3.1 quake jars area in south Oklahoma
LINDSAY, Okla. -- A 3.1-magnitude earthquake has shaken parts of south-central Oklahoma.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake was recorded at 3:39 a.m. Sunday about 11 miles south-southeast of Lindsay in Garvin County. The temblor was recorded at a depth of about 3 miles.
No damage or injuries was immediately reported. Geologists say damage is not likely in earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or less.
Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma in recent years. Many have been linked to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and natural gas production. Scientists have also linked earthquakes in Kansas, Texas and other states to wastewater injection.
Oklahoma regulators have directed several oil and natural gas producers in the state to close injection wells and reduce volumes in others.
Suspended Ohio State fraternities return
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nearly all the Ohio State University fraternities whose activities were suspended in November, most for hazing and alcohol, have been cleared to resume recruitment events and, in many cases, social events.
The university suspended activities for the Interfraternity Council's 37 members after 11 chapters came under investigation early in the school year. One fraternity has been suspended for three years for hazing and other violations, and three chapters were put under disciplinary probation.
The university said it is working with fraternities to address high-risk behaviors by changing the culture within those groups. Chapters have regained clearance to resume activities by submitting school-approved plans for conducting activities safely, including committing to hazing prevention efforts and alcohol-free recruitment.
School officials are pleased with the response from fraternity chapters and the plans they submitted, said Dave Isaacs, spokesman for Ohio State's Office of Student Life.
The outgoing president of the Interfraternity Council, Drew Cooper, has said student safety takes top priority.
"While culture change doesn't occur overnight, I am hopeful that the trajectory our community is on will result in improved student safety this semester and beyond," Cooper said in an email.
Cold water fatal to 35 Florida manatees
BRADENTON, Fla. -- A report says 35 manatees across Florida died as a result of cold stress syndrome in January.
The Bradenton Herald reported tha the deaths between Jan. 1 and Jan. 26 were tallied in a preliminary report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The commission says that was five times as many deaths compared with the same period in 2017. But it doesn't come close to the 151 manatees that died during a cold snap in January 2010.
Cold stress syndrome can occur when the marine mammals encounter water below 68 degrees Fahrenheit for a prolonged period. When manatees experience hypothermia, their organs start to shut down and their skin begins to slough off.
Wildlife officials said another 10 manatees died statewide last month because of boat collisions.
Donors asked to cover school-lunch debt
ST. LOUIS -- Some school districts in the St. Louis area are asking the community to help pay off student meal debt for families who can't afford daily lunches for their children.
More than 2,100 students in the Francis Howell School District collectively owe nearly $19,000 in their school lunch accounts. The district has asked community members to pitch in to a dedicated lunch debt fund, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Schools try to avoid "lunch shaming" students whose families haven't replenished their lunch accounts. Lunch shaming has gained nationwide attention amid stories of cafeteria workers throwing away food and giving sandwiches to students with no money.
Francis Howell isn't considered among the region's neediest districts but still has thousands of students from low-income families, making the meal debt issue especially sensitive to the district.
Students whose families' income is below certain thresholds can get free or reduced-price lunches. But school officials said that not all eligible families apply for such lunches.
The federal government last summer required all schools participating in federal meal programs to specifically outline in their meal policies how to handle student-meal debt.
-- Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports
A Section on 02/05/2018