Police Chief Mike Carter to transition to new role as City Manager

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SAND SPRINGS, OK - The City of Sand Springs is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Carter as the new City Manager. Carter has been the Chief of Police since 2015 and has been a Sand Springs Police Officer for almost 28 years.

Carter plans to take over the day-to-day operations from interim City Manager Daniel Bradley in March, after a transition period to keep stability within the Sand Springs Police Department. 

Of the hiring, Mayor James Spoon stated, “We are delighted to be able to promote someone from within our city organization. Mike has shown how much he cares for our community and he has the unanimous support of the City Council.” He also added, “I would like to thank my fellow city councilors for the effort that was put into the exhaustive search and that the opportunity presented itself to get such a worthy candidate.”

Carter was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a graduate of Tulsa Will Rogers High School.  He later was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah and has lived in Sand Springs for the past 26 years with his wife Deborah, and his son, Zachary and daughter, Emma.      

Carter is a graduate of the 221st session of the FBI National Academy. In 1995, he served at the scene of the Murrah Federal Building bomb attack in Oklahoma City and also directed the City of Sand Springs operations during the recovery from a devastating ice storm in 2007.   

Carter also has received numerous awards during his career with the Sand Springs Police Department, including the Medal of Valor, two Life-Saving awards, City of Sand Springs Employee of the Year, and twice named Officer of the Year. In October of 2018, Chief Carter represented his agency in receiving the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) /Cisco Leadership in Community Policing Award for developing the concept of a Policing Plan in his community. The City of Sand Springs has continued this concept for over five years.

While working as the Chief of Police, Carter also assisted the City of Sand Springs in economic development endeavors as well as helping with many other areas outside of the typical duties of a police chief, but equipping him with perspectives that will help him in his new role as the City Manager.

In speaking about his appointment, Carter said, “I am truly humbled by the level of support I have received; not only from the City Council, but from all of the City employees. I hope to carry on the good work our team has been doing and feel honored to be able to work with people I respect so much.”

The position of City Manager was last held by Elizabeth Gray, who left in May after six years of service and took a position with the City of Bethany. 

Sand Springs City Council enacts COVID-19 Emergency Response

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The Sand Springs City Council took action during a special meeting Monday evening to combat the recent dramatic rise in COVID-19 pandemic statistics in the Sand Springs community. During the meeting, City of Sand Springs Ordinance No. 1359 was approved unanimously by council members. The new ordinance outlines specific educational information, statistics, definitions and requirements for persons to wear face masks within the boundaries of the City of Sand Springs. An Emergency Clause was also approved by Council, putting the new ordinance into effect this Friday.

The ordinance requires that persons located within the City of Sand Springs are required to wear a face covering at all times while present in spaces being used for business, entertainment, education, athletic and recreational uses. Some spaces identified in the ordinance include:

Business

Retail businesses; spas; entertainment venues; food service facilities including restaurant and bars; hotels; motels; professional offices; banks and financial services; repair facilities and/ or motor vehicle dealerships.

Public Setting

Workplaces; child care facilities; hospitals and health facilities; gymnasium and physical fitness facilities; sports facilities; parks; trails, sidewalks and outdoor retail areas.

Educational Setting

Any building or facility used for academic or athletic purposes including campuses; any private school or preschool.

The ordinance relies on some guidelines from the US Center for Disease Control which allows exemptions to facial coverings for:

  • persons with medical, mental health or developmental disability reasons

  • children age 9 years or younger 

  • restaurant patrons while eating or drinking 

  • occupants in a personal vehicle 

  • persons exercising, who can maintain a 6’ (six foot) social distance

An additional exemption was added to the ordinance last night by council members for individuals engaged in a team sports activity where the level of exertion makes it difficult to wear a face covering.

Religious facilities and places of worship are provided the opportunity to be governed by their own policies regarding facial coverings. The Sand Springs Local Church Network and the City of Sand Springs have worked together since before the pandemic outbreak, sharing community health updates, statistics and other important information related to COVID-19 to lessen the spread of the virus.

Enforcement of the ordinance shall be made upon complaint from any property owner or from a law enforcement officer. Sand Springs Police advises that their intent is to meet any initial response to a call out with educational information for all persons involved in a situation, but will take each instance on a case-by-case basis.

According to a study in an October “Oklahoma Weekly Epidemiology Report”, COVID-19 cases in areas without a facial covering requirement grew by 88%, whereas areas adopting a facial covering requirement saw a much slower spread of only 21%.

This ordinance will remain in place until further notice and shall expire along with other COVID-19 emergency proclamations or declarations.

As of Tuesday, there are 267 active cases in Sand Springs, down from 291 on Monday, marking the first decline in the past two weeks. Active caseload was as low as 77 on November 1st. 11 Sand Springs residents have died from the virus.

Sand Springs man celebrates birthday at Wheeler Dealers Camping Club November campout

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Wheeler Dealers Camping Club members gather for the traditional campout group photo at Hulah Lake. SUBMITTED.

“An Oklahoma Thanksgiving” was the theme for the final Wheeler Dealers Camping Club campout of 2020 held the second weekend of November at Hulah Lake Wah-Sha-She campground near Bowring, OK. 

Hosts for the November campout were Bartlesville members Joe and Pat Brown and Ponca City members Lowry and Rebecca Blakeburn. Members were glad to once again greet each other including new members this year Bill and Pam Doyle, Sand Springs and Vie and Charley Bottger, Ponca City.

