Animals up for adoption at Sand Springs Animal Shelter

The following animals are available for adoption at the Sand Springs Animal Shelter as of 6.16.2017.

Photographs are courtesy of Renae Williams with Snapdragon Photography in Sand Springs. 

Adoption cost is $65 and covers spaying/neutering, vaccination, and a general health examination. 

Sand Springs Animal Welfare
8620 W. 21st St.
Sand Springs, OK 74063
918.246.2543
animalcontrol@sandspringsok.org
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday

Snapdragon Photography
Sand Springs, OK 74063
918.625.6853
renae@snapdragonphotography.net
www.snapdragonphotography.net
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Felix. 2-3 year old Pit/Catahoula mix. Male. 

MayBelle. Adult female. Labrador-mix.

Domino. Adult female. Pit mix. 

Lucky. Adult male. Rottweiler/Labrador mix. 

Diva. Adult female. Pit Bull Terrier. 

How to de-clutter your Facebook news feed and never miss an important post

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Are you social media savvy?

You may think so, and you may be wrong.

The internet is an ever-changing landscape. A nightmare for those who are not technologically inclined, a headache for those who feel obligated to keep plugged in with friends and family, and a rewarding frontier for a new generation of entrepreneurs and activists.

Never in the history of the world has it been so easy to stay informed. But just like you can't browse a library properly without knowing the Dewey Decimal System, you can't browse the web properly without learning its language. 

Did you know that even if you “like” a page on Facebook, you might never see it in your News Feed?

There was a time when everyone you added as a friend, and every page you liked, showed up in your news feed. The stories were arranged with the most recent posts at the top of your feed, and the further you scrolled, the older they got.

That was a simpler time.

Nowadays it’s a lot harder to see what you want to see, and avoid what you don’t want to see. 

The internet no longer simply conveys information, it also collects information.

Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, YouTube, and all the other sites that you participate in are all collecting information on you. Everything you click on, everything you type, everything you read or listen to, is all going into storage. They analyze it, figure out what your hobbies, interests, and favorite foods are, and they market their information accordingly. They know your age, your location, your gender, and more.

So when Harper’s Hut decides to “promote” a post about their car show, Facebook will target people who are most likely to attend a car show. If you like pages that relate to cars, if you’ve ever made a status update about cars, then it’s very likely that the Hut's post will appear on your news feed multiple times before the event.

But Facebook doesn't just target the car lovers. Remember when you tweeted “anything fun and free going on in Sand Springs this weekend?” Facebook remembers, and they’ve got the answer for you.

On one hand, this can be a great way to keep up with what really matters to you.

Sure you liked your uncle’s page about homemade bracelets, but do you really care to see them every day? No, you don’t like bracelets. They’re bulky and get in your way while you’re working at the computer all day. But you love necklaces, and thanks to Facebook’s Orwellian tactics, you now know all about the upcoming sale on Summer Ellis jewelry at Ashton’s Boutique. 

But there’s a flip side.

Too much of the same information creates an echo chamber. You shared a cat video, so Facebook knows you like cats, so they show you more cats, and the cycle continues. Because they only ever show you cat videos, they’re completely unaware that your favorite animal is the capybara, and you’re wondering why capybara videos never show up on your feed.

So how do you control your news feed?

The first and easiest step to controlling what you see, is to make sure you have “liked” and “followed” the pages you want to view.

Morgan Miller, a partner at Sandite Pride News, surprised the rest of our staff when she liked our Facebook page two years after she was already an administrator. She assumed that because it showed up on her feed all the time that she had already liked the page. The reason it showed up on her feed all the time was because of how many of her Facebook friends were liking and sharing our posts.

While Facebook can be very helpful, its primary purpose is to be profitable.

In order to push businesses to spend money promoting their posts, Facebook limits the likelihood of stories naturally occurring in your news feed. However, you can work around this.

Firstly, don’t be like Morgan. If you don’t want to miss a post from a certain page, make sure you actually have liked it.

Secondly, check your “following” settings. You can like your mom’s home daycare page so she stops nagging you, but you can also “Unfollow” it so you don’t have to see her daily updates on what snacks the kids are getting before nap time.

There are two “following” settings, and the “Default” setting is what I previously described to you. You may see some posts, you may see no posts. It depends on what your interests are, and on whether or not that page is willing to spend money with Facebook. But you can also change your setting to “See First,” so that all of that page’s posts end up in your feed.

Thirdly, you can subscribe to notifications from the pages you are interested in. There are numerous settings for what you want to get notified of. You can receive notifications for All Posts, Events, Offers, and Live Videos.

