Midland Streets. The refurbished art facility includes two faculty offices, an art gallery, photography lab, a general classroom, a computer graphics art lab, a weaving and stained glass lab, and a ceramics lab. The art department also uses a facility adjacent to the art building to house drawing and studio art classes. Bailey Business Center Constructed in 1993, the building on University Drive directly south of the campus oval is named in honor of William S. Bailey, a Tulsa philanthropist and business director."}, {"context": " Ford Music Hall Constructed in 1951, the building is located on south University Drive directly west of Gold Star Park, southeast of the campus oval. Geiger Center Constructed in 1970, the Geiger Center is located east of Raley Chapel and north of Kerr Residence Center. The center was originally named \"University Center\" until 1982, when the building was renamed the \"Albert J. and Laura Belle Geiger Center for University Life\". On-campus dining is provided in the Laura Scales Cafeteria, located in the upper level of the Geiger Center. Coffee and quick service dining is available at Java City and the Geiger Counter, located in the lower level of the Geiger Center. The Geiger Center also houses the mailroom, copy center, OBU Bookstore, meeting rooms, special dining areas and information desk, as well as a prayer room. The offices of the Dean of Students, Events/Camps/Conferences Director, Director of Residential Life and Campus Activities, Student Government Association and the Student Services Center are located in the Geiger Center. The Student Services Center includes Career Planning Services, Testing Services, Special Services, Counseling Services, and Student Health Services."}, {"context": " Jent Alumni Center Constructed in 1937, the building was named for John W. Jent, an early OBU administrator and philosophy professor. It originally was an apartment building for faculty, known as \"Jent Apartments\". Sometime after World War II, it later became a dormitory for male students and in 1988, it became the \"Jent Alumni Center\", which houses development and alumni offices. Mabee Learning Center In 1918, work began on a combination men's dormitory and gymnasium and the building was completed in 1919. Most of the dormitory was located on the east end of the building, now known as Owens Hall. The gymnasium was used until 1941, when a new gymnasium was opened. The old gymnasium was converted into the W.L. Brittain Learning Center in 1946, and in 1976, became a part of the Mabee Learning Center."}, {"context": " The university's primary library is located in the Mabee Learning Center (MLC). The collection of resources contains more than 184,724 bound volumes, 534,429 microform holdings and approximately 10,050 other media materials. The Learning Center also subscribes to several online indexes (Psyc. Info, MLA Bibliography, CINAHL, ATLA Religion Index, WorldCat, etc.) and full-text databases (EbscoHost, Academic Elite, Literature Resource Center, Biography Resource Center, InfoTrac Expanded Academic, NetLibrary, NewsBank, Electric Library, General Business File ASAP, Health Reference Center-Academic, etc.). It also subscribes to 450 print periodical/newspaper titles. The MLC is a United States government documents depository. Also located in the MLC is the Herschel Hobbs Baptist History and Heritage Center, containing the personal library, manuscripts, and memorabilia of Dr. and Mrs. Herschel Hobbs. Other archival collections include the B.B. McKinney music collection, the E.C. Routh Library of Missions, and the J.W. Storer collection related to the American Civil War and World War II."}, {"context": " Owens Hall is also located on the east side of Mabee Learning Center. When the new gymnasium was constructed in 1941, Owens Hall, still a men's dormitory, was added to the gymnasium that was remodeled as W.L. Brittain Library. In the 1970s, Owens Hall was remodeled from a dormitory into faculty offices, which is what the building addition is now. Montgomery Hall Constructed in 1989, the building is named for Dr. and Mrs. D.M. Montgomery. The building is located west of the Bailey Business Center on south University Drive, south of the campus oval. The building replaced the earlier Montgomery Hall, which was constructed in 1917 southwest of Shawnee Hall on the campus oval. Due to structural problems, that building was demolished in March 1989; it was replaced with the current Montgomery Hall, which houses a campus ministry center and various classrooms."}, {"context": " Dr. John Wesley Raley Chapel Constructed in 1961, the chapel is, from the top of the spire to ground, tall. As a result, the chapel's spire can be seen from several miles away on a clear day and is usually used as a symbol of OBU. The chapel was named in honor of Dr. John Wesley Raley, longest serving president of OBU, from 1934 to 1961, then serving as Chancellor of OBU, until his death in 1968. Raley Chapel is home to two separate auditoriums. The Andrew Potter Auditorium has a seating capacity of 2,000 and features the 56-rank Van Deren Memorial Organ. On the lower floor, the W.R. Yarborough Memorial Auditorium seats 400. The Mabee Fine Arts Center in Raley Chapel houses music classrooms, studios, rehearsal rooms, and the office of the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. Among the instruments in Raley Chapel is the McGavern Harpsichord, a two-manual French instrument constructed in 1974."}, {"context": " Along with the auditoriums, there are several classrooms on the northern side of Raley Chapel, including a small banquet hall named in honor of Helen Thames Raley, wife of Dr. John Wesley Raley. On December 21, 2011, work began on the windows in the spire of Raley Chapel. AT&T reached an agreement with OBU to install a cell phone antenna in the chapel\u2019s spire. The existing glass and aluminum framing could potentially interfere with the antenna transmission, leading to the replacement project. Shawnee Hall"}, {"context": " Construction began on Shawnee Hall in 1911, but was not completed until 1915, when the school re-opened from its \"suspended animation\" period. The building was named in honor of the city of Shawnee, who donated the original and a 100,000-dollar cash bonus to the university. It was originally the administration building until 1954, when Thurmond Hall was constructed. Shawnee Hall occupies the northernmost point of the campus oval and houses classrooms along with the Cleo L. Craig-Rhetta May Dorland Theatre. Stubblefield Chapel"}, {"context": " Stubblefield Chapel, named for Cortez Stubblefield (1848\u20131930), early Oklahoma Baptist pastor and 20-year associate to Oklahoma Baptist University, is located on south University Drive, southeast of Kerr Residence Hall, and directly west of Montgomery Hall. The building, originally the First Christian Church of Shawnee until 1953, was the first meeting house of Shawnee's First Baptist Church and was first erected at 207 N. Union Street in downtown Shawnee. Baptist General Convention of Indian Territory (formed in Tahlequah in 1883), antecedent to present Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, met in this building for its final session on November 9, 1906, and merged with Oklahoma Baptist State Convention (Oklahoma Territory) later that same day to found the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The chapel was re-located to its current location on OBU campus in the fall of 1963 and formally dedicated by the senior class of 1964 to the university on February 20, 1964, OBU Founder's Day. Because of its picturesque nature, colorful stained-glass windows, and seating accommodations, it has become a popular building in which to conduct weddings, banquets, and other ceremonies. Sarkey's Telecommunication Center Sarkey's Telecommunication Center was built in 1941 and is located directly north of the Geiger Center."}, {"context": " In 1941, a new gymnasium was opened called \"University Gymnasium\". The building was the home of the basketball team until the opening of Bison Fieldhouse in 1948. From 1948 on, the building was used as an intramural gymnasium, auditorium, theater annex, and physical education building until 1986, when the building was heavily remodeled. The building still stands today as Sarkey's Telecommunication Center and houses classrooms, conference rooms, offices, and a small theater. Thurmond Hall Thurmond Hall was constructed in 1954 and is located on the northeast corner of the campus oval, southeast of Shawnee Hall. In 1987, Thurmond Hall was renovated to accommodate a computer lab and the Williamson School of Nursing. Thurmond Hall is the OBU Administration building that includes classrooms and a large computer lab."}, {"context": " W.P. Wood Science Building The W.P. Wood Science Building was constructed in 1985 and is located on the southeast corner of the campus oval, north of the intersection of Kickapoo Street and University Drive. The building was named in honor of W.P. Wood, a Shawnee businessman. The lead gift of the building came from W.P. Wood Trusts. The building is composed of classrooms, the science department of OBU, and a chemistry lab. Members of the OBU community celebrated groundbreaking for a new student residential village on May 10, 2012, during an afternoon ceremony. The total complex will include 204 new apartment units, 782 beds and 20 laundry facility-safe rooms on Bison Hill. OBU trustees, students, faculty, staff and Shawnee community representatives gathered for the ceremony at the site of the planned buildings, north of OBU\u2019s MacArthur Apartments on the north side of MacArthur Street. When completed, the proposed housing complex will include six large apartment buildings, one small apartment building and a centrally located clubhouse building attached to another large apartment building. The initial phase of the village construction includes two housing structures which feature contemporary apartment units to accommodate 194 students."}, {"context": " Each apartment unit will feature four individual bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open floor plan including a kitchen, dining area and living area. Some of the apartments will include a washer and dryer, while others will share laundry facilities on the first floor which also double as safe rooms to be used in severe weather threats. OBU hired CJC Architects Inc., a Tulsa firm which has worked with the University on several major projects, to plan the construction of the complex. Occupancy of the first phase of the apartments is projected for the fall 2013 semester."}, {"context": " Nearly 100 individuals attended the groundbreaking activities. Representatives from the student body, the local community, OBU trustees, faculty, staff, and architect and construction representatives took turns shoveling dirt at the site. While many universities have monuments to commemorate certain events in their respective lore and history, OBU has acquired many monuments in its 100-year history. Some of these monuments are class memorials donated for the beautification of the campus and some are donated from private, outside groups and churches."}, {"context": " OBU requires all unmarried students under 21 years of age to reside in university housing. The university operates one residence hall (Agee Residence Center) and three apartment complexes (East Devereaux, MacArthur and Midland) for men, and three residence halls (Woman's Missionary Union, Kerr, and Howard), one suite complex (Taylor) and apartment complexes (Howard Apartments, and West University) for women. Three apartment complexes are provided for married students (Burns, Cobbs and West Devereaux)."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Baptist (OBU) teams, nicknamed athletically as the Bison, are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) primarily competing in the Great American Conference(GAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis and track and field; while women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field and volleyball. OBU has ten NAIA National Championships: men\u2019s basketball (1966 and 2010); men\u2019s outdoor track and field (1990 and 2007); women\u2019s indoor track and field (2005, 2007, 2010 and 2011); women's outdoor track and field (2012); men's swimming and diving (2012 and 2013); and women's swimming and diving (2013)."}, {"context": " As of July 11, 2014, the NCAA Division II Membership Committee recommended the membership application for the institution to set up the move from the NAIA to NCAA Division II, primarily competing in the Great American Conference, effectively the 2015\u201316 season. Completed in the summer of 1982, it is a building which houses a 2,400-seat arena, the Mabee Suite, which accommodates events for up to 150 people, an athletic heritage center, and classrooms and offices for the division of kinesiology and leisure studies. Additionally, the Noble Complex houses a large varsity sports weight room."}, {"context": " The Bison and Lady Bison basketball teams play home games along with the volleyball team in the Mabee Arena in the Noble Complex. Opened in 1982, the Noble Complex underwent a major renovation prior to the 2007\u201308 season, adding new locker rooms, basketball offices, court-side wireless Internet, the Mabee Suite, and new scoreboards. The Mabee Arena seats around 2,400 people, including chair-back seating in the lower reserved sections. The Bison and Lady Bison soccer teams play at the OBU Soccer Complex, located north of the main campus on Raley Drive. The OBU pitch includes bleacher seating and covered dugouts. In addition to the main pitch, the complex includes a practice field."}, {"context": " In 2008, the Bison baseball team relocated to \"Bison Field at Ford Park\", located on the north side of campus at the end of Raley Drive. The field was named in honor of J. Lloyd Ford, founder of the Shawnee Milling Company, and the Ford family, which has long ties to the university. The field includes covered dugouts, fenced outfield bullpens, a pressbox, and metal bleachers on a concrete slab. There is also a Junior Varsity field located to the southwest of the Coates Baseball/Softball Building, where the baseball team is lockered and officed."}, {"context": " Lady Bison Softball Field, at the north end of Raley Drive, includes metal outfield fences, scoreboard, press box, covered dugouts, a covered patio, bleacher seating on a concrete slab, public restrooms, storage area and an umpire dressing room. The Lady Bison have lockers and offices in the Coates Building, which also includes an indoor hitting facility. The men's and women's OBU Natatorium is an Olympic-size swimming pool located in the RAWC and can be used for swim and dive meets, water polo, and swim lessons for children, along with general swimming. The pool is temperature controlled and utilizes a salt water chlorination system. On March 9, 2012, Ivan Maciuniak, a member of OBU's NAIA champion 2012 men's swim team, drowned in the pool."}, {"context": " The OBU Tennis Complex includes eight courts on University Street, south of the Recreation and Wellness Center. The courts were professionally resurfaced in the summer of 2011. The university plans to create a new tennis complex in the near future near the soccer fields. Oklahoma Baptist University opened its new track, the Eddie Hurt Jr. Memorial Track, just west of the old track in 2008. The track hosted the 2008 Sooner Athletic Conference Championships and is being improved daily. The track and field and cross country teams are housed in the Jay P. Chance Track Building, at the northeast corner of the intersection of University Street and Airport Road."}, {"context": " The OBU Recreation and Wellness Center (RAWC, pronounced \"rock\") was completed in 2007 and includes cardio and weight machines, a rock climbing wall, an indoor running track, three basketball-volleyball courts, three racquetball courts, a swimming pool, and a snack bar-lounge. The RAWC is home to many campus intramural sports, which include basketball, bowling, Flag Football, Free Throw Shooting, racquetball, Sand Volleyball, softball, tennis, volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee. Located where the RAWC is at the present time, Clark Craig Fieldhouse originally served as a military recreational facility at Camp Maxey in Paris, Texas, during World War II. It was purchased, moved, and reconstructed on the OBU campus in 1948. Clark Craig Fieldhouse was the home of the Bison basketball team during the years the team reached three successive NAIA championship games, winning the national title in 1966. The teams moved into the OBU Noble Complex\u2019s Mabee Arena beginning in the 1982\u201383 season and Clark Craig was used primarily for intramurals and as an indoor training facility for OBU\u2019s spring sports."}, {"context": " After years of athletic services, Clark Craig Fieldhouse was in deteriorating condition and on January 26, 2006, Clark Craig Fieldhouse was demolished to make way for the RAWC. On December 16, 2010, Oklahoma Baptist University president David Whitlock announced that football, lacrosse, and varsity swimming teams would be added to the list of athletics. Beginning with swimming and lacrosse in 2012, and football in the fall semester of 2013, the number of intercollegiate sports played at Oklahoma Baptist University is 21 sports, 10 men's teams and 11 women's teams. This marks the first time since 1940 that Oklahoma Baptist University has fielded a football team."}, {"context": " On January 18, 2012, OBU announced the hiring of Chris Jensen to become head coach of the university's revitalized football program. Jensen comes to OBU from Southmoore High School, where he started the football program in 2008. In his and the program's second year, the SaberCats were 11\u20132 and reached the Class 6A semifinals. Jensen was named Oklahoma 6A-1 Coach of the Year in 2009. Jensen's coaching stops also include assistant posts at Westmoore (defensive coordinator), Bartlesville (offensive coordinator), Durant (offensive coordinator and assistant head coach), Moore (offensive line) and Little Axe (offensive line and outside linebackers)."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Baptist University has several rivals throughout the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC). Before the closure of St. Gregory's University, which was about a mile west from Oklahoma Baptist University on MacArthur Street in Shawnee, OBU had a rivalry with that school. As a result of the religious affiliations of both universities (St. Gregory's being a Roman Catholic institution), some sports writers referred to the athletic contests as \"The Holy War on MacArthur Street\". Although considered to be more of a basketball rivalry, the rivalry spilled into other sports such as baseball and soccer."}, {"context": " OBU's school colors of green and gold were chosen by students in the first year of classes because the school's future campus of of green prairie located northwest of downtown Shawnee was covered with wild golden coreopsis. Before OBU was established, what is now known as \"Bison Hill\" was a buffalo wallow prior to the establishment of the university. OBU founders nominated the American Bison as a school mascot because they hoped that graduates would help meet the needs of the world as the bison met the many needs of the native Americans. The bison was selected as the school mascot in 1918, and \"The Bison\" student newspaper was first published in December of that year. The bison statue and pedestal on the Oval were donated by the Class of 1932."}, {"context": " In 1962, a student organization, known as \"The Sacred Order of the Bison\", brought to the campus a live bison mascot, which they named \"Belshazzar\". Belshazzars I, II, III, and IV lived in a pen near the fieldhouse and athletic fields and members of \"The Sacred Order of the Bison\" were responsible for the care of the mascot. However, in 1974, due to concerns from \"The Sacred Order of the Bison\" and students alike, Belshazzar IV was released from the confines of the campus pen and allowed to roam on a semi-natural ranch near Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Since 1974, Oklahoma Baptist University has had no live animal mascot. The university does have a male and a female student dress in bison mascot-animal costumes at some athletic and other special events. The newest addition to the mascot-animal costume, which previewed in the spring semester of 2013, became known as \"Shaz\". Students voted to name the bison mascot on the website at www.okbu.edu. The name of \"Shaz\" originated from a shorter form of Belshazzar, which was the original Bison mascot's name."}, {"context": " The \"Ka-Rip\" spirit chant was introduced by Fred McCaulley (Class of 1920) in 1918. It is repeated often and rapidly by OBU fans during sporting events, and memorization of \"Ka-rip!\" is an important part of OBU new student orientation. \"Hymn to Alma Mater\" became the official school song in 1939. Dean Warren M. Angell composed the music and Mary Ann Tisinger wrote the words. \"Welcome Week\" is OBU's program of orientation for all new students prior to the start of the fall semester. New students are given a green and gold beanie that is worn throughout welcome week, taught the Ka-rip! spirit chant and the school song, and introduced to college life. Students also engage in a \"Serve Shawnee\" service project. On the night before classes begin, new students participate in \"The Walk\" from the Oval to Raley Chapel, mirroring the walk taken on graduation day."}, {"context": " Beanies and the traditions concerning them have varied over the years, but the tradition of recognizing and welcoming new students to campus has been revived yearly for over 90 years. The tradition began in the 1919\u20131920 school year when the incoming freshmen students were the first to wear the beanies and the beanies were worn for a full year as a sign of penance. By 1925, the OBU student handbook stated that freshmen were required to wear their \"Greencaps\" on campus from the beginning of fall semester until Thanksgiving. In 1933, the student handbook said that freshmen were required to wear the \"Greencaps\" until the final home football game. At halftime of the final game, freshmen were permitted to burn their beanies. In 1968, freshmen were supposed to wear beanies between 7 o'clock a.m. and 11 o'clock p.m. while on campus during \"Welcome Week\". If the freshmen won the \"Freshmen-Upperclassmen Tug-O-War\", then they could dispose of their beanies. If they lost the contest, then they had to wear their beanies for another week."}, {"context": " The \"Hanging of the Green\" is an OBU Christmas tradition that dates back to 1937 and is held on the first Friday in December to commemorate the holiday season. The events include a formal dinner, a musical production featuring familiar religious and secular Christmas carols, a dramatic production, honoring of senior students, and the adornment of Raley Chapel with wreaths, Christmas trees, and other Christmas ornamentation. The program has been varied through many years, but has always included Christmas greenery and honoring senior students. The first \"Hanging of the Green\" ceremony was held in 1937 in WMU dormitory. During that ceremony, students sang Christmas carols and hung ornamental Christmas wreaths around the building. Afterwards, the students took a candle from that ceremony to each of their respective residence halls. In 1945, the ceremony was moved to the W.L. Brittain Library and Fine Arts Center (now the Mabee Learning Center). In 1957, the ceremony was moved to the University Auditorium (now Sarkey's Telecommunications Center). With the completion of Raley Chapel in 1961, the \"Hanging of the Green\" moved to Potter Auditorium. 2011 will mark the fiftieth consecutive \"Hanging of the Green\" held in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. In addition to the \"Hanging of the Green\", various other buildings and trees are decorated before Christmas."}, {"context": " Freshmen orientation and \"Welcome Week\" were once unofficially known as \"Freshmen Initiation\". Freshmen were required to wear name tags and \"Greencap\", bow before upperclassmen, and memorize and recite \"Bison Orientation Police\", \"Hymn to Alma Mater\", \"Ka-Rip\", and a poem known as \"I am a lowly freshman\". The \"Freshmen-Upperclassmen Tug-O-War\" occurred the first week of \"Freshmen Initiation\". Preparations for the tug-of-war included: Watering the soil and ground where the freshmen were to stand for the contest, greasing the freshmen end of the rope, beginning the contest with upperclassmen of small stature, and gradually replacing them with much larger upperclassmen. The upperclassmen always emerged from the contest victorious."}, {"context": " \"Freshmen Initiation\", \"Freshmen-Upperclassmen Tug-O-War\", and \"Bison Orientation Police\" were eliminated in the 1980s and replaced with \"Welcome Week\". OBU recognizes more than 150 campus organizations with various interests and purposes, including student government, involvement, academics, music and arts, politics, social service, sports and religion. There are two branches of OBU\u2019s SGA: executive and legislative. The executive branch is headed by the Student Body President. The President is elected on a ballot open to the entire student body near the end of the spring semester. Anyone who is at least a junior and has a 3.0 grade point average is eligible to run for President or Vice President (see legislative section). The President works directly with the Board of Trustees and the University President. The SGA President also holds the power to sign bills for passage, or veto them. Along with the President is the Vice-President, who runs on the same ballot, the Speaker of the Senate, the Attorney General, and the Chief of Staff. Those three are appointed by the President and Vice-President, who are then approved by the Senate."}, {"context": " The legislative branch is made up of elected senators from the student body. They hear bills and resolutions that can range from chartering official clubs on campus to allocating money for student activities. Five Senators are elected from each class, and eight at-large Senators are also elected. Furthermore, the four Class Presidents also serve as senators, for a total of 32. Each year, the Senate is given a budget (which is a part of the whole SGA budget), that they are vested with distributing to various campus organizations. Campus organizations and individuals petition the Senate for funds that go to various club activities and for competitions such as Model Arab League."}, {"context": " Campus Activities Board (CAB) serves the university by sponsoring entertainment activities throughout the year. CAB sponsors three major talent and variety shows each academic year: Biggie, Freshmen Follies and Spring Affair. Biggie is reserved for upperclassmen, Follies for freshmen, and Spring Affair is open to all students. Acts and emcees for each show are selected through auditions. In additions, CAB also sponsors T.W.I.R.P. (The Woman is Required to Pay) Week and Christmas events including Kerr Old Fashioned Christmas, CAB/ARAmark Banquet and Kids' Christmas, and other community activities.  The Herd is a student organization that assists in recruiting new students to OBU. The Herd takes part in events such as Fall, Winter and Spring Preview Day, Night on the Hill, Be a Bison Day, and Super Enrollment Day, along with various church and dinner events."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Bar Association", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA) is the integrated (mandatory) bar association of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Territory Bar Association and the Indian Territory Bar Association merged in 1904 to form the Oklahoma Bar Association. After statehood in November 1907, the Oklahoma Legislature recognized the Association; however, it repealed the enacting legislation in 1938. In 1939 the Oklahoma Supreme Court reorganized the association and made membership mandatory to practice law in Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Bar Association is governed by a 17-member Board of Governors, whose members are lawyers elected by OBA members and meet monthly. Day-to-day operations are managed by an Executive Director and a staff of both attorneys and non-attorneys. OBA enforces the rule that Oklahoma lawyers must complete 12 credits of Continuing Legal Education every year. The bimonthly \"Oklahoma Bar Journal\", established in 1930, is OBA's official member publication. Although an arm of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, OBA does not receive any appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature or other public or tax-related revenues."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Beer Act of 1933", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Beer Act of 1933 is a United States public law legalizing the manufacture, possession, and sale of low-point beer in the State of Oklahoma. The Act of Congress cites the federal statute is binding with the cast of legal votes by the State of Oklahoma constituents or legislative action by the Oklahoma Legislature. The anti-prohibition legislation was enacted into law in conjunction with the Blaine Act and Cullen-Harrison Act. The 72nd United States Congress proposed the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution as endorsed by John Nance Garner and Charles Curtis on February 20, 1933. The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution or Volstead Act was repealed upon ratifying the twenty-first constitutional law abolishing Prohibition in the United States on December 5, 1933.  On August 27, 1935, the Beer, Ale, Porter, and Similar Fermented Liquor codified law sections were officially repealed with the enactment of the Liquor Law Repeal and Enforcement Act of 1935."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Bible Academy", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Bible Academy (OBA) is an interdenominational Christian private school located in Enid, Oklahoma. OBA is the oldest coeducational private school in the state of Oklahoma. In 1911 a group headed by J.B. Epp of the New Hopedale Mennonite Church, located in Meno, Oklahoma financed the construction of the Meno Preparatory School. In its early years the school served the local community by teaching elementary level courses, primarily focusing on the Bible and German language. In the spring of 1917 at the Oklahoma Mennonite Convention, leaders formulated a plan for a two-year Bible academy and high school to serve all local churches. It was resolved, \"That a committee of three be created to take in hand the matter of starting an academy.\" On March 27, 1918 through a special session of Oklahoma Convention, the General Conference Mennonite Churches adopted the school as its field of service and the Meno Preparatory School became the Oklahoma Bible Academy, using the original buildings and an expanded curriculum."}, {"context": " In 1924-1925 with the help of Adam Ratzlaff a new dormitory was built. Later a larger school was built including two dormitories. The 1960s brought additional changes to the Oklahoma Bible Academy campus, including: a new industrial arts building, a music-lunchroom, and a gymnasium. By 1953, the school became a full four-year high school and received accreditation by the State of Oklahoma Department of Education. Enrollment in 1951-52 was 58 students. The school added both seventh and eighth grades in 1977 and became a member of the Association of Christian Schools International in 1978. In the 2009-10 school year OBA added 6th grade to its student body.  With the growth of Christian elementary schools in the nearby community of Enid, Oklahoma came the need for a Christian high school, and in 1982 the OBA Corporation voted to move the school to Enid, Oklahoma. Campus expansion across the past two decades has included an auditorium with seating for over 400 people was built in 1995, a football field in 2001, the Advance Learning Center in 2003, and a track in 2006."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Borderline", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Oklahoma Borderline\" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Vince Gill. It was released in November 1985 as the third single from the album \"The Things That Matter\". The song reached #9 on the \"Billboard\" Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was written by Gill, Rodney Crowell and Guy Clark."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBN), often shortened to Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, is an agency of the government of Oklahoma charged with minimizing the abuse of controlled substances through law enforcement measures directed primarily at drug trafficking, illicit drug manufacturing, and major suppliers of illicit drugs. The Bureau is governed by a seven-member commission whose members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. The Commission is responsible for appointing a director. John Scully was appointed Director in March of 2016."}, {"context": " In 1953, the Oklahoma Legislature created the agency to enforce drug laws. Designated the Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the agency operated under the Attorney General of Oklahoma for the next decade. In 1964, the Division of Narcotics Enforcement was abolished and created under the name of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. The new bureau was placed under the direct command of the Governor of Oklahoma. In the late 1960s, narcotics operations and drug-related crimes accelerated. Despite a merger into the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) in 1968, only one full-time narcotics agent was employed by the state. Recognizing this problem, the Legislature granted OSBI funds to establish a full-time narcotics unit, but by the early 1970s the unit had been proven a failure. In response, the Legislature passed the Uniform Control Dangerous Substances Act of 1971. The Act established the Commissioner of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control under the direction of the Attorney General. The Commissioner was responsible for the state's general interest in controlled drugs but actual enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act was left to the OSBI."}, {"context": " It soon became apparent that this arrangement failed to respond to controlling the surging drug trade. Therefore, in 1975, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics was reconstituted, this time more adequately staffed and equipped, and given the necessary autonomy to operate in the war on drugs. The Bureau has original jurisdiction statewide on all violations of the Uniform Control Dangerous Substances Act as well as crimes of human trafficking. The Bureau of Narcotics is charged with enforcing the State's criminal and administrative drug laws. In particular, the Bureau's agents have responsibility for enforcing the following laws:"}, {"context": " OBN trains and assists local law enforcement agencies in addition to compiling drug-related statistics. OBN also provides a leadership role for law enforcement throughout the state for the investigative effort directed towards eliminating the illegal use of controlled dangerous substances. The Bureau serves as the law enforcement arm of the State government's approach to combating drugs. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services serves as the prevention, education and treatment component. The two agencies work together to develop a comprehensive drugs control strategy for the State."}, {"context": " The Bureau maintains a presence in all 77 counties within the state of Oklahoma. This is achieved by the combination of District Offices, Regional Offices, and agents assigned to specific counties of the state. The Bureau maintains District Offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, McAlester, Ardmore, Lawton and Woodward with Regional Offices in multiple other locations. The Bureau's headquarters is located in Oklahoma City, OK. The Bureau of Narcotics receives only about 16% of its budget from annual appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. Fees generated by the Bureau make up another 70%. The remaining 14% comes from various sources.  Employee benefits and salaries make up 76% of the budget, with operating expenses totalling 17% and other expenses accounting for 7%."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority (OCIA) is an Oklahoma state agency responsible for issuing bonds to finance the construction of buildings or other facilities for the State of Oklahoma, its departments and agencies. The Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services's Capital Asset Management Division is responsible for providing staff support services to the Authority. The Attorney General of Oklahoma provides legal counsel to OCIA and the Oklahoma State Bond Advisor provides advice on the issuance of bonds and other obligations.  As of June 2013, the Commission has the following members:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame is an award given to individuals who, through their outstanding professional and personal achievements, have brought honor and distinction to career and technology education in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Career and Technology Education. The first members were inducted in 1990; beginning in 1991 the awards were presented biennially in odd-numbered years. 2015 2013 2011 2009 2007 2005 2003 2001 1999  1997 1995 1993 1991 1990"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Centennial High School", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Centennial Middle/High School is a grade 7\u201312 public education school in the Oklahoma City Public Schools district. OCHS was born the year of Oklahoma's centennial celebration. In 2008, the school occupied its permanent building located at 1301 NE 101st Street in Oklahoma City. OCHS began in 2007 as a grade 6\u20139 school and expanded to become a grade 6\u201312 school in 2008. It graduated its first senior class in 2008. It takes its name from the fact that 2007 was the centennial anniversary of Oklahoma's statehood. Beginning in 2011, sixth-grade students in the OCHS attendance area remained in the elementary schools. OCHS became a grade 7\u201312 school starting with the 2011\u20132012 school term."}, {"context": " Carol Thompson was the first principal of Centennial. She led the school its beginning in 2007 until the first quarter of the spring term in 2011. Assistant Principal Barbara Davis was appointed interim principal for the last quarter of 2011. Beginning in 2011, H. Charmaine Johnson was appointed as Oklahoma Centennial High School's principal. At the beginning of the Spring 2014 term, Michelle Pontikos replaced Johnson as the principal at OCHS. Tami Sanders became the principal at Centennial beginning in the 2015-2016 school term."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Centennial has a total student body of about 650 students. The school's mascot is the Bison, the official state animal of Oklahoma. The school's colors are burgundy and gold. The OCHS motto is \"Tantum eruditi sunt Liberi\" (Only the educated are free). The school's alma mater is \"Bisons Brave and Bold\". It was written by Robert Lynn Green, a charter member of the OCHS faculty. In 2011, Oklahoma Centennial won its first state sports champion when the Bison men's basketball team won the Oklahoma Secondary Scholastic Activities Association (OSSAA) 3A basketball trophy. In 2012, the Bison men's team repeated as champions. The Bison were state runners-up in 2013 in 3A men's basketball.  Audrianna Morgan has won twice, in 2011 and 2012, as the 3A state track champion in the 100 meter and 200 meter events. http://www.okcps.org/Domain/81"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that is responsible for technology-based economic development. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology, OCAST is responsible for fostering innovation in existing and developing business by supporting basic and applied research. The Center is led by 21-member Board of Directors, each either appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, or ex officio members."}, {"context": " The current Cabinet Secretary is Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in March 2017. Under the Secretary's supervision, the Center's Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Center's programs. The Center was created in 1987 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon. The Center is overseen by the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology. OCAST is governed by the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development (OSTRaD) Board of Directors (Title 74, Section 5060.6). This 21-member board of directors consists of the secretary/executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the secretary of agriculture, the presidents of Oklahoma's three research universities, the president of a regional university, 12 members appointed by the Governor and two nonvoting legislators representing the House and the Senate. Members appointed by the governor serve with the consent of the senate and generally serve four-year terms.  As of September 2018, the following are the current members of the Board: The center offers numerous programs to assist the development of the state's economy:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Central Railroad", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Central Railroad may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Central Railroad (1914\u20131942)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Central Railroad, (OCR) earlier the Oklahoma Central \"Railway\", was a railroad operating in the U.S. state of Oklahoma from 1907 to 1917. It was formed by Dorset Carter of Purcell, Indian Territory, and other business interests in 1904 as the Canadian Valley and Western Railway. On August 19, 1905 the name was changed to Oklahoma Central Railway. Construction was started in Lehigh, Oklahoma, in 1906 and was completed to Chickasha, Oklahoma, in 1908. The route was primarily constructed to transport coal from the mines at Lehigh to Purcell in order to service steam locomotives on the Santa Fe, which maintained a division point at that location."}, {"context": " The OCR trackage consisted of from Lehigh to Chickasha that included the stations of Lehigh, Ada, Vanoss, Stratford, Byars, Rosedale, Purcell, Washington, Cole, Blanchard, Middelberg, Tabler, and Chickasha. In addition, a branch extended from a point west of Lehigh into additional coal mines in Coal County. The primary sources of revenue included transport of passengers and express, coal, cotton and cotton by-products, livestock, and building materials. After 1908 trains were operated as mixed trains."}, {"context": " Financing for the OCR was largely provided by investors on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, through a bond issue backed by veteran financial writer Frederik Van Oss. Carter, who was a prominent lawyer, banker, and developer in Purcell, I.T., approached Van Oss through a group of Chicago banking acquaintances and secured an initial issue of $852,000. Construction of the line began in late 1905 at Lehigh by the Canadian Valley Construction Company, which was also owned by Carter unbeknownst to the Dutch financiers. Preliminary cost estimates were quickly shown to be inadequate due to unexpected quantities of hard rock to be removed. The line was constructed with a maximum gradient of 2% and to Class I standards, despite being a short line."}, {"context": " Suspecting that a finance scam may have been underfoot, Van Oss sent a representative, Gerrit Middelberg, to Purcell to monitor the construction of the road and operations of the company. Middelberg's colorful letters belie a distaste for the living conditions and cuisine of the frontier, and a deep suspicion of Mr. Carter. In one letter he declares, \"it is now apparent that the forces behind the railway and the construction company are one and the same.\" Van Oss refused to send additional funds, and construction crews camped a few miles west of Blanchard while waiting for additional rails to arrive. The community that developed from this camp was named Middelberg, in an apparent attempt to curry favor with the hard-lined Dutch overseer."}, {"context": " In addition to the dummy construction company that was \"building\" the line, the OCR also involved itself in forced real estate developments. Rather than constructing its road through existing townships, the OCR routed two or three miles (5\u00a0km) away from the community. Management would then negotiate with local farmers to purchase land (using bond notes supplied by the Dutch) and then plat a new town around the railroad. The communities were given the option of purchasing the new lots (for cash) or attempting to survive without rail service. This practice was well documented by the Chickasaw News in 1906, a newspaper from McGee, I.T., which was relocated by this process three miles (5\u00a0km) to south and is now called Stratford. This also may have occurred at Blanchard and Stonewall."}, {"context": " The OCR went into receivership in June 1908 and Asa E. Ramsey was appointed as receiver. Trains were reduced to mixed service (passenger and freight on the same train), and cost-cutting measures were introduced. Unfortunately, the coal-burning steam locomotives of the Santa Fe had primarily switched to fuel oil, and the coal traffic from Lehigh became less profitable. A coal miner's strike in 1911 ended the mines and the OCR lost a major component of its revenue stream. On May 27, 1914, the Santa Fe obtained a five-year lease agreement with a $2,000,000 purchase option. Unable to meet its mounting construction debt, the line was sold to the Santa Fe in 1917 for 25 cents on each $1000 bond note, and was merged into the Santa Fe in 1942."}, {"context": " Tracks from Lehigh to Ada and Purcell to Byars were removed in 1934, and Purcell-Chickasha in 1941. The segment from Byars to Ada was operated as a branch until 1971. Chickasha to Cole trackage was removed in 1956, and Cole to Purcell was abandoned in 1964. The mainline of the OCR is on the west side of highway 75 as it enters town. At the south edge of town, a wye curved to the east to service mine No. 8. The tracks curved west sharply at the north edge of town and passed between two mine pits on a narrow patch of unexcavated ground."}, {"context": " Ada was reached by a long spur that left the mainline near the present location of the US-177 junction. The depot at Ada still stands on the west end of town. The Stratford depot is still standing on S. Hyden and is used as the city hall. From the south end of Byars Cemetery a large wooden trestle over a creek is still intact. The line passed directly behind the cemetery and curves to the north about 1 block west of it. North of town, the great earthworks that carried the OCR main line over the Santa Fe are still visible, including some cut off trestle pilings."}, {"context": " Buried in the woods behind a large metal industrial building are the remains of the bridge approaches over Walnut Creek. This wooden bridge was washed out by a flood at an unknown date. The only stretch of surviving OCR main line is in place across the street to the north of this, a single switch and hundred feet or so of track. The switch was the interchange wye with the Santa Fe's Purcell yards; after 1934 this was the only way OCR trackage was accessed to the West. As of 2015, this too has been removed and only the ties remain overgrown by trees.  The original depot was located between 13th and 14th on Main Street (present day 5th and 6th street and main) according to the Sanborn Map Company Feb, 1926. There are no remnants of the depot today. The excellent two story brick depot and offices are intact and presently being used by the Chickasha newspaper on the north side of town. The OCR crossed the present-day UP and BNSF diamonds at an angle from the southeast and backed into the station."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Christian Eagles and Lady Eagles", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Christian Eagles (also OC Eagles) are the athletic teams that represent Oklahoma Christian University, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Eagles compete as members of the Heartland Conference for all 12 varsity sports. Five OC teams garnered NAIA National Championships before the transition to NCAA Division II: Men's Golf in 2009 and 2011, Men's Cross Country in 2011, and Men's Tennis in 2003 and 2012. In addition, numerous OC athletes won individual NAIA National Titles in Golf, Tennis, Cross Country and Track & Field. In fall 2012, Oklahoma Christian won NCCAA national championships in Men's Cross Country and Men's Golf.  Men's sports Women's sports"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Christian School", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Christian School (OCS) is a private Christian school located in Edmond, Oklahoma serving grades Pre K-12. It is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and fully recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. OCS is a faith-based college preparatory school promoting academic preparation, Christian values and character development. The most notable alumnus is NBA star Blake Griffin, who won 4 consecutive state championships at OCS, then played for the University of Oklahoma before being drafted number 1 overall to play for the Clippers. In addition, another notable alumni is current Oklahoma Basketball player Read Streller, Class of 2017. OCS won a 2012 football state championship."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Christian School, originally known as the \"Christian Center School\", was founded in Fall 1970 and operated as an arm of the Christian Conquest Center Church in Oklahoma City. During the 1974-75 school year, the church decided to terminate the operation of the school as an arm of the church. Interested parents and teachers decided that the school must continue. The reorganized, independent school was incorporated as Oklahoma Christian Schools, Inc. on January 13, 1975. Thirteen seniors composed the Class of 1976, the school's first. In 1987, OCS moved to the MetroChurch campus in east Edmond, Oklahoma."}, {"context": " After renting facilities for approximately 20 years, OCS completed its first major building project in 1991-92. It included a gym complex, with eight new classrooms added in 1995. The facility also houses a band room, science laboratories and the middle school administrative offices. In 2000, after MetroChurch merged with Life Church (also in Edmond), the school began to convert church facilities to fully functional educational facilities. OCS completed its multi-purpose Student Center at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. This building, the first phase in OCS's campus expansion, houses a cafeteria, band room, classrooms, concession stand, football locker rooms, and a secondary gymnasium. The OCS Master Plan includes a long-term expansion plan that will eventually move OCS out of many of its present buildings into new facilities."}, {"context": " OCS has a chapel program under the leadership of the chapel council\u2014class chaplains and the STUCO Chaplain(s). This is a time of student-led worship, Bible reading, and messages either from administrators or outside speakers. It is not a non-denominational time, but rather an inter-denominational time in which students from all denominations are equally respected. Chapel is traditionally held every Wednesday, and classes on that day are each shortened to make time for the event. OCS students and faculty of all grades (Pre-K through Seniors) reserve one week of every school year to raise money for a charitable cause. HEROES stands for Hands Extended Reflecting Our Exalted Savior. Recipients have ranged from OCS students to families outside the student body to Westwood Elementary School in Oklahoma City to the No Boundaries International Missions Group in Sierra Leone, Africa. This week consists of many events such as movie night, a date auction, flamingo football, and teacher auction (teachers auction off notes, quizzes, tardy passes and homemade items). The largest grossing item to date is a seven-course homemade gourmet Italian dinner that collected over $300 a plate. At the end of the week, the school assembles in an all-school chapel assembly, and after worship songs and scripture readings, the check is presented to the families or the organization representative.  OCS is also home to FIRST Robotics Competition team number 3169. The \"Saint-Borgs\" have been competing for 3 seasons. Their latest robot, Hellen Kepler, performed in the semifinals of Rebound Rumble at the Oklahoma City regional competition. The OCS and team mascot is not a saint but a stick named Buzz, named after Buzz Aldrin."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Christian University", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Christian University (OC) is a private comprehensive coeducational Christian liberal arts university founded in 1950 by members of the Churches of Christ. Oklahoma Christian University is located on a campus in Oklahoma City, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Enrollment for the fall 2014 semester was a record 2,479 students. OC is ranked among the best \"Regional Universities\" in the 16-state West region by U.S. News and World Report and is listed by the Princeton Review as one of the best \"Best Western Colleges\". The University reported a 45% acceptance rate for fall 2012 applicants."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Christian University was originally named Central Christian College. It opened as a two-year college in 1950 with 97 students in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on the 152-acre (615,000 m\u00b2) former estate of L.V. Foster, a prominent oil businessman. L.R. Wilson was the college's first president, having founded Florida Christian College four years before. Harold Fletcher, now an OC emeritus professor of music, was the first faculty member hired for the new college. James O. Baird became the school's second president in 1954. Soon after, plans were made to move the campus to Oklahoma City. Groundbreaking occurred on the far north edge of Oklahoma City in 1957 and the university was relocated in 1958. It was renamed Oklahoma Christian College in 1959 and began offering the bachelor's degree, with its first senior class graduating in 1962. Full accreditation was obtained from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1965. In the 1990s, the school restructured its academic departments into separate colleges and the name of the institution was changed initially to Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts before being truncated to \"Oklahoma Christian University.\" In 1981, OC became the sponsor for The Christian Chronicle."}, {"context": " In August 2001, OC became one of the few college campuses nationwide, and the only in the state, at that time to provide campus-wide wireless Internet service and a personal laptop computer to every full-time student. In 2008, Oklahoma Christian University began providing Apple's MacBook to all full-time students and faculty. Included with each MacBook was the choice of an iPhone or an iPod touch. Beginning with the fall 2010, semester, students also had the option of choosing an iPad for an additional charge. OC now provides innovative Information Technology support for a \"Bring Your Own Device\" model. In 2013, OC's mobile computing program was honored as an Apple Distinguished Program."}, {"context": " Undergraduate degree programs include Accounting, Art, Bible, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Education, Electrical Engineering, English, Finance, Graphic Design, History, Interior Design, Journalism, Management, Marketing, Mass Communication, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Ministry, Music, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, Public Relations, and Spanish, among others. All Baccalaureate degrees require the completion of at least 126 semester hours. Not less than 30 hours must be earned in courses numbered 3000 or above, including at least 10 hours in the major field. Bachelor's degrees require completion of a core curriculum of 60 semester hour consisting of \"Basic Skills\" (14 hours), Bible (16 hours), \"Basic Perspectives\" (27 hours) and a 3-hour Senior Philosophy Seminar"}, {"context": " The university offers an Honors Program for highly motivated and skilled students. Honors Program participants must have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher, a minimum score on the ACT of 28 or SAT of 1250, evidence of writing skills, and be selected by interview. Through its Office of International Studies, OC offers a semester-long study programs in Europe, based in the university's Das Millicanhaus in Vienna, Austria. OC also has shorter study abroad options in Asia and Honduras, plus additional options through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)."}, {"context": " OC employs 112 full-time faculty members; more than 70 percent of whom hold a terminal degree in their respective fields. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 16-to-1. 88 percent of classes contain less than 30 students. In 2012, Oklahoma Christian joined the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference as part of its candidacy for full membership in NCAA Division II. OC also joined the National Christian College Athletic Association in 2012. The Eagles and Lady Eagles field varsity teams in Baseball, Men's & Women's Basketball, Men's & Women's Cross Country, Men's & Women's Golf, Men's & Women's Soccer, Softball, Men's & Women's Swimming, and Men's & Women's Track & Field."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Christian University is located two miles (3\u00a0km) west of U.S. Interstate 35 just south of the north Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond. While it is widely believed to be inside Edmond city limits, the campus is actually in Oklahoma City. The 240-acre (0.97 km2) campus is bounded by East Memorial Road to the south, Smiling Hills Boulevard to the north, S. Boulevard/N. Eastern Avenue to the west, and Benson Road and N. Bryant Road to the east. The main entrance to the campus is on Memorial Road and is marked by a large pond with a fountain. The campus contains more than 30 major buildings, with the majority built in an International and Mid-Century modern-influenced architectural style, unified through the use of red brick with light-colored stone ornamentations."}, {"context": " The main entrance leads directly to the center of campus. Prominently located in this area is the Williams-Branch Center for Biblical Studies (1987), which contains Scott Chapel. Directly north of Scott Chapel is the Mabee Learning Center (1966), which houses the Tom & Ada Beam Library, the Honors Program, and the Department of Language and Literature. The Beam Library contains more than 110,000 books and media, almost 30,000 electronic books, and access to more than 8,000 periodicals in electronic or print format. Located between the Williams-Branch Biblical Studies Center and the Beam Library's front entrance is the Thelma Gaylord Forum (1987), a heavily landscaped public space and amphitheatre intended as a relaxing study area and site for outdoor performances and events."}, {"context": " East of the Mabee Learning Center are four of OC's earliest buildings (1959): Benson Hall housed the Business Office for many years, but returned to its original use as the main administrative building in 2013; Cogswell-Alexander Hall contains the Registrar's Office and Information Technology offices; Gaylord Hall is the site of the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices; and Vose Hall contains science labs and classrooms. All four buildings center around the university's original quadrangle and fountain. North of the original quad is the Davisson American Heritage (DAH) Building (1970), which houses the Department of History and Political Science, the Department of Psychology and Family Studies, and the School of Education. North of DAH is the Noble Science Wing (2011) and Herold Science Hall, home of OC's student undergraduate research program, and the Prince Engineering Center (1988). The Prince Engineering Center is the location of OC's School of Engineering and its ABET-certified Mechanical, Electrical and Computer Engineering programs."}, {"context": " Located east of the main entrance is the 1,268-seat Hardeman Auditorium, the main campus venue for performances and convocations. Hardeman Auditorium is also the location of OC's daily Chapel programs. McIntosh Conservatory, an open meeting and performance space, links Hardeman with the Garvey Center (1978), consisting of Mabee Hall and Kresge Hall. Contained within the buildings are the Mabee Communications Center and the Fletcher Center for Music. Included in these areas are classroom, offices and studios for OC's Communications and Music departments. Also contained within this complex is the 275-seat Judd Theatre, designed for thrust or proscenium theatre productions, and the 190-seat Adams Recital Hall, an elegant and traditional space for solo and small group music performances."}, {"context": " East of Hardeman Auditorium is the Harvey Business Center (1980), housing the School of Business Administration and OC's Information Technology Services. Also in this area of campus is the building originally designed for \"Enterprise Square USA,\" an interactive museum dedicated to the promotion of American citizenship and free enterprise which operated from 1982 to 2002. OC's Alumni and Advancement offices currently operate out of this facility. The areas on the west side of the campus are largely devoted to student residences and recreation. The Gaylord University Center (1976/1997) contains the cafeteria, a snack bar, bookstore, health center, recreation areas and the Student Life and Student Government Association offices. North of the Gaylord University Center is the Payne Athletic Center (1970), site of a campus fitness facility, olympic-size swimming pool, the Physical Education and Athletics Department offices, and the \"Eagles' Nest\" gymnasium \u2013 OC's home court for basketball competition. In 2007, the Oklahoman named the Eagles' Nest as one of the top-100 athletic venues in state history."}, {"context": " Some of the newest additions to the OC campus lie between these buildings and the dormitories to the west. Lawson Commons, an outdoor mall area, contains McGraw Pavilion, a unique covered outdoor event space, and the Freede Centennial Tower, a clock tower that stands as a focal point on campus and commemorates the 2007 Oklahoma state centennial. In October 2009, the OC campus received a gift of more than 1,300 trees in five varieties through a partnership between the Tree Bank Foundation and the Apache Foundation that were planted across the campus."}, {"context": " In 2013, OC opened the Boker-Wedel Eagle Trail, a 5K path around the campus. The side-by-side asphalt and crushed granite running paths span a distance of 3.1 miles around the campus and feature lighting, landscaping and security phones. The trail connects with the growing Edmond running trails system and will eventually connect with the Oklahoma City running trails system. In April 2016, the University unveiled Hartman Place, a scripture garden and waterfall to be used as a place of devotion and reflection. One of the features of Hartman Place is a space designated for students to write, using chalk on slate, remembrances of loved ones they have lost."}, {"context": " OC provides almost 1,800 on-campus living spaces in 11 residence halls and nine apartment complexes. Dormitories are located on the western end of the campus. Apartment complexes, available to upperclass and married students, are located across Benson Road on the east end of campus The northern-most portions of the campus contain outdoor venues for soccer, softball (Tom Heath Field at Lawson Plaza), track and field (Vaughn Track), baseball (Dobson Field) and intramural sports. The university is guided by six \"defining values\": Faith, Scholarship, Integrity, Stewardship, Liberty and Leadership. OC retains a commitment to traditional biblical principles as expressed through the \"Oklahoma Christian Covenant,\" which emphasizes that the \"values and behavior of this Christian community are derived from the Bible.\" The covenant is described by the university as:"}, {"context": " Attendance at OC is open to all students, regardless of religious affiliation, who agree to abide by the ideals of the covenant. Full-time faculty and staff are required to be active members of a church of Christ. Attendance at daily Chapel services (with a set number of allowed absences) is mandatory for all full-time students. OC operated Cascade College, a branch campus in Portland, Oregon, from 1994 until it closed in May 2009. Like OC, Cascade's full-time faculty and majority of the students were members of Churches of Christ. In 1992, the Oklahoma Christian University Board of Trustees assumed the operation of the former Columbia Christian College after it suffered serious financial difficulties and lost accreditation. A year after Columbia closed, the new branch campus opened in 1994 as Cascade College. The North Central Association agreed that the accreditation of Oklahoma Christian, Oklahoma City, could extend to Cascade if close ties and supervision were maintained. In October 2008, the OC Board of Trustees announced that Cascade College would close after the Spring 2009 semester was complete. Dr. Bill Goad served as the last president of Cascade, and now serves as OC's Executive Vice President."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City (), often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 27th among United States cities in population. The population grew following the 2010 Census, with the population estimated to have increased to 643,648 as of July 2017. As of 2015, the Oklahoma City metropolitan area had a population of 1,358,452, and the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area had a population of 1,459,758 residents, making it Oklahoma's largest metropolitan area."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City's city limits extend into Canadian, Cleveland, and Pottawatomie counties, though much of those areas outside the core Oklahoma County area are suburban or rural (watershed). The city ranks as the ninth-largest city in the United States by total area (including consolidated city-counties; it is the second largest city in the United States by total area, after Houston, whose government is similarly not consolidated with that of a county or borough). Lying in the Great Plains region, Oklahoma City has one of the world's largest livestock markets. Oil, natural gas, petroleum products and related industries are the largest sector of the local economy. The city is in the middle of an active oil field and oil derricks dot the capitol grounds. The federal government employs large numbers of workers at Tinker Air Force Base and the United States Department of Transportation's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (these two sites house several offices of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Department's Enterprise Service Center, respectively)."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City is on the I-35 Corridor, which is one of the primary travel corridors south into neighboring Texas and Mexico and north towards Wichita and Kansas City. Located in the state's Frontier Country region, the city's northeast section lies in an ecological region known as the Cross Timbers. The city was founded during the Land Run of 1889, and grew to a population of over 10,000 within hours of its founding. The city was the scene of the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, in which 168 people died. It was the deadliest terror attack in the history of the United States until the attacks of September 11, 2001, and remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history."}, {"context": " Since the time weather records have been kept, Oklahoma City has been struck by thirteen strong tornadoes; eleven of these tornadoes were rated F4 or EF4 on the Fujita and Enhanced Fujita scales, and two were rated F5 or EF5. Since 2008, Oklahoma City has been home to the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Oklahoma City Thunder, who play their home basketball games at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Oklahoma City was settled on April 22, 1889, when the area known as the \"Unassigned Lands\" was opened for settlement in an event known as \"The Land Run\". Some 10,000 homesteaders settled the area that would become the capital of Oklahoma. The town grew quickly; the population doubled between 1890 and 1900. Early leaders of the development of the city included Anton Classen, John Shartel, Henry Overholser and James W. Maney."}, {"context": " By the time Oklahoma was admitted to the Union in 1907, Oklahoma City had surpassed Guthrie, the territorial capital, as the new state's population center and commercial hub. Soon after, the capital was moved from Guthrie to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City was a major stop on Route 66 during the early part of the 20th century; it was prominently mentioned in Bobby Troup's 1946 jazz song \"(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66\" made famous by artist Nat King Cole. Before World War II, Oklahoma City developed major stockyards, attracting jobs and revenue formerly in Chicago and Omaha, Nebraska. With the 1928 discovery of oil within the city limits (including under the State Capitol), Oklahoma City became a major center of oil production. Post-war growth accompanied the construction of the Interstate Highway System, which made Oklahoma City a major interchange as the convergence of I-35, I-40 and I-44. It was also aided by federal development of Tinker Air Force Base."}, {"context": " In 1950, the Census Bureau reported city's population as 8.6% black and 90.7% white. Patience Latting was elected Mayor of Oklahoma City in 1971, becoming the city's first female mayor. Latting was also the first woman to serve as mayor of a U.S. city with over 350,000 residents. Like many other American cities, center city population declined in the 1970s and 1980s as families followed newly constructed highways to move to newer housing in nearby suburbs. Urban renewal projects in the 1970s, including the Pei Plan, removed older structures but failed to spark much new development, leaving the city dotted with vacant lots used for parking. A notable exception was the city's construction of the Myriad Gardens and Crystal Bridge, a botanical garden and modernistic conservatory in the heart of downtown. Architecturally significant historic buildings lost to clearances were the Criterion Theater, the Baum Building, the Hales Building, and the Biltmore Hotel."}, {"context": " In 1993, the city passed a massive redevelopment package known as the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS), intended to rebuild the city's core with civic projects to establish more activities and life to downtown. The city added a new baseball park; central library; renovations to the civic center, convention center and fairgrounds; and a water canal in the Bricktown entertainment district. Water taxis transport passengers within the district, adding color and activity along the canal. MAPS has become one of the most successful public-private partnerships undertaken in the U.S., exceeding $3\u00a0billion in private investment as of 2010. As a result of MAPS, the population living in downtown housing has exponentially increased, together with demand for additional residential and retail amenities, such as grocery, services, and shops."}, {"context": " Since the MAPS projects' completion, the downtown area has seen continued development. Several downtown buildings are undergoing renovation/restoration. Notable among these was the restoration of the Skirvin Hotel in 2007. The famed First National Center is being renovated. Residents of Oklahoma City suffered substantial losses on April 19, 1995 when Timothy McVeigh detonated a bomb in front of the Murrah building. The building was destroyed (the remnants of which had to be imploded in a controlled demolition later that year), more than 100 nearby buildings suffered severe damage, and 168 people were killed. The site has been commemorated as the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Since its opening in 2000, over three million people have visited. Every year on April 19, survivors, families and friends return to the memorial to read the names of each person lost. On June 11, 2001, McVeigh was executed by lethal injection."}, {"context": " The \"Core-to-Shore\" project was created to relocate I-40 one mile (1.6\u00a0km) south and replace it with a boulevard to create a landscaped entrance to the city. This also allows the central portion of the city to expand south and connect with the shore of the Oklahoma River. Several elements of \"Core to Shore\" were included in the MAPS 3 proposal approved by voters in late 2009. Oklahoma City lies along one of the primary corridors into Texas and Mexico, and is a three-hour drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The city is in the Frontier Country region in the center of the state, making it an ideal location for state government."}, {"context": " According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Oklahoma City lies in the Sandstone Hills region of Oklahoma, known for hills of 250 to and two species of oak: blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) and post oak (Q. stellata). The northeastern part of the city and its eastern suburbs fall into an ecological region known as the Cross Timbers. The city is roughly bisected by the North Canadian River (recently renamed the Oklahoma River inside city limits). The North Canadian once had sufficient flow to flood every year, wreaking destruction on surrounding areas, including the central business district and the original Oklahoma City Zoo. In the 1940s, a dam was built on the river to manage the flood control and reduced its level. In the 1990s, as part of the citywide revitalization project known as MAPS, the city built a series of low-water dams, returning water to the portion of the river flowing near downtown. The city has three large lakes: Lake Hefner and Lake Overholser, in the northwestern quarter of the city; and the largest, Lake Stanley Draper, in the city's sparsely populated far southeast portion."}, {"context": " The population density normally reported for Oklahoma City using the area of its city limits can be misleading. Its urbanized zone covers roughly resulting in a density of 2,500 per square mile (2013 est), compared with larger rural watershed areas incorporated by the city, which cover the remaining of the city limits. Oklahoma City is one of the largest cities in the nation in compliance with the Clean Air Act. Oklahoma City neighborhoods are extremely varied; pin-neat affluent historic neighborhoods sit next to districts that have not wholly recovered from economic and social decline of the 1970s and 1980s."}, {"context": " The city is bisected geographically and culturally by the North Canadian River, which basically divides North Oklahoma City and South Oklahoma City.The north side is characterized by very diverse and fashionable urban neighborhoods near the city center and sprawling suburbs further north. South Oklahoma City is generally more blue collar working class and significantly more industrial, having grown up around the Stockyards and meat packing plants at the turn of the century, and is the center of the city's rapidly growing Latino community."}, {"context": " Downtown Oklahoma City, which has 7,600 residents, is seeing an influx of new private investment and large scale public works projects, which have helped to resuscitate a central business district left almost deserted by the Oil Bust of the early 1980s. The centerpiece of downtown is the newly renovated Crystal Bridge and Myriad Botanical Gardens, one of the few elements of the Pei Plan to be completed. In 2021 a massive new central park will link the gardens near the CBD and the new convention center to be built just south of it to the North Canadian River, as part of a massive works project known as \"Core to Shore\"; the new park is part of MAPS3, a collection of civic projects funded by a one-cent temporary (seven-year) sales tax increase."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City has a humid subtropical climate (K\u00f6ppen: Cfa), featuring hot, humid summers, and cool winters with occasional snowfall. Prolonged and severe droughts (sometimes leading to wildfires in the vicinity) as well as very heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding and flooding occur with some regularity. Consistent winds, usually from the south or south-southeast during the summer, help temper the hotter weather. Consistent northerly winds during the winter can intensify cold periods. Severe ice storms and snowstorms happen sporadically during the winter."}, {"context": " The average temperature is , with the monthly daily average ranging from in January to in July. Extremes range from on February 12, 1899 to on August 11, 1936 and August 3, 2012; the last sub-zero (\u00b0F) reading was on January 7, 2017. Temperatures reach on 10.4 days of the year, on nearly 70 days, and fail to rise above freezing on 8.3 days. The city receives about of precipitation annually, of which is snow. The report \"Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment\" (NCA) from 2013 by NOAA, projects that parts of the Great Plains region can expect up to 30% (high emissions scenario based on CMIP3 and NARCCAP models) increase in extreme precipitation days by mid-century. This definition is based on days receiving more than one inch of rainfall."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City has a very active severe weather season from March through June, especially during April and May. Being in the center of what is colloquially referred to as Tornado Alley, it is prone to especially frequent and severe tornadoes, as well as very severe hailstorms and occasional derechoes. Tornadoes have occurred in every month of the year and a secondary smaller peak also occurs during autumn, especially October. The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is one of the most tornado-prone major cities in the world, with about 150 tornadoes striking within the city limits since 1890. Since the time weather records have been kept, Oklahoma City has been struck by thirteen violent tornadoes, eleven F/EF4s and two F/EF5s."}, {"context": " On May 3, 1999, parts of Oklahoma City and surrounding communities were impacted by a tornado. It was the last U.S. tornado to be given a rating of F5 on the Fujita scale before the Enhanced Fujita scale replaced it in 2007. While the tornado was in the vicinity of Bridge Creek to the southwest, wind speeds of were estimated by a mobile Doppler radar, the highest wind speeds ever recorded on Earth. A second top-of-the-scale tornado occurred on May 20, 2013; South Oklahoma City, along with Newcastle and Moore, was hit by an EF5 tornado. The tornado was wide and killed 23 people. On May 31, less than two weeks after the May 20 event, another outbreak affected the Oklahoma City area. Within Oklahoma City, the system spawned an EF1 and an EF0 tornado, and in El Reno to the west, an EF3 tornado occurred. This lattermost tornado, which was heading in the direction of Oklahoma City before it dissipated, had a width of , making it the widest tornado ever recorded. Additionally, winds of > were measured, one of the two highest wind records for a tornado."}, {"context": " With of rainfall, May 2015 was by far Oklahoma City's record-wettest month since record keeping began in 1890. Across Oklahoma and Texas generally, there was record flooding in the latter part of the month. According to the 2010 census, the racial composition of Oklahoma City was as follows: As of the 2010 census, there were 579,999 people, 230,233 households, and 144,120 families residing in the city. The population density was 956.4 inhabitants per square mile (321.9/km\u00b2). There were 256,930 housing units at an average density of 375.9 per square mile (145.1/km\u00b2)."}, {"context": " Of Oklahoma City's 579,999 people, 44,541 reside in Canadian County, 63,723 reside in Cleveland County, 471,671 reside in Oklahoma County, and 64 reside in Pottawatomie County. There were 230,233 households, 29.4% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. One person households account for 30.5% of all households and 8.7% of all households had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.11."}, {"context": " The median income for a household in the city was $48,557 and the median income for a family was $62,527. The per capita income for the city was $26,208. 17.1% of the population and 12.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.0% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. In the 2000 Census, Oklahoma City's age composition was 25.5% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City has experienced significant population increases since the late 1990s. Since the official Census in 2000, Oklahoma City has grown 25 percent (a 125,214 raw increase) according to the Bureau estimates. The 2016 estimate of 638,367 is the largest population Oklahoma City has ever recorded. It is the first city in the state to record a population greater than 600,000 residents. It is also the first city in the Great Plains region to record a population greater than 600,000 residents. It is the largest municipal population of the Great Plains region (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota)."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City is the principal city of the eight-county Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area in Central Oklahoma and is the state's largest urbanized area. As of 2015, the metropolitan area was the 41st largest in the nation based on population. Law enforcement claims Oklahoma City has traditionally been the territory of the notorious Ju\u00e1rez Cartel, but the Sinaloa Cartel has been reported as trying to establish a foothold in Oklahoma City. There are many rival gangs in Oklahoma City, one whose headquarters has been established in the city, the Southside Locos, traditionally known as Sure\u00f1os."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City also has its share of violent crimes, particularly in the 1970s. The worst of which occurred in 1978, when six employees of a Sirloin Stockade restaurant on the city's south side were murdered execution-style in the restaurant's freezer. An intensive investigation followed, and the three individuals involved, who also killed three others in Purcell, Oklahoma, were identified. One, Harold Stafford, died in a motorcycle accident in Tulsa not long after the restaurant murders. Another, Verna Stafford, was sentenced to life without parole after being granted a new trial after she had been sentenced to death. Roger Dale Stafford, considered the mastermind of the murder spree, was executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in 1995."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Police Department has a uniformed force of 1,169 officers and 300+ civilian employees. The department has a central police station and five substations covering 2,500 police reporting districts that average 1/4 square mile in size. On April 19, 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was destroyed by a fertilizer bomb manufactured and detonated by Timothy McVeigh. The blast and catastrophic collapse killed 168 people and injured over 680. The blast shock-wave destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a 340-meter radius, destroyed or burned 86 cars, and shattered glass in 258 nearby buildings, causing at least an estimated $652\u00a0million worth of damage. McVeigh was convicted and subsequently executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001."}, {"context": " The economy of Oklahoma City, once just a regional power center of government and energy exploration, has since diversified to include the sectors of information technology, services, health services, and administration. The city is headquarters to two Fortune 500 companies: Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy, as well as being home to Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, which is ranked thirteenth on Forbes' list of private companies. As of July 2014, the Top 15 employers in the city were: Other major corporations with a large presence (over 1000 employees) in the city of Oklahoma City include Dell, The Hertz Corporation, United Parcel Service, Farmers Insurance Group, Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Cox Communications, The Boeing Company, Deaconess Hospital, Johnson Controls, MidFirst Bank, American Fidelity Assurance, Rose State College, and Continental Resources."}, {"context": " While not in the city limits, other large employers within the Oklahoma City MSA include United States Air Force \u2013 Tinker AFB (27,000); University of Oklahoma (11,900); University of Central Oklahoma (2,900); and Norman Regional Hospital (2,800). According to the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the metropolitan area's economic output grew by 33% between 2001 and 2005 due chiefly to economic diversification. Its gross metropolitan product (GMP) was $43.1\u00a0billion in 2005 and grew to $61.1\u00a0billion in 2009. By 2016 the GMP had grown to $73.8\u00a0billion."}, {"context": " In 2008, \"Forbes\" magazine named Oklahoma City the most \"recession proof city in America\". The magazine reported that the city had falling unemployment, one of the strongest housing markets in the country and solid growth in energy, agriculture and manufacturing. However, during the early 1980s, Oklahoma City had one of the worst job and housing markets due to the bankruptcy of Penn Square Bank in 1982 and then the post-1985 crash in oil prices (oil bust). In 2013, \"Forbes\" ranked Oklahoma City at #8 on its list of the \"Best Places for Business and Careers\"."}, {"context": " In 2014, \"Forbes\" ranked the city at #7 on its list of \"Best Places for Business\". In 2017 and 2018, \"WalletHub\" ranked the city first on its list of \"Best Large Cities to Start a Business\". Business and entertainment districts (and to a lesser extent local neighborhoods) tend to maintain their boundaries and character through the application of zoning regulations and business improvement districts (districts where property owners agree to a property tax surcharge to support additional services for the community). Through zoning regulations, historic districts, and other special zoning districts, including overlay districts, are well established. Oklahoma City has three business improvement districts, including one encompassing the central business district."}, {"context": " The Donald W. Reynolds Visual Arts Center is the new downtown home for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The museum features visiting exhibits, original selections from its own collection, a theater showing a variety of foreign, independent, and classic films each week, and a restaurant. OKCMOA is also home to the most comprehensive collection of Chihuly glass in the world including the 55-foot Eleanor Blake Kirkpatrick Memorial Tower in the Museum's atrium. The art deco Civic Center Music Hall, which was totally renovated in 2001, has performances from the Oklahoma City Ballet, the Oklahoma City Opera, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and also various concerts and traveling Broadway shows."}, {"context": " Other theaters include Lyric Theatre, Jewel Box Theatre, Kirkpatrick Auditorium, the Poteet Theatre, the Oklahoma City Community College Bruce Owen Theater and the 488-seat Petree Recital Hall, at the Oklahoma City University campus. The university also opened the Wanda L Bass School of Music and auditorium in April 2006. The Science Museum Oklahoma (formerly Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum at Omniplex) houses exhibits on science, aviation, and an IMAX theater. The museum formerly housed the International Photography Hall of Fame (IPHF) that exhibits photographs and artifacts from a large collection of cameras and other artifacts preserving the history of photography. IPHF honors those who have made significant contributions to the art and/or science of photography and relocated to St. Louis, Missouri in 2013."}, {"context": " The Museum of Osteology houses more than 300 real animal skeletons. Focusing on the form and function of the skeletal system, this museum displays hundreds of skulls and skeletons from all corners of the world. Exhibits include adaptation, locomotion, classification and diversity of the vertebrate kingdom. The Museum of Osteology is the only one of its kind in America. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum has galleries of western art and is home to the Hall of Great Western Performers. In contrast, the city will also be home to The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum that began construction in 2009 (although completion of the facility has been held up due to insufficient funding), on the south side of Interstate 40, southeast from Bricktown."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City National Memorial in the northern part of Oklahoma City's downtown was created as the inscription on its eastern gate of the Memorial reads, \"to honor the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995\"; the memorial was built on the land formerly occupied by the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building complex prior to its 1995 bombing. The outdoor Symbolic Memorial can be visited 24 hours a day for free, and the adjacent Memorial Museum, in the former \"Journal Record\" building damaged by the bombing, can be entered for a small fee. The site is also home to the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank devoted to the prevention of terrorism."}, {"context": " The American Banjo Museum in the Bricktown Entertainment district is dedicated to preserving and promoting the music and heritage of the banjo. Its collection is valued at $3.5\u00a0million, and an interpretive exhibit tells the evolution of the banjo from its roots in American slavery, to bluegrass, to folk and to world music. The Oklahoma History Center is the history museum of the state of Oklahoma. Across the street from the governor's mansion at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in northeast Oklahoma City, the museum opened in 2005 and is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. It preserves the history of Oklahoma from the prehistoric to the present day."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City is home to several professional sports teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association. The Thunder is the city's second \"permanent\" major professional sports franchise after the now-defunct AFL Oklahoma Wranglers and is the third major-league team to call the city home when considering the temporary hosting of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for the 2005\u201306 and 2006\u201307 NBA seasons. Other professional sports clubs in Oklahoma City include the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Oklahoma City Energy FC of the United Soccer League, and the Crusaders of Oklahoma Rugby Football Club of USA Rugby. The Oklahoma City Blazers, a name used for decades of the city's hockey team in the Central Hockey League has been used for a junior team in the Western States Hockey League since 2014."}, {"context": " Chesapeake Energy Arena in downtown is the main multipurpose arena in the city which hosts concerts, NHL exhibition games, and many of the city's pro sports teams. In 2008, the Oklahoma City Thunder became the major tenant. Nearby in Bricktown, the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is the home to the city's baseball team, the Dodgers. \"The Brick,\" as it is locally known, is considered one of the finest minor league parks in the nation. Oklahoma City is the annual host of the Big 12 Baseball Tournament, the World Cup of Softball, and the annual NCAA Women's College World Series. The city has held the 2005 NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second round and hosted the Big 12 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments in 2007 and 2009. The major universities in the area \u2013 University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, and Oklahoma State University \u2013 often schedule major basketball games and other sporting events at Chesapeake Energy Arena and Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, although most home games are played at their campus stadiums."}, {"context": " Other major sporting events include Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing circuits at Remington Park and numerous horse shows and equine events that take place at the state fairgrounds each year. There are numerous golf courses and country clubs spread around the city. The state of Oklahoma hosts a highly competitive high school football culture, with many teams in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) organizes high school football into eight distinct classes based on the size of school enrollment. Beginning with the largest, the classes are: 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, and C. Class 6A is broken into two divisions. Oklahoma City area schools in this division include Edmond Memorial, Mustang, Moore, Yukon, Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe, Norman North, Westmoore, Southmoore, Putnam City North, Norman, Putnam City, Putnam City West, U.S. Grant, and Midwest City."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has called Oklahoma City home since the 2008\u201309 season, when owner Clay Bennett relocated the franchise from Seattle, Washington. The Thunder play home games at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, known affectionately in the national media as 'the Peake' and 'Loud City'. The Thunder is known by several nicknames, including \"OKC Thunder\" and simply \"OKC,\" and its mascot is Rumble the Bison. After an arrival to Oklahoma City for the 2008\u201309 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a berth (8th) in the 2010 NBA Playoffs the next year after boasting its first 50-win season, winning two games in the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2012, Oklahoma City made it to the NBA Finals, but lost to the Miami Heat in five games. In 2013 the Thunder reached the Western Conference semi-finals without All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, who was injured in their first round series against the Houston Rockets, only to lose to the Memphis Grizzlies. In 2014 Oklahoma City again reached the NBA's Western Conference Finals but eventually lost to the San Antonio Spurs in six games."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Thunder has been regarded by sports analysts as one of the elite franchises of the NBA's Western Conference and that of a media darling as the future of the league. Oklahoma City has earned Northwest Division titles every year since 2009, until 2017, and has consistently improved its win record to 59-wins in 2014. The Thunder is led by third year head coach Billy Donovan and is anchored by All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the NBA's New Orleans Hornets (now the New Orleans Pelicans) temporarily relocated to the Ford Center, playing the majority of its home games there during the 2005\u201306 and 2006\u201307 seasons. The team became the first NBA franchise to play regular-season games in the state of Oklahoma. The team was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets while playing in Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " The team ultimately returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007\u201308 season. The Hornets played their final home game in Oklahoma City during the exhibition season on October 9, 2007 against the Houston Rockets. One of the more prominent landmarks downtown is the Crystal Bridge at the Myriad Botanical Gardens, a large downtown urban park. Designed by I. M. Pei, the Crystal Bridge is a tropical conservatory in the area. The park has an amphitheater, known as the Water Stage. In 2007, following a renovation of the stage, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park relocated to the Myriad Gardens. The Myriad Gardens will undergo a massive renovation in conjunction with the recently built Devon Tower directly north of it."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is home to numerous natural habitats, WPA era architecture and landscaping, and hosts major touring concerts during the summer at its amphitheater. Oklahoma City also has two amusement parks, Frontier City theme park and White Water Bay water park. Frontier City is an 'Old West'-themed amusement park. The park also features a recreation of a western gunfight at the 'OK Corral' and many shops that line the \"Western\" town's main street. Frontier City also hosts a national concert circuit at its amphitheater during the summer. Oklahoma City also has a combination racetrack and casino open year-round, Remington Park, which hosts both Quarter Horse (March \u2013 June) and Thoroughbred (August \u2013 December) seasons."}, {"context": " Walking trails line Lake Hefner and Lake Overholser in the northwest part of the city and downtown at the canal and the Oklahoma River. The majority of the east shore area is taken up by parks and trails, including a new leashless dog park and the postwar-era Stars and Stripes Park. Lake Stanley Draper is the city's largest and most remote lake. Oklahoma City has a major park in each quadrant of the city, going back to the first parks masterplan. Will Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, Trosper Park, and Woodson Park were once connected by the Grand Boulevard loop, some sections of which no longer exist. Martin Park Nature Center is a natural habitat in far northwest Oklahoma City. Will Rogers Park is home to the Lycan Conservatory, the Rose Garden, and Butterfly Garden, all built in the WPA era. Oklahoma City is home to the American Banjo Museum, which houses a large collection of highly decorated banjos from the early 20th century and exhibits on the history of the banjo and its place in American history. Concerts and lectures are also held there."}, {"context": " In April 2005, the Oklahoma City Skate Park at Wiley Post Park was renamed the Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park to recognize Mat Hoffman, an Oklahoma City area resident and businessman that was instrumental in the design of the skate park and is a 10-time BMX World Vert champion. In March 2009, the Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park was named by the National Geographic Society Travel Guide as one of the \"Ten Best.\" The City of Oklahoma City has operated under a council-manager form of city government since 1927. David Holt assumed the office of Mayor on April\u00a010, 2018 after being elected two months earlier. Eight councilpersons represent each of the eight wards of Oklahoma City. City Manager Jim Couch was appointed in late 2000. Couch was assistant city manager, Metropolitan Area Projects Plan (MAPS) director and utilities director prior to his service as city manager."}, {"context": " Similar to many American cities, Oklahoma City is politically conservative in its suburbs, and liberal in the central city. The city has called on residents to vote for sales tax-based projects to revitalize parts of the city. The Bricktown district is the best example of such an initiative. In the recent MAPS 3 vote, the city's fraternal order of police criticized the project proposals for not doing enough to expand the police presence to keep up with the growing residential population and increased commercial activity. In September 2013, Oklahoma City area attorney David Slane announced he would pursue legal action regarding MAPS3, on claims the multiple projects that made up the plan violate a state constitutional law limiting voter ballot issues to a single subject."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City has seven sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International: The city is home to several colleges and universities. Oklahoma City University, formerly known as Epworth University, was founded by the United Methodist Church on September 1, 1904 and is known for its performing arts, science, mass communications, business, law, and athletic programs. OCU has its main campus in the north-central section of the city, near the city's Chinatown area. OCU Law is in the Midtown district near downtown, in the old Central High School building."}, {"context": " The University of Oklahoma has several institutions of higher learning in the city and metropolitan area, with OU Medicine and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campuses east of downtown in the Oklahoma Health Center district, and the main campus to the south in the suburb of Norman. The OU Medicine hosting the state's only Level-One trauma center. OU Health Sciences Center is one of the nation's largest independent medical centers, employing more than 12,000 people. OU is one of only four major universities in the nation to operate six medical schools."}, {"context": " The third-largest university in the state, the University of Central Oklahoma, is just north of the city in the suburb of Edmond. Oklahoma Christian University, one of the state's private liberal arts institutions, is just south of the Edmond border, inside the Oklahoma City limits. Oklahoma City Community College in south Oklahoma City is the second-largest community college in the state. Rose State College is east of Oklahoma City in suburban Midwest City. Oklahoma State University\u2013Oklahoma City is in the \"Furniture District\" on the Westside. Northeast of the city is Langston University, the state's historically black college (HBCU). Langston also has an urban campus in the eastside section of the city. Southern Nazarene University, which was founded by the Church of the Nazarene, is a university in suburban Bethany, which is surrounded by the Oklahoma City city limits."}, {"context": " Although technically not a university, the FAA's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center has many aspects of an institution of higher learning. Its FAA Academy is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) has a medical education division responsible for aeromedical education in general as well as the education of aviation medical examiners in the U.S. and 93 other countries. In addition, The National Academy of Science offers Research Associateship Programs for fellowship and other grants for CAMI research."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City is home to the state's largest school district, Oklahoma City Public Schools. The district's Classen School of Advanced Studies and Harding Charter Preparatory High School rank high among public schools nationally according to a formula that looks at the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by the school's students divided by the number of graduating seniors. In addition, OKCPS's Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School was named the top middle school in the state according to the Academic Performance Index, and recently received the Blue Ribbon School Award, in 2004 and again in 2011. KIPP Reach College Preparatory School in Oklahoma City received the 2012 National Blue Ribbon along with its school leader, Tracy McDaniel Sr., being awarded the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding Leadership."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, a school for some of the state's most gifted math and science pupils, is also in Oklahoma City. Due to Oklahoma City's explosive growth, parts of several suburban districts spill into the city, including Putnam City School District in the northwest, Moore Public Schools in the south, and Mid-Del School District in the southeast. The city also boasts a number of private and parochial schools. Casady School and Heritage Hall School are both examples of a private college preparatory school with vigorous academics that range among the top in Oklahoma. Providence Hall is a Protestant school. Two prominent schools of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City include Bishop McGuinness High School and Mount Saint Mary High School. Other private schools include Crossings Christian School."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City has several public career and technology education schools associated with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, the largest of which are Metro Technology Center and Francis Tuttle Technology Center. Private career and technology education schools in Oklahoma City include Oklahoma Technology Institute, Platt College, Vatterott College, and Heritage College. The Dale Rogers Training Center in Oklahoma City is a nonprofit vocational training center for individuals with disabilities."}, {"context": " \"The Oklahoman\" is Oklahoma City's major daily newspaper and is the most widely circulated in the state. NewsOK.com is the Oklahoman's online presence. \"Oklahoma Gazette\" is Oklahoma City's independent newsweekly, featuring such staples as local commentary, feature stories, restaurant reviews and movie listings and music and entertainment. \"The Journal Record\" is the city's daily business newspaper, and \"okcBIZ\" is a monthly publication that covers business news affecting those who live and work in Central Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Numerous community and international newspapers cater to the city's ethnic mosaic, such as \"The Black Chronicle\", headquartered in the Eastside, the OK VIETIMES and \"Oklahoma Chinese Times\", in Asia District, and various Hispanic community publications. \"The Campus\" is the student newspaper at Oklahoma City University. Gay publications include \"The Gayly Oklahoman\". An upscale lifestyle publication called \"Slice Magazine\" is circulated throughout the metropolitan area. In addition, there is a magazine published by \"Back40 Design Group\" called \"The Edmond Outlook\". It contains local commentary and human interest pieces direct-mailed to over 50,000 Edmond residents."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City was home to several pioneers in radio and television broadcasting. Oklahoma City's WKY Radio was the first radio station transmitting west of the Mississippi River and the third radio station in the United States. WKY received its federal license in 1921 and has continually broadcast under the same call letters since 1922. In 1928, WKY was purchased by E.K. Gaylord's Oklahoma Publishing Company and affiliated with the NBC Red Network; in 1949, WKY-TV (channel 4) went on the air and later became the first independently owned television station in the U.S. to broadcast in color. In mid-2002, WKY radio was purchased outright by Citadel Broadcasting, who was bought out by Cumulus Broadcasting in 2011. The Gaylord family earlier sold WKY-TV in 1976, which has gone through a succession of owners (what is now KFOR-TV is owned by Tribune Broadcasting as of December 2013)."}, {"context": " The major U.S. broadcast television networks have affiliates in the Oklahoma City market (ranked 41st for television by Nielsen and 48th for radio by Arbitron, covering a 34-county area serving the central, north-central and west-central sections of Oklahoma); including NBC affiliate KFOR-TV (channel 4), ABC affiliate KOCO-TV (channel 5), CBS affiliate KWTV-DT (channel 9, the flagship of locally based Griffin Communications), PBS station KETA-TV (channel 13, the flagship of the state-run OETA member network), Fox affiliate KOKH-TV (channel 25), CW affiliate KOCB (channel 34), independent station KAUT-TV (channel 43), MyNetworkTV affiliate KSBI-TV (channel 52), and Ion Television owned-and-operated station KOPX-TV (channel 62). The market is also home to several religious stations including TBN owned-and-operated station KTBO-TV (channel 14) and Norman-based Daystar owned-and-operated station KOCM (channel 46)."}, {"context": " Despite the market's geographical size, none of the English-language commercial affiliates in the Oklahoma City designated market area operate full-power satellite stations covering the far northwestern part of the state (requiring cable or satellite to view them), though KFOR-TV, KOCO-TV, KWTV-DT and KOKH-TV each operate low-power translators in that portion of the market. Oklahoma City is one of the few markets between Chicago and Dallas to have affiliates of two or more of the major Spanish-language broadcast networks: Telemundo affiliate KTUZ-TV (channel 30), Woodward-based Univision affiliate KUOK 35 (whose translator KUOK-CD, channel 36, serves the immediate Oklahoma City area), Azteca affiliate KOHC-CD (channel 45) and Estrella TV affiliate KOCY-LP (channel 48)."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City is protected by the Oklahoma City Fire Department (OKCFD), which employs 1015 paid, professional firefighters. The current Chief of Department is G. Keith Bryant, the department is also commanded by three Deputy Chiefs, who \u2013 along with the department chief \u2013 oversee the Operational Services, Prevention Services, and Support Services bureaus. The OKCFD operates out of 37 fire stations throughout the city in six battalions. The OKCFD also operates a fire apparatus fleet of 36 engines (including 30 paramedic engines), 13 ladders, 16 brush patrol units, six water tankers, two hazardous materials units, one Technical Rescue Unit, one Air Supply Unit, six Arson Investigation Units, and one Rehabilitation Unit. Each engine is staffed with a driver, an officer, and one to two firefighters, while each ladder company is staffed with a driver, an officer, and one firefighter. Minimum staffing per shift is 213 personnel. The Oklahoma City Fire Department responds to over 70,000 emergency calls annually."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City is an integral point on the United States Interstate Network, with three major interstate highways \u2013 Interstate 35, Interstate 40, and Interstate 44 \u2013 bisecting the city. Interstate 240 connects Interstate 40 and Interstate 44 in south Oklahoma City, while Interstate 235 spurs from Interstate 44 in north-central Oklahoma City into downtown. Major state expressways through the city include Lake Hefner Parkway (SH-74), the Kilpatrick Turnpike, Airport Road (SH-152), and Broadway Extension (US-77) which continues from I-235 connecting Central Oklahoma City to Edmond. Lake Hefner Parkway runs through northwest Oklahoma City, while Airport Road runs through southwest Oklahoma City and leads to Will Rogers World Airport. The Kilpatrick Turnpike loops around north and west Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City also has several major national and state highways within its city limits. Shields Boulevard (US-77) continues from E.K. Gaylord Boulevard in downtown Oklahoma City and runs south eventually connecting to I-35 near the suburb of Moore, Oklahoma. Northwest Expressway (Oklahoma State Highway 3) runs from North Classen Boulevard in north-central Oklahoma City to the northwestern suburbs. Oklahoma City is traversed by the following major expressways: Oklahoma City is served by two primary airports, Will Rogers World Airport and the much smaller Wiley Post Airport (incidentally, the two honorees died in the same plane crash in Alaska) Will Rogers World Airport is the state's busiest commercial airport, with just under 4\u00a0million passengers served in 2017, a historic record."}, {"context": " Tinker Air Force Base, in southeast Oklahoma City, is the largest military air depot in the nation; a major maintenance and deployment facility for the Navy and the Air Force, and the second largest military institution in the state (after Fort Sill in Lawton). Amtrak has a railway station downtown, with daily service to Fort Worth and the nation's rail network via the Heartland Flyer. Oklahoma City once was the crossroads of several interstate passenger railroads, but service at that level has long since been discontinued. Freight service is provided by BNSF and Union Pacific."}, {"context": " Greyhound and several other intercity bus companies serve Oklahoma City at the Union Bus Station in downtown. Embark (formerly Metro Transit) is the city's public transit company. The main transfer terminal is downtown at NW 5th Street and Hudson Avenue. Embark maintains limited coverage of the city's main street grid using a hub-and-spoke system from the main terminal, making many journeys impractical due to the rather small number of bus routes offered and that most trips require a transfer downtown. The city has recognized transit as a major issue for the rapidly growing and urbanizing city and has initiated several studies in recent times to improve upon the existing bus system starting with a plan known as the Fixed Guideway Study. This study identified several potential commuter transit routes from the suburbs into downtown OKC as well as feeder-line bus and/or rail routes throughout the city."}, {"context": " Though Oklahoma City has no light rail or commuter rail service, city residents identified improved transit as one of their top priorities, and from the fruits of the Fixed Guideway and other studies city leaders strongly desire to incorporate urban rail transit into the region's future transportation plans. The greater Oklahoma City metropolitan transit plan identified from the Fixed Guideway Study includes a streetcar system in the downtown area, to be fed by enhanced city bus service and commuter rail from the suburbs including Edmond, Norman, and Midwest City. There is a significant push for a commuter rail line connecting downtown OKC with the eastern suburbs of Del City, Midwest City, and Tinker Air Force Base. In addition to commuter rail, a short heritage rail line that would run from Bricktown just a few blocks away from the Amtrak station to the Adventure District in northeast Oklahoma City is under reconstruction."}, {"context": " In December 2009, Oklahoma City voters passed MAPS 3, the $777\u00a0million (7-year, 1-cent tax) initiative, which would generate funding (approx. $130 million) for the modern Oklahoma City Streetcar system in downtown Oklahoma City and the establishment of a transit hub. On September 10, 2013, the federal government announced that Oklahoma City would receive a $13.8-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's TIGER program. This was the first-ever grant for Oklahoma City for a rail-based initiative and is thought to be somewhat of a turning point by city leaders who have applied for grants in the past, only to continuously be denied. It is believed the city will use the TIGER grant along with approximately $10\u00a0million from the MAPS 3 Transit budget to revitalize the city's Amtrak station becoming an Intermodal Transportation Hub, taking over the role of the existing transit hub at NW 5th/Hudson Ave."}, {"context": " Construction of the Oklahoma City Streetcar system in Downtown OKC began in early 2017, and the system opened for service in December 2018. Also known as the Maps 3 Streetcar, it connects the areas of Bricktownn, Midtown and Downtown. The system serves the greater Downtown area using modern, low-floor streetcars. The initial system consists of two lines that connecting Oklahoma City's Central Business District with the entertainment district, Bricktown, and the Midtown District. Expansion to other districts surrounding downtown as well as more routes in the CBD is already underway."}, {"context": " A 2013 study by Walk Score ranked Oklahoma City the forty-third most walkable out of the 50 largest U.S. cities. However, this number is misleading because of Oklahoma City's very large geographic size, which is far larger than cities like New York City and Los Angeles and includes large areas which are effectively though not officially suburbs of the city core. Oklahoma City has 18 neighborhoods with a Walk Score above 60, mainly close to the downtown core. Oklahoma City and the surrounding metropolitan area are home to a number of health care facilities and specialty hospitals. In Oklahoma City's MidTown district near downtown resides the state's oldest and largest single site hospital, St. Anthony Hospital and Physicians Medical Center."}, {"context": " OU Medicine, an academic medical institution on the campus of The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, is home to OU Medical Center. OU Medicine operates Oklahoma's only level-one trauma center at the OU Medical Center and the state's only level-one trauma center for children at Children's Hospital at OU Medicine, both of which are in the Oklahoma Health Center district. Other medical facilities operated by OU Medicine include OU Physicians and OU Children's Physicians, the OU College of Medicine, the Oklahoma Cancer Center and OU Medical Center Edmond, the latter in the northern suburb of Edmond."}, {"context": " INTEGRIS Health owns several hospitals, including INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute of Oklahoma, and the INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center. INTEGRIS Health operates hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician clinics, mental health facilities, independent living centers and home health agencies hroughout much of Oklahoma. INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center was named in \"U.S. News & World Report\"s 2012 list of Best Hospitals. INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center ranks high-performing in the following categories: Cardiology and Heart Surgery; Diabetes and Endocrinology; Ear, Nose and Throat; Gastroenterology; Geriatrics; Nephrology; Orthopedics; Pulmonology and Urology."}, {"context": " The Midwest Regional Medical Center is in the suburb of Midwest City; other major hospitals in the city include the Oklahoma Heart Hospital and the Mercy Health Center. There are 347 physicians for every 100,000 people in the city. In the American College of Sports Medicine's annual ranking of the United States' 50 most populous metropolitan areas on the basis of community health, Oklahoma City took last place in 2010, falling five places from its 2009 rank of 45. The ACSM's report, published as part of its American Fitness Index program, cited, among other things, the poor diet of residents, low levels of physical fitness, higher incidences of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease than the national average, low access to recreational facilities like swimming pools and baseball diamonds, the paucity of parks and low investment by the city in their development, the high percentage of households below the poverty level, and the lack of state-mandated physical education curriculum as contributing factors."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Air Defense Sector", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Air Defense Sector (OCADS) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command's 29th Air Division at Oklahoma City Air Force Station, Oklahoma. Oklahoma City Air Defense Sector was established in 1960 as manual sector as part of phaseout of Central Air Defense Force; it was discontinued 1 September 1961 and its personnel and equipment transferred to the 4752d Air Defense Wing, which was designated. organized and assigned to the 32nd Air Division on 1 September 1961. This change was short-lived, for the 4752nd Wing was discontinued and replaced once again by the Oklahoma City Air Defense Sector on 25 June 1963 as a result of the realignment and expansion of the 29th Air Division. Finally, the sector was inactivated and replaced by the 31st Air Division on 1 April 1966.  The sector operated a Manual Air Defense Control Center (ADCC), P-86, later redesignated Manual Combat Center (MCC-11) and later NORAD Sector Combat Center (Manual). Further Reading"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Air Force Station", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City Air Force Station (ADC ID: P-52, NORAD-ID: Z-52) is a closed Cold War United States Air Force air defense and communications-electronics headquarters and radar station. It was located east-southeast of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, just to the southeast of Tinker Air Force Base. It ceased to be a separate Air Force installation on 1 October 1983, when it merged with Tinker. In late 1951 Air Defense Command selected the station as a site for one of twenty-eight radar stations built as part of the second segment of the permanent radar surveillance network. Prompted by the start of the Korean War, on July 11, 1950, the Secretary of the Air Force asked the Secretary of Defense for approval to expedite construction of the second segment of the permanent network. Receiving the Defense Secretary\u2019s approval on July 21, the Air Force exercised a right of return to the former World War II airfield and directed the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with construction."}, {"context": " On 1 May 1951 the 148th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron of the California Air National Guard was assigned to the new Oklahoma City Air Force Station by the 33d Air Division at nearby Tinker AFB. The squadron began operating a pair of AN/FPS-10 radars from this site in May 1952, and initially the station functioned as a Ground-Control Intercept (GCI) and warning station. As a GCI station, the squadron's role was to guide interceptor aircraft toward unidentified intruders picked up on the unit's radar scopes. On February 1, 1953, the 746th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron assumed operations. The 746th AC&WS added an AN/FPS-6 height-finder radar in 1958. The AN/FPS-l0\u2019s were phased out, with the last one being removed in 1962."}, {"context": " The 33d AD moved to Oklahoma City AFS on 8 May 1956 and activated a Manual Air-Defense Control Center (ADCC), P-86 for ADC interceptors in Oklahoma, Kansas and the panhandle of Texas. It also formed a number of new Aircraft Control and Warning Squadrons which it deployed to newly built radar sites in its assigned area. On 1 January 1960, the Oklahoma City Air Defense Sector (OCADS) was established, however it remained a manual ADS, with no SAGE blockhouse being constructed. OCADS was re-designated as the 4752d ADS briefly in 1960-61, then taken over by the 32d Air Division in 1961-63 before being returned to its designation in 1963. On 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-52. In 1963 the station became a joint-use facility with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with Oklahoma City AFS using AN/FPS-67 search and AN/FPS-6 height-finder radars."}, {"context": " OCADS was re-established in 1963 and was re-designated as Manual Combat Center (MCC-11)/NORAD Sector Combat Center (Manual). In 1965 the search radar was upgraded to the AN/FPS-67B variant. On 1 April 1966 OCADS was again re-designated as the 31st Air Division The Air Force closed MCC-11 on 31 December 1969 due to budget reductions. The FAA continues to operate the AN/FPS-67B search radar today as part of the Joint Surveillance System (JSS). After ADCOM ceased operations at Oklahoma City AFS, its facilities were occupied by Air Force Communications Service (AFCS), which activated its Southern Communications Area (SCA), a headquarters for all AFCS units in the southern states of the United States except for those located on Tactical Air Command bases, which were assigned to Tactical Communications Area. Although only AFCS units were located on the station, it was considered an off-base station of Tinker and belonged to Air Force Logistics Command. On 1 October 1983 the station merged with Tinker AFB and lost its status as a separate installation. In June 1976, SCA was reduced in size as it lost its squadrons on Strategic Air Command stations to the new Strategic Communications Area"}, {"context": " SCA was inactivated on 1 June 1981 in a major reorganization of AFCS (now named Air Force Communications Command), as all communications units in the US that were not assigned to combat commands were reassigned to Continental Communications Division at Griffiss AFB, New York. However, at the same time, all USAF units responsible for engineering and installing ground communications-electronics systems worldwide were assigned to AFCC's Engineering Installation Center, which took over the facilities of SCA. The EI Center became a Division in 1985 and was renamed the Communications Systems Center in 1991. As AFCC lost its Major Command status and communications functions were transferred to the other commands, the Communications Systems Center was reassigned to the Electronic Systems Center of Air Force Materiel Command in October 1993 and was inactivated in 1994 as its mission was transferred to the 38th Electronic Installation Wing. As mission needs were reduced the 38th wing was inactivated in 2000 and its group remained the only unit on the former station.  What was Oklahoma City Air Force Station is today used by the FAA and the Air Force 38th Engineering Installation Group, with most buildings remaining in use. Further Reading"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC) Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma is one of the largest units in the Air Force Materiel Command. The complex performs programmed depot maintenance on the C/KC-135, B-1B, B-52 and E-3 aircraft; expanded phase maintenance on the Navy E-6 aircraft; and maintenance, repair and overhaul of F100, F101, F108, F110, F117, F118, F119 and TF33 engines for the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Navy and foreign military sales. Additionally, the complex is responsible for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of a myriad of Air Force and Navy airborne accessory components, and the development and sustainment of a diverse portfolio of operational flight programs, test program sets, automatic test equipment, and industrial automation software."}, {"context": " It was established as the Oklahoma Air Depot Control Area Command on 19 Jan 1943. Activated on 1 Feb 1943. Redesignated as: Oklahoma City Air Service Command on 17 May 1943; Oklahoma City Air Technical Service Command on 14 Nov 1944; Oklahoma Air Materiel Area on 2 Jul 1946; Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center on 1 Apr 1974; Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex on 10 Jul 2012. The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex comprises five groups and eight staff offices that team together to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul support to the warfighter."}, {"context": " The 76th Software Maintenance Group is an integral part of the Complex, responsible for the development, modernization, and sustainment of embedded software in the Air Force's mission critical weapon systems and associated with depot, acquisition, and logistics activities. The Group's multi-skilled, highly trained and motivated workforce are engaged in a professional culture focused on the Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) of software and systems engineering, including: Operational Flight Programs,"}, {"context": " Automatic Test Equipment, Test Program Sets, Jet Engine Test, Modeling and Simulation, Industrial Automation, Software Information Assurance, and multiple weapon systems software. The Group also provides engineering support to its customers in the depot sustainment and acquisition communities. The 76th Maintenance Support Group manages industrial services, physical sciences laboratories, precision measurement equipment laboratories and tools for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex. It provides engineering, installation, maintenance and management support for the complex's  industrial plant equipment and facilities. In addition, the group provides environmental, occupational health, focal point for energy reduction and point of use technology for all complex organizations. https://www.tinker.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1562017/brigadier-general-christopher-d-hill/ Brigadier Christopher D. Hill"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Alliance", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City Alliance were a soccer club based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that competed in the USISL. For the 1997/98 season, the team was renamed the Oklahoma City Warriors."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Assembly", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City Assembly was a General Motors automobile factory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Construction on the plant started in 1974, and it opened in 1979 to produce the newly designed X-body cars for the 1980 model year. After X-body cars came A-body cars (1985-1996) and then the plant began producing the Oldsmobile Cutlass through 1999 and Chevrolet Malibu through 2001. The company spent $700,000,000 to convert the plant from building the Chevrolet Malibu to building the all-new GMT360 SUVs (Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada) in 2001 for the 2002 model year. The plant was damaged by a tornado on May 8, 2003, but the company repaired the damage and returned the plant to operations just 53 days later."}, {"context": " The plant was not without its labor problems, including employee sabotage in vehicle production. University of Oklahoma football all-American Brian Bosworth recalled that co-workers on his 1985 summer job in the plant taught him how to hang screws, nuts and objects inside car bodies. The intent was to create rattles that would only be detected after a customer drove his new purchase home from a car dealership. On December 6, 2005, the company alerted the United Auto Workers local 1999 that the plant would be closed in February 2006 as part of a cost-savings measure. The last vehicle produced at the plant, a white Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, rolled out on February 20, 2006. The plant was the first of 12 facilities the company planned to close by 2008 to match production with market demand. An estimated 521,400 GMT360 trucks were built at the Oklahoma City Assembly plant."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City plant employed 2,400 people \u2014 2,200 hourly and 200 salaried \u2014 but economists estimated that as many as 7,500 jobs in the area could be affected, including those at GM suppliers and secondary jobs, like hotel and restaurant workers. Laid-off employees had the option of retiring or enrolling in GM's Jobs Bank, which allows workers to collect full pay and benefits as they attend classes or volunteer at community agencies. Some workers would continue to be paid through September 2007, when GM's UAW contract expired.  On May 13, 2008, the voters of Oklahoma County approved the purchase of the plant, which was to be leased to neighboring Tinker Air Force Base, which is approximately two miles to the north of the facility. List of GM factories"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Ballet", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Ballet is a professional dance company and school located in Oklahoma City. The company began under the artistic direction of Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov in the Science and Arts Foundation building on the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds, Founded in 1963, Oklahoma City Ballet has been the city\u2019s professional ballet company for over 40 years. It is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall and has 31 dancers from around the world. Led by Artistic Director Robert Mills, the company produces 5 main stage productions per season in Oklahoma City and tours across Oklahoma and the surrounding states."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Ballet also participates in a number of community outreach projects designed to provide dance education and experience throughout central Oklahoma. The company began in 1963 under the name Oklahoma City Civic Ballet, brought together by the foundation\u2019s civic ballet committee and chief benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Kirkpatrick. The Oklahoma City Ballet Society was incorporated in 1967 to support the company. That same year the Ballet joined the newly formed Arts Council of Oklahoma City and performed in the first Festival of the Arts, celebrating Oklahoma\u2019s 60th year of statehood."}, {"context": " In 1970 the Board of Trustees formed a new group, Oklahoma City Metropolitan Ballet Society and with the generous support of Vernon Pellow, Sr. the company began as the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Ballet with Yvonne Chouteau staying on as founding artistic director. Ballerina and Oklahoma native Maria Tallchief worked together with Ms. Chouteau to audition dancers for the company. Yvonne Chouteau was succeeded by New York City Ballet principal dancers Conrad and Joy Ludlow, who directed the Company from 1973\u20131979. The Ludlow\u2019s founded the company\u2019s affiliate school and joined Oklahoma City's Allied Arts organization. During this time the Company and School used studios on the campus of Oklahoma City University and performed at the Kirkpatrick Theater also on the OCU campus."}, {"context": " In 1979 American Ballet Theatre dancers Bojan Spassoff and Stephanie Wolf-Spassoff assumed direction of the Company. This was the beginning of the change from a civic company to a semi-professional company which was now performing three productions plus \"The Nutcracker\" in a season. In 1980 the company name was changed to Ballet Oklahoma and in the spring of 1981 the company moved into a newly renovated facility. The building was donated by Robert Hefner, III and a campaign to raise funds for renovations was chaired by Ann Simmons Alspaugh. Rand Elliott provided the architectural design and the renovations were completed by Bill McNatt Construction."}, {"context": " In 1983 New York City Ballet dancer Edward Villella joined the company as artistic director and directed the company for three seasons, bringing the work of George Balanchine into the repertory. In 1986 Dallas Ballet dancers Bryan Pitts and Laura Flagg-Pitts joined the company as artistic director and assistant to the director respectively. During the Pitts\u2019 tenure, the company instituted its annual Artsreach program to bring students from across the state to the Civic Center for a live ballet performance. This program received the Governor\u2019s Arts Award in 1997."}, {"context": " In 2008 the Board of Trustees appointed dancer, choreographer and former Ballet Nouveau Colorado director Robert Mills the new artistic director. That same year the name of the company was changed to Oklahoma City Ballet. In 2017 the name of the affiliate school was changed to The Oklahoma City Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School thanks to a generous endowment gift from Kirkpatrick Philanthropies. Also in 2017, the company moved into a new state of the art, 29,000 square foot facility designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City Ballet\u2019s repertory includes works by George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Anthony Tudor, Nacho Duato, Jiri Kylian, Twyla Tharp, Jessica Lang, Nicolo Fonte, Stanton Welch, Perrot, Coralli, Fokine, Petipa, Bournonville and Artistic Director Robert Mills. Oklahoma City Ballet has also presented special dance attractions as part of its role in serving the community. In the past, it has sponsored performances by Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, the San Francisco Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Ballet tours regionally and is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School is Oklahoma's only American Ballet Theatre certified school and teaches the A.B.T National Training Curriculum. Its faculty have all trained within the curriculum and have passed examinations to become certified instructors of the curriculum The school trains students who wish to become professional ballet dancers, and recreational students. Students trained in the school have been regularly accepted into summer sessions and advanced classes at the School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet and others. Former students have gone on to professional careers with the American Ballet Theatre, Aspen/Santa Fe Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, David Parsons Dance and the Oklahoma City Ballet itself."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Barons", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Barons were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team's first season was 2010\u201311. They played their home games at the Cox Convention Center, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On February 9, 2010, the American Hockey League Board of Governors approved of the relocation of the Oilers' inactive AHL franchise to Oklahoma City, after a five-year dormancy. The franchise had gone through six incarnations, the first of which was the Nova Scotia Oilers and most recently the Edmonton Road Runners, who ceased play in 2005. The Barons were named through a fan contest. Before the Barons, the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City had also been the home to former Central Hockey League franchises, the Oklahoma City Stars and the Oklahoma City Blazers. Bob Funk Jr., who headed the former Blazers' ownership group, is also at the helm of Prodigal Hockey LLC, the Barons' ownership group."}, {"context": " Todd Nelson served as the Barons' first head coach with Gerry Fleming joining him as his assistant. Bill Scott, a former Director of Hockey Operations for the AHL, served as the Barons' first general manager. In December 2014, Nelson was promoted to the Oilers' coaching staff as head coach and Fleming being promoted to the Barons' head coach position. After the team's inaugural season in 2010\u201311, the Barons finished in the bottom five in the league for average attendance, including worst in the league in 2012\u201313. On December 18, 2014, the Oilers and Barons announced that the Barons would cease operations after the current season citing continued financial losses stemming from poor attendance."}, {"context": " On January 29, 2015, the AHL announced that the Edmonton Oilers' AHL franchise would be located in Bakersfield, California, replacing the Barons beginning with the 2015\u201316 season. The Oilers' owned-and-operated Bakersfield Condors are part of a new Pacific Division that introduced the league to the state of California. The Oklahoma City Barons colors were midnight blue, copper and white (with red used for outlining) later on changed to blue, orange and white. This color palette was also used by the Edmonton Oilers between 1996 and 2011. The Barons' logo prominently features an oil derrick, symbolizing a rich tradition in the production of oil in the state of Oklahoma, and further showcasing the similarities between the cities of Edmonton and Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " Like the other 29 teams in the American Hockey League, the Oklahoma City Barons played in the Reebok EDGE style uniforms. The Barons' home uniform was a white jersey with a midnight blue collar and trim the white jersey, while their away uniform is a midnight blue jersey with a copper collar and trim, with the Barons logo placed on the front. These jerseys have been styled from the Edmonton Oilers' now-former away and alternate jerseys, respectively. The Barons' shoulder logos also include the Edmonton Oilers logo and the \"OKC\" secondary logo."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Barons' official team mascot was a mountain lion, named Derrick. Derrick was officially introduced on July 27, 2010, after a lengthy \"Name the Mascot\" fan contest, which was held on the Barons' website. Derrick's role within the Barons' organization was to interact with fans; having his photo taken, meeting and greeting, and signing autographs during their home games. He also makes public appearances in and around Oklahoma City. On February 19, 2012, the Barons introduced another mountain lion, named Bit, as a secondary mascot.  List of Oklahoma City Barons alumni who played more than 100 games in Oklahoma City and 100 or more games in the National Hockey League. Willie Marshall Award (Leading Goal Scorer) Eddie Shore Award (Best Defenseman) Aldege \"Baz\" Bastien Memorial Award (Best Goaltender) Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Blazers (1965\u201377)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Blazers are a defunct professional ice hockey team that were based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They competed in the Central Professional Hockey League from 1965 to 1977. The team played their home games in the Fairgrounds Arena, and later in Myriad Gardens. This team was created through the relocation of the Minneapolis Bruins, who began play in 1963 after originating as the Kingston Frontenacs of the defunct Eastern Professional Hockey League. Initially they were a Boston Bruins farm team. The first coach was Harry Sinden, and NHL stars Bernie Parent, Gerry Cheevers, Doug Favell, Reggie Leach, Rick MacLeish, Wayne Cashman, Ivan Boldirev, J. P. Parise, Ross Lonsberry, Dallas Smith, Bill Goldsworthy and Jean Pronovost played for the Blazers. The Bruins withdrew from the team in 1972, but after a season without hockey, Maple Leaf Gardens Limited announced that they would relocate their Tulsa Oilers club of the CHL to become the reborn Oklahoma City Blazers, with Tulsa getting a replacement independent team. From 1973 to 1976 the team was affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs and their roster included Mike Palmateer, Blaine Stoughton, Pat Boutette and all-time NHL penalty leader Dave \"Tiger\" Williams. Prior to the 1976-77 season the Maple Leafs decided to share the Dallas Black Hawks of the CHL with the Chicago Black Hawks as their affiliate, in an attempt to reduce costs."}, {"context": " Gregg Sheppard was the franchise's leading career scorer. Their home arenas were the Fairgrounds Arena and the Myriad Convention Center Arena. The Blazers won the CHL championship in 1966 under player-coach Harry Sinden and repeated in 1967. John Brooks, sports director of the local CBS TV affiliate KWTV Channel 9 and radio play-by-play voice for high-profile University of Oklahoma football 1978-92, was the on-air voice of the original Blazers in the 1970s as well. His catch phrase for Blazers same-day game radio ads was \"Let's play hockey... TONIGHT!\""}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Blazers (1992\u20132009)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Blazers were a professional ice hockey team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that played in the Central Hockey League. The Blazers played at the Ford Center, located in downtown Oklahoma City. On July 2, 2009, the Blazers ceased operations after failing to reach a lease agreement with the city. Beginning with the 2010\u201311 season, the market was served by the Oklahoma City Barons, an American Hockey League team playing at Cox Convention Center as the top affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers."}, {"context": " In 1992, a new Central Hockey League began play in the same territory as the older league. It also acquired several team names in tribute to the former CHL, including the Oklahoma City Blazers. The new Blazers began play in the Myriad Convention Center, the same home arena as the old team. They averaged 9,128 fans per game over 17 seasons. The franchise led the CHL in attendance in each of its 17 seasons in the league. On the ice, the Blazers excelled as well, winning nine regular season division championships (including seven straight from 1996 to 2003), five regular season points titles, and CHL championships in 1996 and 2001. The franchise's two greatest stars, Joe Burton and Hardy Sauter, are the CHL's first and third all-time career leading scorers."}, {"context": " In 2002, the Blazers changed their home venue to the new Ford Center. In 2009, the Blazers withdrew their application a lease extension with the Ford Center and ceased operations. It was reported at the time that city officials were in negotiations with the American Hockey League for an expansion franchise. Following months of speculation, Oklahoma City was granted an AHL franchise on February 10, 2010, when the NHL's Edmonton Oilers reactivated their dormant affiliate and created the Oklahoma City Barons. They began play in the 2010\u201311 season in the smaller Cox Convention Center (formerly the Myriad) and the team was operated by the former owner of the Blazers, Bob Funk."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Blue", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Blue are an NBA G League team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The franchise began as the Asheville Altitude in 2001, before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2005 and becoming the Tulsa 66ers. After nine seasons in Tulsa, the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2014 and were subsequently renamed the Oklahoma City Blue. The Asheville Altitude were a founding team of the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) in 2001. They played at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, North Carolina, where they won back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005."}, {"context": " Southwest Basketball, LLC, headed by former Indiana Pacers general manager David Kahn, was awarded four National Basketball Development League franchises in March 2005. One of the Southwest Basketball franchises was for Tulsa. The Tulsa team agreed to play for three years at the Expo Square Pavilion. Instead of the announced new franchise, the company purchased the Asheville Altitude in May 2005 and moved them to Tulsa. Southwest had a name-the-team contest, which had 1,200 entries, with the winning name, the 66ers, announced on July 29, 2005. The 66ers name comes from U.S. Route 66, which runs through state of Oklahoma and Tulsa and is a mile south of Expo Square Pavilion. On August 2, 2005, the team named Joey Meyer as the team's first head coach. For their inaugural season and under a new affiliation system, the 66ers were directly affiliated with four NBA teams: the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Hornets."}, {"context": " For its second season, 2006\u201307, the team's assigned NBA affiliated teams the Bulls and the Pacers were dropped while the New York Knicks were added. Local businessman Jono Helmerich's group purchased a 20% stake in the franchise from Southwest Basketball, while Helmerich was named team president on February 5, 2007. For the 2007-2008 season, the Dallas Mavericks joined as the 66ers NBA affiliates while the Hornets were dropped. The 66ers indicated on February 12, 2008 that for the 2008-09 season that the team would start playing at the new SpiritBank Event Center in the suburb of Bixby. Seattle SuperSonics and the Bucks were assigned on June 12, 2008 as NBA affiliates for the 2008-2009 season. On July 31, 2008, the 66ers announced that Professional Basketball Club LLC (owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder) had purchased the 66ers, marking the third D-League team to be owned by an NBA team (the first two were the Los Angeles D-Fenders and the Austin Toros, owned by the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, respectively)."}, {"context": " The one-season relationship with the arena ended with a lawsuit regarding more than $100,000 the team claimed it was owed. The 66ers filed a lawsuit seeking more than $200,000 in compensatory damages from SpiritBank Center's ownership group. The team subsequently moved to the Tulsa Convention Center in downtown Tulsa for the 2009\u201310 season. In April 2010, the Tulsa 66ers reached the playoffs for the first time. The team won two postseason series to reach the D-League finals. Facing the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the team lose the final by zero games to two games."}, {"context": " For the 2010-2011 season, the 66ers coached by Nate Tibbetts set a team record of 33-17 while also having a 14-game winning streak. In the playoff, the team reaches the semifinals facing Iowa losing the series 0-2. In May 2012, the 66ers announced that they would return to the SpiritBank Event Center for the 2012\u201313 season. Before September 2013 when the OKC Thunder add the station to its Thunder Radio Network, KAKC 1300 AM was already the 66ers' radio broadcasting partner. Making the playoffs again, Tulsa won a first round series against Canton but was swept again in the semi-final this time by Rio Grande Valley."}, {"context": " However, in June 2014, SpiritBank announced that it would no longer seek bookings or lease the arena space. The 66ers played its last game at Sioux Falls for a 107-105 loss on April 5, 2014. The team finished 24-26 just short of making the playoffs. After getting offers from four venues, Professional Basketball Club felt none were suitable so July 18, 2014 announced the 66ers would move to Oklahoma City starting with the 2014-2015 season. With the move, the team was rebranded from the 66ers to the Blue. In the 2016\u201317 season, the team was the regular season Western Conference champion with 34 wins, a franchise record."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Blue Devils", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Blue Devils was the premier American Southwest territory jazz band in the 1920s. Originally called Billy King's Road Show, it disbanded in Oklahoma City in 1925 where Walter Page renamed it. The name \"Blue Devils\" came from the name of a gang of fence cutters operating during the early days of the American West. Several prominent jazz musicians were members, including Lester Young, William \"Count\" Basie and Buster Smith. The Blue Devils disbanded in 1933, after which Basie recruited most of the group's members to join his group, which had begun in 1931, but then changed the name to the Count Basie Orchestra.  The 1979 film \"The Last of the Blue Devils\" documents a musical reunion with Basie, Big Joe Turner and other figures from the history of southwestern and Kansas City jazz."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Boulevard", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Boulevard (also known as the Crosstown Boulevard) is a partially completed urban thoroughfare in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US. The highway is intended to make use of the former right-of-way of Interstate 40 (I-40), which was relocated to the south along a former rail alignment due to increased traffic and visible wear on parts of the freeway. The $85 million project began construction in 2011 and is being built by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) with funds from the US Department of Transportation."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Boulevard plan became controversial when the full extent of ODOT's original intended design became public during an Oklahoma City Streetcar meeting. At that meeting, ODOT Division Director Paul Green explained ODOT's intent for a thoroughfare design rather than a traditional urban street type boulevard. No previsions were presented by Green or ODOT representatives to accommodate the planned streetcar system approved by voters. Oklahoma City Streetcar Subcommittee member Jeff Bezdek was incensed by the plans and the lack of awareness by ODOT as to streetcar project. Bezdek was approached by Bob Kemper, a local transportation advocate and former ODOT employee about forming a citizens group to force further public review of the project. Bezdek conceived the name Friends for a Better Boulevard and suggested that Kemper organize a group under that title on Facebook to harness online civic support to demand a proper environmental review."}, {"context": " Friends for a Better Boulevard (FBB) launched its campaign as a Facebook Group and via the popular Oklahoma City blog, OKC TALK. The group grew quickly to over six hundred active members and demanded that local leaders apply further review to the boulevard project. After much debate, the Federal Highway Administration stepped into the process and required ODOT to put the project under an Environmental Assessment to determine if a full-fledged Environmental Impact Study should be required. The state transportation agency developed three initial alternatives for consideration and evaluation. The slate was further expanded to four.  The Federal Highway Administration is awaiting submissions from ODOT for further review. Friends for a Better Boulevard has formally requested that earlier traffic modeling conducted by ODOT be reprocessed to thoroughly vet the alternatives. As of October 1, 2016, the expressway is open to traffic from I-40/US-270 to Klein Avenue. On October 28, 2016, the east section from I-35 & I-40 opened to E.K. Gaylord."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Community College", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is a public community college located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The college was founded in 1972 as South Oklahoma City Junior College. OCCC has a current enrollment of 18,549 students and is the second largest community college and the fifth largest public higher education institution in Oklahoma. OCCC operates a main campus and three satellite locations in the south metro. A large percentage of OCCC students join or rejoin the local workforce each year. Their added skills translate to earnings of more than $220 million in annual additional income to Oklahoma\u2019s economy."}, {"context": " OCCC is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. The name of the college, OCCC, is most often pronounced as \"O-Triple-C.\" In 1968, civic and political leaders in south Oklahoma City began talking about bringing a junior college to the area. The next year, a bill was introduced into the Oklahoma State Legislature to form a college district. On March 20, 1969, a committee of the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce (known as the Greater Capitol Hill Chamber until 1970) was organized to circulate petitions asking the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to take action to establish a junior college in the area. Shortly after, the district was formed and a board of trustees was appointed."}, {"context": " On Sept. 25, 1972, South Oklahoma City Junior College opened for classes with an enrollment of 1,049 students. A formal dedication followed on Oct. 8, 1972. Construction on the Main Building began in 1973, and the first graduation ceremony was held with five students, who had transferred to the school, receiving associate degrees. In 1975, the school newspaper, \"The Pioneer\", was first published. The Career Learning Center and Math Center opened in 1978, and the first Arts Festival Oklahoma was celebrated in 1979."}, {"context": " During this time, the college\u2019s official emblem was depicted: the symbol for man joined into a community. The 1980s saw the completion of the Arts and Humanities Building and the High Technology Building. In 1983, the college\u2019s name was officially changed to Oklahoma City Community College, reflecting its purpose as a college for the entire Oklahoma City metro area community. That same year, nearly 400 students graduated with associate degrees. In December 1985, OCCC marked the celebration of the 125,000th student to enroll in classes. Meanwhile, the Child Development Center, the College Union and the Physical Plant were undergoing construction efforts until 1987."}, {"context": " In 1988, construction began on the Aquatic Center, which would become the site of the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival aquatic events. The beginning of the 1990s marked the opening of the School of Nursing and the Health Technologies Center, along with the enclosure of the Aquatic Center. The college entered into its first cooperative agreements with the University of Central Oklahoma in 1992, easing the transition for its students to the four-year university. In 1994, groundbreaking took place for the library. Two years later, the Keith Leftwich Memorial Library opened its doors with a formal dedication on Oct. 22, 1996. The library\u2019s distinctive clock tower is one of the most visible buildings on the main campus."}, {"context": " The college\u2019s first online course was offered in 1997. In 1998, the college received a $500,000 economic development grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education targeting advancements in the manufacturing and biotechnology fields. By 1999, the median age of students was 26, and more than 56 percent of students were women. Approximately 25 percent of the student body belonged to a minority group. And, about 66 percent of the nearly 10,000 students attended classes part-time. In 2007, OCCC began a large expansion adding three new buildings as well as expanding campus program offerings. The Robert P. Todd Science, Engineering and Math Center was a $10 million expansion to the main campus building and was named for the late OCCC president. The 65,500-square-foot facility provided new classrooms and labs. It includes a botany classroom and greenhouse for a biotechnology program."}, {"context": " The Health Professions Education Center, a multimillion-dollar facility housing the Division of Health Professions, was formally dedicated in 2008. The division features a simulated hospital area and one of only two Human Patient Simulators in the state. The facility houses academic degree and certificate programs in emergency medical sciences, registered nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy. In 2011, OCCC dedicated the Family and Community Education (FACE) center at the former John Glenn Elementary School, which houses the Child Development Center and Lab School (CDCLS) as well as adult basic education courses including GED (or High School Equivalency, HSE) and ESL. On August 15, 2011, the college established the Oklahoma City Community College Police Department. As of August 2011, all Oklahoma City Community College campuses became smoke-free."}, {"context": " The 50,000-square-foot Visual and Performing Arts Center added classrooms, labs and studios for art instruction, music, photography and visual arts. The building features a renowned Digital Cinema Production program with the largest collection of AVID picture and sound editing machines in the Midwest. This two-phase project was later concluded with the addition of the Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater that opened in 2014. The theater has 1,049 seats and is host to national and local performances and events. Outside the theater in the Women of the South Plaza are two prominent metallic sculptures, \u201cCrescendo\u201d and \u201cAscending\u201d, created by Oklahoma City-based sculptor and OCCC alumnus Collin Rosebrook."}, {"context": " The renovation of the Capitol Hill Center began in July 2014 at the location of two historic buildings, previously Katz Drug Co. and Langston\u2019s Western Wear. The OCCC Capitol Hill Center is part of the economic development and revitalization of Oklahoma City\u2019s historic Capitol Hill District. The college serves the adult education and job readiness needs of the community\u2019s English, Spanish, and Korean-speaking community members. The Capitol Hill District became part of America\u2019s Main Street Program in 1997, overseen by The Capitol Hill Main Street/Calle Dos Cincos organization."}, {"context": " In 2015 following a continued decline in funding, Oklahoma City Community College closed its Aquatics Center and indefinitely suspended its annual Arts Festival Oklahoma event. The Aquatics Center formally closed following Labor Day weekend, which also saw the conclusion of the 37th Arts Festival Oklahoma event. OCCC opened the student Veterans Lounge on May 16, 2016. The lounge is open to use for OCCC\u2019s veteran status students and features comfortable seating, study spaces, and a US flag that once flew over the United State Capitol, donated by the congressional office of Senator James Inhofe. Additionally, as part of its 2014 Title III grant award, the college completed renovation of its Student Advising area in October 2016."}, {"context": " In February 2017, the Childhood Development Center and Lab School met the Certified Healthy Oklahoma Program criteria to become a Certified Healthy Early Childhood Program. This designation recognizes early childhood program sites that make a positive impact on the health of employees and patrons. The new Capitol Hill Center began accepting applications in summer 2017 for OCCC\u2019s Bilingual Banking and Finance Certificate of Mastery program, as well as began its non-credit classes in ESL, GED (For Spanish speakers), US Citizenship, Introduction to Technology for the Workforce, and Basic Computer Skills. The OCCC Capitol Hill Center was formally dedicated on August 18, 2017. In partnership with the Calle Dos Cinco group, OCCC hosted its first community open house at the August 25th Fiesta Friday street festival event."}, {"context": " The college staff consists of 357 positions as of the 2017 fall semester. Staff report to various administrative departmental directors who report to vice president and executive director members of the President\u2019s Cabinet. The college president reports to the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents is the governing board for Oklahoma City Community College. Members of the Board are appointed by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma for a seven-year term or as designated. OCCC is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. This college is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and is also recognized by the federal government to offer education under the veterans and social security laws."}, {"context": " OCCC offers 25 Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs, 19 Associate in Applied Science degree programs, and 21 Certificate of Mastery programs. Most courses are structured in a semester or 16-weeks. Some courses can be completed in little as 8, 5, or 4 weeks. There are five academic divisions at OCCC: Business and Information Technology; Arts, English, and Humanities; Health Professions; Science, Engineering and Mathematics; and Social Sciences. Courses are mostly taken at the campus itself, with average of 21:1 student to teacher ratio. Courses are also offered online. In addition to its degree and certificate programs, OCCC offers a wide range of community and continuing education courses, workshops, conferences and seminars."}, {"context": " The faculty consists of 121 full-time professors, and 363 adjunct professors. Oklahoma City Community College is a post-secondary school. Students take classes for a variety of reasons: working towards an associate degree, certificate, transfer course work to a university, or to obtain technical skills. The college also employs part-time student workers, including Federal Work-Study Program students, during its spring, summer, and fall semesters. There are several labs on campus designed to provide students with interactive assistance with writing, math, accounting, speech, and other academics. The labs also include practicum facilities for chemical and biological sciences, engineering, EMT and nursing.  The main campus of Oklahoma City Community College is located at 7777 South May Avenue in Oklahoma City. The Family and Community Education (FACE) center campus is located at 6500 South Land Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73159. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) facility is located at 7124 S I-35 Service Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73149. The Capitol Hill Center facility is located at 325 Southwest 25th Street in OKC\u2019s historic Capitol Hill district."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Crosstown Expressway", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Crosstown Expressway, aka I-40 Crosstown, is a roughly stretch of Interstate 40 (I-40) just south of Downtown Oklahoma City, running along the Oklahoma River between Agnew Avenue and the I-40/I-35/I-235 \"Crossroads of America\" junction. Prior to 2012, the I-40 Crosstown was an elevated stretch that bisected downtown. The Oklahoma City Crosstown is the de facto east\u2013west artery through Oklahoma City, serving as an unofficial dividing line between north and south Oklahoma City (the official dividing line for address purposes is Sheridan Avenue). It is owned and maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Crosstown was the busiest of Oklahoma's many aging bridges. While the Crosstown Expressway designed to withstand about 76,000 vehicles a day, by 2010 it was used by nearly 120,000 vehicles a day. The Crosstown was completed in the 1960s using an engineering process commonly termed as \"fracture critical\", a process that has not been used since the 1970s because it does not provide redundancies. According to Brian Windsor, an ODOT structural engineer, without redundant support, the failure of a single beam created the risk of total collapse of that section of bridge. The entire stretch of the original I-40 Crosstown Expressway was elevated, and at some points, the elevation is as much as 50\u00a0feet (15.2\u00a0m)."}, {"context": " According to a 2006 report, Oklahoma led the nation with 6,299 \"structurally deficient\" bridges. Attention to the Crosstown project increased after the collapse of a stretch of I-35W in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 1, 2007. At that time, ODOT released a statement indicating that the condition of the Crosstown was \"deteriorating\", but that it \"remained safe.\" Concerns about whether the Crosstown Bridge would last until its 2012 replacement date increased on September 23, 2007, when a hole in the Crosstown resulted in closure of all but one lane and created significant traffic delays. Other safety problems of the Crosstown included falling chunks of concrete and a lack of breakdown lanes. In an August 2007 poll sponsored by \"The Oklahoman\", nearly of respondents indicated that they were \"afraid to drive across the Crosstown bridge in Oklahoma City\"."}, {"context": " On January 5, 2012 eastbound traffic was transferred to the new alignment of the I-40 Crosstown Expressway, with westbound following on February 19. The original I-40 Crosstown Expressway bridge has since been removed. As of 2016 a new boulevard in its place is currently under-construction. In May 2002, federal funding was secured to finance replacement of the Oklahoma City Crosstown. Rather than replace the existing structure, a new stretch of I-40 will be constructed about five blocks south of the current location. Initial estimates of the Crosstown replacement project were that the project would take 8 years with a completion date of 2010, and would cost $360\u00a0million. The most recent revision to this estimate was released in July 2007, and indicated that the project will be completed in 2012 and will cost $557\u00a0million. The ground-level boulevard to replace the current Crosstown bridges is no longer included in the cost estimates. The new Crosstown will have ten lanes for traffic traveling at . It is being designed to carry 170,000 vehicles per day, and will have shoulders for disabled vehicles. Over 95% of current traffic on the Crosstown is through traffic, not transferring to or from downtown streets."}, {"context": " More recently, the Crosstown project has come under serious controversy. In an era of fluctuating energy prices and changing circumstances, several citizen's groups are challenging the project. Devon Energy announced in March 2008 it would construct a one million square foot office tower in the center of a revitalized downtown to house between 2,000 and 3,000 of its employees. The Devon location will be ten blocks away from the interstate instead of four blocks, resulting in increased congestion on slower downtown streets during rush hour. Under current construction plans, part of Oklahoma City's Union Station railyard would be sacrificed to make space for the freeway, leading to concerns that this would disable the station from use in future light rail, commuter rail or traffic circulation use. An unprecedented ruling in June 2008 by the Federal Surface Transportation Board held that the BNSF railway made fraudulent representations in their request for abandonment of the freight line that would enable the Crosstown, and denied the abandonment. However, in May 2009 the final decision from the STB reversed the earlier ruling, allowing the ODOT to move ahead with their plans."}, {"context": " ODOT has not sought to redirect semitrailers off the former I-40 stretch of deteriorating overpasses. ODOT Director Gary Ridley said the current I-40 will \"absolutely\" survive through 2012, the completion date for the realignment, adding, \"If we felt there was anything wrong that would cause us concern, we would close it, and we wouldn't think twice about it.\" However, in a filing with STB, Ridley urged a quick ruling because \"new serious issues including cracks in fracture critical members are constantly being discovered and repaired. The condition and obsolescence of the existing bridges constitutes serious concern for the Department.\" Other highway connections, running east and west, include I-240 and I-44."}, {"context": " Under the original Environmental Impact Statement, residents of two neighborhoods were to be displaced by construction of the new Crosstown Expressway. Construction resulted in the demolition of 165 properties in the Walnut Grove and Riverside neighborhoods. The realignment will now directly result in reconstruction of in Phase I and an additional in Phase II, for a total of in the core of Oklahoma City. After the completion of the new I-40 Crosstown, the existing bridge was demolished. While ODOT is responsible for the relocation of the I-40 Crosstown and the subsequent demolition of the existing structure, the city of Oklahoma City will take the lead in determining the future use of the land currently occupied by the existing crosstown. On June 20, 2006, the Oklahoma City Council announced a $387,000 contract for professional consulting services with the URS Corporation \"to recommend specific actions to facilitate redevelopment within the area impacted by the relocation of the downtown section of I-40, Reno Avenue, new I-40 alignment, Western Avenue and I-35/I-235\"  On October 5, 2006, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett introduced the 'Core to Shore' project team which has the task of \"planning and developing the area south of downtown and north of the Oklahoma River where Interstate 40 currently runs.\" This team consists of community leaders as well as representatives from URS Corp."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Discovery Well", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Discovery Well was the first successful oil well to be drilled in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The December 4, 1928 discovery opened the Oklahoma City Oil Field to extensive exploitation, creating an oil boom that sustained the area through the Great Depression. Because much of the oil was under the existing city, the Oklahoma City field pioneered the use of directional drilling to allow lateral displacement of well bores to reach deposits under developed areas. The well is located at the present-day intersection of SE 59th Street and Bryant Boulevard. It was drilled by the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Company (ITIO). Beginning on June 12, 1928, the drilling crew drilled more than . In early December they broke through the Arbuckle Limestone layer, noting that the bottom of the formation was saturated with oil and was under gas pressure. Since they were drilling with a cable tool rig, the flow of gas and oil could not be controlled, and on December 4 the gas blew the tools out of the well. The well produced 110,000 barrels of oil during its first 27 days. However, the well began to produce water by the end of 1928 and was abandoned.  The discovery well was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 9, 1977. The present site preserves the concrete drilling derrick foundations and the capped well head."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Dodgers", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Dodgers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and play their home games at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark which opened in 1998 in the city's Bricktown entertainment district. The team was originally known as the Oklahoma City 89ers from 1962 to 1997 when the team played at the now-demolished All Sports Stadium at the state fairgrounds. It first competed in the Triple-A American Association (AA) in 1962, moved to the PCL from 1963 to 1968, and returned to the AA from 1969 to 1997. After the league disbanded, they rejoined the PCL in 1998 and became known as the Oklahoma RedHawks. They were called the Oklahoma City RedHawks from 2009 to 2014 before taking on the moniker of their major league affiliate in 2015."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City has won four league championships. The 89ers won the PCL championship in 1963 and 1965 as the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Colt .45s/Astros. They later won the American Association championship in 1992 and 1996 with the Texas Rangers. Oklahoma City has been home to professional baseball for all but a few years since 1904, when the Metropolitans (Mets) were established as the city's first team. Oklahoma City's teams and names have changed numerous times since. The team became known as the Indians in 1909 before returning to the original Mets name in 1910 and reverting again to the Indians name in 1911. Oklahoma City was home to the Senators in 1912. After one year without a baseball team, Oklahoma City's squad became the Boosters in 1914. The Senators name returned from 1915 to 1916, but the Boosters name came back in 1917. The Oklahoma City Indians name returned in 1918 and the team name stuck until 1957 (the team did not compete during World War II)."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City's current baseball franchise began competing in 1962 as the Oklahoma City 89ers following a four-year period without professional baseball in the area. The franchise's original name made reference to the Land Run of 1889, which led to the founding of Oklahoma City. After the Houston Buffaloes of the American Association were purchased for territorial rights by the Houston Colt .45s (later the Houston Astros) of the National League, the big league club decided to move the Buffs elsewhere. In July 1961, Spec Richardson, who was then general manager of the Buffs, met with Oklahoma City officials and boosters, and agreed to move the team. After a unanimous approval from the American Association's board of directors, the current franchise began play in 1962 as the top affiliate of the Houston Colt .45s. Eventually, the Astros sold the team to Tulsa businessman, P. C. Dixon, in November 1970. In 1973, a three-year connection with the Cleveland Indians was established. A later affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies lasted from 1976 until 1982."}, {"context": " In 1983, the Texas Rangers became the parent club, a relationship that would continue as the 89ers adopted new colors and uniforms along with the nickname \"RedHawks\" in 1998. The city's first professional baseball name change in 35 years corresponded with the team's move to its current home, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, and with the team's return to the Pacific Coast League in 1998. The team was renamed the RedHawks after the red-tailed hawk, a bird of prey commonly seen throughout Oklahoma. When announcing the new name, team officials noted the raptor's four-foot wingspan and migration patterns, which always return the bird to Oklahoma. A hawk is also part of the state's official song."}, {"context": " Prior to the 2009 season, the team once again named itself after its home city. The minor renaming was accompanied by new logos and a new color scheme. The team's name change to the Oklahoma City RedHawks was made to honor Oklahoma City citizens who paid for the ballpark through a temporary one-cent sales tax to fund the Metropolitan Area Projects Plan or MAPS. On September 14, 2010, the Texas Rangers ownership announced that they were moving their Triple-A affiliation to the Round Rock Express (formerly the Astros' Triple-A affiliate). On September 15, the RedHawks were sold to Mandalay Baseball Properties, which also owns or operates four other Minor League Baseball teams, and is part of the Mandalay Entertainment conglomerate chaired by entertainment industry executive Peter Guber. On September 20, Mandalay entered into a formal agreement for the RedHawks to become the Astros' new Triple-A affiliate."}, {"context": " After the 2014 season, the RedHawks announced the sale of the franchise to a partnership between Mandalay Entertainment Chairman and CEO Peter Guber, other current principals of Mandalay Baseball Properties, Jason Sugarman, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a result of the purchase agreement, the RedHawks became the Triple-A affiliate of the Dodgers in 2015 and were renamed after their parent club, becoming the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Pitchers Dustin Nippert and Luis Mendoza recorded the two no-hitters in team history (since 1998). Nippert recorded the RedHawks' first no-hitter on June 29, 2008, at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska against the Omaha Royals. The Redhawks won the seven-inning game, the first of a doubleheader, 2\u20130. Nippert walked two batters and struck out five in the first Oklahoma City professional baseball no-hitter since August 13, 1996, when Rick Helling recorded a perfect game for the 89ers)."}, {"context": " Mendoza pitched the team's first nine-inning no-hitter on August 14, 2009, against the Salt Lake Bees at Bricktown Ballpark. He threw 125 pitches, including 74 for strikes. He walked six and struck out six batters in the 5\u20130 win.| Six players have hit three home runs in a single game. Adrian Gonzalez became the first to accomplish the offensive feat on May 24, 2005, at Albuquerque. He went 3-for-4 with five RBI. All three of Nelson Cruz's hits on July 19, 2008, against Memphis were home runs. He went 3-for-5 with five RBI in the game. Nate Gold went 4-for-5 with three homers and four RBI on July 28, 2008, at Colorado Springs. Chad Tracy hit three homers on June 27, 2010, against Omaha, finishing the game 3-for-3 with five RBI. Mike Hessman went 4-for-4 with three homers on June 3, 2012, against Iowa. Matt Duffy went 3-for-4 with three homers and three RBI on June 9, 2014, against Salt Lake."}, {"context": " Gregorio Petit is the lone OKC player to record two grand slams in one game, accomplishing the feat June 22, 2010 at New Orleans. Anderson Hernandez put together the longest hitting streak in team history August 2 \u2013 September 2, 2011 \u2013 a streak that lasted 30 games. The 2013 Redhawks made numerous entries into the club's record book. The RedHawks set the team record for most runs scored in a game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and tied the club record for most runs scored in a game overall in a 24\u20135 win against Colorado Springs on August 3, 2013."}, {"context": " The 2013 squad also compiled the longest overall and home winning streaks in club history. The RedHawks won 12 straight games overall from July 26 to August 6. They continued winning at home, stringing together 17 consecutive wins at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark from July 26 to August 20. The 2015 OKC Dodgers set a new modern era mark for wins, finishing the regular season with the best record in the PCL at 86-58 and going on to win the American Northern Division title. The last OKC team to win at least 86 games was the 1965 Oklahoma City 89ers (91-54). The 2015 team also set single-season team records for road wins (44), fewest runs allowed (608) and fewest home runs allowed (89). The team stood 30 games above .500 (85-55) during the season, marking the first time the team reached that mark in the team\u2019s modern PCL history. OKC Dodgers manager Damon Berryhill was named 2015 PCL Manager of the Year, becoming the first OKC manager to win the honor since Greg Biagini in 1999."}, {"context": " Corey Seager became the second OKC player in the PCL era to record six hits in a game when he went 6-for-6 in Salt Lake May 28, 2015, including a home run and two doubles. Seager collected six RBI and scored two runs. Jeff Pickler was the first OKC player in the modern era to accomplish the feat June 22, 2004 at Albuquerque, going 6-for-6 with a double, triple and RBI. The 2016 OKC Dodgers claimed a second straight 80-win regular season and picked up back-to-back PCL American Northern Division championships. They advanced to the PCL Championship Series for the first time since 2008."}, {"context": " The 2016 Dodgers posted a 3.72 team ERA to establish a new club record during the PCL era and the OKC pitching staff racked up a league-leading 1,245 strikeouts to set the PCL modern era record for strikeouts in just 141 games. The Dodgers allowed a league-low 372 walks, also the fewest allowed by an OKC team during the PCL era. Pitcher Jose De Leon became the first OKC pitcher to record five double-digit strikeout games in one season. The record-breaking continued for the OKC Dodgers in 2017. The team broke its own record for strikeouts as Dodgers pitchers combined for 1,277 strikeouts during the season."}, {"context": " Right-handed starting pitcher Wilmer Font led the charge and paced all of Triple-A baseball with 178 strikeouts and set OKC\u2019s all-time single-season strikeout record (since 1998). He tied former Dodger Jose De Leon\u2019s club record by compiling five games with at least 10 strikeouts. Font racked up a team-record 15 strikeouts May 15 against Sacramento at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and went on to be named the PCL Pitcher of the Year. The Dodgers recorded back-to-back-to-back home runs for the first time in modern team history (since 1998) June 9, 2017 against Round Rock in Oklahoma City. With one out in the first inning, Joc Pederson, Scott Van Slyke and Willie Calhoun each homered within a span of five pitches."}, {"context": " The third-largest crowd in Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark history was on hand to watch a rehab appearance by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw August 26, 2017 against the Omaha Storm Chasers. A standing-room-only crowd of 13,106 was the largest in OKC since April 18, 1998 \u2013 the third game ever played at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Oklahoma City Dodgers broadcast all their games on the radio on KGHM (AM) 1340 The Game and television on MiLB.TV, some select games are also broadcast locally on YurView Oklahoma on Cox Cable Oklahoma channel 703 and simulcasted on Cox digital HD channels 1333 or 1334 (In case of scheduling conflicts with local High School Football.) starting in June 2018 against the Salt Lake Bees on June 15, 2018.  The current main radio/television broadcaster for the Oklahoma City Dodgers is Alex Freeman 2012-present. Substitute Broadcaster (When Alex Freeman is doing the local television broadcasts.) is KGHM (AM) 1340 The Game/News-radio 1000 KTOK-AM sports director Randy Renner. Current Radio color commentator: None. Current local television color commentator: Varies with each game. The team has had multiple broadcasters who advanced to the major league level."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City FC (NPSL)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City FC was a men's soccer team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They played in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Founded in 2013, the team played in the USL Premier Development League in their first year before shifting to the NPSL. The organization also runs the Oklahoma City FC women's team in the Women's Premier Soccer League and the proposed Oklahoma City FC of the North American Soccer League (NASL). The team folded in 2014. Oklahoma City was awarded a franchise team in the USL Premier Development League on February 14 (Valentine's Day), 2013. The ownership group included OKC Pro Soccer LLC (established by Oklahoma City businessman Tim McLaughlin) and Sold Out Strategies (managed by Oklahoma City native Brad Lund). This was where the team competed for one season in the Southern Conference as part of the Mid South Division. The team played their home games at Oklahoma City University's Stars Field. They finished 3rd in their division with an 8\u20134\u20132 record, missing the playoffs in their inaugural and only PDL season. They missed out on a playoff spot by three points."}, {"context": " Following their one season in the USL Premier Development League, the team moved to the National Premier Soccer League and they competed in the South Central Conference of the South Region in the 2014 NPSL season. The team played at Oklahoma City University Stars Field. Amateur games in 2013 took place at Stars Field at Oklahoma City University. It was announced that for the 2015 season professional games would be played at Yukon's Miller Stadium and Academy games will be played at Oklahoma City's Casady School."}, {"context": " The club was exploring the possibility of building a riverfront 9,000\u201314,000 seat soccer-specific stadium in downtown Oklahoma City. \"As of January 25, 2014 \" The ownership group of Oklahoma City FC, OKC Pro Soccer LLC and Sold Out Strategies, was also approved to field a professional team in the North American Soccer League (NASL)\u00a0\u2013 Division II in the American soccer pyramid\u00a0\u2013 beginning with the 2015 season. It was also to be called the Oklahoma City FC. Oklahoma City FC initially intended to pursue a franchise in the United Soccer Leagues' Professional Division (USL Pro) in 2013. The USL, however, also received an expansion franchise bid from a competing group, managed by another Oklahoma City-based sports group, Prodigal, LLC. With Prodigal, LLC's impending bid before the Division III USL Pro, Oklahoma City FC instead concentrated on obtaining an expansion franchise in the Division II NASL in April 2013. Oklahoma City FC's organizational plans met with some initial success on June 17, 2013 by obtaining the rights to lease Oklahoma City's Taft Stadium (a venue for which the Prodigal group also bid)."}, {"context": " The USL, however, considered Oklahoma City FC's attempt to start an NASL franchise to be a breach of its non-compete agreement with the USL's Premier Development League, and issued a cease and desist letter against Oklahoma City FC. Oklahoma City FC's owners subsequently filed a lawsuit against the USL on June 28, 2013, seeking a declaration that the non-compete clause is unenforceable. The litigation is currently pending. USL Pro awarded its expansion franchise to the Prodigal group on July 2, 2013. Shortly thereafter, the NASL awarded an expansion franchise to Sold Out Strategies on July 25, 2013. Sold Out Strategies announced on April 7, 2014, that its NASL team would be named Oklahoma City FC\u00a0\u2013 the same as its affiliated amateur franchises\u00a0\u2013 and unveiled a new team crest and kit. Oklahoma City FC was slated to join the NASL in 2015, which led the amateur team to also switch leagues to the National Premier Soccer League."}, {"context": " Prodigal announced its franchise branding as the Oklahoma City Energy in November 2013. This gave Oklahoma City two approved franchises for future play: USL Pro's Energy starting in 2014, and NASL's Oklahoma City FC starting in 2015. In March 2014, one of the partners in Oklahoma City FC, Tim McLaughlin of OKC Pro Soccer LLC, bought a 50% ownership stake in the rival franchise. Reportedly, McLaughlin controlled the lease rights to Taft Stadium, and the Energy therefore announced its intention to move to Taft Stadium for the 2015 season after its inaugural 2014 season at Bishop McGuinness High School's Pribil Stadium. Remaining owner Brad Lund of Sold Out Strategies indicated that this development \"does not impact Oklahoma City FC\u2019s or the NASL\u2019s future in OKC.\""}, {"context": " In an interview published on August 10, 2015, NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson told the Telegraph that the league had moved on from the Oklahoma City franchise. On August 21, 2015, ESPN's Dermot Corrigan reported that La Liga, the first division in Spain, had given approval for one of their teams to purchase stock in Oklahoma City FC. La Liga team Rayo Vallecano has expressed interest in purchasing majority stock in NASL Oklahoma City FC. On November 10, 2015, the NASL announced that a new club called Rayo OKC would begin play in the 2016 season. The new team was majority-owned by Ra\u00fal Mart\u00edn Presa, the owner of Rayo Vallecano then of La Liga, with a minority stake owned by Oklahoma native Sean Jones. Rayo OKC was managed by the former owners of Oklahoma City FC franchise, Sold Out Strategies. However, Rayo OKC would only last one season in the NASL."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City FC (WPSL)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City FC is an American women's soccer team, founded in 2007. The team is a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League, the second tier of women's soccer in the American soccer pyramid. The team plays its home games at Lakeview Field in Yukon, Oklahoma."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant is a four-story brick structure in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Opened in 1916 by the Ford Motor Company as a Model T manufacturing facility, it was one of 24 such plants built by Ford between 1910 and 1915."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club is a private golf and country club located in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma. The course was founded in 1911 by 300 Oklahoma City residents. The course, designed by architect Perry Maxwell, measures 6,861 yards from the championship tees and plays to a par 71 with a course rating of 73.5 and a slope of 130. The course features tree-lined fairways throughout the rolling hills. Eleven of the holes have water hazards\u2014either ponds or winding creeks\u2014in play to challenge even the finest players. The course has been recognized by \"Golf Digest\" as one of the state's premier courses.  The Club has hosted several regional and national tournaments, including:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Indians", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Indians were an American minor league baseball franchise representing Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that played in the Texas League in 1909\u201311, 1933\u201342 and 1946\u201357, the Western League from 1918\u201332, the Western Association from 1914\u201317, and the Oklahoma State League in 1912. They played at Western League Park, Holland Field and Texas League Park. Minor league classifications varied somewhat during the Indians' lifetime, but the Western and Texas leagues of the post-World War I era \u2014 rated Class A, A1 or Double-A \u2014 were high-level circuits that usually ranked two notches below Major League Baseball calibre."}, {"context": " The Indians won the 1935 Texas League championship and two years later captured 101 regular-season victories, but generally struggled in the TL standings. In the club's last three seasons, 1955\u201357, it lost 90, 106 and 88 games. The team spent the post-World War II period as the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, but the Oklahoma City Indians' nickname long preceded that relationship. The Indians team spent many years as an unaffiliated franchise, and in its last two seasons was a farm club of the Boston Red Sox."}, {"context": " Baseball Hall of Fame player Rogers Hornsby managed the Indians for part of the 1940 season, and future Hall of Fame broadcaster Curt Gowdy launched his baseball announcing career with the postwar Indians. The Oklahoma City Indians folded when the Texas League reorganized following the 1957 season. Five years later, the Oklahoma City 89ers, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Colt .45s, then an expansion team and now known as the \"Astros\", debuted in the American Association. The Triple-A franchise has played continuously since 1962, and is now the Oklahoma City Dodgers.  Oklahoma City also fielded a Texas League team called the \"Mets\" or \"Metropolitans\" in 1910\u20131911."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers are a United Hockey Union-sanctioned junior ice hockey team, based in Edmond, Oklahoma, in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The Blazers compete as part of the Midwest Division of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). Their home games are played at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena. The Jr. Blazers were announced in February 2014, founded by former CHL Oklahoma City Blazers captain Tyler Fleck. The team began play in the 2014\u201315 season, playing in the United Hockey Union (UHU) junior Western States Hockey League with most of its home games at the Blazers Ice Centre."}, {"context": " On October 25, 2014, the Blazers set the WSHL's attendance record while playing the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. The team defeated the Dallas Snipers in front of a crowd of 7,109 by a score of 8\u20133. For the 2015\u201316 season, the WSHL announced that they would be playing under an UHU Tier II status. The Blazers hosted the 2016 WSHL All-Star Game, the first time that the league had held the event. The format for the 2016 All-Star Game featured the Blazers taking on a team of WSHL All-Stars."}, {"context": " On September 5, 2016, the United Hockey Union announced the formation of a new Tier I junior hockey league called the Central One Hockey League (C1HL). The league was announced to begin with the 2017\u201318 season. However, some of the announced C1HL teams backed out and the launch of the new league was initially postponed to the 2018\u201319 season. After the 2016\u201317 season, Fleck sold the WSHL team to Gary Gill and Cole Hudek, with Gill set to be the head coach for the 2017\u201318 season. Fleck remained with the team as a consultant, but would focus on the promotion of the Blazers to the new C1HL in 2018, although there was never any mention of the C1HL afterwards.  After four seasons in the Blazers Ice Centre, the Jr. Blazers moved their home games to the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in nearby Edmond, Oklahoma, for the 2018\u201319 season with a few games at the Blazers Ice Centre."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Lightning", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Lightning is a full-contact women's American football team in the Women's Spring Football League based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Home games are played at Taft Stadium. Formerly a member of the Independent Women's Football League in their inaugural season of 2002, and then the National Women's Football Association from 2003 until 2008, they have made the playoffs in six of seven seasons played so far, losing four times in the Conference Championship Game (two to the Pensacola Power in 2003 and 2005 and once to the Austin Outlaws in 2002 and the Columbus Comets in 2007) and losing twice in the NWFA Championship Game (to the Detroit Demolition in 2004 and to the D.C. Divas in 2006).  After sitting out the 2009 season, the Lightning were blown out 62-0 by the Lone Star Mustangs in their first game of 2010. The following week, the Lightning left the WFA and almost folded, however, they have since joined the Women's Spring Football League, where they will play the remainder of 2010 and beyond. !Totals || 58 || 16 || 0 <nowiki>**</nowiki> = Forfeited"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is an event commemorating the Oklahoma City bombing. On April 19, 2001, the inaugural Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was run. Called by organizers a \"Run to Remember,\" the race was created, according to the official web site, for the purpose of providing financial support to the Oklahoma City National Memorial. It also serves as one additional means of offering comfort, strength, peace and hope to all Americans affected by what was truly a larger than life tragedy on a national scale."}, {"context": " The annual event has grown to over 25,000 participants and has been called one of the \"12 Must Run Marathons\" by Runner's World Magazine. The Oklahoma City National Memorial is the sole beneficiary of Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon event proceeds. The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon has contributed $2.175 million to the Memorial since its inception. The marathon weekend races consists of a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay (5 member teams), 5k, and kids marathon. The race is an official Boston Marathon qualifying event.  The course begins at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, winds through the Capitol campus, Nichols Hills, Lake Hefner trail, and several of Oklahoma City\u2019s historic neighborhoods. Along the way, runners pass 168 banners, each bearing the name of one of the bombing victims. The starting line is on N. Harvey Ave., between NW 6th and NW 5th at the west entrance of the National Memorial. The finish line is at Devon Energy, at the corner of Hudson Ave and Sheridan Ave."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Museum of Art", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) is a museum located in the Donald W. Reynolds Visual Arts Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The museum features traveling special exhibitions, original selections from its own collection, a theater showing a variety of foreign, independent, and classic films each week, and a restaurant. OKCMOA also houses a collection of Chihuly glass among the most comprehensive in the world, including the 55-foot Eleanor Blake Kirkpatrick Memorial Tower in the Museum's atrium."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City National Memorial", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a memorial in the United States that honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were affected by the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. The memorial is located in downtown Oklahoma City on the former site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which was destroyed in the 1995 bombing. This building was located on NW 5th Street between N. Robinson Avenue and N. Harvey Avenue. The National Memorial was authorized on October 9, 1997, by President Bill Clinton's signing of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Act of 1997. It was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places the same day. The memorial is administered by Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation, with National Park Service staff to help interpret the memorial for visitors. The National Memorial Museum and the Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism are components housed in the former Journal Record Building on the north side of the memorial grounds."}, {"context": " The memorial was formally dedicated on April 19, 2000: the fifth anniversary of the bombing. The museum was dedicated and opened the following year on February 19. On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh parked a Ryder rental truck filled with explosives in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The resulting explosion killed 168 people and destroyed the entire north face of the building. Months after the attack, Mayor Ron Norick appointed a task force to look into a creation of a permanent memorial where the Murrah building once stood. The Task Force called for 'a symbolic outdoor memorial', a Memorial Museum, and for creation of Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism. Six hundred and twenty four designs were submitted for the memorial and on July 1997 a design by Butzer Design Partnership, which consists of husband and wife Hans and Torrey Butzer, was chosen."}, {"context": " On October 1997, President Bill Clinton signed law creating the Oklahoma City National Memorial as a unit of the National Park Service to be operated by the Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust. The total cost of the memorial was $29.1 million; $10 million for the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial, $7 million for the Memorial Museum, $5 million for the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism and the rest for other costs. The federal government appropriated $5 million for construction with the state of Oklahoma matching that amount. More than $17 million in private donations was raised."}, {"context": " On April 19, 2000 the fifth anniversary of the attack, the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial was dedicated. On February 19, 2001 the Memorial Museum was dedicated. The Oklahoma City National Memorial since its opening has seen over 4.4 million visitors to the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial and 1.6 million visitors to the Memorial Museum. The Memorial has an average of 350,000 visitors per year. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial consists of the following segments on 3.3 acres (13,000 m); it can be visited 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  <br> Two churches were located across the street from the Murrah Building. Both were heavily damaged by the blast. Each church was repaired and both constructed memorials on their property. While not part of the official memorial they are open to the public."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Oil Field", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Oil Field is one of the world's giant petroleum fields and is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the United States of America. The field was opened just south of the city limits on December 4, 1928, and first entered Oklahoma City limits on May 27, 1930. The field includes drill sites around the Oklahoma State Capitol and other nearby state government buildings. The field was the first within an urban area in Oklahoma and caused immediate friction. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission passed an order stopping all drilling for 30 days on September 11, 1929. The Oklahoma City Council passed an ordinance in 1930 to limit drilling to one well per city block. Subsequent legal challenges and flagrant violations of the law led to Governor William H. Murray's declarations of martial law around the wells on May 5 and June 6 of 1932 and March 4, 1933. It also led to House Bill 481, passed April 10, 1933."}, {"context": " The discovery well, the Indian Territory Oil Illuminating Company (ITIO) and Foster Petroleum Corporation Oklahoma City Number 1 well was drilled on a surface anticlinal structure in the Garber Sandstone of Permian age and was completed in the Cambro-Ordovician Arbuckle Limestone for an IPF of 6,564 BOPD at a depth of 6,624\u00a0 ft. Subsequent development drilling opened up numerous other reservoirs including the Ordovician Basal Oil Creek Sand and the prolific Simpson \"Wilcox\" Sand. Initial flow rates in the \"Wilcox Sand\" were nothing short of spectacular often exceeding 20,000 BOPD and 20,000 MCFD. The field is approximately 12 miles long and 4.5 miles wide and encompasses 32 sq. mile with a productive area of 13,770 acres."}, {"context": " Subsurface mapping of the field demonstrated that the producing north-south trending anticlinal structure is bounded on the east by large normal fault with over 2000\u00a0ft. of throw. The anticline has over 1000\u00a0ft of producing structural closure. Stratigraphically, the Oklahoma City anticline is a \"bald-headed structure\" with a major unconformity at the base of the Pennsylvanian sediments. Because of this, the most prolific reservoir of the field, the \"Wilcox Sand\", was found at the structurally lowest producing position within the field and was the last of the major Ordovician reservoirs to be developed."}, {"context": " The high gas pressure wells suffered blowouts in the 1930s, the most prominent being the Wild Mary Sudik well. Cumulative production from the field is in excess of 1 billion BOE. The Oklahoma City Oil Field is in a faulted anticlinal structure located on the southern end of the Nemaha Ridge and the northeast rim of the Anadarko Basin. The vertical normal fault bounds the anticline on the east side and the displacement of about 2000 feet occurred simultaneously with the folding, forming a structural trap. The top of the structural trap is marked by a pre-Pennsylvanian unconformity with sediments subcropping against the Oswego Lime. The sedimentary section starts with the Arbuckle dolomite overlain by Simpson strata, which includes the Oil Creek, McLish, Tulip Creek, and Wilcox sandstones, of Ordovician age, with the Wilcox being the most productive zone. The Oswego limestone of Pennsylvanian age is a noted producer of gas."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple is the 95th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It serves 13 stakes in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. The Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple was announced on March 14, 1999, to be built on land purchased years earlier for the building of a meetinghouse, along with an additional parcel of land donated by the sellers. The additional land was originally used as a baseball field by local church members. The temple groundbreaking took place on July 3, 1999 in Yukon, Oklahoma. The temple open house began on July 15, 2000 with over 40,000 visitors touring the temple in a seven-day period. James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple on July 30, 2000.  The temple has a total floor area of , two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms. On April 10, 2017 the LDS Church announced that the temple would close in October 2017 for renovations that are anticipated to be completed in 2019."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Open (LPGA Tour)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour, played only in 1955. It was played at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Louise Suggs won the event."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Open Invitational", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Open Invitational was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour that played at various clubs in Oklahoma City. The tournament first played in the 1920s under the name Oklahoma City Open. After a hiatus of nearly three decades, the PGA Tour returned to Oklahoma City in the 1950s. The 1962\u20131967 events were held at Quail Creek Golf & Country Club. \"this list is possibly incomplete\" Oklahoma City Open Invitational Oklahoma City Open"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Philharmonic", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Philharmonic is an American symphony orchestra in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As is the case with many American symphony orchestras, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic owes a degree of its heritage to two predecessor professional symphonic orchestras in the city, the first having been launched in 1924 as the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra. As a marker in history, the orchestra finished the 1928\u20131929 season, its fifth consecutive season, having performed 7 concerts during the winter to audiences of 2,000 in the Shrine Auditorium that had been erected in 1923."}, {"context": " The Second Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1938 with Ralph Asher Rose, Jr. (1911\u20131984) conducting the inaugural season. Rose was an Oklahoma City-born virtuoso violinist. He grew up in Bayside, New York, studied with Michael Press, and at Curtis beginning at age 12, then at Juilliard. He then worked as a violinist in Dallas. During the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, under conductors Victor Alessandro and Guy Fraser Harrison (1894\u20131986), the Oklahoma Symphony attained national and international rank on several levels, helped by a regular series of radio broadcasts on the Mutual Broadcasting System and the Voice of America for American troops abroad. Conductor Ainslee Cox led the orchestra from 1974-1978."}, {"context": " In 1988, when the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra was disbanded, Joel Alan Levine (born 1948) spearheaded the founding of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic with the help of individuals, corporations, and philanthropic institutions \u2014 culturally-minded civic leaders, the newly incorporated Oklahoma City Orchestra League, Inc., and grants from five major Oklahoma corporations (Oklahoma Gas & Electric, Oklahoma Publishing Company, Southwestern Bell, Kerr McGee, and First Interstate Bank). Adding Levine's nine consecutive seasons as associate conductor of the Oklahoma City Symphony (from 1979 to 1987), and his -year tenure as music director and conductor of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, he has led the orchestra for consecutive seasons, the longest of anyone in the City's history. In the 2017-2018 season, Alexander Mickelthwate joins the orchestra as \"music director designate\" while he finishes his term as music director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He is scheduled to become music director of the OKC Philharmonic in June 2018."}, {"context": " In September 2001, the OKC Philharmonic opened its season in the newly renovated Civic Center Music Hall. The renovation was one of several Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) and cost $52.2 million, resulting in a complete transformation of the performance chamber into the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theater. In addition to a complete interior renovation, the new music hall included a multistory atrium, improved acoustics and a hydraulic orchestra pit. The Philharmonic is the largest professional performing-arts organization in the state, in terms of budget and performers employed."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Police Department", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD or OKC PD), was established in 1898 following the Land Runs. The OCPD is the largest law enforcement agency in the State of Oklahoma and has primary police jurisdiction within the corporate limits of the City of Oklahoma City. The OCPD is one of the oldest police departments in Oklahoma, tracing its roots back to Indian Territory. Specialized services which are part of the OCPD include the Tactical Team, K9, lake patrol, police aviation, bomb squad, counter-terrorism, criminal intelligence, anti-gang, narcotics, and airport police. The OCPD is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies."}, {"context": " The OCPD has a crime scene investigation service and full crime laboratory, as well as units which assist with electronic and computer crime investigations. In 2015, there were 1,169 sworn officers and 300 civilians employees serving in the department. The Oklahoma City Police Department was officially formed following the Land Rush of 1889 in central Indian Terroity. The department began as a small collection of officers. The department's first Chief was Charles F. Colcord and municipal court was held in a small tent near California Avenue. By the turn of the century, public drinking had caused many quality of life issues for the small community. In 1907, Oklahoma voters approved a liquor prohibition. A new City Charter was adopted early in March 1911. One of the Charter's provisions changed the office of the Chief of Police from elective to appointive. The charter also adopted a commissioner form of government. In July 1911, Mayor Whit Grant named Bill Tilghman as police chief. Tilghman had earned a reputation in the Western frontier having served as a U.S. Marshal, where tracked down outlaws like Bill Doolin. Under Tilgham's leadership, the OCPD rigorously targeted gambling, bootlegging, and prostitution rings."}, {"context": " During the war, the OCPD established a Traffic Department and motorcycle squad. The department also implemented an electric callbox system citywide. Officers walking a beat were required report with police dispatch by pushing \"6-1\" on the callbox. By 1923, the OCPD had expanded from 90 officers to 150. Additionally, the department created a mounted patrol unit, which began patrolling residential districts and directing traffic. In 1927, the city adopted a city manager form of government, in an effort to make city services non-partisan. In 1928, the OCPD created training courses for officers. Newly hired officers were required to complete the courses."}, {"context": " America's gangster era ushered in a new paradigm for the OCPD. The crime wave of the Great Depression forced the OCPD to begin a transition from a loose collection of untrained men, towards a professionalized force. During the Thirties, nine officers were killed in the line of duty. The OCPD began created a \"Radio Patrol Unit\" and began installing mobile radios in police cars, which greatly improved the safety and efficiency of officers. Perhaps one of the department's most interesting lawmen emerged during this time. D.A. \"Jelly\" Bryce, joined the OCPD in 1928."}, {"context": " Known for his dapper appearance, he earned the nickname \"Jelly\" from fellow officers. By the early 1930s, Bryce was promoted to the department's \"Raiding Squad\" as a plain clothes detective. In the unit, Bryce recovered dozens of stolen cars, and broke-up numerous bootlegging outfits and gambling rackets. Bryce was renown for his ability to track down outlaws and gangsters, most notably, Wilbur Underhill. Bryce often carried a shotgun and Thompson sub-machine gun while on duty. During his law enforcement career, Bryce was involved in 19 gun battles and killed at least 17 men. However, the exact number is unknown due to poor record keeping at the time. Bryce was known for his quick draw and was featured in LIFE magazine. He was electronically timed at two-fifths of a second to draw and accurately fire. It was reported at the time that \"if a crimminal blinked at Jelly Bryce, he would die in darkness.\" Bryce left the OCPD and later became an FBI Special Agent in Charge, before running unsuccessfully for Governor of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Throughout the World War II, the department suffered from a severe shortage of manpower. As a result, the requirements to become a police officer were relaxed and many clerical positions were filled by civilians. Following the war, the OCPD began a move towards specialization and professionalization. The department created a training unit. The unit conducted a 144-hour training course for new recruits. The department began new investigation units, such as burglary, traffic accident, white collar crime, and fingerprint collection."}, {"context": " During the early 1960s, the OCPD established a K-9 unit, a forensics laboratory, and a police academy. In 1965, the OCPD headquarters building at 701 Colcord Avenue was completed. In 1969, the OCPD began issuing sidearms to officers. The department issued officers S&W Model .38 Specials. In the years prior, officers had been required to purchase their own weapons. In the Seventies, the OCPD began the Alcohol Safety Action Project (ASAP) designed to reduce drunk driving. The department also created a Selected Enforcement Unit, designed to reduce crime in problomatic areas. The OCPD also added a police helicopter and Tactical Team (SWAT). In 1974, Shirley Cox became the first female OCPD officer. In the fall of 1975, OCPD officers went on a work slowdown to protest low wages. On October 24, nearly all 600 OCPD officers walked into City Hall and placed their badges on the city council's conference table. Over the next three days, the Oklahoma County Sheriff Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol provided police service to the city. Finally, on October 27, a settlement was reached, which resulted in a pay increase and added benefits for officers."}, {"context": " In the 1980s the city's population rapid grew, and so did crime rates. The department implemented new equipment, such a mobile CSI unit, forensic training for patrol officers, and a field training program (FTO). On April 19, 1995 Timothy McVeigh carried out the Oklahoma City bombing, which was the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. McVeigh detonated a Ryder truck bomb at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building which killed 168 people. Oklahoma City Police were the first on scene and began rescue efforts. Sgt. Detective Mike McPherson of the Auto Theft Unit and a Bomb Squad member arrived on scene moments after the blast. McPherson assisted the investigators by locating the hidden VIN number on the axle, which later allowed the FBI to tie the truck to McVeigh."}, {"context": " In response to the recent tornado outbreaks, the OCPD has changed its policy regarding tornado sirens. Tornado sirens are now activated in localized areas, instead of citywide activations. In the fall of 2015, the department opened a new headquarters building at 700 Colcord Drive. The new building cost approximately $22 million and is over 88,000 square feet. The building will house approximately 300 civilians, detectives, and administrators. In 2015, the OCPD announced plans to implement body cameras for patrol officers with an initial pilot program lasting a year, to be followed by wider adoption."