 Everyone attending gathered on Thursday and enjoyed a blazing campfire that evening. Carrying on with the Oklahoma Thanksgiving theme Friday afternoon members made pine cone turkeys to use in Thanksgiving decorations. That evening the group met up with three other Bartlesville members who weren’t camping this time, but joined the others for steak dinners at Buck’s BBQ in Sedan, KS. While there the group celebrated Bill Doyle’s birthday.

Saturday members began working on their special dishes for that evening’s Oklahoma Thanksgiving dinner served pot luck style. The menu included ham, turkey and dressing, mashed and sweet potatoes, and a variety of other sides and desserts. That afternoon members sampled various Oklahoma brewed beers provided by the hosts and voted on their favorite. Also drawings were held for door prizes provided by Bell Camper Sales, Bartlesville.

Bill Doyle, Sand Springs, celebrated his birthday over dinner at Buck's BBQ in Sedan, KS during the Wheeler Dealers November campout. SUBMITTED.

Sunday morning following a potluck breakfast, the business meeting was held with Lowry Blakeburn, president, presiding. He shared information from Gary and Nancy Shepard about the annual Christmas Party to be held at the McCord Senior Center in Ponca City. Since that time the group, concerned about rising Covid rates, has decided to postpone the party this December and look at gathering again in February.

Wheeler Dealers monthly campouts usually are held weekends from March to August with a lunch or breakfast gathering in February and a special Christmas Party in December.  Members can make their own reservations at many of the Corps lakes through recreation.gov, the Corps of Engineers reservation service. 

Current members are from Bartlesville, Ponca City, Sand Springs and Norman.  However, anyone from northern Oklahoma or southern Kansas is invited to join.

Persons interested in joining or knowing more about the Wheeler Dealers Camping Club should contact Lowry, president, at 580-304-5445 in Ponca City or Joe, secretary, at 918-977-0805 in Bartlesville.

2020 General Election is Tomorrow – State Election Board Offers Election Day Tips

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The State Election Board says this is a unique election year for many reasons – the pandemic, a recent ice storm, and a surge in voter registration numbers.

State Election Board Secretary, Paul Ziriax, says Oklahoma county election boards are prepared.

“Our county election boards are facing challenges they’ve never experienced before, but they have been preparing for this election for months. We want to assure Oklahomans that every registered voter that wants to vote will be able to vote. This election will be conducted safely, fairly, and securely. We ask that voters be patient and courteous not only to other voters, but election workers as well,” Ziriax said.

The State Election Board offers these tips for successful voting in the 2020 General Election:

ELECTION DAY HOURS

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Lines at the polls are typically longest before work, during the lunch hour, and after work.

Heavy turnout is expected, so voters should plan for extra time to vote on Election Day. New COVID-19 safety protocols — including social distancing — may slow down the check-in lines and the voting process on Election Day. Additionally, in areas where municipal elections are taking place, issuing and voting these extra ballots could also add time to the voting process.

All voters in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

BE PREPARED

Voters are reminded to check the OK Voter Portal to verify their polling place before heading out to vote. A few polling places may have changed due to the COVID-19 emergency.

The State Election Board also recommends voters view a sample ballot using the OK Voter Portal. Many voters have county and local elections in addition to state and federal elections.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

The State Election Board worked with OU Health Sciences Center to develop safety protocols for all of Oklahoma’s polling places and county election boards, including social distancing procedures and disinfection requirements for voting equipment and surfaces. Poll workers at every location have been supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE) including hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and disinfectant. 

Voters are asked to be patient and follow signage and procedures. Election officials strongly recommend that voters wear a mask or face covering to protect themselves and those around them.

Find more on COVID-19 and the 2020 elections on the State Election Board website.

PROOF OF IDENTITY

Oklahoma law requires every voter who votes in person to show proof of identity before receiving a ballot.

There are three ways for voters to prove their identity under the law. (Only one proof of identity is required):

  1. Show a valid photo ID issued by the federal, state, or tribal government. If it has an expiration date, it must be AFTER the date of the election; or

  2. Show the free voter identification card issued to every voter by their County Election Board; or

  3. Sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot. (If the information on the affidavit matches official voter registration records, the ballot will be counted after Election Day.)

FOLLOW THE LAW

The law prohibits electioneering within 300 ft. of the ballot box. This includes wearing clothing, accessories, or having material in public view related to a candidate or issue on the ballot. No one other than authorized individuals are permitted within 50 ft. of the ballot box or inside the election enclosure.

Alleged violations should be reported to precinct officials at the time the incident is occurring.

Voters with questions should contact their County Election Board or the State Election Board at (405) 521-2391 or info@elections.ok.gov.

URL Guide:

OK Voter Portal: https://www.ok.gov/elections/OVP.html

COVID-19 and the 2020 Elections:

https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Covid-19_and_2020_Elections.html

Proof of Identity: https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Proof_of_Identity/index.html

State Election Board Website: https://www.ok.gov/elections/index.html

County Election Boards: https://www.ok.gov/elections/About_Us/County_Election_Boards/index.html

Has investing become an extreme sport?

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This past weekend my family decided to be a part of a team building event at Extreme Water Sports in Oklahoma City, OK. This is a U.S Olympic and Paralympic training site that allows regular individuals to partake in many adrenaline inducing activities. Whitewater rafting, by far is the most exciting and dangerous activity offered at this facility. I avoid risk by nature and wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into but figured I could handle it. I was not prepared for what happened next.

