#NORMANNOTES

Kansas City eyes Norman’s police chief

Norman Police Chief Keith Humphrey is one of two finalists for the post of police chief in Kansas City, Missouri. Humphrey said he will know within 10 days whether he’s got the job.

“I’ve always had a dream to be a chief of a major city. This opportunity came up. It’s exciting if I get it, but it’s a win-win, because I love Norman,” he said.

Humphrey began his career as a patrol officer with the Fort Worth, Texas, police department, where he served six and a half years, followed by a 14-year run with the Arlington, Texas, police department. Twenty years into his career, he resigned to become police chief in Lancaster, Texas, a Dallas suburb. He became chief in Norman in 2011.

Kansas City has a population of about 465,000. If chosen as chief, he would head a department of 1,400 officers and 400 civil employees.

Breast Care Center moves

The Norman Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting July 18 at the Women’s Healthcare Plaza, which is also home to Norman Regional’s Breast Care Center. The new building at 3440 R.C. Luttrell Drive gives the Breast Care Center twice the amount of space, which allows its team to serve more patients every day, officials said.

Norman Regional’s lab has a patient service center and Oklahoma Surgical Associates has offices in the Women’s Healthcare Plaza. The new plaza also houses the practice of Women’s Healthcare of Norman, which occupies the second floor, and Norman Interventional Pain Management. The Women’s Healthcare Plaza is Norman Police Chief Keith Humphrey next to the HealthPlex hospital and the Heart Plaza.

Pinot’s Palette coming to Main Street

City council members on Tuesday approved a “special use” request from Jim Adair for a Pinot’s Palette at 226228 E. Main, the former site of Blair’s Furniture. Pinot’s Palette will lease the space to provide sessions for 20 to 30 people at a time who can sip wine while they paint.

Adair also is developing loft apartments above the site, which he said are nearing completion. Councilwoman Breea Clark said the new business will be an asset to the downtown arts district and she “wholeheartedly” supports the request.

It’s fact

The Norman Police Department was formed in 1919 when the city was chartered. Prior to that the law enforcement duties for the community fell upon deputy U.S. marshals, then a city marshal. The new police department shared office space with the fire department in a small building in the 100 block of N Peters Avenue. In 1924, the department had four officers. Today, the department at 201 W Grey St. has 162 commissioned officers, and is authorized for 180. The department has 60 civilian employees, but is authorized for 70.

Need answers? Email questions about Norman to Jane Glenn Cannon at jcannon@oklahoman.com. Follow her on Twitter @janecannon.