OFD is testing fire hydrants across town

Acting fire chief warns of
dirty water during process

The City of Okmulgee Fire Department is currently conducting fire hydrant testing.
“We are currently testing Hydrants on Wood Drive, Sioux Street, Chickasaw Street, Osage Street and Miami Street for the week of August 25th thru the 29th,” said Acting Fire Chief Bruce Swearingen. “We will be testing North to South on each street until complete and then move east to the next street and test South to North finishing on the east side of the City when testing is complete.”
Testing begins at 8:00 AM and concludes at 4:00 PM Monday thru Thursday.
“We realize that hydrant testing temporarily makes your water dirty and we suggest to run your outside hydrant to clear your pipes if testing is in your area.
“We realize this is an inconveniance but the Insurance Service Offices mandates we test hydrants annually to keep your Insurance rates as affordable as possible. Testing is also important to insure adequate water supply and hydrant operation in the event of an emergency.”
For any questions or concerns contact the Okmulgee Fire Department at (918) 756-3265.

Morris to hold Eagle Park Project event Wednesday

Morris Public Schools and the City of Morris invite the public to attend a groundbreaking ceremony in celebration of the Eagle Park Project.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. today -Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - at the site on the northern edge of Morris. The location is adjacent to the Morris Animal Science Facility at 16195 North 6th Street.
Here is the itinerary for the dedication:
9:30 - 9:45: Registration / Refreshments
9:45 – 10:00: Participants Transported to Location of Groundbreaking Ceremony
10:00 – 10:20 : Groundbreaking Ceremony
• Staging of Ceremony Participants
• Welcome
• Introduction of Dignitaries
• Park Highlights
• Groundbreaking
• Post – Groundbreaking Remarks
• Dismissal
10:20 – 11:00: Participants Transported Back to Animal Science Facility

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge set Sept. 6

Public is invited to come to downtown

Okmulgee and help with worthy cause

OKMULGEE - The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is sweeping America. It is a fundraiser challenge that is all over Facebook and everywhere else the message can be shared.
Lots of Okmulgee residents have individually pitched in to help this cause. However, Teresa Brewer, co-owner of 1240 The Brew radio station, is taking the event to a much larger scale. She is inviting everyone in the Okmulgee community to join forces and make it a very public project.
She hopes to see a large crowd come to downtown Okmulgee at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 6th.   She is organizing an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge at 4 p.m. It will be on the lawn of the Historic Creek Nation Council House.
Each person is urged to make a donation, have fun, show support, make a difference and unite as a community.
She said 1240 The Brew Challenges Okmulgee to participate in the event.
“We would like to invite everyone downtown on September 6th at 4:00PM for ALS awareness and other local charity awareness,” she said.
On a far more serious note, Teresa told a personal story of how she has become painfully aware of ALS and how it can destroy families and destroy lives. Here is her story:  
“I lost a very close friend and former employer to ALS 2 years ago!  I saw first-hand the daily struggles and saw the anxiety of not having a CURE for this horrific disease!  My friend, Albert Hutchinson, had full cognitive awareness up until his last breath.  I watched a 6'4' man's strong body melt into a body that was bedridden and unable to move any limb or part of his body.
“Eventually, he was unable to breathe.  It was heart-wrenching not to be able to help other than through fervent prayer.   His beautiful wife of 35 years was by his side every day until the end!  Never giving up hope and always trusting, always researching and finding ways to nutritionally sustaining his body.  Through her vows, I witnesses the greatest strength a wife could have!
“Albert suffered; he spoke often of dying but mostly living!  He gave me courage through his unwavering positive attitude!  Today, I want to honor him and the 30,000 people who have this horrible disease!  Let's rally this great city of Okmulgee that Brooks and I now call HOME - and show others how much we support this cause and other local needs!  Won't you join me?  Bring your friends, your family, a towel and your donation!  Help me spread the word!
“Currently there is only one drug approved by the FDA to treat ALS, which modestly extends survival by 2-3 months. ALS is 100% fatal. The disease progressively debilitates patients by eventually taking their ability to eat, speak, walk and eventually breathe.”
Teresa invites and encourages everyone in the community to come down to the square on Saturday, September 5 to support the battle against ALS. Together, we can help to make a difference.