}, {"context": " The Chief's Office is responsible for the completing daily operation of Police Department. The Chief of Police is a civilian position appointed by the City Manager. Chief William \"Bill\" Citty was appointed in October, 2003. The Chief's offices are located at the main police headquarters at 700 Colcord Dr on the west side of Downtown Oklahoma City. The Chief's office oversees the operations of the Special Investigations Division (SID), Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC), Office of Media Relations, and the Office of Professional Standards. The Chief's office also has responsibility for finance and personnel oversight of the department and provides direction to the Oklahoma City division of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Additionally, the office also includes a Police Chaplain's unit and the C.H.A.P.P.S. program, which assists officers in times of crisis or emotional distress."}, {"context": " The Administration Bureau provides administrative functions, such as training and recruiting, planning and research, and logistics support. it is located at police headquarters in downtown OKC. it also supervises the 9-1-1 emergency communications center, which is in downtown Oklahoma City. The facility was built in 2002 and is designed to withstand an EF5 tornado. The Operations Bureau provides the bulk of the visible police operations that would be seen by the public. It includes the patrol divisions, as well as several specialized units such as the athletic league and a community relations unit."}, {"context": " There are four patrol divisions and one sub-division, which serve the various geographical areas of Oklahoma City: The Uniform Support Division includes special units. These units assist patrol officers with specialized skills and equipment. Some of the units are part-time and officers are assigned elsewhere until needed. The department presents a number of medals and ribbons to its members for honorable service. The medals that the OCPD awards to its officers are as follows: The department has awarded service ribbons commemorating the service officers who participated in the search and rescue efforts following the Oklahoma City bombing. The OCPD also awards officers a ribbon for life-saving action taken during the course of their duties."}, {"context": " Since the establishment of the Oklahoma City Police Department, 31 officers and one recruit officer have died in the line of duty. There is a memorial to fallen OCPD officers at police headquarters. About 8:30 AM Friday, March 16, 2001, Joseph L. Meyer, 33, fled on foot the scene of a non-injury accident near NW 36th and Pennsylvania. About the same time Justin Cornielson was preparing to unload cases of Budweiser beer from a tractor-trailer at the Homeland grocery store at NW 39th and Pennsylvania (Penn). Cornielson had just opened the back of his truck when Meyer climbed into the driver\u2019s seat and started driving off. Oklahoma City Police officers started pursuing the stolen beer truck south bound on Penn. The truck turned east on NW 5th street. Cases of beer were flying out on to the street."}, {"context": " As the chase neared Walker Avenue Sgt. Jim Wheatley tried to ram the truck but got his scout car trapped under the truck and was being dragged. Meyer turned the truck right at Walker, freeing the scout car but lost control and crashed the truck into a building at 500 N Walker. As officers scrambled out of their cars, police dog Rudy was unintentionally allowed to leave his police K-9 unit and mistakenly attacked Police Sgt. Randy Hall. Sgt.Hall thought he was being attacked by a neighborhood dog and shot it, killing K-9 Rudy, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois. Rudy\u2019s had served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for five years with his partner and handler, Sgt. Lyndell Easley. Rudy had served with a law enforcement agency in Michigan prior to coming to Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " Joseph Meyer was arrested near the scene and charged with larceny of a vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to elude police. In 2014, the department's second line-of-duty death of a K-9 occurred, when police dog \"Kye\" was stabbed to death by a man attempting to avoid police capture. The OCPD's public integrity unit traces its history to the earliest days of the department. During the World War I era, rules governing the conduct of officers were strict. Smoking while in uniform was strictly prohibited and officers were barred from working other jobs. A department rulebook from the time states, \"All members of the Police Department shall be considered as ALWAYS on duty and the same responsibility for the suppression of disturbance and the arrest of offenders rests upon them when not in uniform as when on post of duty.\""}, {"context": " Allegations of misconduct are investigated by the OCPD's Office of Professional Standards (OPS). The office is composed of supervisors, who work in conjunction with specialized detective units to investigate claims of misconduct, including those both criminal or unprofessional in nature. Following an investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, a Citizen's Advisory Board, composed of 11 civilians from the community, reviews the allegations and the findings of the investigation. Following the review, the civilian board may submit recommendations to the chief of police or the city manager."}, {"context": " In 2015, the department announced plans to implement body cameras for patrol officers with an initial pilot program lasting a year, to be followed by wider adoption. The pilot program started in January 2016, but the use of these cameras was suspended less than six months later due to labor disagreements between the department and the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police. After negotiations resolved the labor dispute, the pilot program was restarted in November 2016. The department is committed to expanding camera use, and by February 2017 there were 345 cameras available for deployment. The initial program costs of the Watch Guard camera system is reported to be $683,325. This cost does not include the additional personnel required to manage the program."}, {"context": " In 1985, the department hired Joyce Gilchrist as a police chemist. In 1994 she was promoted to supervisor. She was fired in 2001 for \"flawed casework analysis\" and \"laboratory mismanagement.\" She had testified in eleven cases that had resulted in executions and at least one that resulted in a four million dollar settlement by the city because of her faulty testimony. In December 2010, the department agreed to formally apologize and pay $30,000 to a woman who was mistakenly arrested in front of her grandchildren in 2009, after her name was incorrectly entered into a database by a police clerk."}, {"context": " In July 2011, Oklahoma City police arrested about twenty children who were waiting outside a movie theatre after the movie ended. They were initially charged with curfew violations, although the arrests happened twenty minutes before the 11:00PM deadline. Police Chief Bill Citty admitted the officers involved made a mistake. In March 2012, Officer Roland Benavides was convicted of gambling offenses and given a five-year deferred sentence. He had resigned from the force the preceding January, after he was caught."}, {"context": " In August 2012, Sergeant Maurice Martinez plead guilty to 12 counts of sexual abuse of foster children in his care. In December 2015 officer Daniel Holtzclaw was convicted of 18 charges of rape or sexually assault against multiple women (ranging in age from 17 to 57) on his patrol route. Investigations showed that Holtzman had run background checks on some of his victims, targeting women with criminal records. Holtzclaw was fired from the department before the trial began in January, and after the guilty verdict was returned, Police Chief Citty issued a statement that \"we are satisfied with the jury's decision and firmly believe justice was served\"."}, {"context": " On November 15th, 2017, Sgt. Keith Sweeney responded to a call with an emotionally disturbed person, Dustin Pigeon, who was threatening to light himself on fire. Pigeon was holding a bottle of lighter fluid and a lighter. Sweeney, who was the third officer to arrive at the call, has been criticized for escalating the interaction, which eventually resulted in Sweeney shooting and killing Pigeon. After reviewing the incident, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater filed 2nd Degree Murder charges against Sweeney. In an August 2018 preliminary hearing, Oklahoma County Special Judge Kathryn Savage found enough evidence to bind Sweeney for trial."}, {"context": " Applicants who are accepted into OCPD Police Academy begin their employment as a \"Police Recruit\" at the OCPD Training Center at 800 North Portland Avenue. The OKCPD police academy lasts 28 weeks and is mostly a non-residential academy. Recruits are paid employees while attending the academy. The OCPD Field training program (FTO) is modeled after the San Jose system. The program requires graduates of the police academy to complete a four- to six-month-long training phase in the field with a senior officer. During the FTO program, Recruit Officers are graded daily on over 30 different categories ranging from personal safety to interactions with citizens. Officers must have acceptable scores to continue through the program."}, {"context": " In 2015, the OCPD entered into an official partnership with the OKC Metro Tech. The partnership created an \"OCPD Cadet Academy.\" The program is designed to prepare high school students for careers in public safety or law enforcement. Students are introduced to the basics of law enforcement, such as defensive tactics, forensic investigations, and criminal law. In addition, cadets receive training in emergency vehicle driving and weapons. The goal of the program is to groom high school students for the OCPD Police Academy."}, {"context": " Police vehicles used by OCPD include the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, Ford Police Interceptor Sedan, Ford Police Interceptor Utility, Ford F-250, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Tahoe, and the Lenco BearCat used by the Tactical Team. The departments also uses several types of boats for lake patrol and motorcycles for traffic enforcement. In 2012, OCPD began transitioning to the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and Ford Police Interceptor Utility for patrol officers. In appearance, the vehicles are all black. The word \"POLICE\" is printed in large white letters on the side doors, and \"We Serve With Pride\" appears above the rear wheel wells. The seal of the City of Oklahoma City appears on the front doors. An abbreviation denoting the division that the vehicle is assigned to appears on the rear trunk (HF-Hefner, SW-Southwest, SF-Santa Fe, SL-Springlake, BT-Bricktown, WRWA-Will Rogers World Airport, US-Uniform Support, BP-Bike Patrol, G-Gang Unit, T-Traffic). Also printed on the rear trunk area is the car number with the word \"POLICE\" in small white letters."}, {"context": " In 2014, the department began using two Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopters. The helicopters are stationed at the department's helipad at the Downtown Airpark. The helicopters are equipped with Forward looking infrared cameras and searchlights. When in flight, the helicopters use the FAA callsign Air-One or Air-Two to communicate with Oklahoma City Air Traffic Control. Prior to 2014, the OCPD operated a pair of MD 500E helicopters as their air-support assets. In 1990 the department abandoned the S&W Model 65 revolver and began issuing the Glock 17 9mm pistol. The Glock pistol remained the primary issue sidearm of the department until 2017, when they switched to the Sig Sauer P320 chambered in 9mm. Officers are issued and complete their academy training and probation with the P320. After completing their new hire probation officers may select another firearm from an approved list, but must purchase the gun and supporting equipment at their own expense."}, {"context": " In 2007 the department implemented a patrol rifle program. Officers are selected for the department's patrol rifle school, and upon successful completion are issued a Rock River AR-15. The department also has Remington 870 shotguns that are issued at officer request. The OCPD Tactical Team uses a range of specialized weapons, including the Rock River AR-15 and Heckler & Koch G36K assault rifle, as well as the H&K MP-5 submachine gun and custom made sniper rifles. In the past the department allowed a variety of weapons, and during Prohibition, some officers carried Thompson submachine guns. The department still maintains some of the historic Thompson guns in its inventory."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Public Schools", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Public Schools is a multicultural public school district serving most of the urban area of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is the largest primary and secondary education district in the state of Oklahoma with 97 schools and approximately 46,000 students enrolled students during the 2016\u20132017 school year. Subscription schools were the first schools in Oklahoma Territory, but public schools began to emerge in the 1890s, shortly before 1907 statehood. By 1909, Oklahoma City had ten public school buildings. By 1930 the city had three high schools, six junior high schools, and 51 elementary schools with an enrollment of 38,593."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Slickers", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Slickers was the name given to two different American soccer clubs based in Oklahoma City. The first team competed in the second American Soccer League in 1982 and 1983, and as the Oklahoma City Stampede in the United Soccer League in 1984 and 1985. The second Oklahoma City Slickers competed in the USISL from 1993 to 1996. In 1982, the first Oklahoma City Slickers joined the de facto second division American Soccer League. The Slickers went to the championship series, losing to the Detroit Express. Head coach Brian Harvey was the ASL Coach of the Year. In 1983, the Slickers finished last in the league. The American Soccer League collapsed following the 1983 season. This led to the creation of the United Soccer League in 1984. The Slickers joined the new league, changing their name to the Oklahoma City Stampede. The club once again came tantalizingly close to a league championship, winning the regular-season title on point differential over the Fort Lauderdale Sun but falling in the semifinals to the Houston Dynamos in a three-game series. This success was short-lived. After the 1984 season, the club relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Tulsa Tornados, with Brian Harvey still serving as head coach. The USL folded in the spring of 1985 after just a handful of games. During its short existence, Oklahoma City's best-known players were goalkeeper Phil Parkes and Jeff Bourne, both veterans of the North American Soccer League and English First Division. Home games were played at historical (but woefully narrow for soccer purposes) Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " In February 1993, the United States Interregional Soccer League announced the merger of the Oklahoma City Warriors of the USISL and the Oklahoma City Spirit of the Lone Star Soccer Alliance. The new team would compete in the USISL using the name the Oklahoma City Slickers. Brian Harvey coached the Slickers in their first year with Warriors head coach Chico Villar serving as an assistant and team general manager. The team also returned to Taft Stadium. In 1994, Duane Cummings replaced Harvey as head coach. The Slickers withdrew from the league and disbanded after the 1995\u201396 USISL indoor season."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Spirit", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Spirit was an American soccer club based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that was a member of the Lone Star Soccer Alliance. The team was formed by head coach Brian Harvey and assistant Coach West Harmmon. Brian's first priority was to signed two former OCU standouts. He signed Richard Benigno and Manny Uceda. Ironically Uceda and Benigno brought the Spirit its first championship that year. In the Championship game Uceda scored the first goal to give the Spirit the only goal they needed. Later in the game Benigno added and insurance goal making it 2-0 and minutes later Uceda added his second goal of the night making the final score 3-0. The Original team was composed of OCU, SNU and OCC players."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Stars", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Stars are the athletic teams that represent Oklahoma City University, located in Oklahoma City, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The university fields 17 varsity sports teams, and these teams compete in the NAIA and the Sooner Athletic Conference in all sports except women's wrestling which competes in the Women's College Wrestling Association. Until 1985, the Stars competed in the NCAA Division I Horizon League, which was known as the Midwestern City Conference at that time. Oklahoma City University has won 6 NAIA National Championships: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2007, and 2008."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City University has made 18 NAIA tournament appearances: 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010. As a member of the NCAA, Oklahoma City University went to the NCAA tournament 11 times, the most of any school no longer a member of the NCAA (1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, and 1973.) Oklahoma City University appeared in the NIT twice, in 1959 and 1968. Oklahoma City has had 71 Major League Baseball Draft selections since the draft began in 1965."}, {"context": " In 2012, Kevin Patrick Hardy (class of 2013) became OCU's first national champion in wrestling, taking the national title at 165 pounds. Hardy was a Division 1 three time state champion at Solon High School in Ohio. Through the Spring 2012 sports season, Oklahoma City has won 41 national championships. Of these, 36 are NAIA championships, and four are WCWA championships. Oklahoma City won the NACDA Director's Cup for the NAIA in 2002, awarded annually to the college or university with the most success in collegiate athletics."}, {"context": " OCU has won national championships in the following sports (number of championships in parentheses, NAIA titles unless otherwise specified): Total men's Championships: 18 (in 4 different men's team sports) Total women's championships: 25 (in 4 different women's team sports) Oklahoma City's football program and head coach Os Doenges made multiple innovative attempts to improving the game. The first and most successful innovation was credited to opposing coach Dike Beede when the football team played in the 1941 Oklahoma City vs. Youngstown football game. This game marks the first American football game to use a penalty flag."}, {"context": " The second innovation was an unsuccessful venture to allow a coach to be on the field with the offense to help call plays and provide additional coaching as time allows. Doenges proposed tests with opposing coaches and at least two agreed to test the idea. However, the concept itself was considered a success and rules changes eventually allowed coaches on the sidelines to call plays and send plays in with a substitute. Also, Doenges is credited with inventing the offensive V formation (American football) while at Oklahoma City. Nicknamed \"Three dots and a dash\" (Morse code for the letter \"v\"), the program presented the new offensive formation to great fanfare before losing to the Southwestern Moundbuilders by a score of 7\u20130.  The team played Toledo in the 1948 Glass Bowl, losing 27\u201314. The school is currently known as the Stars, but was known as the Goldbugs or Gold Bugs in the 1920s, 30s and early 40s. From 1944, the university was known as the Chiefs a nickname changed in 1998 in reaction to the mounting pressure on schools to adopt names more sensitive to and respectful of Native American culture."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Stars (ice hockey)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Stars were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League from 1978 to 1982. They were affiliated with the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League. The team was run by head coach/general manager Ted Hampson, except for their final season when Tom McVie was the coach. The team made it to the league playoffs in their final two years, but lost both in the first round."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Stars men's basketball", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Stars men's basketball team is the basketball team that represents Oklahoma City University (OCU) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Sooner Athletic Conference. Oklahoma City competed in NCAA Division I for many years, and the program was especially noted for its success under coaches Doyle Parrack (1950\u20131955) and his successor Abe Lemons (1955\u20131973 and 1984\u20131990). OCU appeared in eleven NCAA Men's Division I Basketball tournaments.  In 1985, the school moved from the NCAA to the NAIA and has since won six national championships."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Streetcar", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Streetcar (OKC Streetcar), also known as the MAPS 3 streetcar, is a streetcar system in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The system serves the greater downtown Oklahoma City area using modern, low-floor streetcars, the first of which was delivered in mid-February 2018. The initial system would see two lines that connect Oklahoma City's Central Business District with the entertainment district, Bricktown, and the Midtown District. Expansion to other districts surrounding downtown as well as more routes in the CBD is already underway."}, {"context": " The fare is $1 or $0.50 for seniors at least 65, disabled or Medicare via Embark ID card once it opens, and all riders need a ticket. 30/7/1-Day Passes are bought via TVMs. The streetcar was first conceived in a 2005 regional transit study known as the Fixed Guideway Study. The concept lay dormant until a local Oklahoma City businessman, inventor, and political activist named Jeff Bezdek promoted the project to the Oklahoma City Council to be considered as part of Metropolitan Area Projects Plan 3 (MAPS 3) program. Bezdek launched a strategic campaign called the Modern Transit Project to generate public support for the initiative. Polling indicated that the streetcar plan had a majority of support from likely voters. The Oklahoma City Council incorporated the concept into the MAPS program."}, {"context": " The system is financed through MAPS 3, a sales tax-financed public works program. The initiative was approved in 2009 via a majority vote by the citizens of Oklahoma City. On September 29, 2015, the Oklahoma City city council approved the awarding of a $22\u00a0million contract to Inekon, of the Czech Republic, for the purchase of five streetcars, as well as spare parts and training. However, after Inekon failed to meet a one-month deadline for submitting required financial-guarantee information, project staff recommended switching to Brookville Equipment Corporation, another manufacturer that had also bid for the order. On November 10, the city council voted its approval for the staff to begin negotiations with Brookville for the streetcar contract. In March 2016, the city reached a final agreement with Brookville to purchase five streetcars, with an option for a sixth, at a cost of $24.9 million. The low-floor design is Brookville's \"Liberty\" model. The first streetcar arrived on February 12, 2018 (and was unloaded onto the rails the following day), and by March 12, three of the seven on order had arrived. Three different color schemes are used, with three cars in a \"redbud\" color, two in blue and two in green, along with white for a portion of each car."}, {"context": " In December 2016, the city council awarded a $50 million contract for rail installation to builders Herzog and Stacy and Witbeck, with construction planned to begin in early 2017 and continue for about two years. The formal groundbreaking for the project took place on February 7, 2017. The project was expected to cost a total of $131.8\u00a0million in 2017, but this had increased to $136\u00a0million by 2018. Service commenced at 10 a.m. on December 14, 2018, followed by three days of celebrations. The streetcar system is one of the conventional type using steel rails embedded into city streets, with modern vehicles powered from overhead electric wires. The streetcars are planned to be in use with everyday traffic. Initially, five vehicles were slated to be ordered. A sixth car was slated to be purchased through MAPS 3 with options for six more vehicles beyond the initial purchase. The streetcar vehicles was required to operate wirelessly for several hundred feet under the existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway bridges that separate downtown Oklahoma City central business district from the Bricktown entertainment district."}, {"context": " The city has contracted with Herzog Transit Services to operate the line and provide day-to-day maintenance. Streetcars operate at around 8-12-minute intervals at designated pedestrian shelters along the 4.6-mile route. Downtown Loop<br> \"Loop between Bricktown and Midtown\" Major expansion of the Oklahoma City Streetcar system beyond the first phase is already being planned. A steering committee made up of local mayors, city councillors, and other civic leaders approved plans for major expansion from the MAPS 3 system northward up the major thoroughfare Classen Boulevard to the planned 63rd Street commuter rail station stop and southward from downtown along Walker Avenue to the Southwest 25th Street (future) commuter-rail stop in Capitol Hill. Additional plans have also been discussed for streetcar expansion to Oklahoma City University through the historic Plaza District northwest of the initial starter line."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City Streetcar project as part of the MAPS initiative is overseen by a committee appointed by the mayor and city council of Oklahoma City. The original promoter of the streetcar system, Jeff Bezdek, is appointed to committee along with several other volunteers from the original Modern Transit Project initiative. Recommendations from this committee are formally made to the MAPS 3 oversight board which then makes recommendations to the Oklahoma City Council to be potentially enacted as policy."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Thunder", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Thunder is an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. The team plays its home games at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder's NBA G League affiliate is the Oklahoma City Blue, which it owns. The Thunder are the only team in the major professional North American sports leagues based in the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma City previously hosted the New Orleans Hornets (now the Pelicans) for two seasons following devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans."}, {"context": " The team was originally established as the Seattle SuperSonics, an expansion team that joined the NBA for the . The SuperSonics moved in 2008 after a settlement was reached between the ownership group led by Clay Bennett and lawmakers in Seattle, Washington following a lawsuit. In Seattle, the SuperSonics qualified for the NBA playoffs 22 times, won their division six times, and won the 1979 NBA Championship. In Oklahoma City, the Thunder qualified for their first playoff berth during the 2009\u201310 season. They won their first division title as the Thunder in the 2010\u201311 season and their first Western Conference championship as the Thunder in the 2011\u201312 season, appearing in the NBA Finals for the fourth time in franchise history and first since 1996, when the team was based in Seattle."}, {"context": " The Thunder's previous incarnation, the Seattle SuperSonics, were formed in 1967. In their 41 seasons in Seattle, the SuperSonics compiled a () win\u2013loss record in the regular season and went () in the playoffs. The franchise's titles include three Western Conference championships and one NBA title in 1979. In 2006, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sold the SuperSonics and its Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) sister franchise, the Seattle Storm, for $350 million to the Professional Basketball Club LLC, a group of Oklahoma City investors led by Clay Bennett. The sale of the SuperSonics and Storm was approved by NBA owners the following October. In 2007, Bennett announced that the franchise would move to Oklahoma City as soon as the lease with KeyArena expired."}, {"context": " In June 2008, a lawsuit brought by the city of Seattle against Bennett due to his attempts to break the final two years of the Sonics' lease at KeyArena went to federal court. Nearly a month later, the two sides reached a settlement agreement. The terms awarded the city $45 million to get out of the remaining lease at KeyArena, and would have provided an additional $30 million payment to Seattle in 2013 if certain conditions had been met. The owners agreed to leave the SuperSonics name, logo and colors in Seattle for a possible future NBA franchise; however, the items would remain the property of the Oklahoma City team along with other \"assets\", including championship banners and trophies. On September 3, 2008, the team name, logo, and colors for the Oklahoma City franchise were revealed to the public. The name \"Thunder\" was chosen in reference to Oklahoma's location in Tornado Alley and Oklahoma City as the home of the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division, the Thunderbirds."}, {"context": " The Thunder participated in the Orlando Pro Summer League featuring their second-year players, potential free agents and rookies. The players wore generic black and white jerseys reading \"OKC-NBA\" against an outline of a basketball. The Thunder's temporary practice facility was the Sawyer Center at Southern Nazarene University, which had been used by the New Orleans Hornets when they relocated to Oklahoma City after Hurricane Katrina. The Thunder played several preseason games before the 2008\u20132009 regular season, but only one of those games was in Oklahoma City. The Thunder made their first appearance in Billings, Montana on October 8, 2008 in an 88\u201382 preseason loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Thunder played their first Ford Center game on October 14 against the Los Angeles Clippers."}, {"context": " In their regular-season home opener, the Thunder faced (and lost to) the Milwaukee Bucks. Earl Watson scored the first points of the season with a layup. Three nights later on November 2, the Thunder won their first game by defeating the Timberwolves, improving their record to 1\u20133. The team then went on a 10-game losing streak before deciding on November 22 to fire head coach P. J. Carlesimo and assistant Paul Westhead. Assistant coach Scott Brooks then took over on an interim basis. Oklahoma City lost its next four games to tie the franchise losing streak of 14 set in Seattle the previous season. But the team managed to prevent history by winning their next game on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies."}, {"context": " As the season continued, the Thunder began to improve. After starting 3\u201329, the Thunder finished the regular season 20\u201330 for the remaining fifty games. Not only were they winning more often, they played much more competitively than in the first part of the season. The team brought their record to 23\u201359 and improved upon their record of 20\u201362 from the team's final season in Seattle. The late-season successes of the Thunder contributed to the signing of Scott Brooks as the team's official head coach."}, {"context": " After moving to Oklahoma City from Seattle, the team's operating situation improved markedly. In December 2008, \"Forbes\" magazine estimated the team's franchise value at $300 million\u00a0\u2013 a 12 percent increase from the previous year's $268 million, when the club was located in Seattle. \"Forbes\" also noted an increase in percentage of available tickets sold, from 78 percent in the team's last season in Seattle to 100 percent in 2008\u201309. After an inaugural season filled with many adjustments, the Thunder hoped to improve during their second season in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City did not make any major moves in the off-season, other than drafting James Harden from Arizona State University with the third overall pick in the NBA Draft. The Thunder selected Rodrigue Beaubois with the 25th pick in the 2009 draft before immediately trading him to the Dallas Mavericks for the 24th pick, center Byron Mullens from Ohio State University. The team then added veteran center Etan Thomas and guard Kevin Ollie. The last major change to their roster occurred on December 22, 2009, when the team traded for Eric Maynor from the Utah Jazz. Maynor immediately supplanted Ollie as the backup point guard."}, {"context": " From the outset the young team looked determined and cohesive. The increasing leadership of Kevin Durant, along with the growing experience of the Thunder's younger players, including future MVP Russell Westbrook and James Harden, were signs of the Thunder's improvement. The 2009\u201310 season included several victories over the NBA's elite teams, including a 28-point blowout over the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic and a 16-point blowout of the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. Road victories over the San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks further enhanced their reputation. Though they hovered around .500 for the first half of the season, they went on a 9-game winning streak that sent them into serious playoff contention. Kevin Durant became the youngest player in league history to win the scoring title, averaging 30.1 points per game while playing in all 82 games."}, {"context": " The Thunder finished 50\u201332, more than doubling their win total from the previous season. The 50\u201332 record tied the 2008 Denver Nuggets for the most wins by an 8th seed in the modern Playoffs era. The Oklahoma City Thunder also had the same record as the Boston Celtics in this season. They finished fourth in the Northwest Division and eighth in the Western Conference playoff standings, and earned a spot in the 2010 NBA Playoffs. On April 22, the team secured their first playoff win in Oklahoma City when they defeated the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers 101\u201396. This was also the Thunder's first playoff win at the Ford Center. However, the Thunder tied the series at 2 games each, but the Lakers won the last 2 games in the series to win it 4-2."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City ranked twelfth in overall attendance in the NBA, and seventh in percentage of available seats occupied (98 percent, including 28 sellouts in 41 home games). The team's operating situation also continued to improve in 2009\u201310. \"Forbes\" magazine estimated the team's franchise value at $310 million (an increase of $10 million over the prior year) with an estimated operating profit of $12.7 million (the first operating profit in years for the franchise). Financially, the Thunder organization continued to build on the positive returns experienced from relocating from Seattle to Oklahoma City. In January 2011, \"Forbes\" magazine estimated the franchise's worth at $329 million, up six percent from 2009\u201310 and ranking No. 18 in the NBA. The magazine also estimated the franchise's revenue at $118 million and operating profit at $22.6 million\u00a0\u2013 up 6.3 percent and 78 percent, respectively, from the previous year. The Thunder finished the 2010\u20132011 season with a 55\u201327 record, a five-win increase from their breakout season the previous year. The team also captured their first division title since moving to Oklahoma City, and seventh in franchise history."}, {"context": " In the wake of a fourth-seed versus fifth-seed match-up against the Denver Nuggets, Kevin Durant scored 41 points in Game 1 to set a new career playoff high. In the final game of the series, he again scored 41 and forward Serge Ibaka nearly tied the record for most blocks in a playoff game (10, set by Mark Eaton, Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrew Bynum) with 9 blocks. The Thunder won the series 4 games to 1 and were set to face off against the Memphis Grizzlies who achieved an eight-seed upset over the San Antonio Spurs just days before. The Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals with a seven-game series triumph over the Grizzlies. Durant was again the star, scoring 39 points in the clinching Game 7, while Russell Westbrook also had a triple-double. Despite hard-fought battles with the eventual NBA champs, the Thunder fell to the Dallas Mavericks 4\u20131 in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder had a chance to tie the series in Game 4, but they were unable to hold a 15-point lead with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. They ended up losing in overtime by the score of 112\u2013105."}, {"context": " During the extended lockout, Thunder players played in exhibition games and even local pickup games to stay in shape. When the abbreviated training camp began, Oklahoma City started with an intact roster and all players, except for Russell Westbrook. In addition, Kendrick Perkins lost more than 30 pounds during the lockout. The Thunder made their two pre-season appearances, after the lockout, against the Dallas Mavericks, winning both games. They won their first regular-season game against Orlando at home and went on a five-game winning streak. Kevin Durant became the sixth player to score 30 or more points in four consecutive games at the start of a season. In addition, the Thunder was the first to sweep their back-to-back-to-back games, winning a home-and-home series with the Houston Rockets, then routing the San Antonio Spurs. Thunder players Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Perkins, and Ibaka made it onto the 2012 All-Star ballots. After the Thunder's win over the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2012, Scott Brooks was named as the head coach for the Western Conference All-Star squad for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, Florida."}, {"context": " In the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the Thunder swept the defending champion Dallas Mavericks in the first round to advance and face off against their first round foes from 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers. They defeated the Lakers in five games and advanced to play the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder lost the first two games against the Spurs but won the next three including a Game 5 road win, to take a commanding 3\u20132 game lead in the series. In Game 6, the Thunder defeated the Spurs 107\u201399 and advanced to the 2012 NBA Finals. Durant led the way with 34 points, playing all of regulation time in the game. In the 2012 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, the Thunder won the first game at home but then lost four in a row and lost the series in five games."}, {"context": " In the 2012 NBA draft, the Thunder selected Baylor University forward Perry Jones III with the 28th overall pick. The Thunder also signed free agents Hasheem Thabeet and Daniel Orton, and signed guards Andy Rautins and DeAndre Liggins. They re-signed forward Serge Ibaka to a four-year, $48 million extension. After failing to sign James Harden to an extension that was reportedly worth four years and $52 million, the team decided to trade Harden rather than having to pay the luxury tax penalty. On October 27, 2012, the Thunder traded Harden along with center Cole Aldrich and forwards Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to the Houston Rockets for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, first round draft picks from Toronto and Dallas, and one second round draft pick. Martin took over Harden's sixth-man role for the season. The Thunder finished with a 60\u201322 regular season, taking both the Northwest division title and top seed of the Western Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they faced the 8th-seeded Houston Rockets, featuring former team member James Harden. In game 2 of the series, Russell Westbrook was struck by Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley, and fell down with an injury and missed the rest of the playoffs after having knee surgery. Without the team's second-leading scorer, the Thunder, who had a 3\u20130 lead, lost the next two games to bring the series to 3\u20132. In game 6, the Thunder defeated the Rockets to advance to the second round, facing a rematch of the 2011 second round, with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Thunder lost the series 4\u20131, losing four straight games after winning Game 1 at home."}, {"context": " In the 2013 NBA draft, the Thunder selected 12th pick Steven Adams, traded for the 26th pick Andre Roberson, and selected 47th pick Grant Jerrett. Kevin Martin's contract expired, and he soon signed with the Timberwolves. In addition to Oklahoma City's off-season movements, they signed free agent Ryan Gomes and re-signed Derek Fisher. The team finished second in the conference to San Antonio with a 59\u201323 record. They met the Memphis Grizzlies for the third time in the playoffs. It also sparked a news article which reportedly called Durant \"Mr. Unreliable\". The series set a record for most consecutive overtimes in a series with four. OKC prevailed in seven games to play for the first time the Los Angeles Clippers, whom they defeated in six games. Their final playoff opponent, in the Western Conference Finals, was the San Antonio Spurs, with the Spurs winning, 4\u20132."}, {"context": " With the 21st and 29th picks in the NBA draft, the Thunder selected Mitch McGary from Michigan and Josh Huestis from Stanford. \"He brings energy, passion, and great basketball IQ and toughness what we value\" said Presti on drafting McGary. Oklahoma City also signed Semaj Christon in the draft. On July 3, the Thunder signed Sebastian Telfair. But they lost shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha as his contract expired and he agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Several weeks before the season started, the Thunder suffered a setback as Durant was diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his right foot and missed the first 17 games of the season. During the opening game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Westbrook scored 38 points, but found himself sidelined due to a small fracture in his right hand. He missed 16 games, during which Oklahoma City went 4\u201312. During the middle of the season Westbrook and Durant both came back, and similarly suffered more injuries. Durant was ruled out of the rest of the season in March, deciding to have foot surgery. Westbrook also had to undergo surgery in early March, to repair a fracture in the zygomatic arch bone of his right cheek. Several days later he returned and recorded several triple-doubles on his way to Western Conference Player of the Month honors from February to April. He also won the 2014\u20132015 NBA scoring title. However, despite the effort, the Thunder missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the New Orleans Pelicans, and Westbrook fell short of the MVP award, finishing fourth in voting. They finished with a 45\u201337 record. On April 22, 2015, Scott Brooks was fired as the Thunder head coach. Billy Donovan was hired on April 30, 2015. This was Donovan's first major NBA coaching job, after he initially accepted and then left the Orlando Magic job in 2007."}, {"context": " With the 14th and the 48th picks in the 2015 NBA draft, the Thunder selected Cameron Payne from Murray State and Dakari Johnson from Kentucky. With Billy Donovan as the team's head coach the Thunder won the Northwest Division and clinched the third seed in the Western Conference. The team reached the Western Conference Finals for the fourth time in a span of six seasons, but was eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in seven games, after being up 3\u20131. After the season Kevin Durant left the team in free agency for the Warriors. The move was not well received by the public or NBA analysts, with many comparing the move to LeBron James' 2010 off-season departure from Cleveland to join the Miami Heat. On July 7, he was officially introduced by the Warriors organization and signed a two-year, $54.3 million contract, with a player option after the first year."}, {"context": " On August 4, 2016, Westbrook agreed to a 3-year extension to remain with the Thunder. With an average of 31.6 points, 10.4 assists, and 10.7 rebounds, Westbrook became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple double for an entire NBA regular season, and only the second in NBA history (the other being Robertson). On April 2, 2017, Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson's record for most triple doubles in an NBA season (41); he broke the record on April 9 against the Denver Nuggets, marking his 42nd triple double of the season. Westbrook, in that game, also hit the game winning buzzer beater from 36 feet, ending the Nuggets' playoffs hopes and securing the Thunder's 3rd seed matchup with the Houston Rockets in the NBA playoffs. Oklahoma City lost the playoff series in the first round to the Houston Rockets 4\u20131. Despite the team's loss, Westbrook averaged a +14 while on the court and a triple double during the series and was named league MVP after the season."}, {"context": " In the 2017 NBA draft, the Thunder selected guard Terrance Ferguson with the 21st pick, and signed him to a four year rookie-scale contract. To further bolster the roster and improve Westbrook's supporting cast, the Thunder's front office made a series of aggressive moves to reshape the team. On July 6, 2017, the Thunder acquired four-time All-Star forward Paul George in a trade with the Indiana Pacers in exchange for guard Victor Oladipo and forward Domantas Sabonis. The team then signed veteran point guard Raymond Felton and sharp-shooting power forward Patrick Patterson in free agency on July 10. Finally, on September 25, the Thunder acquired ten-time All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks in exchange for center Enes Kanter, forward Doug McDermott, and a 2018 second round draft pick they had previously acquired from the Chicago Bulls in the Cameron Payne trade. On 29th September 2017, the Thunder signed Russell Westbrook to a 5 year extension. The Thunder finished the 2017\u201318 season with a 48\u201334 record and lost to the Utah Jazz 4\u20132 in the first round of the playoffs."}, {"context": " In the 2018 NBA draft, the Thunder selected guard Devon Hall with the 53rd pick and forward Kevin Hervey with the 57th pick. Devon Hall did not sign with the Thunder, instead signing with the Cairns Taipans of the Australian National Basketball League. Kevin Hervey signed with the Thunder's NBA G-League affiliate, Oklahoma City Blue. Additionally, the Thunder traded a 2019 second-round pick to acquire Hamidou Diallo, who had been selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 45th pick. Diallo signed a 3 year contract with the Thunder."}, {"context": " On July 6, 2018, Paul George re-signed with the Thunder. In July 2018, the Thunder traded forward Carmelo Anthony and a 2022 protected first round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in a three way trade. In the trade, the Thunder acquired guard Dennis Schroder from the Atlanta Hawks and forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Thunder also acquired guard Deonte Burton, signing him to a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Blue. Additionally, the Thunder acquired center Nerlens Noel in free agency, and traded for Abdel Nader from the Boston Celtics."}, {"context": " \"Note: All arenas used before 2008 were used by the defunct Seattle SuperSonics franchise.\" Seattle arenas had hosted two NBA All-Star Games; the 1974 game in Seattle Center Coliseum and the 1987 game in the Kingdome, where SuperSonics forward Tom Chambers grabbed MVP honors. Opened in 2002 as the Ford Center, Chesapeake Energy Arena was built without luxury accommodations, but designed to accommodate luxury \"buildouts\" should a professional sports franchise make the Chesapeake Energy Arena their home arena."}, {"context": " A plan for such build-out improvements began in 2007. It came in the wake of the acquisition of the Seattle SuperSonics by an Oklahoma City-based ownership group the previous October. A city ballot initiative approved by a 62 percent margin on March 4, 2008, extended a prior one-cent city sales tax for a period of 15 months in order to fund $101 million in budgeted improvements to the arena and a separate $20 million practice facility for a relocated franchise. Renovation work on the arena was delayed by a sales tax-receipts shortfall during the 2008\u201310 economic crisis. Revised plans limited the size of a new glass entryway and eliminated a practice court to accommodate the shortfall. Major construction work on the arena expansion was also delayed from the summer of 2010 to the summer of 2011. Seating capacity of the stadium is 18,203 for professional NBA basketball games."}, {"context": " Similar revisions were made to the plans for the Thunder's separate practice facility, for a total cost savings of approximately $14 million. The Thunder's practice facility completion date was pushed back to approximately March 2011. \"Note: All mascots used before 2008 were used by the defunct Seattle SuperSonics franchise.\" On February 17, 2009, Rumble the Bison was introduced as the new Oklahoma City Thunder mascot during halftime of a game against the New Orleans Hornets. Rumble was the winner of the 2008\u20132009 NBA Mascot of the Year."}, {"context": " During the 2012 NBA Finals, sportswriter Bill Simmons published a piece on the team's fan base in his ESPN-sponsored Web outlet, \"Grantland.com\", in which he noted the unusual enthusiasm of the city for its team: Simmons speculated that the Oklahoma City bombing played a major part in the team's culture, noting that Thunder general manager Sam Presti has every new Thunder player visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial, and encourages players to look into the stands and consider that many of the team's fans were personally affected by the event. He also noted, however, that the fact that the Thunder is the only team from Oklahoma City (or indeed the state of Oklahoma) in one of the nation's four major leagues contributes mightily to the city's devotion."}, {"context": " Thunder fans are also reportedly much more likely to attend major home games than most other NBA fanbases. According to a source in the ticket industry, only five percent of tickets to the 2012 NBA conference finals listed for sale on secondary market sites such as StubHub were for Thunder home games, and for every ticket listed for a Thunder home game in the 2012 NBA Finals, 10 tickets for Heat home games were listed. The team and its fanbase regularly use the slogan \"Thunder Up!\" which was prominently displayed on T-shirts during the 2012 playoffs."}, {"context": " The Thunder hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player, either an international draftee or a college draftee who is not signed by the team that drafted him, is allowed to sign with any non-NBA teams. In this case, the team retains the player's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player's contract with the non-NBA team ends. This list includes draft rights that were acquired from trades with other teams. For details on Seattle SuperSonics history, see \"Seattle SuperSonics records\"."}, {"context": " NBA Most Valuable Player NBA All-Star head coach NBA Coach of the Year NBA Sixth Man of the Year NBA Community Assist Award NBA scoring champion All-NBA First Team All-NBA Second Team All-NBA Third Team NBA All-Defensive First Team NBA All-Defensive Second Team NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Rookie First Team NBA All-Rookie Second Team NBA All-Star Team NBA All Star Game Most Valuable Player As the Oklahoma City Thunder's original iteration, the Seattle SuperSonics retired six numbers. In addition, the SuperSonics awarded an honorary microphone to longtime broadcaster Bob Blackburn, who had called the majority of the team's games from 1967 through 1992."}, {"context": " Notes: The Oklahoma City Thunder unveiled their first logo on September 3, 2008. According to majority owner Clay Bennett, the team's logo takes several of its elements from other Oklahoma sports teams, such as the University of Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State University Cowboys. The uniform design was unveiled on September 29, 2008. An alternate uniform was unveiled on November 8, 2012, featuring only navy blue and white colors. Unlike their regular uniforms, the wordmarks on the alternate are written vertically."}, {"context": " A second alternate uniform was unveiled on March 1, 2015. A white uniform with sleeves, it features the Thunder partial logo in the center of the chest, and the shorts showcase bolts in light blue and sunset colors. A third alternate uniform was unveiled on September 25, 2015. A sunset-colored uniform, it features the Oklahoma City abbreviation \"OKC\" in navy block letters trimmed in white. On the back of the jersey, player names sit below the numbers. The shorts display a sunset base with navy panels down the side showcasing the Thunder partial logo on each leg. The Thunder wore the sunset alternates for 18 games in the 2015-2016 season, including all 13 of its Sunday games."}, {"context": " All Thunder games are broadcast on the Thunder Radio Network, fronted by flagship stations WWLS-FM 98.1 and KWPN AM 640 in Oklahoma City. Matt Pinto is the radio voice of the Thunder. For their first two seasons, the Thunder's TV broadcasts were split between Fox Sports Oklahoma (a regional fork of Fox Sports Southwest), which broadcast most of the games, and independent station KSBI (channel 52), with around 65 Thunder games airing during the season and more than half of the games available in HD on Fox Sports Oklahoma, along with other team-related programming such as pre-game shows. Around 15 to 20 regular-season games were broadcast over the air on KSBI, which had a network of re-broadcasters spanning the entire state. All televised games are called by Brian Davis on play-by-play and Michael Cage as color commentator. During the 2009\u201310 season, KSBI telecast all Thunder games it aired in high definition (KSBI had previously aired in HD the first regular-season game played at the Ford Center\u00a0\u2013 against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 29, 2008\u00a0\u2013 while all other games during the 2008\u201309 season were telecast on KSBI in standard definition)."}, {"context": " On August 3, 2010, the Thunder signed a new exclusive multi-year agreement with Fox Sports Oklahoma, beginning with the 2010\u201311 season, ending the team's broadcasts on KSBI. On October 22, 2012, the Thunder announced that Lesley McCaslin would be the new Thunder sideline reporter. On July 21, 2014, the Thunder announced that Long would not return to be its TV color commentator on Fox Sports Oklahoma. On September 17, 2014, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced that 15-year NBA veteran Michael Cage would be the new color analyst, joining Brian Davis on television and Matt Pinto on the radio when the game is not on Fox Sports Oklahoma."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Thunder all-time roster", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The following is a list of players, both past and current, who played in at least in one game for the Seattle SuperSonics (1967\u20132008) or Oklahoma City Thunder (2008\u2013present) National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Thunder draft history", "paragraphs": [{"context": " This is a list of draft picks for the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise. The franchise name was Seattle SuperSonics from 1967 to 2008 and has been Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008. As of the 2018 NBA draft, the last in which the Thunder had a selection, the team has selected 274 players."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Underground", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Underground is a series of pedestrian tunnels and skyways connecting skyscrapers, hotels and venues in sections of Downtown Oklahoma City's central business district. The original tunnel was dug in the early 1930s because William Balser Skirvin wanted to have an underground passage from his \"Skirvin Hotel\" on one side of Broadway to his new hotel, The Skirvin Towers, on the other side of Broadway. The rest of the tunnel was a result of the urban renewal of the late 1960s and early 1970s as designed by I. M. Pei, with major construction between 1972 and 1974. The tunnels were a vibrant part of the OKC landscape, including several shops and restaurants, but lost much of its popularity with the end of the last oil boom.  Originally named the Conncourse, in honor of Oklahoma City banker Jack Conn, it was renamed the Underground after an extensive facelift conducted by architect Rand Elliott. With the 2006 facelift, Rand Elliott has turned what had become a somewhat dated appearance of the old tunnels into a \"walk-in work of art\"."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City University", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is located in the uptown district of Oklahoma City, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The university offers undergraduate bachelor's degrees, graduate master's degrees and doctoral degrees, organized into eight colleges and schools and one Methodist seminary. Students can major in more than 70 undergraduate majors, 20 graduate degrees, including a JD, MBA and PhD in Nursing, and an Adult Studies Program for working adults to earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. The university has approximately 3,000 students, including 1,200 graduate students. OCU has a large student life network including athletics, honor societies, clubs and student organizations and fraternities and sororities. The official school and athletic colors are blue and white. Alumni have gone on to prominent careers in government and law, business, education, sports, arts, and entertainment."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City University began as Epworth University by local developer Anton Classen in the early 1900s. Classen was looking to begin a Methodist university in conjunction with other development projects he worked on. Construction of the school began in 1902 and it opened in 1904 with 100 students. Anton Classen was heavily involved with development of early Oklahoma City and advanced the idea of a Methodist university in Oklahoma and helped spark the ideas of the Methodist Church to establish a Methodist university in Oklahoma. Construction began in 1902 and classes started in 1904 with enrollment growing by almost 100 students during that first year."}, {"context": " Epworth closed in 1911 after the school ran into financial difficulties. At the same time the church formed Oklahoma Methodist University in Guthrie, Oklahoma. After a few years the school's trustees developed a plan to close the school in Guthrie and relocate to Oklahoma City. The school opened in Oklahoma City as Oklahoma City College in 1919 from funding from the Methodist congregations, and some faculty from the defunct Fort Worth University. After the college opened it experienced rapid growth and changed its name to Oklahoma City University in 1924. Despite the success and growth of the university in the 1920s, OCU again fell on hard times during the Great Depression."}, {"context": " Dr. Cluster Smith became president of Oklahoma City University after the Great Depression. At the same time the United States entered World War II creating new challenges for the university, especially the university's mounting debt and need for new facilities. The War created a decline in the student body, especially in males who left school to enlist in the military. By 1942 the student body was 75 percent female. This created a shortage of players and funds causing many of the athletic programs, such as the football team, to end operations. Following the war enrollment increased dramatically and the university began a period of rapid development through the remainder of the 1940s. In the 1950s OCU received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The University then took control of the Oklahoma City College of Law and began a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to elevate the academics and the quality of education. The Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel was dedicated in 1968 as part of a plan to expand OCU's spiritual life."}, {"context": " In the mid 1970s after nearly 25 years of steady growth the university again fell on hard times. In 1976 Methodist Bishop Paul Milhouse discussed the school's issues to the Annual Conference of Oklahoma Methodist churches in Tulsa. After requesting that people direct their prayers and pledges to the University by 1980 the Methodist Church had raised more than $3 million. Jerald Walker, an OCU alumnus became president in 1979 and continued the university's growth stemming from the financial support from the Church. During his tenure as president facilities were improved, new academic programs were started and enrollment increased again. In 1981 it was announced that the university was out of debt and turned a profit for the first time since 1975. The university added the School of Religion and the nursing program during the 1980s."}, {"context": " In the 1990s the university upgraded and renovated campus facilities. Stephen Jennings became president in 1998 and began focusing on the university's centennial celebration and position the university for the future. Under Jennings the athletic name was changed from the Chiefs to the Stars and the university expanded student life, including the Distinguished Speakers Series. Tom McDaniel became president in 2001 and drastically altered the look of the OCU campus from an influx of donations. New additions to the campus included The Ann Lacy Visitor and Admissions Center, the Norick Art Center, the Edith Kinney Gaylord Center, the Wanda L. Bass School of Music, Meinders School of Business, and a new residence hall. Robert Harlan Henry, chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, became the university's 17th president in July 2010, succeeding Tom McDaniel. During Henry's tenure, the university has moved the OCU School of Law to an historic location in downtown Oklahoma City, renovated several academic facilities, and launched a Physician Assistant program."}, {"context": " On December 19, 1978, part of the university campus was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. The district comprises the Administration Building, the Fine Arts Building, and the Goldstar Building. It was nominated for its statewide significance in education and in the Methodist community. The campus lies in the Uptown area of central Oklahoma City north of downtown and immediately west of the Asia District, just a few miles due west of the Oklahoma State Capitol building on NW 23rd Street. Other notable districts nearby include the Plaza District, the Paseo Arts District, and the LGBT district."}, {"context": " Prominent campus buildings include the Gold Star Memorial Building (law library), Clara Jones Administration Building, Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel, Sarkeys Science and Mathematics Center, Edith Kinney Gaylord Center (housing the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment), Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Building, Dulaney-Browne Library, McDaniel University Center, Meinders School of Business and Henry K. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The 38 million dollar state-of-the-art Wanda L. Bass Music Center was opened in April 2006. OCU opened a addition to the Kramer School of Nursing in January 2011. The university purchased the historic Central High School building in downtown Oklahoma City in 2012 where the School of Law is now located."}, {"context": " The Kerr-McGee Centennial Plaza on the southeast corner of the campus was constructed in 2004 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of OCU. The plaza features bronze statues honoring OCU's three Miss America pageant winners. In the first decade of the 21st century, OCU completed more than $100 million in new campus construction. Housing options on the campus of Oklahoma City University include coed dormitories, the Greek system, and apartments. \"Oklahoma United Methodist Hall\" (formerly Centennial Hall) is a coed facility for freshmen and upper-class students, and includes an underground parking structure. \"Banning Hall\" provides coed housing for freshmen and upper-class honors students. \"Walker Hall\", OCU's only high-rise dorm at seven stories, offers coed housing for freshmen. \"Walker Hall\" is also home to the famous, \"Sixth Floor\" which is the focal point of culture and entertainment at OCU. \"Draper Hall\" is a coed dorm for upperclassman and freshmen overflow, featuring suite style rooms."}, {"context": " There is one apartment complex on campus available to upperclass students only. \"Cokesbury Court\" offers residential hall-type living in separate apartment units. In addition to on-campus residences there are a wide variety of off-campus options nearby ranging from boarding houses and flats in the Asia District, Gatewood neighborhood, and on 39th Street, to apartment complexes and rental bungalows in Uptown and the Plaza District. A number of students live in the two fraternity houses located just off-campus."}, {"context": " OCU maintains a full-time on-campus police force in order to ensure a safe campus. In addition to normal duties and patrols, OCUPD are available to escort any student after dark. In addition 18 emergency call stations are strategically scattered throughout the campus providing immediate access to campus security. The university is classified as a Master's college and university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. OCU is the only Oklahoma institution listed in the top tier of the master level university category by \"U.S. News and World Report\" Magazine's \"America's Best Colleges\" issue. It is currently ranked 23rd among Master's Universities in the West region."}, {"context": " OCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In addition the nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, montessori education program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, and the law school is accredited by the American Bar Association. OCU offers more than 70 undergraduate majors; 20 graduate degrees, including a law degree and the M.B.A., two Ph.D. programs in nursing, and the Adult Studies Program for working adults to earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. The school also offers numerous pre-professional degrees, one such degree track is the Oxford Plan; successful participants qualify for preferred admission to the School of Law and participants with an LSAT score of 155 or higher and an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher are guaranteed admission to the School of Law. In 2009 OCU launched its first doctoral programs in the university's history. OCU offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Ph.D. in Nursing through the Kramer School of Nursing."}, {"context": " OCU also provides opportunities for further education with service learning components across the curriculum; a University Honors Program; OCULEADS, a freshman scholarship and leadership development program; a partnership with The Oklahoma Scholar-Leadership Enrichment Program (OSLEP), an intercollegiate, interdisciplinary program; a Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film and Literature; and numerous study abroad programs. More than 78 percent of OCU faculty members hold terminal degrees in their fields. All classes are taught by professors, and not graduate assistants. Student to faculty ratio is 13:1 and the average class size is 16 for freshmen and 12 for upperclassmen. Notable faculty include: Jo Rowan, dance chair; Florence Birdwell, renowned professor emerita of voice; and composer Dr Edward Knight."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City (OCU) teams are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, track & field, volleyball and wrestling. Both men's and women's teams are nicknamed the Stars, formerly known the Methodists prior to 1921, as the Goldbugs prior to 1944, and the Chiefs from 1944 until 1999. Under McDaniel the number of athletic teams doubled to 22. OCU is represented by \"Starsky\" the Ram; \"Starsky\" is inspired by the celestial lore surrounding the creation of OCU. OCU teams have won 57 National Championships since 1988, most recently repeating as the 2014 NAIA Men's Cross Country Champions. This marks the 20th straight year that OCU has won a National Championship."}, {"context": " A member of the NCAA until 1984\u20131985, OCU made the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament 11 times and the National Invitation Tournament twice as an independent, making OCU the most successful basketball program to no longer compete at the Division I level. In 1984\u20131985 OCU won the Midwestern City Conference baseball championship and made NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament before moving to the NAIA the next year. Its tradition spans the glory days of legendary coaches Abe Lemons, Paul Hansen, and Doyle Parrack. OCU has been ranked in the top 10 in the NACDA Director's Cup rankings consistently since 1997, including a top finish in 2001\u201302. In 2012, Kevin Patrick Hardy (Class of 2013), became OCU's first national champion in wrestling, capturing the national title at 165 pounds."}, {"context": " Opportunities for cultural enrichment and entertainment on the OCU campus include concerts, play performances, operas, films, sporting events, and seminars by world-renowned speakers and business leaders. Guest speakers at OCU have included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel prize winner Elie Wiesel, author Kurt Vonnegut, playwright Edward Albee, researcher Jane Goodall, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Sister Helen Prejean, educator and author Jonathan Kozol, Poets Laureate Ted Kooser and Billy Collins, civil rights attorney Morris Dees, journalists Helen Thomas and George Will, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and politician Karen Hughes."}, {"context": " A Wellness Program and Outdoor Adventures Program provide numerous opportunities for student activity such as pilates, yoga, traditional aerobics classes and self-defense, as well as hiking, bicycling, camping, horseback riding and sailing. A resource center and gear checkout are provided on campus. Intramural sports are a popular activity, with over 35 different sports available in league and tournament play and both coed and single gender teams. Students have access to a full size exercise facility, the Aduddell Center, located next to Centennial Hall."}, {"context": " The university's high number of international students add to a culture of diversity. The Office of Multicultural Affairs maintains organizations such as: Black Student Association, Hispanic Student Association, Native American Society, and the Asian American Student Association. The office also maintains foreign student associations such as the Indian Student Association, Korean Student Association, Chinese Student Association. The student body is represented by the Student Government Association, or SGA (formerly Student Senate). The OCU SGA consists of the Executive Branch, which includes the president and his staff and manages SGA; the Student Senate, which allots monies to student organizations and hears legislation; the Student Activities Committee, which oversees Homecoming and special events; the Judicial Branch, which deal with student disciplinary issues. The elections for SGA are held in April with special elections for freshman in the fall."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City University has nearly 60 active student organizations. Focuses of these organizations range from ethnic to political, religious to special interests. Organizations often have office space inside the Student Government Association Office in the Union. The list below is only a selection of campus organizations. The \"Oklahoma City University Film Institute\" offers the campus and Oklahoma City community the opportunity to view eight to ten classic international films per year. Written materials on the theme and films is available at each screening and the screenings are followed by a discussion of the film. The film series has been presented each year since 1982."}, {"context": " OCU maintains several traditions, the largest being Homecoming in the fall. Homecoming, which is a week-long celebration, includes philanthropy events, concerts, floats and sporting events. \"The Campus\" is the official student newspaper of Oklahoma City University, published weekly on Wednesdays, and updated more often at MediaOCU.com. '. It has served the students since 1907, and has won numerous awards. It is produced by Student Publications, a part of the school's mass communications department. The Constellation is the award-winning yearbook produced by Student Publications."}, {"context": " \"The Scarab\" is a student anthology of writing and art, including non-fiction, fiction, poetry, and photography, published by OCU's chapter of the international English honor society Sigma Tau Delta and winner of the society's 2003\u20132004 award for Literary Arts Journal of the year. All students may also submit research to the undergraduate research journal Stellar. The university is home to three fraternities and four sororities including Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta, Phi Mu sororities; Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Gamma Delta fraternities. OCU is also home to many other non-traditional Greek organizations such as two National Interfraternity Music Council organizations, Sigma Alpha Iota and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia; One local Christian fraternity, Delta Alpha Chi; and Kappa Phi, a national Christian women's organization. OCU also has numerous chapters of professional and academic honor fraternities such as Phi Alpha Delta, a professional law fraternity; Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society; and the original chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the national biological honor socitey."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City University School of Law", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma City University School of Law, also known as OCU Law, is one of the professional graduate schools of Oklahoma City University. OCU Law is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and was founded in 1907. OCU Law was located in the Sarkeys Law Center on the southwest side of the Oklahoma City University campus until Spring 2015, when it moved to a new campus near downtown Oklahoma City. The Chickasaw Nation Law Library at OCU Law houses a collection of more than 300,000 volume and volume equivalents, and is open to the public. OCU Law has been accredited by the ABA since 1960 and has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 2003."}, {"context": " The 2010 edition of U.S. News & World Report's \"Best Law Schools\" ranked OCU Law as a 2nd Tier Law School among ABA accredited schools. OCU Law was also listed under the outstanding category in the 2010 edition of the Princeton Review's \"best law schools\" release. The IRLG ranked OCU Law #52 overall in its 2009 ranking of law schools, based upon the percentage of graduates who pass the bar exam. IRLG also ranked it #107 overall, in its ranking of law schools, based upon the 57.2 percentage of prospective applicants who are accepted."}, {"context": " According to OCU Law's 2014 ABA-required disclosures, 91.3% of the Class of 2014 were employed nine months after graduation and 88% of the class was employed in bar passage required or J.D. advantage positions. OCU Law was ranked in the first quartile for 2013 employment stats by Moody's Investors Services. The report issued in May 2014 ranked all U.S. law schools based solely on their most recent graduating class' employment in J.D. required or J.D. preferred positions. The law school has educated judges, political figures and founders of prestigious private law firms. Due to its long tradition of providing evening and part-time schedule options, the law school has also produced highly successful business leaders, particularly in the real estate, engineering, and oil and gas industries. The student body commonly includes medical doctors, university professors, military officers, and professionals from other fields. The School of Law is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1960."}, {"context": " The current dean of Oklahoma City University School of Law is Valerie Couch former U.S. Federal Magistrate for The Western District Court of Oklahoma, who succeeded Lawrence Hellman, who succeeded Rennard Strickland, a noted legal historian and former Dean of the University of Oregon School of Law, and the Honorable Robert Harlan Henry, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Students of the Juris Doctor (JD) program are involved in preparing and publishing: The School of Law offers Juris Doctor programs for full-time and part-time students. Oklahoma City University School of Law also offers students the ability to obtain a joint J.D./M.B.A. or a joint J.D./M.A. in Non-profit Organizations and Leadership."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Innocence Project (OIP) at Oklahoma City University School of Law is the only Innocence Clinic in the state. Law students participating in the innocence clinic assist the OIP legal staff with identifying and rectifying wrongful convictions in the state of Oklahoma. In conjunction with the school's move downtown in Spring 2015, Oklahoma City University School of Law opened the Judge Alfred P. Murrah Center for Homeland Security Law & Policy, an academic and practical resource center that examines the unique legal issues central to protecting and securing our nation, with a particular focus on the prevention of domestic terrorism. The Center works in close partnership with the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, and includes former Oklahoma governor Frank Keating and former U.S. Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Joe Whitley as co-chairs of the Center's board."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City University School of Law provides a negotiation, mediation, and arbitration program designed to settle disputes in lieu of litigation in the Courts. The American Indian Law & Sovereignty Center is an academic law and policy center focusing on the complexities of American Indian law and tribal law. The Sovereignty Center provides services for tribal governments and stakeholders and offers direct legal services to individuals through the American Indian Wills Clinic. The Center on State Constitutional Law and Government was founded to develop and implement programs dedicated to the improvement of state constitutions and state governance."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City University School of Law's prime location downtown leads to numerous opportunities for students to discover new and interesting aspects of the law through 80-plus externship sites. New sites are added regularly and each site has multiple placements. The School of Law offers five different externship focus areas: Corporate Counsel, Government Practice, Judicial, Litigation Practice and Native American. According to OCU Law's official 2013 ABA-required disclosures, 91.8% of the Class of 2013 was employed in some capacity while 1.2% were pursuing graduate degrees and 5.3% were unemployed nine months graduation.  Tuition at Oklahoma City University School of Law is $1,065 per credit hour. Other expenses include: general fees, parking and security fee, Student Bar Association fee, Installment Plan Fee, Installment Finance Fee and a Finance Fee."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Warriors", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Warriors were a soccer club based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that competed in the SISL and USISL. Founded in 1986 by head coach and owner Chico Villar, the Warriors played their home games at the Indoor Soccer Arena, owned by Villar. In February 1993, the Warriors merged with the Oklahoma City Spirit of the Lone Star Soccer Alliance to become the Oklahoma City Slickers for the 1993 outdoor season."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz were an arena football team. The team began play as a 2004 expansion team of the Arena Football League's minor league af2 before becoming a member of the AFL in 2010. Formerly a tenant of the Ford Center from 2004 until 2008, the Yard Dawgz were forced out when the National Basketball Association's Oklahoma City Thunder moved into town; starting in 2009, the Yard Dawgz played across the street at the Cox Convention Center. On October 25, 2010 Yard Dawgz owner Phil Miller announced that he decided not to play in the Arena Football League for the 2011 season."}, {"context": " The Yard Dawgz had a successful first year on and off the field by leading the league in attendance and finishing the regular season with 10-6 record to finish second in the Southwest Division of the National Conference. In 2005, The Yard Dawgz had another successful year, despite changing divisions, by coming in third in attendance and finishing the regular season with 10-6 record to finish second in the Midwest Division of the National Conference. The Dawgz lost in the first round to the Amarillo Dusters."}, {"context": " The Yard Dawgz had their best showing in 2006 with a record of 11-5 and their third playoff appearance. Kicker A.J. Haglund won the af2 Kicker of the Year award and Quarterback Craig Strickland became the only player in af2 history to reach 20,000 career passing yards. In 2007, under head coach John Fitzgerald, the Yard Dawgz had the second leading offense in the league \u2013 averaging 310.9 yd/game. Despite finishing 7-9, the team made its fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Three members of the 2007 Yard Dawgz earned All-af2 First Team honors \u2013 WR/DB Al Hunt, Center Gene Frederic, and OL/DL Barry Giles."}, {"context": " The Yard Dawgs brought back Gary Reasons to coach in 2008, but after the team got off to a 1\u20135 start, Reasons stepped down as head coach. Sparky McEwen took over as interim head coach. On June 28, 2008 against the Lubbock Renegades, Wide Receiver Al Hunt became only the third player in af2 history to record 1,000 points. After starting the season with a team-record 4\u20130 record, the Yard Dawgz dropped five games in a row, the longest in team history, to drop to 4\u20135. Since then, the Dawgz won three straight to push their record to 7\u20135 with an eye still on the playoffs."}, {"context": " On June 20, the Yard Dawgz faced off against the Corpus Christi Sharks. The Yard Dawgz beat the Sharks 93\u201341 and set an af2 record for points scored in the first half (59) and beat the franchise record of points scored in a game that was originally set against the Tulsa Talons. Despite a loss to the Spokane Shock on June 26, the Yard Dawgz clinched a playoff berth after a loss by Central Valley to Boise the next night. The playoff appearance marked the fifth time in six years the Dawgz were in post-season play.  The Yard Dawgz season ended on August 1 at the hands of the Tulsa Talons in the first round of ArenaCup playoffs. With the loss, the Dawgz has dropped five straight postseason games and is winless in the team's history in the playoffs. On October 25, 2010, Yard Dawgz owner Phil Miller announced that he decided not to play in the Arena Football League for the 2011 season. However, the Indoor Football League announced the same day that a new team would play in Oklahoma City in 2011."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is a zoo and botanical garden located in Oklahoma City's Adventure District in northeast Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The zoo covers and is home to more than 1,900 animals. It is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The Oklahoma City Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums. Other attractions within the zoo include Safari Voyage boats, the giraffe feeding platform, the Safari Tram, the Endangered Species Carousel, the Sea Lion Show, the Centennial Choo Choo, the Jungle Gym Playground and swan paddleboats."}, {"context": " Surrounding the zoo are the Zoo Amphitheater, Lincoln Park, Northeast Lake and the Lincoln Park Golf Course. The zoo is located Oklahoma City's Adventure District at the crossroads of I-35 and I-44. Other attractions in the Adventure District are the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Science Museum Oklahoma (formerly called the Omniplex), the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame, and Remington Park Racing/Casino. Malee was an Asian elephant born April 15, 2011, weighing 300 pounds, the child of one of the Oklahoma City Zoo's elephants, Asha, and a male elephant named Sneezy who lives at the Tulsa Zoo. The Zoo held birthday parties for her every year. On September 30, 2015, zookeepers noticed discoloration of her trunk. After two failed treatments, she died at 4 AM CST on October 1, 2015. The cause of death was determined to be elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, which the other elephants at the zoo aside from her sister Achara also had."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City bombing", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorist truck bombing on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States on April\u00a019, 1995. Perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, the bombing happened at 9:02am and killed at least 168 people, injured more than 680 others, and destroyed one-third of the building. The blast destroyed or damaged 324 other buildings within a 16-block radius, shattered glass in 258 nearby buildings, and destroyed or burned 86 cars, causing an estimated $652\u00a0million worth of damage. Extensive rescue efforts were undertaken by local, state, federal, and worldwide agencies in the wake of the bombing, and substantial donations were received from across the country. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activated 11 of its Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces, consisting of 665 rescue workers who assisted in rescue and recovery operations. Until the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing was the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the United States, and remains the deadliest incident of domestic terrorism in the country's history."}, {"context": " Within 90 minutes of the explosion, McVeigh was stopped by Oklahoma Highway Patrolman Charlie Hanger for driving without a license plate and arrested for illegal weapons possession. Forensic evidence quickly linked McVeigh and Nichols to the attack; Nichols was arrested, and within days, both were charged. Michael and Lori Fortier were later identified as accomplices. McVeigh, a veteran of the Gulf War and a U.S. militia movement sympathizer, had detonated a Ryder rental truck full of explosives parked in front of the building. His co-conspirator, Nichols, had assisted with the bomb's preparation. Motivated by his dislike for the U.S. federal government and unhappy about its handling of the Ruby Ridge incident in 1992 and the Waco siege in 1993, McVeigh timed his attack to coincide with the second anniversary of the deadly fire that ended the siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas."}, {"context": " The official investigation, known as \"OKBOMB\", saw FBI agents conduct 28,000 interviews, amass 3.5 short tons (3,200\u00a0kg) of evidence, and collected nearly one billion pieces of information. The bombers were tried and convicted in 1997. McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001, and Nichols was sentenced to life in prison in 2004. Michael and Lori Fortier testified against McVeigh and Nichols; Michael was sentenced to 12 years in prison for failing to warn the United States government, and Lori received immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony."}, {"context": " As a result of the bombing, the U.S. Congress passed the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, which tightened the standards for habeas corpus in the United States, as well as legislation designed to increase the protection around federal buildings to deter future terrorist attacks. On April 19, 2000, the Oklahoma City National Memorial was dedicated on the site of the Murrah Federal Building, commemorating the victims of the bombing. Remembrance services are held every year on April 19, at the time of the explosion."}, {"context": " The chief conspirators, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, met in 1988 at Fort Benning during basic training for the U.S. Army. Michael Fortier, McVeigh's accomplice, was his Army roommate. The three shared interests in survivalism. They expressed anger at the federal government's handling of the 1992 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) standoff with Randy Weaver at Ruby Ridge as well as the Waco siege\u00a0\u2013 a 1993 51-day standoff between the FBI and Branch Davidian members which began with a botched Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) attempt to execute a search warrant leading to a fire fight and ended with the burning and shooting deaths of David Koresh and 75\u00a0others. In March 1993, McVeigh visited the Waco site during the standoff, and then again after its conclusion. McVeigh later decided to bomb a federal building as a response to the raids."}, {"context": " McVeigh later said that he had contemplated assassinating Attorney General Janet Reno, Lon Horiuchi, and others in preference to attacking a building, and after the bombing he said that he sometimes wished he had carried out a series of assassinations instead. He initially intended only to destroy a federal building, but he later decided that his message would be better received if many people were killed in the bombing. McVeigh's criterion for potential attack sites was that the target should house at least two of three federal law enforcement agencies: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He regarded the presence of additional law enforcement agencies, such as the Secret Service or the U.S. Marshals Service, as a bonus."}, {"context": " A resident of Kingman, Arizona, McVeigh considered targets in Missouri, Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas. He stated in his authorized biography that he wanted to minimize non-governmental casualties, so he ruled out a 40-story government building in Little Rock, Arkansas, because of the presence of a florist's shop on the ground floor. In December 1994, McVeigh and Fortier visited Oklahoma City to inspect McVeigh's target: the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The Murrah building had been previously targeted in October 1983 by white supremacist group The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord, including founder James Ellison and Richard Snell. The group had plotted to park \"a van or trailer in front of the Federal Building and blow it up with rockets detonated by a timer.\" After Snell's appeal for murdering two people in unrelated cases was denied, he was executed the same day as the Murrah bombing."}, {"context": " The nine-story building, built in 1977, was named for a federal judge and housed fourteen\u00a0federal agencies, including the DEA, ATF, Social Security Administration, and recruiting offices for the Army and Marine Corps. The Murrah building was chosen for its glass front\u00a0\u2013 which was expected to shatter under the impact of the blast\u00a0\u2013 and its adjacent large, open parking lot across the street, which might absorb and dissipate some of the force, and protect the occupants of nearby non-federal buildings. In addition, McVeigh believed that the open space around the building would provide better photo opportunities for propaganda purposes. The attack was planned to take place on April 19, 1995, to coincide with the 2nd anniversary of the Waco siege and the 220th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord."}, {"context": " McVeigh and Nichols purchased or stole the materials they needed to manufacture the bomb, which they stored in rented sheds. In August 1994, McVeigh obtained nine Kinestiks from gun collector Roger E. Moore, and ignited the devices with Nichols outside Nichols's home in Herington, Kansas. On September 30, 1994, Nichols bought forty bags of ammonium nitrate fertilizer from Mid-Kansas Coop in McPherson, Kansas, enough to fertilize of farmland at a rate of of nitrogen per acre (.4 ha), an amount commonly used for corn. Nichols bought an additional bag on October 18, 1994. McVeigh approached Fortier and asked him to assist with the bombing project, but he refused."}, {"context": " McVeigh and Nichols then robbed Moore in his home of $60,000 worth of guns, gold, silver, and jewels, transporting the property in the victim's own van. McVeigh wrote a letter to Moore in which he claimed that the robbery had been committed by government agents. Items that were stolen from Moore were later found in Nichols's home and in a storage shed that he had rented. In October 1994, McVeigh showed Michael Fortier and his wife, Lori, a diagram he had drawn of the bomb he wanted to build. McVeigh planned to construct a bomb containing more than of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, mixed with about of liquid nitromethane and of Tovex. Including the weight of the sixteen 55-U.S.-gallon drums in which the explosive mixture was to be packed, the bomb would have a combined weight of about . McVeigh had originally intended to use hydrazine rocket fuel, but it proved to be too expensive. During the Chief Auto Parts Nationals National Hot Rod Association Drag Racing Championship Series event at the Texas Motorplex, McVeigh posed as a motorcycle racer and initially attempted to purchase drums of nitromethane on the pretense that he and some fellow bikers needed the fuel for racing, despite the lack of nitromethane-powered motorcycles at the meeting, and not having an NHRA competitors' license. Denied by one representative, Steve LeSeuer, due to LeSeur's suspicions of McVeigh's actions and attitudes, he was then permitted to purchase three barrels from another representative, Tim Chambers. Chambers questioned the purchase of three barrels when typically only 1-5 gallons of nitromethane, he noted, would be purchased by a Top Fuel Harley rider, even though the class was not raced that weekend. LeSeuer reported the incident to the FBI immediately after rejecting McVeigh's request."}, {"context": " McVeigh rented a storage space in which he stockpiled seven crates of Tovex sausages, 80 spools of shock tube, and 500\u00a0electric blasting caps, which he and Nichols had stolen from a Martin Marietta Aggregates quarry in Marion, Kansas. He decided not to steal any of the of ANFO (ammonium nitrate/fuel oil) he found at the scene, as he did not believe it to be powerful enough (although he did obtain seventeen\u00a0bags of ANFO from another source for use in the bomb). McVeigh made a prototype bomb using a plastic Gatorade jug containing ammonium nitrate prills, liquid nitromethane, a piece of Tovex sausage, and a blasting cap. The prototype was detonated in the desert to avoid detection."}, {"context": " Later, speaking about the military mindset with which he went about the preparations, he said, \"You learn how to handle killing in the military. I face the consequences, but you learn to accept it.\" He compared his actions to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, rather than the attack on Pearl Harbor, reasoning it was necessary to prevent more lives from being lost. On April 14, 1995, McVeigh paid for a motel room at the Dreamland Motel in Junction City, Kansas. The following day he rented a 1993 Ford F-700 truck from Ryder under the name Robert D. Kling, an alias he adopted because he knew an Army soldier named Kling with whom he shared physical characteristics, and because it reminded him of the Klingon warriors of \"Star Trek\". On April\u00a016, 1995, he drove to Oklahoma City with fellow conspirator Terry Nichols where he parked a getaway car several blocks away from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The nearby Regency Towers Apartments' lobby security camera recorded images of Nichols's blue 1984 GMC pickup truck on April 16. After removing the license plate from the car, he left a note covering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate that read, \"Not abandoned. Please do not tow. Will move by April 23. (Needs battery & cable).\" Both men then returned to Kansas."}, {"context": " On April 17\u201318, 1995, McVeigh and Nichols removed the bomb supplies from their storage unit in Herington, Kansas, where Nichols lived, and loaded them into a Ryder rental truck. They then drove to Geary Lake State Park, where they nailed boards onto the floor of the truck to hold the 13\u00a0barrels in place and mixed the chemicals using plastic buckets and a bathroom scale. Each filled barrel weighed nearly . McVeigh added more explosives to the driver's side of the cargo bay, which he could ignite (killing himself in the process) at close range with his Glock 21 pistol in case the primary fuses failed. During McVeigh's trial, Lori Fortier (the wife of Michael Fortier) stated that McVeigh claimed to have arranged the barrels in order to form a shaped charge. This was achieved by tamping the aluminum side panel of the truck with bags of ammonium nitrate fertilizer to direct the blast laterally towards the building. Specifically, McVeigh arranged the barrels in the shape of a backwards J; he later said that for pure destructive power, he would have put the barrels on the side of the cargo bay closest to the Murrah Building; however, such an unevenly distributed load might have broken an axle, flipped the truck over, or at least caused it to lean to one side, which could have drawn attention. All or most of the barrels of ANNM contained metal cylinders of acetylene intended to increase the fireball and the brisance of the explosion."}, {"context": " McVeigh then added a dual-fuse ignition system accessible from the truck's front cab. He drilled two\u00a0holes in the cab of the truck under the seat, while two\u00a0holes were also drilled in the body of the truck. One\u00a0green cannon fuse was run through each hole into the cab. These time-delayed fuses led from the cab through plastic fish-tank tubing conduit to two sets of non-electric blasting caps which would ignite around of high-grade explosives that McVeigh stole from a rock quarry. The tubing was painted yellow to blend in with the truck's livery, and duct-taped in place to the wall to make it harder to disable by yanking from the outside. The fuses were set up to initiate, through shock tubes, the of Tovex Blastrite Gel \"sausages\", which would in turn set off the configuration of barrels. Of the 13\u00a0filled barrels, nine contained ammonium nitrate and nitromethane, and four contained a mixture of the fertilizer and about of diesel fuel. Additional materials and tools used for manufacturing the bomb were left in the truck to be destroyed in the blast. After finishing the truck bomb, the two\u00a0men separated; Nichols returned home to Herington and McVeigh traveled with the truck to Junction City."}, {"context": " McVeigh's original plan had been to detonate the bomb at 11:00\u00a0a.m., but at dawn on April 19, 1995, he decided instead to destroy the building at 9:00\u00a0a.m. As he drove toward the Murrah Federal Building in the Ryder truck, McVeigh carried with him an envelope containing pages from \"The Turner Diaries\"\u00a0\u2013 a fictional account of white supremacists who ignite a revolution by blowing up the FBI headquarters at 9:15 one morning using a truck bomb. McVeigh wore a printed T-shirt with the motto of the Commonwealth of Virginia, \"Sic semper tyrannis\" (\"Thus always to tyrants\", according to legend what Brutus said as he assassinated Julius Caesar, also shouted by John Wilkes Booth immediately after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln) and \"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants\" (from Thomas Jefferson). He also carried an envelope full of revolutionary materials that included a bumper sticker with the Thomas Jefferson slogan, \"When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.\" Underneath, McVeigh had written, \"Maybe now, there will be liberty!\" with a hand-copied quote by John Locke asserting that a man has a right to kill someone who takes away his liberty."}, {"context": " McVeigh entered Oklahoma City at 8:50\u00a0a.m. At 8:57\u00a0a.m., the Regency Towers Apartments' lobby security camera that had recorded Nichols's pickup truck three days earlier recorded the Ryder truck heading towards the Murrah Federal Building. At the same moment, McVeigh lit the five-minute fuse. Three minutes later, still a block away, he lit the two-minute fuse. He parked the Ryder truck in a drop-off zone situated under the building's day-care center, exited and locked the truck, and as he headed to his getaway vehicle, dropped the keys to the truck a few blocks away."}, {"context": " At 9:02\u00a0a.m. (14:02 UTC), the Ryder truck, containing over of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, nitromethane, and diesel fuel mixture, detonated in front of the north side of the nine-story Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. 168 people were killed and hundreds more injured. One third of the building was destroyed by the explosion, which created a , crater on NW 5th Street next to the building. The blast destroyed or damaged 324\u00a0buildings within a 4-block radius, and shattered glass in 258\u00a0nearby buildings. The broken glass alone accounted for 5% of the death total and 69% of the injuries outside the Murrah Federal Building. The blast destroyed or burned 86\u00a0cars around the site. The destruction of the buildings left several hundred people homeless and shut down a number of offices in downtown Oklahoma City. The explosion was estimated to have caused at least $652\u00a0million worth of damage."}, {"context": " The effects of the blast were equivalent to over of TNT, and could be heard and felt up to away. Seismometers at the Omniplex Science Museum in Oklahoma City, away, and in Norman, Oklahoma, away, recorded the blast as measuring approximately 3.0 on the Richter magnitude scale. Initially, the FBI had three hypotheses about responsibility for the bombing: international terrorists, possibly the same group that had carried out the World Trade Center bombing; a drug cartel, carrying out an act of vengeance against DEA agents in the building's DEA office; and anti-government radicals attempting to start a rebellion against the federal government."}, {"context": " McVeigh was arrested within 90\u00a0minutes of the explosion, as he was traveling north on Interstate 35 near Perry in Noble County, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State Trooper Charlie Hanger stopped McVeigh for driving his yellow 1977 Mercury Marquis without a license plate, and arrested him for having a concealed weapon. For his home address, McVeigh falsely claimed he resided at Terry Nichols's brother James's house in Michigan. After booking McVeigh into jail, Hanger searched his police car and found a business card McVeigh had hidden while he was handcuffed. Written on the back of the card, which was from a Wisconsin military surplus store, were the words \"TNT at $5 a stick. Need more.\" The card was later used as evidence during McVeigh's trial."}, {"context": " While investigating the VIN from an axle of the truck used in the explosion and the remnants of the license plate, federal agents were able to link the truck to a specific Ryder rental agency in Junction City, Kansas. Using a sketch created with the assistance of Eldon Elliot, owner of the agency, the agents were able to implicate McVeigh in the bombing. McVeigh was also identified by Lea McGown of the Dreamland Motel, who remembered him parking a large yellow Ryder truck in the lot; McVeigh had signed in under his real name at the motel, using an address that matched the one on his forged license and the charge sheet at the Perry Police Station. Before signing his real name at the motel, McVeigh had used false names for his transactions. However, McGown noted, \"People are so used to signing their own name that when they go to sign a phony name, they almost always go to write, and then look up for a moment as if to remember the new name they want to use. That's what [McVeigh] did, and when he looked up I started talking to him, and it threw him.\""}, {"context": " After an April 21, 1995, court hearing on the gun charges, but before McVeigh's release, federal agents took him into custody as they continued their investigation into the bombing. Rather than talk to investigators about the bombing, McVeigh demanded an attorney. Having been tipped off by the arrival of police and helicopters that a bombing suspect was inside, a restless crowd began to gather outside the jail. While McVeigh's requests for a bulletproof vest or transport by helicopter were denied, authorities did use a helicopter to transport him from Perry to Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " Federal agents obtained a warrant to search the house of McVeigh's father, Bill, after which they broke down the door and wired the house and telephone with listening devices. FBI investigators used the resulting information gained, along with the fake address McVeigh had been using, to begin their search for the Nichols brothers, Terry and James. On April 21, 1995, Terry Nichols learned that he was being hunted, and turned himself in. Investigators discovered incriminating evidence at his home: ammonium nitrate and blasting caps, the electric drill used to drill out the locks at the quarry, books on bomb-making, a copy of \"Hunter\" (a 1989 novel by William Luther Pierce, the founder and chairman of the National Alliance, a white nationalist group) and a hand-drawn map of downtown Oklahoma City, on which the Murrah Building and the spot where McVeigh's getaway car was hidden were marked. After a nine-hour interrogation, Terry Nichols was formally held in federal custody until his trial. On April 25, 1995, James Nichols was also arrested, but he was released after 32\u00a0days due to lack of evidence. McVeigh's sister Jennifer was accused of illegally mailing bullets to McVeigh, but she was granted immunity in exchange for testifying against him."}, {"context": " Ibrahim Ahmad, a Jordanian-American traveling from his home in Oklahoma City to visit family in Jordan on April 19, 1995, was also arrested in what was described as an \"initial dragnet\". There was concern that Middle Eastern terrorists could have been behind the attack. Further investigation cleared Ahmad of any involvement in the bombing. An estimated 646\u00a0people were inside the building when the bomb exploded. By the end of the day, 14 adults and 6 children were confirmed dead, and over 100 injured. The toll eventually reached 168\u00a0confirmed dead, not including an unmatched left leg that could have belonged to an unidentified 169th victim or could have belonged to any one of eight victims who had been buried without a left leg. Most of the deaths resulted from the collapse of the building, rather than the bomb blast itself. Those killed included 163 who were in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, one person in the Athenian Building, one woman in a parking lot across the street, a man and woman in the Oklahoma Water Resources building, and a rescue worker struck on the head by debris."}, {"context": " The victims, including three pregnant women, ranged in age from three months to 73 years. Of the dead, 108 worked for the Federal government: Drug Enforcement Administration (5); Secret Service (6); Department of Housing and Urban Development (35); Department of Agriculture (7); Customs Office (2); Department of Transportation/Federal Highway (11); General Services Administration (2); and the Social Security Administration (40). Eight of the Federal government victims were Federal law enforcement agents. Of those law enforcement agents four were members of the U.S. Secret Service, two were members of the U.S. Customs Service, one was a member of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and one was a member of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Six of the victims were U.S. military personnel; two members of the U.S. Army, two members of the U.S. Air Force, two members of the U.S. Marine Corps. The rest of the victims were civilians, including 19 children, of whom 15 were in the America's Kids Day Care Center. The bodies of the 168\u00a0victims were identified at a temporary morgue set up at the scene. A team of 24 identified the victims using full-body X-rays, dental examinations, fingerprinting, blood tests, and DNA testing. More than 680 people were injured. The majority of the injuries were abrasions, severe burns, and bone fractures."}, {"context": " McVeigh's later response to the range of casualties was: \"I didn't define the rules of engagement in this conflict. The rules, if not written down, are defined by the aggressor. It was brutal, no holds barred. Women and kids were killed at Waco and Ruby Ridge. You put back in [the government's] faces exactly what they're giving out.\" At 9:03\u00a0a.m., the first of over 1,800\u00a09-1-1 calls related to the bombing was received by Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). By that time, EMSA ambulances, police, and firefighters had heard the blast and were already headed to the scene. Nearby civilians, who had also witnessed or heard the blast, arrived to assist the victims and emergency workers. Within 23\u00a0minutes of the bombing, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) was set up, consisting of representatives from the state departments of public safety, human services, military, health, and education. Assisting the SEOC were agencies including the National Weather Service, the Air Force, the Civil Air Patrol, and the American Red Cross. Immediate assistance also came from 465\u00a0members of the Oklahoma National Guard, who arrived within the hour to provide security, and from members of the Department of Civil Emergency Management."}, {"context": " The EMS command post was set up almost immediately following the attack and oversaw triage, treatment, transportation, and decontamination. A simple plan/objective was established: treatment and transportation of the injured was to be done as quickly as possible, supplies and personnel to handle a large number of patients was needed immediately, the dead needed to be moved to a temporary morgue until they could be transferred to the coroner's office, and measures for a long-term medical operation needed to be established. The triage center was set up near the Murrah Building and all the wounded were directed there. Two hundred and ten patients were transported from the primary triage center to nearby hospitals within the first couple hours following the bombing."}, {"context": " Within the first hour, 50\u00a0people were rescued from the Murrah Federal Building. Victims were sent to every hospital in the area. The day of the bombing, 153 people were treated at St. Anthony Hospital, eight blocks from the blast, over 70 people were treated at Presbyterian Hospital, 41 people were treated at University Hospital, and 18 people were treated at Children's Hospital. Temporary silences were observed at the blast site so that sensitive listening devices capable of detecting human heartbeats could be used to locate survivors. In some cases, limbs had to be amputated without anesthetics (avoided because of the potential to induce coma) in order to free those trapped under rubble. The scene had to be periodically evacuated as the police received tips claiming that other bombs had been planted in the building."}, {"context": " At 10:28\u00a0a.m., rescuers found what they believed to be a second bomb. Some rescue workers refused to leave until police ordered the mandatory evacuation of a four-block area around the site. The device was determined to be a three-foot (.9-m) long TOW missile used in the training of federal agents and bomb-sniffing dogs; although actually inert, it had been marked \"live\" in order to mislead arms traffickers in a planned law enforcement sting. On examination the missile was determined to be inert, and relief efforts resumed 45\u00a0minutes later. The last survivor, a 15-year-old girl found under the base of the collapsed building, was rescued at around 7:00\u00a0p.m."}, {"context": " In the days following the blast, over 12,000\u00a0people participated in relief and rescue operations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activated 11 of its Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces, bringing in 665\u00a0rescue workers. One nurse was killed in the rescue attempt after she was hit on the head by debris, and 26\u00a0other rescuers were hospitalized because of various injuries. Twenty-four K-9 units and out-of-state dogs were brought in to search for survivors and bodies in the building debris. In an effort to recover additional bodies, of rubble were removed from the site each day from April 24 to April 29."}, {"context": " Rescue and recovery efforts were concluded at 12:05\u00a0a.m. on May 5, by which time the bodies of all but three of the victims had been recovered. For safety reasons, the building was initially slated to be demolished shortly afterward. McVeigh's attorney, Stephen Jones, filed a motion to delay the demolition until the defense team could examine the site in preparation for the trial. At 7:02\u00a0a.m. on May 23, more than a month after the bombing, the Murrah Federal building was demolished. The EMS Command Center remained active and was staffed 24 hours a day until the demolition of the Federal Murrah Building. The final three bodies, those of two credit union employees and a customer, were recovered. For several days after the building's demolition, trucks hauled away of debris a day from the site. Some of the debris was used as evidence in the conspirators' trials, incorporated into memorials, donated to local schools, or sold to raise funds for relief efforts."}, {"context": " The national humanitarian response was immediate, and in some cases even overwhelming. Large numbers of items such as wheelbarrows, bottled water, helmet lights, knee pads, rain gear, and even football helmets were donated. The sheer quantity of such donations caused logistical and inventory control problems until drop-off centers were set up to accept and sort the goods. The Oklahoma Restaurant Association, which was holding a trade show in the city, assisted rescue workers by providing 15,000 to 20,000\u00a0meals over a ten-day period."}, {"context": " The Salvation Army served over 100,000\u00a0meals and provided over 100,000\u00a0ponchos, gloves, hard hats, and knee pads to rescue workers. Local residents and those from further afield responded to the requests for blood donations. Of the over 9,000\u00a0units of blood donated 131\u00a0units were used; the rest were stored in blood banks. At 9:45\u00a0a.m., Governor Frank Keating declared a state of emergency and ordered all non-essential workers in the Oklahoma City area to be released from their duties for their safety. President Bill Clinton learned about the bombing at around 9:30\u00a0a.m. while he was meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Tansu \u00c7iller at the White House. Before addressing the nation, President Clinton considered grounding all planes in the Oklahoma City area to prevent the bombers from escaping by air, but decided against it. At 4:00\u00a0p.m., President Clinton declared a federal emergency in Oklahoma City and spoke to the nation:"}, {"context": " He ordered that flags for all federal buildings be flown at half-staff for 30\u00a0days in remembrance of the victims. Four days later, on April 23, 1995, Clinton spoke from Oklahoma City. No major federal financial assistance was made available to the survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing, but the Murrah Fund set up in the wake of the bombing attracted over $300,000 in federal grants. Over $40\u00a0million was donated to the city to aid disaster relief and to compensate the victims. Funds were initially distributed to families who needed it to get back on their feet, and the rest was held in trust for longer-term medical and psychological needs. By 2005, $18\u00a0million of the donations remained, some of which was earmarked to provide a college education for each of the 219\u00a0children who lost one or both parents in the bombing. A committee chaired by Daniel Kurtenbach of Goodwill Industries provided financial assistance to the survivors."}, {"context": " International reactions to the bombing varied. President Clinton received many messages of sympathy, including those from Queen Elizabeth\u00a0II of the United Kingdom, Yasser Arafat of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and Narasimha Rao of India. Iran condemned the bombing as an attack on innocent people, but also blamed the U.S. government's policies for inciting it. Other condolences came from Russia, Canada, Australia, the United Nations, and the European Union, among other nations and organizations."}, {"context": " Several countries offered to assist in both the rescue efforts and the investigation. France offered to send a special rescue unit, and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin offered to send agents with anti-terrorist expertise to help in the investigation. President Clinton declined Israel's offer, believing that accepting it would increase anti-Muslim sentiments and endanger Muslim-Americans. In the wake of the bombing, the national media focused on the fact that 19 of the victims had been babies and children, many in the day-care center. At the time of the bombing, there were 100\u00a0day-care centers in the United States in 7,900\u00a0federal buildings. McVeigh later stated that he was unaware of the day-care center when choosing the building as a target, and if he had known \"...\u00a0it might have given me pause to switch targets. That's a large amount of collateral damage.\" The FBI stated that McVeigh scouted the interior of the building in December 1994 and likely knew of the day-care center before the bombing. In April 2010, Joseph Hartzler, the prosecutor at McVeigh's trial, questioned how he could have decided to pass over a prior target building because of an included florist shop but at the Murrah building not \"...\u00a0notice that there's a child day-care center there, that there was a credit union there and a Social Security office?\""}, {"context": " Schools across the country were dismissed early and ordered closed. A photograph of firefighter Chris Fields emerging from the rubble with infant Baylee Almon, who later died in a nearby hospital, was reprinted worldwide and became a symbol of the attack. The photo, taken by bank employee Charles H. Porter\u00a0IV, won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography and appeared on newspapers and magazines for months following the attack. Aren Almon Kok, mother of Baylee Almon, said of the photo: \"It was very hard to go to stores because they are in the check out aisle. It was always there. It was devastating. Everybody had seen my daughter dead. And that's all she became to them. She was a symbol. She was the girl in the fireman's arms. But she was a real person that got left behind.\""}, {"context": " The images and media reports of children dying terrorized many children who, as demonstrated by later research, showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Children became a primary focus of concern in the mental health response to bombing and many bomb related services were delivered to the community, young and old alike. These services were delivered to public schools of Oklahoma and reached approximately 40,000 students. One of the first organized mental health activities in Oklahoma City was a clinical study of middle and high school students conducted 7 weeks after the bombing. The study focused on middle and high school students that had no connection or relation to the victims of the bombing. This study showed that these students, although deeply moved by the event and showing a sense of vulnerability on the matter, had no difficulty with the demands of school or home life, contrasting those who were connected to the bombing and its victims, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder."}, {"context": " Children were also affected through the loss of parents in the bombing. Many children lost one or more parents in the blast, with a reported seven children that lost their only remaining parent. Children of the disaster have been raised by single parents, foster parents, and other family members. Adjusting to the loss has made these children suffer psychologically and emotionally. One interview revealed the sleepless nights and obsession with death of one of the at least ten orphaned children. President Clinton stated that after seeing images of babies being pulled from the wreckage, he was \"beyond angry\" and wanted to \"put [his] fist through the television\". Clinton and his wife Hillary requested that aides talk to child care specialists about how to communicate with the children regarding the bombing. President Clinton spoke to the nation three days after the bombing, saying: \"I don't want our children to believe something terrible about life and the future and grownups in general because of this awful thing\u00a0... most adults are good people who want to protect our children in their childhood and we are going to get through this\". On April 22, 1995, the Clintons spoke in the White House with over 40\u00a0federal agency employees and their children, and in a live nationwide television and radio broadcast, addressed their concerns."}, {"context": " Hundreds of news trucks and members of the press arrived at the site to cover the story. The press immediately noticed that the bombing took place on the second anniversary of the Waco incident. Many initial news stories hypothesized the attack had been undertaken by Islamic terrorists, such as those who had masterminded the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Some responded to these reports by attacking Muslims and people of Arab descent. Before any evidence could be introduced to say otherwise, the media presented stories to the public that accused individuals within Middle Eastern groups. At this time in America, stereotypes that focused on the Arab race had affected many American Arabs within the United States. These stereotypes may have impacted how individuals acted after the bombing, and can explain why the media assumed that Middle Eastern groups were responsible. In the case of the Oklahoma City Bombing, Hamzi Moghrabi, chairman of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, blamed the media for the attacks on Muslims and Arabs that took place just days after the bombing."}, {"context": " As the rescue effort wound down, the media interest shifted to the investigation, arrests, and trials of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, and on the search for an additional suspect named \"John Doe Number Two.\" Several witnesses claimed to have seen a second suspect, who did not resemble Nichols, with McVeigh. Those who expressed sympathy for McVeigh typically described his deed as an act of war, as in the case of Gore Vidal's essay \"The Meaning of Timothy McVeigh\". The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led the official investigation, known as OKBOMB, with Weldon L. Kennedy acting as Special Agent in charge. Kennedy oversaw 900\u00a0federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel including 300\u00a0FBI agents, 200\u00a0officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department, 125\u00a0members of the Oklahoma National Guard, and 55\u00a0officers from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The crime task force was deemed the largest since the investigation into the assassination of John F. Kennedy. OKBOMB was the largest criminal case in America's history, with FBI agents conducting 28,000\u00a0interviews, amassing of evidence, and collecting nearly one billion\u00a0pieces of information. Federal judge Richard Paul Matsch ordered that the venue for the trial be moved from Oklahoma City to Denver, Colorado, citing that the defendants would be unable to receive a fair trial in Oklahoma. The investigation led to the separate trials and convictions of McVeigh, Nichols, and Fortier."}, {"context": " Opening statements in McVeigh's trial began on April 24, 1997. The United States was represented by a team of prosecutors led by Joseph Hartzler. In his opening statement Hartzler outlined McVeigh's motivations, and the evidence against him. McVeigh, he said, had developed a hatred of the government during his time in the army, after reading \"The Turner Diaries\". His beliefs were supported by what he saw as the militia's ideological opposition to increases in taxes and the passage of the Brady Bill, and were further reinforced by the Waco and Ruby Ridge incidents. The prosecution called 137\u00a0witnesses, including Michael Fortier and his wife Lori, and McVeigh's sister, Jennifer McVeigh, all of whom testified to confirm McVeigh's hatred of the government and his desire to take militant action against it. Both Fortiers testified that McVeigh had told them of his plans to bomb the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Michael revealed that McVeigh had chosen the date, and Lori testified that she created the false identification card McVeigh used to rent the Ryder truck."}, {"context": " McVeigh was represented by a defense counsel team of six principal attorneys led by Stephen Jones. According to law professor Douglas O. Linder, McVeigh wanted Jones to present a \"necessity defense\"\u00a0\u2013 which would argue that he was in \"imminent danger\" from the government (that his bombing was intended to prevent future crimes by the government, such as the Waco and Ruby Ridge incidents). McVeigh argued that \"imminent\" does not mean \"immediate\": \"If a comet is hurtling toward the earth, and it's out past the orbit of Pluto, it's not an immediate threat to Earth, but it is an imminent threat.\" Despite McVeigh's wishes, Jones attempted to discredit the prosecution's case in an attempt to instill reasonable doubt. Jones also believed that McVeigh was part of a larger conspiracy, and sought to present him as \"the designated patsy\", but McVeigh disagreed with Jones arguing that rationale for his defense. After a hearing, Judge Matsch independently ruled the evidence concerning a larger conspiracy to be too insubstantial to be admissible. In addition to arguing that the bombing could not have been carried out by two men alone, Jones also attempted to create reasonable doubt by arguing that no one had seen McVeigh near the scene of the crime, and that the investigation into the bombing had lasted only two weeks. Jones presented 25\u00a0witnesses over a one-week period, including Dr. Frederic Whitehurst. Although Whitehurst described the FBI's sloppy investigation of the bombing site and its handling of other key evidence, he was unable to point to any direct evidence that he knew to be contaminated."}, {"context": " A key point of contention in the case was the unmatched left leg found after the bombing. Although it was initially believed to be from a male, it was later determined to be that of Lakesha Levy, a female member of the Air Force who was killed in the bombing. Levy's coffin had to be re-opened so that her leg could replace another unmatched leg that had previously been buried with her remains. The unmatched leg had been embalmed, which prevented authorities from being able to extract DNA to determine the leg's owner. Jones argued that the leg could have belonged to another bomber, possibly John Doe #2. The prosecution disputed the claim, saying that the leg could have belonged to any one of eight victims who had been buried without a left leg."}, {"context": " Numerous damaging leaks, which appeared to originate from conversations between McVeigh and his defense attorneys, emerged. They included a confession said to have been inadvertently included on a computer disk that was given to the press, which McVeigh believed seriously compromised his chances of getting a fair trial. A gag order was imposed during the trial, prohibiting attorneys on either side from commenting to the press on the evidence, proceedings, or opinions regarding the trial proceedings. The defense was allowed to enter into evidence six pages of a 517-page Justice Department report criticizing the FBI crime laboratory and David Williams, one of the agency's explosives experts, for reaching unscientific and biased conclusions. The report claimed that Williams had worked backward in the investigation rather than basing his determinations on forensic evidence."}, {"context": " The jury deliberated for 23\u00a0hours. On June 2, 1997, McVeigh was found guilty on 11\u00a0counts of murder and conspiracy. Although the defense argued for a reduced sentence of life imprisonment, McVeigh was sentenced to death. In May 2001, the Justice Department announced that the FBI had mistakenly failed to provide over 3,000\u00a0documents to McVeigh's defense counsel. The Justice Department also announced that the execution would be postponed for one month for the defense to review the documents. On June 6, federal judge Richard Paul Matsch ruled the documents would not prove McVeigh innocent and ordered the execution to proceed. After President George W. Bush approved the execution (McVeigh was a federal inmate and federal law dictates that the President must approve the execution of federal prisoners), he was executed by lethal injection at the Federal Correctional Complex, Terre Haute in Terre Haute, Indiana, on June 11, 2001. The execution was transmitted on closed-circuit television so that the relatives of the victims could witness his death. McVeigh's execution was the first federal execution in 38\u00a0years."}, {"context": " Nichols stood trial twice. He was first tried by the federal government in 1997 and found guilty of conspiring to build a weapon of mass destruction and of eight counts of involuntary manslaughter of federal officers. After he was sentenced on June 4, 1998 to life without parole, the State of Oklahoma in 2000 sought a death-penalty conviction on 161\u00a0counts of first-degree murder (160\u00a0non-federal agent victims and one\u00a0fetus). On May 26, 2004 the jury found him guilty on all charges, but deadlocked on the issue of sentencing him to death. Presiding Judge Steven W. Taylor then determined the sentence of 161\u00a0consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. In March 2005, FBI investigators, acting on a tip, searched a buried crawl space in Nichols's former house and found additional explosives missed in the preliminary search after Nichols was arrested."}, {"context": " Michael and Lori Fortier were considered accomplices for their foreknowledge of the planning of the bombing. In addition to Michael assisting McVeigh in scouting the federal building, Lori had helped McVeigh laminate a fake driver's license which was later used to rent the Ryder truck. Fortier agreed to testify against McVeigh and Nichols in exchange for a reduced sentence and immunity for his wife. He was sentenced on May 27, 1998 to twelve\u00a0years in prison and fined $75,000 for failing to warn authorities about the attack. On January 20, 2006, after serving ten and a half years of his sentence, including time already served, Fortier was released for good behavior into the Witness Protection Program and given a new identity."}, {"context": " No \"John Doe #2\" was ever identified, nothing conclusive was ever reported regarding the owner of the unmatched leg, and the government never openly investigated anyone else in conjunction with the bombing. Although the defense teams in both McVeigh's and Nichols's trials suggested that others were involved, Judge Steven W. Taylor found no credible, relevant, or legally admissible evidence, of anyone other than McVeigh and Nichols having directly participated in the bombing. When McVeigh was asked if there were other conspirators in the bombing, he replied: \"You can't handle the truth! Because the truth is, I blew up the Murrah Building, and isn't it kind of scary that one man could wreak this kind of hell?\" On the morning of McVeigh's execution a letter was released in which he had written \"For those die-hard conspiracy theorists who will refuse to believe this, I turn the tables and say: Show me where I needed anyone else. Financing? Logistics? Specialized tech skills? Brainpower? Strategy? ... Show me where I needed a dark, mysterious 'Mr. X'!\""}, {"context": " Within 48\u00a0hours of the attack, and with the assistance of the General Services Administration (GSA), the targeted federal offices were able to resume operations in other parts of the city. According to Mark Potok, director of Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, his organization tracked another 60\u00a0domestic smaller-scale terrorism plots from 1995 to 2005. Several of the plots were uncovered and prevented while others caused various infrastructure damage, deaths, or other destruction. Potok revealed that in 1996 there were approximately 858\u00a0domestic militias and other antigovernment groups but the number had dropped to 152 by 2004. Shortly after the bombing, the FBI hired an additional 500\u00a0agents to investigate potential domestic terrorist attacks."}, {"context": " In the wake of the bombing the U.S. government enacted several pieces of legislation including the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. In response to the trials of the conspirators being moved out-of-state, the Victim Allocution Clarification Act of 1997 was signed on March 20, 1997 by President Clinton to allow the victims of the bombing (and the victims of any other future acts of violence) the right to observe trials and to offer impact testimony in sentencing hearings. In response to passing the legislation, Clinton stated that \"when someone is a victim, he or she should be at the center of the criminal justice process, not on the outside looking in.\""}, {"context": " In the years since the bombing, scientists, security experts, and the ATF have called on Congress to develop legislation that would require customers to produce identification when purchasing ammonium nitrate fertilizer, and for sellers to maintain records of its sale. Critics argue that farmers lawfully use large quantities of the fertilizer, and as of 2009, only Nevada and South Carolina require identification from purchasers. In June 1995, Congress enacted legislation requiring chemical taggants to be incorporated into dynamite and other explosives so that a bomb could be traced to its manufacturer. In 2008, Honeywell announced that it had developed a nitrogen-based fertilizer that would not detonate when mixed with fuel oil. The company got assistance from the Department of Homeland Security to develop the fertilizer (Sulf-N 26) for commercial use. It uses ammonium sulfate to make the fertilizer less explosive."}, {"context": " In the decade following the bombing, there was criticism of Oklahoma public schools for not requiring the bombing to be covered in the curriculum of mandatory Oklahoma history classes. \"Oklahoma History\" is a one-semester course required by state law for graduation from high school; however, the bombing was only covered for one to two pages at most in textbooks. The state's PASS standards (Priority Academic Student Skills) did not require that a student learn about the bombing, and focused more on other subjects such as corruption and the Dust Bowl. On April 6, 2010, \"House Bill 2750\" was signed by Governor Brad Henry, requiring the bombing to be entered into the school curriculum for Oklahoma, U.S. and world history classes."}, {"context": " On the signing, Governor Henry said \"Although the events of April 19, 1995 may be etched in our minds and in the minds of Oklahomans who remember that day, we have a generation of Oklahomans that has little to no memory of the events of that day ... We owe it to the victims, the survivors and all of the people touched by this tragic event to remember April 19, 1995 and understand what it meant and still means to this state and this nation.\" In the weeks following the bombing the federal government ordered that all federal buildings in all major cities be surrounded with prefabricated Jersey barriers to prevent similar attacks. As part of a longer-term plan for United States federal building security most of those temporary barriers have since been replaced with permanent and more aesthetically considerate security barriers, which are driven deep into the ground for sturdiness. Furthermore, all new federal buildings must now be constructed with truck-resistant barriers and with deep setbacks from surrounding streets to minimize their vulnerability to truck bombs. FBI buildings, for instance, must be set back from traffic. The total cost of improving security in federal buildings across the country in response to the bombing reached over $600\u00a0million."}, {"context": " The Murrah Federal Building had been considered so safe that it only employed one security guard. In June 1995, the DOJ issued \"Vulnerability Assessment of Federal Facilities\", also known as \"The Marshals Report\", the findings of which resulted in a thorough evaluation of security at all federal buildings and a system for classifying risks at over 1,300\u00a0federal facilities owned or leased by the federal government. Federal sites were divided into five security levels ranging from Level 1 (minimum security needs) to Level 5 (maximum). The Alfred P. Murrah Building was deemed a Level 4 building. Among the 52\u00a0security improvements were physical barriers, closed-circuit television monitoring, site planning and access, hardening of building exteriors to increase blast resistance, glazing systems to reduce flying glass shards and fatalities, and structural engineering design to prevent progressive collapse."}, {"context": " The attack led to engineering improvements allowing buildings to better withstand tremendous forces, improvements which were incorporated into the design of Oklahoma City's new federal building. The National Geographic Channel documentary series \"Seconds From Disaster\" suggested that the Murrah Federal Building would probably have survived the blast had it been built according to California's earthquake design codes. McVeigh believed that the bomb attack had a positive impact on government policy. In evidence he cited the peaceful resolution of the Montana Freemen standoff in 1996, the government's $3.1\u00a0million settlement with Randy Weaver and his surviving children four months after the bombing, and April 2000 statements by Bill Clinton regretting his decision to storm the Branch Davidian compound. McVeigh stated, \"Once you bloody the bully's nose, and he knows he's going to be punched again, he's not coming back around.\""}, {"context": " A variety of conspiracy theories have been proposed about the events surrounding the bombing. Some theories allege that individuals in the government, including President Bill Clinton, knew of the impending bombing and intentionally failed to act on that knowledge. Other theories focus on initial reports by local news stations of multiple other unexploded bombs within the building itself as evidence of remnants of a controlled demolition; following the attack, search and rescue operations at the site were delayed until the area had been declared safe by the Oklahoma City bomb squad and federal authorities. According to both a situation report compiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a memo issued by the United States Atlantic Command the day following the attack, a second bomb located within the building was disarmed while a third was evacuated. Further theories focus on additional conspirators involved with the bombing. Additional theories claim the bombing was carried out by the government in order to frame the militia movement or to provide the impetus for new antiterrorism legislation while using McVeigh as a scapegoat. Other conspiracy theories suggest that foreign agents, particularly Islamic terrorists but also the Japanese government or German Neo-Nazis, were involved in the bombing. Experts have disputed the theories and government investigations have been opened at various times to look into the theories."}, {"context": " Once the explosion took place at the Alfred P. Murrah building, chaotic response filled the surrounding streets. Those who were able to flee the Murrah building did so, while others, stuck in the rubble, awaited the assistance of rescue workers and volunteers. As reported on CNN, other federal buildings in the downtown area were not fully evacuated, but those who were able to leave the city were encouraged to do so. This traffic, along with the people leaving places around the Murrah Building clogged streets, delaying the arrival of rescue crews and relief agencies."}, {"context": " Several agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration and the City of Oklahoma City have evaluated the emergency response actions to the bombing, and have proposed plans for a better response in addition to addressing issues that hindered a smooth rescue effort. Because of the crowded streets, and the number of response agencies sent to the location, communication between government branches and rescue workers was muddled. Groups were unaware of the operations others were conducting, thus creating strife and delays in the search and rescue process. The City of Oklahoma City, in their After Action Report, declared that better communication and single bases for agencies would better the aid of those in disastrous situations."}, {"context": " Following the events of September 11, 2001, with consideration of other events including the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Federal Highway Administration proposed the idea that major metropolitan areas create evacuation routes for civilians. These highlighted routes would allow paths for emergency crews and government agencies to enter the disaster area more quickly. By helping civilians out, and rescue workers in, the number of casualties will hopefully be decreased. For two\u00a0years after the bombing the only memorials to the victims were plush toys, crucifixes, letters, and other personal items left by thousands of people at a security fence surrounding the site of the building. Many suggestions for suitable memorials were sent to Oklahoma City, but an official memorial planning committee was not set up until early 1996, when the Murrah Federal Building Memorial Task Force, composed of 350\u00a0members, was set up to formulate plans for a memorial to commemorate the victims of the bombing. On July 1, 1997 the winning design was chosen unanimously by a 15-member panel from 624\u00a0submissions. The memorial was designed at a cost of $29\u00a0million, which was raised by public and private funds. The memorial is part of the National Park Service and was designed by Oklahoma City architects Hans and Torrey Butzer and Sven Berg. It was dedicated by President Clinton on April 19, 2000, exactly five years after the bombing. Within the first year, it had 700,000\u00a0visitors."}, {"context": " The memorial includes a reflecting pool flanked by two large gates, one inscribed with the time 9:01, the other with 9:03, the pool representing the moment of the blast. On the south end of the memorial is a field of symbolic bronze and stone chairs\u00a0\u2013 one for each person lost, arranged according to what floor of the building they were on. The chairs represent the empty chairs at the dinner tables of the victims' families. The seats of the children killed are smaller than those of the adults lost. On the opposite side is the \"survivor tree\", part of the building's original landscaping that survived the blast and fires that followed it. The memorial left part of the foundation of the building intact, allowing visitors to see the scale of the destruction. Part of the chain link fence put in place around the site of the blast, which had attracted over 800,000\u00a0personal items of commemoration later collected by the Oklahoma City Memorial Foundation, is now on the western edge of the memorial. North of the memorial is the Journal Record Building, which now houses the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, an affiliate of the National Park Service. The building also contains the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, a law enforcement training center."}, {"context": " St. Joseph's Old Cathedral, one of the first brick-and-mortar churches in the city, is located to the southwest of the memorial and was severely damaged by the blast. To commemorate the event, a statue and sculpture work entitled \"And Jesus Wept\" was installed adjacent to the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The work was dedicated in May 1997 and the church was rededicated on December 1 of the same year. The church, the statue, and the sculpture are not part of the Oklahoma City memorial. An observance is held each year to remember the victims of the bombing. An annual marathon draws thousands, and allows runners to sponsor a victim of the bombing. For the tenth anniversary of the bombing, the city held 24\u00a0days of activities, including a week-long series of events known as the National Week of Hope from April 17 to 24, 2005. As in previous years, the tenth anniversary of the bombing observances began with a service at 9:02\u00a0a.m., marking the moment the bomb went off, with the traditional 168\u00a0seconds of silence\u00a0\u2013 one\u00a0second for each person who was killed as a result of the blast. The service also included the traditional reading of the names, read by children to symbolize the future of Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " Vice President Dick Cheney, former President Clinton, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry, Frank Keating, Governor of Oklahoma at the time of the bombing, and other political dignitaries attended the service and gave speeches in which they emphasized that \"goodness overcame evil\". The relatives of the victims and the survivors of the blast also made note of it during the service at First United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. President George W. Bush made note of the anniversary in a written statement, part of which echoed his remarks on the execution of Timothy McVeigh in 2001: \"For the survivors of the crime and for the families of the dead the pain goes on.\" Bush was invited but did not attend the service because he was en route to Springfield, Illinois, to dedicate the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Cheney attended the service in his place."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City bombing conspiracy theories", "paragraphs": [{"context": " A variety of alternative theories have been proposed regarding the Oklahoma City bombing. These theories reject all, or part of, the official government report. Some of these theories focus on the possibility of additional co-conspirators that were never indicted or additional explosives planted inside the Murrah Federal building. Other theories allege that government employees and officials, including US President Bill Clinton, knew of the impending bombing and intentionally failed to act on that knowledge. Government investigations have been opened at various times to look into the theories."}, {"context": " At 9:02\u00a0a.m. CST April 19, 1995, a Ryder rental truck containing more than of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, nitromethane, and diesel fuel mixture was detonated in front of the north side of the nine-story Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The attack claimed 168\u00a0lives and left over 600\u00a0people injured. Shortly after the explosion, Oklahoma State Trooper Charlie Hanger stopped 26-year-old Timothy McVeigh for driving without a license plate and arrested him for that offense and for unlawfully carrying a weapon. Within days, McVeigh's old army friend Terry Nichols was arrested and both men were charged with committing the bombing. Investigators determined that they were sympathizers of a militia movement and that their motive was to retaliate against the government's handling of the Waco and Ruby Ridge incidents (the bombing occurred on the second anniversary of the Waco incident). McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June\u00a011, 2001 while Nichols was sentenced to life in prison."}, {"context": " Although the indictment against McVeigh and Nichols alleged that they conspired with \"others unknown to the grand jury\", prosecutors, and later McVeigh himself, said the bombing was solely the work of McVeigh and Nichols. In this scenario, the two obtained fertilizer and other explosive materials over a period of months and then assembled the bomb in Kansas the day prior to its detonation. After assembly, McVeigh allegedly alone drove the truck to Oklahoma City, lit the fuse, and fled in a getaway car he had parked in the area days prior."}, {"context": " Several witnesses reported seeing a second person with McVeigh around the time of the bombing, whom investigators later called \"John Doe 2\". In 1997, the FBI arrested Michael Brescia, a member of Aryan Republican Army, who resembled an artist's rendering of John Doe 2 based on the eyewitness accounts. However, they later released him, reporting that their investigation had indicated he was not involved with the bombing. One reporter for \"The Washington Post\" reflected on the fact that a John Doe 2 has never been found: \"Maybe he'll (John Doe 2) be captured and convicted someday. If not, he'll remain eternally at large, the one who got away, the mystery man at the center of countless conspiracy theories. It's possible that he never lived. It's likely that he'll never die.\""}, {"context": " An informant for the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms who had infiltrated the white supremacist enclave Elohim City, Oklahoma filed a report in January 1995 stating that Andreas Strassmeir, Elohim City's security chief, had spoken about destroying a Federal building and had visited the Murrah building with another man. Two days after the bombing, this informant reminded the ATF of the earlier report and urged investigation into a possible connection to Elohim City. McVeigh is known to have telephoned Elohim City two weeks before the bombing. Jane Graham, a Housing and Urban Development employee at the Murrah building who survived the bombing, later stated that in the days before the bombing she had observed multiple suspicious persons who she suspected may have been involved (such as unfamiliar persons in maintenance or military uniforms), but that her observations were ignored by authorities. Graham later identified one of these men as Andreas Strassmier of Elohim City."}, {"context": " There are several theories that McVeigh and Nichols had a possible foreign connection or co-conspirators. This was due to the fact that Terry Nichols traveled through the Philippines while terrorist mastermind Ramzi Yousef of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing was planning his Project Bojinka plot in Manila. Ramzi Yousef placed the bomb used in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing inside a rented Ryder van, the same rental company used by McVeigh, indicating a possible foreign link to Al-Qaeda. Other theories link McVeigh with Islamic terrorists, the Japanese government, and German neo-Nazis."}, {"context": " There has also been speculation that an unmatched leg found at the bombing site may have belonged to an unidentified, additional bomber. It was claimed that this bomber was either in the building when the bombing occurred, or had previously been murdered, and McVeigh had left his body in the back of the Ryder truck to hide it in the explosion. One theory contends there was a cover-up of the existence of additional explosives planted within the Murrah building. The theory focuses on the local news channels reporting the existence of a second and third bomb within the first few hours of the explosion. Theorists point to nearby seismographs that recorded two tremors from the bombing, believing it to indicate two bombs had been used. Experts dispute this, stating that the first tremor was a result of the bomb, while the second was due to the collapse of the building."}, {"context": " Conspiracy theorists say that there are several discrepancies, such as a proposed inconsistency between the observed destruction and the bomb used by McVeigh. Physicist Samuel T. Cohen, known as the primary inventor of the neutron bomb, stated in a letter to an Oklahoma politician that he did not believe a fertilizer bomb was capable of causing the destruction at the Murrah building. Similarly, Air Force Brigadier General Benton K. Partin expressed an opinion that there must have been additional explosive charges inside the Murrah building."}, {"context": " In 1997, the U.S. Inspector General agency reviewed the Justice Department and FBI crime lab based on allegations of chemist Frederic Whitehurst that the lab was poorly managed and operated. Among other findings, as summarized by CNN, the review determined that the FBI investigation into the Oklahoma City bombing was sloppy and partisan rather than scientifically objective. The FBI lab relied on \"'scientifically unsound' conclusions that were 'biased in favor of the prosecution,' [and] supervisors approved lab reports that they 'cannot support' and that FBI lab officials may have erred about the size of the [Murrah building] blast, the amount of explosives involved and the type of explosives used in the bombing.\" Additionally, \"FBI examiners could not identify the triggering device for the truck bomb or how it was detonated\" and the evidence did not even support the theory that ammonium nitrate fertilizer was the primary explosive."}, {"context": " Another theory alleged that President Bill Clinton had either known about the bombing in advance or had approved the bombing. It is also believed that the bombing was done by the government to frame the militia movement or enact antiterrorism legislation while using McVeigh as a scapegoat. Still other theories claim that McVeigh conspired with the CIA in plotting the bombing. In a 1993 letter to his sister, published by \"The New York Times\" in 1998, McVeigh claimed that during his time at Fort Bragg he and nine others were recruited into a secret black ops team that smuggled drugs into the United States to fund covert activities and \"were to work hand-in-hand w/civilian police agencies to \"quiet\" anyone whom was deemed a \"security risk.\" (We would be gov't-paid assassins!)\" In a 2001 declaration Terry Nichols, McVeigh's convicted co-conspirator, also alleged that McVeigh reported in December 1992 how he \"had been recruited to carry out undercover missions\" which initially involved visiting gun shows and making contact with a loose network of anti-government and far-right sympathizers. This undercover activity allegedly escalated to armed robberies and a planned bombing under the direction of FBI agent Larry A. Potts."}, {"context": " Filmmaker Bill Bean believes he filmed and briefly spoke to McVeigh on August 3, 1993 while doing location scouting at Camp Grafton in North Dakota. This event occurred over a year after McVeigh resigned from the Army, and Bean believes he has proof that McVeigh was still in the military after his supposed resignation. Bean notes that the US Military and FBI have denied that McVeigh was the man Bean filmed at Camp Grafton, but also states that Professor Michael Blomgren, a speech pathologist at the University of Utah, did a voice forensic test of the Camp Grafton subject in comparison to McVeigh's \"60 Minutes\" interview and determined a match of 86%."}, {"context": " In 2006, US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, (Republican, California), said that the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the U.S. House Committee on International Relations, which he chaired, would investigate whether the Oklahoma City bombers had assistance from foreign sources. On December\u00a028, 2006, when asked about fueling conspiracy theories with his questions and criticism, Rohrabacher told CNN: \"There's nothing wrong with adding to a conspiracy theory when there might be a conspiracy, in fact.\" Among other unresolved questions, Rohrabacher also criticized the FBI for not explaining how Nichols, who did not work steadily, paid for his several trips to the Philippines and had $20,000 cash; for not finding explosives concealed in Nichols's house until a decade after the bombing; for not explaining the \"rush to rule out the existence of John Doe Number 2\"; and for not thoroughly investigating possible connections between McVeigh and the Aryan Republican Army and Andreas Strassmeir. In March\u00a02007, Danny Coulson, who served as deputy assistant director of FBI at the time of attacks, voiced his concerns and called for reopening of investigation."}, {"context": " On September 28, 2009, Jesse Trentadue, a Salt Lake City attorney, released security tapes that he obtained from the FBI through the Freedom of Information Act that show the Murrah building before and after the blast from four security cameras. The tapes are blank at points before 9:02 am, the time of detonation. Trentadue said that the government's explanation for the missing footage is that the tape was being replaced at the time. Said Trentadue, \"Four cameras in four different locations going blank at the same time on the morning of April 19, 1995. There ain't no such thing as a coincidence.\" Trentadue became interested in the case when his brother, Kenneth Michael Trentadue, died in federal custody, during what Trentadue believes was an interrogation because Kenneth was mistaken for a possible conspirator in the Oklahoma City bombing."}, {"context": " In November 2014, John R. Schindler, a former professor at the Naval War College and National Security Agency intelligence officer, wrote \"It would be good if a serious re-look at OKBOMB\u2019s many unanswered questions were established for the event\", because of \"the existence of important evidence indicating there\u2019s something we should be talking about\". He stated that when he participated in a reexamination by the United States Intelligence Community after the September 11 attacks of possible foreign involvement with recent terrorist attacks, he found \"as Rohrabacher\u2019s investigators did a few years later, that the FBI and DoJ had no interest in anyone peeking into the case, which they considered closed, indeed tightly shut. Even in Top Secret channels, avenues were blocked\". While cautioning that the bombing \"has attracted more than its share of charlatans and self-styled experts, some of whom are eager to pin the bombing on Arabs, Masons, Jews, and perhaps space aliens\", Schindler urged a resumption of Rohrabacher's investigation and cited two issues as notable: McVeigh's and Nichols's visits to the Philippines, and the activities of a German national and friend of McVeigh.  -A Noble Lie: Oklahoma City 1995 (2011) | Free Mind Films -The Oklahoma City Bombing by John Rappaport"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City metropolitan area", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area is an urban region in Central Oklahoma. It is the largest metropolitan area in the state of Oklahoma and contains the state capital and principal city, Oklahoma City. It is often known as the Oklahoma City Metro, Oklahoma City Metroplex, or Greater Oklahoma City in addition to the nicknames Oklahoma City is known for. Seven counties make up the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area: Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the region had a population of 1,252,987."}, {"context": " The micro urban area of Shawnee (in Pottawatomie County) is included in Oklahoma City's Combined Statistical Area (CSA) which brings the area population to 1,430,327. The Oklahoma City \u2013 Shawnee CSA is also included as part of the I-35 Megalopolis. As of the 2010 Census, there were 1,252,987 people, 539,077 housing units, 489,654 households, and 320,335 families in Greater Oklahoma City. The metropolitan area's racial makeup was: As of 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the median household income in the MSA was $55,065, and the median family income was $68,797. The per capita income for the MSA in 2015 was $27,316. For the population age 25 years and over, 88.4% was a high school graduate for higher, and 29.8% had a Bachelor's degree or higher."}, {"context": " The following communities are suburbs and exurbs of Oklahoma City with populations of at least 1,000 found within the bounds of State Highway 33 to the north, State Highway 18 and US-177 to the east, State Highway 39 and State Highway 9 to the south, and US-81 to the west. A separate city, surrounded by Oklahoma City and the Village, Nichols Hills, is just north of Belle Isle, and is an enclave of the affluent with many historic homes and parks. Edmond is a suburb of around 90,000 people northeast of and adjacent to Oklahoma City. The famous U.S. Route 66 ran through downtown Edmond before turning southward into Oklahoma City. Edmond is a pioneer in Oklahoma education, with the University of Central Oklahoma (1890), the state's first place of higher education, and the first public school building constructed in the state. Edmond was also home to the first Junior League Roller Derby Team, The Snooty Dogs. Edmond is the hometown of 1996 Olympic gold medal-winner Shannon Miller. Edmond is one of the fastest growing cities in Oklahoma. This area of the metro has great access to the Broadway Extension and I-35."}, {"context": " Guthrie the first capital of the State of Oklahoma, lies to the north of Edmond in Logan County. Guthrie is home to the drive-in theater used in the movie \"Twister\", as well as some Victorian homes, which tend to be uncommon in Oklahoma. In 2005, Guthrie entered into a partnership with Edmond to co-sponsor the Guthrie\u2013Edmond Regional Airport. Jones is a small community of around 3,000 a few miles south of I-44. Its location east of Edmond is isolated and hilly, but convenient to Oklahoma City at large."}, {"context": " Chandler is a city of about 3,000 located east of Edmond and north Oklahoma City on U.S. Route 66 and Interstate 44 and north of Shawnee on Highway 18 in Lincoln County. The Turner Turnpike (I-44) provides commuters and shoppers easy access to Oklahoma City. Located along the famous U.S. Route 66, Chandler is rich with Route 66 history and a popular stop on cruises and biker runs. Chandler offers a number of attractions to devotees of \"The Mother Road\". These include the Route 66 Interpretive Center, The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Museum and Hall of Fame, The Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History, several Route 66-themed murals, the newly restored old cottage-style Phillips 66 gas station, P.J.'s Bar-B-Que, and the last remaining painted barn adverting Meramec Caverns west of town. Other attractions in Chandler include the Lincoln County Farmers Market and the annual Ice Cream Festival in the summer."}, {"context": " Chandler is experiencing growth, including the opening of a Wal-Mart Supercenter, addition of new banks and restaurants, and construction of upscale housing out of city limits. Stillwater, OK is an exurb of Oklahoma City that is home to the state's second largest university, Oklahoma State University. The US Census bureau does not include Stillwater in the population statistics of the Oklahoma City - Shawnee CSA; however, Stillwater is largely tied to Oklahoma City for economic, logistical, and political purposes such as sharing OKC metro's area code, 405."}, {"context": " Strung out along US-62 to the east of Oklahoma City are Choctaw, Harrah, Nicoma Park, Spencer, and Meeker. These towns are nowhere near as densely populated as Oklahoma City, but as with most other areas that surround the City, they are experiencing rapid growth. Meeker was home to \"King\" Carl Hubbell, an American baseball player and Hall of Famer. Bordered by southeast Oklahoma City and adjacent to Tinker Air Force Base, Del City is home to about 22,000 residents. The city maintains a strong link to the military, serving as home to many base personnel and military retirees. After hard times due to regional economic decline and the devastating effects of the May 3, 1999 tornado, Del City is experiencing significant growth and redevelopment. A new Wal-Mart Supercenter and several new chain stores serve as the groundwork for economic development. Continued expansion at several major employers, including the opening of the international corporate headquarters of Midwest Trophy/MTM Recognition and dramatic expansion at Mayco (oil field parts) are bringing quality jobs to the city."}, {"context": " Easy commuting access to Interstate 40 and Interstate 35, strong community organizations and neighborhood watch groups, and affordable housing prices make Del City attractive to young families. Del City High School has received many state and national awards, including the Class 4-A (at the time, the state's largest high school athletics division) State Football Championship in 1976. Del City has worked to create recreational opportunities for residents that include walking and bicycling on several sections of improved trail, picnic areas at Ray Trent Park, or fishing at Eagle Lake. Two recreational facilities, the Eagle Harbor Aquatics Center and the Wiggly Field Dog Park, are recognized as being among the best of their kind. Del City is also the hometown of two-time Olympic gold medalist John Smith."}, {"context": " Midwest City, with around 57,000 people, is a mix of middle class post-war housing and upscale newer housing, based largely around the sprawling Tinker Air Force Base. The eastern part of the city is home to generally newer housing additions built in the past two decades. City leaders have enjoyed success in reinventing their downtown area, and attracting numerous eateries and shops to the Town Center Plaza, a new shopping center along Interstate 40 anchored by Lowe's, Target, and J.C. Penney locations. The city's former mall, Heritage Park, is left with two anchors \u2013 Sears and LifeChurch.TV in the former Dillard's space which closed in March 2006. The now closed mall interior area is being marketed as a separate potential big box retail shopping space."}, {"context": " The city boasts a community college, Rose State, and much of the metro's automobile market. The devastation from the May 3, 1999 tornado opened the door to new development of numerous hotels and the Reed Convention Center, which is connected to a Sheraton hotel. Midwest City is a wrestling and football powerhouse with its 15 state wrestling titles and five state football championship wins. Midwest City is only 7 minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown Oklahoma City. Shawnee, Oklahoma is an exurb of Oklahoma City, somewhat removed from the immediate metropolitan area by a 35-minute drive but is considered part of the Combined Statistical Area. The city of Shawnee has about 30,000 people and is home to two colleges. St. Gregory's University, the first college in Oklahoma, is a liberal arts school which in 2000 began granting baccalaureate degrees. Oklahoma Baptist University, also a liberal arts institution, was founded in 1910. The historic downtown area has seen a flurry of redevelopment, including the conversion of the vacant Aldridge Hotel into a large apartment building."}, {"context": " These communities are exurbs of Oklahoma City and form a micropolitan area with Shawnee. Valley Brook is a small town of less than 1,000 nestled into Oklahoma City's south side. It is well known for stripteasedancing clubs and has somewhat relaxed laws for strip clubs compared to the rest of the metro, and several are prominently advertised on nearby I-35. Moore surrounds I-35 between Oklahoma City and Norman, and is rapidly growing both south towards Norman and north towards the increasingly affluent southwest area of Oklahoma City. Moore's population is approximately 60,000, and there is massive commercial development under construction along the freeway at S. 19th St. Residential additions have been recently built on the eastern and western edges of the city limits, with more planned. Moore's school district supports three high schools, Moore, Westmoore, and Southmoore. Country music star Toby Keith is a Moore native."}, {"context": " Norman, Oklahoma is the anchor city of the south Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area and has a growing full-time population of over 120,000 residents, making it the state's third-largest city. Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma, the state's largest university. Norman is a combination of a well-established \"college town,\" historic neighborhoods among the state's oldest, 1950's-era middle-class areas, and newer developments mostly on the town's north side. Always a hub of alternative music, Norman was a starting place for international super stars the Flaming Lips. Norman is also the hometown of movie star James Garner and country music star Vince Gill."}, {"context": " These four suburbs/exurbs lie south of Norman along the I-35 and US-77 corridors. Multimillion-dollar horse farms give the area much commerce and appearance of great wealth. Steady growth continues, although not as rapid as the southwest metro, it is growing in popularity with new residents seeking acreages and small school systems as numbers of Norman residents experience changing dynamics of traffic, and crowded schools, stores that follow rapid population growth. Noble is known as the \"Rose-Rock Capital of the World\" for its abundance of soil-bound barium sulfate. Slaughterville was thrust into the public spotlight by a recent campaign by PETA to change the name of the town to \"Veggieville,\" though the town was named after a James Slaughter, not for the killing of animals."}, {"context": " Purcell, OK was founded as a railroad town in 1887, with the coming of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad and is the retail hub of 21,300 residents including several surrounding communities including Criner, Payne, Wayne, Washington and Woody Chapel and surrounding unincorporated rural areas of McClain County as well as Lexington in southern Cleveland County. (per 2010 census numbers) These small communities lie along I-35 just west of the South Canadian River. Goldsby is known for its Chickasaw Nation casinos: Goldsby Gaming Center, and Riverwind Casino, which is one of the largest casinos in Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Traveling along I-44 southwest from the City takes one into the fastest-growing part of the metro, which is known as \"Tri-City\" after its major constituents: Newcastle, Tuttle and Blanchard, Oklahoma. The area surrounds the tiny town of Bridge Creek. These suburbs have experienced rapid growth over the past 5\u201310 years as the result of people moving further from downtown Oklahoma City with an estimated combined population of 21,374 (2010 census). Though these communities have suffered growing pains, the increased residential and business development is improving the governments' abilities to improve the infrastructure needs and increase services. Newcastle serves as the epicenter of business development for the region but all of the communities are seeing growth in these arenas."}, {"context": " Bridge Creek suffered incredible damage from an F5 tornado during the Oklahoma tornado outbreak of May 3, 1999. Blanchard and Newcastle suffered damages in the tornado outbreak of May 24, 2011 with the loss or damages of over 350 homes and over 20 businesses, however no lives were lost. Chickasha, an exurb of Oklahoma City, is along I-44 southwest of the City. With over 16,000 people, Chickasha is home to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, the state's only public liberal arts institution."}, {"context": " Bethany and Warr Acres are in the suburban inner western part of the city and are largely surrounded by parts of Oklahoma City proper. These suburbs are home to the metro's most competitive tax rates, and have attracted numerous big box retailers. There are a large number of historic motels, restaurants, and bars along old Route 66 (now NW 39th St). Lake Overholser, the city's oldest lake, is surrounded by upscale housing and has recently seen proposals for resort development on its shores. There are growing Korean, East Indian, and Pakistani communities in this area."}, {"context": " Bethany is home to Southern Nazarene University and Southwestern Christian University and has a small, well-preserved main street area along 39th Street near the SNU campus. Unique compared to other suburbs, these suburban \"enclaves\" have a stagnant population. Woodlawn Park is an independent enclave within Bethany consisting of with a population of 161 at the 2000 census. The eastern Mustang city limits are cut off from the rest of the metro by Will Rogers World Airport, which makes Mustang one of the most remote areas in the metro. Mustang Schools service a large area outside Mustang limits into Oklahoma City, which surrounds Mustang completely. The city of about 21,000 is rapidly growing."}, {"context": " Yukon, the home of Garth Brooks and Cross Canadian Ragweed, is a growing suburb located west of downtown on I-40 and the recently completed West Loop of the Kilpatrick Turnpike. The city is in the midst of a population and retail boom. El Reno, named after Fort Reno which once stood there, is an active Main Street community. The Oklahoma Main Street Program is a downtown revitalization program. Once a Certified City, El Reno has transitioned to a Century Community. Also notable in El Reno is the trolley that runs through the downtown area."}, {"context": " These small, rural communities are located south of I-40 along US-81 in Grady and Canadian Counties, respectively, between El Reno and Chickasha. Piedmont is the fastest-growing city in the metro. As of 2016, the city had a population of around 7,400. It is just a few miles north of the intersection of State Highway 3 and State Highway 4 (at the north end of the latter), north of Yukon. The towns of Cashion and Okarche are on the northwestern fringes of the metro area. Both towns lie in two counties: Cashion (Kingfisher and Logan) and Okarche (Kingfisher and Canadian). Cashion and Okarche are primarily in Kingfisher County, which is a rural county. The Logan County portion of Cashion and the Canadian County portion of Okarche, however, do lie within the defined boundaries of the Oklahoma City MSA.  There are many towns in the Oklahoma City MSA with less than 1,000 population. In 2005, Hall Park was annexed by Norman and ceased to be a town, becoming instead a group of housing subdivisions."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City sonic boom tests", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City sonic boom tests, also known as Operation Bongo II, refer to a controversial experiment, organised by the Federal Aviation Administration, in which 1,253 sonic booms were generated over Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, over a period of six months from February 1964. The experiment was intended to quantify the effects of transcontinental supersonic transport (SST) aircraft on a city, to measure the booms' effect on structures and public attitude, and to develop standards for boom prediction and insurance data."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City's population was perceived to be relatively tolerant of such an experiment, as it had an economic dependency on the nearby Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and Tinker Air Force Base; and, in fact, the local Chamber of Commerce threw a celebratory dinner when Oklahoma was selected. Despite this the testing was stopped early, in the wake of damage complaints, and although the final report said that \"the overwhelming majority felt they could learn to live with the numbers and kinds of booms experienced\" the FAA's poor handling of complaints led to a class action lawsuit against the U.S. government. The negative publicity associated with the tests partially influenced the 1971 cancellation of the Boeing 2707 project and the United States' complete withdrawal from SST design."}, {"context": " Starting on February 3, 1964, the first sonic booms began, eight booms per day that began at 7 a.m. and ended in the afternoon. The Air Force used F-104 fighter and B-58 bomber aircraft to produce the booms, along with the occasional F-101 and F-106. The noise was limited to 1.0 to 1.5 pound-force per square foot (48 to 72 pascal) for the first twelve weeks, then increased to 1.5 to 2.0 psf (72 to 96 pascal) for the final fourteen weeks. This range was about equal to that expected from an SST. Though eight booms per day were harsh, the peak overpressures of 2.0 psf were supposedly an order of magnitude lower than that needed to shatter glass, and are considered marginally irritating according to published standards."}, {"context": " Oklahomans initially took the tests in stride. This was chalked up to the booms being predictable and coming at specific times. An FAA-hired camera crew, filming a group of construction workers, were surprised to find that the booms signalled their lunch break. However, in the first 14 weeks, 147 windows in the city's two tallest buildings, the First National Bank and Liberty National Bank, were broken. By late spring, organized civic groups were already springing into action, but were rebuffed by city politicians, who asked them to show legislators their support. An attempt to lodge an injunction against the tests was denied by district court Judge Stephen Chandler, who said that the plaintiffs could not establish that they suffered any mental or physical harm and that the tests were a vital national need. A restraining order was then sought, which brought a pause to the tests on May 13 until it was decided that the court had exceeded its authority."}, {"context": " Pressure mounted from within. The federal Bureau of the Budget lambasted the FAA about poor experiment design, while complaints flooded into U.S. Senator Mike Monroney's office. Finally, East Coast newspapers began to pick up the issue, turning on the national spotlight. On June 6 the \"Saturday Review\" published an article titled \"The Era of Supersonic Morality\", which criticized the manner in which the FAA had targeted a city without consulting local government, though there was no justification for this since the city chamber had held a celebration when they were selected, indicating the city was fully aware of these tests. By July, \"The Washington Post\" reported on the turmoil at the local and state level in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City council members were finally beginning to respond to citizen complaints and put pressure on Washington."}, {"context": " The pressure put a premature end to the tests. On July 30, the tests were over. An \"Oklahoma City Times\" headline reported: \"Silence is deafening!\" Zhivko D. Angeluscheff, a prominent hearing specialist serving with the National Academy of Science, recalled: \"I was witness to the fact that men were executing their brethren during six long months ... with their thunder, the sonic boom, they were punishing all living creatures on earth.\" Public opinion measurement was subcontracted to the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) of the University of Chicago, and their report was released beginning in February, 1965. The FAA was displeased by the overly academic style of the report, but stressed the positive findings, saying \"the overwhelming majority felt they could learn to live with the numbers and kinds of booms experienced.\" Indeed, the NORC reported that 73% of subjects in the study said that they could live indefinitely with eight sonic booms per day, while 25% said that they couldn't. About 3% of the population telephoned, sued, or wrote protest letters, but Oklahoma City surgeons and hospitals filed no complaints."}, {"context": " However, with the city population at 500,000, that 3% figure represented 15,000 upset individuals. There were 9,594 complaints of damage to buildings, 4,629 formal damage claims, and 229 claims for a total of $12,845.32, mostly for broken glass and cracked plaster. The FAA rejected 94% of all the claims it received, fueling a rising tide of anger that soared even after the experiment's conclusion. By 1965, Senator Monroney had grown extremely upset over hundreds of letters from his constituents complaining about the FAA's \"cavalier manner\" of dismissing claims, and began demanding frequent reports from the agency. As late as May 1966, the FAA was still attempting to respond to all of Monroney's inquiries. The SST program lost all support from Monroney, who had initially been a key supporter."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma City experiments were partly to blame for weakening the FAA's authority in sonic boom issues. After the tests, President Lyndon B. Johnson's presidential advisory committee transferred matters of policy from the FAA to the National Academy of Science. Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall complained that the NAS did not include one environmental preservationist, and pointed out that although the Oklahoma City tests were stacked in favor of the SST, they were still extremely negative. Indeed, by 1966, national grassroots campaigns against sonic booms were beginning to affect public policy.  The FAA's poor handling of claims and its payout of only $123,000 led to a class action lawsuit against the U.S. government. On March 8, 1969, the government lost its appeal. The negative publicity associated with the tests partially influenced the 1971 cancellation of the Boeing 2707 project and led to the United States' complete withdrawal from SST design."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma City\u2013Ada\u2013Atoka Railway", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma City \u2013 Ada \u2013 Atoka Railway (OCAA) was formed from trackage from Oklahoma City to Atoka via Shawnee and Ada, Oklahoma, that was not included in the 1923 reorganization of the Missouri\u2013Kansas\u2013Texas Railroad. The OCAA was originally owned by interests associated with the Oklahoma Railway, but was sold to the Muskogee Company (which also controlled the Midland Valley Railroad and the Kansas, Oklahoma and Gulf Railway) in 1929. In 1964 the OCAA was sold to the Missouri Pacific Railroad's Texas and Pacific Railway, which briefly operated the property before selling it to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway with which it merged on December 1, 1967.  In 1960 OCAA reported 20 million net ton-miles of revenue freight and no passengers on its 104 miles of road."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference (OCAC) was an intercollegiate athletic conference that existed from 1929 to 1973. The conference's members were located in the state of Oklahoma. The league's predecessor was the first iteration of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference, and its successor was the OIC's second iteration."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women was created by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1994. Made up of thirty members, one-third are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, one-third are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, one-third are appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives to serve staggered 5-year terms. OCSW was established to \"act as an advisory entity on equity issues relating to gender bias; monitor legislation to determine whether it is discriminatory toward one gender or the other; act as a resource and a clearinghouse for research on issues related to women and gender bias; report annually to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives regarding its activities; and make recommendations concerning needed legislation or regulatory changes relating to equity and gender bias.\" Since July 1, 2002, the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management has had the responsibility of providing staff support to the Commission."}, {"context": " President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10980 on December 14, 1961 establishing the organization of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. President Kennedy appointed former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt to chair the committee. After the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women issued a report encouraging states to establish their own commissions, the first Governor's Commission on the Status of Women in Oklahoma was established by Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon in January 1964. The Commission continued to be re-established by executive orders until 1994 when it received legislative approval, establishing permanent status, a more defined budget, and continuity.  Two of the Commission's main projects include carrying out the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Women's Summit, held on alternating years."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Commissioner of Charities and Corrections", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Commissioner of Charities and Corrections is a now defunct elective executive officer of the state of Oklahoma. The office was established by the Oklahoma Constitution in 1907. The office was disestablished by the constitutional amendment State Question 50 to the Constitution. It was adopted at the special election held on July 22, 1975. The amendment came into effect on January 8, 1979. The duties of the Commissioner were taken over by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. A Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to have been a citizen of the United States, at least 25 years old, and have been resident of Oklahoma for at least ten years prior to election and served a four-year term that run concurrent with that of the Governor of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had the power to investigate the entire system of public charities and corrections of the State. This included examining the conditions and management of all prisons, jails, alms-houses, reformatories, reform and industrial schools, hospitals, infirmaries, dispensaries, orphanages, and all public and private retreats and asylums which derived their support wholly or in part from the State, any county or municipality within the State. In performing those duties, the officers of the institutions being investigated by the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to promptly furnish the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections with such information, relating to their respective institutions at the demand of the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections. Also, the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had the power to summon any person to appear and produce such books and papers as was designated in the summons, and to give testimony under oath concerning the matter and institution under investigation."}, {"context": " A full report of any investigation, including the testimony, conducted by the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to be made to the Governor of Oklahoma and then had to be transmitted by the Governor to the Oklahoma Legislature with any suggestions as the Governor desired to make. Also, on the first day of October of each year, and at any time on request of the Governor, the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to make a full and complete report of the operations and administration of their office, with such suggestions as the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections may have deemed suitable and pertinent."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office is an agency of the government of Oklahoma. The Land Office was created by the Oklahoma Constitution and is responsible for managing and controlling lands and funds granted to the state under the provisions of the Oklahoma organic act. These lands and fund are used to support common schools, colleges and universities. The governing body of the Land Office is the Commissioners. The board is composed of five members: the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the State Auditor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Governor serves as the Chair and the Lt. Governor serves as Vice Chair."}, {"context": " The Governor is responsible for appointing, with the consent of the other Commissioners, the Secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office. The current Secretary is Harry W. Birdwell, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2011. The Land Office was created in 1907 during the term of Governor Charles N. Haskell. The mission of the Commissioners of the Land Office is: \"to grow the School Land Trust and to generate maximum earnings for distribution to the Trust beneficiaries\". The Commissioners of the Land Office is under the supervision of the five-member board of Commissioners, with the Governor of Oklahoma serving as permanent Chairman and the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma serving as the permanent Vice Chairman.  The members of the Commissioners of the Land Office: The Commissioners of the Land Office, with an annual budget of over $5 million. In fiscal year 2011, the Land Office was authorized 50 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Conservation Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Conservation Commission is an agency of the government of Oklahoma under the Governor of Oklahoma. It is the duty of the Commission to conserve Oklahoma's land and water. The Commission is also responsible for upstream flood control protection, a state-funded conservation cost-share program, reclamation of abandoned mine land and non point source water quality monitoring, planning, and management, in addition to a variety of educational and informational activities. The Commissison is composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the consesnt of the Oklahoma Senate. The Commission, in turn, appoints an Executive Director to manage the day-to-day operations of the Commission."}, {"context": " The Commission was created in 1971 during the term of Governor David Hall. To conserve, protect and restore Oklahoma's natural resources, working in collaboration with the conservation districts and other partners, on behalf of the citizens of Oklahoma. The Commission is administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Chair of Commission, and the Executive Director of the Commission. Under Governor Mary Fallin, Jim Reese is serving as the Secretary and Trey Lam is serving as the Executive Director."}, {"context": " The Commission is composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve a five-year term. Each member of the Commission is appointed from one of the five districts of the State. Each member appointed must be, at the time of his appointment, a Conservation District Director. Each member of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission shall be a Conservation District Director during the entire term as a Commission member. At least than three members of said Commission must engage in farming or ranching as their primary profession."}, {"context": " As of 2013, the members of the Commission are: The Oklahoma Conservation Commission provides assistance to Oklahoma's 85 conservation districts and to the public in order to foster a sense of care, wise use and best management of Oklahoma's renewable natural resources. The conservation districts in Oklahoma are grouped into five areas in the state. Each area is represented by a Conservation Commission board member. Administration of the agency is carried out by an executive director. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission and conservation districts accomplish conservation of renewable natural resources through soil and water conservation, landuse planning, small watershed upstream flood control, abandoned mine land reclamation, water quality monitoring, environmental education and wetlands conservation."}, {"context": " The Conservation Commission, with an annual budget of just under $30 million, is one of the smaller employers of the State. For fiscal year 2010, the Commission was authorized 71 full-time employees. The State is divided into 85 Conservation Districts organized by local residents. Each conservation district office offers a variety of natural resource information including soil surveys. Conservation districts provide services to large segments of the public, including farmers, ranchers, community planners, public health officials, developers, educators, students, and rural and urban citizens.  Each District is governed by a Conservation District Board composed of three members are elected by the people of the district and two members are appointed by the Commission. The elected members serve staggered three-year terms with one being elected each year. The appointed members serve staggered two-year terms with one being appointed each year."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests are standards-aligned tests designed to meet NCLB requirements. The following tests are administered: Additionally, the Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests report out Lexile measures for students in grades 3-8. A Lexile measure can be used to match readers with targeted text and monitor growth in reading ability."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Corporation Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is the public utilities commission of the U.S state of Oklahoma run by three statewide elected commissioners. Authorized to employ more than 400 employees, it regulates oil and gas drilling, utilities and telephone companies. The commission was established in 1907 and the First Oklahoma Legislature gave the commission authority to regulate public service corporations. Railroad, telephone and telegraph companies were the companies first regulated by the commission, which also collected records of the stockholders, officers and directors of corporations chartered or licensed to do business in Oklahoma. Record collection duties were later split; the commission keeping records only for public service companies. The commission added pipelines, water, heat, light and power in early years."}, {"context": " The commission began regulating oil and gas in 1914 and was given additional regulatory power over the industry the following year. Candidates for the commission must be a citizen of Oklahoma for over two years before their election, at least 30 years of age and have no interest in any entity regulated by the commission. Commissioners serve a six-year term. The terms are staggered so that one commissioner is up for re-election every two years, in even-numbered years. The chair of the commission is determined by the three commissioners."}, {"context": " In case of vacancy the Governor of Oklahoma appoints a replacement, to stand until the next general election. The commissioner elected at that election will serve the remaining unexpired term, so as to maintain the staggered term system. The Commission regulates and enforces the laws and supervised the actives associated with: Early emphasis for the commission was on regulation of railroad routes and rates. Through changes by the Legislature, and the change in services considered essential to the public welfare, the commission presently regulates public utilities, oil and gas industry (exploration, drilling, production and waste disposal), motor carrier transport, and petroleum products industry (transportation, storage, quality and dispensing). The commission also monitors a number of federal programs for compliance in Oklahoma. The commission also oversees the conservation of natural resources, avoiding waste production, abate pollution of the environment, and balancing the rights and needs of the people of Oklahoma with those of the regulated entities. The Public Utility Division acts as the Administrator for the states $30 million Universal Services Fund. This fund supports rural telecommunications as well as internet to Oklahoma public schools, libraries, and health centers.  As of February 2017, the following are the members of the commission: The commission, with an annual budget of over $60 million, is one of the larger employers of Oklahoma state government. For fiscal year 2012, the commission was authorized 430 full-time employees, but experience numerous vacancies."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) is a conservative, state-based think tank in Oklahoma, USA. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) was founded in 1993 as a public policy research organization focused primarily on state-level issues. The founders, led by Dr. David Brown, envisioned an organization that was capable of affecting the state\u2019s public policy similar to national level think tanks. Since its founding OCPA has conducted research and analysis of public issues in Oklahoma from a perspective of limited government, individual liberty and a free-market economy. OCPA has promoted the conclusions from its research through an array of media that have steadily increased in breadth, scope and ultimately, effectiveness.  OCPA headquarters is near the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Jonathan Small serves as the organization's president."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Council on Firefighter Training", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Council on Firefighting Training (COFT) was the agency of the state of Oklahoma which supports Oklahoma's state, county and local fire protection agencies by identifying and recommending training needs. In 2017, it was placed under the Office of the State Fire Marshal and reformed as the Oklahoma Firefighter Training Committee. The Council consists of ten members, three of whom are ex officio, non-voting. All non-ex officio serve three-year terms. Member are appointed as follows: The Council is responsible for identifying firefighter training needs and setting the firefighter training goals for the State. The Council interacts with the Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security on firefighter training needs and grants. The Council administers and maintains incentive and recognition programs established for Oklahoma firefighters.  The Council's primary responsibility is to submit annual recommendations regarding fire and emergency service training needs to the Governor of Oklahoma, the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints is an agency of the state of Oklahoma that investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and can recommend a judge be reprimanded by the Oklahoma Supreme Court or recommend the judge's removal from office by the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. The council has jurisdiction over all state, municipal and administrative law judges. The council is composed of three members. The council consists of three members. Only two members of the council may be members of the Oklahoma Bar Association. One member is appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, one member is appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and the third member is appointed by the President of the Oklahoma Bar Association. No members of the council, during their terms of office, is eligible for appointment to the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission.  The current members of the council are:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) is a government law enforcement agency of the state of Oklahoma which supports Oklahoma's state, county, and local law enforcement agencies by providing education and training which promotes professionalism and enhances competency within the ranks of Oklahoma law enforcement. The Council is composed of 13 members, each appointed by various methods. The Council elects, from among its own members, a Chair and Vice Chair. All members of the Council serve without additional compensation. The Council appoints an Executive Director and Assistant Director to oversee the work and services of the agency.  The current CLEET Director is Steve Emmons. CLEET has the following responsibilities and duties: The Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training employs 47 employees as follows: For Fiscal Year 2013 CLEET's operating budget is $6.7 million. Down from 2012 which was $6.8 million. CLEET's 2011 budget was $7.2 million. 2014 budget has not been approved by the Oklahoma Legislature at this time."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma County Courthouse", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma County Courthouse in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma was designed by prominent Oklahoma architect Solomon Layton and partners George Forsyth and Jewel Hicks of the firm Layton & Forsyth, and was built in 1937. It replaced the original courthouse that was built with $100,000 in bonds issued and located at the intersection of California and Robinson at 520 West Main Street in the 1900s. The building is located at 321 Park Avenue It cost $1.5 million paid for with a bond issue and money from the Public Works Administration (PWA), \"a federal program to create jobs in The Great Depression."}, {"context": " The 11-floor concrete courthouse building is considered art deco / art moderne and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Quotes are inscribed in the \"sandy-brown Indiana limestone\" and a carved mural depicts \"a scene of Oklahoma friendship\" between a Native American figure and a Mountain Man. The building is said to be \"loosely abstracted from stepped-back Mayan temples\" and includes a two-story lobby with terrazzo floor with a compass design as well as abstracted wagon wheel chandeliers and third story overlooks. In 1967 a modern architecture building was constructed next to the courthouse and connected by a walkway.  The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 5, 1992."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma County, Oklahoma", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 718,633, making it the most populous county in Oklahoma. The county seat is Oklahoma City, the state capital. Oklahoma County is at the heart of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area. Oklahoma County is one of seven counties in the United States to share the same name as the state it is located in (the other six counties are Arkansas County, Hawaii County, Idaho County, Iowa County, New York County (known commonly as Manhattan), and Utah County), and the only one of the seven to contain the state capital."}, {"context": " Oklahoma County was originally called County Two and was one of seven counties established by the Organic Act of 1890. County business initially took place in a building at the intersection of California Avenue and Robinson Street until the construction of the first Oklahoma County Courthouse at 520 West Main Street in the 1900s. In 1937, the county government was moved to a building at 321 Park Avenue, which now serves only as the county courthouse. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.3%) is water."}, {"context": " As of the Census of 2010, there were 718,633 people, 277,615 households, and 172,572 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,013 people per square mile (391/km\u00b2). There were 319,828 housing units at an average density of 416 per square\u00a0mile (161/km\u00b2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.6% White, 15.4% Black or African American, 3.5% Native American, 3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.1% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. 15.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 12.4% were of German, 12.3% Mexican, 10.1% Irish, 7.9% English, and 7.7% American ancestries according to the Census 2010. 84.4% spoke English and 11.5% Spanish as their first language."}, {"context": " There were 277,615 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.26. In the county, the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males."}, {"context": " The median income for a household in the county was $42,916, and the median income for a family was $54,721. The per capita income for the county was $25,723. About 11.70% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over. Oklahoma County, as is typical for the state, is very conservative for an urban county. Reflecting the state's turn toward the GOP in the second half of the 20th century, it swung from a 29-point victory for Harry Truman in 1948 to a 15-point victory for Dwight Eisenhower in 1952. It has gone Republican in all but one presidential election since then; it narrowly voted for Lyndon Johnson in 1964."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals is an intermediate appellate court in the state of Oklahoma. Cases are assigned to it by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the state's highest court for civil matters. The court consists of twelve judges divided into four panels with three judges each. They are responsible for the majority of appellate decisions in Oklahoma. Furthermore, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has the power to release the court's opinions for publication, in which case they have value as precedent."}, {"context": " Two of the court's four panels are housed in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The two Oklahoma City panels are housed in the Oklahoma State Capitol building. The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals was established by the state legislature in 1970 under Title 20, section 30.1, of the Oklahoma Statutes, which provides: \"There is hereby established an intermediate appellate court to be known as the Court of Civil Appeals of the State of Oklahoma which shall have the power to determine or otherwise dispose of any cases that are assigned to it by the Supreme Court.\" Any decision of the Court of Civil Appeals in any case assigned to it, upon petition by one of the parties involved, may be reviewed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court if a majority of its Justices direct that a petition for certiorari be granted, and the Supreme Court may, by order, recall a case from the Court of Civil Appeals."}, {"context": " Appellate judges are appointed by the governor from a list of three candidates nominated by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. The commission is composed 6 attorneys who are \"members of the Oklahoma Bar Association and who have been elected by the other active members of their district,\" 6 non-attorneys appointed by the governor, and 3 non-attorney \"members at large,\" one to be selected by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one to be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one to be selected by at least eight members of the commission itself. Article 7B, section 3, of the Oklahoma Constitution sets forth the composition of the nominating commission in even greater detail."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is one of the two highest judicial bodies in the U.S. state of Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma Court System, the judicial branch of the Oklahoma state government. As of 2011, the court meets in the Oklahoma Judicial Center, having previously met in the Oklahoma State Capitol. The First Legislature of Oklahoma (1907\u20131908), through House Bill 397, established the Criminal Court of Appeals and granted it the exclusive appellate jurisdiction in criminal cases. House Bill 397 provided that should the constitutionality of a criminal case be in question, the Criminal Court of Appeals would turn the issue over to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Judges of the court would be appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate. The judges appointed were to hold office until January 1, 1911, when the court would be terminated unless continued by the state legislature. Henry Marshall Furman, Thomas H. Doyle, and H. G. Baker were appointed the first three judges of the court by Governor Charles Haskell."}, {"context": " The Second Legislature of Oklahoma (1909\u20131910) enacted House Bill 33 which perpetuated the Criminal Court of Appeals. The act repealed all prior laws in conflict and gave the court exclusive appellate jurisdiction. House Bill 33 provided that judges would be elected by the people of Oklahoma instead of appointed, with the first election of judges at the general election in 1910. The state was divided into three Criminal Court of Appeals judicial districts, designated respectively as the Eastern, Northern and Southern Criminal Court of Appeals judicial districts. The Twenty-seventh Legislature (1959\u20131960) enacted Senate Bill 36, which changed the name from Criminal Court of Appeals to Court of Criminal Appeals."}, {"context": " In a special election on July 11, 1967, constitutional amendments were adopted to provide a complete reorganization of the Oklahoma Court System. Beginning in 1968, judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals ran on a non-partisan statewide retention ballot at the General Election only. If retained by the voters, judges serve a six-year term. If rejected, the vacancy is filled by appointment of the Governor and Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. After the construction on the Oklahoma State Capitol, which was completed in 1917, the high court offices and chambers were housed in the building. Plans to move the offices began in 2006. In 2011, the Oklahoma Supreme Court moved its offices from the Oklahoma State Capitol to the Oklahoma Judicial Center."}, {"context": " Unlike the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the Oklahoma Constitution does not specify the size of the Court of Criminal Appeals. This grants the Oklahoma Legislature the power to fix the number of judges by statute. Judges, at the time of their elections or appointments, must be at least thirty years old, must be registered voters in the Court of Criminal Appeals judicial districts they represent for at least one year before filing for the position, and must be licensed practicing attorneys or judges (or both) in Oklahoma for five years before their appointments. The potential judges must maintain their certifications as attorneys or judges during their tenures in office to main their positions."}, {"context": " Potential Judges who meet these requirements must submit their names to the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission to verify that they will serve if appointed. In the event of a vacancy on the Court of Criminal Appeals, after reviewing potential Justices, the commission must submit three named to the governor, out of whom, the governor appoints one of the three to the Court of Criminal Appeals to serve until the next general state election. However, if the Governor fails to appoint a Justice within sixty days, the Chief Justice of Oklahoma may appoint one of the nominees, who must certify his or her appointment to Secretary of State of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals who are elected to retain their positions in the general state elections will continue to serve for another six years in office with their terms beginning on the second Monday in January following the general election. Justices appointed to fill vacancies take up office immediately and continue to serve in their appointed posts until the next general election. In order to be eligible to stand for reelection, Judges must, within sixty days before the general election, submit to the Secretary of State their desire to stand for reelection."}, {"context": " Judges who stand for reelection are then put to election by the people of Oklahoma. If the majority vote to retain the judges, they will serve for another six-year term. However, when a judge declines to seek reelection or is defeated, the seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals shall be considered vacant at the end of the current term and the Judicial Nominating Committee must search for a potential replacement. Judges who have failed to file for reelection or were not retained by the people of Oklahoma in the general election are not eligible to immediately succeed themselves."}, {"context": " Retention in office may be sought for successive terms without limit as to number of years or terms served in office. Since 1907, every judge that has sought reelection has won. The bifurcated system of separate final appeal courts for civil and criminal cases exists only in Oklahoma and neighboring Texas, meaning that, unlike most states, Oklahoma has two courts of last resort. The Oklahoma Supreme Court, which is considered the first among equals of the two, determines all issues of a civil nature, and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals decides all criminal matters. Regardless of where the appeal comes from, the Court of Criminal Appeals is always the first court to hear an appeal involving the death sentence in Oklahoma.  Whenever there is dispute involving whether a case falls under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Supreme Court or Court of Criminal Appeals, the Supreme Court determines which of the two bodies has jurisdiction. Its decision on the matter is final. The Judges of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals are:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary is one of the two independent courts in the Oklahoma judiciary and has exclusive jurisdiction in adjudicating discipline and hearing cases involving the removal of a judge from office, excluding the Oklahoma Supreme Court, exercising judicial power under the Oklahoma Constitution. The Court of the Judiciary is the court responsible for removing judges from their position if they have committed illegal acts, including gross neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, commission while in office of any offense involving moral turpitude, gross partiality in office, oppression in office, or other grounds as specified by the state legislature to be removed from office. Also, the Court on the Judiciary may imposed forced retirement if the court finds the judge in question to be mentally or physically unable to perform their job."}, {"context": " There are nine judges that sit on the appellate division and nine other judges that sit on the trial division. Each judge is appointed by either the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the Oklahoma Bar Association, the Court of Criminal Appeals, or the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State of Oklahoma is responsible for selecting eight senior judges, each under the age of 60, with no two judges representing the same district. In the case of equal seniority amongst the district judges, the eldest in years is to serve on the Trial Division. The ninth member of the court is chosen by the Executive Council of the Oklahoma Bar Association from among the bar\u2019s active members."}, {"context": " As on the Trial Division, the Secretary of State is required to select five senior Judges, under age of 65, with no two of the judges representing one of the nine judicial districts. If any district judge is qualified for both divisions, the selected judge shall serve on the Appellate Division and the next in qualification shall serve on the Trial Division. Two current members of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, chosen from said court, will serve on the court and one current member of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal appeals, also chosen by said court, will serve on the court."}, {"context": " The final member is an active member of the Oklahoma Bar Association chosen by the Executive Council. Each division of the Court shall select from among its members a presiding judge, and the Courts shall be judge of the qualifications and the disqualification of its own members. Each division shall make and publish its own rules of procedure. Each division shall meet on call of its presiding judge or three of its members, with a majority of the authorized membership of either division of the court constituting a quorum for the exercise of any or the entire jurisdiction of that division, regardless of whether or not vacancies exist in the membership of that division."}, {"context": " The Clerk of the Supreme Court is also the Clerk of the Court on the Judiciary. In all proceedings before the Court the established rules for disqualification of judges for interest, prejudice or partiality shall apply. No district judge shall sit in a matter in which the respondent is a judge of a court within his district court judicial district. In the event of the disqualification or failure to act of a member of the Court, a judge pro tem to sit in his place shall be named by the authority responsible for appointing them. If he is a district judge, the qualified district judge next in seniority from his Supreme Court judicial district, shall serve as judge pro tem."