Keystone Dam outflow reduced, community meeting scheduled and other resources for flood victims

For the first time in weeks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun significantly scaling back release rates at the Keystone Dam. By 2:00 p.m. Thursday outflow had been reduced from 275,000 cubic feet per second to 230,000. Inflow is down to 204,251 cf/s, its lowest rate since May 20th. The flood pool is at 104.9% with pool elevation at 755.5 feet. With no additional rains, the Corps is projecting 100,000 cf/s by June 3rd.

By Monday evening the Sand Springs Police had shut down Highway 51 all the way from Riverview RV Park to 145th West Avenue due to flooding from Anderson Creek. The Arkansas River tributary was one of the first places to flood in Sand Springs, taking out the Meadow Valley subdivision, the Webco Star Center, Sand Springs Sand and Gravel Company, and Double H Sales.

National Guard checkpoints have been established at the Highway 51 intersections with 145th West Avenue, Town and Country Drive, and 165th West Avenue. Residents in those neighborhoods are still allowed to return, but the Meadow Valley subdivision was temporarily off limits.

At peak outflow, 145th flooded at the entrance to the neighborhood, cutting off access to anyone without a substantially lifted vehicle. However waters began to recede Wednesday evening. Some residents reported 2-3 feet reduction in water levels around their property.

Charles Page Boulevard closed Tuesday from 65th West Avenue to 74th West Avenue, then expanded to 81st on Wednesday. The National Guard is concerned about soil liquification under the roadway and potential sinkholes.

The Starbucks in River West shut down Monday and will remain closed until the Arkansas River flooding situation is resolved and the levee system is no longer at risk.

Case Community Park has been closed for the past week due to substantial flooding and will likely remain closed for some time.

Resources

Broadway Baptist Church will be hosting an informative event Thursday at 1000 North Adams Road for locals affected by the flood. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with remarks to begin at 6:30 p.m. Senator James Lankford, Congressman Kevin Hern, Governor Kevin Stitt, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready, Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado, and Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith will be in attendance.

Senator Jim Inhofe will be on hand at 5:30 p.m. to speak with constituents, but will not be available during the 6:30 meeting due to a previously scheduled conference call. The event is only open to residents of Town & Country, Candlestick Beach, and other affected flood victims in unincorporated Tulsa County areas of Sand Springs. QuikTrip is providing free drinks and pastries for the event.

Angus Church at 4401 South 129th West Avenue is serving three meals a day for locals affected by the floods and tornadoes. Breakfast is at 8:00 a.m., lunch is at 12:00 p.m., and dinner is at 6:00 p.m. However, the Thursday dinner will be moved up to 5:00 p.m. so as to not conflict with the meeting at Broadway Baptist.

Broadway will be providing free dinner to flood victims, first responders, and military Sunday June 2nd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The church is partnering with Rolling River Relief and Sand Springs Community Services to bring multiple food trucks. Broadway is also offering free clothing and some financial support. They can be reached at 918-245-7513.

The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Inc. has opened a Disaster Relief Distribution Center at the Sand Springs Church of Christ Activity Building at 4301 South 113th West Avenue. Beginning Thursday, May 30th, they are open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily with boxed foods, baby care items, personal care items, cleaning supplies, and more. Flood victims should bring a valid driver’s license or ID card with your current address. This is a distribution site only and will not be able to receive donations.

Uhaul of Tulsa is offering free 30 day storage rental to anyone impacted by recent flooding. This is only at Uhaul Centers, not neighborhood dealers. Participating locations are 6105 South Peoria Avenue, 5140 South 103rd East Avenue, 3500 South Sheridan Road, 1006 South Memorial Drive, and 504 East Archer Street.

Samaritan’s Purse arrived Thursday to help with the physical labor that flood victims will have to deal with. The nondenominational evangelical Christian organization helps with gutting damaged homes to prep them for restoration. They are stationed in the Prattville Center at 3 West 41st Street to receive volunteers and flood victims in need of assistance. You can reach Samartian’s Purse at 918-257-1381. Samaritan’s Purse will provide training Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and on Sundays at 12:30 p.m.

