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

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

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

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

SB 1462 now goes before the full Senate.

Senate passes legislation requiring children to wear seat belts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Senate Education Committee Approves Teacher Retention Act

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Is serving as a mentor teacher.

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

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

Sand Springs Deputy Fire Chief Justin Hall Selected For Leadership Program

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Senate committee approves legislation expanding definition of child abuse

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved legislation Wednesday to expand the definition of child abuse to better protect Oklahoma’s children and hold abusers accountable.  Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, authored Senate Bill 1773, which extends the crime to include anyone who engages in or enables child abuse. 

“We must do all we can to protect our youngest Oklahomans.  Current law fails to hold those who live with a victim’s parent or guardian accountable for committing abuse or failing to protect the child. We’re seeing more cases where siblings, boyfriends or girlfriends or other adults living in the home are committing these terrible crimes or stand by while it happens and don’t report the crime or help the child,” Brooks said.  “This bill holds abusers accountable and goes a step further to include people in the abuser’s immediate circle who don’t protect the child, perpetrate this crime, or fail to report it.”

SB 1773 also defines “person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare” to mean a parent, legal guardian, foster parent or person 18 years of age who cohabitates with the child’s parent, or any adult who has physical custody or control of the child.

The bill, which was requested by the District Attorney’s Council, now moves to the full Senate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Monday

Tuesday

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

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

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

Wednesday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

Thursday

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

    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 3:30 p.m. PAWS for Reading.

    • Charles Page Library
      551 East 4th Street

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street

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

    • Central Ninth Grade Center Auditorium
      4th and Garfield

Friday

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

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

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road

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

    • Central Ninth Grade Center Auditorium
      4th and Garfield

Saturday

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

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive

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

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

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

    • Central Ninth Grade Center Auditorium
      4th and Garfield

Sunday

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

    • Central Ninth Grade Center Auditorium
      4th and Garfield

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

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Ten Best Sand Springs Snowmen - Submitted by Readers

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Sand Springs got a great little snow fall last week, and two days off of school gave our Sandites lots of time to work on some wonderful snowmen. Here are our ten favorite submissions:

Well-executed classic look with gloved hands and a little patriotism tossed in. Submitted by Rebecca Davis.

Creative tribute to one of Sand Springs’s best corporate citizens! Submitted by Wendy Susan Stanley McEntire.

Bonus points for nice clean snow and big ole eyes! Submitted by Cassie Hathaway.

Hard work makes Camden hungry. Photo submitted by Jill Nowlin Brewer.

Size isn’t everything, but if it was, this would be the winner. Huge snowman submitted by Megan Harris.

The straw hat snowman matches the house with a nice frontier look that perfectly represents Oklahoma. Submitted by Michelle Pearson.

Our only submission with a hat made of snow. Brilliant! Submitted by Angela Minney Turner.

Perfectly executed classic. Submitted by Jennifer Phillips Smith.

Pristine snow, well made, and the human lips sold it. Submitted by Erricka Stane.

A perfect Frosty, complete with a top-hat and pipe. Submitted by Ariel Casey.

Next time it snows, get creative and send in your photos to sanditepridenews@gmail.com or message us on social media!

Photo Gallery: Sand Springs Snow Day

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Bill to improve school safety heads to House for final consideration

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oklahoma to resume execution by lethal injection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To read the updated protocol, click here.  

City Councilman Mike Burdge win re-election in Ward 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Monday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

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

Tuesday

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

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

    • Church That Matters
      3 West 41st Street

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

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road

Wednesday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road

Thursday

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

    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 3:30 p.m. Lego Fun!

    • Charles Page Library
      551 East 4th Street

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

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street

Friday

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

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

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

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

Saturday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Sunday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Letter to Sand Springs from City Council candidate Justin Sean Tockey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://okvoterportal.okelections.us “

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Council Legislative Aide for Tulsa City Council

  • Mayoral Aide for Mayor Bill LaFortune and Mayor Susan Savage

  • Event Coordinator for Tulsa Metro Chamber

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Monday

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

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

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

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

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

Tuesday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

    • Chieftain Center
      1201 East Lincoln
      Sapulpa, OK 74066

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

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

Wednesday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Thursday

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

    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street

Friday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

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

Saturday

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

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

Sunday

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

    • ZegART Studios
      700 East Charles Page Boulevard

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

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In other news:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CPHS Wrestling: Sandites win fifth-straight District Championship - presented by Inkwell Printing

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The Class 6A No. 10 ranked Charles Page High School wrestling team (10-5) won their sixth-straight dual and fifth-straight District Championship Tuesday afternoon at Clyde Boyd Middle School, 65-12 against Muskogee (1-4). It also clinched their fifth-straight ten-win season.

