Jenks Tribune Digital Issue 11 - October 25, 2019

• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •

SEE INSIDE

Vice mayor, City Council Ward 4 to be decided Nov. 18 Kyle Salomon ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

FINAL DAY FOR SILENT AUCTION The BancFirst Jenks silent auction to benefit the United Way will conclude at 5 p.m. today. Read the story on Page 7A.

BEATING THE BULLDOGS The Jenks football team earned its fourth win of the season Oct. 17 with a trampling of Edmond Memorial. Read the story on Page 1B.

Following Dr. Josh Wedman’s resignation Oct. 7 as Jenks’ vice mayor and the Ward 4 representative on the Jenks City Council, the City of Jenks and Jenks City Council is now tasked with filling those two seats.

Monday at the Jenks City Council meeting, the agenda showed that the city council would elect a new vice mayor, but city council member Kaye Lynn made a motion to postpone the vice mayor election until all the city council seats are filled.

The vice mayor’s main responsibility in the Jenks city government is to provide backup for Jenks mayor Robert Lee, if Lee is not able to perform his duties and chair the open meetings.

Lee and the city council decided Monday it was in the best interest to move the agenda item discussion on the next vice mayor after the discussion was had about how to best fill the vacant Ward 4 city council seat left by Wedman.

The Jenks City Council has 60 days to name a new city council member for Ward 4, which is Dec. 2.

After discussion among the city council, it was decided that an application process for the Ward 4 city council position will be open immediately and applicants can apply with a resume and cover letter that clearly defines why they want the position and what their vision is for the city of Jenks and how they plan on accomplishing that vision.

All applicants may be turned into the Jenks city clerk.

The applicants will be able to come to the Nov. 4 city council meeting and present their case, as to why they are the best choice to fill the empty council seat.

The Jenks city council will then vote on who they want to hire as the next Ward 4 city council member at the Nov. 18 city council meeting. Following the vote, the new council member will be sworn in and then the council will elect a new vice mayor the same night and the new vice mayor will also be sworn in to his or her new position.

The Ward 4 city council position will be posted on the Jenks Facebook page and the Continued to COUNCIL, Page 2A

JENKS PAINTS CITY PINK

If you see a Jenks Public Works truck around town, stop by and tell them how much you appreciate what they do for this city. Photo/Kyle Salomon

DOING THE DIRTY WORK Jenks Public Works keeps city running Hayden Tucker htucker@jenkstribune.com

Every morning you wake up, take a shower and drive to work. You think nothing of your daily morning routine, yet it would be impossible without the public works department.

The water you use, the streets you drive on, the parks you use are all under the jurisdiction of the Jenks public works department.

Some may ask, ‘if it’s so important, why have I never heard of it?’

Public works officials are asking the same questions.

“I really do believe that most people don’t have a very good understanding of what public works is all about and all the things that are involved in the operations,” Assistant City Manager Robert Carr said.

Public works in Jenks handles a larger range of duties than in most municipalities.

Public works covers engineering, water, wastewater, streets, parks and grounds, vehicle maintenance among other things. They play a vital role in having an easy flowing Continued to WORKS, Page 2A

Art Guild open through Thursday

For the first time, the City of Jenks painted the city pink with “Paint Jenks Pink” day last Friday to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Read the story on Page 7B.

By HAYDEN TUCKER

htucker@jenkstribune.com

*********ECRWSSEDDM****

Postal Customer Jenks, OK 74037

The Tulsa Art Guild at the Hive in Jenks will be open through Thursday. Photo/Kyle Salomon

Your chance of seeing works from the Tulsa Artists Guild at the Hive is going away soon.

Art has been on display since the beginning of the month and will run until Oct. 31.

Those interested can view the art Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“TAG is a very eclectic group,” exhibits chairman Marilyn Golla-Gass said. “You will find oil paintings,

you will find watercolors, you will find pencil drawings, encaustic, acrylic, and three-dimensional works.”

The showing is one of two the Tulsa Artists Guild holds each year.

With the number of respectable art venues dwindling, the guild doesn’t have showings as often as it would like.