Solace Church at 7314 West 41st Street will also be doing physical labor similar to Samaritan’s Purse. They can be reached at 217-853-1124.

Free meals are available for children up to age 18 from the Sand Springs Public Schools Child Nutrition Department. For information on locations and times, call 918-246-1430.

Sand Springs Community Services has food, clothing, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, toys, and other household items at 114 West 4th Street. They can be reached at 918-245-5183.

Sand Springs Care Closet at 3417 South 113th West Avenue has clothing and toys. They can be reached at 918-269-8434.

Harvest Church is receiving donations of cleaning supplies and canned goods at 1601 West 4th Street and can be reached at 918-245-0193. They have free cleaning supplies and bottled water at both their Sand Springs location and their 349 South 49th West Avenue location.

First Presbyterian Church at 222 North Adams Road has a food bank and can be reached at 918-245-1748.

Olivet Baptist Church at 155 North 65th West Avenue has a food bank and can be reached at 918-260-5369.

CrossPoint Church at 4600 South 129th West Avenue has a food bank and can be reached at 918-245-2534. They are accepting donations of bleach, gloves, cleaning supplies, bottled water, rags, and personal hygiene items.

HillSpring Church has clothing and licensed counselors available at 8801 West 41st Street and can be reached at 918-955-2031. They are accepting donations of trash bags, cleaning supplies ,bottled water, gloves, toilet paper, and paper towels.

Church That Matters has licensed counselors available at 3 West 41st Street and can be reached at 918-512-1486. They are accepting donations of bottled water, pre-packaged snacks, cleaning supplies, paper towels, gloves, and trash bags.

For resource updates, visit https://www.churchthatmatters.com/floodrelief

The City of Sand Springs canceled their “Chipper Days” event schedule for June 1st. The next date is July 13th. Citizens with a City water bill for proof of residence will be able to bring tree branches for free disposal.

Beginning Monday, free tetanus shots will be available at Gilstrap Chiropractic Clinic at 3900 South 113th West Avenue.

Selfless: Youth groups spend Spring Break serving Sand Springs

The City of Sand Springs held its annual Clean Up Day on Monday and more than a hundred youth volunteers came out to participate. Approximately 125 teenagers filled up 300 bags of trash and two dumpsters with debris across downtown, the Highway 412 corridor, Katy Trail, River West, and the Early Childhood Education Center area. 

The youth groups from HillSpring Church, Angus Church, Broadway Baptist Church, First Assembly of God, Olivet Baptist Church, Fisher Baptist Church, and Osage Hills Christian Church are sacrificing their Spring Breaks to serve the community of Sand Springs, and Clean Up Day was just the first stop.

The volunteers will be working with Sand Springs Care Closet, Salvation Army, and Sand Springs Community Services later this week, and doing projects at individual homes of families in need. 

The #SELFLESS2018 program brings together the seven churches for four days of church service and service to others. The youth play dodgeball, basketball, volleyball, video games, putt-putt and more, and attend daily church services. 

HillSpring Church
8801 West 41st Street
(918) 446-9273
www.hillspring.tv

First Assembly of God
501 N Wilson Ave
(918) 245-4413

Olivet Baptist Church
155 N 65th West Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
(918) 245-2241
www.olivetonline.com

Osage Hills Christian Church
4500 W Edison St
Tulsa, OK 74127
(918) 583-9482
www.http://osagehills.com

Angus Church
4401 South 129th West Ave
(918) 245-0266
www.anguschurch.com

Broadway Baptist Church
1000 North Adams Road
(918) 245-7513
www.broadwaybaptistchurch.com

Fisher Baptist Church
4008 S 137th W Ave
(918) 245-7875
www.fisherbaptistchurch.org

Sand Springs Care Closet
3417 S 113th West Ave
(918) 269-8434
www.facebook.com/careclosetsandsprings

Sand Springs Community Services
114 West 4th Street
(918) 245-5183
http://sscsok.org

 

Rotary Club and Parks Department receive awards, City approves OneVoice Legislative Agenda

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening at City Hall and approved several City ordinances and resolutions. Only nine citizens showed up to the public event. 