}, {"context": " Prior to the first day in February of each odd-numbered year, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals and the President of the Bar Association shall certify to the Secretary of State the names of the judges who are chosen, respectively, by the said courts and by the Oklahoma Bar Association. The Secretary of State shall determine the district judges who hold membership on the Trial Division and the Appellate Division. Promptly thereafter he shall notify the members of the respective divisions to meet at the State Capitol on a day certain, within thirty days, for purposes of organization and of making or amending rules of procedure."}, {"context": " Members of the Trial and Appellate Courts shall serve until March 1st of the first odd-numbered year after the year in which they are named. If any Judge, during their time on either court, shall attainment the age limit specified by the Oklahoma Constitution shall not terminate their service during their current term. In the exercise of its jurisdiction, the court is vested with full judicial power and authority. The court can summon witnesses to appear and testify under oath and to obtain and review evidence; issue judicial and remedial process and writs; provide for discovery procedures in advance of trial; make rules governing procedure; grant full immunity to compel testimony under oath or obtain evidence; and other unspecified powers."}, {"context": " The court has the exclusive jurisdiction to restrict or control or review the orders of the Appellate Division of the Court on the Judiciary and only the Appellate Division has the jurisdiction to restrict, control or review the orders of the Trial Division. Upon the court's request, district courts and the state's high courts can aid in carrying out its procedure and mandates. The jurisdiction of the Trial Division of the court may be invoked by a petition, filed either by the Oklahoma Supreme Court or the chief justice, by the governor, by the state attorney general, or by the Executive Secretary of the Oklahoma Bar Association when directed so to do by a vote of a majority of all members of its Executive Council. A resolution from the Oklahoma House of Representatives may also invoke the court\u2019s jurisdiction. The petition shall state the name of the respondent, the grounds upon which his removal from office or compulsory retirement from office is sought, and such other matters as may be specified by the rules of the Trial Division. It shall be subject to amendment by order of either division of the Court."}, {"context": " Immediately upon the filing of the petition, the clerk must notify the presiding officer of the Trial Division, and the respondent named therein, in accordance with the rules of the Trial Division. The presiding judge of the Trial Division shall secure from the Executive Council of the Oklahoma Bar Association a panel of five active members of the Association from which the presiding judge shall designate the prosecutor, and any necessary assistant, to conduct the proceeding against the respondent."}, {"context": " The Trial Division or the presiding judge shall set the matter for hearing, not less than sixty days after notice of the filing of the petition shall have been given the respondent. In all procedural matters not covered by rule of the Trial Division, the provisions of the common law of Oklahoma shall be followed so far as they may be applicable. Pending the determination of the proceedings, the Trial Division in its discretion may suspend the respondent from the exercise of his office. After full hearing, the Trial Division shall render such judgment as the facts may justify. No judgment shall extend further than:"}, {"context": " A judicial officer who is a member of the retirement compensation system prescribed by the Oklahoma Constitution shall receive the retirement compensation to which his term of service entitled him. If he is not qualified for full retirement compensation, he may receive such compensation as the Court may decree, in proportion to time served and in accordance with principles of justice and equity, alike as to amount, commencement of payment, terms of payment, or other relevant conditions or limitations."}, {"context": " From any judgment of the Trial Division, the respondent or the prosecutor may appeal to the Appellate Division, by filing a notice of appeal with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, within ten days after entry of the judgment. The notice shall be served upon the opposite party in the manner prescribed by the rules of the Appellate Division. The review in the Appellate Division shall be an equity appeal, as to both law and fact. The Appellate Division may affirm, modify or reverse the judgment of the Trial Division, or enter a new judgment, as justice may require. If justice requires, the Appellate Division may hear additional evidence upon the appeal, upon a showing to the satisfaction of the Division that the additional evidence is material and that there were good reasons for failure to present it to the Trial Division.  Members of the Court shall serve without compensation, but shall receive the allowance for expense permitted district judges serving outside their districts. The prosecutors shall receive such fair and just compensation as the respective division of the Court shall award for service before that division."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Courts of Appeal", "paragraphs": [{"context": " There are two Courts of Appeal in the U.S. state of Oklahoma:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Creek (West Canada Creek tributary)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Creek flows into West Canada Creek south of Poland, New York, in Herkimer County."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center (OCJRC) was an agency of the State of Oklahoma. Dissolved on July 1, 2009, the Center was a division of the Oklahoma Legislative Service Bureau with its director appointed by the Oklahoma Sentencing Commission (OSC). As its primary responsibilities, the OCJRC provides research and analysis relating to the state's criminal justice system and integrated, customizable records management software for law enforcement in the form of the Offender Data Information System (ODIS). OCJRC serves as the state's Statistical Analysis Center (SAC), the official point of contact with the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. As the state's SAC, OCJRC is a member of the Justice Research and Statistics Association.  Upon its dissolvement, the Center's duties related to research were transferred to the newley created Office of Criminal Justice Statistics of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board was transferred to the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Crude (film)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Crude is a 1973 American drama Metrocolor film directed by Stanley Kramer in Panavision. It stars George C. Scott and Faye Dunaway. It was entered into the 8th Moscow International Film Festival where Kramer won the Golden Prize for Direction. The song \"Send a Little Love My Way\", sung by Anne Murray, was featured in the film and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1973. Set in the early 20th century, the film is about a lone woman, Lena Doyle (Faye Dunaway) who finds herself threatened by tough businessmen who want to take her land which possesses crude oil. Rather than settle and sell the land she rightfully owns, Lena decides to fight and to do this, she accepts the help of her father (John Mills) and a hired gun named Mason (George C. Scott)."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma CyberKnife", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma CyberKnife is a cancer treatment center based in Oklahoma. The center treats malignant and benign tumors in the lungs, spine, brain, liver, pancreas, eye, prostate and kidney using CyberKnife technology. Oklahoma CyberKnife has treated patients from around Oklahoma as well as patients from bordering states. Oklahoma CyberKnife opened in 2008 as part of Hillcrest Medical Center. In 2009, the center performed the highest number of lung-cancer treatments of any CyberKnife center internationally. Lung tumors continue to make up a majority of cases treated at Oklahoma CyberKnife.  In 2012, Oklahoma CyberKnife began treating prostate patients with Medicare coverage provided they were participants in a clinical trial. Dr. Diane Heaton, Oklahoma CyberKnife's medical director, is an expert in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, a neurological disorder. She appeared at the 2012 annual meeting of the CyberKnife Society to present her clinical findings from a study examining pain relief in 19 trigeminal neuralgia patients following CyberKnife treatment."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Cyclone", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Cyclone is a 1930 American Western film directed by John P. McCarthy that is a forerunner of the singing cowboy genre. It stars Bob Steele in his second talking picture playing the title role and was released by Tiffany Pictures. The film was remade as \"Song of the Gringo\". An outlaw on the run is hidden by the foreman of a ranch, the foreman being one of the biggest outlaws in the territory."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma D-Day", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma D-Day is the world's largest scenario game of paintball that recreates events of World War II, held at Oklahoma's D-Day Adventure Park in Wyandotte, Oklahoma every June. The game was created by Dewayne Convirs, and was first held in 1997 - with attendance of 135 players. The following year was more popular, with 335 players participating. The game seeks to faithfully recreate battles from the real Normandy invasion, including Omaha beach, Utah beach, Sword Beach, Colleville, Sainte-M\u00e8re-\u00c9glise, Caen, Pegasus Bridge, and Vierville. The game caters to an average of 4000 players a year, often run on the anniversary of the events being recreated."}, {"context": " The site has of camping area and amenities for players, and the game is played on a area at the D-Day adventure park with a range of differing terrains to suit different scenarios (including open fields, ravines and creek beds). Trench works, villages, firebases, headquarters, bunkers and gun emplacements provide strategic options for players. Play itself deviates from standard tournament paintball rules - in that when hit by paint, players move to a reinsertion zone and are back in the game within thirty minutes. Emphasis is on completing objectives rather than solely eliminating enemy players, and the game makes extensive usage of World War II era equipment and vehicles (including tanks and bazookas, among the standard paintball markers).  In game, players belong to either the Germans or the Allies. Allied forces include the French resistance, Americans, British, and Canadians. Each side has its own Battle Staff in corresponding \"tactical operations centers\" and divisions assigned to three different beachhead or other objectives. The Allies invade from off playing field locations, including actual wet insertions from landing craft. A documentary film about the event, \"Soldiers of Paint\", was released in May, 2013."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Defenders", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Defenders were a professional indoor football team and a charter member of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL). Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Defenders played their home games at the Cox Business Center. It was announced in August 2014, that the team would go dark and cease all operation for the 2015 season, with the goal to return in the 2016 season. Many expect the team to fold and not return for the 2016 season. The Defenders are the second arena/indoor team based in Tulsa, following the Tulsa Talons which played in arenafootball2 from the league's inaugural season in 2000 until its final season of 2009, and later in the Arena Football League from 2010 until 2011, after which the Talons moved to San Antonio."}, {"context": " The Defenders began play in 2012 as a member of the American Professional Football League. The Defenders experienced immediate success, finishing the regular season with a 9-3 record, tied for second place with the Council Bluffs Express. However, the Defenders would get the #3 seed because of the Express holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. In the teams' first-round playoff game, the Defenders lost to the Express 37-32. For the 2013 season, the Defenders played in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League. They posted a 3-9 record in their inaugural season in the CPIFL. The team's sophomore season in 2014 in the CPIFL was not much better with a duplicate 3-9 record.  It was announced in August 2014, that the team would go dark and cease all operation for the 2015 season, with the goal to return in the 2016 season. !Totals || 16 || 20 || 0 Source:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Democratic Party", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Democratic Party is an Oklahoma political party affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. Along with the Oklahoma Republican Party, it is one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics. The party dominated local politics in Oklahoma almost since the days of early statehood in 1907 to 1994. In national politics, the party became a dominant force beginning with the presidential election of 1932 and the Franklin D. Roosevelt political re-alignment. From 1932 to 1994, the majority of members of Congress from Oklahoma have been Democrats, and of the 27 men and women who have been elected to the office of Governor of Oklahoma, 22 have been Democrats."}, {"context": " However, the party has fared poorly since 1994. Democrats lost five out of six congressional races that year and since then have only won a single seat back, only to lose it again in the 2012 election. In response, the traditionally disorganized Oklahoma Democrats have taken steps to create a more organized state party, hiring a professional executive director in 1995. Even so, Democrats continued to lose ground in the 2000s, losing control of both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate. In 2008, Oklahoma gave the lowest percentage of any state's vote to national Democrat Barack Obama in the presidential election."}, {"context": " As of January 15, 2013, there are 962,072 registered Democratic voters in Oklahoma. In the 2012 general election, the party was successful in defending all incumbents in the Oklahoma Legislature and defeating two Republican House members. The Oklahoma Democratic Party once dominated state politics for much of Oklahoma history from 1907 to 1994, with its strength in greatest concentrations in the southeastern part of the state, known as \"Little Dixie\" because of the post-Reconstruction migration of people from southern states such as Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas."}, {"context": " Upon statehood, all but one of the Congressional seats was held by Democrats. The Democrats won eighteen of the twenty-one gubernatorial elections since its statehood in 1907. The Democratic Party held on average 81 percent of the seats in the state legislature between 1907 and 1973. With the onset of the Great Depression, the party gained even more influence for several decades. The first legislature, dominated by Democratic party members, passed legislation that made it nearly impossible for African-Americans to seek elective office."}, {"context": " Democratic opposition to deficit spending in the late 1930s marked a growing conservative movement in the party, which led to a 1941 constitutional amendment requiring legislators to pass a balanced budget. The growing conservative movement in the party also led to the rejection of many New Deal programs after initial acceptance in the early 1930s. After the federal Voting Rights Act and congressional reapportionment in Oklahoma in the 1960s, black state lawmakers returned to the Oklahoma Legislature, this time many aligning with the Democratic Party and hailing from Tulsa or Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " Since the 1980s the party has seen a decline as Christian fundamentalists have shifted to the Republican Party. The Democratic Party has not attained more than 41 percent of the vote for president. As of 2000 about 55 percent of Oklahoma voters registered as Democrats. The party continues to decline in strength in both the Oklahoma Legislature and executive branch. For the first time since statehood, Republicans hold all statewide-elected offices starting in 2011. The Oklahoma Democratic Party headquarters is located North Classen Boulevard in Oklahoma City. They host the biennial state conventions in May of odd-numbered years, in which they elect executive officers and delegates to the Democratic National Committee. The Democratic National Committee is responsible for promoting Democratic campaign activities, overseeing the process of writing the national Democratic Platform, and supervising the Democratic National Convention. Delegates serve four-year terms concurrent with presidential elections."}, {"context": " Anna Langthorn became the newly elected chair of the party May 20, 2017. Brian Jones was elected vice chair that year. Jim Frasier and Betty McElderry are delegates for the Democratic National Committee. The state party coordinates campaign activities with Democratic candidates and county parties, and officers who correspond with the state's five Congressional districts. In 2005, the Democratic National Committee began a program called the \"50 State Strategy\" of using national funds to assist all state parties and pay for full-time professional staffers."}, {"context": " The Young Democrats of Oklahoma is the official age 13-35 division of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Officers: Staff: The Oklahoma Democratic Party is made up of conservative, centrist and liberal members. Less than a third of registered Democratic voters in Oklahoma supported President Barack Obama in 2012, due to the larger proliferation of conservative and centrist members of the party. Compared to other Democratic factions, Centrist members of the Oklahoma Democratic Party support the use of military force and the use of deadly force in self-defense. They are more willing to reduce government welfare. Many Oklahoma Democrats are socially conservative by supporting the United States pro-life movement and traditional marriage. The Oklahoma Democratic Party tends to support moderate to conservative positions on gun control and open carry."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Democratic Party held a state convention on May 14, 2011, in which they discussed a number of platform positions. Participants discussed support for public health programs, government-funded embryonic stem cell research, the legalization of medical marijuana, education funding, and opposition to voucher programs that divert tax dollars to private institutions. They also discussed the state party's support of teacher's rights to unionize and policies to protect homeowners from unfair foreclosures. Other party platform positions included support for the elimination of predatory lending practices, support for limitations on credit card interest rates, support for the elimination of the state sales tax on food, support for increasing taxes on the wealthiest citizens of Oklahoma, and support for reforms to the state criminal justice system. The party's position on gun laws was moderate, stating support for limited, but responsible gun laws. The party also supports continued investments in green energies.  The Oklahoma Democratic Party holds none of the statewide offices, no majority in either state legislative chamber, neither of the state's U.S. Senate seats and one of the state's U.S. House seats. As of 2020, there have been a total of 22 Democratic Party Governors."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture. It is responsible for providing services and expertise that promote and protect Oklahoma's food supply and natural resources while stimulating economic growth. The Department is governed by the State Board of Agriculture. The Board consists of five members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. The Governor designates one of the members as President of the Board, who serves as the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Commissioner is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and policies of the Department."}, {"context": " The current Commissioner of Agriculture is Jim Reese, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2011. The Department was created in 1907 during the term of Governor Charles N. Haskell. The Agriculture Department protects and educates consumers about Oklahoma\u2019s agricultural and livestock productions. Its purpose is to develop and execute policy on farming, agriculture, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities, also to meet the needs of Oklahomans."}, {"context": " The Department is under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture. The State Board of Agriculture governs the Department and is administered by the Commissioner of Agriculture (who is the President of the State Board of Agriculture). Under Governor Mary Fallin, Jim Reese is serving concurrently as both Secretary and Commissioner. The governing body of the Department is the State Board of Agriculture, which is composed of five members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate. Members must be farmers with at least five years of practical experience in agriculture. The state is divided into four agricultural districts and a member is appointed to a four-year term from each of the districts. An at large position is appointed by the Governor to be the President of the State Board of Agriculture and serves at the pleasure of the Governor."}, {"context": " As of 2011, the following are the members of the State Board of Agriculture: The Agriculture Department, with an annual budget of over $50 million, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2010, the Bureau was authorized 477 full-time employees. The Agriculture Department has an annual budget of almost $90 million. Each of the Department's operating units how the following operating budget: The purpose of the Oklahoma Boll Weevil Eradication Organization is to assist cotton growers in the State in the eradication of the boll weevil. The OBWEO is funded by assessments made against cotton producers. The board that controls the OBWEO is composed of five members, who are each elected from the cotton producers of their respective districts. The OBWEO has annual budget of just under $1 million and employs 14 people (for fiscal year 2011)."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Peanut Commission was established in 1965 to promote and encourage the production and sale of peanuts and related products. The Commission engages in research designed to strengthen the peanut market by developing new production methods and uses for peanuts. The Commission is composed of six members, each appointed by the Governor without the approval of the Senate. The Commission has annual budget of just under $200,000 and employs two people. The Oklahoma Wheat Commission was established to develop and expand domestic and international markets for Oklahoma's wheat producers. The Commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor without the approval of the Senate. The Commission is responsible for researching new wheat production techniques, provides educational material, and works to expand the wheat market. The Commission has an annual budget of over $1.5 million and employs six people."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE, commonly known and branded as CareerTech) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. CareerTech oversees a statewide system of career and technology education. The system comprises 29 technology center districts and 390 comprehensive school districts. CareerTech also has skills centers that serve state correctional facilities and a juvenile detention facility. The State Board of Career and Technology Education is the governing body of the department, composed of the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction and eight members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. The board appoints the director of Career and Technology Education, who serves as the chief executive officer of the department and serves as a non-voting member of the state board."}, {"context": " On Feb. 1, 2015, Dr. Marcie Mack became the system's eighth state director. Together with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the department forms the core of Oklahoma's public education system. The Oklahoma CareerTech System began with the passing of the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 by President Woodrow Wilson. This act made available federal money for the promotion of vocational education. In 1929, the Division of Vocational Education was established as part of the State Department of Education. The department moved from Oklahoma City to Stillwater in 1932, and in 1941, the state legislature established the position of state director of vocational education. J.B Perky was the first director. In 1966, Oklahoma technology center school districts were formed, and in 1967, Tri County Tech became the state's first area vocational-technical school. On July 1, 1968, the Oklahoma State Board of Vocational and Technical Education was established as a separate entity from the State Department of Education. In 1971, the first delivery of training to inmates in a Skills Center at the Ouachita facility took place."}, {"context": " On May 19, 2000, Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating signed House Bill 2128, which officially and immediately changed its name to the Department of Career and Technology Education. Recent Census Bureau survey data indicate that Oklahoma workers who have completed the equivalent of a two-year program with a vocational or occupational emphasis earned 20 percent more than workers with only high school diplomas the past two decades. These income gains can in turn contribute significantly to the overall level of income statewide. Over the work life, a typical career major completer can expect to add more than $475,000, or $188,000 in current dollars, to lifetime earnings relative to completing no additional education beyond high school."}, {"context": " In current dollars, the direct benefits are $1.84 billion in future income gains to completers, $138 million in added tax revenue to state and local government, and direct in-state spending of $185 million for the delivery of the career major instructional programs statewide. Indirect benefits include $1.66 billion in estimated spillover income gains to the broader state economy which in turn produce $124 million in tax revenue. The department is led by the state director and the CareerTech board. Dr. Marcie Mack serves as the state director."}, {"context": " The State Board of Career and Technology Education is a nine-member board composed of the Oklahoma superintendent of public instruction (who serves as the chairman of the board), two members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, one member from each of the state's congressional districts and one at-large member. All members, except ex officio members, are appointed by the governor of Oklahoma and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate. As of 2015, the chairman is Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma superintendent of public instruction."}, {"context": " Current members include Major General Leo J. Baxter, Bill Price, Janet Smith, Dave Stewart, Philip Kennedy, Marilyn Harrel, Randy Gilbert and Tim Burg. All Agency Divisions The Oklahoma Foundation for Career and Technology Education supports the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame. The award is given to individuals who, through their outstanding professional and personal achievements, have brought honor and distinction to career and technology education in Oklahoma. CareerTech Centers in Oklahoma provide career and technology education for high school students in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. An elected local board governs each technology center."}, {"context": " Transcribed college credit is available for high school and adult students enrolled at CareerTech Centers through the Cooperative Alliance Program for certain technical courses. The Cooperative Alliances potentially save students time and money. The Cooperative Alliances are a partnership of CareerTech and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics has 12 branches on CareerTech campuses with primary focus on the Calculus BC, Physics C and Mechanics AP Exams."}, {"context": " CareerTech is involved with several Career and Technical Student Organizations. The Skills Centers began operations in February 1971. The system began at the Jim E. Hamilton CareerTech Skills Center inside the Jim E. Hamilton (formerly Ouachita) Correctional Center at Hodgen, Oklahoma. Currently the CTSC has campuses in state correctional facilities and a juvenile detention facility. Female Male Juvenile The CareerTech System has many notable graduates including governors, actors and a Miss America.  Kandinsky Holt, SkillsUSA, Miss Teen Oklahoma 2011"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Central Services", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Central Services (DCS) was an agency of the government of Oklahoma which was dissolved in 2011. DCS was responsible for providing services to help manage and support the basic functioning of all state agencies. DCS provides government-wide purchasing, supplying, operation, and maintenance of state property, buildings, and equipment, and for the sale of surplus items. DCS also manages the state motor vehicle fleet and provides government-wide risk management, printing and distribution, and strategic financial and administrative support."}, {"context": " The Department was created in 1992 during the term of Governor David Walters and then consolidated into the Office of State Finance in 2011 under Governor Mary Fallin. DCS is organized into seven functional divisions: The Central Services Department's Facilities Services Division, formerly the Building Management Division, is responsible for operating and maintain seventeen buildings, including the Oklahoma State Capitol and the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion. In total, the Division manages approximately two million square feet.  The following is a list of facilities within the State Capitol Complex under the control of the Division and the agencies they house: The following is a list of major state facilities not under the control of the Division and the agencies they house: The Central Services Department, with an annual budget of over $60 million, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2011, the Department was authorized 248 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Commerce", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce. The Department is responsible for the supporting local communities, stimulating growth of the existing businesses, attracting new business, and promoting the development and availability of a skilled workforce. The Department is the lead agency for economic development in the state. The Department is led by and under the control of a Director appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor."}, {"context": " The current Cabinet Secretary is Deby Snodgrass, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in December 2014. Governor Fallin also appointed Snodgrass as Director of the Department concurrent with her service as Secretary. The Department of Commerce was established in 1987 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon. To increase the quantity and quality of jobs available in Oklahoma by: The Department is led by the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the Department of Commerce. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Deby Snodgrass is serving concurrently in both positions."}, {"context": " The Commerce Department, with an annual budget of $100 million, is one of the smaller employers of the State. For fiscal year 2011, the Department was authorized 125 full-time employees in FY2014. The Commerce Department has an annual budget of several hundred million dollars, making it one of the smaller appropriated agenices of the State. For fiscal year 2011, the Department's budget consists of 20% in annual appropriations and 80% in federal grants. The Department's divisions have the following budgets:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit (ODCC) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. The department regulates the consumer lending business in Oklahoma by overseeing non-commercial credit, small loans, installment sales and usury. The department also investigates and licenses creditors of the state. The department is led by a Consumer Credit Commission, which consists of eight member appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate to serve five year terms. The State Banking Commissioner serves as a non-voting member of the commission. The department's executive is the Administrator of Consumer Credit who is appointed by the commission."}, {"context": " The department was created in 1969 during the term of Governor Dewey F. Bartlett. The Commission on Consumer Credit is the governing body of the department. The commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate. Five of those members are appointed at-large members and four members are appointed as follows: one member is recommended by the Oklahoma Consumer Finance Association, one from the Independent Finance Institute, one from the Oklahoma Pawnbrokers Association and one from the Oklahoma Association of Mortgage Professionals. The State Banking Commissioner is a non-voting tenth member of the commission."}, {"context": " The term of each members, excluding the State Banking Commissioner, is five years. Members of the commission are eligible for reappointment. No more than three members at-large of the commission are to be of the same political party. No more than two of the additional members are to be of the same political party. The primary duties of the commission include the establish of rules to regulate to consumer credit market and to appoint the Administrator of the department, who serves at the pleasure of the commission."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Corrections", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC or ODOC) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. DOC is responsible for the administration of the state prison system. It has its headquarters in Oklahoma City, across the street from the headquarters of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The Department of Corrections is governed by the seven-member Board of Corrections. All members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve six-year terms. Each of Oklahoma's five Congressional districts is represented by at least one member on the Board, with the remaining two members being appointed from the State at-large. No more than four members of the Board may be from any one political party. The Board is responsible for setting the policies of the Department, approve the annual budget request, and for appointing the Director of Corrections. The director, who serves at the pleasure of the Board, is the chief executive of the Department. The current Director of Corrections is Joe Allbaugh."}, {"context": " Allbaugh has pointed out his department \"is not a listing ship, it is a sinking ship.\". Prior to 1908, Oklahoma sent prisoners to the Kansas Penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas. After a disputed report on the conditions in the Kansas Penitentiary, Oklahoma opened an institution in the former federal jail in McAlester. On January 10, 1967, Oklahoma created a new state Corrections Department, consisting of a State Board of Corrections, State Director of Corrections, and three divisions: a Division of Institutions, a Division of Probation and Parole, and a Division of Inspection."}, {"context": " In 1973, a three-day riot resulted in the destruction of most of the McAlester facility and the death of three inmates. In 1976, the first training academy was established in Oklahoma City. On 29 August 1983, the Dick Conner Correctional Center was hit by a riot that resulted in an inmate death. In 17 December 1985 another riot occurred, this time at the McAlester prison. Five members of staff were taken hostage and three were seriously injured. As of 2010, the Department of Corrections is responsible for the management, maintenance and security of 39 correctional institutes across the state. Of these facilities, only eight were built originally to serve as prisons."}, {"context": " The Department of Corrections is under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security. Under current Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Michael C. Thompson is serving as the Secretary. The internal structure of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections is as follows: The Department of Corrections is governed by the seven-member Board of Corrections, who appoints the Director of Corrections. As the head of the Department of Corrections, the director supervises, directs, and controls the department. The director is assisted in managing the department by an associate director, six deputy directors and a general counsel (with the rank of deputy director)."}, {"context": " The Department of Corrections, with an annual budget of over $500 million, is one of the largest employers of the State. For fiscal year 2012, the Department was authorized 4,113 employees. As provided by Oklahoma state law, in order to be employed as a correctional officer for the Department of Corrections, an individual must meet the following requirements: All promotions from Corrections Officer into the supervisory ranks are based on tests administered by the Director of the Department, in consultation with the Administrator of the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services's Human Capital Management Division. These tests determine the physical and mental qualifications and all potential test-takers must satisfactorily complete a course of training in operations and procedures related to the rank desired."}, {"context": " In general, the following minimum requirements are needed to obtain the following ranks: The annual salaries of the ODOC correctional officers are set by the classification standards established by the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services's Human Capital Management Division, the state government's central personnel office. Each classification is assigned by OMES a salary band based upon the uniform Salary Schedule for State Employees. As of 2014, the following classifications for such employees are as follows:"}, {"context": " The executive and administrative staff of the Department are unclassified employees of the State, and as such, their salaries are determined either by the Legislature or by the Director of the Department. As of October, 2010, the following are the annual salaries of the senior staff of the Department: Oklahoma state and United States federal law both place limitations on who can be employed as a correctional officer with the Department. They include any of the following: The Department of Corrections has annual budget of a little under $500 million. That budget is derived primarily from yearly appropriations, Departmental fees and funds generated by the Prison Industries activities. For Fiscal Year 2014, 88% of the Department's budget comes from yearly appropriations, 6% from the Prison Industries Fund, 4% from the Department's Revolving Fund, and 3% from all other sources.  In late 2017, the department requested more than 1.5 billion dollars, triple its usual budget to make long-delayed improvements. The execution chamber is located at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Since the establishment of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, 17 officers have died in the line of duty."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is a department of the government of Oklahoma responsible for coordinating the response to a natural disaster that has occurred in the State and that has overwhelmed the abilities of local authorities. This is achieved primarily through the development and maintenance of a comprehensive statewide emergency management plan. OEM is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the federal government with other state departments and agencies, county and municipal governments and school boards, and with private agencies that have a role in emergency management."}, {"context": " The mission of OEM is to minimize the effects of attack, technological and natural disasters upon the people of Oklahoma by preparing, implementing and exercising preparedness plans, assisting local government subdivisions with training for and mitigation of disasters, and by coordinating actual disaster response/recovery operations. The Department is under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security and under the executive control of the Department's Director. Under Governor Mary Fallin, Michael C. Thompson is serving as Secretary (since 2011) and Michelann Ooten is serving as Director (since 2018). The Director of Emergency Management is appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate, and serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director is head of the Department as well as the chief advisor to the Governor on emergency management."}, {"context": " Director - Michelann Ooten Executive Assistant - Joyce Stribling Chief Financial Officer - Sandy Henry Preparedness/Response Division Manager - Steve Palladino Recovery/Mitigation Division Manager - Alden Graybill EOC Manager - Putnam Reiter Grants Program Manager - Bonnie McKelvey Public Information Officer - Keli Cain Special Projects Officer - Zach Stanford Individual Assistance Officer - Luke Pratt Public Assistance Officer - Mike Teague State Hazard Mitigation Officer - Matthew Rollins The Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is the lead agency on all matters related to responding to and mitigation threats caused by natural disasters. To perform this function, the Department works closely with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma National Guard, and the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. During times when the Governor of Oklahoma declares a state of emergency due to natural disasters, all of these agencies report to and receive orders from the Governor through OEM."}, {"context": " These relationship only applies however when the state of emergency is from a disaster. During non-disaster time, the Department of Public Safety, which is responsible for general law enforcement of the State through the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, is the Governor's chief public safety agent. OEM reports to the Office of Homeland Security, during emergencies or otherwise, on all matters related to homeland security or an act of terrorism. The State Health Department is the lead agency on disasters caused by the spread of infectious diseases or bioterrorism."}, {"context": " The National Guard, under the direction of the Adjutant General of Oklahoma, becomes the lead agency on any matter (emergency management related or otherwise) whenever the Governor so directs or when the Governor declares martial law. The Department of Emergency Management was originally created as the Department of Civil Defense by legislative action in 1951. Soon after its creation, the Civil Defense agency and the Department of Emergency Resources Management were combined into one unified disaster aid organization, known as the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management.The Department of Emergency Management was created in 2003 during the term of Governor Brad Henry by the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003. Today it is the central point of contact for coordination of four closely allied functions: Hazard Mitigation, Community Preparedness, Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Managements provides two programs for Oklahoma citizens: Individual Assistance/Human Services Program and Public Assistance Program. In addition to these two programs, OEM provides three services to help with mitigation and preparedness for disasters: Safe Schools 101, OK- WARN, and incident hotline. The Individual Assistance Program/Human Services Program is predicated on connecting citizens individually and local/small business owners with OEM. This program guarantees that all local Oklahoma communities are up to date on all services available and technology in all four phases of disaster. In order to simplify this process, OEM uses a process of stages that ensures the most productive way for the program to benefit all communities. The four stages are coordination (connects with organizations), Activation (training), Respond (Plan in place for sustainability after disaster strikes), and Engage (oversight of all operations). In coordination with OEM there are other organizations who help with this program including The American Red Cross, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and FEMA."}, {"context": " The Public Assistance Program is primarily a funding program to ensure that funds are accessible to Oklahoma and local Oklahoma governments from federal funds. These funds can also be provided to nonprofit organizations who participate in disaster relief. The Process starts with FEMA which specifically approves public assistance programs. These programs receive their money either from federal funds or grants. The available funds are given from these programs to the State of Oklahoma, which then distributes the funds to local community applicants (Oklahoma local communities must apply for federal money with reason for aid). Most of these funds are used to rebuild infrastructure damage from disasters."}, {"context": " The Safe Schools 101 service is a voluntary option to all schools in Oklahoma that allows for volunteer expert architects and engineers to assess the structure of schools and the possibility for the implementation for safe rooms. This service was implemented by the OEM after the deadly 2013 tornado outbreak that directly affected fifty-four schools in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Weather Alert Remote Notification (OK-WARN) is a weather alert system that specifically was created to benefit the deaf and hard-of-hearing. With the fear of deaf and hard-of-hearing not being able to access knowledge of incoming weather events. OK-WARN provides these Oklahoma citizens with current weather events via specific pagers or email. This program is in accordance with the Individual Assistance/Human Services Program to help ensure local communities have resources available to help those specific people like those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing."}, {"context": " \"The Incident Resource Hotline service ultimately allows for local government and emergency responders the ability to pre-identify resources which can be transported and the ability to know exactly what they\u2019re receiving when requested\". The budget of the Department of Emergency Management is divided between its operating fund, which is used to run administrative operations of the Department, and its special projects fund, which is used to respond to and recover from disaster. For fiscal year 2011, the operating fund is budgeted at $6.1 million and the special projects fund is budgeted at $53.5 million."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Governor of Oklahoma. It is responsible for protecting human health and for safeguarding the natural environment: air, water, and land. DEQ is chiefly responsible for the environmental policy of Oklahoma. It is governed by a thirteen member Environmental Quality Board appointed by the Governor, which in turn appoints an Executive Director to administer the Department. The Department was created in 1993 during the term of Governor David Walters."}, {"context": " The mission of the Department of Environmental Quality is to provide quality service to Oklahomans through comprehensive environmental protection and management programs designed to assist citizens in sustaining a clean, sound environment, and to preserve and enhance our natural surroundings. The Department was administered by the Secretary of the Environment. Since 2013, the Department is administered by the Office of Secretary of Energy and Environment. Under Governor Mary Fallin, Michael Teague is serving as the Secretary of Energy and Environment."}, {"context": " The governing body of the Department is the State Environmental Quality Board, which is composed of thirteen members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate. The membership of the Board must be composed of the following: All members serve renewable five year terms. The Department is divided into six major divisions, with each division being headed by a Division Director. The Department of Environmental Quality, with an annual budget of over $70 million, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2014, the Department was authorized 548 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Human Services", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services, OKDHS is responsible for providing help to individuals and families in need through public assistance programs and managing services for seniors and people with disabilities. The Department is led by the Director of Human Services, who is appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The current Director is Ed Lake, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on November 1, 2012."}, {"context": " The Department was established in 1936 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma E. W. Marland. The state agency was established in 1936 by the voters of Oklahoma by an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution. By a two-to-one margin, voters approved Article XXV, a state constitutional amendment, \u201cto provide \u2026 for the relief and care of needy aged \u2026 and other needy persons.\u201c The Department was established under the name of the Department of Public Welfare. The agency began with the four divisions of finance, statistical, child welfare, and public assistance."}, {"context": " In 1951, Lloyd E. Rader was appointed director of the agency, and he turned the then poorly functioning agency into a model for other states. During the 1950s, the agency's responsibilities were expanded as other agencies were transferred under Rader's leadership. Rader would serve as the agency's director until his resignation in 1982. Lawmakers changed the agency's name to the Department of Institutions, Social and Rehabilitative Services in 1968 legislation. In 1980, the Oklahoma Legislature changed the name to the Department of Human Services. Under Rader's leadership, the agency gained a large budget with the addition of federal funding. By 1966, the agency budget was $235 million. By 1970, it paid out more in welfare than any of its neighboring states."}, {"context": " In November 2012, Oklahoma voters amended the Oklahoma Constitution by passing State Question 756, which reorganized the agency. Prior to the amendment, the Department of Human Services was governed by a nine-member Commission on Human Services, whose members were appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma to serve fixed terms. The commission would then appoint a director under the commission's oversight. The 2012 amendment abolished the commission and provided for the appointment of the director by the governor directly."}, {"context": " The Department of Human Services provides a number of assistance programs to help Oklahomans by administering federal programs for food benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; and the state's child welfare, developmental disabilities, aging, adult protective, and child support systems; and child care assistance, licensing and monitoring. The agency also handles applications and eligibility for ABD Sooner Care, the state\u2019s Medicaid program offering health care to aged, blind, or disabled individuals with low incomes."}, {"context": " The growth of the Department of Human Services has created a complex organization that includes agency leaders, division directors and county offices in each of Oklahoma's 77 counties. The state agency is led by the Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services and day-to-day operations are administered by an agency director. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, the Secretary is Terry Cline, Ph.D., and Ed Lake is serving as agency Director. As of August 2013, the organization of the Department is as follows:"}, {"context": " The Department of Human Services is the third largest state agency by annual appropriation. Expenditures made by the agency are divided into two major areas: an annual operating budget used to run the Department and funded primarily by state appropriations and a Medical and Assistance Fund used to fund the assistance programs. The agency receives both federal and state funding and has additional sources of revenue. The agency received a state appropriation of $587 million and had a total budget of $2.3 billion for fiscal year 2013.  The Department of Human Services is the largest employer in Oklahoma state government. As of February 2012, the staffing is as follows:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Insurance", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, a statewide elected official. OID is responsible for supervising and regulating all insurance business in Oklahoma. The current Insurance Commissioner is John D. Doak. John Doak was sworn in as Oklahoma\u2019s 12th Insurance Commissioner on January 10, 2011. OID is responsible for regulating and reviewing all insurance companies within Oklahoma to make sure they are solvent and comply with all insurance laws and regulations. The Department also educates consumers about insurance by publishing information and rate guides on all kinds of insurance coverage. It also is responsible for helping consumers when they have disputes with insurance companies."}, {"context": " One of the chief duties of the Department is to register and license agents who sell insurance products. The Department also requires agents to meet ongoing continuing education requirements. Other professions regulated by the Department include bail bondsmen, real estate appraisers, funeral directors, and insurance adjusters. The revenue for Oklahoma Insurance Department's budget is generated primarily from the fees associated with the licenses. For the fiscal year 2009-2010, over 70 percent of the Department's 12.7 million budget was generated from fees. Another 20 percent comes from the State's general tax fund in the form of yearly appropriations, with the remaining 10 percent coming from grants from the United States federal government.  The Oklahoma Insurance Department, for fiscal year 2011, was authorized 135 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Labor", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Labor (ODOL) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma that is headed by the Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, a statewide elected position. ODOL is responsible for supervising the administration of all state laws relating to labor and workplace safety and gathers and publishes information about the workforce of Oklahoma. Until his death in August, 2015, the Labor Commissioner was Mark Costello, a Republican, who defeated the incumbent Lloyd Fields, a Democrat in the November 2010 election. In November 2015 Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin appointed Melissa McLawhorn Houston to serve out the remainder of Costello\u2019s term. Houston has said she will not seek reelection to the position in the 2018 election."}, {"context": " The ODOL is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the State's minimum wage law, enforces the State's child labor laws, oversees that State's workers\u2019 compensation insurance compliance program, regulates of private employment agencies, and investigates and mediates of unpaid wages disputes. Additionally, the ODOL has jurisdiction for the inspection of welded steam lines, boiler and pressure vessels, elevators, amusement and water rides, and water heaters in public facilities. The Department is responsible for the certification of welders and weld-testing laboratories as well as the regulation and certification of asbestos workers. The ODOL is also the primary enforcement agency of occupational safety and health for public employees across the State."}, {"context": " In August 1907 delegates from the Twin-Territorial Federation of Labor, the State Farmers' Union, and the Railroad Brotherhoods met in Shawnee and formulated a list of 24 demands for the forthcoming constitutional convention. The 12th demand called for the establishment of State Department of Labor and Commerce. Consequently, when the new state constitution was ratified by delegates to the constitutional convention in 1907 the Oklahoma Department of Labor was created. Since its inception, the Oklahoma Department of Labor has functioned continuously for more than 100 years under the direction of 18 different Commissioners and 22 governors."}, {"context": " Oklahoma's first Commissioner of Labor was Charles A. Daugherty, who served for two four-year terms from 1907 to 1915, under Governors C.N. Haskell and Lee Cruce. At that time, the Labor Department was located in Guthrie, as were all state agencies. The original staff consisted of five people: a commissioner; an assistant commissioner; a state factory inspector; a superintendent of the State Free Employment Bureau; and a stenographer. Due largely to the infusion of federal funds from Wagner-Peyser and Social Security grants, the Oklahoma Employment Service and the Unemployment Compensation and Placement Division of the Oklahoma Department of Labor had grown to include more than 300 employees in 33 offices throughout the state by 1940. Federal grants accounted for 85 percent of the funds budgeted for these activities."}, {"context": " Then, in 1941, the 18th Legislature amended the Oklahoma Unemployment Compensation Law extensively, changing the name to the Oklahoma Security Act, and renamed administration of the Act from the Commissioner of Labor to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. By FY 1940-41, the Department of Labor had been reduce to 16 employees operating on only 11 percent of the previous year's budget. Today the Department of Labor has an authorized staff of 112 with two offices: one in Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa. The present Commissioner of Labor is Mark Costello who was elected by the people in November 2010 and took office January 2011.  As the head of the Department of Labor, the Labor Commissioner supervises, directs, and controls the following agencies Labor Divisions: The Labor Department, with an annual budget of just over $7 million, is one of the smaller employers of the State. For fiscal year 2010, the Department was authorized 104 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Libraries", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) is a department of the state of Oklahoma and serves as the official state library for the state of Oklahoma. ODL provides information management to the state, assists local public libraries, coordinates statewide library and information technology projects. ODL also provides an extensive catalogue of books and other print materials for public use. The Department of Libraries is governed by a seven-member Libraries Board, with each member appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. There is one Board member for each of Oklahoma's five U.S. House districts, and two members are appointed \"at large.\" The Board is responsible for establishing Departmental policy and for appointing higher level executive officers of the Department. The Director of the Department serves as an ex officio, non-voting, member of the Board and as the Board Secretary.  The current members of the Board are:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse. The Department is governed by the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, composed of eleven members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. The Board, in turn, appoints the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to serve as the chief executive officer of the Department. The current Commissioner is Terri White, who was appointed by the Board in 2007."}, {"context": " The Department was established in 1953 by the Mental Health Law of 1953. The law provides that all residents in the state are entitled to care and treatment for mental illness and addiction problems in accordance with appropriate standards of care. The Department was established through the Mental Health Law of 1953, although publicly supported services to Oklahomans with mental illness date back to before statehood: the first facility in Oklahoma for the treatment of individuals with mental illness was established by the Cherokee Nation, called the Cherokee Home for the Insane, Deaf, Dumb, and Blind, it was built outside the city of Tahlequah in 1873. Non-Indians with mental illness were sent out of state for treatment to the Oak Lawn Retreat in Jacksonville, Illinois, until a private company, the Oklahoma Sanitarium Company, located in Norman, Oklahoma, began treating the mentally ill on June 15, 1895. The Department continues to operate a facility at this location today, now called Griffin Memorial Hospital ."}, {"context": " Oklahoma\u2019s first state-operated facility for the treatment of mental illness opened in 1908, in Fort Supply, Oklahoma, and was called the Oklahoma Hospital for the Insane, later renamed Western State Psychiatric Hospital, and now called the Northwest Center for Behavioral Health. A year later, a second state-operated facility was opened in Vinita, Oklahoma, called the Eastern Oklahoma Hospital for the Insane, later renamed to the Oklahoma Forensic Center. On October 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Community Mental Health Act of 1963, which sparked a major transformation of the public mental health system by shifting resources away from large institutions towards community-based mental health treatment programs. Soon after the passage of this law, the Department created the Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center (COCMHC), which was the first facility of its kind in the United States"}, {"context": " The Department provides services through a statewide network of programs. The core of the system is a network of 14 community mental health centers, ten nonprofit agencies with which the ODMHSAS contracts, and four state-operated centers. The state is geographically divided into 17 service areas each served by a community mental health center (some centers serve multiple areas). Each center is responsible for providing a comprehensive array of services within its service area. However, individuals seeking services may choose to seek services anywhere in the state. This service structure is vastly different from the organization\u2019s original model for treatment in the mid-1960s, which was primarily in the form of institutionalization in large state hospitals."}, {"context": " On average, nearly 6,400 Oklahomans were in the state's mental hospitals on any given day. In FY13, services were provided to approximately 187,000 individuals through the ODMHSAS system, but fewer than 5 percent of required hospital care. Most treatment takes part in mental health and substance abuse outpatient programs, targeted community-based services, prevention efforts and educational initiatives. For individuals with mental illness, the Department supports a continuum of programs from community-based treatment and case management to acute inpatient care. The ODMHSAS operates two state hospitals for adults and one children\u2019s psychiatric hospital: the Oklahoma Forensic Center, Griffin Memorial Hospital, and the Children\u2019s Recovery Center. Residential care services for adults with mental illness are provided by 25 separate residential home operators with which the ODMHSAS contracts. The Department operates substance abuse treatment and support programs within state operated facilitates, including CMHCs, and contracts for services with approximately 120 substance abuse treatment providers and 38 separate prevention programs. The Department actively supports prevention programs to reduce the occurrence of substance abuse, prevent suicide, and promote mental health for all Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control serves as the law enforcement arm. The two agencies work together to develop a comprehensive drugs control strategy for the State."}, {"context": " The Department is led by Terri L. White. The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board is the governing board of the Department. The Board is composed of eleven members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. All members of the Board serve seven year terms and no member may have served in the Oklahoma Legislature within five years of their appointment. The Board is required to be composed of individuals meeting the following requirements: State operated facilities include:"}, {"context": " The Department is the sixth largest State agency by annual appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. For fiscal year 2012, the Department received $183 million in appropriations from the Legislature, equivalent to 61% of the total budget. $59 million came from fees charged by the Department for its services, or 20% of its budget. The remaining $56 million (19%) comes in the form of grants from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. All fiscal decisions are made and revolve around the availability of funding provided from the state of Oklahoma. The ODMHSAS operates within this political-type framework and therefore must provide evidence to the public and the legislature that the organization focuses on the mission and goals of the agency by effectively delivering the services it has been statutorily commissioned to do. For example, and as evidence of effective service delivery and system transformation, the ODMHSAS service delivery system continues to operate in an increasingly more integrated manner with collaboration and merging of functions across the realms of mental health, substance abuse, and prevention services. Nevertheless, the amount of funding available to the state and allocated to ODMHSAS ultimately determines the effectiveness and the ability to meet the overall goals of the organization. The past several years has set the tone of limited funding to ODMHSAS. Therefore, programs and treatment services within the ODMHSAS service system are constantly being monitored for their efficiency, productivity, and ability to best meet the goals of the organization. Thus, the underlying principles and strategies that drive the decision-making process of the ODMHSAS is to spend every dollar as effectively and efficiently as possible by integrating services where possible, collaborating with other organizations, and innovating the way in which treatment is delivered across the state"}, {"context": " The Department, with an annual budget of over $450 million, is one of the largest employers of the State. For fiscal year 2012, the Department was authorized 1,931 full-time employees. It oversees a blended system of state-operated facilities and private contracted providers. Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the top states for the number of individuals with mental illness and addiction,[3] but as one of the bottom states as far as behavioral health funding.[4] For example, while the national average of spending per individual for mental health treatment is $120.56, Oklahoma only spends $53.05. Despite the lack of funding, Oklahoma\u2019s mental health system scores among the top states in its delivery of treatment. For example, the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) has scored Oklahoma\u2019s mental health system as one of the top 6 states, giving it a \u201cB\u201d in NAMI\u2019s grading of the states[5] Noting that lack of funding prevented Oklahoma from receiving an \u201cA,\u201d the NAMI reported that if the Department can successfully implement its state plan through added funding, \u201cit could become a national leader in comprehensive, recovery-oriented mental health care.\u201d[6] Some major reasons for Oklahoma\u2019s success is the fact that it has implemented nationally recognized telemedicine system which enables treatment in rural areas where doctors are scarce, as well as its implementation of programs such as its: \u201csystems of care,\u201d \u201cprograms of assertive community treatment (PACT),\u201d specialty courts, and others that have stretched funding while improving outcomes. These programs have received several awards at both the state and national level in recognition of their innovation, efficiency, and effectiveness."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Mines", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Mines (ODOM) is a department of the government of Oklahoma responsible for overseeing and regulating all surface and sub-surface mining activities in the State. The Department is also responsible for the reclamation of land disturbed by mining operations. The Department regulates the production of coal and non-fuel minerals in the State. The Department is under the control of the Mining Commission. The Commission is a nine-member board that serves as the governing body of the Department and is responsible for approving the Department's budget, establishing policy and appointing the Director of the Department, who serves as the chief administrative officer of the Department. The current Director of the Mining Department is Mary Ann Pritchard, who was appointed by the Commission in 1998."}, {"context": " The Department of Mines was established in 1907 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma Charles Haskell. The Oklahoma Legislature abolished the State Mining Board and replaced it with the Oklahoma Mining Commission in 1985. The Commission is a nine-member board that serves as the governing body of the Department and is responsible for approving the Department's budget, establishing policy and appointing the Director of the Department. The members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. All members serve seven-year staggered terms. The membership of the Commission consists of one person with experience in each of the following fields: engineering or geology, labor or worker's safety, agriculture or soil conservation, transportation, economic development or banking, public utilities, natural resources, and two persons selected at large."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Public Safety", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (ODPS) is a department of the government of Oklahoma. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security, DPS provides for the safety of Oklahomans and the administration of justice in the state. DPS is responsible for statewide law enforcement, vehicle regulation, homeland security and such other duties as the Governor of Oklahoma may proscribe. DPS has the duty to provide for the protection and security of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor."}, {"context": " The Department is led by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at his pleasure. The current Commissioner is Billy D. \"Rusty\" Rhoades III, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on January 10, 2011. The Department of Public Safety was created during the term of Governor E. W. Marland. The Public Safety Department is designed to enforce the law and defend the interests of the Oklahoma according to the law and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Oklahomans. The Department provides safety and security for Oklahoma's citizens through law enforcement and protection with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol."}, {"context": " The Department of Public Safety traces its history almost as far back as statehood. In 1912, there were only sixty-five hundred automobiles in the entire state. But by 1929, over 600,000 vehicles were being driven up and down state roads. Oklahoma had become a state on wheels, although the roads those wheels were rolling over were designed for horse and buggy travel. One clear indication of the arrival of the automobile age in Oklahoma was the shocking number of people killed in vehicular accidents - about five hundred a year by the mid-1920s."}, {"context": " The automobile also brought many of the nation's most infamous criminals into Oklahoma's borders. By the 1930s, Oklahoma became a criminal haven in much the same fashion as it was in its days as Indian Territory. The odds were stacked in the favor of the criminals as once across the county line, they were beyond the reach of local authorities. Criminals soon discovered that the same system of law enforcement that was powerless to halt the rising tide of traffic fatalities was equally inept at stopping them."}, {"context": " Governor E.W. Marland, the 10th Governor of Oklahoma, made a bid for a state police to the legislation and called it the Department of Public Safety. Marland prevailed over the hesitant legislation on April 20, 1937. In early May 1937 he had the basic framework on paper and issued a statewide call for recruits to become Oklahoma's first highway patrolmen. About five hundred men answered the call. In the hard times of the Depression, the one hundred and fifty dollars a month salary was very attractive. By July 15, 1937 the Department of Public Safety was a functioning agency."}, {"context": " The Department is overseen by the Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security and is administered by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Under Governor Mary Fallin, Billy D. \"Rusty\" Rhoades III is serving concurrently as both Secretary and Commissioner. The Governor of Oklahoma is the chief officer of the Department and the Commissioner of Public Safety its executive head. The Commissioner is the political appointee responsible to the Governor for the operation and administration of the Department. The Commissioner is also charged with providing security details, transportation, and communications capabilities for the Governor, the Governor's immediate family, and the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The Commissioner of Public Safety is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Commissioner must be a professional law enforcement officer with at least ten years' experience in the field of law enforcement or with five years' experience in the field of law enforcement and a graduate of a four-year college with a degree in law enforcement administration, law, criminology or a related science. The Commissioner appoints two principal deputies: an Assistant Commissioner of the Department and a Chief of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The Assistant Commissioner is the second in succession of the Department and is responsible for overseeing the civilian management staff of the Department. The Assistant Commissioner is also responsible for the operations of the Drivers License Administration. The Highway Patrol Chief serves as the professional head of the Patrol and is responsible for the capabilities, plans and operations of the Patrol."}, {"context": " Operationally the Assistant Commissioner and Chief serve as equals with the Assistant Commissioner focused on administrative functions and the Chief of Patrol serving as the primary law enforcement head. Another primary officer of the Department is the Director of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, who is appointed by the Governor and serves at his pleasure. The Commissioner and the Director both work directly with the Governor in a regular basis. Although not a requirements, the head of the Office is often an active member of the Highway Patrol. As such, the Director reports to the Chief of the Patrol."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (OLETS) is a program of the Department of Public Safety. OLETS is an information sharing network that allows law enforcement agencies across the State access to both State databases as well as information from the various States as well as the Federal Government. The types of data on the system varies from motor vehicle and drivers' license data to state criminal history and correctional records. OLETS gathers and distributes information from the following agencies:"}, {"context": " In order for a local law enforcement agency to gain access to OLETS, it must first sign an agreement with the Department stating the terms and conditions of their access. The Department of Public Safety, with an annual budget of over several hundred million dollars, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2014, the Department was authorized 1456 full-time employees. The Department of Public Safety is the tenth-largest State agency by annual appropriation. The Department receives the revenue for its budget from three major areas: yearly appropriations, grants from the federal government, and fees. For fiscal year 2010, appropriations made up 46%, federal funds made up 34%, and fees from the Department of Public Safety Revolving Fund made up 14%. The remaining 6% came from various sources.  Expenditures made by the Department are divided into three major areas: salaries and benefits for employees (54%), operation expenses (37%), and equipment (6%). The remaining 3% is used for various other expenses. The divisions of the Department operation with the following budgets for Fiscal Year 2014:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for providing people with physical, mental and visual disabilities with the opportunity to obtain employment and independent living through counseling, job training and other individualized services. DRS helps bridge barriers to success in the workplace, school and at home. DRS has five program divisions, Vocational Rehabilitation, Visual Services, Disability Determination, Oklahoma School for the Blind and Oklahoma School for the Deaf. These divisions operate dozens of specialized programs that help Oklahomans lead more independent and productive lives."}, {"context": " DRS is governed by the Commission for Rehabilitation Services, composed of three members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Commission, in turn, appoints the Director of Rehabilitation Services to serve as the chief executive officer of the Department. The current Director of Rehabilitation Services is Noel Tyler who was appointed by the Commission on May 8, 2017. The Department was established in 1993 during the term of Governor David Walters"}, {"context": " The Department is led by the Oklahoma State Cabinet Secretary of Health and Human Services under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin. The Commission for Rehabilitation Services is the governing board of the Department. The Commission is composed of three members, with one member appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, one member appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and one member appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. All members of the Commission serve three year terms. For more information about each commissioner, visit the website.  The Department of Rehabilitation Services has an annual budget of nearly $150 million and approximately 986 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Securities", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Securities (ODS) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. The department oversees the securities business in Oklahoma. The department regulates securities agents, broker-dealers, and investment advisers as well as the registration of stocks, bonds, and many other types of securities. The department is led by the Oklahoma Securities Commission, which consists of five members. Four members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate to serve six-year terms. The State Banking Commissioner serve as the fifth voting member of the commission. The department's executive is the Administrator of Securities who is appointed by the commission."}, {"context": " The department was created in 1959 during the term of Governor J. Howard Edmondson. The Securities Commission is the governing body of the Department of Securities. The commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate. One member is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, one member is an active officer of a bank or trust company operating in the State, one member is a certified public accountant and one member is an active member from the securities industry. The State Banking Commissioner serves as the fifth voting member of the commission.  All members of the commission, except the State Banking Commissioner, serve six-year terms. It is the duty of the commission to establish rules regulating the securities market and to appoint an Administrator of the department, who serves at the pleasure of the commission. The Department of Securities is not funded by yearly appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. Instead, it is funded entirely from license fees generated from the entities regulated by the department."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. The Department is responsible for regulating Oklahoma's tourism industry and for promoting Oklahoma as a tourist destination. The Department is governed by the nine-member Tourism and Recreation Commission, with the Governor appointing eight members and the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma serving as the ninth member and chair of the Commission. The Commission then appoints an Executive Director to administer the Department."}, {"context": " The Department of Tourism and Recreation was created in 1972 during the term of Governor David Hall. The Department of Tourism and Recreation is led by the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. Under Governor Mary Fallin, Deby Snodgrass serves as the Secretary while Dick Dutton serves as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. The Department is governed by a nine-member Tourism Commission which hires the Executive Director and establishes policies for the Department. Eight members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate. The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma serves ex officio as the ninth member and Chair of the Commission."}, {"context": " As of 2016, the members of the Commission are: The Department began in 1931 when the Oklahoma Legislature appropriated $90,000 for the land on which Lake Murray is located. In the late 1930s, the United States Congress directed the United States Army Corps of Engineers to begin construction on several large reservoirs, primarily for flood control and water supply. In 1951, Lake Murray State Park also became the site for the first of seven state-owned resort lodges. Through the years, park, lodge, and tourism programs rested in the Planning and Resources Board, the Department of Commerce and Industry, and the Industrial Development and Park Department. In 1972 the Legislature created the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, now made up of four divisions."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Transportation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for the construction, maintenance, and regulation the use of the state's transportation infrastructure. Under the leadership of the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, the Department maintains public infrastructure that includes rail lines, state highways, state seaports and state airports. Along with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, the Department is the primary infrastructure construction and maintenance agency of the State."}, {"context": " ODOT is led by a State Transportation Commission, composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. The Commission in turn appoints a Director, who serves as the executive head of the Department. Gary Ridley serves as the Secretary of Transportation, as appointed by Governor Brad Henry in 2009 and reappointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2011. The Department was created in 1976 during the term of Governor David L. Boren. It superseded the Department of Highways, which was established in 1911."}, {"context": " The Department of Transportation's mission statement is \"The mission of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is to provide a safe, economical and effective transportation network for the people, commerce and communities of Oklahoma.\" The predecessor agency to ODOT was the Department of Highways, which began operations in 1911, four years after Oklahoma statehood. The Department of Highways, consisting of four employees, was given an initial budget of $3,700. The state's first 29 numbered highways were commissioned on August 29, 1924. As of May 1, 1926, the state highway system consisted of of graded dirt roads (72% of the system), of gravel roads (16%), and of paved roads, for a total system length of . By March 1, 1930, the department name had been modified slightly to simply the Oklahoma Department of Highways."}, {"context": " In 1976, the Oklahoma Legislature restructured the Department of Highways as an overall coordinating agency for the state\u2019s highways, railways and waterways and renamed to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation is primarily funded by motor vehicle fuel taxes, legislative appropriations, and a return of federal matching dollars from the Federal Highway Trust Fund. ODOT\u2019s annual budget of both federal and state funds is applied to highway construction and maintenance activities, railways, waterways, public rural transit programs and administration statewide. While the primary business is construction and maintenance of the state\u2019s highways, the agency also promotes intermodal transportation such as railroads and waterways."}, {"context": " As of 2015, ODOT is responsible for the maintenance of 6,800 bridges and 31,000 lane-miles (49,890 lane-km) of road throughout the state. Of this, over 12,000 lane-miles (19,312\u00a0lane-km) are Interstate highways. In 2014, ODOT assessed approximately 372 of its bridges as being structurally deficient. This is compared to 1,168 structurally deficient bridges in 2004. The Department also maintains of state-owned railway, which are operated through leases with railroad companies. administers the Federal Highway Administration\u2019s Grade Crossing Safety Program which provides funding to make safety improvements to Oklahoma\u2019s nearly 3800 at-grade public railway/road intersections,"}, {"context": " manages the Amtrak Heartland Flyer passenger rail service in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation. The agency is under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Gary Ridley is serving as the Cabinet secretary. The Oklahoma Transportation Commission is the governing body of the state transportation department. The Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, appoints the members of the eight-member commission. It is the duty of the commission to establish agency policies and to appoint the agency director. The members each represent one of the eight geographic districts corresponding with the agency's eight field divisions. The governor serves as an ex officio member of the commission, but may only vote to break a tie."}, {"context": " The current members of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission are as follows: The Transportation Department, with an annual budget of well over $1 billion, is one of the largest employers of Oklahoma state government. For fiscal year 2009, the Department was authorized 2488 full-time employees. The Transportation Department's employees are divided within the following major job classifications: The Department of Transportation is a non-appropriated State agency. This means that is annual operating and program budget is not dependent upon yearly appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. The Legislature, through the enactment of State law, has provided the Department with a direct stream of revenue, with all such revenue automatically deposited into the State Transportation Fund. One of primary revenue sources for the Department is the State's sales tax on gasoline and diesel motor fuels. Those taxes constitute roughly one-third of the Department's total budget. Grants under the Federal-aid Highway Program of the Federal Highway Administration equal almost sixty percent of the budget. The remaining ten percent from the sale of State bonds for the construction of State roads and bridges."}, {"context": " The Department's annual budget is divided between two major areas: Departmental Administration ($413 million for FY2011) and Capital Improvements ($1.3 billion for FY2011). The first is used for the operation of the Department, such paying employee salaries and utilities, and the second is used for the construction and maintenance of transportation systems across the State. For fiscal year 2011, the Department of Transportation had the following budget by division areas: For fiscal year 2010, the Department of Transportation had the following budget by program area:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs (ODVA) is a department of the state of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs charged with providing medical and rehabilitative services for veterans and their families. The Department is governed by a nine-member Oklahoma Veterans Commission, who members are appointed by the Governor, with the approval the Oklahoma Senate for three-year terms. The Governor appoints members from names submitted by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Guard Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as well as three at-large appointees. The Commission in turn appoints the Executive Director of the Department, who serve at the pleasure of the Commission and is responsible for administration of the Department."}, {"context": " The Department was created in 1981 during the term of Governor George Nigh as a successor to the Soldiers Relief Commission. The Veterans Affairs Department is charged with ensuring all Oklahoma veterans and their families receive all possible benefits and provide health services and long-term skilled care in a residential environment to all qualified veterans residing in the state. These services includes nursing and domiciliary care, financial assistance in emergencies, and field service counseling in the filing of claims for United States Department of Veterans Affairs and state benefits."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Legislature created the Soldiers Relief Commission in 1947. It was later replaced by the Department in 1981. The Department is administered by MG (ret.) Myles Deering, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Department's Executive Director. Oversight for the Department is provided by the nine member Oklahoma Veterans Commission. The Department of Veterans Affairs is administered under such rules, regulations and policies as may be prescribed by the nine-member Oklahoma Veterans Commission. The members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, from a list of names submitted by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Guard Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as well as three at-large appointees. Three members of the Commission must be Vietnam War veterans. All members serve three-year terms."}, {"context": " As of August 2017, the members of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission are as follows: The Department is funded primarily from three sources: yearly appropriations, patient fees, and federal funding. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides the Department a federal per diem payment per veteran in each Department Veterans Center. Each of the three funding sources makes up roughly one-third of the total budget of the Department. The Department has annual budget of just over $130 million. The vast majority of that budget (over $100 million) was dedicated to employee salaries and benefits."}, {"context": " The Claims and Benefits Division provides many different services to the veterans and their dependents. The primary function is to assist veterans and their dependents with their claims before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Claims worked through the Muskogee, Oklahoma Claims Office help claimants obtain compensation and pension benefits. Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Service Officers nationally accredited through the Department of Veterans Affairs to represent the claimant with their claims and appeals. The Service Officers will assist in the appeals process, and if necessary, represent the claimant at a personal hearing before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Hearing Officer. The Muskogee Claims Office handles lifetime hunting & fishing permits, state benefits requests, and the Financial Assistance Program.  The Veterans Affairs Department, with an annual budget of over $130 million, is one of the largest employers of the State. For fiscal year 2010, the Department was authorized 1,998 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is an agency of the state of Oklahoma responsible for managing and protecting Oklahoma's wildlife population and their habitats. The Department is under the control of the Wildlife Conservation Commission, an 8-member board appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. All members serve eight-year terms. The Commission, in turn, appoints a Director to serve as the chief administrative officer of the Department. The current Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation is Richard Hatcher."}, {"context": " The Department was created in 1956 during the term of Governor Raymond D. Gary by an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution. The Department was created in 1956 when the voters of Oklahoma approved State Question 374, which amended the Oklahoma Constitution by adding Article 26. The State Question was brought before the voters of the state through an initiative petition process. The Department is overseen by the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy & Environment. Under Governor Mary Fallin, Michael Teague is serving as the Secretary.  The Wildlife Conservation Department, with an annual budget of over $40 million, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2010, the Department was authorized 339 full-time employees. Since the establishment of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, two officers have died while on duty."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Derby", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late September at Remington Park located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Open to three-year-olds, the Grade III stakes is set at a distance of miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt. The Derby currently offers a purse of $400,000. From 1989 through 1996, it was raced at a distance of miles (8.5 furlongs). Originally named the Remington Park Derby, in 2001 the race was renamed the Oklahoma Derby. It is the track's flagship event and the most lucrative Thoroughbred race at Remington Park.  Speed record: Most wins by a Jockey: Most wins by a trainer: Most wins by an owner:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma District (LCMS)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church\u2013Missouri Synod (LCMS), and comprises the state of Oklahoma. It includes approximately 82 and missions, subdivided into 9 circuits, as well as 15 preschools and 10 elementary schools. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 21,890. The Oklahoma District was formed in 1924 out of the Kansas District. District offices are located in Edmond, Oklahoma. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers. Rev. Barrie E. Henke was elected in 2009 and re-elected to a second term in 2012. The 46th Regular Convention was held April 24-25, 2009 in Norman, Oklahoma, with the theme Oklahoma Hearts -- Strengthened for Sharing Christ\". The 47th Regular Convention was held April 20-21, 2012, in Norman under the theme \"Witness, Mercy, Life Together in Oklahoma and Beyond\"."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma District Attorneys Council", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma District Attorneys Council (DAC) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma that provides professional organization for the education, training and coordination of technical efforts of all Oklahoma state prosecutors and to maintain and improve prosecutor efficiency and effectiveness in enforcing the laws of the state. The Council is composed of five members, one of which is the Attorney General of Oklahoma and the remaining four are sitting District Attorneys. The Council is responsible for appointing an Executive Coordinator to act as chief executive officer of the Council. The current Executive Coordinator is Suzanne McClain Atwood."}, {"context": " The Council was established in 1976 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma David L. Boren. The District Attorneys Council was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1976 The primary function of the District Attorneys Council is to provide a professional organization for the education, training and coordination of technical efforts of all District Attorneys of the State. The DAC assists local DAs by providing financial, personnel, and other administrative services upon request. The Council is the administrative agency for the Crime Victims Compensation Board and the state administrative agency for several federal grants."}, {"context": " It is important to note that the DAC does not have control over individual District Attorneys. Its functions are advisory and administrative support only. The DAC does not have the power to investigate, stop, or otherwise prevent a District Attorney from prosecuting an individual or group. The District Attorneys Council is under the supervision of the Secretary of Safety and Security. Under current Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Michael C. Thompson is serving as the Secretary. The Council is composed of five members. The members are the Attorney General of Oklahoma, the President of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association, the President-elect of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association, one District Attorney selected by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals for a three year term, and one District Attorney selected by the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma Bar Association for a three year term. A member of the Council must vacate their position on the Council upon termination of the member\u2019s official position as Attorney General or District Attorney.  As of 2017, the following are the members of the Council:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Educational Television Authority", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) is a state network of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member television stations serving the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The authority operates as a statutory corporation that holds the licenses for all of the PBS stations operating in the state; it is managed by an independent board of gubernatorial appointees, and university and education officials, which is linked to the executive branch of the Oklahoma state government through the Secretary of Education."}, {"context": " In addition to offering television programs supplied by PBS and acquired from various independent distributors, the network produces news, public affairs, cultural, and documentary programming; the OETA also distributes online education programs for classroom use and teacher professional development, and maintains the state's Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) infrastructure. The OETA network's main offices and production facilities are located at the intersection of Kelley Avenue and Britton Road in northeastern Oklahoma City (adjacent to the studio facility shared by KWTV-DT and KSBI); it also maintains a satellite studio located on North Greenwood Avenue (on the campus of the Oklahoma State University extension branch) in Tulsa."}, {"context": " The broadcast signals of the four full-power and fifteen translator stations comprising the network cover almost all of the state, as well as fringe areas of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas near the Oklahoma state line. Its Tulsa satellite station, KOED-TV (channel 11), operates independently from KRSU-TV (channel 35) in Claremore, a non-commercial independent station owned by Rogers State University, which is the only public television station in Oklahoma that is neither associated with OETA nor is a PBS member outlet."}, {"context": " The OETA network traces its history to November 19, 1951, when a state educational television development conference was held to direct the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to file applications with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reserve certain broadcast television frequencies in selected cities throughout Oklahoma for non-commercial educational stations. In a unanimous vote, the Oklahoma Legislature subsequently approved House Concurrent Resolution #5, which urged the FCC to reserve broadcast frequencies for non-commercial use. On May 18, 1953, Oklahoma became the first state that passed legislation to develop a statewide educational television service, when the legislature passed House Bill #1033, creating the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority as an independent statutory corporation. The bill \u2013 which was co-sponsored by State Rep. W. H. Langley (D-Stilwell) and State Sen. J. Byron Dacus (D-Gotebo), and was signed by Governor Johnston Murray \u2013 charged the organization with providing educational television programming to Oklahomans on a coordinated statewide basis, made possible with cooperation from the state's educational, government and cultural agencies, under the supervision and direction of the statute authority."}, {"context": " After appointing its members, in August 1953, the OETA Board of Directors held its first meeting and began the process of forming a statewide public television network. The FCC granted a construction permit to build a television station on VHF channel 13 in Oklahoma City on December 2, 1953; it would later grant OETA a second permit to build a non-commercial station on VHF channel 11 in Tulsa on July 21, 1954. To help finance the venture, the OETA was authorized to issue revenue bonds redeemable with financial funding accumulated in the public building fund. It would take three years for OETA to sign on its first station, as the legislature failed to appropriate operational funding to the statute corporation, which it was required to allocate under mandate of the authority charter; legislators believed that donations from private entities and the public would be able to cover the operating expenses for the upstart stations."}, {"context": " After securing a broadcast license from the FCC, $540,000 in legislative appropriations, and private funding from various special interest groups (led by a $150,000 donation by \"Daily Oklahoman\" publisher Edward K. Gaylord and the donation of $13,000 worth of broadcasting equipment from RCA), KETA-TV in Oklahoma City \u2013 which would become the network's flagship \u2013 was finally able to sign on the air over channel 13 on April 13, 1956; it was the first educational television station to sign on in Oklahoma, the second in the Southwestern United States (after KUHT in Houston, which launched in May 1953 as the nation's first public television station) and the 20th non-commercial station to sign on within the United States. Channel 13 originally operated from studio facilities located on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman; its transmitter antenna (which began construction on August 1, 1955) was based in northeast Oklahoma City near the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Kelley Avenue, per an agreement with the Oklahoma Television Corporation that granted the OETA free use of the transmission tower and adjacent land near the studio building of KWTV (channel 9). (The tower was decommissioned when KETA and KWTV switched to digital-only broadcasts from a separate tower in 2009; the antenna and the upper half of the tower were disassembled by crane during the summer of 2014, and its remnant sections were imploded that October.)"}, {"context": " KETA \u2013 as well as the full-power repeaters it would sign on in later years \u2013 originally served as a member station of the National Educational Television and Radio Center (NETRC), which evolved into National Educational Television (NET) in 1963. During its first fourteen years of operation, KETA \u2013 and later, KOED \u2013 maintained a 20-hour weekly schedule of instruction programming, broadcasting only on Monday through Friday afternoons from August through May; much of the station's programming in its early years consisted of video telecourse lectures televised in cooperation with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which offered course subjects attributable for college credit. Programming from NET aired on KETA year-round during prime time for two hours each Monday through Friday."}, {"context": " In June 1956, ABC elected to use KETA to telecast the network's coverage of the 1956 Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and Presidential election results. In seeking a waiver of FCC rules requiring advertisements to be deleted when an educational outlet carries a sponsored program, ABC noted that it was denied \"effective competitive access\" in Oklahoma City, due to the fact that KWTV and NBC affiliate WKY-TV (channel 4, later KTVY and now KFOR-TV) were the only stations operating in the market at that time and already had primary network allegiances. (ABC's original full-time Oklahoma City affiliate, KTVQ [channel 25, allocation now occupied by Fox affiliate KOKH-TV], had ceased operations during bankruptcy proceedings in December 1955; its Enid affiliate, KGEO-TV [channel 5, now KOCO-TV], had begun a transition into an Oklahoma City-based outlet that would take eight years to complete.) The OETA later withdrew KETA from the waiver petition, leading to the FCC unanimously refusing to \"entertain\" an ABC-only request to waive the rules."}, {"context": " Over the course of nineteen years, the authority gradually evolved into a statewide public television network. KOED-TV (channel 11) in Tulsa, which was founded through a legislative appropriation granted to the authority, became the first of KETA's three satellite stations to go on the air, on January 12, 1959. The launch of the state's second educational television station made Oklahoma only the second U.S. state to have an operational educational television network (after Alabama Educational Television, now Alabama Public Television, which began its expansion into a statewide network with the April 1955 sign-on of its second television station, WBIQ in Birmingham). (The authority petitioned to move KOED's allocation to that reserved by local commercial station KJRH-TV [channel 2] in July 1981, but was ultimately denied permission to take over the frequency.) In 1970, KETA and KOED became member stations of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which was launched as an independent entity to supersede and assume many of the functions of the predecessor NET network."}, {"context": " OETA experienced significant growth under former Oklahoma State Department of Education Director of Communications Bob Allen, who became the authority's executive director in June 1972 and remained in that position until he retired in December 1998. Allen, who would also serve on the Board of Directors of PBS and other national public television organizations during his tenure at the member network, initiated many efforts to help grow OETA into his vision as a network that would distribute educational and cultural programs throughout Oklahoma's 77 counties.) and Bill Thrash, who was appointed as OETA's station manager and program director after having worked at KTVY's programming and managerial departments since the 1970s, In 1973, OETA expanded its broadcast schedule to 49 hours per week; that year, the network expanded its weekday lineup into the late-evening hours, and began to offer programming on weekends with the addition of a daytime lineup on Saturdays. OETA moved its operations to Oklahoma City in 1974, when it opened a new studio and office facility next to KETA's Kelley Avenue transmitter site, which was constructed through funds appropriated by the legislature and allowed the member network to begin producing locally originated programming. To accrue additional donations to fund programming and operational expenditures, OETA inaugurated its annual \"Festival\" pledge drive in 1975; the first edition of the two-week event \u2013 which is held each March \u2013 saw OETA raise more than $125,000 in public and private donations to help with programming dues and acquisitions. In 1976, OETA purchased a mobile broadcasting unit for the production of programs in the field, which allowed it to conduct remote broadcasts at various locations throughout Oklahoma. The following year, the state legislature's OETA appropriation funding for 1977, granted the authority funds to purchase an extensive curriculum of instructional telecourse programs for broadcast on the network to schools across Oklahoma."}, {"context": " On December 1, 1977, the network launched its third station, KOET (channel 3) in Eufaula, as a satellite of KOED-TV to serve most of east-central Oklahoma (its signal overlaps with that of KOED near and to the adjacent north of the Interstate 40 corridor [including portions of McIntosh County north of the city of Eufaula] in that section of the state, and with KETA in portions of Creek, Okfuskee, and Hughes counties near State Highway 56). The sign-on of KOET \u2013 which the FCC had reserved its would-be channel 3 allocation for noncommercial use on August 20, 1975, and granted it to petitioner OETA on December 28, 1976 \u2013 was made possible in part by a 1966 federal grant to the authority that was intended to fund the expansion of the state network and to allow it to purchase color broadcasting equipment. In 1978, OETA produced the first program to be syndicated nationally by the member network to other public television stations, when it broadcast the U.S. Open Table Tennis Championships; that year also saw the premiere of OETA's first regionally syndicated series, \"The Other School System\", a 13-part program co-hosted by Art Linkletter and former Miss America (and Clinton native) Jane Jayroe."}, {"context": " OETA launched its fourth and final full-power station on August 6, 1978, when KWET (channel 12) in Cheyenne signed on as a satellite of KETA, serving west-central and portions of northwestern and southwestern Oklahoma, and the far eastern Texas Panhandle (OETA filed a petition to reserve channel 12 for noncommercial use on February 18, 1976, and granted it to the authority on May 13 of that year). OETA also began building a network of low-power UHF translators (each operating at 1,000 watts) to service areas of the state that were unable to receive the four full-power VHF stations. That same year, the network signed on its first two repeaters \u2013 located in Hugo and Idabel \u2013 to relay KOET's programming into southeastern Oklahoma."}, {"context": " In 1979, under the guidance of Governor George Nigh, OETA activated four additional translators to relay KWET and KETA's programming to the Oklahoma Panhandle and portions of northwestern Oklahoma. By the time the translator network was completed in 1981, with the sign-on of six repeaters in northwestern, north-central, and south-central Oklahoma, OETA extended its coverage to nearly the entire state (, OETA's full-power stations make up the vast majority of its overall coverage, reaching roughly 80% of Oklahoma's geographic population), with fringe coverage from select translators into portions of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. In 1981, OETA opened a satellite facility in east Tulsa on North Sheridan Road and East Independence Street (southwest of Tulsa International Airport) to serve as a secondary production facility and to house the operations of KOED and its relays; the first television program to be produced out of the new Tulsa facility, \"Arts Chronicle\", made its debut on the network the following year. 1981 also saw OETA enter into an agreement to syndicate \"Creative Crafts\", an arts and crafts program that had been produced by KTVY in Oklahoma City since 1950, on the network's stations on a 13-week trial basis."}, {"context": " On April 2, 1983, straight-line wind gusts between at the upper sections of KETA's broadcast tower tore loose brackets that held in place a long, thick copper transmission cable that linked to the station's transmitter dish, ripping the cable from the tower and causing a short in the transmitter. Over-the-air service to KETA and its translators in north-central and southern Oklahoma was restored later that week, after KWTV allowed its fellow tower tenant to use their backup cable until repairs could be conducted. However, to facilitate upgrades to its transmission system that would begin on August 15, KWTV management notified Governor Nigh that it needed to use the cable to replace clamps attached to channel 9's main cable line, a situation that would have resulted in OETA having to suspend programming for two weeks. After the Oklahoma State Contingency Review Board rejected the authority's request for emergency funds for the transmission cable replacement, on July 21, Allen initiated his own fundraising effort: it included a funding solicitation mailers that were delivered to 34,000 private and public donors who contributed to the \"Festival '83\" pledge drive that March (who were asked to contribute pledges averaging $6.40 per person), and a stunt conducted by Allen himself, in which he climbed onto the tower to seek donations from the public. The effort raised $248,000 in donations ($40,000 above his funding goal of $218,000). The failure to obtain legislature approval to be granted funding for the repairs came as OETA received a 24.8% reduction in state funding in its 1983 funding appropriation, stemming from a decline in state revenue that necessitated budget cuts that adversely affected several other state agencies; the cuts led to OETA implementing a two-day furlough of its entire staff of employees that December. Also that year, the authority established the OETA Foundation, becoming one of the earliest public television stations in the nation to adopt an endowment model for private donations; the foundation's programming endowment plan was created to solicit and receive permanent endowment donations to help support Oklahoma's public television system."}, {"context": " To help improve OETA's standing in the state, Allen initiated several ambitious programming efforts; in 1987, the authority's production unit, The Oklahoma Network, acquired the national syndication rights to \"The Lawrence Welk Show\", producing compilation episodes combining excerpts from the classic variety series and original hosted wraparound segments; OETA subsequently began distributing the program to other PBS member stations throughout the United States. Then in 1989, the network premiered \"Oklahoma Passage\", a five-part miniseries told in the form of a first-person story illustrating the first 150 years of Oklahoma's history from the perspective of a Georgia family who moved to the Indian Territory in the 1840s. In 1990, OETA premiered \"Wordscape\", a 16-part nationally syndicated instructional series for children in Grades 4 through 6, providing grammar instruction through two to five word cells per 15-minute episode, which were tied to a common theme; in 1991, the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded the program with a Heartland Emmy Award for Outstanding Youth/Children\u2019s Program."}, {"context": " On April 23, 1991, Heritage Media announced that it would donate the license, transmitter facilities and master control equipment of Fox affiliate KAUT (channel 43, now an independent station owned by Tribune Broadcasting) in Oklahoma City to OETA, in an agreement \u2013 under which the donation of the license and equipment was contingent on Heritage completing its purchase of independent station KOKH-TV from Busse Broadcast Communications \u2013 that included a two-year option for the authority to purchase KAUT's remaining assets for $1.5 million. OETA had earlier been involved in a 1987 proposal by Visalia, California-based Pappas Telecasting Companies, under which Heritage would have donated the KAUT license to OETA for $1 million in exchange for Pappas acquiring the programming inventories of both KAUT and rival independent KGMC (channel 34, now KOCB), including the rights to channel 43's Fox affiliation, for transfer to channel 25, and entering into a 25-year lease to allow OETA to operate the KAUT transmitter facility for $1 per year; KGMC (then owned by Seraphim Media) was to have become a Home Shopping Network affiliate and acquire some religious programs to fill certain ancillary timeslots. OETA planned to help fund the conversion of channel 43 into an educational station through start-up grants, including a $75,000 grant awarded by management from KOCO-TV. A later revision to the plan saw OETA file an application with the FCC to purchase KGMC as a contingency measure. OETA's involvement in the earlier plans received disapproval from then-Governor Henry Bellmon, who noted that authority management had earlier claimed it did not have enough funding to operate its existing stations adequately. The state legislature's OETA funding appropriation bill for FY1990 prohibited the authority from using state funds towards expenses for the proposed second educational station, and from proposing the appropriation of additional state funding to finance the acquisition and programming conversion if sufficient private funding was not obtained. Complicating matters further, Governor Bellmon called for a state audit of the OETA statute corporation to address allegations from a former employee that the member network's management had misused public funds, and that station employees were required to attend foundation-related meetings and worked for the foundation's pledge drive on state and additional uncompensated time. Although the transaction would receive FCC approval, the Pappas deal was terminated in February 1989 after the company missed its deadline to finalize the KOKH purchase; the three stations continued on as rival commercial stations until the 1991 license donation."}, {"context": " On August 15, 1991, OETA converted channel 43 into a PBS member station, serving as a secondary outlet to KETA-TV; KAUT's Fox affiliation and inventory of syndicated programming migrated to channel 25, in addition to 30 employees, and other equipment and intellectual property from channel 43. The following year, in 1992, the station's callsign was changed to KTLC to reflect its on-air branding as \"The Literacy Channel,\" which intended to identify its commitment to telecourse programming (which, dating to the Pappas proposal, OETA had intended to increase by 250% through the conversion, with the bulk \u2013 making up 22 hours of the station's weekly schedule \u2013 being carried by channel 43). The development of \"The Literacy Channel\" was part of a broadcasting pilot initiative between OETA's Board of Directors, the OETA Foundation Board of Trustees, and Heritage Media; Sandy Welch, PBS' senior vice president for education services at that time, and management with the Children's Television Workshop collaborated with the consortium in the development of the format, which OETA and PBS intended to use as a model for instructional and educational programming on a national level. OETA solicited $300,000 in private funds for programming acquisitions for the station's conversion into an educational outlet; studio, transmitter and other operational acquisitions would require additional funding appropriated by the Oklahoma Legislature, which expressed limited objection to OETA's acquisition of channel 43 this time around."}, {"context": " As a PBS station, KTLC aired same-day broadcasts of programs it shared with the main OETA network, along with some programs acquired from American Public Television and other syndicators for exclusive local broadcast on channel 43. The schedule included fitness programs on weekday mornings, instructional programs and select PBS series from late evening until sign-off, and a broad mix of adult education programs on Saturday and Sunday early afternoons and late evenings; children's programs made up the majority of the schedule, airing from mid-morning to early evening (a situation atypical of most PBS stations, which typically air children's shows exclusively during the daytime hours). KTLC broadcast from 6:00\u00a0a.m. to midnight under OETA ownership, initially maintaining those hours throughout the week until September 1995, when it implemented a reduced eight-hour schedule from 4:00\u00a0p.m. to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays. (Because of the station's part-time scheduling, area cable providers carried basic cable networks over KTLC's assigned channel slots when the station was not broadcasting, with Cox Cable's Oklahoma City system carrying QVC on channel 13 \u2013 which experienced co-channel interference with KETA's analog broadcast signal \u2013 during the station's off-hours from January 1992 until June 1998.)"}, {"context": " The difficulties in operating and funding the two Oklahoma City stations led to the authority making the decision to sell channel 43 in the fall of 1997. On January 8, 1998, the Paramount Stations Group purchased KTLC for $23.5 million, the proceeds from which OETA earmarked to establish the Legacy for Excellence Trust Funds, a pool of endowment funds which, among other projects, went toward funding the construction of the network's digital broadcast transmitters. Paramount's purchase of the station was necessitated by UPN's displacement from KOCB on January 18, 1998 (which, as a consequence of a July 1997 affiliation agreement between The WB and KOCB owner Sinclair Broadcast Group involving the group's UPN-affiliated and independent stations, made UPN's programming unviewable in Oklahoma City for six months). Paramount converted channel 43 into general entertainment-formatted, UPN owned-and-operated station KPSG on June 19 of that year (the affiliation switch was originally set to occur on June 1, though technical issues twice postponed the date of the changeover). Under a five-year conditional clause included in the sale agreement between OETA and Paramount, KPSG was required to allow OETA to lease portions of its airtime after the station joined UPN, primarily to simulcast blocks of OETA's \"Festival\" and \"AugustFest\" programming for eight hours each weekend during the duration of the March and August pledge drives, continue airing PBS educational shows supplied by the member network each weekday from 7:00\u00a0a.m. to 12:00\u00a0p.m. (Channel 43 would drop all OETA-provided children's programming from its schedule in September of that year, and stopped carrying other ancillary PBS programming by 2001.)"}, {"context": " In April 2000, OETA began installation of a digital satellite distribution network to replace its microwave distribution system, in an effort to modernize transmission relays to the 19 full-power and translator stations; the satellite feed was first uplinked to the authority's translators in the Oklahoma Panhandle, with the remaining stations being brought online that summer. In 2003, the four full-power OETA member stations each began to operate digital television signals; the launch of the signals came just before an FCC-imposed May 31 deadline for public television stations to commence digital transmissions, after delays by the state legislature in allocating funding for the upgrades until the 2001 legislative session, when it appropriated $5.6 million for OETA to install its digital transmission equipment (the OETA Foundation matched the appropriation with $5.6 million in private donations to fund the digital transition; funding for the network's digital transition would total at $11.5 million). In 2005, OETA began broadcasting some PBS programs across its digital-capable stations in high definition. In 2006, the authority launched three full-time digital channels as a subcarrier feeds: OETA OKLA (which is devoted to local and regional programs, both recent and archived, along with carrying select PBS-supplied programming content), OETA Kids (offering PBS-supplied and acquired children's programs) and OETA You (a member service of the PBS YOU instructional programming network, which became an affiliate of its successor service Create in January 2007). In December 2008, OETA began producing most of its locally produced productions in high definition; however, unlike the commercial television stations serving the state's four main television markets, most programming promotions supplied by PBS or short-form content produced internally or via outside providers aired during breaks between programs are not currently transmitted by the member network in HD (although underwriter sponsorship tags and select promos for OETA original programs are presented in the format)."}, {"context": " As early as 2000, OETA developed plans to construct a new Tulsa facility to replace its existing Sheridan Road building, which suffered from infrastructure problems, space limitations, technical issues with its aging broadcast equipment, and equipment interference caused by airplanes arriving and departing from Tulsa International Airport. The authority obtained initial funding from several area legislative representatives, who pooled $250,000 in bond money diverted from the State Capitol improvement fund to go towards development of the new complex. OETA attempted to find a suitable facility when it decided to provide funding for the planned Thomas K. McKeon Center for Creativity at Tulsa Community College's South Boston Avenue campus, which was to include a television production facility funded independently of the college \u2013 to be named The Distance Learning Production and Broadcast Studio \u2013 connected or adjacent to the building to serve as its new Tulsa studio. The state legislature denied a proposal by the authority to appropriate funding to construct the studio building, resulting in OETA dropping out as a planned tenant at the Center for Creativity shortly before design renderings were submitted. On August 20, 2009, OETA announced that it would build a studio facility on the campus of Oklahoma State University\u2013Tulsa, with construction scheduled to begin in October of that year. OETA moved its Tulsa operations into the new Greenwood Avenue facility in March 2011."}, {"context": " In recent years, OETA's annual appropriation budget has been incrementally reduced by the Oklahoma Legislature, declining by 45% between July 2008 and June 2016 (total operating expenses decreased from just over $5 million in 2006 to $2.8 million for the 2017 fiscal year). State funding accounts for about one-third of OETA\u2019s annual operating budget, with the remainder of the member network's funding coming from membership donations, in-kind contributions and private donations to the OETA Foundation. The cuts in state funding have led to the cancellation of some of the member network's news and documentary programs such as \"Oklahoma Forum\" (a public affairs program that featured topics related to the Oklahoma state legislature) and \"Stateline\" (which dealt with issues important to Oklahoma and also the United States), while OETA also laid off news staff at its State Capitol bureau. OETA has also operated with a reduced staff, leaving several vacant job positions unfilled for extended periods due to hiring freezes imposed by the authority; according to the \"Oklahoma Gazette\", in 2010, OETA employed 68 staff members (well under the 84 employees it was authorized to maintain in on-air and administrative positions). In a June 2016 interview with the \"Tulsa World\", executive director Dan Schiedel said that the OETA Foundation's private contributions from viewers and corporate donors have not been able to keep up with the reduction in state appropriations to the authority. The funding cuts have led to disagreements among state legislators. Some lawmakers have argued that OETA is no longer a \"core government function\" and should be eliminated as a government agency if it cannot be self-supported and that public television has been outmoded by an expanding array of cable and digital content that provide similar programming; lawmakers serving the state's rural communities, however, have opposed the cuts on the basis that the OETA network is one of the few programming options available for residents who do not subscribe to a cable or internet service provider."}, {"context": " In addition to its four full-power satellites, OETA operates a network of low-power translators that cover the Oklahoma Panhandle, and areas of northwestern, north-central and southern Oklahoma that receive limited to no over-the-air reception from the full-power outlets based in Oklahoma City, Cheyenne and Eufaula: Several of OETA's translator stations \u2013 specifically, those covering the Oklahoma Panhandle, northern and southern Oklahoma \u2013 produce Grade B signal coverage that extends into portions of extreme southern Kansas, the northern and eastern Texas Panhandle and extreme north Texas; KOET's full-power signal produces fringe coverage that extends into areas of western Arkansas that are also covered by Fayetteville-based Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) satellite KAFT, while the signal of KOED extends into portions of southeastern Kansas and far southwestern Missouri served by KOZJ in Joplin (the westernmost station of the two-station Ozarks Public Television mini-network). OETA does not operate any translators in northeastern Oklahoma, as that area of the state receives adequate over-the-air coverage from KOED and KOET as well as fringe coverage of PBS member stations in neighboring states."}, {"context": " Some of the viewer donations to the OETA Foundation \u2013 especially those collected through OETA's Festival and AugustFest pledge drives \u2013 come from these neighboring states, which are served primarily by locally based PBS member stations and regional networks covering the aforementioned regions that also have partial overlap with the over-the-air signals of OETA satellites and translators, including KPTS/Wichita, Kansas, KACV-TV/Amarillo, Texas, AETN, Ozarks Public Television, and Smoky Hills Public Television."}, {"context": " OETA is available on all cable television providers within the state of Oklahoma, including Cox Communications (which serves the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas), Suddenlink Communications (which covers portions of western Oklahoma), Fidelity Communications (which serves the Lawton area), and Cable One (which serves portions of southern Oklahoma within the Ada-Sherman market). Additionally, KOET is carried by Cox Communications channel 9 in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a secondary PBS outlet for the area (KOET's city of license, Eufaula, is part of the Fort Smith market, which is served primarily by Fayetteville-based KAFT). On satellite, KETA, KOED and KOET are carried by DirecTV and Dish Network as part of their lineup of local station feeds for Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Fort Smith, respectively."}, {"context": " From October 1, 1996 until OETA began carrying the feed over-the-air in April 2006, Cox Communications' Oklahoma City system, Multimedia Cablevision's suburban Oklahoma City systems and Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI)'s Tulsa system \u2013 the latter two of which were absorbed into Cox in 2000 \u2013 carried the PBS Satellite Service over KETA and KOED's assigned channel slots from 12:00 to 6:00\u00a0a.m. Sunday through Thursdays and from 1:00 to 6:00\u00a0a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, while their broadcast signals were silent. (Until its broadcast stations adopted such a schedule in April 2006, the OETA state network was one of the few remaining broadcast television outlets in the United States that had not converted to a 24-hour-a-day schedule.) Beforehand, many cable providers around the state, including Cox, Multimedia and TCI, carried other lower-priority cable networks that limited headend frequency space precluded from assigning them to a separate full-time channel over OETA's channel slots (such as filler) during overnight/early morning time periods during the broadcast signals' off-air periods."}, {"context": " The digital channels of OETA's main full-power and low-power translator stations are multiplexed, with each station carrying three specialized digital subchannels with their own distinct programming: During 2009, in the lead-up to the digital television transition that would ultimately occur on June 12, OETA began shutting down the analog transmitters of its stations on a staggered basis. Listed below are the post-transition channel allocations for each analog transmitter and the dates on which each ceased operation:"}, {"context": " As a PBS member station, much of the programming aired on the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority consists of educational and entertainment programming distributed by PBS to its member stations, including \"NOVA\", the \"PBS NewsHour\", \"Frontline\", \"Masterpiece\", \"Antiques Roadshow\" and \"Nature\"; it also carries programs distributed by American Public Television and other sources to fill its schedule, alongside programs produced exclusively for the state network. OETA's weekday lineup is dominated by children's programs (such as \"Arthur\", \"Wild Kratts\", \"Peg + Cat\" and \"Sesame Street\") between 6:00\u00a0a.m. and 5:00\u00a0p.m., followed by a two-hour block of general and financial news programs leading into prime time. Programs provided by PBS are primarily shown on most nights in prime time except for Thursdays and Saturdays, which instead feature OETA original programs and content from American Public Television (OETA documentaries and British drama series air on Thursdays, while Saturdays feature \"The Lawrence Welk Show\", music or documentary specials and the \"OETA Movie Club\"). On Saturdays, OETA carries a broad mix of how-to programs during the morning and early afternoon hours, and encore presentations of PBS prime time shows in the mid-to-late afternoon. Encores of PBS prime time shows also air on Sundays in the late morning, with the remainder of that day's schedule outside of prime time consisting of newsmagazines and some how-to and outdoor programs. Since the discontinuance of its Sunday late-night comedy block in September 2015, \"Britcoms\" have had a reduced presence on OETA's schedule (, the only British comedy series on OETA's schedule are \"Last of the Summer Wine\", which airs Monday through Thursdays in late night, and medical dramedy \"Doc Martin\", which airs Thursday nights on the main feed and on OETA Okla as part of its Wednesday encore block)."}, {"context": " Until 2010, OETA ran a heavy amount of instructional programming each weekday (totaling 17\u00bd hours of its daily schedule by 2005), instructional programs now run largely on the OETA Create subchannel service, which carries programming from PBS's instructional and distance education network Create. OETA is one of several PBS member stations or regional networks that distributes programming for syndication to other public television stations around the United States; these programs, along with shows produced for exclusive broadcast on the OETA network within Oklahoma, are produced by the network's production unit, OETA: The Oklahoma Network. It has distributed \"The Lawrence Welk Show\" since October 1987, after that series left commercial syndication, and has also produced specials featuring excerpts from the program (beginning with the 1987 PBS special, \"Lawrence Welk, Television's Music Man\"); the acquisition and syndication of the program \u2013 consisting of an initial pickup of 52 episodes \u2013 came after a successful pledge donation assignment during the \"Festival '87\" drive that March, in which viewers were inquired whether OETA should return \"Welk\" to television; reruns of \"Lawrence Welk\" \u2013 which have become a staple of the member network's weekend evening schedule \u2013 have since become OETA's most-watched program. OETA also distributes \"The Kalb Report\", a monthly discussion program focusing on issues of ethics and responsibility in media that is hosted by Marvin Kalb."}, {"context": " Locally produced programming on the state network includes the \"OETA Movie Club\" (a weekend evening showcase of American Public Television-packaged classic movies from the 1930s to the 1990s, which has been hosted by B.J. Wexler since its premiere in February 1988), \"Oklahoma Horizon\" (a weekly newsmagazine, produced by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, which focuses on economic and social issues, and is syndicated to the RFD-TV cable network in the U.S. and the Global Broadcasting Network in Europe), \"Oklahoma Gardening\" (a weekly gardening series produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service at Oklahoma State University\u2013Stillwater through the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and OSU Agricultural Communications Services, which debuted in 1975) and \"Gallery\" (which debuted in April 2001 and focuses on Oklahoma's art community; it produced a spin-off series, \"Gallery America\", that debuted in January 2016)."}, {"context": " OETA is one of only a handful of PBS member outlets that produces a local or regional news program. The network launched its news operations in 1976, when it premiered \"The Oklahoma Report\", a half-hour nightly newsmagazine, consisting of three ten-minute interview programs. Due to viewer demand, by 1980, the program expanded into a conventional news program that featured both pre-recorded news stories filed by OETA's own reporting staff in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and taped reports from news-producing commercial television stations in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa markets (although Oklahoma is served by four television markets that each have commercial network-affiliated stations licensed within the state, the \"Oklahoma News Report\" did not include reports from stations in the Lawton/Wichita Falls and Ada/Ardmore/Sherman/Denison markets). The program eventually incorporated content from OETA's \"Stateline\" and \"Gallery\" units, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. The retooling of \"The Oklahoma Report\" came after OETA raised enough funding to hire a three-person anchor/reporter staff and a small production crew."}, {"context": " For much of its first fourteen years on the air, the program was anchored by El Reno native Tom Gilmore, who also hosted two public affairs shows on the network, \"Legislative Week in Review\" and \"Oklahoma Week in Review\" (prior to joining OETA, Gilmore served as a news anchor at KSWO-TV [channel 7] in Lawton and as host of the children's program \"Captain Tom's Popeye Theater\" on KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City). Gilmore would eventually be appointed as OETA's manager of news and public affairs after Pam Henry (former anchor/reporter at KTVY and KWTV in Oklahoma City, who also served as the last poster child for March of Dimes' polio awareness campaign at age 8) stepped down from the position in 1987. Following Gilmore's retirement from broadcasting in 1990, Dick Pryor, Mary Carr Lee and Lisa Mason (the former two formerly worked as anchor/reporters at KOCO-TV; the latter served as anchor of the defunct \"Newstouch 25\" updates aired on KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City) took over as anchors of the retitled \"Oklahoma News Report\"."}, {"context": " For its first 35 years on the air, \"ONR\" (as the program would become formally retitled in 2012) had originally aired as a nightly broadcast on Monday through Friday evenings (albeit with pre-emptions on Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day). As a weeknightly program, the format of the \"Oklahoma News Report\" more closely resembled that of the evening news programs seen on the major broadcast networks. The newscast never featured a regular sports segment within each night's edition, but occasionally featured sports-related stories when warranted. The newscast also regularly featured a stock market segment featuring the day's closing numbers on the Dow Jones and NASDAQ market indexes, and stocks for Oklahoma-based businesses (such as Kerr-McGee, ConocoPhillips and Sonic Drive-In)."}, {"context": " In July 2010, OETA altered the program's format following the legislature's decision to slash the authority's budget appropriations by $994,000 drop in the state budget for the 2010 fiscal year, coupled with $725,000 in additional cuts that were made to the agency earlier in the year. Longtime anchors George Tomek (a former anchor at KFOR-TV and KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, who joined OETA in 2007) and Gerry Bonds (who joined OETA in 1996 after a nine-year stint as evening anchor/reporter at KOCO) were permanently suspended from the program, leaving longtime news anchor and manager, Dick Pryor (who briefly stepped back from his duties on the program in 2007, to become chief of staff for Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, and left the program permanently in 2015 to become director of client services for Oklahoma City-based public relations firm Candor), as the sole anchor of \"ONR\". The program also eliminated its daily weather segment (presented for years by meteorologist Ross Dixon), relegating weather coverage during the program to situations in which it warranted being the focus of a news story; the same budget issues that led to Tomek, Bonds and Dixon's terminations also resulted in OETA suspending production of five of its news and documentary programs, \"OKC Metro\" (an interview program hosted by Bonds that debuted in 1995), \"Tulsa Times\" (a newsmagazine series focusing on issues and events concerning the Tulsa area that ran from 1995 to 2009), \"State of Creativity\" (a recurring program focusing on Oklahoma's arts community), \"The People\u2019s Business\" (a monthly financial advice and interview series) and \"Legislative Week\" (a series focusing on activity in the Oklahoma Legislature that debuted in 1979)."}, {"context": " As a consequence of the Oklahoma State Legislature's passage of its 2011 budget referendum that cut OETA's annual budget by 9%, the network announced on June 29, 2011, that the \"Oklahoma News Report\" would no longer be produced as a traditional nightly general news program after the July 1 broadcast; the program would also be transitioned into a weekly newsmagazine (the newscast's longtime 6:30\u00a0p.m. timeslot was replaced with the \"PBS NewsHour\" as part of a shuffling of OETA's early evening news block due to the removal of \"ONR\" as a weeknight newscast that also saw the move of \"Nightly Business Report\" to an earlier timeslot and \"BBC World News America\" join the OETA lineup). \"ONR\" returned to the member network as an hour-long magazine series on July 15, 2011, airing initially on Friday evenings with rebroadcasts on Saturdays on its main channel; by 2013, \"ONR\" had reverted to a half-hour broadcast."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act (63 O.S. Sections 685.1 - 685.11) is an Oklahoma state law governing emergency succession to the all offices of the state and local governments, excluding the members of the Oklahoma Legislature, which are governed by the Oklahoma Emergency Management Interim Legislative Succession Act. The Emergency Executive and Judicial Succession Act was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on August 29, 2003. All Emergency Interim Successors and Special Emergency Judges must take the same oath of office as the officers they are acting as. However, they do not need to fulfill any other prerequisite of office. All officials authorized to act as governor, Emergency Interim Successors and Special Emergency Judges may exercise their powers only after the declaration of a state of emergency. The Oklahoma Legislature, by concurrent resolution, may, at any time, terminate the authority of any Emergency Interim Successor or Special Emergency Judges to exercise their powers and discharge their duties."}, {"context": " Any dispute concerning a question of fact arising under the Emergency Succession Act with respect to an office in the executive branch of the state government (except a dispute relative to the Office of Governor) is determined by the governor and his decision is final. Any dispute with respect to the office of governor is determined by the Supreme Court. Under normal circumstance, in the event of a vacancy in the office Governor of Oklahoma, the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma would become the governor, as provided by the Oklahoma Constitution. The Constitution also provides that if the lieutenant governor is unable to become governor, then the duty falls to the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate and then to the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives."}, {"context": " However, during a state of emergency, should the governor be unable to exercise his powers or the governorship is vacant and the lieutenant governor, president pro tempore, and Speaker of the House are unable to act as governor or succeed to the governorship, it is the duty of the Emergency Interim Successor to the Governor to exercise the powers of the governor until the governor returns, a higher officer can act as governor, or until new governor is elected. Such successor only acts as governor, however, and such successor may not succeed to the governorship."}, {"context": " The order of Emergency Interim Successor to the Governorship is as follows: All state officers (e.g. the Attorney General, State Treasurer, etc.), other than the governor, and local officers (e.g. Mayor, County Commissioner, etc.) must designate an Emergency Interim Successor to exercise their powers in their absence. Such designation are subject to the such regulations as the governor may determine. The state or local officer must designate no less than three but no more than seven successors. Such list of successors may be amended as necessary by the state officer."}, {"context": " In the event that any state or local officer is unavailable following a state of emergency, and in the event a deputy (if any) is also unavailable, the powers of the office are exercised the designated Emergency Interim Successors in the order specified by the state officer. The authority of a Successor ceases: In the event that a state of emergency occurs and if any judge of any court in the Oklahoma Court System is unavailable to exercise the powers of their office, and no other judge is authorized to act or no special judge is appointed to act, the duties of the office are discharged by a Special Emergency Judge."}, {"context": " The governor designates Special Emergency Judges for each Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and for each Judge of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in consultation with the other members of the Court, designates all Special Emergency Judges for each District Judge and each court of record in the state. Each District Judge, in consultation with the other District Judges, designates all Special Emergency Judges for the courts of no records within their district.  All Special Emergency Judges, regardless of how appointed, shall discharge their duties and exercise their powers until such time as a vacancy which may exist shall be filled in accordance with the law or until the regular judge becomes available to exercise their powers and discharge their duties of the office."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003 (63 O.S. \u00a7 683.1-683.24) is an Oklahoma state law that replaced the \"Oklahoma Civil Defense and Emergency Resources Management Act of 1967\" as the primary state law detailing emergency management in Oklahoma. The Emergency Management Act and the Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act together form the primary state laws regarding emergency and disastrous situations that may occur in the state. The Emergency Management Act was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on May 29, 2003. Giving the Emergency Volunteers a say in their towns when disastrous situstions occur."}, {"context": " The Emergency Management Act declares its purposes: The Emergency Management Act: The Emergency Management Act declared the policy of Oklahoma to be that all emergency management and hazard mitigation functions of the state are to be coordinated to the maximum extent with the comparable functions of the federal government, of the other states and localities, and of private agencies of every type, to the end that the most effective preparation and use may be made of available workforce, resources and facilities for dealing with disaster and hazard mitigation. Each state agency, board, commission, department or other state entity having responsibilities either indicated in the state Emergency Operations Plan must have written plans and procedures in place to protect individual employees, administrators and visitors from natural and man-made disasters and emergencies occurring at their work place. All such plans and procedures are made in concurrence with OEM, which is responsible for establishing an OEM Guidebook titled the \"Emergency Standard Operating Procedures\". Each state agency, board, commission, department or other state entity must provide an annual report on the status of their emergency management program to OEM. OEM then must compile and integrate all reports into a report to the Governor and Legislature on the status of state emergency preparedness."}, {"context": " The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is officially declared to be the standard for incident management in Oklahoma. All on-scene management of disasters and emergencies shall be conducted using the Incident Command System (ICS). Under the Emergency Management Act, the Governor of Oklahoma gains vast and comprehensive emergency powers. However, the emergency powers provided to the Governor are operative only during the existence of a natural or man-made emergency. The existence of such an emergency must be proclaimed by the Governor through executive declaration or by the Legislature by concurrent resolution for the Governor to exercise such powers. Any emergency, whether proclaimed by the Governor or by the Legislature, may be terminated by the proclamation of the Governor or by the Legislature with a concurrent resolution terminating such emergency."}, {"context": " Upon an emergency being declared, the Governor must activate the Emergency Operations Plan. This allows the Governor to assume direct regulatory control over all essential resources of the state. It is then the responsibility of the Governor to determine the priorities of such resources and allocate them as he deems necessary. The Emergency Management Act defines \"resources\" as: In exercising his emergency powers, the Governor is empowered to (limited) rule by decree in the realm of public security. The Emergency Management Act requires the Governor \"to enforce all laws, rules and regulations relating to emergency management\" and grants him the authority to assume \"direct operational control of any or all emergency management forces\" in the state. Such forces include the Oklahoma National Guard, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and local police and sheriff departments. As such, the Governor has the authority to make, amend, and rescind necessary orders and rules to carry out the provisions of the Emergency Management Act."}, {"context": " If, in the Governor's opinion, an evacuation of any or all of the population of any disaster stricken or threatened area within the state is necessary, the Governor is empowered to take such steps as are necessary for the evacuation as well as the receipt and care of such evacuees. The Act grants the Governor the power to: To enforce his orders, the Governor gains the power of emergency gubernatorial dismissal. Should any public official exercising power under the Oklahoma Constitution willfully fail to obey any order, rule or regulation issued by the Governor, the Governor may remove said official from office. Such removal, however, can only become effective after charges have been served to the affected official and the official has been given an opportunity to defend himself/herself. Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the Governor may suspend such official for a period not exceeding thirty days. Any vacancy resulting from gubernatorial emergency dismissal or suspension is filled by an appointment made by the Governor. The appointee serves until the office can be filled as otherwise provided by law. The only officers not subject to this emergency removal process are the statewide executive offices, the Justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, and the members of the Oklahoma Legislature. However, these officers do not possess the power to prevent the Governor from fulfilling his duties pursuant to the Emergency Management Act."}, {"context": " The Emergency Management Advisory Council meets to advise the Governor and the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management on all matters pertaining to emergency management. The members of the Council shall be composed of the Governor, who shall serve as chair of the Council, and the following department heads: The State Hazard Mitigation Team meets as determined by the Team Coordinator to review and recommend updates to the State Comprehensive All-hazard Mitigation Plan. The State Hazard Mitigation Team is composed of the administrative heads of the following agencies or their designees:"}, {"context": " The Team Coordinator may request that a representative of the United States Army Corps of Engineers be appointed by the administrative head of the Tulsa District to participate on the Team. The Team Coordinator may also request a representative of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development be appointed by the administrative head of the Oklahoma City office to participate on the team. All counties of the state are required to have a qualified emergency management director and all towns and cities are required to develop an emergency management program. A city or town may either have an emergency management director or create an agreement with their county for emergency management services. Regardless of level, the local emergency management director is responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of all such local organizations for emergency management within the director's territorial limits."}, {"context": " Each local emergency management organization must develop, maintain and revise, as necessary, a local emergency operations plan for the jurisdiction. Each plan shall address the emergency management system functions of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. Such plan must be based upon a hazard and risk assessment for the jurisdiction and include provisions for evacuation of all or a portion of the jurisdiction based upon such risk in the event any disaster necessitates the evacuation of its citizens."}, {"context": " Each Emergency Management Director is responsible for all aspects of emergency management in his or her jurisdiction. Such duties include conducting hazard analysis detailing risks and vulnerabilities; annually updating the existing all-hazard local Emergency Operations Plan (EOP); conducting and arranging for necessary training of all relevant personnel; conducting annual exercises to evaluate the plan; managing resources; determining shortfalls in equipment, personnel and training; revising the EOP as necessary; establishing and maintaining an office of emergency management; communication and warnings; conducting or supervising damage assessment and other pre- and post-disaster-related duties."}, {"context": " All local fire departments, law enforcement departments and other first response agencies must notify their respective local Emergency Management Director of all significant events occurring in the jurisdiction. Emergency Management Directors shall promptly report significant events to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. Each city, town, or county in which any disaster occurs has the authority to declare a local emergency. The city, town, or county must combat such disaster, protecting the health and safety of persons and property, and providing emergency assistance to the victims of such disaster. Each jurisdiction is authorized to exercise the emergency powers vested to it under the Emergency Management Act without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law pertaining to the performance of public work, entering into contracts, the incurring of obligations, the employment of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, the purchase of supplies and materials, and the appropriation and expenditure of public funds. However, constitutional mandatory requirements must still be followed."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Emergency Management Interim Legislative Succession Act", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Emergency Management Interim Legislative Succession Act (63 O.S. Sections 688.1 - 688.14) is an Oklahoma state law governing emergency succession to the all offices members of the Oklahoma Legislature. The similar Act governing the members of the state and local governments is the Oklahoma Emergency Interim Executive and Judicial Succession Act. The Emergency Legislative Succession Act was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on August 29, 2003. Each legislator must designate no less than three and no more than seven Emergency Interim Successors to his powers and duties and specify their order of succession. Each house of the Legislature, in accordance with its own rules, determines who is entitled under the provisions of the Emergency Legislative Succession Act to exercise the powers and assume the duties of its members. When an Emergency Interim Successor exercises the powers and assumes the duties of a legislator, the Successor is accorded the privileges and immunities, compensation, allowances and other perquisites of office to which a legislator is entitled."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Emergency Response Act", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Emergency Response Act (27A O.S. Section 4-1-101 \u2013 4-1-106) is an Oklahoma state law governing emergency response through the state. The act creates a network for rapid response to hazardous material incidents and other events that threaten the public health and safety. It is also used to respond to dangerous threats to the natural environment of the state. The Emergency Response Act was signed into law by Governor David Walters on July 1, 1993."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Employment Security Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) is an independent agency of the state of Oklahoma responsible for providing employment services to the citizens of Oklahoma. The Commission is part of a national network of employment service agencies and is funded by money from the United States Department of Labor. The Commission is also responsible for administering the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 on behalf of the state. The Commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. All members serve six-year terms. The Commission appoints an Executive Director, who serves at the pleasure of the Commission, to act as the executive head of the Commission. The current Executive Director is Richard McPherson, who has held that position since January 2011."}, {"context": " The Commission was established in 1941 during the term of Governor Leon C. Phillips. The Commission was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1941. The Commission is responsible for operating local workforce centers throughout the state. These centers provide testing, career counseling and placement services for job seekers; solicits job orders from employers; refers job seekers to jobs; and maintains a statewide online job listing databank. The Commission also administers a number of programs that provide employment-related assistance for specific groups, such as dislocated workers, long-term unemployed adults and youth."}, {"context": " The Commission has responsibility for collecting unemployment insurance taxes from Oklahoma employers to fund payment of unemployment benefits to jobless workers. The Commission, in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, manages a number of research programs that provide current labor market information to employers, job seekers, employment and guidance counselors, and students to assist them in making informed decisions. The Commission is under the supervision of the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Dave Lopez is serving as the Secretary."}, {"context": " The Commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. Two members represent employers, two represent employees, and one represents the public. The representative of the public serves as the chair of the Commission. All members serve six-year terms. As of 2016, the Commission is composed of the following members: Representing the Public Representing Employers Representing Employees The Workforce Services Division has two main functions: provide guidance for field staff and field activities at local workforce centers across the state and maintain a statewide labor exchange between employers and job-seeking individuals as established by the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933. Assistance may be provided to individuals in the form of referral to jobs, referral to supportive services, training assistance, or job development. The Veterans Services Division provides service to Oklahoma veterans through Veterans Representatives located in local offices and out-stationed at key service delivery points across the state."}, {"context": " Workforce Services is responsible for administering the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). These WIA programs are federally funded and designed to provide employment and training services to individuals who, for various reasons, have been unable to obtain meaningful employment. This includes responsibility for administering programs that prepare youth and unskilled adults for entry into the labor force. The program also provides job training opportunities to economically disadvantaged individuals and those dislocated due to business closings and layoffs. The Workforce Investment Act also mandates the development of a comprehensive workforce system that includes many other workforce-related programs. To accomplish this goal, the division, in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, serves as the administrative staff to the State Workforce Investment Board. The Board is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations regarding the development of this comprehensive system."}, {"context": " The Unemployment Insurance Division is responsible for paying unemployment benefits to qualified unemployed wage earners. OESC makes rigorous efforts to locate suitable employment opportunities and /or provide re-employment assistance so those individuals receiving unemployment benefits may re-enter the workforce as quickly as possible. The Unemployment Insurance Division maintains the Unemployment Insurance program which was established through the Social Security Act of 1935. Unemployment benefits are paid as a weekly sum to qualified unemployed wage earners covered under the law. Funds for payment of these benefits are provided through a state tax paid by employers and deposited in a state-specific trust fund. Administrative funding for the program is provided through the federal FUTA taxes paid by employers for that purpose."}, {"context": " The Economic Research and Analysis Division is responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating a wide array of socio-economic, employment-related data. The Division maintains Bureau of Labor Statistics programs such as Current Employment Statistics (CES), Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) and Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). In addition to these programs, this Division also maintains a number of other Labor Market Information (LMI) programs, such as the Occupational Wage Survey Reports and Industry & Occupational Projections. These products and services are requested by a diverse group of customers who need or desire to track the economic health of the state of Oklahoma and its local areas.  The Employment Security Commission had an annual non-appropriated agency budget of almost $128.7 million in fiscal year 2011. The agency is one of the larger employers among Oklahoma state agencies, with 792 full-time employees in fiscal year 2010."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Enabling Act", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Enabling Act of 1906, in its first part, empowered the people residing in Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory to elect delegates to a state constitutional convention and subsequently to be admitted to the union as a single union. The act, in its second part, also enabled the people of New Mexico Territory and of Arizona Territory to form a constitution and State government and be admitted into the Union, requiring a referendum to determine if both territories should be admitted as a single state."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Organic Act of 1890 contemplated admitting Oklahoma and Indian Territories as a single state. However, residents of Indian Territory sponsored a bill to admit Indian Territory as the State of Sequoyah, which was defeated in the U. S. Congress in 1905. President Theodore Roosevelt then proposed a compromise that would join Indian Territory with Oklahoma Territory to form a single state. This resulted in passage of the Oklahoma Enabling Act, which President Roosevelt signed June 16, 1906."}, {"context": " The Act included several other requirements for the Oklahoma Constitution: The constitution was written to meet these requirements. President Roosevelt proclaimed Oklahoma a state on November 16, 1907. The requirement to keep Guthrie as the State's temporary capital was challenged in court after Oklahoma City, Oklahoma won the election and the capital was moved prematurely. \"Coyle v. Smith\" was the US Supreme Court Case that helped define the equal footing doctrine. On December 29, 1910, the state of Oklahoma enacted a statute which removed the state capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City. W.H. Coyle, owner of large property interests in Guthrie, sued the state of Oklahoma, arguing that the move was performed in violation of the state constitution's acceptance of the terms of Congress's enabling act."}, {"context": " The power given to Congress by Art. IV, \u00a7 3, of the Constitution is to admit new States to this Union, and relates only to such States as are equal to each other in power and dignity and competency to exert the residuum of sovereignty not delegated to the Federal Government. The Supreme Court held that preventing the state of Oklahoma the right to locate its own seat of government deprived it of powers which all other states of the Union enjoyed, and thus violated the traditional constitutional principle that all new states be admitted \"on an equal footing with the original states\". As a result, the provision of the enabling act which temporarily restricted Oklahoma's right to determine where its seat of government would be was unconstitutional."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Energy Resources Board", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (abbreviated OERB) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. Funded voluntarily by Oklahoma's oil and natural gas producers and royalty owners, OERB conducts environmental restoration of orphaned and abandoned well sites, encourages the wise and efficient use of energy, and promotes energy education. The Board is composed of 21 members. 7 members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, 7 are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and 7 appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. All members are either independent oil or natural gas producers or representatives of major oil companies that do business in Oklahoma. The Board, in turn, appoints an Executive Director to serve as the chief administrative officer of the Board."}, {"context": " The current board chairman is David House, president of Jireh Resources, LLC in Tulsa, OK. OERB was created by the Oklahoma Legislature and energy industry leaders in 1993 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma David Walters. The stated missions of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board are: OERB is under the leadership of the Secretary of Energy, the Chair of the Board, and the Executive Director of OERB. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, C. Michael Ming serves as Secretary, David House serves as the Chairman and Mindy Stitt serves as the Executive Director."}, {"context": " Since its creation in 1993, the OERB has committed $69 million to restore more than 11,800 abandoned and orphaned well sites as part of its environmental restoration program. It has made restoration progress in 67 of Oklahoma's 77 counties and has a restoration budget of $6 million for the current fiscal year. Unique is OERB's funding process \u2013 though it is funded by a 0.1% assessment on oil and gas sales (not uncommon among similar agencies), it is a voluntary assessment. Any producer or royalty owner may opt out of the program by requesting OERB (between January 1 and March 31 of each year) for a refund of previously paid assessments. OERB states that over 95% of participants remain in the program."}, {"context": " Throughout its history, the OERB has reached more than 1 million Oklahoma students with energy curricula, classroom supplies, field trips, college scholarships and presentations. OERB reaches all academic grade levels \u2013 from kindergarten through college with its energy education programs, including: Through its Conservation Education Program, the OERB has contributed $1.75 million to help more than 800 Oklahoma families weatherize their homes and save up to 30 percent on their utility bills. In addition to providing weatherization assistance, the OERB provides tips on saving energy and money through advertisements, community events and a website, which includes a \u201cWeatherize Your Home\u201d video demonstration, conservation tips and information on how to apply for home heating assistance."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Ethics Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is an agency of the state of Oklahoma that issues rules on the ethical conduct for state elected officials and employees. It also investigates and prosecutes violations of its rules. The Ethics Commission was created by a two-to-one vote of the people of the state per an initiative effort adding Article XXIX to the Oklahoma Constitution. The statewide vote on the amendment (State Question No. 627) was held September 18, 1990. Commissioners were sworn in and began meeting in July 1991."}, {"context": " The Commission is composed of five members, with one each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Attorney General of Oklahoma. All members serve five year terms. The Commission was created in 1990 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon. The Commission is composed of five appointed members. One each is appointed by the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Attorney General. No more than three can be of the same political party. No more than one congressional district may be represented at a time. All members serve five year terms."}, {"context": " As of 2013, the current Commissioners are: The Commission serves as the official repository of the financial disclosure statements, campaign contributions and expenditure reports and lobbyist registrations and reports and has the power to issue advisory opinions when requested. The primary duty of the Commission is to issue rules on ethical behavior. Such rules are presented to the Governor of Oklahoma and both houses of the Oklahoma Legislature for review. If not disapproved by joint resolution, subject to veto by the Governor, the rules become effective. In the event the Governor vetoes a joint resolution disapproving the rules, the procedure is the same as for veto of any other bill or joint resolution. Once in effect, the rules may be repealed or modified by the Commission, subject to the same legislative and gubernatorial action as for newly promulgated rules. Alternatively, the rules may also be repealed or modified by the Legislature under the same procedures."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Farm Bureau", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and representing the interests of farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma and is the largest farm organization in the State. OKFB is the Oklahoma level partner of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). The Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) was originally organized in 1942 as an independent farm organization. It was chartered under the laws of the state of Oklahoma on February 3, 1942, under the State's Cooperative Marketing Association Act. OKFB affiliated with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) on March 1, 1942, when the first cooperative agreement was signed between the two organizations."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Farm Bureau is an independent, non-governmental, non-partisan voluntary organization of farmers and ranchers who associate to promote their common insterests. Each of Oklahoma's 77 counties have their own County Farm Bureau. Each County level office is individually organized and chartered under the Oklahoma non-profit laws. Each of the organized county Farm Bureaus has a Board of Directors. Bylaws governing county Farm Bureaus will vary from county to county as each is a separate entity.  The Oklahoma Farm Bureau is governed by a ten-member Board of Directors. One Director serves from each of OKFB's nine districts, while the President serves at large."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women's Clubs", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women's Clubs (OFCWC) was formed in 1910 under the name the Oklahoma Federation of Negro Women's Clubs. The name was changed in 1924. An early leader of the OFCWC was Drusilla Dunjee Houston. The OFCWC protested lynching in 1911. They endorsed woman's suffrage in 1914. They advocated for employment of African-American teachers in 1957. The banner used by the Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women\u2019s Clubs is in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and is on view there."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System (OFPRS) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma that manages the public pension system for firefighters in Oklahoma. The System provides pension benefits such as normal retirement, disability retirement, surviving spouse benefits and a death benefit. The System receives its funding from employer and member contributions, a portion of the state insurance premium tax and returns on investments. The System is overseen by a 13-member Board of Trustees, which is responsible for governing the System and appointing the Executive Director to run the System."}, {"context": " The System was created in 1980 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma George Nigh. Governor of Oklahoma Charles N. Haskell signed into law the first fireman\u2019s pension benefit law May 14, 1908. The new law contained a 1 percent tax on insurance premiums to fund the pension benefits for both paid and volunteer firefighters. Oklahoma cities and towns administered the program until the Oklahoma Legislature created the current System in 1980. The System is overseen by the Secretary of Finance and Revenue. Under Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry, Scott Meacham is currently serving as Secretary.  The System is governed by a thirteen-member Board of Trustees. The Board members are appointed as follows:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Gas & Electric", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (branded as OG+E or \"O-G-and-E\") is a regulated electric utility company that serves over 750,000 customers in Oklahoma and Arkansas. It is the leading subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp. (), with headquarters in downtown Oklahoma City. OGE Energy is also the parent of Enogex Inc., a natural gas pipeline business. OGE Energy and its subsidiaries have about 3,100 employees. OG&E was founded in 1902, five years before Oklahoma became a state. It merged with Enogex in 1986. In 1997, OG&E reorganized as a holding company, OGE Energy, with OG&E and Enogex as its operating companies."}, {"context": " OG&E Electric Services serves more than 801,000 customers in central and western Oklahoma and western Arkansas, and a number of wholesale customers throughout the region. OG&E, with nine power plants capable of producing about 6,100 megawatts, generates about 70% of its electricity from low-sulfur Wyoming coal and 30 percent from natural gas. OG&E also has roughly 170 megawatts of wind power. Under the plan announced on October 29, 2007, President and CEO Peter Delaney announced that wind power could be increased to about 770 MW."}, {"context": " OG&E is the largest electric utility in the state of Oklahoma. The company delivers all of its electricity across an interconnected transmission and distribution system spanning . OG&E was the first electric company in Oklahoma to offer wind power as a choice to its retail customers in 2003. If one selects \"wind power,\" he gets the same electricity he was getting before, but pays a higher price for it. In December 2016, OG&E announced that it gave out $7.5 million in \"energy efficiency incentives to businesses, schools and government buildings in 2016.\" A total of 750 organizations benefited from the project. Secondary schools received around $650,000; universities received around $365,000. In one school district, 1 million kWh were cut down through energy-saving projects."}, {"context": " Enogex is engaged in natural gas gathering, processing, transportation, storage and marketing. Enogex operates a natural gas pipeline system with about of pipe, six processing plants, and of gas storage capacity, principally in Oklahoma. In 2013, it was decided that Enogex would be merged with a portion of CenterPoint Energy's operations in a limited partnership to be called Enable Midstream Partners. OGE Energy Resources conducts the company's energy marketing and related activities. Operating in the national commodities markets for electricity and natural gas, Energy Resources' primary role is to optimize the generation, transmission and pipeline assets of OGE Energy."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Gazette", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Gazette is a free, weekly fiercely independent alt-weekly paper distributed throughout the Oklahoma City and metro area via more than 800 rack locations and via its official website. It covers local and statewide news dealing with city government, education, politics, sustainability, food, restaurants, theater, music and \"active lifestyles\". A notable feature of the \"Oklahoma Gazette\" is its Chicken-Fried News, where interesting, weird and obscure news from around the state is highlighted."}, {"context": " Publisher<br> Peter J. Brzycki<br> Operations & Marketing Manager<br> Kelsey Lowe<br> Marketing Assistant<br> Kendall Bleakley<br> Accounting/HR Manager<br> Marian Harrison<br> Accounts Receivable<br> Karen Holmes<br> Circulation Manager<br> Chad Bleakley <br> Account Executives<br> Saundra Rinearson Godwin<br> Christy Duane<br> Philip Rodriguez<br> Chris White<br> Editor-in-Chief<br> George Lang<br> Assistant\u2008Editor<br> Brittany Pickering<br> Staff Reporters<br> Jacob Threadgill<br> Jeremy Martin<br>  Nazarene Harris<br> Calendar Coordinator<br> Jeremy Martin<br> Photographer/Videographer<br> Alexa Ace <br> Creative Director<br> Kimberly Lynch<br> Graphic Designers<br> Ingvard Ashby<br> Tiffany McKnight<br>"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Geological Survey", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Geological Survey is a state agency chartered in the Constitution of Oklahoma responsible for collecting and disseminating information about Oklahoma's natural resources, geological formations, and earthquakes. Shortly after Oklahoma became a state, its first legislature passed an enabling act on May\u00a029, 1908 and Governor Charles Haskell signed it into law. The OGS was an offshoot of Oklahoma Territory's Territorial Survey, which was established in 1900. OGS remains the only state geological survey that was created by a provision in the state constitution. In 1924, jurisdiction of the OGS was officially put under the Oklahoma University Board of Regents, and has not been changed since. In 2007, OGS became part of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Geological Society was established on the Oklahoma University campus under an agreement between OU geology professor, Charles N. Gould, and the OU Dean of Arts and Sciences, Professor James S. Buchanan. Gould had founded the Oklahoma Geological Survey in 1908 and became its first director until 1911, when he left to go into private practice as a geologist. In June, 1923, Governor Jack C. Walton, wanting to make major budget cuts to Oklahoma University, discontinued the Oklahoma Geological Survey. While Walton had been successful in removing the majority of the OU Board of Regents and replacing those members with his own supporters, his heavy handed approach toward the university had cost him much of his political support. He succeeded in having the former president, Stratton D. Brooks, resign, he was unable to bring in a high-quality president from outside before the start of the 1923-4 school year. In July, 1923, Walton appointed James S. Buchanan as Acting President. In his new role, Buchanan negotiated with Dr. Gould to revive the OGS on the OU campus in March, 1924. Moreover, Dr. Chester N. Gould returned to OU as director of the OGS."}, {"context": " The main facilities of OGS are located at the OU main campus in Norman, Oklahoma. In 1965, OGS began operating a small geophysical laboratory near Tulsa. Its main function is to analyze earthquake activity in the state, based on data reported to this site from other seismographs scattered around the state. The Oklahoma Petroleum Information Center, which opened in 2002, allowing the expansion of the core and sample library to house more than three hundred thousand cores from Oklahoma and elsewhere, preserving for future study and analysis earth samples acquired from wells drilled as far back as the 1920s. The building also houses the OGS publication sales office and an extensive library of petroleum data for Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The mission of OGS is, \"...to investigate the land, water, mineral, and energy resources of the state and to disseminate the results of those investigations to promote the wise use of Oklahoma's natural resources in a manner consistent with sound environmental practices.\" The mission is carried out through research and field work which the agency publishes in books, open files, maps, and internet documents. Particular attention is given to topics related to petroleum and coal, which have an especially large impact on the state's economy. However, OGS also studies of non-fuel mineral resources, such as: clays, shales, limestone and dolomites, crushed stone, copper, bentonite, salt, gypsum, uranium, helium, and iodine."}, {"context": " OGS Interim Director Rick Andrews announced that the seismic observatory at Leonard, Oklahoma would close permanently during the summer of 2015. He said in a telephone interview with a reporter from the \"Tulsa World\" that the facility needed about $100,000 worth of maintenance and repairs in order to keep operating, but would still not be up-to-date. The article noted that the observatory, which had been built by a subsidiary of Standard Oil Company of New Jersey in 1961, had later been used by the U. S. Government to monitor nuclear tests, before it was acquired by OGS. Most recently it had been tasked to monitor and find the cause of earthquake swarms shaking central and northern Oklahoma. Andrews added that a slowdown in internet speeds near the remote location had also reduced the value of the observatory in performing the OGS mission, and that the activities would improve only by moving them to the main facility at Norman, Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Oklahoma experienced swarms of minor earthquakes that attracted public attention in Oklahoma, starting after 2005 - 2006, when there was an increase in oil and gas exploration. Most of these were low-magnitude (less than 3.0 on the moment magnitude scale), caused little physical damage and occurred in lightly populated rural areas of north central Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Geologic Survey believed that it had an obligation to perform scientific studies to determine why the phenomenon had suddenly occurred. The quakes continued, growing even more powerful, frequent and widespread."}, {"context": " By 2010-11, the number of quakes exceeding 5.0 in magnitude had become more significant. Some larger towns, such as Shawnee, Stillwater and Cushing had experienced more significant damage. In Shawnee, a tremor recorded as 5.9 knocked one of the four brick turrets off the top of the 100-year old main building. The other three identical turrets were still in place, but judged as so damaged that they had to be removed and completely rebuilt - with better earthquake reinforcement. As more earth scientists began exchanging information, suspicion grew that some of the new techniques that have been developed to recover the last traces of crude oil and natural gas from nearly exhausted formations. Many began to believe that the injection of very high pressure waste water into underground formations, a process called \"fracking\" might be at least partially responsible for many of the quakes. In mid-April 2015, the Oklahoma Geological Society posted a statement that it considered wastewater injections are \"..very likely...\" causing the majority of Oklahoma's earthquakes. The \"Times\" article claimed that the OGS statement marked a distinct reversal of the state's previous position that the earthquakes were related to activities of the state's oil and gas industry. It noted that in the previous fall, the Republican governor had dismissed the idea in a public speech, stating that claims of such a relationship were only speculation and that more study was needed. After the OGS issued its statement in April, 2015, the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association (OOGA), again disputed its conclusions and repeated that more study is needed. OOGA's president, Chad Warmington, said that we,\" ... don\u2019t know enough about how wastewater injection impacts Oklahoma\u2019s underground faults\"...\"Nor is there any evidence that halting wastewater injection would slow or stop the earthquakes."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Girl", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Girl is the twenty-first album, a double-disc 40-track retrospective of Reba McEntire's early years on Mercury Records. The tracks included are primarily minor hits released before she became a superstar in the 1980s and 1990s on MCA Records. No new material was recorded for this compilation, although seven previously unreleased songs from McEntire were found on the compilation. This compilation features all her Mercury singles except \"Glad I Waited Just for You\" and \"I've Waited All My Life for You\" which did not make the album."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Girl Scout murders", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Girl Scout murders is an unsolved murder case that occurred on the morning of June 13, 1977, at Camp Scott in Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States. The victims were three girl scouts, between the ages of 8 and 10, who were raped and murdered. Their bodies had been left on a trail leading to the showers, about from their tent at summer camp. The case was classified as solved when Gene Leroy Hart, a local jail escapee with a history of violence, was arrested. However, he was acquitted when he stood trial for the crime."}, {"context": " Less than two months before the murders, during an on-site training session, a camp counselor discovered that her belongings had been ransacked and her doughnuts had been stolen. Inside the empty doughnut box was a disturbing hand-written note. The writer of the note vowed to murder three campers. The director of that camp session treated the note as a prank, and it was discarded. At around 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 1977, the night before camp started, a thunderstorm hit the area, and the girls huddled in their tents. Among them were Lori Lee Farmer, 8, Doris Denise Milner, 10, and Michelle Heather Guse, 9. The girls were residents of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa. They were sharing tent #8 in the camp's \"Kiowa\" unit which was located the farthest from the Camp Counselor's tent, and partially obscured by the showers for the camp. At around 6 a.m. on June 13, a camp counselor on her way to the shower found a girl's body in her sleeping bag in the forest. It was soon discovered that all three girls in tent #8 had been killed. Their bodies had been left on a trail leading to the showers, about 150 yards from their tent at summer camp. Subsequent testing showed that they had been raped, bludgeoned, and strangled."}, {"context": " A large, red flashlight was found on top of the girls' bodies; a fingerprint was found on the lens, but it has never been identified. A footprint from a 9.5 shoe size was also found in the blood in the tent. Between 2:30 and 3 a.m. on June 13, a landowner heard \"quite a bit\" of traffic on a remote road near the camp. Camp Scott was evacuated and was later shut down. Gene Leroy Hart had been at large since 1973 after escaping from the Mayes County Jail. He had been convicted of kidnapping and raping two pregnant women as well as four counts of first degree burglary. Hart was raised about a mile from Camp Scott. Hart, a Cherokee, was arrested within a year at the home of a Cherokee medicine man. He was tried in March 1979. Although the local sheriff pronounced himself \"one thousand percent\" certain that Hart was guilty, a local jury acquitted him. On June 4, 1979, he collapsed and died after about an hour of lifting weights and jogging in the prison exercise yard."}, {"context": " Two of the families later sued the Magic Empire Council and its insurer for $5 million, alleging negligence. The civil trial included discussion of the threatening note and the fact that tent #8 was from the counselors' tent. In 1985, by a 9\u20133 vote, jurors decided in favor of Magic Empire. By that time, Hart was already dead. As a convicted rapist and jail escapee, he still had 305 years of his 308-year sentence left to serve in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. In 2008, authorities conducted new DNA testing on stains found on a pillowcase, the results of which proved inconclusive because the samples were \"too deteriorated to obtain a DNA profile\". In 2017, $30,000 in donations were raised by the sheriff in order to do new DNA tests using the latest advances in testing.  Richard Guse, the father of one of the three victims, went on to help the state legislature pass the Oklahoma Victims' Bill of Rights. He also helped found the Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation Board. Another parent, Sheri Farmer, founded the Oklahoma chapter of Parents of Murdered Children, a support group."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into an important information link between the Governor and the various agencies, boards and commissions that operate within state government. Cabinet officers are appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Oklahoma Senate. Once confirmed, all members of the Cabinet receive the title \"Secretary\" and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Cabinet is responsible for advising the Governor on the operations and policies of the State government."}, {"context": " The current Cabinet is serving under Governor Mary Fallin. When Governor of Oklahoma David Boren first took office, Oklahoma possessed no form of Cabinet system. Taking the example of other states, Governor Boren began holding semi-official and semi-regular meetings with various heads of state agencies whenever necessary. Under Boren\u2019s successor, George Nigh, following the recommendation of the Nigh Commission, Oklahoma adopted an official Cabinet system with the enactment of Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986 which created an overlay of cabinet secretaries. However, the act did not transfer the statutory and constitutional powers delegated to the agencies, boards and commissions over to the cabinet secretaries. Some citizens argue that it should have but others say that 12-15 people should not replace the hundreds of agencies, boards and commissions within the tradition of active participatory democracy form of governance."}, {"context": " In 2009, the Oklahoma Legislature amended the Executive Branch Reform Act to mandate the establishment of the Secretary of Information Technology. The Executive Branch Reform Act first called for the creating of a Cabinet with no more than fifteen \"cabinet areas\" which were to consist of the various state agencies, committees, and boards with similar administrative objectives. These cabinet areas would not be agencies of the State and thus could not exercise the executive power of the State. They would only exist to better serve the Governor in crafting policy and information gathering. The original law mandated only one cabinet area: one containing the Department of Veteran Affairs. The law has since been amended to mandate the creation of Information Technology cabinet area. After that, the law allowed the Governor to create the other fourteen cabinet areas at his discretion until the Oklahoma Legislature formally created the cabinet areas. The heads of these executive cabinet area would be given the title of \"Secretary\" followed by the name of their cabinet area (or a shortened title thereof)."}, {"context": " The Governor, within 45 days of taking office, is allowed to create his own cabinet, with anywhere from no less than 10 but no more than 15 \"cabinet areas\". The Governor is allowed to create any cabinet area he desires and to place whichever agencies, bureaus, and commissions he wants under those cabinet areas. For example, under Governor Frank Keating, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce each belonged to separate cabinet areas, while under Governor Brad Henry the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism was the cabinet secretary for both departments. Alternatively, under Governor Keating, the Secretary of Health and Human Services oversaw the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services while Governor Henry split the posts into a separate Secretary of Health to oversee the Health Department and a separate Secretary of Human Services to oversee the Human Services Department."}, {"context": " Regardless of the number of cabinet areas and their functions, at least one must be the Secretary of Veteran Affairs and must be charged with providing for Oklahoma's veterans and one must be the Secretary of Information Technology and must be charged with overseeing state use of information technology and telecommunications. Following the Oklahoma Supreme Court case of \"Keating v. Edmondson\" in 2001, it was deemed illegal for a Governor to change the cabinet areas and their functions past the 45-day deadline unilaterally. In order to change a cabinet area after the first 45 days in office, the Governor must seek approval from the Oklahoma Legislature via legislation."}, {"context": " All Cabinet Secretaries are appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Oklahoma Senate. Potential appointees for Secretary positions may be appointed to serve as members of the Office of the Governor or may be selected from among the agency heads within the Secretary's cabinet area. If the Senate is not in session when the Governor nominates an individual, then the Cabinet Secretary serves on an unconfirmed basis until the next session of the Senate. Each Cabinet Secretary is appointed for a four-year term but may be removed at any time by the Governor. The only exception to this rule is Oklahoma Secretary of State, who serves a fixed four-year term."}, {"context": " Cabinet Secretary positions are semi-formal and are not legally classified as \"officers of the State\". As such, Cabinet Secretaries are allowed to hold another office within the State government. An example would be Scott Meacham, who served as both the Secretary of Finances and Revenue and the State Treasurer of Oklahoma under Governor Brad Henry. Regardless of cabinet area, all Cabinet Secretaries are responsible for advising the Governor of any policy changes or problems within their area, advising the entities they represent of any policy changes or problems as directed by the Governor, and for coordinating information gathering as requested by the Legislature."}, {"context": " Cabinet Secretaries do not possess the power to direct or control any agency they represent outside of their ability to gather information. They have no authority to direct or control any agency within their Cabinet Area except their own direct staff. They also do not have the authority to hire or fire personnel in their Cabinet Area except those on their own direct staff. The component agencies are directed and controlled by their respective department heads. The Cabinet Secretaries may only direct a component agency when previously authorized by the Governor through executive order or if a Secretary serves concurrently as the head of that agency."}, {"context": " Each Cabinet Secretary is subject to the direction and control of the Governor. All agencies assigned to each Cabinet Secretary exercise their powers and duties in accordance with the general policy established by the Cabinet Secretary acting on behalf of the Governor. Each Cabinet Secretary has the power to resolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policy conflicts between agencies or officials assigned to them, oversees and directs the formulation of program budgets for their assigned agencies, is responsible for holding their assigned agency heads accountable for their actions, and directs the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans for their assigned agencies.  As of February 2011, all fourteen Cabinet Secretary positions were filled. The current Cabinet, serving under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, is as follows:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Governor's Council on Physical Activity and Sport is a council within the office of the governor of Oklahoma for the purpose of . In cooperation with the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, originated in 1991 by Executive Order of then Governor David Walters. The Oklahoma Governor's Council on Physical Activity and Sport was established by Executive Order under then Governor Henry Bellmon in 1988 under Executive Order 91-10. The Honorable Mary Fallin continued the council in full force under Executive Order 2011-10 on April 8, 2011 in which she credits former Governor David Walters."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma council stemmed from the national initiatives of fitness established by then President Dwight D. Eisenhower. General Eisenhower's program, \"President's Council on Youth Fitness,\" resulted from a n international study that reported American children were less fit than children of other nations. John F. Kennedy furthered the effort by promoting University of Oklahoma football coach, Bud Wilkinson, to the position of Executive Director and distributing fitness manuals to schools across the country. It was President Kennedy's aggressive promotion for national participation that prompted Oklahoma to establish their own council within the Office of the Governor."}, {"context": " In 2005 Melissa Johnson, a spokesperson for then President George W. Bush, visited Tulsa to encourage Oklahoma residents to participate in the President's Challenge, an online-based resource for becoming more physically fit. First Lady Michelle Obama renamed the national program to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition to emphasize the importance of quality nutrition alongside physical activity. The national program continues to promote the President's Fitness Award and operates under the \"Let's Move\" campaign, which features co-chairpersons Drew Brees, NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion, and Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes."}, {"context": " The Council cites the following organizational objectives: As of April 2011, the Council promotes two programs across the state of Oklahoma: The council was established as a 501c3 organization through Oklahoma Executive Order 91-10. in According to the 2012 Executive Budget, the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports receives no state funding. Staff working with the two programs both employed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The council hosts an annual golf tournament as a fundraiser. The 10th Annual Oklahoma Governor's Cup is scheduled for May 12, 2011 in Edmond, Oklahoma. Promotional materials indicate proceeds from the tournament go toward the Oklahoma's Healthy and Fit Schools Scorecard program. Chesapeake Energy has served as title sponsor for the 2008, 2009, and 2010 tournaments."}, {"context": " Forty states, including Oklahoma, have state agencies to advance physical activity among citizens within their state. Those states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming. In addition to these individual state councils on fitness, the New England Governors' Association has created the New England Coalition for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.  The National Governors' Association issued a brief in June 2002 offering ways state government have made strides against sedentary lifestyles that lead to obesity. No Oklahoma program was referenced. Kentucky, Arkansas, and West Virginia all have passed legislation that supports council initiatives including sales tax on carbonated beverages and the phased elimination of junk food from school vending machines."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Governor's Mansion", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the Governor of Oklahoma and is located at 820 NE 23rd Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After Oklahoma's admission to the Union on November 16, 1907, the Oklahoma Legislature was concerned mainly with establishing the Oklahoma State Capitol and not the Governor's residence. After the completion of the Capitol in 1919, the Legislature began to deliberate about a Governor's residence. The site for the Mansion had been selected in 1914: a plot of land just east of the Capitol."}, {"context": " The site would remain a grassy lot for more than a decade while the Legislature debated on funds for the Mansion. Not until 1927 did debate end. That year, Oklahoma prospered due to an oil boom, which increased tax funds that State collected. The Legislature allocated $100,000 to the Mansion project. Of that $100,000, $75,000 was spent on the actual construction of the Mansion and the other $25,000 was used to provide the Governor with furniture. Two years later in 1929, the Legislature would spend another $39,000 on landscaping and other outdoor buildings on the Mansion's property."}, {"context": " The Mansion was completed in 1928, one year after construction began. Built by the Oklahoma City architectural company Layton, Hicks and Forsyth, the Mansion is of Dutch-Colonial style. Carthage limestone was used so the exterior of the Mansion would complement the Oklahoma State Capitol. Over the years, the Mansion's 19 rooms on three floors have been reduced to 12 to increase living space. The rooms include a library, parlor, dining room, grand ballroom, kitchen, sun room and five bedrooms. The governor and family live in the five rooms on the second floor. All major furnishings of the floor were donated to the Governor by Oklahomans. However, as property of the state, they will remain with the Mansion for future Governors."}, {"context": " Governor Henry S. Johnston was the first governor to live in the Mansion. However, due to his impeachment he lived there only three months. Governor William H. Murray was the first governor to reside a complete term in the mansion. Murray was Governor of Oklahoma when the Great Depression began. He brought a team of mules to the mansion in order plow a large portion of the lawn, which he did himself, converting the grounds into a vegetable garden where the poor were invited to plant vegetables. There is a legend Murray's ghost still resides in the mansion, watching the governors. When Governor E. W. Marland took office in 1935, oil was discovered on the mansion property. The Legislature took advantage of the fact by placing an oil well on the mansion grounds, and it remained there during the 1930s and 1940s."}, {"context": " In the 1960s, a temporary heliport was added to the Mansion so that President Lyndon B. Johnson would have a place to land the President's helicopter. A concrete slab was poured quickly for the president's visit. Once President Johnson left, the slab was converted to a private tennis court. During the following decade, Oklahomans raised money for a private swimming pool in the shape of Oklahoma. In 1995, while Frank Keating was governor, the Governor's Mansion was renovated. Governor Keating asked ordinary Oklahomans to help with the remodeling and many responded. To help finance the project, the Friends of the Governors Mansion, Inc was established to raise funds."}, {"context": " Extensive structural work was done to keep the kitchen capable of preparing state dinners. However, the existing red and black granite countertops (from Granite, Oklahoma) installed in the early 1990s were preserved. The library's walnut paneling and moldings have been restored to both their original luster and the room's 1928 color-scheme of rich burgundy, gold and green. A Persian rug was added to the ballroom's original maple wood floor. The ballroom's windows, chandeliers and moldings were recreated to match to originals of 1928.  Tours of the mansion are available on Wednesday afternoons. The mansion is closed for tours during summers."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Hall of Fame", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was founded by the Oklahoma Memorial Association, a group founded in 1927 by Anna B. Korn with the purpose of establishing the hall of fame. In the 1970s, the Hefner Mansion was donated to the association to house the exhibits and busts or portraits of the inductees, and the organization changed its name to the Oklahoma Heritage Association in 1971. It then moved into the former Mid-Continent Life Insurance building in Oklahoma City in 2007 where it is now part of the Gaylord-Pickens Museum.  To be eligible for induction, an individual must satisfy the following criteria: In 2000, the rules were changed to allow for posthumous nominations. Busts or paintings of the inductees can be seen at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum in Oklahoma City. 669 members have been inducted since 1928."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Health Care Authority", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OKHCA) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for providing health insurance benefits for the state's SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) members. The Authority is the state-level counterpart to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Authority is led by a Board of Directors, composed of seven members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Board in turn appoints the Administrator of the Authority, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Authority."}, {"context": " The Authority was created in 1993 during the term of Governor David Walters. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is led by CEO, Rebecca Pasternik-Ikard under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is the governing body of OHCA, which directs the actions and oversees the operation of the Authority. The Board is composed of seven members, with three appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, two appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and two appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Board members serves a four-year term without compensation. In making the appointments, the considerations must be given to urban, rural, gender and minority representation."}, {"context": " As of 2014, the current members of the Board are: The Oklahoma Health Care Authority has the primary duty of executing \"SoonerCare\", the Oklahoma version of Medicaid. SoonerCare is a health coverage program jointly funded by the United States federal government and the Oklahoma state government. The program provides payments to cover medical services to economically challenged individuals. OHCA determines financial eligibility for the program. \"SoonerCare\" is medical care delivered by OHCA as prescribed by the Social Security Act of 1965 (\"the Medicaid Act\"). The Federal Medicaid Act requires that certain medical services be delivered to recipients by hospitals and physicians. The State, however, is allowed to add other optional services, such as pharmacy services. With each of these programs, OHCA is responsible for setting compensation levels, services contained in each delivery system, contracts to deliver the services, and actuarial determinations regarding compensation. As of February 2012, those individuals covered by HCA comprise approximately 879,033 individuals across Oklahoma."}, {"context": " In order to be eligible to receive \"SoonerCare\" medical services from OHCA, an individual must meet any of the following requirements: SoonerCare is a means tested program. State law provides that SoonerCare may cover individuals who have an annual income of equal to or less than 185% of the United States federal poverty level. OHCA contracts with Oklahoma Department of Human Services to determine eligibility for OHCA services. Additionally, OHCA actively works with the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General's \"Medicaid Fraud Unit\" to prosecute fraudulent providers."}, {"context": " In September 2010, OHCA implemented an online system that uses an \"enroll-first, verify-later\" approach that automatically renews benefits for existing SoonerCare beneficiaries and enrolls new applicants if the system determines that they are likely to meet eligibility requirements. The program has streamlined enrollment processes, saving an estimated $1.5 million in operating costs and reducing the rate of those uninsured. Insure Oklahoma is an employer sponsored insurance plan administered by OHCA which provides employers with premium subsidies to help buy health insurance for low to moderate income employees. Insure Oklahoma also provides a way for individuals who participate in the Individual Plan to gain access to an affordable health care option."}, {"context": " In April 2004, Senate Bill 1546 authorized the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to develop a program assisting employees of small businesses, 19 to 64 years of age with either: In November 2004, the Oklahoma Health Care Initiative created the funding mechanism to fund Insure Oklahoma. SQ 713, passed by a statewide vote, increased the sales tax on tobacco products. A portion of these revenues were designated to be used to fund the new health program. The Authority is divided into four service branches: Soonercare Operations, Financial Services, Information Services, and Legal Services.  The Oklahoma Health Care Authority has an annual budget over $5 billion, making OHCA one of the largest state agencies. OHCA also employs over 400 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Highway Patrol", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is a major state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. A division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the OHP has traffic enforcement jurisdiction throughout the state. OHP was legislatively created on July 1, 1937 due to the growing problem of motor vehicle collisions, the expansion of a highway system, and the increase in criminal activities. As the principal statewide law enforcement agency in Oklahoma, the state patrol is dedicated to providing quality policing directed at achieving safer roadways and reducing crime through pro-active investigations, education and patrol services and by providing leadership and resources during natural disasters, civil disorders and critical incidents. OHP has patrol jurisdiction over all State highways and waterways in Oklahoma, regulating motor vehicles, regulating explosive devices, and providing protection for the Governor of Oklahoma, the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma and members of the Oklahoma Legislature."}, {"context": " The highway patrol is under the command of Colonel Michael S. Harrell, who is the current chief of the highway patrol. Harrell was appointed by DPS Commissioner Rusty Rhoades to succeed Ricky G. Adams as chief. In 1937, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was created under Governor E. W. Marland. That same year the first 125 graduated from the Highway Patrol Academy. The new state troopers met resistance from Oklahoma motorists who were not used to living within the bounds of traffic regulations when none had ever before existed. But the troopers were prepared for this as they paved the way for all future officers by exerting good manners and service to all citizens. A total of 288,277 warnings compared with only 5,518 arrests and citations were written in the first nine months of patrol."}, {"context": " With over 800 troopers statewide, the division has grown into several areas of special services including Public Information, Capitol Patrol, Marine Enforcement, Training, Bomb Squad, Motorcycle, Tactical Teams, Special Operations, Aircraft, Audits and Fraudulent Driver License. The department revived \"The Flying Squadron\", a motorcycle division. A bomb squad was organized who operate state-of-the-art equipment unparalleled in Oklahoma including two bomb trucks and robots. The east and west tactical teams continue to send their troopers through specialized training programs that elevate them to the best in the state. Special Operations, formerly Criminal Interdiction, now has troopers who each have a well-trained drug canine."}, {"context": " OHP automobiles are among the most traditional in their paint scheme. They are black and white, with a distinctive angular patch of white just behind the passenger compartment, The identification 'Oklahoma Highway Patrol' is contained in an outline of the state in black on the side doors. This has been the uniform scheme since the first unit of 1937. For several decades, the angular patch of white on the rear fenders has been a reflective applique for improved visibility at night. Today the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's role as the state's primary state police force, puts the patrol at the \"spear tip\" of Oklahoma law enforcement, serving as the state's only state police agency, with a permanent uniformed presence in all of Oklahoma's 77 counties. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is well adapted to the demands of 21st Century law enforcement and is the only state agency with the reach, strategic flex, and mission design to proactively prevent crime, to provide specialized resources to local partners, and to prevent traffic related deaths through uniformed police enforcement duties."