 The Barnsdall Chamber of Commerce welcomed special guests Barnsdall Students of the Month along with Democratic Candidate for Osage County District #1 Commissioner Jerry Howerton Tuesday afternoon. The Chamber honored Junior High Students Kendall Owens and Ashley Roberts and High School Student Kaylee Smith were recognized for their responsibility. During Barnsdall School News Wilma Logue announced that two Barnsdall students won the Verdigris Valley Essay Contest Mallory Siggins won a trip to Washington D.C. and Daniel Adams won a trip to Oklahoma Energy Camp.
Chamber Vice President Claud Rosendale brought forward the discussion of security cameras once again during the meeting. Chamber member and business owner Cliff Taylor stated he has also had issues with vandals climbing his building, damaging the roof and leaving trash. Special guest Jerry Howerton recommended bringing the issue with Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden to see if he had recommendations for cameras or other options. Democratic Candidate for Osage County District #1 Commissioner Jerry Howerton closed the meeting by providing a brief biography including his 32 years of County service and asked that voters take into account his experience before voting in the coming Tuesday, April 4, election. The next meeting of the Barnsdall Chamber of Commerce will be April 11 at the Barnsdall Community Center. Osage County voters will have an opportunity next Tuesday to select the next Commissioner for District #1. Democratic Candidate Jerry Howerton has filled the role on the Board of County Commissioners since the retirement of Commissioner Bob Jackson last July. Howerton is running for the first time for the Commissioner position and will be facing Republican Candidate Will Cubbage. Cubbage is an OSU graduate and former agricultural educator with the Osage County OSU extension office in Pawhuska. Voters will be able to participate in early voting Thursday and Friday at the Osage County election Board Office in Pawhuska, otherwise polls open at 7am Tuesday, April 4.
Additionally, city council elections will be held for the communities of Hominy, Sperry, Barnsdall, Skiatook, and Fairfax. Sperry voters will also vote on a six tenth of a percent sales tax proposition. Osage County Election Board Secretary Andrea Conner was the guest this week on KPGM's Talk of the Town and highlighted the need for Precinct Officials. Anyone interested in becoming a Precinct Official can contact the Osage County Election Board Office in Pawhuska at (918)287-3036 or visit them at 630 Kihekah Ave in Pawhuska. Listen to the complete interview on Talk of the Town Thursday at 7:45am or Saturday at 7:45am.  The first matter discussed at the meeting of the Osage County Board of County Commissioners was not on the agenda for Monday morning. Osage County District Attorney Rex Duncan wished to inform the public, that as the current political campaign comes to a close, it is still illegal to remove political posters and signs from private property without the express permission of the land owner. The removal of posters or signs does constitute a misdemeanor charge of theft and the District Attorney's Office will prosecute if the land owner can provide evidence of the theft and identity of the perpetrators. Duncan highlights the legal stance behind the theft of political signs as evidence has come forward of the removal of candidate posters and signs across the county.
Matters addressed on on the agenda included the signing of bid contracts, establishment of purchase orders, utility permits, along with a bid for lawn service for the County Courthouse and Treasurers Office. Cole lawn service was once again accepted as low bid for lawn service at $135.00 per mowing. Only one item was tabled during the meeting and that was for a new contract for Inmate phone service. The next meeting of the Osage County Board of County Commissioners will be next Monday at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska.  Photo Courtesy http://www.artsintheosage.org/ This week a very special art exhibit will open in Pawhuska, an exhibit which showcases some of the most talented artist from across the county. The American Plains Artist Exhibit will open Friday, March 24, at the Ole' #1 Firehouse in Pawhuska. One of the American Plains Artist, Burneta Venosdel sat down on KPGM's Talk of the Town this week to discuss the exhibit and how the American Plains Artist Organization got its start. The exhibit will showcase works from 25 artist and showcase more than 50 pieces which will be available for purchase. Venosdel is a local artist from Tahlequah who began working in bronze in 2004, and has now showcased nation wide. You can view and purchase American Plains Artists works starting March 24 through May 8, at the Ole' #1 Firehouse in Pawhuska. Listen to the complete interview with Venosdel on Talk of the Town on Thursday and Saturday at 7:45, on KPGM AM 1500 FM 99.1.  Spring is nearly here, which means things are picking up at Woolaroc. Opening on Wednesday, March 15, are the Mountain Man Encampment and the Animal Barn, but for the first time Woolaroc will be the host of the Annual Southwestern Regional Rendezvous, or a Woolaroc CEO Bob Fraser calls it “the Mountain Man Encampment on steroids.”
