Lance Carter weathered the storm in his neighbors basement.

When he emerged, his home and five acre property of 17 years were almost unrecognizable.

He is still shell-shocked.

“I’m walking around in a daze. I don’t know what to do. I go to do one thing then somebody asks me about something else.” said Carter.

The tornado that his Carter’s home ripped across Highway 177 in northwest Shawnee.

Carter’s property took a direct hit.

Storm chaser, Brandon Heiden, shot video of the storm as it pummelled Carter’s home.

Heiden stopped for a moment to make sure everyone was ok, and found a Bible in the debris.

He shot this picture, and hoped the owner would be re-united with the good book again someday.

Meanwhile, Gage Ross, a friend of the Carter family came by the property to help with the clean-up effort.

Ross stumbled across that same family Bible; it was still open to the very same page, Isiah chapter 32 which reads, ”A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest.”

“The Lord must be with us, I guess.” Ross remembers.

There’s no telling where the Bible came from.

Afterall, some of the storm debris littering the Carters’ property came from miles away.

The tornado was strong enough to topple a giant oak, rip the barn to shreds, and leave family and friend climbing in nearby limbs to fish for pieces of salvageable clothing.

Michael Alexander and his fiancé Shelia Spurlin lived in a trailer behind Carter’s property.

Their trailer was decimated by the twister.

“I got out here after it passed, and I just fell to my knees. It’s all I could do.” said Alexander. “Everything that I owned, everything we owned was in the trailer.”

Alexander and Spurlin rode out the storm a mile away.

Their Bible, it turns out, didn’t go quite that far.

The Bible only made it about 100 feet from home.

The Word, is now back with its weary owners, thanks to the kindness of two strangers.

Families celebrated with hugs and kisses as their crew members returned from southwest Asia.

These airmen operate and maintain the KC 135-R Strato-Tanker.

Their fleet refuels military and NATO aircraft so the pilots can continue their missions overseas.

This group is the second to return from deployment.

Sweepstakes May 13th – June 7th.

They cooked up meals and treats every mother is sure to love.

From Monday, May 13th to Monday, May 20th, we will select a text-in finalist each day and will select on finalist as grand prize winner the morning of Monday, May 20th during the Freedom 43 TV Rise & Shine show from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

If you have the keyword from today’s show, enter below if text messaging is not an option for you.

See the images below of the storm shelter being given away, provided by Thunderground! This is an in-ground unit designed for in-garage installation, and will even allow a 6-foot tall person to stand upright inside it!

The KAUT Thunderground Storm Shelter Giveaway Sweepstakes

Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN, NOR WILL A PURCHASE IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING. Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.

KAUT-TV will conduct the Sweepstakes substantially as described in these rules. Participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to, and acceptance of, these Official Rules. This Sweepstakes may be temporarily postponed or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

This Sweepstakes, and all Sweepstakes material, is © 2013 by Local TV LLC. All rights reserved.

• 1.    Eligibility: Only one (1) winner per day and only one (1) prize per household for the Sweepstakes. Participant(s) and winner(s) must be legal US residents at least 18 years old as determined by KAUT-TV and reside in the Oklahoma City Designated Market Area as defined by The Nielsen Company.

• Winner must own their house with a verifiable home mortgage or title, have an attached or detached garage with concrete foundation that passes inspection by Thunderground Storm Shelters, and agree to accept a 1099 for the retail value of the storm shelter to file with their 2013 taxes. If chosen winner already has a functional storm shelter on their property, they are ineligible to win and an alternate winner will be chosen.
• KAUT-TV reserves the right to refuse to award a prize to or on behalf of any minor. Winners are subject to verification by KAUT-TV of the winner’s name, age, address, home phone number, work/cell phone number, and social security number. If a winner is disqualified, KAUT-TV reserves the right to determine an alternate winner or to not award that winner’s prize at all. Employees of KAUT-TV, Local TV LLC, the Sweepstakes participating sponsors and their advertising agencies, employees of other television or radio stations, and members of the immediate families of such persons are not eligible to participate and win. The term “immediate family” includes spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren, and any other person residing at the same household whether or not related. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. The Sweepstakes is void where prohibited and is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

2. Sweepstakes Period: The Sweepstakes begins on May 13, 2013 at 12:00 a.m. CST and ends 11:59 p.m. CST on Monday, May 21, 2013. KAUT-TV reserves the right to shorten or extend the Sweepstakes dates at any time without notice. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS SEVERE WEATHER, A large BREAKING NEWS STORY, A CATASTROPHIC EVENT OR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, KAUT-TV RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MOVE, DELAY OR HALT THIS SWEEPSTAKES.