}, {"context": " The mission of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is this: Working to provide a safe, secure environment for the public through courteous, quality and professional services. Troopers are issued the SIG-Sauer P320. The following are the previous chiefs of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol: The commissioner of public safety, chief of the highway patrol, and each state trooper are peace officers of the state. Troopers have the powers and authority vested in all other state peace officers, including the power of search and seizure (except the serving of civil process), the power to investigate and prevent crime, and the general power to enforce the criminal laws of state. As peace officers, the troopers may arrest any person detected by them violating any law of the state."}, {"context": " In addition to their general police powers, the legislature has directed that state troopers have the following specific powers and duties: The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS), is under the command and direction of the chief of the patrol. The Chief is appointed by the DPS Commissioner and is responsible for the operations, capabilities and plans of the patrol. The Chief is assisted in managing the patrol with the help of two deputy chiefs. The patrol is divided into troops, or sections, each headed by a captain. Each of these Troops has either limited geographic jurisdiction or Statewide functional jurisdiction with some Troops having law enforcement functions while others have support functions. The thirteen field Troops are the primary the field activities of the patrol and are where the bulk of the patrol's troopers are assigned. These Troops are primarily responsible for the traffic enforcement and vehicle collision investigation along the state's roadways. The Turnpike Troops have the same mission as the Field Troops but have sole jurisdiction over the state's Turnpike System. The Highway Patrol also has sole jurisdiction over the capitol complex. The Specialized Troops, often called Sections, perform either a specialized law enforcement activity, such as the Marine Enforcement Section, or provide support to the various Field Troops. The various Troops and Sections are organized into eight Zones, seven of these Zones are commanded by an OHP major and the eight zone consist of the Communications Division with is commanded by a non-commissioned communications Officer holding the rank of major. The two deputy chiefs have line authority over these eight majors."}, {"context": " Though an organized unit of the highway patrol, the Executive Security Section/Troop EX, which provides protection to the governor and lieutenant governor, is not under the operational command of the patrol chief. Instead, the troop answers directly to the DPS Commissioner. The patrol chief is however responsible for the organizing this troop and ensuring its capabilities. All state troopers upon graduation from the Highway Patrol Academy are assigned to one of the thirteen field troops for their initial assignment. Such initial assignment is made at the discretion of the patrol chief and is not appealable. After their initial assignment is complete, troopers may request reassignment to another field troop to special duty with any of the patrol's specialized units, such as the Marine Enforcement Section or Capital Patrol Section."}, {"context": " The highway patrol divides Oklahoma geographically into thirteen \"Field Troops\", each comprising several counties. These Field Troops of the highway patrol have primary law enforcement authority on state, federal, and interstate highways, including those inside city limits. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol's Turnpike Section has sole law enforcement responsibility for the turnpikes of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (by annual contract with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety) provides funds to pay, equip, and support state troopers assigned to the Highway Patrol Turnpike Section. These state troopers are then assigned to enforcement duties with the Turnpike Authority but at all times remain a part of and under the command of the highway patrol. While patrolling the turnpikes, state troopers have full authority to enforce all traffic and criminal laws of the state. OHP shares jurisdiction for investigating non-traffic criminal acts with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation."}, {"context": " As of fiscal year 2011, the Turnpike Authority's annual contract provided over $12.4 million to the highway patrol in exchange for the services of 127 state troopers and six administrative support staffers. The Turnpike Section is headed by a patrol major and is assisted by five patrol captains. The patrol major reports to one of the patrol's three deputy chiefs for command purposes. Specialty troops of the highway patrol perform specialized law enforcement functions within the scope of the mission and operation of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, and have jurisdiction statewide."}, {"context": " The Aviation Section is a specialized unit within the highway patrol. The Aviation Section, or Troop O, serves as the law enforcement air support arm of Patrol. The section provides aircraft to respond to various emergencies and tasks by supporting other law enforcement organizations as well as all units of the patrol. In particular, the section's aircraft provide airborne assistance to OHP ground units in traffic enforcement, manhunts, and search and rescue operations statewide. This section also provides state personnel, such as the Governor, with transportation."}, {"context": " Troop O operates four helicopters and 9 fixed-wing aircraft. These aircraft consist of three OH-59's, an AS350B3e, five Cessna 182's, two Cessna 206's, one Husky, and a Kingair350. The section consists of 8 law enforcement pilots which include 6 Troopers,1 Captain and 1 Lieutenant. The section is under the direction of a troop commander, who holds the rank of captain with the highway patrol. The Bomb Squad Section is a special law enforcement unit within the highway patrol. Bomb Squad Section, or Troop BT, is responsible for bomb disposal Statewide. The Bomb Squad partners with the Office of the Oklahoma Fire Marshal, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, and the Oklahoma Department of Mines to enforce all State laws regulating explosive materials."}, {"context": " The squad's troopers are strategically placed across the state to allow for rapid response. The highway patrol maintains Bomb Squad units at Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Durant. The bomb squad maintains a canine unit to search for hidden explosive devices as well as bomb response robots to safely disarm active devices. Troopers investigate the illegal construction, storage, and use of explosive devices. The bomb squad recovers pre and post-blast evidence, provides CBRNE detection and emergency decontamination services, and serves as the state partner to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives."}, {"context": " Troop BT is composed of 12 law enforcement personnel. Unlike the field troops of the highway patrol, the Bomb Squad Section has jurisdiction statewide as opposed to a specific geographic area. The troop is under the direction of a troop commander, who has the rank of captain with the highway patrol. The Criminal Investigations Division (previously known as \"Internal Affairs Section\") is a special investigative unit within the highway patrol. The Criminal Investigations Division, or Troop Z, serves as the primary criminal detection and investigation arm of the patrol. Troopers (styled \"investigators\") assigned to the Troop Z are responsible for investigating trooper-involved shootings and incidents, fugitive apprehensions, identity and driver license fraud, polygraph examinations, speed-trap investigations, threat assessments, auto theft, and all felony crimes which are committed on Oklahoma's Turnpike System."}, {"context": " Investigators conduct crime scene investigations, including interviewing, interrogation, traffic collision reconstruction. The division provides evidence identification, collection, and preservation for the patrol. The division is also responsible for criminal intelligence gathering activities for the patrol. The Investigations Division serves as the professional responsibility unit for the patrol. The division conducts and coordinates the investigations of allegations of serious misconduct on the part of state troopers."}, {"context": " Troop Z is composed of 14 law enforcement personnel. Unlike the field troops of the highway patrol, the Investigations Division has jurisdiction statewide as opposed to a specific geographic area. The troop is under the direction of a troop commander, who has the rank of captain with the highway patrol. The Special Operations Section is a special law enforcement unit with the highway patrol. It is the duty of the Special Operations Section, or Troop SO, responsible for conducting criminal detection and prevention. In particular, the section performs traffic stops to investigate and prevent motor vehicle theft and fraud, as well as other forms of stolen property. The section is also the chief unit in the highway patrol that is responsible for drug interdiction. The Special Operations Section detects and arrests criminals who use the state's roads and highways to transport drugs and other illegal substances. The highway patrol's drug canine handlers are located within this Section. Additional duties of the section include initiating manhuts and fugitive apprehensions, controlling all evidence seized by the patrol, as well as managing all seized property."}, {"context": " Troop SO is composed of 24 law enforcement personnel, with 21 troopers and 3 ranked officers. Unlike the field troops of the highway patrol, the Special Operations Section has jurisdiction statewide as opposed to a specific geographic area. The troop is under the direction of a troop commander, who has the rank of captain with the highway patrol. The commander is assisted in managing the troop with the aid of two supervisors, who each has the rank of OHP lieutenant. The Marine Enforcement Section (formerly known as the Lake Patrol) is a special law enforcement unit within the highway patrol. It is the duty of the Lake Patrol Section, or Troop W, to serve as the boating education, enforcement and marine investigation arm of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The Lake Patrol was originally created on July 1, 1971, by the Oklahoma Legislature as a separate division of the department, with the patrol commander reporting directly to the commissioner of the department. However, in 1998, the legislature passed a law reorganizing the department. In so doing, the Lake Patrol was merged with the highway patrol. In 2011, the legislature renamed the Lake Patrol as the Marine Enforcement Section."}, {"context": " The Marine Enforcement Section, as the marine law enforcement branch of the highway patrol, provides law enforcement service to 38 state lakes and recreation areas consisting of 4,385 miles of shoreline and 490,215 surface acres of water. In addition to regular water patrol duties, Marine Enforcement troopers investigate boating accidents and drowning incidents. Marine Enforcement Section investigates marine theft and boat registration fraud, administers the state's boating laws, and conducts boater safety and education training to the public."}, {"context": " The OHP Dive Team, a unit of the Marine Enforcement Section, serves the state as a recovery of victims, vehicles, and evidence from drownings, vehicle or boating accidents, and the investigation of any criminal act involving the waters of the state. The Dive Team also responds to request for public relations such as displays, festivities, and public education. During natural disasters and emergency situations, the Dive Team assists other state and local authorities with marine rescue activities."}, {"context": " All troopers that join the highway patrol are initially assigned to one of the 13 field troops of the patrol. After their initial assignment, the trooper is eligible to be reassigned to the Marine Enforcement Section. Troop W is composed of 44 law enforcement personnel, with 38 troopers and 6 ranked officers. Unlike the field troops of the highway patrol, has jurisdiction statewide as opposed to a specific geographic area. The troop is under the direction of a troop commander, who has the rank of captain with the highway patrol. The commander is assisted in managing the troop with the aid of five supervisors, who each has the rank of OHP lieutenant. Each supervisor oversees one of the five districts of the troop. The districts are organized as follows:"}, {"context": " The Capitol Patrol is a special law enforcement unit within the highway patrol. It is the duty of the Capitol Patrol Section, or Troop R, to provide law enforcement and protection services for the State Capitol Complex and all state office buildings within Oklahoma County and Tulsa County. The Capitol Patrol was originally created on July 1, 1971, by the Oklahoma Legislature as a separate division of the department, with the patrol commander reporting directly to the commissioner of the department. However, in 1998, the legislature passed a law reorganizing the department. In so doing, the Capitol Patrol was merged with the highway patrol."}, {"context": " The Capitol Patrol, as the primary uniformed security force of the state, is responsible for policing, securing and ensuring a safe environment in which State employees conduct their business. Troop R has the primary responsibility with protecting the members of the Oklahoma Legislature, the Justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, state employees and over 70 state facilities. The personal security of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor is provided by the Troop ES, the Executive Security Section."}, {"context": " All troopers that join the highway patrol are initially assigned to one of the 13 field troops of the patrol. After at least seven years with the patrol, the trooper is eligible to be reassigned to the Capitol Patrol. Troop R is composed of 63 total law enforcement personnel, with 50 troopers and 13 ranked officers. Unlike any other troop of the highway patrol, Troop R has unlimited law enforcement jurisdiction in Oklahoma County and Tulsa County. In the performance of their primary security duty, the Capitol Patrol troopers have the authority to enforce all parking, traffic, and criminal laws of the state. The troop is under the direction of a troop commander, who has the rank of captain with the highway patrol. The commander is assisted in managing the troop with the aid of twelve supervisors, who each has the rank of OHP lieutenant."}, {"context": " The Training Section is a specialized unit of the highway patrol. Training Section, or Troop T, is responsible for overseeing all entry-level and continuing education of all Patrol personnel. The Training Section is divided into four detachments: Technical Skills, Academy Development, Defensive Tactics, and Legal Research. The Training Section is located at the Department of Public Safety's headquarters at the Robert R. Lester Training Center. The training center houses classrooms, a dormitory, cafeteria facilities, a computer lab, and a physical fitness center."}, {"context": " The primary function of the Training Section is to plan, organize, and conduct the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy for entry-level Patrol Cadets. Academy sessions, which are held as authorized by the Oklahoma Legislature, are 20 weeks long with Cadets residing at the Academy during the session. Daily activities include physical training and classroom instruction. The Academy typically graduates between 50 and 60 Cadets each session. The section also coordinates all continued educational; and training requirements for troopers."}, {"context": " The Training Section is under the commander of a troop commander, who has the rank of captain with the highway patrol. The troop commander also serves as the academy commandant for the Highway Patrol Academy. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section is a special law enforcement unit within the highway patrol. It is the duty of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, or Troop S, to enforce all rules and regulation pertaining to the safe operation of commercial vehicles on the roads and highways of the state. The section was established by the Oklahoma Legislature on May 31, 1949."}, {"context": " The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section performs roadside inspections of commercial vehicles through the operation of local weigh stations to ensuring not only compliance with size and weight requirements but to detect and deter criminal activity. The section also has the responsibility to enforce the laws of the state regulating the transportation of hazardous substances. Troop S is composed of 67 law enforcement personnel, with 63 troopers and 4 ranked officers. Unlike the field troops of the highway patrol, has jurisdiction statewide as opposed to a specific geographic area. The troop is under the direction of a troop commander, who has the rank of captain with the highway patrol. The commander is assisted in managing the troop with the aid of three supervisors, who each has the rank of OHP lieutenant."}, {"context": " The Tactical Team serves as the special weapons and tactics unit of the highway patrol. The Tactical Team responds to high-risk events like manhunts, search and rescue operations, high-risk warrants, hostage situations, and any other duties required by the DPS Commissioner or Chief. Tactical Team troopers are dispersed geographically throughout the state, divided between east and west teams, enabling the team to respond to most situations within a short period of time. Tactical Team troopers are specialized in heavy assault, sniper operations, and emergency medical operations."}, {"context": " In the event of a large scale problem that other law enforcement agencies does not have the resources to handle, Tactical Team members can be dispatched to aid the local authorities. The Team's Emergency Medical Service Unit is composed of EMT certified troopers that responds to and assist local emergency medical agencies in the event they are overwhelmed by either natural or manmade disasters. The Executive Security Section is a specialized law enforcement unit of the highway patrol. The section, also known as Troop ES, is responsible for providing the personal security and protection, transportation, and communications capabilities for the Governor of Oklahoma, the Governor's immediate family, and the Lieutenant Governor. The troop is composed of 23 law enforcement personnel, including 19 troopers and 4 ranked officers. The section is commanded by a troop commander with the rank of OHP captain. The commander is assisted by three lieutenants. Seventeen members of the section are assigned to the governor, and 6 are assigned to the lieutenant governor. Troop ES also has the responsibility for ensuring security and providing for the protection of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion."}, {"context": " As provided for by the Oklahoma Legislature, the rank system for state troopers within the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is as follows: When the highway patrol was established, the rank structure it used then varied slightly from the one presently in use. In 2006, HB 1616 established the current structure. The Chief of the patrol remained a colonel, but this was the only rank not affected. The single position of Assistant Chief was eliminated and replaced with multiple deputy chiefs, each with the rank of lieutenant colonel. The position of deputy chief, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, grew out of the old rank of major. The deputy chiefs serve as the Chief's top day-to-day administrators over the various operations of the patrol."}, {"context": " All other supervisory ranks were shifted one level up from the old system to the current system. For instance, a captain under the old system would be equivalent to a major in the current system. The new system abolished three ranks within the old system and establish one new rank. First lieutenant, second lieutenant and sergeant were all abolished, while the rank of deputy chief was established. First lieutenant rank evolved into the modern captain rank and the second lieutenant rank evolved in the modern lieutenant rank. OHP currently does not recognize any first or second lieutenants. The rank of sergeant was disestablished outright and folded into the steps of the basic trooper rank."}, {"context": " Below is a comparison of the two systems: Since the increases on January 1, 2015, as provided by Oklahoma state law, members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are paid as follows: In order to serve as a trooper with the highway patrol, a person must be a citizen of the United States at least 21 years old but not older than 46 years old and must either have an associate's degree or have completed a minimum of 62 semester hours from a college or university. Additionally, all troopers must be persons of \"good moral character\", and as such, may not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude."}, {"context": " Pursuant to the provision of House Bill 1391, effective July 1, 2014, the education requirements to join the highway patrol will increase to the following: All applicants to join the highway patrol must meet the following physical requirements (all events are pass/fail events): Applicants must also undergo a written test consisting of reading comprehension, problem solving, mathematics, writing, and spelling. It also includes an assessment of personality characteristics such as interpersonal ability, assertiveness, stress tolerance, and ethics/integrity. This test must be passed with a minimum score of 70%."}, {"context": " Prior to employment, all candidates must undergo a psychological evaluation and must submit to and successfully pass a controlled substance screening. Upon acceptance, the candidate must attend and successfully complete the Highway Patrol Academy conducted by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and must either be a certrified peace officer at the time of employment or must become certified within one year by the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. All members of the highway patrol are automatically designated as trooper cadets after joining the patrol. Upon graduation from the Highway Patrol Academy, each trooper cadet is automatically promoted to and receives the salary for the position of probationary trooper. Upon completion of the one-year probationary period, each probationary trooper is automatically promoted to and receives the salary of Step 1 for the position of trooper."}, {"context": " After the initial promote to the rank of trooper, Step 1, all salary promotions within the rank of trooper occur on January 1 of each year. For every year that a trooper completes with the highway patrol, the annual salary of the trooper increases to the next step. This in-grade promotion is dependent on the following conditions during the preceding year: All promotions from trooper into the supervisory ranks are based on tests administered by the commissioner of public safety, in consultation with the administrator of the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management. These tests determine the physical and mental qualifications and all potential test-takers must satisfactorily complete a course of training in operations and procedures related to the rank desired."}, {"context": " In general, the following minimum requirements are needed to obtain the following ranks: The Communications Division of the highway patrol is a distinct uniformed service of the patrol. The Division's members are responsible for providing emergency communications and dispatch services to the state troopers and the general public statewide. The DPS communication services was established in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1939 by the department to provide one-way communications for the department. By 1940, the highway patrol installed two-way transmitters in all of its patrol units and field headquarters across the state, staffed by civilian dispatchers. With an increase in communication needs, DPS established the communications division of the OHP in 1954 and transfer all dispatchers to this central division. At this time, the civilian dispatchers began members of their own distinct uniformed service of OHP, though local troop commanders retained authority over then. In 1975, OHP created the position of Communications Director, who functioned as the Division's head, to assume authority over all OHP communication services. The Communications Director reports to an assigned patrol major."}, {"context": " The communications division now employs over 100 members and staffs thirteen communication centers statewide, one located in each field troop headquarters. Each center has its own supervisor independent of the local troop commander. These supervisors report to the communications supervisor, who in turn reports directly to the state-level communications director. As an independent uniformed service of the patrol, the Communications Division member wear their own distinct uniform and bear their own internal rank structure. As provided for by the Oklahoma Legislature, the ranks within the Communications Division are as follows:"}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Legislature and the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have enacted minimum requirements for those desiring to serve as a uniformed member of the Communications Division. As provided for by OPM directives, basic requirements are: If selected for employment, the individual communications officer is placed on a mandatory twelve-month probationary status. During such time, the officer is subject to termination at will and may not appeal any termination to the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission. Communications officers attend two one-week classroom sessions during probation. The first session consists of an orientation program, and the second week provides necessary training to be certified to handle sensitive information and to operate computer equipment and technical software. Upon successful completion of the probationary period, communication officers are required to attend annual training. During this training, instruction is provided to the communications officers in new laws, changes to existing laws, new policies of the department and the Communications Division. All members of the division, excluding the director and coordinators, must reside within fifty miles of their assigned communications center.  Promotions within the Communications Division are made only from within the division. In general, OPM provides the following minimum promotion requirements:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Highway Safety Office", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for promoting highway safety. The OHSO is responsible for developing an annual statewide Highway Safety Plan to decrease fatalities and injuries on Oklahoma roadways. The OHSO is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The OHSO is supervised by the Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security, who is the Governor's Representative for Highway Safety, and under the direct administrative control of the Director of Highway Safety, who is a career civil servant of the State government. The current Highway Safety Representative is Rusty Rhoades and the current Highway Safety Director is Paul Harris."}, {"context": " The Highway Safety Office was created in 1967 during the term of Governor Dewey F. Bartlett. The Highway Safety Office located within the Highway Patrol Division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. As such, the Office is under the supervision of the Secretary of Safety and Security, the Commissioner of Public Safety, and the Chief of the Highway Patrol. Though the Director of the OHSO is not a commissioned member of the Patrol, the Director is treated as a Captain of the Patrol, both in responsibilities and in pay grade.  The OHSO is funded through grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most programs and activities of the OHSO fall into the areas of traffic safety education, training, and enforcement enhancement."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Hills", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Oklahoma Hills\" is a song written by Woody Guthrie. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. In 2001, the Oklahoma Legislature declared it to be the official state folk song. Jack Guthrie, Woody's cousin, changed the lyrics and music slightly and in 1945 recorded a Western swing version, which reached No. 1 on the Juke Box Folk Records charts. It remains the best-known version of \"Oklahoma Hills\", and was the biggest hit of Jack Guthrie's fairly short life. Though Woody originated the song, the official Woody Guthrie website credits both him and Jack as its writers, perhaps because Jack's changes have become so well known.  Country singer Hank Thompson, joined by His Brazos Valley Boys, recorded a well-known version of \"Oklahoma Hills\" in 1961. Thompson's Western swing rendition reached No. 10 on the Billboard magazine Hot C&W Singles chart. Woody's son, Arlo Guthrie, recorded the song for his album \"Running Down the Road\", released in 1969 by Warner Bros. Records. Recordings of \"Oklahoma Hills\" have been made by these singers, among others:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Hills (album)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Hills is a re-issue of most of the recordings by Jack Guthrie during seven sessions from October 1944 through October 1947."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Historical Society", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma dedicated to promotion and preservation of Oklahoma's history and its people by collecting, interpreting, and disseminating knowledge and artifacts of Oklahoma. The mission of the OHS is to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. The Society has the rare distinction of being both a Smithsonian Institution and National Archives and Records Administration affiliate."}, {"context": " The OHS was formed in May 1893, 14 years before Oklahoma became a state, by the Oklahoma Territorial Press Association. The initial function of the OHS was to collect and distribute newspapers published in Oklahoma Territory. The society was declared an agency of the territorial government in 1895, and it became an official state government agency when Oklahoma reached statehood in 1907. The OHS is both a private, membership organization and an Oklahoma government agency. The OHS Board of Directors is made up of 25 members, 12 of whom are appointed by the governor and 13 elected by OHS members to three-year terms."}, {"context": " The OHS today works statewide and nationally to preserve and nurture Oklahoma's history. The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, also operated by the society, carries out federal preservation programs in Oklahoma under the National Historic Preservation Act, to preserve Oklahoma's significant buildings, parks, objects, and sites. Projects are carried out in partnership with the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, as well as other state and local governments, groups, and interested people. The society posts markers at historical sites."}, {"context": " The OHS has published \"The Chronicles of Oklahoma\", the society's scholarly journal, since 1921 and continues to issue four editions per year. The society's monthly newsletter, \"Mistletoe Leaves\", includes information about OHS activities and historical happenings throughout Oklahoma. Both publications and other historical works are available by subscription or per issue. The OHS has also published numerous other titles including \"The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma Culture and History\". \"The Chronicles of Oklahoma\" through 1962 are available online through the Oklahoma State University Library Electronic Publishing Center. The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma Culture and History is available on the society's website."}, {"context": " The OHS Research Division houses more than 9 million photographs, more than 1 million pages of historical documents and manuscripts, 3,000 oral histories, historic film and video collections, and more than 4,400 titles of newspapers on available microfilm. Many of the Oklahoma Historical Society's documents and materials are available online at little or no charge, including indexes to the Dawes Rolls, Oklahoma military deaths, the 1890 Oklahoma Territorial Census, Territorial Incorporation Records, Hastain's Township Plats of the Creek Nation, Oklahoma County marriage records 1889-1951, Daily Oklahoman obituaries, and Smith\u2019s First Directory of Oklahoma Territory. The online archives catalog also contains some of the photographs in the OHS Research Division Collection. Historic newspapers are available free of charge on the Society's Gateway to Oklahoma History."}, {"context": " The society operates the Oklahoma History Center, the state's museum located in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma History Center occupies 215,000\u00a0ft\u00b2 (19,974m\u00b2) and contains more than 2,000 artifacts and exhibits featuring hands-on audio, video, and activities. A museum store is available online or at the Oklahoma History Center, and annual membership can be purchased for individuals, families, and institutions. From 1919 to 1942, Czarina Conlan was in charge of collecting artifacts and documents for the museum from the various Native American tribes throughout the state. The History Center also houses the OHS Research Division, which includes a large Research Center that is free and open to the public."}, {"context": " In May 2009 the OHS announced plans to build a second museum, to be called the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, or OKPOP, and located in Tulsa's Brady District. It is planned as the state museum of popular culture, including music, television, film and the performing arts. After lengthy delays, funding for the museum was obtained through a $25 million bond issue approved in 2015. In late 2016, the society announced that OKPOP will be located on North Main Street, across the street from Cain's Ballroom."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Historical Society also administers a number of state-owned properties either in their entirety or with interpretive centers.: The Oklahoma Historical Society is under the supervision of the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Larry Parman is serving as the Secretary. The Society is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors. Thirteen of those members are elected by the members of the Society and twelve are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. All member serve three-year terms. The Governor also serves as an ex officio member of the Board. The Board is responsible for appointing an Executive Director of the Society, who serves concurrently as the State Historic Preservation Officer. The current Executive Director is Dr. Bob L. Blackburn, Ph.D."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma History Center", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) is the history museum of the State of Oklahoma. Located on an plot across the street from the Governor's mansion at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City, the museum opened in 2005 and is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS). It preserves the history of Oklahoma from ancient Native American tribal nations to the present day. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. It is closed on:New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The OHC Research Center is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday. It is closed on Sunday, Monday and all state holidays. The hours are 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM each day."}, {"context": " The Learning Center covers . The OHC is affiliated with the Smithsonian and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Inasmuch Foundation Gallery is located on the south end of the first floor. The gallery explores the breadth of Oklahoma\u2019s artistic achievements as well as the impact of an extremely diverse immigrant population. Visitors will enjoy a broad range of subjects, including our entertainment value as a land of Cowboys and Indians, our pioneering innovations in broadcasting, and the dramatic and unifying impact sports and sporting events have made on our communities."}, {"context": " The sections of the Inasmuch Foundation Gallery include: culture and the arts; cultural diversity; images of Oklahoma; sports; voice; radio and television; vacuum tubes; and Wild West shows. Additionally, this gallery houses rotating exhibits on cultural diversity and the arts. The ONEOK Gallery is located on the north end of the first floor. Representing all 39 American Indian tribes currently associated with Oklahoma, the ONEOK Gallery offers visitors the opportunity to explore the traditional historic past of native peoples of Oklahoma as well as experience contemporary Indian cultures. Using modern-day Indian experience as a bridge between the past and the present, the exhibit offers artifacts, tribal music, photographic images, Indian art, and oral histories from the Indian tribes of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The ONEOK Gallery topics include: dwellings; Indian lives; languages; living ways; origins; sovereignty; spirituality; and tribes. The Kerr-McGee Gallery is located on the south end of the third floor. The gallery offers a rich history of Oklahoma from our oil and gas exploration to our military contributions since the first expeditions by the Spanish in the 16th century. Visitors can enjoy numerous artifacts including items from an 1830s riverboat recently excavated from the Red River, examples of Oklahoma\u2019s entrepreneurial history, and a 3-D reconstruction of an oil derrick."}, {"context": " The Kerr-McGee Gallery sections include: African American experience; business; military matters; natural resources; the oil and gas industry; people and pathways; and transportation. The Noble Foundation Gallery is located on the north end of the third floor. Land runs and lotteries have played an enormous role in our development and settlement as a state. Through artifacts, images, and first-hand accounts of participants, visitors can relive the lives of those brave souls who settled our great plains and turned homesteads into farms and cities. It was their survival of and adaptation to the extremes of weather, economics, and politics that enabled them to create this magnificent state."}, {"context": " The Noble Foundation Gallery sections include: education; farming and ranching; fashions; government and politics; kitchens; the Dust Bowl; land runs; law and order; urban frontiers; and weather. Rock & Roll Exhibit - In 2009, The Oklahoma History Center hosted \"Another Hot Oklahoma Night: A Rock & Roll Exhibit\", a title that comes from the lyrics of a song by Oklahoma-born musician Michael Been. This exhibit explored the rock and roll artists, radio stations, personalities, venues, and fans that have called Oklahoma home. Beyond the facts of each story, the exhibit showed how growing up in Oklahoma affected the music. These were displayed in an innovative style to encourage visitor participation and to ensure that the visitor would take away a new perspective on the history of rock and roll in Oklahoma. The exhibit was located in the E. L. & Thelma Gaylord Gallery on the extreme north end of the first floor. Additional exhibit components were located in the Inasmuch Foundation, Noble Foundation, and Kerr-McGee Galleries. This exhibit closed in 2011."}, {"context": " Tierra De Mi Familia - On November 22, 2008, the Oklahoma History Center opened a museum exhibit sharing the Latino experience in Oklahoma. The interactive exhibit used interviews, artifacts, documents, photographs, film, and music to explore both the impact of Latinos on the state of Oklahoma and the impact of the state of Oklahoma on the lives of Latinos. The exhibit integrated two story lines; the historical immigration of Latinos to Oklahoma, from territorial days to present, and the cultural folkways that Oklahoma\u2019s Latino people have brought with them from Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America."}, {"context": " Oklahoma is home to cultures from all over the world, a unique blend of people that call Oklahoma their home. This exhibit provided a place to tell these immigration stories, a place to share and begin to understand and learn about the diversity of the state of Oklahoma. This exhibit closed in 2012. Oklahoma's Apollo 11 Moon Rock and Apollo 17 Goodwill Moon Rock- Rose Niang-Casey, a graduate student at the University of Phoenix, and a participant in the \u201cMoon Rock Project\u201d, was assigned the task of hunting down the Oklahoma Apollo 11 Moon rock and Apollo 17 Goodwill Moon Rock; two moon rocks the Nixon Administration gifted to the people of Oklahoma. In both cases she discerned these moon rocks were properly on display at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She advised this is an exception to the rule, as most of these unique gifts that were given to the states and nations of the world have been poorly handled over the years."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State Level History Day Competition- Each year, the Oklahoma History Center hosts the 2nd stage of a 3-stage (district, state, and national) competition called National History Day. National History Day is a competition where middle school and high school students create projects about certain events in history. Students can enter documentaries, historical papers, websites, exhibit boards, or performances on a topic that the students choose that relate to each year's theme. Students' projects are judged and advance to the National competition if they place 1st or 2nd in their category. For more information on Oklahoma's State Level Competition, visit http://ok.nhd.org/."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Homeland Security Act", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Homeland Security Act (74 O.S. \u00a7 51-51.3) is an Oklahoma state law that created the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to respond to acts of terrorism committed in the State. The Homeland Security Act was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on April 26, 2004. The Oklahoma Homeland Security Act was one of many bills put through by states and the US government after the 9/11 attacks. The purpose of these bills was to better prepare states for terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and technological incidents. Previously these situations were handled on an ad hoc basis. Under the Oklahoma Homeland Security Act, this responsibility was placed on the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security for prevention, mediation, and response to attacks."}, {"context": " The Homeland Security Act establishes the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, and creating the position of Homeland Security Director to head the Office. The Governor of Oklahoma is named the State's chief counterterrorism official and makes the Director responsible for administration of the Office. The Act makes the Office responsible for developing and coordinating the implementation and administration of a comprehensive statewide strategy to protect the State from the following: In addition to its other duties, the Act designates the Office as the agency responsible for developing interoperable public safety communications planning for the State.  To assist the Governor and the Homeland Security Director, the Director is allowed the created regional homeland security planning councils. Each advisory council is to be composed of the following: All members of the regional advisory councils are appointed by the Director for three year terms. All members serve without compensation and can be removed for cause by the Director."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Hospital Association", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA) is the state affiliate of the American Hospital Association. It was established on May 21, 1919 after meeting of representatives from 20 Oklahoma hospitals, electing Dr. Fred S. Clinton as the first president. He served as president for the first nine years of the organization's existence. Today, OHA represents more than 150 hospitals and health care entities, such as nursing homes, home health agencies, surgery centers, and medical supply businesses in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.  OHA's stated objective is to \"improve the general welfare of the public by leading and assisting its members to provide better health care services for all people.\" Services include legislative tracking and representation, communications, educational programs, health care industry information and data, and quality and risk management resources. In conjunction with other organizations OHA as worked on workforce shortage initiatives."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma House of Representatives", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the legislature of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members introduce and vote on bills and resolutions, provide legislative oversight for state agencies, and help to craft the state's budget. The upper house of the Oklahoma Legislature is the Oklahoma Senate. The Oklahoma Constitution established the powers of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1907. Voters further amended those powers through constitutional referenda. One referendum required legislators to balance the annual state budget. Others specified the length and dates of the legislative session. Today, there are 101 House members, each representing a legislative district. District boundaries are redrawn every decade to ensure districts of equal population."}, {"context": " One must be 21 years of age at the time of election and a qualified elector and resident of the legislative district to serve in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The state holds district elections every two years coincident with federal elections and special elections to fill vacant seats. The House meets from early February until the last Friday in May. Members elect a Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives as the presiding officer and a Speaker Pro Tempore, who serves as the presiding officer in his or her absence. Members organize in political party-based caucuses to develop partisan policy agendas."}, {"context": " After the 2018 election, Republicans hold a supermajority of the House seats. The Oklahoma Constitution established both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma Senate in 1907. It met in Guthrie until 1910. William H. Murray was the first Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Less than 50 legislative employees aided lawmakers in the first year. A weakening of the Democratic coalition leading up to the 1908 election allowed Republicans to make gains in the Oklahoma House. Republicans gained an even third of the legislative seats. The largest gains came in Holdenville, Okmulgee, and Guthrie, each of which had a sizable African-American population."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Democratic lawmakers of the early 1900s opposed integration. The first legislature passed legislation that made it almost impossible for African-Americans to vote. The legislature's first African-American member, A. C. Hamlin, served only one term, though he did gain the support of his fellow lawmakers to fund an African-American school in his district and create more equal accommodations for black and white railroad passengers. The Democratic Party also pushed to make Oklahoma City the capital over Guthrie, a Republican and African-American voting stronghold."}, {"context": " In 1913, a House investigative committee forced the resignation of the state auditor and impeached the state printer and insurance commissioner. The legislature at the time included Democratic members who were angry at then Governor Lee Cruce over his veto of a redistricting plan that would have gerrymandered Congressional districts and his attempt to remove public institutions established by earlier legislatures. Cruce escaped an impeachment trial by one vote of the House investigative committee."}, {"context": " Women earned the right to vote in Oklahoma in 1918 through a constitutional amendment approved by voters. In 1920, Bessie McColgin became the first woman elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. A Republican, McColgin and her female colleague in the Oklahoma Senate, focused on the passage of public health bills, but failed in many of their efforts. After eight Democratic-controlled Legislatures, Republicans took the majority from 1921-1922 and elected George B. Schwabe as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Republican-dominated House brought impeachment charges against Lieutenant Governor Martin Trapp and narrowly failed to approve impeachment charges against both the state treasurer and Oklahoma Governor James Roberts. The Democratic-dominated Senate did not sustain the impeachment charges against Trapp."}, {"context": " Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted eleven articles of impeachment against Governor Henry S. Johnston, which led to his expulsion from office. A severe drought beginning in 1932 in western Oklahoma combined with land consolidation and mechanization in eastern Oklahoma drove farmers out of the state and left others in economic distress. Legislatures of the 1930s battled with governors William H. Murray and Ernest W. Marland, targeting Murray's efforts to generate relief for farmers and Marland's proposals to create a state public works program, reform the tax code and create unemployment insurance. Lawmakers did enact an old age pension system funded by a dedicated sales tax. The rejection of providing state matching funds for New Deal projects resulted in fewer projects. A conservative reaction developed in Oklahoma in the late 1930s and rejected further New Deal programs."}, {"context": " In 1941, Governor Leon C. Phillips pushed the state legislature to send a constitutional amendment to voters to force the Oklahoma House of Representatives to approve a balanced budget each year. Ever since voters approved the state question, the state legislature has been constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget. The number of Republican Party seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives plummeted in the 1930s. The legislative sessions held by the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma Senate changed due to two key legislative reforms in 1966 and 1989. In 1966, Oklahomans voted to institute 90-day annual sessions. An initiative petition championed by Governor Henry Bellmon in 1989 further required the legislative sessions to end by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May."}, {"context": " After earlier attempts to raise legislative pay failed, voters approved a state question in 1968 to create a board to set legislative compensation. It set compensation at $8,400 that year. State legislators enacted Oklahoma's open meeting and open records laws in 1977, but made the Oklahoma House of Representatives exempt. A shift in the behavior of Oklahoma voters occurred, beginning in the 1960s. Registered Democrats began to more often vote Republican, due to dissatisfaction with the leftist progressive wing of the national party. After the 2004 Presidential Election, Republicans gained control of the House for the first time since 1921. In 2010, Republicans gained a large majority of 70 seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Following the 2018 general election, Republicans gained the largest majority in state history with 76 of the 101 seats. This also includes the largest ever freshman class, with 46 new representatives."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma House and the Oklahoma Senate are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the state's budget. Every ten years, legislators are responsible for designating new district boundaries for state electoral districts, along with Congressional districts. The governor must sign these bills into law, or a statewide panel convenes to draw the disputed lines. Legislators, with staff support, develop and file bills prior to the legislative session. Bill sponsors submit requests for bill drafting to the professional staff of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The staff ensure bills have proper legal language and meet constitutional requirements. The bills are filed electronically with the Clerk of the House's office by a designated filing deadline. Since 1999, members of the Oklahoma House are limited to a maximum of eight bills that will receive a hearing."}, {"context": " A proposal may be introduced as a bill, a joint resolution, a concurrent resolution, or a simple resolution. Legislators use joint resolutions to propose a constitutional amendment. Concurrent resolutions (passed by both houses) and simple resolutions (passed by only one house) do not have the force of law. Instead, they serve to express the opinion of approving house of houses, or to regulate procedure. Article 5 Section 33 of the Oklahoma Constitution requires bills for raising revenue to originate in the Oklahoma House."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma House meets in regular session in the west wing of the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, from the first Monday in February to the last Friday in May. Special sessions may be called by the governor, or by a written call signed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber of the Legislature. Bills receive a First Reading when they are published in the House Journal. They then undergo a Second Reading upon assignment to committee. The committee system is designed to screen out legislation that is, in the committee's judgment, unnecessary or not ready for passage."}, {"context": " Committees either stop the progress of a bill or approve it for consideration on the floor of the House. When a bill is called up on the floor, either the principal author or a member of his or her choice will be recognized for the explanation of the bill. Typically, after questions from other members, the bill is advanced to Third Reading and a vote is taken on final passage. Fifty-one votes are required for bill passage on the floor of the Oklahoma House. Lawmakers also vote on whether or not to make the bill effective upon signature of the governor, which requires a two-thirds majority. Action on the floor is recorded in the House Journal."}, {"context": " Once approved on Third Reading, which is the name for this stage of the floor process, approved bills are sent to the Oklahoma Senate. If amended, bills will return to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for an acceptance of the Senate amendment(s) or to work out the differences in a conference committee, but can go directly to the governor after Senate passage. The Oklahoma House is not subject to the state's open meeting and open records laws due to provisions to exempt the state legislature in the 1977-enacted laws."}, {"context": " Leadership in the state House begins two leaders elected by their fellow lawmakers - the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Speaker Pro Tempore. Party caucuses play a major role in this process by nominating candidates for key leadership positions. After a speaker assumes office, he or she appoints a majority floor leader and a majority whip. The majority floor leader sets the floor calendar during session. The duties of the majority whip are to assist the floor leader, ensure member attendance, count votes, and communicate the majority position on issues."}, {"context": " The speaker also names assistant floor leaders, assistant whips, and caucus officers. Additionally, the minority party caucus elects a minority leader. The minority leader develops caucus positions, negotiates with the majority party caucus, and directs minority caucus activities on the chamber floor. The speaker appoints committee and subcommittee chairs and vice chairs. The majority floor leader selects an informal team that assists with management of legislation on the House Floor. As of November 2018, The Oklahoma House of Representatives has 22 committees and 10 subcommittees."}, {"context": " A non-partisan staff provides professional services for members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in addition to the Oklahoma Legislative Service Bureau. Individual members are also assisted by partisan staff members, and those in leadership positions have additional partisan staff. Committees are staffed primarily by research, fiscal and legal staff. The current Clerk of the House is Jan B. Harrison. In order to file for election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, one must be 21 years of age at the time of their election and a qualified elector and resident of their legislative district. Officers of the United States or state government and individuals who have been adjudged guilty of a felony are not eligible to election to the Oklahoma Legislature. If a member of the Oklahoma Legislature is expelled for corruption, they are not eligible to return to legislative office."}, {"context": " State representatives serve a two-year term and are limited to six terms or 12 years. No member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives can serve more than 12 years in the Oklahoma Legislature. A term-limited member can not run for election to the Senate as both Representative terms and Senate terms are added together in determining the total number of Legislative years in office. Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives receive $38,400 in annual pay. The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives receives $56,332 in annual pay. The Speaker Pro Tempore, minority leader and appropriations chair receive $50,764 in annual pay. Pay is set by a nine-member state board appointed by the governor, Speaker, and President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate."}, {"context": " State legislators can seek reimbursement for expenses related to meals, lodging, and travel related to their duties at any point during the year. They have access to benefits, including health and life insurance and retirement savings plans. As of November 2018, members of the Republican Party hold a supermajority in the House, or three-fourths seats. There are 77 Republicans and 24 Democrats. Originally, the House was apportioned according to a method spelled out in the state constitution, in which each county formed a legislative district. Representation was determined by taking the total population of the state, according to the most recent federal census, and that number was divided by one hundred, with the quotient equaling one ratio. Counties having a population less than one full ratio received one Representative; every county containing an entire ratio but less than two ratios was to be assigned two Representatives; every county containing a population of two entire ratios but less than three ratios was to be assigned three Representatives; and every county containing a population of three entire ratios but less than four ratios was to be assigned four Representatives. After the first four Representatives, a county was to qualify for additional representation on the basis of two whole ratios of population for each additional Representative."}, {"context": " In 1964, the United States Supreme Court ruled that this method violated the federal constitution, as it resulted in districts having wildly different populations. State lawmakers implemented a new method that continues to be used today. The Oklahoma House of Representatives must draw new district boundaries within 90 days of the latest Federal Decennial Census. Under the holding of \"Reynolds v. Sims\", 377 U.S. 533 (1964) districts must be apportioned within a five percent margin of the average target size district as determined by the U.S. Census population figures divided by the one hundred and one districts. This allows for certain districts to be slightly smaller or larger than others. The Oklahoma House of Representatives draws its own maps of its district lines, which are subject to the approval of both the state senate and the governor. Should the redistricting not occur in the time limits prescribed by law, the lines are determined by a panel of five statewide elected officials."}, {"context": " As of January 3, 2017, Charles A. McCall is serving his first term as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He was first chosen May 2, 2016, by the House Republican Caucus as Speaker-designate for the 2017-2018 term. Harold Wright, of Weatherford, Oklahoma, was chosen as Speaker Pro Tempore elect on January 3, 2017. Terry O'Donnell serves as the Majority Whip. As of 2018, Emily Virgin serves as minority leader, David Perryman serves as minority floor leader, and Cyndi Munson is the minority caucus chair.  Kevin Wallace serves as the chairman of the Appropriations and Budget Committee."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) is a non-profit organization which serves the people of Oklahoma by offering affordable housing resources, including loans and rent assistance. OHFA was created in 1975 when Governor of Oklahoma David L. Boren approved the agency's first trust indenture. OHFA is a public trust with the State of Oklahoma as the beneficiary. The Trust was established to better the housing stock and the housing conditions in the State of Oklahoma and administers the Section 8 housing program along with other housing programs for the State."}, {"context": " While it is affiliated with the State of Oklahoma, OHFA does not operate using legislative funds. The Housing Finance Agency is overseen by a 5-member Board of Trustees as appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma on staggering terms. Day-to-day operations of the Agency are under the direction of the OHFA Executive Director. Deborah Jenkins is currently serving as the Executive Director, having served in the position since 2017. OHFA is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma. The five members serve staggered five-year terms. The Governor also appoints one additional member to the Board who is a resident of public housing."}, {"context": " As of September 2018, the Board of Trustees is as follows: OHFA started with 12 district field agents hired to implement the Rental Assistance program. OHFA has since grown to a multimillion-dollar agency with over 100 employees administering nine housing programs. From the manual days of processing paperwork to automated computer days, OHFA has grown from helping 3,500 families annually to helping over 25,000 with 11 different housing programs in recent years. Through the OHFA Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance program, OHFA works with participating mortgage lenders to provide 30-year fixed-rate loans at below market rates. OHFA also offers new construction loans. Housing Development programs such as Affordable Housing Tax credits and the HOME Investment Partnerships program help non-profits and communities to build and revitalize affordable housing."}, {"context": " OHFA administers the Housing Choice Voucher program for low-income individuals and families in need of assistance in paying rent. OHFA has annual revenues over $180 million. The vast majority (63%) of OHFA revenue derives from federal funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The other major revenues come from OHFA program loans (25%) and program fees (6%). The remainder comes from miscellaneous sources. Expenditures are divided between interests on outstanding bonds (22%), the administration of OHFA (6%), and expenses related to federal programs administered by OHFA (69%). The remaining is associated with other program expenses.  OHFA has been recognized with an Oklahoma Quality Award and is a member of the National Conference of State Housing Agencies."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Indian Jazz", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Oklahoma Indian Jazz\" is a dance tune written in 1923 by Ray Hibbler, T.J. Johnsen, J.W. Barna, J.W. Murrin, and T. Guarini. It was advertised as a fox trot."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936 (also known as the Thomas-Rogers Act) is a United States federal law that extended the 1934 Wheeler-Howard or Indian Reorganization Act to include those tribes within the boundaries of the state of Oklahoma. The purpose of these acts were to rebuild Indian tribal societies, return land to the tribes, enable tribes to rebuild their governments, and emphasize Native culture. These Acts were developed by John Collier, Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1933 to 1945, who wanted to change federal Indian policy from the \"twin evils\" of allotment and assimilation, and support Indian self-government."}, {"context": " The Thomas-Rogers Act was adopted in order to enable Native American tribes in Oklahoma to rebuild governments that had been dissolved in order to prepare the territories for Oklahoma being admitted as a state in the Union in 1907. As part of this effort also to encourage Native American assimilation, Indian land title was extinguished in Indian Territory by the break-up and allotment of communal lands. Under the Dawes and Curtis acts, the communal land of the former reservations in Oklahoma was:"}, {"context": " In addition to surplus lands being sold, many Native Americans lost their allotments to speculators and unscrupulous businessmen. The Native Americans suffered major losses of land in Oklahoma. In addition, the disruption of their societies and cultures resulted in considerable breakdown of their worlds. As issues arose, Department of Interior officials sought the opinion of its Solicitor General about the effects of this legislation. This correspondence is part of the agency records. As the Five Civilized Tribes began to reorganize and set up new governments, the question arose as to whether they could change their membership rules, specifically, to exclude the Freedmen. Each of the tribes had been required under terms of new 1866 treaties to extend citizenship to their Freedmen. In 1941, the Solicitor General noted that Congress had approved the law that enabled tribes to reconstitute their governments and, by extension, enabled them to create new constitutions and rules. It said that the tribes could pass new constitutions with new membership rules that limited membership to persons of Indian descent. While some of the tribes resisted providing Freedmen with full tribal benefits, they did not generally take action to exclude them as members until the late 20th century, at a time of increasing assertion of tribal sovereignty. Freedmen descendants have filed suit against the Cherokee and Creek tribes over such exclusion."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Indigent Defense System", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System is the system in Oklahoma that provides trial, appellate, and post-conviction criminal defense services to persons judicially determined to be entitled to legal counsel at expense to the state. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System was created by and is responsible for implementing the Oklahoma Indigent Defense Act. Indigent Defense Act of Oklahoma http://www.ok.gov/OIDS/documents/Indigent%20Defense%20Act.pdf The system is governed by the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System Board. The Board is composed of five members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma for staggered five-year terms with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate. At least three members of the Board be licensed attorneys with criminal defense experience. The Governor designates one member as the Chair of the Board. No congressional district or county may be represented by more than one member on the Board."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner is an elected executive officer of the state of Oklahoma. The Insurance Commissioner serves as the head of the Oklahoma Department of Insurance. The Insurance Department is charged with executing of all laws relating to insurance and insurance companies doing business in the State. The current Insurance Commissioner is John D. Doak who was elected in November 2010 and took the oath of office on January 10, 2011. In order to serve as the Insurance Commissioner, a candidate must be at least twenty-five years old, a resident of the State for at least five years prior to their election, and have had at least five years' experience in the insurance industry in administration, sales, servicing or regulation. The Insurance Commissioner is forbidden from being financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any insurer, agency or insurance transaction except as a policyholder or claimant under a policy. The Insurance Commissioner serves a four-year term that runs concurrent with that of the Governor."}, {"context": " As the chief executive officer of the Insurance Department, the Insurance Commissioner is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Oklahoma Insurance Code. As such, the Insurance Commissioner may adopt reasonable rules and regulations for its implementation and administration. The Insurance Commissioner has jurisdiction over complaints against all persons engaged in the business of insurance, and hears all matters either in person, by authorized disinterested employees, or by hearing examiners appointed by the Commissioner for that purpose. In performing his official duties, the Insurance Commissioner must make annual reports to Governor of Oklahoma on the activities of the Insurance Department. Such report must contain statements about each insurance company operating in the state, which must include their admitted assets, liabilities except capital, capital and surplus, Oklahoma premium income, amount of claims paid in Oklahoma, and such other matters as the Insurance Commissioner deems necessary to the benefit of the people of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The Insurance Commissioner is allowed to educate consumers and make recommendations regarding the subject of insurance in this State to state officials and private individuals. One of Insurance Commissioner's principal powers is the ability to examine any insurance company operating in the State, but the Insurance Commissioner must investigate every domestic insurance company at least once every three years and every foreign insurance company every five years. However, the Insurance Commissioner must accept examinations conducted by other states on foreign insurers located in such states."}, {"context": " Upon the request of one or more persons financially interested in a given insurance company, the Insurance Commissioner may make examinations of their request insurance company. The request must include the specifications of the reasons for examination resulting in that company being in unsound condition. For purposes of completing an examination of any insurance company under its jurisdiction, the Insurance Commissioner may examine or investigate any person, or the business of any person, if such examination or investigation is, at the sole discretion of the Insurance Commissioner, necessary or material to the examination of the insurance company."}, {"context": " Upon determining that an examination should be conducted, the Insurance Commissioner may issue an examination warrant appointing one or more examiners to perform the examination and instructing them as to the scope of the examination. Every company or person from whom information is sought, including all of its officers, directors, employees and agents, must provide to the Insurance Commissioner and examiners timely, convenient, and free access to all books, records, accounts, papers, documents and recordings relating to the property, assets, business and affairs of the insurance company being examined. The officers, directors, employees and agents of the company or person must facilitate such examination and aid in such examination so far as it is in their power to do so. Any refusal of any insurance company, by its officers, directors, employees or agents, to submit to examination or to comply with any reasonable written request of the examiners shall be grounds for suspension or refusal of nonrenewal of any license or authority held by the insurance company, subject to the Commissioner's jurisdiction."}, {"context": " The Insurance Commissioner, or the examiners, have the power to issue subpoenas, to administer oaths and to examine under oath any person as to any matter pertinent to the examination. Upon the failure or refusal of any person to obey a subpoena, the Insurance Commissioner may petition a court of competent jurisdiction, and upon proper showing, the court may enter any order compelling the witness to appear and testify or produce documentary evidence. Failure to obey the court order shall be punishable as contempt of court.  At any time, the Insurance Commissioner may terminate or suspend any examination in order to pursue other legal or regulatory action pursuant to the Oklahoma Insurance Code. Findings of fact and conclusions made in any examination report shall be prima facie evidence in any legal or regulatory action. The following is a complete list of those individuals who have served as Insurance Commissioner of Oklahoma:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (1914\u20131929, 1974\u20131997), known as the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference from 1929 to 1974, was an intercollegiate athletic conference that existed from 1914 to 1997. The conference's members were located in the state of Oklahoma. The conference disbanded in 1997 after most of its members joined the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (1914\u20131928)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (1914\u20131928) was an intercollegiate athletic conference that existed from 1914 to 1928 and the first of two conferences to share this name. The conference's members were located in the state of Oklahoma. Some of its teams subsequently joined the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference, which eventually evolved into the second iteration of the OIC in 1974."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (1974\u20131997)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (1974\u20131996) was an intercollegiate athletic conference that existed from 1974 to 1997 and the second of two conferences to share this name. The conference's members were located in the state of Oklahoma. Most of the team's members moved from the defunct Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1974, which itself evolved from the first iteration of the OIC in 1929. The conference disbanded in 1997 after most of its members joined the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival is held annually in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The festival was founded as a nonprofit organization by Guthrie resident Byron Berline and Oklahoma state representative Joe Hutchinson in 1996. Each year the festival supports music education through music scholarships and other educational opportunities. The three-day festival draws over 15,000 participants."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a non-profit organization that honors jazz, blues and gospel musicians in the state of Oklahoma. Housed in the former Tulsa Union Depot, which it now calls the Jazz Depot, the Hall of Fame is a music venue that hosts regular jazz performances. It is also a museum, displaying photographs, biographical information, artifacts, and memorabilia from musicians such as Chet Baker, Earl Bostic, Barney Kessel, and Jimmy Rushing. The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame holds an annual induction ceremony to recognize the meaningful contributions of individuals and groups in jazz, blues, and gospel music. The Hall of Fame originally inducted its members every June, but the annual induction is now held in November. To date, the Hall of Fame has inducted more than 100 musicians and groups. Music instructor Zelia N. Breaux was the first inductee into the Hall of Fame."}, {"context": " The Hall of Fame also established the Jay McShann Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 to honor musicians who enriched Oklahoma's music during their lifetimes. Recipients of this award include Jay McShann, John Hendricks, Lou Donaldson, Dave Brubeck, Marilyn Maye, Ramsey Lewis, Nat King Cole, George Duke, Billy Taylor, Eddie Palmieri, Bob Wills, and Lalo Schifrin. In 1991, guitarist Barney Kessel made a speech about improvised music at the Hall of Fame; this was his last recorded public appearance before a stroke forced him to retire in May 1992. Singer Joe Lee Wilson also made his last public performance at his 2010 induction into the Hall of Fame."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame was recognized by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1988, with legislation authored by State Senators Maxine Horner and Penny Williams. The Hall of Fame was one of several organizations created in the North Tulsa \u201crenaissance\u201d dedicated to reconstructing the city\u2019s historic Greenwood district after the Tulsa Race Riot. The organization was originally housed in the Greenwood Cultural Center, and co-sponsored a yearly celebration of Oklahoman black music tradition called \u201cJuneteenth on Greenwood.\u201d  In 2004, Tulsa County\u2019s Vision 2025 project allocated $4 million to purchase and renovate the Tulsa Union Depot for use by the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Work on the building was completed and the building officially opened on June 19, 2007."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Joe's", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Joe's is a barbecue restaurant owned and operated by Joe Davidson, with locations in Oklahoma and Nebraska. Oklahoma Joe's was originally started by Joe Davidson as a smoker manufacturer, then a decade later launched its barbecue restaurant. The first Oklahoma Joe's opened in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in January 1996. A Kansas City location followed later that year, located inside a gas station at the corner of W 47th St and Mission Rd in Kansas City, Kansas. During the 1990s, Joe Davidson met Jeff and Joy Stehney while they were on the competition barbecue circuit with their team Slaughterhouse Five. Davidson and the Stehneys decided to go into the restaurant business together, and they opened Oklahoma Joe's in Stillwater, Oklahoma and in Kansas City, Kansas in 1996. Davidson sold Oklahoma Joe's Smokers in 1997 and moved to Texas. With Davidson out of Oklahoma, the partners decided to close the Stillwater location, and the Stehneys bought out Davidson's ownership and assumed full control of the Kansas location."}, {"context": " When Joe Davidson returned to Oklahoma and opened his own version of a new Oklahoma Joe's in 2011, he made an agreement with the Stehneys to change the name of their Kansas City area restaurants. In August 2014, the Stehneys announced that the name of their three Kansas City area restaurants would be changed to Joe\u2019s Kansas City Bar-B-Que. Davidson opened his first of the current Oklahoma Joe's restaurants in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 2011. He opened his second location in 2012 inside Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2014, Davidson announced that he was planning new locations in South Tulsa and in the Washington, DC area. The location in South Tulsa opened in May 2016. He also announced plans for a one-of-a kind Barbecue Factory in Oklahoma. A location in Lincoln, Nebraska's Haymarket District opened on July 25, 2017."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma John", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma John also known as Ranch of the Ruthless or The Man from Oklahoma is a Spanish, German and 1965 Italian international co-production western film directed by Jaime Jes\u00fas Balc\u00e1zar and Roberto Bianchi Montero."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Judicial Center", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Judicial Center is the seat of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Judiciary of Oklahoma. Situated adjacent to the Oklahoma State Capitol, the original 68,156 square foot structure was built in 1929 as the home of the Oklahoma Historical Society. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Oklahoma Historical Society Building. The society moved to the nearby Oklahoma History Center when it opened in 2005. Following a renovation and expansion in 2011 to accommodate the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the building now spans 145,518 square feet with 77,362 square foot addition located behind the 1929 building. The Oklahoma Supreme Court had been housed in the State Capitol since its completion in 1917."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission is the judicial nominating commission of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It selects potential justices and judges for gubernatorial appointments for judges for state appellate courts. At the adoption of the Oklahoma Constitution in 1907, the Governors had the power to appoint, with Senate approval, anyone they wanted to any position within the judicial system that required gubernatorial appointment. This power extended to District Judges, Judges of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, as well Justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. However, during the 1960s, a growing desire to restrain the Governor's executive power allowed for the adoption of a new method of selecting the judges and justices of the state's highest courts."}, {"context": " On July 11, 1967, the Oklahoma Constitution was amended by State Question 447. 447 added Article 7B to the Constitution and created the Judicial Nominating Commission, originally consisting of 13 members. State Question 752 (adopted by the voters on November 2, 2010) amended the article by adding two additional members. The new method mandated by Article 7B states that in the event of a vacancy, for whatever reason, within the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, or the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, the Commission screens a list of applicants that desire that job. Next, the Commission selected three qualified nominees and presents the names to the Governor. The Governor may then appoint one of the nominees to position with further approval not necessary. If the Governor fails to appoint a nominee to the position within sixty days, the Chief Justice of Oklahoma may make the selection."}, {"context": " The Commission's power only extends to Oklahoma's appellate courts. It can not influence the other judicial candidates. However, should there be an unexpected vacancy within the District Courts, the Commission may provide the same serve as it does for the higher courts. The majority of Commission is \"sufficient to decide any question\", unless otherwise specified by the Constitution. The Commission has jurisdiction to determine whether the qualifications of nominees to hold a judicial position have been met and to determine the existence of vacancies on the Commission."}, {"context": " The commission currently consists of 13 members: six appointed by the governor, six selected by the Oklahoma Bar Association, and the thirteenth selected at large by the other twelve. Of the six gubernatorial appointees, each one must come from a different Congressional District (as those districts existed in Oklahoma in 1967) and none are allowed to be a licensed attorney in Oklahoma. The 13th member is selected by an eight-member majority, must not be a licensed attorney in Oklahoma or any state, but must be a resident of Oklahoma. In the event that the commission can not reach a majority within thirty days, the governor may select the at-large member."}, {"context": " State Question 752 amended the Commission by adding two more at-large members. One member will be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives while the other will be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate. The members may come from anywhere in Oklahoma and cannot be licensed attorneys. Each member serves a staggered six-year term. No person is eligible to immediately succeed themselves. The Chairman of the Commission is selected by its own members to serve for a one-year term."}, {"context": " Of the members selected by the governor, no more than three may belong to the same political party. All commissioners serve without pay, but are compensated for travel expenses. No commissioner, while a member of the commission, is allowed to hold any other public office by election or appointment. They may not serve as any official within a political party and are not eligible for nomination to a judicial position by the Commission. This restriction applies as long as the commissioner is a part of the commission and for five years after their term is over."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Justice", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Justice is a 1951 American western film directed by Lewis D. Collins and starring Johnny Mack Brown, James Ellison and Lane Bradford. The film's sets were designed by the art director Dave Milton."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Labor Commissioner", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor is an elective executive officer of the State of Oklahoma. The Labor Commissioner serves as the head of the Oklahoma Department of Labor. The Labor Commissioner is responsible for supervising the administration of all state laws relating to labor and workplace safety and gathers and publishes information about the workforce of Oklahoma. Until his death in August, 2015, the Labor Commissioner was Mark Costello, a Republican, who defeated the incumbent Lloyd Fields, a Democrat in the November 2010 election. In November 2015 Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin appointed Melissa McLawhorn Houston to serve out the remainder of Costello\u2019s term. Houston has said she will not seek reelection to the position in the 2018 election."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Department of Labor was created by the Oklahoma Constitution in 1907. In August of that year, delegates from the labor unions of the Twin-Territorial Federation of Labor, the State Farmers' Union and the Railroad Brotherhoods met in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to formulate a list of demands for the upcoming constitutional convention. One demand called for the establishment of a State Labor Department. Consequently, when the new state constitution was ratified by the delegates to the constitutional convention in 1907, the Oklahoma Department of Labor was created, with the Labor Commissioner as its head. The Labor Commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of labor laws that promote fairness and equity in the workforce, including state wage laws, workers' compensation compliance, state OSHA laws for public employers, asbestos compliance, child labor laws and various other duties."}, {"context": " The office of the Labor Commissioner has been both appointive and elective at various times in Oklahoma's history. The Labor Commissioner serves as four-year term that runs concurrent with that of the Governor of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Constitution sets two responsibilities for the Labor Commissioner: (1) serve as the head of the Department of Labor and (2) serve as the chairman of the Board of Arbitration and Conciliation in the Department of Labor. As such, the vast majority of the Labor Commissioner's responsibilities are determined by acts of the Oklahoma Legislature."}, {"context": " As the head of the Labor Department, the Labor Commissioner is the chief executive officer of the Department and supervises the work of that Department. In doing so, the Labor Commissioner is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of workers, to improve working conditions of workers, to advance opportunities of workers for profitable employment, and for carrying into effect all laws in relation to labor enacted by the Legislature. In performing his official duties, the Labor Commissioner may administer oaths, issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and take testimony in all matters relating to the proper enforcement of all laws over which the Commissioner has supervision of.  The following is an incomplete list of those individuals who have served as Labor Commissioner for Oklahoma:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Lake", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Lake is located in north east Oklahoma City in the Canadian river valley and borders the North Canadian River by Westminster Road. The surface area is around 60 acres with a 1/2 acre island and the shoreline is primarily sand. The lake is fed from ground water and the water is usually calm because of the low elevation. The primary fish species are crappie, bass, and channel catfish. Oklahoma Lake activities include swimming, camping, picnics, fishing, and jet-ski sports."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Legislature", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the state legislative branch of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma Senate are the two houses that make up the bicameral state legislature. There are 101 state representatives, each serving a two-year term, and 48 state senators, who serve four-year terms that are staggered so only half of the Oklahoma Senate districts are eligible in each election year. Legislators are elected directly by the people from single member districts of equal population. The Oklahoma Legislature meets annually in the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Constitution vests all legislative powers of the state government in the state legislature, which exercises legislative power by enacting Oklahoma law. The legislature may legislate on any subject and has certain \"necessary and proper\" powers as may be required for carrying into effect the provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution. The powers of the legislature are only limited by the powers reserved to the people, namely initiative and referendum. The Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives are co-equal houses, but each chamber has exclusive powers. The Oklahoma Senate's advice and consent is required for gubernatorial appointments to high-level executive positions. Bills for raising revenue may only originate in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Bills approved by the legislature must be sent to the Governor of Oklahoma for approval."}, {"context": " Prior to 1907 statehood, Oklahoma Territory had the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature that met in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Upon statehood, the Oklahoma Constitution established the Oklahoma Legislature. The 1st Oklahoma Legislature met in the Guthrie City Hall Building and elected William H. Murray as the first Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The first three staff members appointed by Murray were a Union veteran, a Confederate veteran, and an African-American man, Jim Noble. The 2nd Oklahoma Legislature included Oklahoma's first black member, A. C. Hamlin, but passed legislation that made it nearly impossible for African-Americans to seek elective office, which limited him to one term."}, {"context": " The meeting place of the Oklahoma Legislature was moved to Oklahoma City in 1910. The Democratic Party held the majority of seats in the legislature until the Ninth Legislature from 1921-1922, when a Republican Party majority took over. The 1921 session was also notable because it included Oklahoma's first female state legislators, Representative Bessie McColgin and Senator Lamar Loomey. This occurred shortly after women earned the right to vote in Oklahoma in 1918 through a constitutional amendment approved by voters."}, {"context": " Legislators voted in 1923 to impeach Governor Jack C. Walton for trying to block the legislature from holding special session and administrative practices that included payroll padding, pardons, removal of college administrators, and a large increase in the governor's salary. Governor Henry S. Johnston became the second governor to be impeached by legislators, with members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives voting eleven articles of impeachment against him, which ultimately led to his expulsion from office."}, {"context": " In the 1930s, traditionally Republican counties shifted heavily towards Democrats, giving Democrats a large majority in the Legislature. Bipartisan opposition to deficit spending in the late 1930s led to a 1941 constitutional amendment requiring legislators to pass a balanced budget. In 1964, three black men, Archibald Hill, E. Melvin Porter, and Curtis Lawson, were elected to the Oklahoma Legislature, the first since A. C. Hamlin left office in 1910. In 1966, voters approved a ballot question that set up annual 90-day legislative sessions. In 1989 another ballot question further limited session by designating the sine die adjournment day, or last day of session, as the last Friday in May. Combined with the 90-day requirement, this moved the session start day to February, leaving the original start day in January as an organizational day."}, {"context": " Beginning in the 1960s, the Republican party made gains in voter registration and state legislative seats. By 1990, the party counted about a third of voters by registration and had similar representation in the Legislature. In 2010, Republicans gained a large majority of 32 seats in the Oklahoma Senate and 70 seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Currently, Republicans have a supermajority in both chambers (72 of 101 seats in the House and 40 of 48 seats in the Senate). To serve in the Oklahoma Senate, an individual must be at least 25 years of age, and to serve in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, an individual must be at least 21 years of age. State legislators must also be qualified electors and residents in the district they represent during their time in office. To file as a candidate for legislative office, a person must have been a registered voter and a resident residing within the district for at least six months immediately preceding the filing period prescribed by law."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Constitution prohibits state legislators from also serving as another officer of the United States or Oklahoma state government. A felony conviction also disqualifies election to the Oklahoma Legislature. A constitutional amendment approved by voters implemented a 12-year term limit, restricting legislators to a total of 12 years in the Oklahoma Legislature. The 12-year term limit is a cumulative term limit of service in either chamber, consecutive or non-consecutive. The 12-year limit does not include any service prior to adoption of the amendment. In addition, the limit does not include those years of an unexpired term served by a member elected or appointed to fill a vacancy in office, but no member who has completed 12 years in office is thereafter eligible to serve an unexpired term."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Legislature is constitutionally required to enact laws barring conflicts of interest for its members. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission currently makes recommendations to state legislators regarding ethical restrictions. In the event of a vacancy in the state legislature, the governor issues writs of election to fill such vacancies. The House of Representatives consists of 101 members, representing single-member districts that are drawn to reflect equal populations. Until the U.S. Supreme Court's 1964 ruling in the case of \"Reynolds v. Sims\", each of Oklahoma's 77 counties was guaranteed at least one House seat. Now though, the less-populated rural counties form multi-county districts. House District 61, for example, includes the entirety of Cimarron, Texas, Beaver and Harper counties as well as parts of the counties of Ellis and Woodward."}, {"context": " The Senate consists of 48 members, representing single-member districts that are drawn to reflect equal populations. The political party with a majority of seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives is known as the majority party; the next-largest party is the minority party. The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is elected by a majority of members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and is the nominee elected by the majority party caucus, unless a coalition of members of both political parties chooses a coalition candidate. Members of the minority party elect a caucus leader known as the minority leader. The speaker appoints committee chairs and other leadership roles; the minority leader appoints corresponding minority party roles such as \"ranking members\" of committees."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Constitution does not specify the duties and powers of the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. They are instead regulated by the rules and customs of the house. Under Section 6 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, the speaker is third in line behind the lieutenant governor and president pro tempore of the state senate to succeed the governor. The speaker has a role both as a leader of the House and the leader of the majority party. He is the presiding officer of the House, but may appoint another member to serve as the presiding officer in his absence. The presiding officer sits in a chair in the front of the House chamber. The powers of the presiding officer are extensive; one important power is that of controlling the order in which members of the House speak. No member may make a speech or a motion unless he or she has first been recognized by the presiding officer. The presiding officer may rule on any \"point of order\" (a member's objection that a rule has been breached), but the decision is subject to appeal to the whole House."}, {"context": " The speaker is the chair of his party's steering committee, which chooses the chairmen of standing committees. The speaker determines which committees consider bills and appoints members of committees. The speaker is also an ex officio voting member on committees. Under the speaker is a speaker pro tempore who assumes the duties of the speaker in their absence. The speaker and the speaker pro tempore are also ex officio voting members on committees. Each party elects a floor leader, who is known as the majority leader or minority leader. While the minority leader is the full leader of his party, the same is not true of the majority leader. Instead, the speaker is the head of the majority party; the majority leader is only the second-highest official. Each party also elect whips, who works to ensure that his party's members vote as the party leadership desires."}, {"context": " The political party with a majority of seats is known as the majority party; if two or more parties in opposition are tied, the lieutenant governor's affiliation determines which is the majority party in the Oklahoma Senate. The next-largest party is known as the minority party. The president pro tem, floor leader and committee chairs represent the majority party; they have counterparts in the minority party: the minority leader and ranking members of committees. The Oklahoma Constitution provides that the lieutenant governor serves as the President of the Senate and holds a vote which can only be cast to break a tie. By convention, the lieutenant governor only attends important ceremonial occasions like the swearing-in of new senators or when his vote is needed to break a tie. The constitution also authorizes state senators to elect a President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate to preside in the lieutenant governor's absence. The president pro tempore is second in line behind the lieutenant governor to succeed the governor. The president pro tempore is the leader of the senate and serves as leader of the majority party. He or she is an \"ex officio\" voting member of state senate committees."}, {"context": " The presiding officer sits in a chair in the front of the Oklahoma Senate chamber. The powers of the presiding officer are limited; he or she acts as the Oklahoma Senate's mouthpiece, performing duties such as announcing the results of votes. He or she controls debates by calling on members to speak; the rules, however, compel him to recognize the first state senator who rises. The presiding officer may rule on any \"point of order\" (a senator's objection that a rule has been breached), but the decision is subject to appeal to the full membership."}, {"context": " Each party elects a senator to serve as floor leader. The majority floor leader is an \"ex officio\" voting member of state senate committees and sets the schedule of what bills will be heard on the chamber floor. Each party also elect whips to assist the leader. Section 1 of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution sets forth the powers of the Legislature. The state's legislative authority is vested within the state legislature as well as other powers. The most important among these powers are the powers to levy and collect taxes, borrow money, and to raise and maintain the militia of the state. The Oklahoma Legislature is authorized to pass laws as they are necessary for carrying into effect the Oklahoma Constitution. The legislature's power to legislate is broad, except where the constitution limits that authority or reserves it to the people of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The returns of every election for elective state officers go to the Secretary of State and then to the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Immediately after the organization of the House, he must open and publish the information in the presence of a majority of each branch of the Legislature, who for that purpose assemble in House chamber. The individuals with the highest number of votes for each seat are then declared duly elected. In the event of a tie, the legislature holds the power to break deadlocks. If two or more candidates have an equal number of votes, the legislature may elect one of them to office by means of a joint ballot."}, {"context": " The non-legislative functions of the Oklahoma Legislature include the power to establish a state printing plant and provide for the election or appointment of a state printer; the power to establish a State Geological and Economic Survey; and the power to create a Board of Health, Board of Dentistry, Board of Pharmacy, and Pure Food Commission. The Legislature must every 10 years, beginning in 1907 (the date of Oklahoma entrance to the Union), make, revise, digest, and announce the laws of Oklahoma. The Legislature shall define what is an unlawful combination, monopoly, trust, act, or agreement, in restraint of trade, and enact laws to punish persons engaged in any unlawful combination, monopoly, trust, act, or agreement, in restraint of trade."}, {"context": " Section 46 through 53 of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution places certain limits on the authority and powers of the Legislature. For instance, the Legislature may not meddle in the affairs of local government in the realm of day-to-day business, such as street lay out or school districts. Legislators may not appropriate public money for a Bureau of Immigration in Oklahoma, nor exempt property in Oklahoma from taxation except as granted by the state constitution. The Legislature may not pass laws granting exclusive rights, privileges, or immunities."}, {"context": " Legislatures are identified by consecutive numbers and correspond with the election of the members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Terms have two sessions; the first takes place in the year immediately following the election and the second takes place the next year. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, legislative sessions must begin at noon on the first Monday in February of every odd-numbered year, cannot exceed one hundred and sixty days, and must be finally adjourned by no later than five o'clock p.m. on the last Friday in May of each year. The first session cannot exceed 160 days. In odd numbered years following an election, the legislature must meet on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January for the sole purpose of determining the outcome of the statewide elections. This meeting must begin at noon and must be adjourned by five o'clock p.m. on the same day."}, {"context": " At the beginning of each new term, the entire House of Representatives and one-half of the Senate (those who were chosen in the previous election) are sworn in. The House of Representatives also elects a Speaker to preside over debates. The President \"pro tempore\" of the Senate, by contrast, holds office continuously; normally, a new President \"pro tempore\" is only elected if the previous one retires, or if there is a change in the majority party. The Oklahoma Constitution forbids either house adjourning for more than three days, without the consent of the other house. The provision was intended to prevent one house from thwarting legislative business simply by refusing to meet. To avoid obtaining consent during long recesses, the House or Senate may sometimes hold \"pro forma\" meetings, sometimes only minutes long, every three days. The Constitution prevents the Legislature from meeting any place outside the Oklahoma Capitol. However, the governor is empowered to convoke the legislature at or adjourn it to another place, when, in his opinion, the public safety or welfare, or the safety or health of the members require it. However, such a change or adjournment requires consent by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each branch."}, {"context": " The Legislature may be called into special session by a written call for such purposes as may be specifically set out in the call, signed by two-third of the members of the Senate and two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives when it is filed with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall issue jointly an order for the convening of the special session. However, the Legislature may not prevent the calling of a special session by the governor."}, {"context": " In cases of a disagreement between the two houses of the Legislature, at a regular or special session, with respect to the time of adjournment, the governor may, if the facts be certified to him, by the presiding officer of the house first moving the adjournment, adjourn them to such time as he or she shall deem proper, not beyond the day of the next stated meeting of the Legislature. The consent of both bodies is required for the Legislature's final adjournment, or \"sine die\", at the end of each legislative session. If the two houses cannot agree on a date, the state constitution permits the governor to settle the dispute."}, {"context": " A proposal may be introduced in the legislature as a bill, a joint resolution, a concurrent resolution, or a simple resolution. Legislative proposals are introduced as bills or joint resolutions. Joint resolutions are the normal method used to propose a constitutional amendment. Concurrent resolutions passed by both houses and simple resolutions passed by only one house do not have the force of law. Instead, they serve to express the opinion of the Legislature, or either house thereof, or to regulate procedure."}, {"context": " Bills and other proposals may be introduced by members of either house. The exception is \"bills for raising Revenue\" that must originate in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, per Article V, Section 33A of the Oklahoma Constitution. The Oklahoma Senate, though, retains the power to amend or reject them. Bills go through multiple stages in each house. The first stage involves consideration by a standing committee, which has jurisdiction over a particular subject matter, such as agriculture or appropriations. The number of committees, their subject areas, their chairs and membership, and the bills assigned to them are designated by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate in the Senate. Alternately, bills may be sent to select committees. Each standing and select committee is led by a chairman (who belongs to the majority party) and a ranking member (who belongs to the minority party). Committees are permitted to hold hearings and collect evidence when considering bills. They may also amend the bill, but the full house holds the power to accept or reject committee amendments. After considering and debating a measure, the committee votes on whether it wishes to report the measure to the full house."}, {"context": " A decision not to report a bill amounts to a rejection of the proposal. Both houses provide for procedures under which the committee can be bypassed or overruled, but the practice is uncommon. If reported by the committee, the bill reaches the floor of the full house. The house may debate and amend the bill; the precise procedures used by the House of Representatives and the Senate differ. A final vote on the bill follows. Once a bill is approved by one house, it is sent to the other, which may pass, reject, or amend it. In order for the bill to become law, both houses must agree to identical versions of the bill. If the second house amends the bill, then the differences between the two versions must be reconciled in a conference committee, an \"ad hoc\" committee that includes both senators and representatives. In many cases, conference committees have introduced substantial changes to bills and added un-requested spending, significantly departing from both the House and Senate versions."}, {"context": " After passage by both houses, a bill is submitted to the Governor of Oklahoma who may choose to sign the bill, thereby making it law, or veto it, returning it to the Legislature with his objections. In such a case, the bill only becomes law if each house of the Legislature votes to override the veto with a two-thirds majority. Finally, the Governor may choose to take no action, neither signing nor vetoing the bill. In such a case, the Constitution states that the bill automatically becomes law after five days (excluding Sundays). However, if the Legislature adjourns (ends a legislative session) during the five-day period, then the bill does not become law. Thus, the Governor may veto legislation passed at the end of a legislative session simply by ignoring it; the maneuver is known as a pocket veto, and cannot be overridden by the adjourned Legislature. No bill may become a law after the final adjournment of the Legislature, unless approved by the governor within fifteen days after such adjournment."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Constitution specifies that a majority of members constitutes a quorum to do business in each house. The rules of each house provide that a quorum is assumed to be present unless a quorum call demonstrates the contrary. Thus, if no quorum call is requested, debates continue even if a majority is not present. Both houses use voice voting to decide most matters; members shout out \"aye\" or \"no,\" and the presiding officer announces the result. The Oklahoma Constitution, however, requires a recorded vote on the demand of one-fifth of the members present. If the result of the voice vote is unclear, or if the matter is controversial, a recorded vote usually ensues. The Senate uses roll call votes; a clerk calls out the names of all the senators, each senator stating \"aye\" or \"no\" when his name is announced. The House reserves roll call votes for the most formal matters; normally, members vote by electronic device. In the case of a tie, the motion in question fails. In the Oklahoma Senate, the lieutenant governor may cast the tiebreaking vote."}, {"context": " State legislators enjoy the privilege of being free from arrest for criminal charges, except for treason, felony, and breach of the peace. This immunity applies to members \"during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same.\" The term \"arrest\" has been interpreted broadly, and includes any detention or delay in the course of law enforcement, including court summons and subpoenas. The rules of the House very strictly guard this privilege; a member may not waive the privilege on his own, but must seek the permission of the whole house to do so. Senate rules, on the other hand, are less strict, and permit individual senators to waive the privilege as they see fit."}, {"context": " As of 2006 rank and file state legislators received a salary of $38,400. The President Pro Tempore of the State Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives are paid an additional $17,932 annually. The appropriations committee chairmen, majority floor leaders and the minority floor leaders of each house are paid an additional $12,364 per year. The Board of Legislative Compensation decides the amount of compensation paid to state legislators. The board is composed of five members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, two members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and two members appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The members appointed by the governor must be from religious organizations, communications media, nonstate-supported educational institutions, labor organizations, and retail business. The members appointed by the president pro tempore must be from agricultural and civic organization backgrounds and the members appointed by the speaker must have manufacturing or professional backgrounds."}, {"context": " State legislators are prohibited from serving on the board. In addition to the nine voting members, the chair of the Oklahoma Tax Commission and the director of the Oklahoma Office of State Finance serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the board. The chair of the board is designated by the governor. The members of the board serve without compensation, but do receive travel and subsistence expense reimbursements. Every two years, the board reviews the compensation paid to state legislators and is empowered to change the compensation. Such a change becomes effective on the fifteenth day following the succeeding general election."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Library Association", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) is a non-profit organization that promotes libraries and library services and provides professional development for library personnel in the state of Oklahoma. OLA is a chapter of both the American Library Association and the Mountain Plains Library Association. OLA hosts workshops throughout the year and holds an Annual Conference. OLA is the official sponsor of the Sequoyah Book Award, the Read Y'all celebrity poster literacy campaign, and the Mildred Laughlin Festival of Books.  OLA was formed on May 16, 1907 by a small group of librarians from the University of Oklahoma and nearby normal schools as well as public libraries. The meeting was hosted by the now-defunct Carnegie Library in downtown Oklahoma City. These librarians were interested in forming a statewide library association to ensure the \"statewide extension of tax-supported library service\" and \"to explore a more economical way of transporting...books.\""}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Lottery", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Lottery is an American lottery that is operated by the state's government. The Lottery, which began ticket sales in 2005, is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Players must be 18 or older. In 2003, the Oklahoma state legislature approved a lottery proposal to go before a vote of the people. Two questions (SQ 705 and SQ 706) were placed on the 2004 general election ballot. Both questions were approved, creating a Lottery Commission and a lottery trust fund. Originally, Pick 3 and Cash 5 were drawn using traditional drawing machines and numbered balls (which the Lottery purchased from Missouri after the latter switched to computerized drawings. When Oklahoma joined Hot Lotto in 2008, that game had already switched to a random number generator (RNG). On September 20, 2009, Oklahoma changed its two in-house games to RNG drawings. Mega Millions (usually drawn in Georgia) and Powerball (drawn at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida) have always used traditional lottery machines and numbered balls."}, {"context": " Pick 3 and Cash 5 winners must claim prizes within 90 days of the drawing date. Mega Millions, Hot Lotto, and Powerball winners must claim within 180 days of the drawing. Pick 3, drawn daily, began on November 10, 2005. Players must choose three digits from 0 through 9, either selected by the player, or selected by the lottery terminal (\"Easy Pick\".) Oklahoma Cash 5, initially thrice weekly when begun in 2005, has been drawn nightly since July 2009. Lotto America is drawn Wednesday and Saturday evenings."}, {"context": " Lotto America began in spring 2018, replacing Hot Lotto. Powerball began in 1992; it added Oklahoma in 2006. Powerball jackpots begin at $40 million; the game is drawn Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 9:59 p.m. Central Time. Powerball drawings were televised on Fox affiliate KOKH (channel 25) and CW affiliate KOCB (channel 34) in Oklahoma City; and on Cox Communications channel 9 in Tulsa through January 2013. Powerball numbers now are televised via Chicago-based cable superstation WGN America (available on most cable, IPTV and satellite providers in the state; it also carries Mega Millions due to the Illinois Lottery's participation in both games) or on the lottery's website."}, {"context": " In March 2009, Mega Millions and Powerball began negotiating an agreement to allow each participating U.S. lottery to sell tickets for both games. An agreement was reached on October 13 of that year; two months later, it was announced that Oklahoma would begin selling Mega Millions tickets on January 31, 2010. The first Mega Millions drawing with Oklahoma a participant occurred on February 2, 2010. Unlike Hot Lotto and Powerball (within Oklahoma), Mega Millions players in the state must choose cash or annuity \"when playing\", instead of after winning. Mega Millions drawings are not televised on any local broadcast television station or local origination cable channel in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa markets; as with Powerball, those playing Mega Millions instead can only see the winning numbers via WGN America on cable and satellite television or on the lottery's website."}, {"context": " Pick 4 launched in July 2011. Players were required to choose a set of four digits from 0 through 9, either selected by the player, or selected by the lottery terminal. On September 7, 2013, the Lottery announced that it would discontinue Pick 4; its final drawing was seven days later. The first Oklahoma Lottery tickets were scratch tickets; \"Lucky 7's\" was the Lottery's first scratchcard game. In June 2006, the Oklahoma Lottery had its first jackpot winner when an Oklahoman won $101 million in Powerball. The Powerball drawing of June 27, 2007 produced Oklahoma's second winning jackpot ticket for the game, and the largest to date: $105.8 million (annuitized). It was bought in the Sequoyah County town of Roland. Muldrow residents Don and Joyce Harvey (a married couple that at the time were respectively 64 and 50 years old) claimed the prize on June 29, 2007; they chose the cash option, and received approximately $33.7 million after withholdings."}, {"context": " July 2, 2008 produced one jackpot winner in Oklahoma for not only Powerball, but also Hot Lotto. It was the first time that the same jurisdiction provided at least one jackpot winner in both games on the same day. The Lottery produced a game show (simply titled \"The Oklahoma Lottery Game Show\") that was taped in Oklahoma City (and produced by Sande Stewart), which aired on KOCB in Oklahoma City, and Cox Communications cable channel 9 in Tulsa from October 13, 2007 to October 4, 2008. The show, which was hosted by Brad Morris and Amber Dickinson, was introduced to combat lower than expected sales as a result of the Lottery not offering video lottery or keno games. Players on the game show were guaranteed to win $500 each, and could win over $50,000. The second and succeeding shows included a \"returning champion\". The program was cancelled due to low ratings; the final episode was taped on August 20, 2008."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Marginal Wells Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Well, commonly known as the Oklahoma Marginal Wells Commission, is an agency of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy. Commission is responsible for identifying and evaluating the economic and operational factors of marginally producing oil and gas well. The Commission is also responsible for assuing that appropriate measures are taken to extend the usefulness of those wells so identified. The Commission is composed of nine members, who are all either independent and major oil and gas operators and royalty owners. The members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate. Each member serves a fixed three-year term. It is the duty of the Commission to appoint an Executive Director to oversee the day-to-day operations and programs under the jurisdiction of the Commission. The current Executive Director is James Revard."}, {"context": " The Commission was established on October 1, 1992, during the term of Governor David Walters. On July 1, 2013, it was dissolved and its responsibilities transferred to the Committee for Sustaining Oklahoma's Energy Resources under the authority of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board. The duties of the agency are to research and collect data characterizing marginal wells; to propose legislative, regulatory, and operation remedies; to educate the public on the contributions of marginal wells; and, to interact with regional organizations to ensure recognition of the importance of marginally producing oil and gas wells to the current and future domestic production of oil and gas.  As of 2010, the Commission is composed of the following members: The Commission's annual budget is not supported by yearly appropriations by the Oklahoma Legislature. As such, no tax dollar support the Commission. Instead, the Legislature, when they created the Commission, established a voluntary Marginal Wells Fee. Any oil or gas company may submit the fee to the Oklahoma Tax Commission to support the work of the Commission."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute. Established in 1946, OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human disease. Stephen M. Prescott serves as president of OMRF, which employs more than 500 scientific and administrative staff members. OMRF\u2019s scientists, who include a member of the National Academy of Sciences, hold more than 700 U.S. and international patents and have spun off 11 biotech companies. Discoveries at OMRF led to Xigris, the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of severe sepsis, and Ceprotin, a therapy for people suffering from a rare and life-threatening blood disorder known as protein C deficiency. Research at OMRF also identified the enzyme believed responsible for Alzheimer\u2019s disease and laid the groundwork for OncoVue, a breast cancer risk assessment test."}, {"context": " OMRF was chartered in 1946. The next year, Oklahoma Gov. Roy J. Turner launched a fund drive for OMRF that spanned all 77 of Oklahoma\u2019s counties. By May 1949, 7,000 Oklahomans had donated and pledged $2.35 million, and construction of OMRF began. In the summer of 1949, Sir Alexander Fleming made his first visit to the United States to dedicate OMRF\u2019s yet-to-be-completed building. An estimated 2,500 people attended the ceremonies on July 4 of that year, where Fleming pronounced the future \"bright\" for what was then, in the Nobel laureate\u2019s words, \"just a big hole in the ground.\""}, {"context": " OMRF opened its doors on Dec. 17, 1950. Since that time, OMRF has grown from 5 principal scientists to 50, and its staff has grown from roughly two dozen employees to more than 500. Securing more than $30 million annually in competitive research grants from the National Institutes of Health and other granting agencies, OMRF is a member of the Association of Independent Research Institutes. Its scientists focus on research in the areas of immunology, cardiovascular biology and diseases of aging."}, {"context": " In 2000, Jordan J.N. Tang and colleagues created an inhibitor that, in vitro, stopped the enzyme thought to cause Alzheimer's disease. The biotechnology company CoMentis has since built on that discovery to create an experimental drug for the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s. In 2007, Tang uncovered a molecular mechanism that links an Alzheimer\u2019s susceptibility gene (known as E4) to the process of disease onset. In OMRF\u2019s free radical biology and aging research program, Robert A. Floyd leads a team of scientists who focus on the mechanisms that cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Parkinson's disease, Huntington's Huntington's disease and ALS (Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis."}, {"context": " Technology developed in the laboratories of Eldon Jupe and Linda F. Thompson led to the creation of a test for assessing breast cancer risk in women. Marketed as OncoVue, the test is produced by Intergenetics, Inc., and available in clinics the U.S. Paul W. Kincade leads a group of immunologists in the study of the causes of lymphomas, leukemias and myelomas. With a research-grade magnetic resonance imaging facility, OMRF scientists are developing methods of using MRI to speed the process of identifying and treating brain, liver and bladder cancers. In 2006, molecular biologist Gary J. Gorbsky and his lab were the first to reverse the process of cell division, a discovery detailed in the journal \"Nature\" that may have implications for the prevention and treatment of cancer and birth defects."}, {"context": " Led by Rodger P. McEver and Charles T. Esmon OMRF\u2019s cardiovascular biology research program works to pinpoint the origins of cardiovascular disease. Esmon\u2019s research has led to the development of two FDA-approved drugs: Xigris, a treatment for severe sepsis (blood poisoning), and Ceprotin, a therapy for children suffering from life-threatening blood-clotting complications. OMRF\u2019s largest research program is dedicated to the study and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases Autoimmune disease. Led by physician-researchers Judith A. James Robert Scofield and Morris Reichlin this group has identified antibodies that appear in the blood years before the clinical onset of lupus. They also are studying the role a common virus may play in triggering lupus. Their work led the National Institutes of Health to establish the Lupus Family Registry and Repository at OMRF. The LFRR is a resource that scientists worldwide can use in their own lupus research. The collection includes DNA, sera, plasma, and data from systemic lupus patients, first degree relatives, and healthy volunteers. Study participation involves completing paperwork and donating a one-time blood sample."}, {"context": " In 1956, OMRF established its Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar Program, a summer research training program for Oklahoma high school and college students. Since then, more than 400 students have been named Fleming Scholars. OMRF\u2019s Foundation Scholar Program provides Oklahoma\u2019s high school science teachers with novel tools and instructional techniques to take back to their classrooms. Founded in 1988, the program has since trained more than 75 educators. Many laboratories at OMRF also provide the training ground for graduate and postdoctoral students through fellowships, as well as M.D./Ph.D., graduate, and post-baccalaureate research programs.  OMRF maintains numerous core facilities, including:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission (OMPC) is an independent quasi-judicial agency of the government of Oklahoma established to protect the integrity of state\u2019s merit system utilized by state agencies and their employees. The Commission and the Office of Personnel Management act independently forming a \u201cchecks and balances\u201d method of managing the merit system. The Commission is composed of nine members, two appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, two by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and five by the Governor of Oklahoma. The Commission, in turn, appoints an Executive Director and administrative law judges to hear disputes."}, {"context": " The Commission was created in 1982 by the Oklahoma Personnel Act during the term of Governor George Nigh. The Commission's functions are established by O.S. 74 840-1.9 and are listed below in part: In addition to its original functions, this agency is now responsible for providing training on the grievance process, the appeals process, the steps of the Progressive Discipline in state employment and training for its administrative law judges. Agency functions also include a component designed to assist agencies in voluntarily complying with the Oklahoma Personnel Act."}, {"context": " The Commission has jurisdiction over state employees that are in the classified service and limited jurisdiction over state employees in the unclassified service. That means all state employees and positions which are subject to the laws of the Oklahoma State Personnel Act and the decisions of the Commission. The two primary distinctions between classified and unclassified employees are as follows: The Commission is composed of nine members, each serving three year terms. Two members of the Commission are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, two are appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and five members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma. Of the Governor's appointees, no more than four may be from the same political party.  As of 2016, the members of the Commission are as follows:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Mesonet", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Mesonet is a network of environmental monitoring stations designed to measure the environment at the size and duration of mesoscale weather events. The phrase \"mesonet\" is a portmanteau of the words mesoscale and network. In meteorology, \u201cmesoscale\u201d refers to weather events that range in size from approximately to and can last from several minutes to several hours. Mesoscale events include thunderstorms, wind gusts, heat bursts, and dry lines. Without densely spaced weather observations, these mesoscale events might go undetected. In addition to surface weather observations, Oklahoma Mesonet stations also include environmental data such as on insolation and soil conditions, and some sites are co-located with wind profilers."}, {"context": " The network consists of 121 automated stations covering Oklahoma and each of Oklahoma's counties has at least one station. At each site, the environment is measured by a set of instruments located on or near a -tall tower. The measurements are packaged into \u201cobservations\u201d and transmitted to a central facility every 5 minutes, 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Oklahoma Mesonet is a cooperative venture between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Oklahoma (OU) and is supported by the taxpayers of Oklahoma. It is headquartered at the National Weather Center (NWC) on the OU campus."}, {"context": " Observations are available free of charge to the public. According to the \"Tulsa World\", creation of the Oklahoma Mesonet resulted from the inability of emergency management officials to plan for the May 26\u201327, 1984 flood that killed 14 people in the Tulsa area. The 1984 flood demonstrated that emergency managers could not receive accurate and adequate data quickly enough about the progress of flooding from airport radars, updated hourly. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University collaborated with the Climatological Survey and other public and private agencies to create the Oklahoma Mesonet. This system collects weather information (e.g., wind speed, rainfall, temperature) every 5 minutes from 121 Mesonet stations throughout Oklahoma. Emergency planners can now monitor up-to-date weather information in advance of the arrival of an approaching storm. The article quoted an official of the Tulsa Area Emergency Management as saying that his staff uses the Oklahoma Mesonet every day."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Mesonet consists of 121 remote stations across Oklahoma with at least one station in each of Oklahoma's 77 counties. Each Oklahoma Mesonet station is contained within a plot of land. Stations reside on a variety of locations including: University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University Research land, academic and foundation sites, federal/state/city land, airports, and privately owned property. Each site is visited at least three times per year during one of the Spring, Summer, and Fall passes. Sites are also visited by site technicians when there is a problem with a sensor or with communications. Additionally, sites are visited by a vegetation technician to ensure that the station is not overgrown by native plants. All sites generate their own electricity from solar panels and communicate mainly via radios on the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (OLETS)."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Mesonet utilizes a variety of meteorological instruments to collect its observations. Observations are collected through a data logger within an enclosure and transmitted back to the National Weather Center for quality assurance, archival, and public dissemination. The following are records measured by the Oklahoma Mesonet since January 1, 1996. The Oklahoma Mesonet produces many products public use. Every five minutes, maps of all of the meteorological variables are updated to show the latest observations. Users can also look at time series plots of a station (called meteograms) over a given period of time. Quality assured data files are available to be downloaded. Historical data can be plotted using the Oklahoma Mesonet's Long Term Average tools. Here are a few examples of the many products produced by the Oklahoma Mesonet.  The Oklahoma Mesonet runs a variety of programs to assist the public. The Oklahoma Mesonet data can be viewed on iOS and Android smartphones through the use of the Mesonet's free application. Features: Download:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Military Department", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Military Department is an agency of the state of Oklahoma that serves as the administrative agency for all matters concerning the Oklahoma National Guard. Under the authority and direction of the Governor of Oklahoma as commander-in-chief, the agency is responsible for planning, establishing, and enforcing rules and procedures governing the administration, supply, and training of the Oklahoma National Guard, when not in the active service of the United States, the Oklahoma State Guard and the Oklahoma Unorganized Militia. The Department also maintains all state-owned, licensed or leased facilities, including Camp Gruber."}, {"context": " The Adjutant General of Oklahoma, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate, serves as the administrative director of the Military Department and is the military commanding officer of the Oklahoma National Guard. The Military Department traces its history to 1890 when the United States Congress authorized one regiment of organized militia for Oklahoma Territory. Following that authorization, the Territorial Legislature passed a law in 1895 which provided for the organization and development of the Volunteer Militia, which later became the Oklahoma National Guard."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Military Department was established in 1951 and serves as the administrative agency for all matters concerning the Oklahoma National Guard and other military organizations of the State government. The Governor of Oklahoma is the commander-in-chief of all Oklahoma military organizations, making the Governor the chief officer of the Military Department. The Adjutant General of Oklahoma, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate, serves as the administrative head of the Military Department and is the military commanding officer of all Oklahoma military organizations, second only to the Governor. While serving as Adjutant General, the individual holding the office holds the rank of Major General."}, {"context": " In February 2015, Major General Myles Deering was succeeded as Adjutant General by Major General Robbie L. Asher. To assist him in running the Military Department, the Adjutant General appoints an Assistant Adjutant General for Army and an Assistant Adjutant General for Air, to oversee the Oklahoma Army National Guard and the Oklahoma Air National Guard respectively. Both Assistant Adjutants General have operational command over their units and both hold the rank of Brigadier General. The Joint Staff assists the Adjutant General in the decision making and execution process of the Military Department. The Joint Staff does not have operational command over any units of the Military Department. The sole function of the Joint Staff is command support, and its only authority is that which is delegated to it by the Adjutant General. The Joint Staff assists the Adjutant General in accomplishing his responsibilities for strategic direction of the Department, ensuring operation of all units under unified command, and their integration into land and air forces. The Joint Staff is composed of both Army and Air National Guard personnel."}, {"context": " The head of the Joint Staff is the Chief of the Joint Staff appointed by the Adjutant General, who has the rank of Brigadier General The Joint Staff is composed of the following directorates: The annual budget of the Military Department is divided into two primary sources: yearly appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature ($11.7 million) and federal funding made available thought the Master Cooperative Agreement. Expenditures for the Department are dedicated towards salaries for personnel and operating expenses in support of OMD managed facilities in support of the State Guard."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Municipal League", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) is an association of the incorporated cities and towns of Oklahoma, organized for mutual assistance and improvement. OML's functions include:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Museum Network", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Museum Network funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a statewide collaboration of five partner museums in the U.S. state of Oklahoma working together to provide hands-on discovery learning and science resources to families, students and educators across the state. Network members include Science Museum Oklahoma (Hub) in Oklahoma City, Jasmine Moran Children's Museum in Seminole, Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse & Adventure Quest in Enid, Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton and Tulsa Children's Museum in Tulsa."}, {"context": " In August 2008, five interactive hands-on science exhibits began touring between partner museums, rotating approximately every six months. Network museums also participate in nationally recognized training programs, exchanging best practices in order to maximize education, fundraising and capacity-building efforts. Additionally, a 40 ft museum on wheels, the Science Matters Mobile Museum, travels to rural areas of Oklahoma, engaging students in the outer most regions of the state. The Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, located in Muskogee, Oklahoma, honors Oklahoma musicians for their lifetime achievements in music. The induction ceremony and concert are held each year in Muskogee. Since its establishment in 1997, the Hall of Fame has inducted more than 37 individuals or groups, produced more than 7 concerts, and renovated in part the facility that will educate Oklahomans for generations about those innovators and industry icons from Oklahoma. In 1996, the Oklahoma Legislature began the vision for the Hall of Fame. State Senator Benn Robinson (D-Muskogee) and State Representative Barbara Staggs (D-Muskogee) co-authored a concurrent resolution designating Muskogee as the site of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. State Representative Bill Settle (D-Muskogee) continued to champion the cause by securing legislative appropriations that served to further promote the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. In 1997, \"Friends of Oklahoma Music\" was incorporated to serve as producer for annual induction ceremony events. In that same year, Friends of Oklahoma Music hosted and produced the first Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert at the Muskogee Civic Center. Two years later, in 1999, Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating created the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Board and appointed seven members to facilitate fundraising, site selection, and construction of a facility honoring the history and legacy of Oklahoma's music, which has contributed so much to the history and roots of American music."}, {"context": " In 2003, Friends of Oklahoma Music entered into a long-term lease agreement with the City of Muskogee and completed phase one of renovation to The Frisco Freight Depot, an old train depot. In October 2003, Friends and The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame moved their offices into the Depot, which is the site of the future Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Museum. In 2004, Friends of Oklahoma Music was renamed \"Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Foundation\". Then in 2005, the Hall of Fame assumed its current name by being renamed \"Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum\"."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma National Guard", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma National Guard, a division of the Oklahoma Military Department, is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It comprises both Army (OKARNG) and Air (OKANG) National Guard components. The Governor of Oklahoma is Commander-in-Chief of the Oklahoma National Guard when not on federal active duty. The state's highest-ranking military commander, the Adjutant General of Oklahoma (TAG), serves as the military head of the Guard and is second only to the Governor. The TAG is served by three Assistant Adjutants General, all brigadier generals, two from the Army Guard in the state, and the other the Air Guard chief. These positions are held by Army BG Steve D. Elliott, Army BG Louis W. Wilham, and Air Force BG Thomas W. Ryan. The two components each have a senior noncommissioned officer, State Command Sergeant Major for Army, currently CSM Tony F. Riggs, and State Command Chief Master Sergeant for Air, currently CCMSgt Ronald D. Teague. The TAG is also served by his Director of the Joint Staff or Chief of Staff, who has direct oversight of the state's full-time National Guard military personnel and civilian employees. This position is held by Army BG Jon M. Harrison."}, {"context": " The Governor may call individuals or units of the Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in special situations which require the Guard. In its state role, the Guard serves to execute state laws, protect the public health, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion. The National Guard may be called into federal service in response to a call by the President of the United States or U.S. Congress. When National Guard troops are called to federal service, the President serves as Commander-in-Chief."}, {"context": " The National Guard has two missions, a Title 10 federal mission and the other a Title 32 state controlled mission. Federal mission statement:0 During peacetime each state National Guard answers to the leadership in the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. During national emergencies, however, the President reserves the right to mobilize the National Guard, putting them in federal duty status. While federalized, the units answer to the combatant commander of the theatre in which they are operating and, ultimately, to the President. Even when not federalized, the Army National Guard has a federal obligation (or mission.) That mission is to maintain properly trained and equipped units, available for prompt mobilization for war, national emergency, or as otherwise needed. The Army National Guard is a partner with the Active Army and the Army Reserves in fulfilling the country's military needs."}, {"context": " State mission statement: The Army National Guard exists in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. The state, territory or district leadership are the commanders in chief for each Guard. Their adjutants general are answerable to them for the training and readiness of the units. At the state level, the governors reserve the ability, under the Constitution of the United States, to call up members of the National Guard in time of domestic emergencies or need. Oklahoma National Guard, Joint Forces Headquarters"}, {"context": " One of the first accomplishments of the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature was the creation of the Oklahoma Territorial Militia in 1890 The militia was officially renamed the Oklahoma Territorial National Guard on March 8, 1895. This first National Guard in what would become Oklahoma consisted of separate infantry companies, cavalry troops and artillery batteries and total strength was limited to 500 men. Between 1864 and 1895 the militias of the State of Colorado and the Territories of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arizona grew more organized as they continued to counter incursions and harassing attacks by Native Americans against white settlers. These militias would eventually organize into most of the National Guard units which would make up the 45th Infantry Division. In 1890 the Militia of the Territory of Oklahoma was formed. The four militias were mobilized in 1898 during the Spanish\u2013American War but only forces in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico were deployed, and fought in Cuba and The Philippines. In the early 1900s the National Guard was employed putting down various labor disputes."}, {"context": " With no pay or benefits for members, and officers required to furnish their own uniforms and horses, nevertheless, these militia forces maintained peace and assisted in emergencies in their territories. They also stood ready to serve the nation if wars were to come. After the sinking of the Battleship Maine on February 15, 1898, war was declared between the United States and Spain. Congress passed a volunteer bill allowing National Guard units to serve in the regular army as state units, with the approval of their governors. The Oklahoma National Guard was not federalized during the Spanish\u2013American War, but numerous officers and enlisted men served with the Rough Riders and with the First Territorial Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the latter, (predecessor to today's 1-180th Cavalry Squadron) was mobilized, but not deployed before the war ended. Many of those early Guardsmen who served could not be recognized by the federal Army at their ranks and positions, especially the officers, and so they enlisted as privates, with many swiftly demonstrating their abilities and being promoted accordingly."}, {"context": " In 1899, the Oklahoma National Guard was reorganized as the First Oklahoma Infantry Regiment, supported by a signal company. In 1903, an engineer company was added. Federal allotments to support the troops would later double and the Territorial legislature voted to expand support in money and men. With statehood, in 1907, the Territorial status of the Oklahoma National Guard came to an end. Units were moved from western Oklahoma (former Oklahoma Territory) to eastern Oklahoma (former Indian Territory), and a hospital unit and two cavalry troops were added. Before World War I the guardsmen were used by Gov. Lee Cruce (pictured left) to combat illegal boxing and horse racing operations and liquor- and blue-law violations."}, {"context": " The National Defense Act (The Dick Act) passed on June 3, 1916 which formally created the National Guard as a reserve component of the US Army, and fifteen days later the Oklahoma National Guard was called into federal service for duty along the Mexican border. After mobilization in Oklahoma City, the guardsmen moved to San Benito and Donna, Texas. They returned home after guarding the border, tedious duty, but one which gave them valuable field experience, and were mustered out on March 12, 1917. Colonel Roy Hoffman commanded the regiment, and Captain W. S. Key was in charge of a company from Wewoka. Both were later to be commanders of the 45th Division. They returned to Oklahoma to be discharged just in time to be called up for World War I."}, {"context": " The First Oklahoma Infantry was mobilized for service in World War I on March 31, 1917. At Camp Bowie, Texas, the First Oklahoma combined with the Seventh Texas Infantry to form the 142d Regiment of the Thirty-sixth Infantry Division. The guardsmen arrived in France on July 31, 1918, and in October served around Blanc Mont Ridge and in the Ferme Forest. One of the machine gun companies was commanded by Captain Raymond S. McLain, who in World War II would attain the highest combat command position ever to be reached by a National Guardsman. This was as commanding general of the XIX U. S. Army Corps. The 142nd Regiment was part of the capture of St. Etienne on October 9, 1918. They were in reserve when the war ended on November 11, 1918. The troops were discharged in July 1919."}, {"context": " One of the more significant contributions was the origination of the Native American \"Code Talkers.\" The 142nd had a company of Indians who spoke 26 languages and dialects. Two Indian officers were selected to supervise a communications system staffed by 18 Choctaw. The team transmitted messages relating to troop movements and their own tactical plans in their native tongue. Soldiers from other tribes, including the Cheyenne, Comanche, Cherokee, Osage and Yankton Sioux also were enlisted to communicate as code talkers. Previous to their arrival in France, the Germans had broken every American code used, resulting in the deaths of many Soldiers. However, the Germans never broke the Indians' \"code,\" and these Soldiers became affectionately known as \"code talkers.\""}, {"context": " Other Oklahoma units, smaller than regiment, several of which would later be combined to form today's 700th Support Battalion, the element of today's Brigade with the most combat credit, became part of the Rainbow, or 42nd Infantry Division, and conscripts went to the 90th Texas-Oklahoma Infantry Division. All three of these divisions saw combat in France. To replace the guardsmen on active duty, in 1918 the Second and Third Oklahoma Infantry Regiments (the future 1-179th Infantry Battalion) and a separate infantry battalion were recruited. These units later combined and constituted the Oklahoma National Guard until 1920. In 1919 these troops were sent to Drumright, Henryetta, Coalgate, and Haileyville during a labor disturbance."}, {"context": " In 1920, William S. Key, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, was discharged from the US Army after World War I to resume his commission in the Guard. He was appointed Captain, Field Artillery, Oklahoma Army National Guard and assigned to organize a tight artillery battery at Wewoka, Oklahoma. This horse drawn 75mm battery was federally recognized as Battery A, 1st Oklahoma Field Artillery on July 28, 1920. As white horses served as artillery animals, Battery \"A\" became known as the \"White Horse Battery\". Other artillery elements were organized in the Oklahoma National Guard, and on 18 July 1921, the 1st Oklahoma Field Artillery Regiment, consisting of a Regimental Headquarters and two firing battalions was federally recognized. In October 1921, the 1st Oklahoma Field Artillery became the 160th Field Artillery Regiment, consisting of the 1st and 2nd Battalions."}, {"context": " Between the World Wars the Oklahoma National Guard was frequently called to state duty. In 1921 the guardsmen were rushed to the Tulsa Race Riot. Gov. Jack C. Walton used the troops to prevent the legislature from convening during his impeachment. Gov. William H. Murray dispatched the National Guard thirty-four times during his administration, and Gov. Ernest W. Marland used guardsmen to allow the drilling of oil wells on the Capitol grounds in Oklahoma City. The history of the Oklahoma National Guard is largely the history of the 45th Infantry Division. The division was activated in 1940 and sent to Fort Sill, then to Camp Barkeley, Texas, where it was enlarged, then divided. The 158th Regiment and the Second Battalion of the 158th Artillery, were separated to form the 158th Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which served in the Panama Canal Zone and in the Southwest Pacific. Another battalion deployed to Alaska to help build the Alcan Highway and participate in the invasion of Okinawa, and another was posted to Asia to help construct the Burma Road. The remaining components of the 45th Division were sent to Sicily in 1943, where they fought in the campaigns of Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. After returning from Europe, the unit was deactivated on December 7, 1945."}, {"context": " Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the US Gulf Coast in September 2005. Soon after returning from Afghanistan, the 180th Infantry Regiment sent 200 soldiers to Louisiana in support of relief operations immediately following Katrina. Oklahoma's response to Katrina was so rapid and so well prepared that the commander of the Oklahoma contingent was made the commander of the 13,000 person multi state and service task force on the ground. In support of relief operations the 180th saved many lives and received numerous awards."}, {"context": " In late 2005 the 180th was notified of an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Task Force Phoenix V, as the security force for the Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade. Companies C, D, and Headquarters Company deployed in March 2006. Members of other companies accompanied the battalion to provide needed critical skills. While in Afghanistan the 1-180th received eight Purple Hearts and several citations for valor. The 180th lost its first combat casualty in the conflict in Afghanistan when Sergeant Buddie Hughie of Poteau was killed in action while performing duties as a combat medic on 19 February 2007."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Native Plant Society", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The purpose of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, organized in 1986, is to encourage the study, protection, propagation, appreciation, and use of Oklahoma's native plants. It sponsors a number of activities including field trips, a spring wildflower workshop, and a wildflower photo contest. The society also publishes a quarterly newsletter, \"The Gaillardia\", which keeps members informed of activities and contains stories and essays about wildflowers. In addition, the society sponsors Color Oklahoma, a project dedicated to the beautification of Oklahoma's highways via the planting of wildflowers and maintenance of naturally occurring wildflower populations in rights-of-way."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Native Plant Society works with the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council to educate the public about the harm caused by invasive plants in Oklahoma and to help control the spread of invasive plants in the state. Initiated in 2001, The Oklahoma Native Plant Record (ISSN 1536-7738) is the annual scientific publication of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society. Current and back issues, (Volumes 1 and 4 to the present) can be ordered by contacting the Society c/o Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 South Peoria, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114. All volumes are available online."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Natural Gas", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Natural Gas is the largest natural gas distributor in the state of Oklahoma. Originally founded in 1906, it is one of the oldest corporations in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Natural Gas is a regulated public utility which serves 871,000 customers, employing 1,100 employees. It operates 19,200 miles of service lines, pipelines and other natural gas properties. Oklahoma Natural Gas is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. Oklahoma Natural Gas has offices located across the state with a division office in downtown Oklahoma City.  ONE Gas is a successor to the company founded in 1906 as Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, and became ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) in 1980. ONEOK separated its natural gas distribution business in 2014 to create ONE Gas, Inc."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Building", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Building is a historic building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 624 South Boston Ave. It was one of the first local Art Deco buildings built in the new Art Deco style, along with the Public Service of Oklahoma Building. This choice by the relatively conservative utility companies made the style acceptable in the city, with many Art Deco buildings built subsequently in Tulsa. The building was designed by Frank V. Kirshner and Arthur M. Atkinson. It was built of reinforced concrete, and clad in buff brick, except for the lower two stories, which are clad in limestone. The verticalness of the building is emphasized by piers rising the entire height of the facade with windows placed between the piers."}, {"context": " This building was spared from demolition in 1982, when ONEOK (the successor to ONG) abandoned its plan to replace the structure with a new high-rise headquarters building. Instead, ONEOK took over a high-rise then under construction by Citgo at Fifth Street and Boulder Avenue. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 10, 1984, for architectural significance and as a representative of the tremendous growth Tulsa experienced during the 1920s. It is included in the Oil Capital Historic District as a contributing structure.  Building's Web Site:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Odd Fellows Home at Checotah", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Odd Fellows Home at Checotah is a historical building complex in Checotah, Oklahoma, central United States, now on . It includes Romanesque Revival and Bungalow/Craftsman architecture. Also known as Odd Fellows Widows and Orphans Home and as Checotah Odd Fellows Home, it served historically as institutional housing and as educational related housing. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The listing includes one contributing building and two other contributing structures.  The Home, started in 1902 on of land donated by William Gentry, was expanded in c. 1905, and again in 1922 and in 1962. It was designed originally by architect Joseph Foucart, who may also have designed the compatible c. 1905 expansion. M.T. Hardin designed the Bungalow/Craftsman addition in 1922. The Carmen IOOF Home, in Carmen, is another NRHP-listed Odd Fellows retirement home in the state."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (EQA) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Education, EQA provides oversight and accountability to the public education services provided through the Oklahoma State Department of Education. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability is overseen by the seven-member Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, which is the agency's governing body. The Secretary of Education serves as the chair of the Commission and as the Office's executive officer. The current Secretary of Education is Phyllis Hudecki, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2011."}, {"context": " The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability is set to be established January 1, 2013. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability serves as the independent oversight and accountability agency for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. The Office monitors the Education Department's programs to ensure local school districts are performing in accordance with State standards. The Office's mission focus is divided into two mission areas: Educational Quality through teacher preparation and training and Accountability through performance reviews"}, {"context": " The Office of Accountability was created in 1990 to oversee school performance and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation was created in 1995 to establish standards for teacher candidates. In 2012, Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin signed SB 1797 into law, consolidating the two agencies into the single Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. SB 1797 placed the new Office under the authority of the Oklahoma Secretary of Education. Pursuant to SB 1797, the new Office will be established on January 1, 2013, at which time the former Office of Accountability and Commission for Teacher Preparation will be dissolved.  As of the passage of SB 1797 in May 2012, the Oklahoma Legislature has yet to approve a budget for the new State agency. In accordance with SB 1797, all monies and personnel of the former Office of Accountability and Commission for Teacher Preparation will be transferred to the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. For Fiscal Year 2012, the combined budget of the former agencies is $5.5 million while the combined authorized employee levels are 12 FTE."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) is an agency of State of Oklahoma that is responsible for reducing the State's vulnerability to acts of terrorism and for minimizing and recovering the damage caused by terrorist attacks. OKOHS is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The Office is headed by a Director of Homeland Security who is appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma. The inaugural Director, Kerry Pettingill, was appointed by Governor Brad Henry in January 2004. On February 10, 2011, Governor Mary Fallin appointed Kim Edd Carter as the second Director of OKOHS."}, {"context": " Recognizing the need for coordinated preparedness and security efforts after the Oklahoma City Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995, and more especially after the attack on the World Trade Centers, and Pentagon in September 11, 2001, Governor Frank Keating issued an executive order calling for the creation of the Interim Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. In February, 2002, the Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution 42 and the Oklahoma Interim Office of Homeland Security was formally created."}, {"context": " 1.2. 9/11: In the wake of the September 11th attacks the need for defensive approach on American soil was seen, and along with the United States Department of Homeland Security, many states organized their own versions of Homeland Security agencies. After the Oklahoma State Senate passed Joint Resolution 42 in February 2002. The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security was officially formed in July of that year, but was not its own agency and relied on other state agencies. In January 2004, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security designating the Office as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) - the single state agency responsible for the delivery of federal homeland security training, equipment funding and technical assistance. In April, 2004, the Legislature passed House Bill 2280 - the Oklahoma Homeland Security Act. Governor Brad Henry signed the bill and formally created the standalone agency - the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security."}, {"context": " The strategic objectives of the Office, as established in state statute, are: Following its creation, Governor Brad Henry designated the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security as the State Administrative Agency of all United States Department of Homeland Security grant programs funds. According to the Oklahoma Homeland Security Act, the Governor of Oklahoma is the chief officer of OKOHS. The Governor is responsible for appointing a Director of Homeland Security to oversee the day-to-day operations of OKOHS. The current Director of Homeland Security is Kim Edd Carter, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in February 2011."}, {"context": " Director Carter a veteran of law enforcement with more than 32 years of experience. Carter served as the fusion center coordinator and program manager for information sharing at the OKOHS before his appointment. Before joining the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security in 2007, Carter spent 26 years with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. During his tenure at OSBI, he achieved the rank of assistant director of the investigative division where he managed more than 100 employees, including law enforcement officers and civilian employees. Prior to joining OSBI, Carter was a patrol officer with the Oklahoma City Police Department."}, {"context": " This is a program that was organized and created along with the OKOHS. This program is done in part of cooperating with the federal government (which is required to use the NIMS framework in effort to aide and support state and local authorities), and other states in effort of national homeland security. It is the first-ever standardized approach to incident management and response. Developed by the United States Department of Homeland Security and put into action on March 2004, it establishes a uniform set of processes and procedures that emergency responders at all levels of government will use to conduct response operations. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) integrates effective practices in emergency response into a comprehensive national framework for incident management. The purpose of this program is to enable federal, state, and local authorities to respond to any domestic incident regardless of its urgency, size of the threat."}, {"context": " \"- Agricultural Response Unit:\" Overview This unit is operated, and equipped with cooperation with the State Agricultural Department. They're equipped with eight mobile cleaning and disinfecting units that are located in areas across the state in effort to make response and elimination of agricultural disasters and/or an animal disease outbreak. The teams that are organized will operate and man the mobile units during any state of emergency regarding animal diseases, or major agricultural disasters. In addition, one decontamination unit can be used to clean and disinfect equipment used during other Regional Response System emergencies."}, {"context": " Capabilities They're capabilities include: disinfecting contaminated equipment from an animal or plant disease outbreak; the decontamination of equipment in a hazardous materials incident, and the rehabilitation shelter for first responders Team Information They consist of teams with a minimum of six team members. Each member is IFSAC-Certified to NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations level, and are also trained in Agriculture Response and Biological Agent. \"- Intermediate CBRNE Units:\" Overview"}, {"context": " There are 13 Intermediate CBRNE Units throughout the state. Each unit is equipped with a 38 foot trailer with a multi-use tow vehicle that can be disconnected and used for transport of authorities and/or equipment. Additional fixed equipment includes a command and research center, laptop computers, satellite receiver, a light tower, a generator and an interoperable communications system. Capabilities There are a wide range of capabilities that each unit possesses. These include the ability to set up quarantine zones and interoperable communications; as well as possessing the equipment, and guide books, needed to identify a wide range of chemicals. Along with this, they possess materials needed to hold and transport dangerous and harmful liquids and gasses safely. They are able to conduct decontamination, gross and technical, on the spot. They have the ability to initialize basic emergency procedures, and act as the command center for authorities in any and all emergency events that require their assistance."}, {"context": " Team Information Each team is made up of nine members, seven of which are required to be IFSAC-Certified to the NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Technician Level; and two of which are required to be IFSAC-Certified to the NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations Level. - \"Intermediate Technical Rescue Units:\" Overview There are 10 Intermediate Technical Rescue Units across the state. Each unit is equipped with a 38 foot trailer, a tow vehicle (such as the one utilized by the CBRNE units), and a small emergency vehicle - a multi-use trailer with a 44-horsepower diesel engine - along with a 20 KW generator for each unit; tower lighting used for mass operations. Fixed equipment includes a full range of hydraulic core technology extrication tools, two 900-watt light towers, a breathing air compressor system, four cascade air tanks and storage for additional equipment."}, {"context": " Capabilities There are a wide range of capabilities that each unit possesses. These include the ability to set up structural collapse operations and interoperable communications with other units; conduct high angle rescue, and conduct recue operations in confined spaces. They have the ability to provide O2, cascade systems, and electrical power to other units. They have the ability to initialize basic emergency procedures, and act as the command center for authorities in any and all emergency events that require their assistance."}, {"context": " Team Information Each team is made up of nine members - each of which has to be trained to IFSAC-Certified to NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations level; to NFPA 1670 Structural Collapse Operations level; and in Ropes Rescue I & II, Trench Rescue, Confined Space, and Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Operations. - \"Logistical Support Response Unit:\" Overview There is only one Logistical Support Response Unit and it is located at the Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training in outside Stillwater. They are equipped with a tractor trailer that contains a large air compressor, a large cache of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and extra SCBA cylinders. Their primary objective is to provide logistical support to other responding teams and authorities responding to emergencies."}, {"context": " Capabilities Their capabilities include providing breathable air and refill cylinders, along with a cascade system to other responding units. Their generators allow for them to provide power and electrical backup to other responding authorities; along with tower lighting and long range communication abilities. This unit is also in possession of additional personal protective equipment, or PPE, for large emergency events. Team Information This team is made up of twelve members who are all required to be IFSAC-Certified to the NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations Level."}, {"context": " -\"Mass Decontamination Units:\" Overview There are two Mass Decontamination units located in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Each unit is composed of a self-driven machine that contains an decontamination rig inside. Each unit also contains a generator with the ability to produce hot water and external showers with decontamination capabilities. This unit is closely utilized with CBRNE units, though not especially for their use only. Capabilities The name provides a majority of their capabilities as they are used for primarily decontaminating victims of emergencies and first responders at a rate of 150-200 persons per hour. They provide a rest and recovery center, along with the ability to provide medical treatment if necessary, and they can act a personnel staging area for authorities and responders."}, {"context": " Team Information Each team consist of ten members, each of which is required to be IFSAC-Certified to the NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations Level -\"Mobil Agricultural Laboratory:\" Overview This unit is owned and operated by the State Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF). They received a Mobile Laboratory to assist the Agriculture Response Units in managing an incident. This laboratory can assist in other emergencies as well. The mobile laboratory can be deployed into the field for onsite testing of samples by state laboratory technicians during an animal or plant disease outbreak or other emergency."}, {"context": " Capabilities This unit acts as its own command post for on-site testing for diseases (both animal and agricultural based), and as a rest and recovery center for first responders. -\"Mobil Communications and Command Units:\" Overview There are three Mobile Communications and Command Units - Command-1, Command-2 and Command-3. All three units are setup for each to handle multiple different emergencies over multiple different jurisdictions. Each unit is staffed with several team members. Team members represent multiple agencies and possess communications, electronics and computer operations experience and have been trained to use the sophisticated computer and communications equipment on the units."}, {"context": " Command-1: Command- 1 is owned and operated by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. It has the capabilities to bridge communications and radio transmissions for different cities, counties, and state-wide emergency communications systems. This unit is composed of a 18-wheeler that functions as a central communications and command hub for responders in major state wide disasters. Command-2 The Oklahoma Highway Patrol owns and operates Command-2. Its primary functions to provide on-site broadband Internet through and onboard satellite link, a satellite and cellular phone communications rapid deployable radio communications for on-site cross-band radio net integration for VHF/UHF/800\u00a0MHz, military and amateur radio. This unit consists of only a 2008 Ford F350 with a camper attachment with onboard generator, and an ability for operate on a standalone basis due to their own power output and the ability to traverse off-road."}, {"context": " Command-3 Command-3 is owned and maintained by the Department of Agriculture. This unit is a Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD 4WD pickup truck containing a large communications camper-style shell. They are equipped with multiple VHF, UHF and 800\u00a0MHz public safety radio systems, mobile repeaters, a mobile satellite communications system and telephone systems, among other capabilities. This units design allows for the transport of minimal personnel on rugged and off-road terrain, and the ability to operate in confined areas."}, {"context": " -\"Regional CBRNE Units:\" Overview There are five Regional CBRNE units located along I-40. Each of the Regional CBRNE Units is a forty-foot, self-driven apparatus. Fixed equipment on the unit includes a command and research center, laptop computers, a generator and an interoperable communications radio system. Capabilities The capabilities of this unit closely mirror those of the Intermediate CBRNE Units, only on a smaller scale than that of the Intermediate units. Team Information Each team holds a minimum of twenty members; fifteen are required to be IFSAC-Certified to the NFA 472 Hazardous Materials Technician Level. Five of which are IFSAC-Certified to the NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations Level"}, {"context": " -\"Regional Emergency Medical Services System:\" Overview This unit was developed by the Homeland Security Regional Response System. Its primary objective is to provide medical equipment, personnel, and a means of transport during large statewide emergencies. There are currently 33 units strategically placed throughout the state. There are three types of units: the Bantam EMS, the Medium EMS and the Large EMS. Capabilities Bantam EMS Units There are sixteen of these units throughout the state; each with the capabilities of treating upwards to twenty five people with medical supplies and equipment. They're equipped with O2 reserves and backboards as well. It is versatile in the sense that it can be easily attached to any pickup, or vehicle with a trailer hitch."}, {"context": " Medium EMS Units There are fifteen of these units throughout the state; each has the capabilities to treat upwards of 100 people with medical supplies and equipment inside a temperature controlled trailer, enabled with H.E.A.R.S. radios, generators, and outdoor lighting. Large EMS Units There are only two large EMS units in the state, each is capable treating upwards to 200 people with medical supplies and equipment. They possess onboard O2 supplies, along with satellite communications. It is the only unit to act as a command post for other units and authorities."}, {"context": " Additional Support Additional support is provided by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol allowing them to utilize the Emergency Medical Service Unit (EMSU) to augment the Regional DMR teams. These troopers will provide triage, treatment and security assistance during a response. Oklahoma Highway Patrol has assigned 20 troopers to the regional teams. Ambulance Strike Teams There at five Advance Life Support ground ambulances that hold two personnel on board; there is one team leader per vehicle, one of which is required to be an ALS provider that is either Paramedic or EMT-1 certified. There are five basic life support ambulances with two personnel each, both who are EMT-Basic certified."}, {"context": " -\"Small Decontamination Units:\" Overview There are twenty four SD units throughout the state. Each unit is a fourteen foot trailer that comes equipped with a decontamination tent (that can double as a rest and recovery area) and other decontamination materials meant only for small areas, or people. Each trailer also holds electric capabilities through use of a small generator. These units are operated through, or in cooperation with the Intermediate CBRNE units to provide the decontamination of individuals and small areas. They are however not meant for the clean up of hazardous spills or large scale contamination."}, {"context": " Capabilities They possess the ability to decontaminate people at 50/hour. They can act as a small command post, and a rehabilitation and staging area for authorities and first responders; as well as the ability to apply medical treatment to victims. Team Information Each team consist of six members who are all IFSAC-Certified to NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations Level. -\"Small Rescue Units:\" Overview There are three units in across the state. Powered by a 44 horse powered diesel engine, each one is a small multi-use, self contained trailer equipped with materials used for technical rescue, hydraulic core extraction tools, two light towers, an air compressor system that can allot for breathable air and four cascade air tanks."}, {"context": " Capabilities Each units capabilities include the ability for rapid deployment, along with extrication equipment for accidents involving vehicles, agricultural, and industrial. Their lighted towers can light up large areas in order to aide in nighttime emergencies. These lighted towers are powered by their generators that be utilized for many different needs, including to power air filtration and other O2 needs. Team Information Each unit holds six members each, all of which are required to be trained to NFPA 1670 Vehicle and Machinery Search and Rescue Operations level and Rope Rescue Operations level."}, {"context": " -\"Urban Search and Rescue:\" Overview There are two of these units in the state. Each unit have training and equipment in order to aide in FEMA responders, and other regional teams. Their equipment is also based on FEMA standards. They have the ability to conduct large scale rescue missions and events. They have equipment that rivals other emergency units; each unit possess a 42 foot trailer, with tow vehicles These units have similar training and equipment to the FEMA regional US&R teams, including high level rescue capabilities. Each unit includes a 42-foot trailer and tow vehicle; other equipment includes three quad-cab, four-wheel drive, one-ton trucks, a bobcat with attachments and a 27-foot enclosed trailer to transport the bobcat and any additional equipment."}, {"context": " Capabilities These units have similar abilities to those of the Immediate technical rescue units; with the only addition being that of a canine search and rescue and handler. Team Information These units are the largest ones in the state, each consisting of 125 members from 33 different agencies around Tulsa and Oklahoma City. All members of each team are trained to the NFPA 1670 Structural Collapse Technician level, and certified in IFSAC-certified to the NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations level. These teams also have specialized training in Medical Specialist, Technical Information Specialist, Structure Specialist, Heavy Equipment and Rigging Specialist, Technical Search Specialist, Canine Search Specialist, Logistic Specialist and Communications Specialist."}, {"context": " Fusion centers operate as state and major urban area focal points for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information between federal; state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT); and private sector partners. The Office of Homeland Security is responsible for overseeing the State's Fusion Center. The Fusion Center serves as a central office for the detection, prevention, investigation and response to criminal and terrorist activity. Information collected by the various public safety and law enforcement agencies of the State is reviewed and analysized by the Center. As of 2011, the Center is administratively housed within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.  To assist the Office in overseeing the Center, Governor Brad Henry issued Executive Order 2007-41 which established a Governance Board over the Center. As of 2011, the Board is composed of the following members: The current director of the State Fusion Center, as of 2017, is David Stenhouse."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma headquartered in Oklahoma City that is responsible for planning and coordinating statewide juvenile justice and delinquency prevention services. OJA is also responsible for operating juvenile correctional facilities in the State. The Board of Juvenile Affairs is the governing body of OJA. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, by and with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate. The Board is responsible for appointing the Executive Director of the Office, who serves at the pleasure of the Board. The current Executive Director is T. Keith Wilson."}, {"context": " The Office of Juvenile Affairs was created on July 1, 1995 during the term of Governor Frank Keating. The Office of Juvenile Affairs was legislatively created during the 1994 session when the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Juvenile Reform Act. Prior to this time, services for Oklahoma's in-need-of-supervision and delinquent youth were provided by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The Office of Juvenile Affairs is under the supervision of the Secretary of Human Services. Under current Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Dr. Terry Cline is serving as Secretary."}, {"context": " The Board of Juvenile Affairs is the governing body of the Office of Juvenile Affairs. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, by and with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate. The term of office for each board member is six years. Appointments are limited to two terms. The Board is responsible for appointing the Executive Director of the Office, who serves at the pleasure of the Board. The Board of Juvenile affairs sets broad policy for the OJA and is the rule making body for the OJA. The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving the budget, assisting the agency in planning activities related to the priorities and policies of the agency, providing a public forum for receiving comments and disseminating information to the public, and establishing contracting procedures for the agency and guidelines for rates of payment for services provided by contract."}, {"context": " As of January 2014, the members of the Board are as follows: The Rehabilitation Services Department, with an annual budget of well over $100 million, is one of the largest employers of the State. For fiscal year 2010, the Department was authorized 1,057 full-time employees. The Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COCJ), located in Tecumseh, holds both boys and girls. is located on a plat of land and occupies of it. The school opened in 1917 and was under the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs since 1995; previously it was in the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. It previously served as an orphanage and mental health center in addition to being a juvenile correctional facility. Known by its current name since 1992, it was previously known as Girls Town, the Oklahoma State Industrial School for Incorrigible Girls, the State Industrial School for White Girls, Russell Industrial School, and Central Oklahoma Juvenile Treatment Center.  The Southwest Oklahoma Juvenile Center is located in Manitou."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) is a government agency which manages and supports the basic functioning of the government of Oklahoma. Under the leadership of the Oklahoma Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology, OMES provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the Governor of Oklahoma on developing the annual state budget. Originally called the Office of State Finance, the agency was renamed to its current name in 2012."}, {"context": " The Office is headed by a director who is appointed by the governor with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the governor. Within the office is the state's chief information officer, who is also appointed by the governor, who oversees the state's information technology systems. The current OMES director is Denise Northrup, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2017. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services was created in 2012 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin."}, {"context": " The Office of State Finance was created in 1947 by Governor of Oklahoma Robert S. Kerr to replace the State Budget Office. In April 2010, Governor Brad Henry appointed the Oklahoma's first chief information officer following legislation passed in the last session of 2009 modernizing Oklahoma's state government information technology system. Part of the CIO's responsibilities is to identify synergies possible through the reduction of duplicate systems and centralizing IT infrastructure. The Office of State Finance was significantly reformed in 2011 when Governor Mary Fallin signed the Government Administrative Process Consolidation and Reorganization Reform Act of 2011. Pursuant to that Act, several agencies were consolidated into OSF, including the Oklahoma Department of Central Services, the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management, the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Council, and the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board. All the powers and duties of those agencies were vested in the director of OSF and the individual agencies became subsidiary divisions of the OSF, which was renamed the Office of Management and Enterprise Services."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was an agency of the government of Oklahoma which was dissolved in 2011. OPM managed the civil service of the state government. OPM previously provided comprehensive human resource services to all state agencies and employees (excluding institutions of higher education), as well as information for individuals interested in state service careers. OPM, together with the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission, was responsible for administering and enforcing the State Merit System."}, {"context": " The Office of Personnel Management was created as an independent agency in 1982 during the term of Governor George Nigh as the successor to the Merit System Office. OPM was consolidated into the Office of State Finance in 2011 during the term of Governor Mary Fallin. The Office of Personnel Management, in partnership with the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission, administers a variety of personnel-related management systems and services within state government to ensuring a professional and non-political civil service. In addition to administering the Merit System, the OPM provides a wide variety of personnel-related services and regulatory functions affecting all agencies and employees in all branches of state government. It is the responsibility of OPM to maintain a central clearing house of all classified job openings for the state government."}, {"context": " OPM has total jurisdiction over state employees that are in the classified service and very limited jurisdiction over unclassified service employees. Classified employees are all state employees and positions which are subject to rules of OPM and the decisions of the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission. This is as opposed to the unclassified service, which are at-will employees. The two primary distinctions between classified and unclassified employees are as follows: The Office is under the supervision of the Director of State Finance and subject to the direct executive control of the Administrator of the Office. The Administrator is appointed by the Director to serve at his pleasure. Prior to reforms enacted in 2011, the Administrator was appointed by and reported directly to the Governor of Oklahoma. The last Administrator appointed by a Governor was Oscar B. Jackson Jr., who served in that position from 1991 until his retirement in 2011 following the reforms."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is the agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for investigating sudden, unexpected, violent or suspicious deaths. In this capacity, OCME provides support services to State law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and public health officials. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1961 but did not receive funding to become operational until 1967. The Chief Medical Examiner must be a licensed physician, trained and certified in forensic pathology."}, {"context": " The Board of Medicolegal Investigations is responsible for governing the operations of OCME and for setting policy which the Chief Medical Examiner executes. It is the responsibility of the Board to appoint and dismiss the Chief Medical Examiner. All members of the Board receive no compensation for their services. The Board appoints a Chief Medical Examiner, who is the chief executive of the OCME. Under Oklahoma statute, deaths of the types listed below must be reported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The Office has the authority to further investigate for the benefit of the public health, as funding, staffing, facilities, and other regulations allow.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was authorized a budget of $6.2 million for State fiscal year 2012. The Oklahoma Legislature authorized the agency to employ 77 full time equivalent positions for that period."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Open", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Open is the Oklahoma state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Oklahoma Golf Association. It has been played every year since 1910 at a variety of courses around the state. It was considered a PGA Tour event briefly in the 1920s."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Open Meeting Act", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Open Meeting Act (25 O.S. Sections 301 - 314) is an Oklahoma state law that requires that all meetings of public bodies (state and local boards and commissions) must be open to the public and that the public must be given advance public notice of such meetings. Such notice must include the specific time, place, and purpose of the meeting. Together with the Oklahoma Open Records Act, the Act serves to encourage the public to participate in and understand the governmental processes and governmental problems throughout the State.  The Oklahoma Open Meeting Act was signed into law by Governor David L. Boren on June 1, 1977."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Ordnance Works", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Ordnance Works (OOW) was a government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) facility that was built in Mayes County, Oklahoma to produce smokeless powder and other military explosives that were to be used during World War II. The facility was closed from 1946 until 1954, when production resumed until 1956, then closed again. In 1960, it was sold to the Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority (OOWA), which converted most of the facility to become the mid America Industrial Park. In July 1941, the War Department decided to build a munitions manufacturing facility between Chouteau and Pryor in Mayes County, Oklahoma. Site selection criteria included an ample supply of water and hydroelectric power, relatively level ground and an available local work force. Completion of the nearby Pensacola Dam in 1940 had assured this site would have adequate supplies of electricity and water."}, {"context": " During the summer of 1941, the government began buying approximately of land for the facility. Concurrently, the duPont Company began designing the plant to produce smokeless powder. Although the project, now designated as the Oklahoma Ordnance Works (OOW), was originally estimated to cost $32 million, by September 1941, the estimate had risen to about $80 million. The plant started up in June 1942 and began actual production of smokeless powder in September. In January 1942, the government formed a War Production Board began to expand powder and munitions production plants. In March 1942, a TNT plant was constructed. Other production plants included those for nitric acid, sulfuric acid and tetryl. Production continued until the war ended in 1945. By the end of the war, the complex covered containing 487 buildings, 24 residences, of railroad track, and four complete water systems. Ultimately, the OOW produced more than of smokeless powder and of TNT and tetryl. Production ceased on August 16, 1945."}, {"context": " During autumn 1944, some vacant dormitories at the OOW complex were used to house German prisoners of war. They were separated from the rest of the complex by fenced perimeters patrolled by U. S. Army military police and manned guard towers. Some prisoners were allowed to perform farm work, escorted by armed guards, as allowed by the Geneva Convention. Apparently none worked in the OOW facilities. Prisoners were repatriated beginning in the fall of 1945. The complex was put up for sale in 1946, but there were no bidders. The General Services Administration (GSA) sold the electric power and water plants to the state of Oklahoma. The Department of Defense (DOD), successor to the War Department, decided to keep the rest of the complex, then reactivated the plant for production from 1954 until 1956."}, {"context": " GSA then offered the facility for lease in 1958. Instead, it was sold in 1960 to the State of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority (OOWA), a public trust, was formed in December 1960 to redevelop and administer twelve thousand acres of the complex into the mid America Industrial Park. OOW had a major impact on the economy of eastern Oklahoma. Most importantly, it was a source of employment for thousands of people. Other projects were begun to house the five to ten thousand workers who would be needed to build and operate the facility. The area enclosed by Chouteau, Pryor and Locust Grove, Oklahoma began to be known as the \"Golden Triangle,\" because of its sudden economic boom. A $500,000 sewer and water improvement project for Chouteau was funded by OOW. The United States Housing Authority built 500 homes for workers in Pryor, while the Home Owners Loan Corporation funded 335 more. Because of the conversion to an industrial park, the net positive impact has continued into the 21st Century.  MidAmerica Industrial Park"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Organic Act", "paragraphs": [{"context": " An Organic Act is a generic name for a statute used by the United States Congress to describe a territory, in anticipation of being admitted to the Union as a state. Because of Oklahoma's unique history, (much of the state was a place where aboriginal natives have always lived and after forced removal many other tribes were relocated here), an explanation of the Oklahoma Organic Act needs a historic perspective. In general, the Oklahoma Organic Act may be viewed as one of a series of legislative acts, from the time of Reconstruction, enacted by Congress in preparation for the creation of a unified State of Oklahoma. The Organic Act created Oklahoma Territory, and Indian Territory that were Organized incorporated territories of the United States out of the old \"unorganized\" Indian Territory. The Oklahoma Organic Act was one of several acts whose intent was the assimilation of the tribes in Oklahoma and Indian Territories through the elimination of tribal reservations and the elimination of the tribes' communal ownership of property."}, {"context": " \"Indian removal\" was a nineteenth-century policy of the US Government to relocate aboriginal natives living east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river. The Indian Removal Act, a specific implementation of the Removal Policy, was signed by President Andrew Jackson on May 28, 1830. The Act transformed most of the current state of Oklahoma into an Indian Territory, where southern aboriginal natives (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole, also called the Five Civilized Tribes) were relocated. The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation of the Choctaw Nation in 1831."}, {"context": " In 1834, Congress created the first Indian Territory, with the Five Civilized Tribes occupying the land that became the State of Oklahoma, excluding its panhandle. See: Indian Territory in the American Civil War Several members of the Five Civilized Tribes owned slaves and had sympathies with the Confederacy. All of the Five Civilized Tribes signed treaties placing themselves \"under the protection of the Confederate States of America\" During the Civil War, Congress passed a statute concerning the Abrogation of treaties with Indian Tribes, (codified at 25 USC Sec. 72) which states:"}, {"context": " Whenever the tribal organization of any Indian tribe is in actual hostility to the United States, the President is authorized, by proclamation, to declare all treaties with such tribe abrogated by such tribe if in his opinion the same can be done consistently with good faith and legal and national obligations. As part of the Reconstruction effort following the Civil War, a \"Southern Treaty Commission\" was formed to meet with Indian tribes to negotiate new treaties. A result of these \"Reconstruction Treaties\" with various tribes was that the land allocated to the Five Civilized tribes was reduced to the eastern part of the territory, making room for relocation of other Indian tribes. Later, other aboriginal people, such as the Apache, Comanche, Delaware, Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and the Osage Nation were also forced to relocate to the Territories (there are currently 38 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma)."}, {"context": " The Southern Treaty Commission formulated the 1866 Treaty of Washington with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations which contained the following provisions: Under the Cherokee Reconstruction Treaty of 1866, the Osage Nation began the process of purchasing approximately 1,570,059 acres in the Cherokee Outlet from the Cherokee Nation. The Osage Reservation was part of Oklahoma Territory under the Oklahoma Organic Act of 1890 and was made a semiautonomous district by the Enabling Act of 1906. With the passage of the Osage Allotment Act of June 28, 1906 (34 Stat. 539 c. 3572), each member of the tribe received an average allotment of 659.51 acres, with no surplus land remaining and the tribe retained ownership of mineral under the land (held in trust by the US Government)."}, {"context": " The United States House Committee on Territories was initially formed in 1825. Shortly after the Civil War, the Committee began discussing how best to assimilate the Five Civilized Tribes and how to combine Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory. It was decided that one component of assimilation would be the distribution of property held in-common by the tribe to individual members of the tribe. A second component of this decision was that in 1871, Congress decided that the United States would no longer deal with Indian tribes through a formal treaty-making process, providing that \"[n]o Indian nation or tribe within the territory of the United States shall be acknowledged or recognized as an independent nation ...\"."}, {"context": " From the 1870s through the early 1900s, the Committee on Territories heard arguments from the Five Civilized Tribes that the lands within their territory should not be included within the State of Oklahoma and that a separate State of Sequoyah should be created for the Tribes. The Cherokee Commission, created by Section 14 of the Indian Appropriations Act of March 2, 1889, was empowered to acquire land in the Cherokee Outlet not occupied by tribes, and to acquire excess land of other tribes in the Oklahoma Territory for non-indigenous homesteading. Eleven agreements involving nineteen tribes were signed over the period of May 1890 through November 1892. Investigations for Commission irregularities continued through the end of the 20th Century."}, {"context": " The 1889 Act also opened the Unassigned Lands to homesteaders, which included the Land Run of 1889 that settled Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Congress rejected the Five Civilized Tribes' argument for a State of Oklahoma and a separate State of Sequoyah. On May 2, 1890, the Oklahoma Organic Act was passed officially creating Oklahoma Territory, which initially excluded lands occupied by the Five Civilized Tribes, but reorganized the legal system of Indian Territory, providing for a mechanism to consolidate Oklahoma and Indian Territories."}, {"context": " \"The purpose of the Organic Act was to begin the process of creating a state and forming a government, while still allowing time to divide the property of the Five Civilized Tribes and transfer the property from communal to individual ownership.\" In the 1890s both Oklahoma and Indian Territories contained Indian Reservations. Indian Territory was primarily a consolidation of the Five Civilized Tribes plus an assortment of tribes in the northeast part of the territory, land administered by the Quapaw Indian Agency."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Territory was essentially an amalgamation of what was left over; land unassigned to other territories and states. Major components of what would become the State of Oklahoma include: The Oklahoma Organic Act specifically extended civil and criminal Arkansas laws over the Indian Territory. Historically, non-Indians were not allowed in Indian Territory and the Federal Court in Ft. Smith, Arkansas had jurisdiction over Indian Territory. Arkansas recognizes the doctrine of Riparian water rights, based on English common law, and generally accepted in the eastern part of the United States."}, {"context": " For the Oklahoma Territory, the laws of Nebraska were to prevail. Water rights in Oklahoma Territory and the western United States, water rights were generally allocated under the principle of prior appropriation. Today Oklahoma has a unique set of water rights statues based on groundwater and streamwater. The owner of land owns the groundwater underlying such land and surface water standing on the land, however the Oklahoma Water Resources Board regulates non-domestic use. Stream water is considered to be publicly owned and subject to appropriation by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board."}, {"context": " The organic act created several Federal District Courts, both in the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory. The act also preserved Indian court civil authority by stipulating that \"and any person residing in the Territory of Oklahoma, in whom there is Indian blood, shall have the right to invoke the aid of courts therein for the protection of his person or property, as though he were a citizen of the United States: Provided, That nothing in this act contained shall be so construed as to give jurisdiction to the courts established in said Territory in controversies arising between Indians of the same tribe, while sustaining their tribal relations\""}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Organic Act provided for a mechanism for Indian tribes to allocate their communally held land to individual tribal members, and to distribute unallocated property to non-Indians. A Land patent, or \"first-title deed\" would be granted to both tribal members, who received allotments, and to homesteaders who, after a period of time, claimed and improved (or in some cases purchased for $1.25 per acre) the homestead lands via a Land run. Two sections in each Oklahoma Territory township were to be reserved, in the form of a Land grant, as public school lands, with money from land leases to be used to pay for public education. Later, the Oklahoma Constitution established the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office to manage this resource."}, {"context": " Section-line roads to provide access to land parcels, were to be maintained on each side of every one-mile-square section throughout the territory. This requirement does not apply to the former Osage Reservation, now Osage County, Oklahoma. Members of an Indian Tribe, who were not already citizens, could apply to become citizens of the United States. In an effort to entice Indians of Indian Territory to accept their land allotments, it was provided that upon acceptance of an allotment, the Indians were declared to be Citizens of the United States. \"Provided, that the Indians who become Citizens of the United States under the provisions of this act do not forfeit or lose any rights or privileges they enjoy or are entitled to as members of the tribe or nation who which they belong.\""}, {"context": " Existing railroad easements were to remain in effect. Railroads were also given the right to \"cross, intersect, join or unite it railroad with any other railroad now constructed or that may hereafter be constructed at any point upon its routes\" \"Congress may at any time hereafter change the boundaries of said Territory, or attach any portion of the same to any other State or Territory of the United States without the consent of the inhabitants of the Territory hereby created: Provided, That nothing in this act shall be construed to impair any right now pertaining to any Indians or Indian tribe in said Territory under the laws, agreements, and treaties of the United States, or to impair the rights of person or property pertaining to said Indians, or to affect the authority of the Government of the United States to make any regulation or to make any law respecting said Indians, their lands, property, or other rights which it would have been competent to make or enact if this act had not been passed\""}, {"context": " The Dawes Act, (also called \"The General Allotment Act\") was adopted by Congress in 1887, and authorized a survey of Indian tribal land for the purposes of dividing the land into allotments for individual Indians. Dawes Act was amended in 1891 and again in 1906 by the Burke Act. The General Allotment Act's \"goal was to end tribal ownership of land by assimilating Indians as part of an agrarian society.\" Individual ownership of land was seen as an essential step. The act also provided that the government would purchase Indian land \"excess\" to that needed for allotment and open it up for settlement by non-Indians."}, {"context": " The Dawes Commission was created by Congress in 1893 as a further attempt to convince the members of tribes to receive their tribal land allotments. Members of the Five Civilized Tribes (Indian Territory) were exempt from the original Dawes Act legislation, and the Dawes Commission was to convince the Five Civilized Tribes to agree to cede tribal title of Indian lands. The commission established procedures for members of Indian tribes in Oklahoma Territory to register with their respective Indian Nations (only one nation if there was mixed ancestry), and procedures to receive land allotments."}, {"context": " The Curtis Act of 1898 amended the Dawes Act, abolishing all tribal courts and gave the United States exclusive jurisdiction over \"all controversies growing out of the titles, ownership, occupation, possession, or use of real estate, coal, and asphalt.\" A Constitutional Convention was convened by residents of Indian Territory and proposed to Congress that a State of Sequoyah be admitted to the Union. Charles N. Haskell was selected to represent the Creek Nation at the convention, and later became the first Governor of the State of Oklahoma. William H. Murray, represented the Chickasaw and later became the first Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives after statehood, and was elected the ninth Governor of Oklahoma. The proposal failed to gain acceptance in Washington."}, {"context": " The Five Civilized Tribes Act of April 26, 1906 can be seen as the final act leading to Oklahoma Statehood. One of the act's purposes was to pave the way \"for Oklahoma's admission to the union on an \"Equal footing with the original States\", conditioned on its disclaimer of all right and title to lands \"owned or held by any Indian, tribe, or nation.\" In the Act, Congress unilaterally dissolved five sovereign tribal governments, which were reinstated by the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936. The Department of the Interior took over the Indian schools, school funds, and tribal government buildings and furniture. The law provided that the President may appoint a principal chief for any of the tribes. If a chief failed to sign a document presented to him by U.S. authorities, he was either to be replaced or the document could be simply approved by the Secretary of the Interior."}, {"context": " The law also provided that: The Oklahoma Enabling Act of June 16, 1906 provided for the people of Oklahoma and Indian Territories to elect delegates to a state constitutional convention, and established the Territorial capital in Guthrie, Oklahoma, until 1913, when a permanent capital would be selected by a statewide election. The act also provided \"that nothing contained in the said constitution shall be construed to limit or impair the rights of person or property pertaining to the Indians of said Territories (so long as such rights shall remain unextinguished) or to limit or affect the authority of the Government of the United States to make any law or regulation respecting such Indians, their lands, property, or other rights by treaties, agreement, law, or otherwise, which it would have been competent to make if this Act had never been passed.\""}, {"context": " The same act also provided for the people of New Mexico and of Arizona to form a constitution and State government and be admitted into the Union. At the time President Roosevelt proclaimed Oklahoma a state on November 16, 1907, there were no Indian Reservations within the state boundaries; former Indian Lands were either held by the U.S. Government in trust for members of the tribes, were allotted to members of the tribe, or distributed through land runs for settlers to homestead, ultimately receiving a Land patent as title to the land. Tribal governments were basically relegated to settling disputes between tribal members based on tribal custom, and being a conduit for federally sponsored community support. Some tribes distributed royalty income to members from oil and gas leases on tribal grounds."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Panhandle", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Panhandle is the extreme northwestern region of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, consisting of Cimarron County, Texas County and Beaver County, from west to east. As with other salients in the United States, its name comes from the similarity of its shape to the handle of a pan. The three-county Oklahoma Panhandle region had a population of 28,751 at the 2010 U.S. Census, representing 0.77% of the state's population. This is a decrease in total population of 1.2%, a loss of 361 people, from the 2000 U.S. Census."}, {"context": " The Panhandle, long and wide, is bordered by Kansas and Colorado at 37\u00b0N on the north, New Mexico at 103\u00b0W on the west, Texas at 36.5\u00b0N on the south, and the remainder of Oklahoma at 100\u00b0W on the east. The largest town in the region is Guymon, which is the county seat of Texas County. Black Mesa, the highest point in Oklahoma at , is located in Cimarron County. The Panhandle occupies nearly all of the true High Plains within the state of Oklahoma, being the only part of the state lying west of the 100th meridian, which generally marks the westernmost extent of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. The North Canadian River is named Beaver River or Beaver Creek on its course through the Panhandle. Its land area is , which is larger than that of the state of Connecticut, and comprises 8.28 percent of Oklahoma's land area."}, {"context": " The area also includes Beaver Dunes State Park with sand dunes along the Beaver River and Optima Lake, the home of the Optima National Wildlife Refuge. What is now the Oklahoma Panhandle has been occupied by humans for millennia. The Paleo-Indian people of the region were part of the Beaver River complex. A Paleo-Indian encampment, the Bull Creek site dates back to approximately 8450 BCE, and Badger Hole site dates to circa 8400 BCE. Shortly before the arrival of European and African explorers, the panhandle was home to Southern Plains villagers. From 1200 to 1500 CE, the semi-sedentary Panhandle culture peoples, including the Antelope Creek Phase, lived in the region in large, stone-slab and plaster houses in villages or individual homesteads. As horticulturalists, they farmed maize and indigenous crops from the Eastern Agricultural Complex. Several Antelope Phase sites were founded near present-day Guymon, Oklahoma, including the McGrath, Stamper and Two Sisters sites. The arrival of horses from Spain in the 16th century, allowed American Indian tribes to increase their hunting ranges. These Southern Plains villagers became the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes."}, {"context": " The Western history of the Panhandle traces its origins as being part of the Spanish New Spain empire. The Transcontinental Treaty (Adams-On\u00eds Treaty) of 1819 between Spain and the United States set the western boundary of this portion of the Louisiana Purchase at the 100th meridian. With Mexican independence in 1821, these lands became part of Mexico. With the formation of the Texas Republic, they became part of Texas. When Texas joined the U.S. in 1846, the strip became part of the United States."}, {"context": " The Cimarron Cutoff for the Santa Fe Trail passed through the area soon after the trade route was established in 1826 between the Spanish in Santa Fe and the Americans in St. Louis. The route was increasingly used during the California Gold Rush. The Cutoff passed several miles north of what are now Boise City, Oklahoma and Clayton, New Mexico before continuing toward Santa Fe. When Texas sought to enter the Union in 1845 as a slave state, federal law in the United States, based on the Missouri Compromise, prohibited slavery north of 36\u00b030' parallel north. Under the Compromise of 1850, Texas surrendered its lands north of 36\u00b030' latitude. The 170-mile strip of land, a \"neutral strip\", was left with no state or territorial ownership from 1850 until 1890. It was officially called the \"Public Land Strip\" and was commonly referred to as \"No Man's Land.