Oklahoma Career Tech recently celebrated its 54th annual conference and a familiar name won the top award. Lindel Fields, who recently retired as Superintendent and CEO from Tri County Tech, took home the Francis Tuttle Career Excellence Award. State Director of Oklahoma Career Tech, Marcie Mack had this to say:
“This event is a celebration of your perseverance in navigating the shifting landscape and re-enforcing why Oklahoma Career Tech is the best in the nation.” While Fields was superintendent at Tri County Tech, enrollment tripled and graduation, along with job placement rate has been above 90 percent dating back to 2010. In the last 60 days, Pawhuska Code Enforcer Steve Hughes has been forced to send out around 40 public nuisance letters, mostly dealing with tall grass. He says most people have complied with the letters and fixed their property up. Hughes talks about another problem they face when people do mow their yards, though.
Hughes went on to say that a lot of the lake lots are being transferred to new owners and he explained what he has been doing throughout that process. Hughes added that demolition work on abandoned houses continues across town. At a recent city council meeting in Pawhuska, concern was raised regarding local EMS personnel responding to phone calls, but not being able to make money off of the services they provide. A member of the Pawhuska EMS staff explains what is happening.
They can't say how much money they are losing off of these calls, but it is significant and something that is going to be looked into to see how they can make those calls billable. Administrators at Pawhuska Public Schools felt it would be best to offer three-year old's the opportunity to go to school. After doing research, faculty members felt as if there was a need in the community to have a structured learning environment for those children. Assistant Superintendent Beverly Moore provides more details.
Moore says Pawhuska should be happy to have such a program. Class sizes will be capped at 20 students. Skiatook's Third Thursday in the Park is coming up next week at Central Park. There will be food vendors, arts and craft merchants bounce houses and a splash pad for the kids. The Cellmates will also be performing live under the gazebo.
This is an event the Skiatook Chamber of Commerce puts on during the spring, summer and fall months. The event always begins at 6 p.m. For more information, call the Chamber at 918-396-3702. The Board of Osage County Commissioners will convene for a regularly scheduled meeting at the fairgrounds on Monday morning. District Attorney Mike Fisher will be giving a presentation regarding the possibility of using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to make an expansion to the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska. This has been an on-going topic of discussion for several years and Fisher recently explained why this is the right time to make these additions.
At the meeting, there will also be discussion regarding the possibility of making further amendments for the public entering the courthouse and other county-owned buildings. This comes a week after the commissioners took action to strongly recommend the public wear masks when entering the buildings. Monday's meeting begins at 10 o' clock in the morning for those interested in attending. Pawhuska starts the school year next Thursday and a safe return to learn plan has been implemented for both faculty and students. Assistant Superintendent Beverly Moore said even if the school's health task force wanted to, the school is unable to put a mask mandate in place because the Governor has not instituted a State of Emergency and it is also up to the guidance of the local Health Department.
Moore does highlight some of the changes made to the plan as students return to campus. Heading into this year, those in grades six through twelve are eligible to do virtual learning, a blended model or in-person. Moore explains why this isn't available for those in elementary school. Moore did say that the school is working with students who may have extenuating circumstances, which prevents them from coming to school. The Bartlesville Police Department can confirm that a 17-year old Bartlesville resident, who had been missing since July 12th has safely returned home. Warren Morrow with the Bartlesville Police Department can confirm Evan Lino has returned home, as his aunt went to Maine to pick Lino up.
Lino utiltized a long-haul trucker to get to Portland, Maine and upon arriving at a youth shelter, Portland, Maine police contacted Bartlesville Police at which time the aunt went to get Lino. COVID-19 cases are rising across the area and with that, hospitalizations are climbing once again as well. A spokesperson with Ascension St. John had this to say:
“Safe and timely access to essential care is vitally important and the safety od our patients and staff remains our top priority. While we have a surge plan in place and are still performing surgeries and procedures our patients need urgently or in an emergency, the current surge of COVID-19 cases may require that we adjust our staffing needs and limit other services we are able to offer our patients.” The hospital says the best way to combat the rise in cases is wearing masks when indoors, avoiding large gatherings and getting the vaccine. Pawhuska Public Schools is working to get a $500,000 grant that would last over five years and benefit the library. It would help the junior high and middle school library especially with something you wouldn't think a school would be promoting. Assistant Superintendent Beverly Moore explains.
The school recently learned it received a grant allowing elementary school students to particapate in a ballet in partnership with the Dance Maker Academy. Moore is currently working with the Oklahoma Arts Council to get a grant to get after school drama classes. This would also be in partnership with the Dance Maker Academy. |
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