Gitzel Puente
2 Works for You
Tulsa, OK, United States
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Past articles by Gitzel:
Local grandfather grateful for SNAP benefits amid pandemic
OKMULGEE, Okla. — More than five months since the coronavirus outbreak, Oklahomans continue to struggle with food insecurity. A total of 617,306 people received SNAP benefits in July compared to 574,513 in March, according to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). The government-run nutritional program provides financial aid to pay for groceries for available low-income families.… → Read More
2020 Wings, Wheels & Wishes under way in Collinsville
The annual "Wings, Wheels & Wishes" event is underway with a fly-in, car and motorcycle show at Airman Acres Airport. → Read More
Locust Grove woman happy to get stolen wheelchair back
Lenora Aguilar depends on her electric wheelchair to get anywhere after her leg was amputated in 2010 from diabetes. → Read More
Story of hope: From former felon to entrepreneur
TULSA, Okla. — From being a former felon to becoming an entrepreneur, Abraham "Abe" Cruz has turned his life around. "I was always doing something wrong. I was getting into trouble, and we shouldn't live like that," says Cruz. The 39-year-old was arrested in 2006 for drug-related charges and ended up serving three years in prison in Oklahoma. "While I was in prison, everyone pretty much counted… → Read More
Clear the Shelters: Nationwide pet adoption drive helps find homes for pets
Dozens of rescue animals throughout the Tulsa metro area are in need of loving homes amid the pandemic. → Read More
In the past two weeks, COVID-19 cases have decreased in Tulsa County
TULSA, Okla. — Despite the ongoing community spread of COVID-19 in Tulsa County, the latest data offers a glimmer of hope. There have been fewer positive cases reported from August 4 to August 16, according to the Tulsa Health Department (THD). "I think people are becoming more compliant around the three W’s, watch your distance, wear your mask, wash your hands. I mean those are our only tools… → Read More
A look at use of force policy within Tulsa Police after fatal shootings over the weekend
TULSA, Okla. — Two fatal officer-involved shootings over the weekend are under investigation. The Tulsa Police Department has released the names of the victims. They identified 25-year-old Jonathan Randell who was fatally shot by officers on August 8 following a call of an attempted break-in. The following day on August 9, police shot 42-year-old Earl Barton Jr. who threatened officers with a… → Read More
U.S.-Japan Sister Cities bell ringing in Tulsa
The Tulsa Global Alliance is participating by collaborating with churches in town to ring the bells at 9:02 p.m. on Saturday, August 8. That is the date and time when the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan in 1945. → Read More
1,800 Hope Notes will be delivered to people with developmental disabilities across Oklahoma
The Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (TARC) collected more than 1,800 cards, notes and drawings from people across Oklahoma since the beginning of June. → Read More
Clear the Shelters: Virtual adoptions amid pandemic
We’re just 15 days away from 2 Works for You's big pet adoption event called Clear the Shelters on Aug. 22. 2 Works for You’s Reporter Gitzel Puente looks at how the adoption process has changed for some shelters in town due to the pandemic and why the outcome remains the same. → Read More
Federal CARES Act funding to support community HOPE centers in Oklahoma
TULSA, Okla. — On Monday, Governor Kevin Stitt and First Lady Sarah Stitt are holding a press conference to announce federal funding from the CARES Act that'll go toward community HOPE centers across Oklahoma. Some of the recipients are based in Tulsa, including the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma - Tulsa Hope Research Center. The Oklahoma… → Read More
Tulsa Latin Chamber of Commerce is collecting laptops, computers and tablets for Oklahoma students
With many Oklahoma school districts offering virtual learning amid the pandemic, the Tulsa Latin American Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with local organizations to help students have adequate technology. → Read More
Oklahoma's health department says it has COVID-19 testing capacity amid nationwide supply shortage
As part of the nation sees a COVID-19 testing supply shortage due to high demand, 2 Works for You investigated to see if that is the case in Oklahoma. → Read More
About half of COVID-19 deaths in Oklahoma are at nursing homes and long-term care facilities
As COVID-19 cases surge in the state of Oklahoma, so are cases at nursing homes and long-term care facilities (LTC), where residents are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus. The number of coronavirus-related deaths at these facilities account for 47% of all deaths in Oklahoma. According to the latest executive report published on July 17 from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH),… → Read More
Living in poverty amid pandemic in Tulsa County
Global poverty is expected to rise due to the pandemic and push an estimated 71 million people into extreme poverty. → Read More
Defendant enters guilty plea in Welch girls disappearance
The last living defendant in the murder of two missing teens from Welch, Oklahoma pleads guilty on Wednesday. → Read More
Tulsa couple in their 50s survives COVID-19
"It got really scary, really fast," says Amy Scoggins → Read More
Local early childhood centers roll out safety measures amid pandemic
TULSA, Okla. — Early childhood centers in Oklahoma are joining dozens of school districts and universities implementing safety measures amid the pandemic. The goal is to keep students, teachers and staff safe and minimize exposure to COVID-19. 2 Works for You looked at two centers that offer early childhood education to low-income families in Tulsa: Educare and Community Action Project (CAP).… → Read More
New grocery store in North Tulsa to break ground Friday
TULSA, Okla. — A new grocery store in North Tulsa is set to break ground on Friday at 11:30 a.m. Oasis Fresh Market will be located in front of The Shoppes on North Peoria Avenue and Seminole Street. It will offer meat, produce and dairy departments, as well as a demonstration kitchen, a multipurpose room and a walk-in beer and wine cooler. Local leaders say the store is much needed in this part… → Read More
Public schools' reopening plans in Tulsa metro this school year
TULSA METRO, Okla. — With a continued spike in COVID-19 cases across Oklahoma, many public school leaders are considering whether or not it is safe to reopen this fall. One of the biggest challenges districts across the state will face is ensuring that students social distance. While the situation remains fluid amid the pandemic, many districts have come up with tentative plans for the new… → Read More