\""}, {"context": " The Compromise of 1850 also established the eastern boundary of New Mexico Territory at the 103rd meridian, thus setting the western boundary of the strip. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 set the southern border of Kansas Territory as the 37th parallel. This became the northern boundary of \"No Man's Land\". When Kansas joined the Union in 1861, the western part of Kansas Territory was assigned to Colorado Territory, but did not change the boundary. After the Civil War, cattlemen moved into the area. Gradually they organized themselves into ranches and established their own rules for arranging their land and adjudicating their disputes. There was still confusion over the status of the strip and some attempts were made to arrange rent with the Cherokees, despite the fact that the Cherokee Outlet ended at the 100th meridian. In 1885, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that the strip was not part of the Cherokee Outlet. In 1886, Interior Secretary L. Q. C. Lamar declared the area to be public domain and subject to \"squatter's rights\"."}, {"context": " The strip was not yet surveyed, and as that was one of the requirements of the Homestead Act of 1862, the land could not be officially settled. Settlers by the thousands flooded in to assert their \"squatter's rights\" anyway. They surveyed their own land and by September 1886 had organized a self-governing and self-policing jurisdiction, which they named the Cimarron Territory. Senator Daniel W. Voorhees of Indiana introduced a bill in Congress to attach the so-called territory to Kansas. It passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives but was not signed by President Grover Cleveland."}, {"context": " The organization of Cimarron Territory began soon after Secretary Lamar declared the area open to settlement by squatters. The settlers formed their own vigilance committees, which organized a board charged with forming a territorial government. The board enacted a preliminary code of law and divided the strip into three districts. They also called for a general election to choose three members from each district to meet on March 4, 1887, to form a government. The elected council met as planned, elected Owen G. Chase as president, and named a full cabinet. They also enacted further laws and divided the strip into five counties (Benton, Beaver, Palo Duro, Optima, and Sunset), three senatorial districts (with three members from each district), and seven delegate districts (with two members from each district). The members from these districts were to be the legislative body for the proposed territory. Elections were held November 8, 1887, and the legislature met for the first time on December 5, 1887."}, {"context": " After the meeting in March, Owen G. Chase went to Washington, D.C., to lobby for admission to Congress as the delegate from the new territory. He was not recognized by Congress. A group disputing the Chase organization met, and elected and sent its own delegate to Washington. A bill was introduced to accept Chase but was never brought to a vote. Neither delegation was able to persuade Congress to accept the new territory. Another delegation went in 1888 but was also unsuccessful. In 1889, the Unassigned Lands to the east of the territory were opened for settlement, and many of the residents went there (see Land Run of 1889). The remaining population was generously estimated by Owen Chase at 10,000 after the opening. Ten years later, an actual count revealed only 2,548. The passage of the Organic Act in 1890 assigned \"Public Land Strip\" to the new Oklahoma Territory, and ended the short-lived Cimarron Territory aspirations."}, {"context": " In 1891, the government completed the survey and the remaining squatters were finally able to secure their homesteads under the Homestead Act. The new owners were then able to obtain mortgages against their property, enabling them to buy seed and equipment. Capital and new settlers came into the area and the first railroad, the Rock Island, built a line through the county from Liberal, Kansas, to Dalhart, Texas. Agriculture began changing from subsistence farms to grain exporters. \"No Man's Land\" became Seventh County under the newly organized Oklahoma Territory, and was soon renamed Beaver County. Beaver City became the county seat. When Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory joined the Union in 1907 as the single state of Oklahoma, Beaver County was divided into the present Beaver, Texas, and Cimarron counties. The Oklahoma Panhandle had the highest population it has ever recorded at its first census, more than double its current population."}, {"context": " The Panhandle was the part of Oklahoma that was most adversely affected by the drought of the 1930s. The drought began in 1932 and created massive dust storms. By 1935, the area was widely known as the Dust Bowl. The dust storms were largely a result of poor farming techniques and a plow-up of the native grasses that held the fine soil in place. Despite government efforts to implement conservation measures and change the basic farming methods of the region, the Dust Bowl persisted for nearly a decade. It contributed significantly to the length of the Great Depression in the United States. Each of the three counties experienced a major loss of population during the 1930s."}, {"context": " As of the 2010 census, there were a total of 28,751 people, 10,451 households, and 7,466 families in the three counties that comprise the Oklahoma Panhandle. The racial makeup of the region was 80.26% white including persons of mixed race, 59.46% non-Hispanic white, 1.34% African American, 1.21% Native American, 1.18% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 15.53% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latino Americans made up 35.85% of the population. As of the 2000 census, 7.7% of the population was under the age of five, and 12.5% of the population exceeded 65 years of age. Of the population under the age of 5, 54.95% were non-Hispanic white, 41.12% were Hispanic of any race, and 0.80% were African American alone. Of the population 65 years of age and over, 95.29% were non-Hispanic white, 3.52% were Hispanic, and 0.03% was African American. Of the non-Hispanic white population, 16.45% were 65 years of age or older."}, {"context": " As of the 1990 census, 89.40% of the population was non-Hispanic White, 9.11% were of Hispanic of any race, and 0.27% were African American. 6.72% of the population was under 5 years of age, and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median income for a household in the region was $34,404, and the median income for a family was $40,006. Males had a median income of $27,444 versus $19,559 for females. The per capita income for the region was $16,447. The Panhandle is rather thinly populated (when compared to the rest of Oklahoma) making the labor force in this region very small. Farming and ranching operations occupy most of the economic activity in the region, with ranching dominating the drier western end. The region's higher educational needs are served by Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, 10 miles southwest of Guymon, the Panhandle's largest city."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Panhandle is one of the most universally Republican areas of what has become one of the most Republican states in the nation. Beaver and Texas counties last supported a Democrat for president in 1948, while Cimarron County last supported a Democrat in 1976. In the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, the three counties gave a weighted average of 87.5% of their votes to John McCain and 12.5% to Barack Obama, with McCain carrying the state over Obama 65.6% to 34.4%. Also, in 2006 the Oklahoma Panhandle counties were the only three where the majority voted against the successful Democratic incumbent, Governor Brad Henry.  In 2012, Democratic voters in the Panhandle voted for Randall Terry, a Pro-Life activist, over incumbent Democrat Barack Obama in the Democratic Presidential primary."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies are the athletic teams that represent Oklahoma Panhandle State University, located in Goodwell, Oklahoma, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Aggies compete as members of the Heartland Conference for all 10 varsity sports except football, which plays in the Lone Star Conference. Men's sports Women's sports The football team plays at Carl Wooten Field and (beginning in the 2016 season) competes in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference. In the early nineties, OPSU Aggies football was known as a football powerhouse. The program has recently had tremendous success thanks to the late Mike Wyatt (2007\u20132010). The 2010 team produced the Aggie football program's first winning season since 2004, going 6\u20135.  A point of pride for OPSU is its men's and women's rodeo teams. The school is a member of the Central Plains Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and has won several regional and national championships in the sport. As part of their scholarship package, rodeo team members may receive lodging in special housing and stalls for their animals."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Panhandle State University", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) is a university in Goodwell, Oklahoma. OPSU is a baccalaureate degree-granting institution. General governance of the institution is provided by the Board of Regents of the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. Academic programs and financial support are authorized and coordinated through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. In 1908, the Oklahoma Legislature passed legislation stating that, \"...each of the Supreme Court judicial districts [shall have] a district agricultural school of secondary grade for instruction in agriculture and mechanics and allied branches, and domestic science, and economics, with courses of instruction leading to the Agricultural and Mechanical College, and the state normal schools\"."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Panhandle State University was created in response to this act and opened in 1909 as Pan-Handle Agricultural Institute, (PAI) offering secondary agricultural education for the Panhandle area. PAI began offering courses to prepare public school teachers in 1915. In 1921, the legislature authorized the school to offer a two-year college curriculum, and the name was changed to Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College (PAMC). The college began offering four-year degree programs in 1925. In 1967, the school was designated as Oklahoma Panhandle State College of Agriculture and Applied Science. In 1974, the university assumed its present name."}, {"context": " Franklin Hall, the school's oldest building, is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The university is organized into 3 colleges that offer associate degrees and bachelor's degrees in such areas as history, education, business, and nursing. OPSU's agriculture-related degree programs produce valued and competent graduates who are qualified to work in the region's many bovine, equine, swine, and farming-related industries. OPSU is regionally accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to grant associate and bachelor's degrees. It is also approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education for the preparation of elementary and secondary teachers, The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc.(ACEN).  The constituent colleges are: Nationally competitive teams in: Computer Programming (OPSU AITP), Business (OPSU PBL), Crops Judging, and Livestock Judging. OPSU competes as a member of the Sooner Athletic Conference as the \"Aggies\" (except rodeo and football). The university sponsors football, volleyball (women), softball (women), baseball (men), men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross-country, and men's and women's basketball."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is the parole board of the state of Oklahoma. The Board was created by an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution in 1944. The Board has the authority to empower the Governor of Oklahoma to grant pardons, paroles, and commutations to people convicted of offenses against the state of Oklahoma. The Board meets each month at one of the State penal institutions. The mission of the Pardon and Parole Board as a vital part of the criminal justice system is to determine the best possible decision, through a case-by-case investigative process and to protect the public while recommending the supervised released of adult felons. Although, in recent years the Board has been mandated to assist with alleviating prison overcrowding, it remains our goal to maintain a low revocation & recidivism rate for the State of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The Board is composed of five appointive members. Three are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, one by the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, and one by the Presiding Judge of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. They serve four year terms that run concurrent with the term of the Governor. Any member of the board that is a licensed attorney is prohibited from representing in any Oklahoma court any persons charged with felony offenses. The Constitution grants the Governor the power to grant commutations, pardons and paroles for all offenses against the State upon such conditions and with such restrictions and limitations as he may deem appropriate. However, the Governor can not exercise these powers unless he submits the name of the individual to the Board. The Board will then review the applicant for clemency. The Board is responsible for making an impartial investigation and study of applicants for clemency."}, {"context": " If a majority of the Board votes in favor of the clemency, the Governor is empowered to make such acts of clemency for the individual as he deems necessary. However, the Board has no authority to make recommendations regarding parole for convicts sentenced to death or sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. However, the Board may recommend commutations and pardons for such offenses. The Board's authority, however, can not limit the Governor's power to grant, after conviction, reprieves, or leaves of absence not to exceed sixty days without the consent of the Board."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Passage (miniseries)", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Passage was a 1989 miniseries produced by the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority which dramatized 150 years of the history of Oklahoma. The miniseries was narrated by the character Miz Hannah, played by Jeanette Nolan. Miz Hannah tells the story of her family's history in Oklahoma to her grandchildren. Through the telling of this family history, the history of Oklahoma is played out. Each episode was hosted by the following: Episode 1: Dale Robertson Episode 2: G.D. Spradlin Episode 3: Ben Johnson"}, {"context": " Episode 4: Hoyt Axton Episode 5: Astronaut, General Thomas Stafford The series also featured: Charles Benton, Eldon G. Hallum, Lou Michaels, Melvin Holt, Carter Mullally, Jr., Danny Kamin, Brummett Echohawk, Charles Ballinger, Bryan Bourg, James Fields, Robin Brooks, Chris Todd, Thesa Rogers Loving, Robert Knott, Stephen Gerald, Rex Linn, Whitman Mayo, Megan Mullally, Jonathan B. Reed, Richard Lemin, Paul Newsom, Jeff MacKay, Becky Borg, Vernon Grote, Scott Pruett, Ken Spence, Gene McFall, Tom Ward, Frank Bates, Bret Graham, and Michelle Merchant"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System (OPPRS) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma that manages the public pension system for municipal police officers in Oklahoma. The System provides pension benefits such as normal retirement, disability retirement, surviving spouse benefits and a death benefit. The System receives its funding from employer and member contributions, a portion of the state insurance premium tax and returns on investments. The System is overseen by a 13-member Board of Trustees, which is responsible for governing the System and appointing the Executive Director to run the System.  The System was created in 1980 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma George Nigh. The System is oversee by the Oklahoma Secretary of Finance and Revenue. Under Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry, Scott Meacham is currently serving as Secretary. The System is governed by a thirteen-member Board of Trustees. The Board members are appointed as follows:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Policy Institute", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Policy Institute (OK Policy) is a nonpartisan think tank located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. OK Policy was founded in 2008 by David Blatt, Vincent LoVoi, and Steven Dow. It grew out of the public policy department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County, where Blatt had been Director of Public Policy. Blatt began his tenure at OK Policy as Director of Policy. In 2010, Blatt replaced Matt Guillory as Executive Director, and the organization's main office was moved from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Tulsa. Through 2010, Blatt was the organization's only full-time employee. In 2011, two additional full-time staff members were hired. In 2012, Oklahoma Policy Institute hired an Outreach Coordinator."}, {"context": " According to its website, OK Policy, \"promotes adequate, fair, and fiscally responsible funding of public services and expanded opportunity for all Oklahomans by providing timely and credible information, analysis, and ideas\" and \"our core commitments are to the adequate, fair, and fiscally responsible funding of public services, and to an economy that provides shared prosperity through increased economic opportunity and financial security for all. Our main issue areas are: state budget and tax issues; programs serving low- and moderate-income Oklahomans; and policies promoting financial security and prosperity.\""}, {"context": " Oklahoma Policy Institute is affiliated with two networks of state policy research organizations. The first is the State Fiscal Analysis Initiative (SFAI), a collaboration coordinated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The second is the Economic Analysis Research Network (EARN), coordinated by the Economic Policy Institute. In 2012, members of the Oklahoma Republican Party in the Oklahoma Legislature began advocating a decrease in, or abolition of, the income tax. OK Policy helped form a coalition of stakeholders that would be impacted by income tax cuts. Stakeholders included the Oklahoma Education Association, The Oklahoma State School Boards Association, and The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. This group was called Together Oklahoma."}, {"context": " In April 2012, OK Policy hosted an Economist Forum in Oklahoma City. Speakers at the forum included economists and state officials. OK Policy advocated against the income tax cut, while Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs advocated for the cut. Oklahoma State Question 744 was a Ballot Measure that proposed to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to require the Legislature to fund public education at or above the per-pupil average of neighboring states. Oklahoma Policy Institute opposed the measure after the organization released a report which found that the initiative would cost the state $1.7 billion. Oklahoma Policy Institute further stated that the cost of the measure would worsen existing budget shortfalls.  State Question 744 was defeated in the general election."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Presbyterian College", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Presbyterian College (also known as Oklahoma Presbyterian College for Girls) is a historic Presbyterian school at 601 N. 16th Street in Durant, Oklahoma. The site, including two contributing buildings, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The main building is a three-story building, built during 1909-1910 of red brick with white stone trim. It is in plan and served as a combination school and dormitory, and was built at cost of $100,000. The second building, built in 1918, is also three stories but is more modest, and is in plan.  In 1976 the two buildings served as headquarters and museum of the Red River Valley Historical Society. In 2018, a photo indicates that the main building, at least, is used by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. https://lindquist.cul.columbia.edu/catalog/burke_lindq_055_1160"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Private School Association", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Private School Association (OPSA) is an organization of proprietary postsecondary schools and colleges dedicated to a higher quality of education for Oklahoma's technical and vocational workforce. Training at OPSA schools include computer technology, computer programming, medical assistant, LPN, surgical technician, dental hygiene, medical billing and coding, computerized accounting, transcription, court reporting, electrical, heating and air conditioning, just to name a few. In 2005 there were 42 accredited proprietary postsecondary schools and colleges in Oklahoma that employed 1,179 staff and faculty and produced 5,646 graduates. A recent study by Imagine America estimates career schools in Oklahoma contribute $108 million yearly to the Oklahoma economy."}, {"context": " Almost all of OPSA member schools are in either Tulsa or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma's two largest cities. In Oklahoma City, member schools include Platt College, Oklahoma Technical Institute, Vatterott College, Heritage College, ITT, Oklahoma Health Academy, ATI, and University of Phoenix. In Tulsa, member schools include Community Care College, Platt College, Oklahoma Health Academy, American Institute of Medical Technology, and University of Phoenix. Dr. Paul Shuler, Oklahoma Technology Institute, has been the President of OPSA since 2005. Jerry McGinnis, Oklahoma College of Construction, is the immediate Past President."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) is an agency of the government of Oklahoma that manages the public pension system for majority of Oklahoma state employees. 74 Okla.Statutes \u00a7\u00a7901 et seq. The System provides pension benefits such as normal retirement, disability retirement, surviving spouse benefits and a death benefit. The System receives its funding from employer and member contributions, and returns on investments. OPERS is the second largest state-sponsored pension system in Oklahoma with the participation of most state officers and employees, as well as a large number of county officers and employees. The OPERS portfolio contains approximately 6.5 billion dollars in assets."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System was created in 1964 and administers retirement plans for several different types of government employees, including state and local government employees, state and county elected officials and hazardous duty employees. The plan serves approximately 30,000 benefit recipients, 50,000 active members and 300 participating employers. OPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan provides a lifetime retirement benefit when members meet age and service eligibility requirements. Members participate in OPERS by contributing a portion of their salary each pay period. Participating employers also contribute on behalf of their participating employees. The paid contributions are invested by OPERS, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, to provide benefits to present and future members of the system. The amount of contributions does not determine the amount of the benefit OPERS promises. Rather, OPERS retirement benefits are based on a formula: YEARS OF SERVICE x FINAL AVERAGE SALARY x COMPUTATION FACTOR OF 0.02 (or 2%)"}, {"context": " OPERS members who are state employees are also eligible to participate in two defined contribution plans administered by OPERS and collectively known as SoonerSave \u2013 the Oklahoma State Employees Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) and the Oklahoma State Employees Deferred Savings Incentive Plan (SIP). Participation in these plans is voluntary. The DCP is an Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b) plan and allows eligible state employees to supplement retirement benefits by investing pre-tax dollars through voluntary salary deferral. Employee contributions are deposited in the DCP and federal and state taxes will remain deferred until contributions are withdrawn."}, {"context": " The SIP is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and supplements employees\u2019 retirement benefits by contributing to a plan on their behalf. Currently, the state of Oklahoma contributes the equivalent of $25 a month to the SIP plan if the state employee is contributing at least $25 a month to the DCP plan. The employee selects where the money in both plans is invested among available investment options. After the stock market declines in 2008 and 2009, the OPERS portfolio bounced back dramatically. The portfolio returned 13.81% in Fiscal Year 2010 and 21.3% in FY 2011. See the OPERS website for the latest information regarding portfolio investments.  The Board of Trustees are Chairman DeWayne McAnally, Vice Chairwoman Lucinda Meltabarger, and members Lisa Blodgett, Jari Askins, Jill Geiger, James R. \"Rusty\" Hale, Steven Kaestner, Thomas E. Kemp, Jr., Don Kilpatrick, Brian Maddy and Frank Stone. The Oklahoma State Pension Commission is responsible for overseeing financial status and conditions of OPERS."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Publishing Company Building", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Publishing Company Building, also referred to as the Daily Oklahoman Building, is historic structure on 4th and Broadway in Oklahoma City. It was built for the publishing company behind \"The Oklahoman\". It was designed by Solomon Layton and built in 1909 after the paper's previous building was destroyed by fire. It is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. Layton also designed the Oklahoma State Capitol, governor's mansion, numerous county courthouse, public schools, and other significant structures.  It is a five-story building."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Question 711", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Question 711 of 2004, was an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman, thus rendering recognition or performance of same-sex marriages or civil unions null within the state prior to its being ruled unconstitutional. The referendum was approved by 76 percent of the voters. The text of the amendment states: On January 14, 2014, Judge Terence C. Kern of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma declared Question 711 unconstitutional. The case, \"Bishop v. United States\" (formerly \"Bishop v. Oklahoma\"), was then stayed pending appeal. On July 18, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled that Oklahoma's ban was unconstitutional. On October\u00a06, 2014, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Oklahoma's request for review, overturning all state laws banning same-sex marriage."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Railway Company", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Railway Company (ORy) operated interurban lines to El Reno, Guthrie, and Norman, and several streetcar lines in Oklahoma City, and the surrounding area from 1904 to 1947. Freight traffic was also handled on the interurban lines as well as a few of the streetcar lines. The railway had a connection with the Fort Smith and Western Railroad at Guthrie and the two companies interchanged freight cars there. As World War II approached, the company began to shift focus away from interurban/streetcar operation towards buses; as a result, the company began to gradually abandon its rail operations. As part of this action, several line segments were leased, then sold to the Santa Fe and the Rock Island."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Railway Museum", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Railway Museum is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization in Oklahoma City. It is self-funded through memberships, train fares, special events, donations, and grants for restoration projects. The growing membership, of approximately 210 members, has around 50 active members. Railroad operations are conducted under Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules, and the Museum is a member of the HeritageRail Alliance, Frontier Country Tourism, and an associate member of the Adventure District of Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " The museum operates four diesel locomotives and has a full assortment of railcars. They operate train rides every first and third Saturday of each month, April through August including special events. The museum has 10 diesel and steam locomotive engines, 10 passenger cars, numerous maintenance of way and freight equipment from many different roads. The Oklahoma Railway Museum hosts several events throughout the year. In addition to \"Day Out With Thomas,\" they have a Halloween Train and Christmas Train. They have several venues to host birthday parties. Charter trains are also offered."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Renegades", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Renegades is a 1940 American Western \"Three Mesquiteers\" B-movie directed by Nate Watt."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Republican Party", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Republican Party is a political party affiliated with the United States Republican Party (GOP). Along with the Oklahoma Democratic Party, it is one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics. As of the November 2012 elections, Republicans have a supermajority in both the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives, hold all statewide offices, and all Congressional seats in both the House and Senate. This accomplishment is notwithstanding that the Republicans have fewer registered voters in the state than the Democrats (as of January 15, 2014, there are 854,329 registered Republican voters in Oklahoma, compared to 885,609 Democratic voters and 238,874 voters registered as independent or with other parties)."}, {"context": " The current chair of the state party is Pam Pollard. The Oklahoma Republican Party headquarters is located on North Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City. Additionally, the state party has a Tulsa office on East 51st Street. They host the biennial state conventions in odd-numbered years, in which they elect executive officers and delegates to the Republican National Committee. The state party coordinates campaign activities with Republican candidates and county parties and receives some funding from the national GOP organizations."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Republican Party takes its roots from the territorial period, gaining a larger portion of its support from the Northwestern part of the state, where migrants from the state of Kansas brought with them Republican political leanings of the time. For most of Oklahoma history, the Oklahoma Republican Party has the fewest members in the old Indian Territory or the area located in the Southeast. Republicans held the American presidency during most of the territorial period, resulting in the appointments of Republican territorial governors. Despite the dominance of Republicans as governor and delegate, the two main parties had almost reached parity in the territorial legislature by statehood."}, {"context": " The Republican at the time of statehood in 1907 was not the party of most Oklahomans, but was the party of most African-Americans. Republican A. C. Hamlin was Oklahoma's first black legislator, serving in the first legislature of the new state. Republicans experienced a short-lived resurgence in the early 1920s, with the election of John W. Harreld in 1920 as the first Republican United States senator for the state of Oklahoma. During this time the Republican Party had gained a majority of the state's seats in United States Congress, attaining five of the nine seats available. The Oklahoma House of Representatives saw their first Republican majority and first Republican Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1921 to 1923. The first female member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives was a Republican."}, {"context": " In the 1928 election, Republicans gained 26 new seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives due in part to the low popularity of the time of presidential candidate Al Smith and the incumbent governor's stumping on his behalf. With a total of forty-seven seats, they were only five seats from having a majority. With thirteen Democratic members, they elected a coalition Democratic Speaker over the incumbent speaker. But it was the 1930s or The Great Depression that would prove to be the most troublesome for Republicans in Oklahoma. It was during this time that Republican voters had shifted their support to the revitalized Democratic Party."}, {"context": " Beginning in the 1960s, the Oklahoma Republican party made gains in voter registration and state legislative seats. Henry Bellmon won election as Oklahoma's first Republican governor in 1962, by appealing to Democratic voters and as an anti-corruption candidate. Only 18 percent of Oklahomans were registered as Republicans at the time. Bellmon's term helped increase the image of Republicans in Oklahoma. Under his administration, total highway projects increased 46 percent over the previous administration and the first retirement system for state employees was created. Bellmon also oversaw the racial integration of Oklahoma schools and the court-ordered reapportionment of the state electoral districts."}, {"context": " Bellmon won election to the United States Senate in 1968. Republican Don Nickles succeeded Bellmon in 1980. In 1990, black Republican J.C. Watts was elected as Oklahoma's first black statewide officeholder, serving on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, serving as a member of the commission from 1990 to 1995 and as chairman from 1993 to 1995. After the 2004 Presidential Election, Republicans gained control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the first time since 1921. In 2010, Republicans increased their gains in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and took majority control of the Oklahoma Senate. Furthermore, Republicans captured every statewide office and came within six percentage points of capturing the 2nd District (the only Congressional seat that it did not already hold); in 2012 it would capture that seat as well and gain supermajority control of both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature."}, {"context": " In 2015, the number of registered Republican voters overtook the number of registered Democratic voters for the first time in the state's history (as of January 15, 2015, there are 886,153 registered Republicans, 882,686 registered Democrats, and 261,429 independent voters). As of 2015 the Oklahoma Republican Party controls all 12 statewide offices and holds supermajorities in both the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives; Republicans also hold both of the state's U.S. Senate seats and all five of the state's U.S. House seats.  As of 2020, there have been a total of four Republican Party Governors."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Right To Farm SQ 777", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The State Question 777 is an amendment that was proposed to the Oklahoma Constitution that voters had the chance to reject or approve during the general election last November. There was lots of controversy surrounding this amendment, supporters referred to State Question 777 as the 'right to farm', while opposition groups referred to it as the 'right to harm'. The amendment states, \"To protect agriculture as a vital sector of Oklahoma's economy, which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security and is the foundation and stabilizing force of Oklahoma's economy, the rights of citizens and lawful residents of Oklahoma to engage in farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state. The Legislature shall pass no law which abridges the right of citizens and lawful residents of Oklahoma to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices without a compelling state interest. Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify any provision of common law or statutes relating to trespass, eminent domain, dominance of mineral interests, easements, rights of way or any other property rights. Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify or enact any statute or ordinance enacted by the Legislature or any political subdivision prior to December 31, 2014\". This poorly written amendment leaves room for much of it to be interpreted in different ways, which will cause numerous lawsuits, and does not benefit the people and local farmers of Oklahoma, however it hurts them in many ways."}, {"context": " The bill will benefit large corporate farms the most and suppress the majority of small locally owned farms. Oklahomans already have the 'right to farm', if this law were passed it would prevent Legislature from enacting new regulations to protect farming further unless the regulations meet the highest level of examination due to the 'compelling state interest' phrase. It would prohibit many cities and counties from effectively enacting ordinances to prevent water pollution in the agriculture sector by the fact that it would be too expensive for local governments from a litigation standpoint. Legislature will not be able to improve the conditions to a more humane standard for animals such as hogs, pigs and chickens that suffer the most in terms of animal welfare. People that oppose State Question 777 have cause to be concerned over the negative results of this bill such as water quality, animal welfare, destruction of the family farmer, and loss of representative government."}, {"context": " State Question 777 held support from large corporations such as the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and the Oklahoma Pork Council. These groups defend the bill by saying that it would help them be protected from ill-legitimate laws and regulations that could be harmful to their interests. Specifically, they claim that SQ 777 would protect them from certain ballot initiatives developed and paid for by wealthy animal-rights groups. Another argument is that the bill would shield farmers from restrictive laws, and enable the consumers to decide which practices they would support. Supporters also say that SQ 777 would boost food security. Their argument here is that in the status quo, without SQ 777, legislators could at some point pass laws to restrict food production, thereby increasing food insecurity issues in the state."}, {"context": " Those in opposition to the bill included the Humane Society of the United States, the Oklahoma Food cooperative (which represents small farmers), the Oklahoma Municipal League, and the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes. Of their main arguments, one is that SQ 777 would benefit the big farming corporations and industrial factory farms by preventing new legislation to protect the smaller farming groups. Another argument is that the bill would harm the environment, specifically through polluting Oklahoma's drinking water without the ability to protect it from animal waste disposal, and exploitation of natural resources. Opponents also argue that the bill would harm the ability for Oklahoma's elected legislators to secure viable standards and regulations on protecting the environment, food production, and even protection against animal cruelty. One more argument from the opposition is that SQ 777 would harm Oklahoman democracy. The bill would provide for \"lawful residents\" to be able to vote on Oklahoman agriculture legislation. Furthermore, Foreign involvement in Oklahoma Agriculture is large, which would allow these corporations and individuals a right to vote, without actually being legitimate Oklahoma residents. Many individuals deem this unfair, especially Oklahoman small farmers."}, {"context": " Mark Yates from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau defended the Right to Farm Bill against these claims from opponents of the bill by pointing to the failure of regulations in other states. He referenced Proposition 2, an act by Californian legislators to try to increase the space needed for chickens bred from commercial egg production. Yates argued this legislation was something that a law that caused more problems than anything, by decreasing overall production while increasing production costs. As a result, eggs produced in California were more expensive. However, Brian Ted Jones of Oklahoma's Kirkpatrick Foundation argued that his was a bit misleading. Jones pointed out \"the price of eggs rose dramatically throughout the country that year, largely because of the unprecedented devastation to poultry flocks caused by a severe outbreak of avian flu\". Notable opponents included the former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who cited many of these same reasons previously indicated as his rationale for opposing SQ 777 Right to Farm Bill.  The amendment was ultimately rejected by the voters with 58.4% against the bill on November 8, 2016. If this law was passed last year it would have had a dramatic effect on the state of Oklahoma and would be very difficult to repeal, needing a majority of both houses of Legislature to remove State Question 777 from the Constitution."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma School for the Blind", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma School for the Blind, also known as Parkview School, is a day and residential school located in Muskogee, Oklahoma for blind students up to grade 12. In 2013, Senate Bill 858 (SB 858), introduced in the Oklahoma Senate would have authorized the creation of private schools to educate deaf children. The argument in favor of the bill was that it would allow parents more choices in how they choose to educate their disabled children. The move alarmed teachers and parents of students at OSB, who realized that it could force closure of the state school in the future. They testified before the committee about how vital the specialized services and teachers were to their students whole lives, and noted that charter schools did not have, and probably could not afford such facilities and services. Their arguments were so persuasive that the bill failed to pass in the committee."}, {"context": " An article by Tim Willert, published by the \"Oklahoman\" in November 2015, described concerns about the leadership of the school, particularly those expressed by parents of blind students. The Department of Rehabilitation Services Executive Director, Joe Cordova, had removed Superintendent Jim Adams in May, 2015, and hired Christine Boone, a noneducator and the wife of Doug Boone, the agency's director of visual services. Cordova told Adams that, \"... the agency wanted to go in a different direction."}, {"context": " The specific issue apparently is that Cordova expressed dissatisfaction with outcomes for students after they have left high school. He says he has years of data showing that these graduates neither get good quality jobs nor do well in higher education. Cordova said he and Adams disagreed over how to improve this. Governor Mary Fallin asked her general counsel, Steve Mullins, to intercede in the dispute, which had generated a large public outcry. After interviewing the main players, Mullins said that this was due to differing views of two organizations devoted to the cause of blind children: National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and American Council of the Blind (ACB)."}, {"context": " On February 1, 2016, Joe Cordova announced that he had selected Christine Boone as the permanent superintendent of the school. However, that did not settle the controversy, and some state legislators brought the matter to Governor Fallin. The controversy over school direction resulted in Joe Cordova's rescinding Boone's appointment and submitting his own resignation in early February, 2016. Noel Tyler was named executive director of the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Larry Hawkins, who had previously served 11 years as superintendent of the school, was hired to return as interim superintendent, effective March 1, 2016. It was the first major move made by Tyler as interim director."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma School for the Deaf", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) is a residential school for the deaf and hard of hearing students ages 2 through 18. The school teaches K-12 students in Sulphur, Oklahoma. The first school in what would later become the state of Oklahoma to give instruction to deaf children was at Fort Gibson.This school, started by a Mrs. Lowery, provided for the education of blind Indian children of the Five Civilized Tribes. Later, deaf children were admitted. In 1898, Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Long started a school for deaf children in Guthrie,then the capital of Oklahoma Territory. After the two territories merged to become the state of Oklahoma, in 1907, the Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) was established in Sulphur, Oklahoma. In 1908, classes were held in rented buildings and hotels in the Sulphur business district. Edna Patch was the first graduate of this school in Oklahoma, class of 1907. She later became the first deaf employee of the Oklahoma School for the Deaf."}, {"context": " Construction of new school buildings began in 1910. In 1911, the buildings under construction (about a quarter of a mile east and 100 yards south of the present location) fell in. With allegations of fraud, the buildings were condemned. (The original cornerstone was found, purchased, and donated to the school by Thomas Thompson, Betty Stephens, and Larry Hawkins.) Replacement buildings were begun at the present location in 1912 and the first classes were held in the fall of 1913. OSD has grown from the original three buildings (Ralph H. White Education Center, Stewart Hall, and Read Hall) to a campus that includes the gym, auditorium, student union complex, superintendent\u2019s residence, Long Hall, Blattner Hall, Vocational Building, Griffing Hall, and the Physical Plant facilities."}, {"context": " In 1961, a major renovation was begun on all OSD buildings. Renovations were completed in 1980. In 1999-2000, a new renovation project was begun. By 2002, Long Hall, White Hall, Stewart Hall, and Blattner Hall were completed. Major repairs have been made to the gymnasium during this period. The outreach program provides evaluations to children from age two to 21, in-service training programs, and consultation for adaptations and modifications to the children\u2019s education environments. OSD provided 2,506 direct services to deaf or hearing-impaired students and 14,847 contacts of families, schools, and hearing impaired organizations."}, {"context": " 95% of OSD\u2019s budget is funded by state appropriations. The school receives IDEA-B funds through the State Department of Education for the students who are residential, and the IDEA funds for day students are kept by the school district where the child lives. The school receives small amounts of funding through Child Nutrition, Career Technology and the Department of Libraries, as well as Medicaid reimbursement for eligible children. The school does not regularly receive any other federal education funding. All of the federal funding received is discretionary and cannot be considered ongoing revenues."}, {"context": " The School for the Deaf partnered with the State Department of Education on two major projects. The first program, ECCO (Enriching Children\u2019s Communication Opportunities), is an early intervention program designed to work with parents of deaf children ages 3 to 6. The second project is a teaching and mentoring program to increase the sign proficiency levels of education interpreters in public schools. Hunter is the guardian of the Oklahoma Indians. He appeared in 1989. He's a native American guardian and also deaf. In U.S. High School's theory, he is heard by drumming for the school's cheerleading squad."}, {"context": " OSD will continue its emphasis on literacy and math, demonstrating at least a one year\u2019s growth annually. Since February 2007, OSD\u2019s Captioned Film Library became the National Accessible Learning Center (NALC) which is the sole distributor of \"Described and Captioned Media Program\" media in the United States. OSD plans to increase outreach services to students and adults through the programs at OSD. Examples include the ECCO program designed to help parents of young deaf children; the telecommunication distribution program for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired individuals; the senior citizen's and the children\u2019s hearing aid programs.  In 2011, the school undertook a fundraising campaign to upgrade and provide lights and bleachers for its rudimentary football stadium. The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services is the parent agency for the Oklahoma School for the Deaf."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) is a two-year, public residential high school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Established by the Oklahoma state legislature in 1983, the school was designed to educate academically gifted high school juniors and seniors in advanced mathematics and science. OSSM opened doors to its inaugural class in 1990. It is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology. Of approximately three hundred applicants each year, 125 are selected for interviews and about 75 high school sophomores from across the state are admitted. The application process consists of nine short essays, submission of high school transcripts and standardized test scores (such as the ACT), recommendations from teachers and counselors, personal questionnaires of the student, a statement from the student's parents, and an on-campus interview."}, {"context": " Students are accepted from all over the state of Oklahoma, and students from each of Oklahoma's 77 counties have been selected to attend. Because students hail from across the state, all are required to live on campus during the week, though students living nearby often return home on weekends. Classes are held five days a week, with the earliest classes starting at 8am and the latest ending at 5:30pm. Some classes, such as astronomy lab, are held at night. Most students have breaks throughout the day depending on their individual, college-style schedule. Students are not allowed in the dorm during their breaks in the academic day, but are to stay academically engaged during these periods. Required physical education classes are held in the afternoon with each student participating in 45 minutes of supervised physical activity twice a week. Fine arts classes (two semesters are required for graduation) are also held in the evenings. On alternate Saturday mornings, students are required to take a three-hour test in math, physics, literature, history, or a national standardized test (ACT, SAT, or PSAT). One weekend a month is called an open weekend, with the students allowed to either go home or stay in the dorms, and the other weekend is an extended weekend with all students required to leave campus."}, {"context": " To study at OSSM, students have to give up some luxuries of the outside world, such as cell phones, personal televisions (a communal TV is available in the basement lounge), DVDs, video games, and access to social media and other recreational websites; students are also not allowed to keep appliances in their rooms. Two hours of study are required each weeknight from 8-10pm, with students on academic probation (resulting from unsatisfactory grades) required to study for an additional hour each night, beginning at 7pm. Lights out is at 11pm every night of the week, and internet access is shut off in the dormitories at that time. OSSM fulfills its educational mission at no charge to its students: tuition, books and other class materials, as well as room and board, are all provided by the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " One hundred percent of OSSM graduates are college-bound, and approximately 60% of OSSM graduates choose to remain in-state for college. Of the 1,211 (as of May 2011) graduates since the school's inception, 323 students have been named National Merit Scholars, and an additional 167 students have been selected as National Merit Commended Scholars. Graduates also show exemplary performance in other national scholarship programs, with 227 graduates selected as Robert C. Byrd Scholars, and 124 students nominated for the Presidential Scholars Program, of whom thirteen were named semifinalists and five selected as Presidential Scholars. Graduates excel in statewide scholarship programs, with 553 students receiving Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Scholarships and 92 students named Academic All-Staters by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Twice, in 1998 and again in 2000, the school had the highest ACT composite scores of any high school in the nation. OSSM is also listed as one of the best public high schools in the nation by the Washington Post, in a list of top-performing schools with elite students."}, {"context": " OSSM's graduation requirements include four semesters of History, four semesters of Literature, two years of the same foreign language (unless this was completed at the student's previous high school), one semester of computer science, four semesters of mathematics including math through Calculus II, three semesters of physics including physics through Electricity and Magnetism, two semesters of chemistry, two semesters of biology, four semesters of physical education, two semesters of fine arts, and two semesters of science, math, or computer science electives. OSSM regularly offers the following classes:"}, {"context": " Additionally, students may arrange to take directed studies with faculty members. Many OSSM students choose to participate in the mentorship program in their senior year, in which they perform research with a mentor (who may be an OSSM faculty member, or an off campus expert). OSSM is located on sprawling thirty-two acres at the northwest corner of 10th Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard near downtown Oklahoma City, near the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Its main academic building, Lincoln School, was built in 1903, and used as an elementary school in Oklahoma City Public Schools until the 1980s. This building houses a computer lab, the campus auditorium, nineteen classrooms, six labs, a student lounge, a sun-bathed study area, basement, and faculty and administrative offices. The Dan Little Residence Hall, with a capacity of nearly 300 students and twelve faculty families, was completed in 1998, located at the center of campus, complete with a basement containing billiards, game tables, and a TV for students to use during their nightly free time. The basement is also a reinforced storm shelter and is large enough to house the entire school population. The Gymnasium, opened in March 1999, provides a full-size basketball court, a weight room, and a dance floor, among other amenities. The Samson Science and Discovery Center was completed in 2001 and houses three chemistry labs (complete with hoods for chemical reactions), four physics labs, one computer lab, and one demonstration/lecture room, as well as many personal research labs. In Fall 2003, the Senator Bernice Shedrick Library opened, with a capacity of 50,000 books and 10 computers for student use."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA), is an organization which organizes secondary school athletics and activities competitions at the state level. Derald Glover is its president. The OSSAA is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations. 482 public and private schools are members of the OSSAA. In 1910, H.L. Hall, the principal of Shawnee High School, initiated the move to organize an athletic association to help schools to develop and administer interscholastic athletics. He was joined by Dr. H.H. Cloudman, Physical Director of Oklahoma City Schools. In the spring of 1911 at the meeting of the Oklahoma Education Association held in Muskogee representatives of several state schools organized the Oklahoma High School Athletic Association. They included George Norris of Guthrie, Mr. Katz of Tulsa and A.J. Lovett of Blackwell. Hall and Cloudman served as officers. The OHSAA began overseeing state high school athletics in the following fall."}, {"context": " In 1913 University of Oklahoma President Stratton D. Brooks was given the authority to appoint a secretary-treasurer for the organization to serve with no pay. Then at the February meeting in 1925 the membership authorized the board of control to elect a full-time secretary with salary. P.A. Wallace was elected to this position but because there was not enough money to pay him he continued as a school employee. The office of treasurer was then created to handle the OHSAA's business. In September 1927 the business office of the Association was moved to Oklahoma City and Lee K. Anderson was named Secretary. DeWitt Waller of Enid began as treasurer and served until 1953 when the duties of secretary and treasurer were combined under the title of commissioner."}, {"context": " The Association's constitution and rules were distributed to the schools, certificates of eligibility were furnished and a system of checking certificates inaugurated. The only statewide activity sponsored by the Association was the basketball championships. The tournament in March 1928, with 16 boys and girls district representatives, was held at the Stockyards Coliseum in Oklahoma City under the direct supervision of the OHSSA staff for the first time. Also in 1928, a training program for football and basketball officials was established. Compulsory enrollment of officials, examinations and rules meeting attendance were made requirements. An Athletic Benefit Plan was provided by the Association and later commercial companies were asked to give insurance coverage for athletic accidents."}, {"context": " Leon K. Higbie was named assistant executive officer in 1947. In 1962 the membership voted to change the designation of the group to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association which would then include not only athletics in Oklahoma's schools but also such interscholastic activities as band and drama. Two years later Ivan Evans was named as assistant executive officer then in 1967 Leo K. Higbie became executive secretary and Claud E. White assumed his place as assistant executive officer."}, {"context": " In 2009 former executive secretary Danny Rennels plead guilty to embezzlement and agreed to repay $421,500 to OSSAA. He was charged with embezzling $457,000 to cover gambling debts. Championship games were broadcast on The Cox Channel, a local programming channel on the cable television network operated by Cox Communications in Oklahoma. However, this channel could not be seen outside their network (i.e. it was unavailable on over-the-air, internet, satellite, and other cable systems). In Fall 2005, Oklahoma City UHF TV broadcast station KSBI was awarded a three-year contract to broadcast games. In making their decision, the OSSAA cited their ability to reach a wider audience of 1.4 million homes, versus Cox's 500,000 subscribers.  Currently, the OSSAA has an exclusive broadcast agreement with \"Fox Sports Oklahoma\" (FSOk) to broadcast games. FSOk also broadcasts \"OSSAA Championship Spotlight\" periodically, covering the full range of OSSAA athletic competition. State championship tournaments are grouped into up to eight groups based on enrollment with each tournament naming its own champion. These are: A, B, C, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A. Each sport and activity has slightly different classifications."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on agricultural, forestry and food issues. The 4th and current Secretary of Agriculture is Jim Reese, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2011. The position of Secretary of Agriculture was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the agricultural activities of the State government. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma State Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary of Agriculture to advise the Governor on agriculture policy and advise the state agricultural agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor."}, {"context": " Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Agriculture has also served as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. As of 2011, all Agriculture Secretaries have served in that dual position. The Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for the regulation and promotion of the agricultural industry in Oklahoma. The Secretary oversees agricultural research, agricultural subsidies, prevention of plant diseases and invasive species prevention programs. The Secretary oversees the management of the forests of the State, including wildfire prevention and suppression. The office has oversight of food safety programs, consumer protection programs and rural development efforts. The Secretary also has responsibility for ensuring the conservation of the State's land and water for agricultural purposes."}, {"context": " As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Agriculture oversees 577 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of over $156 million. The Secretary of Agriculture oversees the following State agencies: The annual salary of the Secretary of Agriculture is set by law at $70,000. Despite this law, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since incumber Secretary Jim Reese also serves as the Department of Agriculture Commissioner, he received the salary allowed for that position. As of 2011, the annual salary of that position is set at $87,000."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on economic development and trade promotion. The current Secretary is Deby Snodgrass, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2014. The Secretary of Commerce was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the State government's economic development activities. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary to advise the Governor on economic development policy and advise the state's economic development agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor."}, {"context": " The position of Secretary of Commerce was disestablished in 2003 when Governor Brad Henry issued an executive order merging the position with that of Secretary of Tourism into a single position of Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. His successor, Mary Fallin, continued the position until 2013 when she issued an executive order splitting the position into its previous two positions. Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Commerce has also served as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. As of 2014, all Secretaries except Dave Lopez have served in this dual position. From 2012 to 2013, Secretary Lopez became the first when he resigned as Director but remained as Cabinet Secretary."}, {"context": " The Secretary of Commerce oversees the following state entities: The annual salary of the Secretary of Commerce is set by law at $70,000. Despite this law, if the Secretary serves as the head of a state agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since incumbent Cabinet Secretary Larry Parman also serves as the Director of the Commerce Department, he received the salary allowed for that position. As of 2014, the annual salary of that position is set at $112,500. Secretary of Commerce (1986\u20132003)  Secretary of Commerce and Tourism (2003\u20132013) Secretary of Commerce (2013-present)"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism was a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary was appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary served as the chief advisor to the Governor on economic development and cultural heritage. The second and last Secretary was Dave Lopez, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on January 27, 2011. The position of Secretary of Commerce and Tourism was established in 2003 when Governor Brad Henry issued an executive order merging the former positions of Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Tourism and Recreation into a single position. Previously, both positions had existed since 1986 when they were established by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986."}, {"context": " On July 16, 2013, Governor Mary Fallin announced the re-creation of the Secretary of Tourism position and restored the original title of Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce as a result. Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism often served as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. In 2012-2013, Secretary Dave Lopez became the first to not serve in that dual position when he resigned as Executive Director and Jonna Kirschner was appointed to replace him in that capacity alone."}, {"context": " The Secretary of Commerce and Tourism is responsible for promoting economic development and growth, protecting the State's heritage and history, providing unemployment benefits, promoting housing development, and overseeing workforce development programs. As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism oversees 1883 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of $758 million. The Secretary of Commerce and Tourism oversees the following State entities: The annual salary of the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism is set by law at $70,000. Despite this law, if the Secretary serves as the head of a state agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since incumbent Cabinet Secretary Dave Lopez also serves as the Commerce Department Director, he received the salary allowed for that position. As of 2010, the annual salary of that position is set at $112,500.  Secretary of Commerce (1986\u20132003) Secretary of Tourism and Recreation (1986\u20132003) Secretary of Commerce and Tourism (2003\u2013present)"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Education", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Education is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on public education issues and needs. The 5th and current Secretary is Natalie Shirley, having been appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on January 22, 2015. The position of Secretary of Education was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directs the Secretary of Education to advise the Governor on public education policy and advise the state public education agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor."}, {"context": " Oklahoma state law allows for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Education has not served in any such dual position. The Secretary of Education oversees the State's public education system. This includes elementary education, secondary education, vocational education and higher education. The Secretary is chiefly responsible for ensuring accountability and performance from the educational system. The Secretary also oversees all libraries in the State and is responsible for ensuring that teachers are appropriately prepared to perform their duties."}, {"context": " As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Education oversees 1,128 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of over $6 billion. Of that budget, only $209 million (or 3%) is spent on operating the various State agencies under the Secretary's supervision. The remaining $5.9 billion is used as payments to local education agencies, such as school districts and universities, to support their activities. The Oklahoma Legislature has charged the Secretary with several duties and responsibilities:  The Secretary of Education oversees the following state entities: The annual salary for the position of Secretary of Education set by State law at $65,000. Despite this, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Energy", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Energy is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on energy policy development and implementation. The last Secretary was Mike Ming, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on January 10, 2011. The current Secretary of the successor office, the Office of the Secretary of Energy and Environment, is Michael Teague."}, {"context": " The Office of the Secretary of the Environment was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the energy activities of the State government. The Office was established, along with the Oklahoma State Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary of Energy to advise the Governor on energy policy and advise the state energy agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor. Oklahoma state law allows for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Energy has not served in any such dual position."}, {"context": " The offices of the Office of the Secretary of Energy and the Office of the Secretary of the Environment were merged in 2013, creating the Office of the Secretary of Energy and Environment. www.ee.ok.gov The Secretary of Energy serves as the principal state government entity that is responsible for regulating and promoting the existing energy industry in the State. The Secretary is responsible for overseeing energy conservation, energy-related research, energy production, and alternative and renewable energy development. The Energy Secretary is also one of three Cabinet Secretaries that serves on the Executive Environmental Committee of the Governor's Cabinet, along with the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment."}, {"context": " The Secretary serves ex officio as the Governor's representative of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. As the Governor's official representative, the Secretary represents the State on the Commission and advocates for the conservation of oil and gas resources. As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Energy oversees 969 full-time employees and is responsible for annual budget of over $641 million. The Secretary heads the Office of the Secretary of Energy, which is a state agency. The mission statement of the office is:"}, {"context": " The stated goals of the office are: The staff of the Office serves as the immediate staff to the Secretary. The Office has a very limited staff: three full-time employees including the Secretary. As of 2010, the following are the authorized positions within the Office: For fiscal year 2011, with three employees, the office has an annual budget of just under $1 million. All of that budget is dedicated to employee compensation and operating expenses. The annual salary of the Secretary of Energy is set by law at $70,000. Despite this law, if the Secretary serves as the head of a state agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since incumbent Secretary Bobby Wegener also serves as the governor's representative to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, he receives the salary allowed for that position. As of 2010, the annual salary of that position is set at $90,000.  The Secretary of Energy oversees the following State entities: The Secretary is also responsible for reprenting the Governor before the following entities:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Finance and Revenue", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the governor. The secretary serves as the chief adviser to the governor on fiscal policy, taxation, and the operations and personnel needs of the state government. The current secretary is Clark Jolley, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on February 28, 2018."}, {"context": " The position of Secretary of Finance was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the financial and revenue activities of the State government. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma State Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary of Finance and Revenue to advise the Governor on financial policy and advise the state financial agencies on new policy as directed by the governor.In 2011, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the \"Government Administrative Process Consolidation and Reorganization Act of 2011\". This Act consolidated the duties and responsibilities of the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Resources and Administration into those of the Finance Secretary, thereby greatly increasing the duties and authority of the position."}, {"context": " Oklahoma state law allows for cabinet secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a state agency and as a cabinet secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Finance has also served as the director of the Oklahoma Office of State Finance. As of 2013, at least two secretaries have served in that dual position. Alternatively, Secretary Scott Meacham had previously served as OSF Director until he was appointed as state treasurer in 2005, though he continued to serve as secretary. In 2018, Oklahoma Tax Commission Vice Chairman Clark Jolley became the first secretary to serve in an agency other than the Office of State Finance or its successor agency, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services."}, {"context": " The Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology is responsible for the overseeing the formation of the Oklahoma state budget, developing fiscal policy and for determining taxation policy. Additionally, the position is responsible for oversee the State's financial market through the regulation of financial institutions, consumer credit, and securities. The secretary is one of the central positions within the state government as it is responsible for overseeing government-wide spending and public debt management. The secretary is also responsible for overseeing the State employee pension programs. The secretary is also responsible for providing services to help manage and support the basic functioning of all state agencies. These services included personnel management, central purchasing, state motor pool management, building maintenance and construction, as well as central printing and mailing."}, {"context": " As of fiscal year 2017, the Secretary of Finance, Administration and Revenue oversees 2998 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of $938,273,144.63 (not including assets of the retirement systems, which increases the overall oversight to closer to $31,550,000,000). The annual salary of the Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology is set by law at $90,000. Despite this law, if the secretary serves as the head of state agency, the secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since incumbent Secretary Clark Jolley also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, he receives the salary allowed for that position. As of 2018, the annual salary for that position is set at $131,000.  The Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology oversees the following state entities:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Health", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Health was a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. Prior to its dissolution in 2011, the Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary served as the chief advisor to the Governor on public health issues and needs. In 2011, Governor Mary Fallin consolidated the Secretary's duties and responsibilities with those of the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services into the new position of Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services."}, {"context": " The last Secretary of Health was Terri L. White, who was appointed by Governor Brad Henry in 2009 and served until 2011. The position of Secretary of Transportation was established in 2003 when Governor Brad Henry issued an executive order splitting the former position of Secretary of Health and Human Services into the separate positions of Secretary of Health and Secretary of Human Services. The previous position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directs the Secretary of Health to advise the Governor on public health policy and advise the state health agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor."}, {"context": " In 2011, Governor Mary Fallin consolidated the Secretary's duties and responsibilities with those of the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services into the new position of Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services. Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Health has also served as either the Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health or as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. As of 2010, three of the four Health Secretaries have served in one of those dual positions."}, {"context": " The Secretary of Health is the chief public health officer of the State. The Secretary oversees vaccinations, disease prevention, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and emergency health responses. The Secretary also is responsible for regulation of the State health delivery system as well as overseeing the State's Medicaid program. As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Health oversees 4812 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of over $5.2 billion. The Secretary of Transportation oversees the following state entities:"}, {"context": " The annual salary for the position of Secretary of Health set by State law at $80,000. Despite this, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Incumbent Secretary Terri White serves as the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health. As such, she receives the salary allowed for that position. As of 2010, the annual salary for that position is $124,000. Secretaries of Health and Human Services (1986\u20132003) Secretaries of Health (2003\u20132011)"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on public health and public assistance. The position of Secretary of Health and Human Services was established in 1986 by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed to the Secretary to oversee all agencies in the State relating to the public health and assistance programs. The position was dissolved on February 1, 2003, by Governor Brad Henry when he split the post into two separate positions: the Oklahoma Secretary of Health concerned with public health protection and the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services concerned with providing public assistance programs."}, {"context": " The position was re-established by Governor Mary Fallin on January 27, 2011, when she dissolved the separate positions of Health Secretary and Human Services Secretary. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is the chief public health officer of the State. The Secretary oversees vaccinations, disease prevention, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and emergency health responses. The Secretary also is responsible for regulation of the State health delivery system as well as overseeing the State's Medicaid program. The Secretary has jurisdiction over most public assistance programs offered by the State. Such programs include child care services, senior citizen assistance, child custody services, disability vocational services, and services to the blind and deaf. The Secretary also oversees services to juveniles, both treatment and corrections.  As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Health oversees 15,591 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget over $8 billion. The Secretary of Health and Human Services oversees the following State agencies: An incomplete list of Secretaries: Secretaries of Health and Human Services (1986\u20132003) Secretary of Health (2003\u20132011) Secretary of Human Services (2003\u20132011) Secretaries of Health and Human Services (2011\u2013present)"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Human Resources and Administration", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Human Resources and Administration was a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. Prior to its dissolvement in 2012, the Secretary was appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary served as the chief advisor to the Governor on managing the operations and personnel needs of the State government. The last Secretary of Human Resources and Administration was Oscar B. Jackson Jr., who was appointed by Democratic Governor Brad Henry in 2003 and retained by Republican Governor Mary Fallin in 2011. Previous to his service in this position, he served as Secretary of Human Resources from 1991 to 2003 under Democratic Governor David Walters and Republican Governor Frank Keating."}, {"context": " The position of Secretary of Human Resources and Administration was established in 2003 when Governor Brad Henry issued an executive order merging the former positions of Secretary of Human Resources and Secretary of Administration into a single position. Previously, both positions had existed separately since 1986 when they were established by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. In 2011, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Government Administrative Process Consolidation and Reorganization Act of 2011. This Act consolidated the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary into those of the Oklahoma Secretary of Finance and Revenue, thereby eliminating the position."}, {"context": " Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Human Resources and Administration has also served as the Administrator of the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management. As of 2010, all Secretaries of Human Resources and Administration have served in that dual position. The Secretary of Human Resources and Administration was responsible for providing services to help manage and support the basic functioning of all state agencies. These services included personnel management, central purchasing, state motor pool management, building maintenance and construction, as well as central printing and mailing. The Secretary also oversaw the licensing, supervision and regulation of most professions and occupation that are regulated by the State government.  The Secretary of Human Resources and Administration oversees the following state entities: The annual salary of the Secretary of Human Resources and Administration was set by law at $75,000. Secretary of Human Resources (1986\u20132003) Secretary of Administration (1986\u20132003) Secretary of Human Resources and Administration (2003\u20132012)"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Health is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on public health issues and needs. The current Secretary of Health is Howard Hendrick, who was appointed by Governor Brad Henry in 2003. The position of Secretary of Human Services was established in 2003 when Governor Brad Henry issued an executive order splitting the former position of Secretary of Health and Human Services into the separate positions of Secretary of Health and Secretary of Human Services. The previous position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directs the Secretary of Human Services to advise the Governor on public assistance policy and advise the state public assistance agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor."}, {"context": " Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Human Services has also served as either the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. As of 2010, all Human Services Secretaries have served in that dual positions. The Secretary of Human Services oversees most public assistance programs offered by the State. Such programs include child care services, senior citizen assistance, child custody services, disability vocational services, and services to the blind and deaf. The Secretary also oversees services to juveniles, both treatment and corrections."}, {"context": " As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Human Services oversees 9,115 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of over $2.4 billion. The Secretary of Human Services oversees the following state entities: The annual salary for the position of Secretary of Human Services set by State law at $80,000. Despite this, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Incumbent Secretary Howard Henrick serves as the Director of the Department of Human Services. As such, she receives the salary allowed for that position. As of 2010, the annual salary for that position is $163,000.  Secretaries of Health and Human Services (1986\u20132003) Secretaries of Human Services (2003\u2013present)"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on public safety and criminal justice. The current Secretary is Billy D. \u201cRusty\u201d Rhoades III, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2017. The Secretary of Safety and Security was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the public safety and criminal justice activities of the State government. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary of Safety and Security to advise the Governor on public safety policy and advise the state public safety agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor."}, {"context": " Oklahoma state law allows for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Safety and Security has also served as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. As of 2011, all Secretaries of Safety and Security have served in that dual position. The Secretary of Safety and Security is responsible for overseeing State police services, criminal investigations, criminal justice and adult criminal corrections. The Secretary also coordinates the State's justice system by overseeing all state prosecutors and generally maintains public order throughout the State through oversight of all State law enforcement agencies. Homeland security, emergency management and law enforcement training are also overseen by the Secretary."}, {"context": " The Secretary serves \"ex officio\" as the Governor's Representative for Highway Safety. As such, the Secretary is responsible for administering all funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the purposes of promoting highway safety. As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Safety and Security oversees 9,764 full-time employees and has responsibility for an annual budget of $1.2 billion. The Secretary of Safety and Security oversees the following state entities: The annual salary of the Secretary of Safety and Security is set by law at $85,000. Despite this law, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since former Secretary Kevin Ward also served as the DPS Commissioner, he received the salary allowed for that position. As of 2010, the annual salary of that position is set at $111,133."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on the impact of science and technology on the State's economic development. The 4th and current Secretary is Kelvin Droegemeier, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on March 13, 2017. The position of Secretary of Science and Technology was established in 1999 when Governor Frank Keating issued an executive order establishing the position. Previously, the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce had served the role of chief science officer of the State since 1986 when that position was established by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986."}, {"context": " The Secretary of Science and Technology is responsible for ensuring that scientific research and development conducted by universities in the State coordinates with and enhances the State's business community. As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary oversees 26 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of $38 million. Oklahoma state law allows for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Science and Technology has not served in any such dual position.  The Secretary of Science and Technology is responsible for overseeing the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology. The Secretary of Science and Technology is one of the few Cabinet Secretary positions whose annual salary is not set by law. As such, it is left to the Governor to determine the Secretary's salary in the annual budget. As of 2010, all Science and Technology Secretaries have served without taking a salary. Secretary of Science and Technology (1998\u2013present)"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of State", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Secretary of State of the State of Oklahoma is the chief clerical officer of Oklahoma and a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary of State is the only appointed constitutional member of the executive branch of the Oklahoma state government. The office of Secretary of State was elective from statehood until 1975 when the Constitution was amended and it became an appointive office, running concurrent with the Governor effective in 1979. Democrat John Rogers served the longest in office, having been elected three times to serve. He only served eight and one-half years, however, when he resigned just six months after taking office for the third time for a four-year term. The shortest term of any Secretary of State was just nine days, served by H.G. Oliver in 1915. He was appointed to fill the job after the resignation of B.F. Harrison. He left office when newly elected S.L. Lyon took office on January 15, 1915. Although she was named as \"interim\" by Governor Mary Fallin and served only one month, Republican Michelle Day is considered the 31st Secretary of State."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Constitution sets the requirements to hold the office of Secretary of State: the appointee must be a citizen of the State of Oklahoma, at least thirty-one years of age and a resident of the United States for ten years, the same as all high-level executive branch officials. The Governor appoints, with confirmation by the Oklahoma Senate, the Secretary of State to serve a four-year term that runs concurrently with the term of the Governor. As the office is not elective (the only appointive constitutional office in Oklahoma), a Secretary of State may succeed himself/herself in office as many times as the Governor-elect appoints and the state Senate confirms him or her."}, {"context": " The Secretary of State is required by law to attest to the Governor's signature and to file all the official acts of the Governor. Executive orders, appointments and proclamations signed and issued by the Governor are certified and distributed by the Secretary of State. Original certificates of pardons and paroles, including revocation of same are recorded and filed in the Office of the Secretary of State. Extraditions, both foreign and domestic, are also recorded and maintained by the Secretary. The office is the custodian of the Seal of Oklahoma. The Secretary of State is an \"ex officio\" member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet."}, {"context": " As required by the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act and Executive Order 88-16, the Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing and operating the Office of Administrative Rules (OAR). ORA files all rules, rule making notices, and executive orders issued by all state agencies and the Governor. OAR collects all such rules and represents them to the Governor for his approve or disapproval. With very limited exceptions, no agency rule may be enforced until it is filed with OAR, approved by the Governor, and then published by OAR."}, {"context": " The most important, though ceremonial, function of the Secretary of State is to \"sacredly preserve\" the original State Constitution signed in 1907. After legislation has been passed and signed by the Governor, along with the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, the Secretary of State is required to fill and record the original acts in the Office of the Secretary of State. Each act is designated a chapter number and published in the Oklahoma Session Laws and the Oklahoma Statutes. The Secretary of State is also required to distribute copies of all new laws, as soon as possible, to each of the seventy-seven County Court Clerks. The original acts and resolutions are bound into volumes and then preserved by the Secretary\u2019s office."}, {"context": " Any and all initiatives, petitions, and referendum (called \"State Questions\") are filled with the Secretary and addressed to the Governor. After circulation of the petition, the Secretary\u2019s office counts and binds the signature pamphlets. If the signatures are sufficient, the state question is placed on the ballot for a vote of the people. New laws adopted by the people are published in the Oklahoma Statutes or Oklahoma Constitution and are immune from override by the Oklahoma Legislature, Governor of Oklahoma, or the Oklahoma Supreme Court."}, {"context": " Under the provision of the Oklahoma Constitution, the judges of any court exercising judicial power shall be subject to removal from office, or to compulsory retirement from office by the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. The Secretary of State is required to determine and designate five district judges to serve on the Appellate Division and eight district judges to serve on the Trial Division of the Court on Judiciary. Every odd-numbered year this office is responsible for organizing the meeting for the Court on Judiciary to make or amend their rules of procedure as mandated by the Oklahoma Constitution."}, {"context": " The main duties of the Secretary of State revolve around filling, recording, and certification of miscellaneous items. They include: The Office of Administrative Rules (OAR) is one of the most important offices within the Office of the Secretary of State. OAR files state agency rules, rulemaking notices, executive orders and compiles those rules, rulemaking notices, executive orders, and local project announcements for publication in The Oklahoma Register, which OAR publishes semi-monthly. OAR is also responsible for compiling and codifing the permanent rules and executive orders for publication in The Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC). OAC is the codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations issued by the executive departments and agencies of the state government. OAR publishes the OAC in annual supplements."}, {"context": " The Office of the Secretary of State, with an annual budget of over $4 million, is one of the smaller employers of the State. For fiscal year 2011, the Office was authorized 37 full-time employees. The Office of the Secretary of State's budget is genereated primarily be fees it generates from the entities it regulates. Agency fees make up 90% ($3.8 million) with the remaining 10% ($0.4 million) coming from annual approrpriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. For fiscal year 2011, each of the operating units of the Bureau operate with the following budgets:"}, {"context": " The annual salary of the Secretary of State is set by law at $90,000. The Secretary of State oversees the following state entities: \"I, . . . . . . . , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as Secretary of State of Oklahoma to the best of my ability.\"  Statewide Election (1907\u20131975) Gubernatorial Appointment (1975\u2013present)"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on land, water, air and space traffic transportation needs and infrastructure. The current Secretary of Transportation is Gary Ridley, who was appointed by Governor Brad Henry in 2009. The position of Secretary of Transportation was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the agricultural activities of the State government. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary of Transportation to advise the Governor on transportation needs and infrastructure policy and advise the state transportation agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor."}, {"context": " Oklahoma state law allows for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Transportation has also served as either the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation or as the Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. As of 2010, five of the six Transportation Secretaries have served in one of those dual positions, with three serving in all three. The Secretary of Transportation is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and regulation of state's transportation system. This infrastructure includes rail lines, state highways, state turnpikes, state seaports, state airports and state spaceports."}, {"context": " As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Transportation oversees 3478 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of over $1.9 billion. The Secretary of Transportation oversees the following State agencies: The Secretary of Transportation is one of the few cabinet secretaries whose annual salary is not set by law. As such, it is left to the governor to determine the position's salary through the annual budget. Despite this, if the Secretary serves as the head of a state agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. What makes incumbent Secretary Gary Ridley's example unique is that he serves as both the head of the Transportation Department (ODOT) and the Director of the Turnpike Authority (OTA). As such, he receives the salaries allowed to both positions. As of 2010, the annual salary for the ODOT Director is set at $118,000 and the salary of the OTA Director is set at $133,000, which gives Ridley a combined annual compensation package of $250,000."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on veterans healthcare and benefits. The current Secretary is Major General Rita Aragon, USAF (ret.), who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2011. The position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the energy activities of the State government. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma State Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to advise the Governor on policies and operations of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs."}, {"context": " Unlike any other Cabinet Secretary, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is the only Cabinet position to have statutory requirements in order for an individual to hold that office. Under Oklahoma state law, any person the Governor appoints to serve as the Secretary must be an honorably discharged veteran and be eligible to receive benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has never served in any such dual position."}, {"context": " The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing the provision of financial assistance, vocational rehabilitation, survivors' benefits, medical benefits and burial benefits to all honorably discharged veterans of the United States military or their dependants or survivors. As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs oversees 1998 full-time employees and is responsible for annual budget of over $130 million. The annual salary of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is set by state law at $65,000."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Secretary of Environment is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on environmental policy development and implementation. The last Secretary was Gary Sherrer, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on January 14, 2011. The current Secretary of the successor office, the Office of the Secretary of Energy and Environment, is Michael Teague."}, {"context": " The Office of the Secretary of Environment was established in 1993 to provide greater oversight to the environmental activities of the State government. The Office was established, along with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, by the Oklahoma Environmental Quality Act of 1993. The Act directed the Secretary of Environment ensure that state environmental agencies management activities are well coordinated and of high quality. The offices of the Office of the Secretary of Energy and the Office of the Secretary of the Environment were merged in 2013, creating the Office of the Secretary of Energy and Environment."}, {"context": " The Secretary of Environment is responsible for overseeing the development, management and protection of the natural resources and wildlife of the State. The primary duties assigned to the Secretary by law are as follows: As the State's official Trustee for Natural Resources, the Secretary ensures that natural resources and the services they provide that are injured or lost because of contamination are restored for the benefit of the State. As of fiscal year 2012, the Secretary of Environment oversees 981.9 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of $590 million."}, {"context": " The Secretary heads the Office of the Secretary of Environment, which is a state agency. The Mission Statement of the Office is: The staff of the Office serves as the immediate staff to the Secretary. Although well funded, the Office has a very limited staff: only four full-time employees including the Secretary. As of 2012, the following are the authorized positions within the Office: The Office of the Secretary has a very large budget for the size of its staff. For Fiscal Year 2013, with only 4 employees, the Office has an annual budget of $12 million. Less than $350 thousand of that budget is actually dedicated to employee compensation and operating expenses. The remaining $11.65 million (or 95%) of the budget is used as grants for State and local agencies with environmental responsibilities."}, {"context": " The vast majority of the funds to support the Office comes from the Environmental Protection Agency, particularly under the authority of the Clean Water Act. Only 1% of the budget comes from yearly appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature, with 99% as grants coming from the United States federal government. The annual salary of the Secretary of Environment is one of the few Cabinet Secretary positions which is not set by law. As such, it is left to the Governor to determine the Secretary's salary. Despite this, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Currently Secretary Sherrer has elected to not receive compensation while serving as secretary.  The Secretary of Environment oversees the following state entities: The Secretary represents the Governor of Oklahoma before the following entities: The Secretary also oversees the Clean Energy Independence Commission, the Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma (ECO) Task Force and various other conservation and sustainability efforts of the State government."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Senate", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution. Senators approve or reject gubernatorial appointments, and contribute to the creation of both state law and an annual state budget. Every ten years, they aid in drawing new boundaries for Oklahoma's electoral districts. The Oklahoma Senate also serves as a court of impeachment. The presiding officer of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, who is the President of the Senate. Since the 1960s, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate has presided over daily work. Prior to that time, the President of the Senate took a leading role in the Senate, including appointing committees and members to those committees. The President of the Senate may cast a vote only in the instance of a tie vote and may not vote to create a tie."}, {"context": " The 1907 Oklahoma Constitution established the Oklahoma Senate alongside the Oklahoma House of Representatives. It met in Guthrie, Oklahoma until 1910. Henry S. Johnston, the author of the initiative and referendum section of the Oklahoma Constitution, served as the first Senate President Pro Tempore. After women in Oklahoma earned the right to vote in 1918, the Oklahoma Senate gained its first female state senator. Lamar Looney was elected in 1920 over a male incumbent, G. L. Wilson. Looney was a progressive Democrat and served from 1921 to 1929."}, {"context": " The United States Supreme Court \"one man, one vote\" decision in Baker v. Carr (1962) led to a court order that forced Oklahoma to equalize representation. Before that decision, Oklahoma had 48 senatorial districts that represented either a populous county or several less-populated counties, but did not provide for districts of equal population. Since 1964, under the holding of \"Reynolds v. Sims\", 377 U.S. 533 (1964) districts must be apportioned within a 5% margin of the average target size district as determined by the U.S. Census state population figures divided by the forty-eight districts. This allows for some districts to be slightly smaller or larger than others. The Oklahoma Senate draws its own maps of its district lines, which are subject to the approval of both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the governor. Should the redistricting not occur in a timely manner, the lines are determined by a panel of five statewide elected officials."}, {"context": " In 1966, voters approved 90-day legislative sessions and, in 1968, they voted to create a Board of Legislative Compensation. An initiative petition championed by Governor Henry Bellmon in 1989 created a requirement that the legislative sessions end by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May. The November 7, 2006 elections resulted in an unprecedented 24-24 tie in the number of seats held by Oklahoma's two major political parties, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Although the Republican Party added two seats to their prior total, they had lost a seat in July due to Nancy Riley changing in her party affiliation from Republican to Democratic. The Democratic Party did hold the seat of lieutenant governor, who also serves as President of the Senate, giving them a tie-breaking vote in the Senate."}, {"context": " The result was a power-sharing agreement for the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions that split control of the presiding officer position of President Pro Tempore into two Co-President Pro Tempores, one of each party. Officially, a Democratic member held the President Pro Tempore position for 23 months and a Republican member held the position for only one month. Unofficially, decisions were made with the approval of both Co-President Pro Tempores. By winning two more seats in the 2008 elections, the Republicans assumed control of the Oklahoma Senate for the first time in state history and held a 26-22 majority, thus ending the power sharing arrangement between the parties."}, {"context": " The Senate meets in regular session in east wing of the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, from early February to the last Friday in May. Special sessions may be called by the Governor of Oklahoma, or by supermajority vote of the Legislature. Unlike their counterparts in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, state senators are not restricted on introduction of bills and resolutions. The Oklahoma Senate advises and consents to numerous appointments of the Governor, including the entire Governor's Cabinet. Nominations are heard by respective standing committees rather than through a committee on nominations."}, {"context": " Originally, the Oklahoma Constitution-based the Senate on counties. The 19 most populous counties, as determined by the most recent federal census, were each to elect one senator. The 58 less populous counties were to be joined into 29 two-county districts, each of which was to elect one senator. In apportioning the Senate, the Oklahoma Constitution required that consideration be given to population, compactness, area, political units, historical precedents, economic and political interests, contiguous territory and other major factors, to the extent feasible."}, {"context": " In 1964, the United States Supreme Court ruled this method violated the federal Constitution. Since then, every ten years, the Oklahoma Senate is responsible for passing into law new district boundaries for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma Congressional delegation. The Senate and House have traditionally drawn their own lines without any comment from the other body and work together with the Congressional delegation to draw lines appropriate for the next election. The Governor must sign these bills into law or a statewide panel is convened to draw the disputed lines."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Senate serves a dual role as both a legislative body and as a judicial court. As the court of impeachment, it is an independent court in the Oklahoma court system. Impeachment charges are brought by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, but heard by the court of impeachment, with Oklahoma's chief justice presiding over the court. If the chief justice or a member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court is charged with impeachment, a state senator can preside over the court of impeachment. Impeachment charges may only be brought against the governor, other statewide elected state officials and justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court for willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpitude committed while in office. Impeached officials are immediately suspended in discharging their duties. Should the impeachment fail, the official returns to their duties. If the impeachment is successful and the defendant found guilty, the official is removed from office."}, {"context": " In order to file for election to the Senate, candidates must be twenty-five years of age at the time of their election. The candidate must also be a qualified elector in their respective counties or districts and shall reside in their respective counties or districts during their term of office. No person is eligible to serve as a member of the Legislature if they are serving as an officer of the United States or State government. Furthermore, any person who has been adjudged guilty of a felony is not eligible to election to the Legislature. If a member of the Senate is expelled for corruption, they are not eligible to return to the Legislature."}, {"context": " The senators are elected to four year terms on alternating cycles. The odd senatorial districts are elected in the same cycle of every presidential election year (years divisible by four, e.g., 2012, 2016); the even numbered senatorial districts are elected during the gubernatorial election year (even-numbered years not divisible by four, e.g., 2010, 2014). Senators serve a four-year term and are limited to three terms or 12 years. A term limited member can not run for election to the House of Representative as both Representative terms and Senate terms are added together in determining the total number of Legislative years in office. When term limits were implemented in 1992, they were not applied retroactively which meant that senators elected prior to their implementation could serve up to three full terms following the implementation of term limits. For example, the longest-serving member of the Oklahoma State Senate, Gene Stipe was first elected in 1956, but would not have been term limited out until 2004, had he not resigned the previous year."}, {"context": " The majority of Oklahoma legislators receive $38,400 in annual pay while presiding officers earn a larger salary. Additionally, legislators can seek reimbursement for expenses related to meals and lodging during the legislative session, and for certain travel expenses related to their duties at any point during the year. They also have access to benefits received by state employees, including health and life insurance as well as retirement savings plans. The Lieutenant Governor serves as President of the Oklahoma Senate, but only casts a vote in the case of a tie and presides less frequently since the 1960s. The President Pro Tempore is the one who serves as leader of the Senate and is the head of the majority party. The President Pro Tempore appoints the majority floor leader and the chair of the appropriations committee. Along with the elected officers of the majority caucus (caucus chair, caucus vice chair, three assistant majority leaders and four majority whips), they comprise the leadership of the Senate majority caucus. The leader of the minority caucus is called either the Republican Leader or Democratic Leader, depending on which party is in the minority. Along with the elected officers of the minority party (assistant leaders, assistant whips and the caucus chair and vice chair), they comprise the Senate minority leadership team."}, {"context": " Todd Lamb, the current Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma and President of the Oklahoma Senate, previously served as a state senator. A number of Oklahoma governors also served in the Oklahoma Senate, including Brad Henry, Raymond D. Gary, William J. Holloway and Henry S. Johnston. Former Congressmen John Jarman and Clem McSpadden both served in the Oklahoma Senate. Harry J. W. Belvin longest serving Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation (In 1948 the Secretary of Interior appointed Harry Belvin as the chief of the Choctaw tribe, along with chiefs of the other four tribes in eastern Oklahoma. ) served as both an Oklahoma Senator and Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Scott Pruitt, the controversial former EPA Administrator who faced several investigations into his conflicts of interest and management behavior (including excessive spending), had served previously as Oklahoma Attorney General and a member of the Oklahoma Senate."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sentencing Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sentencing Commission was an independent agency of the government of Oklahoma. Now defunct, the Commission was established to maintain an effective, fair, and efficient sentencing system for the state of Oklahoma. The 17 member commission was also charged with enhancig public safety, provide truth-in-sentencing and unwarranted disparity in the sentencing of individuals convicted in the state's criminal justice system. The Commission was provided staff support by the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center. The Commission appoints the Director of the OCJRC."}, {"context": " On August 26, 2009, the Commission was dissolved following the transfer of the duties of the Center to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Sentencing reform was initially begun in 1989 when the Oklahoma Legislature created the Sentencing and Release Policy Committee. The work of the committee evolved into the creation of the Truth in Sentencing Policy Advisory Commission in 1994, followed by the creation of the Oklahoma Sentencing Commission in 1997. In 2009, the Commission was dissolved following the termination and transfer of funcation of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.  The membership of the Commission was composed of the following, all serving five year terms:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park (OSP) was founded in 1985 in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA by current Executive Director and Artistic Director Kathryn McGill (n\u00e9e Huey) and Jack J. O'Meara. With two different performing venues, the organization produces a range of classic plays. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is a non-profit organization overseen by a Board of Directors. Jason Foreman serves as Board President. Jon Haque serves as Managing Director, and Michelle Swink as PR/Marketing Associate. In 2007, it relocated to downtown Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " OSP was founded in 1985 by Kathryn McGill and Jack J. O'Meara as an outdoor summer Shakespeare festival. McGill, a native of Edmond, Oklahoma, met O'Meara\u2014a local television promotions director\u2014on a visit home from her Master of Fine Arts training in New York City. Their shared interest in Shakespeare and the opportunity presented by the small stage in E.C. Hafer Park, which was available for use by community groups, led to the formation of Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park as an outdoor summer Shakespeare festival. McGill and O'Meara found interested local actors and generated enthusiasm for the project. In July and August 1985, with a $500 grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council and their own money, they staged their first productions: Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Each play ran for 5 weeks, for a 10-week season, drawing a total attendance of 6,000 people."}, {"context": " Since the project turned out to be so popular, McGill and O'Meara decided to pursue the project further and formally incorporated Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park in 1986 with O'Meara acting as managing director and McGill as artistic director. Office and storage space was rented at the Edmond Community Center, along with an all purpose room used for a winter season of performances. The winter performances ran for 3 seasons, but since the space was shared with \"\u2026dog shows, cotillions, and other rental uses \u2026 which necessitated striking the set after almost every performance\" they were eventually put on hold until a more suitable space could be found."}, {"context": " The summer productions fared better, expanding from two to three productions in 1988 and briefly switching to a rotating repertory format in 1989. In 1990 budget limitations forced a return to stock performances of four plays in 59 performances, but the company's goal was still to return to a rotating repertory format. They began charging admissions in 1988, but still set an attendance record with 12.000 visitors for three shows. In 1989 the City of Edmond's parks department created a new performance site for the company and in 1991 funded the construction of permanent toilet facilities. OSP also built its own semi-permanent two-story wooden thrust stage in 1990. By 1991 OSP had grown to the point where its 25-member board could arrange two benefits each year, raising $15-20.000, and the company received fairly large grants from companies like Phillips Petroleum and Target Stores."}, {"context": " In 2001, OSP's stage was destroyed by fire. The company rebuilt on the same location, but in 2005 fire again struck and the company relocated to the University of Central Oklahoma as a temporary home. In December 2006, under the leadership of then-Board President David Holt (politician), OSP announced that it was relocating to downtown Oklahoma City, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens Water Stage and from June 14 through September 1, 2007 it presented its inaugural summer season in downtown Oklahoma City with performances in repertory of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Macbeth.  Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is a non-profit organization overseen by a Board of Directors."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association (OSA) is a non-profit professional association of the 77 elected County Sheriffs in Oklahoma. OSA represents the sheriffs to state officials and works to coordinate policies between the sheriffs through training and education and by providing technical and informational support. According to the OSA website, the objectives of the OSA are: The Executive Board is the governing body of the OSA. The Board is assisted in managing the OSA by an Executive Director and a Deputy Director, currently Ken McNair and Ray McNair respectively.  The current Board members are:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sooners", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sooners are the athletic teams that represent the University of Oklahoma, located in Norman. The 19 men's and women's varsity teams are called the \"Sooners\", a reference to a nickname given to the early participants in the Land Rush of 1889, which initially opened the Unassigned Lands in the future state of Oklahoma to non-native settlement. The university's athletic teams compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)'s Division I in the Big 12 Conference. The university's current athletic director is Joe Castiglione."}, {"context": " In 2002, the University of Oklahoma was ranked as the third best college sports program in America by \"Sports Illustrated\". The University of Oklahoma was a charter member of the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWC) during its formation in 1914. Five years later, in 1919, OU left the SWC and joined the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association. In 1928, this conference split, and OU remained aligned with the teams that formed the Big Six Conference. Over the next 31 years, more schools were added and the conference underwent several name changes, incrementing the number each time up to the Big Eight Conference where it remained until 1996. Four Texas schools joined with the members of Big Eight to form the current Big 12 Conference."}, {"context": " When combined with Blake Griffin's John Wooden Award and Sam Bradford's Heisman Trophy, Oklahoma became the second school to have a top winner in both basketball and football in the same year (in 1968, Gary Beban won the Heisman Trophy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won the USBWA \"Player of the Year\" award for UCLA). The Sooners have been participating in college football since 1895. Calling Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at Owen Field home, the team has won numerous bowl games, 41 conference championships (including every Big Seven championship awarded), and seven Associated Press National Championships, making the Sooners football program the most decorated in the Big 12. Oklahoma has scored the most points in Division I-A football history despite the fact they have played over 60 fewer games than the second place school on that list. OU also has the highest winning percentage of any team since the start of the AP poll in 1936."}, {"context": " The Sooners possess 7 national championships in football, with the 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, and 2000 seasons featuring the top team in the Associated Press final poll, and the 2000 Bowl Championship Series National Championship as well. This number is 3rd only to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Alabama Crimson Tide (who have 9) for the most AP titles of any Division I college football team after the end of World War II (which is commonly used as the division between eras in college football)."}, {"context": " In addition to these seven acknowledged national championships there are also nine additional years in which the NCAA's official record book recognizes the Sooners as national champions: 1949, 1953, 1957, 1967, 1973, 1978, 1980, 1986, 2003. The University of Oklahoma does not acknowledge these additional \"championships\", as they were not awarded by the Associated Press, United Press International (UPI), USA Today Coaches Poll, or the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). Individual success is also a major part of Oklahoma football; seven Heisman Trophy winners (Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason White, Sam Bradford Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray are surrounded by many other award winners, including NFL MVP Award winner Adrian Peterson, Joe Washington, Brian Bosworth, Tony Casillas, Greg Pruitt, Josh Heupel, Jerry Tubbs, Rocky Calmus, Granville Liggins, Teddy Lehman, Lee Roy Selmon, Roy Williams, Tommy McDonald, Mark Clayton, Tommie Harris, J.C. Watts, Keith Jackson and Jammal Brown. More than a dozen Sooner players have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Oklahoma has more Butkus award winners than any other school."}, {"context": " Coaches Bennie Owen, Bud Wilkinson, and Barry Switzer have passed through the gameday tunnel for the Sooners, each on his way to the College Football Hall of Fame. Owen was the first highly successful coach at OU and was a major advocate of the forward pass, which at the turn of the century was not popular. The playing surface at Oklahoma's Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is popularly known as Owen Field in honor of his long tenure and devotion to the university. Wilkinson left many imprints on the game, such as the 5-2 defense with five linemen and two linebackers; the perfection of the Split-T, an early option offense; three national championships; and his teams set the NCAA Division 1 record for consecutive wins at 47. The record of 47 straight wins is widely regarded as one of the great achievements in sports, and a streak that is unlikely to be broken (started October 10, 1953 vs. Texas and ended in 1957 with a loss to Notre Dame 7\u20130). Switzer won three national championships (The National Championship of 1975 is highly controversial, Arizona State went 12\u20130 that season while Oklahoma was 11\u20131) and forged arguably the fiercest rushing offense ever, the Oklahoma wishbone formation, throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Though the end of Switzer's tenure at Oklahoma was marked by controversy and poor player behavior, he is generally well regarded by both his past players and Sooner fans. During his 16 years as the Sooners' head coach, Switzer led his team to 12 conference championships and never lost more than two games in a row. His winning percentage of .837 stands as the fourth-highest in the history of 1-A football. Other Hall of Fame coaches whose tenure included stints at the University of Oklahoma are Lawrence \"Biff\" Jones and Jim Tatum."}, {"context": " The men's basketball team is highly successful and rose to national prominence since the early 80s with head coach Billy Tubbs and three time All-American power forward Wayman Tisdale. It currently plays in the Lloyd Noble Center, which came to be known as the house Alvan Adams built and Tisdale filled. While the team has never won a national championship, it ranks second in most tournament wins without a championship behind Illinois. The team played in the 1988 national championship game but lost to Kansas, despite having beaten the Jayhawks twice earlier in the season. The program has won a combined twenty regular-season and tournament conference championships."}, {"context": " The Sooners headed into the 2005\u201306 season ranked No. 5 in the AP preseason poll, led by Taj Gray, Kevin Bookout, Terrell Everett, and David Godbold, but had a disappointing early season. After the emergence of Michael Neal as a potential star, the Sooners salvaged a No. 3 seed in the Big 12 Conference Tournament but lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. On March 29, 2006, Kelvin Sampson left the University of Oklahoma to become the head basketball coach at Indiana University. 13 days later, on April 11, 2006, Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione named Jeff Capel III the new head coach. Capel encountered trouble in his first few months as several players who had been recruited by Sampson backed out of their commitments. Also, under Sampson's watch, Oklahoma was placed under a three-year investigation by the NCAA for recruiting violations. At the end of their investigation, the NCAA issued a report citing more than 550 illegal calls made by Sampson and his staff to 17 different recruits. The NCAA barred Sampson from recruiting off campus and making phone calls for one year, ending May 24, 2007. The Sooners looked to continue a streak of 12 consecutive postseason tournament appearances in 2006\u20132007, but were disappointed when they did not receive a bid for either the NCAA Tournament or the NIT."}, {"context": " In the 2009 NBA draft, the Sooners produced the No. 1 overall draft selection Blake Griffin. The men's gymnastics program at OU is headed by coach Mark Williams. It has won eleven NCAA Men's Gymnastics championships, including five in a span of seven years in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008 (they finished second behind Penn State in 2004 and 2007). They won the 2006 title with very little experience on the team as 50% of the members were freshmen and just 21% were upperclassmen (seven freshmen, four sophomores, one junior, and two seniors). Teams from OU also won national championships in 1977, 1978, 1991, and back to back to back championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2015, the Sooners broke the NCAA scoring record in a duel meet against Michigan scoring 456.4 points and then broke their own record two weeks later against Illinois scoring 457.3 points."}, {"context": " Gymnastics began at the school in 1902. The program folded in 1917 when the original coach left. The program was revived in 1965 with the new coach, Russ Porterfield having to beg students to join the squad. Within 6 years, OU had its first winning season. OU's next coach, Paul Ziert, turned the program into one of national prominence. He led OU to two national championships in 1977 and 1978. One of Ziert's athletes, Greg Buwick, would replace him as head coach in 1980 and would lead the team to its third national title in 1991. Buwick's assistant of 12 years, Mark Williams, took over the head coaching position in 2000 and has led the Sooners to six national championships, thirteen conference titles, several individual champions, and even more All-Americans. OU has produced more Nissen Award winners than any other university and is the only school to have back-to-back Nissen Award winners."}, {"context": " The women's gymnastics program is headed by K.J. Kindler. The Sooners have won 14 Big 12 conference titles, 8 regional championships, and three national championship titles (2014, a co-championship with Florida and in 2016, 2017). The Sooners have also won seven individual titles in their history, with Kelly Garrison (all-around in 1987; all-around, bars and beam in 1988), Taylor Spears (beam in 2014), Nicole Lehrmann (bars in 2017), and Maggie Nichols (bars in 2017) claiming honors. The Oklahoma Baseball tradition is long, proud and storied, with two National Championships in 1951 and 1994, along with numerous All-Americans. Their home field is L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park, named after famed player Dale Mitchell. The current coach is Pete Hughes. The baseball program was a source of recent controversy when the head coach, Larry Cochell, resigned after making racially insensitive remarks about one of the players on the team."}, {"context": " During the 2005\u20132006 season, the Sooners were given a home regional at L. Dale Mitchell Park and were named the No. 1 seed. They beat the University of Houston, Texas Christian University, and Wichita State University to win the regional and advanced to a Super Regional where they were defeated by Rice University in a best-of-three series. Oregon State University went on to win the College World Series that year. Prior to 2006, the Sooners hosted regionals at minor league parks in Oklahoma City, first All Sports Stadium and then AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Scheduling conflicts with the Oklahoma Redhawks, the Class AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros, led OU to bid for future regionals at its on-campus stadium."}, {"context": " The OU Softball program has qualified 15 times for the Women's College World Series, in 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982 (AIAW), 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. In 2000, Oklahoma won its first national title. The school finished as the 2012 runner-up, then returned the next year to record its second title by winning the 2013 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament. In 2016, the Oklahoma Sooners won their third national championship starting 4 sophomores and 4 freshmen. They capped of their 2017 season with their 2nd consecutive, 4th overall national championship title by winning the 2017 Women's College World Series. The current head coach is Patty Gasso."}, {"context": " OU Women's Basketball began during the 1974\u201375 academic year. It wasn't until 1996 when OU hired local high school basketball coach, Sherri Coale, that the team became something Sooners would be proud of. At one time the team drew an average of 65 people per game, now the Sooners are one of the nation's leaders in attendance. In 2002, Oklahoma advanced to the National Title game before losing to the Connecticut Huskies. The Sooner wrestling program was established in 1920 and is the fourth most decorated in college wrestling having won 7 national championships in 1936, 1951, 1952, 1957, 1960, 1963 and 1974. The Sooners are considered a power in their own right and Bedlam matches draw a home enormous crowd, with the Howard McCasland Field House being the home for Sooner Wrestling. There are numerous All-Americans and National Champions. Mark Cody coached the program for five years before his resignation in 2016. During his time, Cody coached the Sooners to 10th in 2014. Under Cody, the Sooners had ten All-Americans and two national champions (Kendric Maple and Cody Brewer). His replacement was Lou Rosselli, a former assistant at Ohio State."}, {"context": " Their greatest wrestlers are 3-time NCAA Champion and NCAA Outstanding Wrestler Mickey Martin; 2-time NCAA Champion and 2-time NCAA Outstanding Wrestler Tommy Evans; 3-time NCAA Champion and 2-time Outstanding Wrestler Dan Hodge (Hodge was never taken down and pinned his way through the NCAA's his Senior year); NCAA, World and Olympic Champion Wayne Wells; 3-time NCAA Champion, NCAA Outstanding Wrestler, 2-time World Champion and Olympic Champion Mark Schultz; NCAA Champion, World Champion, Olympic Champion Dave Schultz; and 2-time NCAA Champion, World Champion, and 8 time U.S. National Champion Melvin Douglas."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Sooner Wrestling team accomplishments: On May 10, 2007, the University announced the addition of women's rowing to the intercollegiate athletics program started by well-respected rower Candie Garrett. The University hired head coach Leeanne Crain in the spring of 2008. Assistant Coaches Kris Muhl and Andrew Derrick followed Crain from the University of Central Florida to jumpstart OU's program. Muhl took a head coaching position at Jacksonville University during summer 2009. Former UVA rower and Alabama Novice coach Marina Traub was hired as the varsity assistant coach in Fall 2009."}, {"context": " The University of Oklahoma women's rowing team practices in the Oklahoma City River (formerly the Canadian River), located in the Bricktown area of Oklahoma City. The river was designated as a U.S. Olympic Training Center for the sports of kayaking, canoeing, and rowing on July 28, 2009. The University's boathouse was completed in 2011. The men's golf team has won 14 conference championships: The Sooners won the NCAA Championship in 1989 and 2017. OU has also crowned two individual national champions: Walter Emery in 1933 and Jim Vickers in 1952."}, {"context": " Several Sooners have had successful amateur and professional careers after college: Charles Coe (1949 and 1958 U.S. Amateur winner), Glen Day (one PGA Tour win), Todd Hamilton (two PGA Tour wins including 2004 Open Championship), Anthony Kim (three PGA Tour wins), Andrew Magee (four PGA Tour wins), Craig Perks (one PGA Tour win), Greg Turner (four European Tour wins), and Grant Waite (one PGA Tour win). Oklahoma plays college rugby in the Allied Rugby Conference of Division 1A. Oklahoma has participated several times in the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC), often matching up against rival Texas. The CRC, held every year at PPL Park in Philadelphia, is the highest profile college rugby competition in the US, and is broadcast live on NBC each year."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma University Rugby Football Club was established in 1974. OU Rugby has experienced success since its founding, including an undefeated record in the 1983\u20131984 season, and reached the national quarter-finals five times from 1980\u20131990. The early 2000s saw Oklahoma return to its winning ways, winning the Big 12 Rugby Tournament four times. The captain of that squad, All American Tyson Meek, played for the US national rugby team, and went on to become OU's first professional rugby player. Oklahoma finished the 2005 season with a 19\u20131 record."}, {"context": " A traditional college football rivalry with the Nebraska Cornhuskers was much less intense during the Big 12 years than it was in the Big 8 era. This was mainly due to the split-division nature of the Big 12 that only allowed the teams to play each other twice every four years. Prior to this, these teams were involved in several historic match-ups, including the Game of the Century and the so-called Game of the New Century where the teams have come into the game ranked one and two in the Associated Press Poll, making the games of great importance in deciding the national championship. Historically, the rivalry's most distinguishing quality has been the grudging respect and appreciation between the two tradition-rich programs. Also of note is the game's former status as the premier Thanksgiving Day game for the middle of the country. The Sooners and Cornhuskers went head-to-head in the 2006 Big 12 Championship Game, with Oklahoma winning the conference title by the score of 21\u20137. The two teams also met in the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game, with Oklahoma again the victor in a close game by a score of 23\u201320. This turned out to be the final conference meeting between the two teams, as Nebraska departed for the Big 10 Conference the following season."}, {"context": " Oklahoma's shares an intrastate rivalry with the Oklahoma State Cowboys and is often referred to as the \"Bedlam Series.\" It is normally played as a home-and-home series with games alternating between Norman and Stillwater, with the exception of the baseball teams, who often play at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City or ONEOK Field in Tulsa. Oklahoma currently leads the series 86\u201318\u20137 in football, and 124\u201388 in basketball In baseball the series is tied at 147\u2013147, and in wrestling Oklahoma trails the series 27\u2013128\u20139."}, {"context": " The Texas Longhorns are one rival of the Sooners. Regardless of the trademark implications, inverted versions of the Longhorn mascot can be seen on automobiles all over the Norman campus, and many T-shirts referring to the rivalry present the word \"Texas\" in mirror image, upside-down, or possibly surrounded by obscenities. A reminder of the rivalry shared by these two schools was painted on the South Oval of the OU campus for many years, and was recently replicated near the Library clock tower due to construction at its original site."}, {"context": " The annual game between the schools at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, known as the Red River Rivalry, is a game that draws attention from all around the college football world. The \"fight song\" of the University of Oklahoma is \"Boomer Sooner\", a version of \"Boola Boola\", the fight song of Yale University, combined with a version of \"I'm a Tar Heel Born\", the fight song of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. \"Boomer Sooner\" was written by Arthur M. Alden in 1905. Other songs played at athletic events by The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band are a version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's \"Oklahoma!\", \"OK Oklahoma\", played after extra points, and the \"OU Chant.\" At home games, The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band plays that visiting team's \"fight song\" while facing their fans."}, {"context": " The Mascot present at all football games is the Sooner Schooner, a Conestoga wagon, pulled by two cr\u00e8me white ponies, Boomer and Sooner. The caretakers of the wagon are the spirit group called the RUF/NEKS, who shoot off modified shotguns in celebration of scores by the home team. The group was launched in 1915 when an elderly female spectator at an OU-Oklahoma A&M basketball game chided the group for raising hell (\"Sit down and be quiet, you roughnecks!\") Recently, in time for the 2005 football season, two new mascots, based on the ponies who pull the Schooner, were created, named appropriately, Boomer and Sooner. They are costumes of two identical (except for eye color) cr\u00e8me white ponies. Before, the Boomer and Sooner costume mascots, OU was also represented by Top Dawg. Top Dawg did some appearances at football games, but was primarily used at wrestling and basketball events.  The official school colors are Crimson and Cream, with red and white sometimes used as substitutes for simplicity. The school logo is an interlocking OU design."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sooners baseball", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Sooners baseball is the NCAA Division I collegiate baseball team of the University of Oklahoma based in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Baseball tradition is long and storied, with two National Championships in 1951 and 1994, along with numerous All-Americans. Dale Mitchell, Bobby Jack, Jackson Todd, Glen Castle, and Keith Drumright all include two-time All-Americans to play baseball for the University of Oklahoma Sooners baseball team. Their home field is L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park, named after famed player Dale Mitchell. The baseball program was a source of recent controversy when the head coach, Larry Cochell, resigned after making racially insensitive remarks about one of the players on the team."}, {"context": " Prior to 2006, the Sooners hosted regionals at minor league parks in Oklahoma City, first All Sports Stadium and then AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Scheduling conflicts with the Oklahoma Redhawks, the Class AAA affiliate of the Texas Rangers, led OU to bid for future regionals at its on-campus stadium. Unlike many programs, such as LSU and USC, Oklahoma did not lack consistency among the coaching ranks in the early to mid 1900s. Bennie Owen is credited as the first head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners baseball program. Owen's first season is listed as 1906 and his final season being 1922. Owen coached the Sooners for a total of 17 years, compiling an overall record of 142\u2013102\u20134. In 1923 Bill Owen took over as head coach and remained in the position for 4 years. During his tenure the program had a .764 winning percentage with a record of 42\u201313. OU named Lawrence Haskell the third head coach in the programs history in 1927. He led the Sooners for 15 years, compiling an overall record of 176\u201374\u20132."}, {"context": " Jack Baer became the fourth head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners baseball program in 1942. In his 10th year as coach, Baer led the program to new heights, claiming the 1951 National Championship in baseball for the first time in school history. Baer went on to coach the Sooners until 1967. During his 26-year tenure as coach, Baer amassed 281 victories, a .529 winning percentage, and still remains OU's longest tenured baseball coach. Enos Semore replaced Jack Baer in 1968. Semore became the 5th head coach in the program's history, and led the program through some of its most successful years. During his 22-year tenure as coach, Semore's teams averaged 38.5 victories a year, claiming 9 conference championships and 2 conference tournament titles. Under his direction, the Sooners claimed 4 straight Big Eight titles while also making 5 consecutive trips to the College World Series from 1972\u20131976. His 1976 squad set a school record that still stands today with 62 victories. The 851 victories he compiled while head coach of the Sooners still ranks first in the programs history. Semore retired after the 1989 season with a record of 851\u2013370\u20131 while at OU. Semore's career winning percentage of .697 ranks in the top 50 all-time in NCAA Division I history."}, {"context": " After Enos Senmore called it quits, OU hired Stan Meek, who managed to survive only 1 season at OU. The 1990 Sooners baseball team finished 31\u201326 overall and failed to make the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament for the first time since 1983. To replace Meek, the Sooners traveled out west and hired Larry Cochell away from Cal. St. Fullerton. Cochell replaced legendary coach Augie Garrido at Fullerton when Garrido left for Illinois. During his 3 seasons at Fullerton, Cochell's teams went 109\u201368. Although Fullerton is widely considered one of the best baseball programs around, OU offered Cochell a financial package that he could not turn down. In 1991, Cochell became the 7th head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners baseball program."}, {"context": " Cochell wasted no time bringing the team back into the national spotlight. In his first year, Cochell led the team to an overall record of 40\u201323 and a second-place finish in the Big Eight. The Sooners earned a spot in post-season play, but were quickly eliminated. The Sooners went 0\u20132 in the 1991 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament, losing their second game to eventual National Champion LSU. The following year, the Sooners tied for the Big Eight conference championship, and once again were awarded with a spot in the post-season. The Sooners fared much better winning the NCAA Mideast Regional to earn their first trip to the College World Series since 1976. The Sooners tied for 5th in the 1992 College World Series winning 1 game and losing 2, but Cochell would use the 1992 season to catapult the Sooners to national prominence. The 1992 team finished the season 43\u201324 overall. After a rebuilding year 1993, Cochell was poised to return the program to glory."}, {"context": " In 1994, Cochell entered his fourth season at the helm of the Sooner program. The Sooners breezed through the 1994 regular season with a record of 42\u201317. They also posted a 21\u20139 mark in conference play, but that was only good enough to finish second in the conference. The Sooners were placed in the NCAA Central Regional along with Arkansas St., Stanford, and Texas. In their first game of the regional, OU defeated Arkansas St. 10\u20133, setting up a second round game with Stanford. Once again OU had no trouble putting runs on the board, defeating Stanford 10\u20134. After winning their first two games, OU was in the driver's seat for the remainder of the regional. With a berth in the regional championship on the line, the Sooners delivered; they defeated Texas 15\u20134. Texas avoided elimination to set up a rematch with OU in the championship, but the result turned out the same. The Sooners claimed the Central Regional championship, defeating the Longhorns 6\u20133. The Sooners were on their way to Omaha, earning their 8th trip to the College World Series."}, {"context": " The Sooners were the No. 4 seed in the 1994 College World Series, which set up a first-round game with the No. 5 seed Auburn Tigers. OU continued their winning ways, defeating the Tigers 5\u20134. The win placed the Sooners in the winner's bracket and set up a second-round game against Arizona St. Arizona St. surprised top-seeded Miami in the opening round 4\u20130 to advance to the winner's bracket. OU once again won by a single run, 4\u20133, to advance to the semi-finals. After defeating Miami for a second game and eliminating the Hurricanes, the Sun Devils were looking for revenge, but the Sooners rose to the occasion. Oklahoma eliminated Arizona St., 6\u20131, to advance to the championship round. The Sooners played Georgia Tech for the championship, who had also won its first three games in Omaha that year. OU's bats came alive in the championship game as OU defeated the Yellow Jackets 13\u20135 to claim the second national title in school history. Cochell guided the Sooners to a 50\u201317 overall record after winning the CWS."}, {"context": " On May 1, 2005 Cochell submitted his letter of resignation to Oklahoma. Cochell resigned after making racial remarks during two separate interviews. Cochell used racially insensitive remarks to describe Joe Dunigan III who was a freshman outfielder and is an African-American. The remarks were not during taped interviews, but were brought to the attention of the university by ESPN after the fact. Cochell would later issue a public statement in which he apologized for the remarks, and the Dunnigan family would later state they forgave Cochell."}, {"context": " Cochell, who had coached for 39 total seasons, was the keeper of the OU baseball program for nearly 15 full seasons. He led the program through one of the most successful eras of its history, including leading them to the 1994 championship, the first in over four decades, despite the quick exit that engulfed his departure, although he was invited back to the introduction of Pete Hughes as head coach in 2013. Sonny Golloway was promoted from associate head coach to interim head coach on May 1, 2005 following the resignation of Larry Cochell. Golloway held the interim tag for the remainder of the 2005 season posting a 12\u20136 record. The Sooners earned an berth in the 2005 NCAA tournament, but were eliminated in the Oxford regional finals by Ole Miss. Following the 2005 season, the interim tag was removed from the title, and Golloway became head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners baseball program."}, {"context": " Prior to becoming head coach at OU, Golloway returned to Norman for his second stint with the Sooners Program. Golloway was an assistant coach under Cochell from 1992\u20131995 before leaving to become the head coach at Oral Roberts. Golloway would coach a total of 8 seasons at Oral Roberts posting a 335\u2013156 record. Following the 2003 season, Golloway left Oral Roberts to return to Norman as associate head coach. In his first full season as head coach of the Sooners, Golloway led the team to a 45\u201322 record overall. The 2006 team finished 3rd overall in the Big 12, and earned its second straight NCAA post-season berth. In the post-season, Oklahoma was awarded a host site for the regional round of the tournament. After losing their first game to TCU, the Sooners would win 4 straight to earn their first regional title since 1995 and a berth in the super regional round for the first time. Oklahoma traveled to Houston to face the Rice Owls, with the winner earning a berth in the 2006 College World Series. Rice won the first game, but OU was able to come back with a victory in game 2 to force a rubber game. Rice, the No. 2 overall seed that year, was just too much in the pivotal third game of the super regionals, and ended OU's season."}, {"context": " After a promising first full season as coach, expectations for Golloway were increasing. Unfortunately in 2007, the Sooners never lived up to their potential finishing the season 34\u201324. They failed to make the post-season, but Golloway was determined to keep the program moving in the right direction. The following year, the Sooners finished the season 36\u201326\u20131 overall, and once again earned a trip to the post-season. The Sooners would make it all the way to the Tempe regional finals, before coming up short against Arizona St. to end the 2008 season."}, {"context": " In his fourth full year as head coach at Oklahoma, Golloway was once again able to keep the program moving in the right direction. OU finished second in the Big 12 posting a 17\u201310 record in conference play, only a half game behind Texas for the regular season title. After earning the No. 2 seed in the 2009 Big 12 Baseball Tournament, the Sooners posted a disappointing 1\u20132 record in pool play. Following the Big 12 championship, the Sooners had a record of 41\u201318. Despite their poor performance in the Big 12 tournament, they were still rewarded with a host site and the No. 7 national seed in the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. After winning their first game in the Norman regional, the Sooners fell to Arkansas in the second round. The Sooners would bounce back and defeat Washington St. in an elimination, but once again lost to Arkansas. The Sooners finished the 2009 season 43\u201320."}, {"context": " In 2010, the Sooners finished 50\u201318. The team swept through their regional and won the super regional against the Virginia Cavaliers 2\u20131. The Super Regional was highlighted by Cody Reine who had back to back multi-homerun games in games 2 and 3. The Sooners earned their 10th appearance in the College World Series where they won their first game against the South Carolina Gamecocks 4\u20133. The Sooners then lost to the Clemson Tigers and then lost on a walk-off hit to the Gamecocks in a rematch. After the 2013 season, Golloway left for Auburn."}, {"context": " In 2014, Pete Hughes, who had previously served as head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies for the previous seven seasons. In his four seasons with the Sooners, he led them to over 30 wins three times, although his team advanced past the Second Round of the Big 12 Tournament just once (2015), with only one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017, which ended with two losses in the Louisville Regional. After the 2017 season, he was fired by the program. On June 19, 2017, Skip Johnson was announced as the new head coach of the Sooners.  L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park is a baseball stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. It is the home field for the University of Oklahoma Sooners college baseball team. It is named after the former OU player Dale Mitchell who holds OU's career and single-season batting records. The park was originally constructed at a cost of $1.27 million and was dedicated in 1982. After two renovations, the current capacity is 2,700 people. <br> <br> <br> <br> <br>"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sooners football", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma (variously \"Oklahoma\" or \"OU\"). The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is in Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The program began in 1895 and is one of the most successful programs since World War II with the most wins (606) and the highest winning percentage (.762) since 1945. The program has 7 national championships, 48 conference championships, 162 First Team\u00a0All-Americans (80 consensus), and seven\u00a0Heisman Trophy winners. In addition, the school has had 23 members (five coaches and 18\u00a0players) inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and holds the record for the longest winning streak in Division I history with 47\u00a0straight victories. Oklahoma is also the only program that has had four coaches with 100+ wins. They became the sixth NCAA FBS team to win 850\u00a0games when they defeated the Kansas Jayhawks on November 22, 2014. The Sooners play their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Lincoln Riley is currently the team's head coach."}, {"context": " Football at Oklahoma made its start in September 1895, 12\u00a0years before statehood and one year after the first organized football game in Oklahoma Territory. The team was organized by John A. Harts, a student from Winfield, Kansas who had played the game in his home state. That first team was composed of mostly non-students, including a local fireman. That first \"season\" saw the team go 0\u20131, being blanked 0\u201334 by a more experienced Oklahoma City Town Team (the Sooners could not even muster a first down). The first game was played on a field of low prairie grass just northwest of the current site of Holmberg Hall. Several members of the Oklahoma team were injured, including Coach Harts, and by the end of the game, the Oklahoma team was borrowing members from the opposing squad so they would have a full lineup. After that year, Harts left Oklahoma to prospect for gold in the Arctic."}, {"context": " The team got its first real coach in 1897 when the new modern language professor, Vernon Louis Parrington, was named head coach (they played two games in 1896 with no coach). Parrington played some football at Harvard and was more exposed to football coming from the East coast. In his four years as head coach (1897\u20131900), Parrington's teams racked up nine wins, one loss, and two ties. After the 1900\u00a0season, football began interfering with Parrington's teaching, his real passion. He stepped down as head coach shortly thereafter and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1928\u00a0at the University of Washington."}, {"context": " The Sooners had three more coaches over the next four seasons. Fred Roberts led the Sooners to a 3\u20132 season in 1901, Mark McMahon recorded an 11\u20137\u20133 record in his two years as coach in 1902 and 1903, and Fred Ewing recorded a 4\u20133\u20131 record in 1904. The most notable event of those four years came in 1904 when Oklahoma had its first match against its in-state rival, Oklahoma A&M. The game was played on November 6, 1904 at Mineral Wells Park in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma team soundly defeated the Oklahoma Aggies 75\u20130, but it was an unusual touchdown that is remembered most of that game. Bedlam football, the athletic rivalry between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, was born that day."}, {"context": " After ten years of football, the program began to get serious and started looking for a permanent head coach. They found Bennie Owen, a former quarterback of the undefeated Kansas team of 1899 led by famous coach Fielding H. Yost. Owen's previous team beat Oklahoma twice in 1903 and 1904, so the Sooners were familiar with his ability. Owen's first two years at Oklahoma were spent between Norman and Arkansas City as Oklahoma did not have a big enough budget to keep him there all year. The early years of Owen's tenure were tough because of budget issues. Due to a low travel budget, his teams would regularly have to play as many as three games in one trek. For instance, in 1905, his squad played three teams in three Kansas cities in five days and again in 1909 when they played three games in Missouri and Texas in six days. In Owen's first year, 1905, he gave Oklahoma its first victory over rival Texas, defeating them 2\u20130. Owen's first dominant team came in 1908 when they went 8\u20131\u20131, losing only to the powerful Kansas team. His 1908 team used hand-offs directly to large runners as the forward pass was just becoming common. His 1911 team, on the other hand, had several small and fast players that the quarterback would pass directly to. That team went 8\u20130. Owen had two more undefeated seasons in 1915 and 1918. 1920 was also Oklahoma's first season in the stronger Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association after three season in the Southwest Conference of which it was a founding member. In the new conference, they went 6\u20130\u20131 tying only Kansas State. Owen retired after the 1926 season. During Owen's 22-year career at Oklahoma, he went 122\u201354\u201316, a 67.7%\u00a0winning percentage. In 1951, he became the first person from Oklahoma to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in its inaugural year."}, {"context": " Adrian Lindsey was hired by Oklahoma to coach the football team in 1927. Before coming to Oklahoma, Lindsey was an assistant football coach at Kansas, his alma mater. Lindsey is remembered as the coach who resigned quietly after failing to produce a winning team. Lindsey's record (19\u201319\u20136) was not that shabby, however. His players were small in size and number and the schedules they faced were too difficult for such a small squad. Lindsey's 1929 Sooners team defeated Nebraska, 20\u20137, marking the worst defeat the Cornhuskers saw from a Big Six team in two decades. In 1931, he took his team and defeated the Hawaii Warriors in Honolulu by a score of 7\u20130. This game marked the first time a university located in the central continental United States was asked to play in the islands. Lindsey resigned as head coach after the 1931 season."}, {"context": " In 1932 following Lindsey's resignation Oklahoma hired Vanderbilt running backs coach Lewie Hardage as head coach. Hardage also played football as well as baseball for the Commodores. During his tenure at OU, he developed a lightweight football uniform consisting of foamed rubber headgear, knee pads and shin guards along with pants that ended three inches above the knee. This gear weighed approximately eight pounds, half of what the old style had weighed. He also built OU's fastest all-weather football field in his time. For much of his tenure at OU, Hardage suffered from a sickness that resulted from accidentally swallowing a poison tablet he mistook for a headache tablet. Only 12 players attended spring practice in 1932, but running back Bill Pansze kept the Sooners up 3\u20130 for the first half of the season. A knee injury in the Texas game took Pansze out for the remainder of the season and severely slowed the OU running game. \"The same wolves who had harassed Lindsey, began to yip at Hardage's heels\" because of the Sooners' poor running and blocking. Hardage was fired as head coach of the Sooners after the 1934 season. His final record at OU was 11\u201312\u20134."}, {"context": " The next head coach, Lawrence \"Biff\" Jones, went 9\u20136\u20133 in his two seasons at the helm, but he is credited for reining in the athletic department's administration, finances, and methods. The whole football program was placed on a solid footing necessary for success in modern times. Jones was a \"blunt-spoken, hard-nosed military man\" who graduated from West Point in 1917. Jones coached Army from 1926 to 1929 and then was the head coach of LSU. His tenure at Oklahoma came during the Dust Bowl. The dust storms were so thick it would block the sun and the players would be covered in dust at the end of practice. In 1954, Jones was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame."}, {"context": " Biff Jones hired Tom Stidham to coach the Oklahoma line in 1935. When Jones left in 1937, Stidham became the head coach. As Oklahoma's 10th football coach, Stidham posted OU's most successful record of all time against Texas with only one loss in four years. His greatest triumph while at OU was his 23\u20130 demolition in 1939 of Coach Pappy Waldorf's Northwestern team that was picked to win the national championship. Stidham was the first Oklahoma coach to defeat Waldorf (both Lindsey and Hardage had also tried durning their coaching tenure). Stidham's 1938 Sooners were undefeated in the regular season and were ranked No. 4 in the AP poll, but lost in the Sooners' first bowl appearance, the Orange Bowl, to Tennessee. After OU's hard-fought loss to the Volunteers, Stidham went back to his hotel room, took off the gray suit he had worn triumphantly in the 10 games Oklahoma had won and dropped it out the fifth-floor window. In his time, Stidham placed more of his Oklahoma players into the pros than any other coach. In 1940, 17 Sooners started in pro football and 10 stayed all season."}, {"context": " When Stidham left in 1941, his assistant coach, Dewey Luster, succeeded him. After Luster's first season, a 6\u20133 campaign, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As was the case with schools all over the country, many players left the team to join the military. Luster stepped down after the 1945 season due to ill health. He attained a 27\u201318\u20133 record in his four seasons at OU, and his team never finished below second place in the Big Six. After Luster's resignation, the OU Board of Regents interviewed several candidates for the head football coaching job, among them North Carolina native Jim Tatum. With him, he brought another coach, Bud Wilkinson, who would be his assistant coach. The Board was so impressed with Wilkinson that they considered hiring him for the head coaching position but decided against it as it would be unethical. In the end, they decided to hire Tatum and his assistant over several other coaches including Paul \"Bear\" Bryant. The Sooners had a relatively successful season in 1946, finishing with an 8\u20133 record including a 73\u201312 win over archrival Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State). Tatum left OU after one season to accept the head coaching position at Maryland."}, {"context": " When Tatum left for Maryland after the 1946 season, Bud Wilkinson got the promotion to head coach. In 1947, his first year as a head coach, Bud Wilkinson's Sooners went 7\u20132\u20131 and shared the conference title with Kansas for the second year in a row. In 1949, the Sooners went undefeated, defeating LSU 35\u20140 in the Sugar Bowl. However, the game is best known for the \"spy incident\", where former LSU player Piggy Barnes was caught spying on the Sooners' practices. Despite going undefeated and winning their bowl game, the Sooners were denied a national championship, which was awarded to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, though they did not play in a bowl game. The following year, Wilkinson went on to guide the Sooners to their first national championship, though they lost in the Sugar Bowl to Bear Bryant's Kentucky team. That loss was the Sooners' first loss since a season opener loss to Santa Clara in 1948, 31\u00a0games earlier. It was in 1951, while seeking funding to improve the university, that OU president George Lynn Cross said to the Oklahoma legislature that he \"would like to build a university of which the football team would be proud.\""}, {"context": " In 1952, Oklahoma had its first Heisman Trophy winner in halfback Billy Vessels, a local player from Cleveland, Oklahoma. In 1953, the Sooners opened with a loss to Notre Dame and tied Pittsburgh the next week. The Sooners would not lose or tie another game until losing to Notre Dame in November 1957, a streak of more than three years. This record of 47 consecutive wins has never been seriously threatened. During this streak, the Sooners won the national championship in 1955 and '56. Additionally, the Sooners won 14 straight conference titles from 1946 to 1959, one under Jim Tatum and 13 under Wilkinson. The Sooners also went undefeated in conference play from November 23, 1946 to October 31, 1959; their record was only blemished by two ties."}, {"context": " Wilkinson's best teams came during the first eleven years of his tenure. In that time, he recorded winning streaks of 31 and 47\u00a0games and went 114\u201310\u20133, a winning percentage of 90.9%. Wilkinson left Oklahoma after the 1963 season with a record of 145\u201329\u20134, 14 conference titles and 123 straight games without being shut out. During Wilkinson's tenure, another first would be recorded. Prentice Gautt would become the first black football player at the University of Oklahoma. Gautt had been a superior student at his Oklahoma City high school. He was a member of the National Honor Society and president of his senior class. During his junior and senior years of high school, he helped his team amass a 31-game win streak. He was also the first black player to participate in the Oklahoma state all-star game. Because of Gautt's academic success in high school, he was supported financially by a group of local black doctors and pharmacists. A couple months into his freshman year, Gautt was placed on athletic scholarship and the money was returned to the investors. Unfortunately, some members of Gautt's team were not too happy to play with him. One player even left Oklahoma because he refused to play with an African American. However, most of the team had his support. After a freshman game in Tulsa, Gautt was refused service in the restaurant where the team was scheduled to eat. His teammates abruptly left and found an eating establishment that would also serve him. As a player, Gautt broke out in 1958. In 1959, he was named the Orange Bowl MVP. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985."}, {"context": " Wilkinson's assistant coach, Gomer Jones, took over as head coach in 1964, a move Wilkinson engineered himself. His first year would prove to be a sharp contrast from Wilkinson's early years as the Sooners went 6\u20134\u20131. They started the season 1\u20133 with three consecutive losses to Southern California, Texas and Kansas. The final loss came in the Gator Bowl to Florida State. Prior to the game, it was found that four of Oklahoma's starters had signed professional football contracts before their college eligibility had expired. Those four were dismissed from the team prior to the bowl game, ultimately causing Oklahoma to lose the game 36\u201319. The next season's team fared no better, going 3\u20137, Oklahoma's worst record, percentage wise, since it went 0\u20131 its inaugural season in 1895. This brought the Jones era to a quick close, although he did remain at Oklahoma as the athletic director, a role he also held while he was head coach."}, {"context": " Following Jones's 9\u201311\u20131 record, Oklahoma brought in a young assistant coach from Arkansas named Jim Mackenzie. He wanted discipline for his players, so he set a curfew and required them to enroll in physical education class. His first season was an improvement from the previous. The 1966 team went 6\u20134 with a win in the Red River Shootout over rival Texas coached by former Oklahoma defensive back Darrell Royal, their first win over Texas since 1957. They also beat the number four team in the nation, rival Nebraska, by a score of 10\u20139."}, {"context": " The 1966 season showed promise for the young coach, but, on April 28, 1967, at the age of 37, Mackenzie died of a heart attack. After the 1964 season, Chuck Fairbanks, an assistant coach at Houston, was offered a job at Tennessee. He wanted to accept, but it was the middle of the summer and unusually late for a coaching move, so he decided to stay loyal to Houston and remained there. After the next season, he was offered a position as an assistant on Mackenzie's staff at Oklahoma, a position he felt was a better job than the Tennessee position. Immediately after the 1965 season, Fairbanks was offered a job at Missouri with the promise that he would be the head coach within four years. He declined and stayed at Oklahoma. Four months later, Coach Mackenzie died and Fairbanks was named head coach. It did not take long for Fairbanks to turn the team around. In his first season in 1967, his squad went 10\u20131. They entered their sixth game with a 5\u20131 record (their only loss was a two-point loss to rival Texas) and unranked and beat ninth ranked Colorado, 23\u20130. This propelled Fairbanks's team to a number eight ranking. They continued their romp through the season and beat #2 Tennessee 26\u201324 in the Orange Bowl. They finished the season ranked number three in the country."}, {"context": " Fairbanks lost four games in each of the next three seasons. Despite the relatively mediocre record of those years, several great players came through Fairbanks's program. One of those players was Steve Owens. After an impressive year in 1969, despite Oklahoma's 6\u20134 record, Owens was named the Sooners' second Heisman Trophy winner. It did not take long for Fairbanks to return the team to form. He and his offensive co-ordinator Barry Switzer helped impliment the use of the wishbone offense. Fairbanks' 1970 team tied Bear Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide in the Bluebonnet Bowl to finish the season ranked #20. They began the 1971 season ranked number ten. In consecutive weeks, they beat #17 USC, #3 Texas and #6 Colorado. These early-season wins propelled them to a #2 national ranking and set the stage for one of the great college football games of the century against top-ranked Nebraska. Led by quarterback Jack Mildren and running back Greg Pruitt, Oklahoma was a scoring machine, averaging 44.5\u00a0points per game, the second highest in team history. The offense set the all-time NCAA single-season rushing record at 472.4 yards per game, a record which still stands to this day. Equally impressive that season was Pruitt's nine yards per carry, and Mildren is often referred to as \"the Godfather of the wishbone\" by University of Oklahoma football fans. On November 25, 1971, Nebraska edged Oklahoma, 35\u201331 in the Game of the Century what was to be the only loss of the season for Oklahoma. Oklahoma went on to beat Oklahoma State and fifth ranked Auburn to finish the season ranked number two. Fairbanks closed out his career at Oklahoma the following year with a win in the Sugar Bowl over Penn State after having lost once all season, to Colorado. Following this season, Fairbanks accepted a position with the NFL's New England Patriots."}, {"context": " Soon after Barry Switzer, who previously served as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator, took the reins of the program, the NCAA forced Oklahoma to forfeit nine games from the 1972 season due to violations involving the alteration of transcripts. Fairbanks denied any knowledge of this. As a punishment, the Sooners could not play in a bowl game for two years. This setback did not stop Switzer's Sooners. His 1973 team finished 10\u20130\u20131 with only a tie to the number one ranked USC team. They finished the season ranked #3 after beating six teams who spent time in the top 20. The next year, Switzer's Sooners finished 11\u20130 and won the national championship. This was the Sooners' first undefeated season and national championship since 1956. That team was another high-scoring team averaging 43\u00a0points per game. They were led by Steve Davis at quarterback, Joe Washington at running back and the Selmon brothers (Lee Roy, Lucious, and Dewey) on defense."}, {"context": " Switzer's teams in the 1970s went a combined 73\u20137\u20132 in seven years. In 1978, Oklahoma would get their third Heisman Trophy winner in running back Billy Sims. That year, he set the Oklahoma record for most rushing yards in a season with 1,896, a record that would stand for 26\u00a0years. His 1978 season currently ranks third in team history in yards per attempt with 7.41, behind fellow Sooners Greg Pruitt and Marcus Dupree. Sims also held the record at Oklahoma for most rushing yards in a career with 4,118 until it was broken by Samaje Perine in 2017. He finished second in the Heisman race the following year, 1979."}, {"context": " The early 1980s saw the Sooners begin to slip under Switzer. They lost four games each in 1981, 1982, and 1983. It was the first time they lost four games in a season since 1970 under Coach Fairbanks. However, eight of those twelve losses came to the likes of USC, Texas, Nebraska and Ohio State. They began to turn things around in 1984 when they went 9\u20132\u20131 and finished the season at #6. The 1984 team featured Buster Rhymes at wide receiver, Spencer Tillman at running back and Tony Casillas at defensive tackle. Over the next three years, the team continued to grow and went 11\u20131 each year (with all three losses coming to Miami), including a national championship in 1985 (they finished ranked number three in 1986 and 1987). Many great Sooner athletes came through the program during these years, including two-time Butkus Award winner Brian Bosworth, tight end Keith Jackson and quarterback Jamelle Holieway. While Switzer was not able to match Wilkinson's unimaginable string of 13\u00a0consecutive conference championships, he was able to rack up 12 of his own during his career at Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Suddenly, in 1988, it all came crashing down for Switzer. His team was placed on probation by the NCAA for violating several rules. In a six-month time frame, there was a shooting and a rape in the athletic dorm on Oklahoma's campus. Switzer's house was robbed with the help of one of his athletes, and an athlete was caught attempting to sell drugs to an undercover agent. The three-year probation included a two-year ban on TV and bowl appearances and a reduction in scholarships from 25 to 18. Nonetheless, the 1988 team established the NCAA Division I single-game record of 768\u00a0yards rushing against Kansas State on October 15, 1988, a record that stands to this day. After the season, Switzer resigned as head coach."}, {"context": " Switzer was succeeded by his longtime defensive coordinator, Gary Gibbs. Gibbs appeared to be a solid choice, having spent the first two decades of his adult life at OU as a player and assistant coach. He largely succeeded in his primary task\u2014cleaning up the program's image. However, even though his rosters were smaller than normal due to the scholarship reductions, Gibbs found it hard to please boosters and administrators with an 8\u20133\u00a0year. Gibbs' squads struggled to build success off two moderately successful seasons, 1991 and 1993. In 1991, OU went 9\u20133, finished the season ranked No. 16 in the nation by the Associated Press, and soundly defeated Virginia in the Gator Bowl. In the 1992 follow-up campaign, however, OU finished 5\u20134\u20132, unranked and did not earn an invitation to a post-season bowl. Further, OU dropped games to rivals Nebraska and Texas and tied Oklahoma State. The draw with the Cowboys marked the first time since 1976 OU did not beat OSU in the annual Bedlam game. Gibbs' Sooners rebounded with a 9\u20133 record, a No. 17 finish in the final Associated Press poll and a Sun Bowl victory in 1993. En route, OU beat then-fifth-ranked Texas A&M, 44\u201314, and recorded its only victory against Texas under Gibbs. In 1994 season the Sooners finished 6\u20136. Gibbs announced his resignation prior to OU's losses to Nebraska in the regular-season finale and Brigham Young University in the Copper Bowl. Ultimately, it was his record against Oklahoma's major rivals that did him in. Gibbs went 2\u201315\u20131 against Texas, Nebraska and Colorado. In addition to his record, he was thought to be uncomfortable around alumni and the media, and with being a head coach in general. Gibbs' final record as head coach at OU was 44\u201323\u20132."}, {"context": " To replace Gibbs, Oklahoma looked towards the seasoned Howard Schnellenberger, then 61\u00a0years old. Schnellenberger had a well-established reputation for turning teams around. He had built Miami from an also-ran to a national champion in 1983, and turned around a once-moribund Louisville program. In the end, he was almost too sure of himself. He was quoted as saying, \"They will write books and make movies about my time here.\" His 1995 team started out well, reaching the top 10 after a 3\u20130 start. However, an embarrassing loss to Colorado on national television started a downward spiral. The Sooners ultimately finished 5\u20135\u20131, including only their second losing conference record since World War II. Schnellenberger resigned a month after the season ended. To this day, Schnellenberger is not held in high esteem by Sooner fans, in part because he made no secret of his lack of interest in the program's history. For instance, he vowed to make \"Sooner Nation\" forget about Wilkinson and Switzer\u2014a boast considered to be almost heretical by the fan base. He ordered numerous old files to be thrown out; instead, they were archived without his knowledge."}, {"context": " For the 1996 season, Oklahoma hired former player John Blake as head coach. Blake was the favorite to succeed Schnellenberger and was backed by Barry Switzer, Steve Owens, and former Oklahoma president George Lynn Cross. However, many were skeptical of Oklahoma's choice for the new coach. His coaching experience was very limited, especially compared to his predecessor. In his seven-year coaching career (four years at OU, three years with the Dallas Cowboys and one year at Tulsa), he had never been more than a position coach. The skeptics were proven right. In Blake's first season, he went 3\u20138. It was the worst record, percentage wise, Oklahoma had experienced since 1895 and is tied for the most losses in one year (along with Blake's 1997 squad) to this very day. In his three years at Oklahoma, Blake went 3\u20138, 4\u20138, and 5\u20136 for a final record of 12\u201322. It was the first time since 1922\u20131924 that Oklahoma had three consecutive losing seasons. Blake's largest contribution to the team was his recruiting. He set the stage by recruiting several players that would help lead the program's resurgence, including J.T. Thatcher, Josh Norman, Roy Williams and Rocky Calmus. Many of them got a chance to play fairly quickly, since Blake's teams were often out of games early. Blake was fired after the 1998 season."}, {"context": " The university looked at many candidates to replace Blake. Many big-time college coaches were considered for the post. However, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione decided to hire a 38-year-old defensive coordinator from Florida, Bob Stoops. Stoops quickly began to build his new program with the promise to help the program regain its former position as a perennial college football powerhouse. On his arrival to campus he would find that for all his predecessor's failings as a head football coach, John Blake had been an excellent recruiter and many of his players were potential stars. Despite the obvious talent already on-campus, no quarterback suitable for the \"spread\" offense was on the team roster. Stoops would remedy this by signing a little-known junior college quarterback, Josh Heupel, to run his offense. In his first year as head coach, the Sooners showed marked improvement; starting the season with three wins over non-conference opponents amassing 132\u00a0points to their opponents' 31. They lost the next two games, which included a 34\u201330 loss against Notre Dame at South Bend and finished the season with an overall record of 7\u20135. After the season, offensive coordinator Mike Leach left OU to take the head coaching position at Texas Tech. This success was a breath of fresh air for a program that had fallen from perennial powerhouse to league doormat and those surrounding the Sooner football program expected great things from their new head coach. They would not be disappointed."}, {"context": " In 2000, the Sooners opened the season with a new offensive coordinator, Mark Mangino, and ranked number 19, the first time they opened the season ranked in five years. The Sooners opened 4\u20130, dominating their early season opponents by a combined score of 176\u201351. The annual Red River Shootout against arch-rival Texas would prove to be the first signature victory of the Bob Stoops era. The Sooners dominated the Longhorns by a score of 63\u201314 in what was then the most lopsided upset in the history of the rivalry. Oklahoma running back Quentin Griffin smashed the Oklahoma record for most touchdowns in a game with six scores. The Sooners were now officially back in the hunt for a national title. In the following weeks the team narrowly beat the number two ranked Kansas State 41\u201331 in Manhattan and the following week went on to beat number one ranked Nebraska 31\u201314. ESPN's Brent Musburger said that, \"The Sooners' October run of burying Texas, Kansas State and Nebraska is one of the greatest 30-day stretches in college football history.\" The Sooners narrowly escaped a loss at the hands of Texas A&M in College Station but they pulled out a victory, winning 35\u201331 on an interception return for a touchdown by linebacker Torrance Marshall. The team defeated the Kansas State Wildcats for the second time that season in the Big 12 Championship, a victory which propelled the program to its first national title berth since 1985. The Sooners finished the season with a stunning 13\u20132 win over a heavily favored Florida State team in the Orange Bowl and claimed the Sears Trophy. At the end of the season, quarterback Josh Heupel had the top two spots on the list of Oklahoma's season passing records. The championship was the Sooners' 7th national title and their first since Barry Switzer's departure. The team had finally regained its status as a power in the college football world. The stoic coach from Ohio had resurrected a football giant, bringing the once great program back to the pinnacle of college athletics. The Sooners and their fans were hungry for more success and Coach Stoops would deliver. After the 2001 season, Mark Mangino stepped down as OU offensive coordinator to accept the head football coach position at Kansas. OU promoted Chuck Long from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator for the 2002 season. The Sooners had continued success in the 2002 season, going to the 2003 Rose Bowl after a season which saw the 2nd loss in so many years to Oklahoma State, and an upset loss to Texas A&M 30\u201326."}, {"context": " The team's national success reemerged in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The 2003 team was the highest scoring squad (at the time) in Oklahoma's storied history, scoring 601\u00a0points to their opponents 214. The season included seven games of 50\u00a0points or more with the highlights including a 77\u20130 drubbing of Texas A&M and a 65\u201313 defeat of Texas. The team, led by Heisman Trophy winner Jason White, was billed as one of \"the greatest college football teams of all time.\" This assumption was short-lived as the Sooners were upset in the Big 12 Championship Game by Kansas State. Prior to the Big 12 Title Game, the Sooners Defensive Coordinator, Mike Stoops, accepted the head coaching position at Arizona, becoming the third Sooners coordinator to take a head coaching job during the Stoops era. Due to their impressive strength of schedule, the Sooners were able to retain their position in the polls and their chance for the title. In a warm night in New Orleans, the Sooners were handed their second consecutive defeat and their first title loss; this time to LSU squad by a score of 21\u201314. The heartbreaking defeats shocked the \"Sooner Nation\" while conversely establishing the team as a perennial title contender. In 2004, the Sooners were able to reach the Orange Bowl undefeated, along with USC. Although the Sooners lost in the title game 55\u201319, USC later vacated the win due to NCAA infractions."}, {"context": " In 2005, Stoops finished the season with an 8\u20134 record, his worst season record since his inaugural season. Jason White's backup, Paul Thompson, was named starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, but was replaced by redshirt freshman Rhett Bomar after a season-opening loss to TCU. Paul Thompson was moved to the wide receiver slot for the rest of the season. They started the season 2\u20133 with additional losses at UCLA and against eventual national champion Texas. The team started to improve as the season progressed, especially the young Bomar. The next loss came against Texas Tech, coached by former OU offensive coordinator Mike Leach, and was a controversial loss. Texas Tech's Taurean Henderson scored on the final play of the game. The play was reviewed by replay officials, but video replays were deemed inconclusive. The touchdown gave the Red Raiders the win, 23\u201321. It was a setback for the Sooners but they moved on and were able to soundly defeat their instate rival Oklahoma State in Norman by a final score of 42\u201314. The Sooners finished third in the Big 12 South behind Texas (who went on to win the 2005 BCS National Championship) and the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Oklahoma and Texas Tech both had conference records of 6\u20132, but Texas Tech won the heads up match and thus was placed over Oklahoma). The unranked Sooners would represent the Big 12 in the Holiday Bowl and they would play the sixth-ranked Oregon. Oklahoma went on to beat the Ducks, 17\u201314; Bomar was named the Bowl MVP and the Sooners finished the season ranked #22. On July 11, 2007, the NCAA announced that the Sooners would have to vacate all victories from the 2005 season, including the bowl game, due to NCAA violations related to three former players, including Bomar, thereby giving the Sooners an official 2005\u00a0record of 0\u20134. However, on February 22, 2008, the NCAA reversed the decision and reinstated the vacated wins. Following the season, Sooners offensive coordinator Chuck Long left to become the head coach at San Diego State, becoming the third Stoops offensive coordinator to become a head coach and fourth coordinator overall."}, {"context": " 2006 was a very tumultuous year for the Sooners. In the offseason, OU made Kevin Wilson the new offensive coordinator. One day before fall practice began, returning quarterback Rhett Bomar and J.D. Quinn, a projected starter on the offensive line, were kicked off the team for violating NCAA rules when they received payment for work they did not do. Paul Thompson, who had played wide receiver in 2005 and had not practiced in the quarterback role for nearly a year, was asked to move back to quarterback which he did. In mid-September, Oklahoma played Oregon for the third time in three years. The Sooners lost this game 34\u201333. During the game a controversy arose when game officials awarded an onside kick to the Ducks when it should have been Oklahoma's ball. Following the game, all officials were suspended for one game but replay official Gordon Riese said he would take the year off; later in the year, he would quit completely. Gordon Riese later acknowledged that he knew Oklahoma recovered the onside kick but replay rules prevented him from correcting the on-field officials. A few weeks later, Oklahoma lost to rival Texas. Following these setbacks, the team regrouped and the defense vastly improved. Following the Oregon game, the defense was ranked 97th nationally but by the end of the regular season, they were ranked 17th. Following the Texas game, Oklahoma played Iowa State and soundly defeated them 34\u20139. However, on the final touchdown drive for the Sooners, star running back Adrian Peterson suffered a broken collar bone when he attempted to dive into the end zone to finish a tough touchdown run. The Sooners would turn to two untested running back to replace the Heisman-hopeful Peterson, Allen Patrick, a junior, and Chris Brown, a freshman. The Sooners did not miss a step. The team went on a seven-game winning streak to finish Big 12 conference play 11\u20132. This streak included road wins over a couple of ranked opponents, Texas A&M and Missouri. The defending national champions Texas Longhorns were favored to win the Big 12 but they suffered two losses to finish their regular season which sent Oklahoma to the Big 12 Championship game against a former rival, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Sooners defeated the 19th ranked Cornhuskers 21\u20137 to win the Big 12 title for the fourth time under Bob Stoops, automatically sending them to the Fiesta Bowl. The Sooners lost the wild, thrilling game in overtime, on a trick two-point conversion play by a score of 43\u201342 to Boise State."}, {"context": " The 2007 Oklahoma team opened up with a home game against North Texas and soundly beat them 79\u201310. The 79\u00a0points scored by OU was the most in the country for Week 1. In Week 2, the Sooners played a much tougher opponent in Miami. However, the results seemed to show a mismatch, as OU easily defeated the Hurricanes 51\u201313. In Week 3, the Sooners got the best of Utah State with a 54\u20133 thrashing. Week 4 matched OU up with an in-state foe, Tulsa. Just as it had been all season (except for the Sep 29 loss at unranked Colorado), the Sooners put up another dominant performance with a 62\u201321 victory. In Week 5 (September 29, 2007), the #4 Sooners saw their National Championship hopes take a hit as they lost to 2\u20132 unranked Colorado in Boulder 27\u201324 after leading in the second half by a score of 24\u20137. The Sooners only had 234 net yards compared to Colorado's 379 net yards. The 2007 match-up between Oklahoma and Texas on Oct. 2007 was predicted to be the #3\u00a0game to watch in 2007 by SI.com's \"Top 20\u00a0Games To Watch In 2007\" list. The Oklahoma football team proved itself worthy of the top ten rankings when it defeated Texas 28\u201321 at the Red River Rivalry. The Texas Longhorns played up to their potential when they answered almost every point during the October 6\u00a0game. In the end Colt McCoy along with Jermichael Finley and the Longhorns could not withstand the adamant pressing of Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray and the Sooners. Oklahoma would go on to lose to an unranked Texas Tech team in an upset, although this was not enough to keep them from the Big 12 championship. They would go on to defeat Missouri in the Big 12 championship game and win the Big 12's automatic BCS berth, playing West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. For the second consecutive year Oklahoma would lose to an underdog opponent in a BCS bowl game, although this game was not as close as the previous year. Oklahoma was down 14\u00a0points at halftime and never pulled close than 20\u201315, eventually losing 48\u201328. After the 2007 season ended, offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin resigned to accept the head football coach position at Houston, becoming the fourth Sooners offensive coordinator under Stoops to take a head coaching job and the fifth coordinator overall."}, {"context": " The Sooners opened 2008 ranked fourth in both the Associated Press Poll and the USA Today Coaches' Poll. Opening with back to back home victories against Chattanooga and Cincinnati and scoring over 50\u00a0points against both opponents would vault Oklahoma to number two in both polls, coupled with, then number three, Ohio State's loss and a lackluster victory by, then number two, Georgia over South Carolina. A road victory at Washington where the Sooners again scored more than 50\u00a0points, a home victory over then undefeated and 24th ranked Texas Christian University, and a road win at Baylor resulted in Oklahoma being ranked number one in both polls after then-ranked number one USC tumbled after a defeat at Oregon State. The Sooners had defeated each of their first five opponents by 25\u00a0points or more before facing then-number five Texas. In a see-saw battle where Oklahoma would take their last lead at 35\u201330, Texas would come from behind with 15 unanswered points to upset the Sooners at a neutral field by a final score of 45\u201335. The Sooners could muster up only 48 rushing yards while giving up 161. Also of note, the Sooners failed to convert on three fourth down attempts and Bradford threw two interceptions. Oklahoma would fall to number four in the AP Poll and number six in the USA Today Poll, while the Longhorns would be the new number one team in both polls. The game would result in controversy later in the season. Oklahoma would rebound by defeating then-ranked sixteen Kansas at home and a road win at Kansas State. By the Week 8 rankings, Oklahoma would be ranked fourth in the AP Poll, fifth in the USA Today Coaches' Poll, and debut at fourth in the BCS behind undefeated Texas, Alabama, and Penn State. The Sooners would then go on to defeat their next three opponents by more than 30\u00a0points each, scoring 60 or more points. A home victory over Nebraska, a road win at Texas A&M and another home win over then-ranked #2 Texas Tech would result in some controversy. Along with an upset of Texas at the hands of Texas Tech and a previous loss by Penn State against Iowa, Oklahoma was ranked 3 in the Associated Press Poll and number 2 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll ahead of Texas. However, Texas would be number two in the BCS followed by Oklahoma at number three. Alabama would hold number one in all polls with an undefeated record. Closing out the season with a win against Oklahoma State and Alabama's loss to Florida would leave the Sooners at number two in the Associated Press poll, and number one in both the USA Today Coaches' Poll and the BCS. The result of the three-way tie between Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech in the Big 12 South standings, where each team suffered one loss at the hands of the other, would be the cause for many fans, particularly Texas fans, to cry foul. The Big 12 tie-breaker in this scenario was for the team with the highest BCS ranking to go on to play for the Big 12 Title. Beating 19th ranked Missouri in Kansas City assured Oklahoma of a number one ranking in both the USA Today Coaches' Poll and the BCS, despite a number two ranking in the Associated Press Poll. Texas would finish number three in all polls, rendering them ineligible to play in the title game. Additionally, quarterback Sam Bradford would win the Heisman Trophy and be named the Associated Press Player of the Year for the 2008 season. On January 8, 2009, the Sooners were defeated by the Florida Gators for the BCS Championship at Dolphin Stadium in Miami by a score of 24\u201314. This was the fourth time that the Sooners were playing for the National Championship under Coach Stoops."}, {"context": " The 2009 season was a challenge for the Sooners. After losing star quarterback Sam Bradford in the first game, and eventually for the whole season, freshman quarterback Landry Jones had to take over. The Sooners ended up with a total of fifteen injuries at the end of the season. The season ended in an 8\u20135 record. The Sooners went on to beat Stanford in the El Paso Sun Bowl 31\u201327, setting them up for a title run in the 2010 season. The 2010 season turned out to be much more successful than the 2009 campaign. The Sooners ended the season with a record of 12\u20132 and became the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl champions by defeating Connecticut by a score of 48\u201320 in Glendale, Arizona. This was the first BCS bowl game victory for Bob Stoops and the Sooners since the 2003 Rose Bowl. Marquee victories for the Sooners in 2010 were against Florida State, Texas, Oklahoma State and Nebraska. The Bedlam match-up between the Sooners and Cowboys proved to be the decisive game in who would represent the Big 12 South in the conference championship game. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys in a high scoring affair 47\u201341. The Sooners went on to win the Big 12 Championship game 23\u201320, the final match between conference rival Nebraska. After the 2010 season, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson left OU to become head coach at Indiana, becoming the fifth Sooners offensive coordinator under Bob Stoops to become a head coach and the sixth coordinator overall."}, {"context": " With star players, Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles, and Travis Lewis coming back for the 2011 season, there were high expectations for Bob Stoops and his Sooner football team. Stoops hired former Sooners quarterback Josh Heupel as offensive coordinator to replace the departed Wilson. OU began the season ranked #1 in both the AP and Coaches polls. The Sooners became the first teams to reach the top ranking in the Associated Press poll 100 times since the poll began in 1936. Under Stoops, OU has been ranked No. 1 more weeks than they have not been ranked in the top 25. They were able to accomplish this feat without even stepping foot on the field, as they had their bye week this weekend. Their early season match-up with fellow top five team Florida State proved to test the Sooners, as they looked to prove that their #1 ranking was warranted. As the Sooners played well the first few weeks the Sooners were thought to be out of the National Title race with a heartbreaking loss to the unranked Texas Tech Red Raiders snapping a school-record 39\u00a0game home win streak. However, the Sooners bounced back the following. few weeks to become ranked fifth in the country despite losing star receiver Ryan Broyles only to lose to Baylor for the first time in school history. They stayed in the hunt for a share of the conference title and a Fiesta Bowl appearance until losing to in-state rival Oklahoma State in the last game of the season. They finished the regular season 9\u20133 and went on to defeat Iowa 31\u201314 in the Insight Bowl."}, {"context": " The 2013 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2013 college football season, the 119th season of Sooner football. Conference play began at home on September 7 with a win against the West Virginia Mountaineers and ended in the annual Bedlam Series on December 7 against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Stillwater with the Sooners upsetting the Cowboys 33\u201324. With the victory over the Kansas State Wildcats on November 23, head coach Bob Stoops got his 158th career win to move past Barry Switzer for the most wins in program history. After finishing the regular season with a record of 10\u20132 (7\u20132 in Big 12 play), finishing in a tie for second place in the conference. The Sooners received an at-large bid to participate in the Sugar Bowl, where they defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, the previous year's national champions, with a final score of 45\u201331."}, {"context": " In 2014, the Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in their 120th season and the inaugural season for the College Football Playoff. The Sooners opened the season ranked 4th and quickly jumped to a 4\u20130 record. The Sooners then lost their 5th game to TCU. They then slid past their old rival Texas but suffered a loss to Kansas State, 30\u201331 at home. The Sooners closed the regular season with an 8\u20134 record after losing to in-state rival Oklahoma State in overtime. The Sooners got one more chance to redeem themselves as they faced the 18th-ranked Clemson Tigers in the Russell Athletic Bowl (Orlando, Florida), but instead suffered one of the worst bowl losses in Sooner history as they lost, 40\u20136. The Oklahoma Sooners football team beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys 38\u201320 to win the 2016 Big 12 Conference title. On June 7, 2017, it was confirmed that Stoops would retire effective immediately after 18 seasons as the Sooners head football coach."}, {"context": " After Stoops' retirement, OU promoted offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley to head coach. In his first season, Riley led the Sooners to a 12\u20131 regular season record, beating the 10 win record held by Barry Switzer and Chuck Fairbanks for most wins by a first-year coach in program history. Riley and the Sooners beat TCU 41-17 in the 2017 Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on December 2, 2017 and were crowned Big 12 football champions for the third time in a row (2015, 2016, 2017)."}, {"context": " Riley and the Sooners played Georgia Bulldogs on January 1, 2018 at the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoff Semi-Final game. The game was the first matchup between the two teams in program history. Oklahoma lost in double overtime 54-48. Oklahoma has been independent and a member of three conferences. Oklahoma has won 17 national championships from NCAA-designated major selectors. Oklahoma claims 7 of those national championships. Claimed national championships The team has captured 48 conference titles, including 14 in a row from 1946 to 1959."}, {"context": " \u2020 Co-championship \u2021 Both Nebraska and Oklahoma claim the 1972 championship due to a dispute over Oklahoma forfeiting games. The Sooners have been a member of only one division, the Big 12 South, in their entire history. They were members from 1996 until 2010, after which the Big 12 ceased divisional play. \u2020 Co-championship The team has had 22 head coaches, with Lincoln Riley as the current head coach in his second season. Oklahoma started organized football with the nickname \"Sooners\" in 1895. The Sooners have played in more than 1,100 games in a total of 96 seasons. In those seasons, nine coaches have led the Sooners to postseason bowl games: Tom Stidham, Jim Tatum, Bud Wilkinson, Gomer Jones, Chuck Fairbanks, Barry Switzer, Gary Gibbs, Bob Stoops, and Lincoln Riley. Nine coaches have won conference championships with the Sooners: Bennie Owen, Stidham, Dewey Luster, Tatum, Wilkinson, Fairbanks, Switzer, Stoops, and Riley. Owen is the all-time leader in games coached and years coached, while Switzer is the all-time leader in winning percentage. Bob Stoops is the leader in wins. John Harts is, in terms of winning percentage, the worst coach the Sooners have had; he lost the only game he coached, giving him a .000 winning percentage. John Blake has the lowest winning percentage of those who have coached more than one game with .353."}, {"context": " Of the 22 Sooner coaches, Owen, Lawrence Jones, Tatum, Wilkinson, and Switzer have been inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame. Wilkinson, Switzer, and Stoops have each received National Coach of the Year honors from at least one organization. The Sooners play their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The stadium was formerly called Oklahoma Memorial Stadium but the administration decided to add 'Gaylord Family' to recognize the contributions made by Edward K. Gaylord and his family over the years (estimated at over $50\u00a0million). The playing surface is called Owen Field after Bennie Owen, Oklahoma's coach from 1905 to 1926. The stadium was built in 1923 with an original capacity of 500. In 1925, 16,000\u00a0seats were added and 16,000 more seats were added in 1929 bringing the total capacity to 32,000. The stadium has had a natural grass playing surface for the majority of its existence. The stadium had an artificial turf from 1970 to 1994. The stadium had a major renovation in 2003 when a new upper deck was added to the east side of the stadium, adding over 8,400 new seats. The official seating capacity of the stadium, following renovations in 2015, is 83,489. which makes it the 15th largest college stadium in the U.S. and second largest in the Big 12 Conference. Despite the official capacity, the Sooners routinely average well above capacity, most recently 86,857 for the 2017 season. The largest crowd ever was 88,308 on November 11, 2017 against TCU."}, {"context": " Oklahoma's rivalry with the Nebraska Cornhuskers historically had national championship implications, with the winner usually advancing to the Orange Bowl. The teams often met on Thanksgiving. For the majority of the twentieth century Oklahoma and Nebraska competed as part of the Big Eight Conference where from 1907 to 1995 the programs won a combined 77 conference titles. The teams are noted for playing in the Game of the Century, in 1971 which OU lost 35\u201331. In 1996, the teams joined the Big XII Conference when Nebraska joined the North Division, and Oklahoma joined the South Division, thus ending the annual match-ups between the programs in 1998 and 1999. In 2000 the series resumed with Nebraska and Oklahoma being ranked number one and two in the BCS rankings. OU won 31\u201314. Oklahoma leads the inactive series 45\u201338\u20133 as of 2018 with the last game being the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game, won by Oklahoma 23\u201320. The two programs are scheduled to resume the rivalry in 2021, and 2022."}, {"context": " Oklahoma leads the series 88\u201318\u20137 as of the end of the 2018 season. The Red River Showdown or the OU\u2013Texas Game is the annual matchup in Dallas during the State Fair of Texas between Oklahoma and the Texas Longhorns. Since 1929, the game has been played annually at the Cotton Bowl, halfway between Norman and Austin. For the majority of the twentieth century the game was a non-conference match-up. Texas competed in the Southwest Conference. In 1996, the two programs became part of the Big XII Conference South division. That year Oklahoma won the first overtime game of the series, after a tie the previous year. The stadium is split along the fifty yard line with Oklahoma fans occupying the south half of the field. Texas leads the series 61\u201346\u20135 as of the end of the 2017 season."}, {"context": " Oklahoma leads the inactive series 67\u201324\u20135 as of 2018 with the last game played in 2011. Oklahoma's official school colors are crimson and cream. These colors were picked in 1895 by May Overstreet, the only female faculty member at the time. The colors were her own personal choice and she decided on them after viewing many color samples and materials. After her decision, the colors were brought in front of the student body who enthusiastically approved of her selections. In recent years, red and white have sometimes replaced crimson and cream."}, {"context": " Oklahoma has had several mascots. The first was a stray dog named \"Mex\". Mex was found in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution by Mott Keys, an army hospital medic. Keys' company adopted the dog and Keys took the dog back to Hollis, Oklahoma when he completed his duty. When Keys was enrolled in the university, he took Mex with him to Norman. With his experience as an army medic, Keys landed a job with the football team and a residence at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house. Mex's main duty during games was to keep stray dogs from roaming the field. He wore a red sweater with a big \"O\" letter on the side. Mex received national attention in October 1924 when the Oklahoma football team lost a game against Drake University. Mex was lost when the team boarded a train in Arkansas City, Kansas. The media blamed the loss on the field on the loss of their mascot. Mex was found later by two Oklahoma graduates. Mex died of old age on April 30, 1928. The campus was closed and classes were canceled on the day of his funeral. He was buried in a casket somewhere under the stadium."}, {"context": " Never an official mascot, \"Little Red\" began appearing at games in 1953. He was an Indian who wore red tights, breech cloth and a war bonnet and was last portrayed by Randy Palmer. In April 1970, Little Red was banished by Oklahoma president \"John Herbert Hollomon, Jr.\" The student court issued a temporary restraining order to keep Little Red from appearing at Sooner games. Despite this order, Palmer showed up as Little Red for the 1970 season opener where he was met with cheers from the crowd. When Palmer was drafted after the 1971 season, no one showed up for try-outs to replace him."}, {"context": " The current mascot for Oklahoma is the \"Sooner Schooner\", a conestoga wagon similar to the primary method of transportation used by early settlers in Oklahoma. The Schooner is driven by two white ponies named Boomer and Sooner. In 2005, the university also introduced two costumed mascots also named Boomer and Sooner to serve as mascots for football games and events that do not permit a covered wagon. The official fight song of the Sooners is \"Boomer Sooner.\" This song is played frequently at football games and is played by the band after touchdowns, field goals, after significant plays, and when the team or crowd need a boost of energy. \"OK Oklahoma\" is another school song that is played after an extra point and when the Sooner Schooner rolls onto the field. The official Alma Mater song is the \"OU Chant\", which is sung by OU fans before sporting events and at ceremonial occasions. Other tunes frequently heard at OU football games include the state song \"Oklahoma\" and an alternate fight song titled \"Fight for OKU.\""}, {"context": " The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band is a nationally renowned ensemble founded in 1904. The largest student organization on campus, the band performs at all home games frequently travels to other games. The band holds a game ball from the Bedlam Series game in 1983, the day \"the Pride\" won. The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player. Seven Oklahoma players have won the Heisman Trophy, five more finished runner-up. Kyler Murray is the most recent winner having won the 2018 Heisman Trophy"}, {"context": " Every year, several publications release lists of their ideal \"team.\" The athletes on these lists are referred to as All-Americans. The NCAA recognizes five All-American lists. They are the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Some of these also have levels such as a first team All-American, or second team, or third team. A consensus All-American is determined using a point system; three points if the player was selected for the first team, two points for the second team, and one point for the third team. Oklahoma has had 162 First Team All-Americans (80 consensus) in its history.  Announced non-conference schedules as of June 23, 2018"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sooners football statistical leaders", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sooners football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Oklahoma Sooners football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Sooners represent the University of Oklahoma in the NCAA's Big 12 Conference. Although Oklahoma began competing in intercollegiate football in 1895, the school's official record book considers the \"modern era\" to have begun in 1946. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.  These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: These lists are updated through the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game. Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball team represents the University of Oklahoma in men's NCAA Division I basketball. The Sooners play in the Big 12 Conference. The Sooners enjoyed moderate success on the court during this era, posting just 16 losing records in their first 72 seasons. They were led by 9 different coaches during this period, beginning with Bennie Owen (who also coached the football team) and ending with Dave Bliss in 1980. The Sooners participated in the very first Final Four in 1939. OU made a second appearance in the championship game in 1947, losing 58-47 to Holy Cross."}, {"context": " The program gained national prominence under Billy Tubbs when he took over in 1981. Star players Wayman Tisdale, Mookie Blaylock, and Stacey King guided the Sooners to several deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. In 1988, the Sooners reached the NCAA title game in Kansas City, where they fell four points shy of their first national title to the 11-loss Kansas Jayhawks, a team which they had beaten twice in regular season play. Tubbs resigned on April 10, 1994, indicating that \"he did not feel appreciated enough working at a football school\" (he has since reconciled with the administration and now enjoys a healthy relationship with the school in his retirement). Tubbs' base salary at Oklahoma in his final season was $107,000 annually. Tubbs, 59 years old at the time, left to take over the struggling Texas Christian University basketball program, signing a 5-year contract worth between $200,000 and $400,000 per season."}, {"context": " Tubbs' record at OU was 333-132 (0.716) overall, 126-70 (0.643) conference, with 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, one Final Four appearance, and one National Title Game appearance. Tubbs finished with 5 Big 8 regular season titles and 2 Conference Tournament titles. Tubbs averaged 24 wins per season (24-9) and 9 conference wins per season (9-5). Kelvin Sampson became the 11th head coach at the University of Oklahoma on April 25, 1994. Sampson was named national coach of the year in 1995 (his first year at OU) by the Associated Press, United States Basketball Writers Association and Basketball Weekly after guiding the Sooners to 23\u20139 overall and 15\u20130 home marks. It was the second-best overall record posted by a first-year coach in Big 8 history. Sampson possesses the highest winning percentage in Oklahoma history (.719). He guided OU to nine consecutive 20-win seasons. He averaged 24.4 wins over those nine campaigns. He directed the Sooners to postseason tournament berths in each of his 12 seasons (11 NCAA Tournaments), with a Sweet 16 showing in 1999, a Final Four appearance in 2002 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2003. His teams also played in the Big 12 Tournament title game on five occasions during the 10 seasons he coached in the Big 12. In 2001, 2002, and 2003 the Sooners won that tournament. Sampson finished with a Big 12 Tournament record of 17-7. Standouts Eduardo N\u00e1jera and Hollis Price helped the Sooners maintain a streak of 25 straight post season appearances, the longest in the nation. Sampson left OU in 2006 to take a head job at Indiana."}, {"context": " Sampson's record at OU was 279-109 (0.719) overall, 128-60 (0.681) conference, with 11 NCAA Tournament Appearances, including one Final Four appearance. In the Big 12, Sampson had 3 Conference Tournament Titles and 1 Conference Regular Season Title. During his final season at OU, Sampson's salary was approximately $900,000 annually, not including bonuses. Sampson left OU in 2006 to become the head basketball coach at Indiana University, signing a 7-year, $10,500,000 contract, at $1,500,000 per season."}, {"context": " Under Sampson's watch, Oklahoma was placed under a three-year investigation by the NCAA for recruiting violations. At the end of their investigation, the NCAA issued a report citing more than 550 illegal calls made by Sampson and his staff to 17 different recruits. The NCAA barred Sampson from recruiting off campus and making phone calls for one year, ending May 24, 2007. \"Sampson averaged 23 wins per season (23-9) and 11 conference wins per season (11-5).