After listening to a short and totally inadequate safety speech by our guide, we headed out to conquer the rapids. As the roar of the rapids filled our ears our guide yelled, “We’ll go through this course three times. Do you want to go aggressive now or later?!” The six of us in the raft chose later. At the first spillway I realized I had made a big mistake. The waves smashed into my face as our guide yelled, “Row forward!”

As I thought, “Ok, that wasn’t so bad,” we hit the next rapid and I found myself ejected out of the raft and into the swirling rapid along with two others from our group. I was dunked repeatedly, and terror engulfed me as I was pulled under the raft by the raging current. I could not remember a thing from the prior safety instructions. Needless to say, I was saved and was unscathed, except for a few scrapes, bruises, and drinking gallons of river water. I am forever in the debt of our guide!

As I was reflecting on my “near death” experience I realized that as investors there are many parallels between white water rafting and what we have experienced over the past year or so. Our guide gave me some really good advice, however, in the moment I forgot it all. Here’s what he said…

“YOU HAVE TO THINK LOGICALLY!” - If you have to rescue someone that has been thrown out of the raft, you must grab them by the shoulder straps of their life jacket and dunk them under the water to get buoyancy and momentum needed to drag them into the raft.

When I was in the water I wasn’t thinking logically, I was in survival mode. I would have fought against someone trying to dunk me to pull me in the raft. The same applies to investing, when the market has dropped drastically all the investor thinks about is survival and your survival instincts scream, “Get out! You can’t recover from this! At least you won’t lose any more!” This is where retirement plans capsize and never recover. Sticking to a plan when you are going through the volatility of the market is a must if you are to make it out. Benjamin Graham summed up this sentiment best when he said, “The investor’s chief problem - and even his worst enemy - is likely himself.”

“LISTEN TO YOUR GUIDE AT ALL TIMES.” - Whether I was in the water or in the raft, it was the precise and timely instruction of the guide that got me through any situation that I was encountering. If I could hear his voice over the roar of the rapids, I was ok. Trust me, he received a big tip at the end because I felt that I owed him my life!

There is a reason you hire an advisor. It’s not for the good times, nor is it only for the bull markets; a real advisor proves his worth when the going gets rough and things get crazy. This is because he knows that he is handling your future livelihood. As long as you are able to hear your financial advisor’s voice, allow him to shred the narrative and follow his promptings. If you can do this, you will be ok. Don’t jump ship, hang in there. This is what he was trained to do. You were smart to hire your advisor so trust yourself, listen to your financial professional because they are there to help you succeed. Your financial advisor will celebrate your financial successes because when you succeed, they too are successful.

“SOMETIMES ALL YOU CAN DO IS HUNKER DOWN” - There were times our guide would yell, “GET DOWN!” This meant to lock your feet in, hunker down, and hold on because we were about to hit a massive rock or rapid. He was diligent in watching out for what we were approaching, and his verbal commands were an indication of his concern for our safety. Most importantly, he knew that in that moment, we were safest in the vessel and by not jumping ship.

There are times when the best course of action is hunkering down. No one knows the exact future of the markets, the economy, or what the results of the elections will be. Choosing a financial advisor is like selecting a long-term whitewater rafting guide, but more personal because you are selecting an individual to build an intimate relationship with based upon your future financial needs and/or goals. You have to trust that your advisor will guide you through the process of putting together a strategy that will be ready for such a time as this. You also have to trust that you have been properly allocated and diversified before any indications of a market decline. Through carefully selected and diversified investments, your advisor will guide you through hunkering down and holding on for the ride. You’ll pray it ends sooner rather than later, but if you listen to your financial advisor, you’ll be able to hold on and come out safely on the other side.

Daran Tucker, ChFC
LPL Investment Advisor Representative
www.f-p-r.com

City of Sand Springs announces Community Survey

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Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces the latest Community Survey, now being made available for residents of Sand Springs. The 2020 survey is an update of a previous survey completed five years ago which identified citizen feedback on items ranging from public safety to park priorities. City officials experienced a strong response from the public then, and incorporated those survey results into the City’s comprehensive plan- a major planning tool which aides in policy and decision making for the city.

“The community survey is an important tool for engaging our citizens. It provides vital feedback on the wants, desires and preferences of the community. Results from this survey will be used to help create long term goals and actions plans that will improve the city in the future”, stated the City’s Planning Director Brad Bates.

The Community Survey can be accessed in several ways for citizens to participate. The survey can be found online at: www.sandspringsok.org/556/community-survey-2020 A link to the survey will also be shown on the City’s Facebook page. Citizens can also request a printed hard copy M-F at the office of the City Planner at 100 E. Broadway in downtown Sand Springs, and simply return the completed survey to that office.

“Information gathered from this important survey will be incorporated into our comprehensive plan by creating priorities and action plans that can be carried out by staff and council to improve our entire community”, added Bates.

To add interest, the City will be conducting door prize drawings from survey respondents. Three randomly selected winners will receive prizes including a Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf experience and gift cards in the Sand Springs community for great food and shopping.

The deadline to submit your Community Survey is Monday, November 23, 2020.

City of Sand Springs receives Excellence in Financial Reporting honor

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Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs has received an Excellence in Financial Reporting Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for their Certified Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The award is the 30th consecutive year for the City of Sand Springs’ Finance Department to receive this honor, and covers the financial report for the year ending June, 2019. The CAFR reports are judged by GFAO, using an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate the City’s financial story, and motivate users to read and understand the CAFR.

“The GFAO’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” stated GFAO’s Michele Levine from their office in Chicago, Illinois.

Click here to view the current CAFR on the City’s website.