So make sure you never miss another post from Sandite Pride News! See our posts first or subscribe to updates to make sure you always know whats going on in our town.

Here's ten recent stories you may have missed if you didn't have your notifications turned on!

1. Sandite Pride releases 2017 Sand Springs Wrestling magazine
2. State Senator Dan Newberry resigns seat to pursue professional promotion
3. City of Sand Springs announces firework permit sales from June 12 to July 4
4. Most-Anticipated Summer Blockbusters of 2017
5. Sand Springs musician Hannah Rose releases More Than Conquerors EP and music video
6. Longtime Sandite Coach/Athletic Director Cecil Hankins to be inducted into OBCA Hall of Fame
7. CPHS Basketball: Holly Kersgieter receives offer from Oklahoma State University
8. Three Sand Springs fishing teams qualify for National Championship
9. Sandite of the Week: Daton Fix qualifies for World Championship in Finland
10. Sand Springs wrestlers compete at Dual Nationals, place 4th with Team Oklahoma

Sand Springs Parks Department wins State Park Maintenance Rodeo

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

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

The city's Park Maintenance Workers were recognized for winning the first annual Oklahoma Recreation and Park Society Park Maintenance Rodeo. More than 40 workers from nine teams participated in the inaugural event. Kevin Rouk took second place in both the Plant/Week Identification Test and the Backpack Blower competition. Shawn Cole and Matt Hoover took third place in the Nail Drive and Backhoe Skills Course, respectively. Cole and Hoover then teamed up for the Truck/Trailer Obstacle Course and took first place. Sand Springs and Ardmore were tied for first place at the end of the competition and Shawn Cole won the title for the Sandites with a Nail Drive tie-breaker.

"Often times, government work goes unnoticed," said a memo from Projects & Facilities Manager Jeff Edwards. "It's likely because the work is performed quietly, behind the scenes, and while families and individuals are working themselves. What our staff does notice is the tireless efforts these gentlemen accept on a daily basis. They are true stewards of what great government can do for a community to make it a better place to live and play. They are quite deserving of recognition not only for their daily work ethic, but also their successes in winning the first ever State Park Maintenance Rodeo." 

The City also received a routine report from an auditor who recognized that the City of Sand Springs has "presented fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the government activities..."

The Council approved the use of $1,430,278 for the reconstruction of 81st West Avenue from Charles Page Boulevard to East 10th Street. The project is estimated to cost $4,767,592, but 70% of that will be requested from the Federal government. The project will include substantial grading and drainage improvements, a left turn lane, as well as a sidewalk with crosswalk push-buttons and signals. 

Council approved a Construction Manager at Risk Contract with Crossland Construction Company to manage construction of the Sand Springs Public Safety Facility. The new safety facility will be constructed in the Sheffield Crossing development.

Council approved the use of $246,256 for the replacement of the Highway 51 Standpipe. The contract was awarded to Circle P Welding, Inc, who also replaced the Coyote Trail Standpipe. The existing water tower was constructed in 1984 with a glass lining and will be replaced with a 125,000 gallon welded steel tower. The tower is expected to begin construction in March with a 120 calendar day contract time. 

At the recommendation of Fire Chief Mike Wood, the Council approved an ordinance to allow the Sand Springs Fire Department to dissolve their existing local pension board and rely upon the State pension board. According to Wood, the local board has simply been an inconvenience and the department recently voted to eliminate it.

Council passed ordinance No. 1295, designed to simplify the existing purchasing policies of the City. 

Council voted to accept a grant of $70,105 from the Tulsa County Urban County Funds, and to match it with $71,895 of City funds, for the purpose of replacing approximately 700 feet of deteriorated 6-inch sanitary sewer line with new, upgraded 8-inch sewer line along North Washington Avenue from 6th Street to 8th Street. 

Council was presented with a letter from Sand Springs Community Services Manager Janet Eicher with the final count on the Food For Fines program. The program, which allowed outstanding fines to be paid through canned food donations, generated 6,118 pounds of contribution.

Sand Springs has officially met the criteria to become a Certified Healthy Community according to the Oklahoma Department of Health. There are three levels of certification and Sand Springs received the highest honor--Excellence. 

Sand Springs City Manager Elizabeth Gray was named the Business Person of the Year by the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce and received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Jim Bridenstine for her "outstanding and invaluable service to the community."

USDA rolls out new Rural Development loan opportunities for Sand Springs area

Realtor Kenny Tate speaks at a Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce press conference.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce hosted a press conference Thursday morning to unveil big news for current and future home owners in the Sand Springs community. For the first time in town history, large ares of Sand Springs are eligible for United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development loans. 

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The orange-shaded area was previously ineligible for USDA rural development loans.