This will be the 33rd Annual Southwestern Regional Rendezvous and guests of Woolaroc will enjoy seeing hundreds of traders and reenactors from across the county at the Mountain Man Camp as they sell their wares and participate in shooting, archery, and knife and tomahawk competitions. The Rendezvous will be open to the public March 18 and 19, and March 22-25 from10am to 4pm. While you are at Woolaroc make sure to check out the new floor in the Museum and a new exhibit in Gallery 4. Woolaroc is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.  After yet another incident of vandalism in Barnsdall, the Chamber of Commerce is set to begin investing in video surveillance. Vandals continue to destroy and disturb public property throughout the town, most recently the gazebo in the community park. Discussion regarding vandalism was one of the the many topics covered during the first March meeting of the Barnsdall Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, the Chamber discussed the recent school bond which failed last week. The $5.8 million dollar school bond needed 60 percent to pass but failed by four votes. The Chamber also began taking nominations for Big Heart Day parade marshals, recommendations can be made by any member of the Chamber or residents of Barnsdall, and parade marshal should be long serving members of the community and at least 65 years of age. The Chamber also welcomed special guest Republican District #1 Commissioner Candidate Will Cubbage. Cubbage spoke to the chamber about his concerns with ambulance coverage throughout the county, and about staying an active approachable member of the community. The next meeting of the Barnsdall Chamber will take place March 28 at noon, when the Chamber will hear from Democratic Candidate for County Commissioner Jerry Howerton.  The new Pawhuska landmark The Pioneer Woman's Mercantile announced on their official Facebook Tuesday that they, “by customer request,” have decided to change their hours of operation. The Mercantile will now be open Monday through Thursday from 7am to 7pm, and 7am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday. The change was made so that more guest are able to enjoy dinner at “the Merc.”
The Mercantile continues to bring visitors to Pawhuska and has seen a steady stream of visitors each day. The Restaurant, Store, Deli, and Bakery frequently brings in more 6,000 guests daily, since it opened in October of 2016. Photo Coutesy: Mercantile Facebook  The Osage County Board of County Commissioners held a Public Hearing Monday morning regarding the vacation of a county road described as CR 5251 near Hominy. The road is in the county's inventory however, does not see enough traffic to be maintained regularly. The petition to remove the road from the county's inventory was made by land owner JD Huff. Because the road is owned by the county and lead directly only Huff's property, he has been unable to put up gates to restrict access. Huff stated that he has had issues in the past with dumping. The public hearing was opened and closed without objection, therefore the commissioners moved to vacate CR 5251.
Following the public hearing the commissioners opened bids for road-oil, oil, lube, and antifreeze, along with state spec asphalt. All bids were accepted for tabulation. Lastly, during citizens input Commissioner Kevin Paslay wished to thank his fellow commissioners and elected officials for their hard work, training, and diligence as he continues to learn his position. The next meeting of the Osage County Board of County Commissioners will be held Monday at 10am at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska.  The Osage Nation Congressional Commerce, Gaming and Land Committee will be holding a second public hearing regarding the status and plans for the recently acquired Bluestem Ranch. Osage News reported that the hearing will be held Sunday March 12 at 2pm at the former Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center building at 1449 W. Main Street in Pawhuska. The event will also be recorded and live-streamed online by the Osage Nation Communications Department.
The agenda for the hearing includes a presentation by the Commerce committee members, which includes members of the Osage Nation Congress, Chairman William “Kugee” Supernaw, Maria Whitehorn, Joe Tillman, Ron Shaw, John Maker and Congressional Speaker Angela Pratt. Additionally, there will be a presentation by Bluestem Ranch board members. Following the presentations the committee will be hosting a Q&A to allow for public questions and concerns. You can view the complete Osage News story on their website at www.osagenews.org  The Osage Nation would would like to extend an invitation for their annual Sovereignty Day Celebration this Saturday, March 11. Geneva HorseChief-Hamilton, from Osage Nation Communications, discussed the event with bartlesvilleradio.
The Osage Nation Sovereignty Powwow is open to the public and free for all to attend. Come experience traditional gourd dancing at 3pm followed by a free dinner at 5:30. The Grand Entry will follow dinner at 7pm, and will be led by Reuben DeRoin and Jennifer Brumley, the Head Man and Lady Dancer. Additionally Oliver Littlecook Sr will serve as Head Singer, and gourd dancing will be hosted by the Osage Gourd Group. The Master of Ceremonies for the event is Archie Mason and Timmy Lookout will serve as Arena Director. It all takes place this Saturday at the Osage County Fairground inside the Agricultural Building. |
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