\" On April 11, 2006, Jeff Capel was named the 12th head basketball coach at Oklahoma, succeeding Kelvin Sampson. Though the Sooner Nation as a whole greeted Capel's hiring with optimism, one notable downside of the coaching change emerged\u2014Sampson's departure caused three of the players who had signed with OU (once considered a top-five recruiting class) to rethink each's decision to attend OU. Scottie Reynolds went on to Villanova, and Damion James to Texas. Capel was originally signed to a four-year, $3,000,000 contract, at $750,000 annually."}, {"context": " In his first year, after going 8\u20134 in non-conference games, with losses to Memphis, Purdue, Villanova, and Alabama, the Sooners started 6\u20133 in conference play, before losing their final 7 conference games. After winning only one game in the Big 12 Conference Tournament, losing to eventual conference tournament champion Kansas, the Sooners missed any form of postseason play, which snapped the nation's longest streak of 25 consecutive years in the postseason, starting with Billy Tubbs' second year in 1982 and ending with Kelvin Sampson's final year in 2006."}, {"context": " In his second year, after signing McDonald's All-American Forward Blake Griffin, the Sooners finished 21\u201310 during the regular season (9\u20137 in Big 12 play) earning them a No. 4 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, where they won one game before losing to Texas in the semi-finals. They received a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated St. Joseph's in the first round before losing to No. 3 seed Louisville in the second round, finishing the season at 23\u201312, an improvement of 7 wins over the previous season. After this successful second season, Capel's name began to surface among many head coaching vacancies. In an effort to keep Capel, OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione and the OU Board of Regents extended Capel's contract through 2014, and increased his salary to $1,050,000 per year."}, {"context": " Player of the Year Candidate Blake Griffin announced he would be returning for his sophomore season, forgoing a possible lottery-pick status in the NBA draft. Coupled with the signing of another McDonald's All-American guard in Willie Warren, the 2008\u20132009 season looked to be promising. The team experienced one of the best starts in school history at 25\u20131, until Griffin was sidelined with a concussion during the first half of the OU\u2013Texas game on February 21, 2009. The Sooners went on to lose consecutive games for the first time all season, to Texas by 5 in Austin and Kansas by 9 in Norman. Without their star player, the Sooners fell short. Griffin returned to the lineup on February 28, 2009, and the Sooners returned to their winning ways defeating Texas Tech by 15 in Lubbock on 2/28/09, before losing on the road to Missouri, who was undefeated at home, and finishing the regular season by sweeping in-state rival Oklahoma State, who had won 7 of their previous 8 games. After a first-round bye in the Big 12 Tournament, the 2nd-seeded Sooners lost to the 7th-seeded Cowboys by 1 point during the final seconds of the game."}, {"context": " Capel's Sooners were granted a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament, and easily beat No. 15 seed Morgan State in the first round, #10 seed Michigan in the second round, and #3 seed Syracuse in the Sweet 16, whose vaunted 2-3 zone defense did nothing to slow down the Sooners' hot shooting from the perimeter. However, after hitting nine three-pointers during the previous game with Syracuse, the Sooner guards went 0/15 from beyond the arc during the first 35 minutes of their Elite 8 game against North Carolina, before finishing 2-19 in the game. This ultimately led to their demise by the Tar Heels on March 29, losing 60\u201372. Unanimous All-American Forward and Player of the Year Blake Griffin finished the tournament with 114 points and 60 rebounds, becoming the first player to accomplish such a feat in over 40 years. Griffin, who gave up his final two years of eligibility to enter the NBA draft, and was the #1 pick. The Sooners finished Capel's third season at 30-6, the school's first 30+ win season since 2002, and 5th overall. This was again an improvement of 7 wins over the previous season."}, {"context": " Even with the loss of starters Austin Johnson, Taylor Griffin, and Blake Griffin, the Sooners had two incoming McDonald's All-American recruits in point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin and center Keith \"Tiny\" Gallon. Paired with returning McDonald's All-American guard Willie Warren, guard Tony Crocker, and former reserve forward Ryan Wright, the Sooners had a chance to post yet another successful season and were poised make another deep run into the NCAA Tournament. This was the first time in the school's history where they would have three McDonald's All-Americans on the roster at the same time."}, {"context": " Despite high hopes and a preseason ranking of No. 16, Jeff Capel and his Sooners proved to be one of the most overrated teams in the 2009-2010 season. After a mediocre 13-9 start, their season slipped away as they lost their last nine games of the season, including a first-round loss to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament, leaving them with a 13-18 record to cap off the season. Those wins would be vacated in November 2011 after various violations that included improper benefits and ineligible players."}, {"context": " Capel's record at OU was 83\u201369 (0.546) overall, 33\u201343 (0.463) in conference (with 13 total wins and 4 conference wins having been vacated), with 2 NCAA Tournament Appearances, and one Elite Eight appearance. In the Big 12, Capel did not win a Conference Tournament title or regular season title. Capel finished 2010-11 with a 14-18 record and a loss to the Texas Longhorns in the 2011 Big 12 Tournament. On March 14, 2011, he was fired as head coach of the Sooners. In November 2011, the NCAA punished Oklahoma with three years probation, a $15,000 fine, reductions in recruiting, the loss of a scholarship, and vacation of all wins for the 2009\u201310 season."}, {"context": " Lon Kruger was hired by OU to replace Jeff Capel as head coach prior to the 2011-12 season. Kruger had previously coached at Kansas State, Florida, Illinois and Nevada-Las Vegas. In his first season at helm, the Sooners finished 15-16, improving on their 2010-11 finish. The 2012-13 season yielded a surprising 20-12 (11-7 Big 12, 4th) finish and resulted in the program's first NCAA tournament bid since Blake Griffin led the school to the Elite 8 in 2009. However, the Sooners were defeated in the second round of the NCAA tournament by San Diego State."}, {"context": " The 2013-14 season continued this trend of improvement, as the Sooners finished 23-10 overall (12-6 Big 12, 2nd). However, they were again upset in the second round of the NCAA tournament, falling to North Dakota State. 4 of the 5 starters from the 2013-14 team returned for the 2014-15 season. Guard Buddy Hield was Big 12 player of the year as OU made it to the Big 12 tournament semifinals before Iowa State bounced them out. Oklahoma received a #3 seed in the East region of he NCAA tournament, made it to the Sweet Sixteen by beating little regarded Albany and Dayton, but couldn't advance to the regional final (Elite Eight) as Michigan State held on 62-58."}, {"context": " In the 2015-2016 season, Oklahoma finished 24-6 in the regular season, and despite losing to West Virginia in the Big 12 Tournament's second round, received a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Oklahoma easily beat Cal State Bakersfield in the first round, but struggled to finish off VCU in the second round despite an early 21-7 lead. Oklahoma then went on to defeat Texas A&M 77\u201363 to advance to the west regional final where the Sooners defeated top-seed Oregon 80-68 to advance to the Final Four. Their Final Four opponent was Villanova, also a number two seed who upset Big 12 rival and number one seed Kansas to reach the Final Four. Oklahoma lost to Villanova 95-51 in the national semifinal game."}, {"context": " Lon Kruger is also the first coach in history to take 5 different teams to the sweet sixteen. Career Points: From 1996 (the inception of the Big 12) to 2016 OU has recorded 1 First place finish in league play, 7 Second place finishes, 4 Third place finishes, 2 Fourth place finishes, 1 Fifth place finish, 2 Seventh place finishes, 1 Eighth place finish, 1 Ninth place finish, and 1 Tenth place finish The Sooners have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 31 times. Their combined record is 41\u201331. They have appeared in the Final Four of the tournament 5 times, tied with The University of Houston and The University of Illinois for most appearances without winning a national championship.  The Sooners have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) seven times. Their combined record is 10\u20137."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sooners softball", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sooners softball team is the softball team that represents University of Oklahoma in the sport of women's softball. The Sooners participate in the Big 12 Conference, and play their home games at OU Softball Complex. Oklahoma has won their conference title 22 times, has been to the NCAA Tournament 27 times, has been to the NCAA Women's College World Series 10 times, and has won the NCAA championship 4 times. OU also appeared in the AIAW Women's College World Series four times. The team is coached by Patty Gasso."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball team represents the University of Oklahoma and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I. OU women's basketball began during the 1974\u201375 academic year. In March 1990, Oklahoma officials released a statement saying that the women's basketball program was to be dropped, after many years of sub-par performance and low attendance. Many people voiced their complaints and eight days later, OU reinstated the program. At the time, the average attendance per game was 65 people. In 1996, Oklahoma hired former Norman High School women's basketball coach Sherri Coale to the same position at the university. The Sooner women's basketball team developed in years since to status as a leader in attendance across the nation. The Sooners averaged attendance of 6851 in 2011\u201312 at home games, and the support for the sport led to Oklahoma hosting first and second-round games in the Women's NCAA Basketball Championships at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. The Sooners also set a record on February 2, 2009, when they played host to the number 13 Tennessee Lady Volunteers, led by coach Pat Summit, who was trying to get career victory 1,000, something that no other coach had done before. The attendance for that game, which was held at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, was close to 13,000 as well as setting a record for the most watched women's basketball game in history. The Sooners led the Big 12 conference in attendance as well. As with the men's team, they call Lloyd Noble Center home."}, {"context": " The program gained national prominence during the 2002 post-season when they advanced to the national title game and lost to the University of Connecticut Huskies. In the 2005\u201306 season, the Sooners were led by their coach Sherri Coale and the nationally known sophomore twins Courtney and Ashley Paris, daughters of former San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Bubba Paris, to the third round of the national tournament. The team also won the Big 12 regular-season championship (with a 16\u20130 conference record) and the Big 12 Tournament. They became the first Big 12 women's basketball team to remain undefeated throughout conference play."}, {"context": " In the 2008\u201309 season, the Sooners made it to the Final Four of the 2009 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament. They advanced through the Oklahoma City Regional, where they enjoyed considerable home court advantage, as Norman and Oklahoma City are separated by fewer than 20 miles. The 2010\u201311 and 2011\u201312 seasons failed to result in regional championships and NCAA Final Four appearances. Playing through rigorous non-conference schedules and a rugged Big 12 slate, the Sooners received No. 6 seeds each of the two years. The 10\u201311 team advanced through the Charlottesville, Virginia, first and second round site with a win over nearby James Madison University and an upset win over the University of Miami Hurricanes. The season came to an abrupt halt in Dayton, Ohio, in the Sweet Sixteen, with the team falling to No. 2 seed Notre Dame, which steamrolled to a national championship appearance that year. The 11\u201312 team failed to make it past the No. 3 seed St. John's Red Storm in a 74\u201370 defeat in front of several thousand Sooner fans in Norman, Oklahoma. St. Johns lost in the Sweet Sixteen to the Duke Blue Devils in Fresno, California."}, {"context": " Oklahoma City hosted an NCAA regional in March 2013. The 2012\u201313 Sooners missed graduating senior Jelena Serena, but retained the rest of the team. Adding to the corps were two National Top 20 recruits, Maddie Manning and Nicole Kornet, and Sooners Jasmine Hartman and Lyndsey Cloman rejoined the active roster. Both Hartman and Cloman sat out the entire 2011\u201312 season with injuries. Oklahoma has played in the Big 8 and the Big 12 conferences. The Sooners joined the Big 12 in 1996 when the Big 8 merged with four former members of the defunct Southwest Conference."}, {"context": " Sooners head women's basketball coach is Sherri Coale, who entered her 18th season at Oklahoma in 2013\u201314. The Sooners reached the NCAA tournament and Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 1986. In 1995, Oklahoma made their second trip to the tourney, falling in the second round. After another break, the Sooners made their third appearance in the 1999\u20132000 season, and have become a mainstay in the tournament since then, entering the field of 64 every year since. In that time period, the Sooners have reached three Final Four appearances, which is tied for 9th in NCAA Women's Basketball History. Since 2002, the Sooners' first appearance, their three appearances ties them for fifth, behind Tennessee (6), Connecticut (5), Stanford (5) and Louisiana State (5).  Conference tournament winners noted with # Source"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sooners women's gymnastics", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Sooners women's gymnastics team represents the University of Oklahoma in NCAA competition and competes in the Big 12 Conference. The Sooners have won thirteen Big 12 titles, 7 NCAA Regional championships, and have appeared in 15 NCAA National Championships. In 2014, the Sooners won the program's first-ever team national title in the first-ever NCAA gymnastics championships tie, tying with Florida with a score of 198.175. The Sooners have had five individual national champions, 86 NCAA All-Americans, and two Honda Awards (both to Kelly Garrison)."}, {"context": " The Sooners gymnastics team was founded in 1981 under head coach Paul Ziert, who led the Sooners to three regional championships and two NCAA tournament appearances. The Sooners won their first five conference titles beginning in 1984 under coach Becky Switzer. Steve Nunno added another Big 12 title in 2004. Current head coach K.J. Kindler took over the program before the 2007 season; the Sooners qualified to their first Super Six team final in 2010, finishing 2nd. In 2014, Oklahoma became the sixth school to win an NCAA gymnastics team title (following Alabama, Utah, Georgia, UCLA and Florida). The 2014 Super Six final was the first to end in a tie, giving Oklahoma their first title and Florida their second straight."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) is a development authority created by the state of Oklahoma to operate a spaceport near Burns Flat, Oklahoma. The Authority's primary asset is the former Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, a former military airport featuring a redundant 13,503-foot-long paved runway. The airpark has been renamed the \"Oklahoma Spaceport\". Although the Oklahoma Spaceport received a Commercial Space Transportation license from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in June 2006, the Spaceport has not yet hosted any sub-orbital spaceflights or launches of spacecraft into earth orbit. The license was scheduled to expire in June 2011.  As of March 2011, the executive director of the Authority is Bill Khourie."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Star", "paragraphs": [{"context": " For many years, Oklahoma Star (1915\u20131943) was known simply as the Tommy Moore Horse, after his breeder, owner, trainer and race jockey. He was an influential Quarter Horse stallion in the early days of the breed. Oklahoma Star was foaled in 1915 in Oklahoma and raced in match races for many years throughout Oklahoma. He was bred by Tommy Moore of Oklahoma. Eventually, he was registered with the American Quarter Horse Association (or AQHA), as number 6 in the AQHA's stud book. His stud book entry gives his breeding as being sired by Dennis Reed, a Thoroughbred, with a first dam being Cutthroat by Gulliver by Missouri Rondo. The second dam was given as OK by Dan Tucker. However, this is a corrected entry. The original entry had the same sire and dam, but the original entry had Cutthroat by Bonnie Joe, a Thoroughbred and out of Big Em by Rocky Mountain Tom. Cutthroat's breeding still remains somewhat murky, as Moore was evasive about her exact breeding."}, {"context": " Moore raced Oklahoma Star all over Oklahoma, matching him against all comers, usually riding the horse himself because of fears that the opposing side would bribe the jockey. Because Moore was almost fifty years old and weighed about 150 pounds, this meant that Oklahoma Star didn't always win every race, but he won enough. Ronald Mason, who later owned the horse, told Robert Denhardt that the best race distance for the stallion was an eighth of a mile. Oklahoma Star was a mahogany bay in color, with just a white star on his forehead, a small white spot on his left foreleg, and a white sock on his left hind leg."}, {"context": " Eventually, Moore was forced to sell Oklahoma Star, and after passing through a few other owners, eventually the horse was sold to Ronald Mason of Nowata, Oklahoma, who registered him with the AQHA. He died in the ownership of Ronald Mason on February 14, 1943. Among Oklahoma Star's famous offspring were Nowata Star, Star Deck, Oklahoma Star Jr and Sizzler. Two of his foals earned Race Register of Merits with the AQHA \u2013 M's Grey Lady and Sizzler. Many of his daughters went on to produce racehorses or show horses.  Oklahoma Star was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1992."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector is an elected Constitutional officer for the U.S. State of Oklahoma. The State Auditor and Inspector is responsible for auditing and prescribing bookkeeping standards of all government agencies and county treasurers within Oklahoma. The 12th and current State Auditor and Inspector is Gary Jones, who began his second four-year term in 2015. Article 6, Section 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution requires all executive branch officials to be a United States citizen, at least 31 years old and have been a registered elector within Oklahoma for 10 years prior to election."}, {"context": " However, Article 6, Section 19 places one additional requirement upon the State Auditor and Inspector: s/he must have at least 3 years prior experience as an \"expert accountant\" before seeking office. (The term \"expert accountant\" is not defined but is generally understood to require that the officeholder must be a certified public accountant.) State Auditor and Inspector is elected directly by the people of Oklahoma. Elections for the State Auditor and Inspector are held on a four-year concurrent basis with the election of the Governor. After all votes are collected, the Legislature of Oklahoma shall convene in the hall of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the House of Representatives announce the results of the elections in the presence of a majority of each branch of the Legislature. The persons having the highest number of votes for the office of the State Auditor and Inspector shall be declared duly elected. However, in case two or more shall have an equal and the highest number of votes for the office of State Auditor and Inspector, the Legislature shall, by joint ballot, choose one of the said persons having an equal and the highest number of votes for the office of State Auditor and Inspector."}, {"context": " The State Auditor and Inspector's four-year term begins on the second Monday in January following the general election. The Constitution of Oklahoma places no limit to the number of terms a candidate may serve in succession or in total. The primary function of the State Auditor and Inspector is to account for all of the state's funds. Twice annually, without notice, the State Auditor and Inspector audits the books and accounts of the Oklahoma State Treasurer and the county treasurers. At least once a year, the State Auditor and Inspector must audit the accounts of all state officials whose duty is to collect, disburse or manage state funds. The State Auditor and Inspector must also make \"continuous examinations\" of all District Attorneys and their respective offices. The State Auditor and Inspector can exercise his powers of his own will or may be requested to do so by the Governor of Oklahoma, District Attorneys, County officials, or via petition from Oklahomans. Also, a uniform system of bookkeeping for the county treasurers and the State Treasurer is prescribed by the State Auditor and Inspector."}, {"context": " If wrongdoing is suspected in the state, county, or local governments, the Auditor and Inspector is empowered to investigate, audit the books of the suspect in question, and make recommendations to solve the problem. If legal problems arise, the State Auditor and Inspector may empower the Attorney General of Oklahoma to seek legal actions. It is the duty of the State Auditor and Inspector to examine all taxes to raise public revenue and to make certain that they are made according to law and constitutional provisions. The State Auditor and Inspector shall have the power to order all excessive or erroneous taxes to be corrected by the proper officers. The State Auditor and Inspector must report any irregularities in taxes to the Governor, the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives."}, {"context": " At least once a year, the State Auditor and Inspector must make an annual report to the Governor the state and county finances he has ascertained. The report must be made on the first day in November every year. The State Auditor and Inspector must also make other reports as the Governor may direct. The State Auditor and Inspector may employ additional auditors as needed. Also, Deputy State Auditor and Inspectors may be employed at the will of the State Auditor and Inspector, who must have had at least three years experience in municipal accounting in the State of Oklahoma. The functions, duties and terms of office of the Deputy State Auditor and Inspectors is regulated at the discretion of the State Auditor and Inspector."}, {"context": " \"I, ..., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as State Auditor and Inspector of the State of Oklahoma to the best of my ability.\""}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Banking Department", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Banking Department (OSBD) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. The Banking Department is responsible for regulating Oklahoma's banking system, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, and trust companies, as well as [(money transmitters)] and money order companies. The department also handles consumer complaints involving state-regulated financial institutions. The Banking Department is led by a State Banking Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate to serve a four-year term. Assisting the commissioner is the State Banking Board, which consists of six members appointed by the governor and the commissioner as chair."}, {"context": " The current State Banking Commissioner is Mick Thompson, a former Oklahoma State Representative who has served in that position since September 1, 1992, when he was appointed by Governor David Walters. He has since been reappointed by Governors Frank Keating, Brad Henry and Mary Fallin in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. With the granting of statehood on November 11, 1907, Article XIV of the Oklahoma Constitution created the Banking Department. Governor Dewey F. Bartlett was chairman of the board, and Herbert H. Smock was the department's first banking commissioner."}, {"context": " The department is under the supervision of the State Banking Board and its chairman, who is the State Banking Commissioner. The commissioner is appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma to serve a four-year term. The commissioner is assisted in managing the department by a deputy commissioner and two assistant commissioners. The State Banking Board is the official regulatory body of all financial institutions in the State. The Board is composed of seven members: six appointed members and the State Banking Commissioner. The State Banking Commissioner serves as Chairman of the Board, but may only vote in case of a tie."}, {"context": " Of the six appointed members, five members must be active offices of a financial institution and a sixth member must be a citizen of Oklahoma, at least 35 years old, who has no experience as a bank officer or stockholder of a bank. All members of the board are appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve a six-year term. However, the governor may only nominate individuals to fill the banking represent seats who have been nominated by the Oklahoma Bankers Association (OBA). Should the OBA fail to nominate a list of candidates within 30 days of a vacancy, the governor is free to select anyone who meets the qualifications of office. The governor is always free to nominate anyone to the non-bankers seat."}, {"context": " It is the duty of the State Banking Board to adopt reasonable and uniform rules and regulations to govern the conduct, operation and management of all financial institutions operating in the state. It is the duty of the State Banking Commissioner to enforce the rules adopted by the board. The Banking Department is not funded by yearly appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. Instead, it is funded entirely from fees generated from the financial institutions regulated by the department. The State Banking Department, with an annual budget of over $6 million, is one of the smallest employers for the state. For fiscal year 2010, the department was authorized 43 full-time employees."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Board of Equalization", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Board of Equalization is an agency of the state of Oklahoma that is responsible for tax administration. The Board is responsible for adjusting and equalizing the valuation of real and personal property of the several counties of Oklahoma. Board is also responsible for providing an estimate of all revenue that will be available for appropriation by the Oklahoma Legislature for the coming fiscal year. The State Board of Equalization was established in 1907 by ratification of the Oklahoma Constitution."}, {"context": " The State Board of Equalization is under the leadership of the Governor of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector and the Secretary of Finance and Revenue. As established by Article 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution, the Board was composed of seven elected officials. Following an amendment to the Constitution in 1975, the Board now consists of six elected officials and one appointed official, with all members serving as ex officio members. As of 2015, the current membership of the Board is as follows:"}, {"context": " On December 1 of each year, or the first working day thereafter, the Board must equalize the taxable real and personal property value of the several counties for the purpose of tax assessment by the county assessors. This is done by determining the ratio of the aggregate assessed value of the county to the fair cash value of the county. The Board also examines the various county assessments to equalize, correct and adjust them as between and within the counties. The Board is responsible for determine the assessment ratio for all air carrier, railroad, and public service corporation property in the state.  The Board is responsible for providing an estimate of all revenue that will be available for appropriation by the Oklahoma Legislature for the coming year fiscal year. The Governor, through the Oklahoma Office of State Finance, then uses that estimate to prepare and submit the State's annual budget for approval by the Legislature."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy is an agency of the state of Oklahoma responsible for control and regulation the practice of pharmacy as well as the licensing of pharmacists in the state."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Bond Advisor", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Bond Advisor is an officer of the state of Oklahoma who provides advice and assistance to the Governor of Oklahoma on matters relating to capital planning, debt issuance, and debt management. The Office borrows money to operate the Oklahoma state government and manages the resulting debt. The State Bond Advisor serves as the professional staff to the Council on Bond Oversight and assists the Long-Rang Capital Planning Commission. The State Bond Advisor is appointed by the Council and serves until removed, for cause, by the Council."}, {"context": " Established in 1987 as an independent office within the Oklahoma Department of Central Services, the Office became a separate state agency in 2003. The current State Bond Advisor is James C. Joseph. The Office was created in 1987 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon. The Office of the State Bond Advisor is led by the Oklahoma State Bond Advisor. The State Bond Advisor serves as staff to the Council of Bond Oversight. The Chair of the Council of Bond Oversight is Mark Beffort and James C. Joseph serves as the State Bond Advisor."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Counci on Bond Oversight is the statutory body responsible for reviewing all borrowing requests by State agencies, authorities, departments, and trusts, including public institutions of higher education. Upon approval, the State Bond Advisor is responsible assisting issuers with the sale of the approved bonds. The Council consists of five members who are not members of the Oklahoma Legislature. Two members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, one is appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, one is appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services serves as the fifth member. Appointed members serve terms of two years and may be removed for cause by the appointing authority. Members may be appointed for additional terms."}, {"context": " As of 2014, the members of the Council are as follows: The Oklahoma Long-Range Capital Planning Commission is an oversight body created by statute to advise and assist the Oklahoma Legislature in providing for capital facilities in the state. Each year, the Commission prepares a state capital plan for addressing state, regional and local public capital facility needs for the next five years. The Governor of Oklahoma, at the time he prepares the state budget, is to use the state capital plan to prepare a capital budget for consideration by the Oklahoma Legislature. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services provides staff support for the Commission, with assistance from the State Bond Advisor's Office.  The Commission consists of nine members as follows:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is an independent state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. The OSBI assists the county sheriff offices and city police departments of the state, and is the primary investigative agency of the state government. OSBI works independent of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to investigate criminal law violations within the state at the request of statutory authorized requesters. The OSBI is governed by a seven-member commission, with each member of the commission appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma. The commission then appoints a director, who serves at the pleasure of the commission, as the chief executive officer of the OSBI. The Director is Ricky Adams."}, {"context": " OSBI was created in 1925 during the term of Governor Martin E. Trapp. In the early 1920s gangs of outlaws roamed the state robbing and burglarizing banks and terrorizing the citizens of many Oklahoma towns. These gangsters often escaped lawmen by fleeing across county lines. The United States Marshals Service was the only law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction, but its officers were outnumbered by the bandits. In 1925, Governor of Oklahoma Martin E. Trapp, in his State of the State address recommended the creation of an agency of special investigators or state police to combat the outlaws. The Oklahoma Legislature appropriated $78,000 to establish the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. A year after its creation, the Bureau's three agents or operatives were credited with reducing the number of bank robberies in the state by roughly 75 percent. Agents accomplished this by developing leads and using informants which were considered by many to be innovative investigative techniques at the time."}, {"context": " In 1939, the Bureau was taken out from under the direction of the Adjutant General's Office and became a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. It was during these years that the agency became known as the State Crime Bureau. This arrangement lasted until 1957, when the Bureau was placed under the direct control of the Governor's Office and renamed the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Also in 1957, the OSBI began to emerge as a professional law enforcement agency. Employees were placed under the merit system and for the first time, working for the agency was seen as a career opportunity rather than temporary employment."}, {"context": " In the wake of a controversial investigation of Governor David Hall by the Bureau, the agency was removed from the direct control of the Governor's Office. In 1976, a seven member independent commission was created to oversee the activities of the OSBI. The makeup of the Commission includes: one police chief, one sheriff, one district attorney and four lay members. These members are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Oklahoma Senate to serve seven year staggered terms. In general, the OSBI Commission appoints the Director, hears complaints, establishes guidelines and serves as a buffer between the Bureau and potential political pressures concerning any particular investigations."}, {"context": " On September 11, 2002, the OSBI was recognized as the first Oklahoma state law enforcement agency to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. On July 1, 2009, OSBI assumed the research functions of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center and the Oklahoma Sentencing Commission, which were dissolved at that time. OSBI is now officially recognized by the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics as the State Analysis Center. The OSBI is responsible for serving as the lead scientific agency for the Oklahoma law enforcement community. The Oklahoma Legislature has directed OSBI to maintain a nationally accredited scientific laboratory to assist all law enforcement agencies in the discovery and detection of criminal activity. As such, OSBI operates the State Forensic Science Center in Edmond and four Regional Forensic Laboratories across the State. OSBI also maintains an Statewide identification system which includes fingerprints, criminal history records, juvenile identification records, and DNA profiles."}, {"context": " OSBI also serves as the leading criminal investigation agency in the State. OSBI Agents partner with other state, county, and local law enforcement agencies to detect crime. OSBI provides assistance the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner, all district attorneys, local sheriff's office, and municipal police departments when assistance is requested. It is the duty of the OSBI to investigate and detect any and all criminal activity when so directed by the Governor of Oklahoma. Typical crimes investigated by OSBI at the request of other agencies are Part 1 Crimes: aggravated assault, forcible rape, murder, robbery, arson, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft."}, {"context": " The OSBI has original jurisdiction over, and may on its own initiative investigate, the following crimes: For any crime that OSBI does not have original jurisdiction over, a requesting agency must seek OSBI assistance in order for OSBI to investigate the crime. There are only a limit number of agencies or officials that can request the OSBI to conduct an investigation. They are: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation under the supervision of the Secretary of Safety and Security. The OSBI Director, who is appointed by the OSBI Commission, has direct control over the OSBI. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Michael C. Thompson is serving as the Secretary and Ricky Adams is serving as OSBI Director."}, {"context": " OSBI is governed by a seven member OSBI Commission, with all members being appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve seven year terms. Governor may remove any member at any time only for cause. No more than two members of the Commission may reside in the same congressional district. Four members must be ordinary citizens, one must be a sitting district attorney, one must be a sitting county sheriff, and one must be a sitting chief of police. As of 2018, the current members of the OSBI Commission are:"}, {"context": " Central business office of OSBI. Has responsibility for supporting the Director by providing budgeting, procurement, human resources and other managerial services that support the entire Bureau. The Division is organized as follows: The primary duty of the OSBI Investigative Services Division is to assist local law enforcement agencies in solving crimes. OSBI agents offer a number of services including collecting and preserving evidence at crime scenes, participating in undercover investigations to obtain information and evidence, interviewing witnesses and apprehending criminals. Agents investigate many types of crime, including: homicides, rapes, assaults, white collar crime, public corruption, property crimes such as burglaries, Internet crimes against children, child abuse, auto theft and oil field theft. Services also include polygraph examinations, electronic surveillance, crime scene investigations, forensic art, judicial backgrounds, and local law enforcement training in areas of basic and advanced criminal investigations. Specially trained Crime Scene Agents are located statewide, ready at all times to conduct crime scene investigations as well as to collect and preserve evidence from the scenes they investigate."}, {"context": " The OSBI Investigative Services Division is home to the Criminal Intelligence Unit which provides investigative support to the division, as well as home to the Oklahoma State Clearinghouse for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Division is divided into six regional investigative offices with geographic based jurisdiction and three headquarters investigative units with functional based authority and State-wide jurisdiction: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation partners with local, state and federal law enforcement in the State of Oklahoma on many levels. The OSBI works with law enforcement agencies across the state to share, collect, and offer computer and Internet based programs that will permit the efficient use of crime fighting programs."}, {"context": " Within the Division is the Crime Data Collection and Analysis Unit. Before becoming consolidated into OSBI, the Unit existed as the independent Office of Criminal Justice Statistics. The Unit provides research and analysis relating to the state's criminal justice system and integrated, customizable records management software for law enforcement in the form of the Offender Data Information System (ODIS). The Unit serves as the state's Statistical Analysis Center (SAC), the official point of contact with the United States Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics. As the state's SAC, Unit is a member of the Justice Research and Statistics Association."}, {"context": " The Division is organized as follows: Since its creation in 1953, the OSBI Criminalistic Services Division has been responsible for providing operating the Oklahoma Forensic Science Center, which provides forensic science laboratory services for Oklahoma's law enforcement agencies. The Criminalistic Services Division provides forensic analysis in the following areas: The Division is divided into a central Forensic Science Center in Edmond and four regional laboratories: The State Bureau of Investigation, with an annual budget of over $35 million, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2009, the Bureau was authorized 334 full-time employees."}, {"context": " In order to by employed as a Special Agent with the OSBI, an individual must, at the time of employment, be at least 21 years old and must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Neither the OSBI Commission nor the OSBI Director have the authority to waive these requirements. In addition, all employees must be persons of \"outstanding honesty, integrity and ability.\" All promotions from Agent II into the higher ranks are based on tests administered by the OSBI Director, in consultation with the Administrator of the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management."}, {"context": " In general, the following minimum requirements are needed to obtain the following ranks: The positions of OSBI Director and Deputy Director are in the unclassified service of the state. They are appointed by the OSBI Commission without consideration to the classified employees of the OSBI. Any classified Agent that is appointed Director or Deputy Director is eligible to return to their position in the classified service without loss of benefit or salary. In order to be eligible to be appointed OSBI Director, an individual must:"}, {"context": " The qualifications of the Deputy Director are the same as the Director. As established by Oklahoma law, with the Director, Deputy Director and Division Director executive and Special Agent in Charge salary increases only, effective July 1, 2014, the annual salaries for OSBI law enforcement agents are as follows: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's budget is generated primarily be annual appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. Annual appropriations make up 46% ($17.1 million), 36% generated from the fees charged by the Bureau ($13.3 million), and the remaining 19% ($7 million) coming from various other sources.  The majority of OSBI's budget (69% or $25.9 million) is spent on employee benefits and salaries. 25% ($9.2 million) goes to operating expenses and the remaining 6% ($2.4 million) are dedicated to various other expenses. For fiscal year 2011, each of the operating units of the Bureau operate with the following budgets: Since the establishment of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, 4 officers have died in the line of duty."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Capitol", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Capitol is the house of government of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is the building that houses the Oklahoma Legislature and executive branch offices. It is located along Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City and contains 452,508 square feet of floor area. The present structure includes a dome completed in 2002. Oklahoma's first capital was Guthrie, Oklahoma, but it moved to Oklahoma City in 1910. Construction began on the Oklahoma State Capitol in 1914 and was completed in 1917. Originally, it housed the judicial branch of Oklahoma, but the state's high courts moved most of their operations to the Oklahoma Judicial Center in 2011, leaving only the Supreme Court Hearing Chamber in the capitol building."}, {"context": " The state capitol complex is the only state capitol grounds in the United States with active oil rigs. Oklahoma's territorial capital and first state capital was located in the city of Guthrie. The settlement of the first state capital began at noon on April 22, 1889, when cannons sounded the start of the Oklahoma land run. The town was designated as the territorial capital in 1890. State government officials let voters decide on whether or not to move the capital to Oklahoma City. On June 11, 1910, the state seal was taken from Guthrie and moved south to Oklahoma City, where the Oklahoma State Capitol is located today. Lee Cruce, the second Governor of Oklahoma, commissioned the architectural construction of the present day structure. Prior to its construction, state government offices were housed in the Huckins Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " Construction on the Oklahoma State Capitol began after a groundbreaking ceremony on July 20, 1914. Architects Soloman Andrew Layton and S. Wemyss-Smith were paid $75,000 to develop the architectural plans, while James Stewart & Company received the construction contract. The building's exterior is constructed mainly of Indiana limestone, with a base of local Oklahoma pink granite, and Oklahoma black granite for the grand staircase. The interior prominently features marble as well as fixtures from a variety of sources. While original plans called for a dome, it was omitted due to cost overruns discovered in 1915 when the original $1.5 million appropriated by the Oklahoma Legislature proved insufficient. The building was, however, designed to support a dome."}, {"context": " The building was completed on June 30, 1917. In 1952, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake near El Reno caused several cracks to materialize in walls and ceilings of the Capitol, including one crack measuring about 50\u00a0feet in length. In 1998, state legislators and the governor enacted legislation to create the Oklahoma Centennial Act, which formed the Oklahoma Capitol Complex and Centennial Commemoration Commission. The commission worked to fund a dome, which was in the initial plans in 1914, for the Oklahoma State Capitol and construction of the dome began in 2001 and was completed in 2002. It included a bronze sculpture called \"The Guardian\". During exterior restoration work in 2014, engineers discovered significant cracks in the precast panels that comprise the dome, but not in any of the supports, contrary to what some think. The building was designed and built to support the dome. When the Layton and Smith firm (the firm selected to design the building) presented its preliminary drawings to the commission in 1914, the plans did not include a dome. However, the building was designed to allow for a weighty dome to adorn the central square rotunda. The original commission was split on the desirability of the dome due to the high cost, and as completed, the capitol was not domed"}, {"context": " In 2006, plans were made to move the judicial branch into the old Oklahoma Historical Society building, as the agency was moving into the Oklahoma History Center. The court offices moved to the new Oklahoma Judicial Center in 2011. The Oklahoma State Capitol, located at 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City is composed primarily of white limestone and Oklahoma pink granite. However, the building's dome is made of steel-reinforced concrete and reinforced plaster casts. The state capitol complex is famous for its oil wells and remains the only state capitol grounds in the United States with active oil rigs. The capitol building is directly atop the Oklahoma City Oil Field."}, {"context": " The state capitol building and the surrounding government buildings, non-government agencies, museums, libraries, and tree lined streets and boulevards form the Oklahoma State Capitol Complex or Capitol Campus. The complex includes the State Capitol Park, the Oklahoma History Center, the Oklahoma Judicial Center, and the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion. The mansion has a limestone exterior to complement the Oklahoma State Capitol's exterior. The surrounding neighborhood is home to numerous restaurants and bars."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma History Center opened in 2005 and is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. It preserves the history of Oklahoma from prehistoric Native American tribes to the present day. The west wing of the Capitol houses the Oklahoma House of Representatives chamber and offices. The east wing houses the Oklahoma Senate chamber and offices. The ceremonial office of the governor is located on the second floor. Elected state officials such as the state auditor and inspector, state treasurer, and state attorney general have offices on the first floor. The building also contains a museum, a cafeteria, and a barber shop."}, {"context": " Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen's mural \"Flight of Spirit\", honoring the Five Moons, notable 20th-century Native American ballerinas from Oklahoma is on display in the Capitol rotunda. Several large paintings by Wayne Cooper are on display in the building. Many of them depict the early heritage and oil history of the state. Seminole artist Enoch Kelly Haney's painting \"The Earth and I are One\" is on display on the first floor of the building. The Senate lobby includes a oil-on-canvas painting of the \"Ceremonial Transfer of the Louisiana Purchase in New Orleans - 1803\" by Mike Wimmer. The Senate Lounge displays a watercolor painting entitled \"Community of Boling Springs\" by Sonya Terpening."}, {"context": " The base of the Capitol dome is decorated, in six-inch gold letters, with the names of donors who contributed at least $1 million to the dome's construction, referred to as \"the ring of honor\". Donors so named include Halliburton, Hobby Lobby Stores, \"the People of Oklahoma\", and General Motors. This design decision attracted some criticism at the time, and in 2011 state representative Eric Proctor attempted to pass legislation replacing the names with those of Oklahomans who had received the Congressional Medal of Honor."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls are the athletic teams that represent Oklahoma State University. The program's mascot is a cowboy named Pistol Pete. Oklahoma State participates at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)'s Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university's current athletic director is Mike Holder. In total, Oklahoma State has 52 NCAA team national titles, which ranks fourth in most NCAA team national championships. These national titles have come in wrestling (34), golf (11), basketball (2), baseball (1), and cross country (4). The 1945 Oklahoma A&M football team was retroactively awarded a national title in October 2016 by the American Football Coaches Association."}, {"context": " Prior to 1957, OSU was known as Oklahoma A&M. As was common with most land-grant schools, its teams were known for many years as Aggies. However, in 1923, A&M was looking for a new mascot to replace its pet tiger (the inspiration behind the school colors of orange and black). A group of students saw Frank Eaton leading the Armistice Day Parade. He was approached to see if he would be interested in being the model for the new mascot, and he agreed. The caricature, Pistol Pete, that was drawn that year is more or less the same as the one in use today."}, {"context": " Only a few decades removed from the cattle drive era, the cowboy was still an important figure in the Southwest. The new mascot had become so popular that by 1924, Charles Saulsberry, sports editor of The Oklahoma Times, began calling A&M's teams the Cowboys. \"Aggies\" and \"Cowboys\" were used interchangeably until A&M was elevated to university status in 1957. The \"Waving Song\" is one of the fight songs for Oklahoma State. At Oklahoma State football games, the song is played by the Cowboy Marching Band during the pregame traditions, following touchdowns, and after victories against the Cowboys' opponents. For other athletic events, the Waving Song is played after an OSU victory as the start of the fight song trilogy. While the song is played, fans wave their right arms in the air; the effect is similar to wheat waving in the wind."}, {"context": " The song's melody is that of \"The Streets of New York,\" a song from the Victor Herbert operetta, \"The Red Mill\". The lyrics used by Oklahoma State were written by H.G. Seldomridge, a professor who heard the tune on a visit to New York City. The original lyrics used the abbreviation \"OAMC\" in place of \"Oklahoma State,\" as the school was still then known as Oklahoma A&M College. It was first sung in 1908 at a follies show at Stillwater's Grand Opera House. Ever since, it has been a tradition to play the song at OSU athletic events."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State is one of only two Power 5 schools that do not sponsor women's volleyball, the other one being Vanderbilt. Oklahoma State first took the basketball court in 1908. Under head coach Henry Iba, the team won NCAA championships in 1945 and again in 1946. A&M center Bob Kurland was named the NCAA Tournament MVP during their two championship seasons. Kurland was the first player to win the honor two times. Oklahoma State has a total of six Final Four appearances. Under Eddie Sutton, the team made two Final Four appearances\u2014in 1995 and in 2004. Sutton's son, Sean Sutton, began coaching the team in 2006 but resigned on March 31, 2008. The team is now coached by Mike Boynton Jr., who was promoted to head coach after Brad Underwood departed to become head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State first fielded a women's team during the 1972-1973 season. The team's head coach is currently Jim Littell, who took over after their former head coach Kurt Budke was killed in a plane crash in Arkansas in November 2011, just after the season had started. The Cowboys won their only national championship in 1959, but have finished runner-up on five other occasions. OSU won 16 consecutive conference championships under head coach Gary Ward in the Big 8 Conference. During that time, Pete Incaviglia was named Baseball America's Player of the Century, and Robin Ventura was inducted in the inaugural class into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Overall, OSU has made 19 College World Series appearances, including seven straight from 1981\u20131987."}, {"context": " The Cowboys' current head baseball coach is Josh Holliday. The OSU football program has participatied in 28 bowl games overall and have been to 11 straight. There has been 11 conference championships won, 1 Heisman Trophy winner, 2 NFL Hall of Fame members, and 53 All-Americans to the Cowboys' name. Oklahoma State plays football on Lewis Field, in Boone Pickens Stadium. The Cowboys all-time record is 566-539-47. The current head coach is Mike Gundy (94-46 and 6\u20133 in bowl appearances). During Gundy's playing career, the Cowboys have enjoyed six 9+ win seasons in the past eight seasons. Gundy coached the team to a record 12 win season in 2011, culminating with a Fiesta Bowl victory over Stanford. His accolades consist of the 2010 Big 12 Coach of the Year, 2011 Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year, 2011 Paul \"Bear\" Bryant National Coach of the Year, and the 2011 American Football Monthly National Coach of the Year."}, {"context": " The 1945 Oklahoma A&M team was retroactively awarded a national title in October 2016 by the American Football Coaches Association. The Aggies finished with a 9-0 record, completing the season with a 33-13 win over St. Mary's College in the Sugar Bowl. Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy in 1988. Author Steve Budin, whose father was a New York bookie, has recently publicized the claim that the 1954 \"Bedlam\" game against rival OU was fixed by mobsters in his book \"Bets, Drugs, and Rock & Roll\" ()."}, {"context": " Karsten Creek serves as the home course of the Oklahoma State University men's and women's golf teams. The Tom Fazio layout was named \"Golf Digest\"'s \"Best New Public Course\" and served as the host site for the NCAA Men's Championship in 2003, 2011, and 2018. The men's program has qualified for the NCAA Championship 71 times in 72 years and has won 11 national championships (1963, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2006, 2018), nine individual national champions (Grier Jones in 1968, David Edwards in 1978, Scott Verplank in 1986, Brian Watts in 1987, E. J. Pfister in 1988, Charles Howell III in 2000, Kevin Yeisley in 2003, Jonathan Moore in 2006), and 54 conference championships."}, {"context": " The women's program has also had its share of success. Under former coach Ann Pitts, the Cowgirls won 15 conference championships and made 15 appearances at the NCAA Championship. Laura Matthews led the Cowgirls to be Big 12 champions in 2005 and a top-20 finish at the NCAA Championship. Caroline Hedwall won the NCAA Division I individual championship in 2010 under new coach Annie Young. Conference championships: OSU's softball team has appeared in eleven Women's College World Series, in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982 (AIAW), 1982 (NCAA), 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1998 and 2011. In 1982, the Cowgirls played in both the last AIAW WCWS and days later the first NCAA WCWS. After having played their way through the 1982 regular season, a conference tournament, NCAA first round, winning an AIAW regional title, a loss in the AIAW WCWS final, the team's marathon season ended with 13-inning and 14-inning one-run losses in the NCAA tournament."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State wrestling's tradition started in 1916 when Edward C. Gallagher, whose name is part of Gallagher-Iba Arena, became head coach. With his expertise in anatomy, he pioneered the sport of wrestling. Gallagher coached the Cowboys until his death in 1940 from pneumonia. During those 24 years, Gallagher had 11 team national titles, 19 undefeated seasons, and a 138-5-4 record. After Gallagher's death, Art Griffith took over and proceeded to win two straight national championships. Due to World War II, Oklahoma State wrestling was forced off the mat for three years. After the war, Griffith coached for another 11 years and won six more national championships in that time. Due to health reasons, Art Griffith resigned as head coach and Myron Roderick took over. At 23 years old, Roderick became the youngest coach to win a national championship in 1958. Roderick proceeded to win another 5 championships. In 1970, Myron Roderick stepped down to take an executive position with the U.S. Wrestling Federation. Former Stillwater High School coach Tommy Chesbro was hired as head coach and won eight Big Eight titles and one national championship in 15 years. Between 1985 and 1991, Joe Seay, former Cal State coach won five conference titles and two national titles."}, {"context": " In 1993, John Smith became the seventh head coach of Oklahoma State University wrestling. Smith led the Cowboys to a national title in 1995 and four consecutive national titles between 2002\u20132006. Founded in 1974, the Oklahoma State University Rugby Football Club plays college rugby in the Division 1 Heart of America conference against several of its traditional Big 8 / Big 12 rivals. The Cowboys are led by head coach Miles Hunter. OSU also has a women\u2019s rugby team that plays in the Mid-America college rugby conference.  Oklahoma State has won 52 NCAA team national championships. Listed below are five national team titles in current and emerging NCAA sports that were not bestowed by the NCAA. bestowed retroactively by AFCA Below are five national team titles won by Oklahoma State teams at the highest collegiate levels in non-NCAA sports:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball is the NCAA Division I varsity intercollegiate baseball team of Oklahoma State University, based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States. The team competes in the Big 12 Conference. Oklahoma State has won 31 conference championships in baseball, as well as 19 conference tournament championships, as of June 1, 2015. The Cowboys have also earned 41 NCAA Tournament bids (fourth most all-time) and have played in 20 College World Series (sixth most all-time), including seven straight from 1981\u201387, with their lone national championship coming in 1959. OSU ranks sixth in all-time win percentage among all Division I programs, with an all-time record of 2,513\u20131,266\u20134 (). The Cowboys' current head coach is Josh Holliday."}, {"context": " The 1959 Cowboys baseball team entered the season not expected to do much. Only four players, left fielder Don Soergel, and pitchers Roy Peterson, Joel Horlen, and Dick Soergel, were on the roster from the previous season. The preseason prospectus for 1959 read, \"The baseball outlook for coach Toby Greene's 16th edition of Cowboy baseball is quite questionable. Despite the return of key members from last year's pitching staff, it's hard to consider the Pokes much of a threat with graduation, grades and the pros robbing the veteran OSU mentor of all but one of his starters.\" The team compiled a 17\u20133 conference record, winning the Big Eight conference title."}, {"context": " OSU opened the 1959 national tournament with a 10\u20132 victory over Western Michigan behind a Joel Horlen five-hitter. They had to rally for three runs in the seventh in its next game against Penn State and won 8\u20136 with eleven team hits. In their next game, the Cowboys lost to Arizona by a score of 5\u20133, as Soergel lost his first career game in twelve decisions. In the losers bracket, the Pokes found themselves down 3\u20132 in the ninth, but scraped across two runs to earn the 4\u20133 victory. A Fresno State victory over Arizona that night left three teams with one loss each. Arizona won the coin toss and became the odd man out as Oklahoma State and Fresno State met for the chance to play the Wildcats for the national championship. The Cowboys beat the Bulldogs 4\u20130 to advance to the championship game."}, {"context": " In the championship game, Jim Dobson, who was voted the Most Valuable Player, opened the O-State scoring with a towering home run over the left-field fence in the fourth inning. Arizona picked up single runs in the fourth and fifth and led 2\u20131. Bancroft tied the score with a solo home run in the top of the sixth, but the Wildcats added a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth to lead 3\u20132. It was another sophomore, Bruce Andrew, who sparked the game-winning three-run rally in the top of the seventh, and OSU led 5\u20133. Soergel shut out the Wildcats in the final three innings and OSU had its first NCAA Baseball Championship."}, {"context": " Four Cowboy players were named to the College World Series All-Tournament team, including third baseman and MVP Dobson. Also selected were Bruce Andrew at second base, Connie McIlvoy in the outfield and Horlen at pitcher. <br> Allie P. Reynolds Stadium is a baseball stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It is the home field for the Oklahoma State Cowboys college baseball team. It is named after the former OSU player Allie Reynolds, who went on to play professionally for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees. The park opened in 1981 at a cost of $2.2 million. The park's capacity is 3,821."}, {"context": " The following Cowboys were given the following awards, as voted on by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and Sporting News: From 1958\u20131996, players were chosen from as the best of the Big Eight Conference. Players chosen since 1997 were chosen from the Big 12 Conference. The following is a list of First-Team All-Conference Cowboys: The Oklahoma State Cowboy baseball program has produced three National College Baseball Hall of Famers, who were inducted in the first three years of its existence. Oklahoma State baseball has its own Hall of Fame, in which players and coaches have been inducted."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team represents Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. (All women's teams at the school are known as Cowgirls.) The Cowboys currently compete in the Big 12 Conference. Since 1938, the team has played its home games in Gallagher-Iba Arena. Prior to 1957, the school was known as Oklahoma A&M College, and the teams were nicknamed the Aggies. On March 21, 2016, Brad Underwood was hired as head coach at Oklahoma State, replacing the fired Travis Ford. Just short of one year, on March 18, 2017, Underwood left the program for Illinois. Assistant Mike Boynton was promoted to head coach on March 24."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State University (then Oklahoma A&M College) began varsity intercollegiate competition in men's basketball in 1908. The Cowboys (including the predecessor Aggies teams) rank 35th in total victories among all NCAA Division I college basketball programs, with an all-time win-loss record of 1517\u20131053 (.590) at the end of 2010\u201311 season. The Cowboys (including the predecessor Aggies teams) have made 28 total appearances in the NCAA Tournament (37\u201321 overall record), reaching the NCAA Final Four six times (1945, 1946, 1949, 1951, 1995, 2004) and the NCAA Regional Finals (Elite Eight) eleven times. Oklahoma State (then Oklahoma A&M College) won the NCAA Championship in 1945 and 1946. The Cowboys rank tenth (tied with three other programs) in all-time Final Four appearances and seventh (tied with seven others) in total NCAA Championships."}, {"context": " Under nine head coaches in this period Oklahoma A&M found very little success, with only six winning seasons. Very little success was found early on and after a six-win fifteen-loss season under first-year coach John Maulbetsch things were not looking well. However, in the next three seasons Maulbetsch turned around the program, leading the Aggies to a 41\u201320 record culminating with a first-place finish in their last season in the Southwest Conference. The move to the Missouri Valley Conference in 1925 would halt the progress under this budding coach. After Maulbetsch resigned from the positions of football, baseball and basketball coach the Aggies would not have another winning season until Henry Iba took the reins in 1934. However, despite an overall record of 7-9, the Aggies did win the Missouri Valley Conference Co-Championship in 1930-31 under Coach George E. Rody with a conference record of 5-3."}, {"context": " This period in Oklahoma State basketball history was marked with mainly football coaches heading the football, baseball and basketball teams. Henry Iba came to Oklahoma A&M College in 1934 and remained for 36 years. He retired after the 1969\u201370 season. For most of his tenure at A&M/OSU, he doubled as athletic director. Iba's teams were methodical, ball-controlling units that featured weaving patterns and low scoring games. Iba's \"swinging gate\" defense (a man-to-man with team flow) was applauded by many, and is still effective in today's game. He was known as \"the Iron Duke of Defense\"."}, {"context": " Iba's Aggies became the first to win consecutive NCAA titles (1945 and 1946). His 1945\u201346 NCAA champions were led by Bob Kurland, the game's first seven-foot player. They beat NYU in the 1945 finals and North Carolina in the 1946 finals. He was voted coach of the year in both seasons. His 1945 champions also defeated National Invitation Tournament champion, DePaul, and 6' 9\" center George Mikan in a classic Red Cross Benefit game. Iba's 1949 and 1951 teams also reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament."}, {"context": " Oklahoma A&M/Oklahoma State teams won 655 games, 14 Missouri Valley Championships, and one Big Eight Championship, in 36 seasons with Iba as head men's basketball coach. \"Mr. Iba,\" as he is still popularly known at OSU, remained a fixture on campus until his death in 1993, often giving advice to players during practice. One seat in the southeast concourse level of Gallagher-Iba Arena (which was renamed in his honor in 1987) remains unused in his honor. The poor results of the final five years of Iba's tenure largely remained the status quo for Oklahoma State during the two decades following his retirement. From the 1970\u201371 to 1989\u201390 seasons, the Cowboys finished with winning records six times, finished in the top half of the Big Eight Conference standings only three times, and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament only once."}, {"context": " After being an assistant for the Cowboys in 1958\u201359, Eddie Sutton returned to Oklahoma State in 1990 to coach. In the years leading up to his hiring, the team had made postseason play only three times since joining the Big Eight Conference in 1957. The Pokes began to turn around almost immediately with Sutton's presence, and in 1991, Oklahoma State returned to the NCAA Tournament, winning their first NCAA Tournament game since making the Elite Eight in 1965. Sutton\u2019s Cowboys advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen during his first two seasons. In 1995, the Pokes, under the leadership of Bryant \"Big Country\" Reeves and Randy Rutherford, captured the Big Eight Conference Tournament and won a bid to the 1995 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. They advanced to the Final Four in Seattle, Washington, where they lost to eventual champion UCLA. It was the Cowboys' deepest advance in the tournament since 1951."}, {"context": " Led by John Lucas III, Joey Graham, and 2004 Big 12 Player of the Year Tony Allen, Sutton's 2003\u201304 team finished with a school-record 31 wins (31\u20134), won both the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the Final Four as a No. 2 seed in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys finished the season ranked No. 4 in the final AP poll and Coaches' Poll. In his 16 seasons in Stillwater, the Cowboys reached the postseason 15 times (having declined an NIT bid in Sutton's sixth season as head coach), including 13 NCAA Tournament bids and two Final Four appearances. They also captured three regular-season conference titles and three conference tournament championships. Sutton finished his career at OSU as the second-winningest coach in school history, behind only his mentor, Iba."}, {"context": " On January 27, 2001, one of three planes carrying Oklahoma State staff and players crashed in a snow storm near Byers, Colorado, killing all 10 on board. The plane was on its way back from a loss against the University of Colorado. Those killed included Nate Fleming, a redshirt freshman guard; Dan Lawson, a junior guard; Bill Teegins, radio sportscaster of OSU basketball and sports anchor on CBS affiliate KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City; Kendall Durfey, television and radio engineer; Will Hancock, media relations coordinator; Pat Noyes, director of basketball operations; Brian Luinstra, athletic trainer; Jared Weiberg, student assistant; Denver Mills, pilot; and Bjorn Falistrom, co-pilot."}, {"context": " Since 2007, Oklahoma State has honored these ten during an annual 5k and 10K race called the Remember the Ten Run. Eddie Sutton's son, Sean Sutton, also a former Cowboy player, took over head coaching duties in 2006. Following a record of 39\u201329 during his first two seasons, Sutton resigned under pressure after a March 31, 2008, meeting with Athletic Director Mike Holder. On April 16, 2008, Travis Ford was hired as the eighteenth men's basketball head coach at Oklahoma State. He resigned from the same position with the UMass Minutemen to take the position. At the time of his hiring, he had a Division I coaching record of 123\u2013115. Ford also coached at Eastern Kentucky and Campbellsville University (NAIA). As a player, he was coached by Norm Stewart at the University of Missouri as a freshman. He transferred after his freshman season and played for three years (1992\u201394) at the University of Kentucky under Rick Pitino."}, {"context": " Ford was fired on March 18, 2016 after a season in which the Cowboys went 3\u201315 in Big 12 play and 12\u201320 overall. Although he led the Cowboys to five NCAA tournaments in his eight seasons in charge, he never led the Cowboys to a top-two finish in conference play, and finished sixth or worse in the Big 12 seven times. Three days after Ford's firing, Oklahoma State hired Brad Underwood from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). He began his coaching career at Kansas State, first serving as director of basketball operations for a season and then serving as an assistant for five more. Underwood then went to South Carolina as an assistant for a season before being hired to his first head coaching post at SFA. During his three seasons in charge, the Lumberjacks went 89\u201314 overall and 53\u20131 in Southland Conference regular-season play, making the NCAA tournament all three seasons and advancing to the second round twice. Underwood's 89 wins tie him with Brad Stevens for the most wins by a men's basketball head coach in his first three seasons at an NCAA school. He is also the first coach to be named Southland Conference Coach of the Year three consecutive times. On March 18, 2017 Brad Underwood was hired at Illinois."}, {"context": " The school promoted assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. to head coach on March 24. The Cowboys have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 28 times. Their combined record is 38\u201327. They are two time National Champions (1945, 1946). The Cowboys have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 12 times. Their combined record is 9\u201313. Gallagher-Iba Arena, once dubbed \u201cMadison Square Garden of the Plains\u201d, is the basketball and wrestling venue at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Originally completed in 1938 and named the 4-H Club and Student Activities Building, it was soon renamed Gallagher Hall to honor wrestling coach, Ed Gallagher. After renovations in 1987, the name became Gallagher-Iba Arena, as a tribute to longtime basketball coach and innovator, Henry Iba. Gallagher-Iba Arena was named the best college gymnasium by CBS SportsLine.com in August 2001."}, {"context": " The first basketball game was played on December 9, 1938, when Iba's Oklahoma A&M Aggies beat Phog Allen\u2019s Kansas Jayhawks, 21\u201315, in a battle between two of the nation's early basketball powers. In its original configuration, seating was limited to 6,381. Though small by today's standards, it was the largest collegiate facility in the country when completed. The original maple floor, still in use today, was the most expensive of its kind in America when it was installed in 1938. Oklahoma State completed a $55 million expansion of Gallagher-Iba Arena prior to the 1999\u20132000 Cowboy basketball season. Rather than build a new, off-campus arena to accommodate the need for additional seating, the decision was made to expand Gallagher-Iba Arena itself to more than double its original capacity (from its 6,381 seat-capacity to its current 13,611 seats). The old sightlines and the original white maple floor were kept (it remains the oldest original basketball court floor still in use).  On January 15, 2005, the court was officially named after Eddie Sutton as Eddie Sutton Court."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team plane crash", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State University Cowboys basketball team plane crash occurred on January 27, 2001, at 19:37 EST, when a Beechcraft Super King Air 200, registration N81PF, carrying 2 players on the Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team along with 6 OSU broadcasters & members of the OSU coaching staff, crashed in a field east of Denver, near Strasburg, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The pilot had become disoriented in a snow storm. The plane was flying from Jefferson County Airport to Stillwater Regional Airport after the team's loss to the Colorado Buffaloes.  The plane was carrying 2 crew members (pilot Denver Mills, and co-pilot Bjorn Fahlstrom) and eight passengers involved with Oklahoma State basketball. All ten individuals died. Oklahoma State has a memorial erected to them, entitled \"Remember the Ten\", inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Cowboys football", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University\u2013Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and competes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his fourteenth year as head coach. Oklahoma State plays their home games at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma A&M Aggies (also referred to as the Tigers) played their first season of football in 1900 and joined their first conference for the start of the 1915 season, the Southwest Conference. In 1925, the Oklahoma A&M program joined the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association. In 1928, the MVIAA split into the Big Six Conference and the Missouri Valley Conference. A&M was the only large school that joined the smaller MVC."}, {"context": " Jim Lookabaugh led the Aggies for eleven seasons, which included a 9\u20130 campaign and a national championship in 1945 which followed an 8\u20131 season the year before. Lookabaugh was an OSU alum who lettered in multiple sports. In October 2016, Oklahoma State was retroactively awarded the 1945 national championship by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) even though the 1945 Army team was the unanimous AP champion and is widely considered one of the greatest football teams of all time (Army did not apply to the AFCA for the honor; OSU remains the only team to apply for any of the 28 years considered). Lookabaugh stepped down after the 1949 season, finishing his tenure with a mark of 58\u201341\u20136."}, {"context": " From 1950 to 1954, Jennings B. Whitworth coached at Oklahoma A&M, and compiled a 22\u201327\u20131 record, which included only one winning season, a 7\u20133 campaign in 1953. Whitworth departed A&M to accept the head coaching position at Alabama following the 1954 season. In 1951, Oklahoma A&M players and coaches caused the Johnny Bright incident, a violent on-field assault against an African American player from Drake University, Johnny Bright; Oklahoma A&M administration would attempt to cover up and deny the incident for over half a century."}, {"context": " Cliff Speegle took the reins of the Oklahoma A&M Cowboys. Under Speegle's tutelage, the Cowboys compiled a record of 36\u201342\u20133, which included three winning seasons from 1957 to 1959. The losing record, combined with an 0\u20138 mark against rival Oklahoma, resulted in Speegle's firing following the 1962 season. In 1956, A&M announced it was joining (or rejoining, depending on one's view) what had become the Big Seven for the 1958\u201359 academic year. As part of a transition period, the Cowboys went independent for two years. On May 15, 1957, Oklahoma A&M changed its name to Oklahoma State University. They officially became a part of the renamed Big Eight Conference in 1958."}, {"context": " Longtime Bear Bryant assistant Phil Cutchin led Oklahoma State to its first win over Oklahoma in 20 years, but failed to bring success to Stillwater, compiling a mark of 19\u201338\u20132. Cutchin was replaced by the OSU administration eager to see a winning product on the field. Oklahoma State continued to struggle under head coach Floyd Gass, an OSU alum, who led the Cowboy football program for three seasons. During his tenure, he led the team to three straight losing seasons. Fan and administration support became increasingly hard to come by as the on-field production slipped. Despite the lack of football success, Gass would serve in multiple capactities at OSU, including athletics director for several years after his resignation as football coach."}, {"context": " The Cowboys were finally able to enjoy a winning season \u2014their first in nine years\u2014in 1974 under the leadership of head coach Dave Smith. However, Smith wouldn't stick around, as he departed for the head coaching position at SMU after just one season in Stillwater. Jim Stanley, a two-time defensive coordinator at OSU, returned to Stillwater to become the head coach of the Cowboys in 1973. He coached them from 1973 to 1978, amassing a career record of 35\u201331\u20132. Stanley's Cowboys earned a Fiesta Bowl victory in 1974 and his 1976 team ended the season 9\u20133 finishing as a Big Eight tri-champions on their way to a Tangerine Bowl victory. His success at Oklahoma State earned him many accolades, including being invited to coach three collegiate all-star games: the 1973 East\u2013West Shrine Game, the 1977 Hula Bowl, and the 1977 Japan Bowl."}, {"context": " In 1978, the Big Eight Conference initiated an investigation into the OSU football program in response to allegations of violations of several NCAA rules and regulations while Stanley was head coach. Stanley successfully filed suit against the conference to require them to provide various due process protections in their final hearing on the charges. In 1979, Jimmy Johnson got the head coaching job at Oklahoma State. Johnson's successful rebuilding of the inconsistent Cowboys football program is a hallmark in the long history of Cowboy football. In his final season, he led the Cowboys to an 8\u20134 record and a 24\u201314 victory over 20th-ranked Baylor in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. The season included a season opening romp over then #12 ranked Arizona State in Tempe, and a Bedlam matchup between the #2 ranked Oklahoma Sooners and the #3-ranked Cowboys on November 24, 1984. A game in which the Cowboys ultimately lost, 24\u201314."}, {"context": " In 1984, when he was offered the head coaching job at Miami, Jimmy Johnson was unsure if he wanted to leave Stillwater. His good friend Larry Lacewell told Johnson that if he wanted to win a national championship and eventually coach in the NFL he had to take the Miami job. Johnson soon after accepted the head coaching job at Miami. Jimmy Johnson left OSU with an overall record of 29\u201325\u20133. Pat Jones was promoted from assistant coach to head coach following Johnson's departure. He served as head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1984 to 1994 after five years as an assistant under Jimmy Johnson. During his 11 years at Oklahoma State, he compiled a 62\u201360\u20133 record, including a 3\u20131 bowl game record. Jones was named Big Eight Coach of the Year in both 1984 and 1992. From 1984 to 1988, Jones led the Cowboys to the most successful period in school history at the time. With a talented roster that included running backs Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas, wide receiver Hart Lee Dykes and quarterback Mike Gundy, they went 44\u201315 over this five-year stretch, including the school's first three-year stretch of ten-win seasons."}, {"context": " Running back Barry Sanders played for the Cowboys from 1986 to 1988. During his first two seasons at Oklahoma State, he backed up All-American Thurman Thomas. In 1987, Sanders led the nation in yards per kickoff return (31.6), while also rushing for over 600 yards and scoring 8 touchdowns. Thomas moved on to the NFL, and Sanders became the starter for his junior year. In 1988, in what has been called the greatest individual season in college football history, Sanders led the nation by averaging 7.6 yards per carry and over 200 yards per game, including rushing for over 300 yards in four games. Despite his massive workload of 344 carries, Sanders was still used as the team's punt and kickoff returner, adding another 516 yards on special teams. He set college football season records with 2,628 yards rushing, 3,248 total yards, 234 points, 39 touchdowns, 37 rushing touchdowns, 5 consecutive 200 yard games, scored at least 2 touchdowns in 11 consecutive games, and 9 times he scored at least 3 touchdowns. Sanders also ran for 222 yards and scored 5 touchdowns in his three quarters of action in the 1988 Holiday Bowl, a game that is not included in the official NCAA season statistics. Sanders learned of his Heisman Trophy win while he was with the team in Tokyo, Japan, preparing to face Texas Tech in the Coca-Cola Classic. He chose to leave Oklahoma State before his senior season to enter the NFL draft."}, {"context": " Days after the 1988 season, Oklahoma State and the NCAA released the results of an unusual joint investigation into the football program. The investigation revealed several major violations dating prior to Johnson's tenure, principally involvement in a \"bidding war\" for Dykes out of high school. The Cowboys were banned from bowl games for three years and from live television for two years, and they were also limited to 20 scholarships from 1989 to 1992. Jones was not directly implicated in any wrongdoing; indeed, the investigation found that no violations had taken place in two years. He was unable to put together another winning team due to the sanctions, and left OSU after the 1994 season. In Jones' last six years, the Cowboys won only seven games in Big Eight play, including three seasons of winless conference records. Oklahoma State would need almost the entire decade of the 1990s to recover; with only one winning season coming between 1989 and 2001."}, {"context": " Bob Simmons came to OSU from his post as defensive line coach at Colorado to replace Jones. Simmons' teams were largely unsuccessful, and Simmons resigned under pressure following the 2000 season. His final record in Stillwater was 30\u201338 with just one winning campaign, an 8\u20134 season in 1997 that culminated in a loss in the Alamo Bowl. In 1996, OSU joined with the other Big Eight schools and four schools from the old Southwest Conference to form the Big 12 Conference. After Simmons' resignation, a coaching search produced Dirk Koetter as the new head coach. Hours after accepting the job, Koetter reneged on his offer in order to coach at Arizona State."}, {"context": " The next two candidates were Les Miles, a former OSU offensive coordinator, and Mike Gundy, a former OSU player and coach. Miles was hired as head coach while Gundy was brought on as offensive coordinator. In his first year as head coach, Miles would achieve a 4\u20137 record. In the 2001 regular season finale, the underdog Cowboys would defeat the reigning National Champion Oklahoma Sooners in Norman 16\u201313. In 2002, Miles would post a 7\u20135 regular season record. The Cowboys again defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, this time in Stillwater. The team would go on to three straight bowl games in Miles's last three years as head coach ('02,'03,'04). Miles left after the 2004 season to take the head coaching position at LSU."}, {"context": " Mike Gundy was promoted from offensive coordinator and named immediately as Miles' successor and the 22nd head coach at Oklahoma State. Gundy is one of three head football coaches at Oklahoma State to have played for Oklahoma State, along with Jim Lookabaugh and Floyd Gass. His first season saw the expulsion of eleven players from the team and the Cowboys struggled to a 4\u20137 record winning only one Big 12 conference game. In his second season, the Cowboy offense began to click and the Cowboys would finish 7\u20136 including a victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Independence Bowl. In 2007, the Cowboys again posted a 6\u20136 regular season record and a bowl win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the Insight Bowl. After their second straight bowl appearance, Gundy was rewarded with a contract extension through the 2013 season."}, {"context": " After posting a 9\u20133 regular season record in 2008, Coach Gundy received a new seven-year contract worth $15.7 million. The contract, which extends through the 2015 season, was taken into effect on January 1, 2009. Gundy's tenure as head coach of the Cowboys has seen the rise and expansion of not only his football program, but the football facilities as well. The Cowboys began the 2009 season ranked #9 in the country in the AP Top 25, but the dreams of a miracle season were crushed when the Pokes lost 45\u201335 to the unranked Houston Cougars at home the following week, and later finding out that star wide receiver Dez Bryant was ruled ineligible for the remainder of the season, for lying to the NCAA about having contact with 8-time pro bowler Deion Sanders, which wasn't an NCAA violation in the first place. The following year, Oklahoma State hired Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen from the University of Houston. In 2010 coach Gundy recorded the first ever 11-win season in Oklahoma State history. What was supposed to be a rebuilding year turned into the best in school history."}, {"context": " Under Gundy there have been a series of NFL quality wide receivers to come through Boone Pickens Stadium. These include Adarius Bowman, Dez Bryant, and Justin Blackmon. On December 3, 2011, the Cowboys won their first Big-12 Championship in school history with a 44\u201310 victory over rival Oklahoma in the Bedlam Series. The nationally third-ranked Cowboys eventually went on to win the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl by beating fourth-ranked Stanford in overtime, 41\u201338, on January 2, 2012. On October 29, 2016, Mike Gundy recorded his 100th victory as a head coach with a 37\u201320 win over # 10 West Virginia. In the process, notching his sixth victory over a top 10 ranked school. Mike Gundy is the only Oklahoma State football coach to record 100 victories, and only the 6th coach to reach such a milestone with his current school."}, {"context": " OSU has two national championships. The 2011 team was selected by NCAA-designated major selector Colley Matrix. In 2016, the AFCA committee retroactively selected the 1945 team. Oklahoma State claims the 1945 championship. The Cowboys have won ten conference championships, six outright and four shared. \u2020 Co-champions Oklahoma State has had 22 head coaches since the 1901 inaugural season. The Cowboys have played in 28 bowl games, garnering a record of 18\u201310. They are 4\u20134 in the six major bowl games (Rose, Peach, Cotton Bowl Classic, Sugar, Fiesta & Orange), with their biggest win being over Stanford in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl, with the win making them finish 3rd in the final poll, the highest ever finish for a Cowboy team."}, {"context": " The first Bedlam game was held at Island Park in Guthrie, Oklahoma. It was a cold, and very windy day with the temperatures well below the freezing mark. At one moment in the game when the Oklahoma A&M Aggies were punting, the wind carried the ball backwards behind the kicker. If the Oklahoma A&M squad recovered the ball it would be a touchback and if the University of Oklahoma squad recovered it, it would be a touchdown. The ball kept going backwards and rolled down a hill into the half-frozen creek. Since a touchdown was at stake, members of both teams dove into the icy waters to recover the ball. A member of the OU team came out with the ball and downed it for a touchdown, eventually winning the game 75\u20130.[2] Thus was the beginning of Bedlam."}, {"context": " Author Steve Budin, whose father was a New York bookie, has recently publicized the claim that the 1954 \"Bedlam\" game against rival OU was fixed by mobsters in his book \"Bets, Drugs, and Rock & Roll\" (). Allegedly, the mobsters threatened and paid off a cook to slip laxatives into a soup eaten by many OU Sooner starting players, causing them to fall violently ill in the days leading up to the game. OU was victorious in the end, but their 14\u20130 win did not cover the 20-point spread they had in their favor. However, many people involved in the 1954 contest do not recall any incident like the one purported by Budin to have occurred. The University of Oklahoma leads the Bedlam Series in football 87\u201318\u20137."}, {"context": " The Cowboys also have a rivalry with Tulsa. Oklahoma State leads Tulsa in the all-time series 40\u201327\u20135, winning the most recent match up in 2017, 59\u201324. Since 1990 Tulsa is 3\u20139 versus Oklahoma State with the Cowboys scoring at least 36 points in each of the last four contests. The Cowboys have a twenty-game home winning streak against Tulsa. The last time Tulsa won in Stillwater was 1951. Oklahoma State plays in Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The original football field was inaugurated in 1913, and the first stand was built in 1920. At that time the field was repositioned from a north-south to an east-west configuration to avoid the strong prevailing winds of Northern Oklahoma. From 1914 until 2004, the stadium was named Lewis Field, named after popular professor and dean Laymon Lowery Lewis. Even though a stadium would not be built for six years after the field's inception, the students felt obliged to name their alma mater's field after their beloved \"Dr. Lew\"."}, {"context": " By 1930 the capacity had risen to 13,000 and increased again in 1947. Major additions, including the first press box, brought the capacity to 30,000. In 1950 again seats were added and the total capacity increased to 39,000. The next renovations came in 1972 and for the next three decades the capacity hovered around 50,000. In 2003, alumnus T. Boone Pickens made a historic donation to the university for improvements to its athletic facilities, and it was announced that the stadium would be renamed in his honor. The announcement of the renovation came after two consecutive victories over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Bedlam Series. To this day, Boone Pickens Stadium is one of a very few major college football stadiums with an east-west configuration. The latest renovation of the football stadium was completed in 2009, with the capacity at 60,218. In 2017, Oklahoma State renumbered and expanded the current seats, leaving the new capacity at 56,790 in an effort to increase seat width and improve the fan experience. In 2018, Oklahoma State installed a 6,160 square foot video board on the fa\u00e7ade of Gallagher-Iba Arena in the stadiums East endzone. The jumbotron will be one of the ten largest in the country, placing it ahead of USC's jumbotron at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum."}, {"context": " In 2007, plans to build the Sherman E. Smith Training Center were unveiled. The 92,000 square foot indoor practice facility was completed in 2013. On September 10, 2013, \"Sports Illustrated\" published the first of 5 stories alleging misconduct during Les Miles tenure and extending into the Mike Gundy era. Writers Thayer Evans and George Dohrmann reportedly engaged in a 10-month-long investigation into wrongdoing throughout the early-mid 2000s of the Oklahoma State football program. The first installment \"The Money\" made allegations of illicit gifts, overzealous boosters, no-show jobs, and a bounty system in place. The second installment, \"The Academics\" alleged academic fraud, steering athletes into easy pass or no-show classes, and grade tampering. The third installment, \"The Drugs\" painted a picture of a drug culture, in which the players were selling drugs, and the school did little to curtail drug usage. The fourth installment, \"The Sex\" was heavily edited by all accounts, considering its late online release time. This installment revealed a hostess program where the head coaches oversaw the application process, and writers implied the hostesses were expected to have sex with recruits. The final installment \"The Fallout\" told the tale of Artrell Woods, who had left school after a horrific accident from which he had recovered."}, {"context": " While at first shocking to fans and media, Oklahoma State immediately pledged transparency. Athletic Director Mike Holder held a press conference the day before the release and apologized for the bad publicity, and promised to investigate the claims. OSU then hired independent investigator, Charles Smrt to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. ESPN later debunked several of the claims in the story by simply calling OSU's registrar and obtaining a transcript from Tatum Bell that proved he was not in school during stated timelines. Further controversy began to surround the \"Sports Illustrated\" article when Jason Whitlock, a former colleague of Evans, claimed that he was a huge fan of the University of Oklahoma. Dohrmann went on national syndicated radio with Doug Gottlieb and stated that Fath' Carter had two degrees from OSU. When questioned by ESPN's Brett McMurphy, the registrars' office later stated that Fath' Carter had never graduated. Brandon Weeden also was able to point to unprofessional behavior from Evans displayed during a press conference. DeadSpin also found out that many crucial professors and tutors never were interviewed for the story."}, {"context": " In June 2014, John Talley, a spokesperson for the FCA chapter at Oklahoma State had filed a lawsuit against Dohrmann, Time Inc., and Evans for false-light accusations which painted him as an overzealous booster. In his lawsuit, Talley is seeking damages of $75,000. In July 2014, OSU confirmed that the NCAA had been investigating the allegations. On October 21, 2014, the NCAA and The Compliance Group, an independent investigation firm led by Charles Smrt, jointly released a statement that the allegations contained in the Sports Illustrated story were \"fundamentally unfounded\". The NCAA and the investigator had pored over 50,000 emails and had unfettered access to all areas of the compliance department and re-interviewed those who were quoted in the story. The report stated \"\"Overall, several interviewees indicated that they reported to SI general information or incidents about college football but that the SI reporter indicated that the incident occurred at OSU.\"\" During the joint investigation, however, three lesser allegations \u2013 not related to the Sports Illustrated claims, and labeled as Level II violations- were uncovered"}, {"context": " \"\"During the period of fall 2007 through the spring of 2013, approximately 1,572 drug tests occurred of football players. There were 94 positives involving approximately 60 student-athletes per the policy. (According to the company used by the University to conduct its drug testing program, this positive rate per total number of tests is slightly less than the national average). The institution examined the application of the policy in those 94 situations and believes that on four occasions, the applicable penalty per the policy was not applied and reported this information to the Enforcement Staff.\"\""}, {"context": " Also, it was deemed that the Orange Pride spirit program was chartered under the football program, but a recent NCAA policy change in 2007 required spirit clubs to form under the admissions department. Because of these two minor violations, OSU was cited for a failure to monitor in these two instances. The total cost for the independent investigation amounted to $221,055.18. On January 22, 2015, Burns Hargis and other OSU officials visited the NCAA offices in Indianapolis to appeal to the NCAA. Even as Level II allegations, OSU officials considered them harsh and sought to have them reduced further. Hargis stated OSU's intent on having those Level II allegations reconsidered, possibly as Level III."}, {"context": " On April 24, 2015, the NCAA announced the sanctions against Oklahoma State would include an $8,500 fine and one-year probation to avoid further citings. The University self-imposed limits on the number of recruiting visits, off-campus evaluations, and the number of evaluation days in the fall and spring recruiting periods all of which will expire in 2016. The University is also not allowed to use the Orange Pride program to assist with recruiting visits for four years (2019\u20132020 season). No scholarships were reduced and no postseason bans were put into place."}, {"context": " Throughout the 2000s, the Cowboys had four main uniform combinations. For the 2011 football season, it was revealed that Nike had created new uniforms for the Cowboys, offering three different helmet options in either gray, black, or white. New jerseys and pants consisting of black, orange, grey and white also came aboard, allowing for up to 48 different variations. The Cowboys debuted their new gray uniforms for the first game of the 2011 season. In a 2012 home game against Iowa State, the Cowboys debuted the new orange helmets, along with a new Pistol Pete decal. This would bring the different uniform combinations up to 64."}, {"context": " The uniform combinations are chosen before the season by a committee of players and the Cowboys equipment manager, Wes Edwards. A few patterns have evolved since the origination of the multiple uniform era. Thursday night games during 2009, 2010, 2011, and in 2014 have involved black uniforms. Another trend has the Cowboys reverting to the traditional White Helmet/Traditional Brand Logo/Orange Jersey/White Pants for the home opener in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Bowl games for the 2012 Fiesta Bowl, the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl, and the high-profile 2014 season opener in the Cowboys Classic featured Oklahoma State wearing all black."}, {"context": " During the 2012 season, fans saw the addition of the orange helmet, and the addition of new decals. For the first time since 1979, the Cowboys took the field in \"All Orange\" against Iowa State for Homecoming. Also during the 2012 season, new carbon fiber gray helmets replaced the matte gray that had been used in 2011. The Cowboys helmet logos include a Pistol Pete logo, as well as what fans refer to as \"Phantom Pete\". The \"OSU\" Branded logo was now featured in different variants, to reflect the helmet being worn. During 2013, OSU began incorporating a stripe down the center of their helmets for different variations. In 2014, OSU revealed two new helmet choices- a \"classic Aggie\" which paid homage to the bucking Aggie logo used in the 1940s and 1950s when the school was still called Oklahoma A&M Aggies. The other helmet was an Orange-Chrome with an oversized, off-center Pistol Pete. This was worn in a Thursday night victory over Texas Tech.  The student section has a tradition of hitting orange paddles on the sideline wall at home games. This tradition apparently started in the early 1990s, and has since become an official group within the university. The orange paddles have the word \"pokes\" in bold letters written on them. \"As of August 2, 2018.\" Announced schedules as of May 11, 2017"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Cowboys football statistical leaders", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Cowboys football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Oklahoma State Cowboys football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Cowboys represent Oklahoma State University\u2013Stillwater in the NCAA's Big 12 Conference. Although Oklahoma State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1901, the school's official record book considers the \"modern era\" to have begun in 1945. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.  These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: These lists are updated through the 2017 season. Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling team is a NCAA Division I wrestling program and is one of four Big 12 Conference schools that participates in wrestling. Since the team's first season in 1914\u201315, it has won thirty-four team national championships (three of which are unofficial), 134 individual NCAA championships, and 213 wrestlers have earned 425 All-American honors. The Cowboys won the first official NCAA Division I Wrestling Team Championship in 1929. The Cowboys have won 47 conference team championships and 234 individual conference titles. The program owns an all-time dual meet record of 1021-113-23. On January 28th 2011, OSU became the second school in NCAA history to record one thousand dual victories, joining Iowa State University."}, {"context": " Cowboy wrestling extends back to 1914\u201315 when A.M. Colville coached the school's first team. That team lost the school's first dual meet to Texas. The next season, legendary coach Edward C. Gallagher would take over the team. He coached the first national championship team in 1928. He was also the coach of eight of the first ten national champion teams as his teams won in 1928, 1929, 1930, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1940. Only a strong 1936 Oklahoma team coached by Paul Keen kept him from sweeping the first 10 official NCAA Championships. He coached 50 official All-Americans and 26 official individual champions in the earliest days of the tournament. Following his death in 1940, the school had to find a coach who could continue their winning tradition."}, {"context": " The man chosen to replace Edward C. Gallagher was Art Griffith. Art Griffith was the coach for Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma before succeeding Gallagher. In his 15 years there, he won 94 of 100 matches, including 50 in a row at one point. Because of this experience, he was selected to be the new Oklahoma State head coach. It ended up being a good choice, as he won 8 NCAA Championships in his 13 seasons there and continued two streaks left by Gallagher. First, he extended the four consecutive championships Gallagher had left with to 7, finally losing out in 1947 to Cornell College. Second, he extended the 27 consecutive dual meet victory streak to 76, before finally losing in 1951. Griffith's wrestlers won 27 individual championships and were All-Americans 64 times from 1941\u20131956. He retired on top after winning three consecutive NCAA Championships and going 78-7-4 for his career, including ten undefeated teams."}, {"context": " One of Griffith's wrestlers, Myron Roderick, was chosen to immediately succeed his former coach following his retirement in 1956. As a wrestler for Griffith, Roderick went 42\u20132 and was a 3 time national champion from 1954\u20131956. After he returned from the 1956 Olympics, he took over as head coach. His first team was one of his least successful, finishing fourth at nationals with only one champion and 3 All-Americans to his credit. However, his 1957\u201358 and 1958\u201359 teams dominated the NCAA tournament, winning in convincing fashion with four champions and 15 All-Americans between the two years. His 1960 team couldn't compete with a much stronger Oklahoma team coached by Thomas Evans. However, Roderick's teams once again rebounded with championships in 1961 and 1962, winning 5 individual championships and another 15 All-Americans. By the end of his career in 1969, he had coached 7 team champions, 20 individual champions, and 79 All-Americans."}, {"context": " The dual success continued into the 1970s and 80s, with Tommy Chesbro leading the way from 1969-84. However, the NCAA title train ended during Chesbro's tenure, which mostly coincided with the sudden rise of Iowa wrestling under Dan Gable. The Cowboys won only one title under Chesbro\u2019s watch. Still, Chesbro managed to pass Gallagher as the winningest coach in school history. His dual mark of 227-26-0 would remain the best record in the history of the program until it was surpassed by current coach John Smith."}, {"context": " Smith took over the Cowboy wrestling program in 1991 in the wake of NCAA sanctions and probation left over from previous head coach Joe Seay, who had won two national titles with a 114-18-2 overall record. Smith\u2019s first season saw the Cowboys take second at Nationals, but his second season was crippled by the probation. The Pokes went 4\u20137 and were banned from post-season competition. But the next season, the Cowboys were back as top wrestlers who had taken a redshirt year during the probation (such as four-time champion, and current assistant coach Pat Smith and Alan Fried) were back on the mat. OSU went 13\u20131 that year and won the team title."}, {"context": " The middle part of the 90s, however, saw the OSU program grow somewhat stagnant. Wrestlers were still winning individual titles and claiming All-American honors and the team was still winning Big Eight and Big 12 Conference crowns, but their showings at Nationals were disappointing. Between 1995\u20132002, the Cowboys placed no better than second (once, in 1997) and finished third three times (1998, 1999, 2001). But in 2002, the Cowboys were back in the saddle once again, winning the conference and NCAA titles and sporting a 17\u20130 record. It would be the first of four straight national championships (2003\u201306), firmly reestablishing OSU's dominance in the wrestling world. The Cowboys were at their peak from 2002 to 2005, when they sported a combined record of 55\u20132. Smith currently has 239 wins as coach at OSU, the most ever in school history."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State has a history of alumni wrestlers and top UFC contenders throughout the years. Like current UFC Middleweight contender Mark Munoz, the UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier, former UFC Welterweight Champion and current contender Johny Hendricks, and 2x former UFC Champion and UFC Hall of Fame member Randy Couture. 2 decorated collegiate wrestlers in the Rosholt brothers currently compete in Mixed Martial Arts are Jake Rosholt (3x NCAA Champion: '03, '05, & '06) and Jared Rosholt (2010 NCAA Finalist) as well as former UFC fighter Don Frye and Bellator fighter and former Strikeforce Champion Muhammed Lawal. Shane Roller retired from MMA in 2012 having earned NCAA All-American honors with the Cowboy Wrestling team, and then becoming an assistant coach with the program gaining 3 NCAA team titles."}, {"context": " Home meets are held in the 13,611 seat Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater. The arena is named in part after Oklahoma State's legendary wrestling coach Edward C. Gallagher. Gallagher-Iba was known as Gallagher Hall for nearly five decades until the name was amended to honor former Oklahoma State basketball coach Henry Iba upon the facility's first renovation during the 1987\u20131988 season. Oklahoma State has held their home wrestling meets in the arena since its completion in 1938. The arena was formally dedicated on February 3, 1939, during a wrestling dual versus Indiana. During the December 9, 2005 Bedlam wrestling dual, a permanently reserved seat for Gallagher was unveiled, adjacent to a reserved seat for Iba."}, {"context": " Gallagher-Iba underwent a massive renovation project in 2000 and 2001, which included an expansion of the seating capacity from 6,381 to the present 13,611. While the expansion project caused attendance at basketball games to almost double, the wrestling crowds have yet to pack the arena to the rafters as they did in the original Gallagher Hall. However, attendance usually spikes when rivals come to Stillwater, most notably the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and Bedlam foe Oklahoma. While the unruly atmosphere has been somewhat diminished, the renovation project has yielded positives for the Cowboy wrestling program. Among which are the new wrestling center and other new training facilities built inside the athletics center, much to the benefit all OSU student-athletes."}, {"context": " The venerable arena has long played a part in the history and legends of the OSU wrestling program. During the 1978 Big 8 wrestling championships, a standing-room-only crowd of 8,300 made such a huge roar that many of the lights in the arena burst. Gallagher-Iba has also seen many long undefeated streaks for the Pokes, including 34 unbeaten and untied seasons at home. The home mat advantage for the Pokes and the ferocious attitude of the thousands of OSU fans packed in the original 6,381-seat bandbox led to the arena's nickname \"Gallagher's House of Horrors.\""}, {"context": " Despite the overwhelming mainstream popularity of the games played on the gridiron and hardwood, the Bedlam Series roots lie on the wrestling mat. In fact, the term 'Bedlam' used to describe this intrastate rivalry has its roots based in the rivalry that brewed between the schools' prestigious wrestling programs. The term is said to have been born on the night of a particularly heated wrestling dual in Stillwater at Gallagher Hall. A newspaper writer was said to have emerged from the building exclaiming to others outside, \"It's bedlam in there!\""}, {"context": " Oklahoma State holds a seemingly insurmountable advantage in the wrestling series, which began in 1920. The Cowboys own an impressive 126-26-10 record against the Sooners through the 2009\u201310 season. While normally this sort of one-sided advantage can be attributed to one school being rather weak, the Bedlam domination by Oklahoma State is very different in that Oklahoma actually has one of the historically strongest wrestling programs in America. This dominance over such a highly touted rival has long been a source of great pride for Oklahoma State fans. In recent years, Bedlam wrestling duals in Norman have been moved out of the Lloyd Noble Center to the considerably smaller McCasland Field House so as to prevent Cowboy fans from dominating the atmosphere despite being the visiting team.  Both programs have been very successful on the national level, Oklahoma winning seven team national championships in its history, while Oklahoma State's highly decorated wrestling program has amassed a record thirty-four team national titles."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Cowgirls basketball", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Cowgirls women's basketball team represents Oklahoma State University and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I. The team's head coach is Jim Littell, who took over after former head coach Kurt Budke was killed in a plane crash in November 2011. The Cowgirls play their home games in the Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU first fielded a women's team during the 1973\u201374 season. Head women's basketball coaches OSU has played in the Big 8 and the Big 12 conferences. The school joined the Big 12 in 1997 when the Big 8 merged with several former members of the defunct Southwest Conference.  Conference tournament winners noted with # Source"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Department of Education", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Department of Education is the state education agency of the State of Oklahoma charged with determining the policies and directing the administration and supervision of the public school system of Oklahoma. The State Board of Education, the governing body of the Department, is composed of the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction and six members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. The State Superintendent, in addition to serving as chair of the Board, serves as the chief executive officer of the Department and is elected by the voters of Oklahoma every four years."}, {"context": " The current State Superintendent of Public Instruction is Joy Hofmeister who defeated incumbent Janet Barresi who was elected State Superintendent in 2014. The State Board of Education, and thus the State Department of Education, was created in its current configuration in 1971 during the term of Governor David Hall. The agency maintains its headquarters in the Oliver Hodge Building at 2500 North Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City. Together with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Department forms the core of Oklahoma's public education system."}, {"context": " The Department is led by the Secretary of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (who is the Chair of the State Board of Education). Under Governor Mary Fallin, the Education Secretary is Melissa McLawhorn Houston and Joy Hofmeister serves as State Superintendent. At the ratification of the Oklahoma Constitution in 1907, the State Superintendent, the Governor of Oklahoma, the Secretary of State of Oklahoma, and the Attorney General of Oklahoma served as the State Board of Education. With the passage of the Oklahoma School Code of 1971, the Board consisted of seven members: the State Superintendent (who serves as Chair, and is a statewide elected official) and six members appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate. In order to be eligible to serve on the Board, members must possess a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency. The members appointed by the Governor serve staggered six year terms so that one member's term expires every year."}, {"context": " All appointments take effect on April 2 of the year of appointment. Excluding the State Superintendent, there must be at least one member representing each congressional district of the State. Any remaining members are appointed from the state at large, provided that only one member may represent any given county, city or town. In the event of vacancy, the Governor appoints a new member, subject to confirmation by the Senate at the next session of the Legislature, to serve the remainder of the unexpired term."}, {"context": " Members of the Board serve without compensation but are reimbursed for travel expenses. As of 2017, the current board members are: \u2022 Joy Hofmeister, Chair of the Board \u2022 Maj. Gen. Leo J. (Lee) Baxter of Lawton; represents Congressional District 4, term ends April 2014 \u2022 Amy Anne Ford of Durant; represents Congressional District 2, term ends April 2015 \u2022 Cathryn Franks of Hobary; represents Congressional District 3, term ends April 2015 \u2022 Daniel Keation of Tulsa; represents Congressional District 3, term ends April 2015"}, {"context": " \u2022 William \u201cBill\u201d Price of Oklahoma City; represents Congressional District 5, term ends April 2015 \u2022 William Shdeed of Oklahoma City; at-large, term ends April 2015 It is the primary responsibility of the State Board of Education to perform all duties necessary to the administration of the public school system in Oklahoma as specified in the Oklahoma School Code of 1971. The Board is responsible for establishing and prescribing the duties of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who is the chief executive officer of the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma public school system. Such duties include the responsibility to give advice and make recommendations to the Board on all matters pertaining to the policies and administration of the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma public school system. The State Superintendent is thus responsible for administering and enforcing the adopted policies and rules established by the Board."}, {"context": " The Board organizes and has control over the administrative and supervisory agencies, divisions, and personnel of the State Department of Education. A such, it is the Board's responsibility to submit to the Governor a departmental budget based upon major functions of the State Department of Education based on the needs of local school districts. Appropriation requested by the Board must include State Aid to local schools as well as funds for free textbooks, school lunches, and Indian education. The funds appropriated by the Oklahoma Legislature to be used by the Board as determined by the Board. However, all funds must be consolidate into two items: administration and aid to schools."}, {"context": " On the December 1 of each year, the Board must prepare and deliver to the Governor and the Legislature an annual report for preceding year. The annual report must contain detailed statistics and other information concerning enrollment, attendance, expenditures (including State Aid), and other pertinent data for all public schools in the State. Also, reports from each and every division, department, institution or other agency under the supervision of the Board are included in the annual report. In such annual report, the Board may make such recommendations for the improvement of the public school system of the state as the Board deems necessary. Each annual report must also include a statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Board for the past year, and a statement of plans and recommendations for the management and improvement of public schools of the state."}, {"context": " It is the responsibility of the Board to formulate and adopt the curriculum, courses of study and other instructional aids necessary for the adequate instruction of Oklahoma' students in the public schools of the state. The Board has the authority to the license and certify the instructional, supervisory and administrative personnel of the public schools of the state. Also, the Board has the authority to issue the rules governing the classification, inspection, supervision and accrediting of all public nursery, kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools and on-site educational services provided by public school districts or state-accredited private schools. However, no school may be denied accreditation by the Board-based solely on the basis of average daily attendance."}, {"context": " When deemed necessary by the Board, the Board can require any person having administrative control of any school districts in Oklahoma to make regular or special reports regarding the activities of the schools in their districts. In requiring such reports, the Board has the authority to withhold any or all state funds under its control, to withhold official recognition, including accrediting, until such required reports have been filed and accepted by the Board. The Board may revoke the certificates of any person failing or refusing to make reports to the Board."}, {"context": " It is the duty and responsibility of the Board to provide for the health and safety of school children and school personnel while under the jurisdiction of school authorities. This includes: When local school boards proposed structure changes to their school buildings, the Board has the authority to review the preliminary plans for new construction and major alterations. While the Department establishes rules for the classification, inspection and accreditation of public schools under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the Department must recognize that the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections is the administrative authority for those schools for the appointment of the principals and teachers of those schools."}, {"context": " The Education Department, with an annual budget of over $3 billion, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2014, the Department was authorized 333 full-time employees. In 2016, teachers' salaries in the state ranked 49th among the fifty states. More than 15 schools designed or built by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and its predecessors, including the Oklahoma State Dept. of Instruction, have been designated as historic sites. Many have been listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."}, {"context": " The projects listed on the National Register include: Encyclo-Media is a two-day educational conference hosted by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, focusing on the fields of library media, reading, counselling, gifted and talented, and technology. The annual conference, usually held in mid-September, hosts approximately 2800 educators. Over 100 breakout programs, 250 exhibitors, 4 luncheons, national speakers, and state educators sharing their best practices are highlighted each year. National and state authors appear as speakers and to autograph their books. Notable past speakers include Jim Trelease, Richard Peck, Patricia Polacco, Stephen Krashen, Sharon Draper and Linda Sue Park."}, {"context": " These four professional organizations help sponsor Encyclo-Media. Annually these groups host luncheons during the conference. For 2009, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) hosted a luncheon during the conference. This group is affiliated with the Oklahoma Afterschool Network (OKAN). Encyclo-Media began in 1981 as a statewide workshop, featuring library media programs. The first Encyclo-Media was held at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma on September 10 & 11, 1981. There was a special breakout program held for recipients of the Library Media Improvement Grant."}, {"context": " In the late 1970s the Library Media Improvement Program was established by the Oklahoma state legislature, the Oklahoma State Board of Education, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Money was appropriated and Library Media Improvement (LMI) Grants were awarded to help upgrade the collection and staffing of school libraries to meet state and national guidelines. LMI Grants were awarded from 1978 through 1994, beginning with the 1977-78 school year. Encyclo-Media started as a result of the LMI Grants. In 1980 a workshop was held for grant schools. Barbara Spriestersbach, Assistant Administrator at the OSDE, extended the program to everyone after widespread interest, not just grant schools. The following year, Encyclo-Media was officially organized and as a result Spriestersbach was awarded the American Association of School Librarians Baker & Taylor Distinguished Service Award in 1991 for her leadership in the implementation of the LMI program. Since the first Encyclo-Media directors of the Library Media/Instructional Television Section have organized and directed the conference."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Department of Health", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. The department is responsible for protecting the health of all Oklahomans and providing other essential human services. The OSDH serves as the primary public health protection agency in the state. The department is led by a State Board of Health, composed of nine members appointed by the governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. The board in turn appoints the State Commissioner of Health, who serves as the executive officer of the department and is the lead public health authority in the state."}, {"context": " The 20th, and current, Commissioner of Health is Dr. Terry Cline, Ph.D., who was appointed by the board on June 30, 2009. Governor Mary Fallin appointed Cline to served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2011 in addition to his duties as Health Commissioner. The Department was created in 1963 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon. The Department is led by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Health. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Dr. Terry Cline resigned in 2017 as both the Cabinet Secretary and the Commissioner of Health amid discoveries of money mismanagement. Brian Downs is the Acting Commissioner until the OK State Board of Health appoints an Interim Commissioner."}, {"context": " The State Board of Health is the governing body of the Health Department. The Board is composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. Each Board member serves a nine-year term. Eight of the nine members represent specific county regions of the state and one member is appointed to represent the state at large. As of 2010, the Board is composed of the following members: As of April 2013, the organization of the Department is as follows: The Health Department, with an annual budget of well over $300 million, is one of the largest employers of the State. For fiscal year 2014, the Department was authorized 2,148 full-time employees.  The divisions of the Department operation with the following operating budgets for Fiscal Year 2014:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Election Board", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Election Board is the governing body regarding elections in the state of Oklahoma. The Board is responsible for maintaining uniformy in the application, operation and interpretation of State and Federal election laws. Additionally, the Board is responsible for promoting and encouraging the citizens of Oklahoma to register to vote and participate in all elections by providing educational programs to raise citizen awareness about voting privileges and about the services available to them."}, {"context": " The Board is composed of three members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate to serve four year terms. Under the State Election Board are the county election boards and precinct election boards. Membership is based on statewide voter registration. Based on the most recent January 1 voter registration report, the state central committee of the political party with the largest number of registered voters submits to the Governor a list of ten nominees. The state central committee of the political party having the second largest number of registered voters submits to the Governor a list of five nominees. Based on the names submitted, the Governor appoints two members from the largest party and one member from the second largest party."}, {"context": " All regular appointments must be made by no later than March 1 every four years. If a political party fails to submit a list of candidates, the Governor may appoint anyone of that party to the position. On the first Monday of April every four years, the members of the Board elect from among themselves a Chair and Vice Chair. Each serves a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy due to death or resignation of a member of the Board, the Governor must, within thirty days of the vacancy, appoint with the advice and consent of the Senate, a member of the same party to fill the unexpired term. The political party\u2019s state central committee must submit a list of five nominees for the Governor to nominate from."}, {"context": " If a member of the Board fails to attend five consecutive meetings of the Board or when a member changes his party affiliation, that member's seat on the Board is declared vacant. The vacancy is filled in the same manner as other vacancies. The Secretary of the State Election Board is the chief administrative officer of the State Election Board. The Secretary has general supervisory authority over all county election boards and has the authority to provide administrative supervision to any county election board. Such authority extends to stand in the place of the secretary of any county election board for the purpose of employing county election board personnel when a vacancy exists in the office of the secretary of the county election board."}, {"context": " The Secretary has the authority to employ and fix the salaries and duties of such personnel as may be necessary to perform the duties of the State Election Board. The Secretary may issue, repeal or modify such rules or regulations as the Secretary deems necessary to facilitate and assist in achieving and maintaining uniformity in the application, operation and interpretation of the state and federal election laws and a maximum degree of correctness, impartiality and efficiency in administration of the election laws."}, {"context": " The Secretary is the chief promoter and encourager of voter registration and voter participation in the elections of the state. Also, the Secretary is the chief state election official responsible for coordination of state responsibilities under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and Help America Vote Act of 2002. This grants the Secretary the authority to implement programs for confirmation of voter registration and for removal of ineligible voters. The Secretary of the State Election Board also serves as the Secretary of the State Senate, and is elected by the State Senate."}, {"context": " The current Secretary is Paul Ziriax. Each of Oklahoma\u2019s 77 counties has a three-member county election board composed of two political members and the secretary of county election board as the at-large member. The county election boards are responsible to the State Election Board for governing elections within their county. The State Election Board appoints two members of each county election board, and two alternates, to serve terms of four years each beginning May 1 every four years. By no later than April 15, the county central committees of the two political parties with the largest number of registered voters in the state, based upon the latest January 15 registration report, must each submit to the State Election Board a nominee for membership on the county election board and a nominee to serve as the alternate. The State Election Board is confined to the nominees submitted in making appointments."}, {"context": " If a county central committee fails to submit nominees by April 15, the State Election Board appoints a member and alternate to the county election board from any member of such party within the county. Alternates shall serve on the county election board at any meeting that the member for whom the person is an alternate is unable to attend. On the first Monday in June every four years, the county election board must elect a chairman and vice chairman. The secretary is prohibited from serving as the chairman or vice chairman but still is a full voting member of the county election board. However, the State Election Board has the authority to remove any chairman or vice chairman of any county election board at any time. This does not terminate their membership on the county election board."}, {"context": " In the event of a vacancy, the State Election Board must, within sixty days of the vacancy, appoint a member of the same party to fill the unexpired term, based on a nomination submitted by the party's county central committee within thirty days after the vacancy occurs. Should a county central committee fail to submit a nominee, the State Election Board may appoint any member of the party within the county to the county election board. Vacancies occur when a member fails to attend five consecutive meetings of the board or when a member changes the member's party affiliation."}, {"context": " The State Election Board appoints the secretary of each county election board for a term of two years beginning on May 1. However, the State Election Board may remove the secretary of any county election board at any time. The secretary of each county election board is the chief administrative officer of that county election board and has general supervisory authority over the several precinct election boards within the county. In counties with at least 17,500 registered voters, the secretary may employ an assistant secretary and such other employees as are necessary to perform the duties of the county election board. In counties having fewer than 17,500 registered voters, the secretary may employ a chief clerk and such other employees as are necessary to perform the duties of the county election board."}, {"context": " If a vacancy exists in the office of the secretary of the county election board, the Secretary of the State Election Board has the authority to stand in the place of the secretary of the county election board for the purpose of employing necessary county election board personnel. The secretary of a county election board shall be charged with the operational responsibilities of the board, including, but not limited to, supervision, defining job positions and responsibilities of the employees, preparation of the annual budget, preparation and filing of all reports, and the implementation of policy, findings and actions lawfully prescribed or determined by the county election board."}, {"context": " Each precinct under a county election board is governed by a precinct election board composed of three members. Each precinct election board is responsible to the State Election Board through their county election board for governing all elections within their precinct. Each county election board appoints two members of each county election board to serve terms of four years each beginning July 1 every four years. By no later than June 15, the county central committees of the two political parties with the largest number of registered voters in the state, based upon the latest January 15 registration report, must each submit to their county election board a list of three nominees for membership on the county election board. The county election board is confined to the nominees submitted in making appointments."}, {"context": " If a county central committee fails to submit nominees by June 15, the county election board appoints a member to the precinct election board from any member of such party within the precinct. The county election board shall designate one member of each precinct election board as judge and the other as clerk for each precinct to serve for a term of four years each. However, the county election board has the authority to remove any precinct judge or clerk at any time. In anticipation of large numbers of voters in specific precincts at any election, the Secretary of the State Election Board may authorize the secretary of any county election board to appoint additional precinct election board members, in multiples of three, to assist the regular precinct election officials in processing voters. The Secretary of the State Election Board shall prescribe procedures to be used in such cases."}, {"context": " Counters for each precinct in each county shall be appointed by the county election board only as authorized by the State Election Board for any election. Insofar as is possible, no more than one-half of the counters in any precinct shall be members of the same party. Each county election board shall appoint the inspector for each precinct election board within the county. The board shall have the authority to remove any inspector in the county at any time. The inspector of each precinct election board serves as the chief administrative officer of the precinct election board."}, {"context": " To be eligible for membership on a county or precinct election board, an individual must be a registered voter of the county in which he will serve and demonstrate competence to perform his duties. Persons thus qualified and appointed are trained in their duties in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State Election Board. No person may serve on a county election board, precinct election board or absentee voting board at any election in which he or she is a candidate for office, or is a deputy or regular employee of a candidate for office."}, {"context": " No person shall serve on a precinct election board or absentee voting board at any election in which he or she is related within the third degree by either consanguinity or affinity to a candidate for office on the ballot in the precinct. In the event a member of a precinct election board is disqualified, it is the duty of the secretary of the county election board to appoint a suitable replacement for the official for the election. Any person so disqualified must resign the office or position no later than ten days following the close of the filing period during which such candidacy was filed."}, {"context": " A member of the county election board may not participate in or carry out any duties or functions associated with the office during any election if the member is related within the third degree to a candidate. In the event of such a contest or recount, the alternate for the member shall carry out the duties of the office during the actual conduct of the contest of candidacy or recount. The Secretary of the State Election Board shall appoint a replacement for the secretary of the county election board to carry out the duties or functions of the office, including voting as a member of the county election board, if the secretary of the county election board is related within the third degree to a candidate."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Fair", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Fair is a fairly large fair and exposition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It takes place in mid-September each year, and is one of two state fairs in Oklahoma. During the eleven-day run, the Oklahoma State Fair attracts close to one million people. The fairgrounds also holds horse shows and rodeos in itef."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum is a museum owned and administered by the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association (OSFA). The museum is financed by the dues collected from more than 8,000 firefighters, and is located at 2716 N.E. 50th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Groundbreaking for the museum building was performed on April 6, 1967 and was completed in 1969. The building houses the museum, the (OSFA), the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA), the Council on Firefighter Training (COFT) and the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association (ORFA) offices."}, {"context": " The museum is devoted entirely to the preservation and display of antique fire apparatus and equipment. It contains a remarkable collection of antique gear, dating back to the mid-18th century, and also holds the first fire station in Oklahoma Territory, built in 1864. Many items from the oldest fire company in the United States, commanded by Benjamin Franklin, are on display. Exhibits also include the world's largest patch collection and the distinctive mural \"The Last Alarm\". John Knupple was the first Curator of the Firefighters Museum and served from June 1, 1970 until December 31, 1971. In January 1972 Sam Oruch, an active firefighter for the Oklahoma City Fire Department, became the part-time curator; after Oruch retired as a full-time firefighter, he was hired full-time to care for the museum. Oruch gave tours in the Museum for over 33 years and is the last one to hold the title of curator. Jim Sanders, a veteran of the Bethany, Oklahoma Fire Department, became the museum director in 2004. Mike Billingsley, a retired firefighter from the Nichols Hills Fire Department, is currently the museum director as of September 2006."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Guard", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Guard is the inactive state defense force of Oklahoma. If activated, the mission of the Oklahoma State Guard is to augment, assist and support the Oklahoma National Guard and the civil authorities in Oklahoma. The State Guard is under the command of the governor of Oklahoma, as the Commander-in-Chief, and the Adjutant General of Oklahoma as the commanding officer. Created by Oklahoma State Guard Act of 1941, the Oklahoma State Guard cannot be federalized and cannot be deployed outside Oklahoma. It is under the administrative command of the Oklahoma Department of the Military. See, Title 44 Oklahoma Statutes, Sections 241-248."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 1", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 1, sometimes abbreviated as SH-1, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It travels through the southeastern part of the state, nicknamed Little Dixie. SH-1 is signed east and west. SH-1 eastbound begins at US-177/SH-199 between Mannsville and Madill. It then winds northward to the town of Ravia, and becomes concurrent with SH-7 at through Mill Creek. Highway 7 splits off to the west soon after and SH-1 continues northward to Hickory, Oklahoma and Roff. In Fitzhugh SH-1 becomes a multilane highway. It then becomes a freeway serving as part of a beltway around Ada. Through Ada it is briefly concurrent with US-377/SH-99."}, {"context": " After leaving Ada the highway becomes gradually more hilly and curvy, and turns northeast. Between the towns of Allen and Calvin, the road roughly follows the south bank of the Canadian River, though the river is not actually visible from the road. At Calvin, the road becomes concurrent with US-270 and intersects with US-75. Through some parts of this section of the highway, the SH-1 signage is omitted in favor of US-270 signs. Continuing east, the highway passes just north of Stuart, Oklahoma and through Arpelar. It then intersects with the Indian Nation Turnpike just west of the McAlester city limits. Through McAlester the street is also signed as Carl Albert Parkway."}, {"context": " East of McAlester the road continues as a four-lane road (much of it divided) connecting many small towns east of the city: Krebs, Alderson, Bache, Dow, Haileyville, and Hartshorne. West of Hartshorne US-270 splits off from SH-1 and it continues east concurrent with SH-63. For SH-1 and SH-63 overlap State Highway 2. Here the road continues east and becomes even more hilly and curvy as it heads toward the Winding Stair Mountains. From this point forward, the road contains a large number of hairpin turns - some even as drastic as 180-degrees. At Talihina SH-63 splits off to the south and US-271 merges on to the highway for ."}, {"context": " 8 miles (12.8\u00a0km) northeast of Talihina, SH-1 splits off of US-271. This begins the final 26 miles (41\u00a0km) of the highway, officially named the Talimena Drive because it runs from Talihina to Mena, Arkansas. This highway, a National Scenic Byway since January 2005, runs through the Ouachita National Forest and the Winding Stair Mountains, and has no shoulders. It features special 'vistas' - parking lots placed off the road at especially scenic parts of the highway. At either end of the Talimena Drive, signs are posted stating that the highway is closed during cold and foggy conditions, and that no snow control is provided."}, {"context": " The height of the mountain peaks on the Drive causes the oaks and pines to grow so much slower and shorter than the rest of Southeast Oklahoma. On a hot summer day, the winds on the Talimena Drive may be a good 10 degrees cooler than other nearby locations. SH-1 ends at the Arkansas state line. The roadbed continues on as Highway 88, toward Queen Wilhelmina State Park and the city of Mena, Arkansas. State Highway 1 was historically an entrance into Indian Territory from the state of Arkansas. The Oklahoma Choctaw came to these mountain tops in the early 1830s. Stage coach robbers, train robbers and bank robbers all came to hide on these mountain peaks bringing in their horses for much needed breaks. Horse Thief Springs is marked at its vista where one can still rest before continuing down the Drive.  SH-1 is the latest of many Oklahoma state highways assigned the number 1. The current route opened in 1969. In this case, the number 1 was assigned due to the scenery along the highway."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 10", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 10 (abbreviated SH-10) is a state highway in northeastern Oklahoma. It makes a crescent through the northeast corner of the state, running from SH-99 in Osage County to Interstate 40 (I-40) near Gore. It has two lettered spur routes. SH-10 first appeared as part of the original highway system designated in 1924. The route originally served eastern Oklahoma as a border-to-border route, connecting the Red River near Hugo to the Missouri state line near Joplin, Missouri. Much of the southern half of the route was dropped in 1941, while western extensions throughout the 1940s brought the highway to its current routing."}, {"context": " Highway 10 begins at State Highway 99 northwest of the unincorporated town of Bigheart. The highway runs northeast of this point through sparsely-populated Osage County. The route runs across the dam forming Lake Hulah and runs through its eponymous unincorporated community. East of this, it crosses into Washington County, where it skirts Copan Lake. The route then proceeds to the town of Copan, where it intersects US-75. SH-10 progresses east to Nowata County, entering the county near Wann, before meeting US-169 around Elliot. It forms a concurrency with US-169 through the town of Lenapah, and splits off and heads due east from there. It does not intersect any highways or pass through any sizeable towns until Welch, where it meets US-59/SH-2. It then continues east to Miami, Oklahoma where it overlaps with US-59/69 and meets State Highway 125. After passing through Miami and passing the northern terminus of State Highway 137, SH-10 reaches its northeasternmost point at the western terminus of SH-10C (see below). After this point, all of SH-10 is north\u2013south."}, {"context": " SH-10 has a brief concurrency with U.S. Highway 60 near Wyandotte. At Wyandotte, the route turns to the south once more for to its junction with SH-25. From this junction, the route turns to the west for the three-mile (4.8\u00a0km) stretch to Grove. Until recently, SH-25 and SH-10 were concurrent along this stretch, but SH-25 now ends at the aforementioned junction. In downtown Grove, SH-10 again joins US-59, and is signed with that highway for 30 miles (48\u00a0km) through mostly rural parts of Delaware County, including the county seat, Jay, where State Highway 20 joins with SH-10 and US-59 for approximately two miles."}, {"context": " South of Jay, the route continues south for to an intersection with SH-116. SH-10 continues south for , coming to an interchange with U.S. Highway 412, the Cherokee Turnpike, at the town of Kansas. (US-59 departs just south of the interchange and follows US-412 east toward the Arkansas state line at West Siloam Springs.) SH-10 then begins paralleling the Illinois River, a popular recreation area primarily accessed through SH-10. It then heads eastbound again at US-62/State Highway 51. SH-10 forms a concurrency with these two highways to Tahlequah, where SH-51 splits off. US-62 and SH-10 remain concurrent until south of Ft. Gibson."}, {"context": " After leaving US-62, SH-10 runs mostly parallel to the Arkansas River, passing through the towns of Braggs, Oklahoma and Gore. It has a brief concurrency with U.S. Highway 64 to cross the Arkansas River, and splits off to the south in Webbers Falls. Just after this it ends at Interstate 40. SH-10 was first added to the state highway system on August 24, 1924. The original route of the highway began at the Texas state line south of Hugo and followed present-day US-271 northward to Spiro, Oklahoma, where it turned west along present-day State Highway 9. The highway then resumed a northbound course along present-day SH-2 to Warner. In Warner, it turned east to follow what is now US-64 to Webbers Falls and Gore. From Gore, it followed its current route to what is now the western terminus of SH-10C. From that intersection, rather than turning west towards Miami, SH-10 continued northeast to end southwest of Joplin, Missouri, approximately where Interstate 44 crosses the state line now. By 1927, however, the northern terminus had been relocated to Miami."}, {"context": " The Miami terminus lasted until January 30, 1930, when the highway was truncated to the US-60 junction near Wyandotte. However, this change would be reversed seven years later; SH-10 once again ended in Miami beginning February 3, 1937. SH-10 was extended to the west for the first time in 1941. The route's western terminus was moved to SH-2 at Welch on April 14, 1941. However, the other terminus was moved north at the end of that year, resulting in SH-10 being truncated to Gore after November 12, 1941. SH-10 was then extended farther west, to US-169 at Lenapah, on April 3, 1944."}, {"context": " A new section of highway, running from SH-99 to Copan, was added to the state highway system on August 21, 1954. This road was also assigned the SH-10 designation, creating a gap in the highway between Copan and Lenapah. This gap would persist until August 3, 1981, when SH-10 was extended east from Copan to US-169, filling the gap. Interstate 40 was built through Sequoyah County in the late 1960s. SH-10 was extended from Gore along US-64 to Exit 291 on June 1, 1970. This brought SH-10 to its present-day southern terminus."}, {"context": " The section of SH-10 east of Gore was pressed into service as a detour for I-40 traffic after the collapse of its bridge over the Arkansas River on May 26, 2002. The detour significantly impacted the town of Gore. Local firefighters directed traffic there 24 hours a day, with daytime temperatures approaching . Businesses in Gore reported loss of revenue due to the traffic; one gas station reported a 30% decline in revenue while traffic was detoured through town. Delays of thirty to fifty minutes on the detour were typical, although trains passing through Gore could lengthen wait times by 15 minutes."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 100", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 100 (abbreviated SH-100 or OK-100) is a long (88.4\u00a0km) state highway in eastern Oklahoma. It connects Interstate 40 with the Arkansas state line near Stilwell. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-100 begins at I-40 Exit 287. It heads north to meet US-64 in Webbers Falls, and overlaps it until Gore. In the Gore area, it has a brief overlap with State Highway 10 as well. After Gore, it splits off on its own and heads roughly northeast. It meets State Highway 10A near Lake Tenkiller, where it turns due east. Near Box, it meets State Highway 82, where it turns north and overlaps."}, {"context": " After concurrent with SH-82, SH-100 splits off on its own and heads eastward, meeting US-59 south of Stilwell. It then crosses the state line into Arkansas, becoming Arkansas Highway 156. SH-100 was first added to the highway system on June 7, 1954. Originally, the highway began south of the Standing Rock Bridge and headed north to end at the city limits of Stilwell. It was twice extended in 1956; on June 4 of that year, the route's eastern terminus was brought to the Arkansas state line. However, SH-100 and SH-51 shared a wrong-way concurrency through Stilwell, and SH-100 used the present-day routing of SH-51 east of that town. On November 19, 1956, the route's western terminus was moved to SH-10 near Gore."}, {"context": " By 1970, Interstate 40 had been built through Muskogee County, and on June 1, 1970, SH-100 was extended along US-64 to its present-day western terminus. The final major change in the highway's routing was on August 9, 1971, when it was switched with SH-51 east of Stilwell, establishing its current eastern terminus. Since then, only minor relocations have taken place. The section of SH-100 west of Gore was pressed into service as a detour for I-40 traffic after the collapse of its bridge over the Arkansas River on May 26, 2002. The detour significantly impacted the town of Gore. Local firefighters directed traffic there 24 hours a day, with daytime temperatures approaching . Businesses in Gore reported loss of revenue due to the traffic; one gas station reported a 30% decline in revenue while traffic was detoured through town. Delays of thirty to fifty minutes on the detour were typical, although trains passing through Gore could lengthen wait times by 15 minutes."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 101", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 101 is a 23.4 mile (37\u2154 km) state highway in Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma, in the United States. It runs from US-59 north of Sallisaw to the Arkansas state line. After crossing the line, it becomes Highway 220. The highway connects to Sequoyah's Cabin, the home of Sequoyah, the man who invented the Cherokee alphabet. SH-101 has no lettered spurs. State Highway 101 begins at US-59 approximately north of Sallisaw. From this terminus, SH-101 travels due east, crossing over Little Sallisaw Creek shortly before passing through the unincorporated place of Akins. Two miles (3.2\u00a0km) east of Akins, the road makes a sharp turn northward. During this -long stretch of north\u2013south roadway, the road passes Sequoyah's Cabin. The road gradually curves back to the east as it crosses Big Skin Bayou. Upon encountering Black Creek, a tributary of the bayou, the road makes an abrupt turn back to the north."}, {"context": " Another gradual curve returns SH-101 to an east\u2013west alignment which persists until the junction with State Highway 64B near Eagle Mountain. This is the northern terminus of the highway, which heads south to Muldrow and eventually to Interstate 40. SH-101 continues north from this point, curving around the mountain and proceeding along a very winding route. During this section, the road crosses Polecat Creek and Little Lee Creek. After a short southeast section, SH-101 turns to a due east alignment, crossing Big Lee Creek on a narrow through truss bridge and passing just north of the unincorporated CDP of Short. The highway then gradually stairsteps northeast, culminating in a brief north\u2013south section along the Oklahoma\u2013Arkansas state line. The roadbed then curves east, entering Arkansas and the Ozark National Forest, and becoming Highway 220 toward Uniontown."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 102", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 102 (abbreviated SH-102 or OK-102) is a north\u2013south state highway in central Oklahoma. It runs for 52.9 miles (85.1\u00a0km) from Wanette, Oklahoma to Wellston, Oklahoma. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-102 traces its origins to a spur route from SH-39 to Wanette that was added to the highway system in 1955. This highway was gradually extended bit by bit before reaching its present extent in 1977. SH-102 begins in downtown Wanette and heads northward to meet State Highway 39, which it very briefly overlaps. After splitting off, it heads due north to Tribbey. Two miles north of Tribbey, it meets the western terminus of SH-59B, west of Macomb. Eight miles later, it crosses State Highway 9 east of Pink. It provides access to the Shawnee Reservoir before meeting Interstate 40."}, {"context": " SH-102 merges into Interstate 40 at Exit 178 (Dale/Bethel Acres) and splits at Exit 176 (McLoud Rd.). Between these two exits, SH-102 overlaps Interstate 40, US-270, and State Highway 3. After splitting off, it heads northward to meet State Highway 270 in McLoud, which it briefly overlaps. After splitting off in downtown McLoud, it heads northward to cross into Lincoln County. It crosses over Interstate 44 (the Turner Turnpike) with no interchange. The highway ends near Wellston at State Highway 66."}, {"context": " State Highway 102 was first commissioned on May 2, 1955, as a spur route connecting Wanette to SH-39. A second segment of SH-102, extending from SH-9 west of Tecumseh to US-270 (present-day SH-270) between McLoud and Dale, was added on October 6, 1958. This situation\u2014one short SH-102 spur to Wanette and a longer SH-102 from SH-9 to Dale\u2014would persist for the next thirteen years. The two sections of SH-102 were finally united during the 1970s. On May 10, 1971, the highway was extended south from SH-9 to SH-39 and joined to the Wanette spur by means of a concurrency. Two further changes to the highway occurred during 1977. The highway was extended north, first to US-62 at Midway, on June 6 of that year. Later, on August 1, the highway was extended further, bringing it to US-66 near Wellston."}, {"context": " SH-102 was briefly extended to SH-66B when work on what was by then SH-66 caused its traffic to be detoured onto SH-66B. After the work was completed, SH-102 was truncated back to SH-66, though the connector road still exists and remains open to traffic. Prior to 2007, the bridge over I-44 was only one lane wide. This bridge was demolished and replaced, necessitating a detour along U.S. Highway 177, which parallels the route. I-44 was also reduced to two lanes during the rebuild. SH-102 now crosses the turnpike on a modern two-lane bridge."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 104", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 104, abbreviated SH-104 or OK-104, is a short state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It travels for in Muskogee County and in Wagoner County, for a total length of . It has no lettered spur routes. State Highway 104 was established in its current form in 1955. State Highway 104 begins in Haskell at an intersection with US-64/SH-72. SH-104 heads eastward from here, crossing the Arkansas River at a slight angle (and crossing from Muskogee into Wagoner county while doing so). It then turns north, then east, before turning north again along 317th East Avenue. It passes through unincorporated Choska on this avenue. One mile (1.6\u00a0km) north of Choska, the highway turns east on E. 221st St, which it follows for another mile. SH-104 then turns back to the north along 333rd E. Avenue. It ends at SH-51B at the incorporated place of Stones Corner, southwest of Red Bird.  SH-104 was commissioned in its present form on May 2, 1955. The only change to the route was to transfer it to a new Arkansas River bridge, which occurred July 12, 1982. No further changes have occurred since."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 105", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 105 (abbreviated SH-105) is a state highway in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for across Logan and Lincoln Counties. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-105 was formed over the course of 1955. The eastern half of the road was added to the state highway system first, in January of that year, followed by the western half, added in June. The highway begins at State Highway 33 just east of Guthrie, just east of Interstate 35. It heads due east from here, passing just north of the northernmost tip of Country Club Lake. Just after this lake, the highway turns southeast, then back to the east, bringing it onto the section line that it will follow for the remainder of its route. The highway crosses the Indian Meridian north of the town of Meridian. The highway continues east, crossing from Logan into Lincoln County."}, {"context": " At the unincorporated place of Four Corners, the highway intersects US-177 north of Carney, its first highway junction in . Three miles (4.8\u00a0km) later it runs through the small town of Tryon. The highway crosses a railroad track about halfway between Tryon and its eastern terminus. Five miles (8\u00a0km) later it ends at State Highway 18, two miles (3.2\u00a0km) south of Agra. SH-105 was first commissioned on January 26, 1955. At this time, the highway began at SH-40 (present-day US-177) west of Tryon, and ended at SH-18 south of Agra. The highway was extended west to its current western terminus east of Guthrie on June 4, 1955. The highway has no further alterations to its extent since.  SH-105 was originally gravel-surfaced. By 1959, the eastern half of the highway had been paved. The western half of the highway was not shown on the official state map at all until the 1981 edition, which showed it as paved."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 108", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 108 (abbreviated SH-108) is a minor state highway in Payne, Noble, and Pawnee counties in north-central Oklahoma. It runs for , from SH-33 south of Ripley to U.S. Route 64 (US-64) in Lela. SH-108 has no lettered spurs. SH-108 was added to the state highway system on July 11, 1955. At this time, the highway had the same extent as it does today; the only changes made to the highway over the years were slight modifications to its alignment due to the straightening of connecting highways."}, {"context": " SH-108 begins in Payne County approximately halfway between Perkins and Cushing at SH-33. From here, the highway runs north on Ripley Road. About into its journey, the road passes through the town of Ripley (pop. 444). North of Ripley, it crosses the Cimarron River. Seven miles (11\u00a0km) later, the highway intersects SH-51, and SH-108 turns west along it, forming a one-mile (1.6\u00a0km) concurrency. SH-108 then continues north on Rose Road. Approximately north of SH-51, SH-108 enters Glencoe (pop. 583). The highway then crosses the Cimarron Turnpike on a grade separation with no interchange. The highway shifts to the east about one mile (1.6\u00a0km) north of Glencoe. Upon exiting Payne County, the highway straddles the Noble\u2013Pawnee County line all the way to its terminus at US-64 in the unincorporated settlement of Lela."}, {"context": " As of 2012, the highest average annual daily traffic (AADT) count along SH-108 was 5,900, measured along the concurrency with SH-51. The highest traffic volume on SH-108 alone was an AADT of 1,900, measured north of SH-51. The lowest AADT measured was 1,500, which occurred both in Glencoe and south of Ripley. No part of SH-108 has been designated as part of the National Highway System. SH-108 was first designated on July 11, 1955. The highway was mostly gravel at that time; only the portions from the southern terminus to Ripley and the concurrency with SH-51 were paved. In 1960, the section of SH-108 between SH-51 and Glencoe was paved. In 1963, the paved segment extended north of Glencoe, to the highway's northern terminus.  The first change to the highway's alignment occurred on November 1, 1966, when SH-51 was straightened between Stillwater and Yale; SH-108 was realigned to continue to concur with SH-51. Around the same time, the remainder of SH-108 was paved. The final change to SH-108 was made on June 4, 1974, when a straightening of SH-33 resulted in a slight extension of SH-108 to continue to meet the new highway. No changes have been made since."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 109", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 109 (abbreviated SH-109 or OK-109) is a 54 mile (87\u00a0km) long state highway in southern Oklahoma. It runs through southern Choctaw County, connecting to US-70 at each end. It has no lettered spur routes. The highway begins heading southbound from US-70 at Boswell. It turns westbound after about 5 miles (8\u00a0km). As it approaches the Red River, it turns back northward and then eastward again to run through unincorporated Gay, 24 miles (38.6\u00a0km) into the route. Six miles (9.65\u00a0km) later, it meets U.S. Highway 271 and has a concurrency with it lasting about 4 miles (6.4\u00a0km), splitting off near Ord. Between Frogville and Huskey it turns back north before ending at US-70 near Fort Towson.  SH-109 originally ran from Fort Towson to Raymond Gary State Park. However, on 1957-04-23 it was redesignated to run from Boswell to Fort Towson. It was realigned several times in the 1960s and once in 1982. Since 1982, the route has remained unchanged."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 11", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 11 (abbreviated SH-11) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in an irregular west-to-east path across the northern part of the state, from U.S. Highway 281 (US-281) north of Alva to Interstate 244 (I-244)\u00a0/ US-412 in Tulsa. There is one letter-suffixed spur highway branching from SH-11, SH-11A. From its beginning at US-281, SH-11 travels east through the town of Capron. later, it reaches SH-8. SH-11 and SH-8 overlap for , passing through the town of Burlington along the way. SH-8\u00a0/ SH-11 meet SH-58 three miles (5\u00a0km) east of Burlington, and turn south, forming a three-route concurrency. The combined route passes through the unincorporated community of Driftwood and intersects US-64 just west of the town of Ingersoll. At this point, SH-11 turns to the east, leaving SH-8 and SH-58."}, {"context": " SH-11 passes through the northern part of Great Salt Plains State Park, and after , intersects with SH-38. SH-11 continues on another seven miles (11\u00a0km), before intersecting with SH-132. Six miles to the east, SH-11's only spur route, SH-11A, branches off to the north, connecting to the town of Wakita. SH-11 travels another to the east, intersecting US-81 in Medford, the seat of Grant County. After leaving Medford, SH-11 runs another to the east, passing through Numa (unincorporated), before its junction with SH-74. From there, SH-11 heads east for , passing through Deer Creek and running just to the north of Nardin (unincorporated), intersecting I-35 three miles (5\u00a0km) west of Blackwell."}, {"context": " SH-11 is four lanes divided for the three miles (5\u00a0km) to its junction with US-177 in Blackwell, then reverts to two lanes for the to its junction with US-77, six miles (10\u00a0km) south of Newkirk. Here, the route turns south, joining with US-77 for , before turning back to the east north of Ponca City. After , SH-11 passes through Kaw City, and crosses Kaw Lake, then runs another to SH-18, in Shidler. SH-11 then joins with SH-18 for , running south through the Osage County oil fields. Just east of Burbank, SH-11 leaves SH-18 for a concurrency with US-60 across the rolling Osage prairie to Pawhuska, the seat of Osage County. SH-11 then turns south on a five-mile (8\u00a0km) concurrency with SH-99, then turns back to the east, passing through more rugged terrain, through Pershing and Tallant (both unincorporated), before entering the oil town of Barnsdall later."}, {"context": " Just east of Barnsdall, SH-11 serves as the southern terminus of SH-123, which connects to Woolaroc Museum. SH-11 then heads roughly southeast, through Wolco (unincorporated), and skirts Avant, turning due south upon entering Tulsa County, before intersecting SH-20 on the east end of Skiatook. After leaving Skiatook, SH-11 continues south as Cincinnati Avenue in Tulsa County, and later, doglegs a mile to the east at Sperry. SH-11 then resumes its path to the south as Peoria Avenue, passes through Turley (unincorporated), and enters the city of Tulsa at 56th Street North. SH-11 is a four-lane arterial street along Peoria Avenue, and at 36th Street North, turns to the east, going 1\u00bd miles to US-75, the Cherokee Expressway. SH-11 briefly overlaps southbound US-75, then turns back to the east as the Gilcrease Expressway, passing by Tulsa International Airport before arcing back to the south. It then reaches its eastern terminus at I-244\u00a0/ US-412 in east Tulsa.  State Highway 11A is a short state highway in Grant County. It runs for from SH-11 north to the town of Wakita. Oklahoma State Highway 11B is a short highway in Tulsa County. It is from OK-11 to US-75 and it is unsigned."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 110", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 110 (abbreviated SH-110) is a two-lane road maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is long, connecting SH-7 at its northern end to Dougherty at its southern end. Along the way, it serves the western side of the Lake of the Arbuckles and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. It has no spur routes. What is now SH-110 was established as SH-7C in the late 1940s. SH-110 was established along a route ending closer to Sulphur, which replaced SH-7C. When the Lake of the Arbuckles was created and inundated the highway, the SH-110 designation was applied to the former SH-7C instead."}, {"context": " SH-110 begins at Broad Street in the town of Dougherty. The entirety of the route, between the town and SH-7 near Davis, is a winding, hilly route through the Arbuckle Mountains. From the town, the highway runs northeast, then turns north to parallel Rock Creek, the outlet from the Lake of the Arbuckles. As the highway approaches the lake, it spawns the access road to Camp Goddard, a youth camp on the shore of the lake. SH-110 then turns to the northwest. It then eventually assumes a due north course and ends at SH-7 on the eastern fringe of Davis."}, {"context": " The road that is now SH-110 is first shown as part of the state highway system on the 1948 official state map. The highway was originally known as State Highway 7C and was all gravel. The route roughly followed that of the present day. In 1955, SH-7C was removed from the state highway system. The new road to Dougherty was SH-110, which traveled northeast out of town and ended at SH-7 just west of Sulphur In 1957, this route was paved. In 1965, SH-110 was decommissioned, due to the construction of Lake of the Arbuckles, the basin of which SH-110 ran through. This left Dougherty once again without direct access to the state highway system. In 1967, SH-110 was restored as a state highway along the SH-7C route. The highway was fully paved by 1968."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 112", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 112 is a 24.6\u00a0mi (39.6\u00a0km) state highway in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It connects Poteau to Arkoma. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-112 begins at an intersection with US-59/271 in Poteau, continuing the alignment of the Poteau Bypass. It continues northeast from the intersection, intersecting a railroad at-grade and crossing the Poteau River. The highway then clips the west edge of Cameron. Northeast of Cameron, the road crosses over James Fork. In Rock Island, Highway 112 serves as the western terminus of State Highway 120. At SH-120, it turns more northerly and crosses Backbone Mountain."}, {"context": " On the far side of the mountain, SH-112 passes through Pocola. On the north side of town, the highway intersects US-271/SH-9. SH-112 joins the concurrency, headed east. The road becomes a freeway in the run-up to Interstate 540, which begins at the Oklahoma\u2013Arkansas state line. SH-112 exits at the last interchange in Oklahoma. From here, the highway heads north toward Arkoma, paralleling the state line. SH-112 intersects SH-9A in Arkoma, and one of the two highways continues to the state line. Sources conflict as to which highway continues from this point, and the ultimate location of the northern terminus of SH-112. Signage present as of 2004 indicates that SH-112 continues north to end at the Arkansas state line, where no Arkansas highway exists to connect to it. However, the internal ODOT control section maps show SH-112 ending at SH-9A, and SH-9A ending at the state line. The Oklahoma state highway map distributed to the public is not detailed enough to include a label for the section of highway in question."}, {"context": " State Highway 112 was added to the state highway system on August 15, 1955. Originally, the highway was paved until just south of Cameron, then continued as gravel through Cameron, ending at US-271/SH-9 in what is now Pocola (the town is not shown on contemporary maps). On October 5, 1959, the highway was straightened between Cameron and US-271. By this time, the highway was entirely paved. Further straightening between Cameron and Rock Island occurred on June 1, 1970. The most major change in SH-112's history came on February 5, 1973, when the highway was extended to Arkoma. One further straightening occurred in the Cameron vicinity on June 27, 1982. No further changes have occurred since then."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 113", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 113 (abbreviated SH-113) is a state highway in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, United States. It runs for and has no lettered spur routes. SH-113 begins at Business US-69 north of McAlester. It heads northbound to Indianola, where it turns east and heads to Canadian. It then ends at an interchange with the US-69 freeway."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 115", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 115 (abbreviated SH-115 or OK-115) is a 57.2 mile (92\u00a0km) long state highway in western Oklahoma, passing through Comanche, Kiowa, and Washita Counties as well as the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The highway has no lettered spur routes. Most of the highway was established in 1957 as a gravel roadway. Between then and 1967, it was gradually paved. A portion of the highway through the Wichita Mountains was removed from the route in the mid-1960s, but was re-added in 1984. State Highway 115 begins at an interchange with U.S. Highway 62 (a freeway at this point) near Cache. It goes due north from here, passing through a remote part of Fort Sill before reaching the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. After entering the refuge, SH-115 is unsigned, appearing only as a nameless road. The road intersects State Highway 49 at the Cache Wye. Northbound motorists that continue straight at the intersection will be put on westbound SH-49; a right turn must be made to continue on northbound SH-115. SH-49 also turns at the Cache Wye, forming an effective concurrency with SH-49 (though neither highway has any signage). The two highways turn northeast, then curve back around to the east. SH-115 then splits off to the north, while SH-49 continues a general eastbound heading. SH-115 passes just east of Mt. Roosevelt and Mt. Sheridan before exiting the refuge, whereupon it regains its usual state highway signage."}, {"context": " After leaving the refuge, SH-115 passes through the town of Meers. For the remainder of its time in Comanche County, the highway follows an irregular northwest heading as it passes through the Wichita Mountains. Through the mountains, its winding route keeps the speed limit at . Just before crossing into Kiowa County, it runs alongside Saddle Mountain. It then crosses the county line and passes through the town of Saddle Mountain. Approximately north of the town, it overlaps SH-19 for . north of the split, SH-115 turns due west for , crossing over Saddle Mountain Creek. The highway then turns back to the north; around north of this curve, it intersects SH-9. SH-115 turns west along SH-9 for into Mountain View. After splitting away from SH-9 and leaving Mountain View, the highway crosses the Washita River into Washita County."}, {"context": " Approximately north of Mountain View, SH-115 turns east for before resuming a due north course. The highway bridges Spring Creek, a tributary of the Washita River, then curves to the northeast. After turning back to the north, the road passes through Cowden, where it crosses Gyp Creek. north of Cowden, it ends at SH-152 at a location called Cowden Junction. The first portion of what would become SH-115 was added to the state highway system in 1939 as part of SH-49. At this time, SH-49 began at US-62 in Cache proper (US-62 had not yet been shifted to the freeway north of town), entered the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, then emerged near Medicine Park and followed the remainder of SH-49's present day routing."}, {"context": " The majority of SH-115, the entire extent from the SH-49 junction in the National Wildlife Refuge to Cowden Junction, was commissioned in 1957. As originally added to the system, only the portion of highway between the northern SH-19 junction and the Washita River bridge was paved. The remainder of the route, comprising the entirety of its route within Comanche and Washita Counties, was gravel. The section of SH-49 connecting to Cache to the refuge was renumbered to be part of SH-115 in 1962, giving the highway the same basic routing that it has today. The remaining gravel portions of highway were paved between 1965 and 1967.  In 1964, the portion of gravel roadway through the Wichita Mountains between Meers and the Comanche\u2013Kiowa County line was removed from SH-115. The SH-115 designation would not be restored to this section of highway until 1984, by which time it had been paved."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 116", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 116 (abbreviated SH-116) is a state highway in Delaware County, Oklahoma, United States. It runs for and has no lettered spur routes. SH-116 begins at US-59/SH-10 four miles (6\u00a0km) west of Colcord. It then runs to the Arkansas state line, where it becomes AR-12, which connects to Rogers, Arkansas."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 117", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 117 (abbreviated SH-117) is a state highway in the Tulsa, Oklahoma metropolitan area. The majority of the highway is in Creek County, with the easternmost in Tulsa County. SH-117 has one lettered spur in the city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. SH-117 begins at SH-66 just west of Sapulpa. It briefly runs in an arc curving southeast-to-east before heading seven miles (11\u00a0km) east. SH-117 ends in Glenpool at US-75. SH-117 is known as Taft Avenue in Creek County, and 121st Street South in Tulsa County.  SH-117 was extended east along US-75, 71st Street South, and Peoria Avenue in Tulsa to Interstate 44 in 1983, coinciding with the imminent opening of the 71st Street bridge across the Arkansas River. The eastern end was truncated back to its original ending at US-75 before 1990. SH-117 has one lettered spur, SH-117A, which connects SH-117 to SH-66 along Mission Street in Sapulpa. It is long and lies entirely within Sapulpa city limits and Creek County."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 120", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 120, also abbreviated as SH-120 or OK-120, is a highway in the eastern part of the state of Oklahoma, USA. It connects SH-112 between Pocola and Cameron to the Arkansas state line. The highway runs through the town of Rock Island and Le Flore County for its entire length. After crossing the state line, it becomes Highway 10, which runs to Little Rock. Highway 120 begins at SH-112 and heads due east. It indirectly serves the core of Rock Island, passing to its north. Near its midpoint, SH-120 crosses Ivy Branch. It then has a railroad crossing. The road curves to the south as it passes through an area of sandy terrain. The highway then ends at the Arkansas state line, west of Hackett, Arkansas.  SH-112 first appears on the 1957 state highway map, implying that it was commissioned in 1956. At that time, the entire length of the highway was gravel. The road was paved in 1968. The road has always had the same general route."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 123", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 123 (abbreviated SH-123) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs a general southwest\u2013northeast course for in northern Oklahoma. SH-123 has no lettered spur routes. SH-123 begins east of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, in Osage County at State Highway 11. It heads north to the Woolaroc Museum before turning northeast. As it approaches the Washington County line, it turns northward to parallel it. SH-123 then enters western Bartlesville, overlapping US-60 for one-fifth of a mile (0.3\u00a0km). SH-123 briefly runs east\u2013west before turning north and leaving Bartlesville. It then heads due north until it changes course and runs due east to Dewey, where it terminates at US-75."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 125", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 125 (abbreviated SH-125) is a state highway in northeastern Oklahoma that is long. It begins in the south at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, ending in Miami at US-69/State Highway 10. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-125 was established in the late 1950s as a gravel spur to Monkey Island from US-59. It was paved within the first five years of its existence, and was extended north to Miami in the early 1970s. State Highway 125 begins on Monkey Island, a peninsula jutting into Grand Lake, at the Shangri-La resort at the southern tip of the peninsula. From the southern terminus, the highway proceeds northeast through a series of sharp curves, providing access to Grand Lake Regional Airport, a general aviation facility. It continues north to the former Teramiranda Airport, then crosses Echo Bay, leaving Monkey Island. The route then meets State Highway 85A north of SH-125's southern terminus; this junction forms SH-85A's eastern terminus. North of the junction, SH-125 makes a hard right, turning east, then a hard left, turning it back on a northward course. After negotiating a few curves west of Copeland, SH-125 crosses from Delaware County into Ottawa County."}, {"context": " SH-125 intersects US-59 just north of the county line. Its next highway junction, with US-60, occurs in Fairland, north of the Delaware\u2013Ottawa county line. SH-125 overlaps US-60 for before splitting away to the north. The highway turns west as it approaches Miami, crossing over I-44 (the Will Rogers Turnpike) with no direct access. As it enters Miami, it turns to the north, curving northeast to bridge the Neosho River, one of the two primary tributaries of Grand Lake. As the route lands on the north shore of the river, it begins to follow South Main Street. SH-125 ends at Steve Owens Boulevard (3rd Avenue), which carries US-69 and SH-10.  SH-125 first appears on the 1959 edition of the Oklahoma state highway map. Initially, it began at Monkey Island and had a northern terminus at US-59 (which, at the time, was also concurrent with SH-25). In 1959, the entirety of SH-125 had a gravel driving surface. By 1961, the highway had been paved. The highway's northern terminus was moved to Miami by 1972, extending it through rural Ottawa County and Fairland. No major changes to the highway have occurred since then."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 126", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 126 (abbreviated SH-126) was a state highway in McClain County, Oklahoma. It ran from State Highway 76 north of Dibble to State Highway 24 in Washington, paralleling State Highway 74B. The route was long, and did not have any lettered spur routes. SH-126 existed as a state highway for about ten years, from 1956 to 1966. After it was decommissioned, it was given to McClain County. The road is currently signed as 240th Street in McClain County's 9-1-1 road naming system. Before this, it was commonly referred to as Washington Road."}, {"context": " SH-126 began at what is now the intersection of SH-76 and 240th Street. It proceeded east from this intersection along 240th Street. At present-day May Avenue, the highway turned south to cross Dibble Creek, a tributary of Walnut Creek. After crossing the bridge, the highway continued east on 240th Street, crossing Sandy Creek, another tributary of Walnut Creek. The route then ended at SH-24 on the western outskirts of Washington. SH-126 first appears on the 1957 Oklahoma state highway map, implying it was added to the state highway system the year prior. As of 1958, the highway in its entirety was composed of gravel. By the following year, the east half of the highway had been paved. The highway remained in this state until 1966, when it was removed from the state highway system and turned over to McClain County."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 127", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 127 (SH-127) is a state highway in Delaware County, Oklahoma. It runs from US-59/SH-10/SH-20 in Jay, through the community of Zena, and ends at US-59/SH-10 north of Jay. Its total length is It has no lettered spur routes. SH-127 was established as a state highway in the late 1950s. Initially, it was an all-gravel route. By the mid-1970s, the highway had been upgraded to a paved road. SH-127 begins in downtown Jay at the intersection of South Main Street (US-59/SH-10/SH-20) and South 5th Street. From this point, SH-127 eastbound proceeds north along South 5th Street to Cherokee Street, where it turns west. It turns back to the north along North 14th Street, which it follows out of Jay. Eastbound SH-127 then turns northwest, passing through a landform known as Muskrat Hollow. The highway then turns to the north, emerging into Courthouse Prairie. It makes a sharp turn to the east, and then to the north, before reaching Zena. It heads generally east from Zena, with four sharp curves between the unincorporated place and the highway's eastern terminus. SH-127 ends at US-59/SH-10 between Jay and Grove. While SH-127 is just over long, the distance between its two termini along US-59/SH-10 is only .  SH-127 first appears on the state highway map of 1959, following the same general route as it does today, although it was a gravel highway rather than being paved. The first section of the highway to be upgraded was the section between Zena and the eastern terminus; this segment was paved by 1967. The remainder of the route was paved by 1975, resulting in its present-day configuration."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 128", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 128 (abbreviated SH-128) is a state highway in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It connects U.S. Highway 59 in Heavener to the Arkansas state line, where it becomes Arkansas Highway 28. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-128 was first added to the state highway system circa 1956. It has been realigned once, to better match up with roads across the Arkansas line. State Highway 128 begins at US-59/US-270 in Heavener. From the terminus south of downtown, the highway follows West Avenue I to East 1st Street, where it turns south, running parallel to US-59/US-270. Highway 128 then curves east and exits Heavener. For the remainder of its route, SH-128 runs mostly parallel to a spur from the Kansas City Southern rail line; the road crosses the tracks once, just east of the Heavener city limit. SH-128 follows the valley of the Poteau River through east-central Le Flore County, running between the river and Poteau Mountain. At the highway's approximate midpoint, the route passes through unincorporated Forrester. From here, SH-128 follows a generally east-northeast heading before crossing the state line into Scott County, Arkansas. The road continues east toward Bates as Arkansas Highway 28.  State Highway 128 first appears on the 1957 edition of the official Oklahoma state highway map. The route has always been a paved highway. Initially, it did not connect to Highway 28 upon crossing the Arkansas state line. The route was realigned to directly connect to Highway 28 by 1961. No further changes have occurred to the highway since that time."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 130", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 130, also known as SH-130 or OK-130, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is entirely within McClain County. It does not have any lettered spur routes. It runs between SH-76 north of Blanchard to a traffic light on US-62/277 in the southwest part of Newcastle. The speed limit is 55 MPH (88\u00a0km/h) for most of the route, though on the east end of the highway the speed limit falls to 45 MPH (72\u00a0km/h). SH-130 is also signed as Fox Lane by the city of Newcastle. SH-130 first appeared on the 1957 ODOT map, which was also the first to show SH-76's extension to Newcastle (previously, SH-76 ended in Blanchard). From 1957 to 1964, it was composed of gravel. The route was apparently decommissioned in either 1964 or early 1965, as it appears on the 1964 map but not the 1965 edition. SH-130 was brought back fourteen years later, reappearing on the 1979 map as a paved highway. No changes have been made to the highway since then."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 131", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 131 (SH-131 or OK-131) is a state highway in southeastern Oklahoma. It runs through Coal and Atoka Counties. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-131 begins in Coal County northeast of Coalgate, the county seat. From the terminus at State Highway 31, SH-131 heads northeast towards the unincorporated town of Cairo. North of Phillips Hollow, the route crosses a small stream, an eventual tributary of Coal Creek. The highway then crosses the Coal\u2013Atoka county line. After entering Atoka County, the highway gradually curves onto an east-northeast course, which continues as it passes through Wardville, another incorporated town northeast of Cairo. SH-131 then becomes a more easterly route. After bridging North Boggy Creek, the route swings around to the north briefly, before returning to a due east heading. The road then crosses Fivemile Creek. Five miles (8.0\u00a0km) east of Wardville, it ends at US-69 south of Kiowa.  State Highway 131 first appeared on the 1959 state road map. When it was originally commissioned, it began at its present-day western terminus near Cairo, but stopped short of the present-day eastern terminus, instead ending in Wardville. SH-131 had these termini for over twenty years. The route was extended to US-69 in 1985. No further changes to the highway have been made since the extension."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 132", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 132, also known as SH-132, is a state highway in north-central Oklahoma. It connects State Highway 51 west of Hennessey to the Kansas state line near Manchester, and is long. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-132 was originally added to the state highway system in 1956, when it ran between Carrier and U.S. Route 64 (US-64) east of Nash. It was extended further northward to the Kansas state line in 1958, and southward, to its current southern terminus, in 1962. SH-132 begins at State Highway 51 in rural Kingfisher County east of the unincorporated community of Lacey. It heads north from there, passing through unincorporated Cato before crossing into Garfield County. Approximately north of the county line, the highway cuts through Barr. north of Barr, the road skirts the east edge of Drummond, where it crosses a Grainbelt Corporation railroad track. The highway then meets U.S. Highway 60/412 west of Enid."}, {"context": " SH-132 turns east and overlaps the U.S. routes for one mile (1.6\u00a0km), before splitting back off to the north. In Carrier, it briefly overlaps State Highway 45. North of Carrier, the highway crosses another railroad track, this one operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe, before running to the west of Hillsdale. At the Garfield\u2013Grant County line, the highway curves to the northwest before turning back to a due north heading in order to line up with Grant County's road grid. SH-132's first numbered highway junction in Grant County is with US-64. SH-132 turns to the west, overlapping US-64 for before splitting off to the north in Nash. North of Nash, the highway passes through two sharp curves before crossing over the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River, and through two more sharp curves after the crossing. SH-132 then passes one mile (1.6\u00a0km) to the west of unincorporated Hawley. Its final highway junction in Oklahoma is with State Highway 11. From here, the highway continues due north, passing west of Sand Creek, Wakita, and Gibbon en route to Manchester. After passing through Manchester, the highway turns west along the Oklahoma\u2013Kansas state line. The road then curves back to the north, fully entering the state of Kansas, and becomes K-179."}, {"context": " SH-132 was first designated on July 14, 1956. Initially, the highway began at what was then SH-38 (present-day SH-45) in Carrier, proceeding north along its present-day route to end at US-64 east of Nash. On May 8, 1958, the portion of the route concurrent with US-64 into Nash, and from Nash to the Kansas state line north of Manchester, was added. The route did not appear on the official state highway map until the 1959 edition. At this time, portions of the route in Grant County, including from the Garfield\u2013Grant county line to US-64 and a segment between Nash and Manchester, were unpaved. By 1961, the segment of highway north of SH-11 had been paved.  On July 2, 1962, SH-132 was extended to the south, reaching its present-day southern terminus. A minor realignment to the highway occurred in southern Grant County on January 7, 1963, the final change to SH-132's route. By 1963, the portion of highway in Grant County south of US-64 was paved, leaving only a section extending from north of Nash to SH-11 as unpaved. This section was paved by 1967."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 133", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 133 (abbreviated SH-133 or OK-133) is a short state highway in central Oklahoma, United States. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-133 was first established in the late 1950s. Originally commissioned with a gravel surface, it was paved in the 1970s. SH-133's southern terminus is at SH-19 northeast of Pauls Valley. The highway begins in Garvin County and crosses into McClain County north of SH-19. The highway ends north of the county line at SH-59 between Rosedale and Byars. SH-133 first appeared on the 1959 state highway map, implying it was commissioned in either late 1958 or early 1959. Originally, the route was entirely gravel-surfaced but by 1963 the Garvin County portion had been paved. The road was entirely paved in 1972."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 134", "paragraphs": [{"context": " In Oklahoma, State Highway 134 may refer to:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 136", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 136 (abbreviated SH-136) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs across Texas County in the Oklahoma Panhandle, from the adjoining state of Texas in the south to Kansas in the north. SH-136 does not have any letter-suffixed spur routes branching from it, however, it does have a truck route bypassing downtown Guymon. State Highway 136 was designated as such to match the number of the Texas state highway it connects to. SH-136 begins at the Texas state line about north of Gruver. It runs north to Guymon, where it joins US-64, US-412 and SH-3 through the city. The routes divide five miles (8\u00a0km) north of Guymon, after crossing the Beaver River, with Highway 136 running uninterrupted the remaining to the Kansas line."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 137", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 137 (SH-137) is a highway in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. It is a two-lane highway beginning at State Highway 10 east of Miami and ends at U.S. Highway 60 in Twin Bridges State Park on the north side of the Grand Lake o' the Cherokees. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-137 was established circa 1957. The highway's northern terminus was formerly US-69 Alternate in Quapaw, but the portion of highway from SH-10 to US-69 Alternate has since been removed from the state highway system. SH-137 begins at an intersection with US-60 in Twin Bridges State Park. The intersection lies between the Neosho River and the Spring River, near the point where the two rivers merge to form the Grand Lake o' the Cherokees. From the terminus, the highway heads northwest out of the park. After clearing the park boundaries, the road curves to due west, then makes a sharp curve onto a due north course. Approximately north of the turn, the highway passes through the unincorporated location of Ottawa. The highway's terminus lies further north, at an intersection with SH-10."}, {"context": " SH-137 first appears on the 1958 state highway map. At this time, the route began at US-60 and continued north to SH-10 north of Ottawa as it does today. However, it continued north from there; its northern terminus was in Quapaw at what was then US-66 (present day US-69 Alternate). The highway had a gravel surface at this time. SH-137 was paved in its entirety by 1961. The route remained in this configuration throughout the remainder of the twentieth century. In 2002, the portion of highway north of SH-10 was stripped of its designation as SH-137 and turned over to Ottawa County, truncating the route to its present-day termini. No further changes have occurred to the route since."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 14", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 14, abbreviated as SH-14, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is long, with its entire route falling in Woods County in the northwestern part of the state. It does not have any lettered spur routes. SH-14 was part of Oklahoma's original highway system, as designated on August 24, 1924, and ran from Frederick in southwestern Oklahoma to the Kansas state line. In the late 1930s, however, new U.S. routes were introduced to Oklahoma; U.S. Highway 281 (US-281) and US-183 overtook most of SH-14's route, reducing it to its present-day extent."}, {"context": " SH-14 begins at U.S. Highway 281 and SH-45 in Waynoka. From this point, the highway heads west for a few blocks on the north edge of Waynoka. It then turns north and, after curving slightly to the east, follows a due north course to US-64 east of Cora. Signage present along the road indicates that SH-14 ends at US-64. However, both the Oklahoma state highway map and ODOT's internal control section maps show SH-14 turning east at this intersection. SH-14 then overlaps US-64, unsigned, into Alva, the county seat. The route continues through Alva, where US-64 and unsigned SH-14 overlap US-281. On the east side of the town, US-281 splits off to the north; this intersection is the end of SH-14."}, {"context": " State Highway 14 has its roots in the original 1924 state highway system. SH-14, as designated on August 24, 1924, was nearly a border-to-border route. It began at SH-5 east of Frederick and proceeded north to Manitou. It then intersected SH-7 in Snyder and ran through Mountain Park shortly thereafter. The route then zig-zagged to the northwest towards Roosevelt. It then ran due north to the Hobart area, beginning a concurrency with SH-9 east of that town. After SH-9 split off to the east, SH-14 entered Washita County, where it intersected no other highways, but ran through the towns of Rocky, Cordell (the county seat), and Bessie. Just after crossing into Custer County, the highway had a concurrency with SH-3; the two routes split up in Clinton. SH-14 continued on a due north course through Arapaho, Putnam, and Taloga. In Seiling, SH-14 turned west, overlapping SH-13 through Cestos to a point just east of Vici, where SH-14 split away from SH-13. SH-14 then passed through Sharon en route to Woodward. It concurred with SH-15 to Tangier, then split off to the north to run through Fort Supply before ending at SH-11 east of Buffalo."}, {"context": " Unlike many of the other original highways, SH-14 was not immediately affected by the introduction of the United States Numbered Highways system in 1929. However, SH-14 underwent its first alteration in 1929, when it was extended south through Frederick and Davidson to the Texas state line. By the end of 1931, State Highway 14 had been realigned north of Seiling. From Seiling, the road continued north (rather than concurring with what was by then US-60 towards Vici) to Chester and Waynoka. From Waynoka, the route continued north along present-day U.S. 281 through Alva to the state line south of Hardtner, Kansas. (The old road north of Vici became part of SH-34.)"}, {"context": " New U.S. routes were added to Oklahoma's highway system in 1938. Among these were US-281, formerly a split route with one section in Kansas and one in Texas, which was connected in 1938 via Oklahoma; also added in 1938 was a southern extension of US-183. These two routes were overlaid onto SH-14, with US-183 entering the state from the south near Davidson and following the SH-14 route to Seiling, and US-281 taking the remainder of the route. SH-14 was rerouted to follow an independent routing northward from Waynoka (the present day routing) in 1940, and the section of the highway connecting Alva to the Kansas line was dropped (making this road solely US-281). The rest of the highway, still concurrent with US-183 and US-281, was decommissioned the following year, leaving SH-14 at its present-day termini. No changes have been made to SH-14 since."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 141", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 141 is an state highway in Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma, USA. It connects U.S. Highway 59 to U.S. Highway 64 and runs through Gans. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-141 was first added to the state highway system in 1958 as a gravel highway and was gradually paved between then and 1966. State Highway 141 begins at US-59 east of Robert S. Kerr Lake, south of Sallisaw. From this terminus, SH-141 proceeds due east for about . The highway then turns north for about a half mile (0.3 km) before resuming its easterly course. The highway continues east for about more, passing south of Pine Mountain. The highway then turns northeast to pass through the town of Gans, where it crosses a railroad track. Northeast of town, the road turns to the east once again before coming to an end at US-64.  SH-141 first appeared on the 1959 official state map, implying that it was commissioned the previous year. At this time, SH-141 had the same extent as it does today, but was completely gravel, and terminated north of Gans rather than turning back east as it does today. By 1961, the highway had been rerouted to end at its current eastern terminus; the portion of highway east of Gans was also paved at this time. In 1966 the remainder of the highway was paved."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 142", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 142, abbreviated SH-142, is a highway in southern Oklahoma. It serves as a short truck route and bypass around the northern and eastern sections of Ardmore. SH-142 in Ardmore is locally designated as Veterans Boulevard. The highway's western terminus is at I-35 (milemarker 33) in Ardmore. Beginning as a divided highway, it intersects US-77 (locally designated as Commerce) approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) to the east. From there, SH-142 progresses as a two-lane highway approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers), passes by Ardmore Middle and High Schools, makes a fairly sharp right turn to the south (near the Valero refinery), and terminates 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) to the south at an intersection with State Highway 199. The roadway (but not the SH-142 designation) continues south as P Street Northeast just to the east of greater Ardmore.  SH-142 was originally designated as a state highway in 1958 between US-77 on Ardmore's north side and the former US-70 on the east side of the city which is the current SH-199. In 1969 when I-35 was completed along the west side of Ardmore, SH-142 was extended a mile further west from US-77 to an interchange with the interstate route."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 144", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 144 (abbreviated SH-144) is a state highway in the Little Dixie region of Oklahoma. It runs in Pushmataha and Le Flore Counties. It does not have any lettered spur routes. SH-144 begins at US-271, nine miles (14\u00a0km) southeast of Clayton. From there it runs to the east through the community of Nashoba, and into the Kiamichi Mountains. Highway 144 parallels the Little River most of the way through the mountains, passing through Fewell, and just south of Honobia. Highway 144 ends at US-259 in the Kiamichi Mountains, just east of Octavia."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 145", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 145, abbreviated as SH-145 or OK-145, is a short, highway in Garvin County, Oklahoma. It connects Interstate 35 at its west end to US-77 in Paoli at its east end. It does not have any spur routes. State Highway 145 begins at Exit 79 along Interstate 35 in northern Garvin County. From this point, it heads east along Davis Avenue until it reaches the town of Paoli. The route ends at US-77 in the center of the town. \"TO Interstate 35\" signage is also present along westbound SH-145. State Highway 145 was added to Oklahoma's highway system in 1958. The original western terminus of the highway was at State Highway 19 east of Maysville. The eastern terminus was in Paoli. The highway was entirely gravel when it was commissioned, and did not yet have an interchange with I-35, as that highway had not yet been built south of Purcell in McClain County."}, {"context": " By 1961, SH-145 had been extended eastward to meet SH-19 once again east of Paoli. At this point, the highway served as a \"de facto\" Pauls Valley bypass, as SH-19 dipped down to the south to run through the Garvin County seat, while SH-145 continued on a straight course. The highway had also been nearly-entirely paved by this point, with only a short section near the eastern terminus still gravelled. SH-145 was decommissioned between July 1968 and June 1969. However, some time between September 1970 and 1972, the highway had been reinstated with its present-day termini. No changes have taken place since 1972."}, {"context": " SH-145's bridge over I-35 at its present-day western end was the site of a deadly accident on 8 June 2004, when a chunk of concrete crumbled off the bridge and fell on a car passing under the bridge on I-35. Yvonne Osborne, the driver of the car, was killed. The accident was cited by political action committees such as Oklahomans for Safe Roads and Bridges as a result of poor funding for Oklahoma roads. Osborne's death served as a catalyst for the state legislature to allocate extra funding for ODOT \u2014 as a result of the bridge incident, $100 million was appropriated to the agency for bridge repair, and was eventually exhausted after having been used to repair or replace 68 Oklahoma bridges. The event also led to the passage of House Bill 1176, which added either $50 million or $17.5 million to ODOT's annual budget, depending on the state's revenue for the fiscal year."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 146", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 146 (abbreviated SH-146) is a short state highway in Caddo County, Oklahoma. It runs for , connecting State Highway 9 to State Highway 152, at an intersection sometimes known as \"Three-Way Corner\". It provides access to Fort Cobb Lake and Fort Cobb State Park. Along the way it passes through Albert. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-146 was added to the state highway system around 1961. The highway was established with its present-day routing and has always been paved along the entirety of its route."}, {"context": " State Highway 146 begins at SH-9 north of Fort Cobb. SH-146 heads due north for before making a sharp turn to the east. After approximately , the highway turns north-northwest, crossing over Cobb Creek, the outlet of Fort Cobb Lake. The highway then resumes a due north course, passing about east of the lake. After around , the highway makes another ninety-degree turn to due east, returning to due north after approximately three-quarters of a mile (). north of this curve, the highway passes through Albert, an unincorporated location. SH-146 continues north of Albert for before reaching Three Way Corner, its junction with SH-152, where it ends.  SH-146 first appeared on the 1962 official state map. At this time, the highway followed its present-day route, and its entire length was paved. No changes have been made to the route since 1962."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 147", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 147 (abbreviated SH-147) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in Choctaw and Pushmataha counties. Highway 147 begins at US-70, just east of Sawyer. From there it runs north, up the east side of Hugo Lake. There is a one-mile (1.6\u00a0km) dogleg to the east just south of the community of Spencerville, and another short dogleg east at the Choctaw\u2013Pushmataha county line. SH-147 terminates at SH-3 in Oleta. SH-147 begins at US-70 in Sawyer. The route heads north, running east of Hugo Lake and crossing over several of the streams that feed it, including Cedar Creek. About north of US-70, SH-147 passes through Virgil, an unincorporated place. The highway continues north to a small lake called Schooler Lake, which it passes just east of. The highway then turns east, passing through a series of curves, before returning to a due north course; this section lies east of the community of Spencerville and crosses Spencer Creek. The highway turns east once again at the Choctaw\u2013Pushmataha county line, straddling the border for about a quarter of a mile (). The highway returns to a due north course, fully entering Pushmataha County, until Oleta, where it terminates at SH-3."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 149", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 149 (abbreviated SH-149) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in Harper County, from US-283 in Laverne to SH-46, north of May. SH-149 begins at US-283 in Laverne. From this junction, the highway follows Main Street to the east out of town. The road dips gently to the south approximately east of Laverne before returning to its previous line of latitude. About two and a half miles () east of Laverne, the road crosses the Beaver River. SH-149 then continues due east to SH-46, where it ends."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 15", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 15 (abbreviated SH-15 or OK-15) is the name for two once-connected state highways in Oklahoma. One begins at the Texas state line and runs for 47.1\u00a0miles (75.8\u00a0km) through Woodward; the other runs for 62.4\u00a0miles (100.4\u00a0km) between U.S. Highway 64/U.S. Highway 412 and State Highway 18 north of Pawnee. SH-15 has no lettered spur routes. The western SH-15 begins at the Texas state line, connecting to Texas' State Highway 15 between Catesby and Shattuck. It runs east for seven miles (11.2\u00a0km) to US-283, which it overlaps into Shattuck. In Shattuck, SH-15 splits off to the northeast, heading through Gage and Fargo, before ending in Woodward."}, {"context": " The eastern SH-15 picks up a US-64/412 south of Garber, and begins concurrent with State Highway 74 heading northbound. It splits from SH-74 to head through Billings and has an interchange with Interstate 35 at milemarker 203. It then has a five-mile (8.0\u00a0km) concurrency with U.S. Highway 77. After leaving US-77, it passes through Red Rock, and has a concurrency with US-177, and splits off just north of the intersection with the Cimarron Turnpike. It bridges Sooner Lake and runs for 15 more miles (24 more km) before ending at State Highway 18 north of Pawnee.  The two sections of SH-15 were once connected into one highway. However, when U.S. Highway 412 was commissioned, the middle section of highway (from Woodward to Garber) was redesignated as US-412, and SH-15 decommissioned through that section."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 150", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 150 (abbreviated SH-150) is a state highway in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, in the United States. It is long, running diagonally from U.S. Highway 69 north of Eufaula in the southeast to Interstate 40 west of Checotah in the northwest. SH-150 provides access to Lake Eufaula and Lake Eufaula State Park. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-150 was established in the mid-1960s as a spur route connecting I-40 to the parklands surrounding Lake Eufaula. In the early 1970s, it was extended to reconnect with the state highway system, as it does today, at its south end."}, {"context": " State Highway 150 begins at an interchange with U.S. 69 north of Eufaula. East of the freeway, the roadbed continues as Texanna Road. From the interchange, SH-150 angles northeast, crossing the Deep Fork River arm of Eufaula Lake. Upon reaching the shore, the highway enters Lake Eufaula State Park and turns due north. The highway provides access to Fountainhead Lodge Airpark, then curves around to the west. A sharp turn shortly thereafter turns the highway back to the north. SH-150 then passes through Brush Hill and leaves the state park. The highway turns northwest to avoid the lake, then turns back to the north before coming to an end at Interstate 40 exit 259.  State Highway 150 first appeared on the 1965 Oklahoma highway map. The highway originally served as a spur from Interstate 40 (the adjacent section of which appeared on the state map at the same time as SH-150) to Fountainhead State Park, as Eufaula State Park was known at the time. By 1971, SH-150 was extended southeastward, connecting to US-69. No further changes to the highway have occurred since that time."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 151", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 151 (abbreviated SH-151 or OK-151) runs across Keystone Dam in northeastern Oklahoma. Its entire length is within Tulsa County. The route has no lettered spur routes. SH-151 was ostensibly assigned to Keystone Dam upon its completion in 1964. State Highway 151 begins at a trumpet interchange with SH-51 east of Mannford. While elevated from this interchange, the highway crosses the BNSF Railway. SH-151, running north-northeast, then serves as the eastern boundary of Keystone State Park. It then runs across the top of Keystone Dam; on the west side of the dam lies Keystone Lake, while on the east side is the Arkansas River. After crossing the dam, the route ends at US-64/US-412 at another trumpet interchange, west of Sand Springs.  Keystone Dam was completed in 1964. The dam was first shown as a state highway on the 1965 state highway map. No SH-151 shield was shown on this map, however; presumably it was omitted for space reasons. The highway would remain unlabeled on the official state maps until the 2008 edition."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 152", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 152 (abbreviated SH-152) is a state highway running through west-central Oklahoma. It begins at the Texas state line, serving as a continuation of Texas State Highway 152, and continues east to end at Interstate 44 (I-44) in southwest Oklahoma City, a length of . Along its route it serves three county seats: Sayre, Cordell, and Oklahoma City (which is also the state capital). Near its eastern end, it passes through the Oklahoma City suburb of Mustang. The easternmost of the route is a freeway linking Will Rogers World Airport to the Interstate system. SH-152 has no lettered spur routes."