"An announcement of this kind has been a long time coming," said Kenny Tate, a realtor involved in the effort to get the USDA to re-examine the Sand Springs area. 

When parameters for eligibility were first laid out, the USDA utilized now-dated technology that resulted in the bulk of the Sand Springs area being considered urban. 

Buyers and builders in Sand Springs were unable to capitalize on the same financing opportunities that were helping neighboring communities to flourish. 

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Newly adjusted map of rural development eligibility. 

When a window of opportunity opened last year, the Chamber of Commerce made it their top economic development goal. Since then, Tate has worked together with Alan Ringle of Ringle Development, City Councilman Phil Nollan, and numerous local business men and women, as well as members of State and local government to get the Sand Springs area reclassified. 

Thursday morning Tommy Earls, USDA OK Acting Program Director of Single Family Housing, officially announced that everywhere outside of City limits, but inside of the City fence-line is now eligible for zero-down rural finance loans, in both Tulsa and Osage counties. "This change probably took effect faster than any we've seen so far," said Earls. 

The Rural Development program offers two basic programs. Families making up to $49,000 may be eligible for the Direct Finance program which will qualify them for 100% mortgage financing with a $220,528 loan limit at a 3.25% interest rate. They can also qualify for zero down-payment and closing costs. The Guaranteed Loan program is available for families of higher incomes with 100% mortgage financing with no loan limits at a 3.625% interest rate. Guaranteed Loan recipients can even use that money toward an in-ground pool. 

"This is your firefighter married to a teacher. This is everyone you know. This is a big deal," said Tate. Some neighboring communities have even had eligibility instated within city limits. "It's a long shot, but we're looking to try. We're thrilled with what we have, but we'll continue to fight for more. This is really a big deal."

"The area affected includes more than 100 square miles," said Ringle. Some existing areas that are now eligible include Nottingham Forest, Wekiwa Hills, and Whispering Hills.

Those involved in the effort believe this will be a game-changer for Sand Springs by encouraging more families to relocate to and build in the area, thus growing the local economy. 

Sand Springs Rotary Club hosts local nonprofit organization showcase

The Sand Springs Rotary Club and the Sand Springs United Methodist Church hosted a nonprofit showcase this past Thursday and dozens of local organizations participated. The free public event included free food and door prizes to help bring public awareness and attention to the organizations and the opportunities for community involvement. 

2 Angel Toy Run is an annual event hosted by Church That Matters in South Sand Springs with the purpose of providing toys for children at Christmas time, as well as scholarships for Charles Page High School students. The Toy Run is held each November. The annual event is named for Hannah Christian and Cassidy Rotramel, two Charles Page High School students who were killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2010. For more information, visit www.2angelstoyrun.com

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce is an organization of local businesses, organizations, and individuals working together to bring growth and economic development to Sand Springs. Members meet the first Monday of each month at noon in an open forum at the Tulsa Technology Center. For more information, visit www.sandspringschamber.com

Church That Matters seeks "to be a church that matters to God, each other, our city, and the world." The church has Wednesday evening youth service from 7:00 to 8:30, and three Sunday morning services at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30. For more information, visit www.churchthatmatters.com

Camp Courage is an independent Christian youth camp located in Owasso and holds traditional camps during the Summer, Spring, and Fall breaks. They also offer a day camp with fishing, hiking, canoeing, paintball, swimming, archery, and more. For more information, visit www.campcourageusa.com

Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma is an outpatient community mental health clinic for adults and children. The organization believes in "treating the whole person," both mentally and physically. They offer adult and children's mental health services, substance abuse assistance, physician visits, pharmaceutical needs, housing, and more. For more information, visit www.crsok.org

Daughters of the American Revolution is a women's only group that works to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The group meets every third Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Greentree Retirement Center in Sand Springs. Membership requires that a person be directly descended from a person involved in the United States' struggle for independence, and is only for adults aged 18+. For more information, visit www.oklahomadar.org

Day Spring Villa Women & Children's Shelter provides physical, emotional, Christ-like care to enable women and their children to live God-honoring lives. The shelter accepts any and all victims of domestic violence, human sex trafficking, and more. For more information, visit www.dayspringvilla.com

Hillspring Church is located in South Sand Springs and offers numerous small groups including Kids Outdoor Zone and Zumba. They are also hosting a motorcycle Toy Run on December 3rd at 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.hillspring.tv

Junior Achievement of Oklahoma serves K-12th grade students by introducing financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship into the classroom by empowering the students through exciting, hands-on learning experiences. For more information, visit www.jaok.org

