ODOT warns drivers not to be distracted by solar eclipse next Monday

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As Oklahomans prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse on August 21, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation urges drivers to plan ahead for viewing this phenomenon.

When the eclipse begins in Oklahoma during the late morning hours on Monday, the moon may not be the only thing causing a big block during that time. Traffic could be a challenge so drivers are encouraged to get to their viewing spots early and try to avoid being on the road during the eclipse.

ODOT offers the following safety tips to keep our highways and interstates safe:

  • Don’t park or stand along highways or bridges. Exit and find a safe parking lot or other location instead to view the eclipse.
  • Be alert to traffic around you as other drivers may not be giving their full attention during this time.
  • Turn on your headlights as needed.
  • Don’t take photos while driving.
  • Don’t wear special viewing glasses while driving.

Again, parked vehicles or pedestrians along highways and interstates will create hazards to the traveling public, so exit the highway and find a safe location. Also, drivers going through work zones during the eclipse are urged to use caution as areas may be narrowed and full attention needs to be given to the roadway.

Drivers should be alert to heavier than normal traffic in the days leading up to and immediately after the event, as eclipse chasers will be heading to Kansas, Missouri and other states in the path of the total eclipse.

To check on travel information for surrounding states, visit:

Kansas                   866-511-5368         511.ksdot.org
Missouri                 888-275-6636        www.modot.org

Word of Life church paints, cleans up Limestone Elementary

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Photo courtesy of Micah Felts.

More than eighty members of Word of Life church in Sand Springs turned out for a work day at Limestone Technology Academy Sunday afternoon.

The event was the first of many service days the church will be hosting at local public schools. After four years of hosting a free community carnival, the church decided to focus on a series of projects to help the community rather than one big event.

Workers spent several hours after church painting the gymnasium, cafeteria, and other rooms, as well as cleaning up and improving the school's landscaping.

The first day of school for Sand Springs students will be Tuesday, August 22nd.

Word of Life is located at 1402 N. 81st W. Ave. and is pastored by Chad Stewart. The church has been meeting in Sand Springs since 1981. Click here to visit their website.

Editorial: River City Park doesn't need a renovation

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It's about fifteen till noon with a heat index of 89 degrees and a steady breeze to combat the humidity. I'm on my weekly trek through River City Park, taking photos of the construction progress, and I'm reminded that although all the hype is around the new projects in the park, the existing features are already worth the trip.

I parked by the Jerry Adair Baseball Complex, named for one of Sand Springs's greatest athletes, and rebuilt just a few years ago thanks to countless community donations and volunteer hours after a devastating tornado.

It is the West Side Alliance 3V3 tournament weekend so the soccer fields are packed. This is normal for Sand Springs. The WSA is one of the largest and most active soccer programs in the state.

The shaved ice banners are flying and the splash pad is open. A massive contribution from the Rotary Club and the nonprofit concession stand ran by WSA volunteers offer one of the best places in Sand Springs for kids to cool down and hang out.

Once you pass the hubbub of the Inez Kirk Soccer Complex, the park begins to quiet down.

The River City Trail winds along the river and with a little TLC along the shoreline, the park could easily be the premier viewing destination of the Great Raft Race 

I'm passing The Great Lawn and the new playground facilities now. For now the great lawn is a great mess, but soon enough it'll be a beautiful site to host concerts, festivals, and other community gatherings.

I stop at the playground to snap some pics and do a little playing of my own. It has been a year since Pokémon Go debuted, but it has managed to maintain its appeal for those of us who spent our childhood playing the games, collecting the cards, and watching the show. I battle the Gym located in the playground, then continue walking and hatching Pokémon eggs.

The restrooms are being updated and modern art is littered along the perimeter of the lawn. A minuteman stands to watch over the grounds, the mascot of Sand Springs. The amphitheater is exciting. I look forward to many great concerts here.