Coverage of the tournament is sponsored by Inkwell Printing, the official provider of Sand Springs spirit wear. Inkwell serves the entire greater Tulsa Metropolitan area and provides high quality products, including jerseys, spirit wear, coaches’ polos, promotional items, business cards, and more. Visit them today at their Sand Springs print shop, or in the Ed Dubie Field House at home sports events.

Inkwell Printing
1 West 41st Street
Sand Springs, OK 74063
(918) 508-3634

Sand Springs lost only two matches, received five forfeits, and recorded four pins and one tech fall in their biggest win of the season.

Caden Vaughn (9-3) received a forfeit at 120 to start the dual, then Ethan Norton (5-15, 5-20) pinned Dayton Bowlin in 13 seconds, Carter Goodman (8-9) received a forfeit, Blake Jones (21-7, 47-21) scored a 15-0 second period technical fall against Davaun Jones, and Preston Medlin (17-12, 30-34) pinned Jason Coston in 1:22 for the 29-0 lead.

Antonio Zapia got the Roughers on the board with a pin of Chase White (8-18, 8-20), but the Sandites went right back to winning after Chris Kirby (25-8, 83-32) and Dakota Taylor (3-15, 3-22) picked up forfeits. Tegan Campbell (1-0) won his varsity debut match by pinning Ty Williams in 3:46, then Brooks Dudley (21-14, 31-22) received a forfeit and Santana Naugle (1-5, 4-14) escaped with a 1-0 win against Kenan Adams.

State Qualifier Devion Williams was the next and last Rougher to score, pinning Robbie Parrish (7-14, 9-29) at 285. Shane Wolf (12-12) won a 13-7 decision over Jacob Wolf, then Harley Newberry (7-11) pinned Haden Scraper in 34 seconds to finish the tournament.

Sand Springs wrestling will return to action Thursday at 7:00 p.m. with a road dual against No. 6 Jenks (5-1). With the district title clinched, they will advance to the Dual State Championship in Enid on February 14th.

CPHS Wrestling: Sandites win fifth-straight dual 52-27 against Sapulpa - presented by Inkwell Printing

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The Class 6A No. 10 ranked Charles Page High School wrestling team (9-5) won their fifth-straight dual Tuesday afternoon at Clyde Boyd Middle School, 52-27 against Sapulpa (2-4) in the second round of the District Dual tournament. The Sandites are in search of their fifth-straight District title and will take on Muskogee (1-2) in the finals.

Coverage of the tournament is sponsored by Inkwell Printing, the official provider of Sand Springs spirit wear. Inkwell is currently taking orders for team jerseys for the Spring baseball/softball seasons. Inkwell offers customizable Under Armour and Nike, as well as full-color sublimated jerseys, with fast turnaround and no art or set-up fees.

Inkwell Printing
1 West 41st Street
Sand Springs, OK 74063
(918) 508-3634

Harley Newberry received a forfeit at 113 to start the dual and the Sandites never trailed. Colton Luker pinned Zaltana Keener in 0:28 to make it 12-0 before the Chieftains got on the board with Parker Lecoq’s pin against Ethan Norton. JJ Long followed it with a pin of Hunter Hilger to tie it up.

Blake Jones put the home team out front again with a pin of Dallas Wilson in 0:48, Preston Medlin won an 11-1 major decision against Luke Young, and the home team would hold onto the lead for the duration.

Simon Young got a pin against Chase White for the visitors, but Chris Kirby and Dakota Taylor both received forfeits to make it 34-18. K’Den Stepp scored last in an 11-10 shootout with Sango Whitehorn.

Josh Fincannon and Robbie Parrish received forfeits, then Cayden Miller ended the dual with a pin of Shane Wolf at 106.