A look back at Sand Springs's biggest stories in 2017

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Sandites enjoy a free concert from The Rogues Five at Riverfest.

From high school athletics to a growing economy and quality of living improvements, the history books will look on 2017 as a pivotal year in Sand Springs. Here's a look back at some of the biggest stories around town. 

Jan. 19 – USDA rolls out new Rural Development loan opportunities for Sand Springs area. – Read More.

Jan. 19 - CPHS Wrestling team pins entire U.S. Grant team in fourteen minutes and two seconds, setting national record for fastest dual won entirely by pin. - Read More. 

Feb. 01 – Ray Brown Park receives $37,000 renovation. – Read More.

Feb. 11 - CPHS Wrestling team wins first-ever Dual State Championship 40-26 over Broken Arrow.  - Read More.

Feb. 25 - Riley Weir, Daton Fix, Jack Karstetter, Beau Bratcher, and Payton Scott win individual State Titles and lead Sand Springs to their first State Wrestling Championship since 1971. - Read More.

Feb. 27 - ALDI grocery store and St. Francis Warren Clinic & Urgent Care announce plans to open new locations in River West Development. ALDI is new to community, Warren Clinic is relocating from Charles Page Boulevard. - Read More.

Mar. 02 - CPHS Womens' Basketball wins Area Championship to advance to State Tournament for first time since 2011. - Read More.

Mar. 06 – Rusty Gunn elected as Board of Education President, Mike Mullins sworn into new term on Board. – Read More.

Mar. 22 – Chinowth and Cohen opens new Prattville location.

Mar. 27 - Sand Springs City Council authorizes new murals and $1.5 million Prattville Fire Station. - Read More.

Apr. 04 – Payless ShoeSource announces shuttering of Sand Springs and Sapulpa locations. – Read More.

Apr. 05 – CPHS Winter Percussion wins State Championship. – Read More.

Apr. 19 – El Maguey Mexican Restaurant relocates to new building in River West. – Read More.

Apr. 20 – Tim Wright, Larry Hurst, and Dr. Stacey Butterfield are inducted into Sand Springs Education Association Hall of Fame. – Read More.

Apr. 22 – Herbal Affair co-founder Sandi Byerly receives Hometown Hero Award. – Read More.

May 02 - Individual Career Academic Plan bill authored by Jadine Nollan is signed into law. - Read More.

May 08 - Mike Burdge elected to 12th term as Mayor, Beau Wilson elected as Vice-Mayor. - Read More.

May 12 - Morgan Ganem releases new album, Paradise. - Read More.

May 13 - Aden Baughman wins 800-meter Track State Championship, Cheyenne Walden wins eighth and ninth State Championships. - Read More.

May 13 – Sand Springs graduates 392 in Class of 2017 – Read More.

May 16 - Hannah Rose releases More Than Conquerors EP. - Read More.

May 21 - CPHS Fishing Club wins Oklahoma Bass Nation State Championship. - Read More.

May 26 – Dog and Duck Antiques opens at 21 East 2nd Street, expanding from booth space in Vintage Stables on Main. – Read More.

Jun. 01 – The Ground Floor Salon opens at Village Square.

Jun. 06 – State Senator Dan Newberry resigns seat seven months after reelection. – Read More.

Jun. 08 – OSU Medicine opens in Shops at Adams Road.

Jun. 24 – EuroMotor Extravaganza returns to Sand Springs after five-year hiatus. – Read More.

Jun. 24 – Historic Twin Cities Elementary is demolished after nearly a century. – Read More.

Jun. 26 – Sand Springs City Council evicts Round Up Club from River City Park. – Read More.

Jul. 09 - Janeway Castle Stone Estate & Venue opens in Sand Springs. - Read More.

Jul. 10 - Sand Springs's Janet Johnson named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist. - Read More.

Jul. 11 - James Garrison hired as new CPHS Head Baseball Coach.- Read More.

Jul. 21 – Carter Young wins Cadet Greco-Roman National Championship. – Read More.

Jul. 29 – Aden Baughman wins National Championship in 800-meter run. – Read More.

Aug. 01 – Daton Fix wins Junior Freestyle World Championship. – Read More.

Sep. 09 – Case Community Park unveiled with all-day Riverfest celebration after $6.2 million renovation. – Read More.

Sep. 13 – Edward Jones agent Casey Loper relocates Sand Springs office to new building. – Read More.

Sep. 30 – YellowHouse Market & Boutique relocates to historic downtown Chastain’s building, buying out DejaVu Décor.

Oct. – Prattville Braums and QuikTrip are demolished, work begins on larger, newer facilities. – Read More.

Oct 11. – Colton’s Steak House and Grill breaks ground in River West development. – Read More.

Oct. 21 – CPHS Boys’ Cross Country team qualifies for State for first time in school history. – Read More.

Oct. 27 – Payton Scott sets school rushing record with 507 yards against Bartlesville. – Read More.

Nov. 02 – Stage department store relocates to former May’s Drug Warehouse building. – Read More.

Nov. 04 – It’s Just a Girl Thing Boutique opens in Prattville.

Nov. 08 - OkieSpice & Trade Co. celebrates grand opening in Sand Springs. – Read More.

