Local/Area News

The COVID pandemic was the underlying issue dealing with several items on the Henryetta school board agenda Monday night.
With basketball season nearly here, board members changed the school policy on masks to reflect all school property instead of facilities.
“We all agree there is a need to wear face coverings,” said superintendent Dwayne Noble. “It won’t take much for us to have to close at this point.”
He pointed out that attendance at basketball games will put “several hundred people in one building.” Football games saw us outside and spread out.” He told the board he was worried about outside people from different communities coming to the gym.
When people come to the game, they will be told that they have to wear a mask inside the building, visiting the concession stand or going to the restrooms. Once they are in their seats, according to safety guidelines, those masks can be removed. Disposable masks that cover the mouth and nose will be available.
The pandemic has the school using distance learning on Fridays. Because of that, board members voted to reduce the number of contract days for support employees. “We will pay Monday through Thursday,” Noble told the board.
Those employees affected include: Christopher Ashby, Roberta Hamric, Jamie Austin, Joyce Henderson, Kenneth Berry, Lorranie Henry, Laura Black, Ruby Jones, Megan Clason, Sherie Jones, Crystalyn Cook, Laurie King, Marshall Cook, Verna Kissee, Brooklyn Cowan, Courtney Lollis, Mary Craft, Vernon Moore, Michael Crawford, Rhonda Morton, Dana Davis, Alan Montgomery, Ralph Dennison, Beth Potter, Winter Dwiggins, Tonya Powders, Jesse Fair, Kristen Rempe, Donna Faler, Staci Sadler, James Garrett, Patty Shaddix, Leslie Gillispie, Katie Simons, Michelle Girty, Tammy Smith, Ellis Glover, Randy Stafford, Nadine Graham, Glendell Threatt, Pam Gray, Heather Turner, Melanie Green, Judy Varner, Gary Greenfield, Brad Wion, Linda Greenfield and Felicia Greenhaw.
Board members accepted the resignation of William “Jim” Wheeler and hired Terry Jones as a bus driver for the remainder of the year.
The seat now held by Brandi Brown will be coming up for election Feb. 9, 2021. She has been on the board for ten years.
“I am very proud of how hard the board worked to accomplish some great advancements for the district,” she said. “I will miss it.”
The filing period for that election will start at 8 a.m. Dec. 7 and end at 5 p.m. Dec. 9.
Noble told board members the concrete pads for the airconditioning equipment is being placed at the gymnasium. Once those pads cure, the compressors and equipment will be placed then work will start inside the building.

This year the Christmas holiday season in Henryetta is going to be promoted in a slightly different way.
The annual Christmas parade is going to be held Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. “Hometown Christmas” is the theme and the top three entries will receive awards. Float winners will be eligible to receive up to $200 in Christmas Bucks that can be spent with Henryetta merchants.
The Santa Bucks drawing will also have a new look this year.
At 2 p.m. following the parade, a series of drawing will be held at the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce office, 415 West Main with 15 winners receiving $100 in Santa Bucks. Participants must be present to claim their Santa Bucks. There will be only 15 drawings and no redraws.
Roy Madden, chamber executive director said, “To be eligible for the Santa Bucks drawings you will need to pick up your entry cards at the Chamber office located at 415 West Main Street beginning at 8 a.m. Participants must in turn visit at least five merchants listed on the card to have the card verified.”
The cards must be returned to the Chamber by 1:30 p.m. Winners will be provided a list of participating merchants accepting Santa Bucks and all purchases will be rounded to the nearest $20. All Santa Bucks must be spent by the close of business December 24.
Santa will be available for pictures at the Cowboy Park, next to the Chamber of Commerce, following the parade from 12:30  until 2 p.m.
To participate in the parade, entry forms are available at the Chamber office, downloaded HERE{phocadownload view=file|id=59|target=s} on Thehenryettan.com, the Henryetta Free-Lance or by emailing a request to the Chamber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please call 918-652-3331 for more information.
“We extend our sincere "thank you" to AEP-PSO and thehenryettan.com for their sponsorship,” Madden said.
Jeremy D. Roberts of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Henryetta recently received the firm's exclusive Spirit of Caring Award designed to recognize those financial advisors who exemplify the values, culture and spirit of giving back.
jeremy awardRoberts is a leader in the firm and an example of what a dedicated Edward Jones financial advisor can achieve. He has demonstrated unyielding dedication to giving back to his clients, community, other financial advisors, branch teams and their regional network.
Roberts said he is honored to receive the award.
"Edward Jones is a partnership. That structure is not just financial, it's a philosophy," Roberts said. "We work together, help each other and all share in the rewards of working with long-term individual investors. That brings out the best in everyone."
Roberts was one of only 295 of the firm's more than 19,000 financial advisors to receive the award.
He was also recognized for 15 years with Edward Jones with the presentation of the firm’s Service Award.
"I can't believe it's been 15 years," Roberts said. "This firm has proved to be everything I expected. It is truly dedicated to individual investors and understanding each investor's unique financial goals. For that reason, I am proud to represent this firm in Henryetta."

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Nearly 300 motorcycle racers from across the United States filled up Nichols Park this weekend.
The AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) Okie Wild West Shootout was the final race in the organization's schedule with riders competing for year-end points. 
Trampas and Sherry Parker were the organizers of the event and said it was the largest turnout in the four years the organization has been racing in Henryetta. "We were the largest race that was held all year," Parker said after the final laps were made.

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Henryetta Economic Development Authority (HEDA) members, tabled a request by Zack Patel for help funding a sewage connection on a motel project west of town.
Authority member Jennifer Munholland pointed out the sewer tap fee is $345. “I am concerned about this not being a new business but requesting HEDA funds,” she said. “This is an established business coming to HEDA for $345.”
Patel was not present for the meeting and the issue was tabled until December to allow him to be present and explain his project further.
Munholland said she met with QuikTrip officials this past week and was told “everything that needs to be done is done. They plan to start building in the spring.”
A proposed travel center and motel west of town has hit a snag with the developers wanting the property put in their name. The city granted the developers a 100-year lease earlier this year. “”We don’t want them to not develop the property,” she told the HEDA members. Broken Bow has the same thing going on with the same people,” she said.
Workers from EPA are taking soil samples at the Henryetta Iron and Metal site on West Main. The property is still privately owned and EPA is dealing with the owners.
Munholland said the owner has received several code violations but nothing has been done.
She said the combination of the pandemic and Supreme Court ruling about tribal land has caused some issues with police and fire departments.
“Because the county is in the red and we are a hot spot, police are now trying to handle non-emergency calls over the phone. If we have officers quarantined we will run into problems real soon.” There are 13 police in the department.
She went on to say the tribal land ruling has caused an issue with jurisdiction. “If you are a Native American and there is a robbery, the Lighthouse have to be called. At the same time, if the criminal is Native American, that also has to involve Lighthorse officers.”
She said police will show up if there is an emergency and if it is life threatening.
HEDA members approved reimbursing the city for $7,256.27 for Shoney’s 2.5 percent taxable sales from July 1 through Sept. 30.