2nd International Indigenous Peoples

Corn Conference Set for September 8-9
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is hosting dignitaries from across the world September 7-12 and encourages Creek citizens to participate and attend either or both of the following free international conferences offered that week

OKMULGEE, Okla. – The International Indian Treaty Council is co-hosting the 2nd International Indigenous Peoples Corn Conference with Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative in Okmulgee on Sept. 8-9. The conference is titled ‘Vce Ohfvnkv en Heromkv - Corn is a Gift from the Creator.’ It will take place at the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Mvskoke Dome, which is located at the Claude Cox Omniplex.  Another event closely tied to the Corn Conference is the IITC’s 40th Anniversary Treaty Conference, September 10 – 12 in Okemah, Okla., on the Phillip Deere Family Land. The theme of the IITC Conference is “Commemorating 40 years Defending the Rights and Recognition of Indigenous Peoples.”
Onsite registration for the People’s Corn Conference will take place beginning Sept. 8 at 7:30 a.m.  For more information on the People’s Corn Conference, call MFSI at 918-756-5915.  

Muscogee (Creek) Nation WIC Program is a

step ahead to meet new 2020 Federal mandates

OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee Creek Nation recently opened its new Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program building that will now push it into the new age and help it meet federal mandates.
The new facility is an energy saving Structural Insulated Panel, or SIPs, project and is the first of its kind on the MCN campus. The Muscogee Creek National Council appropriated funds for the half-million dollar facility located on the MCN campus in Okmulgee.
Along with the growing number of clients, the new home will help accommodate the USDA’s 2020 mandate that will require WIC agencies to switch to an Electronic Benefit Transfer (debit card) for transactions. The new building is fully equipped with the latest Information Technology (IT) to successfully make that transition. “Our new space was built with the future in mind, “ MCN WIC Director Katura Bunner said. “We are set up to better serve our participants. The MCN has already begun the planning stages of our EBT project and the new building having the latest technology and equipment to eliminate technological barriers we once faced. We are now better equipped to support that conversion when that time comes.”
The MCN WIC program was established in 1995. Its client base has grown to 3,000 with more than half being served from the Okmulgee agency.
As part of the celebration, the Oklahoma Caring Van will be on site to offer “free” back to school immunizations for children of all ages.
The MCN WIC program is open to the public for all those who meet requirements. The tribe invites the media and public to come to its Open House, set for Friday, August 29, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Principal Chief George Tiger will be present to make opening remarks. The facility is located at 2507 Raccoon Drive, Okmulgee, Okla.

County Election Results for August 26, 2014

Okmulgee County News Source

Support the Okmulgee Bulldogs
The Okmulgee High School and Middle School fall sports calendar is back from the printers and ready for fans to pick up a free copy.  Kara Cremel and Adria Lunsford of Okmulgee’s Sonic Drive-in displays the calendar. The schedules are listed for high school, junior varsity football, high school and junior high softball, and high school and junior high cross country. You can pick up a free calendar at OHS or at the Okmulgee Times editorial department as long as supplies last. (Staff photo)

Help ‘Feed the Bulldogs’
St. Matthews Baptist Church along with Calvary Baptist and Eastside Baptist Churches has teamed up with the Okmulgee Athletic Department to feed the High School football team a pre-game meal before every game this season.  Anyone interested in helping with monetary donations, food, or supplies please call Mark (918)232-2212 or Shon Tuggle (918)756-4388.  Thank you in advance.

