From The Editor: Sunday June 12, 2016

From the Editor’s Desk:

Greetings Sandites!

Thank you for reading the third edition of our new Sandite Pride News Weekly digital edition. We hope to be bringing this to you in a print format very soon!

This week’s edition is dedicated to a man very near to my heart, my late uncle, David Wayne Emigh.

David was the founding pastor of Word of Life Church in Sand Springs, and led our congregation for thirty years. In that time he touched countless lives, not just in our little community, but across the world.

From being a published author of three books and hundreds of magazines, to traveling the world in missions and founding hundreds of churches, David’s words have reached the hearts of many.

David means a lot to me, despite never getting to know him that well in life. I was only fifteen years old when he passed, and I wish that I had been closer to him. Overseeing a church of some seven-hundred people required a lot of David, but he still found time to check in on me when he could, taking me bowling, laser-tagging, and having me over for movies. We weren’t nearly as close as some uncles and nephews are, but I looked up to him then, and even more so now.

My parents split up in 2009, and despite his best efforts, my father wasn’t around as much as a son needs. I’m sure many of my readers can relate. When you’re a kid, you need role models, and you look for them wherever you can. Often times we turn to celebrities or athletes for inspiration. I was fortunate enough to have a great man to look up to, who left behind a smorgasbord of writings, videos, and recordings to learn from.

The five year anniversary of David’s untimely death is this Wednesday, June 15th. Our community lost an incredible human being, and many of us are still feeling the pain of loss.

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
www.SanditePride.com

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This story was originally published in the Sandite Pride News Weekly Sunday edition.

Upcoming concerts and events in the Tulsa area

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This story was originally published in the Sandite Pride News Weekly Sunday edition.

SS Police open doors to private transactions

The Sand Springs Police Department announced via Facebook recently that they are in the process of registering with www.safetradestations.com as a Safe Station for private transactions.

Citizens engaging in person-to-person transactions via Craigslist, Facebook groups, etc. can now meet in the lobby of the City Municipal Building for safety . The station has cameras inside and outside and police are always present in the event of an incident.

Sand Springs Board of Education authorizes litigation against State

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting and used the opportunity to present a series of awards and recognitions, approve the hiring of new staff, and discuss district finances. 

Bob Anderson was awarded the Sandite Spirit Award and Coins of Excellence were presented to retiring Superintendent Lloyd Snow, retiring Chief Financial Operator Gary Watts, retiring Pratt Principal Jim Roberts, retiring Athletic Director Ed Garrett, retiring Encumbrance Clerk Sally Gramm, Board Clerk Kim Clenney, and District Artchitect Jeanie Kvach.

The Board approved the employment of six new employees for the upcoming school year. Clyde Boyd Middle School will be adding Rebekah Anderson as a Seventh Grade Writing Teacher. Charles Page High School will get five new employees: Kristen Anderson, Special Ed Teacher; Matthew Miller, World History Teacher; Kimberly Mutch, Advanced Math Teacher; Lindsay Ross, Counselor; Matt Solomon, Art Teacher. 

The school board unanimously approved a motion to authorize funding of no more than $5,000 for the purpose of joining ongoing litigation before the Oklahoma Supreme Court against the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Tax Commission concerning past allocations of state aid payments. The lawsuit, which was filed in March, includes about fifty school districts seeking reparations for twenty-two years of misappropriation of commercial and agricultural property taxes. The defense maintains that despite their acknowledgement and correction of the error in 2014, they should not be made to collect reparations from the schools that benefited due to the unreliability of data predating 2004 due to the fact that all records used in the calculation of state aid are disposed of after twelve years. Furthermore, they cite a three-year statute of limitations on similar cases. The defense issued a response to the petitioners' claims on June 1st, pointing out "the dire budget situations already facing the schools that will be negatively impacted."

The district is already engaged in litigation against the Oklahoma Tax Commission for allegedly misappropriating funds associated with motor vehicle collections authorized by the passage of HB2244 by the 55th Legislature. The plaintiff is not seeking reparations from the school districts that benefited from the alleged error, but seeks for the state aid formula to be corrected going forward. The board initially went straight to the State Supreme Court in the hopes of enacting a decision before June 30th. The Supreme Court denied the petition in April, however, meaning the suit will have to go through the district courts first. The district claims a loss of more than $200,000 thus far and expects that amount to double by the time a decision is reached. 

The proposed budget for 2016-2017 was also unanimously approved during the board meeting. Revenue is expected to decline by $3,761,380 from the last fiscal year. Operating expenses have been slashed by $3,094,000, which Superintendent Snow says will result in fifty-one fewer employees across the school district.

Register bicycles with the City to avoid theft

The Sand Springs Police Department issued a reminder last week via Facebook that citizens are welcome to register their bicycles with the City website to aid in the return of a recovered bike.

"Every year the Sand Springs Police Department receives calls of found and stolen bicycles. It is our goal to return these bikes to the rightful owners, but the majority of the time that does not happen.

One issue is that many people do not write down their serial number. Some people think that it will be in the owners manual, but often it is not included by the manufacturer, only a space to write it down.

S.S.P.D. offers a service to help this problem. Our bike registry lets you enter your information and bike serial number into our system. If an officer recovers the bike, we know how to contact you. This saves our citizens from needing to buy a new bike and it saves our officers time, effort and much needed storage space. If your bike is ever stolen, we will already have the information on file that we can get your serial number for the report and enter it into the national database.

This is a free service and only takes a few minutes to complete. If you feel this could be of help to you, please go to this link."

To follow the SSPD on Facebook, click this link.

New restaurants added to first "Taste of Sand Springs" event

Harper's Hut is one of many businesses to join the inaugural Taste of Sand Springs event. 

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Chamber of Commerce’s annual restaurant crawl is no more, replaced this year by the first annual “Taste of Sand Springs” event.

Thursday, June 16, the Chamber will host a dining event at the Charles Page High School cafeteria from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Rib Crib, Napoli’s Italian Eatery, and Cheezies Pizzeria were initially confirmed for the event, and the Chamber announced an even longer list of food vendors on Thursday. Reasor's Deli and Bakery, Sandlot Sno-Balls, Gander Way Vineyards, Harper's Hut Shaved Ice and Java, Meadowlake Ranch, Charlie's Chicken, and Osage Casino will all be providing food. More restaurants are expected to join the event but aren't confirmed yet. 

The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children between the ages of 6-10, and kids under five are free. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Chamber and Junior Achievement.

According to the Junior Achievement website, they seek to “empower young people to own their economic success.” Their programs “educate young people to value free enterprise, business, and economics through the support of teachers, parents, and volunteers in the classroom...Junior Achievement helps educate students in personal finance and practical workplace skills, preparing them to pursue their careers as well as their dreams.”

For more information on the event, contact Kristen Valentin at 918.245.3221 or email her at Kristen@sandspringschamber.com

Also on the horizon: 

Sand Springs Community Services is hosting their annual “Margaritaville Summer Party” at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course on Saturday, June 11th. The event will last from 6:00 to 10:00 pm and will benefit the Community Services general fund.

The party will feature live music, dancing, food, drinks, and games. The cost is $60 per person or $450 for a table of eight. Corporate sponsors are welcome to advertise on tables for $500.

According to the SSCS Mission Statement, “SSCS is dedicated to ASSIST, CONNECT, EMPOWER, and SERVE clients experiencing economic crises with basic needs assistance. It works collectively with Partner Agencies to provide empowering programs and resources to move families forward toward self-sufficiency and to serve all with dignity, respect, compassion, and hope.”

From The Editor: Sunday June 5, 2016

From the Editor’s Desk:

Greetings Sandites!

Thank you for reading the second edition of our new Sandite Pride News Weekly digital edition. We hope to be bringing this to you in a print format very soon!

In last week’s edition I talked about the history of Sandite Pride and how it all came together. To summarize it, we are not associated with the Sand Springs Leader, or the high school newspaper, The Sandtonian. We are a locally owned and operated company founded out of a love of Sand Springs and her people.

As a staff we believe there is no better community in the nation, and it is our goal to bring recognition to this great city and the incredible people who work day-in and day-out to make it that way. We believe that each and every citizen has a story, and we want to help them tell it.

Sandite Pride News, LLC consists of myself, Morgan Miller, Teri Emigh, and Virgil Noah. Morgan is our Executive Director. She helps oversee the flow of operations and makes sure that nothing is overlooked in the day-to-day operations. Teri is our Chief Financial Officer and handles our financial and legal obligations. Virgil is our Marketing Director. He works to establish the relationships with local businesses and organizations that are the lifeblood of our organization. As the Editor-in-Chief I am the voice of the company, and I decide the overall tone of our magazine as well as plan our long-term goals and purpose.

The fifth and most vital member of our team is you; the people we work for and represent, and care so much about. The whole reason this magazine/website exists is to bring the community together, to educate its people on current affairs affecting the city, to celebrate our successes and improve the overall sense of Sandite pride.

We hope you will work with us in this venture and we welcome your contribution. We are always looking for friends and partners in this journey and want to work together to make this town the best it can be.

Feel free to contact us any time for any reason. I can be reached at 918.899.0823. Morgan’s number is 918.508.9564 and Virgil’s number is 918.282.1243. Don’t hesitate to call us for any reason, or send us an email at SanditePrideNews@gmail.com. We are constantly looking for advertising partners, stories, news tips, and more. If you are hosting an event that you would like to be included in our magazine, let us know!

Sandite Pride News can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. We also have an account with SmugMug where you can purchase prints or downloads of all our photography, including sporting events, graduation, and most recently the Word of Life Free Community Carnival.

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
www.SanditePride.com 

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This story was originally published in the Sandite Pride News Weekly Sunday edition.

City Councilman Brian Jackson sounds off on Senator Dan Newberry

Incumbent Senator Dan Newberry faced harsh words from City Councilman Brian Jackson at a Chamber of Commerce forum Monday afternoon.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce hosted an open forum Monday for Senate seat 37 candidates. All seven candidates were invited, five attended, but the awkward drama between three of them stole the show. Outgoing Sand Springs Superintendent Lloyd Snow is running for the democratic nomination for the seat, and he's found an unusual ally from the other side of the political spectrum. 

Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson is a Republican, but doesn't hesitate to endorse Snow as the best alternative to incumbent Dan Newberry, should Newberry win the Republican nomination. Jackson has even gone so far as to go canvassing with Superintendent Snow. 

Jackson, whose wife is a third-grade teacher, makes it clear that should he be defeated in the Republican primary on June 28th, his campaign won't end there.

"I believe public education is the cornerstone to our democracy, and should be guarded from politicians that want to inflict harm. I do not support any measure such as vouchers that would divert or direct tax dollars away from public education," said Jackson, an obvious jab at Newberry who failed to publicly oppose SB609, which would have redirected funds from public education to private schools. The high-profile bill received major public backlash from the education community before dying in committee. Many District 37 residents expressed frustration that Newberry failed to reply to any emails or phone calls regarding the bill, and never publicly declared his position, should it have been heard on the Senate floor.

Outgoing Superintendent Lloyd Snow will likely carry a large backing from Sand Springs residents with ties to education, but his biggest obstacle to election will be proving his qualifications in non-education fields. 

"Many politicians, including one in this room, will stand behind false over-inflated words that teachers should receive a medal for the work they do. This is merely smoke and mirrors and does not reflect a genuine thought." Jackson also claimed to have overheard Newberry rudely dismiss a Sand Springs educator's concerns on a past trip to the Capitol. "This disrespectful action will not be tolerated and I am honored to not be alone in this race to unseat the disrespectful actions of this politician." 

Newberry has faced a lot of backlash from the education community. Political Action Committee "Oklahomans for Public Education" rated the Senator as "Dangerous" and "Not Supportive of Public Ed" in their most recent list of 2016 candidates. Jackson and Snow, meanwhile, were endorsed as "Pro-Public Education." 

Newberry's not without some high profile supporters, however. Victory Christian Center Pastor Sharon Daugherty, Sand Springs City Councilman Jim Spoon, and former Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce President Mary Eubanks have all starred in promotional videos endorsing the Newberry campaign. Sand Springs Vice-Mayor John Fothergill has also expressed his support via Facebook. 

In defense of Newberry's education record, he did coauthor HB3218 to eliminate End of Instruction Exams, but it was far from a divisive bill. Twenty-seven other senators coauthored on the bill, as did forty-seven house representatives. The legislation cleared the House 95 to 1 and the Senate 45 to 1.

While Newberry faces heavy criticism from the education community, Snow and Jackson face criticism from just about everyone else. Supporters of Newberry have pointed out that while Education is crucial, it is not the only pressing matter for a Senator to deal with. Newberry's challengers have been accused of inadequately addressing the numerous duties a Senator must perform.

"Our state education system, along with other core areas of state government, including transportation, infrastructure, corrections, and mental health, is grossly and recklessly underfunded," said Jackson. That was all he said about the issues before continuing on in his pro-education spiel. 

Superintendent Snow fared about the same when it came to diversifying his platform. "It breaks my heart that we're going to have fifty-one fewer employees in Sand Springs schools next year." Snow failed to touch on anything other than education in his speech.

The Democratic challenger does have his standpoints on some key issues listed on his website. He promises to fix income inequality between equally qualified men and women working the same job. He touches on creating quality jobs and diversifying the state economy, supporting police and firemen, and giving individuals more control over their personal healthcare. Jackson, meanwhile, has no political ideology listed anywhere on his Facebook page or website, except for a brief mention that "illegal aliens-if they want to live here, they need to go through the proper procedures for citizenship." 

"It's not personal with me, it's performance," said Snow. "This past legislature--and I've got good friends there, it's not personal--it was a side-step. It wasn't a step up. Band-aid, band-aid, band-aid. Folks, this budget's gonna fail."

"It's not my ambition and it never was. But I feel an obligation...I may not tell you what you want to hear, but I will always give you 100% every day."

Friday is the primary registration deadline! Here's a look at the Sand Springs ballot

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Friday, June 3rd, is the final day to register to vote in the June 28th Oklahoma primary elections. Voters have until then to register to vote, change their address, or update other registration information before the Statewide primary.

Voters must either register in person, or mail their registration forms and have them postmarked before the deadline. Per Oklahoma voting law, registered voters cannot change their party affiliation between April 1st and August 31st during even-numbered years. Both the Democratic and Libertarian Parties have opened their primaries to Independent voters this year, but only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary.

More than 400 candidates have filed for office in Oklahoma this filing period, more than in any presidential year in recent history, according to Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax. This is also the first year that the Libertarian Party has been officially recognized in the State of Oklahoma, meaning voters now have four registration options. 

Incumbent United States Senator James Lankford has the Republican nomination secured with no challengers, as does Democratic nominee Mike Workman. Libertarian voters will choose between Robert T Murphy and Dax Ewbank for their candidate. There are also two independent candidates: Sean Braddy and Mark Beard.

Current Congressional District 1 Representative Jim Bridenstine is up for reelection and is challenged by Tom Atkinson and Evelyn L. Rogers for the Republican nomination. No Democrats filed for the race. The winner of the Republican nomination will square off against Independent David Matthew Hullum. 

Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson is challenging incumbent State Senator Dan Newberry for the District 37 Republican nomination, as is Paula L. Patterson. 

District 66 State Representative Jadine Nollan has one challenger in Emily G. DeLozier for the Republican nomination. Dianna Phillips, wife of former City Councilman Michael Phillips, has the democratic nomination locked up.

Donald Newberry, Ron Phillips, and Mary Atkinson are running for County Court Clerk as Republicans.

Rex Berry and Arthur Jackson are vying for the Democratic nomination for County Sheriff. Vic Regalado, the incumbent from Sand Springs, is being challenged by Russell Crow and Luke Sherman for the Republican nomination for County Sheriff.

Michael Willis and Nancy Rothman are running for the County Clerk nomination from the Republican party.

Deanna Vincent is challenging Karen Keith for the Democratic nomination for County Commisioner District No. 2. Jonathan Grable and Sand Springs's Josh R. Turley are running for the Republican nomination.

Tulsa County Library Summer Reading Program encourages reading at all ages

By: Virgil Noah, Marketing Director

The Tulsa City-County Library Summer Reading Program is officially underway, and this year they're offering programs for the entire family to participate in. In addition, having a library card is not required to participate in this year's programs.

The Children's Summer Reading Program is available for newborns up to children who have completed fourth grade. To sign up, simply go to any of the 24 TCCL locations and visit the Summer Reading Program table.

When signing up, children will receive a reading log, their first library visit sticker, event guide for the summer, and a free bookmark and bag. If they read, listen to, or have parents read eight books to them as well as visiting the library four times, kids will receive a medal and book of coupons for free food and entertainment. The book of coupons includes coupons for admission to the Oklahoma Aquarium, Tulsa Zoo, Tulsa Drillers game, and more! If they read twenty books and visit four times they will earn a bonus prize, an inflatable baseball bat!

After completing the program children can enter into grand prize drawings to win a bicycle, Tulsa Roughnecks FC tickets, and more. Entering the grand prize drawing at Charles Page Public Library or Pratt Public Library, conveniently located on opposite sides of Sand Springs, will result in a better chance of winning a grand prize. Each year the Sand Springs Women's Chamber donates the money for each library to purchase a bike to give away. The only way to win is the enter the drawing at Charles Page or Pratt Library. 

To sign up for the Teen and Tween Summer Reading Program you must have completed the fifth grade. Reading or listening to 6 books results in completion of the program and earns teens an ID wallet and earbuds, plus coupons for free food and entertainment. 

Charles Page Branch Manager Mark Carlson has his own reading challenge that he extends to the children and teens that filter through his library throughout the summer. If they read 100 books, they will receive a certificate recognizing their completion of his challenge and a giant Hershey's chocolate bar.  

This year is the first time the SRP features a program for adults. Adults can sign up at any of the 24 TCCL locations or at www.tulsalibrary.org. For reading or listening to 4 books, those who register will receive coupons for free food and a cool messenger bag in one of five colors. 

The Summer Reading Programs will run through August 6th, with June 20th being the first day that you can submit completed reading logs to receive prizes. 

Charles Page Public Library
551 E 4th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063
(918) 549-7521

Pratt Public Library  
3219 S 113th W Ave  
Sand Springs, OK 74063
(918) 549-7638

Word of Life Free Community Carnival draws record crowds

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Word of Life Church in Sand Springs hosted their fourth annual free community carnival Saturday afternoon to huge success. Approximately 5000 people turned out for the event, the largest turnout since it began, to enjoy free food, rides, and giveaways.

Word of Life is a non-denominational congregation founded in 1981 by the late David Emigh, and is currently pastored by Chad and Sarah Stewart who took the reigns in September of 2011.

In 2013 the Church held its first annual Free Community Carnival, a dream that Pastor Chad Stewart had been working towards since he first arrived at the church. For the first three years, the event was held at the end of summer, shortly before the fall school session began. The church would give away thousands of backpacks full of school supplies and a team of professional stylists would offer free "Back-to-School" haircuts for kids. 

In 2016 the ride company that the church had been using announced it was in the process of liquidating its equipment, leaving the church searching for a replacement. After locating the Oklahoma-based Sam's Amusements, the church had to move the event to Memorial Day weekend due to the ride company's packed schedule. Instead of looking at the change as an inconvenience, the church is counting it as a blessing and an opportunity to improve the experience for everyone.

This year's Carnival featured more than half a dozen rides of varying sizes and had dozens of games and other activities, as well as free popcorn, hotdogs, lemonade, and shaved ice from local company Sandlot Snoballs.

On Sunday morning the church gave away ten checks of $500 each to guests at their services. Each of the recipients were noticeably touched by the gift. One first service recipient had lost a daughter in 2010 and was still unable to afford a headstone. A second service recipient had just lost her job two weeks prior. Other winners included a single mother of two trying to return to college, and an elderly couple who was barely making ends meet while living on social security.

In other news, the church announced the hiring of a new children's pastor last Sunday in Oral Roberts University graduate Alexis Muscarella.

The church holds two services each Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and is located at 1402 North 81st West Avenue. Wednesday youth services are held at the Forward Youth Building at 619 East 10th Street at 7:00 pm under youth pastor Chad Ketcher. 

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This story was originally published in the Sandite Pride News Weekly Sunday edition.

I-44 ramps re-open in Berryhill

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Sand Springs residents on the South side of the river can breath easy again now that the I-44/I-244 ramps at 51st Street in the Berryhill area have reopened. The area has been a traffic nightmare for the last half year as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation performed critical bridge rehabilitation repairs.

ODOT giveth and ODOT taketh away...In perfect timing with the reopoening of the I-44 ramps, the department will be closing the 23rd Street bridge in West Tulsa for as long as eight months while crews replace three spans of the bridge and reconfigure several piers. 

Frank Cooper receives 2016 Oklahoma Medal of Excellence

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COURTESY. Frank Cooper shows off a proclamation from the Tulsa County Board of Commissioners declaring March 22nd, 2016 to be Frank Cooper Day.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Charles Page High School's Frank V. Cooper was awarded the 2016 Oklahoma Medal of Excellence in Secondary Teaching by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Sunday.

Cooper is only the third Sandite to receive the Medal of Excellence, and the first to win it for Secondary Education. Susan Edwards received the inaugural Medal of Excellence in Elementary Teaching in 1987. Superintendent Lloyd Snow received the Medal of Excellence for Administration in 2015, and the Sand Springs Education Foundation was recognized with the now defunct Medal of Excellence for Local Education Foundations in 2004. 

Cooper sacrificed a promising legal career in 1993 to pursue a more fulfilling existence challenging the minds and inspiring the hears of Sand Springs's young people.

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Frank Cooper dresses as Austin Powers during the 2012 Spirit Week.

The social studies and leadership teacher is a man of many coats, sometimes donning the tights, helmet, and golden cape of Captain Sandite at pep assembles and football games. Every January 8th he can be found in full Elvis Presley attire, celebrating the King's birthday. He's even been known to impersonate the International Man of Mystery from time to time.

The beloved community leader has previously received the University of Tulsa Secondary School Teacher Award for Inspiration, has twice been named the CPHS Teacher of the Year, and was a 2014 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist. In 2014 he was featured on NBC's Today Show in a segment called "American Story."

Earlier this year, the Board of County Commissioners of Tulsa County declared March 22, 2016 to be Frank Cooper Day across the County. Though the proclamation was only for the year 2016, it wouldn't be surprising if the students of Charles Page adopt it as an annual holiday.

It wouldn't be the first time that Cooper has received such an honor.

In February of 2014 the high school dedicated the 100 hallway, in which Cooper's classroom is located, to the teacher and mounted a "Cooper Hall" plaque over the entrance to the hall.

Cooper never lets an opportunity pass to remind his students that they're important, he loves them, and

"the joy of life is in the journey!"

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This story was originally published in the Sandite Pride News Weekly Sunday edition.

Word of Life Church hosts FREE Community Carnival Memorial Day Weekend

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

This Saturday marks the fourth annual Free Community Carnival at Word of Life Church. The event has previously taken place at the end of summer, but was bumped up to Memorial Day weekend after the church changed to a new carnival company.  

The event will take place on Saturday, May 28, 2016 from 11:00 am through 2:00 pm.

Why the change? The ride company that the church was previously using is going through a transition and was unable to ensure their availability. Instead of putting the beloved community event on hiatus for a year, the church managed to locate an Oklahoma City based company that only had the one day available. Instead of looking at the change as an inconvenience, the church is counting it as a blessing and an opportunity to improve the experience for everyone.

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"We feel Memorial Day weekend is a great time to do it since it's the first holiday of summer. Many families are looking for something to do, so why not a free carnival!" said Senior Pastor Chad Stewart. The temperature difference will also be a big improvement. The carnival volunteers have often had to work in 90+ degree temperatures in August, so the move to May will make it far more enjoyable both for the workers and the guests.

The current forecast shows a 50% chance of rain Saturday morning that should taper off by the time the carnival begins. The potential rain should keep the temperature below 80 till after the event is over. 

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This year the carnival will have seven rides:  3-4 large rides and 3-4 smaller rides for the little kids, in addition to games, inflatables, and other activities. As always, the church will be offering free hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, and lemonade. There will also be food and game trucks associated with the ride company, Sam's Amusements & Carnivals. These additional options won't be free, but will provide an even more authentic carnival feel than in previous years. Sandlot Sno-Balls will be providing free shaved ice during the event.

Like last year, parking will be located at the old K-Mart building on Charles Page Boulevard, as well as Northwoods Fine Arts Academy, and free shuttling will be provided.

On Sunday morning the church will be giving away $5,000 to bless guests at their 9:00 and 11:00 AM services. Each service will have five winners of $500 each.

Sand Springs City Council adopts series of goals for economic growth

The Sand Springs City Council unanimously approved Resolution CC-1641 Monday evening at their bi-weekly meeting at the City Municipal Building. The resolution identifies a series of ambitious goals and objectives compiled by City Planner Brad Bates.

1. "The City of Sand Springs will strive to promote local commerce, trade, and commodities by strengthening working relationships with the local/regional entities, existing businesses and institutions.
   1. Maintain a list of Top 10 employers and actively engage them to evaluate workforce objectives and collaboration with other local businesses.
   2. Support local businesses through shopping and dining campaigns/programs, including but not limited to the purchase with a purpose campaign.
   3. Promote shop local campaigns and events
   4. Provide links to local hospitality, dining and retail establishments on a Sand Springs website.
   5. Pursue alternative methods of internet driven traffic through search engine providers and promote usage of local businesses.
   6. Produce marketing material for distribution at trade shows and conventions.
   7. Expand the local business manager's quarterly meeting with City officials to discuss concerns, achievements and future suggestions for how the City can help improve local business success.
   8. Collaborate with schools and non-profit organizations on workforce development to create a sustainable workforce in Sand Springs
   9. Create a one page handout on "What shopping local means to you!" Have facts on how much taxable sales to fund one police officer. So if it's $40,000 average for a police officer that requires $2,000,000 in taxable sales of .02 sales tax that goes to the general fund.
2. Aggressively pursue new local, regional, or national restaurant and retail businesses. 
   1. Create an inventory of City and privately owned properties that will be made available to interested parties.
   2. Actively work to broker/initiate development deals and transactions.
   3. Have strong code enforcement of existing properties by strengthening property management codes and regulations.
   4. Attend regional and national trade shows, expos, and conventions promoting the City of Sand Springs.
   5. Update the City's incentives policy to direct the long-term process of economic development.
   6. Explore and employ non-traditional incentive methods where appropriate, with specific attention to fostering small businesses and entrepreneurship. 
   7. Expand and grow the City's population through development of new single-family, multi-family, and elderly housing, in addition to actively encouraging annexation of property.
   8. Continue to monitor and evaluate the City's permit fees and development process to stay competitive with other Tulsa Metro communities.
   9. Have a team ready of citizen ambassadors to call upon to meet with prospects.
3. Identify some projects that will beautify Sand Springs and assist with marketing and economic development and complete those projects.
   1. Develop a highway corridor improvement plan or concept for implementation as part of the Vision 2025 approved project and funding.
   2. Create a timeline for corridor improvements and being implementation accordingly.
   3. Identify beautification projects that serve a multipurpose through enhancing properties or businesses that simultaneously improve the public image.
   4. Engage local civic organizations, schools, and neighborhood associations to organize cleanup efforts or beautification projects.
   5. Continue renovation and construction projects for city owed properties with functionality and aesthetics being considered in design.
   6. Review city ordinances on landscape requirements for development with possible modifications of requirements strengthening and encouraging property beautification.
   7. Have work days more often and announced early enough that people can plan ahead.
4. Evaluate and consider the acquisition of real estate for future development purposes.
   1. Determine the need and identify areas for property acquisition to help drive development transactions.
   2. Formalize a process for which property can be bought by the City in a timely and efficient manner.
   3. Develop a criteria for real estate purchasing as a form of a development incentive.
   4. Initiate land use workshops with staff to engage primary land owners in goal accomplishment.
5. Encourage and engage Subdivision and Multi-Family Developers/Developments.
   1. Work with developers to identify properties that are available for development.
   2. Continue to monitor and evaluate the City's permit fees and development process to stay competitive with other Tulsa Metro cities.
   3. Expedite processes when possible to speed up the overall development time.
   4. Evaluate infrastructure development as an incentive when deemed appropriate and beneficial.
   5. Attend Tulsa Home Builders Association meetings and gatherings to promote Sand Springs as a community.
   6. Contact and meet with Multi-Family Developers to inform them about Sand Springs and promote the need for additional housing options within the community.
   7. Make incentive policy options available for subdivision and multi-family developments.
6. Develop an Economic Development website resource hub and strive to educate and advance the objective of all involved with the City to be involved in assisting with economic development as possible. 
   1. Set a public launch date of the seesandsprings.com website and begin to promote the site through social media platforms. 
   2. Create handout materials (cards, flyers, etc) that can be distributed to businesses, developers, brokers, and citizens promoting seesandsprings.com
   3. Create and maintain an inventory of available city owned properties for development
   4. Provide links to active real estate professionals/organizations listings in the area.
   5. Provide Demographic and Market Profile information for easy review and utilization, updated annually. 
   6. Provide Economic Development Incentive information, policies, and guidelines once developed and implemented.
   7. Provide links to zoning/building regulations, building permit forms and guidelines, engineering design criteria, and the Sand Springs Comprehensive Plan.
   8. Provide digital links to zoning and comprehensive plan land use maps.
   9. Provide links to State of Oklahoma Business Resources (ie: Small Business Incentive, Department of Commerce, etc)
7. Sand Springs will have a strong independent local economy that compliments the surrounding region but is not dependent on it.
   1. Collaborate with local and regional partners regarding economic development opportunities.
   2. Encourage the development of offices, professional services, and industry in appropriate locations within the City. 
   3. Continue to support and promote the downtown commercial area.
   4. Develop a new economic development grant program for downtown development.
   5. Promote housing rehabilitation, revitalization and infrastructure improvements within neighborhoods in need.
   6. Increase retail/shopping and dining availability within Sand Springs.
   7. We should encourage and find sights that may be appealing to both developers and citizens."

Patty Dixon sworn into Sand Springs City Council and other Council news

City Municipal Judge Mike King swears in Councilwoman Patty Dixon for a three-year term.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Councilwoman Patty Dixon was sworn into office at the Sand Springs City Council meeting Monday night, taking over the Ward 2 seat from Dean Nichols after running unopposed. Nichols served three terms after joining the Council in 2007 and asked Dixon to file for his seat after deciding not to pursue a fourth term last December.

Dixon had previously served on the Council for two terms from 1990-1996 and encouraged Mayor Mike Burdge to run for her seat when she stepped down twenty years ago. Dixon has an extensive resume including time served with the Sand Springs Parks Advisory Board, Museum Association, HEAL committee, Sertoma Club, Oklahoma Municipal League, and First Christian Church, and is a retired 26-year employee of the Tulsa County Parks Department. She has also served as the Executive Director for the Oklahoma Recreation and Parks Society. Along with her husband, Tim, Patty owns Dixon Auto Glass in Sand Springs.

In other news:

• Councilman Phil Nollan was nominated and unanimously approved as the Council representative to the Parks Advisory Board and Daniel Comer was nominated by Councilwoman Dixon to continue his term and unanimously approved.
• Precision Lawn was unanimously approved to take over citywide mowing services beginning in July. 
• The Council unanimously approved Resolution CC-1641 adopting "a series of goals and objectives related to economic development for the City."
• On recommendation from the Parks Advisory Board, the Council unanimously approved an adjustment to the existing park shelter rental rate from $25/half day to $40 per two-hour block reservation for special events. Citizens are not required to pay a reservation fee to utilize the shelters, but it does guarantee the spot on days with high demand.

CPHS Lip Dub video is back up!

The Charles Page High School Sandite TV class spent the last few months working hard on their second annual "Lip Dub" video featuring popular songs that the Class of 2016 has identified with over the years. The professional-quality production was a smash hit upon its initial release earlier this week and quickly surpassed twenty-thousand views before it was taken down.

After a concerned parent pointed out the suggestive lyrical content of the video, it was briefly removed while administration met to review the video and its compliance with school policies. After massive support through online petitions and emails to the school administrators, CPHS principal Stan Trout announced Friday that because the video used only radio edits of the songs it was acceptable and would be reposted.

The mildly edited version of the footage is now available once again at http://sandites.tv/2016/05/18/2016-cphs-lipdub-pop-music-videos-then-and-now/

Harper's Hut gives away 1300 snow cones, raises hundreds for special needs school

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The 2016 Harper's Hut Summer Kickoff event was a big success once again, and raised more than $200 for The Little Lighthouse. The third annual free snow cone day saw Harper's give away more than 1300 freebies in an effort to draw the community out to the important fundraiser.

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java partnered with Auto Source and Master Lube to provide three bounce houses Thursday afternoon in Sand Springs. Green Country Federal Credit Union cooked 450 free hot dogs for the community and even had to leave and get more when attendance exceeded expectation in spite of the rain. The Akdar Shriners were on hand with their Popcorn Wagon, and there were multiple face painters helping raise money as well.

The party featured a live DJ, games, Xbox Kinect, and lots of giveaways. Between donations and sale of raffle tickets, the event raised $220 for the nonprofit development center for children with special needs. 

Unlimited Free Snowcones all day Thursday at Harper's Hut!

SUBMITTED. Harper's Hut recently raised nearly $200 to help send special needs students to prom.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor in Chief

Just when you thought Harper's Hut Shaved Ice and Java couldn't get any more generous, they find a way to up the ante...this time with some help from their neighbors.  

Beginning Thursday at 12:00 PM, the local snow cone stand will be giving away free minis all day long at their Charles Page Boulevard location in Sand Springs. The Third Annual Summer Kickoff event is bigger than ever before thanks to help from the Akdar Shriners, Green Country Federal Credit Union, Auto Source, and Master Lube.

From Noon to 10:00 PM, mini sized snow cones will be free, or you can get a larger size minus the price of a mini. Green Country will be giving away free hot dogs, the Shriners Pop Corn Wagon will be giving away free pop corn, and the Hut will be doing giveaways every fifteen minutes. 

The party will benefit The Little Lighthouse in Tulsa, which is a nationally recognized development center for children with special needs. The nonprofit organization doesn't charge tuition and operates entirely on contributions from private donors such as Harper's Hut.

The popcorn and hot dogs will be available from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, during which time the Little Lighthouse will be accepting donations in exchange for Harper's Hut raffle tickets. The prize drawings will go on all day and will include shirts, hats, Snow-Yo's (free snow cone cards), and even a Cold Card, which grants the recipient free snow cones all season long.

The party will feature live music from a DJ, tons of games, including an Xbox Kinect hooked up to a giant screen, and three bounce houses. Harper's, Master Lube, and Auto Source will each be providing a bounce house for the event. 

Salvation Army banquet raises $21,000 for new playground

Montie Box is honored by the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club with an award.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Sand Springs honored longtime Sand Springs entrepreneur and philanthropist Montie Box with a banquet at Hillspring Church Tuesday night. The event also served as a fundraiser for new playground equipment for the Salvation Army facility and succeeded in raising over $21,000.

Stan Clark, founder and owner of Eskimo Joe's, was the keynote speaker, and several other community leaders also spoke at the Army of Stars Banquet. 

Eskimo Joe's founder Stan Clark was the keynote speaker at the Army of Stars Banquet.

Advisory Council Chairman Bob Anderson introduced the man of honor and read off his seemingly never-ending list of accomplishments. Box was then presented proclamations from the City of Sand Springs and the State of Oklahoma from Mayor Mike Burdge and Councilman Phil Nollan, respectively. Nollan presented the State proclamation on behalf of his wife, District 66 Representative Jadine Nollan, who was away at the Capitol. Senator Dan Newberry also gave an address honoring Box. 

Attendance at the event was $40 a chair and had more than 100 in attendance. The event concluded with a silent auction that generated more than $4,000 in addition to donations taken earlier in the night. 

Morgan's Relax Packs are handcrafted customizable heat/cold packs designed for maximum relief at affordable pricing.

Montie Box is a long-time Sand Springs resident with more than half a century of real estate experience. He founded Montie Box Co. in 1958 after graduating from Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University. He served in the army during the Korean Conflict with the rank of First Lieutenant. 

In 1973 he was named Oklahoma Realtor of the Year. In 1988 he was awarded the Sand Springs Education Association Friend of Education recognition. He was a founding member of the Sand Springs Education Foundation in 1990. In 1992 he was given the honor of life membership on the Tulsa Boys' Home Board of Directors as well as the SS Education Foundation. That same year he was inducted into the Sand Springs Education Hall of Fame. In 1995 he was named Sand Springs Hometown Hero. In 1998 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Realtors, which is considered to be the highest honor a realtor can receive and he is a member of the NAR Hall of Fame.

Senator Dan Newberry addresses the crowd and honors Montie Box. Newberry is currently running for reelection against City Councilman Brian Jackson.

He served as a regent for Tulsa Community College from 1995-2006 and was the Chairman from 1996-1997. In 2009 he received the Vision in Education Award from TCC. 

His involvement with the Salvation Army goes back 61 years. He was instrumental in getting the new facility built in 1978 at its current location in Sand Springs. He is a life member of the Sand Springs Advisory Council, which is a prestigious appointment only available to members with a minimum of 15 years of outstanding service. He is a former coach and manager of Tulsa and Sand Springs Pee Wee Wrestling and he has served as Ringmaster at the Tulsa State Fair Livestock Auction. 

Lieutenant David Brittle also announced that Box had been confirmed as the 2016 recipient of the prestigious William Booth Award, which is one of the highest honors given by the Salvation Army. He will receive that award in the near future.