3. Sweepstakes Entry: During the Sweepstakes Period, KAUT-TV’s 7am to 9am newscast, viewers will be invited to listen-watch for “CUE TO TEXT.” Sweepstakes entries will be accepted from text-in number 69222 or by email from www.freedom43tv.com/shelter as an alternate means of entry. You will be charged standard text and data rates for each text message sent or received from your handset according to the Terms and Conditions of your Service Agreement with your wireless carrier. Each wireless carrier’s rate plan may vary, and entrants should contact their wireless carrier for information on messaging rate plans and charges relating to your participation in this Sweepstakes. KAUT-TV receives no compensation of any kind from standard text and/or data fees you may incur by your participation in this Sweepstakes. Any text message form of entry into this Sweepstakes will be deemed made by the named account holder whose mobile phone number is assigned at the time of entry to the text messaging device so used. By submitting your text, your mobile phone number will be registered for the Sweepstakes. Each weekday during the Sweepstakes Period, a random finalist will be announced during the 7am to 9am newscast. When all finalists have been chosen, a winner picked at random but within solely KAUT-TV’s discretion will receive an in-garage storm shelter provided and installed by Thunderground Storm Shelters.

4. Redemption of Prizes: Daily Prizes: There will be one (1) “Storm Shelter Giveaway” prize from Thunderground Storm Shelters. The winner will be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability and Publicity. Thunderground Storm Shelters will not assume any liability for anything beyond providing and installing an in-garage storm shelter at a location provided by the winner. Storm shelter value is $3,895.

5. Winner Notification: The winner of the prize will be announced during the 7am to 9am KAUT-TV newscast on May 21, 2013. Rules are available at www.freedom43tv.com/shelter

6. Prize Acceptance/Restrictions: Winners are subject to verification by KAUT-TV of the winner’s name, age, address, phone number, and Social Security number (where the prize value is equal to or greater than $600.00). All prizes are not transferable or assignable. Winners will be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability and Publicity. Failure to do so will disqualify the winner. No entries from individuals under the age of 18 will be accepted. If a winner is disqualified, Sponsor reserves the right to determine an alternate winner or to not award that winner’s prize at all. Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash or substituted for any other items by any winner. No substitution allowed except by KAUT-TV, which may substitute a prize of equal or greater value if advertised prizes become unavailable.

7. Release; Publicity; Use of Personal Information: By participating in the Sweepstakes, each participant and winner waives any and all claims of liability against KAUT-TV, its employees and agents, the Sweepstakes sponsors and their respective employees and agents, for any personal injury or loss which may occur from the conduct of, or participation in, the Sweepstakes, or from the use of any prize. In order to receive a prize, participants must sign an official waiver form provided by KAUT-TV. By accepting a prize, the winner consents to use of his or her name, state of residence, and likeness for advertising and promotional purposes online, for broadcast, and in print, or in any other media worldwide in connection with the Sweepstakes, without limitation and without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.

8. Telephone and Delivery Disclaimer: Participants are restricted to the use of cell phone telephone equipment. Participants that enable the “Caller ID” block function will not be allowed to participate unless they enter their correct area code and telephone number if prompted, or disable the features inhibiting their participation in the Sweepstakes. Participants using equipment not set up for toll free phone exchanges (800, 888, 877, 866, etc.) may experience call connection problems. Sponsor disclaims all liability for the inability of a participant to complete or continue a telephone call due to equipment malfunction, busy lines, inadvertent disconnections, acts beyond Sponsor’s control, or otherwise. Sponsor disclaims all liability for any delays, misdelivery, loss, or failure in the delivery of any item sent by mail, courier, express, electronic transmission, or other delivery method. Sponsor is not responsible for mechanical, technical, computer, hardware or software errors, malfunctions, or failures of any kind, including failed, incomplete, garbled, or delayed transmission of entries, traffic congestion on telephone lines, the Internet or at any website or lost or unavailable network connections, which may limit an entrant’s ability to participate in the Sweepstakes, and any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in or downloading any information necessary to participate in the Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the Sweepstakes if it becomes technically corrupted.

ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY CIRCUMVENT, DISRUPT, OR DAMAGE ORDINARY AND NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS SWEEPSTAKES, TELEPHONE SYSTEMS OR WEBSITE, OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AND TO DISQUALIFY ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES OR ANY OTHER SWEEPSTAKES.

