OFD rushes to OHS to investigate report of carbon monoxide
Trip turns into latest ‘False Alarm’
Motorists passing Okmulgee High School on Tuesday morning may have noticed a fleet of city-owned vehicles parked at the school, including three units from the Okmulgee Fire Department.
In these days of violence in our nation’s school, such a sight can be very unsettling.
“Why are there so many fire trucks and other emergency vehicles at the high school,” a local citizen asked in a call to the Okmulgee Times. “I hope nothing bad is happening.”
To the relief of the caller and others who witnessed the fire trucks at OHS, it was nothing serious. In fact, it was just a false alarm.
The city vehicles remained on site until confirming they were no longer needed there.
“It was a false alarm,” said Okmulgee Fire Marshal Rick Chisum.
The OFD received an alert at 9:03 a.m. that there were issues in the school buildings related to carbon monoxide monitoring. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless toxic flammable gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon. It can be very dangerous if not noticed.
The Okmulgee Fire Department immediately dispatched units (a total of six) to the high school. The fire fighters investigated the carbon monoxide levels and determined very quickly that they were fine and it was a false alarm.
The fire marshal indicated this was not the first trip the OFD has made to the high school this school year.
“There have been a very high amount of calls (with false alarms) during the last several weeks,” he said.
Despite the warning, the students were not evaccuated from classes during the OFD investigation of the carbon monoxide.
Creeks hosting 2 conferences this week
Two conferences involving Native and international indigenous peoples are being held this week in and near Okmulgee.
Attendees will include distinguished elders, traditional leaders, and honored guests from the Philippines, New Zealand, Guatemala, Colombia, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Hawaii, Alaska, as well as Indigenous peoples from all across the United States.
The 2nd International Indigenous Peoples Corn Conference, Vce Ohfvnkv en Heromkv , “Corn is a Gift from the Creator”, was co-sponsored by the International Indian Treaty Conference (IITC) and the Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative (MFSI). The event was held Sept. 8 and 9 at the Mvskoke Dome, Claude Cox Omniplex in Okmulgee.
The conference included roundtables on such topics as “The Spiritual, Cultural and Nutritional Meaning of Corn,” “Threats to Corn and Traditional Food Systems of Indigenous Peoples,” and “Solutions, Advances, and Visions for the Future.”
The second conference is the 40th Anniversary International Treaty Council Conference.
“Commemorating 40 Years of Defending the Rights and Recognition of Indigenous Peoples,” and will be held in the heart of the Muscogee Nation, seven miles east of Okemah, Okla., on Sept. 10-12.
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) is a non-profit organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific working for the Sovereignty and Self Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Rights, Treaties, Traditional Cultures and Sacred Lands.
This conference will be held at the home place of one of the IITC co-founders, the late Phillip Deere. Deere was a Muscogee (Creek) citizen and traditional spiritual leader who held the first treaty council meeting at his home east of Okemah 40 years ago. The meeting was held in what is known as a “Roundhouse,” a traditional Creek meeting place used for highly discussed topics. A new Roundhouse was recently constructed on the site to accommodate the upcoming event. Some of this year’s topics of are, “Struggles of Indigenous Tribes in Oklahoma,” “Human Rights, Protection of Sacred Areas, Cultural and Spiritual Rights,” and “Environmental Health.”
Local tax totals increase
The city sales tax picture looked ‘up’ for five of the seven cities or towns in Okmulgee County. That’s the indication from the Oklahoma Sales Tax Commission from their most recent data.
Okmulgee, Beggs, Morris, Grayson and Schulter all showed increases in sales tax collections. Meanwhile, Henryetta and Dewar both suffered declines.
Okmulgee collected $518,262.58 in city sales taxes, up from the $511,539.06 reported a year ago at the same time.
Henryetta’s tax colelctions were $204,461.99, which is a slight drop from $207,835.24 in 2013. See all the local totals at the end of this report.
Statewide, the August distribution of sales tax collections by the Oklahoma Tax Commission primarily represents local tax receipts from June business.
The disbursement of $137,369,180 in sales tax collections was returned to 511 cities and towns. That total reflects an increase of $2,660,146. A total of $134,709,034 was distributed to 510 cities and towns in August last year.
he use tax disbursement of $11,697,357 was distributed between 383 cities and towns.
In county returns, 76 counties shared in a $31,249,632 sales tax disbursement. The use tax disbursement of $2,663,412 was distributed between 74 counties.
