This Week in Sand Springs (10/14 - 10/21/18)

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Monday

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

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

  • 6:30 p.m. Sandite Basketball Association - Parent and Coaches Meeting.

    • Mandatory meeting for parents of 9th - 12th grade players.

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road

Tuesday

  • 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Open Wrestling Practice.

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

  • 6:00 p.m. Museum Trust Authority meeting.

Wednesday

  • 9:00 a.m. Sand Springs - Sapulpa Joint Board Meeting.

Thursday

  • 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Kid Zone Tailgating Party

    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO

    • American Legion - Billie A. Hall Post 17
      500 North Main Street

  • 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Open Wrestling Practice.

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

  • 7:00 p.m. The Fourposter: A Comedy in Three Acts.

    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street

  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Football vs. Bixby.

Friday

  • 7:00 p.m. The Fourposter: A Comedy in Three Acts.

    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. Open Hike Day.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive

  • 12:00 p.m. Sandite Cross Country - OSSAA 6A-East Regionals.

    • Mohawk Sports Complex
      3500 East 56th Street North
      Tulsa, OK 74115

  • 7:00 p.m. The Fourposter: A Comedy in Three Acts.

    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street

Sunday

  • 2:30 p.m. The Fourposter: A Comedy in Three Acts.

    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street

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

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Boulder Coffee opens in downtown Sand Springs Triangle District

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Sand Springs couple Danielle and D.A. Myers celebrated the grand opening of their new coffee shop Saturday morning in the downtown Sand Springs Triangle District.

Boulder Coffee opened its doors at 8:00 a.m. and held a ribbon cutting ceremony with fellow business owners and the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce.

The shop is located at 118 North Main Street and shares its space with the Myers’s other businesses: Myer’s Marketing and We Are Sand Springs magazine.

Boulder offers coffee, espresso-based beverages, hot and iced teas, hot chocolate, chocolate milk, muffins, and Dippin Dots. Beverages sizes range from 10 oz to 16 oz with a $1.75-$4.25 price range. They also carry vanilla, caramel, mocha, and lavender flavored syrups.

The shop has an array of furniture and invites patrons to hang out and enjoy the free wireless internet. They are open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.

Sand Springs Police Department receives international award for policing plan

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The Sand Springs Police Department is pleased to announce that their partnership with the citizens of the Sand Springs in community policing efforts have resulted in an award to the agency. The Sand Springs Police Department received the 2018 IACP/Cisco Leadership in Community Policing Award. Chief Mike Carter accepted the award on behalf of agency and the Citizens of Sand Springs at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Convention on October 9, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The award was open to departments around the world for communities 20,000 to 50,000 in population.

The IACP and Cisco presented the award to the Sand Springs Chief for their “Policing Plan” which has been produced by the Sand Springs Police Department in cooperation with the citizens of Sand Springs. The 2018 plan is the third edition of the plan, which started after the department reviewed the Department of Justice Report on Ferguson, Missouri in 2015.

Chief Carter stated, “We read the DOJ report on Ferguson after our City Attorney David Weatherford suggested that we may want to look at missteps that had taken place in there, and what we could do to assure our public that we were policing in a positive manner”. He added, “We took a look at not only what we could do to promote procedural justice, officer accountability, transparency, training etc, but also at our past practices and decided to produce an annual plan”. The Department has modified and refined the Plan each year by including input from its citizens. Upon presentation by the Department, the City Council holds a public hearing and adopts the current plan by resolution.

Chief Carter spoke about the future of the program, he stated, “The police work we do is constantly changing, and police departments will need to change as the public’s perception of us and the reality of what we face changes. Preparing the plan helped us map a plan for the future, but also captured many of the great things our department has been doing for years to serve the public. It also reflects what our officers have historically done to bring people together and show that we are a police department for all people”. He added, “This award is not just to the police department, but to the Sand Springs community as a whole; it is their faith in us and the relationship that we have with them that made this possible”. Mayor Mike Burdge stated, “We are happy to see the recognition for our police department and the citizens of Sand Springs. With so many great police departments across the globe, it is an honor for our community to receive such an honor.”

Anyone who is interested in reading the plan or the versions of previous years may do so by going to http://www.sandspringsok.org/491/SSPD-Policing-Plan

Bill Knight Auto partners with Sand Springs Education Foundation in Driven to Give Day

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Bill Knight Lincoln donated $8,000 to the Sand Springs Education Foundation last year.