There are less and less places to have an exhibit that is a good place. Some people say we could put it in a hair salon or here or there; not a good place

to put an exhibit and that (the Hive) is just a nice place.”

The Hive doubles to house the Jenks Chamber of Commerce as well as the gallery.

It’s known to be one of the premier places to hold a gallery.

“It’s a fabulous place to show art,” GollaGass said. “There aren’t many and that (The Hive) is really great. The lighting is wonderful, the space is great, the people are great to work with.”

Continued to ART, Page 6A

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID JENKS, OK PERMIT NO. 7

2A

JenksTribune.com

Jenks High Class of 1969 to meet The Jenks high school class of 1969 will reconvene half a century after graduating.

On Nov. 9, the group will meet for a tour of the original high school and to reconnect with classmates.

Events begin at 4 p.m. with an optional tour of the original high school. At 5:30 p.m., ’69 graduates can take a tour of the planetarium.

The reception will then be held from 6-10 p.m. at Jenks City Hall.

Food and drinks will be served while music from 1969 will play.

Other classes are invited to attend.

Those interested are encouraged to call Larry Williamson 2582400 or Gail Lowe 9719192. They ask those interested contact either Williamson or Lowe to gage how much food is needed.

Works

Burglaries, grand larcenies highlight Jenks police log INCIDENT REPORTS Oct. 14 through Oct. 20 BURGLARY FROM AUTO (OTHER THAN PARTS)600 N RIVERWALK The unknown suspect(s) broke the front driver side window from the victim’s truck. The suspect(s) went inside the victim’s truck without his permission or knowledge. The suspect(s) removed an electronic tablet from the front seat of Arnulfo’s truck and left the area with the victim’s property.

BURGLARY FROM AUTO600 N RIVERWALK Unknown suspect smashed in the passenger side window of the victim’s pickup, and removed several items of value from the backseat.

BURGLARY 2ND DEGREE700 PLAZA DR The unknown suspect(s)

From page 1A

community.

But now they want to show exactly how important they are to the citizens of Jenks.

Over the next year Public Works plans to unveil a plan to show that Public Works staff are first responders, too. Public Works is responsible for clearing roadways and fixing water breaks at a moment’s notice.

Police, fire, and public works all need each other to do their jobs.

“If a big storm came through here and debris was all over the place, it would be difficult for anybody to get to a site until the streets get cleared off,” Carr said. “Police and fire can’t even get to places until roads are cleared… Everyone seems to think police and fire are the first responders, and they are in a lot of cases, but I want to build up the fact that public works is equally a first responder.”

Why Public Works isn’t considered a first responder by many mostly relates to the fact that they handle more than emergencies.

The wide array of areas Public Works

Friday, October 25, 2019

employees must hit puts them in a bind in emergency situations.

The lack of employees the department is facing makes for trying times during emergencies.

On the operations level, public works employs just 20 full time and six seasonal.

There are just six engineering employees and three full time protective inspections people.

Having a small staff has already created problems this year in the flood.

Public Works was in charge of many problems related to flooding. The small staff had to adjust on the fly to ensure the community would be safe.

“It was training under fire, we did training as we went,” Carr said. “We learned a lot of lessons because we didn’t really know what to do. There was a pointin time that dispatch and the Emergency Operations Center was talking about going 24/7 and they needed someone from public works to be there also.

That’s a lot of hours.”

Luckily, the EOC didn’t need a 24 hour Public Works employee, a big break for the

broke and entered into the victim’s apartment by force while the victim was at work.

The unknown suspect(s) made entry through the front door, disconnected a television, picked it up and carried it out without the permission or knowledge of the victim.

The unknown suspect(s) went through a jewelry box located in the victim’s bedroom and removed a watch and bracelet set. The unknown suspect(s) left the scene with the victim’s property.

GRAND LARCENY- 500 N FOREST Between 10/13/19 at 0700 hours and 10/18/19 at 0700 hours, an unknown suspect stole a trailer of the victim’s property and traveled northbound on Elm St. LARCENY-700 N 5TH Unknown suspect(s) unlawfully took the victim’s cellphone without her permis-

department. But it brought to light a big issue facing Public Works.

No matter what the case is, when emergencies happen Public Works needs to be there.