Here are the Okmulgee County totals from the August report:
City Sales Tax Aug. ‘14 Aug. ‘13
Okmulgee $518,262.58 $511,539.06
Henryetta $204,461.99 $207,835.24
Beggs $32,152.04 $29,131.35
Morris $25,303.83 $22,872.64
Dewar $8,846.99 $11,184.97
Grayson $273.22 $125.00
Schulter $428.57 $330.01
City Use Tax
Beggs $8,988.71 $5,761.62
Dewar $204.65 $185.17
Grayson $179.62 $177.26
Henryetta $9,928.08 $10,363.91
Morris $9,479.20 $1,057.14
Okmulgee $13,550.31 $13,574.00
Schulter $18.16 $15.90
County Sales Tax
Okmulgee Co. $283,134.09 $280,374.95
County Use Tax
Okmulgee Co. $14,790.89 $11,292.41
Obituaries
FRANCES PIPER
Frances Piper of Oologah, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2014 in Tulsa. She was 74. Frances was born September 29, 1939 in Beggs, OK to Guy and Bertha (Daily) Piper. She moved from Beggs to Tulsa and worked in furniture retail for multiple years. Frances then moved to Oologah where she worked as a Loan Clerk at Lakeside State Bank until her retirement. She had a great love of animals, especially her Chihuahuas Sandy and Gidget. Frances loved spending time with her family and treated her nieces and nephews as her own. She will be greatly missed.
Frances is survived by her sisters, Clara Piper Engle of Poteau and Linda Piper Kolman of Oologah; her nieces and nephews, Jim Bullard, Connie Bullard Jahnke, Debbie Bullard Norrick, Eddie Guthary, Johnnie Guthary, Paul Guthary, Pam Guthary Anderson, Beth Piper Rader, Paul Engle, David Engle, Kim Engle Wise, Ann Castator Fletcher, Suzan Piper Kolman Saville, and Kim Piper Weaver; and a host of great nieces and nephews, family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to your local animal rescue center.
A Funeral Service will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at the Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Phil McGehee officiating. Interment will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Beggs Cemetery in Beggs, OK. Services are under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home.
DARLINE BEST
Martha Darline Eck Best was born October 23, 1933, in Collinsville, Oklahoma, to Fred Rufus Eck and Chloia Cecil McGill. She died Sunday, September 7, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 80 years. Darline was reared and educated in Poteau, Oklahoma, and was a graduate of Poteau High School class of 1951. She was married April 30, 1994, in Poteau, Oklahoma, to Bill Best. Darline worked as a Bank Teller for various banks, but spent the majority of her career at Bank of Oklahoma, working there for 19 years. As a young girl she liked to skate and ride horses, and as she grew older she enjoyed a variety of pastimes including sewing, quilting and reading. Darline was a loving wife and mother and most of all enjoyed the time she spent with her family.
Loving family members include: Two daughters and sons-in-law;
Sheryl and Ron Neal, of Tulsa; Shannon and David Groover, of Morris, OK; Son and daughter-in-law; Bruce and Susan Murray, of Tulsa, OK
Step Children: Marilyn Best, of Lawrence, KS; Randy and Mary Best, of Lakeville, MN; Karen and Tad Laurence, of Lansing, KS. Three Sisters;
Donna Mitchell, of Owasso; Elizabeth Ann Neff, of Poteau, OK; Freda Carol Reed and husband John, of Poteau, OK
She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Jeffrey Gordon Murray, and sister, Selma Ruth Eck.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2014, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2014, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso with Bob Rosser officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery in Owasso. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
Phyllis Ann Greenlee
Phyllis Ann Greenlee, a resident of Okmulgee, passed away Monday, September 8, 2014 at the age of 54.
No services are planned.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Jackson Funeral Home and Crematory in Okmulgee.
Friends may send their condolences to www.jacksonfhandcrematory.com
JACKIE LEE BURGESS
Jackie Lee Burgess, resident of Okmulgee, died at home on September 8, 2014 at 73 years of age. Arrangements are under the direction of McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. No services are planned at this time. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Jackie’s tribute page at www.mcclendon-winters.com
ROGER LEROY CURRAN
Roger Leroy Curran, a resident of Okmulgee, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2014 at the age of 59. Memorial Services are pending at this time under the direction of the Jackson Funeral Home and Crematory in Okmulgee. Friends may send their condolences to www.jacksonfhandcrematory.com
PATRICK REYNOLDS
Patrick Reynolds died in Tulsa on September 9, 2014 at 43 years of age. Services are pending with McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Patrick’s tribute page at www. mcclendon-winters.com
Curlera Lee Evington
Curlera Lee Evington, 85, a resident of Henryetta, died Monday, September 8, 2014. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, September 12th, 2014 at the Church of Christ, Henryetta, Oklahoma Burial will be in the Westlawn Cemetery under the direction of the Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta.
St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church
Second Annual Health Fair Saturday
SMMBC is excited to bring to the Okmulgee Community their Second Annual Health Fair. It is our goal to help members of our church and our community know the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and use preventive care by having annual checkups.
The event will be Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 1001 E. Chicago in Okmulgee.