For the sixth time, the Sand Springs Education Foundation (SSEF) will partner with Bill Knight Auto for "Driven to Give Day." 

The event will be held on Saturday, October 20th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Charles Page High School parking lot at 500 North Adams Road. This is a FREE event.

Participants, 18 years or older, can come and test drive a new Lincoln. For each test drive, the SSEF will receive $20. Participants are asked to fill out some basic information before the drive and immediately after the drive to complete the process and help secure the donation. NO obligation, NO sales, NO return contact unless the participant agrees.

What an easy way to come help the SSEF raise $8,000! All Sand Springs teachers are also encouraged to stop by and do a test drive and put their name in the drawing for $500 to use in their classroom. This year the SSEF will give away $500 to two district teachers. 

City Councilman Jim Spoon receives national honors

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Sand Springs, OK - Sand Springs’ own Jim Spoon has been recognized by the National Community Pharmacists Association during the NCPA’s 2018 convention in Boston, MA. Spoon has been recognized as the 2018 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year, for his exemplary leadership and commitment to independent pharmacy and his community.

“Jim has been a tireless advocate for independent pharmacy over the years, helping shape not only its future but the future of his community through service,” said NCPA President David Smith, RPh as part of the national convention’s announcements.

Spoon currently serves as Sand Springs City Council Member “At Large” and is a member of the council’s Legislative and Finance and Development Committees. He is a Sand Springs Rotarian, and has been an active member of the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy and the Sand Springs Education Foundation.

He received his BS in Pharmacy in 1975 from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and received his PharmD from the University of Oklahoma in 2002. Many local Sand Springs residents may be familiar with Spoon Drug, which he opened in 1979.

“We wish to express our sincere congratulations to Jim Spoon on this well-deserved recognition,” said Elizabeth Gray, City Manager for the City of Sand Springs. “We enjoy the opportunity to work with Mr. Spoon on our council and appreciate his long-standing commitment to improve our city and this community.”

City of Sand Springs Welcomes New Assistant City Manager

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Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs is pleased to welcome aboard new Assistant City Manager, Mike Tinker. Tinker brings nearly three decades of public service and government leadership to the City of Sand Springs.

“This is an exciting time for our City, with major infrastructure investments, steady economic development and new projects taking shape,” noted Mayor Mike Burdge. “Mike Tinker will be an asset to our city, and we will all benefit from his knowledge and expertise.”

Tinker, former City Manager for the City of Jenks, brings a wealth of municipal government experience as well as strong local and regional ties to Sand Springs. Tinker’s leadership and experience will increase Sand Springs’ positive momentum and provide instrumental guidance as the community continues to grow.

“Mike’s experience and collaborative spirit will be a tremendous addition to our team as we address various projects and opportunities,” stated City Manager Elizabeth Gray. “His work is diverse, anchored in community engagement and has driven positive change across all levels of municipal government. That’s a winning combination.”

Prior to his role as a City Manager for Jenks, Tinker served 13 years on the Jenks City Council with 9 years served as Mayor. Tinker also served on the Board of Directors with the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG). He chaired both INCOG’s General Assembly and INCOG’s Transportation Policy Committee.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Assistant City Manager and be a part of an organization that has a well-earned reputation of excellence in governance,” says Tinker. “I look forward to working with an amazing team to serve the residents and businesses of Sand Springs.”

Jake Dillon Band releases new single "Hunt and Fish"

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Sand Springs native and Charles Page High School graduate Jake Dillon Tankersley released the first single off his new album last week on iTunes, Spotify, and other streaming services.

“Hunt and Fish” is the first taste of the Jake Dillon Band’s first album, The Little Things. The eighteen-track country album has received a limited digital release for investors in the band’s crowdfunding efforts, and physical and digital purchases will be made available to the public in the near future.

Tankersley is a CPHS Class of 2011 graduate, currently residing in Verdigris, Oklahoma. He received extensive radio play in the Tulsa area with his first single, “See You Soon,” while still in high school and recorded the Just Jake EP soon after. He received national attention in the 2016 season of American Idol.

Accompanying Tankerlsey are Eric Cope on bass, Casey Highfill on drums, and his brother, Colton Tankersley, on lead guitar.

Click here to find “Hunt and Fish” in iTunes or visit https://www.jakedillonband.com/shop to pre-order The Little Things. See the Jake Dillon Band live in concert Saturday, October 20th at the Nusho Theater in Bixby.