Mobile Missions Network is a local organization seeking to meet the needs of mobile home communities in Northeast Oklahoma. Volunteers meet Sunday evenings at the River Oaks, Shannon Valley, and Valley Brook Mobile Communities from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. MMN hosts special events in these communities, including sports camps, bible clubs, and Halloween parties. They also help provide Christmas gifts and help families with light remodeling projects in the area. For more information, visit www.mobilemissionsnetwork.com

Oasis Adult Day Services provides affordable daytime care in a home-like environment for cognitively or physically impaired adults. Oasis has locations at 5525 East 51st Street, Tulsa, and 410 East Lee Street, Sapulpa. For more information, visit www.oasisads.org

Osage Forest of Peace bills itself as an "interspiritual Contemplative Retreat Center." The grounds are open to guests seven days a week with meditation times at 7:00 a.m. and noon daily, plus a 4:45 time on Tuesdays through Saturday. The Forest hosts various retreats and programs, with overnight cabins, meals, yoga classes, hiking, as well as a Zen Garden and labyrinth. For more information, visit www.forestofpeace.org. 

Rotary Club of Sand Springs is the local chapter of a worldwide organization promoting service over self. Rotary believes that service is the basis for success and happiness in business and community life. The local chapter meets ever Friday at 12:00 noon at Broadway Baptist Church. Some of the annual activities sponsored by Rotary include Downhill Derby, the Nonprofit Showcase, a February Chili Cook-off, and a June Bass fishing tournament. For more information, visit www.sandspringsrotary.com

Saint Francis Community Services works toward the recruitment, certification, and retention of quality foster homes in Oklahoma. The organization is not associated with Tulsa hospital, and is corporately located in Kansas. For more information, contact jason.cloud@st-francis.org

Sand Springs Area Support Group for the Visually Limited meets on the third Monday of each month at the Lucile Page Manor Community Room in Sand Springs. The organization helps the visually impaired, and their caregivers, to access resources and creative solutions to overcoming the disability. 

Sand Springs Community Services, Inc. assists Sand Springs area residents experiencing economic crisis in moving forward towards self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.sscsok.org

Sand Springs Community Thanksgiving Dinner is sponsored by the Sand Springs United Methodist Church, and works to prepare and deliver Thanksgiving meals to Sand Springs and West Tulsa residents. Volunteers meet the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as Thanksgiving day at the UMC Family Life Center. For more information, contact mcreeves@cox.net

Sand Springs Community Theater is dedicated to the exploration and celebration of the performing arts. The company performs three to four shows per year, hosts fundraisers and school workshops, and provides one scholarship each year for a Charles Page High School senior. For more information, visit www.pageplayers.com

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum is dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of information and materials related to the history and culture of the Sand Springs community and surrounding area. The museum holds an annual Night at the Museum event the week of Halloween, as well as a Christmas display. The Art of Giving Holiday Open House will be Saturday, December 18th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 and will feature the Sand Springs Community Band, Sand Springs Service Clubs, and the Festival of Trees in the museum. For more information, contact SSmuseumSS2@gmail.com.

The Sand Springs Education Foundation is a private partner organization of the Sand Springs Public School district and helps provide creative and innovative materials that cannot be funded through local, state, or federal means. For more information, visit www.sandspringseducationfoundation.com

Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc is a fundraising organization for quality of life projects for Sand Springs Parks. For more information, visit www.sandspringsok.org

The Sand Springs Sertoma Club seeks to meet the needs of those impacted by hearing loss and meets each Tuesday at noon at the Sand Springs IHOP. The Sertoma Club sponsors the annual Sand Springs Fireworks show, as well as an annual Murder Mystery dinner. For more information, visit www.sertoma.org

The Sand Springs Symphony League works each year to bring symphony music performances to Sand Springs elementary school students. For more information, contact sandspringssymphonyleague@gmail.com

The Sand Springs Women's Chamber is organized for the purpose of advancing literacy through charitable, civic and literacy programs in Sand Springs. Members meet the second Wednesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Case Community Center, September through May of each year. For more information, contact dmyers@mysersmm.com

Sandite Team Animal Rescue (S.T.A.R.) is dedicated to the rescue and care of abused, neglected, and homeless pets. Volunteers work to find homes and foster homes for animals in the Sand Springs pound. They provide veterinary care, spay-neuter services, transportation, and foster care for hundreds of cats and dogs.  For more information, visit www.STARescue.com

Springs, Inc. provides assistance in daily living for people with intellectual disabilities. The organization is committed to the principle of normalization. For more information, visit www.springsinc.org

Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Sand Springs is the local chapter of an international organization rooted in Christianity. The ministry seeks to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For more information, visit www.salarmytulsa.org