JUDGE RESIGNS FROM BENCH!
LeSure Tells Governor She’ll Quit March 1; Appears To Be Part of Plea Deal; Her Arraignment Is March 2

Uncertainty On Status Of Her Husband

Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass LeSure submitted a succinct, two-sentence letter of resignation to the governor on Friday. Apparently a part of a plea deal made with prosecutors, Judge LeSure told Gov. Mary Fallin in a letter that she would resign effective March 1, and thanked “the citizens for allowing me to serve my 13 years.”
The judge, her husband and another woman had been involved in a preliminary hearing that got underway last month. The hearing was being held to determine if prosecutors had enough evidence to go to trial.........READ MORE

Clarion-Call-Voiced Singer Dead
She’s Amongst Her Generation’s Greatest Singers

Whitney Houston, the multimillion-selling singer who emerged in the 1980’s as one of her generation’s greatest rhythm & blues voices, only to deteriorate through years of cocaine use and an abusive marriage, died on Saturday in Beverly Hills, Calif. 
She was 48. Her death came as the music industry descended on Los Angeles for the annual celebration of the Grammy Awards.  She was to have attended a pre-Grammy party Saturday night being hosted by hosted by Clive Davis, the founder of Arista Records, who had been her pop mentor. .............READ MORE

March 6
Teacher Recruitment Fair To Be Held Earlier Than Usual Set

The annual teacher recruitment fair of the Oklahoma City Public School System will begin at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, it was announced. The event will be held at U.S. Grant High School, 5016 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Holding the recruitment fair this year three weeks earlier than usual will provide certain advantages, the superintendent said.
“This really gives our district an advantage in terms of meeting, interviewing and hiring the best and brightest teachers,” Supt. Karl Springer said............READ MORE

Shannon Forecasts Noisy, Though Productive Session
Lawton Republican Legislator Set to Become Speaker

Speaker-Designate T.W. Shannon (Rep., Lawton) expects a noisy but productive legislative session this year. Some of that noise might turn out to be caused by anticipated efforts by social conservatives to undermine the authority of the leadership in the State House. State Rep. Shannon was named speaker-designate last year with the support of those far rightwing conservatives, and he defeated the legislator supported for the post by the speaker. “Some of it is paranoia,” State Rep. Shannon said in an interview with The Oklahoman regarding speculation about troublemaking.
“Frankly, we’ve all pledged to support the speaker,” ..........READ MORE

500-Plus Positions
Career Fair, and Oil & Gas Jobs Pavilion Is

Scheduled Wednesday

More than 30 major area oil and gas industry employers, and employers from other industries will be included in a job fair scheduled for next week.
The 2012 Oklahoma City Career Fair, and Oil & Gas Jobs Pavilion will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at the Reed Conference Center. More than 500 entry-level to management-level jobs will be offered by employers, and positions are available in a wide variety of industries, a statement said........... Read More