}, {"context": " SH-152 was originally designated around 1927. It was initially numbered SH-41, and connected Sayre to Minco. SH-41 was extended east to Oklahoma City around 1934 and west to the Texas state line around 1938. The highway was renumbered to SH-152 in 1954. SH-152 begins at the Texas state line in Roger Mills County. It runs just north of the county line, crossing State Highway 30, and continues east until it meets SH-6's northern terminus, where it turns toward the southeast, entering Beckham Couunty. It straightens out to head through Sayre running east\u2013west, where it meets both U.S. Highway 283 and Interstate 40. Six miles later it crosses State Highway 34 and six miles (10\u00a0km) after that it meets SH-6 again."}, {"context": " SH-152 then crosses into Washita County and intersects State Highway 44 and 42. It then meets US-183 in a roundabout in Cordell. East of Cordell, it has a concurrency with the northern State Highway 54 and, after it splits off, it intersects State Highway 115. Right after entering Caddo County, it has a concurrency with State Highway 58, and then it meets State Highway 146 near Binger. At Binger, it begins to overlap U.S. Highway 281 and SH-8. It splits off on its own again five miles (8\u00a0km) later. later, it meets the western State Highway 37 at Cogar, which it then overlaps for . (Located at this intersection is an abandoned Apco station, which was used in a scene from the movie \"Rain Man\"). North of Minco, it meets US-81. At this T-intersection, SH-37 heads south and SH-152 heads north."}, {"context": " After crossing the Canadian River into Canadian County, SH-152 splits off from US-81 in Union City. It passes the southern terminus of State Highway 92 in Mustang. In downtown Mustang, it overlaps SH-4. In Oklahoma County, it heads northeast to connect to the Airport Road freeway, which provides access to Will Rogers World Airport, the main airport for Oklahoma City and most of central Oklahoma. SH-152 then ends at Interstate 44. The first addition of any part of what is now SH-152 to the state highway system occurred between May 1, 1926 and November 1, 1927. Sometime between these dates, State Highway 41 was commissioned to run between US-66 in Sayre and SH-2 (now US-81) near Minco. SH-41 was extended east to Oklahoma City sometime between August 1933 and October 1935. SH-41's eastern terminus now fell at the intersection with US-62/277. The current western terminus was established between April 1938 and April 1939, when the highway was extended west from Sayre, through Sweetwater, to the Texas state line, where it connected to Texas's SH-152. On December 6, 1954, SH-41 in its entirety was renumbered to SH-152."}, {"context": " US-62 was moved to the Will Rogers Expressway (present day I-44 south of I-240) on September 4, 1963. SH-152 was extended over former US-62/277 to end at the intersection of S.W. 29th Street and May Avenue in Oklahoma City. At the time, this intersection carried SH-3 and SH-74. On March 5, 1979, the eastern terminus was pushed back a half-mile west, to the intersection of Interstate 44 and S.W. 29th. The most recent alteration to SH-152 came on February 2, 2004. On this date, SH-152 was removed from Newcastle Boulevard and placed on the newly extended Airport Road freeway. The freeway previously carried no numbered route designation. This placed the highway's eastern terminus at its current location, and no changes have been made since."}, {"context": " State Highway 42 is a short state highway in Washita County. It is long and connects SH-152 to Dill City. SH-42 begins on the east edge of Dill City. It heads west along Orient Avenue through town, until it reaches Rambo Street. It then continues north on Rambo Street. The SH-42 designation then ends at SH-152. The SH-152 junction is SH-42's only intersection with another highway. SH-42 was first added to the state highway system on July 20, 1939, at which time it had been graded, but not yet surfaced. At the time that SH-42 was commissioned, its northern terminus was at SH-41, which was later renumbered to SH-152. The highway first appeared on the 1944 state map."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 156", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 156, abbreviated SH-156, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Spanning through the north-central part of the state, it connects the town of Marland, Oklahoma to US-60/US-77/US-177 in the north to US-77 in the west. It is the former alignment of US-77. Starting at US-77, the highway goes east for until reaching Marland, where it turns northward. later, after crossing from Noble County into Kay County, it ends at US-60/US-77/US-177 west of Ponca City. SH-156 is designated as the 101 Ranch Memorial Road. A historical marker to the ranch is located along the highway.  The entirety of SH-156 was once part of US-77. US-77 was realigned and SH-156 was assigned to the old alignment on March 1, 1965. On July 14, 1969, US-60/US-77/US-177 was realigned at SH-156's north end, necessitating a slight extension northward. No further changes have taken place since 1969."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 16", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 16 (SH-16 or OK-16) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in an irregular 99.2-mile west-to-east pattern through the northeastern part of the state, running from SH-33 at Drumright to SH-51 at Wagoner. There are no letter-suffixed spur highways branching from SH-16. SH-16 was established in 1936 as a gravel highway running between Bristow at its western end and Beggs at its eastern end. Since then, the highway has been paved and gradually extended to both the east and the west, finally reaching its present-day extent in 1965."}, {"context": " SH-16 begins at SH-33 on the east side of Drumright, in western Creek County. From there, it travels six miles (10\u00a0km) south to the town of Shamrock, then roughly southeasterly to the city of Bristow. SH-16 briefly overlaps SH-48 and SH-66 through Bristow. On the south side of Bristow, SH-16 heads east, then south, to the town of Slick, then continues another east to Beggs, where it junctions with U.S. Route 75 Alternate. Four miles (6.4\u00a0km) east of Beggs, SH-16 intersects U.S. Route 75, a major national north/south highway and prominent in the area as a four-lane expressway connecting Tulsa and Okmulgee. From there it runs due east, intersecting SH-52 near the community of Bald Hill."}, {"context": " Twelve miles (19.3\u00a0km) after SH-52, SH-16 joins up with U.S. Route 62/64, six miles (10\u00a0km) south of Haskell. Five miles (8\u00a0km) later, SH-162 branches off to the north, connecting with the town of Taft, and in another eight miles (13\u00a0km) enters the city of Muskogee along Okmulgee Street. In Muskogee, SH-16 meets U.S. Route 69 at 32nd Street, and turning north, forms a brief three-way concurrency (US-62/69/SH-16). At Shawnee Bypass, U.S. Route 62 and SH-16 turn east, and overlap three miles (5\u00a0km) to York Street, where SH-16 turns north on its own again."}, {"context": " SH-16 crosses the Arkansas and Verdigris Rivers, and passes under the Muskogee Turnpike, intersecting with SH-251A in Okay. Eight miles (12.9\u00a0km) farther to the north and west, SH-16 ends at SH-51, on the south side of Wagoner. The present incarnation of SH-16 first appeared on Oklahoma's state highway map in 1937 as a gravel highway connecting Bristow to Beggs. This would be SH-16's extent for nearly two decades. This section of the highway was first paved in 1950. SH-16 was not extended beyond Beggs until 1954, when it was extended east to US-62 and US-64. This section of gravel highway had a slight jog to the north, causing it to meet the U.S. highways at Jamesville, north of the present-day junction. The following year, SH-16 was extended even further east, passing through Muskogee via US-62, US-64, and US-69, and proceeding along its present-day alignment to Okay. In Okay, the highway turned east, following present-day SH-251A across Fort Gibson Dam and coming to an end at SH-80. This extension was entirely paved."}, {"context": " In 1958, the jog between Beggs and Jamesville was removed, moving the US-62/64 junction to its present-day location; this portion of highway remained unpaved. The 1961 map shows the entirety of the Beggs\u2014US-62/64 segment as paved, however, the following year's map shows the portion east of the Okmulgee\u2013Muskogee County line as gravel. By 1963 this portion of gravel highway in Muskogee County had apparently been paved. The highway was extended again in 1961, this time to the west. At that time, SH-16 absorbed the wholly paved SH-27 between Bristow and Drumright, setting its western terminus at its present-day location. SH-16's final extension occurred in 1965, when SH-251A was established and SH-16 was realigned to instead continue north past Okay and terminate at SH-51 in Wagoner. No further changes have been made to the highway since then."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 162", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 162 (SH-162/OK-162) is a 1.3-mile (2.1\u00a0km) state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma that provides access from US-62/US-64/SH-16 to the town of Taft. The highway lies entirely within Muskogee County. Serving as a spur route itself, the highway has no letter-suffixed spur routes of its own. SH-162 begins at the US-62/64/SH-16 expressway south of Taft, then proceeds due north for , ending on the western edge of town. The route's northern terminus is at Old Taft Road, the old alignment of US-62/64."}, {"context": " From the routes' establishment into the mid-1960s, US-62 and US-64 passed through Taft along what is now Old Taft Road en route to the county seat of Muskogee. On July 10, 1967, however, the state shifted the routes onto the present-day expressway south of town. SH-162 was created around the same time, allowing Taft to remain connected to the state highway system. The change to US-62/64/SH-16's alignment was not reflected on the official state highway map until the 1969 edition; this was also the first edition of the state highway map to show SH-162."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 164", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 164 (abbreviated SH-164) is a state highway in north-central Oklahoma. It runs from SH-74 in Covington to U.S. Route 77 (US-77) west of Perry. SH-164 is long. It has no lettered spur routes. The route of SH-164 was initially served by US-64. The highway was assigned the SH-164 designation when US-64 was realigned around 1971. SH-164 begins on the southern fringes of Covington at a junction with SH-74. The highway heads east-southeast from this point, paralleling a rail line. About away from the terminus, the highway breaks away from the railroad, heading on a more easterly course, bypassing Hayward to the north. The highway then crosses from Garfield County into Noble County. Just after entering Noble County, it runs along the north outskirts of Lucien. The road then continues on a due east course before ending at US-77 west of Perry."}, {"context": " SH-164 was originally part of US-64. US-64 and SH-15 proceeded east out of Enid until reaching SH-74, where SH-15 turned north and US-64 turned south. After following SH-74 to Covington, US-64 turned east, following present-day SH-164 east to US-77. From there, it followed US-77 into Perry. By 1972, US-64 had been realigned, continuing due east from SH-74 rather than forming a concurrency with it. Instead, it continued east to I-35, following it south to Perry. The old alignment of US-64 between Perry and Covington then became SH-164."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 165", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 165 (SH-165) is a state highway in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. It runs east along Peak Boulevard in the southern part of Muskogee from US-64 to the northern terminus of the southern section of the Muskogee Turnpike, then runs north as a freeway connecting the two sections of the turnpike. The total length of the highway is . It has no lettered spur routes. The freeway connecting the two halves of the Muskogee Turnpike was first numbered as SH-165 in 1969. The east\u2013west portion of highway along Peak Boulevard was built and numbered as SH-165 by 1987."}, {"context": " SH-165 begins at an interchange on Peak Boulevard on the south side of Muskogee. To the west of this interchange, Peak Boulevard carries US-64; that highway exits from Peak at the interchange and proceeds south towards Warner. This interchange is also the eastern terminus of US-64 Business, which continues to the north towards downtown Muskogee. From the interchange, SH-165 follows Peak Boulevard to the east as an expressway, crossing Coody Creek before turning to the east-northeast. As the highway crosses York Street, it exits the Muskogee city limits."}, {"context": " SH-165 then has an partial interchange with the Muskogee Turnpike; the turnpike is only accessible from southbound SH-165. The Muskogee Turnpike consists of two disconnected sections of toll road with an untolled freeway segment in between; northbound SH-165 traffic merges with the northbound lanes of the turnpike to form this freeway. Shortly after this interchange, the highway re-enters Muskogee. The SH-165 freeway serves the east side of Muskogee, with interchanges with city arterials such as Chandler Road, Hancock Street, and Gibson Street. The highway also includes a full cloverleaf interchange with US-62. SH-165 continues north of US-62 for to its final interchange with Hyde Park Road near the Port of Muskogee. At this interchange, SH-165 ends; northbound traffic defaults onto the northbound Muskogee Turnpike towards Tulsa."}, {"context": " The freeway between the two sections of the Muskogee Turnpike that would later become SH-165 first appears on the official Oklahoma state map in 1969. The Muskogee inset of that map shows the freeway, unnumbered, and the southern SH-165\u2013turnpike interchange in place, but with ramp stubs, as the SH-165 portion of Peak Boulevard had yet to be built. The following year's map shows SH-165 in place along the connector freeway. By 1975, the Peak Boulevard portion of SH-165 was under construction. The highway was complete and in its present-day configuration by 1987."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 167", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 167 (abbreviated SH-167) is a state highway near Tulsa, Oklahoma. Having only a length of , it only passes through Rogers Co.. SH-167 connects Interstate 44/US 412/SH-66 at Catoosa to the Tulsa Port of Catoosa on the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System (part of the Arkansas River), and to serve truck traffic traveling to the port. SH-167 has no lettered spur routes. SH-167 begins in the south at Exit 240A of I-44/US-412/SH-66 in the city of Catoosa. From there, SH-167 heads north on 193rd Street East. About one and a half miles () north of I-44, the highway crosses a railroad, then continues north to cross Bird Creek. The route ends at SH-266 just west of the Port of Catoosa."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 17", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 17, abbreviated as SH-17, is an east\u2013west highway in Oklahoma. It is a relatively short highway, extending for only from U.S. Highway 277 (US-277) in Elgin to Business US-81 in Rush Springs. It has no lettered spur routes (it does not connect to SH-17A in Wynnewood). SH-17 was first established as a state highway, connecting Sterling to Rush Springs, in the mid-1930s. It was later extended west over a portion of SH-65, bringing its western terminus to Elgin. SH-17 begins at U.S. Highway 277 in the north-central part of Elgin. SH-17 proceeds due east out of town for approximately before turning southeast. Around west of Sterling, the route returns to a due east course, then curves slightly to the south as it enters town. On the west side of town, SH-17 serves as the northern terminus of SH-65, which follows 5th Avenue southward out of town. SH-17 continues east through Sterling along Main Street."}, {"context": " East of Sterling, SH-17 crosses Beaver Creek near its source. About east of SH-65, SH-17 crosses the Comanche\u2013Grady county line. The route then turns northeast, turning back east to follow the same line of latitude it originally followed in Elgin. The highway passes south of the ghost town of Acme. On the west side of Rush Springs, it intersects the US-81 expressway bypass of the town. SH-17 then continues east along Blakeley Avenue into downtown Rush Springs, where it ends at US-81's Rush Springs business loop.  The present-day State Highway 17 was commissioned between May 1936 and April 1937. Originally, the all-dirt highway began in Sterling and ran to Rush Springs; the Sterling\u2013Elgin portion of the highway was at that time part of SH-65. However, at some point between April 1937 and April 1938, SH-65 was truncated to the south, and SH-17 was extended west to Elgin along the former route of SH-65. No further changes have been made to SH-17's route since."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 171", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 171, abbreviated as SH-171, is a state highway in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, in the Oklahoma Panhandle. It runs for north and south through the eastern part of the county, connecting U.S. Highway 287 near the Oklahoma-Texas state line to US-56 in Keyes. The only other highway it intersects with is US-64/412/SH-3, three miles (5\u00a0km) south of Keyes. SH-171 has no lettered spur routes. SH-171 was established circa 1974 with its present-day routing and termini, and may have initially been numbered SH-170. It had assumed its current number by 1976."}, {"context": " State Highway 171 begins at US-287 near Kerrick, Texas, northwest of the Texas state line. From the southern terminus, SH-171 heads due north. Approximately north of the terminus, SH-171 crosses the intermittent Beaver River (a local name for the North Canadian River). As the route continues north, it passes to the east of two intermittent lakes, Ritner Lake and Sampsel Lake. The highway then comes to a junction with US-64, US-412, and SH-3; the three highways head toward Boise City to the west and Guymon to the east. SH-171 continues north, passing along the eastern edge of the town of Keyes. The route then comes to an end at US-56.  The route of the present-day SH-171 was first shown as a state highway on the 1975 official state map, implying its creation in 1974. On this edition of the map only, it is shown as State Highway 170. By 1976, it was shown as SH-171. The route has always been paved, and follows the same routing that it did in 1974."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 17A", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 17A (SH-17A) is a long long state highway in south-central Oklahoma. It connects Interstate 35 (I-35) to U.S. Route 77 (US-77) near Wynnewood. It does not connect to its implied parent, State Highway 17. SH-17A was established around 1982, and has always had the same route. SH-17A begins at I-35 exit 64, a diamond interchange, in unincorporated Garvin County west-southwest of Wynnewood. The highway continues due east from this interchange. SH-17A crosses the Washita River midway through its route. East of the Washita River bridge, the road runs along the Garvin\u2013Murray county line\u2014land north of the highway belongs to Garvin County, while land south of the highway falls into Murray County. The route ends at an intersection with US-77 south of Wynnewood.  SH-17A first appeared on the 1983 official state map. The highway's route was identical to the present-day route; no changes have occurred since its commissioning."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 18", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 18, abbreviated as SH-18 or OK-18, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It was once one of the longest state highways in the Oklahoma road system, but now has a total length of . State Highway 18 was commissioned in August 1924 and, at one time, traveled from Dickson, Oklahoma to Shidler, Oklahoma at the Kansas border. Much of SH-18 has been replaced by US-177. The current Highway 18 begins in Shawnee, Oklahoma at an interchange with US-177/270 and SH-3W. The highway is known as Harrison Street through Shawnee. After Shawnee, SH-18 intersects with US-62 in Meeker, Oklahoma and then into Chandler, Oklahoma concurrent with SH-66. The highways split after leaving Chandler's business district. SH-18 intersects with I-44 and then travels on to Agra, Oklahoma. At Agra, SH-18 joins with SH-33 heading into Cushing, Oklahoma where SH-18 separates and heads to Pawnee, Oklahoma. South of there, the highway overlaps US-64 for two miles (3\u00a0km). SH-18 crosses the Arkansas River in Ralston, Oklahoma and intersects with SH-20. Near the Osage Indian Reservation, SH-18 joins with SH-11 at US-60 and remains joined until Shidler, where SH-11 separates. later SH-18 becomes K-15 as it crosses the state line into Kansas."}, {"context": " US-177 replaced SH-18 between Dickson and Shawnee in 1967. US-177 runs roughly on top of the previous SH-18 between Dickson and Asher, Oklahoma, therefore only a few small segments of the original highway remain through that stretch. Much of the old highway from south of Asher to Tecumseh, Oklahoma still remains. Remnants of the old highway begin north of the curve just before US-177 junctions with SH-3W, south of the Canadian River. SH 18 (now US-177) originally continued straight ahead and then turned slightly ahead of where US-177 does now. The existing old highway runs parallel west of US-177 for about a mile, before terminating short of the Canadian River. Originally, the highway continued straight for about another (taking it over the river) before veering east and then back north. The cement supports of the old bridge can still be seen if you look westward at the north and south banks, while crossing the Canadian River bridge (coincidentally, the bridge may return to that location if reports of replacing the Canadian River Bridge are true). Much of the section after the river and before the highway intersects with SH-39 has been lost due to another bridge being removed."}, {"context": " The existing highway picks up again after a second removed bridge and before intersecting with SH-39 south of Asher. The highway continues north through Asher (here named Division Street) for before again veering east and then once more travels roughly north. The road is mostly intact except for a small area near Pearson, Oklahoma where it is rerouted to cross SH-59. North of Pearson is the Salt Creek Bridge, a 120' long OSHC standard design, built in 1930. Near Macomb, Oklahoma the old highway again travels parallel and very near to US-177. The highway is interrupted once because of the removed Little River Bridge before reaching the Brooksville, Oklahoma area. Here, the highway is slightly rerouted to cross US-177 (veering west) and then heads north toward Tecumseh. The designation \"Old 18\" ends here as the highway has been absorbed into city streets, although it appears the highway traveled east down what is now Highland, then north on Broadway and continued to Shawnee on what is now Gordon Cooper Drive/Beard Street. Beard Street intersects with Farrall Street in Shawnee, which is the current SH-18. East of this intersection, SH-18 ends and loops into US-177. West of the intersection, Farrall veers north and merges into Harrison Avenue. At this point, 18 continues as a current state highway.  SH-18 has two lettered spurs."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 19", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 19, abbreviated as SH-19, is a highway running through the southern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is signed east\u2013west. SH-19 begins at an intersection with US-283 in Blair, Oklahoma. SH-19 heads east from Blair for 23 miles (37\u00a0km) without intersecting another highway before meeting U.S. Highway 183 north of Roosevelt. It continues eastward, sharing a 3-mile (4.8\u00a0km) section of road with State Highway 54 before splitting off to the east and briefly overlapping with SH-115 and State Highway 58."}, {"context": " The next town Highway 19 encounters is Apache, north of Lake Ellsworth, where it crosses U.S. Highway 62/281. Nine miles (14\u00bd km) later, it overlaps with U.S. Highway 277 at Cyril. These two overlap with US-81 near Ninnekah, but SH-19 splits off to the east once again within 3 miles (4.8\u00a0km). After splitting off, SH-19 travels in a southeast direction to have a brief concurrency with State Highway 76 through Lindsay. 10 miles (16\u00a0km) later it intersects with State Highway 74 at a four-way stop in Maysville. Still continuing southeast, 10 miles (16\u00a0km) later it has an interchange with Interstate 35 and an intersection with U.S. Highway 77 in Pauls Valley.  After passing through the Pauls Valley area, SH-19 crosses U.S. Highway 177 west of Stratford, Oklahoma. It then ends, concurrent with SH-3W at the Richardson Loop outside of Ada. SH-19 has two lettered spurs."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 199", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 199, also known as SH-199 or, is a highway in southern Oklahoma. The highway connects Ardmore to Madill as a more northerly alternate to US-70, much of which SH-199 is an old alignment of. It provides access to the Fort Washita Historic Site. The highway's western beginning is at SH-142 in Ardmore. This intersection is also the eastern terminus of SH-142. After leaving Ardmore, the highway continues along a due east course that takes it through the unincorporated places of Dripping Springs and Caldwell Hill. At Dickson it becomes concurrent with US-177. Shortly after this junction, the two highways cross into Johnston County, where they pass through the town of Mannsville. The routes then turn southeast into Marshall County. Just after the county line lies the southern terminus of SH-1, which leads back into Johnston County."}, {"context": " US-177/SH-199 continue southeast into Madill, the county seat of Marshall County. On the north side of town, they meet US-70; this point is the southern terminus of US-177. SH-199 continues along US-70 to US-377/SH-99, where it heads back east. SH-199 splits off on its own as it leaves Madill. SH-199 continues east, passing through the unincorporated settlement of Little City. It then crosses over the Washita River arm of Lake Texoma. The highway then passes the Fort Washita historic site before ending near Brown, Oklahoma at SH-78."}, {"context": " State Highway 199 was formed from a portion of SH-32 between Marietta and Madill. This stretch of the highway was split off from SH-32 on October 13, 1938. The portion of SH-199 between Madill and the current southern terminus of SH-99C was returned to SH-32 on September 16, 1946. On July 7, 1984, US-70 was relocated between Interstate 35 (I-35) in Ardmore and Madill, shifting it south onto its present-day alignment. Between 1984 and 2018, its western terminus was at I-35 exit 31. From there, it followed W. Broadway Street into Ardmore. At Commerce Street, the highway intersected US-77. SH-199 continued east along Broadway into downtown, where the highway split along a one-way pair; westbound SH-199 followed W. Broadway, while eastbound traffic was shunted onto W. Main Street. SH-199 turned north along Washington Street and followed it to Sam Noble Parkway, where it turned back to the east.  On March 5, 2018, the section of SH-199 between I-35 and SH-142 was removed from the state highway system."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 2", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 2, abbreviated SH-2 or OK-2, is a designation for two distinct highways maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Though they were once connected, the middle section of highway was concurrent with three different U.S. highways, so the middle section was decommissioned for reasons of redundancy. The southern section of highway runs from Antlers, Oklahoma to U.S. Highway 64 near Warner, covering through the southeastern part of the state. The northern SH-2 runs for through Craig County in northeastern Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The southern section of SH-2 begins at SH-3 in Antlers. It travels north-northwest from here, roughly parallelling the Kiamichi River, until reaching Clayton and US-271. North of Clayton, Highway 2 and US-271 overlap for 3 miles (5 km). Immediately after this, SH-2 meets SH-43's eastern terminus southeast of Sardis Lake. SH-2 then crosses over the lake and meets SH-1/SH-63, and the three form a six-mile (10 km) concurrency. This area is mountainous and has some tight hairpin curves. After the concurrency Highway 2 continues northward, meeting US-270 at Wilburton."}, {"context": " SH-2 then passes Robbers Cave State Park and the eastern edge of the Sansbois Mountains before reaching SH-31 east of Quinton, and the two form a six-mile (10 km) concurrency until Kinta. Ten miles (16 km) north of here, Highway 2 meets SH-9. Three miles (4.9 km) later, the highway passes the eastern terminus of SH-71, south of the town of Porum, Oklahoma. later, SH-2 meets US-266, which it will overlap until its end. After having an interchange at I-40 milemarker 278, both SH-2 and US-266 end at US-64 near Warner."}, {"context": " The northern SH-2 begins at US-60/US-69 in Vinita. It then heads due north, meeting SH-25 four miles (6.5 km) west of Bluejacket. Six miles north of here, it comes to a junction with US-59 and SH-10 in Welch, Oklahoma. All signage for SH-2 ends at US-59/SH-10 in Welch. However, the official definition of the highway contains an unsigned concurrency with US-59 to the point where it crosses the state line into Kansas. The northern SH-2, between Vinita and the Kansas state line, was once part of US-73."}, {"context": " Until the early 1980s a portion of SH-2 was one of the last unpaved state highways in the Oklahoma road network. The section between the communities of Kosoma, Oklahoma and Stanley, Oklahoma in the Kiamichi River Valley, remained gravel. Its builders during the 1930s and 1940s, in order to save the expense of building two bridges across the Kiamichi River, routed the highway mid-way up the flank of Bull Creek Mountain. The highway traversed the mountain at its midway point, with no shoulders or guard rails. During the 1980s a new route was opened in the floor of the valley, featuring modern bridges across Pine Creek and the Kiamichi River. The old route on Bull Creek Mountain was decommissioned and is no longer in use.  The section of SH-2 between I-40 and SH-9 was pressed into service as a detour for eastbound I-40 traffic after the collapse of its bridge over the Arkansas River on May 26, 2002."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 20", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 20 (abbreviated SH-20) is a highway in northeastern Oklahoma. Its eastern terminus is at the corner of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri near Southwest City, Missouri; its western terminus is at State Highway 18 near Ralston. The highway runs a total length of . It has no lettered spur routes. SH-20 begins just north of the Arkansas River at SH-18 near Ralston. From there, it heads east through Osage County for 20 miles (32\u00a0km) without crossing any other highway. At mile 20.4, it meets State Highway 99 in Hominy. East of Hominy, SH-20 crosses Lake Skiatook before passing through Skiatook and entering Tulsa County. Shortly after entering Tulsa County, SH-20 has a junction with SH-11. Four miles later, it has an interchange with US-75. After running through Collinsville, it turns southward onto the US-169 freeway."}, {"context": " SH-20 splits from US-169 north of Owasso. It then enters Claremore, where it meets SH-88 and SH-66 (old Route 66). It connects to the Claremore toll plaza on I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike. East of Claremore, SH-20 becomes a divided expressway before intersecting US-69 in Pryor. West of Salina, the highway bridges Lake Hudson. In Salina, SH-20 meets SH-82, with which it begins a concurrency. Headed north from Salina, the two highways begin to cross some mountainous terrain. The highways provide access to Spavinaw State Park, before running through the town of Spavinaw, Oklahoma. North of Spavinaw, SH-20 splits off to the east, running through unincorporated Chloeta and serving as the eastern terminus of SH-28. SH-20 overlaps US-59/State Highway 10 through Jay. SH-20 then splits off to the east, running to the Arkansas line."}, {"context": " The easternmost miles run north/south along the Oklahoma\u2013Arkansas state line, and along this stretch the highway overlaps Arkansas's Highway 43. The highway continues northward into Missouri at the point where the Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri borders meet, and thereafter becomes Missouri Route 43. This unique feature has led many roadgeeks to mention SH-20/AR-43 on their websites. On April 10, 2008, a section of SH-20 in Rogers County near Keetonville, west of Claremore, was closed due to a landside caused by heavy rains. A section of roadbed was washed away, forming a large crack in the pavement and damaging the guardrail. The highway was re-opened June 5, 2008 after being repaired."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 22", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 22 (abbreviated SH-22) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in a west-to-east pattern through the south-central part of the state, running from SH-1 at Ravia to US-70 at Bokchito. There are no letter-suffixed spur highways branching from SH-22. The SH-22 designation was first established on August 4, 1924. From its original termini of Davis and Durant, the route was extended to both the east and the west, reaching its greatest extent in 1933, connecting Duncan to the Texas state line at the Red River. In 1941, the portion of SH-22 west of Ravia was dropped, and the highway's eastern terminus was set in 1956."}, {"context": " SH-22 begins at SH-1 in the town of Ravia, in southern Johnston County. From there, it travels east to US-377/SH-99, where it joins with them in a concurrency to Tishomingo. In Tishomingo, SH-78 begins, concurrent with SH-22. The two highways run east for before splitting from one another. SH-22 turns roughly southeast and continues for to its second concurrency with SH-78 at Nida (unincorporated). From here, it runs due east for to an intersection with SH-48, just west of Kenefic, then seven more miles to the junction with US-69/US-75 outside Caddo. From Caddo, SH-22 travels east, then south, for to its terminus at US-70 in Bokchito, in eastern Bryan County."}, {"context": " SH-22 once had a much longer route. When it was commissioned on August 4, 1924, it ran from Durant to Davis, the Ravia to Davis section being current SH-1 and SH-7. It ended at the original SH-4, current US-77. In 1931, it was extended west to Ratliff City, where it ended at SH-29. In 1932, SH-29 was given a new alignment to the north; SH-22 was reassigned to the old alignment. extending it to Duncan. On its other end, SH-22 was extended south from Durant, through Achille to a stub ending east of town. In January 1933, it was extended further east, to the Donham Bridge over the Red River. On December 17, 1934, the highway was rerouted over a stretch of Farm-to-Market road between Tishomingo and Nida, bypassing Milburn. This decision was reversed in 1935 (with the old alignment becoming SH-22S) but redone in 1936."}, {"context": " By 1939, SH-22 had been rerouted through Milburn. This time, the southern route became SH-299, which took over SH-22 between Nida and the state line. SH-22 was truncated once again on November 22, 1941, this time all the way to Ravia, the current western terminus of the route. SH-22 and SH-299 swapped places yet again in 1946, with SH-22 once again taking the southern route. In 1956, SH-22 was extended east to its current terminus at Bokchito. Other than minor realignments, the highway in 1956 was the same as it is today."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 23", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 23 (SH-23 or OK-23) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs 36.2 miles south-to-north through the center of Beaver County, in the Panhandle, running from the Texas state line to the Kansas state line. There are no letter-suffixed spur highways branching from SH-23. SH-23 begins at the Texas state line north of Booker, Texas. Upon entering Oklahoma, the highway makes a ninety degree turn to parallel the state line for approximately \u00bd mile (0.8\u00a0km), running just north of the line. It then turns back to the north and travels eight miles (13\u00a0km) due north to the intersection with US-270/US-412/SH-3, at the crossroads settlement of Elmwood. US-270 splits away from the other two highways at Elmwood, turning north to join SH-23."}, {"context": " A little over one mile (1.8\u00a0km) north of Elmwood. US-270/SH-23 cross over Clear Creek, a tributary of the North Canadian River. The two highways enter Beaver, the county seat of Beaver County, about north of Elmwood. Just north of Beaver, the highway crosses the Beaver River (another name for this portion of the North Canadian River). After crossing the river, US-270 and SH-23 pass through Beaver Dunes State Park. Approximately six miles (10\u00a0km) north of Beaver, US-270 and SH-23 intersect US-64 and split up; US-270 turns west along US-64 towards Forgan, while SH-23 follows US-64 for about a mile eastbound. After splitting up, SH-23 turns due north, continuing to its terminus seven miles (11\u00a0km) later at the Kansas state line. North of the line it becomes K-23, which continues on to Meade, Kansas."}, {"context": " Prior to SH-23's establishment, the highway carried two designations\u2014US-270 followed the same portion of the route that it does today, and a segment of SH-15 connected Elmwood to the Texas state line. (A connection with the current western terminus of SH-15 was made with what was then Farm to Market Road 1265 to Booker and TX-117 back to Oklahoma.) The connection to Kansas north of US-64 did not exist as a state highway prior to 1957; it first appears on the 1958 state highway map, also signed as SH-15. The highway is not shown as overlapping US-64 and US-270 to Elmwood."}, {"context": " SH-23 is first shown replacing SH-15 on the 1959 map, implying the change took place in 1958. Again, SH-23 is not shown as overlapping US-270; it would not be shown as doing such until the 1975 edition. K-23 was in existence as early as April 1940, shown with a spur ending north of the state line on Oklahoma's state map. On December 11, 1959, the Kansas and Oklahoma highway commissions held a joint meeting in Wichita, Kansas. At that meeting, the Kansas Highway Commission resolved to connect K-23 with OK-23 to establish a \"route number...common to both states.\" K-23 was already shown on the Oklahoma highway map connecting to Oklahoma's SH-23 as early as the 1957 edition.  Similarly, the Texas Highway Commission ordered its State Highway 23 signed on January 25, 1959, alongside existing FM 1265. The highway, however, officially remained part of FM 1265 until December 18, 1990, when TX-23 was officially established and FM 1265 cancelled."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 24", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 24 (SH-24) is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for through central Oklahoma, almost entirely within McClain County. It is signed north\u2013south and has no lettered spur routes. SH-24 was designated in 1936, and originally extended southward into Garvin County to an intersection with SH-19 between Maysville and Lindsay. By 1950, its southern terminus had been moved to its current location, while a new bridge near Washington caused a realignment of the highway in the early 1990s."}, {"context": " The highway begins where State Highway 74 crosses the McClain\u2013Garvin County line, about three miles (5\u00a0km) north of Maysville. From here, SH-24 runs west along the county line for three miles (5\u00a0km), where it turns due north in the unincorporated community of Storey. It has a brief, concurrency with SH-59 east of Payne. After this, the road turns west again and returns to a due north course before intersecting SH-39 in the unincorporated town of Woody Chapel. From Woody Chapel, Highway 24 continues northward (encountering a few curves to avoid a small pond) to the town of Washington. Through Washington, the road runs east\u2013west and is named Morehead Street. After passing through Washington, SH-24 turns back northward, crossing Walnut Creek just after the turn. At the southern limit of the town of Goldsby, the road meets SH-74 again. At this intersection, the mainline road becomes SH-74 northbound, turning right is SH-74 southbound, and turning left puts one on the old SH-24 alignment through Washington."}, {"context": " SH-24 first appeared on the 1937 State Highway map, meaning it was first designated sometime between May 1936 and April 1937. The original route continues south from where the highway now turns to run along the McClain\u2013Garvin county line, ending at SH-19 between Maysville and Lindsay. This routing was shown on the 1948 map, while the current southern terminus was first shown on the 1950 map, suggesting the change was made sometime between 1948 and 1950. From the highway's creation to the early 1990s, the road ran north along Main Street through downtown Washington, crossing over Walnut Creek via an old, one-lane truss bridge, built in 1927. However, a new bridge to the east of town was built in 1993, and SH-24 routed over it. The old bridge still serves as an alternate route out of Washington; the old SH-24 alignment has been designated \"Walnut Creek Road\" by McClain County."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 25", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 25 (SH-25/OK-25) is a state highway in northeastern Oklahoma with two nonconnecting sections. The northern section runs between the communities of Pyramid Corners and Narcissa, and the southern section runs from east of Grove to the Missouri state line. The western section of SH-25 runs for in Craig County and in Ottawa County, giving it a total length of . The route runs due east\u2013west for its entire extent and is mostly level. Highway 25 begins at the northern section of SH-2 at the unincorporated place of Pyramid Corners in Craig County. The road passes north of Timber Hill en route to Bluejacket. About east of SH-2, the highway reaches Bluejacket and runs through the town, crossing a railroad line just west of the town. Four miles further east, SH-25 passes into Ottawa County. It then continues for exactly four miles further to its terminus at US-59/US-69 in Narcissa."}, {"context": " The eastern section of SH-25 is long. Like its western twin, the eastern SH-25 is arrow-straight, running due east\u2013west, and experiences no gains or drops of elevation. This Highway 25 begins three miles (5\u00a0km) east of Grove, where SH-10 makes a 90\u00b0 turn from east\u2013west to north\u2013south; SH-25 continues its east-west path. The highway passes through rural northeastern Delaware County, running through the Cowskin Prairie. SH-25 terminates at the Missouri state line, where it becomes Route O. Route O continues through McDonald County, Missouri, eventually connecting Highway 25 to Route 43."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 251A", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 251A, also known as SH-251A or OK-251A, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The highway has a length of in Wagoner County and in Cherokee County, for a total length of . The highway runs from State Highway 16 in Okay, Oklahoma to State Highway 80 north of Ft. Gibson. It runs across the dam of Fort Gibson Lake. The highway was once part of SH-16. SH-251A begins in Wagoner County at SH-16 in Okay and follows North York Road north out of town. Upon leaving town, the highway curves to the east. The highway proceeds due east until reaching the unincorporated settlement of Mallard Bay, where it curves to the southeast to avoid the eponymous bay. SH-251A curves back to the northeast, paralleling the short of Fort Gibson Lake, before reaching Fort Gibson Dam. The route crosses the Grand River along the top of the dam, entering Cherokee County in the process. After the SH-251A leaves the dam, it reaches its junction with SH-80 and ends.  What is now SH-251A was originally added to the state highway system as part of a 1955 extension of SH-16. The highway was paved at this time. In 1965, SH-16 was realigned to head north from Okay instead of east, and the vacated section of highway was assigned the SH-251A designation. No changes to SH-251A have occurred since."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 26", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 26 (abbreviated SH-26 or OK-26) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs for a total of , south-to-north, in eastern Haskell County. SH-26 serves as a link between SH-31 and SH-9. There are no letter-suffixed spur highways branching from SH-26. SH-26 begins at SH-31 on the west side of McCurtain. For its entire length, the highway alternates between passing through forested areas and clearings. It travels eight miles (13\u00a0km) in a curving path to the north to the intersection with SH-9, two miles (3\u00a0km) west of Keota."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 266", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 266 (abbreviated SH-266) is a state highway near Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. It runs for through Tulsa and Rogers Counties in northwestern Oklahoma. SH-266 begins at a cloverleaf interchange with U.S. Highway 169 (a Tulsa-area freeway), and heads northeast from there to meet the northern terminus of State Highway 167 near the Port of Catoosa (north of the town of Catoosa). Highway 266 arcs to the north to bypass the port, and then straightens out to run due east to Interstate 44 (the Will Rogers Turnpike).  The number \"266\" refers to U.S. Highway 66 (now State Highway 66, which SH-266 ended at. Highway 266 does not have any lettered spur routes."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 27", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 27 (abbreviated SH-27) is a state highway in east-central Oklahoma. It has an extent of from south to north in Hughes and Okfuskee Counties. There are no letter-suffixed spur highways branching from SH-27. SH-27 was first added to the state highway system in the late 1940s, but was removed from state control for approximately two years. Around 1958 it was returned to the highway system. Over the course of the highway's history, it was upgraded from a dirt and gravel connector route to a fully paved highway. The route was realigned in the mid-1990s, changing its southern end from US-75 north of Wetumka to SH-9 west of Wetumka. The route's northern terminus, at US-62 in Okemah, has remained constant throughout its history."}, {"context": " State Highway 27 begins at SH-9, west of Wetumka. From this terminus, SH-27 proceeds due north. It passes approximately west of Lake Wetumka. The route spends a total of in Hughes County before crossing the line into Okfuskee County. In Okfuskee County, SH-27 diverges from its due north heading, curving to the northwest briefly before crossing the North Canadian River. From the river, it is a straight shot into Okemah. On the south edge of town, SH-27 intersects I-40 at Exit 221. US-62 exits the interstate at this interchange, and follows SH-27 into town along Division. At Broadway, SH-56 joins the concurrency. Finally, at the north end of town, US-62 turns west on Columbia, while SH-56 turns east; SH-27 ends at this intersection."}, {"context": " SH-27 first appears on the official state highway map in its 1948 edition, suggesting that it was created at some point in 1947. At this time, the route began in the north in Okemah, as it does presently; its southern terminus, however, was at US-75 north of Wetumka. In Hughes County, the highway consisted of gravel, switching to dirt in Okfuskee County. The highway existed in this state until 1956, when it was removed from the highway system. By 1959, SH-27 had returned to the state highway system. The Okfuskee County portion of the route had been upgraded to gravel. In 1960, the route was realigned to cross the county line further east than it did previously. The segment of highway extending from approximately the North Canadian River crossing northward to Okemah was paved in 1967. By 1972, the entire route had been paved.  SH-27 remained unchanged throughout the remainder of the 1970s and 1980s. In 1994, the southernmost reaches of the route were realigned. Instead of ending at US-75 north of Wetumka, the highway's southern terminus was changed to fall at SH-9 west of town. This change left the highway in essentially the same configuration that it is today."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 270", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 270, abbreviated as SH-270, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs on a former alignment of US-270 between US-62 in Harrah and US-177 north of Shawnee. (US-270 is now concurrent with Interstate 40 through the area.) The highway is long. SH-270 has no lettered spur routes. State Highway 270 begins at US-62 in Harrah, in Oklahoma County. The road runs through town on a southeast course, paralleling a rail line. As it leaves town, the highway gradually curves to the south. SH-270 runs along Harrah Road to S.E. 29th Street, where it makes a hard left, turning to the east."}, {"context": " SH-270 continues east for one mile (1.6\u00a0km) until it crosses into Pottawatomie County, where the name of the road changes to Oklahoma Street. SH-270 then enters McLoud, where it has a brief concurrency with State Highway 102. After leaving McLoud, it then turns back to the southeast, parallel to the same railroad it ran alongside in Harrah. SH-270 turns east upon reaching the small town of Dale. It then crosses over the railroad and the North Canadian River. After passing through Dale, it ends at US-177."}, {"context": " Prior to 1979, US-270 ran through Oklahoma City on surface streets. It left the city and ran through Choctaw concurrent with US-62. US-270 split away from US-62 in Harrah, and continued on to Shawnee on what is now SH-270. On March 5, 1979, US-270 was rerouted to run concurrent with Interstate 40 from south of Calumet in Canadian County through the Oklahoma City metro, exiting the Interstate onto a surface alignment in Shawnee. Presumably, SH-270 was commissioned the same date. The realignment of US-270, with SH-270 on the old alignment between Harrah and Shawnee, appears on the 1979 state map. SH-270 followed the same path in 1979 as it does today."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 28", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 28 (abbreviated SH-28) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in an irregular west-to-east pattern through Nowata, Rogers, Mayes and Delaware counties. There is one letter-suffixed spur highway branching from SH-28, SH-28A. SH-28 begins at US-169 just south of Delaware. From there it travels east-to-south, passing the community of Childers, to a junction with US-60. Crossing US-60, SH-28 runs six miles (10\u00a0km) due south to New Alluwe, then eight miles (13\u00a0km) south and east to Chelsea, where it intersects SH-66."}, {"context": " From Chelsea, it is six miles (10\u00a0km) straight south to the junction with SH-28A, where SH-28 turns due east, intersects with I-44 after four miles (6\u00a0km), and five miles (8\u00a0km) farther crosses US-69 at Adair. Upon leaving Adair, SH-28 runs mainly east, eight miles (13\u00a0km) to Pensacola, then follows the arc of the Neosho River to the SH-82 junction outside of Langley. SH-28 crosses SH-82, then passes through Langley before crossing the Neosho River over Pensacola Dam into the town of Disney. SH-28 then travels east to south to its terminus at SH-20, five miles (8\u00a0km) west of Jay.  SH-28A is SH-28's only spur, lying entirely in Rogers Co. It runs west-to-east connecting SH-66 in Foyil with SH-28."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 29", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 29 (abbreviated SH-29) is an east\u2013west state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for through Stephens Co. and Garvin Co., and has one lettered spur route. SH-29 begins at an intersection with U.S. Highway 81 in Marlow, Oklahoma. It heads east from here, curving southeast after leaving town and eventually straightening out. The next town it passes through is the small but spread-out town of Bray. east of Bray, it meets State Highway 76, which it has a concurrency with. Six miles further east, SH-29 meets SH-74 at a four-way stop in Elmore City.  SH-29 next meets Interstate 35 at its Exit 66. Soon after passing under the Interstate, SH-29 meets U.S. Highway 77, and the two highways overlap over the Washita River into Wynnewood. US-77 splits off in downtown Wynnewood, and SH-29 continues eastward for 12 more miles before ending at US-177. SH-29's single lettered spur is SH-29A, which runs for to the small town of Foster."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 3", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 3, also abbreviated as SH-3 or OK-3, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Traveling diagonally through Oklahoma, from the Panhandle to the far southeastern corner of the state, SH-3 is the longest state highway in the Oklahoma road system, at a total length of via SH-3E (see below). Highway 3 begins at the Colorado state line 19\u00a0mi (31\u00a0km) north of Boise City, Oklahoma. At this terminus, it is concurrent with US-287/US-385. It remains concurrent with the two U.S. Routes until reaching Boise City, where it encounters a traffic circle which contains five other highways. After the circle, US-385 splits off, and SH-3 overlaps US-287, US-56, US-64, and US-412, though US-56 and US-287 both split off within the next 8 miles (13\u00a0km)."}, {"context": " In Guymon, US-64 splits off. At Elmwood, US-270 joins US-412, coming from a concurrency with State Highway 23. SH-3 remains concurrent with US-270 through Watonga. In Seiling, US-183 leaves the concurrency but is quickly replaced by U.S. Highway 281. SH-33 joins the roadbed 20 miles (32\u00a0km) later. In Watonga, SH-33 and SH-3 split off from US-270 and US-281. Highways 3 and 33 remain concurrent for 28 more miles, until Kingfisher, where SH-3 joins U.S. Highway 81. It will stay concurrent with US-81 for , through the town of Okarche. Three miles after Okarche, SH-3 leaves US-81. This marks the first point that SH-3 has not been part of a concurrency."}, {"context": " Beginning at the split from US-81, Highway 3 becomes a major artery in the Oklahoma City highway system, commonly known as the \"Northwest Expressway\" because it is a diagonal route and because it serves the northwestern part of the metro area. It skirts the northern limits of El Reno before entering the Oklahoma City limits. The often-congested Northwest Expressway passes through the suburb of Warr Acres and passes close to Lake Hefner. At the intersection with the Lake Hefner Parkway, SH-3 again re-enters a concurrency. The Lake Hefner Parkway ends very shortly after, and SH-3 becomes concurrent with Interstate 44 through the western side of the city. Near Will Rogers World Airport, Highway 3 transfers to I-240 along the southern side of the city. After I-240 ends, SH-3 is transferred onto I-40 (also carrying US-270), which it remains concurrent with for ."}, {"context": " In Shawnee, SH-3 splits into two highways, SH-3E and SH-3W. SH-3W splits off I-40 onto U.S. Highway 177, along with US-270, at I-40 milemarker 181. It continues along with US-270 and 177 through the west side of Shawnee, and continues south of that city until Tecumseh, where US-270 splits off. South of Asher, Oklahoma, SH-3W leaves US-177 and veers southeast toward Ada. SH-3E, the longer of the two split routes, was the original routing of Highway 3 before the two highways were split. It remains on I-40 for five miles (8\u00a0km) after SH-3W splits off. When it does split off, it soon joins SH-18. It follows a route closer to the center of Shawnee. After leaving Shawnee, it heads southeast toward Seminole. Here, it meets US-377/SH-99. SH-3E merges onto this highway, and they will remain concurrent until after they reach Ada."}, {"context": " In Ada, SH-3E and SH-3W are reunited and become SH-3 once again. SH-3 then becomes part of the Richardson Loop, a freeway around the west and south sides of Ada. Throughout the Richardson Loop, it overlaps SH-1 and US-377/SH-99 at different times. The highway then becomes two-lane once again and heads southeast to the town of Coalgate, where begins an 18-mile (29\u00a0km) concurrency with U.S. Highway 75, lasting through Atoka. In Atoka, US-75 splits off to join U.S. Highway 69. Two miles west of Antlers, the highway has an interchange with the Indian Nation Turnpike, and in Antlers it intersects U.S. Highway 271. After reaching the town of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, it turns southward and overlaps US-259 and US-70."}, {"context": " Near Idabel, the highway splits off after being with US-259 for 13\u00a0mi (21\u00a0km). Twenty-eight miles later, it becomes Highway 32 as it crosses the state line into Arkansas. The current SH-3 was designated on 15 May 1939. The original highway included all of current SH-3 up to Antlers, where it terminated at US-271. It was extended to the Arkansas state line on 4 August 1952. SH-3 ended there concurrent with US-70 and SH-7, near DeQueen, Arkansas. On 7 January 1963, the highway was given its own alignment from near Idabel to Arkansas, taking over that of SH-21, which was eliminated at that time."}, {"context": " From the highway's commissioning to 1976, there was only one fork of SH-3 between Shawnee and Ada, which was the path of current SH-3E. SH-3W and SH-3E were created on 4 October 1976; the new SH-3W took over all of SH-13. Other than minor realignments, the highway remains essentially the same today. In the early 1980s, Governor George Nigh was able to obtain $97.1 million to upgrade the highway between Oklahoma City and Colorado, despite opponents labeling the project \"the highway to nowhere\". House Concurrent Resolution 1067 labeled the highway as \"Governor George Nigh's Northwest Passage.\" ODOT officially named the highway on 2 February 1981.  SH-3 had one lettered spur, SH-3A, which continued the alignment of the Northwest Expressway for two more miles before ending at Interstate 44 near Penn Square Mall. It was originally known as SH-66A, a spur off U.S. Highway 66, which once ran through the area. The combined effect of US-66 being decommissioned and \"3A\" being a more logical name for an extension of Highway 3 led to the name change. State Highway 3A was decommissioned in 2009."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 30", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 30 (abbreviated SH-30) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs south-to-north along the western edge of the state, from U.S. Highway 62 (US-62) in Hollis to the town of Durham, two miles (3\u00a0km) north of SH-33. It passes through Harmon, Beckham and Roger Mills counties. SH-30 does not have any letter-suffixed spur routes branching from it. The SH-30 designation dates back to March 31, 1936, when it spanned from Erick to Sweetwater. The highway gradually evolved over the years, reaching its current form in 1970."}, {"context": " SH-30 begins at US-62 in Hollis, the seat of Harmon County. It travels north through very sparsely populated terrain to the unincorporated settlement of McKnight, about north of Hollis. North of McKnight, the highway crosses the Salt Fork of the Red River. SH-30 has a junction with SH-9, north of McKnight. For the next through rural Western Oklahoma, SH-30 roughly parallels the Texas state line, lying generally about west of it. The highway bridges over the Elm Fork of the Red River about before crossing into Beckham County."}, {"context": " From Sweetwater, SH-30 travels north for to SH-47, which it joins for , to the town of Reydon. Leaving Reydon, SH-30 continues alone across the Black Kettle National Grassland, continuing north for to its junction with SH-33. After crossing SH-33, SH-30 continues on for to its terminus at a local road at Durham. State Highway 30 was added to the highway system on March 31, 1936. At this time, SH-30 began at US-66 in Erick and ended at what was then numbered SH-41 (present-day SH-152) in Sweetwater. On November 18, the highway was extended west along US-66, then south, setting its southern terminus at its present location at US-62 in Hollis. The 1937 state highway map was the first to show SH-30."}, {"context": " The following year, a large portion of the highway was removed from the state highway system. On October 19, 1937, between the SH-9 junction and US-66, the route ceased to be maintained by the Department of Highways. SH-30 still appeared as such on the 1938 state highway map, but with dashed lines, indicating the route was not maintained. By the 1940 edition, SH-30 was not marked at all on the map between just north of SH-9 to US-66 west of Erick. As a result, SH-30 was effectively in two sections, one running from Hollis to SH-9, and another between Erick and Sweetwater."}, {"context": " On April 14, 1941, the southern SH-30 was extended further to the south. The highway proceeded east from Hollis along US-62, then, at Gould, turned south along what was previously an unnumbered farm-to-market road. The route turned back east to end at SH-34 and SH-44 in Eldorado. This extension encompassed all of the present-day western SH-5. By January 1942, however, this extension of SH-30 would be split off to form the new SH-90. The two sections of SH-30 were reunited on August 13, 1945, with the reincorporation of the SH-9 to Erick stretch into the route. The newly-continuous highway was extended north three months later on November 21, when it was extended north of Sweetwater for the first time, ending in Reydon (concurrent with SH-47). On February 7, 1955, SH-30 was extended north to Durham.  From the late 1950s through the 1960s, SH-30 extended south to the Texas state line. On February 18, 1958, the highway was extended to run west along US-62, then split off to the south east of the north\u2013south Texas state line. The highway then ended at a bridge over the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, the southern Oklahoma\u2013Texas boundary. The route was truncated back to Hollis on March 2, 1970."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 31", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 31 (abbreviated SH-31) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs 132.6 miles in an irregular west-to-east pattern in the southeastern part of the state. There are two spur highways branching from SH-31, SH-31A and SH-31B. SH-31 begins at SH-48 seven miles (11\u00a0km) south of Tupelo. Two miles (3.2\u00a0km) east of here, SH-31B branches off, connecting the main highway with the town of Olney. SH-31 then continues for to Coalgate, the seat of Coal County, where it intersects US-75/SH-3. Leaving Coalgate, SH-31 turns north at SH-131, traveling to its junction with SH-31A, which connects with US-270 at Stuart. At SH-31A, SH-31 turns to the east, following the northern edge of the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, arriving in McAlester, seat of Pittsburg County, later."}, {"context": " In McAlester, SH-31 forms a five-mile (8\u00a0km) concurrency with US-270 and SH-1, splitting up just east of the US-69 interchange on the east side of the city. SH-31 then sets off to the northeast, passing through Krebs, and crossing the south arm of Lake Eufaula. At Quinton, from McAlester, SH-31 serves as the southern terminus of SH-71, then heads east, forming a six-mile (10\u00a0km) concurrency with SH-2 to the town of Kinta. At Kinta, SH-2 turns north, and SH-31 continues east, with a short dogleg concurrency with SH-82 at Lequire. Continuing on to the east, SH-31 serves as the southern terminus for SH-26 at McCurtain, then passes though Bokoshe before terminating at US-59/US-271, two miles (3\u00a0km) north of Panama.  SH-31A is a spur connecting SH-31 with US-270/SH-1 and the town of Stuart in Pittsburg and Hughes counties. SH-31B is a spur connecting SH-31 and the town of Olney in Coal County."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 32", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 32 (SH-32 or OK-32) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The highway runs from west to east across the southern part of the state, just north of the Red River. The route begins at US-81 in Ryan and ends at US-70 in Kingston, a length of . SH-32 was first added to the state highway system at the end of 1934; none of the highway as created is part of the present-day SH-32 (having been encroached upon by US-70). SH-32 is also linked with SH-199\u2014part of SH-32 was spun off to create SH-199 in 1938."}, {"context": " SH-32 begins at US-81 in Ryan, where it follows the street grid, heading in a northeast direction. As the route leaves Ryan, it turns onto a due east course. It is until the next town, Grady. SH-32 turns to the southeast to serve this town. Six more miles (10\u00a0km) from Grady, SH-32 meets another highway for the first time, SH-89. At the junction, SH-32 turns south, overlapping SH-89 for six miles (10\u00a0km). While concurrent, the two highways pass through the unincorporated community of Petersburg, then turn to the west. The two routes divide at Courtney, where SH-89 heads south towards the Red River and Texas."}, {"context": " SH-32 continues east from Courtney, crossing over Mud Creek, then passing through unincorporated Rubottom. East of Rubottom, the highway comes to the intersection with SH-76. The next unincorporated community SH-32 passes through is Turner. Eight miles (13\u00a0km) east of the SH-76 junction, at Dunbar, SH-32 serves as the northern terminus of SH-96, which serves Burneyville. Nine miles (14\u00a0km) east of Burneyville, SH-32 has an interchange with I-35 outside Marietta, the seat of Love County. Soon after passing I-35, SH-32 forms a brief concurrency with US-77, and passes through Marietta. East of town, the route comes to a junction with SH-77S (one of SH-77S's four termini). SH-32 continues east, following the curve of Lake Texoma's shoreline, passing through Lebanon. The highway then intersects with SH-99C."}, {"context": " Five miles (8\u00a0km) east of SH-99C, SH-32 crosses US-377/SH-99. Two miles (3\u00a0km) further east, SH-32 acts as the southern endpoint of SH-70F. Two miles (3\u00a0km) after that, SH-32 ends at US-70 in Kingston. State Highway 32 was commissioned on December 12, 1934. As originally created, the route ran from SH-14 (present-day US-183) in Davidson to Waurika, passing through the towns of Grandfield, Devol, and Randlett and the counties of Tillman, Cotton, and Jefferson. SH-32 was extended to cover approximately the west half of its present-day route on June 16, 1936; the route's new eastern terminus was US-77 in Marietta. On March 29, 1937, the highway was expanded even further east to end at US-70 in Madill. This extension was split off to form SH-199 on October 13, 1938."}, {"context": " Meanwhile, changes were occurring in the eastern part of Jefferson County. The portion of highway from Ryan east to the Love County line was removed from the highway system on December 31, 1937. As a result, SH-32 was discontiguous; one section stretched from Davidson to Ryan, while another began at a spur ending at the Jefferson\u2013Love county line and continued east from there. The portion of SH-32 concurrent with US-81 between Waurika and Ryan, once necessary to connect to the now-decommissioned road, was removed on February 24, 1938. Both of these sections of road were reinstated as part of SH-32 on February 29, 1944."}, {"context": " Changes in the routing of US-70 in the 1930s and 1940s resulted in the western part of SH-32 becoming concurrent with the U.S. highway through southwest Oklahoma during the late-1930s. US-70 as first designated in Oklahoma crossed into the state north of Burkburnett, Texas and intersected SH-32 in Randlett; continuing north of SH-32, the U.S. highway turned east, running through Walters. In Comanche, US-70 turned south along US-81 and followed it until reaching the present-day US-70 routing in Waurika. Between Randlett and Waurika, SH-32 provided a much more direct route. On May 6, 1936, US-70 was realigned to follow SH-32 between these two cities. On March 3, 1945, US-70 was realigned again. This brought the highway into Oklahoma much earlier, crossing the Red River much further west, in effect bypassing Wichita Falls, Texas. As a result of the realignment, US-70 intersected SH-32 at its western terminus in Davidson and followed it all the way to Waurika. The westernmost of SH-32 (as measured along the present-day US-70 alignment) were concurrent with US-70."}, {"context": " SH-32 was resumed its expansion to the east on September 16, 1946. On that date, the highway's eastern terminus was set at its present location at US-70 in Kingston. Much of this extension reclaimed for SH-32 the stretch of road lost by the creation of SH-199. At this time, SH-32 was at its zenith; stretching from Davidson to Kingston, the route covered a total of along present-day roads. However, the westernmost of SH-32 still overlapped US-70. On September 6, 1966, after over twenty years of cosignage, SH-32 was truncated to its current western terminus in Ryan. Everything west of Waurika was now solely US-70. After the truncation of 1966, SH-32 had the same route that it does today."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 325", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 325, officially, SH-325, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. SH-325 runs for through Cimarron County, Oklahoma, from the New Mexico border west of Kenton to the traffic circle in Boise City. Along the way it provides access to Black Mesa State Park, near Black Mesa Mountain, the highest point in the state of Oklahoma. SH-325 begins at the tip of the Oklahoma Panhandle, where NM 456 crosses into Oklahoma from Union County, New Mexico. Just east of the state line, the highway bridges Carrizozo Creek, just upstream of where it empties into the Cimarron River. Just east of the state line, SH-325 passes through the town of Kenton. Further east of Kenton, the highway crosses over Tesesquite Creek and South Carrizo Creek, both tributaries of the Cimarron River. After crossing South Carrizo Creek, the road gradually curves onto a south\u2013north alignment."}, {"context": " SH-325 heads south for about , crossing the intermittent Cold Springs Creek. The road then turns east. The remainder of the route is a mostly flat, straight shot into Boise City, with a minor curve to the west of town where it crosses a railroad track. The route ends at the traffic circle surrounding the Cimarron County Courthouse in downtown Boise City. The road between Kenton and Boise City that is now SH-325 has carried a bevy of designations, and has been intermittently included and excluded from the state highway system over the years. The road was first numbered as a state route in 1926, when the original SH-11 was extended west from its original terminus in Boise City. At the same time, the U.S. route system was being introduced to Oklahoma, and under this new system, the highway received the additional designation as US-64. On the 1928 official state map, this portion of highway is marked as \"Not maintained\", though the route continued to carry both highway designations."}, {"context": " By 1930, the road was once again state-maintained, and the old SH-11 designation had been done away with as the U.S. route system established itself and superseded the now-redundant state highway numbers that it replaced. US-64, using the Kenton route, would continue to serve as the only state highway connection to New Mexico until the middle of the century. On July 7, 1947, US-64 was shifted onto a new road that had opened, extending southwest from Boise City and crossing into New Mexico near the southwest corner of the Panhandle. This left the route to Kenton without a designation, which it would lack for the rest of the 1940s, the 1950s, and most of the 1960s."}, {"context": " Kenton was briefly reconnected to the state highway system when State Highway 134 was designated along the old alignment of US-64. This highway was only shown on the 1963 state highway map, implying that it was commissioned the year before and revoked sometime that year. By the time SH-134 was designated, the highway had been fully paved. When SH-134 was decommissioned, its alignment continued to persist on the state highway map, with the legend \"(not on highway system)\" and no shields. The old US-64 route to Kenton finally received its present-day designation in 1973, when it was numbered after the already-existing NM 325, which once extended to the Oklahoma state line."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 33", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma's State Highway 33 (abbreviated SH-33 or OK-33) is a major highway that traverses most of the state, and at one time traversed the entire state. Its general orientation is west to east. All mileages listed herein are from the western terminus of the highway at the Texas state line. SH-33 begins at the Hemphill, Tex./Roger Mills, Okla. county line. At milestone 4.2, SH-30 intersects leading to Erick. The highway runs alongside the Black Kettle National Grassland to its intersection with US-283 at milestone 15.7. SH-33 overlaps US-283 to mile 16.9, where it begins a three-route concurrency with SH-47, which leads east to Putnam. Along the three-route concurrency, the highway passes through the National Grassland, and at milestone 24.8 SH-33 swings off to the left while US-283 and SH-47 continues toward Cheyenne. At mile 29.5, SH-33 passes Strong City, and at mile 42.7 passes the town of Hammon with its intersection with SH-34."}, {"context": " The intersection with SH-34 marks the county line. Mile 53.6 marks Butler, and at 53.8 SH-44 runs out, which leads south to Foss Lake, the town of Foss, and later Altus. At mile 66.2 SH-33 comes to US-183, which leads south to Clinton. SH-33 continues north concurrent with US-183 two miles (3\u00a0km) to mile 68.2, where US-183 continues northward to Taloga and SH-33 turns east once again. At mile 72.6, the highway intersects Custer City's Main Street before turning to the left. At mile 81.7 SH-33 enters Thomas at its second intersection with SH-47. At 83.8, SH-54 ends, which leads to Weatherford. At 87.0, SH-33 crosses the South Canadian River, and at mile 90.1 SH-33 enters Dewey County."}, {"context": " As SH-33 enters Dewey County, the section line road on the county line can be followed a few hundred yards west to the unincorporated settlement of Fay. After a mere in Dewey County, SH-33 enters Blaine County at milestone 91.6. At mile 94.2, SH-33 reaches an intersection involving five state highways. If the driver continues straight at this intersection, he will be on SH-58, which leads to Canton Lake. A left turn will follow the three-route concurrency of SH-3, US-270, and US-281, which is the so-called \"Governor George Nigh Northwest Passage\" to Woodward and the panhandle. This corridor is at least three lanes (one lane each direction with an alternating passing lane) all the way through the panhandle into Colorado. A right turn at the intersection, which is the natural movement from the driver's point of view, will be the east/southeast direction of the aforementioned three-route concurrency, which becomes a four-route concurrency with SH-33. The highway becomes four full lanes at this point. At mile 101.3 the US-270/US-281/SH-3/SH-33 concurrency crosses the North Canadian River. At mile 103.8 the driver has entered Watonga and has reached the intersection with SH-8. Going north on SH-8 will lead to Roman Nose State Park. The south leg of the intersection, where US-270 and US-281 diverge, leads to Hinton and Red Rock Canyon State Park, and provides an alternate route into Oklahoma City. Upon leaving Watonga, the remaining concurrency (SH-3/SH-33) reduce to the three-lane arrangement mentioned above, and continue eastward to mile 115.7, the Kingfisher County line."}, {"context": " Once SH-3/SH-33 have entered Kingfisher County, the road reduces to the conventional two lanes. At mile 131.5, the concurrency intersects US-81 in downtown Kingfisher. US-81 northbound goes to Enid and Wichita, whereas SH-3 diverges south onto US-81 southbound, which leads to Okarche, where the two highways split to reach Okla. City and El Reno respectively. This general vicinity is also the location of the crossing of the Chisholm Trail. At mile 146.3, SH-33 intersects SH-74F, which straddles the Logan County line south to Cashion."}, {"context": " SH-33's path through Logan County mostly parallels the Cimarron River. At mile 152.0, SH-74 intersects SH-33 with a four-way stop. Northbound SH-74 leads to Crescent, and southbound SH-74 eventually becomes the Lake Hefner Parkway in Oklahoma City. For the next few miles, SH-33 passes through the Cedar Valley golf course complex, and at mile 161.2 intersects US-77 in downtown Guthrie, Oklahoma's first capital. Near the east end of Guthrie, SH-33 once again becomes a four-lane highway before intersecting I-35 at mile 162.9. At mile 163.1, SH-105 to Tryon cuts off to the right as SH-33 turns to the left. The historic SH-33 turns off to the right at mile 169.2, although the old alignment is not marked other than a sign pointing to the town of Langston. At mile 172.4 the driver may diverge from the highway to visit historic Langston University, before the new alignment merges with the old alignment at mile 173.3. At this point, the highway narrows to two lanes. The old alignment quickly diverges into the town at Coyle at mile 173.6, and the current roadway crosses the Cimarron River at mile 174.6."}, {"context": " The Cimarron River forms the county line, where the scar from an old steel truss bridge is visible just east of the highway. In 2005 A brand new concrete bridge was being built west of the old one. Shortly into Payne County, the highway rejoins the old alignment at mile 175.5. At mile 185.1, US-177 goes north to Stillwater and overlaps SH-33 eastbound for one mile (1.6\u00a0km). At 186.1, US-177 diverges south into Perkins and toward Shawnee. As SH-33 continues east through Payne County, it crosses the Cimarron River again at mile 193.1 before intersecting SH-108, which goes north to Ripley, at 193.5. At mile 195.3, SH-18 comes in from the south, and overlaps SH-33 into Cushing, the \"Pipeline Capital of the World.\" At mile 201.6, SH-18 diverges north toward Pawnee. Upon exiting Cushing, SH-33 becomes a four-lane road forging eastward, and at mile 208.1 converges with SH-99, whose south leg leads to Stroud and Ada. The SH-33/SH-99 concurrency continues east into Creek County."}, {"context": " Mile 209.8 is the county line, and shortly thereafter at mile 210.2, SH-33 Bypass provides a route for trucks to circumnavigate Drumright to the north and west. At mile 211.9, on the east side of Drumright, SH-99 diverges to the north toward Pawhuska, and SH-16 travels south toward Muskogee. SH-48 intersects SH-33 at mile 223.1, which goes south to Bristow and north to Cleveland. At mile 234.2 SH-33 intersects I-44, which in this location is the Turner Turnpike, a toll road to Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Shortly thereafter, SH-33 runs out after a tenure of at SH-66, at the intersection of Main St and Mission St in central Sapulpa."}, {"context": " In addition to the current alignment presented above, SH-33 extended at one time all the way to Arkansas. However, the advent of the ever-expanding US-412 in Oklahoma would have meant unnecessary concurrencies beyond its current terminus. From the intersection of SH-66, SH-33 overlapped the then-US-66 through Sapulpa onto New Sapulpa Road, eventually merging into I-44 in west Tulsa. The three-route concurrency followed the present alignment of I-44 through Tulsa to Cherokee Curve, where SH-66 currently diverges into Catoosa. I-44 now continues another mile and a half or so to the Creek Turnpike, where the terminus of the Will Rogers Turnpike to Joplin, Missouri has been relocated. The old SH-33 followed the current US-412 to the junction of US-69, then north along US-69 a couple of miles, then back east, merging onto the current US-412 before crossing the Grand River. SH-33 followed the current Alternate US-412, whereas the Cherokee Turnpike parallels this narrow and winding road to the Flint Creek Valley. The historic SH-33 then followed the current alignment of US-412 to the Arkansas State Line, where it became AR-68 in Siloam Springs.  SH-33 was featured in the 1996 Blockbuster hit Twister. It is referred to as \"Bob's Road\" by the character Rabbit."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 34", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 34 (abbreviated SH-34) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for south-to-north in the western part of the state. The highway begins northeast of Eldorado, in the southwest corner of the state, and extends north to the Kansas state line between Woodward and Coldwater, Kansas. SH-34 has always been a lengthy highway, starting with its commissioning in June 1931, when it was a border-to-border highway stretching from Texas to Kansas. Most of SH-34 has followed the same basic corridor since its inception, with the exception of the portion of highway north of Woodward. The southernmost portion of highway, connecting it to Texas, became solely SH-6 in 1987."}, {"context": " There are three letter-suffixed spur highways branching from SH-34. SH-34A and SH-34B serve small towns in Greer County off the mainline of SH-34, while SH-34C serves Boiling Springs State Park. For much of its extent, State Highway 34 passes through rural areas, running through the plains of western Oklahoma. The highway begins at SH-6 six miles (10\u00a0km) northeast of Eldorado. Heading north from there, it intersects U.S. Route 62 (US-62) just east of Duke. The highway continues north into Greer County to its county seat of Mangum, where SH-34 joins US-283. Two miles (3\u00a0km) north of Mangum, SH-9 joins for a four-mile (6\u00a0km) concurrency with SH-34 and US-283. Thereafter, SH-9 splits off to the east."}, {"context": " Nine miles (14\u00a0km) north of Mangum, SH-34B branches off to the west, connecting to the town of Brinkman, and four miles (6\u00a0km) later, SH-34A branches off to the west to the town of Willow. US-283 splits off to the northwest two miles (3\u00a0km) after that, and SH-34 continues north, crossing into Beckham County. SH-34 then bridges over the North Fork of the Red River. In Carter, the highway serves as the western terminus of SH-55. Five miles (8\u00a0km) north of Carter, SH-34 crosses SH-152. SH-34 continues on to an interchange with Interstate 40 (I-40) west of Elk City. Here, the highway begins a concurrency with eastbound I-40. SH-34 accesses I-40 from exit 32, a partial diamond interchange, with no access to or from I-40 eastbound; the missing movements must be completed via another partial interchange further to the east, also numbered as exit 32, which serves Business I-40 (I-40 BUS). SH-34 follows I-40 to the east for . While concurrent with I-40, SH-34 has an interchange with SH-6, its northernmost junction with the latter highway. SH-34 exits the interstate from the left at exit 41 on the east side of Elk City, turning back to the north and intersecting I-40 BUS. The highway continues north out of Elk City, exiting Beckham County."}, {"context": " After leaving Beckham County, SH-34 enters Roger Mills County. SH-73's western terminus is at SH-34 at nine miles (14\u00a0km) north of Elk City. North of this junction, SH-34 lies along the Roger Mills\u2013Custer county line, which it continues to follow as it passes through the east side of Hammon, where it meets State Highway 33. North of town, the route crosses over the Washita River, and shortly thereafter turns northeast to fully enter Custer County. Northwest of Moorewood, the highway crosses into Dewey County."}, {"context": " In Dewey County, SH-34 crosses SH-47, two miles (3\u00a0km) south of Leedey, and crosses the Canadian River near the unincorporated settlement of Trail. The highway then passes through Camargo. Just east of Vici, SH-34 joins US-60 and SH-51 for a one-mile (1.6\u00a0km) concurrency, then SH-34 heads north again at Vici. The highway passes through Sharon north of Vici, then joins US-183/US-270/SH-3 four miles (6\u00a0km) southeast of Woodward. At Woodward, SH-34 again sets off to the north alone, and right after crossing the North Canadian River, SH-34C branches to the east about two miles (3\u00a0km) north of Woodward, connecting to Boiling Springs State Park."}, {"context": " SH-34 joins US-64 in far eastern Harper County for a four-mile (6\u00a0km) concurrency to the east, crossing the Cimarron River east of Buffalo. The highway then turns back to the north, where it is to its terminus at the Kansas state line. State Highway 34 was first designated on June 15, 1931. At that time, the highway began at the free bridge over the Red River north of Quanah, Texas, and followed what is today SH-6 to the point that is now SH-34's southern terminus. There, it turned north, following its current alignment. Its 1931 alignment did not differ significantly from that of the present day (although it followed US-66 through Elk City prior to the establishment of I-40) until it got to Woodward. Rather than continue north out of town, the SH-34 of that day instead turned west, then north, passing through Fort Supply and crossing into Harper County just north of that town. It then began a concurrency with US-60 in Buffalo, turning east and connecting with its final segment, bringing it to the Kansas state line. Thus, SH-34 started life as a border-to-border highway."}, {"context": " SH-34 was rerouted north of Buffalo on January 30, 1934. The new alignment continued due north out of Buffalo to the Kansas state line along a new road. The old portion of SH-34 between US-64 and the Kansas state line became part of SH-50. The next major change to SH-34 occurred in 1954. On November 1 of that year, the highway was realigned to follow a new road extending north of Woodward, intersecting US-64 east of Buffalo, and following existing highways north to the state line. This would put SH-34 on its present-day route north of Woodward. SH-50 would remain concurrent with SH-34 north of US-64 until November 9, 1964."}, {"context": " The next major change to SH-34 would be brought about by the establishment of the southern part of State Highway 6. The new highway was introduced on July 7, 1975. SH-34 remained in place; the two highways were concurrent from northwest of Eldorado to the Red River bridge, where they both ended. On January 5, 1987, the redundant section of SH-34 was removed, truncating it to its current southern terminus. The final modification to SH-34 occurred just under a month later, on February 2, 1987, when SH-34 was realigned in Elk City to follow I-40 instead of the old alignment of the now-dead US-66, which had become a business loop of I-40. No further changes have taken place since then."}, {"context": " SH-34A is a spur connecting SH-34 with Willow, north of Mangum. The highway begins at the west edge of Willow and follows Main Street east as it bisects the town. East of the town limits, the highway intersects US-283/SH-34 and ends. SH-34A first appeared on the 1944 state highway map. SH-34B is a spur connecting SH-34 with Brinkman, north of Mangum. The highway follows Main Street from unincorporated Brinkman to US-283/SH-34. SH-34B first appeared on the 1944 state highway map. SH-34C is a spur connecting SH-34 with Boiling Springs State Park north of Woodward. The highway heads east from SH-34, curving northeast near the park's golf course, before making a sharp turn toward the northeast. The highway ends on the west side of the park, with an access road continuing through it; on the east side of the park, the access road intersects SH-50B at its western terminus."}, {"context": " The road that is currently SH-34C first appeared on the 1948 state highway map as SH-15A. At this time, the highway began at US-183/US-270/SH-15/SH-34 in Woodward and headed north, then turned east north of the city and headed to Boiling Springs State Park. When SH-34 was realigned north of Woodward on November 1, 1954, it took over the portion of SH-15A in Woodward, severing the highway's link to its parent. SH-15A had been renumbered as SH-34C by 1956. By 1957, the highway was extended east, passing through the park and continuing onward to SH-50. However, by 1959, the road through the park had been removed from the state highway system; the segment of highway east of the park was renumbered to SH-50B."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 36", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 36 (abbreviated SH-36 or OK-36) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs for , forming a western loop route from Interstate 44, which it connects to at both ends. It passes through Cotton Co., Tillman Co., and Comanche Co.. It currently has no lettered spur routes. State Highway 36 was first added to the highway system around 1926. State Highway 36 begins at Exit 1 on Interstate 44, the first exit north of the Red River on I-44. From this interchange, Highway 36 heads due north to meet US-70. SH-36 turns west to follow US-70, forming a concurrency. The two highways angle northwest to begin paralleling a railroad line. SH-36 and US-70 pass just south of Devol. Approximately thereafter, the two cross the Cotton\u2013Tillman County line."}, {"context": " After concurrent with US-70, SH-36 splits away from the U.S. route on the northeast side of Grandfield. As before, SH-36 heads due north from there, crossing over Deep Red Creek and some of its local tributaries. After about alone, the highway forms another concurrency, this time with State Highway 5. The two highways pass to the east of Chattanooga Sky Harbor Airport. After together, SH-5 splits off to the west. SH-36 continues north for around before curving to the east, toward Chattanooga. As Highway 36 crosses into Comanche County, it also enters the town of Chattanooga, which it passes through on 3rd Street. Leaving town, the route continues due east, then curves towards the northeast, crossing Spring Creek. SH-36 next runs through Faxon, continuing northeast; after leaving the town, it bridges West Cache Creek. The highway then resumes a due east course and continues for nearly before reuniting with I-44. At this interchange, the SH-36 designation ends. The roadbed continues east through the interchange; a motorist continuing straight will then be on southbound US-277/US-281 towards Geronimo."}, {"context": " State Highway 36 first appears on the 1927 state highway map, implying that it was added to the system sometime between May 1, 1926, the date of the prior map, and November 1, 1927. The 1927 map shows SH-36 crossing the Red River at a bridge due south of Grandfield. From the bridge, the highway heads north to Grandfield and continues from there along its approximate present-day route. It ended at SH-8 south of Lawton. Between July 1, 1928 and January 1, 1929, the southernmost portion of SH-36 was rerouted. The segment of highway between Grandfield and the Red River bridge south of town was removed from the state highway system; instead, SH-36 was rerouted to the east, serving Devol and ending at US-70 west of Randlett, where US-70 turned south to cross the river north of Burkburnett, Texas. Between August 1933 and February 1934, US-70 was rerouted to follow a more direct path between Randlett and the Texas line. A north\u2013south segment of the old highway was assigned to SH-36\u2014the southernmost of the present-day highway. On March 3, 1945, US-70 was rerouted to cross into Texas south of Davidson instead, forming the concurrency with SH-36 east of Grandfield."}, {"context": " In 1939, SH-36 was extended to the north. The highway followed US-277/US-281 north to the south side of Lawton. There, the highway split off to head due north along Fort Sill Boulevard through town, coming to an end at the gate of Fort Sill itself. Changes also occurred further south. On September 10, 1951, US-70 and SH-36 were realigned to a new, more direct path between Grandfield and Randlett. The portion of SH-36 through Lawton to Fort Sill was stripped of its designation in 1978. No major changes have occurred to the highway since then."}, {"context": " SH-36 currently has no lettered spur routes. However, between approximately 1953 and 1978, there was a SH-36A in Lawton. At its greatest extent, it connected the Cameron University campus to present-day I-44. SH-36A had been designated by 1953. At this time, the highway's eastern terminus was at Fort Sill Boulevard (SH-36 at the time). Between 1956 and 1961, the highway was extended east to Business US-281. In 1970, it was extended further, to the Pioneer Expressway (present-day I-44). SH-36A was decommissioned in 1978, likely at the same time the adjoining section of SH-36 was turned over to the City of Lawton."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 37", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 37 (abbreviated SH-37) is a designation for two separate highways in the state of Oklahoma. The northern section runs between Hinton and Moore in central Oklahoma, while the southern section runs from the Texas state line at the Red River to Idabel, in southeastern Oklahoma. The northern section of SH-37 runs from US-281 in Hinton to Sunnylane Road (former SH-77H) in Moore. The southern section of SH-37 is long. The SH-37 in Central Oklahoma begins at US-281 in Hinton, Caddo County. It runs in a zigzag pattern for to the southeast before crossing into Canadian County. The Canadian County section runs in an irregular path to the southeast for , before re-entering Caddo County."}, {"context": " Back in Caddo County, SH-37 runs three miles (5\u00a0km) south to the town of Cogar, where it joins SH-152, and turns to the east. This concurrency goes two miles (3\u00a0km) before entering Grady County. In Grady County, SH-37/SH-152 goes to the east to US-81. There SH-152 turns to the north, and SH-37 joins US-81 for a one-and-a-half mile concurrency to Minco, where SH-37 splits off and heads east once again. SH-37 runs for in Grady County, serving as the northern terminus for SH-92 on the west edge of Tuttle, and intersecting SH-4 in Tuttle before crossing into McClain County."}, {"context": " One mile into McClain County, SH-37 serves as the northern terminus for SH-76, then joins I-44 for a brief concurrency three miles later. SH-37 overlaps I-44 for three miles (5\u00a0km), running north across the Canadian River into Cleveland County and Oklahoma City, where it runs east along S.W. 134th Street into the city of Moore, where it becomes S. 4th Street. SH-37 ends at Sunnylane Road, formerly SH-77H, in Moore. The southeastern SH-37 begins where TX-37 crosses the Red River into Oklahoma, and heads north for two miles (3\u00a0km) to a junction with SH-98. At this point, SH-37 heads east for to its terminus at US-70 Bypass in Idabel.  The portion of SH-37 in Moore between Janeway Avenue (just west of I-35) and its eastern terminus at Sunnylane Road was in the damage path of the EF-5 tornado that hit Moore on May 20, 2013. The southeastern SH-37 was originally numbered as SH-57."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 38", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 38 (abbreviated SH-38) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for in an irregular south-to-north pattern in eastern Alfalfa County, in the northwest part of the state. The highway begins at U.S. Route 64 (US-64) in Jet and extends to SH-11. SH-38 provides access to Great Salt Plains State Park, which the road skirts on the park's eastern edge. The road that is now SH-38 was added to the state highway system as SH-35 \"circa\" 1961. The highway was renumbered to SH-38 the following year."}, {"context": " State Highway 38 begins at an intersection with U.S. Highway 64 in downtown Jet. The road heads northward along a section line for approximately . The highway then makes a sharp turn to the east along another section line to avoid the Great Salt Plains Lake. The highway only heads east for about one mile (1.6\u00a0km) before turning back to the north; one mile further north, the highway makes a turn to the east, again avoiding the lake. After traveling east for , SH-38 is forced to turn back to the north by Kegelman Air Force Auxiliary Field, a secondary airfield of Vance Air Force Base. As the highway continues north, it forms the boundary between Kegelman AFAF to the east and the Great Salt Plains State Park to the west. Upon crossing the Salt Fork Arkansas River, the road turns back to the west, entering the park. Within the park boundaries, SH-38 is again forced to change course by the Great Salt Plains Lake, and turns back to a due north heading. One mile (1.6\u00a0km) north of the turn, the highway passes through the unincorporated place of Vining. SH-38 continues north, coming to an end at SH-11.  The SH-38 designation was originally given to an alignment from SH-58 in Carrier south to US-60 and SH-15 (now US-412). The majority of this route had been reassigned to SH-45, with the remainder being added to SH-132, by 1963. The road that is now SH-38 was added to the state highway system in late 1961 to early 1962 as SH-35. When the SH-38 designation was freed up in 1962, SH-35 was renumbered to SH-38. No further changes to the route have occurred since then."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 39", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 39, abbreviated as SH-39, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is in length. It runs east\u2013west through the central part of the state, beginning at unincorporated Tabler, east of Chickasha, and ending east of Konawa. Along the way, SH-39 serves the counties of Grady, McClain, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, and Seminole. It currently has no lettered spurs. SH-39 was built in 1923 but not added to the state highway system until approximately 1936. Originally connecting Tabler to Purcell, SH-39 was extended to the east over the next five years, first to Asher and then to Konawa."}, {"context": " The highway begins at the concurrency of U.S. Highway 62 (US-62)/US-277/State Highway 9 (SH-9) near the unincorporated community of Tabler, east of Chickasha. The road begins traveling east from there, intersecting SH-76 later west of Dibble. From Dibble, it continues east, meeting the eastern terminus of SH-59 and intersecting SH-24 in the unincorporated town of Woody Chapel. It then continues east to Purcell. In Purcell, SH-39 passes under Interstate 35, but does not have a junction with it. The highway soon encounters US-77/SH-74 just east of the interstate. Here, it turns northward and begins an overlap with the two highways through Purcell. SH-74 splits off after a few blocks while SH-39 and US-77 turn eastward and cross over the Canadian River on the James C. Nance Memorial Bridge. After crossing the river, the highways arrive in the town of Lexington and US-77 splits off to the northeast."}, {"context": " SH-39 continues eastward, serving the Lexington prison and overlapping for less than a mile with SH-102. In the town of Asher, the highway intersects SH-3W and SH-59 again. later, the highway meets SH-9A in Konawa. The highway ends east of Konawa at US-377/SH-3E/SH-99. The mainline of the highway becomes SH-56. The road that would become SH-39 was built in 1923, but it was not assigned a state route number until at least late 1936, first appearing on the 1937 state map. Originally, the route's eastern terminus was at US-77 in Purcell. By April 1939, it had been extended eastward to end at Asher. The route first reached its current termini in 1941 (although at the time, SH-99 passed through Konawa). A short gap existed west of Asher in the SH-39 designation between 1946 and 1947; by 1948 this gap had been filled. The final change to SH-39 occurred in 1968 or 1969, when SH-99 was rerouted to bypass Konawa, and SH-39 was extended east of town to end at the present junction. No changes have been made since.  SH-39 once had one spur route, SH-39B. It ran along what is now May Avenue from SH-39's junction with SH-59 to SH-74B east of Cole, Oklahoma."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 4", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 4, abbreviated as SH-4 or OK-4, is a designation for two distinct highways maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. One of them serves as an important route through the suburbs west of Oklahoma City, while the other connects US-259 to the Arkansas state line west of Cove, Arkansas. SH-4 has no lettered spur routes. The two SH-4s were never connected. The Central Oklahoma highway was established in 1941 and gradually extended to its present extent between then and 2003. The Eastern Oklahoma highway was originally numbered SH-21, and was renumbered to SH-4 in 1963."}, {"context": " The western Highway 4 is long. It begins at the western terminus of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike Spur south of Bridge Creek, Oklahoma, and immediately curves due north. It is a two-lane road until it reaches SH-37, where it expands to four lanes. Seven miles (11.2 km) later, it joins with SH-152 in the town of Mustang. One mile (1.66 km) later, SH-4 continues northward along Mustang Road toward Interstate 40 and Yukon. After crossing I-40, SH-4 becomes a two-lane road once again until entering Yukon, at which point it becomes a four-lane road again. It meets SH-66, once Route 66, in Yukon. Seven miles (11.2 km) later, it meets the Northwest Expressway (SH-3). It lasts for just three miles (4.8 km) longer until ending at Edmond Road in Piedmont."}, {"context": " Just after crossing SH-3, there is a standard distance sign listing Piedmont and \"END OF ROUTE\", giving the distance to the terminus of SH-4. This is a relative rarity on Oklahoma highways. The eastern Highway 4 is long. It begins at US-259 and goes generally east\u2013west, passing through the unincorporated communities of Smithville and Watson. After crossing the Arkansas state line, it becomes Highway 4. The western SH-4 was assigned in 1941 to a previously unnumbered roadway between U.S. Highway 66 in Yukon and Piedmont. A continuation of SH-4 east to North May Avenue in Oklahoma City along Ranchwood Boulevard and NW 10th Street had been designated as a farm-to-market road four years earlier. In 1954, SH-4 was extended eastward along the farm-to-market road to a terminus at State Highway 3 and State Highway 74 (May Avenue) southwest of downtown Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " SH-4 remained unchanged until 1979 when it was truncated to its former southern terminus at US-66 in Yukon. The route was then extended to Mustang in 1982, following Ranchwood Boulevard and Mustang Road south to a new terminus at State Highway 152. Construction on a southward extension of SH-4 to State Highway 37 near Tuttle began in 2001 and was completed a year later, as was a new segment between SH-37 and the H.E. Bailey Turnpike (Interstate 44). SH-4 was originally signed only as far south as SH-37; the designation was extended south to I-44 in early 2003.  What is now the eastern SH-4 became part of State Highway 21 in 1927 when SH-21 was rerouted north of Bethel to follow modern U.S. Highway 259 and SH-4 to the Arkansas state line. The SH-21 designation was removed in 1963 and replaced with SH-4 from Smithville east to the state line near Watson. Only minor realignments, such as the straightening of the roadway near Smithville and the replacement of a historic truss bridge by a modern span have occurred since."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 43", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 43 (SH-43 or OK-43) is a state highway in Oklahoma, United States. It runs 65.3 miles west-to-east through Coal, Atoka, Pushmataha and Pittsburg counties. SH-43 begins at US-75/SH-3 in Coalgate, the seat of Coal County. It runs east from Coalgate for toward US-69. Before meeting US-69, it crosses into Atoka County and over Atoka Reservoir. Two boat ramps on the reservoir are accessible from SH-43. After crossing the reservoir, SH-43 reaches US-69, which it begins a concurrency with."}, {"context": " US-69 and SH-43 head south, passing through Flora, an unincorporated place, and in between Atoka Reservoir and Sub-Penitentiary Lake. The two highways pass to the west of Grants Gap before reaching Stringtown. There, SH-43 splits off to the east, leaving US-69 five miles (8\u00a0km) south of where the two highways first joined. At Stringtown, SH-43 turns back to the east, paralleling Chickasaw Creek south of Grants Gap. The highway runs along the southern edge of the Atoka Wildlife Management Area west of unincorporated Redden. SH-43 has an interchange with the Indian Nation Turnpike, east of Stringtown. The diamond interchange, Exit 38 from the turnpike, carries the destination cities of Stringtown and Daisy. Daisy lies just east of the turnpike on SH-43."}, {"context": " East of Daisy, SH-43 passes just north of unincorporated Goss, then crosses into Pushmataha County. Turkey Mountain is just south of the highway as it enters the county. The route travels through the Jackfork Creek basin, a low area between the Jack Fork Mountains and the Big Caney Mountains. After passing through another unincorporated place, Adel, the highway cuts across the far southeast corner of Pittsburg County. SH-43 re-enters Pushmataha County southwest of the far south arm of Sardis Lake, a reservoir formed by impounding Jackfork Creek. The highway runs along the south shore of the lake. At the southwest corner of the lake, SH-43 runs across the top of the lake's dam. Northeast of the dam, the highway intersects SH-2. This intersection is the highway's eastern terminus."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 44", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 44 (abbreviated SH-44) is a state highway in the western portion of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for , beginning north of Blair in Greer County, and proceeding north to Butler in Custer County. It is not to be confused with Interstate 44. The highway has one lettered spur route, SH-44A. SH-44 was established on April 14, 1932. Initially, the route consisted of three disconnected segments of highway; the southern segment corresponded with present-day SH-6 southwest of Altus, the central segment extended from the current southern terminus of the route to what is now known as Dill City, and the northern segment began west of Custer City and extended north to Medford. The northernmost section was redesignated as several other highways, primarily SH-58. The other two segments of highway were connected in 1962, and the current termini were established in 1987."}, {"context": " State Highway 44 begins at an intersection with the Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma in the Quartz Mountains, just northwest of Byrd Mountain in Greer County. From the terminus, SH-44 heads northeast, crossing the North Fork of the Red River into Kiowa County. Just after crossing the river, the highway spawns its only spur route, SH-44A. The road continues through the Quartz Mountains, passing in between Williams Peak and King Mountain. The route then follows the south shore of Lake Altus-Lugert, passing between the lakeshore and Mount Lugert. As SH-44 leaves the mountains, it passes through the unincorporated place of Lugert, from which both the lake and the mountain get their name. The highway then heads north-northwest until it reaches SH-9 on the east side of Lone Wolf. It follows SH-9 to the east before splitting off along a due north course. The highway curves northeast to cross Elm Creek, the turns back to the north just after crossing into Washita County."}, {"context": " The first town that SH-44 encounters in Washita County is Sentinel, where it meets SH-55. The highway continues north, paralleling a railroad track, before crossing over it about north of Sentinel and resuming its due north course. West-northwest of Dill City, Oklahoma, SH-44 intersects SH-152. About north of this junction, SH-44 passes along the east side of Burns Flat. The next highway junction is an interchange with Interstate 40, at exit 53. After the interchange, SH-44 crosses Turkey Creek and runs through the small town of Foss. Just north of town, the highway passes into Custer County."}, {"context": " In Custer County, Highway 44 meets up with SH-73. The two routes form a brief concurrency, splitting up when they reach Foss State Park. SH-44 hugs the east side of Foss Lake, then runs across its dam. Four miles (6.4\u00a0km) north of where it exits the park, SH-44 ends in Butler at State Highway 33. The current iteration of State Highway 44 was first added to the Oklahoma State Highway system on April 14, 1932. The highway as originally designated was a split route; its southern section began at SH-34 in Eldorado, and proceeded northeast to end at US-62 west of Altus. Another section of SH-44 began at the route's current southern terminus and ended at SH-41 in Dill (present-day SH-152 in Dill City). A third section of highway began concurrent with SH-33 west of Custer City, and proceeded east through that town through Thomas. It then turned north on what is now SH-58 and followed what is now that highway's route to Cleo Springs. Thereafter, SH-44 began following SH-8. At Driftwood, SH-44 turned east on an independent alignment roughly corresponding to today's SH-11. The highway's northern terminus was US-81 in Medford, where SH-11 took over the alignment."}, {"context": " In 1934, the section of highway between SH-33 and Canton was made part of US-270, and SH-44's northernmost section was truncated to Canton. At the same time, the section of road east of Driftwood became part of SH-11, so its northern terminus was truncated to US-60 in Fairview. On March 29, 1937, the majority of the northern section of route was transferred to SH-58. On December 14, 1942, SH-44 was extended north of Dill for the first time, bringing it to a southern terminus at US-66 south of Foss."}, {"context": " SH-44 was first made a contiguous route at the beginning of the summer of 1962. On May 6, the two sections of SH-44 were joined by means of a concurrency with US-62 to Altus, where it turned north along US-283, which it followed to the present-day southern terminus. Around the same time, changes were brewing at the north end of the highway. SH-44 was extended north to Butler on September 4, 1963. At this time, SH-44 ran from SH-34 in Eldorado to Butler. The southernmost portion of SH-44 would soon undergo changes. On July 7, 1975, State Highway 6 was introduced over the portion of highway between Eldorado and the current southern terminus. On January 5, 1987, the portion of SH-44 made redundant by SH-6 was removed from the highway, truncating it to its current southern terminus.  State Highway 44's one lettered spur route is SH-44A. This route branches off from SH-44 in the Quartz Mountains and connects to the Quartz Mountains Conference Center and the southern end of Lake Altus-Lugert."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 45", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 45 (SH-45 or OK-45) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs west-to-east through Woods, Alfalfa and Garfield counties. SH-45 begins at the US-281/SH-14 junction in Waynoka. The first of SH-45 heading east out of Waynoka is concurrent with US-281. US-281 then splits off to the north. SH-45 continues east for to Carmen. SH-45 was first added to the state highway system between May 1926 and November 1927. The original routing of the highway was from Waynoka to SH-8 in Carmen. Before 1963, the section of present-day SH-45 between SH-58 and SH-132 was part of the original SH-38. In 1963, all of this SH-38 west of Carrier was renumbered to SH-45 (a north\u2013south section of SH-38 that connected Carrier to US-60 became part of a SH-132 extension). The same year, SH-45 was extended westward to Waynoka. In either 1971 or 1972, the highway was extended eastward to its present terminus on the northern outskirts of Enid. No major changes have occurred since."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 46", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 46 (abbreviated SH-46) is a state highway in northwest Oklahoma. It runs south-to-north in Ellis and Harper Counties. SH-46 begins at US-60/US-283/SH-51 on the west side of Arnett. The road runs north to the junction of SH-15 at Gage, then continues another to May, where it crosses US-270/US-412/SH-3. Three miles north of May, SH-46 crosses the North Canadian River, and after that, SH-149 branches off to the west, connecting to the town of Laverne. Seven miles later, SH-46 ends at US-64, west of Buffalo."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 47", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 47 (SH-47 or OK-47) is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs west-to-east in Roger Mills, Dewey and Custer counties. The current SH-47 was first established in late 1936. Over time it was expanded, reaching its current extent in 1945. A lettered spur route, SH-47A, was added in 1965. State Highway 47 begins at the Texas state line, where FM 2124 becomes SH-47 upon entering Oklahoma, in the Black Kettle National Grassland. Four miles (6.4\u00a0km) later, SH-30 joins the highway for a three-mile (5\u00a0km) concurrency just south of Reydon. Just outside the community of Rankin, SH-30 turns to the south, and SH-47 continues off to the east."}, {"context": " A few miles west of Cheyenne, SH-47A branches off in a loop to the north, rejoining Highway 47 in a couple of miles. South of Cheyenne, SH-47 joins US-283 for a concurrency to the north. SH-33 also joins in on the concurrency, with a signed direction opposite that of SH-47 (a wrong-way concurrency). SH-47 and US-283/SH-33 parts ways at Roll, where SH-47 resumes its travel to the east. From Roll, the highway travels to a junction with SH-34 just south of Leedey. SH-47 continues east for until it reaches a junction with US-183. There, it turns to the south for a five-mile (8\u00a0km) concurrency. After leaving US-183, SH-47 travels another to the east to its terminus at SH-33 in Thomas."}, {"context": " The current incarnation of State Highway 47 was first commissioned on November 12, 1936. Originally, the highway began at SH-34 south of Leedey and proceeded east to end at SH-14 (present-day US-183) south of Putnam. However, the road was removed from the state highway system just over a year later, on the last day of 1937. It was brought back with the same extent on June 19, 1939. Throughout the early 1940s, SH-47 underwent a period of expansion. The first extension of the highway came on June 20, 1940, when it was extended west to end at US-283 in Roll. SH-47 was extended east to Thomas via US-183 on May 31, 1944. The final extension occurred on October 1, 1945, when the highway was extended south down US-283 to Cheyenne, then west to the Texas state line."}, {"context": " SH-33 and SH-47 swapped places west of US-283 on July 9, 1956; SH-47 proceeded due west of Roll to the Texas state line, while SH-33 passed through Cheyenne and turned toward the west south of there. This gave both highways straighter courses and resolved the wrong-way concurrency. However, the change was rescinded on August 13, 1956. Two minor realignments were done to SH-47 in the 1960s. The first, on April 3, 1961, relocated the highway west of Aledo, while the other one, on May 5, 1964, adjusted it between Roll and Angora. SH-47 has undergone no changes since."}, {"context": " Two highways have served as branch routes during SH-47's history. Both of these bore the SH-47A designation. Historically, SH-47A was a spur serving the central business district of Reydon. The highway was commissioned on a temporary basis on February 8, 1950. Its alignment was adjusted, and the highway received a permanent commission, on January 8, 1951. The highway was turned back over to the town on December 6, 1954. The current SH-47A is a loop route that connects to SH-47 at both ends west of Cheyenne. The highway is entirely located within Roger Mills County and the Black Kettle National Grassland. It provides access to the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site.  SH-47A was commissioned on September 7, 1965."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 48", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 48 (abbreviated SH-48) is a state highway in eastern Oklahoma that runs nearly from Bryan County to Pawnee County. SH-48 has one lettered spur, SH-48A, in Johnston County. SH-48 begins at SH-78 six miles (10\u00a0km) north of Durant. Running north, it is five miles (8\u00a0km) to the first highway intersection, SH-22, just west of Kenefic. Highway 48 continues on to the north, passing through the community of Folsom, and at Coleman, SH-48A spurs off to the west, towards the town of Milburn."}, {"context": " Seven miles ahead is Wapanucka, and the junction with SH-7. Nine miles past Wapanucka, SH-31 intersects, heading to the east, and in seven more miles Highway 48 reaches the town of Tupelo. Just north of Tupelo, SH-48 intersects SH-3, and then continues for to Allen, where it joins SH-1 for a seven-mile (11\u00a0km) concurrency to Atwood. At Atwood, SH-48 splits off to the north, crosses the Canadian River,(the road originally angled west parallel to the river but was eventually rerouted after years of the river undercutting the roadbed) and soon enters the city of Holdenville, seat of Hughes County. SH-48 meets US-270 Business in Holdenville, then intersects US-270 just north of town. SH-48 intersects with SH-9 in northwestern Hughes County, and then turns to the east the junction with SH-99A, just west of Bearden."}, {"context": " Highway 48 turns back to the north soon after leaving Bearden, and crosses the North Canadian River just south of the I-40 junction. Two miles after I-40, SH-48 crosses SH-56 five miles (8\u00a0km) west of Okemah, then US-62 five miles (8\u00a0km) after that, just west of Castle. The between US-62 and the SH-16 junction in Bristow is very rural, with no settlements of any size. At Bristow, SH-48 joins SH-16 and SH-66 for a short three-route concurrency through town. SH-16 branches off just north of downtown Bristow, and SH-48/SH-66 intersect with I-44/Turner Turnpike at Bristow's northern edge."}, {"context": " Four miles after I-44, SH-66 splits off the east, and Highway 48 continues north eight miles (13\u00a0km) to SH-33, then another nine miles (14\u00a0km) to SH-51, two miles (3\u00a0km) west of Mannford. SH-48 crosses the Cimarron River and skirts the western edge of Keystone Lake as it travels its final few miles, intersecting with US-412/Cimarron Turnpike just before terminating at US-64, eight miles (13\u00a0km) south of Cleveland. SH-48 has one lettered spur, State Highway 48A. SH-48A connects SH-48 to SH-78 at Milburn, in Johnston County."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 49", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 49 (SH-49) is a 30-mile (48\u00a0km) long state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs from State Highway 54 in Kiowa County to Interstate 44 near Lawton. Part of the highway runs through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge; this portion of SH-49 carries no signage identifying it as such. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-49 was established in 1939. Originally it turned south in the refuge to serve Cache; its present-day routing was established in 1973. SH-49 begins in Kiowa County at SH-54 south of Cooperton and heads due east. The highway crosses into Comanche Co. about east of that point. The road continues east for about two miles more, where it makes a ninety-degree turn to the north. It continues north for around a half-mile (0.8\u00a0km), then angles northeast. It then enters the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge."}, {"context": " Through the refuge, SH-49 is unsigned, appearing only as a nameless road. Inside the refuge, the speed limit drops to , with a night speed limit of . Upon entering the refuge, the highway curves around to the southwest. SH-49 passes in between Big Four Mountain (elev. ) and Sunset Peak. The road then drops down to Antelope Flat, where it crosses the stream that feeds Caddo Lake, as well as passing near the lake itself. It serves as the northern terminus of Indiahoma Road, which heads south towards French Lake, the trailhead of the Dog Run Hollow hiking trail, and many of the peaks in the southwest part of the refuge, before eventually serving the town of Indiahoma south of the refuge. After the Indiahoma Road intersection, it crosses the stream that forms French Lake. At the Boulder Turnoff, it intersects the road leading to Lost Lake and Eagle Mountain. The road then curves northeast to bypass Quanah Parker Lake and its campsite. The road then curves due south towards the Cache Wye."}, {"context": " At the Cache Wye, SH-49 intersects State Highway 115, which is also unsigned. Motorists on eastbound SH-49 that continue straight at the junction will be put on southbound SH-115; to continue east, a left turn must be made. SH-49 and SH-115 are effectively concurrent east of the Cache Wye, although signage is still not posted. The two highways turn northeast, then curve back around to the east. SH-115 then splits off to the north, while SH-49 continues a general eastbound heading. SH-49 continues through the eastern part of the refuge. It serves as the primary access to Mount Scott, with an access road connecting the highway to the mountain's summit. SH-49 then passes between Elmer Thomas Lake and Lake Lawtonka before exiting the refuge. At this entrance to the park, there is an \"end SH-49\" assembly posted on westbound SH-49. This is an error, as SH-49 exits the other side of the park, and ODOT does not list two different SH-49s."}, {"context": " After leaving the refuge, SH-49 passes through the south side of Medicine Park. Running south of Mount Cummins, it meets the southern terminus of State Highway 58. Four miles (6.4\u00a0km) later, it ends at I-44 exit 45. SH-49 was added to the state highway system in 1939. At this time, SH-49 began at US-62 in Cache (US-62 had not yet been shifted to the freeway north of town), and entered the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, following present-day SH-115 until the Cache Wye. SH-49 then emerged from the refuge near Medicine Park and followed the remainder of its present-day routing.  The portion of highway between the Cache Wye and Cache itself was renumbered to become part of SH-115 in 1962. The same year, the portion of road leading west from the Cache Wye to SH-54 was added to the highway, bringing it to its present-day extent. At this time, the road between SH-54 and the Cache Wye was gravel. It was paved in 1973."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 5", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 5 (SH-5 or OK-5) is the name assigned to two distinct state highways in the U.S state of Oklahoma. One runs for through extreme southwestern Oklahoma, passing through Harmon and Jackson Counties. The other is long and runs through southwest Oklahoma, connecting US-283 south of Altus to US-70 at Waurika. The western SH-5 begins at U.S. Highway 62 in Gould, Oklahoma and runs south until just past Lincoln, where it turns east. It then ends at State Highway 6 in Eldorado, just seven miles (11\u00a0km) north of the Texas border."}, {"context": " The western SH-5 was once known as SH-90. Both the now-separate western and eastern sections of SH-5 were formerly part of a continuous SH-5 across Southwest Oklahoma. From 1958 to 1969, SH-5 continued east from Eldorado over an unpaved roadway to a junction with US-283 east of Elmer, and then turned north on a route shared with US-283 to the current west terminus of the eastern SH-5 at its junction with US-283 south of Altus and west of Tipton and continued east over the current eastern SH-5. The former Eldorado to Elmer section of SH-5 was removed from the state highway system in 1969 and continues in use as a county road under the jurisdiction of Jackson County."}, {"context": " The eastern SH-5 starts between Altus and Elmer at US-283. It heads east from here to Tipton, where it turn south and SH-5C splits off. South of Tipton, SH-5 turns east again to intersect U.S. Highway 183 in Frederick. 19 miles (30.5\u00a0km) later, it has a two-mile (3.2\u00a0km) concurrency with State Highway 36. The highway splits off to the east from here, sharing a three-mile (4.8\u00a0km) concurrency with US-277/281 and an interchange with Interstate 44 (which is also the Walters toll plaza of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike).  Five miles (8\u00a0km) east of where this three-route concurrency breaks up, SH-5 turns south in Walters, with the mainline being taken over by State Highway 53. SH-5 heads east again toward Temple, where it has a brief concurrency with State Highway 65, and then turns southeast to pass through Hastings before ending at US-70 in Waurika. SH-5 has three lettered spur routes."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 50", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 50 (abbreviated SH-50) is a state highway in northeastern Oklahoma. The majority of the highway is in Woodward County, though the northernmost are in Woods County. SH-50 runs near two state parks and has a lettered spur that goes to each of them. State Highway 50 begins at US-183/270/SH-3 between Woodward and Mutual. Much of the first section of highway runs through the Moscow Flats area west of the North Canadian River. The highway crosses Indian Creek, a tributary of the North Canadian, before crossing the river itself. SH-50 intersects US-412 between Woodward and Mooreland. SH-50 turns east and overlaps US-412 to Mooreland."}, {"context": " Upon reaching Mooreland, SH-50 splits off to the north. On the northern outskirts of town, SH-50 intersects one of its spur routes, SH-50B, which connects Mooreland to Boiling Springs State Park. SH-50 briefly turns east, continuing the alignment of SH-50B, before turning back north again. SH-50 follows a due north heading in this area, paralleling Long Creek and crossing many of the intermittent streams that feed it. The road then turns northeast toward Alabaster Caverns State Park. As the highway approaches the park, it spawns a spur leading into the park, SH-50A, before continuing northeast, clipping the northwest corner of the park boundary. The road then gradually eases into a more northerly heading as it approaches the Cimarron River."}, {"context": " SH-50 bridges the Cimarron River south of Freedom, in the process leaving Woodward County and entering Woods County. The road then passes through the west side of Freedom. After leaving the town, the road continues due north to its junction with US-64, where it terminates. State Highway 50 was first commissioned on March 2, 1927, running from State Highway 47 in Mooreland (later SH-15, present-day US-412) to US-64 and the original State Highway 1 north of Freedom. Between January 1, 1929, and March 1, 1930, the highway was extended west along US-64, then north along a segment of old SH-1, passing through Lookout and ending at the Kansas state line. On November 1, 1954, State Highway 34 was extended to follow SH-50 in concurrency north of US-64."}, {"context": " SH-50 underwent a major realignment on October 6, 1958, bypassing a gravel section with a straighter paved route. At the same time, SH-50A was established to connect the new road to Alabaster Caverns. Around this time, SH-34C, formerly a continuous highway linking SH-34 to Boiling Springs State Park and onward to SH-50, was split into two highways, with the middle section through the park being decommissioned. The section of highway east of the park was renumbered to SH-50B. Also occurring on October 6, 1958, was the southern extension of SH-50, starting at US-183/270/SH-3, continuing north to SH-15, and continuing east along SH-15 to Mooreland, where it linked up with existing SH-50. The extension would not be shown on state highway maps until the 1960 edition, however."}, {"context": " The highway was at its greatest extent from 1958 to 1964, when it started at its present-day southern terminus and continued all the way north to the Kansas state line. However, virtually all of the highway north of Freedom was concurrent with another route. On November 9, 1964, SH-50 was truncated to end at its present-day northern terminus at US-64. In the early 1980s, a new bridge was built across the Cimarron River south of Freedom. SH-50 was realigned to use this new crossing on April 6, 1981. No changes have occurred to the highway since then.  SH-50 has two lettered spurs. They each run to a state park. SH-50A connects SH-50 to Alabaster Caverns State Park near Freedom. SH-50B connects SH-50 to Boiling Springs State Park near Mooreland."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 51", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 51, abbreviated to SH-51 or OK-51, is a major state highway in Oklahoma. It runs for 333 miles (535\u00bd km) east\u2013west across the state, running from the Texas state line to Arkansas. It is the third-longest state highway in the system. SH-51 begins at the Texas line concurrent with US-60 just east of Higgins, Texas. It remains concurrent for 61 miles (98\u00a0km) until it reaches US-270/US-281/SH-3 at Seiling, Oklahoma. At Seiling, SH-51 joins with those three highways for nine miles (14\u00a0km) before splitting off on its own."}, {"context": " 11 miles (18\u00a0km) after splitting off, Highway 51 meets SH-58 in Canton. It then continues east, crossing the North Canadian River and meeting SH-51A before turning northeast toward Okeene, where it intersects SH-8. SH-51 will go for 24 miles (39\u00a0km) before intersecting another highway. In Hennessey SH-51 meets U.S. Highway 81 before continuing eastward. 17 miles (27\u00a0km) later, it meets SH-74 north of Crescent. 11 miles (17\u00a0km) to the east, it shares a brief concurrency with US-77; two miles (3\u00a0km) later it has an interchange at Interstate 35, milemarker 174."}, {"context": " After crossing I-35, SH-51 becomes a multilane highway and a major corridor linking I-35 to Stillwater, the home of Oklahoma State University. Along this stretch is an intersection with State Highway 86. When Highway 51 reaches Stillwater, it meets US-177. Continuing east from Stillwater, the road returns to a two-lane highway after sharing a one-mile (1.6\u00a0km) concurrency with SH-108 and intersects with SH-18 eight miles (12.8\u00a0km) later. Four miles east of this, it passes through Yale, Oklahoma before crossing SH-99. It becomes a multilane highway again after a brief concurrency with SH-48. It passes through the small towns of Mannford and Lotsee on its way toward the Tulsa area."}, {"context": " In Sand Springs, SH-51 crosses the Arkansas River with SH-97 before merging onto the Sand Springs Expressway (U.S. Highway 412/U.S. Highway 64). When this freeway ends at I-244 near downtown Tulsa, Highway 51 merges onto I-244 southbound only to exit one mile (1.6\u00a0km) later, where it overlaps US-64/US-75. This freeway is actually Interstate 444, but the interstate designation is not shown on signs. After one more mile, SH-51 leaves the interstate with US-64 and becomes the Broken Arrow Expressway, a freeway running northwest-southeast through Tulsa which is known as \"The BA\" by locals and local media. US-64 leaves the freeway as a concurrency with US-169 southbound. Later, SH-51 will exit the freeway and become a four-lane highway toward Coweta. The mainline freeway becomes the Muskogee Turnpike."}, {"context": " At Coweta, SH-51 turns back east after heading southeast through the Tulsa area. After crossing the Muskogee Turnpike again and bridging the Verdigris River the highway soon enters Wagoner, where it junctions with US-69. Returning once again to a 2-lane road, Highway 51 crosses Ft. Gibson Lake and the town of Hulbert. later, it passes through Tahlequah, where it has a brief concurrency with US-62/SH-10. After spitting with these highways, it heads southeast toward Stilwell, Oklahoma, overlapping US-59 for a mile on the way. After leaving Stilwell it provides access to Adair State Park, and then crosses the Arkansas line becoming Highway 244, which quickly connects to Highway 59."}, {"context": " SH-51 was originally commissioned on June 1, 1927 as a connector from Stilwell to Eldon at SH-27 (present-day US-62). By 1928, it had been extended to Tulsa. On June 15, 1933, it was extended to the east to the Arkansas state line, where it became AR-45. ODOT extended SH-51 west to Stillwater and Perry (via a segment of roadway currently serving as US-177). On March 18, 1935, the section from Stillwater to Perry was rescinded and SH-51 was extended to SH-8 at Okeene. It was then extended to Seiling on October 18, 1938. On March 23, 1943, it was extended to the Texas state line by a concurrency with US-60."}, {"context": " The Broken Arrow Expressway was built in the early 1960s and opened in 1964. It was not, however, officially named the Broken Arrow Expressway until July 6, 1999 by H.B. 1455. The steel truss bridge carrying SH-51 across Stillwater Creek west of Stillwater, once considered the gateway into the city, was removed on March 25, 2008. In a first for the state of Oklahoma, the bridge, originally built in 1936, was sold to Payne County for $200,000 and transferred to a county road east of Stillwater, where it was installed over Council Creek.  Like many in the Oklahoma state highway system, SH-51 has short spurs branching from it that bear the \"51\" number with a lettered suffix:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 52", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 52 (abbreviated SH-52) is two once-connected highways in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. There are no lettered spur routes from either of them. The southern SH-52 is a short, state highway in McIntosh County, Oklahoma. It connects State Highway 9 to the town of Hanna. The northern SH-52 runs for from US-266 northeast of Grayson to SH-16. Along the way it intersects US-62 near Morris. At one time, at least as recently as 1972, the two sections of SH-52 were connected by a dirt section running from SH-9 to US-266. This section has since been decommissioned."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 53", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 53 is an highway in southern Oklahoma. It connects Walters in Cotton County to Gene Autry in Carter County. It has one lettered spur route, SH-53A, a spur route to Gene Autry. SH-53 begins at a T intersection in Walters, where State Highway 5 makes up the western and southern legs of the T. SH-53 runs eastward from here, crossing East Cache Creek. At Fivemile Corner, the road intersects SH-65, five miles (8\u00a0km) east of Walters. SH-53 continues due east into the Waurika Wildlife Management Area, where it crosses Beaver Creek and Little Beaver Creek (which at their confluence downstream of SH-53 are dammed to create Waurika Lake). After leaving the wildlife management area, SH-53 crosses into Stephens County."}, {"context": " About east of the Cottn\u2013Stephens county line, SH-53 passes through Corum. The highway continues due east to the western outskirts of Comanche, where it curves northeast to pass through the city's downtown. There, it intersects US-81. SH-53 continues due east out of town as it approaches Comanche Lake, where it cuts away to the southeast before resuming its due east course. The highway then goes through a series of curves gradually sending it more southeast, passing through Loco. The route serves as the northern terminus for SH-89 just before crossing into Carter County."}, {"context": " The first highway junction that SH-53 encounters in Carter County begins a three-mile (5\u00a0km) concurrency with State Highway 76 north of Healdton. South of Fox, SH-53 splits off to the east. The highway passes through Clemscott, Graham, Milo, and Woodford before coming to an interchange with I-35. SH-53 joins southbound I-35, splitting off after two miles (3\u00a0km). It meets US-77 in Springer before passing through Gene Autry and ending at US-177. State Highway 53A is a one-mile (1.6\u00a0km) spur to Gene Autry. It begins at SH-53 near the entrance to the Ardmore Air Park, in northeastern Carter County. It is a narrow, two-lane state highway with no shoulders throughout its length in and around the town of Gene Autry. The road has an at-grade crossing with the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe railroad at the north end of Gene Autry, and the road continues through the town until it reaches its terminus at the southern grade crossing of the same railway.  Another State Highway 53A was once a spur route to Comanche Lake. The highway was long. It was officially removed from the state highway system by action of the Transportation Commission on February 2, 2004."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 54", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 54 (abbreviated SH-54 or OK-54) is a state highway in western Oklahoma. Running north\u2013south, it exists in two parts, which lie at approximately the same longitude. The southern section's length is , while the northern section runs for , for a combined length of . The northern section has two lettered spur routes. The southern section of State Highway 54 runs for just under ten miles (16\u00a0km), entirely within Tillman County. The highway begins at US-70 and runs north. Midway through the route's extent, it passes through the town of Hollister, where it crosses a railroad track. The highway terminates at SH-5 east of Frederick."}, {"context": " The northern section of SH-54 runs for 85.5 miles (137.6\u00a0km). It begins at US-62 east of Snyder in Kiowa County. From this point, it heads due northward to pass the western terminus of State Highway 49. For through Cooperton it overlaps State Highway 19. Continuing northward, it crosses over Rainy Mountain Creek. It then intersects State Highway 9 and its business loop near Gotebo. The highway then bridges the Washita River into Washita County. At Lake Valley, SH-54 serves as the eastern terminus of State Highway 55. It then meets State Highway 152 eight miles (13\u00a0km) east of Cordell and turns eastward to overlap it for . After splitting off, SH-54 heads northward, producing two spur routes to Corn and Colony."}, {"context": " The highway next enters Custer County, where it has an interchange with Interstate 40 at exit 80. It then runs along the western limit of Weatherford and continues north to end at State Highway 33 east of Thomas. The northern section of State Highway 54 was first commissioned on April 14, 1941. The original path of the highway began at US-277 in Cyril and proceeded west, intersecting US-62 in Apache. The highway then turned north, paralleling the Caddo\u2013Kiowa county line, then turning east along SH-41. The highway turned north, meeting US-66 near Hydro, then following US-66 west through Weatherford. On the west side of Weatherford, the highway turned north along its current alignment."}, {"context": " SH-54 saw a substantial realignment on October 16, 1945, when it was shifted to the west onto its present alignment from US-62 southeast of Snyder to Weatherford, and on November 5 of that year, the old alignment of the highway was transferred to SH-58. Since then, only maintenance and minor realignment projects have occurred along its length. The southern section was established in its entirety on October 15, 1956. It has never been connected to the northern SH-54. SH-54 has two lettered spur routes, both of which branch off the northern section of SH-54. Both were once part of the now-decommissioned SH-69."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 55", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 55 is a state highway in western Oklahoma. It runs for from Carter, Oklahoma to the unincorporated community of Lake Valley. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-55 begins at State Highway 34 in Carter, in eastern Beckham Co.. It heads east for six miles (10\u00a0km), where it meets State Highway 6 and overlaps it to the south. After running along the Beckham/Washita Co. line, it splits off to the east near Retrop. It then meets State Highway 44 in Sentinel. Seven miles later it meets US-183 in Rocky. It then terminates at State Highway 54 in Lake Valley."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 56", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 56 (abbreviated SH-56 or OK-56) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The road serves Seminole County, Okfuskee County, and Okmulgee Counties in central and east-central Oklahoma. In Seminole County, it is also designated as the Seminole Nation Highway in honor of the contributions the Seminole Nation has made to the state of Oklahoma. SH-56 begins at an intersection with US-377 four miles (6\u00a0km) east of Konawa, and extends to US-75 in Okmulgee. The highway's total length is ."}, {"context": " SH-56 was first added to the state highway system in 1929. It was gradually extended to its present length between then and 1942. SH-56 begins at the junction of SH-39 and US-377/SH-3E/SH-99 four miles (6\u00a0km) east of Konawa. From here, the highway and heads east, curving through the hilly terrain of southeastern Seminole County. The highway passes through the town of Sasakwa east of US-377. At Sasakwa, the road turns north, crossing the Little River northeast of town and generally paralleling the Seminole\u2013Hughes County county line. The highway then bisects the town of Wewoka, intersecting US-270 and concurring with its business loop. SH-56 also serves as the eastern terminus of SH-59 in Wewoka. North of the town, SH-56 intersects with SH-9. The highway continues north, intersecting SH-99A in Cromwell and interchanging with I-40 near the unincorporated community of |Schoolton. After crossing I-40, SH-56 makes a long arc to the east, bringing it into Okfuskee County."}, {"context": " Just east of the county line, SH-56 bridges the North Canadian River. South of Castle, the road intersects with SH-48. SH-56 then proceeds east into Okemah, the county seat, where it has a short concurrency with both US-62 and SH-27. The highway continues east from town, then turns north, before turning back to the east to pass through the unincorporated settlement of Okfuskee. East of Okfuskee, the highway enters Okmulgee County. In Okmulgee County, SH-56 skirts the northern edge of Okmulgee Lake and serves Dripping Springs State Park. East of the lake, it passes through Okmulgee Wildlife Refuge and Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. It then enters the city of Okmulgee. There, SH-56 comes to an end at US-75."}, {"context": " State Highway 56 traces its origins to August 28, 1929, its original date of commissioning. At that time, the highway only consisted of the portion of the route extending from the SH-99 junction (then SH-48) east to Sasakwa, thence north to end at SH-3 south of Wewoka. The highway underwent its first extension just under two years later, on June 15, 1931, when it was extended to end at US-62 in Okemah. The highway was extended to Okmulgee on April 13, 1942, bringing it to its current extent. Other than minor realignments, the highway has undergone no further changes since 1942.  State Highway\u00a056 Loop (SH-56 Loop) is a bypass route around the northeast quadrant of Okmulgee, traveling from US-62 north to US-75. Although it shares its number with SH-56, it does not intersect its implied parent route. The highway provides access to OSU-Okmulgee. SH-56 Loop is long. It was established on May 7, 1962."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 58", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 58 (abbreviated SH-58) is the name of two state highways in Oklahoma. One of them runs for from Medicine Park to the Blaine\u2013Custer County line near Hydro, and the other connects US-270/281/SH-3/33 to the Kansas state line, a length of . The northern section has one lettered spur route, SH-58A. SH-58 was originally a part of US-164. When US-164 was decommissioned in 1930, a section of the road in Major County that was left without a designation became SH-58. Since then, the highway has grown toward both the north and the south. With the designation and extension of the southern section of the highway, SH-58 is present in five counties in the western part of the state."}, {"context": " The southern SH-58 begins at an intersection with State Highway 49 in Medicine Park in Comanche County. It heads north, passing Lake Lawtonka before meeting State Highway 19, which it overlaps for four miles (6.4 km). After splitting off, it meets State Highway 9 in Carnegie. It passes through the unincorporated community of Alfalfa, after which it has a two-mile (3.2 km) concurrency with State Highway 152. After splitting from SH-152 near Eakly, SH-58 heads north to an interchange with Interstate 40, then passes through Hydro. Nine miles (14.5 km) later, it terminates at the Custer County line to become a county road, which eventually connects to State Highway 54."}, {"context": " The northern SH-58 begins at US-270/281/SH-3/33 west of Watonga. It meets State Highway 51 near Canton and continues north through Longdale. In Fairview, the county seat of Major County, it shares a brief concurrency with U.S. Highway 60. Beginning in Fairview and heading east, SH-58 has a concurrency with State Highway 8, with which it switches places (south of the concurrency SH-8 runs to the east of SH-58, and north of it, SH-8 runs to the west of SH-58). SH-58 continues north, meeting US-60 again near Ringwood. It then has a brief concurrency with State Highway 45 near Helena. Near Jet, it overlaps U.S. Highway 64 and SH-8. North of Cherokee, the Alfalfa County seat, US-64 splits off and State Highway 11 joins the three-route concurrency. North of Driftwood, SH-58 splits off on its own and passes through Byron and Amorita. It terminates at the Kansas state line, where it becomes a county road."}, {"context": " SH-58 was first commissioned some time between March 1, 1930 and December 1, 1931. The original extent of the route was much shorter than the present highway. In 1931, SH-58 was a dirt road extending from SH-8 east of Fairview north to Ringwood. Prior to receiving the SH-58 designation, this section of road was part of US-164 and the first SH-13. On May 29, 1930, AASHO approved an extension of US-60 that replaced US-164. When US-60 replaced US-164 through the area, it was changed to the more westerly route it takes in the present day. The section of old U.S. highway that no longer had a designation became SH-58."}, {"context": " Throughout the 1930s, SH-58 was expanded in both directions. The first addition to the highway came during the first half of 1932, when the highway was extended north to Helena. No east\u2013west highway existed at this point yet, leading to a spur end. The highway was extended to the south, replacing SH-44, to Canton on March 29, 1937. SH-58 was extended north to the Kansas state line sometime between April 1937 and April 1938. This final extension brought SH-58's northern section to its present-day termini, and no major changes to the northern section have occurred since."}, {"context": " SH-58's southern section was first established on October 16, 1945, when SH-54 was given a new alignment further to the west; its old alignment was redesignated as SH-58. The original routing of SH-58's southern section began at US-277 in Cyril, continued west through Apache, and turned north at the present-day western intersection of with SH-19. SH-58 continued north along its present alignment to Hydro, where it ended at US-66/SH-1. In 1955, SH-19 was established through southern Caddo County, taking over the east\u2013west section of SH-58. Thus, SH-58 was truncated to where it intersected with SH-19 (the present day western end of their concurrency). SH-58 was extended to its present terminus north of Hydro the next year. The highway was further extended in 1964, bringing the southern terminus to its present location near Medicine Park. No further routing changes have occurred since then.  SH-58 has one spur, SH-58A, a route in Blaine County. The route begins at SH-58 near Longdale, and travels to Canton Lake. There, the highway runs across the dam impounding the lake. The highway then turns south and ends at SH-51 west of Canton."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 59", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 59, abbreviated SH-59, is a state highway in central Oklahoma. It runs from Criner, Oklahoma in McClain Co. to Wewoka. SH-59 begins at SH-39 north of Criner and immediately heads due south through that town. It turns due east six miles (9.6\u00a0km) north of Lindsay, serving Payne instead. After a concurrency with SH-24, SH-59 crosses SH-74 and has an interchange with I-35. Shortly after passing under the interstate, it meets US-77 south of Wayne, and passes through the small towns of Rosedale and Byars. Five miles (8\u00a0km) east of Byars, it meets U.S. Highway 177 and turns northward to join with it. SH-3W joins the concurrency five miles later."}, {"context": " The three highways cross over the South Canadian River to enter Pottawatomie Co. just south of Asher. In Asher, SH-59 meets SH-39 a second time, and six miles (10\u00a0km) later it splits off from US-177 and SH-3W to head east again, through St. Louis, Oklahoma and Maud. It forms a concurrency with US-377/SH-99/SH-3E south of Seminole, before splitting off near Bowlegs. It meets US-270 west of Wewoka, and then ends two miles (3\u00a0km) later. SH-59 was first added to the state highway system in 1932 and was entirely contained within McClain County, running from Wayne to State Highway 18 (present-day US-177). It was extended eastward to end at SH-48 (present-day US-377/SH-99) north of Bowlegs in 1947 or 1948. It was extended to its present eastern terminus in 1965 or 1966, and no significant changes have been made since.  SH-59A runs from US-177/SH-59 east to connect with SH-3W south of SH-59's own connection with the highway. This allows eastbound travelers to more easily access Ada. It is long. SH-59B runs from SH-59 south to connect with SH-19 just east of Lindsay. It is long. A second SH-59B runs east from SH-102 through Macomb, ending at US-177\u00a0/ SH-3W north of Asher, a distance of . The highway's entire length lies in Pottawatomie County. SH-59B does not directly connect to SH-59."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 6", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 6, abbreviated to SH-6 or OK-6, is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in a crescent through the southwestern part of the state, running from the Texas state line north of Quanah, Texas, to SH-152 in the unincorporated town of Sweetwater. There are no letter-suffixed spur highways branching from SH-6. SH-6 was added to the state highway system in 1954. The highway was later extended from its original extent; westward from Elk City in 1957 and southward to Texas in 1975. After crossing the Red River, State Highway 6 leaves Texas, becomes SH-6 and continues headed northeast, passing through the small Jackson County towns of Eldorado and Olustee. Highway 6 meets US-62 five miles (8\u00a0km) west of Altus. SH-6 makes a right turn at this point to overlap US-62 into Altus."}, {"context": " In Altus, SH-6 takes a turn to the north to overlap US-283. North of Blair, US-283 heads due north while SH-6 turns toward the northwest. SH-6 crosses US-283 once more before the state highway continues to the north toward Granite, where it meets SH-9. North of Granite, SH-6 runs along the Beckham\u2013Washita county line until sharing a 4-mile (6.4\u00a0km) concurrency with SH-55, moving into Beckham County. After splitting away from SH-55, it meets SH-152 for the first time (it will meet SH-152 at its northern end.)"}, {"context": " SH-6 continues north to have an interchange with Interstate 40 in Elk City. It overlaps Business Loop I-40 for four miles (6.4\u00a0km) on the north side of the city. At this point the north\u2013south highway curves to the west. It crosses US-283 (again), and then ends at SH-152 in Sweetwater. The original State Highway 6 extended from the Texas state line near Colbert to the Kansas state line north of Vinita. When the United States Numbered Highways system was established in 1926, the vast majority of the highway was overlapped by US-75 and US-73. (Later, this corridor would form the majority of US-69 in Oklahoma). As a result, the original SH-6 designation was decommissioned soon after the establishment of the U.S. highway system."}, {"context": " The SH-6 designation remained unused until August 21, 1954, when it was assigned to a highway beginning at US-283 east of Mangum, extending north through Granite and Retrop, and ending at US-66 in Elk City. The highway was extended west along SH-73 to its current northern terminus on January 21, 1957. SH-6 was extended to the south on July 7, 1975, bringing it to Altus by way of a concurrency with US-283, where it joined US-62 in another concurrency, headed west. West of Altus, the route split off and headed southwest to the Texas state line. In addition to the U.S. routes, SH-6 was concurrent with SH-44 between that route's current southern terminus and Eldorado, where it ended; thereafter, SH-6 followed SH-34 to the Red River. To remove the redundant designations, both SH-34 and SH-44 were truncated to their current southern terminus on January 5, 1987.  SH-6 was realigned twice in 2004 to allow SH-6 a straighter route in situations where it was concurrent with another highway. The first such section removed a portion of the US-283 concurrency between Blair and Granite; the second realignment took place on the SH-55 concurrency north of Retrop. Both of these changes were applied to the highway on February 2, 2004. No further changes to the highway's route have taken place since then."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 63", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 63 (abbreviated SH-63) is a 96.7 mile (155.6\u00a0km) state highway in southeastern Oklahoma. It runs from U.S. Highway 69 in Kiowa to the Arkansas state line. SH-1 forms a concurrency with SH-63 for , nearly forty percent of the highway's length. SH-63 has one spur route, designated as SH-63A. SH-63 was added to the state highway system on November 6, 1935 as a short link highway between Talihina and SH-2. The highway was gradually extended to its present length between then and 1960. When the current incarnation of SH-1 was established, the middle of SH-63 was turned over to the new highway, leaving SH-63 in two separate parts. The two sections were connected via a concurrency in the early 1980s."}, {"context": " SH-63 heads northeast from Kiowa, passing through Pittsburg and crossing under the Indian Nation Turnpike near Blanco. In Haileyville, it meets US-270/SH-1 and begins a concurrency with them. After passing through Hartshorne, US-270 splits off. Seven miles (11\u00a0km) later, the highways pass through unincorporated Higgins, then continues east for , where they meets State Highway 2 and the two highways concur with it. The SH-1/2/63 concurrency heads south for six miles (10\u00a0km). West of Buffalo Valley, SH-2 splits off to the south as SH-1/63 head east. In Talihina, the highways meet US-271, which SH-1 joins. SH-63 heads east alone, passing through Whitesboro and Muse. In Big Cedar, it crosses U.S. Highway 259. It then enters Ouachita National Forest and ends at the state line. Arkansas Highway 8 continues on to Mena."}, {"context": " State Highway 63 was first established on November 6, 1935 as a connection between SH-2 and US-271 in Talihina. On April 1, 1936, the highway was extended east to end at the Arkansas state line. This remained the highway's extent for the remainder of the 1930s and the 1940s. The highway was extended west for the first time on August 4, 1952, when SH-63's western terminus was set at US-270 near Hartshorne. The highway was extended further west on January 29, 1960, bringing it to US-69 in Kiowa. The SH-63 of 1960 had the same basic route as that of the present day. Minor realignments to the highway occurred on September 6, 1962 northwest of the northern SH-2 junction, and through Haileyville and Hartshorne on August 3, 1964."}, {"context": " The current State Highway 1 was designated on February 5, 1968. The portion of highway between Haileyville and Talihina was made solely part of SH-1. This left SH-63 in two discontinuous sections, one between Kiowa and Haileyville and one from Talihina to the Arkansas line. This situation would persist for fifteen years. On July 7, 1983, SH-63 was restored between the two segments, forming the SH-1/63 concurrency. No further changes have occurred to the highway since. SH-63 has one lettered spur, SH-63A. SH-63A begins at SH-1/63 two miles (3\u00a0km) west of Talihina. It heads north for before forking into two separate highways. The west fork goes to the Choctaw Nation hospital, while the east fork goes to the Oklahoma Veterans Center. The west fork is exactly long, and the southern and eastern forks together are , for a total combined length of ."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 65", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 65, usually known as SH-65 or OK-65 (or simply Highway 65) is a north\u2013south highway in Oklahoma. SH-65 travels 44.4 miles (71\u00a0km) from US-70 east of Randlett to State Highway 17 in Sterling. It has no lettered routes. State Highway 65 begins at US-70 east of Randlett in Cotton County. From there, it heads north towards Temple. On the western outskirts of that town, SH-65 meets SH-5, and begins a short concurrency with it. The two highways head east through town on Oregon Street before reaching Commercial Avenue, where SH-5 splits off to the south and SH-65 turns north. SH-65 continues north on Commercial for three blocks, then makes a right turn to head east on Boundary Street. As the highway leaves town, it curves back to a due north course."}, {"context": " SH-65 continues northward, meeting SH-53. SH-65 enters Comanche County just south of Hulen, where it turns east to briefly parallel the county line before turning back to the north. The highway passes through Letita before it crosses SH-7 in unincorporated Pumpkin Center. The route then continues north for before ending at SH-17 in Sterling. State Highway 65 was commissioned between June 1932 and August 1933, first appearing on the August 1933 Department of Highways map. Originally, SH-65 began at the Red River as a continuation of TX-148 and extended north to Walters, using the present-day routes of SH-5B, a small section of SH-5A, and SH-5. By October 1935, the highway had been extended to cover most of its present-day route; SH-65 still used what is now SH-5B, but turned east at the present-day northern terminus of that route to concur with SH-5 into Temple, north of which it used its current route to Sterling. In Sterling, SH-65 turned west, terminating at US-277 in Elgin. At this point, the highway was completely unpaved, with only the segment concurrent with SH-5 and the Elgin\u2013Sterling route graveled. Dirt roads comprised the remainder of the route."}, {"context": " Nearly all of State Highway 65 was decommissioned at some point between April 1937 and April 1938. Only the portion between the Texas line and US-70 was kept. The non-concurrent sections of the former SH-65 routing north of US-70 were dropped from the state highway system, excepting the portion from Elgin to Sterling, which became a western extension of SH-17. In 1940, this change was mostly undone\u2014all of the highway between Temple and Sterling was restored as SH-65. However, this left the section of highway connecting US-70 to TX-148 discontiguous from the remainder of the highway. At this point in time, the southern section of highway and the portion of the route between Temple and SH-53 had been graveled.  In 1941, the southern section of SH-65 was abandoned, only to be restored the following year, and then was dropped again by June 1944. A section of dirt road between US-70 and Temple had been also added to SH-65 by June 1944, setting the highway at its present-day termini. By 1956, the only remaining gravel section of Highway 65 was the portion between SH-53 and the Comanche County line. The route was completely paved by 1966."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 66", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 66 (abbreviated SH-66) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, beginning at U.S. Highway 81 in El Reno and ending at U.S. Highway 60 near White Oak. The highway was designated in 1985 as a replacement for the decommissioned US-66. Although most of the highway follows Historic Route 66, the highway follows US-66's final alignment, joining Interstate 44 through Tulsa and Oklahoma City, while older versions of the route follow various city streets through both cities. The highway has retained its importance for most of its length due to its paralleling Interstate 44 which between Missouri and Oklahoma City (except in the cities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City) is a toll road."}, {"context": " SH-66 currently has one spur route, designated SH-66B, in Wellston. State Highway 66 begins at Business I-40 in El Reno (another old Route 66 segment), concurrent at this point with US-81. From this intersection, the highway heads due east. The highway briefly passes through a rural area after leaving El Reno, before transitioning into the Oklahoma City suburb of Yukon. In Yukon, the route runs along Main Street, and has a short concurrency with SH-4. SH-66 continues east, passing into Oklahoma City, where it becomes N.W. 39th Expressway. SH-66 has an interchange with the Kilpatrick Turnpike on the far west edge of the city. The highway passes just to the north of Lake Overholser. Near where the road crosses over the North Canadian River, the inlet to the lake, it crosses from Canadian County into Oklahoma County."}, {"context": " N.W. 39th Expressway, still carrying SH-66, forms the main street of both Bethany and Warr Acres, two enclave suburbs of Oklahoma City. The street passes just to the south of Wiley Post Airport and provides access to Southern Nazarene University. After leaving Warr Acres, the highway re-enters Oklahoma City. SH-66 leaves N.W. 39th Expressway at an interchange with I-44 and SH-3/SH-74 (the Lake Hefner Parkway). SH-66 begins a concurrency with eastbound I-44, and for the remainder of its length, it will stay close to the interstate."}, {"context": " SH-66 is unsigned through its time on the Oklahoma City freeway system. I-44, while concurrent with SH-66, runs along the north side of Oklahoma City, passing just south of Penn Square Mall, and meets Interstate 235 at a cloverleaf interchange at its northern terminus (north of the interchange, US-77 continues on as a freeway, the Broadway Extension). I-44 and SH-66 begin a concurrency with I-35 near Remington Park. The two interstates and the state highway head north through the northeast part of the city. At Hefner Road, the routes pass near the Frontier City amusement park. The highways then encounter an interchange which is the eastern terminus of the Kilpatrick Turnpike. This interchange is also where I-44 splits off to form the Turner Turnpike."}, {"context": " I-35 and SH-66 leave Oklahoma City and enter the suburb of Edmond. On the north side of town, SH-66 exits the interstate, while US-77 joins it. SH-66 continues east out of town, providing access to Arcadia Lake. The highway then passes through the town of Arcadia, home of the Round Barn, a Route 66 landmark. The highway then serves Luther before exiting Oklahoma County. On the west side of Lincoln County, SH-66 produces a business loop to Wellston, SH-66B (below). Just beyond this junction, SH-66 serves as the northern terminus of SH-102. The highway continues east, meeting up again with SH-66B on the east side of Wellston. Near this junction, SH-66 has an interchange with the Turner Turnpike (still carrying I-44). The route continues to parallel the turnpike as it comes to an intersection with US-177. East of this junction, SH-66 passes through the town of Warwick, where it crosses the Deep Fork of the Canadian River."}, {"context": " On the southwest side of Chandler, the county seat of Lincoln County, the route is joined by SH-18. The two routes turn north, passing through the core of the downtown area. On the north side of downtown, SH-66 splits off to the east. Seven miles (11\u00a0km) east of Chandler, the highway passes through the town of Davenport. The route next encounters Stroud, where SH-66 intersects State Highway 99 and US-377, which may serve as the northern terminus of US-377. East of Stroud, SH-66 passes into Creek County. The highway passes through the town of Depew northeast of Stroud. The route next passes through Bristow, where it has a brief concurrency with SH-16 and begins a more lengthy one with SH-48. SH-48/66 exit Bristow to the north, with an interchange where they cross the Turner Turnpike. Near unincorporated Bellvue, SH-66 splits away from SH-48 and turns back to the northeast. The highway crosses the Turner Turnpike again (with no interchange this time), then runs through Kellyville. Four miles (6.4\u00a0km) northeast of Kellyville, the highway begins a concurrency with SH-33. SH-33 and SH-66 will remain signed together as they enter the Tulsa metropolitan area."}, {"context": " SH-33/66 next enter Sapulpa, the county seat of Creek County and a suburb of Tulsa. In Sapulpa, the two highways serve as the western terminus of SH-117. They then come to the intersection of Dewey Avenue and Main Street in downtown Sapulpa, where SH-33 ends. This intersection also serves as the southern terminus of SH-97. SH-66 continues east through the intersection, joined by US-75 ALT. The two highways intersect SH-117A at its northern terminus, and turn left to continue its alignment. US-75 ALT/SH-66 parallel the Turner Turnpike within sight distance for the remainder of their journey in Creek County. Near the Creek\u2013Tulsa County line, the Turner Turnpike ends, and SH-66 merges onto the now toll-free I-44. US-75 ALT ends at the merge."}, {"context": " I-44/SH-66 cut diagonally through the city of Tulsa. In West Tulsa, Interstate 244 branches off to serve the downtown area. I-44/SH-66 follow the Skelly Drive through midtown. The highways interchange with the Okmulgee Beeline, the US-75 freeway before crossing the Arkansas River. The next freeway interchange is with the Broken Arrow Expressway, carrying US-64 and SH-51, followed by the Mingo Valley Expressway, carrying US-169 I-244 then merges with I-44 at its eastern terminus. I-44/SH-66 cross into Rogers County and the suburb of Catoosa, serving as the southern terminus of SH-167. SH-66 then splits off from I-44, initially following an old alignment of the Interstate where it transitioned into the Will Rogers Turnpike. SH-66 then downgrades to an expressway as it passes through Catoosa, home of the Blue Whale. Northeast of Catoosa, near Verdigris, SH-66 intersects SH-266 at its eastern terminus."}, {"context": " The next town that SH-66 serves after leaving the Tulsa area is Claremore, seat of Rogers County. In Claremore, SH-66 has brief concurrencies with SH-20 and SH-88. The highway continues northeast through Rogers County, bypassing Sequoyah to the west and serving as the western terminus of SH-28A in Foyil. The highway passes through Bushyhead northeast of Foyil, and then intersect SH-28 in Chelsea further northeast. The route then crosses into Craig County, where it serves the unincorporated place of White Oak. The SH-66 designation then comes to an end at US-60, which Route 66 historically followed into Vinita."}, {"context": " The present-day SH-66 was established to fill the void left when US-66 was decommissioned through Oklahoma in the early 1980s. SH-66 was designated as its replacement from El Reno to White Oak on April 1, 1985. The remainder of US-66 in Oklahoma was overlapped by other highways, principally I-40 and US-69, so the SH-66 designation was not applied to these sections of highway. On July 1, 1991, SH-66 was realigned in the vicinity of Luther. No further changes to the SH-66 designation have occurred since that time. Planned improvements by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation include reconstruction and widening of SH-66 from two to four lanes from Edmond to the Lincoln County line.  While US-66 was still active, the SH-66 designation was given to a loop route through Wellston. This incarnation of SH-66 effectively served as a Wellston business loop for US-66. This route was first established on June 26, 1934. SH-66B is long."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 67", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 67, abbreviated as SH-67, is a highway on the south side of Tulsa. It begins in the west at U.S. Route 75 Alternate in Kiefer and runs east along 151st St. South before ending at US-64 in Bixby. Along the way it crosses US-75 in Glenpool. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-67 was first established in 1936. Throughout much of its early years, the highway's extent was in flux, at various times serving towns such as Mounds, Drumright, Sapulpa, and Coweta. State Highway 67 is split between the counties of Creek and Tulsa County. The first of the route lie in Creek County, while the remainder of the route, , falls within Tulsa County."}, {"context": " SH-67 begins at US-75 ALT in downtown Kiefer. The highway heads east from here, crossing into Tulsa County just under two miles east of town. About a mile after crossing the county line, SH-67 has an interchange with US-75, the Okmulgee Bee-Line. The route then proceeds east to Memorial Drive (US-64 in Bixby), where it reaches its eastern terminus. SH-67 was first commissioned on May 21, 1936, serving in the same capacity\u2014connecting US 75 to US 64 south of Tulsa\u2014as it does now, though with a much different route. The original SH-67 began at US-75 in Mounds (US-75 at the time using the present-day route of US-75\u00a0ALT) and continuing east through far southern Tulsa County, reaching US-64 south of Bixby. The first extension to SH-67 occurred just over one month into the highway's life, on June 23, 1936. This extended the designation north along US-75 to Sapulpa. From here, it ran concurrent with US-66 out of town, splitting from US-66 to follow present-day SH-33 (which at this time followed SH-51 en route to downtown Tulsa) and coming to an end in Drumright."}, {"context": " The original part of SH-67, from Mounds to Bixby, was removed from the highway on December 31, 1937. SH-67 was re-extended to Bixby on June 7, 1943, following a more northerly route, branching off from US-75 in Kiefer, similar to the present-day one (although the final realignment of this section was not established until 1971). The western part of SH-67, from Drumright to Sapulpa was truncated on May 8, 1951. This, along with the realignment of August 9, 1971, brought about SH-67 as it exists today.  The SH-67 designation was assigned to another segment of highway east of the present-day route. On October 15, 1956, a section of gravel road beginning at the Tulsa\u2013Wagoner County line and extending into Coweta was added to the highway system as SH-67. This segment of highway was decommissioned on November 10, 1969."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 7", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 7 (abbreviated SH-7) is a highway in southern Oklahoma. This lengthy highway connects many towns in Oklahoma's \"Little Dixie\" area. It runs from Interstate 44 in Lawton to U.S. 69/US-75 in Atoka. From its western terminus at the interchange with Interstate 44 and Lee Boulevard in Lawton, SH-7 is a multilane highway. It runs due east from Lawton for ten miles (16\u00a0km) before intersecting State Highway 65 in the unincorporated community of Pumpkin Center. It continues due east for 14 more miles on a straight stretch of highway only very slight curves, bypassing the town of Central High, before meeting US-81 north of Duncan."}, {"context": " SH-7 and US-81 overlap for through Duncan, after which the state highway splits off to the east once again, still as a multilane highway, though it falls to a two-lane road after a few miles. Next the highway passes through the town of Velma before meeting State Highway 76 in Ratliff City. The southern section of SH-74, which roughly mirrors SH-76's path, has its southern terminus at SH-7 seven miles (11\u00a0km) later, near Tatums. After crossing Interstate 35, SH-7 becomes a multilane highway once again. Three miles later, it meets US-77 near Davis. On the other side of Davis, SH-7 is the northern terminus of SH-110, a connector route to the town of Dougherty. Two miles west of Sulphur, the highway connects to the southern terminus of the Chickasaw Turnpike, a toll highway to Ada. After passing through Sulphur (where it has a brief concurrency with US-177), SH-7 travels six more miles, where it meets Highway 1."}, {"context": " For ten miles (16\u00a0km), SH-7 and SH-1 overlap, through the town of Mill Creek. This concurrency ends three miles (5\u00a0km) south of Mill Creek, where it serves the unincorporated community of Reagan and the Slippery Falls Boy Scout Ranch. It shares a one-mile (1.6\u00a0km) three-route concurrency with US-377/SH-99. Thirteen miles east of the concurrency, it serves the town of Wapanucka, Oklahoma, where it intersects SH-48. Seventeen miles later, it ends at US-75 in Atoka. SH-7 is a former border to border east\u2013west state highway across southern Oklahoma whose western terminus was at the Texas border west of Hollis and eastern terminus at the Arkansas border east of Broken Bow. SH-7's route was truncated on its eastern and western sections during the 1960s and 1970s as those were concurrent with US-62 between the Texas border and Lawton and with US-70 between Broken Bow and the Arkansas border. The eastern portion of SH-7 that was concurrent with US-70 between Broken Bow and the Arkansas border was truncated in 1963 to its junction with US-70 in Broken Bow. The western section of SH-7 concurrent with US-62 from Lawton to the Texas border was truncated in 1970, when the highway's western terminus was pushed back to the intersection of Cache Road (US-62) and Sheridan Road in Lawton, and a few miles further back in 2003 to its current terminus at Interstate 44 in east Lawton."}, {"context": " Along still-intact sections of SH-7, major route changes through the years include a relocation in Duncan during the early 1950s, when the original route along Main Street through the downtown area was moved south of the business district along Bois D'Arc Avenue from US-81 eastward to tie in with the original Main Street route on Duncan's east side, which became SH-7 Alternate and now designated as SH-7 Business. In 1969, the main Bois D'Arc Avenue alignment in Duncan was relocated slightly to the south and the rerouting continued for some from the SH-7/SH-7 Business junction to Velma on a new and straighter alignment (including both multi-lane divided highway and two-lane roadway) that bypassed the old SH-7 alignment through the oil fields of eastern Stephens County along with the town of Velma. In the 1980s, the new SH-7 was extended east of Velma past the small community of County Line on the Stephens\u2013Carter county line to west of Ratliff City in Carter County."}, {"context": " By 1985, the eastern terminus of SH-7 was pushed back to its intersection with SH-3 and US-69/75 in Atoka when SH-7 was again truncated and lost its concurrency with SH-3 from Atoka to Broken Bow. SH-7 has three spur routes. Two of these routes bear the number \"7\" with a letter suffix; the third is a special route. SH-7A, also signed as Business SH-7, is the original alignment of SH-7 through Duncan. SH-7D is a spur to the town of Bromide. SH-7 Spur is a spur in Murray County. It begins at SH-7 west of Sulphur, heading northeast, to end at a diamond interchange with US-177. The road continues east as the Chickasaw Turnpike."}, {"context": " SH-7 Spur was built by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) as the westernmost segment of the Chickasaw Turnpike, which opened on September 1, 1991. It was transferred from OTA to ODOT on August 1, 2011, receiving the SH-7 Spur designation and becoming a free road. It was the first segment of turnpike in Oklahoma to be transferred to ODOT. Transferring the turnpike was considered an inexpensive way to solve the problem of excessive truck traffic in Sulphur. At the time of the transfer, the interchange at the eastern terminus only allowed access from the westbound turnpike to US-177, and from US-177 to the eastbound turnpike. ODOT had expanded the interchange to a full interchange by 2013."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 71", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 71 (abbreviated as SH-71 or OK-71) is a state highway in eastern Oklahoma. It runs from State Highway 31 in Quinton north to intersect State Highway 9 near Enterprise. It then continues north to Lake Eufaula Dam, and then turns east to end at State Highway 2. It has no lettered spur routes. State Highway 71 begins at SH-31 on the west side of Quinton in northeast Pittsburg County. The highway initially follows the Quinton street grid, which takes it in a north-northwest direction. As the grid peters out on the outskirts of town, SH-71 breaks away to the west and then to the northwest to avoid Beaver Mountain, gradually curving around to a northerly heading as it approaches the county line. The route crosses into Haskell County about three miles north of Quinton."}, {"context": " The road continues north in Haskell County until it veers northeast and crosses Longtown Creek. The road then turns back north, passing through rural parts of the county. SH-71 intersects SH-9 in the unincorporated community of Enterprise, just over five miles (8\u00a0km) north of the Pittsburg\u2013Haskell county line. North of Enterprise, SH-71 parallels Brooken Creek until it drains into Lake Eufaula. The highway serves the boat docks and campgrounds on the east side of the lake, which is the largest entirely within Oklahoma. SH-71 then runs across the dam impounding the lake, bringing it into McIntosh County.  SH-71 merely cuts across the southeast corner of McIntosh County; the highway spends only within its boundaries. It soon enters Muskogee County, now on an eastbound trajectory. The road runs through the Canadian River valley, staying between the river and Hi Early Mountain. The route next turns northeast, away from the river but still skirting the mountain's base. It finally comes to an end at SH-2 about south of Porum."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 72", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 72 (abbreviated SH-72 or OK-72) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs from north to south through the east-central part of the state, with a length of almost 33 miles (53\u00a0km). It does not have any lettered spur routes. SH-72 begins at U.S. Highway 266 west of Checotah and heads north, passing through Council Hill after 4 miles (6.4\u00a0km). Two miles south of Boynton, it meets US-62, which it starts a duplex with. Past Boynton, it has a junction with US-64 and SH-16; US-62 splits off of SH-72 and US-64 joins it.  Near Haskell, US-64 splits off SH-72, headed towards Tulsa. SH-72 continues northward to cross the Arkansas River, to Coweta."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 73", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 73 (abbreviated SH-73 or OK-73) is a 24\u00bd mi (39.4\u00a0km) state highway mostly in Custer Co., Oklahoma, although a stretch of about four-fifths of a mile (1.3\u00a0km) of its eastbound lane lies in Roger Mills Co. SH-73 has no lettered spur routes. State Highway 73 begins at State Highway 34 south of Hammon. The western terminus of the highway occurs at a jog in the Roger Mills\u2013Custer county line; north of the intersection, SH-34 runs along the north\u2013south boundary, and at the intersection, the boundary makes a ninety-degree turn to head east\u2013west. The first of SH-73 straddles the county line. The county line makes another turn after this to return to a north\u2013south orientation, and SH-73 fully enters Custer County."}, {"context": " In Custer County, SH-73 travels through hilly terrain and crosses both Panther Creek and Little Panther Creek, tributaries of Foss Lake. SH-73 serves the southwestern portion of the lake, and runs along the edges of Foss State Park. The highway provides connections to four campgrounds along the lakeshore. Near the southeast corner of the lake, the route intersects SH-44. SH-73 turns south along SH-44, forming a concurrency. The two routes curve southwest to cross Oak Creek. SH-44/73 travel together for before SH-73 splits off, returning to a due east course. The highway parallels I-40, which runs to the south of SH-73. SH-73 then bridges the Washita River. West of Clinton, the highway crosses a set of railroad tracks at the unincorporated locale of Ralph. State Highway 73 then enters Clinton, where it comes to an end at an intersection with I-40's Clinton business loop."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 74", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 74, usually abbreviated as SH-74 or OK-74 (or simply Highway 74) is the numbering of two different highways maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. These highways were once a single major north\u2013south route, connecting Oklahoma City to more rural parts of the state. The original road stretched from SH-7 near Tatums, Oklahoma to SH-11 west of Deer Creek. Due to encroaching Interstate highways\u2014especially Interstate 35\u2014the middle section of the route through Norman, Moore, and Oklahoma City was decommissioned in 1979 for reasons of redundancy. However, some maps show SH-74 as concurrent with I-35, I-240, and I-44, thus linking the two sections."}, {"context": " The north section of the route is in length, while the southern section is long. This leads to a total length of . From the southern terminus at SH-7, the southern section of SH-74 goes due north to Elmore City, where it intersects with SH-29. After a couple of turns in the Elmore City area, the highway continues due north to Maysville and SH-19. Still continuing northward, the highway meets the southern terminus of State Highway 24, and continues into Purcell. In Purcell, SH-74 overlaps US-77 and SH-39. It finally splits off and begins heading west. From here, the highway becomes more hilly and curvy as it heads toward Washington. The road never actually enters Washington, passing just one\u00a0mile\u00a0(1.6\u00a0km) north of it. However, Washington is accessible via SH-24, which has its northern terminus at SH-74 as well. (Both termini of SH-24 are at SH-74.)"}, {"context": " The highway then returns to a due north course after its intersection with SH-24. It goes through the town of Goldsby and then ends at I-35. The highway's northern section begins at a cloverstack interchange with Interstate 44 in Bethany. The first part of the northern section is a freeway, called the Lake Hefner Parkway because part of it runs along the east shore of Lake Hefner. The freeway, a major part of the Oklahoma City freeway system, serves the northwestern part of Oklahoma City. The freeway ends at 164th Street, and Highway 74 continues northward on Portland Avenue."}, {"context": " The road passes through the towns of Crescent, Covington, and Garber, Oklahoma as it continues, again on a due north course. Between Covington and Garber the road intersects with US-64/412, which can be used to access Enid, just 14\u00a0miles (22.5\u00a0km) to the west. Twenty\u00a0miles (32.2\u00a0km) north of US-412, the highway meets US-60 near Lamont. The two roads share a brief concurrency before splitting off again. Eight\u00a0miles (12.9\u00a0km) north of this, SH-74 intersects with SH-11 between Deer Creek and Numa, Oklahoma. It is at this intersection that the designation ends."}, {"context": " In 1927, a spur from SH-33 to Crescent was created as SH-44. SH-44 was renumbered to SH-74 in 1931. On December 10, 1934, SH-74 was extended southward to Oklahoma City. The highway was further extended on September 9, 1935 to Norman. In 1935 and 1936, the highway's alignment through Norman was modified; it was extended from its Main Street terminus to US-77. Also in 1936, SH-74 began expanding northward. On August 18, the designation was added to a new section of highway between Crescent and US-64 (now State Highway 164) in Covington. Nearly a year later, the route was extended southward again. The State Highway Commission lengthened SH-74 through Goldsby and Purcell to SH-19 in Maysville on July 1, 1937. The section of highway from Covington to US-60 in Lamont was added on April 14, 1941. On June 5, 1945, it was extended further south to SH-29 in Elmore City (at the time simply named Elmore)."}, {"context": " Throughout the 1950s, State Highway 74 continued to be realigned and extended. Southwest of Norman, it swapped routings with SH-9 on December 6, 1954. SH-74 was extended twice in 1957, once in each direction: to the north on February 18 and to the south on June 10. The 1957 lengthening brought SH-74 to its greatest length, with its present-day northern terminus and a southern terminus at State Highway 53 near Milo. By 1967, I-35 had been constructed through Oklahoma City. On January 4, 1967, SH-74 was split into two sections, with the removal of the section between Goldsby and Norman. The southern section was truncated on December 12, 1974, bringing the highway to its current southern terminus. The gap between the two sections of SH-74 was widened on March 3, 1975, when the route was eliminated through Cleveland County and much of Oklahoma City, bringing SH-74 to its present-day termini."}, {"context": " The Lake Hefner Parkway opened in 1992. SH-74 was transferred to the new freeway on April 6. Between April and July 2001, ODOT installed a Brifen Safety Fence cable barrier along the Lake Hefner Parkway section of SH-74. This installation was the first application of this barrier design in the United States. The freeway was extended from its former terminus just north of the Kilpatrick Turnpike to 164th Street in 2016. SH-74 currently has five spur routes (starting at B, and going up to a suffix of F). Prior to 2009, SH-74A served as a spur route in Norman as well, though it did not intersect SH-74."}, {"context": " SH-74A ran along Lindsey Street in Norman, connecting I-35 to Classen Boulevard, the contemporary routing of US-77. This highway ran straight through the University of Oklahoma (OU) campus. It was long. SH-74A was established by action of the Highway Commission on September 23, 1936. The highway's original extent was from SH-9/SH-74 (24th Avenue S.W.) to the OU campus, ending at Jenkins Avenue. It was later extended to I-35 in the west and US-77 in the east. It was removed by January 2010. SH-74B connects SH-74 in Goldsby to SH-76 south of Blanchard. Cole lies along the middle of this hilly spur.  SH-74C connects SH-74 in Crescent to US-77 north of Guthrie. SH-74D connected SH-74 to the unincorporated community of Lovell. It was eliminated from the state highway system on March 5, 2018. SH-74E goes from SH-51 north to Marshall, and then it goes east and ends at SH-74. This spur was commissioned on 1951-08-06. SH-74F goes from SH-74 west to Cashion, and then goes north to SH-33."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 76", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 76, abbreviated as SH-76, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is long. It runs north\u2013south through central Oklahoma, beginning at Jimtown Road just north of the Red River and ending north of Newcastle at SH-37. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-76 begins north of the Texas border in Love County, south of Leon. After passing through that town, it has its first highway intersection, with State Highway 32. It continues northward from there for 15 miles (24.1\u00a0km) to Wilson. SH-76 runs along that town's main street, while SH-70A provides an eastern bypass. West of Wilson, SH-76 has a two-mile (3\u00a0km) concurrency with US-70, after which it splits off and runs through Healdton. It then has a three-mile (5\u00a0km) concurrency with SH-53 and then meets SH-7 at Ratliff City."}, {"context": " Four miles north of Ratliff City, SH-76 overlaps for five miles (8\u00a0km) with SH-29, before splitting off to the north to SH-19, which it overlaps with through Lindsay. Fifteen miles north of here, it has a four-way-stop controlled intersection with SH-39 west of Dibble. It continues north from there to have a brief concurrency with US-62/277 through Blanchard. SH-76 then has an interchange with the H.E. Bailey Turnpike Spur, and then meets the western terminus of State Highway 130 west of Newcastle. It then passes under Interstate 44 (but does not have an interchange with it) and ends at SH-37."}, {"context": " SH-76 first appeared on the 1932 state highway map, originally running from US-70 south of Healdton to SH-22 (now SH-7) at Ratliff City. Between May 1936 and April 1937, the highway was extended northward, all the way to the intersection with US-62/277 southwest of Blanchard. In 1947 or 1948, the route was extended southward through Wilson to end at the Carter/Love county line. SH-76 was extended further south in 1955 or 1956, bringing to SH-32; by 1957 it had its current southern terminus. By 1957 had also been extended northward to its present northern terminus at SH-37."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 77H", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 77H is a spur that runs from US-77 in Norman, north through a small piece of unincorporated Cleveland County and Moore, to Oklahoma City. The state highway designation ends at I-240, although Sooner Road continues north to its terminus at I-35, I-44, Turner Turnpike, Kilpatrick Turnpike, and SH-66. State Highway 77H was originally created to serve the now-defunct town of Hollywood. This likely explains why the suffix \"H\" was assigned when letters earlier in the alphabet were available."}, {"context": " State Highway 77H begins at the intersection of 12th Avenue N.E. and Tecumseh Road in Norman. US-77 follows 12th Avenue south of the intersection and Tecumseh Road west of it, with SH-77H following 12th Avenue north of the intersection. Throughout its length, SH-77H is an undivided four-lane road. It intersects other streets at grade, and has numerous traffic signals. The northernmost mile of SH-77H (from S.E. 89th Street to I-240) is in Oklahoma County, and the remainder of the route is in Cleveland County."}, {"context": " The route is popular with local commuters as an alternative to I-35 between Norman and Oklahoma City. Norman commuters typically use it to head north to Tinker Air Force Base and the Midwest City\u2013Del City area. Oklahoma City commuters typically drive south to the University of Oklahoma. SH-77H is also designated as Sooner Road in Moore and Oklahoma City, and as 12th Avenue N.E. in Norman. Locals often refer to the entire length of the road as Sooner Road, ignoring both the highway number and its designation as 12th Avenue in Norman."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Senate Bill 280, passed by the 2003 Legislature, named the highway the Pearl Harbor/ Memorial Highway. This designation was subsequently applied by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission on 2003-06-02. Signage was installed at each end of the highway displaying the name. State Highway 77H was originally commissioned on 1950-01-11, running from Hollywood in Cleveland County to the Oklahoma County line. This original iteration of SH-77H was decommissioned less than two years later, being removed from the state highway system on 1951-11-05"}, {"context": " SH-77H was returned to active service on 1955-02-07. This time, the highway began at the corner of Porter Avenue and Robinson Street in Norman and traveled north to the previous SH-77H's southern terminus at Hollywood. On 1959-02-27, the Department of Highways assumed maintenance of Sunnylane Road south of S.E. 29th Street (at that time part of SH-3), adding it to SH-77H. This made all of the old SH-77H part of the new SH-77H, and extended the highway's northern terminus into the Oklahoma City suburb of Del City. On 1977-06-06, the highway was extended further north into Del City along Sunnylane Road to Reno Avenue, where it turned west, ending at US-77 (which followed Lincoln Boulevard at the time)."}, {"context": " On 1988-12-12, SH-77H was removed from Sunnylane Avenue and Porter Avenue and redesignated one section line east onto Sooner Road and 12th Avenue. At the same time, it was truncated to I-240 in Oklahoma City, and its southern terminus became the 12th Avenue\u2013Classen Boulevard intersection in Norman. Before this rerouting, SH-77H served as SH-37's eastern terminus, but when SH-77H was moved, SH-37 was not extended to meet the new alignment. Thus, SH-37 still ends at Sunnylane Road, one block short of SH-77H.  In April 2009, US-77 was realigned through Norman. The portion of 12th Avenue between Classen Boulevard and Tecumseh Road became part of US-77. This change shortened SH-77H by , and brought its terminus to the present-day location of the 12th Avenue\u2013Tecumseh Road intersection."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 78", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 78 is long (97\u00a0km) state highway in southern Oklahoma. It runs from the Red River (where it crosses into Texas as State Highway 78) to Tishomingo. It has no lettered spur routes. State Highway 78 enters Oklahoma across the Red River on the State Highway No. 78 Bridge at the Red River, near the unincorporated community of Karma. Near Yuba, SH-78 curves west to head toward Achille, where it meets State Highway 91. It curves back north here, meets State Highway 70E, and then passes through the east part of Durant, where it crosses US-70. In northern Durant, SH-78 has an interchange with the US-69/75 freeway."}, {"context": " Three miles north of US-69/75, SH-78 turns west to head through Cobb and Brown before turning north to meet State Highway 199. It meets SH-22 for the first time at Nida. It then passes through Emet and turns back west at Milburn. It then meets SH-22 for a second time three miles (5\u00a0km) east of Tishomingo. It then joins SH-22 into Tishomingo, where it ends at US-377/SH-99. The road that would become SH-78 was originally commissioned as SH-299 on 1938-11-22. SH-299 was renumbered to SH-78 in its entirety in 1955, most likely to match the route number of TX-78.  SH-78 was originally designated as a route from Boise City to the Texas Border. This route became US 385 in 1955."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 79", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 79 (abbreviated SH-79 or OK-79) is a state highway in Jefferson County, Oklahoma. It runs for as a continuation of Texas State Highway 79 to U.S. Highway 70 on the outskirts of Waurika. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-79 was first commissioned in 1938, and has had the same route since then. Oklahoma's State Highway 79 begins where Texas's State Highway 79 crosses over the Red River from Clay County, Texas into Jefferson County, Oklahoma. The bridge over the river is a multiple-span pony truss bridge. Upon reaching the shore, the highway continues on a northeast trajectory, rising out of the Red River valley. The highway then comes to an end at US-70 on the southwest outskirts of Waurika.  State Highway 79 is first shown on the April 1939 state highway map. It has the same extent on that map as it does today, although it had a dirt surface. By 1941, the whole route had been upgraded to asphalt."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 8", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 8, also abbreviated as SH-8 or OK-8, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Because it runs mainly north\u2013south, it has an even number (which is normal for Oklahoma state highways, but opposite from national highways). Highway 8 runs from U.S. Highway 277 in Cyril, Oklahoma to the state line south of Kiowa, Kansas, for a total length of The highway has two lettered spur routes. Highway 8 dates from the creation of the state highway system in 1924. Initially a border-to-border route, it was shortened to its current extent due to encroaching U.S. highways. SH-8 has followed its current route since 1966."}, {"context": " The highway begins in Cyril, at US-277 (which at the time is concurrent with State Highway 19), and immediately heads northward. later, the highway passes through Anadarko, sharing a brief overlap with US-62/SH-9. It also becomes concurrent with US-281 here, which it remains with after passing through Anadarko. US-281 and SH-8 continue northward to meet SH-152, which they overlap for . SH-152 splits off to the west at Binger, and US-281/SH-8 go northward through Lookeba to meet SH-37 at its western terminus in Hinton. to the north, the two highways have an interchange with Interstate 40 at its milemarker 101. After this, US-281/SH-8 cross the Canadian River and begin a concurrency with U.S. Highway 270 in Geary. SH-8 splits off by itself after passing through Watonga, to the north."}, {"context": " North of Watonga, SH-8 generally runs parallel to SH-51A and, after intersecting SH-51 in Okeene, it runs parallel to SH-58. north of Okeene, SH-58 and SH-8 switch places through a overlap, with SH-8 ending up running to the west through Fairview and SH-58 running to the east to Ringwood. After swapping places with SH-58, Highway 8 continues north, overlapping US-60 for , spending the last also signed concurrently with US-412. north of this, SH-8 has a concurrency with SH-45 southeast of Carmen. Through Cherokee, the Alfalfa County seat, it overlaps U.S. Highway 64 and SH-58. After US-64 splits off to the west, SH-11 joins the concurrency."}, {"context": " After , SH-58 splits off to the northeast. SH-11 and SH-8 remain overlapped for seven more miles (11.3\u00a0km) before splitting off to the north. SH-8 ends to the north of this at the Kansas state line. After crossing the state line, it becomes K-8, which soon ends at K-2 in Kiowa, Kansas. SH-8 was one of the original thirty-one state highways created on 1924-08-24. When it was created, it was a border-to-border highway, stretching from Texas to Kansas. It began at the Red River near Burkburnett, Texas. It then passed through Randlett and had a short concurrency with SH-5 west of Walters. The highway then ran through Lawton\u2014concurring with the original SH-29\u2014en route to Anadarko via Apache. In Anadarko, SH-8 linked up with the present highway. The remainder of the route was mostly the same as it is today."}, {"context": " In November 1926, AASHTO officially approved the United States Numbered Highways system. The Oklahoma Transportation Commission applied the national highways to Oklahoma's state highway system on 1926-11-26. Three U.S. highways were assigned to portions of what was then SH-8: U.S. Highway 64 was added to a segment of highway south of Cherokee, U.S. Highway 66 was added between Bridgeport and Geary, and U.S. Highway 70 was added from the Texas state line to Randlett. US-66 and 64 merely ran concurrently with SH-8. However, US-70 completely replaced the state highway, which was truncated so that its southern terminus was at US-70 in Randlett."}, {"context": " By 1936, several U.S. highways had been added to the system that took over parts of State Highway 8's route. US-62, added in 1930, took over the Lawton\u2013Anadarko portion of the road. US-277 took over much of the remaining route between Randlett and Lawton. In addition, a US-70N had been created that overlaid US-277 between Randlett and the split with SH-5 west of Walters. These changes to the U.S. route system precipitated the truncation of SH-8 in 1936. On 1936-03-13, the section of the route between Anadarko and the state line was dropped. However, a new road between Anadarko and Cyril had been built; this became part of SH-8 and set the highway's southern terminus at its present location."}, {"context": " By the end of 1937, however, the highway's southern terminus had changed once again. On 1937-10-19, SH-8 had been truncated to Anadarko. However, on 1938-10-18, the route was extended back to the former southern terminus at Randlett; this change did not appear on the state map until the April 1941 edition. On 1941-04-14, the route was realigned to run through Cyril once again. On 1955-09-12, SH-8 underwent a small realignment. Previously, the highway went due north from Carmen, then turned due east, running through Lambert before connecting to US-64 south of Cherokee. As a result of the 1955 realignment, SH-8 cut northeast to connect to US-64 directly, bypassing Lambert.  All of SH-8 between Randlett and Cyril was once again dropped on 1966-05-09, restoring the route to its current southern terminus at US-277/SH-19 in Cyril. No major changes to the highway have occurred since 1966."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 80", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 80 is a north\u2013south state highway in eastern Oklahoma. It runs from Ft. Gibson in Muskogee County to Hulbert in Cherokee County. It is 20.4 miles (33\u00a0km) long and has one lettered spur route, SH-80A. SH-80 begins at US-62/SH-10 just south of Ft. Gibson. After heading through Ft. Gibson, it enters Cherokee County. It roughly parallels the Cherokee/Wagoner County line before meeting the east end of State Highway 251A. It then heads east before curving back north and zig-zagging to its northern end with SH-51.  SH-80A is an alternate route of SH-80 through the east side of Ft. Gibson. It is a half mile (0.8\u00a0km) in length. It connects to SH-80 at both ends."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 82", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 82, abbreviated to SH-82 or OK-82, is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs for north\u2013south during its southern segment; and north\u2013south during its northern segment. The southern SH-82 begins at SH-1 and SH-63 in Le Flore County west of Talihina. It then heads north from there, entering Latimer County and running along the west side of Bengal. Near Red Oak, it shares a brief concurrency US-270. North of there, it runs east of the Sansbois Mountains, meeting SH-31 at Lequire. From there, SH-82 continues north until the southern section ends at a junction with SH-9 in Stigler."}, {"context": " The northern SH-82 begins at Interstate 40 exit 297 just south of Vian. In Vian, SH-82 meets US-64. Six miles north of Vian, SH-82 runs through Box before meeting SH-100 and forming a concurrency with it on the east shore of Lake Tenkiller. After splitting from SH-100, SH-82 heads through Keys before forming another concurrency, this time with US-62 and SH-10. The highways then enter Tahlequah, where SH-82 splits off from the other two routes. SH-82 runs through downtown Tahlequah before meeting SH-51 SPUR in the northwestern part of the city. SH-82 turns northwest, running through Gideon and Peggs. It has an interchange with the Cherokee Turnpike south of Locust Grove. In Locust Grove, it meets Alternate U.S. Highway 412. It then heads towards Salina, where it begins a concurrency with SH-20. The two routes split up after running through Spavinaw. SH-82 then has a brief concurrency with SH-28 west of Langley. It serves as the western terminus of SH-85 west of Ketchum. SH-82 itself ends seven miles (11 km) north of there at a junction with US-60/69 east of Vinita.  State Highway 82A was the sole suffixed highway spur branching from SH-82. It began at SH-82 (3rd Street) in Langley, following Cherokee Street to the east. It then angled northeastward to end at SH-28 near Pensacola Dam. It was long. SH-82A was removed from the state highway system on March 5, 2018."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 83", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State Highway 83 (abbreviated SH-83) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The route, which lies entirely within Le Flore County, connects US-59 between Howe and Poteau to the Arkansas state line. Along the way, SH-83 serves the town of Monroe. Its total length is . The highway has no lettered spur routes. SH-83 begins at US-59 north of Howe. The route heads due east of this point, continuing until it reaches an abandoned rail line, where it curves north. SH-83 follows the rail line as the highway turns back east, paralleling Sugar Loaf Creek. The highway enters Monroe, where it forms the north edge of the town. After leaving Monroe, SH-83 turns northeast, away from the railroad. As it angles to the northeast, the route crosses Cowskin Creek, a tributary of Sugar Loaf Creek, before crossing Sugar Loaf Creek itself. SH-83 then returns to a due east course. The road passes south of Sugar Loaf Mountain, elevation . The route then turns northeast just before crossing the state line into Sebastian County, Arkansas, where SH-83 ends. The roadbed continues as Arkansas Highway 96."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 84", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 84 (SH-84) is a short state highway in Okfuskee and Hughes Counties in Oklahoma. It begins at State Highway 9 in Dustin and runs northwest to end at U.S. Highway 75 near Weleetka. It passes through Hughes County for and Okfuskee County for , for a total length of . It has no lettered spur routes. SH-84 was first established in 1940 and originally did not incorporate any of its present-day extent into its route. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s the route was expanded north, but in 1968 it was truncated to its current length."}, {"context": " State Highway 84 begins in Dustin at SH-9. From its terminus, SH-84 heads north along Broadway Avenue. As the highway heads out of town, it turns to the northwest, and then to the north, eventually resuming a due-north course shortly before crossing the Hughes\u2013Okfuskee County line. In Okfuskee County, SH-84 crosses the North Canadian River. North of the crossing, the highway turns northwest to remain in the river valley. It then bridges Bad Creek, a tributary of the North Canadian, just upstream of its mouth. At this point, the route turns to the west, paralleling the North Canadian. The highway has a level crossing with a railroad east of Weleetka. SH-84 follows alongside the railroad until reaching its terminus at US-75 on the eastern outskirts of town."}, {"context": " SH-84 first appears on the official state map in 1941. At this time, none of current SH-84 was part of the highway; instead, the route began at US-75 and US-270 in Horntown, then proceeded east to Lamar, and then turned north to Carson, where it ended. The entire highway was constructed with a gravel surface. On December 30, 1942, a section of gravel road corresponding to present-day SH-84 was added to the Oklahoma highway system as a farm-to-market road. In 1943, SH-84 was extended north; the highway now connected to SH-9, forming a through route from US-75/270 to SH-9.  By 1954, the farm-to-market road north of SH-9 had been numbered as part of SH-84. This segment of highway was paved by 1959. The remaining unpaved portion of highway, that south of SH-9, was removed from the state highway system in 1968, leaving the highway with its present-day routing and termini."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 85", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 85 (abbreviated SH-85 or OK-85) is a state highway in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The highway is long. SH-85 provides access to the northwest shore of Grand Lake, a major recreation center for northwest Oklahoma. SH-85 has one lettered spur highway, SH-85A. SH-85 begins at State Highway 82 west of the town of Ketchum, in Craig County. The highway travels east along Ketchum Road into the town. On the east side of Ketchum, SH-85 crosses into Delaware County. Shortly after crossing the county line, the route turns north. The road crosses the Duck Creek arm of Grand Lake, then turns east and then northeast before returning to a due north course. SH-85 then passes through the unincorporated settlement of Cleora. SH-85 then briefly turns east before once again heading north. SH-85 crosses Duck Creek proper near its source."}, {"context": " SH-85 then approaches a T intersection. The east leg of the T is SH-85A, while SH-85 follows the west leg of the T. The highway turns north again to intersect US-60/69, where SH-85 ends. SH-85A, a highway entirely in Delaware County, is the only lettered spur highway from SH-85. It begins at an intersection with SH-85 north of Cleora. The highway travels east to pass through the town of Bernice, on the shores of Grand Lake. The highway crosses an arm of the lake just east of the town. SH-85A then ends at State Highway 125."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 86", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 86 (abbreviated SH-86) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma that connects SH-51 with Perry and is long. The highway is contained wholly in Payne and Noble Counties. SH-86 has no lettered spurs or loops. SH-86 was established in 1940. Initially a gravel highway, it remained unpaved until 1952. SH-86 begins at SH-51 in western Payne County, approximately east of Interstate 35. From this intersection, SH-86 heads north, crossing Stillwater Creek, just west of where it expands to form Lake Carl Blackwell, around north of SH-51. SH-86 crosses into Noble County into its journey. In Noble County, the highway mostly follows a due north course, except for a slight curve approximately south of Perry. The route passes just west of Lake Perry. Shortly thereafter, SH-86 comes to an end in Perry at US-77.  State Highway 86 first appears on the official Oklahoma highway map on the 1941 edition. Originally, the driving surface consisted of untreated gravel. The route had the same extent and termini as the present-day highway. By 1953, the highway had been paved."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 87", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 87 is a highway in southeastern Oklahoma, running for . It passes through the extreme southeastern corner of the state, running entirely through McCurtain Co.. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-87 begins at an intersection with US-259 near the unincorporated community of Harris, about 1 mile (1.6\u00a0km) from the Red River. SH-87 heads east from here, proceeding along many curves. The highway is two-lane for its entire length, and much of it is very narrow with no shoulders (though a short stretch of highway that was realigned to approach a new girder bridge that replaced an old through truss bridge was built with shoulders). The highway crosses no major rivers, but does bridge Walnut Bayou. SH-87 ends at the Arkansas state line, where it becomes Arkansas Highway 108."}, {"context": " SH-87 is shown on the Oklahoma state highway map as concurrent with US-259 to at least Idabel. However, this is an error, as the highway is only signed from US-259 to the Arkansas state line, and is shown on ODOT's internal control section maps as ending at US-259. State Highway 87 first appeared on the June 1944 state highway map. When it was originally commissioned, the highway was a spur route; its western end was in Idabel, and its eastern end was approximately the location of the present-day US-259\u2013SH-87 intersection. Towards the end of its route, SH-87 served Harris."}, {"context": " By 1948, SH-87 was extended, setting its eastern terminus at its present location at the Arkansas state line. However, this terminus proved to be temporary at first, as the highway was rerouted to turn north to end at SH-21 (now SH-3) in Tom in 1952. However, by 1957, the state line terminus had been reestablished, and SH-87 has ended there to the present day. In the early 1960s, SH-87's length was at its zenith, as the highway stretched from Idabel to the Arkansas state line. However, on 1963-01-07, US-259 was established. The section of SH-87 from Idabel through Harris was turned over to the new U.S. route, setting the western terminus of the highway to its present-day location."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 88", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 88, abbreviated to SH-88 or OK-88, is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs for 26.0 miles (42\u00a0km) north\u2013south through Rogers County. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-88 dates back to 1940 or early 1941. SH-88 begins in Inola and heads northwest out of town, paralleling a Union Pacific rail line. It has an interchange with an old alignment of SH-33, followed by an interchange with SH-33's successor, U.S. Highway 412. From US-412, the route continues northwest, crossing over Inola Creek near its source. Approximately one mile later, the highway passes near the McFarlin railroad siding. Further northwest, the highway passes through unincorporated Tiawah. It then crosses the Tiawah Hills and Panther Creek. The highway then passes under Interstate 44, the Will Rogers Turnpike, though no interchange exists. It then enters the city of Claremore."}, {"context": " In Claremore, SH-88 has a brief concurrency with both SH-66 and SH-20. After emerging from the west side of town, the highway turns onto a due north course, which it continues along until it reaches Lake Oologah. It then turns west, running along the south shore of the lake. Upon reaching the lake's southwest corner, it crosses the dam. The highway turns back to the north, running west of the lake, before turning back west toward Oologah. It then ends at US-169 in Oologah. State Highway 88 is first shown on the April 1941 state highway map, implying it was commissioned sometime between then and April 1940, when the previous map was published. SH-88 had an entirely gravel surface at that time. The 1948 map is the first that shows SH-88 with a wholly paved driving surface.  Prior to the construction of the Lake Oologah Dam, Highway 88 proceeded on a more southerly course north of Claremore, crossing the Verdigris River downstream of the current dam location and ending at US-169 south of Oologah. The 1965 map is the first to show the route crossing Oologah Dam. The route has had no further major changes since then."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 89", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 89 (abbreviated SH-89 or OK-89) is a state highway in the southern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs from the Taovayas Indian Bridge at the Texas state line to State Highway 53, a distance of . SH-89 was initially designated on July 26, 1944. It has no lettered spur routes. State Highway 89 begins at the Taovayas Indian Bridge on the Illinois Bend of the Red River, continuing Farm to Market Road 677 from Texas. One mile (1.6\u00a0km) north of the river, it intersects SH-32 at Courtney. SH-89 overlaps SH-32 for , initially headed due west, but curving around to the northwest and eventually the north, crossing into Jefferson County and passing through unincorporated Petersburg. SH-32 then angles off to the northwest while SH-89 continues on a due north course."}, {"context": " After splitting off to the north, SH-89 travels through eastern Jefferson County for , generally paralleling the county line. The highway continues along a rough northerly heading, though it briefly heads northwest at times. SH-89 runs to the east of the town of Cornish, and then intersects US-70 as it enters Ringling. After passing through the town, it curves northwest. SH-89 then turns back to a due north course, which it will maintain for the rest of its existence. The highway comes to an end north of Ringling at SH-53 east of Loco."}, {"context": " State Highway 89 was first added to the Oklahoma state highway system on July 26, 1944. The original extent of the highway was from the current northern junction with SH-32 to US-70 in Ringling. These remained the route's termini until January 21, 1957, when it was extended north through Ringling to SH-53, setting its northern terminus at its present location. Minor realignments would take place during the next two years, after which the highway would remain the same for three decades. On September 6, 1994, the highway was extended south. SH-89 now overlapped SH-32 to Courtney, where it split away towards its new southern terminus at the Texas state line. The highway has undergone no further changes since this extension."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 9", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 9, abbreviated as SH-9, OK-9, or simply Highway 9, is a major east\u2013west highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Spanning across the central part of the state, SH-9 begins at the Texas state line near Madge, Oklahoma, and ends at the Arkansas state line near Fort Smith, Arkansas. State Highway 9 is a major highway around the Norman area. At , SH-9 is Oklahoma's second-longest state highway (second to State Highway 3). From the western terminus at State Highway 203 along the Texas border, the highway travels due east for and intersects with SH-30 between Madge and Vinson. SH-9 continues east for without intersecting another highway until meeting US-283 and SH-34 north of Mangum. The highway overlaps the other two routes for , going north, before splitting off and heading east again through Granite and Lone Wolf. East of Lone Wolf, the highway forms a concurrency with SH-44. Near Hobart, SH-9 overlaps US-183 for (again going northward) before splitting off again."