This Week in Sand Springs (10/7 - 10/14/18)

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Monday

  • Columbus Day

  • Native American Day

Tuesday

  • 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Open Wrestling Practice.

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs. Broken Arrow (Regionals).

    • Winner plays Owasso or Muskogee at 7:30 p.m.

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

  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Band Booster Meeting.

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

Wednesday

  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum Trust Authority Meeting.

Thursday

  • 4:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Edmond North (State Tournament).

    • The Ballfields at Firelake - Field 1
      18160 Rangeline
      Shawnee, OK 74801

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO

    • American Legion - Billie A. Hall Post 17
      500 North Main Street

  • 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Open Wrestling Practice.

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Small Business Coalition meeting.

    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

Friday

  • 1:30 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Yukon or Broken Arrow (State Tournament).

    • Dependent on quarterfinal win.

    • The Ballfields at Firelake - Field 1
      18160 Rangeline
      Shawnee, OK 74801

  • 6:30 p.m. Third Annual Rock ‘N Rescue.

    • Sandite Team Animal Rescue annual fundraiser.
      Dinner, silent auction, cash bar, door prizes, live music from Mark Bruner and Shelby Eicher.

    • $35.00 General Admission, $45.00 VIP Seating.
      Contact 918.260.5738 for tickets.

    • Freddie’s BBQ Sapulpa
      1425 New Sapulpa Road
      Sapulpa, OK 74066

  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Football vs. Ponca City.

    • Sullins Stadium
      927 North 5th Street
      Ponca City, OK 74601

  • 7:00 p.m. Free movie: Justice League (2017)

    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. Open Hike Day.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive

  • 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pleasant Valley Farms 8th Annual Winter Squash & Pumpkin Festival.

    • Pleasant Valley Farms
      22350 West 71sst Street

  • 9:30 a.m. Inaugural Pregnancy & Infant Loss 5K

  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball at State Tournament.

    • vs. Deer Creek, Stillwater, Owasso, or Westmoore. Dependent on Semifinal win.

    • The Ballfields at Firelake - Field 1
      18160 Rangeline
      Shawnee, OK 74801

Sunday

  • 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pleasant Valley Farms 8th Annual Winter Squash & Pumpkin Festival.

    • Pleasant Valley Farms
      22350 West 71sst Street

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

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

P4K: Head Football Coach Dustin Kinard diagnosed with cancer, Sandites rally in support

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Football is more than just a sport in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. It’s a community. When the Sandites step foot on that gridiron, they’re playing for the school, the town, the band, the cheerleaders and dancers. They’re playing for the legacy of their parents and siblings who played before them. They’re playing for their coaches, most of whom also played for Sand Springs.

Just two seasons ago the Charles Page High School football team was playing in honor of Don “Pop” Kinard, the father of their head coach, who died from complications arising from lung cancer.

Now they’re rallying behind Dustin Kinard, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

When Kinard took over the program in 2007 the Sandites hadn’t had a winning season in a decade. Since then they’ve had six winning seasons, seven playoff appearances, three semifinal appearances, and in 2015 they made it to the State Finals for the first time since 1966. Kinard is also an assistant coach for the wrestling program, which won State and Dual State titles in 2017.

But more important than the wins is the camaraderie that Kinard has instilled in the program. A program without controversy. Where the players support each other and can often be found serving their community, working with Special Olympics, and making the halls of CPHS a welcoming place for all students.

Now Sand Springs is taking strides to show Kinard the impact he’s made in their lives. At Thursday evening’s Homecoming Parade, “Pray for Kinard” banners hung from many of the floats and vehicles, and a prayer rally was held at the Ed Dubie Field House following the parade.

At 7:30 p.m. the facility was packed as tight as you would see it at a mandatory school assembly. The town turned out in droves to stand firm behind the local titan.

Kinard will draw strength from his community and the example his father set for him in the battle to come. “I appreciate their support…I love this community and I’m going to fight,” said Kinard. “My dad had three tours in Vietnam and that’s way more than what I’ve gone through, so I’m ready to fight.”

Kinard will meet with an oncologist Friday morning to draw up a game plan, and will be back on the sideline by kickoff when the Sandites host the Bartlesville Bruins for Homecoming.

The Sandite Quarterback Club will be selling P4K shirts at the game Friday night and they will go online Monday at https://inkwellnation.com. Proceeds will go to help the Kinard family. There is also a Facebook fundraiser at this link.