“I think during the flooding it showed because Public Works would work insane hours trying to get the emergency work done but then have their everyday stuff,” City Engineer Chris Robinson said. “A sewer line break happens, they have to pull off other people to help with that while emergency is still going on.”

Though Public Works can be a juggling act, its importance in emergencies and the way we live every day life cannot be stressed enough.

And despite the lack of awareness, Public Works will keep working behind the scenes each day to keep life running smoothly for the citizens of Jenks.

“Our goal is, when people drive into this community, we want people to come across the city limits line and go, ‘wow, there’s something different here.

What is it that’s different?’ they can see the infrastructure is well taken care of. It just looks good,” Carr said.

Council

sion.

LARCENY OF MERCH FROM RETAILER <$500600 W MAIN ST The unknown subject went into the EZ Stop. The unknown subject then went out of camera view and return with a Gatorade and a Sunny D. The Subject consumed the Sunny D at the register and ordered a carton of cigarettes. As the clerk was not facing the subject, the subject grabbed the carton of cigarettes and ran out the door, leaving the Gatorade behind. The Subject did not pay for either items.

GRAND LARCENY- 2800 W MAIN Suspect(s) removed tools with a total value of $52,266 from the warehouse without permission.

LARCENY- 11200 S ELM

Unknown suspect(s) unlawfully entered a company’s locked/secured utility trailer, without force, and retrieved equipment from inside.

LARCENY- 500 W MAIN Suspect(s) took property belonging to the victim without permission, depriving the victim of use and value of the property.

ARRESTS RYAN LAW 10/14/19 WARRANT ARREST REPORT* FTP DUS; FTP TAX DUE STATE MARILYN POSTOAK 10/16/19 ASSAULT AND BATTERY; OBSTRUCTING OFFICER RANDY WHITE 10/17/19 POSS OF MARIJUANA-1ST; POSS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA; DUI LIQUOR OR DRUGS

From page 1A

City of Jenks website.

In order to be a candidate for the position, the candidate has to have lived in Ward 4 of the City of Jenks for at least six months.

The motion to open the application process

and the voting of the new city council member, as well as the new vice mayor was voted on and approved Monday by the entire city council.

Applications are available on the city’s

website at http://jenks. com/382/Ward-4-CityCouncil-Application.

Those interested may also contact the city clerk’s office at 918-2995883 or blong@jenksok. org with any questions.

To view a Ward 4 boundary map, please visit http://jenks. com/176/City-Council.

Friday, October 25, 2019

JenksTribune.com

3A

First Baptist Jenks will host Jolly Citizens throughout November for anyone in the Jenks community to enjoy.

Photos/Courtesy

First Baptist Jenks to host community-wide event

By KYLE SALOMON

ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

First Baptist Jenks is set to host Jolly Citizens, its annual event that invites any resident 55 or older to have a free meal and enjoy free entertainment.

Jolly Citizens is a ministry of First Baptist Church of Jenks to the senior citizens in Jenks and the surrounding communi-

ties.

The event has been ongoing for approximately more than 30 years.

Since the church has moved to the 11701 Elm location in 2010, the event has steadily grown from the 60 to 80, while downtown, to roughly 300 this past year. It takes a volunteer base from the church of 50 or more each month to make

this event a success.

The event is 100% supported by the tithes and offerings of the church.

“This event is about reaching out to the community,” said FBC Jenks Associate Pastor of Adults 55+, Dan Taylor. “It gives people in the community a chance to come and get a free meal with some free entertainment and

it gives our members who serve a chance to serve. We want to be welcoming to everyone.”

FBC member Chickie Coplen is the coordinator of the event and has been serving in this capacity for the past nine years. Volunteers help in different ways, such as table-top decorators, cooks, servers, greeters, table hosts

and clean-up.

The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. The meal is served by the volunteers following a prayer.

After the meal, they move across the hallway into the church’s worship center, where the longtime emcee and host, Charles Mason, entertains the guests with jokes and stories.

The program concludes by 1 p.m.

“A lot of churches do this for their church members, but not community wide,” Taylor said. “This is not us trying to get people to join our church. Our goal is to minister to as many people as possible.”