Each year the City produces two financial reports, the CAFR (which is an exhaustive, audited depiction of the City of Sand Springs’ financial position) and the PAFR (Popular Annual Financial Report). The Popular Annual Financial Report will be released in early 2021 and provides brief, descriptive information about the City’s activities, community milestones, organizational structure and financial information.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award for the 30th consecutive year,” said Kelly Lamberson, Finance Director. “Sand Springs has a long history of financial reporting excellence and we are happy to continue this tradition. This award is made possible by the diligence and commitment of the entire finance department and the great support of our City Council.”

For more information about the City of Sand Springs, please visit www.sandspringsok.org and follow the City’s social media on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

Sand Springs couple joins Wheeler Dealers Camping Club

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Story and photos submitted by Kathy Tippin.

Sand Springs residents Bill and Pam Doyle joined the Wheeler Dealers Camping Club at the El  Dorado State Park in Kansas this month. 

 Hosts for the October campout were Bartlesville members Clarence and Karla Hill and Gary and Charlotte Piersall. The campout had an Oktoberfest theme. Fifteen couples from Ponca City, Norman, Sand Springs, Wichita and Bartlesville pulled into the campground including three new couples, Bill and Pam Doyle, Sand Springs; Mark and Donna Metevia, Norman; and Larry and Elaine Stevens, Bartlesville. Also joining was Charlotte Piersall’s brother from Wichita. 

Some members arrived on Wednesday with the majority arriving on Thursday and the rest on Friday.  Thursday evening the group feasted on Mexican food served pot luck style with more than enough food for everyone from tamales and enchiladas to taco’s and queso.

Friday morning some of the Wheeler Dealers visited the Kansas Oil Museum in El Dorado while others participated in making gnomes. The Kansas Oil Museum is one of the state’s largest museums focusing on the history of the early 20th century oil industry. The history of Butler County KS is preserved from the earliest days of Native American tribes and pioneers, to small-town and ranch life. The group enjoyed exhibits both inside and outside.

Gnomes were the craft project for others organized by Karla Hill and Charlotte Piersall. A Styrofoam cone wound with yarn placed on top of a wine bottle formed the hat with a beard of fur placed below covering the bottle topped off with a small wood nose.  Inside each gnome was placed a string of lights that when turned on shines through the beard making a festive fall German style gnome.

Friday afternoon members challenged each other with games of Corn Hole and Horse Shoes. Saturday evening prizes were awarded to Ellen Cobb, Women’s Corn Hole champion and Joe Brown, Men’s Corn Hole Champion.          

Friday evening the Hills and Piersalls continued with the Oktoberfest theme with a German Oktoberfeast preceded by sampling of various German beers. On the menu were various sausages grilled by Gary Piersall. Also featured were German potato salad, red cabbage, and a cucumber salad. Members enjoyed sitting around the campfire that evening getting to know the newer members.

Saturday Wheeler Dealers spent the day in nearby Wichita. First stop was the Nifty Nut House, established in 1937. Known for its vast assortment of nuts and candies, members shopped for various specialty nuts and candies to take home. From there some of the members ate lunch in Wichita’s Old Town and met up with the rest of the group at the Old Cowtown Museum. There they toured this version of early day Wichita from 1865-1880 including houses to churches to various businesses. The 54 historic and recreated buildings tell the story of Wichita’s early days. Wheeler Dealer member Nancy Murdock Shepard enjoyed reading about her relative Marshall M. Murdock, the founder and editor of the Wichita Eagle in the Wichita City Eagle Print Shop.

Saturday night each couple prepared a soup, salad or dessert to be served to the group pot luck style.  This was followed by three tables playing Mexican Train. 

Sunday morning following a potluck breakfast, the business meeting was held with Lowry Blakeburn, president, presiding. Joe Brown told about the upcoming November Wheeler Dealers campout at Wa Sha She, Hulah Lake’s campground hosted by Joe and Pat Brown and Lowry and Rebecca Blakeburn. The group will eat at Buck’s Steakhouse in Sedan, KS Friday night. The campout theme will be Oklahoma Thanksgiving with a Saturday night pot luck dinner featuring various traditional Thanksgiving dinner foods.

Wheeler Dealers monthly campouts usually are held weekends from March to August with a lunch or breakfast gathering in February and a special Christmas Party in December. Members can make their own reservations at many of the Corps lakes through recreation.gov, the Corps of Engineers reservation service. 

Current members are from Bartlesville, Ponca City, Sand Springs and Norman. However, anyone from northern Oklahoma or southern Kansas is invited to join.

Persons interested in joining or knowing more about the Wheeler Dealers Camping Club should contact Lowry, president, at 580-304-5445 in Ponca City or Joe, secretary, at 918-977-0805 in Bartlesville.

Obit: Donald M. Wakefield

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Donald M. Wakefield, age 76, died Wed., September 30, 2020 at his home in Concordia, KS.  He was born on Nov. 8, 1943 in Battle Creek, MI to Milo E. & Emma J. (McWatters) Wakefield.

He graduated high school in Alpena, MI and received an Associate’s degree from Tulsa Junior College and Ft. Scott Community College.  He married Janice R. Oberley on July 25, 1964 in Walker. MN. He began working for Western Union Telegraph and then worked as a wastewater supervisor, retiring from the City of Neodesha. He later served as pastor for the Jewell Assembly of God Church, Jewell, KS. Don and Janice have lived in a host of places during their marriage in Connecticut, Michigan, Oklahoma and Kansas. Don was a member of Victory Faith Church, serving as the Treasurer and a Board member. He also served as Treasurer for the Concordia Ministerial Assoc. for 4 years. He enjoyed model railroads, scale trains and played the trombone.