Sand Springs Board of Ed hands out awards at October meeting

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Charles Page High School students August Nelson and Elizabeth Watts were presented with Sandite Spirit Awards at this Monday’s Board of Education meeting. The two juniors scored in the top 1% of ACT scores in the country and are National Merit Semi-Finalists. Nelson’s family accepted his award on his behalf as Nelson was busy competing with the Sandite Academic Team.

Cross Country coaches Mike Burdge, Virginia Williams, and Gloria Smith were presented with Pacesetter Awards for their work in organizing the Inaugural Case Cross Country Invitational. The successful 5K meet drew more than twenty teams and a thousand runners from across the state.

Clyde Boyd Middle School teacher Kenneth Cole was presented with a Coin of Excellence to go along with the two awards he recently received at the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Flight Night STEM Expo.

In other news:

The district is still looking to fill a vacant Special Education position at Central Ninth Grade Center.

Beloved CPHS biology teacher Bo Jestice has resigned and is moving to Colorado.

Hometown philanthropist Montie Box recently made a large donation to send Sand Springs elementary students to Biztown, a simulated city ran by Junior Achievement of Tulsa.

Robert Combs wins final Sand Springs Sings preliminary

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The third and final Sand Springs Sings preliminary vocal contest went down Tuesday evening in the downtown Triangle District, advancing three more local singers to the November 24th finale.

Robert Combs (Tulsa) took first place. Makenzee Rader (Sand Springs) placed second and Alyssa Jason (Berryhill) placed third.

Troy Dixon, an Oklahoman National Guardsman from Sand Springs, entertained the crowd with a pair of classic Frank Sinatra songs. Ali Ellison (Cleveland) performed Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball.” Roger Rister (Glenpool) gave a soulful rendition of “Long Black Train” by Josh Turner.

One of the most unique performances of the concert series was from Bulgarian native Mariana Rankin. Rankin performed an original a cappella song in her native tongue about her life growing up in an orphanage.

Miscee Smith, Heather Rogers, and Kimberly Bullard advanced from the first concert. Miscee and Dennis Smith performed as a duo in August, but only Miscee will be competing in the finals.

Alohilani Mayor, Bryanna Swan, and Mylin Gipson advanced from the second event. Gracee Shriver placed second in September but dropped out and Gipson was named as alternate. Combs was the only man to earn a top three-spot during the series.

All nine finalists will compete on November 24th prior to the Sand Springs Small Business Coalition’s Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Festivities will begin at noon and the vocal contest will go from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

City of Sand Springs unveils new state of the art Wastewater Treatment Facility

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The City of Sand Springs held a grand opening and ribbon cutting at their new Wastewater Treatment Facility Wednesday morning.

The new $17.2M project was placed into service earlier this summer. The plant is capable of treating 3.1 million gallons/day (MGD) and could be expanded in the future to handle approximately 5MGD. The water facility replaces a much older site, which has since been demolished after serving citizens needs for more than 30 years. One of the primary benefits of Sand Springs’ new facility is the plant’s ability to manage a much broader array of wastewater treatment challenges faced by all municipal water managers.

“This new plant already has some capacity to handle additional gallons per day, beyond our current demand,” stated Derek Campbell, City Engineer. “We’re pleased to be able to bring this new facility online because it also provides us with a much broader ability to treat water chemistry challenges faced by our previous plant.”

With the new plant design the treatment of wastewater was changed from a rotating biological contactor (RBC) process to an activated sludge process. Updates were also made to improve the disinfection process. Additional screening and grit removal equipment were included in the facility’s design, further improving this plant from the previous one.

The overall project includes aerobic digester improvements, a disinfection system using sodium hypochlorite and sodium bisulfite, disinfection contact basins, aeration blowers, sludge dewatering improvements, backup diesel and natural gas generators as well as new administration and chemical buildings.

City Manager Elizabeth Gray says this massive project is yet another example of the public investments happening now in the Sand Springs community.

“This plant represents our City Council and staff’s strong commitment to managing our wastewater collection and treatment system and finding the economic strategies to help make projects like this happen,” stated Gray. “We’ve invested in our parks, public safety and streets. We’re pleased to say that our new plant is online and ready to serve the community for many years to come.”

“We’ve been doing the right things for a long time and we’re finally starting to see results,” said Mayor Mike Burdge. “We have a history of insightful and forward thinking people in Sand Springs.”

