Page 7 - Lori Decter Wright News Today

Oklahoman TULSA — A group of Tulsa City Council members, led by the councils only Black member, want the City of Tulsa to apologize for the Tulsa Race Massacre and commit to addressing the ways the tragedy devastated the predominantly Black Greenwood area.   Ward 1 Tulsa Councilwoman Vanessa Hall-Harper, who is African American, said she and three of her fellow council members —  Lori Decter-Wright, Mykey Arthrell-Knezek and Kara Joy McKee — plan to introduce the "Greenwood Prospe...

Chris Polansky / KWGS News The Tulsa City Council announced Friday it would consider a resolution at its upcoming Wednesday meeting that would formally apologize for the past and ongoing harms caused by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and launch a process to evaluate recommendations included in a 2001 state report that included an endorsement of reparation payments.  The resolution, introduced by Councilors Kara Joy McKee, Lori Decter Wright, Mykey Arthrell-Knezek and Council Chair Vanessa...

Tulsa city councilors are still mulling over updates to regulations on backyard chickens. In their latest round of proposed changes discussed last week, the minimum distance for a chicken coop to be from a residence is cut from 40 feet to 35. A significant portion of the city is zoned residential with lots a minimum of 60 feet wide. District 4 Councilor Kara Joy McKee said fresh eggs can make a big difference in some Tulsans’ diets. "And if we’re at 35 feet, that eliminates a lot of people ...

Credit City of Tulsa Several city councilors said Wednesday they are concerned about Tulsa’s mask ordinance expiring April 30, but an extension is not currently on the table. In Tulsa County, COVID-19 hospitalizations are manageable and new cases rates are back to levels seen before the ordinance was enacted last summer. Despite those trends, District 4 Councilor Kara Joy McKee is not ready to drop the mandate. Wastewater testing has detected at least one coronavirus variant in the city, and...

15 Homeless Outreach Workers Recognized For Service During Winter Weather Fifteen homeless outreach workers are being recognized for their service during the snow storm. Tulsa city counselors told News On 6 the surprise ceremony is one small way to honor those who make a big impact in our community. Tulsas outreach workers said its simple. They have a heart for the homeless and mission to serve. Theyve walked alongside Tulsas homeless from 2019s unforgiving floods to a pandemic wreaking havoc...

Credit City of Tulsa Tulsas city council voted unanimously Wednesday night to extend the expiration date of the citys mask ordinance. It requires people 10 and older to wear masks in public places and was set to expire at the end of the month. It will now be in effect until midnight April 30. "This is so important to our city. We are not out of … our pandemic. Just because people are getting vaccinations does not mean this is over," Councilor Jeannie Cue said in a committee meeting Wednesday ...

Credit Matt Trotter / KWGS In a report from a COVID mitigation working group, as of Friday, the Tulsa Health Department is not recommending any additional steps from the City of Tulsa right now. "They feel that we’ve taken the most action of any municipality, quite frankly, in the state, and we’re hoping to see more participation from our nearby partners," City Councilor Lori Decter Wright, a member of the working group, told fellow councilors during a Wednesday committee meeting. Tulsa req...

Credit Rental Realities Tulsa city councilors will consider a resolution this week supporting a right to counsel for people facing eviction. The resolution also encourages tenants, landlords, mediators and courts to find solutions that will allow time to get rent paid, including through assistance programs. Councilors Kara Joy McKee and Lori Decter Wright are behind the resolution. They said they hope the resolution will send a message to judges and help steer more renters toward available, fre...

A second Tulsa city councilor in two weeks is in isolation due to the coronavirus. Councilor Connie Dodson said she missed the council’s Wednesday morning committee meeting because of a COVID-related issue. Dodson declined to say whether she had tested positive for the virus. Dodson said she notified City Council staff Tuesday that she was in isolation and has already discussed her situation with city physician Dr. Phillip Berry. Two weeks ago, former Councilor Cass Fahler missed the counc...