}, {"context": " Continuing east, SH-9 passes through Gotebo, Mountain View, and Carnegie. Around Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, the highway begins of travel to the south. There, the route links up with the concurrent U.S. Highways 62 and 281. While US-281 will split off in Anadarko, SH-9 and US-62 remain concurrent until Newcastle. In Chickasha, US-277 joins to form another three-route concurrency with US-62 and SH-9. On the eastern edge of Chickasha, US-62/277/SH-9 have an interchange with I-44, or more commonly known as the H.E. Bailey Turnpike."}, {"context": " Traveling northeast from Chickasha, US-62/277/SH-9 are routed to the town of Blanchard. Four miles later, SH-9 splits away from the two U.S. routes at a diamond interchange that also serves as the eastern terminus of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike Spur. SH-9 remains without any concurrent routes until Goldsby. The section of road east of US-62/277, recently upgraded to a four-lane divided highway, provides a link from the H.E. Bailey Turnpike Spur to Interstate 35. At the interstate, SH-9 merges onto I-35 northbound to cross the Canadian River into Norman."}, {"context": " Through Norman, Highway 9 serves as a major artery providing access to the University of Oklahoma campus (in particular, the Lloyd Noble Center). Around the area, the route is a four-lane divided expressway (with surface crossings and stoplights). However, after a full interchange with US-77, the road becomes a two lane highway again. SH-9 continues eastward, passing Lake Thunderbird State Park, before reaching the towns of Tecumseh and Seminole. The road intersects the Indian Nation Turnpike near Hanna, and US-69 near Eufaula. SH-9 provides access to the south side of Lake Eufaula before reaching Stigler."}, {"context": " SH-9 overlaps US-59 for , after which the road becomes concurrent with US-271. Both remain concurrent, until the highway ends at the Arkansas border. After passing the Arkansas state line, State Highway 9 becomes I-540, and US-271 continues over the state line concurrent with the Interstate. Officially designated on 1924-08-24, the original route encompassed all of current SH-9 west of Blanchard. East of Blanchard, SH-9 followed a more northerly route. Bypassing Norman, SH-9 ran north to Oklahoma City before going east through Harrah, Meeker, Prague, Henryetta, and Checotah. The highway ended at the original State Highway 3 in Spiro. Upon the creation of the United States Numbered Routes system in 1926, the section between Oklahoma City and Warner was overlaid with U.S. Highway 266. Four years later in 1930, SH-9 was truncated to Chickasha. By this time, much of the route had become part of U.S. Highway 62."}, {"context": " On 1935-08-27, the route was extended eastward, taking over the original SH-37. SH-9's eastern terminus became SH-48 near Seminole. On 1937-08-25, the route was brought further east to end at US-69 in Eufaula. Part of the newly commissioned section was rescinded on 1937-10-19, when a small segment just east of SH-48 and the entire Hughes County portion were dropped from the highway. These sections were re-added on 1938-09-27. State Highway 9 was extended eastward twice in the route's history. The first extension occurred on 1941-02-26, and extended SH-9 to SH-2 at Whitefield. The final extension brought SH-9 to the Arkansas state line on 1941-11-12. The only major realignment in SH-9's history since 1941 was the Norman expressway bypass, which was designated as SH-9 on 1971-11-08."}, {"context": " After the I-40 bridge disaster, parts of State Highway 9 in eastern Oklahoma served as an emergency detour for eastbound I-40 traffic. All eastbound traffic was routed along the section of SH-9 between SH-2 in Whitefield and US-59. In addition, the section of SH-9 between US-59 and the Arkansas state line were used for eastbound traffic for commercial trucks. Discussions are under way to widen SH-9 to four lanes east of US-77 in Norman. The City of Norman and ODOT have conflict in their proposals for the design of the widened highway. ODOT has proposed a paved median, with shoulders to accommodate bicyclists. Norman's proposal includes a grass median and a separate bike path along the north side of the right-of-way, running from 24th Avenue S.E. to Lake Thunderbird. ODOT criticized the city's plan as too expensive. The city is now proposing a compromise, with a narrower raised concrete median and separate bike path.  State Highway 9 creates three spur highways throughout the state. Additionally, it has two business routes, serving towns the main route bypasses. These routes are:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 91", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 91 (abbreviated SH-91 or OK-91) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for , entirely within Bryan County. SH-91 has no lettered spur routes. SH-91 begins at Denison Dam at Lake Texoma, connecting to Texas State Highway 91 and heading north. Shortly after reaching the shore it turns east to run through Cartwright. It then has an interchange with US-69\u00a0/ US-75 near Colbert. SH-91 then ends at SH-78 in Achille. SH-91 was originally State Highway 75A, but was renumbered as a continuation of SH 91 in Texas."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 92", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 92, usually abbreviated as SH-92 or OK-92 (or simply Highway 92), is a highway in the city of Chickasha. It is long and stretches from US-277/62 in Chickasha to SH-37 in Tuttle. SH-92 currently begins at an intersection with US-62/277/SH-9, a divided highway east of Chickasha. SH-92 heads northward from this intersection, passing through more rural regions, this time mainly fields and homes. Many of the intersections in this segment are county-maintained roads. Interstate 44 crosses SH-92 at an overpass with no interchange. After leaving I-44 behind, SH-92 begins to run alongside the Stillwater Central Railroad as it continues farther through rural regions, crossing through the village of Amber."}, {"context": " The highway leaves Amber, turning to the northeast for a short distance, changing directions several times. SH-92 passes through Sooner, with Tuttle soon after. In Tuttle, SH-92 intersects with local streets before terminating at State Highway 37. State Highway 92 was commissioned between late 1943 and June 1944. As originally commissioned, SH-92 began at US-62/277 east of Chickasha and ended at SH-37 in Amber, the same termini as the present day. SH-92 began at Lake Burtschi several miles outside of Cement. The highway turns east after the crossing with Lake Burtschi Road continuing farther north. SH-92 headed through downtown Laverty, which is mainly homes and small patches of trees once again. The highway turned northward once again, passing a small pond on its way to Chickasha. SH-92 curved to the east a second time soon after, crossing local roads and train tracks as it entered Norge."}, {"context": " In downtown Norge, SH-92 headed to the northeast, paralleling the nearby Interstate 44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike. The region around and north of Norge was rural, with very little development. SH-92 headed in different directions, mainly to the north/northeast. After West Country Club Road, the highway began to enter Chickasha, making a curve to the east onto West Grand Boulevard. The route continued eastward, becoming concurrent with US-81 and US-277 in Chickasha. Grand Avenue continued after. The route continued unsigned until the junction with US-62/SH-9, where it split away from US-81 to the east, following US-277."}, {"context": " This segment was not assigned until 1957. That segment of SH-92 was decommissioned in 2003, bringing the highway to its current southern terminus. The northern segment of SH-92 began at an intersection with State Highway 152 in Mustang, on the west side of the Oklahoma City Metro. The route headed north, intersecting with local roads as \"South Cemetery Road\". After leaving Mustang, it entered far western Oklahoma City. This region of the city is also rural, passing fields and homes as the route continues northward. SH-92 did not intersect with any state highways during its length, but did interchange with Interstate 40 before terminating at an intersection with State Highway 66 in Yukon. In 2010, this section of SH-92 was canceled and given to the city of Yukon. Part of the former segment is dedicated to singer Garth Brooks as Garth Brooks Road."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 93", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 93 (abbreviated SH-93) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs north\u2013south for in southeastern Oklahoma. SH-93 has no lettered spur routes. SH-93 begins at US-70 between Hugo and the unincorporated community of Fallon. It runs north to Messer, where it turns more northeast and crosses Hugo Lake. It then runs west of Apple before crossing into Pushmataha County. It ends at State Highway 3 just west of Rattan."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 94", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 94 (abbreviated SH-94 or OK-94) is a state highway in the Oklahoma panhandle. It runs north\u2013south through Texas County for a total of . It has no lettered spur routes. The highway was commissioned around 1943 as a dirt road and was upgraded to gravel, and later, pavement throughout the 1950s. SH-94 begins at US-412/SH-3 three miles (5\u00a0km) northwest of Hardesty. SH-94 briefly passes through the Optima Wildlife Refuge while crossing the Beaver River (which is dammed downstream to form Optima Lake). The highway is mostly straight and level for its entire length. It ends in Hooker at U.S. Highway 54/64.  State Highway 94 first appears on the June 1944 state highway map, implying it was first commissioned sometime during 1943 or the first half of 1944. At this time, the highway had the same termini and routing as it does today, but was entirely dirt. In 1949, it was upgraded to gravel. In 1956, the road was wholly paved. No further changes other than routine maintenance have occurred since then."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 95", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 95 (abbreviated SH-95) is a state highway in the Panhandle region of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. This route, which is long, runs entirely through western Texas County. SH-95 does not have any lettered spur routes. SH-95 begins where Farm to Market Road 1290 crosses into Oklahoma from Texas. Feet (meters) after crossing the state line, the highway curves to the west to parallel the state line as it approaches Texhoma. In Texhoma, the route crosses US-54. SH-95 then turns north immediately after the intersection. It then bridges the Beaver River and heads north for , after which it meets US-64/412/SH-3."}, {"context": " SH-95 turns west to run concurrent with the other three routes. The four routes proceed together for . SH-95 then splits off to the north at Four Corners. The route then passes through Eva and runs east of Surrey Hills before meeting US-56 just south of Elkhart, Kansas. This intersection serves as SH-95's northern terminus. State Highway 95 began as an unnumbered farm-to-market road. It was first assigned the SH-95 designation between 1950 and 1954. By 1955, US-56 had been established through Oklahoma. Its original route followed the section of SH-95 north of US-64, so SH-95 was truncated back to the US-64 junction. This change was reverted in 1961, and US-56 and SH-95 ran concurrent north of US-64. The following year, US-56 was rerouted over SH-114, leaving SH-95 on its own once again.  Before 2003, SH-95 extended beyond US-56 to the Kansas state line, connecting to K-27. After KDOT realigned K-27 to run east of Elkhart, ODOT truncated SH-95 to US-56."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 96", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 96 (abbreviated SH-96) is a short, highway in Love Co., Oklahoma. It runs south from State Highway 32 to Burneyville, curves west and turns into Burneyville Road. It has no lettered spur routes. SH-96 was created in the mid-1950s. Initially, the highway had a gravel surface. State Highway 96 begins along Burneyville Road, which it follows for . The road then turns north, crossing over Simon Creek, before coming to an end at SH-32 at Dunbar, an unincorporated place. The roadbed continues north as Eastman Road.  SH-96 serves the Burneyville area, which includes the Falconhead Resort & Country Club, a former PGA Tour golf course, and the Red River Research and Demonstration Farm, an agricultural research operation run by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. State Highway 96 was first shown on the 1958 state highway map (implying its creation in 1957) as a gravel highway. The route was otherwise identical to that of the present day. The route was paved over the following year."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 97", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 97 (abbreviated SH-97) is a state highway, maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It connects two towns in the northeast part of the state: Sapulpa and Sand Springs. Several communities of West Tulsa are along the road between these two towns, including Pretty Water, Allen, and Prattville. SH-97 has existed since 1952. The highway had a lettered spur, SH-97T, for one year, but it is no longer on the state highway system. State Highway 97 begins in Sapulpa at an intersection that serves as the terminus of two other highways\u2014U.S. Route 75 Alternate and State Highway 33 (SH-66 also passes through the intersection). From this point, the highway heads north toward the Turner Turnpike (I-44), which it has an interchange with. At the northern outskirts of Sapulpa, it serves as the western terminus of SH-166, a short spur route. The highway then passes through unincorporated areas of northeast Creek County."}, {"context": " At W. 61st Street S., the road crosses into Tulsa County. About one mile (1.6\u00a0km) north of the county line, SH-97 enters Prattville, a neighborhood of Sand Springs. At the north end of the town, the highway intersects SH-51 and begins a concurrency with it. The two routes cross the Arkansas River into the main part of Sand Springs together. SH-97 then has an interchange with the Sand Springs Expressway, a freeway which carries US-64 and US-412; SH-51 merges onto the eastbound freeway, bound for downtown Tulsa."}, {"context": " SH-97 continues straight ahead on North Wilson Avenue, then turns onto West 2nd Street and passes through downtown Sand Springs. The highway turns back to the north at McKinley Avenue. The highway continues north out of town until reaching a T intersection, where it continues by turning right. (The left turn at this intersection is former SH-97T; see below). The highway continues north through southeast Osage County to the Zink Ranch. The highway ends at Rock School Road in front of the ranch. State Highway 97 was originally commissioned on February 3, 1952. At this time, the highway extended from Sapulpa (at its present-day southern terminus, where it intersected what was then US-66) to the southern SH-51 junction, which also carried US-64 (as the Keystone Expressway had not yet been built). The highway was extended north into Osage County on October 15, 1956. The only changes that have occurred since then are relatively minor changes in alignment through Sand Springs and Sapulpa.  State Highway 166 is a very short highway in Creek County. It runs for through Sapulpa, from SH-97 to Frankoma Road, the alignment of old Route 66. The eastern terminus of SH-166 serves Frankoma Pottery. SH-97 once had a truck bypass connecting to it, State Highway 97T. This highway was decommissioned one year after it was designated."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 98", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 98, also abbreviated to SH-98 or OK-98, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It travels for through McCurtain County It has one unsigned spur route, SH-98S. SH-98 began as a short spur from US-70 to Wright City in 1953. In 1958, it was extended to its present extent, although the routing north of US-70 differed from that of the present day. By 1982, the highway had taken on its current routing and termini. SH-98 begins at the eastern SH-37 about north of the Red River (the Texas state line) and west of Idabel. The highway eventually heads northwest, but soon swings back around to head northward. The road continues due north on an arrow-straight course through the level terrain of the Whitegrass Flats. SH-98 intersects US-70 between Valliant and Millerton."}, {"context": " Highway 98 curves to the northeast north of US-70. It then returns to a due north course, crossing the Little River. About north of US-70, it makes a sharp turn to the east. The highway skirts the north edge of Wright City, and SH-98S (see below) spurs off to serve the center of the town. SH-98 continues eastward, headed toward Glover, until turning northeast to meet SH-3, where it has its northern terminus. SH-98 first appeared on the 1954 official state highway map, implying that it was commissioned sometime in 1953. Originally, the highway began at US-70 and extended north to Wright City, where it ended; the route was effectively a spur to the town from US-70 and intersected no other highways. The route remained with this extent throughout much of the 1950s. In 1958, the road was extended in both directions\u2014to the north, it headed due north from Wright City to end at SH-3 several miles further west than its present-day terminus, and to the south, where it followed a short section of SH-70 to link up with its present-day route and ending at its current terminus at SH-37. The route was realigned between Wright City and US-70 in 1960, shifting SH-98 further west to begin its US-70 concurrency in Valliant."}, {"context": " SH-98 was returned to a straighter alignment in 1975, eliminating the concurrency with US-70 and bypassing Valliant. The final major change to SH-98 occurred in 1982, when the road north of Wright City was removed from the highway system and SH-98 extended east toward Glover. This set the road at its present-day northern terminus. SH-98 has one spur highway, SH-98S. It is a connector highway to Wright City, but is now unsigned. However, as of 2012, it is still an active state highway. SH-98S first appeared on the Oklahoma highway map in its 1965 edition. At this time, the highway was designated SH-198. The highway would retain this designation until 1985, when it was renumbered to SH-98S."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway 99", "paragraphs": [{"context": " State Highway 99, abbreviated SH-99, is a north\u2013south state highway through central Oklahoma. It runs from the Texas border at Lake Texoma to the Kansas border near Lake Hulah. It is long. The highway overlaps US-377 for over half its length. SH-99 continues as K-99 after crossing the border into Kansas. This road continues for to the Nebraska border, where it becomes Nebraska Highway 99, which lasts an additional . Thus, SH-99 is part of a triple-state highway numbered \"99\", which lasts a total of ."}, {"context": " State Highway 99 began as State Highway 48, a short highway connecting Ada to Holdenville. This highway was gradually expanded until it became a border-to-border route. In 1938, it was renumbered to match K-99, which was renumbered from K-11 the same day. US-377 crosses Lake Texoma on a bridge from Grayson County, Texas into Marshall County, Oklahoma. This is the southern terminus of SH-99, which will concur with US-377 all the way to the U.S. highway's northern terminus in Stroud, a distance of . The highways' first junction in Oklahoma is with State Highway 32 south of Madill. Five miles north of this intersection, US-377/SH-99 serve as the northern terminus for SH-99C, a child route of SH-99. The routes then head into Madill, where they form a brief concurrency with US-70 and SH-199. US-377/SH-99 head northeast out of town and enter Johnston County."}, {"context": " West of Tishomingo, US-377/SH-99 pick up SH-22, which follows them east to the county seat. The same junction in Tishomingo where SH-22 splits away is also the northern terminus of SH-78. Eight miles (12.9\u00a0km) north of Tishomingo, the routes share a short concurrency with SH-7. US-377/SH-99 go without another highway junction, which is with SH-99A, a spur to unincorporated Harden City. The two highways interchange with SH-3, a freeway at this point, near Ahloso. US-377/SH-99 merge onto the freeway, which becomes the Richardson Loop around the west side of Ada. At the southwest corner of the loop, SH-1 joins. Two miles (3.2\u00a0km) further north, an interchange serves as the western terminus of SH-19; also at this interchange, SH-3 splits into SH-3E and SH-3W, the latter of which exits the highway to concur with SH-19. At the next interchange, SH-1 splits off, and the freeway downgrades to expressway."}, {"context": " The highway crosses the Canadian River into Seminole County north of Byng. Just after the bridge, US-377/SH-3E/99 intersect SH-39 and SH-56; this is their eastern and western termini respectively. Near Bowlegs, SH-59 joins the concurrency, splitting off again after . As the road enters Seminole, it has an interchange with US-270, where SH-3E splits off. SH-9 also is accessible by interchange in Seminole. US-377/SH-99 encounter another spur of the latter, SH-99A, in unincorporated Little. The routes then have an interchange at I-40, Exit 200."}, {"context": " US-377/SH-99 cross over the North Canadian River and cross a panhandle of Pottawatomie County before entering Lincoln County. Just north of the county line, the routes pass through Prague. The two routes do not encounter another highway for , after which lies the town of Stroud, the northern terminus of US-377. In Stroud, SH-99 has two highway junctions, one of which is the northern terminus of US-377. In central Stroud, the highway meets SH-66, formerly the celebrated Route 66. An interchange with Interstate 44, the Turner Turnpike, is north of the SH-66 junction."}, {"context": " Signage in Stroud is unclear on where the northern terminus of US-377 is, implying that it continues north of SH-66 to at least I-44. ODOT sources differ on where the northern terminus of the highway is. According to the Control Section Map Book, the north end of US-377 is at SH-66. Another map published by ODOT of Stroud implies that the route extends north of the ramps to and from I-44 to at least the bridge over the turnpike. The US-377 highway log shows US-377 ending at I-44. The inset strip map of the Turner Turnpike on the ODOT state map omits US-377 entirely."}, {"context": " Seventeen miles north of Stroud, the now-independent SH-99 meets State Highway 33, which it overlaps for two miles (3\u00a0km) to the town of Drumright. SH-99 bypasses Drumright to the northwest, after which it meets up with an old alignment leading back to Drumright and SH-33, now numbered SH-99B but unsigned. After turning back north, it crosses the Cimarron River at Oilton, and has an interchange with the Cimarron Turnpike between Jennings and Hallett. It is then concurrent with US-64 for six miles (10\u00a0km) before passing through Cleveland, where it crosses the Arkansas River. Throughout its final , in Osage County, the highway passes through a relatively sparse region, though it meets State Highway 20 in Hominy and overlaps SH-11 south of Pawhuska (the county seat) and US-60 north of the city. Its final junction is with SH-10 ten miles (16\u00a0km) south of the Oklahoma\u2013Kansas border."}, {"context": " State Highway 99 traces its roots back to the first State Highway 48, which was first established on January 19, 1927. This highway connected Ada to Holdenville; it roughly followed present-day SH-99 until about 2 miles north of the Canadian River, it then turned east and passed 1 mile south of the unincorporated town of Vamoosa, after which it followed the route of today's SH-56. After 10 miles, it passed through Sasakwa, in which it turned north and ended at the original SH-3, at the intersection called \"Five-Mile Corner\", west of Holdenville. The 1928 state highway map shows the highway extended to SH-9 (now US-62) near Prague along the present-day SH-99 alignment, with the Canadian River crossing as a toll bridge. By January 1, 1929, the route had been realigned to pass through Konawa. The old designation between the Canadian River and SH-3 was replaced shortly after by SH-56."}, {"context": " In 1931, SH-48 was greatly expanded. The route was extended northward to US-66 in Stroud. At its southern end, it was extended along a new alignment, which began at SH-19, present day SH-3, southeast of Ada and ran through Tishomingo and Madill to end at the Red River northwest of Denison, Texas, where it met Texas State Highway 91. Also that year, a second section of SH-48 was established, taking over a large portion of what was then SH-25; the remainder of the route was integrated into US-60."}, {"context": " On March 1, 1932, a new section of road was designated as State Highway 48, connecting Stroud to SH-33 west of Drumright. As a result, the SH-48 designation was able to follow existing roads to link up with its previously-disconnected northern section. Thus, SH-48 became a border-to-border highway, linking Texas and its SH-91 to K-11 at the Kansas state line. On May 17, 1938, both Kansas and Oklahoma renumbered K-11 and OK-48 respectively to bear the number \"99\", providing continuity between the states. At this time, SH-99 followed the same basic corridor of the present-day route from Madill north to Kansas. However, SH-48's designation was still in use from May 1938 to February 1941. The SH-48 designation was then made into the route passing through Konawa, which the SH-99 designation bypassed. After SH-48 was discontinued, however, it would only remain discussed for just under three years, SH-48 resurfacing for a route only east of SH-99. The portion of SH-48 from SH-99 to Konawa would later become part of SH-39."}, {"context": " In January 1944, Denison Dam was placed into operation, creating Lake Texoma. As a result, a portion of SH-99 between Madill and Texas was inundated. On May 5, 1958, the route was realigned to once again reach Texas; it now crossed a bridge further upstream, connecting to Texas State Highway 10, which was subsequently renumbered to TX-99. The existing route of SH-99 (concurrent with SH-3) veered west by about to once again serve the town of Konawa before cutting back northeast to continue the highway's previous heading. This was remedied on December 9, 1968, when the highway was changed to a straighter alignment bypassing Konawa. The old road heading west into Konawa became part of SH-39."}, {"context": " Another bypass occurred in 1977, this time in Drumright. SH-99 was changed to bypass the town on February 7, 1977, and the old alignment that was not part of SH-33 became SH-99B. The Oklahoma Department of Highways had proposed portions of State Highway 99 for inclusion in the United States Numbered Highways system several times. One such application made in 1953 suggested that the entirety of SH-99 become a U.S. Route, while another suggested a northern terminus at US-64 near Cleveland. On June 18, 1964, AASHTO accepted an extension of US-377 from Texas to US-70 in Madill. The Department of Highways, and later the Department of Transportation, submitted an application to extend US-377 from Madill to US-64 in Cleveland eight times between December 1964 and 1980.  In 1991, ODOT signed the route to Stroud along SH-99 without AASHTO approval. SH-99 has two lettered spurs:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Highway spurs from U.S. Highways", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma state highway system includes many state highways that act as short spur and connector routes off some of the U.S. highways that pass through the state. These highways generally bear the same number of the U.S. highway they connect to with a letter suffix."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State League", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State League was a Class-D minor baseball league based in Oklahoma that existed in 1912 and again from 1922 to 1924. Hall of Fame pitcher Carl Hubbell played in the league. The league was represented by eight teams in 1912: the Anadarko Indians, Holdenville Hitters, McAlester Miners, Muskogee Indians, Oklahoma City Senators, Okmulgee Glassblowers, Tulsa Terriers and a team in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The league disbanded on July 29, with the Glassblowers in first place and the Guthrie team in last."}, {"context": " Another incarnation of the league came about in 1922, represented by the Chickasha Chicks, Clinton Bulldogs, Duncan Oilers, El Reno Railroaders, Wilson Drillers and a Guthrie team. The Oilers finished first in the league, though the Chicks were the league champions, winning the league's playoff series. In 1923, the league was represented by the Cushing Refiners, Bristow Producers, Duncan Oilers, Clinton Bulldogs, El Reno Railroaders, Shawnee Indians, Drumright Boosters/Ponca City Poncans and a Guthrie team. The Refiners finished in first, however Bristow won the league championship.  The league played its final season in 1924, represented by the Ardmore Bearcats/Pawhuska Huskies, Bristow Producers, Cushing Refiners, Shawnee Indians, Duncan Oilers, Ponca City Poncans, Blackwell Gassers and a team based in Guthrie, McAlester and Wewoka. The league disbanded on July 8, with the Ardmore/Pawhuska team in first and the Guthrie/McAlester/Wewoka team in last place."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Penitentiary", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Penitentiary, nicknamed \"Big Mac\", is a prison of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections located in McAlester, Oklahoma, on . Opened in 1908 with 50 inmates in makeshift facilities, today the prison holds more than 750 male offenders, the vast majority of which are maximum-security inmates. Before Oklahoma became a state in 1907, felons convicted in Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory were sent to the Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas. At statehood, Kate Barnard became Oklahoma Commissioner of Charities and Corrections. During the summer of 1908, Barnard arrived unannounced at the Kansas prison to investigate widespread complaints she had received about mistreatment of Oklahoma inmates. She took a regular tour with other visitors first, then identified herself to prison officials and asked that she be allowed to conduct an inspection of the facility. Barnard discovered systematic, widespread torture of inmates."}, {"context": " Upon her return to Oklahoma, Barnard recommended that all Oklahoma inmates be removed from the Lansing facility and returned to the state. Governor of Oklahoma Charles N. Haskell supported Barnard's proposal, and within two months of Barnard's visit to Kansas, on October 14, 1908, two groups of 50 offenders each were sent by train to McAlester. The inmates were temporarily housed in the former federal jail in the town. Under direction from Warden Robert W. Dick, they built a stockade to house themselves on a plot northwest of McAlester, which was donated to the state by a group of McAlester citizens."}, {"context": " The remaining Oklahoma inmates in Lansing were moved to the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth until the state could build adequate facilities to house them all. The next spring, in 1909, the Oklahoma Legislature appropriated $850,000 to build the permanent facility. Construction began in May 1909 on a prison designed after the Leavenworth facility. The state purchased about surrounding the original plot of land. Using prison labor, the West Cellhouse and Administration Building were completed first; the Rotunda and East Cellhouse came later. The steep hills and grades required more than of concrete and more than of rocks and soil to be moved for the prison's walls alone. The F Cellhouse was added in 1935, and later the New Cellhouse was constructed. A shoe manufacturing plant and a tailor shop were part of the prison's inmate industry program, designed to provide work for offenders; at Lansing, prisoners were forced to work in the local mines, a practice Barnard banned. The Warden's House, across the street from the prison, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places."}, {"context": " Female prisoners were sent to Kansas in territorial days also. The first females brought back from Kansas stayed in a ward near the East Gate, built in 1911, on the fourth floor of the West Cellhouse. The female population had grown to 26 by the time a separate building about west of the main institution was completed in 1926. The first prison escape (from behind the walls) occurred on January 19, 1914. Three inmates stole a gun and killed three prison employees and retired federal judge John Robert Thomas during the escape attempt. The convicts were later killed behind a rock ledge located on a ridge overlooking a wagon road."}, {"context": " By the early 1970s, advocacy groups warned the state government that the situation was becoming dire. From 1970 until July 27, 1973 the facility cataloged 19 violent deaths, 40 stabbings and 44 serious beatings. On January 22, 1973, prisoners staged a hunger strike that lasted 3 days in an attempt to draw attention to the conditions at the facility. On July 27, 1973, trouble began in the prison's mess hall, reportedly by five inmates who, according to a prison spokesman, \"were doped up on something.\" It quickly spread through the rest of the facility. At the end of the riot, three days later, three inmates were dead, 12 buildings were burned, and 21 inmates and guards had been injured. Damage was estimated at $30 million."}, {"context": " A federal court in 1978 found conditions at OSP unconstitutional. The lawsuit, filed by one inmate before the riot, was changed to a class action suit after the riot. U.S. District Judge Luther Bohannon put the Department of Correction under federal control. The last issue of the lawsuit, medical care for offenders, was settled 27 years later, in 2001. Consequent to the court's orders, four new housing units were built at OSP, and in 1984 the aging East and West Cellhouses were closed. In 1983, all female inmates were moved to Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in Oklahoma City."}, {"context": " On December 17, 1985, the inmates became disruptive, then gained control and took five employees as hostages on A and C units. Three of the hostages were seriously injured before their release the next day. The disturbance caused more than $375,000 in damage and two of the hostages were permanently disabled. After this incident, security was overhauled at the prison to reduce inmate movements, limit recreation, and institute a level-ranking system for offenders to improve safety. The Talawanda Heights Minimum Security Unit was opened outside the East Gate Area in October 1989 to house inmates who hold support jobs inside the facility. In 1992, a special-care unit opened to provide mental health care to offenders, reducing the need for psychiatric hospitalization outside the prison. A medium security unit with a capacity of 140 inmates is located on G and I units to help prisoners adjust to a lower security classification."}, {"context": " Another addition to the prison, H Unit, houses inmates under both administrative and disciplinary segregation. H Unit is also the site of Oklahoma's death row and the state's lethal injection death chamber. Between 1915 and 2014, Oklahoma executed a total of 192 men and 3 women. 3 different methods of execution have been employed by the state. Lethal injection, which was first used on September 10, 1990 has been used 112 times. Other execution methods have included the hanging of a federal prisoner, and 82 electrocutions using the electric chair commonly referred to as \"Old Sparky\", a method that was last performed in 1966."}, {"context": " In March 2015, Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law HB1879 providing for nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative to the primary execution method of lethal injection. In March 2018, Attorney General Michael J. Hunter and Corrections Director Joe M. Allbaugh announced that Oklahoma would start using inert gas asphyxiation as the primary method of execution. Oklahoma Department of Corrections has had difficulty obtaining the drugs used to perform lethal injections. Starting in 1940, except for a handful of years during World War II and during the 1970s inmate uprising, OSP held a prison rodeo until 2009. A two-day event was held in August, or on Labor Day weekend (accounts differ), the rodeo was a joint venture between the city of McAlester and the state Department of Corrections. The McAlester Chamber of Commerce contracted with the city to coordinate and market the event, which was last held in 2009 due to a state budget shortfall starting in 2010. Inmates from several prisons throughout the state competed. Attendance at the 12,500-seat arena was down in the 2000s from the 65,000 who routinely attended during a four-day version of the event in the 1960s. The animal-rights group PETA denounced the rodeo on grounds of animal cruelty.  Female convicts began competing in 2006, leading to the documentary film, \"Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo\" (2009), about the co-ed competition. The prison was mentioned in: The facility is shown in scenes of the movie \"Heaven's Rain\" by Paul Brown and Brooks Douglass."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Pension Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Pension Commission is an Oklahoma state agency responsible for analyzing the performance of the State's public pension systems. The Commission also advises the Governor of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Legislature on necessary action to improve the pension systems. The Commission is provided administrative support by the Office of the State Auditor and Inspector. The Commission is composed of seven members: the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector, the Oklahoma State Treasurer, the Director of the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, a sitting State Senator appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, a sitting State Representative appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and two members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " The State Pension Commission provides guidance to the Governor of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Legislature concerning the state's public retirement systems, including identifying problems and areas of abuse, projecting costs of existing systems and modifications to those systems, and recommending pension reform programs. Funding for the Commission is apportioned among the public pension systems in proportion to the percentage that each system's assets to the combined total of the assets of all systems."}, {"context": " The chief duty of the Commission is to publish on a quarterly basis a performance report analyzing the performance of each of the above state pension systems. The report includes rates of return on each systems' investments and details the solvency of each custodian bank or trust companies holding system funds. The Commission also analyses the investment plans developed by each system. Upon review, the Commission makes recommendations on administrative and legislative changes which are necessary to improve the performance of the retirement systems.  The Commission has no responsibility for or power over the actual day-to-day management or policy decisions of the various systems. The Pension Commission is responsible for overseeing financial status and conditions of the following:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Reformatory", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Reformatory is a medium-security facility with some maximum and minimum-security housing for adult male inmates. Located off of State Highway 9 in Granite, Oklahoma, the facility has a maximum capacity of 1042 inmates. The medium-security area accommodates 799 prisoners, minimum-security area houses roughly 200, and the maximum-security area with about 43 inmates. The prison currently houses approximately 975 prisoners. The prison was established by an act of the legislature in 1909 and constructed through prison labor, housing its first inmate in 1910. The facility is well known for the significant roles women played in its foundation and governance, most notably having the first female warden administer an all-male prison in the nation."}, {"context": " In 1907, Kate Barnard was appointed Oklahoma Commissioner of Charities and Corrections. After visiting prisons in Kansas detaining Oklahoma offenders, Barnard concluded that a more civil and humane prison needed to be constructed in Oklahoma. Within two years, Barnard persuaded the legislature to authorize development of both the Oklahoma State Penitentiary and the Oklahoma State Reformatory. The Reformatory was established by an act of the legislature in 1909. Construction began shortly thereafter, housing its first inmate in 1910. Situated adjacent to Granite Mountain (also known as \"White Mountain\"), the Reformatory was constructed through prison labor using the granite quarried from the mountain. A large factor in the selection of the institution's site was the prospect of employing the prison's inmates to work in the quarry for minimal wages."}, {"context": " No original structures in the complex remain. The oldest standing, the Oklahoma State Industries broom factory/upholstery building, was constructed in 1921. All other buildings currently in use have been constructed since 1957. In 1928, the institution had one main guard tower, dedicated to a former warden, on which stood cell houses on either side. The facility currently operates two of the four towers which are manned by armed officers for direct observation. The granite walls surrounding the compound of radiating cell blocks rise approximately twenty-four feet tall with a thickness of three feet at grade level and two feet at its top. Layers of razor wire extend along the top as well as inside of the wall's interior. These wires are linked up to an Intrepid Micro-Point Intrusion Detection system, monitored by the central control room, which detects vibrations caused by cutting and/or climbing."}, {"context": " In 1914, Barnard stepped down after seven years as Commissioner of Charities and Corrections and was succeeded by William D. Mathews. After her departure, the original rehabilitative goals of the facility were weakened. The governor of Oklahoma in 1915, Robert L. Williams was primarily concerned with the economic interests of the reformatory. Through his speeches, he saw no difference between the penitentiary and the reformatory, believing that the reformatory should become a second penitentiary and its warden to be businessman-like. In an attempt to make the prison more self-sustaining, Governor Williams negotiated with the Rock Island Railroad Company, using the state-owned mountain of granite and the reformatory's inmates for labor. After three years, Governor Williams claimed an enlargement and improvement within several prison industrial and buildings. During World War I, the institution assisted the U.S. military by supplying the Aviation Field at Fort Sill with building materials."}, {"context": " When James B. A. Robertson replaced Williams as governor in 1919, Robertson appointed Dr. George A. Waters, a highly respected farmer and physician, as warden of the Reformatory. During his years as supervisor of the prison, Waters requested that the Board of Public Affairs create a general library for the inmates, consisting of 500 books while also connecting with local charity organizations willing to donate books. In addition to reforming the prison within its walls, Waters trained the prisoners in scientific agriculture on the farm land surrounding the Reformatory, establishing experimental seed farms and specialized husbandry for cattle, sheep, and hogs. Waters acquired technical aid from the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater."}, {"context": " In 1923, John C. Walton replaced Robertson as governor, splitting the Robertson-Waters team and ousting Waters from his position as warden. During his brief term, Governor Walton exchanged Waters' employees with unqualified people to work in the prisons' shops, which greatly damaged the shop's inventories. He altered, even eliminated, several constructive projects Waters had helped create and build. Due to massive amounts of corruption at all levels, Walton was impeached only a year into his term and replaced by Lieutenant Governor Martin E. Trapp. Waters was reappointed as warden and began to clean up the damage to the Reformatory. In 1926, Warden J. J. Savage made his Annual Report of the Oklahoma State Reformatory and observed that the inmates were going to school for half a day and working for the other half. He was impressed by how many of the prisoners were learning a trade, such as bakery, cooking, plumbing, cleaners, and stonemasonry. With the death of Warden George Waters in 1927, Mrs. Clara Waters replaced her deceased husband, becoming the first woman to head an all-male prison in the United States."}, {"context": " Mrs. Waters was well known for her unique style of punishment. It was not uncommon for the young men at the prison to be dressed in women's clothing and then displayed for visitors to taunt and ridicule them. In spite of her unusual punishments, Mrs. Waters focused mainly on educational and religious programs for prisoners. She created an educational program within the facility, which would later become the first official high school established behind the walls of a prison in the United States, Lakeside High School at Oklahoma State Reformatory."}, {"context": " Mrs. Waters was highly regarded locally as well as nationally. In October 1930, she was appointed to attend the annual meeting of the American Prison Congress in Louisville, Kentucky by the governor at the time, William J. Holloway, as his personal representative and delegate from Oklahoma. There she was nominated to the board of directors of the National Prison Organization. She was considered one of the most convincing women speakers in the country; indeed Mrs. Waters was informed by the Democratic National Committee in September 1932 that her name was on the list of speakers designated to tour the country. In October 1933, she was also elected in Atlantic City, New Jersey as the vice-president of the National Prison Association and was appointed into Oklahoma's Hall of Fame in 1935."}, {"context": " Mrs. Waters was warden during the infamous prison break in Granite on February 17, 1935. The prison employees of the Oklahoma State Reformatory were caught off guard when around 31 inmates attempted to escape. The prisoners had managed to smuggle two guns into their possession, using them to threaten the officers on duty. Eight surrendered and two returned voluntarily the day of the escape. Eighteen were still at large the next day. Mrs. Waters was fired from her position as Warden, ending the Waters' family era within the reformatory."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma State Reformatory was home for roughly fourteen months to one of Oklahoma's favorite citizens, Wiley Post. A native Texan, Post moved to Oklahoma to work in the prosperous oil fields in order to raise money for his own personal airplane. During 1921, he was involved in a robbery and was sentenced to ten years in the reformatory. After only serving about one tenth of his original sentence, Post was given a full pardon in December 1934. After his time at the Oklahoma State Reformatory, Post went on to be one of the first pilots to make a non-stop flight from the United States to Germany and the first to fly solo around the world, setting many record times. His life, as well as that of Oklahoma's beloved Will Rogers, ended on August 15, 1935 when his airplane crashed near Point Barrow, Alaska."}, {"context": " In 1945, Clarence Carnes, known as \"Choctaw Kid,\" entered the Oklahoma State Reformatory charged with the murder of an Oklahoma service station attendant. During his time at the Reformatory, Carnes and two other men were convicted on federal kidnapping charges and were sentenced to 99 years in prison. Instead of serving his time at the Reformatory, Carnes was transferred due to his behavioral problems to Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay. At age 18, he was the youngest inmate ever imprisoned within its walls."}, {"context": " While serving his sentence in Alcatraz, Carnes was involved in an escape along with five fellow inmates and took over a section of their cell block. U.S. Marines as well as prison guards from distances as far away as Kansas were sent to retake the facility. Three of the six inmates died during the assault, and two others were executed shortly thereafter. Carnes avoided the death penalty because he did not murder officers assigned to him during the escape, and he lived until 61, dying at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that serves as the governing body of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, which is the largest provider of higher education in the state of Oklahoma. The State System consists of all institutions of higher education in Oklahoma that are supported (wholly or in part) by direct legislative appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. The State Regents are the statewide coordinating board of control for the state's twenty-five colleges and universities, ten constituent agencies, and two higher education programs. The State Regents is a nine-member board, with the members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with approval of the Oklahoma Senate. Each member serves a nine-year term, with one member's term expiring each year, and can be reappointed to continue in service."}, {"context": " The current Chancellor of the Higher Education System is Dr. Glen D. Johnson, Jr.. Together with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, the State System forms the core of Oklahoma's public education system. The history of higher education in the State of Oklahoma begins before the days of the Oklahoma Territory (which existed from 1890 to 1907) in Indian Territory, and were started either by Indian tribes or by religious organizations for the benefit of Indian tribes."}, {"context": " the agency's total FY 2017 appropriation of $2.427 billion, 77.1 percent ($1.870 billion) takes the form of state aid funding that goes directly to local school districts through a complex ... State appropriations (36 percent) and tuition and fees (48 percent) funded most spending for Oklahoma higher education in FY 2016.The first higher education institution in the territory is what is now Northeastern State University, which was founded on May 7, 1851 as the Cherokee National Female Seminary. On March 6, 1909, the State Legislature of Oklahoma passed an act providing for the creation and location of Northeastern State Normal School at Tahlequah, Oklahoma (Capital of the Cherokee Nation), and for the purchase form the Cherokee Tribal Government of the Cherokee Female Seminary."}, {"context": " St. Gregory's University was founded in 1875 as Sacred Heart Mission, founded in Atoka, Oklahoma (the oldest Catholic parish in Indian Territory) by the Benedictine monks. In 1876, the mission relocated near Konawa, Oklahoma and became an abbey. Sacred Heart College was founded with the permission of the Vatican in 1877 and later gained approval from the territorial government in 1883. The institution was moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma (near the capital of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation as well as the Seminole Nation) as the Catholic University of Oklahoma in 1910, and in 1922, the name was changed to St. Gregory's College."}, {"context": " Bacone College was founded in 1880 as the Indian University in Muskogee, Oklahoma (Capital of the Creek Nation) by Almon C. Bacone, and is the oldest continuously operated institution of higher education in Oklahoma. The college has strong historic ties to various tribal nations, including the Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee Creek Nation, as well as the American Baptist Churches of America. What is now the University of Tulsa was founded in Muskogee as the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls in 1882. The institution was rechartered as the Henry Kendall College in 1894 under the auspices of the Presbyterian Women's Board of Home Missions. In 1907 the college moved to its current site in Tulsa, Oklahoma and became the University of Tulsa in 1920."}, {"context": " The first public universities in Oklahoma date back before Oklahoma's statehood in 1907. The first territorial legislature of Oklahoma Territory, in accordance with the Oklahoma Territory Organic Act, enacted laws creating three institutions of higher education in 1890. The United States Congress mandated that the Territory have access to three different types of colleges: a liberal arts and professional education college, an agriculture and mechanical arts college to meet the provisions of the Morrill Act of 1862, and a normal school college"}, {"context": " On December 19 of 1890, the first Governor of Oklahoma Territory George Washington Steele signed the bill that created the Oklahoma Territorial University at Norman (now the University of Oklahoma), the institution designated to provide the liberal arts and professional education, as the first university in Oklahoma. Six days later, on Christmas Day, 1890, Governor Steele signed the bills creating the Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater as a land grant institution (now Oklahoma State University) and the Oklahoma Territorial Normal School at Edmond (now University of Central Oklahoma) to provide training for public school teachers in the new territory."}, {"context": " The Territorial Normal School opened on November 1, 1891. Six weeks later, on December 14, Territorial A&M College opened. The Territorial University would not open until August 1892 with Dr. David Ross Boyd as the University's first president. Later, the Territorial Legislature established four more higher education institutions: the Colored Agricultural and Normal University at Langston (now Langston University) and the Normal School for Teachers at Alva (now Northwestern Oklahoma State University) in 1897. and the Normal School for Teachers at Weatherford (now Southwestern Oklahoma State University) and the Oklahoma University Preparatory School at Tonkawa (now Northern Oklahoma College) in 1901."}, {"context": " As Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territories moved towards statehood as the State of Oklahoma, talks began to establish public higher education institutions in the former Indian Territory. The former Oklahoma Territory already had seven established public higher education institutions while there were no such public institutions in the Indian Territory. State leaders immediately set out to increase access to the new state's public higher education colleges and universities. Under the leadership of the first Governor of Oklahoma, Charles N. Haskell, the first Oklahoma Legislature created two collegiate-level schools in the former Indian Territory: the Industrial Institute and College for Girls at Chickasha (now the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma) and the School of Mines and Metallurgy at Wilburton (now Eastern Oklahoma State College). The Legislature intended for the school at Wilburton to become the eastern duplicate of the now University of Oklahoma at Norman."}, {"context": " Within two years, nine more colleges had been established throughout the state. Although no more state institutions were created for nearly 50 years, the names, functions or governing structures of the public colleges and universities was in almost constant change. As the number of institutions grew so did the competition for legislative funding. Combined with considerable political activity throughout institutional governance, many called for a state system to coordinate the various colleges and universities. In early statehood, university presidents (and faculty to a lesser degree) were viewed as political appointments; it would not be uncommon for a new crop of university presidents to be appointed each time a new governor took office."}, {"context": " As early as 1913, the second governor of Oklahoma, Lee Cruce, pleaded with the legislature for consolidation of institutional functions and the abolition of some of the smaller schools. In 1929, Governor William J. Holloway recommended to that the legislature reduce the number of institutional governing bodies and called for a central coordinating agency. The Legislature passed a bill providing for a board to consist of the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, two members to be appointed by the governor, and the presidents of five state institutions. The two gubernatorial appointees were never named and the ex-officio members never met."}, {"context": " Early in 1933, Governor William H. Murray, by executive order, created a nine-member committee to coordinate public higher education. Soon thereafter, the Legislature passed a bill the statutorily created a fifteen-member central board. Although Governor Murray signed the bill and appointed the board members, the board never received any legislative funding. Despite this, the board still met and adopted a set of guiding principles for the coordinating work of the board. However, by the time Governor Murray left office, the terms of all the board members ended. Governor E.W. Marland, Murry's successor, left the positions until and never made any new appointments during his four-year term of office."}, {"context": " In 1939, new Governor Leon C. Phillips named new members and the coordinating board resumed operations. The board recommended that the board be given constitutional authority to ensure it would continue to function. Working off the board's recommendation, the 1941 Legislature proposed an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution establishing Article XIII-A. Following legislative approval of the proposed amendment, a special election was held on March 11, 1941, at which the amendment was adopted. The amendment created the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as the system's governing body."}, {"context": " To maintain academic independence from state politics, the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education was created in 1941 through constitutional amendment (Article XIII-A), governed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The State Regents prescribe academic standards of all higher education in the state (for both public and private institutions). The State Regents also determine functions and courses of study at public colleges and universities, grant degrees, and recommend proposed fees within limits set by the Legislature. In general, the State Regents receive a single higher education appropriation from the legislature and have the constitutional responsibility to allocate those budget items to each Governing Board of Regents or Board of Trustees of a constituent agency. Additional constituent agencies of the State System of Higher Education include:"}, {"context": " While the State Regents are the coordinating board of control for all higher education institutions in the State, governing boards of regents and boards of trustees are responsible for the operation and management of each State System institution or higher education program in Title 70 of Oklahoma Statutes. Additionally, the Oklahoma Constitution establishes three Governing Boards of Regents to provide governance various institutions of higher education. As of April, 2018, the current State Regents for Higher Education are:"}, {"context": " The current Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education is Dr. Glen D. Johnson, Jr.. The Chancellor is the chief executive officer of the State System and is appointed by the State Regents. The State Regents use a three tier classification system to establish a framework for overarching goals and objectives of the public institutions of higher education. Institutions of higher education can be categorized into one of three classifications: The State Regents prescribe academic standards of higher education, determine functions and courses of study at state colleges and universities, grant degrees, recommend to the Oklahoma Legislature budget allocations for each college and university, and recommend proposed fees within limits set by the Legislature. The State Regents also manage 27 scholarship and special programs. In addition, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Office of State Finance, the State Regents operate OneNet, the state's information and telecommunications network for education and government. The regents also oversee the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program, which guarantees loans made to students by the private sector.  The State Regents have a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education where students enrolled in certain technical courses at a local technology center can earn transcribed college credit."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State System of Higher Education", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education is the state's legal structure for providing public education at the collegiate level. It is a coordinated system of colleges and universities located throughout the state. With a current enrollment of more than 247,000 students, the State System consists of 25 colleges and universities \u2013 including two research universities, 11 regional universities and 12 community colleges \u2013 and 11 constituent agencies and one higher education center. The State System is coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and each institution is governed by a board of regents."}, {"context": " Regional University System of Oklahoma Higher education, as the term is used in Section I of Article XIII-A, Constitution of Oklahoma, and House Bill No. 810, Chapter 396, Section 102, Session Laws 1965, is defined \"...to include all education of any kind beyond or in addition to the twelfth grade or its equivalent as that grade is now generally understood and accepted in the public schools of the State of Oklahoma; provided, however, that this shall not exclude as a constituent institution any institution of higher learning which now offers as a part of its curriculum courses of high school study.\""}, {"context": " \"The appropriations made by the Legislature for all such institutions shall be made in consolidated form without reference to any particular institution and the Board of Regents herein created shall allocate to each institution according to its needs and functions.\" (Oklahoma Constitution, Article XIII A, Section 3) \"Private, denominational, and other institutions of higher learning may become coordinated with the State System of Higher Education under regulations set forth by The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.\" (Oklahoma Constitution, Article XIII A, Section 4)"}, {"context": " \"Section thirteen in every portion of the state, which has been granted to the State, shall be preserved for the use and benefit of the University of Oklahoma and the University Preparatory School, one third; of the normal schools now established, or hereafter to be established, one third; and of the Agricultural and Mechanical College and Colored Agricultural and Normal University, one third. The said lands or the proceeds thereof as above apportioned to be divided between the institutions as the Legislature may prescribe: Provided, that the said lands so reserved, or the proceeds of the sale thereof, or of any indemnity lands granted in lieu of section thirteen shall be safely kept or invested and preserved by the State as a trust, which shall never be diminished, but may be added to, and the income thereof, interest, rentals, or otherwise, only shall be used exclusively for the benefit of said educational institutions. Such educational institutions shall remain under the exclusive control of the State and no part of the proceeds arising from the sale and disposal of any lands granted for educational purposes, or the income or rentals thereof, shall be used for the support of any religious or sectarian school, college, or university, and no portion of the funds arising from the sale of sections thirteen or any indemnity lands selected in lieu thereof, either principal or interest, shall ever be diverted, either temporarily or permanently, from the purpose for which said lands were granted to the State.\" (Oklahoma Constitution, Article XI, Section 5)"}, {"context": " The State Legislature in 1941 vitalized Article XIII-A of the Constitution, providing for the internal organization of the agency. There is a chairman, vice chairman, secretary and assistant secretary, all of whom are elected annually by the membership of the State Regents. The work of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is defined by constitutional provision, state statute or State Regents' policy delineating coordinating responsibility for the State System of Higher Education, including the areas of institutional functions, programs of study,"}, {"context": " The Chancellor is the chief executive officer for the State Regents and provides leadership for the State System. The work of the office serves the following functions: academic affairs; administration; board relations; budget and finance; legislative; economic development; student affairs; grants and scholarships; and the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program. While the State Regents have responsibility for determining the functions and courses of study of each institution, setting standards of education and allocating funds to carry out institutional functions, the governing boards assume responsibility for the operation of the institutions, including:"}, {"context": " Determining management policy. Employing personnel, fixing their salaries and assigning their duties. Contracting for other services needed. Having custody of records. Acquiring and holding title to property. Among specific areas of administration control for which the governing board assumes responsibility in operating an institution are: General academic policy and administration. Student life. Budget administration. Planning and construction of buildings. Purchasing. Auxiliary activities budgeting and administration, including the issuance of revenue bonds and administration of self-liquidating properties."}, {"context": " The governing board, through its chief executive officer, the president of the institution, makes recommendations to the coordinating board, the State Regents, regarding the institutions\u2019 functions and programs of study, standards of education, and the budgetary needs of the institution for both general operations and for capital improvements. There are currently three constitutional governing boards and 12 statutory boards. The constitutional boards are the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, the Regional University System of Oklahoma and the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OSU Agricultural Experiment Station OSU Center for Health Sciences OSU College of Veterinary Medicine OSU Cooperative Extension Service OSU Institute of Technology, Okmulgee OSU-Oklahoma City OSU-Tulsa Connors State College, Warner and Muskogee Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma City and Tulsa Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Miami Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell East Central University, Ada; Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Broken Arrow and Muskogee;"}, {"context": " Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, Enid and Woodward; Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant and Idabel; Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford and Sayre; University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. University of Oklahoma, Norman; OU Geological Survey, Norman; OU Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City; OU Law Center, Norman; OU-Tulsa; Cameron University, main campus in Lawton and satellite campus in Duncan ; Rogers State University, main campus in Claremore, satellite campus in Bartlesville and Pryor"}, {"context": " Board of Regents of Carl Albert State College; Board of Regents of Eastern Oklahoma State College; Board of Regents of Murray State College; Board of Regents Northern Oklahoma College; Board of Regents of Oklahoma City Community College; Board of Regents of Redlands Community College; Board of Regents of Rose State College; Board of Regents of Seminole State College; Board of Regents of Tulsa Community College; Board of Regents of Western Oklahoma State College; Board of Regents of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma;"}, {"context": " Board of Trustees for the Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center and Nature Park The board of trustees for the Ardmore Higher Education Center acts as the administrative agency for the center. Its powers include negotiating agreements with institutions for courses and programs, selecting a chief executive officer, budgeting and expending funds allocated to the center, acquiring and taking title to property and entering contracts. Board of Trustees of the Ardmore Higher Education Center The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recognize the value of a formal structure for input from a wide variety of campus personnel. These key advisors represent each institution and assist the Regents, chancellor, Regents\u2019 staff and others regarding issues and policies. There are nine advisory councils and boards."}, {"context": " Communicators Council Council of Business Officers Council on Information Technology Council on Instruction Council of Presidents Council on Student Affairs Economic Development Council Faculty Advisory Council Student Advisory Board The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education was established on March 11, 1941, when the people of the state adopted an amendment to the constitution, Article XIII-A, creating the State System. The amendment provides, \"All nstitutions of higher education supported wholly or in part by direct legislative appropriations shall be integral parts of a unified system to be known as The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.\""}, {"context": " \"There is hereby established the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, consisting of nine (9) members appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate, and who shall be removable only for cause, as provided by law for the removal of officers not subject to impeachment. Upon the taking effect of this Article, the Governor shall appoint the said Regents for terms of office as follows: one for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years, one for a term of five years, one for a term of six years, one for a term of seven years, one for a term of eight years, and one for a term of nine years. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the balance of the term only. Except as above designated, the term of office of said Regents shall be nine years or until their successors are appointed and qualified."}, {"context": " \"The Regents shall constitute a coordinating board of control for all State institutions described in Section 1 hereof, with the following specific powers: (1) it shall prescribe standards of higher education applicable to each institution; (2) it shall determine the functions and courses of study in each of the institutions to conform to the standards prescribed; (3) it shall grant degrees and other forms of academic recognition for completion of the prescribed courses in all of such institutions; (4) it shall recommend to the State Legislature the budget allocations to each institution, and (5) it shall have the power to recommend to the Legislature proposed fees for all of such institutions, and any such fees shall be effective only within the limits prescribed by the Legislature.\" (Oklahoma Constitution, Article XIII A, Section 2)"}, {"context": " The first Oklahoma territorial legislature passed legislation creating three institutions of higher education in 1890 in order to fulfill a requirement of the Organic Act of Congress establishing the territory. Congress required the territory to establish three types of public higher education: liberal arts and professional education, agriculture and mechanical arts education to fulfill the land grant college provisions of the Morrill Act of 1862, and teacher training. Territorial Gov. George Washington Steele signed the bill creating the University of Oklahoma, the institution designated to provide the liberal arts and professional education, on December 19, 1890."}, {"context": " Six days later, on Christmas Day, 1890, Gov. Steele signed the bills creating the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater, the land grant institution, and the Oklahoma Normal School for Teachers at Edmond to provide training for public school teachers in the new territory. These two institutions are known today as Oklahoma State University and University of Central Oklahoma, respectively. The first of these three institutions to open for classes was the Normal School for Teachers, which held its first classes on November 1, 1891. Later that same year, on December 14, the first classes were held at the A&M College in Stillwater, with 45 students attending."}, {"context": " The University of Oklahoma opened in a rented building on Main Street in Norman in 1892 with 119 students and four faculty members, including the university's first president, Dr. David Ross Boyd. Later the territorial government established four other institutions: the Colored Agricultural and Normal University at Langston (now Langston University) and the Normal School for Teachers at Alva (now Northwestern Oklahoma State University) both in 1897; the Normal School for Teachers at Weatherford (now Southwestern Oklahoma State University) and the Oklahoma University Preparatory School at Tonkawa (now Northern Oklahoma College), both in 1901."}, {"context": " When it became apparent that the U.S. government would not allow the Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory to enter the union as separate states, negotiations began among the political leaders of both territories for the unification of the two into a single entity. One of the key issues in these negotiations was the provision of public higher education. The leaders of the Indian Territory cited the fact that the Oklahoma Territory already had seven established institutions of higher education, while there were no public colleges or universities in the Indian Territory."}, {"context": " Leaders agreed that immediately upon the granting of statehood to the united territories, the institutions of higher education in Oklahoma Territory would be duplicated in the Indian Territory, thus spreading geographical access to public higher education throughout the new state. The first Oklahoma Legislature, meeting shortly after statehood, created two collegiate-level schools: the Industrial Institute and College for Girls at Chickasha (now the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma) and the School of Mines and Metallurgy at Wilburton (now Eastern Oklahoma State College). The school at Wilburton was intended to become the eastern duplicate of the university at Norman."}, {"context": " The same legislature also created six secondary agricultural schools, in each of the five supreme court judicial districts and the sixth in the Panhandle. These were the Connors State School of Agriculture at Warner (now Connors State College), Murray State School of Agriculture at Tishomingo (now Murray State College), Cameron State School of Agriculture at Lawton (now Cameron University), Haskell State School of Agriculture at Broken Arrow, Connell State School of Agriculture at Helena and Panhandle State School of Agriculture at Goodwell (now Oklahoma Panhandle State University)."}, {"context": " The 1909 Legislature created three normal schools in eastern Oklahoma, to balance those operated in the west, and a preparatory school in the east, to offset the one at Tonkawa. These new institutions were Northeastern Normal School at Tahlequah (now Northeastern State University), East Central Normal School at Ada (now East Central University), Southeastern Normal School at Durant (now Southeastern Oklahoma State University) and the Eastern Oklahoma University Preparatory School at Claremore (now Rogers State University)."}, {"context": " In 1917, several institutions were closed, two of them permanently. The Legislature, by separate action, closed the agricultural schools at Broken Arrow and Helena. Gov. Robert L. Williams, by veto of the institutions\u2019 biennial appropriations, shut down the schools at Claremore, Wilburton and Tonkawa. When the Legislature reconvened in 1919 with a new governor in office, the vetoed institutions were given appropriations and reopened. The Legislature then created another institution, the Miami School of Mines (now Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College)."}, {"context": " Although no more state institutions were created for nearly 50 years, hardly a biennium went by without changes in the names, functions or governing structures of the public colleges and universities. The 1920s and 1930s saw the development of a new type of public institution of higher education in Oklahoma, the public district junior college. In 1921 there was only one such institution, Muskogee Junior College, operated by the local school board, with an enrollment of 10 students. By 1939 there were 20 such institutions with a total enrollment of less than 1,600. These were located at Altus, Bartlesville, Bristow, Capitol Hill (Oklahoma City), Duncan, El Reno, Kiowa County (Hobart), Muskogee, Okmulgee, Poteau, Sapulpa, Seminole, Sayre, Tillman County (Frederick), Wetumka and Woodward \u2013 all two-year colleges \u2013 and Carnegie, Holdenville, Okemah and Shidler \u2013 all one-year colleges."}, {"context": " The proliferation of institutions and the corresponding competition each biennium for legislative appropriations, coupled with a considerable amount of political activity concerning institutional operations, led to calls for a coordinated state system of public higher education. As early as 1913 Gov. Lee Cruce was pleading with the Legislature for consolidation of institutional functions and the abolition of some of the smaller schools. Gov. Williams\u2019 single-handed approach to the latter problem and its ultimate outcome have already been noted."}, {"context": " The first published study of the problem of coordination of higher education in Oklahoma was the doctoral dissertation of Henry G. Bennett in 1926. He recommended that a central coordinating agency be established and a state system formed under the aegis of the State Board of Education. In 1929 Gov. William J. Holloway recommended to the Legislature a reduction in the number of governing boards and the creation of a central coordinating agency. The legislature passed a bill providing for a board to consist of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, two members to be appointed by the governor, and the presidents of five state institutions. The two gubernatorial appointees were never named and the ex-officio members never met."}, {"context": " Early in 1933 Gov. William H. Murray, by executive order, created a committee of nine to coordinate public higher education. In reaction, in the legislative session of that year, a bill was introduced to create a statutory coordinating board. This bill was passed, and the coordinating board was established, with 15 members to be appointed by the governor. Although the law passed and the members of the board were appointed, the legislative appropriation for the operation of the board was killed on the final day of the session. Nevertheless, the board met and adopted a set of guiding principles for the coordinating work of the board and its internal operations."}, {"context": " When Gov. Murray left office, the terms of all the board members, as provided in the law creating the board, lapsed. Gov. Marland, his successor, failed to make any new appointments during his term of office. In 1939 Gov. Leon C. Phillips named new members and the coordinating board began operation again. The rejuvenated board recommended that a constitutional board be established, and the 1941 Oklahoma Legislature proposed Article XIII-A of the Oklahoma Constitution. Following legislative approval of the proposed amendment, the Legislature adjourned and a special election was held on March 11, 1941, at which the amendment was adopted, creating the State System and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The Legislature then reconvened and passed the necessary vitalizing legislation, thus creating the present structure of higher education in the state."}, {"context": " With the establishment of the State System, the 1942 Report of the State Coordinating Board noted, \"Oklahoma now has the greatest opportunity in its history to chart an intelligent course for higher education on a statewide basis, and to assume a greater leadership throughout the nation than has ever before been possible.\" More Recent Developments No new state colleges were created from 1919 until 1968, when Tulsa Junior College (now Tulsa Community College) was established. In the years from 1939 until 1967 most of the public district junior colleges ceased to exist as a result of lack of students and financial support. One of these institutions, Altus Junior College, was converted into a state college by act of the Legislature in 1969 and became Western Oklahoma State College."}, {"context": " Subsequently, two new community junior colleges were formed \u2013 first, Oscar Rose Junior College at Midwest City (now Rose State College) and later, South Oklahoma City Junior College (now Oklahoma City Community College). These two new colleges, along with three of the four surviving district junior colleges, became full-fledged members of the State System by act of the Legislature in 1973. The 1987 Oklahoma Legislature merged the last remaining community junior college, Sayre Junior College, with Southwestern Oklahoma State University."}, {"context": " Another state institution, the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (now Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences), was authorized in 1972 by the Oklahoma Legislature and began its first classes in the fall of 1974. In 1988 that institution was merged as a constituent agency under the operation of Oklahoma State University. In 2000 Rogers State College became a four-year university, Rogers State University. In the school year 1939-40, just prior to the creation of the State System, Oklahoma had a total of 38 public institutions of higher education, including 18 state-supported institutions and 20 public district junior colleges, with a total enrollment of less than 27,000 students. In 2010 the number of public institutions was 25, with an enrollment of more than 247,000."}, {"context": " Academic Scholars Program The Academic Scholars Program was created and funded by the Oklahoma Legislature and is administered by the State Regents as an incentive for students of high academic ability to attend both public and private higher education institutions in Oklahoma. Brad Henry International Scholars Program The Brad Henry International Scholars Program, established by the State Regents in June 2008, provides a $10,000 stipend for students at Oklahoma regional universities to participate in semester-long study or research programs affiliated with Swansea University in Wales. Academic credit for these programs will be awarded by the students\u2019 universities."}, {"context": " Chancellor Hans Brisch Scholarship Program The Chancellor Hans Brisch Scholarship Program serves entering freshmen in college who have high academic achievement in high school, outstanding leadership characteristics and a commitment to the enhancement of the community. While the controlling criteria for this award shall be as stated above, the program will include students with a diversity of geographic, ethnic and economic background and who plan to pursue a variety of programs of study in institutions across the state."}, {"context": " Future Teachers Scholarship Program The 1985 Oklahoma Legislature authorized the State Regents to establish and maintain an incentive scholarship program to encourage the preparation of teachers in critical shortage areas for the public schools at one or more of the Oklahoma public or private higher education institutions. Prospective teachers, whether planning to pursue an undergraduate teacher education program or to become qualified to teach after earning a bachelor's degree in a critical shortage area, shall be considered if they have graduated from high school with a grade point average ranking them in the top 15 percent of their graduating class. To the extent that funds are available, scholarships of $1,500 per year, renewable for up to three (3) additional years, shall be awarded to cover costs of general enrollment fees, other fees, books, materials, and services provided by the institution, including room and board [70:698.1]."}, {"context": " Oklahoma's Promise (formerly Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program) The Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program, created by the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act in 1992, allows eighth-, ninth- and 10th-grade students who enroll in the program to receive scholarships that will pay their Oklahoma college tuition if they meet income and other requirements. To qualify, students must take certain required courses and make good grades overall. Students must also stay out of trouble outside the classroom to remain eligible. Oklahoma's Promise is recognized by many as America's best college access program and is considered a model that combines emphases on academic preparation and financial support for college."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program The Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program was established in 1971 to assist Oklahoma college students with demonstrated financial need to meet the cost of attendance at postsecondary institutions in Oklahoma through reimbursement of a portion of their cost of attendance. Congress amended the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide incentive grants to states for the implementation or expansion of state grant programs. Accordingly, the purpose of the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP) is to provide matching funds to encourage operation of state grant programs to improve student access and choice in higher education. States pay all administrative costs and match federal allotment dollars from non-federal resources. Funds not used by one state may be reallocated to others in proportion to their higher education enrollments."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant Program The Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant (OTEG) program was established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2003 to assist Oklahoma college students in meeting the cost of attendance at non-public postsecondary institutions in Oklahoma. To qualify, a student must be an Oklahoma resident; be a full-time undergraduate; attend a qualified Oklahoma not-for-profit, private or independent institution of higher education located in Oklahoma; have a family income of $50,000 or less; and meet their institution's policy on satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients. Recipients can receive awards for up to five years, not to exceed the requirements for completion of a baccalaureate program."}, {"context": " Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarships Established by the State Regents in 1995, this program enables public regional universities to provide scholarships to academically promising baccalaureate students. Each regional university may nominate up to 15 freshman awardees per year. Renee Neuwald Memorial Scholarship Program This scholarship was created by private donations to honor the lifelong contributions of Renee Neuwald to the teaching profession. The goal of the Renee Neuwald Memorial Scholarship is to provide scholarship opportunities to outstanding students with financial need who are graduates of the Tulsa McLain High School for Science and Technology."}, {"context": " Tulsa Reconciliation Scholarship Program The 2002 Oklahoma Legislature established the Tulsa Reconciliation Scholarship Program in an effort to preserve the awareness of the history and meaning of the civil unrest that occurred during the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. Each year, two seniors from each of Tulsa's 10 public high schools will receive $1,000, one-time scholarships. William P. Willis Scholarship Program The 1986 Oklahoma Legislature authorized the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish and maintain a scholarship program for the purpose of providing scholarships to low-income, full-time undergraduates attending institutions in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education."}, {"context": " Minority Teacher Recruitment Center The Minority Teacher Recruitment Center was created for the purpose of recruiting, retaining and placing minority teachers in the public schools of the state of Oklahoma. The MTRC pre-collegiate programs include the ACE and LEAP programs for middle and high schools, and Collegiate Partnership Grants are awarded to institutions of higher education for recruitment and retention activities. No Child Left Behind Grants NCLB competitive grants are authorized by federal legislation for professional development for Oklahoma's K-12 teachers to promote changes in educational practice or teachers\u2019 content knowledge that increases student achievement in the classroom. Additionally, the intent is to influence the implementation of research-based curriculum in undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs and to strengthen collaboration among higher education institution faculty and other partners in the program."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Associations Supporting International Studies OASIS is a collaboration of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Oklahoma Department of Education and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to ensure a workforce prepared for global competition. Infusing international studies throughout the K-16 curricula and recruiting international students to study in Oklahoma are the goals of this effort. Oklahoma Teacher Enhancement Program OTEP is a Title II Grant designed to link K-12 student learning to teacher preparation. Following initial research, the Teacher Work Sample Methodology has proven to be a reliable measure of teacher impact on student learning and is being incorporated into teaching education programs."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program TSEIP is a program that reimburses eligible student loan expenses or pays an equivalent cash benefit to individuals who graduate from an Oklahoma-accredited teacher education program in math or science, receive teaching certification and complete a commitment to teach math or science at least 75 percent of the time in an Oklahoma public secondary school for at least five years. Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program The only program of its kind in the country, the goal of this collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services is to increase the quality of child care by enhancing the knowledge and professionalism of its workers. Eligible childcare professionals are provided an opportunity to attend a two-year college while earning credentials, certificates and degrees."}, {"context": " Concurrent Enrollment Since its inception in 2005, the Concurrent Enrollment Tuition Waiver program has allowed outstanding juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn tuition-free college credit while still in high school. More than 10,000 high school students enroll concurrently each year, generating more than 50,000 credit hours. Cooperative Alliances Twenty-nine technology centers across the state have partnered with 18 higher education institutions and branch campuses in cooperative alliance agreements. In the past year, Oklahoma students who took courses at technology centers earned almost 73,000 credit hours toward an Associate of Applied Science degree offered by a State System college or university."}, {"context": " Course Equivalency Project (CEP) The Course Equivalency Project was implemented in 1996 and allows college students to view the transferability of more than 7,500 college courses in Oklahoma at OKcoursetransfer.org. Currently, almost all public institutions of higher education, as well as several private colleges and universities, participate in the CEP. The course equivalency matrix reinforces student access to the three-tiered higher education system and helps shorten the time it takes students to obtain a degree. The CEP received the Governor's Commendation Award in 1999 for demonstrating innovation and efficiency."}, {"context": " GEAR UP Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded program designed to better prepare middle and high school students for college through academic preparation programs and scholarships for students, professional development activities for educators, leadership development for parents, and college access information for students and parents. Since 1999 Oklahoma GEAR UP has targeted resources and services to priority students through partnerships among the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Oklahoma colleges and universities; public schools; faith, tribal and community-based organizations; and businesses."}, {"context": " Oklahoma GEAR UP is built on two broad college access components: scholarship funding through Oklahoma's Promise and early intervention strategies. Oklahoma Campus Compact Oklahoma Campus Compact (OkCC) is an organization of Oklahoma college and university presidents who have committed to articulating the importance of civic responsibility as an outcome of higher education. It was established in October 2000 and represents 33 public and independent institutions in Oklahoma. OkCC provides leadership, networking and technical assistance to campuses and communities in the areas of: service learning, civic engagement and community service."}, {"context": " Oklahoma College Assistance Program The Oklahoma College Assistance Program (OCAP), formerly known as the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program, provides college access, aid awareness, financial literacy and student loan management programs and services that benefit students, parents, schools, and community partners. Oklahoma Educational Planning and Assessment System (OK EPAS) The EPAS program provides assistance to Oklahoma's middle school and high school students to be better prepared for college. School districts volunteer to participate in the program that includes three assessments, EXPLORE, PLAN and the ACT. EPAS serves nearly 500 school districts and 85,000 eighth and 10th graders. Improvements in many major areas have been documented, including ACT scores, college-going rates and remediation."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Money Matters Oklahoma Money Matters (OKMM), the financial literacy initiative of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program, serves as an information clearinghouse to help youth and adults successfully manage personal finances, understand consumer credit and navigate the financial aid process. OKMM supports financial education through targeted outreach and development of community partnerships to increase public awareness of financial literacy issues, build knowledge of fiscal principles and share available resources."}, {"context": " Plan4College Centers Plan4College Centers offer students and families a local, one-stop shop for their college information needs. The sites host a computer dedicated solely to college planning. Visitors are just one click away from learning about courses to take and grades to make, exploring colleges, finding a career, filling out college applications and applying for financial aid. Also, a knowledgeable person is available at each center to sit down one-on-one with students and families to answer their questions as well as help them determine the steps they need to take in order to create personalized plans for college. There are more than 40 Plan4College Centers located throughout the state. The Plan4College Centers are funded by GEAR UP."}, {"context": " Reach Higher \u2013 Oklahoma's Adult Degree Completion Program Nine of Oklahoma's regional public universities offer a degree completion program for working adults. It's a way to finish a bachelor's degree in an intensive, flexible format that's convenient for Oklahomans who wish to attend school while working and raising a family. Students who successfully complete the program are granted a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership. The curriculum consists of skills and theory regarding organizational behavior, ethics, interpersonal skills, management, finance and communication skills."}, {"context": " Summer Academies in Math and Science Summer Academies are designed to enhance eighth- through 12th-grade students' knowledge of math and science by introducing them to new and exciting fields and concepts through hands-on learning experiences. Academies last from one to six weeks on college and university campuses across the state. Depending on the academy format, students either stay on campus or commute from home. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Programs Designed for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients, these programs offer training in computer applications, customer service, life skills, resume preparation and more. Offered at all Oklahoma two-year colleges, the programs provide employment and training skills to TANF recipients so they may ultimately become members of the workforce and attain self-sufficiency."}, {"context": " www.OKcollegestart.org This comprehensive, Web-based information system is a \"one-stop\" destination for students and parents who want to get ready for college. The site lets students create a customized profile, learn about paying for college, prepare for the ACT, explore careers and find a college that is right for them. Click, compare, choose at OKcollegestart.org. Ardmore Higher Education Center The Ardmore Higher Education Center was created by the 1974 Oklahoma Legislature. Instruction of students enrolled through the higher education program in Ardmore is provided by East Central University, Murray State College and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Students at the Ardmore Higher Education Center receive resident credit from the institution offering the coursework."}, {"context": " Kerr Conference Center In 1978 the Robert S. Kerr home and approximately of surrounding land near Poteau in Le Flore County was donated to the state of Oklahoma for educational purposes. The State Regents, with the aid and cooperation of other state and federal agencies, converted the Kerr home into a conference center for use by education, government and industry. The State Regents contract with Carl Albert State College for administration, food service, maintenance and security at the center."}, {"context": " Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center and Nature Park Located in southwestern Oklahoma near Altus, the center includes a newly built 120-room lodge, an arts conference center, performance complexes, an 18-hole golf course and a nature park. The State Regents have had responsibility for the center since January 2002. The mission of the center is to develop, sustain and protect a world-renowned educational destination as a cultural conference center, arts park and natural preserve with recreational experiences compatible with that environment."}, {"context": " The facilities have annually hosted the Summer Arts Institute, an institute for gifted and talented fine arts high school students, since 1978. Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count Achieving the Dream is a national initiative to help more community college students succeed by completing college courses and earning certificates and/or degrees. The initiative is particularly focused on student groups that have faced the most significant barriers to success, including low-income students and students of color. Achieving the Dream focuses colleges and others on understanding and making better use of data. It acts on multiple fronts, including efforts at community colleges and in research, public engagement and public policy."}, {"context": " Brain Gain Funding The Oklahoma State Regents annually allocate Brain Gain performance funds to institutions that have shown improvement in their retention or graduation rates. The program is based on the State Regents\u2019 Brain Gain 2010 initiative created in 1999 to increase the percentage of degree holders in Oklahoma. The Regents also provide grant support for campus-based initiatives designed to enhance colleges\u2019 retention, graduation and degree-completion efforts. Improvement Grants have been funded since 2004 to aid campuses in implementing intervention strategies that will improve student retention, graduation and degree completion, either campus-wide or for targeted populations. In 2005, Programs of Excellence Grants were awarded to five institutions that are implementing innovative, relevant and high-quality academic programs that also foster creativity."}, {"context": " Campus Life and Safety and Security (CLASS) Task Force The Campus Life and Safety and Security (CLASS) Task Force was created by an Executive Order from Gov. Brad Henry in April 2007 to review and evaluate current safety and security plans and student counseling services already in place for higher education and career technology institutions and to make recommendations and assist in the implementation of any needed changes. The task force submits annual reports, and a final report will be submitted by Dec. 31, 2010."}, {"context": " Dr. Glen D. Johnson, chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, serves as chairman of the task force. Vice chairman is Dr. Phil Berkenbile, director of the Department of Career and Technology Education. The task force also includes 13 members from Oklahoma higher education, career technology education, public safety and health services. Complete College America Oklahoma, along with 29 other states, form Complete College America's Alliance of States, a select group of leading states working to dramatically increase the number of young adults with a college degree or credential, to set degree goals and to develop and implement aggressive state- and campus-level action plans to meet those goals."}, {"context": " Established in 2009, Complete College America provides Oklahoma with tangible and practical support to help implement a range of strategies that will bring needed changes in the culture and practices of its public postsecondary institutions. Oklahoma will receive in-depth technical support from America's leading experts on improving college success, including assistance in building consensus for reform and developing policy action plans; guidance on applying for and effectively using federal funding to produce more degrees; and annual networking opportunities."}, {"context": " Five national foundations are providing multi-year support to Complete College America, including the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Lumina Foundation for Education. Economic Development Grant Program The State Regents established the Economic Development Grant Program in January 1988. It is keyed to support the efforts of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to develop Oklahoma's workforce, establish centers of intellectual excellence and commercialize research outcomes. The grant program encourages institutions to promote an entrepreneurial vision on their campuses that advances workforce and enterprise development and the commercialization of research."}, {"context": " Endowment Fund Program The Endowment Fund Program was started in 1988 to attract and retain faculty by establishing professorships, chairs and related activities to improve the quality of instruction and research at state colleges and universities. EPSCoR Matching Fund Program The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is a federal initiative targeting states that have historically received a low amount of federal research funds. The State Regents is the fiscal agent for providing matching funds for initiatives to develop advanced research capabilities."}, {"context": " Making Place Matter The purpose Making Place Matter is to enhance the utilization of campus assets to meet the state's economic and community development needs. Through the implementation of the program, Oklahoma's public higher education institutions are provided guidance and support in evaluating and addressing critical economic and community development challenges. By bringing community and regional partners to the table and using reliable data, the institutions acquire and implement tools to assist with economic and community development."}, {"context": " Master Lease Purchase Program The State System Master Lease Purchase Program offers a method of financing the acquisition of major personal and real property that will provide cost efficiencies in finance and administration. Authorized institutions must enter into lease agreements for values of $50,000 to $10 million. The lease terms will vary by the useful life of the equipment purchased, but the useful life must not exceed 20 years. Office of Accountability Assigned to the State Regents as fiscal agent by the Legislature in 2003, the office provides reports regarding the performance of public schools to the people of Oklahoma. The office implements the Oklahoma Educational Indicators Program, monitors compliance progress made by districts, and makes reports and recommendations where appropriate to the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the governor."}, {"context": " Oklahoma College Savings Plan This plan allows anyone \u2013 parents, grandparents, friends, etc. \u2013 to open a tax-advantaged account for a child through payroll deduction or direct contribution. Funds can be used for college expenses at nearly all colleges and universities in the United States. The earnings on the investments are free from federal and Oklahoma taxes if used for eligible college expenses. Annual contributions of up to $10,000 per taxpayer are deductible from Oklahoma taxable income. OneNet"}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Legislature established OneNet in 1992, building upon and succeeding the televised instruction system operated by the State Regents, with the approval of a statewide capital bond issue that provided $14 million for the implementation of a statewide telecommunications network. OneNet operates hub sites throughout Oklahoma to provide the infrastructure to support a high-speed telecommunications network with an equitable rate structure. OneNet's state-of-the-art technology and dedicated staff currently provide high-speed communications to a variety of Oklahoma entities, such as public and career technology schools; colleges and universities; public libraries; local, tribal, state and federal governments; court systems; rural health care delivery systems; and programs engaged in research."}, {"context": " The extension of the National Lambda Rail (NLR) through Oklahoma in 2005 is making a profound impact on Oklahoma's economy. The NLR is a major national initiative that provides a national technical support structure for research and experimentation. Using OneNet's existing network for in-state distribution, Oklahoma is substantially more competitive for research projects. Online College of Oklahoma (OCO) In response to increased demand for anytime, anywhere learning, OCO was established as a pilot project in spring 2000. OCO builds on existing distance education resources (the Oklahoma Electronic Campus) to provide Oklahomans with convenient access to high-quality educational courses, programs and resources offered by state colleges and universities."}, {"context": " Regents Education Program The purpose of the Regents Education Program is to educate Oklahoma regents and trustees about the nature of their responsibilities and the seriousness with which they should be undertaken. More specifically, the program is to provide information and understandings that will allow regents and trustees to perform their public responsibilities and to govern successfully in the face of greater calls for wider programs and services, mandates for greater accountability, changing clientele and demands, and resource scarcity."}, {"context": " SMART: Single Mothers Academic Resource Team SMART identifies and advocates for pathways so that nearly 30,000 single-parent students can complete their higher education goals. SMART is collaboratively funded by the Women's Foundation of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and GEAR UP. In addition to the responsibilities of the State Regents set forth in the Constitution, the Oklahoma Legislature has assigned the following to the coordinating board of control: Accept federal funds/grants, accept and disburse grants, gifts and other money (foundations, individuals), and disburse scholarship funds and rewards for merit."}, {"context": " Allocate revolving and other non-state appropriated E&G funds. Transfer from one institution to another any property belonging to such institutions when no longer needed by it and when needed by another institution to accomplish its functions. Conduct and publish reports, gather information about needs of state institutions and make additional reports and recommendations as necessary to the governor and Legislature. Exercise All Powers necessary or convenient to accomplish the purpose and objectives of Article XIII-A of the Constitution."}, {"context": " Issue obligations on behalf of the institutions within the State System, except for the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, for the purpose of funding capital projects at those institutions. In addition to the above general responsibilities, the Legislature has assigned administration or directives for the following to the State Regents: \"This list is not all-inclusive. Under past legislation, which has since been repealed, the State Regents have also served as the governing board for the osteopathic college and as the fiscal agent for the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program and have administered the osteopathic and optometry education assistance contract programs.\""}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State Treasurer", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The State Treasurer of Oklahoma is the chief custodian of Oklahoma\u2019s cash deposits, monies from bond sales, and other securities and collateral and directs the investments of those assets. The treasurer provides for the safe and efficient operation of state government through effective banking, investment, and cash management. The state treasurer has the powers of a typical chief financial officer for a corporation. The 18th and current State Treasurer of Oklahoma is Ken A. Miller. As with all offices established by the Oklahoma Constitution in Article VI, any person running for the office of State Treasurer of Oklahoma must be citizen of the State of Oklahoma, at least thirty-one years of age and a resident of the United States for ten years."}, {"context": " Elections for the state treasurer are held on a four-year concurrent basis with the election of the governor. After all votes are collected, the Legislature of Oklahoma shall convene in the hall of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the House of Representatives announce the results of the elections in the presence of a majority of each branch of the Legislature. The persons having the highest number of votes for the office of the state treasurer shall be declared duly elected. However, in case two or more shall have an equal and the highest number of votes for the office of state treasurer, the Legislature shall, by joint ballot, choose one of the said persons having an equal and the highest number of votes for the office of state treasurer."}, {"context": " The state treasurer\u2019s four-year term begins on the first Monday in January falling the general election and runs concurrently with that term of the Governor of Oklahoma. The Constitution of Oklahoma places no limit to the number of terms a candidate may serve in succession or in total. \"I, ..., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as State Treasurer of the State of Oklahoma to the best of my ability.\""}, {"context": " The state treasurer has the following specific statutory and constitutional responsibilities: Approximately $10 billion is deposited each year at the state treasurer's office into the Oklahoma State Treasury. This includes state tax revenues, such as income tax and gross production tax receipts; federal funds, such as matching funds for highway construction; and other tax revenues, such as the motor fuel tax, which are collected by the state but then apportioned to the counties and cities. The state treasurer has no power to impose taxes, set tax rates or collect taxes; only to make sure all public funds are properly accounted for once it has been collected or distributed by other executive branch entities. Also, the state treasurer doesn't formulate the state's annual budget nor does the office have any authority to impound funds allocated by the Oklahoma State Legislature."}, {"context": " To earn additional revenue for Oklahoma, the state treasurer invests money which is not immediately needed to fund government operations. The office has an average of $5 billion of taxpayers\u2019 money in its investment portfolio. The Treasurer's investments are strictly governed by Oklahoma statutes and the Treasurer's investment policy. Many of the treasurer's duties require the advice of both the Governor of Oklahoma and the Attorney General of Oklahoma, such as the ability to determine the use of the State's surplus funds. Constitutionally the state treasurer presides over or is a member of four state boards and commissions."}, {"context": " The Office of the State Treasurer is the state agency which supports the state treasurer. The office provides banking and investment services for state agencies, reuniting individuals and businesses with their unclaimed property, and promoting economic development Statewide. The agency consists of the treasurer's staff. Staffers work in the treasurer's offices in the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. As of 2013, the agency has an annual budget of approximately $8.4 million. The budget provides funding for approximately 49 full-time employees."}, {"context": " The state treasurer is an independently elected officer with both constitutional and statutory authority. As such, the governor has no direct authority over the state treasurer. However, Oklahoma's history of electing governors and treasurers of the same party has often led to positive working relationships between the two offices. With Governor Mary Fallin and State Treasurer Ken A. Miller, both Republicans, Oklahoma has had a governor and state treasurer of the same party since 2003. The state treasurer is the state's elected chief fiscal officer and is directly accountable to the voters. In contrast, the governor's secretary of finance reports directly to the governor. Only once in recent history has a state treasurer also served as the governor's budget advisor; Governor Brad Henry appointed Miller's predecessor Scott Meacham as his secretary of finance and revenue, giving Meacham supervision over all finance agencies of the State government."}, {"context": " When the governor and state treasurer are of different parties, the state treasurer's role in state government is often minimal. The governor, acting through the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (whose director serves at the pleasure of the governor), is responsible for submitting an annual budget request to the legislature, which is charged with crafting the funding decisions. The governor does have veto power to influence the end result of the budget process. Once the budget is enacted, the state treasurer has no power to alter the budget or to impound funds, but the success of the treasurer's investments influence the funds available for allocation.  The following is a list of those individuals who have serve as state treasurer for Oklahoma:"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS) is located in Tulsa, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma State University System. OSU-CHS was founded in 1972 as the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. In 1988, Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery merged into the OSU System and embraced a new name \u2013 the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 1997, OSU-CHS was established as an academic health center to extend OSU\u2019s reach and expand OSU\u2019s capabilities in the health sciences. Today, OSU-CHS is a premier academic health center comprising the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Forensic Sciences, the School of Healthcare Administration and the School of Allied Health. OSU-CHS educates osteopathic physicians, scientists, allied health professionals and health care administrators for Oklahoma with an emphasis on serving rural and underserved Oklahoma. OSU-CHS offers graduate and professional degrees with over 1,000 students enrolled in academic programs. OSU-CHS also operates an extensive clinic system in Tulsa, employing over 90 full-time clinicians. Through their teaching hospital and network of clinics, OSU-CHS is a major provider of health care in Oklahoma."}, {"context": " In 2013, the U.S. News & World Report ranked Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences 84th nationally in the field of primary care. OSU-CHS educates and trains osteopathic physicians, research scientists, and other health care professionals with emphasis on serving rural and underserved Oklahoma. In the spring of 2006, the College of Osteopathic Medicine signed an academic affiliation agreement with Tulsa Regional Medical Center to create a permanent teaching hospital for Oklahoma State students. As of November 2, 2006, Tulsa Regional Medical Center was rechristened as the Oklahoma State University Medical Center, as per the terms of the 50-year agreement. Oklahoma legislators appropriated $40 million in funding towards improving the hospital's technology and facilities. Among the expected improvements are an expansion of the intensive care unit and renovations to the women's health and neonatal intensive care unit programs. OSU Medical Center is the largest osteopathic teaching center in the United States, training 165 resident physicians in primary and sub-specialty care each year."}, {"context": " The Center for Health Sciences gained notoriety in recent years for its efforts in researching the mysterious and controversial condition known as Morgellons, for which there is no known etiology or treatment. Dr. Edward Goljan is the most well-known faculty member at the school. He is the professor and chair of pathology, and is nationally recognized as an expert educator in medical board exam preparation. Dr. Goljan is author of the popular \"Rapid Review\" book for pathology, and audio files of his lectures are used by medical students around the country."}, {"context": " The first and second years of medical school at OSU focus on the basic sciences, and are primarily classroom based. Courses include biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, and osteopathic manipulative medicine. The third and fourth years of medical training are clinically oriented, consisting of clinical clerkships, where students rotate through various specialties of medicine. These rotations, which provide opportunities for students to develop clinical skills, include: internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, OB/GYN, pediatrics, psychiatry, and osteopathic manipulative medicine."}, {"context": " Osteopathic medical students at OSU may choose to complete an additional degree to the DO degree. Combined degree programs include: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Public Health (MPH). OSU-CHS is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association\u2019s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. Julie Ledgerwood, DO-chief of clinical trials program at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Center"}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR ) serves as the agricultural component of OSU-Stillwater in Stillwater, Oklahoma and operates within the university's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (DASNR). Agriculture has been a part of Oklahoma State University since the school's inception in 1890, when it was known as Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College. Today the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has emerged as one of the top agricultural institutions amongst Big 12 Conference schools and throughout the United States."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State operates a network of agricultural experiment stations and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, which has a presence in all 77 counties throughout the state of Oklahoma. OSU experiment stations cover Oklahoma's diverse terrain, from the dense forests of McCurtain County to the prairie and plains of western Oklahoma. Experiment stations currently operate in the Oklahoma cities of Stillwater, Goodwell, Woodward, Bessie, Lahoma, Haskell, Perkins, Chickasha, Fort Cobb, Altus, Mangum, Tipton, Lane, Bixby, and Idabel."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University College of Arts and Sciences", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State University College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) serves as the liberal arts and science components of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college at Oklahoma State University with over 24 departments and programs and a great diversity of students.The College of Arts and Sciences also encompasses the School of Visual and Performing Arts. Its current Dean is Bret S. Danilowicz. The College of Arts and Sciences includes both undergraduate and graduate studies in many different fields and pre-med and pre-law training. Bachelor degrees include: Bachelor of Arts(BA), Bachelor of Science(BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts(BFA), and Bachelor of Music(BM)."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University College of Education", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State University College of Education (COE) serves more than 3000 students within 29 graduate and undergraduate programs at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma as well as Tulsa, Oklahoma. The College of Education comprises three schools with diversity of students. The School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology (SAHEP) cultivates the development, integration and application of knowledge, theory, skills and experiences to promote social, physical, psychological, educational, and environmental health. SAHEP is composed of eight program areas:  The School of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation offers Advanced Degree in Aviation, Educational Leadership, Research Evaluation and Social Foundations. The Aviation program also offers bachelor's degrees in Professional Pilot and Aviation Management."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (or CEAT) serves as the engineering, architecture, and technology components of OSU-Stillwater in Stillwater, Oklahoma and OSU-Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. and is the only combined Engineering, Architecture, and Technology college in the United States. The Advanced Technology Research Center (ATRC), a relatively new addition to the college, has worked with business and industry in the areas of web handling, energy storage and conversion, manufacturing and other fields."}, {"context": " The OSU College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology was created in 1902, and is the largest and oldest college of engineering in Oklahoma today and has frequently been recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation. Oklahoma State's architecture students have won more national and international competitions than any school in the country . Students in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have won more American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Design/Build/Fly competitions than any other school, finishing in the top 3 17 times since the competition's inception, including 7 first place wins. The Congressional Fire Services Institute, an institution advising Congress on fire and safety matters, named OSU's International Fire Service Training Association/Fire Protection Publications as the 2005 Fire Service Organization of the Year . Researchers at Oklahoma State have developed two new body armor systems, giving soldiers added protection against injuries to their arms and legs while on the battlefield ."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University Cowboy Marching Band", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Cowboy Marching Band is the marching band of Oklahoma State University. The first band at Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) was organized in 1905 by Harry Dunn, a student at the school, and directed by a Mr. Wood. It consisted of 22 members. A tradition of the band was the use of the OSU Spirit Drum. It was purchased in the mid-1930s for the R.O.T.C. band. It was believed to be the largest drum in the country at that time."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, is a public and state-supported technical institution part of the Oklahoma State University System located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma (approximately 40 miles south of Tulsa). OSUIT has thirty-seven programs of study which include thirty-one programs of study towards an Associate in Applied Science degree, four programs towards an Associate in Science transfer degree, and three programs towards Bachelor of Technology degrees. The school, historically known by the informal name Okmulgee Tech, has changed its official name several times, most recently in 2008 when it was changed to OSU Institute of Technology, to distinguish it from the rest of the OSU system as a school for applied technology."}, {"context": " OSUIT has a training center at the Mid America Industrial Park in Pryor, Oklahoma. Industry sponsors include: Before Oklahoma statehood, the site of the school had served as a Creek Nation orphanage from 1892 to 1906. In 1943 the United States Army acquired the site to serve under the jurisdiction of Camp Gruber as Glennan General Hospital, initially intended for U.S. troops but subsequently designated as a facility for treating prisoners of war (mainly Germans) captured in North Africa and elsewhere. After World War II ended, Oklahoma A&M acquired the camp and converted it into a branch campus, whose initial emphasis was vocational training for veterans, both male and female. The school has seen several name changes and received its current name in 2008.  Davis, Larry D. (1991) \"OSU at Okmulgee: Centennial Histories Series\", Oklahoma State University."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University Library Electronic Publishing Center", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State University Library Electronic Publishing Center is located at 103 Oklahoma State University Library Annex Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States. The Electronic Publishing Center has four important digital collections online: The center's librarian is Cokie G. Anderson (Assistant Professor, Electronic Publishing Librarian) M.L.I.S., University of Oklahoma, B.S.B.A., University of Tulsa."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University Medical Center", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State University Medical Center (OSU Medical Center) is a teaching hospital with medical clinics located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. OSU medical center operates a large number of osteopathic residency and fellowship programs. The hospital is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program. The emergency department at OSUMC receives about 45,000 visits per year. Oklahoma legislators have appropriated $40 million in funding towards improving the hospital's technology and facilities. Among the expected improvements are an expansion of the intensive care unit and renovations to the women's health and neonatal intensive care unit programs. The hospital is the largest osteopathic teaching center in the United States, training 126 resident physicians in primary and sub-specialty care each year."}, {"context": " The OSU Medical Center began as the Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital, which was created in 1943 by a group of osteopathic physicians. The hospital name was later changed to Tulsa Regional Medical Center. In 1996, the non-profit hospital was bought by Columbia/HCA of Nashville, Tennessee. The company later became the target of a federal fraud investigation, which eventually pleaded guilty and paid $1.7 billion in fines. The hospital was sold to Tulsa-based Hillcrest Medical Center, another non-profit, which already owned another hospital in Tulsa. The for-profit Ardent Health Services, also of Nashville, bought the Hillcrest system in 2004. In 2009, the city formed a trust to take over the hospital, which was threatened with closure by lack of funds."}, {"context": " OSU Medical Center has a partnership with OSU Center for Health Sciences and Diagnostic Imaging Associates to provide medical care to rural communities in Oklahoma with a telemedicine program. This program currently includes 35 regional hospital and clinic partners, and is one of the largest statewide telemedicine programs in the United States. OSU Medical Center also provides cardiology care, comprehensive wound care, and child, adolescent, and geriatric psychiatric care. OSU Medical Center recently expanded its cardiology services and uses Cardiology of Tulsa to oversee its cardiology fellowship program.  OSU Medical Center operates a large number of osteopathic medical residency programs. Training programs include internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, diagnostic radiology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic surgery. and ophthalmology. Fellowship programs include cardiology (heart), oncology (cancer), and nephrology (kidney)."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University School of Fire Protection and Safety", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The School of Fire Protection and Safety at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma has been home to one of the few fire protection programs in the North America since its creation in 1937. The founders of the program saw a need to train personnel in the field of fire protection. Filling that need over the years lead to the creation of: The School of Fire Protection, the publishing of the famous Oklahoma Redbooks and the creation of the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and Fire Protection Publications (FPP), the establishment of Oklahoma Fire Service Training (FST) and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and the College of Engineering Architecture and Technology (CEAT) outreach extension program."}, {"context": " Together these entities form the fire and safety education program of Oklahoma State University, which has earned the status of, \"Standard Quality in the Profession,\" in 2010 by James Shannon, President of NPFA, along with being dubbed a, \"National treasure...its work is of great national importance,\" by Honorable Adair Wakefield Margo of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. In 1937 the then-named Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College opened the Department of Firemanship Training with a two-year associate degree program. In the late 1940s the curriculum shifted toward industrial fire protection rather than municipal firefighting. In the 1960s the name of the program changed to Fire Protection. In 1973 it became a four-year bachelor's degree program, Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology."}, {"context": " Oklahoma Fire Service Training (OFST) is an extension/outreach unit of Oklahoma State University's College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT). OFST has legislative mandate to train Oklahoma's emergency responder's, and provides Oklahoma emergency responders a broad spectrum of training ranging from the basic skills to more advanced specialized topics. This training occurs at the OFST Professional Skills Center located six miles west of Stillwater, Oklahoma and across the state of Oklahoma at any of the nine hundred plus Fire Departments."}, {"context": " OFST's long-standing commitment of service to Oklahoma paid and volunteer firefighters now extends to emergency responders outside of this traditional realm. In January 1997, OFST created the Industrial Section to serve emergency responders in commercial, industrial, institutional, and governmental entities. From Industrial fire brigade fundamentals, to more advanced topics in fire, rescue, incident management, industrial medic, hazardous materials and response to terrorism, OFST takes innovative market-oriented approaches to serve industry's emerging demands for first responder training.  The OFST Certification Section has achieved International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) accreditation in fifteen technical levels. IFSAC accredited certification gives reasonable assurance of the content and quality of the testing program offered by OFST."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University System", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State University System is a university system comprising six educational institutes across Oklahoma: four general academic universities and two health institutions. Its flagship institute is the Oklahoma State University\u2013Stillwater. The Oklahoma State University System has a total enrollment of about 35,073 students and is the largest university in the state of Oklahoma. It is governed by the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges Board of Regents in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The System also has Agricultural Experiment Stations throughout Oklahoma and Cooperative Extension offices that serve all 77 counties."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University\u2013Oklahoma City", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State University\u2013Oklahoma City (abbreviated OSU-OKC) is a coeducational public university located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Originally a branch of Oklahoma State University\u2013Stillwater beginning in 1961, its name changed from Oklahoma State University Technical Institute to its current designation in 1990. It is part of the Oklahoma State University System. The school offers more than 40 degrees and/or certificates. Classes are held weekdays and weeknights, on-campus, online and hybrid, with intersession courses available. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission."}, {"context": " OSU-OKC offers: Community leaders and professionals serve on advisory committees for each campus division, providing input on workforce changes. The academic divisions are: The Office of Student Development\u2019s mission is to enhance student success by offering a wide range of opportunities to develop socially, personally and professionally through an enhanced collegiate experience. The Staff at OSU-OKC is dedicated to help students reach their education goals. OSU-OKC\u2019s Advisement Center is a highly personalized approach to academic advisement, which reflects OSU-OKC\u2019s student-centered philosophy]."}, {"context": " The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships operates to provide OSU-OKC students with a means of financing their educational goals. OSU-OKC claims to be committed to providing educational opportunities and support services to students with disabilities based upon the documentation of a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. OSU-OKC is allegedly committed to providing full access to students pursuing their educational and career goals."}, {"context": " Service learning at OSU-OKC is an educational opportunity that allows the students to apply classroom learning within the community in which they go to school, work and/or live. Students conduct a service learning project with the approval and guidance of their class instructor. The service learning project may or may not be required as part of the student\u2019s grade, depending upon the instructor\u2019s discretion. To assist with service learning involvement, Services Learning Fairs are held each fall and spring semester on campus. Volunteer agencies attend this event to provide information the opportunities available and to assist students with signing up.  CSEP provides broad based training in the areas of safety, emergency preparedness and precision driver training."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University\u2013Stillwater", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State University (also referred to informally as Oklahoma State, OKState, and OSU) is a land-grant, sun-grant, coeducational public research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States. OSU was founded in 1890 under the Morrill Act. Originally known as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (Oklahoma A&M), it is the flagship institution of the Oklahoma State University System. Official enrollment for the fall 2010 semester system-wide was 35,073, with 23,459 students enrolled at OSU-Stillwater. Enrollment shows the Freshman class of 2012 was the largest on record with 4,298 students. OSU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with high research activity."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State University is listed by the Princeton Review as one of 120 \u201cBest Western Colleges\u201d for 2011, and as one of 50 \"Best Value Colleges \u2013 Public\" for 2010. Oklahoma State University is one of the highest rated veterinarian colleges in the US. It is ranked by U.S. News & World Report No. 80 among \"Top Public Schools: National Universities\" and No. 157 among all National Universities for 2019. For 2009\u201310, Kiplinger listed OSU among its \"100 Best Values in Public Education,\" with an in-state ranking of No. 91 and an out-of-state ranking of No. 93. In 2013, Oklahoma State was ranked number 23 on the Forbes list of \"Best Value Colleges.\""}, {"context": " The Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls' athletic heritage includes 52 national championships, a total greater than all but three NCAA Division I schools in the United States, and first in the Big 12 Conference. Students spend part of the fall semester preparing for OSU's Homecoming celebration, begun in 1913, which draws more than 40,000 alumni and over 70,000 participants each year to campus and is billed by the university as \"America's Greatest Homecoming Celebration.\" On December 25, 1890, the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature finally gained approval for Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) College, the land-grant university established under the Morrill Act of 1862. It specified that the college was to be within Payne County. Such an ambiguous description created rivalry between towns within the county, with Stillwater ultimately winning out. Upon statehood in 1907, \"Territorial\" was dropped from its title."}, {"context": " The first students assembled for class on December 14, 1891. Classes were held for two and one-half years in local churches until the first academic building, later known as Old Central, was dedicated on June 15, 1894, on the southeast corner of campus, which at the time was flat plowed prairie. In 1896, Oklahoma A&M held its first commencement with six male graduates. The first Library was established in Old Central in one room shared with the English Department. The first campus building to have electricity, Williams Hall, was constructed in 1900. With its turreted architecture it was referred to as the \"Castle of the Prairies\"; It remained standing until 1969. One of the earliest campus buildings was also a barn, used as part of an agricultural experiment station, which was served by a large reservoir pond created in 1895. The barn burned in 1922, but the pond, enlarged and remodeled in 1928 and 1943, is now known as Theta Pond, a popular campus scenic landmark. In 1906, Morrill Hall was completed and became the principal building on campus. A fire gutted the building in 1914, but the outside structure survived intact, and the interior was reconstructed. The first dormitory for women was completed in 1911. It contained a kitchen, dining hall, some classrooms, and a women's gymnasium. It is now the Bartlett Center for the Studio Arts and houses the Gardiner Art Gallery. By 1919 the campus included Morrill Hall, the Central Building, the Engineering Building (now Gundersen Hall), the Women's building, the Auditorium (replaced later by the Seretean Center for Performing Arts), the Armory-Gymnasium (now the Architecture Building) and the Power Plant."}, {"context": " At the beginning of World War II, Oklahoma A&M was one of six schools selected by the United States Navy to give the Primary School in the Electronics Training Program (ETP), also known as Naval Training School Elementary Electricity and Radio Materiel (NTS EE&RM). Starting in March 1942, each month a new group of 100 Navy students arrived for three months of 14-hour days in concentrated electrical engineering study. Cordell Hall, the newest dormitory, was used for housing and meals; lectures and lab sessions were held in the Engineering Building. Professor Emory B. Phillips was the Director of Instruction. ETP admission required passing the Eddy Test, one of the most selective qualifying exams given during the war years. At a given time, some 500 Navy students were on the campus, a significant fraction of the war-years enrollment. The training activity continued until June 1945, and served a total of about 7,000 students; among these was Robert B. Kamm, a future professor and president of Oklahoma State University. During some of the war years, the Navy also had a Yeoman training activity for WAVES and SPARS on the campus."}, {"context": " Much of the growth of Oklahoma A&M and the campus architectural integrity can be attributed to work of Henry G. Bennett, who served as the school's president from 1928 to 1950. Early in his tenure Dr. Bennett developed a strategic vision for the physical expansion of the university campus. The plan was adopted in 1937 and his vision was followed for more than fifty years, making the university what it is today, including the Georgian architecture that permeates the campus. The focal point of his vision was a centrally located library building, which became a reality when the Edmon Low Library opened in 1953. Another major addition to the campus during the Bennett years was the construction of the Student Union, which opened in 1950. Subsequent additions and renovations have made the building one of the largest student union buildings in the world at . A complete renovation and further expansion of the building began in 2010."}, {"context": " On May 15, 1957, Oklahoma A&M changed its name Oklahoma State University of Agricultural and Applied Sciences to reflect the broadening scope of curriculum offered. Oklahoma Gov. Raymond Gary signed the bill authorizing the name change passed by the 26th Oklahoma Legislature on May 15, 1957. However, the bill only authorized the Board of Regents to change the name of the college, a measure they voted on at their meeting on June 6. However, the name was quickly shortened to Oklahoma State University for most purposes, and the \"Agricultural & Applied Sciences\" name was formally dropped in 1980. Subsequently, the Oklahoma State University System was created, with the Stillwater campus as the flagship institution and several outlying branches: OSU-Institute of Technology in Okmulgee (1946), OSU-Oklahoma City (1961), OSU-Tulsa (1984), and the Center for Health Sciences also in Tulsa (1988)."}, {"context": " In 2005, OSU announced its \"Campus Master Plan\", a campaign to enhance academic, athletic, and administrative facilities. Over $800 million is ear-marked for campus construction and renovation over twenty years. The Plan calls for an \"athletic village\" where all of the university's athletic facilities will be located on the main campus. To accomplish this goal, the athletic department bought all (or nearly all) the property north of Boone Pickens Stadium up to McElroy between Knoblock and Washington streets. This drew criticism from the city of Stillwater and property owners. While the vast majority of the real estate was rental property targeting college students, a few owners were longtime residents. There was a lone holdout in this parcel of land, who sued OSU over their right to use eminent domain. The case was decided in favor of the University. The project includes the construction of an indoor practice facility for most sports, a soccer stadium/outdoor track, a tennis complex, and a baseball stadium."}, {"context": " In 2006, OSU became the recipient of a gift of $165 million from alumnus T. Boone Pickens to the university's athletic department, and in 2008 received another gift from Pickens of $100 million for endowed academic chairs. It was the largest gift for academics ever given in the state. Ethical concerns have been raised in media reports about the propriety of how some of the Pickens gifts have been made, immediately returned to Pickens, and then placed in hedge funds owned by Pickens' companies In February 2010, Pickens announced that he was pledging another $100 million to fund a scholarship endowment as part of a $1 billion fund-raising campaign titled \"Branding Success.\" The pledge brought the total pledged or contributed to OSU by Pickens to over $500 million."}, {"context": " On October 24, 2015 during the annual homecoming parade, Adacia Chambers drove her vehicle into a crowd of people killing 4 people and injuring 47. Oklahoma State University\u2013Stillwater offers nearly 200 undergraduate degree majors through six Colleges: OSU provides further opportunities for select students to study, conduct research, and exchange ideas in a more challenging and supportive academic environment through the Honors College. The graduate degree programs of all colleges are administered through the Graduate College."}, {"context": " The Center for Veterinary Health Sciences(CVHS) has three academic Departments: Veterinary Pathobiology, Physiological Sciences, and Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Each of the three academic departments share responsibility for the four-year professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree. The interdepartmental Veterinary Biomedical Sciences graduate program offers MS and PhD degrees. It also offers ECFVG and PAVE programmes for foreign trained veterinarians."}, {"context": " As a land-grant university, OSU has several historically renowned programs, including the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the College of Veterinary Medicine. The College of Engineering is renowned in the fields of architecture and mechanical engineering. The School of Entrepreneurship is internationally renowned at both the practical and academic levels. Oklahoma State University provides information about the university that is easily accessible on its \"Ledger\" website, which provides a thorough look at OSU, its colleges and its departments, helping prospective students and their parents make informed decisions about their college choice. The ledger is divided into three sections:"}, {"context": " Academic Ledgers contain a five-year history of student, faculty, research, and financial information, as well as tuition/mandatory fee rates. The academic ledgers are available for the entire university, as well as broken down by academic college, and within each college by department. Student Profile contains additional student information including the geographic origins of OSU students, enrollment trends, academic information and enrollment projections. Diversity Ledger is a five-year history that provides a more detailed breakdown of the student, faculty and staff of Oklahoma State University."}, {"context": " Current university-owned housing options include 26 residence halls, more than 15 dining options, and seven family-first apartment complexes. In recent years, on-campus housing has been undergoing significant transformation. Student living was previously dominated by traditional residence halls; however, apartment-style buildings now comprise approximately half of the living quarters. In 2005, the high-rise Willham North and South residence halls that once dominated the Stillwater skyline were demolished and replaced with the Village suites on its site. Iba Hall, another traditional hall, was closed in 2007, but was reopened in 2011 due to an increase of incoming freshman. In 2017, Iba Hall underwent significant renovations which lasted through most of that year, before reopening in time for the Fall 2018 semester."}, {"context": " Iba, Parker, Wentz and Stout Halls continue to offer traditional residence hall accommodations. In addition, three residence halls were opened in the fall of 2015, collectively known as the University Commons. North houses female students, south houses male students, and west is a co-ed facility that also houses the twenty-four-hour service desk for the area. Although Kerr-Drummond was slated to be closed with the opening of the University Commons, Drummond was reopened in fall 2015 due to increased occupancy of campus housing. Kerr was closed and is scheduled for demolition in the coming years. Apartments for single students are Bost, Davis, Morsani-Smith, Peterson-Friend, Kamm, Sitlington and Young Halls. Housing in suite-style accommodations are provided in the named Village CASNR (College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources), Village HS (Human Sciences), Village C, Village D, Village E and Village F. Deluxe suites are provided in Patchin & Jones, Bennett, Zink & Allen, and Stinchcomb & Booker Halls. Graduate students and families are offered accommodations in seven apartment \"neighborhoods\" with a variety of floor plans and amenities: Brumley, Demaree, Morrison, Prosser, Stevens, West and Williams."}, {"context": " Additionally, a number of learning communities and special interest housing options are available, providing opportunity for students who share interests or majors to live together. Most of these communities occupy certain floors of buildings or halls, rather than consisting of separate buildings. Included among the options are: FIT (Freshman in Transition, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources), athletic training, career exploration (College of Arts and Sciences), computer science floor, engineering floors, health and sciences floor, HS housing (College of Human and Environmental Sciences), journalism and broadcasting housing, Kamm Leadership House, Ketchum House (Native American interests), James Building (Young Engineers House), Maude's Quad (Women in Engineering House), Recovery House (students recovering from drug and/or alcohol dependence), Spanish House (language immersion), Spears School of Business House, Stout Honors housing (University's Honors Program), Uhuru House (African Centered Cultural House), Wellness House, and The Transfer Zone (transfer students)."}, {"context": " Oklahoma State University's fraternities and sororities celebrated 100 years of existence at OSU in 2008. Social fraternities and sororities at Oklahoma State are divided among four councils: Panhellenic, Interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic and Multicultural. Thirteen national Panhellenic sororities have chapters at OSU. They are: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Mu, Pi Beta Phi, and Zeta Tau Alpha."}, {"context": " Twenty-three fraternities make up the Interfraternity Council. Member fraternities include: Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Tau Delta, FarmHouse, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Tau, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Pi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Tau Gamma, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Theta Chi. NPHC member organizations are historically black fraternities and sororities. As of the 2010 - 2011 school year, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta have chapters at OSU."}, {"context": " The Multicultural Greek Council is the umbrella organization for additional minority Greek letter groups. Member organizations include Alpha Pi Omega, the nation's first Native American sorority; Delta Epsilon Psi, a south Asian fraternity; Phi Sigma Nu, the nation's first Native American fraternity; the Epsilon Epsilon chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma, a Latina sorority; and Sigma Lambda Beta, the nation's largest Latino-based multicultural fraternity. Other Greek letter organizations not affiliated with a governing council include Beta Upsilon Chi, a Christian fraternity; Omega Phi Alpha, a service-based sorority; Sigma Phi Lambda, a Christian sorority; Sigma Tau Gamma, a recently formed social fraternity; Alpha Eta Rho, the national aviation fraternity."}, {"context": " Theta Alpha Phi National Theatre Honor Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, (the national honorary fraternity and sorority for college band members) were founded at Oklahoma State in 1919 and 1946, respectively. Organizations are available to students through the university that serve any interest. A complete list of campus organizations can be found here. Stats: 10 conference titles \u2013 26 bowl games played \u2013 1988 Heisman Trophy winner and single season rushing record (Barry Sanders)."}, {"context": " Men's basketball is tradition rich at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State made the Final Four in 1995 and 2004 and was the first ever Division 1 basketball program to win back-to-back National Championships in 1945-1946. The Cowboy wrestling team brought home their 33rd NCAA championship in spring 2005, scoring the most points ever by an Oklahoma State wrestling team in the NCAA. OSU won their 34th overall (and 4th consecutive) title in 2006. OSU's 34 team titles are the most ever collected by a school in one sport. The Cowboys have also produced 127 individual national champions, including the sport's first-ever four-time champion, Pat Smith."}, {"context": " Since the 1924 Olympics, 68 Oklahoma State University Olympians have won a total of 30 medals: 21 gold, four silver, and five bronze. Notable among a number of songs commonly played and sung at various events such as commencement, convocation, and athletic games are: \"The Waving Song\", \"Ride 'Em Cowboys\" (the Oklahoma State University fight song), and the \"OSU Chant\". \"ORANGE POWER\" yell: \"'Alma Mater:\" At the end of every sporting event, win or lose, OSU student-athletes face the student section and sing the alma mater along with other students, faculty, alumni and staff."}, {"context": " Today, there are more than 200,000 living OSU alumni worldwide. Prominent alumni include oil tycoon and billionaire philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, actor James Marsden, \"the father of the personal computer\" Ed Roberts, country singers Garth Brooks and Hoyt Axton, former Prime Minister of South Korea Nam Duck-woo, former Prime Minister of Jordan Adnan Badran, US Senator Tom Coburn, Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, former acting Surgeon General of the United States Robert A. Whitney, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven W. Taylor, David Noel Ram\u00edrez Padilla rector of Tecnol\u00f3gico de Monterrey Mexico's most prestigious university, former Central Bank of Somalia Governor Yussur A.F. Abrar, production designer and drummer K.K. Barrett, legal scholar Anita Hill, and Ponnala Lakshmaiah, an Indian politician."}, {"context": " Interviews with OSU Alumni can be viewed and heard through the O-State Stories Project of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program. A number of prominent scholars, authors and researchers have served on the OSU faculty, including poet Ai, historian Angie Debo, literary critic and author Brian Evenson, mathematician William Jaco, computer scientist and philosopher Subhash Kak, chemical engineering scholar Nicholas A. Kotov, information studies pioneer and research librarian Edmon Low, engineering pioneer J. Tinsley Oden, and highly cited psychologist Robert Sternberg (who now teaches at Cornell University)."}, {"context": " In recent decades, number of notable academic administrators have served on the Oklahoma State faculty, including Guy Bailey (who would serve as President of the University of Alabama, Ray M. Bowen (who served as President of Texas A&M), Hilton Briggs (who served as President of South Dakota State University), Robert W. MacVicar (who went on to become President of Oregon State University), James E. Martin (who served as President at Auburn and the University of Arkansas), J. Tinsley Oden (who served as Provost for the University of Texas at Austin), Robert Sternberg (who left to become President of the University of Wyoming), and Paul Torgersen (who served as President of Virginia Tech)."}, {"context": " Coaching alumni include OSU wrestling head coach John Smith, OSU football head coach Mike Gundy, and former OSU basketball coaches Eddie Sutton and Sean Sutton. The Cowboys have produced several NBA players, including Desmond Mason, formerly of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics, Jawun Evans of the Los Angeles Clippers, Tony Allen of the New Orleans Pelicans, James Anderson of the Sacramento Kings, Joey Graham of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Stephen Graham of the New Jersey Nets, JamesOn Curry of the Chicago Bulls, Terrel Harris of the Miami Heat, and former New York Knicks guard John Starks. NFL players Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas also attended OSU, as did baseball All-Star pitcher Joe Horlenand All-Star third baseman Robin Ventura. Ventura went on to manage the Chicago White Sox for five seasons. Also in the NFL are former Cowboys Dez Bryant and Dan Bailey of the Dallas Cowboys, and Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings. Retired MMA and UFC Hall of Famers Randy Couture and Don Frye, and former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks wrestled at OSU. Current UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier wrestled at the university, as well as other MMA fighters including Mark Munoz. PGA professional golfers Rickie Fowler, Scott Verplank, Bo Van Pelt, Charles Howell III Bob Tway, and Hunter Mahan also attended OSU. Two-time gold medalist, ESPN analyst, and ASA Hall of Fame inductee Michele Mary Smith played softball at OSU. Houston Nutt and Brent Guy, both former players and teammates, became head coaches after serving as assistants for the Cowboy football program."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State University\u2013Tulsa", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma State University\u2013Tulsa, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, is the newest institution of the Oklahoma State University System. It was previously the University Center at Tulsa until it became OSU-Tulsa on January 1, 1999. OSU-Tulsa is unique in the fact that it is not recognized as its own entity, but rather an extension of the main Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU-Tulsa works in conjunction with the main OSU campus and Tulsa Community College to provide Freshman and Sophomore level courses, enabling students to complete a four-year undergraduate course of study. Howard Barnett, Jr. has served as President of OSU-Tulsa since 2009."}, {"context": " The Tulsa campus focuses on junior, senior and graduate level education, providing opportunities for individuals to complete bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. The campus is spread over , just north of downtown Tulsa, in the historic Greenwood neighborhood. Tulsa facilities include traditional classrooms, distance-learning classrooms, computer labs, and a convention area. The Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center (HATRC) is a recent campus addition. This engineering building is home to OSU's School of Materials Science and Engineering and has specialized labs for developing advanced materials targeted to local aerospace, biotechnology, and telecommunications, and manufacturing industries."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Statehood Stamps", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Statehood Stamps were issued on June 14, 1957 and January 11, 2007 by the United States Postal Service. The U.S. postage stamps celebrate the 50th and 100th anniversaries of statehood being granted to the state of Oklahoma by the United States of America. Oklahoma was the 46th state to be granted statehood on November 16, 1907. A single three-cent stamp was issued by the United States Post Office Department on June 14, 1957 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Oklahoma's admission into the United States. The stamp's primary color is deep ultramarine and it has a graphic depicting an arrow piercing an atomic symbol."}, {"context": " The 100th anniversary stamp features a colorful depiction of an Oklahoma sunrise from beyond a river flowing through a valley of high plains terrain. Renowned artist Mike Larsen, of Chickasaw ancestry, captures this tranquil Oklahoma scene. The stamp pays homage to 1943 hit Broadway musical \"Oklahoma!\" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II with the caption, \"Oh, what a beautiful mornin'\u2026\" The musical's signature song doubles as Oklahoma's state song. This stamp is part of a series which seek to commemorate the entry of new states into the Union; the USPS has also announced the sale of commemorative stamps for Alaska (stamps went on sale on January 9, 2009), Oregon (January 14, 2009) and Hawaii (summer 2009)."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State\u2013Texas Tech football rivalry", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State\u2013Texas Tech football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas Tech 14 - Oklahoma A&M 0 The Texas Tech Matadors defeated the Oklahoma A&M Aggies in the first game played between the teams. The Matadors were coached by Pete Cawthon and the Aggies were coached by Albert Exendine. Oklahoma State 45 - Texas Tech 42 The Oklahoma State Cowboys defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 1988 Coca-Cola Classic, which was played in the Tokyo Dome. Oklahoma State running back Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy only hours before the game against Texas Tech. Sanders rushed for 332 yards and had 4 touchdowns against the Red Raiders."}, {"context": " Texas Tech 56 - Oklahoma State 20 The 2008 game was the first between the Cowboys and Red Raiders when both teams were ranked in the AP Poll. Texas Tech 41 \u2013 Oklahoma State 17 Texas Tech's victory snapped a 9 game losing streak against Oklahoma State, with the Red Raiders' last victory against the Cowboys being in 2008. The Red Raiders also got their first victory in Stillwater since 2001. The victory over the then 15th ranked Oklahoma State was Texas Tech's first win over a ranked opponent since the 2013 Holiday Bowl."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma State\u2013Tulsa football rivalry", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State\u2013Tulsa football rivalry, also known as the Bank of Oklahoma Turnpike Classic, is an American college football rivalry between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Tulsa Golden Hurricane. From 1935\u20131956, the two teams both competed in the Missouri Valley Conference. In those 22 seasons, the conference champion would be won by either Oklahoma State or Tulsa 16 times, thus establishing a rivalry. They played each other annually from 1926\u20131965. The two universities are an hour apart from each other."}, {"context": " Oklahoma A&M 12 \u2013 Tulsa 6 Oklahoma A&M entered week 6 undefeated (5\u20130) ranked #11 and hosted a Tulsa team who had dropped to #19 after their first loss to Indiana the previous week. This is the only contest between the two schools with both teams ranked in the AP Poll. The Cowboys defeated the Golden Hurricane en route to an undefeated (9\u20130) season. Oklahoma State 59 \u2013 Tulsa 33 In week 3, Tulsa took on Oklahoma State in a home game that memorably lasted until 3:35 AM after inclement weather delayed the kickoff past midnight. The Golden Hurricane scored a field goal on their first drive to take an early lead, but were unable to contain the Cowboys' potent offense and quickly fell behind for good. The team was further hindered by the loss of G.J. Kinne near the end of the first quarter, forcing them to rely heavily on the run for the remainder of the game."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Storm", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Storm was a United States Basketball League (USBL) team in Enid, Oklahoma. Founded by sports agent and attorney James Sears Bryant, the Storm successfully captured the USBL championship under head coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 2002, defeating Kansas with a final score of 122\u2013109. The team played its home games at Mark Price Arena and the Chisholm Trail Expo Center. The Oklahoma Storm disbanded following the 2007 season when the USBL dissolved. Several Storm players, including Willie Burton, LaBradford Smith, Richard Dumas, Gaylon Nickerson, Brent Price, James Lang, Chris Porter, Reggie Slater, Ira Newble, Bubba Wells, Kelly McCarty, Tony Bobbitt and Jamario Moon, played for the NBA either before or after playing for the Storm."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Sunday Morning", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Oklahoma Sunday Morning\" is a song written by Tony Macaulay, Albert Hammond and Lee Hazlewood. It was recorded by American country music artist Glen Campbell and released in December 1971 as a single. The song peaked at number 15 on the U.S. \"Billboard\" Hot Country Singles chart and number 9 the \"RPM\" Country Tracks chart in Canada."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes called the Oklahoma State School Superintendent, is the chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the President of the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is responsible for overseeing, implementing and reviewing the policies of the Oklahoma\u2019s public school system. The current State Superintendent of Public Instruction is Joy Hofmeister. The Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction has requirements which set it apart from all other state offices. As with all executive branch officials, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction must be at least 31 years old and have been a register elector within Oklahoma for 10 years prior to election."}, {"context": " The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is elected directly by the people of Oklahoma. Elections for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are held on a four-year concurrent basis with the election of the Governor. After all votes are collected, the Legislature of Oklahoma shall convene in the hall of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the House of Representatives announce the results of the elections in the presence of a majority of each branch of the Legislature. The persons having the highest number of votes for the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be declared duly elected. However, in case two or more shall have an equal and the highest number of votes for the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Legislature shall, by joint ballot, choose one of the said persons having an equal and the highest number of votes for the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction."}, {"context": " For the November 2010 general election, Sandy Garrett (the five-time and incumbent Democratic officeholder) chose not to seek re-election for a sixth term. Susan Paddack, a former secondary school science teacher and member of the Oklahoma Senate, was nominated by the Democratic Party as her potential successor. The Republican candidate was Janet Barresi, a dentist, school speech pathologist, and founder of two charter schools in Oklahoma (Independence Charter Middle School, the first charter school in the state of Oklahoma, and Harding High School."}, {"context": " In addition, Richard E. Cooper ran as an Independent candidate. Barresi won the general election. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction\u2019s four-year term begins on the first Monday in January following the general election, and runs concurrently with that of the Governor of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Constitution places no limit to the number of terms a candidate may serve in succession or in total. Constitutionally, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction has no duties. The office\u2019s powers and responsibilities come from Oklahoma School Code and the powers granted to the office by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The primary function of the State Superintendent is giving advice and making recommendations to the State Board of Education on matters pertaining to the policies and administration of the State Department of Education and the public school system. The State Superintendent\u2019s powers over the Department of Education come from its ex officio positions as President of the Oklahoma State Board of Education and Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education. As the president of these Boards, the State Superintendent presides at meetings and has the full right of discussion and voting on measures."}, {"context": " As the Chief Executive Officer of the State Department of Education, State Superintendent coordinates the divisions of the state education department and supervises agency employees. As Oklahoma's state education agency, the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is responsible for the general administration, coordination, supervision, promotion, evaluation, and improvement of educational programs, the state superintendent interprets and implements the policies of the State Board of Education. Also, upon request, the State Superintendent must advise district superintendents of schools on questions as to the powers, duties, and functions of school district officials."}, {"context": " Every two years, the State Superintendent must compile, publish, and distribute a book of laws and Attorney General\u2019s opinions on schools, and issue annually a statistical report for the Governor and legislators on the Education Department. Depending on the relationship between the two, the State Superintendent can serve as the chief education advisor to the Governor of Oklahoma, as demonstrated by the relationship between Governor Brad Henry and Superintendent Sandy Garrett. The State Superintendent serves as the official representatives from Oklahoma to the United States Department of Education."}, {"context": " \"I, ..., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as State Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Oklahoma to the best of my ability.\""}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Supreme Court", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Supreme Court of Oklahoma is one of the two highest judicial bodies in the U.S. state of Oklahoma and leads the judiciary of Oklahoma, the judicial branch of the government of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Supreme Court meets in the Oklahoma Judicial Center, having previously met in the Oklahoma State Capitol until 2011. The court consists of nine justices nominated by a state commission and appointed by the governor. Members of the court are required to be nonpartisan and are prohibited from a number of political activities including campaign contributions."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Supreme Court was created by the ratification of the Oklahoma Constitution in 1907. After the construction on the Oklahoma State Capitol, which was completed in 1917, the Oklahoma Supreme Court offices and chamber were housed in the building. Plans to move the offices began in 2006. In 2011, the Oklahoma Supreme Court moved its offices from the Oklahoma State Capitol to the Oklahoma Judicial Center. The court consists of a chief justice, a vice-chief justice, and seven associate justices, who are nominated by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission and are appointed by the governor. After appointment, the justices serve until the next general state election. At that time, they must face a retention election. If retained, they begin a six-year term. After their first term, justices must file for direct election by the people of Oklahoma to retain their position."}, {"context": " Unlike the Supreme Court of the United States, the Oklahoma Constitution specifies the size of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. However, the legislature maintains the power to fix the number of justices. According to Article VII, section 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution, the court must consist of nine justices, one justice from each of the nine judicial districts of the state. Each justice, at the time of his or her election or appointment, must be at least thirty years old, a registered voter in the Supreme Court judicial district they represent for at least one year before filing for the position and a licensed practicing attorney or judge (or both) in Oklahoma for five years before appointment. The potential justice must maintain certification as an attorney or judge during his or her tenure in office in order to main their position."}, {"context": " Qualified nominees must submit their names to the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission to verify that they will serve if appointed. In the event of a vacancy on the court, after reviewing potential justices, the commission must submit three names to the governor, of whom the governor appoints one to the Supreme Court to serve until the next general state election. If the governor fails to appoint a justice within sixty days, the chief justice may appoint one of the nominees, who must certify their appointment to Secretary of State of Oklahoma."}, {"context": " Each time a justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court is elected to retain his or her position in the general state elections, he or she continues to serve for another six years in office with a term beginning on the second Monday in January following the general election. Justices appointed to fill vacancies take office immediately and continue to serve in their appointed posts until the next general election. To be eligible to stand for reelection, justices must, within sixty days before the general election, submit their desire to stand for reelection to the Secretary of State."}, {"context": " The justice is then put to election by the people of Oklahoma. If the majority votes to maintain the justice, the justice will serve for another six-year term. However, if the justice declines reelection or the voters vote the justice down, the seat on the Supreme Court shall be considered vacant at the end of the current term and the Judicial Nominating Committee must search for a potential replacement. Justices who have failed to file for reelection or were not retained by the people in the general election are not eligible to immediately succeed themselves."}, {"context": " Retention in office may be sought for successive terms without limit as to number of years or terms served in office. Section 4 of Article VII of the Oklahoma Constitution outlines the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is co-extensive with that of the state's borders. The court's jurisdiction applies to all cases \"at law and in equity,\" except criminal cases, in which the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has exclusive appellate jurisdiction. If there is a conflict in determining which court has jurisdiction, the Oklahoma Supreme Court is granted the power to determine which court has jurisdiction, with no appeal from the court\u2019s determination."}, {"context": " Along with Texas, Oklahoma is one of two states to have two courts of last resort; the Oklahoma Supreme Court decides only civil cases, and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals decides criminal cases. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has only immediate jurisdiction with respect to new first-impression issues, important legal issues, and cases of great public interest. In addition to appeals from the trial courts, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has jurisdiction over all lower courts, excluding the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary, and the Oklahoma Senate, when that body is sitting as a Court of Impeachment. Judgments of the Oklahoma Supreme Court with respect to the Oklahoma Constitution are considered final."}, {"context": " The court's authority includes the power to temporarily reassign judges. The Oklahoma Supreme Court also maintains the power to appoint an administrative director and staff. The director serves at the pleasure of the court to assist the chief justice in his administrative duties and to assist the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary when it calls upon the office\u2019s administrative powers. The court has power to issue, hear and determine writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, prohibition and other remedial writs provided in statute and can be given further authority through statute. A justice of the court can issue the writ of habeas corpus to individuals held in custody if petitioned. Writs can be made to appear before any judge in the state."}, {"context": " Aside from hearing cases, the court is also responsible for administering the state's entire judicial system, establishing rules of operation for the state's other courts. The Oklahoma Supreme Court formulates the rules for the practice of law, which govern the conduct of attorneys, and it administers discipline in appropriate cases. Many of the justices make personal appearances to speak to members of the bar, civic clubs, and educational groups. These appearances are made to help citizens understand the court's workings and decision-making process. Justices are also called upon to administer official oaths of office to public officials."}, {"context": " Judicial officers are charged with maintaining the integrity and independence of the judiciary. Justices are required to be nonpartisan and are prohibited from using their office or powers to promote or assist any private interest. Justices may not hold offices in political parties, make speeches for candidates, or contribute to campaigns for political office. Justices are also forbidden from campaigning for their own re-election unless there is an active opposition to their retention of office. Even if a justices or judges are actively campaigning for retention, they can not personally raise funds for their campaign."}, {"context": " The Justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court are: There are currently four living retired justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court: Daniel J. Boudreau, Robert E. Lavender, Steven W. Taylor, and Joseph M. Watt. As retired justices, they no longer participate in the work of the Supreme Court. Many of the internal operations of the Court are organized by seniority of justices, with the chief justice is considered the most senior member of the court followed by the vice-chief justice, regardless of the length of their service. The other justices are then ranked by the length of their service. During the sessions of the Court, the justices sit according to seniority, with the Chief Justice in the center, the Vice-Chief Justice to chief's immediate right, and the most senior Justice to the chief's immediate left. The remaining justices alternate sides, with the most junior justice being to the chief's furthest left. Thus, as of 2018, from the prospective of the auidiance, the justices sit as follows:"}, {"context": " In \"Prescott v. Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission\", Oklahoma citizens challenged the placement of a Ten Commandments Monument on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol under Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution. The Court ruled, \"We hold that the Ten Commandments Monument violates Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, is enjoined, and shall be removed\". The 7-2 ruling overturns a decision by a district court judge who determined the monument could stay. It prompted calls by a handful of Republican lawmakers for impeachment of the justices who said the monument must be removed. Since the original monument was erected in 2012, several other groups have asked to put up their own monuments on the Capitol grounds. Among them is a group that wants to erect a 7-foot-tall statue that depicts Satan as Baphomet, a goat-headed figure with horns, wings and a long beard. A Hindu leader in Nevada, an animal rights group, and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster also have made requests."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Swing", "paragraphs": [{"context": " \"Oklahoma Swing\" is a song recorded by American country music artists Vince Gill and Reba McEntire. It was released in January 1990 as the second single from the album \"When I Call Your Name\". The song reached number 13 on the \"Billboard\" Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was written by Gill and Tim DuBois. Thom Jurek of Allmusic called the song a \"smoking Western swing duet\"."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Tax Commission", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) is the Oklahoma state government agency that collects taxes and enforces the taxation and revenue laws of the state. The Commission is composed of three members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate. The Commissioners are charged with oversight of the agency but appoint an Executive Director to serve as the chief administrative officer of the Commission and to oversee the general practices of the Commission. The Tax Commission was created in 1931 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma William H. Murray."}, {"context": " The current members of the Commission are: The current Executive Director is Tony Mastin. Under Governor Mary Fallin, the Commission is under the supervision of Oklahoma Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology. The Commission has responsibility for supervising the administration and enforcement of state tax laws and the collection of a majority of all state-levied taxes and fees. The Commission directs the collection and distribution of the tax and license sources under its administration and, by statute, is responsible for distributing such tax revenues to the various state funds. In addition, the Commission allocates certain state-collected taxes earmarked to counties, school districts and cities directly to local governments."}, {"context": " On a contractual basis with individual cities and counties, the Commission is involved with the administration, collection and distribution of city and county sales taxes and city use taxes. The Commission is composed of thirteen divisions organized into three administrations: Customer Service, Revenue Administration and Support Services. The Tax Commission, with an annual budget of $107 million, is one of the larger employers for the State. For fiscal year 2017, the Commission was authorized 1,150 employees but only utilized 695.6 FTE."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Tax Commission v. Citizen Band, Potawatomi Indian Tribe of Oklahoma", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Okla. Tax Commission v. Citizen Band, Potawatomi Indian Tribe of Okla., 498 U.S. 505 (1991), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that the tribe was not subject to state sales taxes on sales made to tribal members, but that they were liable for taxes on sales to non-tribal members. The Potawatomi was originally from the Wabash River area of Indiana and was known as the Mission Band of Potawatomi. After 1833, they were relocated to Kansas, where they lost most of their land due to the allotment system. In 1867, in a treaty with Kansas, the tribe sold their land in that state in order to purchase land in the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) and took United States citizenship. They have henceforth been known as the Citizen Potawatomi Nation."}, {"context": " The tribe, for many years has sold cigarettes on tribal lands without collecting Oklahoma's cigarette tax. In 1987, the Oklahoma Tax Commission demanded that the tribe pay $2.7 million for taxes due from 1982 to 1986. The tribe sued in the U.S. District Court. The District Court denied the tribe's motion for summary judgment and following a trial, held that the tribe's sales to tribal members was immune from state taxation, but that sales to non-tribal members could be taxed. The tribe appealed, asserting that they enjoyed total tribal sovereign immunity for sales on tribal lands. The State of Oklahoma stated that the tribe had waived its immunity by filing the case in the district court. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals held that Oklahoma lacked the authority to collect any state sales taxes on tribal lands, whether to tribal members or non-tribal members. Oklahoma appealed and the Supreme Court granted certiorari."}, {"context": " Affirmed in part, reversed in part. Chief Justice Rehnquist delivered the opinion for a unanimous court. Rehnquist first stated that the tribe does not waive immunity by instituting an action in the district court, noting that the court had previously determined that tribes were immune from counter-claims or cross-suits, absent Congressional authorization to the contrary. He next addressed the state's argument that tribal land held in trust was not the same as reservation land, and found the state's position unpersuasive. Tribal land, whether held in trust or as part of a reservation, is set apart for the use of the tribe, and as such qualifies for immunity. The court then held that the Tenth Circuit erred in holding that tribe did not have to collect sales taxes on cigarettes sold to non-members.  Justice Stevens issued a concurring opinion that mainly discussed the question of immunity as applied to the facts of the case."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Tax Commission v. Sac & Fox Nation", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Tax Commission v. Sac & Fox Nation, 508 U.S. 114 (1993), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that absent explicit congressional direction to the contrary, it must be presumed that a State does not have jurisdiction to tax tribal members who live and work in Indian country, whether the particular territory consists of a formal or informal reservation, allotted lands, or dependent Indian communities. The Sac and Fox Nation is an Indian (Native American) tribe that governs itself under the Indian Self-Determination Act and imposes taxes based on that authority. The State of Oklahoma sought to impose income and motor vehicle taxes on tribal members. The tribe brought suit to prevent the state from imposing those taxes."}, {"context": " Both the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court held that Oklahoma, without a clear authorization from Congress, was prohibited from imposing taxes on tribal members in Indian country. This case, together with several other cases, are known as the \"Oklahoma tax cases\" in Native American case law. The Sac and Fox Nation is an Indian tribe originally from the Great Lakes area. Following a series of treaties with the United States, in 1867 they moved to the Sac and Fox reservation of in Indian Territory (in what is now Pottawatomie County in the State of Oklahoma). In 1887, Congress passed the Dawes Act which broke up the reservation and allotted land to the tribal members. In implementing this law, the United States entered into another treaty with the tribe in 1891, in which the tribe retained as a tribal headquarters and tribal members were allotted of land from the former reservation."}, {"context": " The Sac and Fox Nation governs itself under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination Act and has its own tax commission. The tribe imposes a tax on earnings of any person working within tribal jurisdiction, regardless of whether that person is a tribal member. The tribe also provides for a motor vehicle tax and registration of any vehicle that are owned by a tribal member and garaged within tribal jurisdiction. The State of Oklahoma, through the Oklahoma Tax Commission, also administers income and motor vehicle taxes. The state considers that all income earned in the state is taxable, including on tribal land, and issues tax assessments against those who are delinquent. Oklahoma contends that anyone within the state had to register their vehicles with the state, while the Sac and Fox Nation required tribal members residing in tribal jurisdiction to register the vehicle with the tribe. The state viewed those members to be delinquent in their vehicle taxes, but made no effort to collect until the vehicle was sold to a new owner. At that time, Oklahoma would require that the delinquent taxes and penalties be paid in order to register the vehicle."}, {"context": " The Sac and Fox Nation then filed a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Tax Commission in U.S. District Court seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting the state from taxing income earned within tribal jurisdiction or of those who reside within the tribe's jurisdiction, and from vehicle taxes on vehicles that were lawfully registered with the tribe. Both the Sac and Fox Nation and Oklahoma made motions for summary judgment and the district court, without determining reservation boundaries, held that while the state could collect income tax on non-tribal members, they could not collect income taxes from tribal members employed by the tribe on trust land. The district court also held that the state could not collect vehicle taxes for periods that the vehicle was properly registered with the tribe. Both sides appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals."}, {"context": " The Tenth Circuit Court affirmed the decision of the district court. First the court noted that the reservation boundaries were not relevant to the case, the issue instead being tribal immunity from state jurisdiction. The court noted the prior Supreme Court decision in \"Okla. Tax Comm'n v. Citizen Band, Potawatomi Indian Tribe of Okla.\" and stated that \"It appears as though the State of Oklahoma persists in fighting a battle it has already lost.\" Since Oklahoma could provide no Congressional authority for collecting taxes from Sac and Fox tribal members it was clear that the state had exceeded its authority. On the income tax for non-tribal employees, the Sac and Fox Nation asserted that the Commerce Clause and treaty language granted it exclusive taxing authority on tribal land. The appellate court was not persuaded and ruled that the state could impose an income tax on non-tribal members."}, {"context": " On the issue of tribal motor vehicle taxes and registration, the Tenth Circuit Court did not make a distinction between tribal and non-tribal members. The court held that the tribe could require the registration of vehicles on tribal land, regardless of whether the owner was a tribal member or not. The court noted that both \"Moe v. Salish and Kootenai Tribes\" and \"Washington v. Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation\" prohibit such state taxation on tribal members. The state could enforce its vehicle tax on non-tribal members."}, {"context": " Both parties appealed to the Supreme Court, which, after noting a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in the same area, granted certiorari and agreed to hear the case. David Allen Miley argued the case for Oklahoma. Edwin Kneedler argued the case for the United States as \"amicus curiae\" on behalf of the tribe, with Solicitor General Ken Starr. G. William Rice argued the case for the Sac and Fox Nation. \"Amicus curiae\" briefs in support of Oklahoma were filed by Arizona, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Briefs in support of the tribe were filed by Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Navajo Nation."}, {"context": " The state argued that the case law cited by the Tenth Circuit only dealt with established Indian reservations and that the appellate court erred since the Sac and Fox reservation had been disestablished in the 1890s. The Tax Commission's position was that there were no more reservations in Oklahoma. Oklahoma stated that without determining reservation boundaries, if any, the lower court would be unable to properly apply tribal immunity. The state also argued that the vehicle tax and registration fees were more akin to a sales tax and a use fee than an excise tax."}, {"context": " Justice Sandra Day O'Connor delivered the opinion of a unanimous court. O'Connor stated that Oklahoma's argument that a tribal member must live on a reservation to be exempt from state taxes was incorrect. All that is required is that the member live in \"Indian country\", which Congress has defined to \"include formal and informal reservations, dependent Indian communities, and Indian allotments, whether restricted or held in trust by the United States.\" O'Connor noted that the Tenth Circuit should have determined the residence of the tribal members as inside or outside of Indian country, not if they were within the reservation. She noted that in \"Potawatomi\" case, Oklahoma made exactly the same argument which was also rejected by the court."}, {"context": " O'Connor also rejected the state's argument that the motor vehicle tax was not an excise tax and that the registration fee was a use fee. She stated that the tax strongly resembled the taxes prohibited by \"Colville\" and \"Moe\", and noted that if the registration fee was a use fee, then non-residents of Oklahoma would not be exempt. The court upheld the decision of the Tenth Circuit Court. This case, together with two other involving the Oklahoma Tax Commission have defined tribal sovereignty in a clearer manner. The case has been cited in numerous lower court opinions, as well as the Supreme Courts own opinions, as limiting the ability of state governments to act in Indian country. \"Sac and Fox\", together with \"Potawatomi\" and \"Oklahoma Tax Commission v. Chickasaw Nation\", have become known as the \"Oklahoma tax cases\". The decision is also unique in that it uses a federal criminal jurisdiction statute as the basis for civil jurisdiction."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Tax Commission v. United States", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Tax Commission v. United States, 319 U.S. 598 (1943), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that Indian land that Congress has exempted from direct taxation by a state is also exempt from state estate taxes. In 1908 Congress passed , amended by (1926), which provided that lands allotted to members of the Five Civilized Tribes were restricted to members of that tribe unless the restrictions were lifted by the United States Secretary of the Interior. Three enrolled full-blood members of the tribes died in 1930, 1932, and 1938, leaving their estates to their heirs, all of whom were Indians. The estates included restricted lands and similarly restricted securities and funds held in trust by the Secretary of Interior."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Tax Commission imposed an estate tax on the three estates, the Secretary of the Interior paid the taxes under protest and then filed an action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma to recover the taxes. The District Court entered a judgment for Oklahoma and the United States appealed. On appeal, the Tenth Circuit Court reversed. The United States contended that the right to transfer land in these cases flowed not from state law, but from federal law, and therefore the state did not have the power to impose taxes without the consent of the United States. The appellate court cited \"Childers v. Beaver\", , a case that was fundamentally the same as the instant case, in support of their decision. Oklahoma appealed and the Supreme Court granted certiorari to hear the case."}, {"context": " Justice Hugo Black delivered the opinion of the court. Black stated that the estates of the Indians could be divided into four categories, a) restricted land exempt from direct taxation; b) land not exempt from direct taxation; c) restricted cash and securities held in trust by the Secretary of the Interior; and d) other property. Black held that the restricted land in the first category was exempt from state taxation, but the remainder of the estates were not exempt. The case was then remanded to the District Court."}, {"context": " Justice William O. Douglas concurred in the result in a short opinion. Justice Frank Murphy dissented, stating that the court was rejecting over a century of jurisprudence in their opinion. Murphy stated that while tax exemptions are typically viewed with skepticism by the court system, this was not an ordinary case involving ordinary citizens. Instead, it involved a people that are wards of the United States, \"and towards whom Congress has fashioned a policy of protection due to obligations well known to all of us.\" Murphy believed that for a state to tax Indians, there must be an affirmative, unequivocal grant by Congress to the states. Since there was no such grant, he would have held that the estates were exempt from state taxation."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Teachers' Retirement System", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Teacher's Retirement System is the pension program for public education employees in the State of Oklahoma. As of June 30, 2014, the program had nearly 168,000 members. Public education teachers and administrators are required to be OTRS members; support staff can join voluntarily. State law established OTRS in 1943 to manage retirement funds and provide financial security for public education employees. Its first checks to retirees were sent out in 1947. It is administered by a staff and 14-member board of trustees. Its current Executive Director is Tom Spencer who started in that position on November 1, 2014."}, {"context": " The OTRS is governed by a 14-member Board of Trustees composed of 10 appointed members, three \"ex officio\" members, and one non-voting member. The Governor of Oklahoma appoints six members to the Board and the Speaker of the State House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate each appoint two members to the Board. The three \"ex officio\" members are the State Public Schools Superintendent, the Director of the Office of State Finance and the Director of the Career Technology System. All three \"ex officio\" members are allowed by state statute to designate a member to the Board in their stead. The non-voting member is appointed by an organization representing retired educators."}, {"context": " The Board of Trustees has three standing committees, the Investment Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Governance Committee. These panels focus on their respective topics and conduct work on the areas of focus that are more detailed than appropriate for full Board consideration. No actions of the committees are final and binding unless approved by the full Board. The Board meets monthly, typically on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The Investment Committee usually meets every month on the Tuesday afternoon before the regularly scheduled Board meeting."}, {"context": " OTRS utilizes a defined benefit retirement plan that pay the retiree a specific benefit for life beginning at his or her retirement. To be vested in OTRS and subsequently eligible to receive a monthly retirement benefit, a client must accumulate at least five years of eligible service in Oklahoma public schools. A vested client is eligible to begin receiving monthly benefits at age 62, of age 65, depending on which combination they fall under. There are three thresholds for eligibility to retire with benefits. Those who joined OTRS prior to July 1, 1992, can retire when his or her age and years of creditable service total 80 points, or they have reached 62 years of age. People who joined the System after that date can retire when their age and years of creditable service total 90 points, or they have reached 62 years of age. Anyone joining the System after November 1, 2011 can retire at sixty, as long as they have accumulated 90 points, or at age 65."}, {"context": " Reduced benefits are available for clients who have not reached full retirement eligibility under regular retirement. To meet this criteria, the OTRS member either must complete at least 30 years of state service, but be younger than age 50, or the person in question must have at least five years of vested service, and be between the ages of 55 and 61 under the rule of 80, or rule of 90. It the client falls under rule of 90/65, they will be eligible for reduced benefits between the ages of 60 and 64."}, {"context": " OTRS calculates its benefits using the following formula: 2 percent x (service years) x (final average salary) \u00f7 12 = monthly benefit. Depending on the number of service years and the final average salary, a person's retirement benefit can vary, but each person, regardless, will receive 2 percent. Additionally, for service earned prior to June 30, 1995 contributions into the system only paid on either the first $25,000 of $40,000 of annual income. Because the contributions for these years of service were capped, the retirement benefits are also capped. This results in a two-tiered retirement benefit calculation with the first tier being those years on which contributions were capped and the uncapped years in the second tier, which results in a retirement benefit that is smaller than would be expected based solely on the formula above."}, {"context": " There are two traditional categories of OTRS clients: a Rule of 80 (or age 62) and Rule of 90 (or age 62) retirement eligibility. Those who joined the System prior to July 1, 1992, are under the Rule of 80 and those who joined on or after that date are under the Rule of 90. The benefit formula is the same for both; only the retirement eligibility is different. A legislative change enacted in 2011 created a third tier for those who join OTRS after Nov. 1, 2011. These clients will have the same benefit calculation, but their retirement eligibility will be the Rule of 90 with a minimum age of 60 (or age 65)."}, {"context": " The Education Employees Service Incentive Plan (EESIP) provides an incentive to continue service beyond regular retirement eligibility. To participate, a client must be on the high base cap at $40,000. EESIP provides an opportunity to wear away the salary cap by moving two years of service from the $40,000 salary cap tier to the uncapped salary cap tier for each year worked beyond July 1 of the school year in which retirement eligibility is met. Years moved on the two-for-one EESIP plan increases the number of uncapped years used in the calculation of the final average salary."}, {"context": " In order to qualify for the EESIP, an employee must be an active contributor, employed within a qualified employer such as an elementary or secondary school, career tech center, two-year college, or state education agency. The employee must work an additional year after the regular retirement age, and meet an uncapped average salary tier exceeding $40,000. Their contributions prior to July 1, 1995, were remitted on maximum compensation level and they must pay the contribution deficit on years between 1987-1988 and 1994-1995 where the salary exceeded $40,000."}, {"context": " The Board of Trustees determines investment of OTRS funds. In January 2009, the board made a strategic decision to invest in high-yield bonds. As of June 30, 2011, all cap/large cap domestic equities comprised 21.8 percent of assets, mid cap domestic equities 13.2 percent and small cap domestic equities 10 percent. The target asset allocation, is 45 percent is in domestic equity, 15 percent in international equity, 25 percent in fixed income, 5 percent in high-yield bonds, 5 percent in MLP and 5 percent in private equity. OTRS' investment consultant is Gregory W. Group. JPMorganChase is the System\u2019s custodial bank. OTRS utilizes a spectrum of investment managers, including but not limited to Mackay Shields, Loomis Sayles, Lord Abbett, Hoisington and Stephens."}, {"context": " As of June 30, 2014, total balance of OTRS funds stood in excess of $14B. Oklahoma\u2019s teachers\u2019 retirement program has long been one of the most underfunded of its kind in the U.S. Employer contributions did not begin until 1986, a fact that has largely contributed to its $10.4 billion unfunded liability as of May 2011. The 2008 Public Fund Survey ranked OTRS as having the fourth-lowest funding ratio (assets set aside compared to pension liability) among 126 state pension plans. At the time of that ranking, OTRS\u2019 funding ratio was 50.5 percent. That figure has since vacillated in the wake of the economic downturn."}, {"context": " The retirement system\u2019s viability for future retirees has prompted legislative maneuvering in recent years. In 2010, OTRS staff told \"The Oklahoman\" newspaper there were only three options to shore up the system. Those three things were putting more money into the system, increase investment returns, or doing something about benefits. The retirement system received a boost in 2006 when the Oklahoma State Legislature increased the employer\u2019s contribution to OTRS from 7 percent to 9 percent over a three-year period. From 2009 to 2011, the administration of OTRS, with guidance from its board of directors, has renegotiated investment contracts that will save the agency $2.3 million annually. The agency also streamlined processes and instituted other operational efficiencies, which have saved OTRS more than $7.6 million in this two-year time frame. In addition, OTRS has noted that it achieved a 9.4 percent rate of return on its investment from 1992 through 2011, well outpacing its long-term target of 8 percent."}, {"context": " In 2011, Oklahoma lawmakers passed Senate Bill 377 and House Bill 2132, which immediately reduced the unfunded liability of the Teachers\u2019 Retirement System by $2.9 billion of debt. The significant changes in SB 377 and HB 2132 include: raising the retirement age for new members coming into the system (current members will be unaffected) and preventing the legislature from granting cost of living adjustments (COLAs) to retirees unless funding is provided. The Oklahoma Legislature still has the ability to grant COLAs but only when it provides the funds to pay for them. This change alone reduces the OTRS' unfunded liability to $7.5 billion."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Tech Prep", "paragraphs": [{"context": " In Oklahoma, Tech Prep is an administered through the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Tech Prep is funded through Section II of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. Tech Prep, which began in the early 1980s as a small, locally driven high school improvement strategy, has grown into a major national strategy for improving students' academic knowledge and technical skills. As defined in the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (Perkins), Tech Prep is a sequenced program of study that combines at least two years of secondary and two years of postsecondary education. It is designed to help students gain academic knowledge and technical skills, and often earn college credit for their secondary coursework. Programs are intended to lead to an associate degree or a certificate in a specific career field, and ultimately, to high wage, high skill employment or advanced postsecondary training."}, {"context": " Roughly 47% of the nation's high schools (or 7,400 high schools) offer one or more Tech Prep programs. Nearly every community and technical college in the nation participates in a Tech Prep consortium, as do many four-year colleges and universities, private businesses, and employer and union organizations. Research on the effectiveness of Tech Prep programs is inconclusive. State evaluations in Texas and New York found some evidence that Tech Prep improved students' grade point averages, lowered dropout, reduced absences, increased high school completion, and improved postsecondary enrollment. However, these evaluations did not find evidence that Tech Prep improved students' scores on standardized academic achievement tests, and findings were mixed on whether Tech Prep improved students' postsecondary achievement or labor market outcomes. The last national evaluation of Tech Prep programs, conducted in 1997, found that Tech Prep programs were not always implemented as envisioned in the legislation, perhaps lessening their impact on student outcomes."}, {"context": " These programs support students' transitions to postsecondary education through dual enrollment, access to advanced facilities and labs, and exposure to college life. In Oklahoma, Tech Prep is administered through the OK Department of CareerTech and carried out through local technology centers. The students attend a local CareerTech center which provides career and technology education for high school students in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The students generally spend part of each day in their respective schools pursuing academic subjects in addition to attending classes in their affiliated technology center. Technology centers are part of the CareerTech System overseen by the OK Department of CareerTech in Stillwater, Oklahoma."}, {"context": " To fulfil the articulation agreement of the Perkins Legislation Oklahoma uses the Cooperative Alliance Project. In Alliances, colleges and technology centers voluntarily seek approval of all existing cooperative agreements from their respective state agencies. While each technology center establishes a primary partnership with one college, other existing agreements from \"secondary\" college partners are also honored in the alliance process. Through these alliances, all students (high school and adult) in cooperative CTE programs who meet technical admission requirements are eligible to receive dual college credit as they complete their program's courses. The Cooperative Alliance is a partnership of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Technology Institute", "paragraphs": [{"context": " Oklahoma Technology Institute, also known as OTI, is a school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in the United States. OTI was established in 1996 by Jeanne Fanning. The school is nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and licensed by the Oklahoma Board of Private and Vocational Schools. Graduates earn certificates in information technology (includes options in MCSA, MCSE, MCDBA, MOS), business accounting, massage therapy, or medical office. Students enrolled in information technology, business accounting, medical billing and coding, or medical office technologies learn using computer-based training curriculum, aided by mentors.  In 2006 a computer lab was added to aid in hands-on training in computer repair and systems networking. In 2007 Prometric and SWS testing centers were added at the OTI Oklahoma City site for student and public national certification testing. A massage clinic was added in 2007. Dr. Paul D. Shuler is the Managing Director."}]}, {"title": "Oklahoma Territorial Legislature", "paragraphs": [{"context": " The Oklahoma Territorial Legislature was the legislative branch of the government of the Oklahoma Territory. It was organized as a bicameral legislature with a territorial council and a territorial house of representatives. They met for 120-day sessions in Guthrie, Oklahoma. George W. Steele of Indiana, the first Oklahoma territorial governor, scheduled the election of the first legislature for August 5, 1890. The elected lawmakers met for the first time later that year. The Oklahoma Territorial Legislature met for the last time in 1905."}, {"context": " The territorial legislature was responsible for establishing higher education institutions in the region. The People's Party rose during the Territorial era and voters sent several Populist candidates to the legislature. A large majority of Populist legislators were farmers. Populists elected five of 39 territorial legislators in 1890, but led through a coalition of Populists, Democrats, and renegade Republicans. They were responsible for the location of what would become Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. George Gardenhire served as the First Territorial Senate President and Arthur N. Daniels as Territorial House Speaker."}, {"context": " The question of where the capitol would be located was what drove the coalition that wrested power away from Republicans. Generally, the Democrats were in favor of Oklahoma City while the Republicans favored Guthrie, but the two Republicans who joined the coalition of Democrats and Populists were from Oklahoma City. With 14 Democratic lawmakers, five Populists, and two Republicans, the coalition had 21 of the 39 seats. However, a veto by the territorial governor blocked the 1890 effort to relocate the capitol."}, {"context": " Democrats and Populists again gained control of the legislature in 1893, despite a Republican majority in the council and a Democratic defection in the House. Republican W.A. McCartney was elected Council President by Democratic and Populist votes while T.R. Waggoner was elected Speaker of the House when a Republican tired of tied votes and changed sides to move the process along. Only one Democrat was elected to the 1895 council and voted with the seven Republicans against the five Populists to make J.H. Pitzer the council's president. Republicans also took control of the House, but lost some power due to the Democratic governor's veto. Republicans took control of the legislature only one more time during the territorial era; Populists lost in the election of 1902 and thereafter."}, {"context": " The Oklahoma Organic Act required that educational institutions be created within the state. Governor George Washington Steele legally approved the creation of University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma on December 19, 1890, and the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma and Oklahoma Normal School for Teachers located in Edmond, Oklahoma on December 25, 1890. In 1897, Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, Oklahoma Normal School for Teachers in Alva, Oklahoma, were created. In 1901, Normal School for Teachers in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma University Preparatory School in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, were also established."}, {"context": " In 1901, the territorial legislature appropriated funds to establish the University Preparatory School at Tonkawa, Oklahoma. The First Territorial Legislature voted to allow each county to opt for either mixed or segregated schools. Ultimately, the 1897 Oklahoma Territorial Legislature banned racial mixing in schools after the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision. The First Territorial Legislature also discussed the right of women to vote. The Oklahoma Territorial Legislature began with eight districts in 1890. The first district consisted of County One, present day Logan County, and included Guthrie, Oklahoma. The three members of the Oklahoma Territorial Council and six members of the Oklahoma Territorial House of Representatives came from Logan County in 1890. All nine were Republicans. The second district consisted of Oklahoma County and sent three council members and five representatives to Guthrie in 1890. The fourth district represented Canadian County. The seventh district represented Payne County, Oklahoma.  Membership of the 1890 Oklahoma Territorial Council by district: Membership of the 1890 Oklahoma Territorial House of Representatives by district:"}]}]}