The design phase began in 2013 to accommodate projected growth and increased environmental regulations through the next twenty years. Walters-Morgan Construction was awarded the contract in January of 2014 with Tetra Tech as the consulting engineers.

“Water and wastewater workers are the unsung heroes of City Government,” said Gray. “It’s been thirty years since Sand Springs made such a large investment in water or wastewater.”

Sand Springs shaping up to be North Pole 2.0 with extensive Christmas festivities

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The 2018 holiday season is shaping up to be the best in Sand Springs history as new attractions join together with improved existing festivities. The town is well on its way to becoming a holiday destination for tourists across the region.

The Second Annual Snapped in Sand Springs event will run November 9th through December 29th. Dozens of businesses, churches, and organizations around Sand Springs will be setting up holiday-themed photo booths for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some will be indoors, most will be outdoors, and everyone is welcome to stop by and take selfies or family photos.

On Saturday, November 24th the Sand Springs Small Business Coalition will hold their Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the downtown Triangle District. Last year the event drew more than a thousand visitors as the city officially kick-started the holiday season with caroling, food trucks, and special holiday hours at the local businesses.

This year the Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at the finale of the Inaugural Sand Springs Sings vocal competition. The SSSBC will hold its third and final preliminary qualifier on Tuesday, October 2nd and the top three placers will advance to the November finals.

The Festival of Lights Christmas Parade will be held on Friday, November 30th in downtown and will feature Food Network star Kerry Vincent as Grand Marshall. The theme of the parade is “Christmas is the Sweetest Season of All.” Vincent was a judge on Food Network Challenge and has hosted multiple specials for the network as a master of sugar art. She founded and directs the Oklahoma Sugar Art Show every year, which is the largest judged sugar art show in the United States.

Prior to the parade, the Chamber will be lighting up all of the buildings in the downtown area with lights purchased through donations from Webco Industries, BancFirst, and the City of Sand Springs. Those lights will remain up through January 1st. The City is also donating a massive tree harvested from the Keystone Ancient Forest.

Last year Rod’s Books and Relics hosted their first Christmas Parade of Books, featuring several local authors at lighted tables along Second Street during the parade. The event has yet to be confirmed for 2018, but organizers are expected to announce a decision in the near future.

For the first time ever, the Chamber will also be hosting festivities through the entire parade weekend. “Hometown Holiday: A Christmas Celebration” will run Saturday December 1st from noon to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event will feature choirs, bands, plays, children’s activities, carriage rides and more.

The Public Service Company of Oklahoma is donating the funds for a Santa Cottage and Tulsa Technology Center’s Sand Springs Campus will be constructing it so kids can tell Santa their Christmas wish list! There will also be a handful of Christmas characters in full costume wandering the area for photo opportunities.

A church tent will be available for local churches to host children’s activities throughout the weekend. Churches can host three-hour blocks of activities. Any club or group will be welcome to set up a free fundraising booth during the event. The Chamber is also open to community suggestions for other events and attractions.

Sandite Pride News will be sponsoring our Second Annual Christmas Light Contest throughout the holiday season. We will be recognizing the best home and best business in the Sand Springs area.

Finally, the internationally-acclaimed Blue Dog art exhibit by George Rodriguez will be making its Oklahoma debut at the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum from November 17th throughout the holiday season.

For more information on the Christmas Parade and Christmas Celebration, visit the Chamber of Commerce website at https://sandspringschamber.com/. Applications for Snapped in Sand Springs, the parade, and Hometown Holiday can be found at that link.

Sand Springs Chamber Business Incubator hopes to help small businesses thrive

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Sand Springs has no shortage of retail or office space available for lease or sale. Downtown storefronts sit vacant. The 7,000 sq. ft. Shoppes of Cleveland shopping center built in 2014 has never filled up. The 15,000 sq. ft. Shops at Sand Springs built in 2017 have yet to land a tenant. Numerous other buildings around town sit empty, most notably the 84,000 sq. ft. K-Mart building on Charles Page Boulevard.

The problem? While the City has been slowly attracting big corporations to town (ie: Colton’s Steak House, Aldi Grocery Store, Starbucks, CVS, etc.) most companies with real capital want to build their own facilities. Existing vacancies are typically filled by small local businesses, and even the cheapest real estate in town can be a serious strain on an aspiring entrepreneur.