Once you pass the great lawn there's a boat ramp to the rive. The dam is open and the river is running. Not as uncommon as it used to be, but still a treat compared to the sandbars we're so used to. 

Volleyball courts have been here for ages, the Horseshoe pits have been relocated, and a Thunder Cares Basketball Court is being built.

I'm getting into the back of the park now. The Will Ramsey Softball Complex, the rodeo arena, the BMX track, and the disc golf course. Round Up Club volunteers are currently painting the facility in hopes of reversing a City Council decision to demolish it at the end of the season. The new disc golf course is nice. I've played it a couple of times now. 

I have reached the end of the park where it terminates beneath the Arkansas River bridge. The trail goes up the levee and meets Katy Trail allowing you to go into Prattville or back to Tulsa. The trail system will take you all the way to the new Gathering Place and beyond, though I don't see why anyone in Sand Springs would need to go that far when we have such a beautiful park right here.

Though the new additions are welcome, and the park has always had its flaws, the bones of the park will be the same in September as they were a year ago. Packed soccer, baseball, and softball fields. Tulsa's only BMX track, a uniquely wooded disc golf course, nearly a mile of river shore, playgrounds, a splash pad, and a well-paved and shaded trail. 

The $6 million renovation will bring improvements and additions to Sand Springs's flagship park, but a simple Saturday morning stroll more than shows that River City Park doesn't need a renovation to be one of Sand Springs's greatest assets.

Downtown Sand Springs experiencing growth and restoration with several new businesses

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YellowHouse Market and Boutique is the newest business coming to downtown after buying out Deja Vu Decor. 

A city's downtown business district is often considered the heart of the community. In Oklahoma, where municipalities are almost fully dependent on sales tax revenue for general operations, a healthy downtown can be paramount to a healthy economy. 

If City officials and local businesses have their way, Sand Springs will soon be one of the premier downtowns in the State to spend the weekend shopping and sightseeing. 

In the recently-approved Sand Springs 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the City identified having an assorted variety of downtown restaurants, businesses, and services as vital to creating a sense of place within a community. The plan sets a goal of enhancing the downtown area as one of the primary focal points of the community.

Beau Wilson Insurance.

In the past, downtown Sand Springs has struggled with attracting both patrons and quality business establishments. Vice-Mayor Beau Wilson attributes the lack of customers to lack of quality retail, the curb appeal of many older buildings, and a failure to market downtown as a destination for Sand Springs. He also says that this is beginning to change.

"Downtown has a number of thriving boutiques and antique shops," says Wilson. "We are beginning to see citizens reinvest in our historic downtown." Beau Wilson Insurance opened in the historic Boone-Rose Building at 17 East 2nd Street this past November. The building was constructed in 1924.

"When I was looking to relocate my business to Sand Springs, there was no other location but downtown in my opinion. My wife, business partners and I were fully committed to finding a location in downtown...and it has been an honor to restore and revitalize a piece of our town's history." 

Dog and Duck Antiques.

Just two doors down from Wilson, Chris and Julie Bedokis opened Dog and Duck Antiques at 21 East 2nd Street on Memorial Day weekend. The couple already had a small booth at the Vintage Stables on Main Street but decided to open their own facility. The store didn't open with much fanfare initially, and is tentatively planning on a Grand Opening event later this year.

Another newcomer to the downtown area is YellowHouse Market & Boutique. Lisa and Mike Miller first opened YellowHouse at the Livi Lee's Shopping Center in October, but just nine months later they're already planning on relocating to a larger facility in the downtown business district. 

The new YellowHouse location will be at 122 North Main Street in the former Chastain's Department Store building. "We did buy a new building. It's a larger space. It's going to help us reach Sand Springs with more clothes, more goodies, and lots of fun," said Lisa Miller in a Facebook Live announcement. The Millers plan to stay open in their current location until the new building's remodel is complete.

