In 2011, there was an effort to build a new courthouse in Pawhuska. It failed with overwhelming support, as the vote was 80 percent opposed and 20 percent in favor. The Courthouse, built in 1914, is eight years older and Jeff Raley, a lawyer from Norman who started with the idea of building a new courthouse, was at Monday's County Commissioner meeting asking the County Commissioners toreconsider a new vote.
Raley says he believe a half cent of sales tax for 20 years would likely pay for the project. This is something Kevin Pasley, a representative for District No. 2 is strongly against, but he knows it is something thatmust be done.
One thing the Commissioners are concerned about is advertising to the public how bad the courthouse is and informing them on why the county needs a new courthouse.
The original design was to remodel the current courthouse. Pasley says it is important to start from scratch and build a new one.
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The Board of Osage County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse in Pawhuska and got several things accomplished.
The Commissioners spoke with Paul E. Despain of AT&T about a strained relationship that had been building over the last several years regarding poor communication between AT&T and the county. After discussions between the Commissioners and Despain, it seemed as if both parties had a better understanding of how to proceed moving forward.
At an earlier County Commissioner meeting, the board had sent out bids to see what the cost would be to make security improvements to Judge Kane's chambers area. There were three bidders and the Commissioners chose Kyler Construction Group out of Ponca City. The County Commissioners also signed a resolution, allowing bids to go out and begin improving the women's building at the Osage County Fairgrounds.
Jeff Raley, a lawyer out of Norman, was also on hand to discuss the possibility of having another county-wide vote to build a new courthouse. There was a vote years ago and it failed by a wide margin.
In honor of President's Day, the next regular scheduled County Commissioner meeting will be next Tuesday at 10 in the morning at the courthouse in Pawhuska. 

Da’rayvion Montrel Todd has committed several crimes, including burglary in the first degree, conjoint robbery and assault, battery or assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. “Ace” Rogers partnered with Todd to commit these crimes.
Todd broke into a house located at 715 E. 8th Street in Bartlesville. Todd forcibly unlocked the front door and entered without the consent of the occupants with the intent of stealing items in the home.
Todd and Rogers acted together and stole money, a cell phone and marijuana that belonged to the residents of the home. They did this without the home-owners consent and against their will. Todd also threatened bodily harm to the two residents of the home with a firearm.
Todd’s next scheduled court date is scheduled for March 1 at 9 a.m. His bond is set at $50,000.   

Kenneth Alan Scimeca was arrested on Jan. 25 on a domestic assault and battery charge.
Officers were dispatched to the Brookhaven Apartments, located at 1443 SW Santa Fe Ave. on the afternoon of the 25th and made contact with the victim who was crying and said that her boyfriend had kicked her in the stomach. The victim was 19 weeks pregnant.
The victim stated that Scimeca is the father and after he kicked her in the stomach, Scimeca ran out the door. An officer observed a red mark on the victim’s stomach where Scimeca kicked her. The victim refused medical attention, as she stated a family member was going to take her to the hospital.
Scimeca’s next scheduled court date is set for Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. Scimeca’s bond is set at $3,000 and he is to have no contact with the victim.    

The Pawhuska School Board will meet Monday evening at the Administration Building to discuss a number of topics.
Matt Hennesy and Kristy DeLapp will give a presentation regarding truancy at the school and the board will discuss different ideas relating to bond options at the school. New school buses, playground equipment and a community storm shelter are all options on the table.
Board members will vote to approve the 2018-19 audit contract and engagement letter with Sanders, Bledsoe and Hewett. The board will also vote to renew Superintendent David Cash's contract, as well as Assistant Superintendent Beverly Moore.
The board will also vote to allow the wrestling team to stay overnight at both the regional and state tournament. They will do the same for the cheer squad.
The meeting starts at 5:30 in the evening for those interested in attending.

With 29 items on the agenda, it looks to be a busy morning at Monday’s county commissioner meeting in Pawhuska.
Paul E. Despain of AT&T will be on hand to discuss what it would take to bring their services to the county. He will also talk about the effects construction will have to Osage County roads. The Commissioners will consider approving a contract with the company.
After tabling the item last week, the Commissioners will consider making Kelly Bland, the Executive Director of Tourism, a full-time county employee.
 The County Commissioners will talk about making security improvements to Judge Kane’s Chambers area, as well as discussing items dealing with the Osage County Courthouse.
The meeting begins at 10 o’ clock at the Courthouse in Pawhuska for those interested in attending.  
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Temperatures never made it above freezing on a cold and dreary Thursday but Osage County Emergency Manager Jerry Roberts says roads are improving.
Because of the slick conditions, Roberts says it is important that drivers take it easy as they navigate their way home from work this evening.
With Osage County being the largest in the state, Roberts says some parts of the county are affected more so than other parts.
Roberts adds that his team is already preparing for the possibility of more slick roads throughout the day.
Roberts says it is important to allow yourself plenty of time to get to where you are going. 
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The Osage Nation Broadband Team will have a public meeting next Tuesday to inform everyone of the upcoming broadband service coming to the Grayhorse area, an unincorporated town approximately five miles southeast of Fairfax. 
This will provide an update on current progress and clarify any questions or concerns citizens might have. Representatives of the Osage Nation, Osage Nation Utility Authority Board and ACRS Telecommunications Engineering will be on hand.
The project will place three towers in the Grayhorse area and provide broadband internet for the citizens of Grayhorse. Locations for two of the towers have been set and location for the third tower is still being determined.
The Osage Nation won a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Connect Grant in 2017 for the broadband project. The grant helps fund broadband internet to rural communities where it isn’t economically viable for private sectors. The Osage Nation will help manage the day-to-day operations of the grant.
The meeting will take place at the Fairfax Elder Nutrition Building at 401 S. 8th Street in Fairfax. It will last from 5:30 to 7.    
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It isn’t to late to reserve your tickets to the Skiatook Chamber Awards Banquet for this Saturday at the Osage Hotel and Casino in Skiatook.
To get tickets, call 918-396-3702 or email[email protected]. Social networking time begins at 6:30, while dinner and awards will be given out at 7.
Attire is semi-formal and you are asked to check in at the front door when you arrive. For further questions, contact[email protected]. 

Pawhuska Public Schools hosted an Indian Education Meeting Monday evening.
Assistant Superintendent Beverly Moore gave a review of each student’s MAP assessment data and parents reviewed policies and procedures for the Title VI Indian Education Grant.
The next meeting will be April 15 at 5:30 in the evening at the Pawhuska Elementary School Cafeteria. During this meeting, they will be looking to elect a local committee of parents to begin planning for the 2019-2020 school year.
On a side note, Pawhuska Indian Camp Elementary School will begin enrolling Pre-K and Kindergarten students for the 2019-2020 school year on Feb. 18. Enrollment times are from 8 to 11:30 in the morning and 1 to 2:30 in the afternoon. The school asks that you bring your child’s birth certificate and current immunization records. 
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