9. Taxes: Any valuation of the prize(s) stated above is based on available information provided to KAUT-TV, and the value of any prize awarded to a winner may be reported for tax purposes as required by law. All taxes, including federal, state, and local taxes, are the sole responsibility of the winner. Any person winning over $600.00 in total prizes will receive a 1099 form from Sponsor at the end of the calendar year and a copy of such form should be filed with the IRS. Each winner must provide Sponsor with valid identification, and a valid taxpayer identification number or Social Security number for total prizes valued at $600.00 or more, before any prize will be awarded.

10. Conditions: Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion hereof, or to disqualify any individual implicated in any of the following actions, if for any reason: (a) infection by computer virus, bugs, interruption in wireless calling devices or wireless service, tampering, unauthorized intervention, actions by entrants, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, (b) the Sweepstakes or any website associated therewith (or any portion thereof) becomes corrupted or does not allow the proper processing of entries per these Rules, (c) the Sweepstakes becomes corrupted due to wireless calling service interruption for any reason, or (d) the Sweepstakes is otherwise not capable of running as planned. By entering, entrants represent that they are eligible and agree to be bound by and comply with the Rules and the decisions of any judges. Any entrant who attempts to tamper with this Sweepstakes in any way or use fraudulent means to participate in and/or win the Sweepstakes shall be disqualified. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entrant at any time, for any reason, including, without limitation, language, activities or behavior deemed inappropriate. Sponsor and their advertising and promotion agencies are not responsible for cancellations, postponements, or delays. Other than the prizes received by the winner, no entrant shall be entitled to receive any wages, benefits, fees or other compensation whatsoever as a result of participating in the Sweepstakes. Sponsor shall have the sole discretion to administer the Sweepstakes and interpret and apply the Official Rules.

11. Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the Official Rules and decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless KAUT-TV, Local TV, LLC, and their respective affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, officers, directors, employees, representatives, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons, including but not limited to death or property damage resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Sweepstakes or any Sweepstakes-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize. In consideration for his or her participation in the Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the Released Parties from any and all claims, demands and/or causes of action of any nature or kind whatsoever, whether presently known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, that arise out of the entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes, including attorneys’ fees.

12. Limitation of Liability: The Released Parties are not responsible or liable for any incorrect or inaccurate entry information or other errors in the printing, offering or administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize(s) and assume no responsibility for (i) any error, omission, interruption, defect or delay in operation or transmission at any website, or wireless calling service, interrupted or unavailable network, server or other conditions, (ii) failure of any entry to be received by Sponsor due to technical problems, telephone service problems, human error, or wireless calling service, (iii) communication line, hardware and/or software failures, malfunction of phones (including wireless phones/handsets), phone lines, other communications malfunctions, unavailable network connections, cellular equipment towers, telephone systems or wireless service, (iv) damage to any computer (software or hardware) resulting from participation in the Sweepstakes, or damage to mobile phone or other PDA device, (v) theft or destruction of, tampering with, unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries and/or entry information, or (vi) entries which are late, lost, stolen, damaged, illegible, and/or unintelligible (or any combination thereof). Any expenses incurred by the entrant during the application process, including but not limited to, postage are the sole responsibility of each entrant and the Sponsor will not issue reimbursement for any expenses.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE RELEASED PARTIES BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, ATTORNEYS’ FEES, OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES.

13. Choice of Law/Forum: All entrants agree, by participation in the Sweepstakes, to submit to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of Oklahoma. Oklahoma law shall govern this Sweepstakes, without regard Oklahoma’s choice of law rules. The courts of Oklahoma shall be the exclusive forum for any dispute regarding any Rule or activity associated with the Sweepstakes.

14. Official Rules: To request a copy of the Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to KAUT-TV’s business offices by Monday, April 22, 2013. Written copies of these rules are also available during normal business hours at the business offices of KAUT-TV at 444 East Britton Road, OKC, OK 73114 or online at http://www.freedom43tv.com/shelter. All entries become the property of KAUT-TV and will not be returned.

15. Name of Winner: For information on the prize winner, send a separate, self-addressed, stamped envelope to KAUT-TV at 444 East Britton Road, OKC, OK 73114, or appear in person at that location between normal business hours after May 22, 2013.

16. Compliance with Law: The conduct of the Sweepstakes is governed by the applicable laws of the United States of America, which take precedence over any rule to the contrary herein. Sponsor shall follow the applicable laws for conducting Sweepstakes.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

He and another soldier were involved in a vehicle accident.

