​Filming for the upcoming movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” is officially under way in downtown Pawhuska.
On Monday afternoon, crowds gathered along the main thorough-fair through Pawhuska to watch the action first-hand. Just south of the Simple Simons is where the train depot is set up and crew members for the Martin Scorsese directed film could be heard shouting instructions from the set and cars from the 1920s paraded up and down the street as filming took place.  
Police officers were gathered to stop traffic so that they didn’t interfere while the camera was rolling, but as soon as the take was over, traffic was allowed to flow once more. The same can be said for any onlooker’s hoping to get a glimpse of the stars of the upcoming film.
Crews continue to prepare Kihekah Ave. and the storefronts that line the road so that production can begin there as well. In the meantime, they will continue to shoot there at the train depot, in Fairfax and in other parts of rural Osage County.
Filming is expected to continue through the summer. During that time, expect delays if traveling through Pawhuska. 

​Osage County Tourism Director Kelly Bland will replace Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce Director Joni Nash at the end of the month. Bland will stay on and serve as Osage County Tourism Director. Bland says this will add to her already busy schedule, but she looks forward to making the town and county even more attractive.
Nash had announced that she would be resigning at a Pawhuska City Council meeting earlier this month. Both Bland and Nash are getting together as often as possible to ensure a smooth transition on June 1st. Reba Bueno will stay on as Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce Office Manager.

​The Tri County Tech Class of 2021 received their diplomas on Tuesday evening from the Bartlesville Community Center. Tuesday evening's commencement ceremonies marked the final one for Superintendent and CEO Lindel Fields, as he will be stepping down at the end of June. During his final address, Fields told the graduating class to go out and do great things, as he says the graduating class has worked very hard to get where they are.


Lacey Calhoun and Mattie Wright were recognized as Tri County Tech Students of the Year.

At Monday's Board of Osage County Commissioners meeting, First Deputy to the County Clerk, Stacey Brace discussed the county's current health insurance situation and how employees feel about it.
Last year, OPEH&W gave a presentation to employees in hopes that they would be willing to join them as an insurance option. A survey was sent out to county employees to show their interest level of possibly joining with them.


New premiums for 2022 will come out in August. District One Commissioner Randall Jones compared what options Osage County offers in comparison to other county's across the state and explains what he would like to do.


This is something the commissioners will re-visit at a later date.
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​Having had her contract renewed for the coming fiscal year, Osage County Tourism Director Kelly Bland updated the Commissioners as to what has been going on across the county. Bland says she has seen people come from other countries to visit attractions across the county and lodging tax deposits for the month are at an all-time high. Bland is attempting to take advantage of this continued increase in interest for people visiting the county.
Bland mentioned that the Ironman event will be taking place in the southern part of the county this Saturday, possibly causing some traffic issues in Barnsdall along 52nd Street back down to Skiatook on Highway 11. Bland expects around 2,500 bicyclists to partake in the event.  

​The Dance Maker Academy will be performing its 2021 spring show this Friday and Saturday at the Constantine Theater in downtown Pawhuska.
This performance will be conducted by school-aged children and have been presenting performances since December 2017. Saturday’s show begins at 7 p.m. and Sunday’s matinee performance is at 3 o’ clock.
Tickets cost five dollars for adults and three dollars for students. You can purchase tickets at dancemaker.net. 

​The Third Thursday in the Park in Skiatook is back this week; as Thomas Martinez will be performing live from Skiatook’s Central Park beginning at 6 p.m.  
There will be vendors, along with food trucks and a splash pad for the public to enjoy. Central Park also has some great walking trails to explore. Admission is free, as you are asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the fun. For more information about upcoming events in Skiatook, you are asked to go to skiatookchamber.com.  

​Many road and bridge projects across Osage County from the flooding event that occurred in 2019 have yet to be completed. During Monday’s Board of Osage County Commissioners meeting, a contract was renewed to get the ball rolling on some of those projects, as Commissioners Assistant Kandy Jump explains.
All three districts were affected by this event and they are still looking for much needed improvements to the county roads.  

​Since last March, more than one million unemployment claims have been filed in the State of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission has paid out more than five billion dollars in unemployment during that time span. That is more than the last 10 years combined.


At a news conference on Monday afternoon, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said his goal is to make Oklahoma a top tier state for business development. He says those things are possible, but the challenge is getting employees back to work. Stitt says the extension of federal benefits are a reason people are staying home and that is why he announced an incentive to put Oklahoman's back to work on Monday.


Executive Director with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Shelley Zumwalt said many other states are doing the same thing Oklahoma is doing, but not offering the $1,200 incentive and added that Stitt is only required to give a 30 day notice, but he extended that to six weeks. Zumwalt goes into detail as to what will happen after June 26th. .


Zumwalt said nearly 200,000 people are workforce eligible, but aren't currently working. Zumwalt added that attendees at career fairs have been lower than expected, seeing as how so many are unemployed and there are also so many jobs available.

​Students from Tri County Technology Center will graduate on Tuesday evening from the Bartlesville Community Center. This is a program that we will carry for you live on KWON AM 1400 FM 93.3 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Thank you to Regent Bank, Bartnet IP and Holden’s Septic Service for making this broadcast possible.