He is survived by his wife Janice, Concordia; sons, David, Sand Springs, OK, Daniel (Annette), Pine Bluff, AR & Donald, II (Kathy), Sand Springs, OK ; daughters, Jeannine Matthews, Stillwater, OK, Janette Shipley (Cory), Springfield, MO &  Juline Wakefield, Concordia; sister, Bonnie Pratt (Eugene), Rockford, MI; brother, Roland Wakefield (Lita), Ocala, FL;  brothers in law, Eugene Oberley (Elaine), Bloomfield, MN & William Menerey, National City, MI; 16 grandchildren & 5 great grandchildren and 1 great grandchild on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandchild, Noah Wakefield; son in law, Lowell Matthews and sister, Shirley Menerey.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Monday, October 5, 2020 at Victory Faith Church, Concordia, with Pastor Rick Barrett and Pastor Cory Shipley officiating.  Burial will follow in the Jewell City Cemetery, Jewell.  Visitation will be Sunday, October 4, 2020 from 1-8 pm with family greeting from 4-6 pm at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to Victory Faith Church in care of the funeral home.  For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.

Flu Vaccine Available Starting October 1st

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OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 30, 2020) – Local county health departments and other health care providers in Oklahoma will begin offering seasonal flu vaccinations on Thursday, Oct. 1. Almost everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year. It is an effective way to prevent flu illness and another great tool for mitigating the impacts of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine by the end of October, before flu begins spreading in the community. The flu vaccine can keep a person from getting the flu and make the illness less severe if a person gets it. 

CDC has worked with vaccine manufacturers to have extra flu vaccine available this flu season, and Oklahoma will distribute 400,000 flu vaccine doses to ensure availability of an affordable or free flu shot this year.

During the last flu season, 3,580 Oklahoma residents were hospitalized because of flu-related illnesses --  including 383 children under age four – and 85 Oklahomans died, including three children under age 17.

While flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19. 

“It is critically important this year that every Oklahoman who can get the flu shot does so right away,” said Health Commissioner Lance Frye, MD. “This is a great method of preventing the spread of influenza in our communities, and I urge Oklahomans to take this proactive step.”

Children through age 18 years are eligible to receive vaccines at no charge through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program if any of the following apply: they are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, Native American Indian, Native Alaskan, or their insurance policy does not cover vaccines. Free flu shots are available at health care providers enrolled in the VFC program, including all local county health departments and community health centers (CHC). 

Uninsured adults may be able to get a flu shot at no out-of-pocket cost at most  local county health departments and CHC across Oklahoma. 

Insured adults and children are able to get a flu shot for free at their health care provider or at a local pharmacy. Coverage can vary among different insurance plans.

There are many places to get a flu shot, including: 

  • County health departments

  • Doctor’s office

  • Clinics

  • Pharmacies 

  • Retail and grocery stores

  • Community health centers 

  • Workplace

Where people get their flu shot this year may need to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many places follow strict guidelines to create a safe environment for the community. It is easy to find a flu vaccine available at different providers at VaccineFinder.org.   

The best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated this fall. In addition to getting a flu shot, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reminds the community to follow these prevention tips: 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.  

  • Outside your home, put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. 

  • Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. 

  • Stay home from work, school, and other public places if you are ill. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Make “respiratory hygiene” a habit, including use of tissues to cover coughs and sneezes, then disposing of them and washing hands at once. When tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve, never your hands. 

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.  

  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of respiratory illness and take your temperature if symptoms develop. Call your health care provider for advice if you are experiencing symptoms.  

For more information, please call (405) 271-7200 or visit fightflu.health.ok.gov.

Sterling Auxiliaries to Acquire Sand Springs Chemicals Manufacturing Site from Baker Hughes

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SOUTHBURY, Conn., Sept. 24, 2020 -- Sterling Auxiliaries Pvt. Ltd. and its parent company, Artek Surfin Chemicals Ltd., a leading producer of specialty chemicals with manufacturing capabilities across four continents, have agreed to acquire the land and assets associated with Baker Hughes' Sand Springs, Oklahoma, chemicals manufacturing facility.

The Sand Springs facility, which includes approximately 120 employees who will transfer with the sale to Sterling, manufactures oilfield specialty chemicals. As part of the transaction, Baker Hughes will enter into a long-term toll manufacturing agreement with Sterling at the Sand Springs manufacturing site. The new Sand Springs entity will be called Sterling Specialty Chemicals LLC.

"The purchase of Baker Hughes' Sand Springs chemicals manufacturing assets is another key step in our global vision and growth strategy as we continue to pursue additional strategic acquisitions such as this," said Vishal Goenka, director, Artek Surfin Chemicals Ltd., parent company of U.S.-based Galata Chemicals and India-based Sterling Auxiliaries. "Sterling and Baker Hughes have worked together globally for nearly 10 years. This transaction is a testament of our deep relationship, and we look forward to continue this partnership in the years ahead."

The transaction is expected to close by September 30, 2020.

About Sterling Auxiliaries Pvt. Ltd.:
Formed in 1984, Sterling Auxiliaries has grown to become a leading manufacturer and supplier of Surfactants, Ethanol Amines, Antioxidants, Esters & Specialty Chemicals.  With exports spanning over 65 countries, Sterling caters to various industries including Home & Personal Care, Oil Field and Gas Treatment Plants, Metal Finishing, Agro Chemicals, Textile Industries, Leather Chemicals, Pharmaceutical, Paint & Pigments, Construction Chemicals etc. For more information, please visit www.sterlingaux.com.

