On the Horizon: Okemah’s Favorite Son

Music is a big deal in Oklahoma and what better way to celebrate it than by honoring the life of Woody Guthrie. With the folk music festival of a century, the Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebration has a long list of folk musicians ready to entertain.

In this week’s video blog we take a look at life of Okemah’s favorite son – Woody Guthrie.

Andy Barth

On The Horizon: Flying Back in Time

Ever since I was little I always remember looking high in the sky in search of airplanes. They fascinated me. They are so big, yet seem light as a feather. When I got the opportunity to get on an airplane for the first time as a 6 year-old, I was ecstatic. I have flown on countless planes since then and still marvel at their abilities in the air.

As we continue to advance in today’s world it is important to look back and recognize how we got where we are today. In this week’s video blog, we travel to Oolagah, OK, where TV sensation and All-American hero, Will Rogers, was born. We take a look at the 76th Annual Will Rogers Fly-in, an event held in honor of Rogers and Wiley Post – two men responsible for so much in the aviation industry.

Andy Barth

On the Horizon: Bring Home the Cattle

The cows are starting to come home in Southwestern Oklahoma. But high prices are slowing down the process. When I traveled to the Southwest corner of the state last year, I found crunchy ground, long trailer lines at the sale yards, and people rationing their water. It was site I prayed I would never have to see again.

As this spring rolled around, the rains poured across North Central Oklahoma where I live. But I wondered what was happening with our friends to the Southwest of us. I was very pleased to find that they had gotten 14 inches of rain by the month of June! Things were definitely turning around for them and I knew I had to get back down there and tell the other half of their story.

In this week’s video blog, we take a look at how the citizens of Caddo County survived the drought and how they are bouncing back and reclaiming their livelihoods.

Andy Barth

On the Horizon: Bring on the Rain

Wheat is one of our most basic commodities. From this crop we get breads, pasta, supplements, animal feed and a wide array of other foods. But last year when a drought threatened the southern plains, wheat and many other crops took a hit and their producers were left collecting insurance settlements.

Luckily, when February rounded the corner, the clouds opened and rain poured from the skies. The water continued for months and the wheat grew thicker and taller. By harvest time, producers were harvesting a bumper crop.

In this week’s video blog, we take a look at the difference a year and a little rain can make in the lives of wheat farmers.

Andy Barth

On the Horizon: Water Wars

Growing up in Washington State, water supply was never an issue. I lived thirty miles from the Columbia River, which supplies much of the state with drinking, irrigation and other water needs. My community is known as one of the most agriculturally productive areas in the world because of irrigation. Without water, it would be a dry desert where the only crop would be sage brush. When I moved to Oklahoma, I was curious to learn about the long-term battle caused by water. I had always assumed that Oklahoma did not really have any water, except on the few occasions when it rained. I was shocked to learn that the water in southeastern Oklahoma could supply the entire state and then some. One of the bodies of water in this battle is the Blue River. It trickles quietly through Johnston County and supplies the city of Durant with much of their water. In today’s video blog, we take a look at two groups that have come together to preserve and promote water quality and conservation. Their hope is to have water for future generations. Andy Barth

On the Horizon: One Victim Too Many

Childhood is supposed to be a fun and innocent time in our lives. While danger and fear is an unfortunate part of life, it should not permeate our youth. The schoolyard is meant for playtime and the classroom is a place for the mind to grow and prosper. As we go through the school system, be it private or public school, clicks and groups begin to separate. Kids begin to view others as not being good enough and others see their vulnerability as an excuse to lash out at other students. By the time students enter middle school, a definite pecking order is established and if you are at the wrong end you may find yourself shoved in a locker or falling victim to the all-too-famous “swirly.”

Today’s bullies are not only beating kids up on the playground, that will get them caught too easily, they are resorting to cyberbullying and emotional terror. Today’s victims are not just swallowing it and hoping it goes away either. They are taking matters into their own hands and either harming their attacker or themselves.