FREE Activities planned for this special day are:
1. Pre-screening for hypertension/high blood pressure
2. Pre- screening for diabetes
3. Dr. Tim Sanford - speaking on prostate health and women’s health (Door prize after speaker)
4. May’s Plus Home Health of Okmulgee
5. Okmulgee Health Department on Healthy Living
6. Darita Thompson will feature 30 minute nutritional meals for young adults
7. Oklahoma Blood Institute - Blood drive with a chance to win a pair of 2014 Bedlam Football Tickets and every donor receives a choice of Bedlam t-shirt
8. YMCA will demonstrate Yoga and give information on the benefits of Yoga
9. Games and snacks
There will be a drawing every 30 minutes for prizes.
For more information contact Terry Perkins at 918-752-5123
Norma Kemp at 918-756-2021
Calendar of Events
Prayer Band
The City Wide Prayer Band will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 11th at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1500 N. Miami Street. The public is invited. Rev. David Burks is the Prayer Band pastor.
VFW BEAN DINNER
The Okmulgee VFW, 1427 N. Okmulgee, will hold their monthly bean dinner this Friday, September 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the public is invited.
Morris Lions to hold annual car show
The Morris Lions will have their annual car show on Saturday, September 13, 2014. Cars and trucks are invited.
Registration starts at 9:00 a.m., awards will be given at 2:00 p.m. The Lions Club is asking for ideas from citizens to make the car show a bigger draw.
For more info call Herman L. Thompson at 918-733-4898 or 918- 758-9195, or email: hermanlThomp son5@windstream.net and Lion member Monte Womack at 580-
286-8055, or email: mwomack@ morris.k12.ok.us.com
DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
Don Johnson from Disabled American Veterans will be at Muscogee Creek Nation Physical Rehabilitation Center, 900 E. Airport Road, Okmulgee (formerly George Nigh Rehabilitation Center) to assist area veterans and their families in applying for VA Benefits on Wednesday, September 17th from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
RETIRED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
There will be meeting of the Okmulgee County Retired School Employees Association at 11:00 A.M. Monday , September 22, 2014 at the OSUIT Student Union. Theo Crawley the East Central District Director of OREA will give the program. The school cafeteria will be open for those that want to have lunch. The business meeting will start at noon. Bring someone with you, and spend a few minutes visiting with anyone that is there for the first time. this will be our first meeting for 2014-2015. We will have our meetings every other month. Hope to see you there.
Church Giveaway
Church of the Living God where Elder OJ Higgs, Jr presides, . 1301 W. Eufaula, will have a Church yard giveaway, clothing and other items from 8 to 12 noon on Saturday, September 13th. For more information call 918 756-3838
Bow Shoot
Okmulgee County Bow Hunters Assoc., Friends of the Deep Fork and Deep Fork Wildlife Refugre are sponsoring a bow shoot on Saturday, september 13th. Gate opens at 8 a.m. There is traditional and compound categories and two age groups - youth (16 and under) and adult. There is a cost for rounds for each age group and concessions will be available. For more information call Lori Jones at 918-652-0485 or James Lay at 918-519-3342.
Tutors Needed for Adult Literacy Program
Would you like to help your community grow by sharing your knowledge and time?
The Okmulgee Library is looking for volunteer tutors for the Adult Literacy Program.
Illiteracy is a challenge which affects 1 of every 5 Oklahomans.
If you are interested in making a difference, please contact the Okmulgee Public Library at (918) 756-1448
Friends of the Public Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Public Library Book Sale is coming soon. The sale is open to the public on Friday, September 19th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, September 20 from 8 a.m. to noon. Friends members get to shop early on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. If you would like to become a Friends member, please see any attendant at the front desk of the library. Please support your public library.
Crochet Club
The OHCE Crochet Club will hold their regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 1:00 pm. The group will meet at the county extension office to discuss upcoming events and plan projects. New officers and dues will also be on the agenda. Anyone is welcome to attend, call 918-756-0723 for more information.
Story Time at the Library
Story Time is every Wednesday morning at the Okmulgee Public Library, 218 S. Okmulgee Ave.
First Friends lap sit story time meets at 10:00. This play group / story time is for infants, 1 and 2 year olds.
Circle of Friends story time meets at 11:00. This story time/ craft time is for 3,4, and 5 year olds.
Register when you arrive. Everyone is welcome! Come join the fun!
For more information contact Jeana Robinson at 918-756-1448.
Garage Sale
A big garage sale will be held at Highland Park Nursing Home, 1307 RD Miller Drive on September 12 and 13. Stop by and shop.
OHS Band Seeks Donation to Help Purchase Trophies for Upcoming Contest
The Okmulgee HIgh School band is accepting donations for trophies for the 2014 Okmulgee Bulldog Invitational Marching Contest. Contact Band Director Rusty Helms at Okmulgee High School.
Community Breakfast
Don’t forget the September Community Breakfast sponsored by the Dunbar All-School Association, Inc. Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dunbar Learning Academy, 420 East 2nd Street, Okmulgee. Breakfast is free. Sorry - no carryouts. Please no soliciting.