Jackson's Wrecking and Demolition began the process of removing and disposing of the Bighill Furniture Store in Fairfax on Monday morning. This has been nearly a two-year process that the Board of Osage County Commissioners have been attempting to resolve after the building was damaged by a tornado.


Various groups had came forward saying they were interested in restoring the building, but a structural engineering report from December said the commissioners needed to act quickly. Here is Terry Loftis of JL & Associates giving the findings from that report.


Here is District Three Commissioner Darren McKinney giving his reasoning for the need to tear down the building.


Jackson's Wrecking and Demolition signed a contract saying it will take no longer than 21 days to complete the project.

At the first of the month, Osage County listed 95 positive COVID-19 cases. That number has since risen to 155 positive cases across the county. The total number of deaths due to the coronavirus has remained at eight since mid-April, however. Osage County Emergency Manager Jerry Roberts says a reason for this may be because he is seeing a shift in the demographics being affected by the virus.


Roberts says it is important that the public take proper steps to stay safe, but he understands people are ready to get out and become active.


Roberts says all proper precautions are continuing to be taken at county-owned buildings. ​

The Barnsdall Panthers moved into their new weight room facility on Monday and Athletic Director Kylee Sweeney says their new home is much improved from where they used to train.


Sweeney says they are limiting the number of people in the building to 20. He added that the staff will be disinfecting the equipment and taking all other steps to keep the athletes safe while getting ready for the 2020-2021 athletic season.


This new weight room was made possible thanks to a bond that the City of Barnsdall passed in 2018.
(Photo Courtesy of Panther Football Facebook Page.)
​

There will be a a virtual candidate forum from Bartlesville City Hall this Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. and you will be able to hear coverage of that forum on KWON AM 1400, FM 93.3 or stream live on KWONTV.com.


Candidates running for Washington County Court Clerk and those vying for the seat of House District 11 will be participating in the evening's event. President of the Green Country Republican Women's Club, Mayri Hebert explains how useful this forum will be for those deciding on a candidate to vote for next week.


Our very own Tom Davis will be the moderator of the forum. 
​

The Osage County Commissioners continue to be cautious in the consideration of opening the courthouse to full capacity. It is something that got brought up again on Monday and Osage County Deputy Matt Clark said the current procedures they have in place are working well.


Court Clerk Sheila Bellamy made note that the commissioners meetings will continue taking place at the fairgrounds for the foreseeable future.


Bellamy said she will look back at the minutes to see if the commissioners need to make a motion on holding the meetings at the fairgrounds.

The Osage County Nutrition Center in Hominy has been in the same building for several years. At Monday's county commissioner meeting, Nutrition Director Kyme Vincent was requesting the commissioners change locations to 215 N. Price Street in Hominy.


The commissioners went on to approve that with a 3-0 vote. They also approved the Indian Nations Council on Government to provide nutrition services for the county through June 30th, 2024.

The Board of Osage County Commissioners met for a regularly scheduled meeting at the fairgrounds in Pawhuska on Monday morning and accomplished a number of things.
The commissioners had discussion regarding making any further amendments for public admittance to the Osage County Courthouse and other county-owned properties. It was noted that the current procedures have been working fine so the commissioners opted to keep those in place. The commissioners did mention that they plan to continue meeting at the fairgrounds until further notice.   
The commissioners approved the move of the Hominy nutrition site to 215 N. Price Street. This was requested because the current building was old and outdated. They also signed an agreement to allow the Indian Nations Council on Government to provide nutrition services to the county through June 30th, 2024.
The commissioners also signed a resolution to participate in the ACCO-SIG property and liability insurance program for just over $246,000. They signed the same resolution to participate in the ACCO-SIF workman’s comp insurance program as well.
Two utility permits were signed at the meeting.
The next regularly scheduled board of Osage County Commissioners meeting will be next Monday at 10 o’ clock in the morning.
​

From 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 27th, the Osage Unity program will be helping Osage Nation families pay for grocery items. Osage Unity is an organization that has raised $6,000 and will hand out $50 credits to all Osage Nation families who enter the Hometown Foods of Pawhuska that Saturday. To qualify, you must have an Osage Nation Membership Card. There are 120 certificates available.


Members of the group have been raising money for the last month, asking those from all across America to assist. Co-founder of the group, Keir Johnson-Reyes had this to say regarding the generous donations they have received.


“Due to overwhelming response from our Osage families in and out of our state and our partners, we have had to modify this first distribution to be a grocery credit available to Osage families in Osage County.”


They will offer this again at a date to be determined in July. To learn more about Osage Unity, or join the group, visit their Facebook Page.

As President Donald Trump comes to Tulsa on Saturday, case numbers for the coronavirus continue to rise. This is why Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt wants people to be cautious as they consider going to see the Trump rally.


Stitt says it is important to recognize that COVID-19 is here, but proper hand washing and social distancing will slow the spread of the virus. Stitt says he is looking forward to introducing Trump at Saturday night's rally.


Stitt says it is doubtful that Trump will visit the Greenwood District in Tulsa.
​

The Board of Osage County Commissioners will meet at the fairgrounds this Monday for another regularly scheduled meeting.
The commissioners will consider making further amendments and procedures for public admittance to the Osage County Courthouse and other county-owned properties.
The commissioners will look to approve and sign a resolution to execute the agreement, which would establish the association of county commissioners of Oklahoma Self-Insurance Group. They will also consider approving the move of the Hominy nutrition site from its current location to 215 N. Price Street.
The commissioners will also consider signing an agreement with Unifirst for uniform rentals in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m. for those interested in attending.