Tax season kicks off Monday, but the pandemic continues to impact filing.The big takeaway this year is to not rush. Accountants suggest taking a second look to make sure all documents are in order, particularly those regarding COVID-19 relief payments. “Typically, you’d want to wait until the early part of February unless you are 100% sure you have these items when you file,” said CPA Joshua Jenson, founder of Jenson and Companies in Oklahoma City. Jenson said the best way to avoid delays is to wait until you receive two letters from the IRS: documents for the third stimulus payment and the child tax credits. “On your 2021 tax return, if you didn’t get the full amount, this is where you get the rest of those dollars that are due to you,” he said. Experts also advise taxpayers to take advantage of a new deductible this season.“The new big deduction in 2021 that’s very exciting is that you can deduct up to $600 in charitable contributions directly on form 1040 even if you do not itemize your deductions,” he said. “Do not miss that. It’s right there on Form 1040.”Jenson said that while the pandemic may have caused some returns to be delayed last year, he doesn’t expect things to be the same this year. “The IRS has done a phenomenal job, as well as the Oklahoma Tax Commission, at where it’s possible, having their agents either work remotely or in a safeguard situation that allows returns to continue to be processed,” he said. Another thing to keep in mind before filing is that employers had until Jan. 21 to send W-2s.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.It’s estimated that by the end of this year, approximately 30% of new cancer diagnoses for women will be for breast cancer. One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. But there are also nearly 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, which means breast cancer can be treated and managed if it’s caught early. Dr. Lori Frederick with Oklahoma University's Health Breast Health Network said women should get yearly mammograms starting at age 40, regardless of family history."We know that breast cancer is most commonly not related to your family history, so that’s kind of a misconception out there," she said.She recommended 3D mammograms whenever possible. "It helps us identify cancer that may be hidden – with the 3D imaging," she said. Men can also get breast cancer, although it is much rarer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates about 2,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Although we are still in a pandemic, it’s important not to neglect yearly screenings. Frederick said she is seeing things pick back up."I think the word got out that you need to come in and get this done," she said. It could save your life.

An Oklahoma man was reunited with the doctors who saved his life after going into cardiac arrest.Christopher Fennell was having dinner while visiting his son in Norman, Oklahoma. And as they were leaving a restaurant, Fennell fell to the ground and went into cardiac arrest, which led to a brain seizure. "I was basically dead, and they brought me back," he said. His son is now a junior at the University of Oklahoma and is studying pre-med. He knew exactly what to do to keep his father alive until paramedics arrived. "The quick action of my son to call 911 and then hand the phone to my wife, who was in shock and started CPR was, I mean, I wouldn’t be here without that," Fennell said. Fennell was taken to the hospital, where he stayed in the ICU for 10 days."Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest does not have a very good prognosis overall," Dr. Archana Gautam said. Fennell was later sent to rehab, where he was able to get additional treatment and fully recover. "To see someone physically recover and cognitively recover after a cardiac arrest is rare," said Dr. Lane Tinsley. Fennell said without the quick medical attention from his son, paramedics and the doctors — he wouldn’t have fully recovered. "All of these things God put in place, put breadcrumbs down on the ground to get me here, for the great people here to continue my recovery, put me on the road to recovery and get me back in the position I am in today," he said. "I am a walking miracle, but this is not a story about me. This is a story about how God works in the world today."

Giving birth to rare identical triplets.A mother from Oklahoma delivered three baby girls in June.The family is finally together after the two youngest came home from the hospital. Aspen, Kensli and Layken spent nearly two months in the NICU. “They were born at 29 weeks. So, they were all a little over two pounds. So, they were really small,” mom Stephanie Norman said. Small but mighty – and growing every day. “Aspen, she actually got to come home first,” she said. “The other two were still in the NICU, so that was really hard.”The Normans are all together now. Stephanie, dad TJ and 2-year-old Wyatt are adjusting going from a family of three to six. Stephanie gave birth to the triplets on June 2. “They all have their own sack, so since they all shared one placenta, that made them identical,” she said. The news of three babies came as a huge shock to the high school sweethearts. “We wanted one more and we were hoping it would be a girl. And then we were surprised we got three girls!” Stephanie said. “I kind of joked about it on the way there for the first ultrasound. Yeah, what are we going to do if we hear more than one heartbeat – and then there were three of them in there," TJ said. Big brother Wyatt couldn’t be prouder.“When they get up in the morning, he’ll be like, ‘Hi, sissy,’” Stephanie said.Telling the girls apart is a challenge.“We have little anklet bracelets on them right now of different colors with their initials on them,” Stephanie said.It’s three of everything now – a three-seat stroller and lots of diapers. But the Normans are grateful.

A 28-year-old mother died after her vehicle was hit by a chase suspect Monday in northeast Oklahoma City.Police said a suspect stole a pickup truck from a construction site and led police on a pursuit that ended when the two vehicles collided.The victim was identified as Star Shells, whose family told sister station KOCO that she was pregnant and had just dropped her children at day care and school when she was hit by the speeding pickup truck. Shells died at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. The man driving the vehicle that hit hers also is at OU Medical Center, where he is being guarded by police and is expected to survive."My family has been going through it," the victim's cousin, Donnice Shells, said. "I lost an uncle Friday, and then this happened."Police said it started around 7:30 a.m. Monday after police said the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Wacey Mikles, stole a truck from the construction site."What we know so far is that a vehicle was left running with the keys in it. Someone jumped inside the vehicle and left," said Capt. Daniel Stewart, with the Oklahoma City Police Department.About 30 minutes later, police said officers spotted the stolen truck near Northeast 30th and Lindsay Avenue and tried to stop it."When they did that, the driver initiated a pursuit," Stewart said. "The pursuit lasted about six minutes and ended here at the crash site."Police said Mikles slammed the stolen truck into Star Shells' car. She was taken to OU Medical Center, where she died from her injuries."All I can say is to tell everybody is to keep my family uplifted in prayers," Donnice Shells said. Mickles was arrested on complaints of second-degree murder, felony eluding and possession of meth.A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Star Shells' family with funeral expenses. Anyone who would like to donate can do so here.