The Chastain's building, constructed in 1931, has been owned and operated by Laurie Joslin for the past two decades. At one point she owned the Kindred Spirits novelty shop in the front and The Back Porch Cafe in the back. The Back Porch Cafe acquired a front porch after Joslin purchased the building next door and relocated the diner. She rebranded as The Lunch Box, then rebranded again as Chastain's Casual Cafe and Catering. Eventually the buildings were separated and Joslin opened DejaVu Decor while the old restaurant building was purchased by Boomarang Cafe.

Joslin and her husband, Mark, have plans to relocate their business to The Antique Depot in Skiatook, but will still reside in Sand Springs. They plan on featuring their house in the 39th Annual Pilot Club Parade of Homes later this year.

Chip and Annette Stacy opened Stacys' Resale Shop at 12 East 2nd Street in September of 2016 and recently expanded to their neighboring storefront for a music and guitar shop. The store boasts a large array of modern and classic comic books, records, 8-track cassettes, CDs, jewelry, knives, home decor, furniture, and more. 

The shop is filled with dozens of classic Les Pauls, German fiddles, and other unique instruments and collectibles. Looking up at the walls is like a trip through a museum. Original Black Sabbath, Jim Morrison, Joan Jett, Elvis, Willie Nelson, and other vinyl records wallpaper the store.

Troy and Stephanie Cleveland opened The Vintage Stables on Main in 2016 and performed one of the most notable restorations in recent years. The bright red barnstyle building could easily serve as a stop sign, telling drivers to pull over and shop. 

WSB Designs, LLC.

It's not all shopping in downtown, either. After the passing of Reverend Terry Scott in October, Future Vision Ministries closed their office on the Triangle and sold to local builder William Bell. Bell recently showcased a house in the Tulsa Parade of Homes and is still renovating his new studio. The front of the building pays homage to its prior resident with a quote from Scott. 

Unfortunately, not all classic buildings can be saved. In April of 2012, a fire devastated a historic building housing the Sand Springs Beauty College and Covington Credit. The skeleton remained until 2016 when it was demolished by the Sand Springs Home and construction began on a new retail/office building.

Left, damage from the 2012 fire is cordoned off with caution tape. Right, a new building is erected in the same location.

"The City has made tremendous strides in the past few years to give downtown its identity and purpose," says Wilson. "Under the excellent leadership of City Manager Elizabeth Gray and her staff, we will continue to see downtown prosper."

"As a city, we have some of the most talented employees. Many of whom donate their own time and particular talent and skill-sets to make Sand Springs better. Take the Triangle for example. Jeff Edwards and Grant Gerondale and the entire Parks Department took on that project making it what it is today...it truly is our employees who make the difference and will be the engine behind fueling the growth of downtown."

"I can remember a day when I was a kid when downtown seemed like a ghost town. Especially when all of the growth and emphasis was to the south of Sand Springs...Urban renewal and suburban sprawl were the catch phrases of the day. Rather than restore old buildings, it was easier to tear down and build something new, or reface old buildings with a new modern facade, losing that building's history entirely."

As to the future, Wilson says that the current City Council is committed to saving Sand Springs history. He would like to see downtown business owners take a more active role in beautifying their buildings, with further investment by both the city and its businesses. 

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Sand Springs Board of Education approves hiring of new baseball coach

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Northwoods principal Laura Hamilton is presented with a Coin of Excellence by Board of Education Chairman Rusty Gunn.

The Sand Springs Board of Education met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening at the Sandite Performing Arts Building. 

Northwoods Fine Arts Academy principal Laura Hamilton was presented with a Coin of Excellence. "Under pressure, this girl is amazing," said Superintendent Sherry Durkee in reference to a high-speed police pursuit and shooting that occurred on school grounds last year. Prior to being promoted to Principal, Hamilton was also the site teacher of the year for the 2012-2013 school year.

The Sand Springs Pilot Club and Sand Springs Women's Chamber were also presented with special recognitions for their contributions to the school district. 