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Sand Springs, is looking to kill two birds with one stone by providing low-cost office space to upstart organizations. The goal is for those businesses to build a customer base and reliable income stream so they can eventually expand into the vacant real estate around town.

Business Incubators not only offer cheap office space, but come with many other perks as well. The Oklahoma Small Business Incubators Incentives Act exempts tenants of certified incubators from state tax liability on income earned as a result of occupancy for up to ten years.

The Sand Springs Chamber incubator will also provide co-working space, conference rooms, electronic equipment such as printers, scanners, and a fax machine, and more. There are currently twelve rooms up for lease. The largest conference room seats as many as sixteen individuals comfortably. There will even be day-passes available for individuals to come use the technology center from their laptop.

The Chamber recently acquired their new building at 109 North Garfield Avenue from the City of Sand Springs with a $1.00/year lease agreement. The facility was formerly the home of the City’s Public Works Department and currently has 2,100 sq. ft. of rentable space.

“The City has been phenomenal to work with on this,” says Cepak. “(Community Development Director) Grant Gerondale has been amazing, that man has amazing ideas.”

Mile High Designs in Sand Springs recently installed new flooring through the whole building and most of it has received fresh paint and updated fixtures.

According to Chamber President Kristin Cepak, the Chamber has received approximately $6,000 worth of in-kind community donations so far, and 85% of the updates and improvements have been made by Sand Springs businesses. Organizations such as Webco and BancFirst are branding the building and providing free office supplies and other resources for the tenants.

The Chamber has yet to release pricing for the rental spaces. For more information on the incubator or other Chamber resources, contact Cepak at 918-245-3221 or visit their website at https://sandspringschamber.com/.

Atwoods Ranch & Home celebrates Grand Re-Opening of expanded Sand Springs location

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Atwoods Ranch & Home held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning to commemorate an extensive remodel and expansion at their Sand Springs location.

The store never closed during the six month expansion, but they were without signage for several months and significant portions of the parking lot were closed for construction.

The store expanded from 50,000 square feet to more than 82,000, adding a larger selection of food, gifts, clothing, feed, pet supplies, and more. They also carry steel tanks for the first time.

Atwoods Sand Springs is located at 730 East Charles Page Boulevard and can be reached at 918-241-1700.

Sand Springs City Council passes Morrow Road widening project

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The Sand Springs City Council unanimously approved a resolution to begin the Morrow Road Widening Project at their Monday evening regular meeting.

Council awarded the $1.407 million bid to Crossland Heavy Contractors. The existing two-lane asphalt section of Morrow Road between Highway 97 and Broad Street will be completely removed, the sanitary sewer main will be relocated, and a new three-lane road will be constructed with a central turn lane. The City hopes to have the project completed in time for the opening of the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center in the Spring of 2019.

The new public safety facility is under construction in the 400 block of West Morrow Road in the Sheffield Crossing development. It will be approximately 40,000 square feet and will house Police, Fire, Municipal Court, Jail, Emergency Operations Center and 911 Communications operations. 

Council also approved a contract with GH2 Architects for the remodel design and conceptual master planning of the current Sand Springs Municipal Building in the downtown Triangle District, and for construction oversight of the project. The Municipal Building will continue to house administrative, financial, human resources, marketing, planing and zoning, and other departments.

In Other News:

Council unanimously voted in favor of an honorary street naming in recognition of Webco Industries founder, William Weber. Webco is the largest employer in Sand Springs.

Council unanimously approved the installation of tower grounding and antenna systems for the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center. Total Radio Inc. will execute the project for $34,644.

Council unanimously voted to purchase a 2017 Peterbilt 348 Series dump truck in the amount of $117,000.

Council unanimously approved an ordinance amending licensing requirements for sale of alcoholic beverages.

Council unanimously approved the use of the 2018 Community Development Block Grant for a project in Ray Brown Park. The $94,748.11 grant will be used for a paved walking trail through the park from 10th Street to 6th Street, as well as a swing set and ADA-accessible playground equipment.

Sand Springs Salvation Army celebrates 40 years of doing the most good

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Sand Springs Mayor Mike Burdge and the Sand Springs City Council presented the Sand Springs Salvation Army Corps with a Mayoral Proclamation Monday evening, recognizing their forty year anniversary at their current location. Read the full text of the proclamation below. 

