Local/Area News

cindy retire

Henryetta's city hall took on a festive atmosphere Thursday as long-time court clerk Cindy Vercelli Tyler spent her remaining hours on the job. Tyler joined the municipal staff in 2003 and clocked out for the final time THursday afternoon. Family, friends and co-workers were all present for the reception honoring her for her service to the community.

anytime fitness

The workouts were interrupted Wednesday when a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Anytime Fitness. The new health facility at 303 East Main was welcomed to town by members of the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce. April Taber is the manager of the facility that features a variety of workout stations designed to help area residents improve their health and physical fitness. Memberships are available for $40 per month and the building features secured entry that provides safety for all members working out.

The city of Henryetta is currently working with the Oklahoma Municipal League to determine how to set up local laws regarding medical marijuana.
That product was the sole topic at a meeting of the Henryetta Planning and Zoning board this month.
Retired district judge David Martin explained some of the issues within the law passed last August. “Right now we have more questions than answers,” he pointed out.
Currently Oklahoma provides for eight licenses to be issued including a patient, caregiver, temporary, grower, processor, dispensary, transportation and research.
“You will probably be dealing with a dispensary,” he said. “They are popping up everywhere.”
Martin admitted the biggest problem is zoning. “You can’t enact laws the interfere with a dispensary location.” The only restriction is keeping a dispensary 1,000 feet from a public or private school. “You have a setback on liquor stores,” he pointed out.
Zoning can keep growers from operating within the city limits but, it was pointed out that there can be instances where schools are located at the edge of the city limits.
Members of the board were told a business license fee can be established for a dispensary but it cannot be so high as to make it unduly restrictive.
“There is legislation going through the Capitol that we hope will address some of these issues,” he added.
No date was set for a proposed city ordinance dealing with medical marijuana to be brought before the city council.

Construction is just about completed and a public unveiling is scheduled for the First Family Federal Credit Union corporate office March 5.building front
The financial institution at 315 West Main will be showing off the newly refurbished building from 2 to 5 p.m. with Credit Union members and non-members invited to tour the building.
First Family officially obtained the keys of the new corporate location in April 2018 and has spent many months renovating it.
Located in the historic J.C. Penney building, the new offices cover over 38,000 square feet. That has been remodeled to accommodate new offices for administrative employees including the CEO/President, Executive Vice President, Administrative Assistant, Internal Auditor, Member Information Specialist and the Accounting and Marketing Departments.
“We’re thrilled that we can contribute to the ongoing progress in the Henryetta community,” FFFCU CEO David Dykes said. “Not only have we expanded to better assist our members but have also added rental space to encourage new business growth along Main Street.”
The east side of the building has been reserved for a conference center, The Briefcase Business Center, and “financial well-being seminars” hosted by First Family’s Certified Financial Counselors. The west side will be leased out to businesses, leaving the center for First Family administrative office space. glass
First Family’s locations now include Okmulgee (2), Henryetta (2), Checotah, and McAlester. Members can still and will continue to conduct their transactions at the original location of 402 East Main Street. First Family’s membership is open to any person who lives, works, worships or attends school in Okmulgee, Atoka, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Latimer, McIntosh, Okfuskee, Pittsburg and Pushmataha Counties in Oklahoma.
For more information about the event, visit www.firstfamilyfcu.com or find them on Facebook.

Four abandoned houses will be removed following action by the Henryetta city council Tuesday night.
The houses, located at 205 West Cummings, 1201 West Cummings, 411 State and 211 North 13th streets were said to be in such a state of disrepair they could not be rehabilitated.
That prompted an argument by one of the property owners, Harrison Brace, jr., who requested time to bring two of the properties, both located on Cummings street, back to a livable condition.
“I don’t see any way to rehab the house (205 West Cummings). I wouldn’t have any of my family members living in it.” said councilman Ronnie Duke.
Code enforcement officer Jody Agee pointed out the doors are open and windows broken out to that property and there has been no trash service there since 2015. “It is unsecured and peple are in and out all the time.”
Brace admitted there have been squatters living in the house but he claimed attempts to remove them have resulted in threats to him. He admitted he had not talked to the police department about assistance in getting rid of them.
He also claimed he had never received any notice of the abatement plans. “I sent a certified letter to the address in Okmulgee and advertised it in the newspaper,” Agee said.
Brace countered saying proper service is placing the notice in his hands. “Certified mail and legal publication is a legal service,” countered Duke who also acts as a process server in the area.
Agee said the house at 1201 West Cummings has not had city services since July, 2016. He pointed out the back door is nailed shut and people are living there illegally as well. “They are dumping their waste in the back yard,” he said.
The house at 411 State Street was said to have been abandoned over three years not while the house on North 13th, was severely damaged in a fire last spring.
Council members unanimously agreed to abate all four properties.
In other business, the council approved:

  • A request by the Henryetta Rotary Club to use the civic center for an elementary school dance March 8;
  • Approved the purchase of an ad in the Focus magazine promoting the community;
  • Waived accrued payments in lieu of taxes for $35,880.94 to the Henryetta Housing Authority;
  • Approved a maintenance agreement with the Okmulgee County Conservation District to mow the Shurden-Leist industrial park;
  • Allowed the police department to advertise for flooring bids for a remodeling project;
  • Dedicated a 30-foot easement on the 30-acre tract of land east of the town;
  • Ordered electrical service from PSO for a sanitary sewage lift station at that same area;
  • Start the advertisement process to build the list station;
  • Approved a lump sum payment from the state Municipal Retirement Fund for Cynthia Tyler who will retire later this month;
  • Voted to allow Jennifer Munholland and Interim City Manager Donna White to attend the Settlement Conference to be able to negotiate and authorize on behalf of the City of Henryetta under the direction of Steidley and Neal and Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group.