Superintendent Durkee discussed the school partnership with Daybreak for mental health services. "They've been a really healthy partner...we have a councilor in every building." She also talked about Sandites Teaming for Academic Results (STAR). School administrators will hold more frequent meetings with site representatives throughout the year.

According to Assistant Superintendent Kristin Arnold, the district doesn't expect to receive the results from Spring testing till October, while A-F report cards won't be received till March.

The district is working towards having enough chrome books to follow students from grade to grade.

Durkee also discussed the possibility of having a new sound system installed at the Ed Dubie Field House. The court was recently repaired and new LED lights are soon to be installed. "It's our premier 6A facility for three sports," said Durkee.

The Lady Sandite basketball team won a conference title and made the State Semifinals this past season while the wrestling team won both State and Dual State titles. The Boys' Basketball team fell a few games short of a winning season, but is demonstrating consistent growth and improvement under fifth-year head coach Eric Savage. The Volleyball team also had one of their best seasons in school history under Frontier Valley Conference Coach of the Year Janna Green. 

The high school is without full-time security officers on staff for the first time in years and administration doesn't have any immediate plans to hire new officers. According to Durkee, the school has gotten by fine in the past year while the previous officer missed substantial workdays due to health issues. The Sand Springs Police Department will continue to assist with security during sporting events, but for the time being the district will consider the potential cost-savings of eliminating the position for the foreseeable future.

The Board unanimously approved the filling of twenty-two positions, including that of Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Baseball Coach. Former Edmond Memorial Head Coach James Garrison will take over the reigns from retiring coach Bill Hutson. He will be joined by new pitching coach Matt Brown, also from Edmond Memorial.

James was an assistant coach at Union for two State Championship seasons. He spent one year at Edmond Memorial and amassed a 14-19 record. His contract was terminated after the season.

Sand Springs's Janet Johnson named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist

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Sand Springs's own Janet Johnson is one of twelve finalists for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. The candidates were announced today in a ceremony at Yukon High School.

Johnson teaches science at Clyde Boyd Middle School, a position she has held for 16 of her 19 years in education.

“Classroom teachers are the heart and soul of education, and research tells us they are the most important person in the schoolhouse,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. “Each of these 12 men and women represents the best of the best of those who have devoted their life to among the most noble and life-changing of professions.”

All finalists are teachers of the year for their districts and were selected after their application packets were reviewed by a panel that included educators, members of the business community, legislators and nonprofit partners.

The 2018 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year will be revealed Sept. 19 in a ceremony at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

The 2018 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year will remain in the classroom for the 2017-2018 school year. Beginning July 1, 2018, the honoree will assume full-time Teacher of the Year duties, which include speaking engagements and serving as Oklahoma’s teacher ambassador, encouraging others to enter or remain in the profession. The 2017 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Jon Hazell of Durant, will continue to tour the state until July 2018.

Other Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalists include:

  • Jill Andrews teaches high school English at Claremore High School in Claremore Public Schools. She has been an educator for 19 years and has held her current position for 12 years.
  • Neeli Boyd teaches first grade at Wiley Post Elementary School in Putnam City Schools. She has been an educator for eight years and has held her current position for two years.
  • Sarah Carter teaches mathematics at Drumright High School in Drumright Public Schools. She has been an educator for five years and has held her current position for five years.
  • Rob Davis teaches history at Yukon High School in Yukon Public Schools. He has been an educator for 15 years and has held his current position for three years.
  • Betty Deen teaches English at Oologah Middle School in Oologah-Talala Public Schools. She has been an educator for 24 years and has held her current position for 19 years.
  • Donna Gradel teaches science at Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow Public Schools. She has been an educator for 29 years and has held her current position for 21 years.
  • Chad Harper teaches STEM at Mustang High School in Mustang Public Schools. He has been an educator for 18 years and has held his current position for 18 years.
  • Dionne Liebl teaches English at Deer Creek High School in Deer Creek Schools. She has been an educator for 17 years and has held her current position for five years.
  • Shala Marshall teaches Spanish at Jenks High School in Jenks Public Schools. She has been an educator for 16 years and has held her current position for four years.
  • Christine Mueller teaches band at Moore Central Junior High School in Moore Public Schools. She has been an educator for 23 years and has held her current position for 18 years.
  • Laura Smith teaches band and music at Byng Elementary, Byng Junior High and Byng High School in Byng Public Schools. She has been an educator for 15 years and has held her current position for nine years.

