Local/Area News
May is traditionally known as “Buddy Poppy Month,” across the nation.
In Henryetta, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 539 marked that observance with a proclamation signed Thursday by mayor Michael Dickey. With him were VFW members.
Post members will be distributing red buddy poppies at Walmart and Homeland.
The local event is part of the annual event dating back to 1922 and is held along with the Memorial Day observance. The Buddy Poppy was designed to honor all of the soldiers in all of the wars, and it is the National flower of the National Memorial Day. All donations made to the VFW thru red buddy poppy drive helps veterans in so many ways.
Henryetta’s VFW helps veterans get their VA benefits, distributes food at the Feed the Vets program every 90 days, maintains all of the flags on Main Street, and we also sponsor the annual District 7 VFW Loyalty Days Family Freedom Festival to promote the American Spirit and community service.
In addition to those projects, the VFW places bronze military tombstone foot markers on the graves of soldiers, place flags on all military veterans graves at several cemeteries in Henryetta as well as the surrounding area cemeteries.
James Brison, a business management major from Dewar, was named Outstanding Junior.
Mabrey Been, a professional media major from Henryetta, was named Outstanding Freshman.
“We are proud of our students and student organizations for their leadership efforts across our campus,” said Aubrey Frazier, director of student engagement at UCO.
Authority members agreed to fund up to $32,000 for electrical hookups and $27,500 toward roof repairs at the bath house.
City manager David Bullard said the electric hookups would help draw more people to camp at the lake and, in turn, bring more revenue to the town. Those hookups would initially be placed just to the east of the caretaker’s building. It would be the start of a long-range project that could eventually see camping sites spread throughout the park offering both tent and camping trailer spaces. He pointed out that a large metal tank could be placed at the park to be used as a camper waste dump site.
He presented a bid from Coy Construction in Okemah for $27,500 to remove the rusting and worn-out corrugated tin roofing at the bathhouse and replace it with new shingles. That work would include new decking on the roof, ice and rain guards, as well as replacing plank decking. A five year warranty is included in the package.
“Every week I have several calls asking about camping sites at Nichols,” said HEDA secretary Genny Moody. “I have to tell them it is primitive camping only with no electric or water.”
Bullard also discussed the plans for construction of a new water tower on the hill next to Warren Road overlooking the high school complex.
He said that water storage facility would replace an old water tank on the hill that has been unused for the past three years. It would increase water pressure for the hospital as well as residents in that area and help eliminate water supply disruptions for homes on the hill. Currently they are being served by the 50,000 gallon elevated water tower on North Third.
Bullard said work is underway getting the final easements for the sewer line that will serve the Casey’s store to be built west of town.
Authority members are reviewing a contract that would form a partnership between HEDA and the Okmulgee Area Development Corporation (OADC). No agreement was reached with authority members to bring back their ideas at the May meeting.
Members of First Family Credit Union gathered at the Henryetta high school auditorium for the annual meeting Tuesday night. During the session, the group heard FFFCU president David Dykes announce the soon-to-be-installed ITM in Okemah that will enable members to discuss their accounts. He also said the Atoka office is expected to be completed later this year giving more people an opportunity to be part of the Henryetta-based credit union.
Three candidates, R.David Walker, Steve Ward and Ivan Funk are seeking the District 2 county commissioner seat. Ward is the current officeholder.
For County clerk, Tonya Day (incumbent) will be facing Tiffany Withrow.
The only other county offices up for election were court clerk and county sheriff. No one filed against Charly Criner for court clerk or Eddy Rice for sheriff.
Republicans will also be voting June 18 for the three candidates for corporation commissioner. They include J. Brian Bingman, Justin Hornback and Russell Ray. Also filing for that state office were Chad Williams as a Libertarian and Harold D. Spradling as a Democrat. Their names will be on the November ballot.
In November, voters will be choosing between incumbent Scott Fetgatter and Rosie Lynch for the District 16 State representative post. Fetgatter is a Republican and Lynch is a Democrat.
The District 2 Congressional race will be decided in November with incumbent Josh Brecheen (Republican) running against Brandon Wade (Democrat) and Ronnie Hopkins (Independent).
May 24 is the last day for anyone wishing to register for the June 18 election. Absentee ballot applications can be taken until June 3.