McClure was from Stratford and joined the Army in 2011.

He was awarded a National Defense Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terror Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

The Westboro Baptist Church picketed the Thunder’s game against the Rockets and will be at Thursday’s game between the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets.

The Cimarron Alliance organized a peaceful protest speaking out against Westboro.

Church leaders said the protest is in response to former Washington Wizards star Jason Collins’ announcement that he is gay.

Monday, Collins became the first active member of the four major professional sporting leagues to announce that he is homosexual.

Many across the NBA, including Thunder star Kevin Durant, showed support for Collins, saying as long as he is happy, “that’s cool with me.”

The OKC Thunder lost to the Houston Rockets (107 – 100) and will play Game 6 in Houston Friday at 8:30 p.m.

The IT training and certification partnership will help service members earn certifications in IT, emergency medical services, healthcare and transportation.

The First Lady said while many soldiers have the skills for high paying jobs, they don’t have the approved credentials to get the jobs in the civilian world.

“But too often, because of red tape, our outdated rules or simple lack of coordination, our men and women come home only to find that the training and experience they’ve gotten during their time in uniform simply doesn’t count,” Michelle Obama said.

Officials said they expect that nearly 1 million service men and women will be transitioning from military life to civilian life in the next few years.

The IT training and certification partnership will help service members earn certifications in IT, emergency medical services, healthcare and transportation.

The First Lady said while many soldiers have the skills for high paying jobs, they don’t have the approved credentials to get the jobs in the civilian world.

“But too often, because of red tape, our outdated rules or simple lack of coordination, our men and women come home only to find that the training and experience they’ve gotten during their time in uniform simply doesn’t count,” Michelle Obama said.

Officials said they expect that nearly 1 million service men and women will be transitioning from military life to civilian life in the next few years.

You can enter the Mickey Mantle`s Super Sizzling Sundays giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Sunday dining gift certificate.

ENTER: Mickey Mantle’s Super Sizzling Sundays giveaway

You can share this sweepstakes with your Facebook friends for a chance to win bonus entries.

Mickey Mantles will be sponsoring our prize wheel next week so be sure to stay tuned for your chance at prizes there!

Sweepstakes April 18th – May 19th.

Good Luck and Buy Thrifty!!!

• First place prize is a $200 Gift Certificate to Marcum’s Nursery.
  
• Second Place winner receives a $75 Gift Certificate to Marcum’s Nursery.
  
• Third Place winner receives a $50 Gift Certificate to Marcum’s Nursery.

Submissions are from April 15th – June 30th.
Voting is from July 1st – July 7th.
Winners are notified by July 10th.

Tuesday state lawmakers will convene a joint session for their annual 45th Infantry and Oklahoma National Guard Appreciation Day.

The 45th Infantry Division was deactivated back in 1968 and replaced with three brigade-sized elements which compose the National Guard to this day; the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 45th Fires Brigade and 90th Troop Command.

Thanks to all the men and women who serve with the 45th and National Guard.

Hours after her new book, Walking Disaster, debuted, it topped the bestseller list on Amazon.

Atria, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, released the book on Tuesday.

Walking Disaster is McGuire’s followup to the 2012 smash hit novel Beautiful Disaster.

The e-book version of Walking Disaster took the #1 overall spot on Amazon’s bestseller list, while the print version climbed into the top 25.

Amazon updates the list hourly.

Jamie McGuire lives in Enid.

This is her fifth novel.

By: Matt Knight for WTKR

The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Newport News Shipyard this week for its four-year midlife refueling and complex overhaul.

Budget uncertainty from the sequester had caused a six-week delay in the carrier’s arrival as the Navy waited to see if Congress would approve enough money to cover the work.

The Navy’s fifth Nimitz-class carrier will have its nuclear reactors refueled as well as extensive modernization work to more than 2,300 compartments, 600 tanks and hundreds of systems.

The body of Staff Sgt. Rex Schad returned to Wiley Post Airport Monday morning.

Schad was killed in action March 11 in Afghanistan while on a routine patrol with Afghanistan police.

He was serving out of Ft. Benning, Georgia, but lived in Oklahoma most of his life and graduated from Edmond Memorial High School.

Services will start at 2 p.m. Thursday at Life Church in Edmond.

If you’re interested, the open house is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the college at Northwest Expressway and Rockwell.

Click here for more info on Brown Mackie College.