Thunder star opens steakhouse

Page B5

Week of Dec. 18, 2013

'Moore American
2 sections, 12 pages www.mooreamerican.corn

Volume 53, No. xx

New law could be boon for sales tax receipts

Moore sales tax receipts show inrease over last year's; pending legislation may substantially increase growth
ping season. Year-to-date, Norman sales tax receipts are up 5.32 percent a full percentage above budget predictions. Moore, Norman and Cleveland County Norman Finance Director Anthony Fransales tax receipts are on an upward trend, cisco reported that Norman's sales tax with high hopes for a great holiday shop- receipts from the Oklahoma Tax CommisBy Joy Hampton
Senior Staff Writer

sion deposited Dec. 9 were $5,234,269. Of A portion of this month's increase could that amount, $747,752 are Public Safety be related to a one-time rebate expected Sales Tax dollars. from the OTC to reconcile administration After deducting the PSST fund, the city's costs. The Oklahoma Municipal League has receipts are up 6 percent over the same peri! See LAW Page A6 od last year.

Ringing in the holidays

School seeking helpers

Volunteers will lead art therapy
American Staff

Above: The Melodie Ringers of St. Andrew Catholic Church entertain attendees at the 22nd annual Moore Library holiday gala Friday. Long-time member of the bell choir and active supporter of the Moore Library Melodie Fite, for whom the choir was renamed, recently died from complications with cancer. This year's performance was dedicated to her memory. Right: Gene Leiterman, director of Platt College's pastry arts program and owner of CocoFlow Chocolatier, displays the pastry arts exibition addition to the gingerbread house decorating contest.
Jay Chilton / The American

Moore Public Schools is seeking assistance for an art therapy program offered to students effected by the May tornadoes. Supplies donated from Art Feeds, a nonprofit organization, will serve 850 students in 37 classrooms. The curriculum was designed by educators, art therapists and mental health professionals to help children cope with trauma. Volunteers will participate in a one-hour training session to learn how to present lessons. Those interested should contact Moore Public Schools Gifted Education and Fine Arts Coordinator Rebecca McLaughlin at 735-4272 or rebeccamclaughlin@moores chools.com.

Donors support shelters

School shelter fund gets $500,000
American Staff

Churches announce 'Lose To Serve challenge

Moore's First Baptist Church invites congregation to join weight-loss initiative
First Baptist Church, will participate in the ponents a church-wide competition and an Lose to Serve challenge. The challenge is individual competition, said the organization's Metro churches are challenging their con- designed to help Oklahomans realize they can founder, Cody Bobay. gregations to increase fitness through faith. better serve their neighbors by living in a "What makes our challenge unique is that Just in time for New Year's resolutions, healthy body. churchgoers, including members of Moore's The Lose to Serve challenge has two com! See LOSE Page A6
American Staff

Reps. Mark McBride and Jon Echols, creators of the non-profit Shelter Oklahoma Schools, announced that the Moore Public School District would receive a donation of $500,000 at the monthly Board of Education meeting. The district is in the middle of House District 53, represented by McBride, R-Moore. "We are both extremely honored to receive another generous donation to Shelter Oklahoma Schools," said McBride. "What happened to our state in the spring was devastating. To know that so
! See FUND Page A4

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