Obituaries

LEVESTER WILSON
Mrs. Levester Wilson, after 93 seasons of life, "moved Near the Cross" on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Levester was born in Beggs, Oklahoma on June 22, 1921, the precious daughter of Leon Pickens and Mary Bell Chapel.
 She attended Olympia School at an early age until the 8th grade.  While still at an impressionable age, she came to know the Lord and accepted Him as her personal Savior.
 As a young woman, she married Jewell White and from their union, two children were born;  Hubert E. White and a stillborn daughter.
 In 1945, she and her son moved to Arizona to live and then later returned to Okmulgee.  In July of 1952, she met and later married Otis Wilson and they remained married until his death.
 Mrs. Wilson was a longtime beautician, taking care of her clients in her shop at her home.  She was also a Cook for Okmulgee Public Schools for 20 years at Historic Dunbar High School and later, Okmulgee Schools.
 After her retirement, she was active in "two" Prayer Bands;  one in Okmulgee and the other in Beggs.   You could always find her going to Church or the Prayer Band activities.  She loved the Lord and was a committed servant.
 Mrs. Wilson was a faithful member of the St. Matthew Baptist Church until her health began to fail.
 Those that remain to wait on the Lord;  one son, Hubert E. White;  her grandchildren who were more like her children;  daughters, Pamela, of the home;  Tonya; her sons, Steve White, Anthony White, Patrick White, Hubert White, Jr., and Stevie Mangum;  a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; her dear cousins, Vera Biglow, Bonnie Ruth and Dewetta;  other relatives and a very special friend, Sarah Fultz.
The Hour of Reflection will commence on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. in the most Holy sanctuary of the St. Matthew Baptist Church.  Her Pastor, Reverend McKinley Rice, Sr., will Preside.   Burial will follow in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery in Okmulgee.  You may visit Mrs. Wilson, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home on Wednesday from 12 Noon until 6 PM.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc. - Okmulgee.

ISRAEL JAMES REED
Israel James Reed died August 16, 2014.  He was born: May 21, 1936 in Sharp, Oklahoma.
He was a retired Farmland Foods employee.
Survivors:
Nancy L. Reed, Spouse
James W. (Sonya) Reed, Son
Eric Reed, Son
Christopher Reed , Son
Marcus Dewayne Reed, Son
Chaquil Reed, Son
Shakur Reed, Son
Danna Mayfield, Daughter
Valerie Mitchell, Daughter
Yolanda Carol Wimbley, Daughter
Kelly Reed, Daughter
Gladys McFall, Sister
14 Grandchildren and 20 Great-Grandchildren
Preceded in Death By
Willie and Cora Willis Reed, Parents
Pauline Farley, Sister
Willa Mae Morris, Sister
Cletis Reed, Sister
Harold Reed, Brother
Cleothis Reed, Brother
Leothis Reed, Brother
Services Celebration of Life was held Tuesday August 26, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Greater Pentecostal COGIC.  Arrangements were under the direction of the Jackson Mortuary, Wichita, KS.
www.thejacksonmortuary.com

EDDIE L. HOLMES
Eddie L. Holmes died in Tulsa on August 22, 2014 at 77 years of age.  Eddie was born April 16, 1937 in Flora, Mississippi to Otha and Maggie Dell (Moore) Holmes.  In 1981, in Deming, New Mexico, he married the late Prentice Marie Criswell.  Eddie accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was a member of the Jubilee Christian Center in Okmulgee.
    Eddie was preceded in death by his wife on March 31, 2009, his parents, a sister Mary Lee Holmes and three brothers:  Louis, Otha, Jr. and Freddie Holmes.  He is survived by seven children: Patricia Ann Dotson of Jackson, Mississippi, Bettye Holmes-Smith of Boyds, Maryland, Jacqueline Renee Jones of Madison, Mississippi, Eddie Lee Holmes, Jr. of Ridgeland, Mississippi, Dr. Nathaniel Holmes of Atlanta, Georgia, Elizabeth Pelky of Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Cali Jo Holmes also of Okmulgee, four sisters: Annie Holmes, Gladys Steen, Flora M. Gates and Wilmon Holmes and four brothers: Clifton Holmes, Willie Earl Holmes, Larry Holmes and Anthony Holmes.
    A funeral service will be held in Jackson, Mississippi with interment at the Garden Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was held on Tuesday from 9:00 – 5:00 P.M. at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home in Okmulgee.  Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Eddie’s tribute page at www.mcclendon-winters.com

