CORONAVIRUS NOTEBOOK
Department of Public Safety to open Friday
The Department of Public Safety will reopen to the public Friday at select locations, with some driver's license offices open by appointment only. Driving tests will continue to be suspended, with a target date of May 15 to resume.
“In accordance with Governor Stitt's ` Open Up and Recover Safely' Plan, we will be bringing employees back to work so we can resume the critical services we provide to Oklahomans,” DPS Commissioner John Scully said in a news release. “We will do this in a safe manner that protects the health and lives of our workers and the citizens that visit our offices.”
To make an appointment, visit www.ok.gov/ dps and click on “Online Services.” Every person visiting a DPS facility will be required to wear a face mask that completely covers their nose and mouth, and will have their temperature checked.
DPS will continue to offer renewal of Class D Driver Licenses and State Issued Identification Cards online. Extended expiration dates for both end June 30. Visit my.ok. gov to access this service.
Attorney general assisting with unemployment fraud
The office of Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has developed a new resource to help process fraudulent unemployment claims. Individuals or businesses that receive bogus claims are asked to fill out a new form on the attorney general's website, where the claim will then be directed to the proper law enforcement agency.
Hunter said the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted an increased number of fraudulent filings to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission ( OESC).” After conferring with federal, state and local law enforcement authorities, our office has determined we are wellpositioned to help victims of unemployment fraud and the OESC, which has seen an inordinate amount of complaints,” Hunter said in a news release. “Right now, thousands of Oklahomans have a legitimate need for the financial assistance offered by OESC.
“The hardworking
citizens of Oklahoma deserve access to these funds, not con artists around the world who are using this public health crisis as an opportunity to exploit our residents and businesses.”
Individuals are encouraged to fill out the new form and submit it so the claim can be investigated by law enforcement. The email address to submit the form is unemploymentcomplaint@oag. ok. gov. Access the form here: https:// bit. ly/35lium2.
Hall of fame ceremony canceled
The Oklahoma African Educators Hall of Fame induction ceremony scheduled for Sept. 25 has been canceled. The board of directors said the effects of COVID-19 factored into their decision to cancel the annual ceremony, President Donnie Nero said in a news release.
“Although this year marks the 10th anniversary of recognition for the organization, the priority
of the board was the health and safety of all involved,” Nero said.
Martial arts training event to raise money
Century Martial Arts, a local manufacturer of martial arts supplies, is co-sponsoring a five-day virtual martial arts training event to help raise money for the American Red Cross' COVID- 19 response efforts.
The event is May 4- 8 with streaming on Black Belt Magazine's Facebook page. It will be broadcast from Century Martial Arts' headquarters in Oklahoma City in coordination with the top martial artists around the world.
Century Martial Arts recently designed and began manufacturing specialized masks to meet the stringent requirements of OU Medicine personnel.
Foundation provides laptops for kids in foster care
The Anna's House Foundation, a foster care
organization in Edmond, recently provided 40 new laptops to children in their foster homes.
More than 7,800 children are in foster care in the state of Oklahoma. Many children enter foster care with educational delays, making distance learning even more important.
“Several of our families were spending 4-6 hours a day doing televisits with biological families, video counseling and video speech therapy in addition to their school lessons,” said Katherine Craig, the foundation's executive director. “For homes with multiple children and a single home computer, it becomes near impossible to meet each child's needs.” Anna's House currently serves 63 families and 109 children in the Oklahoma City area. The foundation's mission is to provide support for families caring for children in foster care through their contract with Oklahoma Department of Human Services.