The City of Bartlesville Water Utilities Department is continuing to test and flush fire hydrants. This is being done in sections and will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. until each area is complete. Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen had this to say on the continued flushing:
“We test and flush fire hydrants on an annual basis to ensure that they are in proper working order.” Crews are working in two areas right now, both areas affected are between Nowata and Price Rd. As the flushing process takes place, discoloration of water may occur. It is encouraged that you use caution when doing laundry. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order, which will consolidate the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. This will take effect on September 1st.
Stitt had the following to say regarding the consolidation: “By co-locating these two agencies, we will bolster response capabilities, streamline coordination and leverage existing resources for stronger prevention programs and more effective operations.” More than half of the states have consolidated offices between Homeland Security and the Department of Emergency Management. Copan Public Schools has a major bond issue next Tuesday and school leaders say that the district is due for some upgrades. Copan Superintendent Chris Smith goes through some of the needed improvements.
Any person who paid $500 in property taxes this year can expect to pay an additional three dollars per month with the approval of the $750,000 bond issue. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The Oklahoma State Department of Health is reporting an additional 746 coronavirus cases, this according to the latest situation update. Ten more deaths across the state are being reported, none locally.
Washington County is currently reporting 85 active cases at this time. Osage County is reporting 162 active cases, this comes after more than 100 cases were reported at the Dick Conner Correctional Facility in Hominy over the weekend. Meanwhile, Nowata County is currently at 12 active cases. There are currently 564 people hospitalized due to the coronavirus. The COVID-19 alert map will be available in tomorrow’s Oklahoma State Department of Health Report. American Airlines has announced that it will be suspending service for 15 small cities with low demand come October, including Stillwater. American Airlines and other U.S. passenger carriers that accepted portions of the $25 billion in federal payroll support were required to maintain minimum levels of service through September 30th.
Labor unions and executives from American Airlines are urging lawmakers to provide another $25 billion in payroll grants and loans. This has gained bi-partisan support in Congress, but lawmakers have failed to reach a deal for a second coronavirus aid package, which could include the additional airline aid. American Airlines had prepared to cut service to as many as 30 cities and the cuts will begin to take effect on October 7th. Air travel has plunged amid the pandemic, but has rebounded some since its five-decade low in April when travel restrictions first began. This year’s Miles for Mammograms 5K and race and 2K walk will be a virtual race this year between Saturday, Sept. 26th and Sunday, Oct. 4th. The event was originally scheduled to take place on September 26th beginning at the Tower Center at Unity Square. The funds raised will support Family HealthCare Clinic’s Free Mammogram Program, providing free mammograms for those who need them.
Participants can register by going to milesformammograms.org. Registration is $30 for adults and $20 for kids aged 12 and under. The Miles for Mammograms theme is, “Pink the Ville,” therefore contestants are encouraged to wear pink when running or walking. Executive Director of the Family HealthCare Clinic had this to say of the event: “We typically provide 50 to 75 free mammogram coupons per year. This year we have already given out 60 mammogram coupons as of August 1st and we are on track to meet or exceed previous years.” You can also support the free mammogram program by participating in the, “Sleeping for Mammograms” category. For more information on Miles for Mammograms, or how you could schedule a free mammogram screening, call 918-336-4822. A Caney Valley Public Schools employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
Superintendent Steven Cantrell said there is nothing more important to the Caney Valley School District than the safety and health of their students, their staff and their families. All students at Caney Valley Elementary could have had close contact with the teacher, so the district will be closing on-site instruction and will utilize its remote learning platform from Thursday, Aug. 20th through Friday, Aug. 28th. Cantrell says the district is working directly with county health officials to address this situation. He says it is important to know that should your child start exhibiting COVID related symptoms, it is strongly recommended that you contact their primary care physician or the local health department to have them tested immediately. During remote learning, Caney Valley Schools will allow high school outdoor activities to continue. All indoor activities and middle school outdoor activities will be suspended and made up if possible. Practices may continue on a voluntary basis. Caney Valley will continue to follow all COVID-19 related safety procedures including requiring temperature checks prior to any activity for anyone entering a school facility, the strong encouragement for patrons to wear masks and social distancing from family units. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all students in first through eighth grade must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to gain admittance into an athletic event being played at a Caney Valley facility. Cantrell says the greatest priority is the safety of students, staff and community members. It is important to remember that children are greatly influenced by the reactions of adults when facing difficult circumstances. Cantrell encourages everyone to remain calm and to be empathic and respectful to those affected. A Bartlesville man has been arrested and is being charged for domestic abuse by strangulation and resisting arrest.
On Tuesday evening, Bartlesville police officers were dispatched to the area of 1455 SW Santa Fe Ave. in Bartlesville. A court affidavit states that the suspect, Germaine Good, grabbed the female victim by her throat and drug her to their vehicle. The victim vomited because Good grabbed her. Furthermore, the affidavit says officers observed red markings that were beginning to bruise on either side of the victim’s neck, which would be consistent with the victim being strangled. When officers attempted to place Good in handcuffs, he pulled away and resisted the arrest. He was given multiple commands to stop resisting and place his hands behind his back. Good’s bond was set at $25,000 on the condition that he has no contact with the alleged victim. He is due back in court on Friday, Aug. 28th. A Bartlesville man has been arrested and is being charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and paraphernalia.
Early Wednesday morning, a Bartlesville Police Officer was on patrol in the 400 Block of SE Adams Blvd. A court affidavit states that at this time, the officer made contact with the suspect, Joshua Hill in relation to a warrant in Washington County. The affidavit goes on to say that while Hill was in handcuffs, he attempted to discard narcotics from his wallet. A search of the suspect showed a hypodermic syringe in his left shorts pocket. The baggies Hill attempted to discard contained a white, crystal like substance that the officer recognized as methamphetamine. Hill’s bond was set at $10,000 on the condition that he has no contact with the alleged victim in his previous case. He is due back in court on Friday, Aug. 28th. Interim Health Commissioner for the State of Oklahoma, Lance Frye, issued a public health advisory last Friday in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Frye wants Oklahomans to participate in certain guidelines for the next four weeks to drive down the number of positive cases and help schools open safely.
For those in orange and red colored counties, those aged 11 and older should wear face coverings when in public. Statewide, those persons should wear face coverings when in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, prisons, retirement homes and other community living centers. For those entering the state from an area with a substantial amount of community spread, a face covering should be worn in public spaces and indoor gatherings should be limited for 10 to 14 days. Here is what Frye had to say on the matter: “While we are encouraged to see our case numbers continue to trend down and our hospitalization numbers on the decline, I want to caution that now is not the time to ease up on our efforts, rather to lean in and continue to be aggressive in steps we are taking to slow the spread.” A coronavirus alert map can be viewed at coronavirus.health.ok.gov. |
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