The event is Nov.4 Each senior guest is asked to bring non-perishable foods to be donated to the Jenks Community Food Bank.

4A

JenksTribune.com Jenks Tribune

Founded, owned, operated and published

by Hyperlocal LLC 329 S. Elm Street Suite #201 Jenks, Oklahoma 74037 Phone: 918-528-7272 Fax: 918-528-5605 www.jenkstribune.com

Jenks Tribune Mission Statement “We are the Jenks community’s hometown source for hyperlocal news, sports and information that the people of our community need to know.”

Jenks Tribune is mailed weekly through the Jenks Postal Office and United States Postal Service to all U.S. Postal customers in the 74037 zip code.

Friday, October 25, 2019 OPINION

HEARING FROM THE OWNER’S BOX Hello, Jenks America!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe week here in our great community.

There is a lot to get excited about this time of year in Jenks with the holidays right around the corner. The weather is cool and crisp and the leaves on the trees are starting to turn into those beautiful fall colors.

Of course, with Halloween this coming Thursday, many festivals and events are happening across the Tulsa metro and Jenks has no shortage of those.

We will start with Hallowmarine at the Oklahoma Aquarium.

The annual event will be seven days for the first time in its existence starting at 6 p.m. tonight. It will run from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight

through Thursday.

There will be many vendors and events for the little ones to take part in, as they go on the Aquarium tour dressed up in this year’s costumes. See the story inside the Jenks Tribune today to find out more about this exciting event.

Trick-or-Treat on Main will take place Thursday on Main Street in Jenks. This gives the local Jenks downtown businesses a

chance to take part in the Halloween fun with the children as they walk down Main Street in search of their favorite candy.

The annual Fall Festival will take place at the Riverwalk in Jenks from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday with the Flying Tee and Marble Slab Creamery taking part in the fun with the “Trick-or-Treat with your favorite superheroes” event during the festival.

My recommendation to the citizens of Jenks would be to get out and experience all of the Halloween fun that the Jenks community provides. Don’t just do one thing. Do them all and give your children an experience they will never forget.

I want to personally thank the City of Jenks for putting on “Paint Jenks Pink” last Friday.

It was an amazing sight to get on social media Friday and see the numerous photos and hashtags that were taking place with people supporting and raising awareness for breast cancer. According to the City, this event will become a normal occurrence in Jenks, and it will be even bigger in the years to come.

Well, that is all for today folks. I hope you all have a fun and safe weekend and have an exciting Halloween.

Enjoy your last week in October and we will see you again on Nov. 1.

Thank you for reading.

I hope you enjoy the Jenks Tribune.

Sincerely, Kyle Salomon ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

GUEST COLUMN

MAIN STREET MATTERS WITH SARAH CLAVIN Kyle Salomon Owner of Hyperlocal LLC Publisher of Jenks Tribune

Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 918-231-0787 Email: ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

Hayden Tucker Director of Media Jenks Tribune

Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 405-651-8451 Email: htucker@jenkstribune.com

Jinger Wiesman Graphic Designer/Marketing Jenks Tribune

Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Email: jwiesman@jenkstribune.com

We recently moved our family across town to a new house in a new neighborhood. With three kids, the moving part itself was a month long ordeal, but the more difficult adjustment came after the clothes had been hung, and the dishes put away. For a few weeks, the kids had a hard time going to bed at night, and no one was sleeping particularly well. In the midst of our sleepless states, we decided to try a few things that might help us all get a little more acquainted with our area, and thereby a little more comfortable at night.

One of the more immediate exercises we tried was walking around the neighborhood (no pun intended).

As we did this we were able to have a better feel for the lay of the land, the streets where we now live tend to be a bit windy and can leave you questioning which direction you need to go to get home.

But more importantly, walking around the neighborhood as a fam-

ily, allowed us to meet our new neighbors. Our neighborhood is pretty quiet, mostly due in fact to the age and stage in life of those we live close to. There are some mornings where we see more cats in the cul de sac in front of our house than we do people. But in the back, behind our home, we were lucky enough to have a young family with children who stair step the ages of our own kids.