 “Whereas, the mission of the Salvation Army is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination; and

“Whereas, the Salvation Army helped found the Sand Springs Home and the Widow’s Colony in 1911; and

“Whereas, the Salvation Army opened a Home and Hospital for Unwed Mothers in Sand Springs in 1928; and

“Whereas, in 1930, a Salvation Army Corps opened in Sand Springs with the generous assistance of founder, Charles Page, and former Salvation Army pioneer Captain B. F. Breeding; and

“Whereas, the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence; and

“Whereas, in the 1970’s the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs began to flourish and grow in Sand Springs and

“Whereas, on September 24, 1978, the Sand Springs Salvation Army Corps Community Center, in memory of Charles Page, opened its doors for the first time; and

“Whereas, the Salvation Army in Sand Springs is now celebrating 40 years in its present location on 129th W. Ave; and

“Now, therefore, I, Mike Burdge, as Mayor of the City of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and on behalf of the City Council of the City of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, do hereby recognize and celebrate a long history of meeting the needs of our children and citizens in partnership together with the Salvation Army.

“Dated this 24th day of September, 2018.”

Sand Springs Fire Department unveils new state of the art facility in Prattville

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The City of Sand Springs held a grand opening ceremony for their new Fire Station 2 facility Saturday afternoon in Prattville. The station is located at 4347 South 113th Avenue West.

HillSpring Church Pastor Brent Kellogg provided a blessing for the building and several key government officials attended and spoke at the ceremony.

The building replaced an older facility on the same location. The previous building was a sort of Frankenstein’s Monster, having been remodeled and expanded several times over the decades. The roof leaked, the quarters were small, there was only one communal bathroom, and the fire trucks couldn’t even get in and out anytime there was snow on the ground. The project was funded by an October 2015 sales tax initiative.

“It’s just a building at the end of the day, but it represents one heck of a fire department,” said former International Association of Fire Chiefs President Thomas Jenkins, who headed the Sand Springs department before current Chief Mike Wood.

“The building behind me is probably the most significant investment in public safety in this community in about three decades,” said Jenkins. It will only hold that honor for a few months, however, as the new Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center is currently under construction north of the river. That building will house the City’s police and fire departments, as well as municipal courts.

According to Wood, the $1.66 million facility was completed $22,000 under budget. The building is only 640 square feet bigger than the old facility, but the layout is purpose-built and single story.

This Week in Sand Springs (9/23 - 9/30/18)

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Monday

  • 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sandite Varsity Dance Mini Clinic.

    • Clyde Boyd Middle School
      305 West 35th Street

    • See attached poster for more information.

  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Stillwater

    • Couch Park
      800 East 12th Avenue
      Stillwater, OK 74074

  • 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting.

Tuesday

  • 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sandite Varsity Dance Mini Clinic.

    • Clyde Boyd Middle School
      305 West 35th Street

    • See attached poster for more information.

  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Collinsville.

    • Collinsville High School
      2400 West Broadway
      Collinsville, OK 74021

  • 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Open Wrestling Practice.

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

  • 6:15 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs. Bixby.

    • Ed Dubie Fieldhouse
      600 North Adams Road

Wednesday

  • 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sandite Varsity Dance Mini Clinic.

    • Clyde Boyd Middle School
      305 West 35th Street

    • See attached poster for more information.

Thursday

  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Oologah.

    • Sandite Softball Complex
      408 West 55th Street

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO

    • American Legion - Billie A. Hall Post 17
      500 North Main Street

  • 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Open Wrestling Practice.

    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road

  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs. Claremore.

    • Ed Dubie Fieldhouse
      600 North Adams Road

Friday

  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Football vs. Muskogee.

    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road

Saturday

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

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Sam Shook wins inaugural SalsaFest at OkieSpice & Trade Co.

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OkieSpice & Trade Co. held their inaugural SalsaFest Saturday in Sand Springs and the event was a big success according to business owner Kim Zieg.

The event featured local craft, spice, and salsa vendors, as well as a homemade salsa making competition. Sam Shook took top prize in the salsa competition out of a field of 24. According to Zieg only a handful of the competitors were local and most traveled from out of town to participate.

“We exposed most to this area for the first time,” said Zieg. “Customers loved the event and the store. Our vendors were well pleased with their day and we had more entries than we could have hoped for!” She says the store plans to bring the festivities back next year.

OkieSpice opened in November of 2017 and have already made a big effort to be involved in the local community. In April they held their inaugural Westival event to coincide with the 29th Annual Herbal Affair and Festival. They are located at 501 West 2nd Street just west of downtown.