PHILLIP LYNN SAWYER
Phillip Lynn Sawyer, resident of Beggs, died in Tulsa on August 25, 2014 at 49 years of age.  Phillip was born in Woodward, Oklahoma on May 27, 1965 to Ronald and Wilma Sawyer.  Services are pending with McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Beggs.  Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Phillip’s tribute page at www.mcclendon-winters.com

JACK MURPHY JR.
Jack  Murphy Jr., 79, Taxi Driver, died August 21, 2014 in Skiatook, services are Thursday, 11:00am, graveside services National Cemetery, Ft. Gibson..Jack's Memory Chapel, Tulsa

BRENDA SUE THOMPSON
Brenda Sue Thompson, a resident of Henryetta, died Thursday, August 21, 2014 in Henryetta, OK at the age of 61. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 am, August 28, 2014 at the Abundant Life Pentecostal Holiness Church in Henryetta with Rev. Becky Watkins & Rev. Suzie Stephens, officiating. Interment will follow at 4:00pm that same day at Restland Cemetery in Richardson, Texas. Services are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.

EVELYN C. TUNLEY
Evelyn  C. Tunley, 67, a retired eeducator, died Sunday, August 24, 2014 in Tulsa. Services are pending with the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc.-Tulsa Chapel.

OSUIT summer graduates career ready
More than 370 students crossed the graduation stage Friday night and began their careers on Monday, a hallmark of OSU Institute of Technology’s educational model.
The two commencement ceremonies were held Aug. 22 in Covelle Hall on the OSUIT campus. Graduates from the Automotive Technologies and Diesel and Heavy Equipment divisions had their ceremony at 7 p.m., while the remaining divisions held an earlier ceremony at 2 p.m.
Mark Rodriguez, who has been a physics instructor at OSUIT for nearly 10 years, served as keynote speaker for both ceremonies.
“OSUIT is a unique educational experience,” Rodriguez said, referring to the university’s applied and outcome-focused approach. “What you are doing as graduates is helping real people with real problems, and they will be eternally grateful for your expertise.”
Megan Palmer, who graduated from the School of Culinary Arts, served as student respondent during the first ceremony Friday.
Palmer asked her fellow graduates to think back to their first trimester at OSUIT and then to all the study sessions, lectures, tests, extracurricular activities, life in the dorms or time spent commuting every day.
“It was all worth it. We accomplished our goal,” she said. “The day that seemed so far away? It’s finally here. Walk across this stage, and know you’re taking the first steps into your future.”
Palmer thanked the instructors at OSUIT for teaching and always believing in their students.
“Our future is bright because of you,” she said.
At the evening graduation, the student respondent was George Inekiengha Eben-Spiff, a graduate of the Pro-Tech program in the Automotive Technologies division and native of Bayelsa, Nigeria.
“People ask me how I found Okmulgee all the way from Nigeria. I tell them ‘Google,’” Spiff joked, but he did convey his gratitude to his now alma mater. “I thank my instructors for the support they gave me in and out of class and my classmates for always making me feel welcome.”
Spiff admits that it was difficult getting used to life in America, but his instructors and classmates were always there to help him.
“We all have challenges and daily battles, but it’s these challenges that define us. These challenges make or break us,” he said, and now he’s ready to start his career. “No matter what you decide to do after this, do something you’re passionate about.”
During his remarks to the graduates, Rodriguez told them as they begin the next phase of their lives to remember TIES, an acronym for tenacity, integrity, excellence and service.
“Life won’t be easy. Believe in what you learned here, and improve upon it,” he said.
But the highlight of both ceremonies was the moment Rodriguez opened his guitar case and serenaded the crowds with a song, a goodbye tradition for the instructor.
This time he fashioned a song highlighting all the OSUIT programs to the tune of The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” with the new lyrics “There’s a college in Okmulgee called OSUIT. And the graduates who get trained there, have the skills our country needs.”

Mark Rodriguez, instructor of physics at OSUIT, performs an original song during commencement ceremonies Friday.  (Photo provided by OSUIT)