SOURCE Artek Surfin Chemicals Ltd.

Sen. Standridge plans tougher anti-riot legislation in Oklahoma

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OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, said he wants to strengthen Oklahoma statutes to better deter violence and ensure financial accountability for those who destroy property during riots.  Standridge said he’s already been working with staff on his proposed legislation ahead of the 2021 session.

“I cannot state strongly enough that I support the people’s right to peaceably assemble, to protest and to express their points of view—these rights are protected by the U.S. Constitution—but the deliberate and wanton destruction of property and other people’s livelihoods must not and will not be tolerated,” Standridge said.

Standridge said current Oklahoma statutes on rioting and unlawful assembly are good, but he believes they can be stronger, particularly in the area of destruction of property.  Some protests held in Oklahoma last summer left businesses in Oklahoma City and Tulsa with damage ranging from graffiti to broken windows, while a nonprofit organization near downtown Oklahoma City was set on fire.

“We need to make sure whether it is 50 cents or $5,000, the person responsible for breaking windows, destroying cars or setting entire businesses on fire needs to be held responsible for every single penny of that destruction,” Standridge said.  “I think by doing that, we can not only do more to hold rioters accountable, but I also think it will discourage people from this indiscriminate destruction of property.”

According to statute, the first day legislators can begin filing legislation ahead of the 2021 session is Nov. 15, 2020.

State Election Board Encourages Participation on National Voter Registration Day - Sept. 22

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Today is National Voter Registration Day and the Oklahoma State Election Board is supporting the effort by encouraging citizens across the state to register to vote. The State Election Board reminds Oklahomans that the deadline to register or make changes to their registration for the November 3 General Election is quickly approaching.

New applicants can fill out a registration form using the OK Voter Portal “wizard.” Applications must be printed, signed, and mailed or hand-delivered to the Election Board to complete the process. Voter Registration Applications are also available at your County Election Board or can be downloaded from the State Election Board website.

Current voters are strongly encouraged to verify their registration online through the OK Voter Portal to make sure it is up-to-date for the November 3 election. Address changes can be made online provided you have not moved to a new county. If you have moved to a new county, you will need to complete a new Voter Registration Application. Party affiliation changes can also be made online.

To register to vote in Oklahoma:

  • You must be 18 years old on or before an election in which you are eligible to vote. (You may pre-register to vote if you are 17 ½ years old, but you must be 18 to vote.)

  • You must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of Oklahoma.

  • You must affirm that you have not been convicted of a felony or if you have been convicted, you have fully served your sentence of court-mandated calendar days, including any term of incarceration, parole or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court.

  • You must affirm that you are not under judgment as an incapacitated person.

Applications for new registrations and updates must be postmarked or submitted by October 9.

National Voter Registration Day was first celebrated in 2012 and is held the fourth Tuesday each September.

Voters with questions should contact their County Election Board for more information.

City of Sand Springs announces downtown redevelopment grant program

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Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announced Wednesday the creation of a new downtown redevelopment program which can help commercial building owners improve their older, vacant facilities. The new “White Box” grant program kicks off this month with applications and instructions available online for interested commercial property owners whose site qualifies. The program will be administered by the City of Sand Springs Planning Department with approval process provided through the Sand Springs Development Authority (SSDA). The White Box grant program incentivizes rehabilitation work for sites located within a specific downtown revitalization area in Sand Springs.

“We’re excited to roll out this new program as an incentive for qualifying downtown commercial business owners”, stated Troy Cox, SSDA Chair. “Our goal is to use this public/private venture in the form of a reimbursable grant program to do work in the heart of downtown Sand Springs. We aim to help commercial property owners improve both the functionality of their building and keep improving the outward appearance of our community.”

The White Box grant program offers an 80% reimbursable grant award for work done on vacant buildings that fall inside the grant program area. The maximum grant award available is $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) and property owners are limited to one grant per year. For example a property owner might receive up to $8,000 back for expenses incurred on an approved maximum grant project of $10,000. Projects may exceed $10,000 to accomplish major work, but reimbursement amounts are capped at the $10,000 grant project amount.

Grant eligibility requirements include:

  1. All work being done must be done on an existing, currently vacant, commercially-zoned building on property located within the program boundaries.

  2. The program is available to business owners and property owners for work performed on the interior of currently vacant spaces.

  3. Grant funds cannot be used to correct outstanding code violations, for property damage by collision, acts of nature or occurrences covered by insurance.

  4. Only work begun after approval by the Sand Springs Development Authority (SSDA) will be eligible for grant funds.

  5. All work must comply with the City of Sand Springs Building Department Code requirements and all relevant permits and inspections are required.

  6. If a retail or commercial business is applying for the grant, only one white box grant will be awarded per business. If the property owner is applying for a grant, only one white box grant may be awarded within a calendar year.

  7. Projects requesting funding for retail and restaurant commercial spaces is preferred over office uses and will be given preferential treatment in the event of funding shortages for awarding of grants.

Eligible expenses include:

  1. Interior plumbing in compliance with current building code

  2. Electrical in compliance with current building code

  3. HVAC in compliance with current building code

  4. Fire Suppression measures including kitchens in compliance with current building code

“This is a very accessible and valuable tool for downtown commercial property owners,” said City Planner Brad Bates. “With this grant program now in place, investors and property owners have a clear path to receive sizeable incentives to do work on older or outdated properties to make them viable again in our downtown.”