In today’s video blog, we take a look at how bullying affects students and what they are doing to stop it. While the footage they shot is fictional, the issue they go up against is all too real. These students are talented at what they do. They tell a gripping story and will inspire you to stand up and start a movement.

Andy Barth

On the Horizon: Play Ball!

From grand slams to strike outs, baseball is known as one of America's favorite pastimes. Fans have always celebrated traditions like cracking peanuts, enjoying the seventh inning stretch or chowing down on a ballpark hotdog.

In this week's video blog, we take a look at the economic impact the Oklahoma City Redhawks have on the community. We also take a sneak peak at some of the new improvements in the concession stands.

Andy Barth

On the Horizon: Battle Lines Are Drawn

As a person I believe we all should be respectful of one another. I know my beliefs do not align with everyone else’s, and that is alright. I have friends who have different religious backgrounds or political affiliations than I do. But we realize we have differing opinions, we can appreciate and respect others' opinions, without fear of retaliation and that is what makes our country great.

What I have an issue with is when people with differing opinions have no respect for others or their views. What is worse is when those people or groups slander others, and their facts are skewed, made up or are simply false due to lack of knowledge.  As a journalist we are constantly under pressure to fact check to get the story right. I feel if someone is going to “report” on something they should be held to the same standard.

The attack on Oklahoma hog producers by the Humane Society of the United States is a perfect example of this. They conducted one of their “undercover” missions to gather footage and information and claimed Seaboard, and other large hog operations, were conducting inhumane production practices. Their target was the use of gestation crates. In their gruesome video, HSUS claimed the sows are kept in the crates their whole lives. They went on to say that crates threaten the lives of the hogs.

Any person who has been around the livestock industry, especially hogs, will know how false these accusations are. The crates are used to protect sows from fighting. If you have been around sows you know they will fight for blood. Additionally, sows that farrow outside of crates are more likely to step on and lay on their pigs, resulting in severe injuries and death of piglets. To me that is much more inhumane.

The bottom line is if you do not know about production agriculture it is time to stop telling those who have been doing it all of their lives the “right way” to do things. Producers are tasked with the enormous responsibility with feeding and clothing the world. That responsibility will not be accomplished if everyone keeps sticking their nose in and offering their “expertise” when they are not aware of the whole situation. Are there bad apples in agriculture? Absolutely! But let’s not punish those who are doing it right.

Andy Barth

On The Horizon: Flying Back in Time

Ever since I was little I always remember looking high in the sky in search of airplanes.  They fascinated me.  They are so big, yet seem light as a feather.  When I got the opportunity to get on an airplane for the first time as a 6 year-old, I was ecstatic.  I have flown on countless planes since then and still marvel at their abilities in the air.

As we continue to advance in today’s world it is important to look back and recognize how we got where we are today.  In this week’s video blog, we travel to Oolagah, OK, where TV sensation and All-American hero, Will Rogers, was born.  We take a look at the 76^th Annual Will Rogers Fly-in, an event held in honor of Rogers and Wiley Post – two men responsible for so much in the aviation industry.
Andy Barth

On the Horizon: Mysterious Oklahoma

It has been an interesting year. We have gone noodling, seen students compete at the world’s largest junior livestock show and tangled with some spirits from the after life. Life is never dull with at Horizon.

In this week’s video blog, we take a look at an Oklahoma author who loves telling people about the unique stories of Oklahoma. His stories include Bigfoot, paranormal activity and American Outlaw tales like the infamous Battle at Ingalls.

Andy Barth

On the Horizon--Boo!

We all remember those spooky stories by the camp fire and when grandpa would tell us ghost stories right before we went to bed. But what happens when those ghost stories come to life?

In today’s video blog we take you to a business in North Central Oklahoma where the past life is still present. From creaky doors to items flying off shelves, the paranormal takes spooky to whole new level. Turning skeptics (me) into believers, and believers running for their lives.

Andy Barth