Mayor Mike Burdge presented a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing the Sand Springs Rotary Club for their contribution toward the Rotary Super Splash pad in Case Community Park. "It was great working with Parks, and we're thrilled with how the project turned out," said a representative from the Rotary Club.

City Council unanimously approved a specific use permit allowing the construction of the new Public Safety facility to be constructed in the Sheffield Crossing development. The facility will house the new Police Headquarters, Fire Station, Training/Conference areas, and a Municipal Jail. The jail is a simple local lockup similar to what's already located in downtown, but slightly larger. A special use permit is a standard requirement for any City jail and the proposed location received little-to-no objection from abutting property owners. 

Council unanimously voted to support the 2017 OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda. The seven-page agenda represents the City and surrounding area's priorities for the upcoming legislative session and what they hope the State and Federal legislatures will focus on. The agenda lays out thirty bullet points in three categories, including: creating an educated and healthy workforce, building infrastructure critical to business, and ensuring a prosperous economy. 

SEE RELATED: OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda

Council unanimously voted to approve an ordinance allowing the use of three-year rabies immunizations. Existing ordinance require an annual vaccine for dogs and cats within the City limits, but some veterinarians have begun use of a three-year vaccine that previously wouldn't have been sufficient from a legal standpoint. Pet owners may now make use of either form of vaccine.

Council unanimously voted to affirm two abandoned and dilapidated properties on the North side of the river as public nuisances, clearing the way for their demolition. The properties are located at 514 1/2 N. Washington Ave., and 521 N. Lincoln Ave.

Council unanimously voted to authorize the transfer of property located at 320 N. Lincoln Ave. This allows the City to sell or convey the property. The land is currently being looked at by an anonymous local technical school program that wants to use the property for a housing construction project. The property is now declared as surplus and neighbors have thirty days to protest its use in such a manner, if they so desire.

Consent Agenda, unanimously approved 7-0-0

Council approved a contract with R.L. Shears Company to conduct a sidewalk inventory and prepare a pedestrian improvements plan for the South side of the river. The City previously contracted with Shears Company for a similar project on the North side of the river, using grant funding from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. The South-side project will also be funded with a TSET grant of $49,880. 

Council approved resolution 17-10, redirecting $60,000 from the Economic Development Capitol Fund to the Morrow Road Widening project. The section of Morrow Road from Highway 97 to Broad Street will be expanded from two to three lanes in preparation for the construction of the Sheffield Crossing development and the future City Public Safety Facility. The City has contracted with Craig & Keithline, Inc. for the project. 

Council authorized an expenditure of up-to $30,369.25 to Garland's Backhoe Service, Inc. for a BPS Water Line Relocation project along Highway 51. As part of the same project, Council approved expenditure of up-to $67,960 to Tomcat Consultants, LLC. for the rental of temporary portable water tanks for six months while the Highway 51 Standpipe is replaced. 

Council approved an additional $2,700 payment to Nova Painting, LLC to the existing $219,100 contract for sandblasting and painting of the Prue Road water tower. 

Council approved expenses up-to $82,000 payable to Tetra Tech, Inc. for the Northside Water Distribution Disinfection System Improvement project.

In Other News:

Sand Springs citizen Gregory Fisher was recently named by Governor Mary Fallin to the Oklahoma 9-1-1 Management Authority. He is filling a newly created position and will serve as a representative of Sand Springs. 

The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge restaurant is now open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week.

City offices will be closed November 24th through 25th due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Chandler Park Lights on the Hill festival begins November 25th.

The Sand Springs Festival of Lights Christmas Parade is currently scheduled for December 2nd. There is currently no word on if the Chamber of Commerce will reschedule the event should the Sandite Football team win their playoff game Friday night. Last year the Charles Page High School Football team won their semi-final playoff game and qualified for the State Championship for the first time in 49 years. The Chamber rescheduled the Parade for that Saturday so as to not conflict with the historic game. The Sandites are once again in the semi-finals Friday and the State Championship game is once again on the same night as the parade. The theme for this year's parade is "All American Christmas" due to 2016 being both a Presidential Election year and an Olympic year.

