Thousands still without power after ice storm
OKLAHOMA CITY — More than 100,000 homes and businesses remained without power Monday — more than a week after an ice storm battered Oklahoma — and the emergency has outlasted the ability of many residents to pay for it.
Some depleted their funds stocking up on food before the storm that eventually spoiled after the power went out, while others used money to stay at a hotel, thinking the power would be restored within a day or two.
Oklahoma Gas & Electric, the state’s largest electric utility, set up temporary walk-up stations in nine central Oklahoma cities for customers to report power failures. OG&E reported nearly 70,000 without power, mostly in the Oklahoma City area, while Tulsa- based Public Service Company of Oklahoma reported 32,000. The Oklahoma Association of Rural Cooperatives reported 5,712 customers without power Monday.
Overnight temperatures in the state in the past week have dipped into the teens.
The state medical examiner’s office said the ice storm contributed to at least 27 deaths: 16 in traffic accidents, eight in fires, two from carbon-monoxide fumes and one from hypothermia.
In Kansas, where six deaths were blamed on last week’s storm, about 24,000 customers remained without power, and some of those in rural areas might not see electricity restored for a week or more.
The reason is another winter storm expected later this week, said Larry Detwiler of the Kansas Electric Cooperatives.
Woman found dead in towed car
LOS ANGELES — Police found the body of a woman in a vehicle that had been in an accident and taken to a tow yard the day before, authorities said. The woman’s injured son had been pulled from the car the day of the crash.
Investigators found the body of Shirley Lee Williams, 72, on Sunday after family members said two relatives were missing, not one. Her body was found beneath an air bag that had deployed.
Doctors will investigate whether Williams died instantly or was alive when the car was towed, an official said.
Senate nixes “Do Not Call” expiration
The Senate passed a bill Monday that would give consumers permanent relief from telemarketers.
Approved by voice vote, the bill would relieve Americans from having to renew registration in the “Do Not Call” program. The House passed a similar bill last week. Without the legislation, registrations would expire after Sept. 30 and have to be renewed.
Final congressional approval is expected this year, said Barry Piatt, spokesman for chief Senate sponsor Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.
Calif. House OKs health reforms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Assembly approved a major health care reform plan Monday that would expand coverage to nearly 70 percent of the state’s uninsured and require most Californians to have health insurance.
Lawmakers approved the $14.4 billion proposal on a party-line vote of 45-31. If the Senate passes the plan, it will go before voters in November. Gov. Arnold Schwar zenegger backs the measure.
Cops bearing gifts
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — Motorists may be in for a surprise in this Sacramento suburb over the holidays. Police are stopping law-abiding motorists and rewarding their good driving with $5 Starbucks gift cards.
A traffic officer came up with the idea to “promote the holiday spirit and enhance goodwill between the traffic unit and the motoring public,” a spokesman said.
