What's Happening This Week in Sand Springs (3/1 - 3/8/2020)

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Monday

  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis.

    • Union Freshman Academy
      7616 South Garnett Road
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012

  • 9:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Golf.

    • Sapulpa City Golf Course
      1200 West Dewey Avenue
      Sapulpa, OK 74066

  • 5:30 p.m. SSPS District Dialogue meeting.
    7:00 p.m. SSPS Board of Education meeting.

  • 6:00 p.m. Acrylic Painting.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Edmond Memorial.

    • Sandite Sports Complex
      408 West 55th Street

Tuesday

  • 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Election Day.

  • 8:30 a.m. Tax Increment District Review Committee meeting.

  • 10:30 a.m. Build a Reader Storytime.

    • Charles Page Library
      551 East 4th Street

  • 11:30 a.m. Art Class for Kids.
    4:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Edmond Memorial.

    • Bulldog Baseball Field
      1001 South Rankin Street
      Edmond, OK 73034

  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer vs. Bartlesville.
    8:00 p.m. Sandite Boys’ Soccer vs. Bartlesville.

    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road

Wednesday

  • 11:30 a.m. Art Class for Kids.
    4:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:30 p.m. Glow Party.
    7:00 p.m. Dr. Seuss Rally.

    • CrossPoint Church
      4600 South 129th West Avenue

Thursday

  • 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Build a Read Storytime + Stay & Play.

    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

  • 11:30 a.m. Art Class for Kids.
    1:00 p.m. “I Cant Draw a Straight Line.”
    4:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.
    5:30 p.m. Crochet Class.
    6:00 p.m. Advanced Drawing Adult and Teen Class.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street

  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS drama presents “Little Shop of Horrors”

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

Friday

  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis.

    • Jenks Tennis Complex
      110 West K Place
      Jenks, OK 74037

  • 12:15 p.m. Sandite Track and Field.

    • Owasso High School
      12901 East 86th Street North
      Owasso, OK 74055

  • 6:00 p.m. Therapeutic Art.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Shawnee.

    • Shawnee High School
      1001 North Kennedy Avenue
      Shawnee, OK 74801

  • 6:30 p.m. Sandite Boys’ Basketball vs. Booker T. Washington (Area Championship).

    • Catoosa High School
      2000 South Cherokee Street
      Catoosa, OK 74015

  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS drama presents “Little Shop of Horrors”

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

Saturday

  • 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Chipper Day.

    • Sand Springs Street Department
      8620 West 21st Street

  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis.

    • Claremore High School
      101 West 11th Street
      Claremore, OK 74017

  • 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Open Hike Day.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive

  • 1:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Tulsa Edison.

    • Sandite Sports Complex
      408 West 55th Street

  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS drama presents “Little Shop of Horrors”

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

  • 7:00 p.m Family Paint Night.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Sunday

  • 2:00 p.m. CPHS drama presents “Little Shop of Horrors”

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

  • 2:00 p.m. Mandella 102.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Presidential Primary and Tulsa County Question on Sunday liquor sales scheduled for Tuesday

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Oklahoma voters will take to the polls Tuesday, March 3rd between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to decide the state’s nominees for the 2020 presidential election. In addition to Republican and Democratic primaries, there will also be a Tulsa County proposition to legalize the retail sale of alcohol on Sundays.

Republican voters will choose between incumbent President Donald J. Trump, entrepreneur Bob Ely, attorney Matthew John Matern, former U.S. Representative Joe Walsh, journalist Zoltan G. Istvan, and businessman Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente.

President Trump is the clear front-runner, having already secured wins in five different states. Walsh withdrew his candidacy, but will remain on the ballot. Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, who is currently Trump’s closest competitor with 8% of the popular votes to date, is not on the Oklahoma ballot.

Fourteen candidates made the Democratic ballot, and the Oklahoma Democratic Party is holding an open primary, meaning independent voters can also vote. Candidates include former Vice President Joe Biden, hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, author Marianne Williamson, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker have withdrawn their candidacy, but remain on the ballot.

Sanders is currently leading the Democratic popular vote with 31.1% , followed by Buttigieg with 25.4% and Klobuchar with 16.6%. In estimated delegate count Sanders leads with 45, followed by Buttigieg with 25, and Biden with 15.

None of the Libertarian Party candidates filed for the Oklahoma election.

Senator Ikley-Freeman authors bill to help honeybee population

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Finance Committee has passed Senate Bill 1388, which would incentivize urban gardeners across the state to raise honeybees by giving tax exempt status to any bee product sold. The measure is authored by Sen. Allison Ikley-Freeman, D-Tulsa.

Ikley-Freeman said a food desert in her district forced her to look at alternative ways for constituents to access fresh produce. This examination led her to a pollinating force: honeybees.

“Since much of Senate District 37 is in a food desert, many of my constituents have solved this issue by becoming urban gardeners,” Ikley-Freeman said. “There are several great extension programs available that provide folks with seeds to plant their own gardens, but we are unfortunately missing a key factor for successful gardening, which is pollination.”

Ikley-Freeman said that while many people are attempting to grow their own produce, a lack of pollination can make it a fruitless pursuit. For example, it could lead to zucchini plants that never grow a zucchini, she said. 

“Not only will raising bees increase the success of local gardens, but it will also give Oklahomans an opportunity to make their own honey, candy, soaps and lotions, and then sell those products tax free at their local farmers market,” Ikley-Freeman said.

A producer that sells agricultural products directly from their farm, orchard, garden or dairy is already exempt from sales tax. SB 1388 simply adds bee products to the tax-exempt list.

“I’m hopeful this legislation will encourage people across the state to look into beekeeping,” Ikley-Freeman said. “Something as simple as a honeybee could give many Oklahomans a second stream of income.”

The measure now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a vote. 

Senate passes bill to make selling private photos or videos a felony

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OKLAHOMA CITY – On Monday, the Senate Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to strengthen the penalty against individuals who sell intimate photos or videos without their partners’ consent. Senate Bill 1462, by Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, creates a felony for individuals attempting to gain financial advantage or gain anything of value as a result of the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images.

“There have been situations in our state where an exspouse or former partner has sold intimate pictures or videos taken prior to their divorce or breakup without the consent of the other person. This is a disgusting misuse of intimate trust but it can also seriously damage people’s reputation and even get them in trouble at work or fired,” David said. “These unsuspecting victims deserve protection from this violation of their privacy.”

The newly created felony will be punishable by up to four years imprisonment and up to ten years imprisonment for second and subsequent convictions with a second conviction requiring registration as a sex offender. The state will not have the discretion to file a misdemeanor charge on anyone who commits the newly created felony. The provisions of the Sex Offenders Registration Act will apply to anyone who receives a second or subsequent conviction but will not apply to the individual while incarcerated in a medium or maximum security prison. 

SB 1462 now goes before the full Senate.

Senate passes legislation requiring children to wear seat belts

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate prioritized child safety on Monday with the passage of Senate Bill 1303.

Authored by Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, the measure would require any child under the age of 17 to wear a seat belt while riding in the back seat of a vehicle. Current Oklahoma law only requires children under the age of eight and passengers in the front seat to buckle up. 

“Oklahoma is the only state in the entire country that doesn’t require seat belts for kids over the age of eight, and it’s no coincidence that vehicle fatalities are the number one cause of death for children eight and older here in Oklahoma,” Pederson said. “The bottom line is, children are being hurt and dying simply because we don’t require them to wear a seat belt.”

AAA reports Oklahoma ranks 50th in the nation in protecting children in car crashes.

Pederson said he decided to run the measure after speaking with Drummond Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members Danica Jordan and Destiny Hudson. Both girls lobbied for stricter seat belt requirements after experiencing firsthand the lifesaving difference a seat belt can make.

“I’m glad Danica and Destiny brought these troubling statistics to my attention,” Pederson said. “We know seat belts save lives, and it’s past time for our children to buckle up. If we want to be a Top 10 state, we need to take action to protect the safety of our children.”

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, is the House author for the bill. 

Senate Education Committee Approves Teacher Retention Act

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OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to encourage and retain Oklahoma’s top educators has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Bill 1127, the Teacher Retention Act of 2020.  The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday.

The measure creates a process for teachers who complete their National Board Certification and meet other additional requirements to receive annual bonuses of $1,500 beginning in the 2020-21 school year.  Under the legislation, depending on available revenue, that amount could be increased in subsequent years until it reaches a maximum of $5,000.

“In both 2018 and 2019, we approved much-needed pay raises for Oklahoma educators,” said Standridge, R-Norman. “Senate Bill 1127 gives us another way to incentivize and reward educators who go above and beyond what’s required of them to enhance the educational experience of their students.  Rewarding those efforts will help us retain our best and brightest teachers.”

If approved, beginning July 1, 2020, the State Board of Education would provide annual bonuses to a teacher who has completed each of the following:

  • National Board certification and is teaching full time in a public school.

  • Received a district rating of “superior” or “highly effective” under the Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System during the previous year.

  • Is serving as a mentor teacher.

  • Has been recommended for the bonus by their superintendent and principal with approval by the school board.

The measure next moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Sand Springs Deputy Fire Chief Justin Hall Selected For Leadership Program

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Sand Springs, OK - City of Sand Springs Deputy Fire Chief Justin Hall has been selected into 2020 Fire Service Executive Development Institute. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) announced that Chief Hall successfully competed with new fire chiefs and chief officers from across the country and Canada to become a member of the 2020 cohort program.

Along with being accepted into the program Chief Hall has been awarded a scholarship which covers many of the expenses associated with attending the program.

The Fire Service Executive Development Institute is a yearlong leadership-development program created and implemented by the IAFC to provide new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have successful and productive tenures. The members of the cohort will meet in March 2020 for their first five-day session in addition to two other sessions scheduled six months apart. The group will communicate between sessions using an online community.

This is the eighth year that the Motorola Solutions Foundation has provided the IAFC with a grant to fund the program. “The Motorola Solutions Foundation is proud to support the training and development of emerging leaders in fire and emergency service to ensure they have the tools needed to best serve the community”, said Monica Mueller, executive director Motorola Solutions Foundation.

Deputy Chief Hall began in the fire service 25 years ago as a volunteer. In 2001, he became a paid fire fighter for the Catoosa Fire Department. In 2005, he joined the Sand Springs Fire Department where he served as both vice-president and president of the union, and was selected to serve as the deputy fire chief in 2011. Chief Hall holds an Associates of Arts Degree from Rogers State College, and an Associates of Science Degree in Fire & Emergency Services from Tulsa Community College. He is currently working to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University.

“I have encouraged Justin to seek out training and professional development to enhance his skills as a chief officer,” said Fire Chief Mike Wood. “Justin presented the FSEDI opportunity to me and we both agreed that his participation would be invaluable for himself and the department as well. We appreciate that he was selected for this great program.”

“Congratulations to this year’s cohort of emerging fire and emergency service leaders," said Chief Gary Ludwig, IAFC president and chairperson of the board. “The IAFC's Fire Service Executive Development Program has become the premier career- and leadership-development program in our profession thanks to the generous support of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. Many officers from the previous programs have been successful in achieving fire chief positions and are effectively leading their departments.”

Senate approves increased fiscal transparency for state agencies; bill enacts one of grand jury’s 2018 recommendations

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate approved legislation to improve fiscal transparency and accountability of Oklahoma’s state agencies. Senate Bill 177, by Sen. Ron Sharp, was one of the seven recommendations made by the multi-grand jury in May 2018 following the discovery of financial issues at the State Department of Health.

SB 177 requires state agencies to provide a balance sheet and statement of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances as prescribed by the State Auditor and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).

“Not only was this a grand jury recommendation to prevent future misuse of funds and financial deception by state agencies, but Oklahomans have demanded more agency accountability and transparency of their tax funds.  These are their hard-earned dollars, and they deserve to know how every penny is spent.” Sharp said.

The financial information is to be published online by January 1, 2021.  The bill was written with input from the State Auditor, OMES and the State Comptroller.

“We must ensure that the deceit and financial mismanagement that occurred at the state Health Department a couple of years ago never happens in our state government again. By publishing the information online, the public can help the legislature hold our state agencies more accountable,” Sharp said. “Full transparency and accountability ensure that tax dollars are used efficiently to support the state services Oklahomans need.”

Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, is the principal House author of SB 177, which now moves to the House for further consideration.

What's Happening This Week in Sand Springs (2/16 - 2/23/2020)

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Monday

Tuesday

  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Trust Authority meeting.

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Booker T. Washington.
    8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. Booker T. Washington.

    • Nathan E. Harris Field House
      1514 East Zion Street
      Tulsa, OK 74106

Wednesday

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Development Authority meeting.

Thursday

  • 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Build a Read Storytime + Stay & Play.

    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.
    1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. “I Cant Draw a Straight Line.”
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Advanced Drawing Adult and Teen Class.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 3:30 p.m. PAWS for Reading.

    • Charles Page Library
      551 East 4th Street

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street

  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Theatre presents “Swingtime Canteen.”

    • Central Ninth Grade Center Auditorium
      4th and Garfield

Friday

  • Sandite Wrestling at OSSAA 6A-East Regional Tournament.
    11:00 a.m. First Session - Championship 1st Round and Quarterfinals, Consolation 1st Round.
    5:00 p.m. Second Session - Championship Semifinals, Consolation

    • Tiger Field House
      2200 North 23rd Street
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012

  • 5:30 p.m. Therapeutic Art.
    7:35 After-Hours Open Studio.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Broken Arrow.
    8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. Broken Arrow.

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road

  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Theatre presents “Swingtime Canteen.”

    • Central Ninth Grade Center Auditorium
      4th and Garfield

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Hike With Your Dog Day.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive

  • Sandite Wrestling at OSSAA 6A-East Regional Tournament.
    11:00 a.m. Third Session - Consolation Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
    4:00 p.m. Fourth Session - Championship Finals, Consolation Finals, 5th Place Matches.

    • Tiger Field House
      2200 North 23rd Street
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012

  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Theatre presents “Swingtime Canteen.”

    • Central Ninth Grade Center Auditorium
      4th and Garfield

Sunday

  • 2:30 p.m. Sand Springs Theatre presents “Swingtime Canteen.”

    • Central Ninth Grade Center Auditorium
      4th and Garfield

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Bill to improve school safety heads to House for final consideration

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Senate passed legislation Wednesday to provide more local control for school districts to decide how to protect their students. Senator David Bullard, R-Durant, is author of House Bill 2336. The measure would allow a local board of education to voluntarily adopt a policy to authorize the carrying of a handgun onto school property by school personnel who hold a valid reserve peace officer certification or possess a valid handgun license. School personnel will also be required to complete “campus-specific active shooter training” conducted by local law enforcement.

“This bill will let our local districts and boards decide what works best for their schools especially in rural areas where law enforcement can’t respond as quickly to incidents as in urban areas,” Bullard said.  “Currently, in order to carry on school grounds, personnel and teachers must be CLEET certified, which is unattainable for most because it’s so expensive and time prohibitive. For those districts that choose to authorize personnel to carry, this legislation will let them work with their local law enforcement for active shooting training in their own schools. This will be much more beneficial than being trained in a facility in another city should a real incident occur.”

Currently, teachers and school personnel must complete a 240-hour Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) certification to carry on school grounds. HB 2336 replaces the CLEET training requirement with ether the eight-hour concealed carry class or the 72 hours of armed security guard training along with the active shooter training.

“Most of our rural schools are vulnerable to these types of shootings because they can’t afford a resource officer or other security, and it takes local law enforcement too long to get to the schools,” Bullard said.  “Schools in my district strongly support this measure. They understand that other schools may have more options for security because of their finances, but for those schools who don’t have the money, they want to be able to properly protect their students.”

Rep. Sean Roberts is the House author of HB 2336, which was requested by the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association.

The amended bill now returns to the House for final consideration.

Oklahoma to resume execution by lethal injection

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OKLAHOMA CITY – State officials including Gov. Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Mike Hunter and Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Scott Crow announced today that the state has found a reliable supply of drugs to resume executions by lethal injection.

The state will use an updated version of the previous protocol that includes recommendations by the 2016 multicounty grand jury. The three drugs that will continue to be used are: midazolam, vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride. 

Additionally, officials with the Attorney General’s Office have complied with the notice provisions of the joint stipulations, thus enabling the state to request execution dates for inmates who have exhausted their appeals after 150 days.

“It is important that the state is implementing our death penalty law with a procedure that is humane and swift for those convicted of the most heinous of crimes,” Gov. Stitt said. “Director Crow and Attorney General Mike Hunter have worked diligently and thoroughly to create a path forward to resume the death penalty in Oklahoma, and the time has come to deliver accountability and justice to the victims who have suffered unthinkable loss and pain.”

Although the state previously announced the move to nitrogen hypoxia as the preferred method of execution, the 2015 law allowing the state to develop a method for nitrogen hypoxia specifically states death sentences shall be carried out by nitrogen hypoxia only if the drugs for lethal injections are unavailable.

“My commitment to Oklahomans who remain tormented by the loss of their loved ones has been that we would go any route necessary to resume executions as expeditiously as possible within the rule of law,” Attorney General Hunter said. “They have endured enough through the decades of waiting on the lengthy appeals process and the state’s attempts to get the protocol right. I appreciate Director Crow and his team for their tireless search to acquire the drugs from a reliable source. Because of these efforts, we can finally tell the victims their wait for justice is nearly over.”  

The updated protocol includes several of the recommendations by the 2016 multicounty grand jury, including a verification of execution drugs at every step in the process, more training for the execution teams, among others.

Also, consistent with the multicounty grand jury recommendations, the DOC continues to work on a protocol that will allow the state to proceed by execution through nitrogen hypoxia when appropriate.

“Under this enhanced protocol, Oklahoma Department of Corrections stands ready to resume executions recommended by a jury of peers, sentenced by an impartial judge, and mandated by law,” Director Crow said. “I thank Governor Stitt and Attorney General Hunter for their leadership, which helped create this improved process. Additionally, I am deeply grateful for the patience of victims’ families and loved ones as we worked to ensure Oklahoma’s executions resume and are carried out in a meticulous manner.”

To read the updated protocol, click here.  

City Councilman Mike Burdge win re-election in Ward 3

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Sand Springs City Councilman Mike Burdge won re-election to the Ward 3 Council position Tuesday in a close 42-32 vote against challenger Justin Sean Tockey.

Burdge, 68, has been in office since 1996, including 13 years as Mayor and 6 years as Vice Mayor. He is also the Cross Country Head Coach at Charles Page High School

Sand Springs uses a Council-Manager form of government, with seven volunteer Council members who hire a City Manager to run day-to-day operations of the City. Council members receive no compensation. There are six wards in Sand Springs, each with their own Council member, and there is a seventh member who is elected from the city at-large.

Council members are elected to three-year terms, and they elect Mayor and Vice Mayor from within. Mayor and Vice Mayor are largely ceremonial positions in the Sand Springs government, and each is a one-year appointment. Council meets one to two times per month to vote on permits, resolutions, budgets, policy changes, and other decisions recommended by City staff and advisory boards.

Burdge will be sworn in alongside Ward 4 Councilwoman Nancy Riley, who filed for re-election unopposed. Riley ran for Council in 2017 but was defeated by Christine Hamner. Hamner resigned last year after moving out of her district, and Riley was appointed by Council in August to fill the vacancy. An election was not held due to the shortness of the remaining term. She will now begin a full three-year term after not receiving any challengers.

Three Council positions will go up for re-election in 2021, including Ward 5 (Beau Wilson), Ward 6 (Brian Jackson), and At-Large (Mayor Jim Spoon). Ward 1 (Phil Nollan) and Ward 2 (Vice Mayor Patty Dixon) will hold office until 2022.

What's Happening This Week in Sand Springs (2/9 - 2/16/2020)

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Monday

  • 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Art For Seniors 65+
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Acrylic Painting.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 4:00 p.m. Planning Commission meeting.

  • 6:00 p.m. Board of Adjustment meeting.

Tuesday

  • 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Ward 3 City Council election.

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.
    4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Art Class for Kids.
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. “Wood You Be Mine.”

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 4:30 p.m. Good Samaritan Mobile Health Clinic.

    • Church That Matters
      3 West 41st Street

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Owasso.
    8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. Owasso.

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road

Wednesday

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Varsity Dance performance.

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road

Thursday

  • 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Build a Read Storytime + Stay & Play.

    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.
    1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. “I Cant Draw a Straight Line.”
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Advanced Drawing Adult and Teen Class.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 3:30 p.m. Lego Fun!

    • Charles Page Library
      551 East 4th Street

  • 5:30 p.m. Airport Advisory Board meeting.

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street

Friday

  • Time/Opponent TBA - Sandite Wrestling at Dual State Championship.

    • Stride Bank Center
      301 South Independence Street
      Enid, OK 73701

  • 6:00 p.m. Valentine’s Couples Painting.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Jenks.
    8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. Jenks.

    • Frank Herald Field House
      323 East B Street
      Jenks, OK 74037

Saturday

  • 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Dance With Me.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Sunday

  • 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mending a Broken Heart.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Letter to Sand Springs from City Council candidate Justin Sean Tockey

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Residents of Ward 3 in Sand Springs will get the opportunity to vote for City Councilman Tuesday, February 11th. City Council is an unpaid position. Current Councilman Mike Burdge, 68, has been in office since 1996, including 13 years as Mayor and 6 years as Vice Mayor. His challenger is Justin Sean Tockey, 39. Both candidates have been invited to address their constituents directly. The following is a letter to our readers from Mr. Tockey.

“Hello Sandites!  I want to thank you for the opportunity to campaign for and, if elected, serve as a Sand Springs City Councilor.  I understand that this is an important decision for our town so I wanted to provide everyone with some background info on me, my values, and the vision I believe we can achieve to make Sand Springs the #1 place to live in Oklahoma.

Our family arrived in Sand Springs in 1959 where my Dad and Grandpa owned and operated Moon’s Paint and Body Shop on Charles Page Blvd.  My brothers and I attended Sand Springs public schools and I graduated from CPHS, class of ‘98. During senior year, it was my pleasure to serve as the varsity team mascot, the Minuteman, and help the Sandites go undefeated all the way to the semi-finals.  

After high school, I attended Tulsa Community College until September 11th, 2001 when I decided to join the U.S. Navy to help combat terrorism abroad.  Over the next 12 years, I met the most amazing person ever, Sarah Trzynka, and we ended up getting married and having two kids, Samantha and Gabriel. In 2013, I was forced to choose between another deployment or to separate from the Navy and spend more time with my family.  It wasn’t an easy choice and there was no wrong answer but I chose family.

When deciding where to live after the service, I couldn’t think of a better place, in all my travels, to raise our kids than in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.  The challenge was to somehow convince Sarah that my hometown was better than Wahiawa, Hawaii, where we were living at the time. It was a tough sell but because she’s from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, we both understand the tremendous value of midwest family culture and affordable cost-of-living!

We moved back to Sand Springs in 2014 where I lucked into a career in the financial industry and am happily serving as a Financial Planner for the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation.  Sarah was able to keep her clients from Hawaii and works as Landscape Designer from our home office. Our kids attend school in Sand Springs, including our third child, Archer, who graced us with his arrival last year.

I’ve watched this town grow for nearly 40 years and am very thankful to have the chance to continue our family’s roots here.  Sand Springs isn’t without its problems but the benefits far outweigh the costs and I intend to work hard to keep it that way.  With the help of our other amazing volunteers in the City Council, I want to see our schools flourish, our businesses boom, and every soul to be warm, safe, and fed.  That’s the legacy that Charles Page left for us and I’m excited to be able to carry that torch.

Please cast your vote for Justin Sean Tockey as your Sand Springs City Councilor, Ward 3, on February 11th.  For voter registration info or to check your polling place, visit:  

https://okvoterportal.okelections.us “

Keri Fothergill appointed as Tulsa County District 2 Chief Deputy under Karen Keith

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Earlier this month, Keri Fothergill was appointed District 2 Commissioner Karen Keith’s Chief Deputy. Fothergill replaces John Fothergill who moved to the Tulsa County Treasurer’s Office to serve as First Deputy.

Keri Fothergill comes to Tulsa County from the City of Tulsa where she most recently served in the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development as Development and Constituent Services Liaison. In this capacity, Fothergill coordinated and facilitated business and land development procedures, projects, and programs for the City.

Throughout her career, Fothergill has served in numerous related functions including:

  • Community Involvement Coordinator for City of Tulsa Refuse and Recycling Department

  • Constituent Services/Real Estate for Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr.

  • Commercial Project Manager/Government Liaison for Williams & Williams Auction

  • Council Legislative Aide for Tulsa City Council

  • Mayoral Aide for Mayor Bill LaFortune and Mayor Susan Savage

  • Event Coordinator for Tulsa Metro Chamber

The Sand Springs resident has also served as Commissioner for the Sand Springs Planning and Development Commissions. She was also a Tulsa Global Alliance Board Member.

“I’ve worked as a public servant since 2001, but this is the first opportunity for me to have my day job impact my own community,” said Fothergill. “Working for the City of Tulsa was wonderful; I look forward to working in District 2 with the people I call friends and neighbors. I will be their champion and help them make an impact not only in District 2 but through all of Tulsa County.”

Echoing Fothergill’s sentiments, Commissioner Keith said “The common thread through all Keri’s extensive experience, which I saw firsthand when I worked with her at the City, is her focus on serving as a liaison between the government and its constituents. This simply made her the best choice for my new Chief Deputy. The ease with which she can develop, coordinate, and implement initiatives that positively affect the community and the local government is just one of the many reasons I approached her about this position. I am so pleased she is on board and am looking forward to all she will accomplish.”

Jack Blair, Chief of Staff for Mayor G.T. Bynum, said of Keri’s movement to the County, “Keri is the most diligent and hard-working person I’ve worked with on a regular basis since I started working with the City. We were very sorry to lose her, but we know she’ll do an outstanding job for the County. The work she’ll be doing is the kind of work she was doing so effectively here—she solves problems for constituents, and she does that better than anyone else I know.”

Those in the development community have also noted how valuable Fothergill will be in her new role at the County.

“Keri is a highly accomplished and credible individual,” said Stacey Bayles, Director of Association Issues for the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Tulsa. “She will certainly be able to build upon what John did and what can be done in the future. She earned her nickname with us as ‘the fixer’ because of her ability to facilitate relationships. It’s what allows the ‘fixing’ to occur. She’s just tremendous at relationship building. We hated to lose her as a partner with the City, but this is an important step for the relevance of the County, and we see it as nothing but a positive move.”

Jeff Smith, Executive Vice President/CEO for of the HBA of Greater Tulsa, expanded on Bayles comments, saying “Honest and accessible, Keri Fothergill recognizes that the issues, problems, and misunderstandings that affect business are not only important for the businesses themselves, but for the public sector agencies that depend on private sector resources. For almost two decades, Keri has provided constituents with the highest level of customer service that is responsive and results driven. In particular, the HBA holds Keri Fothergill in the highest esteem for her industry knowledge and effective communication. Without a doubt, she is the right person to address the needs and concerns of Tulsa County constituents now and in the future.”

Sand Springs Disc Golf Course to receive new professional redesign by World Champion Avery Jenkins

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The Sand Springs Parks Advisory Board heard plans for a new disc golf course layout at their Monday evening meeting. The new layout will be located in the same general area as the existing course, but will add increased hole-length, professional signage, new tee pads, and will utilize the wooded areas under the Highway 97 bridge among other changes. The course is being designed by 2009 PDGA World Champion Avery Jenkins.

Disc Golf first came to Case Community Park (then dubbed River City Park) in 2012 after existing baskets were relocated from a nine-hole course at Ray Brown Park. The new course used two alternate natural tees per basket to create an 18-hole layout that was often crowded since two groups could be playing towards the same basket at the same time. The course was located along the creek at the entrance to the park.

Following a $6 million remodel of the park in 2017, a roadway, parking lot, and splash pad were constructed in the middle of the existing course, and the baskets were relocated to the deepest part of the grounds near the BMX track. The current course features a full 18 holes with few overlapping fairways and professional concrete tees. There are, however, several holes that throw across the walking trail, and the new course will eliminate those safety issues.

The new proposed course design was created by DiscGolfPark, a multi-national corporation headquartered in Tampere, Finland. The Sand Springs course will be the first DiscGolfPark in Oklahoma and the third layout designed by Jenkins, who is a touring member of Team Innova. Jenkins previously designed LHC DiscGolfPark in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and co-designed The Sanctuary DiscGolfPark in Delta, Ohio. He is a transplant to Oklahoma, and currently lives in Pawhuska where he helps manage The Lodge at Taylor Ranch disc golf courses.

DiscGolfPark uses several unique concepts, including a turf tee pad. Most Oklahoma courses utilize concrete tees, but the turf pads are well reviewed by touring professionals like Paul McBeth and Simon Lizotte who praise the natural look and feel. The tees are also safer than concrete tees, which are easy for an inattentive player to trip over.

The new course will come with all new baskets and will also include a large Info Board showing the course layout, rules and guidelines. All of the new equipment will come with warranties.

The proposed Sand Springs layout checks in at 6680 feet with a par of 57, including three par 4s. Hole 4 will be the longest at a whopping 820 feet, followed by Hole 18 at 640 feet. The overall square footage of the course will increase significantly with expansions north of the BMX track service road and deeper into the woods beneath the Highway 97 bridge.

Those longer distances won’t be permanent, however, as the course will have multiple pin locations. During tournaments the course directors will be able to move the baskets to their longest length, then the baskets will be moved back for year-round recreational play. Parks staff want the course to be desirable for professionals, beginners, and everyone in between.

The Tulsa metropolitan area is considered by many to be the Mecca of disc golf, with dozens of courses and over 4,000 members in the Tulsa Disc Golf Facebook group. The Tulsa Disc Sports Association hosts weekly mini-tournaments during the summer months and Tulsa even hosted the Am World Championships in 2006.

The newest layout design isn’t final, as the Parks Advisory Board voted Monday to allow the course to utilize a two-acre field that was previously designated an “avoidance area.” The field once housed the Sand Springs Round Up Club rodeo arena, which was demolished in 2018. The area was initially intended to be used as a possible practice field for youth sports teams, but that plan was scrapped due to limited parking.

Jenkins is also waiting for contractors to finishing clearing overgrowth before he submits his final plans. Significant work is already underway along the river and under the Highway 97 bridge. Workers are increasing the amount of playable land, as well as increasing the aesthetic appeal and river view. The final plans will then have to be approved by the Advisory Board and the City Council.

Case Community Park is the flagship of the Sand Springs Parks Department, located at 2500 South River City Park Road along the Arkansas River. The 100-acre grounds include baseball, softball, soccer, and BMX complexes, a Community Center, a splash pad, four playgrounds, a skate park, a trail system, an amphitheater, horseshoe pits, basketball and volleyball courts, and more. The entire park was submerged during historic flooding in May of 2019, but the last of the repairs are expected to be complete in time for the spring softball and baseball seasons.

A new roadway is also planned that will allow visitors to cross over the river levee that surrounds the park. This will create a park entrance from the Sheffield Crossing development near the disc golf course and softball/BMX complexes.

What's Happening This Week in Sand Springs (2/2 - 2/9/2020)

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Monday

  • 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Chamber Open Forum.

    • Guest Speakers Derek Osborn, Brian O’Hara, Jared Ward.
      Lunch $15, RSVP required - denise@sandspringschamber.com

    • Tulsa Tech - Sand Springs Campus
      924 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Art For Seniors 65+
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Acrylic Painting.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 5:30 p.m. Parks Advisory Board meeting.

  • 7:00 p.m. Board of Education meeting.

Tuesday

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Mandella Heart Necklace Event.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Sapulpa.
    8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. Sapulpa.

    • Chieftain Center
      1201 East Lincoln
      Sapulpa, OK 74066

  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS Wrestling vs. Broken Arrow.

    • Tiger Field House
      2200 North 23rd Street
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Wednesday

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Thursday

  • 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Build a Read Storytime + Stay & Play.

    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Art Class for Kids.
    1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. “I Cant Draw a Straight Line.”
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Advanced Drawing Adult and Teen Class.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street

Friday

  • 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Therapeutic Art.
    7:35 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. After-Hours Open Studio.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Union.
    8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. Union.

    • Union Multipurpose Athletic Center
      6836 South Mingo Road
      Tulsa, OK 74133

Saturday

  • 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Ancient Trail Trek.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive

  • 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Rose! Mixed Media! Teen & Adults.

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Sunday

  • 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. “Wood You Be Mine.”

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Webco Industries to relocate Corporate Headquarters to former Rader Juvenile Center site in Sand Springs

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The Sand Springs City Council authorized the sale of the former Rader Juvenile Detention Center to Webco Industries Monday evening, and approved the creation of a Review Committee to create a plan for a possible Tax Increment District.

The Sand Springs Economic Development Authority (SSEDA) has agreed to sell 48 acres to one of Sand Springs’ biggest employers, allowing the company to create a new leadership campus on the site.

Webco’s corporate headquarters is located in Sand Springs, as is the Southwest Tube and the Star Center Tube manufacturing facilities. Other Oklahoma locations include manufacturing plants in Kellyville and Mannford, and a distribution facility in Tulsa.

The company employs approximately 1,300 individuals nationwide and recently celebrated 50 years of operations by holding a festival at Case Community Park in Sand Springs, in which the public was invited. Webco employs 150 individuals at their corporate office, 250 at Southwest Tube, and 217 at Star Center Tube. The company generated over $500 million in revenue last year.

Webco previously purchased the 154 acres adjacent to the Rader facilities in 2012, which then housed the disused Hissom Memorial Center. Hissom was a state-run institution for individuals with developmental disabilities that was forced to shut down in 1994. When Webco purchased the property they constructed the 400,000 square foot Star Center manufacturing facility.

The City has previously created two different Tax Increment Districts. The first time was to incentivize Walmart to open their current north-side store. The second location was the Hissom site purchased by Webco. Webco has invested over $80 million in the Hissom site, and created over 150 jobs.

According to City Councilman and SSEDA Chairman Phil Nollan, “the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) is to help support infrastructure, development of the site, organizational costs, stormwater systems, and industrial roads,” and to re-open an existing railroad crossing that has been disused since Rader closed. Webco is requesting up to $3.6 million in tax incentive.

The new facility will be called the F. William Weber Center for Leadership and will house the Webco Technology Center, Webco University, and eventually the Corporate Headquarters. This will not only preserve the existing 150 corporate jobs, but will allow Webco to continue to grow and invest in the Sand Springs community.

Before the TID is created, a Review Committee consisting of government and citizen representatives will be formed to provide recommendations and input on the proposed project plan. There will be one City Council representative, one Planning Commission representative, one Tulsa County representative, one Tulsa County Health Department representative, one Sand Springs Public Schools representative, one Tulsa Technology Center representative, one Tulsa Community College representative, one Tulsa City-County Library representative, and three representatives of the public at large, who will be appointed by City Council.

The Review Committee and the Planning Commission will both review the proposed project plan and make recommendations to City Council. Monday night’s resolution also authorized the City to enter into a Project Cost Advancement and Eligibility Agreement with Webco as project developer.

Webco has agreed to advance cost of up to $65,000.00 for professional services relating to the preparation, review, consideration, and possible approval of the project plan.

In other news:

Council unanimously approved a renewal of a memorandum of understanding with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office for third party reporting in line with the the Prison Rape Elimination Act. SSPD handles all sexual assault reports of Tulsa County inmates to ensure accountability.

Council unanimously approved final payment of $97,120.00 to Play By Design for installing new playground surfaces in Case Community Park, which was heavily damaged by flooding in May of 2019.

Council unanimously approved a resolution disclaiming any interest in lawsuits surrounding a new pipeline. Phillips 66 has filed three condemnation actions against landowners whose properties are along the pipeline route. Because the City of Sand Springs owns easements on the properties, the City is named as a defendant and has a right to respond to the suits, but is declining the opportunity.

Council unanimously approved specific use permits for two Medical Marijuana Processing Facilities at the Morrow Gill Business Park. The businesses are Rarextracts, LLC and Oklahoma Infusions Inc.

Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing bidding for a new Sand Springs Municipal Lake Dam at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge Gold Course. The existing dam was last upgraded 45 years ago, and the lake is crucial for irrigating the property. The resolution also authorizes the Mayor and City Manager to accept a bid, award a contract, and sign all relevant documents.

Council unanimously authorized City staff to apply for a grant from the FFY2023 Surface Transportation Program (STP) Urbanized Area funds. If the grant is awarded, the City plans to do a new asphalt overlay on 41st Street between 129th West Avenue and 69th West Avenue. The project has an estimated value of $3,192,099.00 and the City is requesting 71.7% or $2,288,920.00 from the STP.

Council unanimously approved a Maintenance Agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the new stoplight at the intersection of Highway 97 and Huskey Avenue. 

Council unanimously approved an amendment to an existing agreement with Craig and Keithline, Inc. for design and planning work in the Sheffield Crossing development. The total contract amounts to $268,752.00.

Council unanimously approved several appointments to various boards and committees. Debbie Nobles and Steve Clem were appointed to five year terms on the Museum Trust Authority. Steve Lang, Kenny Tate, Ryan Walker, and Brent Kellogg were appointed to the Economic Development Authority. 

Council unanimously approved a partnership between the Fire Department and Sand Springs Public Schools. The SSFD will offer an eight-week internship program to Charles Page High School students that will count for course credit and provide valuable on-the-job training in the field.

ONEOK donates $150,000 to repair Sand Springs park damaged in flood

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Sand Springs, OK- Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc. has received a major donation from ONEOK to assist with the continued flood recovery at Case Community Park. ONEOK announced the gifting of $150,000 to Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc. for work at the park’s heavily damaged softball complex.

Following the flooding events of May 2019, the entire 100 acre Case Community Park was submerged beneath six feet of flowing water. The impact leveled fences, uprooted large trees, ruined sports playing surfaces and pulled apart electrical connections buried within the sports complex.

Following today’s gift from ONEOK, the Parks Department will oversee repairs to the softball complex in the coming weeks, replacing it to a pre-flood condition in time for the opening of the 2020 softball season.

“We’ve built this wonderful park with great partnerships and community support over the years”, stated City of Sand Springs Parks Director Jeff Edwards. “We’re grateful for ONEOK and their support of our mission to rebuild the softball complex and deliver quality of life services to our citizens.”

Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc. was created in 2007 by the City of Sand Springs City Council to help facilitate an easy, visible tool to generate philanthropic support and create improvements to the City’s parks system. Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization registered with the State of Oklahoma and the IRS to accept charitable contributions.

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

Sand Springs to host free Storm Spotter Training Class

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Nasty weather that endangers lives and damages properties can occur in Oklahoma at any time of the year. Understanding what is going on in the skies above can be a life or death proposition.

Trained citizen storm spotters play a critical role in providing life-saving information to local emergency managers and meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Tulsa.

If you are interested in participating in a free storm spotter training class, please plan to attend this year’s event. Hosted by meteorologists from the Tulsa office of the National Weather Service, the class will take place at the community room of the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center, 602 W. Morrow Rd. (south of Walmart) at the 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. No pre-registration is necessary.

The training benefits all citizens – from those affiliated with storm spotting organizations to those who just want a better understanding of what is happening around them when skies turn ominous. The class includes videos of severe storms, information on storm development and identification as well as statistics on severe storms and the damages they cause.

The training will help citizens discern between storms that have severe weather potential from those that only have menacing-looking clouds.

Although recent technology has greatly enhanced meteorologists’ abilities to provide critical and accurate storm information, trained storm spotters are irreplaceable for providing on-the-ground accounts of what is actually happening at specific locations. Many citizens have taken the class over the years to enhance their peace of mind, as well as possibly save the lives of others during a weather emergency.

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