The Sand Springs Community Theater will be putting on a free play on December 4th at the Central Ninth Grade Center. "Tomato Plant Girl" recently won its category in a competition in Stillwater and will be moving on to the Regional performance in Lafayette, Louisiana in April. The December performance will be free, but will also be taking cash donations for the April trip, as well as canned food donations for the Sand Springs Community Services. 

The Sand Springs Parks Department recently won an award for their renovation of the Jerry Adair Baseball Park following tornado damage in 2015. The award recognizes both the quality of the renovation as well as the timeliness. 

The Food for Fines amnesty day the City recently implemented saw more than 291 participants, more than 100 of whom had warrants recalled as a result of their canned food donations. The day began at 8:00 a.m. with people lined up waiting, and the two City workers involved worked till 7:30 p.m. with no lunch and no breaks. The City doesn't yet have numbers on loss/gain of revenue, but considers the event to be a large success. 

Sand Springs Police announce amnesty day for individuals with outstanding warrants

Deputy Court Clerk Kenny Penrod presents the "Food for Fines" program to Sand Springs City Council. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular meeting Monday evening and City officials announced an upcoming special amnesty day for citizens with outstanding warrants due to unpaid fines.

Deputy Court Clerk Kenny Penrod presented the "Food for Fines" amnesty program, which will be a one-day event on November 10th, a Thursday. The special program will last all day and will allow citizens with outstanding fines to come to the Police Station and pay them off or set up payment plans without fear of being arrested. The day will also serve as a food drive for Sand Springs Community Services. 

According to Penrod, there are currently more than 3,600 people wanted by the Sand Springs Police Department accounting for more than 9,000 active warrants. The majority of the warrants are due to unpaid fines of less than $200.

On November 10th only, citizens will be able to bring in certain food items requested by the SSCS at an exchange rate of $10 for every 1 item, with a cap of 20 items. 

Allowing citizens to pay off $200 fines for under $20 will hopefully encourage people to clear their name and remove the worry of being arrested during a routine traffic stop, while also providing a community service. 

The program will also serve to help get people back in the system. Even individuals whose fines are greater than $200 will still benefit from the program. They can pay off up to $200 of their debt, and can set up payment plans or community service hours to pay off the remainder. 

"It costs us money to put people in jail, have no doubt," said Police Chief Mike Carter. 

The program is expected to bring in individuals who would otherwise be unlikely to ever pay their fines. Once warrants are issued, individuals are far less likely to appear to pay their fines out of fear of being arrested. Citizens with low income who were unable to pay their initial fine will now be able to get right with the law.

Back to School in Sand Springs

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Several community organizations are hosting Back to School events in the coming weeks.

Trinity Baptist Church will be hosting a Back to School Bash from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13th at 13 West 40th St. in Sand Springs. The church will be providing games, food, inflatables, and free haircuts. It is also a gym in the hit game Pokémon Go!

The Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance and Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host a Back to School Bash Sunday, August 14th at the Tulsa Tech campus at 924 East Charles Page Boulevard.

The event will last from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will offer free haircuts and school supplies.

Sand Springs Community Services is hosting a three-day Back to School program in which they will be distributing backpacks, school supplies, and clothing vouchers. The program is only available to Sand Springs, Anderson, and Keystone students with proof of enrollment and proof that the child received free lunches las year.

The event will take place Monday, August 15th through Wednesday, August 17th. SSCS will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day, and on Tuesday will reopen from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Angus Valley Elementary is having their Back-to-School Night Monday, August 15th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet your teacher and the principal, Mrs. Noel. You can also fill out applications for free and reduced lunches, as well as sign up for the Salvation Army’s after school program.

Pratt Elementary is hosting their Meet and Greet event on Thursday, August 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The PTO will have a table set up for memberships and new spirit wear will be available for purchase.

Northwoods, Limestone, and Garfield Elementary will hold Meet-n-Greet events Monday, August 22nd, the day before school starts. Northwoods and Garfield will last from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Limestone will last from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.