The Bartlesville Public Library will be teaming up with Susan Miller, owner of what used to be the Rolling Pin and Bakery and Deli, to offer cooking classes to the public for free.
Among other things, Miller will talk about gluten free cooking, roasting veggies and how to take advantage of local produce. Miller will also talk about the proper way to make bread, stuffed sandwiches and homemade pizzas. Classes will be held February through June. All classes start at noon and will be held in the upstairs meeting room of the Bartlesville Public Library, located at 600 S. Johnstone Ave. To learn more about this event and other upcoming programs at the library, contact Bartlesville Public Library Literacy Coordinator Karen Kerr-McGraw at 918-338-4179. You can also send an email to Kerr-McGraw at literacy@bartlesville.lib.ok.us. It has been announced that the Oklahoma Freewheel bike race is coming through Pawhuska in June. The seven day race will start on Sunday, June 9 in Hugo and Pawhuska will be a “host” city for the event on Friday, June 14.
Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joni Nash says she is looking forward to the event, but will need volunteers in the community to make things a success. This will also be the weekend the Osage County Cattleman's Association will be holding their annual convention. Along with that, Nash points out that it is Father's Day Weekend as well. Nash says it will be a lot of work, but knows it will be worth it in the end. The Oklahoma Freewheel bike race started in 1979, but it has been more than 20 years since Pawhuska has been a host city. The Osage County Commissioners met Tuesday morning at the courthouse in Pawhuska and discussed a wide array of topics.
Kelly Bland, the Executive Director of the Tourism Oversite Committee gave a recap on what happened over the past year across Osage County. Bland also talked about new businesses and hotels that have come to the county. Bland added that the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association puts on the Redbud Awards each year and Osage County did well. The Post Oak Wine and Jazz Festival was the best new festival. The Mercantile won the Merit Award and Woolarac was the most outstanding attraction in the state of Oklahoma. Attorney George E. Gibbs was on hand to discuss the state-wide opioid lawsuit. Gibbs says he feels confident with how things are going at the moment and things are proceeding smoothly. This lawsuit started after Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter learned that the drug companies knew their products were addictive, but they decided to make more of it, while continuing to advertise it. Also at the meeting, district Two Commissioner Kevin Paslay proposed increasing the speed limit on Javine Hill. The speed limit would increase from 40 MPH to 50 MPH, but the other two commissioners want more information from an engineer before making the increase. There was talk in regards to hiring a full-time county engineer. That was tabled for another time, though. District One Commissioner Randall Jones says he plans on taking a more active role with the Osage County Fairgrounds, which is located in Pawhuska. The next regular scheduled County Commissioner meeting will be next Monday at 10 o' clock in the morning. Kelly Bland, Executive Director of the Tourism Oversite Committee, was on hand at Tuesday's Osage County Commissioner meeting to discuss the many good things going on across the county.
Bland also highlighted some of the things that have happened over the past year. The County Commissioners raised the maximum dollar amount for the Brochure Fulfillment Program from $300 to $600, meaning brochures will be available throughout the month. They also approved $825 to go toward a women's expo travel show in Dallas Fort Worth. Bland will have a booth set up attracting women from all over to visit the Osage. They will have the opportunity to sign up for the newsletter, along with winning a trip to the area. In lieu of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Osage County Commissioners will meet on Tuesday morning at the Osage County Courthouse.
Kelly Bland, Executive Director of the Tourism Oversite Committee, will be on hand to give a report. The County Commissioners will then vote to approve numerous items that Bland discussed. There will be discussion and possible action regarding hiring a full-time engineer and possibly selling equipment from District No. 2 at an auction in Elk City. The Commissioners will also talk about appointing members to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. The meeting begins at 10 o’ clock in the morning for those interested in attending. Registered voters in Osage County have less than a week to apply for absentee ballots to be mailed to them by the Feb. 12 primary election.
Tulsa, Cleveland and Shidler all have school board elections, while the City of Pawhuska and Sand Springs will also have elections. Absentee voters may apply in person at the County Election Board Office in Pawhuska or send their application by mail, fax or email. An online version can also be filled out and submitted automatically atwww.elections.ok.gov. Any registered voter eligible to vote in the election may submit an absentee ballot. For more information, contact the Osage County Election Board at 918-287-3036 or email OsageCounty@elections.ok.gov. Their office is located at 630 Kihekah Ave. in Pawhuska. Rachel Scott was the first person gunned down at the Columbine High School shooting nearly 20 years ago, but her legacy will live on forever. Rachel's Challenge is a program named in her honor and its mission is to inspire and equip every person to create a permanent positive change in themselves, schools, communities and businesses.
Ali, a presenter for Rachel's Challenge, spoke to students at Pawhuska Schools Thursday morning. Ali is one of 30 to 40 presenters around the United States who spread the word about Rachel. Last year alone, they reached 49 states and gave 1,500 presentations. Aly has been with Rachel's Challenge for 10 years and has gotten to know the Scott family throughout the years. Here, Ali explains how the Scott family knew they had to begin doing something to honor Rachel. Ali knows that he is making a positive impact on people's lives. There will be a community wide event at 6 this evening at the Constantine Theatre. Admission is free to the public. For more information on this program, go to rachelschallenge.org. The Skiatook Chamber of Commerce will have its annual banquet on Feb. 9. The event is scheduled to start at 7 in the evening.
Organizations wishing to participate in the banquet should contact the chamber of commerce to discuss a level of partnership. There are multiple sponsor tables to choose from ranging anywhere from presenting sponsors to dignitary sponsors. For more information, call 918-396-3702 or email stephanieupton@skiatookchamber.com. The Constantine Theatre in Pawhuska will be holding a Rachel’s Challenge assembly on Thursday for students and community members alike to talk about the importance of treating everyone like equals. Rachel Scott was the first person to be shot down at the Columbine High School Shooting nearly 20 years ago. Jourdan Foran, Regional Partnership Manager for Rachel’s Challenge, explains.
The school was looking to change the attitude around its school and that is when they contacted Foran about Rachel’s Challenge. After applying for a grant that was paid for by the Pawhuska Community Foundation, the school was able to get the group to come. The elementary school will hear an encouraging presentation on how they can become a better person and treat others better. Students in middle and high school will learn who Rachel is and talk about challenges they face each day. There will also be a community presentation at night beginning at 6 in the evening. Rachel’s Challenge is a national program. Last year they visited 49 states and hold around 1,500 events a year. Andrew Ross and David Dirksen spent six nights in the Osage County jail for escorting a semi truck allegedly hauling 18,000 pounds of marijuana through Pawhuska. Both men have bonded out.
Dirksen tells the News on 6 that the two men are veterans hauling medicine for veterans. He adds the semi truck was full of industrial hemp and that they were transporting it legally from Kentucky to Colorado. Sixty pallets were pulled out of the semi and authorities ran tests on the product, but Dirksen says the tests were flawed. He notes that they tested for ‘No THC’ or ‘THC.” Dirksen says industrial hemp will test positive for trace amounts of THC. Ross and Dirksen tried explaining the difference to police last Wednesday when the truck got pulled over for failing to make a complete stop at the four-way stop south of Pawhuska. The two men are due back in court in March and are charged with aggravated trafficking and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. They are facing 15 years to life in prison as well as a $500,000 fine. |
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