In addition, OSDE named four “Rising Star” teachers. Each is a district Teacher of the Year winner with fewer than seven years in the classroom who demonstrated great skill and potential in their applications.

The Rising Stars are:

  • Colby McGee teaches agriculture at Allen Public Schools. He has been an educator for two years and has held his current position for two years.
  • Haley Price teaches English at Newcastle High School in Newcastle Public Schools. She has been an educator for four years and has held her current position for four years.
  • Jessi Ross teaches second grade at Mooreland Elementary School in Mooreland Public Schools. She has been an educator for seven years and has held her current position for five years.
  • Madison Wingate teaches pre-kindergarten at Pierce Elementary School in Oklahoma City Public Schools. She has been an educator for four years and has held her current position for four years.

Sandite of the Week: Police Chief Mike Carter works to build police-community relations

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Sand Springs Police Chief Mike Carter was selected as our Sandite of the Week for his eagerness to involve the police department in the community and his efforts to build a highly-trained and effective police force.

Click here to view previous Sandites of the Week.

Last week, local business owner Joni Sporleder posted in a Sand Springs Facebook group with an idea to have an Independence Day parade downtown. Because it was too late to secure the necessary permits to block off a City street, Chief Carter organized a parade around the Clyde Boyd Walking Trail. SSPD officers manned their bikes and led more than a hundred citizens around the trail on everything from bikes and wagons to horses. After the parade, the department handed out free popsicles and awarded new skateboards to children with the most decorative bicycles and outfits. 

Also last week, Carter presented the new 2017 Policing Plan to City Council, who in turn voted unanimously to approve the document. The 24-page plan identifies policies designed to build trust, engage the community, reduce crime, increase officer training and education and to promote safety.

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

Under Carter's leadership the department has made moves to increase the number of warnings and reduce the number of fines issued during traffic stops. Officers have been issued business cards with their name and badge number. A department Facebook page has been created to directly engage with the community, creating dialogue, and informing citizens about ongoing crime problems, trends, and investigations. 

Officers are all trained in Fair and Impartial Policing, which centers on the belief that all people have some implicit bias. The SSPD became the first department in the State to formalize an agreement with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to allow the OSBI to conduct any and all investigations into officer-involved shootings resulting in injury or death, as well as in-custody deaths.

 The department recently launched the "Pop With a Cop" program where officers and City officials hold monthly meetings in each of the City's Wards to meet with citizens and discuss police policy and city issues.

Last year the department held its first-ever "Food for Fines" program, allowing citizens to pay off up to $200 in fines with non-perishable food donations to Sand Springs Community Services.

Carter was promoted to Chief of Police in May of 2015 following an eleven-year stent as Deputy Chief. His promotion came on the heels of former twenty-year Chief Daniel Bradley's hiring as Assistant City Manager.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Chief, Carter worked in Crisis Negotiation on the Sand Springs SWAT team. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Northeastern State University, graduated from the FBI National Academy, and completed the Police Executive Development and Leadership Curriculum at the University of Tulsa. 

Carter has been with the department since 1993 and is a recipient of the Medal of Valor, two Life Saving Awards, the American Red Cross Everyday Hero award, the City of Sand Springs Employee of the Year award, the Sand Springs Police Department Officer of the Year award, and the Sand Springs Rotary Club Police Officer of the Year award. 

Historic Twin Cities Elementary demolished after a century in Sand Springs

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A historic piece of Sand Springs is nearly gone as Twin Cities Elementary undergoes demolition. After sitting vacant for nearly a decade, the building is finally coming down after the Sand Springs Board of Education decided that it would be too costly to ever reopen. 

Twin Cities first closed her doors in 2003 after 83 years of helping to rear young Sandites. Later that year it was reopened as the Sandite Child Development Center before being closed again in 2009 after the construction of the new Early Childhood Education Center.

Eight years later, the building is a pile of bricks--cut down just a few years shy of her centennial anniversary. 

In January of 2016 the school board listed the school and its grounds for sale by owner. After the district received little market interest, Superintendent Sherry Durkee consulted with Montie Box of Montie Box Realtors and concluded that the building's last appraisal was overly generous due to substantial deterioration, mold infestation, and other problems.

Recommendations were made to the Board of Education in November of 2016 that the building be demolished with the property retained for possible district expansion in the future. In May the Board approved a $55,449.50 contract with American Demolition to raze the structure.

Robert Purser was the last principal to head the school, taking the reigns in 1998. He passed away in 2008 and his funeral service was held just two doors down from Twin Cities at Olivet Baptist Church. 

Twin Cities was one of the oldest buildings still standing in Sand Springs. The former Booker T. Washington High School was demolished in 2010, leaving just two schools from the original  township. Garfield STEAM Academy and the Central Ninth Grade Center are now the oldest educational facilities in Sand Springs. Garfield received a $6.5 million renovation over the summer of 2016.

POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat to hold Wine & Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend

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In recognition of Jazz Appreciation Month, POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat is thrilled to announce a return for the third year of the POSTOAK Wine & Jazz Festival. Presented by Blue Sky Bank, this year’s festival will be held Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-3.

“The Wine & Jazz Festival continues to provide a unique experience for residents and travelers in northeast Oklahoma.” said Trisha Kerkstra, general manager at POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat. “Last year, we added a wine/jazz dinner on Friday night and a champagne jazz brunch on Sunday. They were so well received, we decided to add a few more surprises for this year. Thanks to our sponsors and the fabulous growing jazz talent in Tulsa, we are delighted to provide performance opportunities for professional and student musicians.”

Headlining the event is the lively 17-piece Swunky Face Big Band Orchestra, featuring acclaimed Tulsa vocalist Branjae.

“With Branjae’s captivating stage persona, coupled with the swing sound of Swunky Face, we’re confident festival goers will find it hard to stay in their lawn chairs,” said Kerkstra. “It promises to be a spirited and entertaining festival all around.” 

The Wine & Jazz Festival is supported by VisitTulsa, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau housed at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, as well as the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC).

“In addition to attracting national events to the Tulsa area, we also help cultivate and develop promising home-grown attractions,” said Ray Hoyt, president of VisitTulsa and Tulsa FMAC. “The POSTOAK Wine & Jazz Festival has already proven to be a runaway success, and we’re excited about the potential this event has to draw visitors from across the region.”

The Zuits, a high-energy swing, jazz and funk band, will kick off the music Saturday at 4 p.m. Also performing is bluesy jazz band Darrell Christopher and the Ingredients, the expressive Cynthia Simmons Quintet, and the hot jazz of Mischievous Swing, reminiscent of the sounds of French cafes and Gypsy camps.

Tickets are $15 each, with free admission for those 17 and under. Attendees will be able to purchase wine from some of Oklahoma’s best wineries and enjoy a variety of local food trucks. Additional events include a wine and jazz dinner Friday night and a champagne brunch Sunday morning.

Tickets and a variety of packages, including accommodations and meals, are on sale now through POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat’s website or by calling 918-425-2112.

Nestled in the Osage Hills, POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat is located ten minutes from downtown Tulsa. For more information on POSTOAK, visit postoaklodge.com.