Gary Ridley (transport Director)
Gary Milo Ridley, PE (September 29, 1945 – December 21, 2022) was an American engineer and civil servant from the state of Oklahoma most notable for concurrently serving as the state's Secretary of Transportation, Director of the Department of Transportation, and the Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority between 2009 and 2013. He served as Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation between 2009 and 2017, after being appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2009 and then retained by Governor Mary Fallin in 2011. In addition, Ridley also served concurrently as both the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (2001–2013) and the Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (2009–2013). He served a total of 48 years working for the state of Oklahoma. Early life and education Ridley was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a registered professional engineer. Career Department of Transportation Ridley joined the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in 19 ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Oklahoma City Crosstown Expressway
The Oklahoma City Crosstown Expressway, aka I-40 Crosstown, is a roughly stretch of Interstate 40 in Oklahoma, Interstate 40 (I-40) just south of Downtown Oklahoma City, running along the Oklahoma River between Agnew Avenue and the I-40/I-35/I-235 ''Crossroads of America'' junction. Prior to 2012, the I-40 Crosstown was an elevated stretch that bisected downtown. The Oklahoma City Crosstown is the de facto east–west artery through Oklahoma City, serving as an unofficial dividing line between north and south Oklahoma City (the official dividing line for address purposes is Sheridan Avenue). It is owned and maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). Context Oklahoma City Crosstown Bridge The Oklahoma City Crosstown was the busiest of Oklahoma's many aging bridges. While the Crosstown Expressway was designed to withstand about 76,000 vehicles a day, by 2010 it was used by nearly 120,000 vehicles a day. The Crosstown was completed in the 1960s using an engine ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into an important information link between the governor and the various agencies, boards and commissions that operate within state government. Cabinet officers are appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Oklahoma Senate. Once confirmed, all members of the Cabinet receive the title "Secretary" and serve at the pleasure of the governor. The Cabinet is responsible for advising the governor on the operations and policies of the State government. The current Cabinet is serving under Governor Kevin Stitt. History When Governor of Oklahoma David Boren first took office, Oklahoma possessed no form of Cabinet system. Taking the example of other states, Governor Boren began holding semi-official an ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Politicians From Chicago
A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a politician can be anyone who seeks to achieve political power in a government. Identity Politicians are people who are politically active, especially in party politics. Political positions range from local governments to state governments to federal governments to international governments. All ''government leaders'' are considered politicians. Media and rhetoric Politicians are known for their rhetoric, as in speeches or campaign advertisements. They are especially known for using common themes that allow them to develop their political positions in terms familiar to the voters. Politicians of necessity become expert users of the media. Politicians in the 19th century made heavy use of newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets, as well ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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2022 Deaths
The following notable deaths occurred in 2022. Names are reported under the date of death, in alphabetical order. A typical entry reports information in the following sequence: * Name, age, country of citizenship at birth, subsequent nationality (if applicable), what subject was noted for, cause of death (if known), and reference. December 25 * Chalapathi Rao, 78, Indian actor and producer, heart attack. (death announced on this date) 24 *Vittorio Adorni, 85, Italian road racing cyclist. *Cotton Davidson, 91, American football player ( Baltimore Colts, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders). (death announced on this date) *Franco Frattini, 65, Italian politician and magistrate, twice minister of foreign affairs, twice of public administration, European commissioner for justice (2004–2008), cancer. *Madosini, 78, South African musician. *Barry Round, 72, Australian footballer (Sydney, Footscray, Williamstown), organ failure. *Royal Applause, 29, British Thoroughbred racehorse ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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1945 Births
1945 marked the end of World War II and the fall of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. It is also the only year in which Nuclear weapon, nuclear weapons Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have been used in combat. Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January * January 1 – WWII: ** Nazi Germany, Germany begins Operation Bodenplatte, an attempt by the ''Luftwaffe'' to cripple Allies of World War II, Allied air forces in the Low Countries. ** Chenogne massacre: German prisoners are allegedly killed by American forces near the village of Chenogne, Belgium. * January 6 – WWII: A German offensive recaptures Esztergom, Kingdom of Hungary (1920–1946), Hungary from the Russians. * January 12 – WWII: The Soviet Union begins the Vistula–Oder Offensive in Eastern Europe, against the German Army (Wehrmacht), German Army. * January 13 – WWII: The Soviet Union begins the East Prussian Offensive, to eliminate German forces in East Pruss ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority
The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) is a development authority created by the state of Oklahoma to operate a spaceport near Burns Flat, Oklahoma. The Authority's primary asset is the former Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, a former military airport featuring a redundant 13,503-foot-long paved runway. The airpark has been renamed the ''Oklahoma Air & Space Port''. Although the Oklahoma Spaceport received a Commercial Space Transportation license from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in June 2006, the Spaceport has not yet hosted any sub-orbital spaceflights or launches of spacecraft into earth orbit. However, the facility is still listed as an FAA currently-licensed launch site as of June 2020. The first executive director of the Authority was Bill Khourie. Craig Smith became the new executive director in 2020 upon Khourie's retirement after 18 years of service. See also * California Space Authority * New Mexico Spaceport Authority * Space F ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC) is an agency of state government that is responsible for promoting aviation in the State. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, the Commission fosters the growth of the aerospace industry and ensures that the needs of business and communities in the State are met by the State's airports. The Commission encourages the establishment and maintenance of public airports, including the preservation and improvement of the State's 110 public airports. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's mission is to promote aviation, which includes ensuring that the needs of commerce and communities across Oklahoma are met by the state's 110 public airports that comprise the state's air transportation system, and ensuring the growth and vitality of the state's aerospace industry. The commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, serving six-year terms. Five members are appointed from among Ok ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Oklahoma Transportation Authority
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (formerly Oklahoma Transportation Authority) is an agency of Oklahoma that deals with issues regarding the Oklahoma turnpike system. Along with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Authority is the primary infrastructure construction and maintenance agency of the State. Leadership The Turnpike Authority is under the supervision of the Secretary of Transportation. Under Governor of Oklahoma Kevin Stitt, Tim Gatz a Professional Landscape Architect with Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture is serving as the Cabinet Secretary. Secretary Gatz also serves as the Director of the Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. The Board of Directors of the Turnpike Authority is responsible for governing the Authority. The Board is composed of the seven members, six of which are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, with the Governor serving ex officio An ''ex officio'' member is a ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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The Journal Record
''The Journal Record'' is a daily business and legal newspaper based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Its offices are in downtown Oklahoma City, with a bureau at the Oklahoma State Capitol. ''The Journal Record'' began publication in 1937, though an early predecessor of the newspaper, the ''Daily Legal News'' was first published in Oklahoma City on August 27, 1903.Nichols, Max and David Page.''Journal Record'', ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'' (accessed February 15, 2010). The newspaper won The Sequoyah Award for best overall newspaper of its size in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013. In 2014 it won the Sequoyah Award in the state's largest circulation category. The Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame includes six Journal Record current or former staff members: Joan Gilmore (1994), Max Nichols (1995), Marie Price (1998), Bill May (2004), David Page (2011), and Mary Mélon (2013). Two non-staff columnists are also Hall of Fame members: Arnold Hamilton (2011 ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Neal A
Neal (Neil) is a given masculine name and surname of Gaelic and Irish origin. The name is an Anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion". As a surname, Neil is traced back to Niall of the Nine Hostages who was an Irish king and eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill and MacNeil kindred. Most authorities cite the meaning of Neal in the context of a surname as meaning champion. Surname *Abbie Neal (1918–2004), American country music entertainer *Adam Neal (born 1990), English rugby league player * Alice B. Neal (1828–1863), American writer * Arthur Neal (1903–1982), English footballer *Blaine Neal (born 1978), American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball * Bob Neal (Atlanta sportscaster) (born 1942), American sports broadcaster * Bob Neal (Cleveland sportscaster) (1916–1983), American sports broadcaster * Charles Lincoln Neal (also known as "L ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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I-40 Bridge Disaster
The I-40 bridge disaster was a bridge collapse that occurred southeast of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, United States at 7:45 a.m. on May 26, 2002. Freight barges being transported on the Arkansas River collided with a pier supporting the Interstate 40 road bridge crossing the river. The resulting failure of the supports caused a section of the bridge to collapse, killing 14 people and injuring another 11. The collision was determined to have resulted from the captain of the barges' towboat losing consciousness. Collision and collapse Joe Dedmon, captain of the towboat ''Robert Y. Love'', was transporting barges on the Arkansas River. While traversing the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, Dedmon experienced a syncope and lost control of the tow. This, in turn, caused the barges he was towing to collide with a pier off the Interstate 40 bridge crossing the reservoir. A section of the bridge collapsed, plunging into the water. It was raining heavily at the time of the collapse, but t ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Clinton, Oklahoma
Clinton is a city in Custer County, Oklahoma, Custer and Washita County, Oklahoma, Washita counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 9,033 at the United States Census, 2010, 2010 census. History The community began in 1899 when two men, J.L. Avant and E.E. Blake, decided to locate a town in the Washita River Valley. Because of governmental stipulations that an Indian could sell no more than one half of a allotment, the men made plans to purchase from four different Indians (Hays, Shoe-Boy, Nowahy, and Night Killer) and paid them each $2,000 for to begin the small settlement of Washita Junction. Congressional approval for the sale was granted in 1902 and Washita Junction quickly developed.Clinton a [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |