Mike and Pat Case donate $2 million for massive park renovation; Sand Springs breaks ground

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Mike Case gives an address at the Case Community Park groundbreaking ceremony. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

City of Sand Springs officials and Parks Department employees gathered together Tuesday morning at the Case Community Center to celebrate a new development in River City Park. The 100-acre park will receive a $6.2 million renovation thanks to Vision 2025 funding and a $2 million donation by Mike and Pat Case of Case & Associates. 

Artist rendering of the new Case Community Park entrance. (Courtesy)

What is currently known as River City Park is already the biggest park in Sand Springs and will soon become one of the nicest in Tulsa County thanks to Vision 2025 surplus funding and the Case family's benevolence. 

Tulsa County approved millions in surplus Vision 2025 sales tax funding for Sand Springs in February of last year and Case & Associates CEO Mike Case pledged an additional $2 million to fully fund the ambitious Sand Springs parks vision. 

Left to Right: Councilman Phil Nolan, Councilman Brian Jackson, Mayor Mike Burdge, Mike Case, Pat Case, Councilwoman Patty Dixon, Vice-Mayor John Fothergill, Councilman Beau Wilson. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

"This is only possible because of generous donors like Mike and Pat Case," said Sand Springs City Councilwoman Patty Dixon. "Even though Mike and Pat now reside in Tulsa, they have always considered Sand Springs home."

"I've always thought Sand Springs was a great place to live. I still do and I think it's getting better and better," said Mike Case. 

Artist rendering of the "Great Lawn" and amphitheater. (Courtesy)

Mayor Mike Burdge discussed the similarities in population and quality of living between Sand Springs and Broken Arrow when he was growing up. "What changed was the attitude of the leadership in the City," said Burdge. "If we can get this park to be a location spot, get stuff going on here every month...the possibilities are unlimited."

The park is already the home of the Sand Springs Soccer Club recreational league, the West Side Alliance competitive soccer league, Sand Springs Little League baseball and softball, the Round Up Club rodeo arena, and the Sand Springs BMX Association. The recent addition of the Rotary Club Super Splash Pad has rounded out what was already a destination park for many in the Sand Springs area. 

Planned layout for Case Community Park. (Courtesy)

The new funding will provide for the demolition of old structures and the construction of a new amphitheater. New sidewalks, signage, landscaping, and a large-scale entrance will add to the looks of the park.

Existing BMX track located in River City Parks. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

New sports facilities include two new youth baseball fields, a new tournament-sized soccer field, and a new half-court basketball court. An existing volleyball court will be renovated along with several horseshoe pits. The soccer fields, which currently have no special entrance, will receive a grand entry, as will the Jerry Adair Baseball Park, which is currently accessible only in a round-about way that requires leaving the park itself and driving down an industrial business road. An existing 18-hole disc golf course will be relocated deeper within the park in the area of the BMX track and Rodeo Arena. 

Accessibility will be a major feature of the new renovations, with drop-off locations throughout the park, new parking and lighting, and new park shelters and restrooms. Park beautification is also a major goal with plans for improved view of the Arkansas River, nearly a dozen custom art pieces laser cut in Corten Steel and illuminated at night, as well as a grassy area being dubbed the "Great Lawn." 

The Great Lawn will host a large outdoor pavilion and special event stage with remodeled restrooms and will be the premier viewing location for the annual Sertoma Fireworks Show, as well as will be the anchor location of the Chillin' and Grillin' Festival. 

Construction is already under way in Case Community Park. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

There will be a new playground constructed near the Rotary Super Splash Pad, which is already home to a large concessions building ran by Sand Springs Soccer Club President Jeremy Herrington. The concessions serves hot food and Harper's Hut Shaved Ice throughout the summer as a fundraiser for youth baseball and soccer. 

Public events like the Chilin' and Grillin' Festival, as well the newly revived Great Raft Race will be made even better due to new restroom housing, electrical power connections, water line service, and parking.

Parks Director Grant Gerondale expects the renovation to take about a year to complete.

Sand Springs Public Schools win lawsuit against Oklahoma Tax Commission

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Public School District joined seven other districts in a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Tax Commission earlier this summer, alleging that the Commission was misappropriating funds associated with House Bill 2244. The plaintiffs won their suit Friday.

The School Board initially went straight to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in hopes of enacting a decision before June 30th, but the Court denied the petition in April, sending it back to the district courts. 

Sand Springs claims a loss of nearly $300,000 since the new law concerning motor vehicle tax revenue took effect in July of 2015. The Board was joined by Altus, Ponca City, Muskogee, Mid-Del, Quapaw, Canton and Lone Wolf Public Schools. 

The lawsuit, led by former Sand Springs Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Gary Watts, did not seek reparations for the lost revenue, but demanded that the Commission correct their allocations going forward. 

HB2244 caps the amount of motor vehicle tax money that education receives at 36.2 percent. Previously, Oklahoma law mandated that the schools were to receive the same amount as the previous year, regardless of actual revenue. If revenue dipped one year, the Commission dipped into the State's share of funding to supplement the schools. HB2244 abolished that clause. 

In months where the revenue wasn't high enough to give schools the same amount they received in previous years, the Commission should have decreased allotments equally between all districts based on what they received the previous year. Instead, the Commission dispersed based on average daily attendance.

Oklahoma County District Judge Patricia Parrish sided with the plaintiffs and ordered the OTC to correct future allocations for all schools. 

Senators hear testimony on how to reduce eyewitness misidentification and wrongful convictions

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Judiciary Committee hears testimony on eyewitness misidentification. (SUBMITTED).

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Nationwide, more than 70 percent of wrongful convictions in criminal cases were tied to misidentification by eyewitnesses. In Oklahoma, that’s the case in about 30 percent of such cases. On Monday, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the need for law enforcement to adopt proven methods aimed at improving the reliability of eyewitness identification. State Senator David Holt requested the interim study.

“One of the worst things government can do is to unjustly take away a person’s liberty,” said Holt, R-Oklahoma City. “We heard from two men who were wrongfully convicted and sent to prison because of the way investigators worked with the victims to identify a suspect. Those identifications were later proven wrong through DNA evidence, though the damage done to those innocent men cannot be undone. But going forward, there are methods that can reduce eyewitness misidentification.”

Vicki Behenna, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Innocence Project, said the four key best practices included blind administration of lineups, so that the officer conducting the lineup wouldn’t know who the suspect was.  She also discussed the need to instruct the eyewitness that the perpetrator may or may not be in the lineup. Other key best practices include the proper use of fillers, or other individuals in a lineup, that match the eyewitness’s description of the perpetrator, as well as eyewitness confidence statements taken when an identification is made.

Tim Durham testifies on eyewitness misidentification. (SUBMITTED).

Tim Durham of Tulsa was sentenced to more than 3,000 years for the rape of an 11 year-old girl after she identified him as her attacker. He was eventually exonerated when DNA proved he could not have committed the crime. He said he may have looked similar to the perpetrator, but there were clear differences.

“The victim in this case said her attacker had a pock-marked face…and a pot belly.  My arrest record shows that at the time, and my photographs show that I had no pock-marked face. I actually had a full beard and mustache 14 days after the crime which I could not have grown in that time,” Durham said. “If these best practices had been in place, I believe that it would have been difficult for the victim in this case to even make that identification.”

Behenna said wrongful convictions also put the public’s safety at risk, because when an innocent person is imprisoned, the actual perpetrator may be out on the street committing more crimes. She told the committee that wrongful convictions come with a high price for those wrongly accused and for taxpayers.

“You can’t put in dollar amount the loss of life that an exoneree feels in being convicted for a crime which they did not commit. By way of dollar amounts, the state of Oklahoma has already paid out $1.36 million to six exonerees,” Behenna said, noting that didn’t even include the subsequent civil lawsuits, with one exoneree being awarded $4 million, and another receiving $8 million,” Behenna said, noting subsequent civil suits have cost millions more. “The cost to taxpayers is astronomical.”

While some police departments in some communities, like Oklahoma City, have already adopted these best practices for eyewitness identifications, others have not. The Oklahoma Innocence Project has offered free materials to help other departments adopt these procedures. Holt said while legislation could be one way of ensuring the identification best practices become more widely used, he’d like to see law enforcement move in that direction on their own.

“We’d like to see CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement and Training) help get this into their training with a goal of having all law enforcement agencies voluntarily adopt these best practices, but we’ll of course be monitoring this to see how it progresses.”

Officer Brian Tomsovic swears in with Sand Springs Police Department

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Municipal Judge Jay McAtee administers the Oath of Office to Police Officer Brian Tomsovic. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Municipal Judge Jay McAtee administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer Brian Tomsovic Monday evening at the Sand Springs City Council Meeting.

Officer Tomsovic is a move-in from the Ada Police Department where he served for the past three years. Tomsovic comes to Sand Springs with SWAT experience and has also received the same training that all new Sand Springs officers go through.

According to Police Chief Mike Carter, all officers new to the Department, regardless of prior experience, undergo the same training as a fresh recruit and complete the same rookie year probationary period.

Tomsovic made headlines in October of 2013 after rescuing a distraught woman on an Ada bridge who was threatening suicide. Tomsovic spent twenty minutes talking to the woman and ultimately gave her his phone so she could talk to a family member. While she was distracted on the phone, he reached for her to restrain her and prevent her from potentially jumping. After the event he was recommended by his Sergeant for the State of Oklahoma Life Saving Award. 

Sand Springs Police announce amnesty day for individuals with outstanding warrants

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Deputy Court Clerk Kenny Penrod presents the "Food for Fines" program to Sand Springs City Council. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular meeting Monday evening and City officials announced an upcoming special amnesty day for citizens with outstanding warrants due to unpaid fines.

Deputy Court Clerk Kenny Penrod presented the "Food for Fines" amnesty program, which will be a one-day event on November 10th, a Thursday. The special program will last all day and will allow citizens with outstanding fines to come to the Police Station and pay them off or set up payment plans without fear of being arrested. The day will also serve as a food drive for Sand Springs Community Services. 

According to Penrod, there are currently more than 3,600 people wanted by the Sand Springs Police Department accounting for more than 9,000 active warrants. The majority of the warrants are due to unpaid fines of less than $200.

On November 10th only, citizens will be able to bring in certain food items requested by the SSCS at an exchange rate of $10 for every 1 item, with a cap of 20 items. 

Allowing citizens to pay off $200 fines for under $20 will hopefully encourage people to clear their name and remove the worry of being arrested during a routine traffic stop, while also providing a community service. 

The program will also serve to help get people back in the system. Even individuals whose fines are greater than $200 will still benefit from the program. They can pay off up to $200 of their debt, and can set up payment plans or community service hours to pay off the remainder. 

"It costs us money to put people in jail, have no doubt," said Police Chief Mike Carter. 

The program is expected to bring in individuals who would otherwise be unlikely to ever pay their fines. Once warrants are issued, individuals are far less likely to appear to pay their fines out of fear of being arrested. Citizens with low income who were unable to pay their initial fine will now be able to get right with the law.

Sand Springs Police sign external investigation agreement with Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

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Photo: Scott Emigh

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Police Department took a proactive step in instilling transparency within the department Monday evening when Police Chief Mike Carter signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" between the City of Sand Springs and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

After a unanimous 7-0-0 vote by the Sand Springs City Council, Carter put pen to paper, officially putting in place a policy of turning over internal investigations to the OSBI when use of deadly force has occurred. 

In situations involving "the shooting or attempted shooting of a person by a law enforcement officer; the death of an intended arrestee during an arrest attempt; the death of an arrestee while in the care, custody, or control of the (SSPD); or the death of an arrestee shortly after being in the care, custody or control of the (SSPD)," the OSBI will take over as an unbiased external investigating agency.

OSBI Director Stan Florence addressed the City Council and stated "I applaud the Chief for his foresight in this matter. It's a wise move on the part of Sand Springs and I applaud the Chief in his wisdom."

"I am continuously impressed with how great our police department performs and how great their leadership is," said Mayor Mike Burdge. 

Officer-involved shootings are a rarity in Sand Springs. So rare that the department went seventeen years years without an incident before that era came to an end on April 11, 2015. On that day Officer Brian Barnett shot and killed Donald W. Allen, a paranoid schizophrenic who approached the officer with a loaded .22-caliber pistol after threatening to kill officers. Barnett was responding to a 911 call about Allen discharging his firearm in his backyard, within City limits. 

Although the SSPD has always had the ability to investigate in-house, former Police Chief Daniel Bradley, who is now the Assistant City Manager, made the decision to request the OSBI's assistance in the investigation.

2015 saw yet another officer-involved shooting in November that received international attention. That incident went viral not due to police misconduct, but due to body-cam footage of the erratic behavior of the suspect. Responding to a stolen vehicle call, Sand Springs Master Patrol Officer Matt Stacy engaged in a high speed pursuit of Stacy Ann Bunsey. The woman, who was determined to be under the influence, attempted to run the officer down after he exited his vehicle to set up tire spikes. He fired on her, but did not hit her and neither was seriously injured.

The OSBI investigated both incidents last year and ruled that each was a justified use of force. 

While shootings are very uncommon in Sand Springs, a Tulsa suburb with a population just short of 20,000, Carter and the Department have been working hard to be proactive in preserving their department's reputation of transparency and community trust. 

This agreement is just one of many activities the Department is engaging in to further build community trust and prevent any future incidents. 

The Department was one of the first in the State to utilize body cams on all officers, and have utilizing them for eight years. They have greatly increased the amount of warnings that are given in relation to the total number of traffic stops. Officers have been engaging in Crisis Intervention Team training, Fair and Impartial Policing training, Use of Force training, Verbal Skills training, and more. 

Carter wants to set a high standard of reputability regarding interactions with the mentally ill, impoverished, and minorities. "Our officers make this possible," said Carter. "It's not me, it's them."

Senate Higher Education Committee touts success of concurrent enrollment

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Members of the Senate Education Committee listen to Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson discuss concurrent enrollment program successes.

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Oklahoma’s concurrent enrollment tuition waiver program allows qualifying high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college classes before they actually graduate.  Eligible seniors can actually get tuition waivers for up to six credit hours a semester.  The idea is to encourage high school students to jump start their college education while saving their families money.

It’s been more than a decade since the program was created back in 2005, so State Sen. Gary Stanislawski wanted to know how it’s been doing and whether Oklahoma could do more to encourage greater participation.

At his request, the Senate Education Committee met Thursday to take a look at the state’s concurrent enrollment program.  Stanislawski said he was very pleased with the data presented to the committee.

“I wanted to know if it was fulfilling its original mission and what the outcomes have been.  We’ve seen data presented today that tell us it has been a resounding success” said Stanislawski, R-Tulsa.  “I’m very pleased with how well the program has been accepted throughout higher education and in our high schools, and in the growth rate of students participating, saving thousands of dollars while earning college credit.”

Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson called the program a game-changer that’s helping more students earn college degrees.  That’s increasingly important because 67 percent of all jobs created in Oklahoma by 2020 will require some college, a long-term certificate or a college degree—37 percent of all jobs created in the state by 2020 will require an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree or higher.

“We believe concurrent enrollment is absolutely a critical initiative in terms of driving our major goal, our major agenda item in higher education which is college degree completion,” Johnson said, noting the program offers multiple benefits, including cost savings, reduced time to earn a degree, and higher retention and graduation rates for students who take advantage of concurrent enrollment while still in high school.

Johnson presented data from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education that showed the number of students participating has more than doubled since the program began, from 5,526 to 11,722 ten years later.

The number of credit hours earned increased during that time by 158 percent, and 97 percent of the students that take concurrent enrollment successfully complete the course.

The committee also looked at what could be done to encourage more students to participate in concurrent enrollment, including doing more to help students on free and reduced lunches, as well as addressing out of pocket expenses, such as fees that are not covered by the tuition waiver. 

“I think that’s a barrier for some students,” Stanislawski said.  “While the current budget situation may limit what we can do right now, it needs to be on the radar.  We need to have a plan over the next several years to increase funding in this area to help more students receive a college degree.”

Sand Springs grad Dylan Whitney headlines Oklahoma Stage at Tulsa State Fair

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Charles Page High School Class of 2015 graduate Dylan Whitney has been making waves in the local and Midwest blues scene recently, performing at the Sand Springs Chillin 'n' Grillin Festival, the Bixby Vintage Down South Festival, Tulsa Mayfest, and even the Exit 56 Blues Fest in Tennessee.

On Sunday he will taking one of his biggest platforms yet when he headlines the Oklahoma Stage at the Tulsa State Fair. The Tulsa Fair is far from a local showcase. Some of the other headliners on that stage this past week have included Old Dominion, Brothers Osbourne, Chris Janson, Mercy Me, Kellie Pickler, and Elle King. 

Alongside Whitney is vocalist Christi King, bass guitarist Scott Craig, guitarist Michael McClure, and drummer Randy Reese. When the band isn't traveling, Whitney is a guitar instructor at the Butler Music School of Tulsa.

The Dylan Whitney Band will take the stage at 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Admission is included with regular fair entry fee. The stage is located on the West side of the Fairgrounds next to the Exchange Center.

Keystone Chevrolet donates $3000 to SSPS; School Board discusses changes in curriculum and high stakes testing

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Board Member Pastor Rusty Gun presents Mike Frizell of Keystone Chevy with the Sandite Spirit Award. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education held their regularly monthly meeting Monday evening at the Charles Page High School Fine Arts Building and presented two awards before beginning regular business. 

Keystone Chevrolet was presented with the Sandite Spirit Award for their recent $3,000 donation to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs in Sand Springs. They had previously donated a year's worth of free oil changes to last year's Teacher of the Year. "All of us (Keystone Chevy owners) are products of public school and want to help contribute," said Managing Partner Mike Frizell. 

Board of Ed President Mike Mullins presents CNGC teacher Andrea Brice with the Sandite Pacesetter Award. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Central Ninth Grade teacher Andrea Brice was presented with the Sandite Pacesetter Award for her recent appointment to the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education.

The Board discussed upcoming changes to graduation requirements since the last legislative session. 

This past May the Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 3218, a bipartisan effort with overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. The amendatory bill abolished the previous requirements surrounding controversial "End of Instruction" (EOI) exams that had the potential to prevent a student from graduating based solely on test scores. The new laws still require assessments on English, Mathematics, and Science, but these assessments will not prevent students with satisfactory grades and attendance from graduating. 

Schools throughout the State now have the ability to establish contact with former students under the age of 22, who passed all high school requirements except EOIs, and present them with diplomas. Thanks to the due diligence of Sand Springs teachers and administrators, there is not a single former student from either Charles Page High School or Page Alternative Academy (formerly Lake Alternative Academy) who failed to graduate based solely on EOI scores.

The 51-page bill eliminated entire sections of its previous incarnation, and added more than six pages of new law. The changes passed in HB3218 and other pieces of legislature passed this past session have both the State and local Boards of Education working hard to set new standards for testing students, as well as grading school performances. 

Superintendent Sherry Durkee informed the Board that she has reached out to Oklahoma LED, a wholesale lighting Energy Savings Company regarding their Power Forward rebate program. The program offers a free analysis of all Sand Springs Public Schools properties. Ponca City schools recently made the decision to use the program and is saving around $23,000 a month according to Durkee.

The program would replace every single light bulb in the district with an LED bulb over a four-to-five year period, providing a higher quality, longer-lasting, and environmental friendly alternative to a traditional bulb. The bulbs hold a fifteen-year life expectancy with a five-year warranty. At worst, the program is expected to be cost-neutral, and at best can save thousands for the schools through longer-lasting bulbs as well up to $150,000 in rebates from the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. 

The Board approved several out of state travel expenses for students and faculty.

Daniel Schmidt and Jacob Adkinson will be attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October, then Schmidt will attend several Show Pigs events in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri from October through November. Andrea Brice will attend the National ACTE Convention in Las Vegas in December. Seven faculty members will be attending the National Title I Conference in Long Beach, California in February. All of these events are paid for with federal Professional Development funding specifically given to the schools for this purpose. 

The Charles Page High School wrestling team will travel to Kansas City in December for the prestigious Kansas City Stampede invitational tournament. They have been attending the event since 2013 and have had at least one champion every year. Last year they took fifteenth place out of forty teams. Both the Boys' and Girls' Basketball teams will be attending the Interstate Classic tournament in Coffeyville, Kansas in January. Last year the girls team took first place and the boys took second.

The Board authorized a resolution to call for an Annual School Election on February 14, 2017. Board President Mike Mullins will be up for reelection on that date. 

The Board invites all members of the community to participate in an online survey to help in developing a Continuous Strategic Improvement (CSI) plan. That survey is available HERE. Citizens interested in lending their voice to the initiative can also attend forums on the subject Wednesday. There will be an 8:30 a.m. forum at Garfield Elementary, a 3:30 p.m. forum at the Charles Page Fine Arts Center, and a 5:30 p.m. forum at the Clyde Boyd Middle School Library.

American Heritage Bank receives Golden Bulldozer award for city beautification

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Photo: Morgan Miller

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Sand Springs Mayor Mike Burdge awarded the Golden Bulldozer Award to a representative from American Heritage Bank at this Monday's regular City Council meeting. The bank was recognized for their work in removing dilapidated structures, thereby contributing to city beautification, and improving public safety and property values. 

According to a report from City Financial Director Kelly Lamberson, sales tax income is down slightly from this time last year, but franchise taxes are up 22% over projections. City general fund spending is down 1.6% from what was budgeted, and down 6.6% from the previous year.

City Manager Elizabeth Gray was absent from the meeting, attending the ICSC conference in Dallas. The International Council of Shopping Centers Deal Making Conference is an "opportunity for owners, developers, retailers, brokers, lenders, municipalities, property asset managers and product and service providers to gather under one roof to exhibit, make deals, and form successful business partnerships." 

Vice Mayor John Fothergill discussed his recent experience at the Oklahoma Municipal League conference in Oklahoma City. He invited the other councilors to join him in visiting city officials from Mannford to try and learn new ways to provide financial stability in the face of declining sales tax.

In other local news:

Kristen Johnson, a recently retired teacher from Sand Springs, was recently hired as the Deputy City Clerk.

Sand Springs police officer Jay Barnett was recently promoted to Captain after twenty-five years of serving the community. 

Oklahoma City startup company Solaright recently donated 42 solar-powered lights to the Sand Springs Parks Department for use in Ray Brown Park and the downtown Triangle park. 

Sand Springs City Clerk Janice Almy receives award at OML conference

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Sand Springs, OK- The Oklahoma Municipal Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officials Association (OMCTFOA) recognized Sand Springs City Clerk Janice Almy as Member of the Year this month at the Oklahoma Municipal League’s annual conference.

The purpose of the OMCTFOA Member of the Year Awards is to identify and recognize a member who has made a significant contribution to the objectives of the association, the profession and to the improvement of municipal government.

Almy has been a member of OMCTFOA since 1999, joined the Board in 2010 and has served on the Board as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President and Past President.

“It is an honor to be recognized by OMCTFOA,” said Almy. “I enjoy the work we do as an organization and the way I’m able to give back to my community.”

Over the years, Almy has been instrumental in many community events including Municipal Government Week where she created skits for mock Council meetings held by high school students and gave tours of various City departments to students.

“It’s important to educate young people about the role of municipal government,” said Almy. “These are our future tax payers, City Councilors and even employees.”

The award was presented by Cindy Pollard, OMCTFOA 2016 President and past 2015 Member of the Year, Tony Davenport.

Officer Shelby charged with first degree manslaughter in death of Terence Crutcher

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OKLAHOMA CITY - Governor Mary Fallin today released this statement on the decision by Tulsa County prosecutors to charge Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby with first-degree manslaughter in the Sept. 16 shooting death of Terence Crutcher:

“I pray this decision provides some peace to the Crutcher family and the people of Tulsa, but we must remain patient as the case works its way through the justice system, where a jury likely will be asked to decide whether officer Betty Shelby is guilty of the crime. And we must remember that in our justice system, officer Shelby is innocent until proven guilty.

“No matter how you feel about the prosecutors’ decision in this case, I hope Oklahomans will respect the views of your friends and neighbors because we still have to live peacefully together as we try to make sense of the circumstances that led to Mr. Crutcher’s death.

“I want to compliment Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan and Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler as well as the citizens of Tulsa for keeping peace and order during this difficult time. I continue to ask that all of us keep the Crutcher and Shelby families in our prayers.”

Ninth Annual Downhill Derby returns to downtown Sand Springs

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

SEE PHOTO GALLERY HERE.

The Ninth Annual Downhill Derby soapbox car race was hosted by the Sand Springs Rotary Club in downtown today. 

The tradition began in 2008 under the leadership of the now defunct Sand Springs Civitan Club and was put on in the heart of downtown on Main Street. The Great Sand Springs Downhill Soapbox Derby Race was an immediate success with 131 entries in what was expected to be a small local event. Former mayor Bob Walker is credited with first suggesting a soapbox derby in a Civitan Club meeting. 

In 2011 the festivities were moved to Charles Page High School, with the vendors in the parking lot, and the race track on Adams Road. The move added a half-block to the course track and eliminated the need for a sand trap at the end of the course. That year also saw the addition of the "Putting Smoke on the Track" barbecue and grilling competition. The event attracted more than 4,000 spectators and participants. 

2012 saw the addition of hot-air balloons to the competition.

In 2013 the Civitan Club asked the City of Sand Springs to take over the event

In 2014 the City of Sand Springs cancelled the event a month beforehand and two weeks before signups closed, citing low registration. 

In May of 2015 it was announced that the Sand Springs Rotary Club would be taking over the tradition. The event was billed the "Eighth Annual Downhill Derby," despite not having occurred the previous year. The festivities returned to the Triangle area of downtown.

This year had low spectator turnout and participation, but still drew some creative cars and excited youth competitors. 

Macen Henry won the Kids Novelty division in a large boxy blue car, followed by Shaun Allen in a red bullet-shaped vehicle, and Garrett Kennedy piloted a long hot-rod shaped two-seater. 

Greg Kennedy won the Adult Novelty competition in the two-seater he shared with his son with a time of 32.06 seconds. Sandy Cox came in second in the Cecil and Sons car with a close 32.16 time, followed by Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith in third. 

In the Kids Competitive division, the creativity was waved for speedier designs. Caleb Diggs won first place with a time of 30.15 seconds, followed by Cheyenne Wyatt in 30.68. Shaun Allen took third place.

The Adult Competitive champion was Thad Davis of Team Skunk Works who finished in 28.62, a full second ahead of Jon Diggs at 29.69. Third place went to Christina Wyatt.

Several food vendors were on hand, including Livi Lee's Donuts, Rib Crib, and Barnyard Blizzard Shaved Ice. Mission Christian Church was also there handing out free water bottles to spectators. 

Author Jamie Jones to speak at Word of Life Church Sunday morning

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Courtesy. 

Word of Life Church in Sand Springs will host Christian author and preacher Jamie Jones at their 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services Sunday morning.

Jones will be promoting her newest book, "Rich For Good." 

"By the time author Jamie Jones was in her 30s, she had gone from having to pray for toothpaste to becoming a millionaire. Rich for Good is not only the "how" and the "why" she did it, but how the why makes all the difference. Rich for Good offers a fresh perspective on doing finances God's way. Each chapter focuses on one of 10 tried and true practices derived from a combination of scriptures, thought provoking questions, and real-life situations. These principles shed light on acquiring wealth the right way for the right reasons. In the world of how-to-get-rich books, Jamie's raw and honest approach sets Rich for Good apart as a humorous and insightful read. Her practical and spiritual guidance helps readers acquire the financial freedom that happens when prosperity partners with purpose."

Word of Life is located at 1402 N. 81st W. Ave., Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
www.mywordoflife.com

56th Annual Greek Festival returns to Tulsa this weekend

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By: Morgan Miller, Executive Director

Food, fun, and Mediterranean festivities await Oklahomans in the Tulsa area this weekend as the 56th Annual Tulsa Greek Festival returns to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

The festival is Tulsa's oldest Ethnic Festival and has been put on every year by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church since it started in 1960.

There is something for everyone at this festival. They have traditional dancing and music, authentic Greek appetizers, entrees, drinks, and desserts as well as church tours, and shopping.

The festival will even be dedicating an entire tent to the OU v. Ohio State game Saturday, courtesy of Channel 8 News. The tent will be exclusive to viewers of the game and will charge an entrance fee. It will be full-service with food and drinks served within.

The entrees and appetizers that are being served include chicken and pork souvlaki, calamari, lamb dinner, gyros, cheese pies, dolmathes, Greek salad, spinach pies, and more. Dessert includes classics like baklava and galaktoboureko, along with modern twists like the baklava sundae. The full menu can be found here. As for drinks, there will be imported Greek soda and wine, and Ouzo. Ouzo is a sweet anise flavored liqueur similar-tasting to licorice. 

The festival started on the 15th, and will continue this evening into tomorrow. The hours for Friday and Saturday are 11:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. After 4:00 p.m. there will be a $3 entry fee for adults. The festival is at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at 1222 S. Guthrie Ave, Tulsa Oklahoma 74119. 

Terry's Classic Coneys presents the Harper's Hut Classic Car & Bike Show, next Saturday in Sand Springs

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Three cars that may be at the car show. Photo: Mark Battenfield

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java is teaming up with Terry's Classic Coneys to bring an old tradition back to the Prattville community. Before being acquired by Teri Buckner, the former Ed's Classic Coneys hosted car shows just about every year. On Saturday, September 24th, the show is back and bigger than ever.

"We've spared no expense," says Harper's owner William Nozak. "It's not just car fans who should be there--it's families. It's a big big thing that we've all come together in Sand Springs to do."

Car Show sponsors:

Allstate
Animal House II Pet Store
Battman Collision Repair
Church That Matters
Copper Oaks Bed & Breakfast
Do Overs Furniture
Green Country Federal Credit Union
Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java
Inkwell Custom Apparel
Lucky 7's Custom Creations
Master Lube
Miss Trita's Dance Studio
Mother's Helper Consignment Shop
Sand Springs Autosource
Sand Springs Leader
Shell & Cross Bones Candles
Sullivan's Body Shop
Terry's Classic Coneys
U.S. Army Sand Springs Recruiting Center

The event may be hosted by Buckner and Nozak, but more than a dozen area businesses and organizations are helping to bring the annual event back to life.

The car show will last from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will have plenty for everybody. DJ Blake Bush will be providing entertainment for the evening. Miss Trita's Dance Studio students will be performing a routine. The Sand Springs Leader will be providing games for the children and the Army will have youth games. There will be several other vendors of food, crafts, clothes, and more at the event as well.

Church That Matters will be preparing breakfast and the Harper's Hut coffee truck will also be on hand. Throughout the day, attendees will be able to lunch on Papa Pat's Barbecue or Terry's Classic Coneys, and follow it up with some shaved ice for dessert. 

The car show itself will feature 21 classes, with trophies going to the top-three in each class. The first place trophies are extra special, however. Nozak traveled three hours to Conway, Arkansas to acquire the trophies that were hand-made by an artist/mechanic from actual car parts. The trophies are very heavy, and very expensive. 

There's a special category for the kids to participate in, and a People's Choice Award trophy. Every entrant in the competition will receive a T-shirt, but the biggest prize goes to the Best in Show winner. That lucky person will receive a one night paid stay for two at the Copper Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Sapulpa. 

There will also be a raffle open to the public, full of great prizes. There's a lamp made out of car pistons, $25 vouchers to the Sand Springs Pumpkin Patch, two meals at Rib Crib, car detailing supplies from AutoZone, a month of free tanning from Touch of Sun, a one-year subscription to the Leader, and even more great prizes. Raffle tickets will be $5.00 apiece, and each prize will have its own bucket so that everyone gets a good shot at what they're wanting. 

The best part of the whole event is that it's nonprofit. The proceeds from the car show and raffle will all be split between the Keystone Fire Department and the Church That Matters Special Needs ministry. 

For more information, contact
William Nozak
www.harpershut.com
www.facebook.com/harpers.hut

Governor Mary Fallin Announces Oklahoma Veterans Pilot Program

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SUBMITTED

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin announced Tuesday the official kickoff of the Oklahoma Veterans Pilot Program, a private/public initiative to develop a comprehensive healthcare access and delivery system for the state’s veterans.

The program will also design one statewide transitional system of care and then test that system in early 2017. The system will cover healthcare services in mental health, home health, nursing care, rehabilitative services, and coordinated access to physician services, laboratory services, pharmacy services and tele-health capability.

“We have assembled a bipartisan team of lawmakers, healthcare professionals, education professionals and business leaders,” said Fallin. “It is our hope this effort will produce a cost-effective model that can be emulated on a national basis.”

Fallin said the intent of the program is not to point blame, but to identify best practices and areas the state can improve services.

“Many Oklahoma veterans are unable to access the health services that they need and deserve,” she said. “Delivery of health services for a diverse veterans population is a complicated matter. There are many reasons for this, including service restrictions that exist within the current system, lack of coverage opportunities, roadblocks and red tape that slows the process, and service delivery models that do not address specific veteran needs.”

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Myles Deering, a former adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard who also serves as executive director of the Veterans Affairs Department, said the Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs Council will look into other issues involving homelessness, education and training, employment and volunteerism.

“To our knowledge, this comprehensive effort has never been attempted before,” Deering said.

Retired Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon, who serves as Fallin’s liaison for veterans affairs, is honorary chairperson of the steering committee, and former Gov. George Nigh is special adviser.

Pete Reed, who served as executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs during Nigh’s administration, is coordinator of the veterans pilot project.

“The primary areas of concern for this effort will include home health, mental health, nursing home and hospice care for veterans,” Reed said. “The overarching focus of the program, however, is to look at the entire veterans healthcare system and comprehensively examine such areas as barriers to care, access to physicians, underserved populations and needed policy changes.”

Governor Mary Fallin Launches Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin launched the Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative Monday, a coordinated effort to bring high-speed broadband and digital learning opportunities to schools across the state. As part of the initiative, Oklahoma is partnering with interested school districts and telecommunications service providers to increase the number of schools with fiber optic connections, improve the capacity and affordability of those connections and ensure Oklahoma classrooms have Wi-Fi access to better facilitate digital learning. 

“I am proud to establish the Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative,” said Fallin. “The initiative is a voluntary program that works with schools to use existing funding efficiently and effectively to maximize opportunities to provide high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi access to students across Oklahoma.

“This technology also creates digital learning opportunities so that every student may have a personalized learning plan that may include upper level math and science classes and concurrent enrollment courses.”

The Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative state team includes the governor’s office,  Oklahoma State Department of Education, Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services and a local school superintendent.

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and EducationSuperHighway, the nation’s leading non-profit focused on upgrading Internet access in every public school classroom in America, are providing technical assistance to the state.

“At EducationSuperHighway, we have one mission: get more students online at speeds that can support digital learning,” said Evan Marwell, founder and CEO of EducationSuperHighway. “In our modern educational environment that is imperative to ensuring students can truly access the tools and resources they need to learn and grow. No student should ever miss out on an educational opportunity because of where they go to school. That’s not fair to them, and it’s not how we will build the strong and vibrant economy we need in the years ahead.

“We are thrilled to partner with the governor in this visionary effort. We are going to get high-speed broadband into more Oklahoma schools, and it’s going to make this great state even stronger. We congratulate Governor Fallin for her leadership and can’t wait to get started.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said she is thrilled for the Education Department to play a role in an initiative as critical to student success as the Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative.

“Now is the time to invest in our children’s future by providing them with the tools they need to succeed in a 21st-century education,” said Hofmeister. “It is our shared goal that all Oklahoma schoolchildren become actively engaged in a connected, digital world while preparing for college and career. This initiative is an important step forward in reaching that goal.”

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy said this initiative will be a boon to Oklahoma students.

“Access to the digital superhighway is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity,” said Murphy. “The OCC is proud to do its part to make it a reality for Oklahoma’s students.”

New Public Safety facilities to be built at former Gerdau site alongside retail development

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with OmniTRAX, Inc. Monday evening. Two weeks ago OmniTRAX announced their acquisition of the 146-acre site formerly owned by Sheffield Steel, then by Gerdau Ameristeel. OmniTRAX plans to demolish portions of the Steel Mill and develop the property for industrial and commercial use. In addition to developing a 25-acre retail area, the property will also be the home to the new City of Sand Springs Public Safety facilities. 

Tony Manos, Senior Vice-President of Industrial Development at OmniTRAX, provided a presentation on the project at the City Council meeting. 

OmniTRAX is the owning entity of the Sand Springs Railway, which was acquired in 2014 from Gerdau, and has been leasing portions of the Gerdau property since that time. The company maintains 20 short-line railroads in 9 states and 3 Canadian provinces and works in rail services, terminal services, logistics services, and industrial development. 

"We are a very invested company in our communities," said Manos. "(City-Manager) Elizabeth (Gray)'s team and the two Chiefs (Police Chief Mike Carter and Fire Chief Mike Wood) have been incredible, as well as City Council. This has been the smoothest transition I've ever been a part of in the real estate business."

The Steel Mill is expected to be demolished sometime next year and the new City public safety facilities will be built directly across from WalMart. OmniTRAX is also looking to bring quality jobs to the Sand Springs community, and announced that a new tenant will be moving into a 20,000 sq. ft. facility by April of next year, and will create approximately 50 new jobs for the community.

"We are so proud to bring something back to a site that has been so important to our town throughout its history," said Councilman John Fothergill.  "It really does mean a lot to our city." 

The effort to relocate the current public safety facilities began in 2013 when voters approved a proposition to demolish Fire Station 1, but voted against the corresponding proposition to build a new one. Luckily, there was no timeline for the proposition, and Sand Springs has retained their north side Fire Station. The proposition that failed would have been funded through a property tax increase that could amount to as much as $100 a year for homeowners.

The City gave the project another go in October of last year, when citizens overwhelming voted in favor of extending current sales tax levels. The tax money would be redirected from the previous allocation to a new building for police, fire, and dispatchers. This vote also nixed the decision to demolish Fire Station One, and called for a remodel of the facility to give the Sand Springs Fire Department three stations. 

The City purchased property from the Sand Springs Home in 2014 at the corner of 129th West Avenue and Wekiwa with the intent to build the facilities there, but was met with public concerns that the area was too far outside of town. 

At their last meeting, City Council unanimously approved a contract with Dewberry Architects for design of the new public safety facilities. Their construction will take approximately one year from the completion of the new designs. 

OmniTRAX to present plans for Gerdau property to City Council Monday

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Sand Springs, OK- The Sand Springs Railway Company (SS), a managed affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., announced on September 1, 2016 that it is acquiring the Gerdau mill site in Sand Springs. Representatives from OmniTRAX will present preliminary development plans to the Sand Springs City Council on Monday, September 12th.

“For many years, this property was underutilized,” said Sand Springs Mayor Mike Burdge. “The City of Sand Springs is excited to see it become a vibrant and bustling area of commerce, trade and industry. We believe OmniTRAX has the expertise and resources to make that happen. The City looks forward to partnering with OmniTRAX on any future projects.”

Sand Springs Holdings, LLC., an OmniTRAX affiliate, purchased the Sand Springs Railway Company from Gerdau in 2014 and has since been leasing portions of the 146-acre site. Part of the steelmaking operations on the site will be demolished and the property will be developed for mixed-use, including industrial, retail, office and transportation/logistics.

For more updates on development and City happenings, please visit www.sandspringsok.org.