The application is now available on the City’s website, including grant program details. Applicants should be prepared to provide enough documentation and research on their planned improvement project to aide in the review of their grant application. A design review committee from SSDA will determine the merits of all applications and direct the amount of the award to any applicant who meets the criteria.

To receive reimbursement following a grant award, projects must be completed within 120 calendar days (there are grant extensions possible of up to one year), must conform to the submitted grant application and must produce workmanship that is customary to the industry.

Downtown Sand Springs waterline project to begin in September

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The City of Sand Springs has announced plans to improve a critical downtown waterline component beginning next month. The $479,000 construction project was awarded during last night’s Sand Springs City Council meeting and will replace an existing water line service along the northern alignment of East Broadway Street from North Main to North Washington Avenues.

“The new line will be upgraded from older two and four inch service lines to become an eight-inch water line. The old line had deteriorated, exhibited leaking issues and has been identified for replacement,” stated Jesse Vaverka, Engineer with the City. This waterline project is part of the City’s ongoing program to replace existing waterlines across the City which have surpassed their useful life.

To lessen impact on downtown business owners and visitors, the new line will be constructed below westbound asphalt lane portions of East Broadway Street and not within the sidewalk. The City’s goal is to help downtown merchants better maintain normal business operations during construction. The primary inconveniences during construction should include several phased road closures of the westbound lanes only, and some temporary displaced downtown parking.

The waterline contract calls for approximately 75 days of construction, but with potential weather delays the work may extend beyond that. Traffic cones, detour signage and message boards will be put in place to help vehicles navigate the impacted area.

Downtown businesses should not experience any water service disruptions throughout the project. Businesses should expect a short water service transfer lasting a few hours later on in the project schedule as the new water line is placed into service and the old line is abandoned.

Citizens with questions about the project may contact Community Development Director Grant Gerondale at grant@sandspringsok.org.

For more information about the City of Sand Springs, please visit www.sandspringsok.org and follow the City’s social media on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

House approves funding for Tulsa Levee System improvements

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An Arkansas River levee holds back flood waters in Sand Springs in May of 2019.

On July 30, 2020, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed HR 7575—the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)—which could have significant impacts on the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levee system.

“There’s a lot to be happy about in the WRDA passing,” said Representative Kevin Hern. “Included in the bill were funds for the Army Corps of Engineers to make upgrades on the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levee System. Last year, a flood decimated parts of Tulsa. Had the aging levees failed, the devastation would have been much worse.”

The legislation includes $133.5 million in funding to improve the levees, which were rated “unacceptable” and at “very high risk of failure” 12 years ago. Next, the legislation moves forward to the Senate for approval.

“I have consistently pushed for the need to address the decrepit Tulsa-West Tulsa Levee System,” said Senator Jim Inhofe. “Passage of this legislation in the House is a major step forward and I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that it is passed through the Senate.”

Previous to the House passage, the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levee System was the subject of an Army Corps of Engineers “Chiefs Report” in which the Corps made formal recommendations for the necessary improvements to the system. This “Chiefs Report” followed the completion of a feasibility study that incorporated public comments regarding the identified improvements.

“I get more and more excited every time we move forward and see progress on improving our levee system,” said District 2 Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith. “It has taken years of effort from Senators Inhofe and Lankford, Congressman Hern and Mullen, Todd Kilpatrick our Levee Commissioner, the Corps, and so many others to get us to this point. The momentum we have now is a huge victory for the citizens and business who rely on the levees to protect them. I am looking forward to the day when the Corps can start the preconstruction and engineering design phase that this funding will kick off.”

“The news that the WRDA has been passed by the House is tremendous,” Todd Kilpatrick, District 12 Levee Commissioner, said. “Every step we make toward improving the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levee System gets Tulsans closer to being better protected from the flooding like we saw last year. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without the support of our federal delegation and the expedited work by the Tulsa Division of the Corps to complete the feasibility study that ultimately led to the signing of the Chiefs report.”

In addition to the funding potential from the WRDA, this past April Tulsa County was awarded a $3 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration to modernize two existing pump stations in the 70+-year-old system

The full text of the bill can be read at this link.

OTC authorizes $95,000 in improvements for Industrial Avenue bridge in Sand Springs

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On Monday, Aug. 3, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved the nearly $880 million County Improvements for Roads and Bridges plan that has been updated for State Fiscal Years 2021 through 2025. The plan, managed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, is set to replace or rehabilitate 313 bridges on the county system – of which 151 are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete – and to improve 585 miles of county roads in the next five years.

“Oklahoma’s county road network accounts for 60 percent of the state’s bridges and 73 percent of its centerline miles on our state’s transportation system and this funding is fundamental to keeping the ‘off-system’ infrastructure online for years to come,” said Tim Gatz, Oklahoma secretary of transportation and ODOT executive director.

The plan is comprised of 209 projects with all 77 counties represented. The department works with the counties’ eight Circuit Engineering Districts to prioritize projects of the highest need in each county and make the most of state, federal, local and tribal funding sources. The plan allows counties to work together to pool resources to address high-priority projects too large for any one county to accomplish. By law, ODOT administers the plan and partners with the counties to oversee the state and federal funds incorporated into many projects.

The plan identifies funding for one project in Sand Springs. $85,000 has been set aside for either repairs to or replacement of the Industrial Avenue bridge over Sand Creek. $5,000 has been designated for right-of-way improvements on Industrial Avenue, and another $5,000 will be spent on utilities improvements.