Nov. 14 – Voters approve $18 million in General Obligation Bond packages. – Read More.

Nov. 14 – Democrat Allison Ikley-Freeman wins Senate District 37 seat vacated by Republican Dan Newberry. – Read More.

Nov. 28 – Downtown Sand Springs hosts inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. – Read More.

Nov. 28 – WSB Homes opens in downtown Sand Springs. – Read More.

Dec. – Philip D. Smith publishes new book, From Praha to Prague. - Read More.

Dec. 01 – Rod’s Books and Relics hosts inaugural Christmas Parade of Books. – Read More.

Dec. 12 – Sand Springs breaks ground on new Prattville Fire Station. – Read More.

Dec. 17 – The House of Hair and Boutique opens on Livi Lee’s Corner. 

Dec. 27 – YellowHouse Market & Boutique, Sarah and Kyle Baumann win inaugural Sandite Pride Christmas Light Contest. – Read More.

Dec. 29 – El Patron Cocina Mexicana opens in Shops at Adams Road. – Read More.

City of Sand Springs accepts $2 million donation, sets date for upcoming bond election

Nine-time State Champion Cheyenne Walden receives the "Heart of the City" award at Monday night's City Council Meeting.

The Sand Springs City Council held a regular meeting Monday night at the City Municipal Building. 

Mayor Mike Burdge presented recent Charles Page High School graduate Cheyenne Walden with a Mayoral Proclamation and the first-ever Heart of the City award for her accomplishments in competitive running. She is the most decorated athlete in school history and will run for Oklahoma State University in the fall.

SEE RELATED: Cheyenne Walden receives "Heart of the City" award from Mayor Mike Burdge

The City formally accepted a $2 million check from Mike and Pat Case. The Cases pledged the donation last year to help with the River City Park renovation. The park will be renamed Case Community Park at its grand re-opening this fall.

Click HERE to view recent photos of the park construction.

Human Resources Director Amy Fairchild gave a brief educational presentation regarding her department. According to Fairchild, the City has 199 full-time, thirteen part-time, five seasonal and one contractual employee. There are currently seven vacant positions, including three in the police department.

Click HERE to view open positions in the City of Sand Springs.

The Council unanimously approved the use of $99,474.00 to purchase four police pursuit units. The department will purchase two Ford Police Interceptor SUVs and two Dodge Chargers.

Council unanimously voted to approve the Parks Advisory Board's recommendation to terminate the Use Agreement with the Sand Springs Round Up Club. They also declared the rodeo grounds as surplus, allowing them to auction off valuables and demolish what's left.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Round Up Club petition hopes to reverse eviction from City park

Council unanimously approved a Deed of Dedication by the Sand Springs Home, officially dedicating South Lincoln Avenue as a public road. The City has been maintaining the road for a number of years under the assumption that it was a public road.

Council approved a new one-year contract with the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority (MTTA) in the amount of $49,368. 

Council unanimously approved a resolution calling for a complete update to the City Comprehensive Plan. The plan has not been updated since 2002.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs approves new comprehensive plan for next fifteen years

Council unanimously approved the renaming of two park sites. The City Garden Park will be renamed the Inez Kirk Garden Park in honor of former City Manager Inez Kirk. The Inez Kirk Soccer Complex will also be renamed. City Officials are waiting to announce the new name pending the notification of the namesake's family.

Council unanimous approved a resolution adopting the 2017 Sand Springs Police Department Policing Plan.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs adopts new 2017 Policing Plan

Council unanimously approved a resolution creating a new fireworks discharge permit classification. Previously the City only allowed the use of Class 1.3G (large professional) fireworks by organizations, and the use of Class of 1.4G (small consumer) fireworks by private individuals at a residential address. The new permit allows for organizations to hold public fireworks shows with 1.4G fireworks. The Class 1.4G individual use permit is $20, the Class 1.4G entity use permit is $40, and the Class 1.3G use permit is $100.

Council approved November 14, 2017 as the date for the 2017 General Obligation Bond election. The State of Oklahoma is already holding a Special Election that date to fill legislative vacancies.

SEE RELATED: City Council prepares for upcoming bond election, discusses new roads and economic incentives

The Sand Springs Municipal Authority met immediately following the Council meeting and approved the use of $58,770 to purchase a Ford F550 pickup for use in the Water Maintenance & Operations department.

Several citizens were appointed to various advisory boards. All positions are three-year terms with the exception of the Sand Springs/Sapulpa Joint Board, which is a one-year term.

• Nancy Riley was reappointed to the Board of Adjustment by unanimous vote.
• Troy Cox was reappointed to the Development Authority by unanimous vote.
• Joe Shelton was reappointed to the Planning Commission by unanimous vote.
• Jason Mikles was reappointed to the Planning Commission by unanimous vote.
• Mary Eubanks was appointed to the Economic Development Authority by unanimous vote.
• Ronald G. Cloud was appointed to the Parks Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
• Elizabeth Gray was appointed as an alternate to the Sand Springs/Sapulpa Joint Board by unanimous vote.
• Dr. William Tom Campbell, Jr. was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
• Robert J. Flennor was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
• Dr. Mark Manahan was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.