Attorney General Hunter Prepares Brief with Court of Criminal Appeals Seeking Guidance on Cases Affected by the McGirt Decision

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OKLAHOMA CITY – In response to the flood of inmates challenging their state convictions on historic tribal lands, including those lands not associated with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Attorney General Mike Hunter today plans to file a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals that seeks guidance on these many cases affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt ruling.

In the filing, the attorney general writes that the U.S. Supreme Court created numerous issues that could result in the release of inmates convicted of violent crimes, like Shaun Bosse, a non-Indian who is on death row for murdering a Chickasaw family—a mother and her two children—in 2010.

Bosse is challenging his conviction on the basis that his crimes took place on the undiminished boundaries of the original Chickasaw Reservation.

“My team and I plan to challenge every single appeal that attempts to overturn longstanding convictions on historic tribal land,” Attorney General Hunter said. “We are not questioning the Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt, but instead seeking to promote public safety by saying these convicted criminals waited too long to bring their claims. Also, we are asking the court to make clear that the state still has jurisdiction to punish non-Indians who victimize tribal citizens, which would provide the maximum possible protection to tribal members. In the meantime, we are asking the Court of Criminal Appeals to provide guidance on these cases and deny any requests by inmates attempting to get released from prison.”

One question the attorney general points to in the Bosse case is whether the state has jurisdiction, concurrently with the federal government over non-Indians, like Bosse, who victimized tribal citizens.

“We take the position that the state has a right and duty to protect our Indian citizens from those who murder them like Bosse,” Attorney General Hunter said. “There can be no good that comes from tying the state’s hands when we are trying to protect Native Americans by exercising jurisdiction over non-Indians. This is no way undermines tribal sovereignty, but instead is a way for the state to work with the federal government in making sure tribal members receive police protection and justice when they are victimized.”

The attorney general is also asking the court to clarify how Indian status is to be proven, and to put the burden of proving Indian status on the defendant and that the location of the crime fell within the boundaries of a legal reservation.

A drive up to 75; speed limit changes in sight for some rural Oklahoma interstates

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Nearly 400 miles of rural interstates in Oklahoma will be shifting up to a maximum speed limit of 75 mph in the coming months. Drivers will only see these changes outside of the major metro areas of these routes, and should pay close attention to safety during this transition.

At its August 3 meeting, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved six locations on I-35 and I-40 to change the maximum speed limit from 70 mph to 75 mph on 179 miles of identified rural sections of I-35 and on 220 miles of I-40. These segments include:

  • I-35 from the Oklahoma/Texas state line, north 90 miles to just south of the SH-74 junction near Purcell

  • I-35 from the Oklahoma/Kansas state line, south 89 miles to Waterloo Rd. near the Oklahoma/Logan County line

  • I-40 from the Oklahoma/Texas state line, east 32 miles to near the SH-34 junction west of Elk City

  • I-40 from just east of the Beckham/Washita County line, east 22 miles to two miles west of the US-183 junction in Clinton

  • I-40 from just west of the Custer/Caddo County line, east 50 miles to just east of Frisco Rd. near Yukon

  • I-40 from just east of the SH-18 junction near Shawnee, east 116 miles to just west of the CR 4570 (Dwight Mission Rd.) junction west of Sallisaw.

The recent passage of HB 1071 set the stage for statewide studies on potential maximum speed limit increases to 75 mph on rural interstates and 80 mph on rural turnpikes. Both the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority carefully studied potential locations to be candidates on each of their systems. Criteria was safety-driven and included factors like roadway geometry, sight distance, collision history, traffic flows and existing speed patterns to determine eligible locations. Larger metro areas along interstates such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa were not considered for changes as part of this process, but could see changes in the future depending on how drivers handle the current increases.

“We appreciate the vision of Rep. Daniel Pae and his fellow legislators to help both agencies take a big-picture look at our system for areas which made sense for a speed limit change,” Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz said. “We know drivers are looking forward to seeing these changes, and we urge them to do their part for safety by following posted speeds and being alert to the surrounding traffic conditions.”

Until the new signs are in place, the old posted speed limits will remain the enforced speed. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol urges drivers to pay close attention to the posted speed limits on their route or risk a ticket. Discussions with safety and law enforcement partners have been invaluable to this process and will be ongoing, especially to help monitor the changes and determine if any adjustments need to be considered for safety.

In late July, the OTA Board approved changes for an 80 mph maximum speed limit on rural segments of six turnpikes, totaling 104 miles. Work will be ongoing for several months to manufacture and install new signs in all of these interstate and turnpike corridors.

Women's Chamber opens five Little Red Libraries at Sand Springs parks

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A partnership between the Sand Springs Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sand Springs Parks Department now allows residents of all ages to experience the joy of reading at five new Little Red Library sites throughout the City of Sand Springs.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, July 24 at 9am, at the first Little Red Library installed on the grounds of the City of Sand Springs Case Community Park Splash Pad.

“We are so happy to support literacy and nurture the love of reading in this practical way,” says Teresa Smith, Sand Springs Women’s Chamber President.

Each Little Red Library will be filled with books for all ages. Take a book…return a book…leave a book, all a community effort to promote literacy in Sand Springs.

The Sand Springs Women’s Chamber is organized for the purpose of advancing literacy through charitable, civic and literacy programs in Sand Springs.

This is the first of five little red libraries to be placed throughout the Sand Springs community. Sites scheduled for library boxes are Sand Springs Case Community Park Splash Pad, Sand Springs Lake Park, Pratt Civitan Park, Sand Springs Inez Kirk Park and the Garfield Elementary neighborhood.