Our houses share a mostly private fence, with the exception of a few areas the pickets are spread out a little further than the rest.

These gaps in the fence have become a respite for our kids; a place

they run to in the mornings, half dressed in their jammies, to see if the neighbor kids are awake yet. The place where our neighbors little girl peers through the posts and asks my daughter to play. They are breaking down barriers in our increasingly private worlds. Just this past week, on an evening I had to work late, their mom offered to feed my kids dinner alongside her own family. We’ve only lived in our house for a little over a month, and yet here she was, treating my children like her own.

To say that bedtimes have been easier, and sleep has been sweeter would be just to scratch the surface of the strides in transition we have made here in our new home. We attribute so much to the fact that those who surround us (and barely know us), have been welcoming and loving, despite our crazy kids and yappy dog. Each day as we drive to school or when I head out on a run, the lyrics of a timeless song play as the

soundtrack in my head.

“It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor.

Would you be mine?”

Maybe you don’t have a fence in the back yard with a few pickets missing, and maybe you’re not the one who just moved into a new neighborhood. But rather, maybe you are the one watching the new family move in, or you haven’t yet met those who live near you. Wouldn’t it be nice to be a little old fashion and take the new family a plate of cookies or some mums (I hear they are in season now) to say welcome, I am here if you need me?

And then watch how a little kindness creates a big community in all of our neighborhoods.

I am grateful for those that have welcomed us and treated our family with great hospitality. But even more, I am grateful for the life lessons my children have learned in this transition that wouldn’t have been possible without the magic of the missing pickets.

Friday, October 25, 2019

JenksTribune.com

5A

Jenks Chamber to host Trick-orTreat on Main on Halloween The Jenks Chamber of Commerce will host an evening of treats, games and more at the third annual Trick-or-

Treat on Main Street event Thursday, October 31, from 4-6 p.m.

Downtown Jenks will

become a home to ghouls, goblins and more for a one-of-a-kind Halloween celebration.

Businesses in the Jenks

area will set up decorated tables with many treats on First Street, including fun activities such as lawn games

and photo booths.

Main Street merchants will also participate in passing out candy and other items

from their storefronts.

The community is invited to attend the family-friendly event in costume.

6A

JenksTribune.com

Friday, October 25, 2019

Looking for art? Go and check out the Hive in Jenks to see the final week of the Tulsa Art Guild through Thursday. Photo/Kyle Salomon

Art

Jenks resident hits the century mark Jenks resident Ruth Kiester celebrated her 100th birthday Oct. 1. Kiester is retired from the Tinker Air force Base in Midwest City. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland and Bristow. She is also a member of the Centenarians of Oklahoma and her words of wisdom are “Get an education!”.

Photo/Courtesy

From page 1A

The Hive frequents art shows but representatives say ‘Showing Our Colors’ is unique in that it appeals to all.

“Tulsa Artist Guild’s ’Showing Our Colors’ exhibit is truly diverse in medium, including bronze statues, segmented woodworking, clay on board and photography,” Jenks Chamber of Commerce Director of Communications Lane Castleberry said.

“October’s exhibit is a great example of how creativity manifests itself in different ways.

I believe TAG has done a terrific job providing

a diverse and talent-filled show with something for everyone.”

Tulsa Artists Guild has been around for roughly 20 years. Those who wish to be a member must be sponsored and submit work to be evaluated and voted on by members of the guild.

Once a new member is in, they’re put to work.

“As a member you are expected to be on one of the committees and work,” Golla-Gass said. “It’s not a huge group so everyone has to pitch in and do their

work.”

Golla-Gass has been part of Tulsa Artists Guild for a decade now.

She has work currently showing at the Hive.

Visitors may note the unusual style that is portrayed in three of her works. Golla-Gass is one of the few in the region who practices encaustic art.

Encaustic is a combination of beeswax, demar crystals and oil pigment.

Once the layers are painted on, Golla-Gass burns it with a heat gun or torch.

“I took a class in Canada and went to a conference,” she said.

“You don’t see a lot of it around here.”

7A • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •

Chamber hosts congressional reps at luncheon

Congressional representatives Brian O’Hara from the office of Congressman Kevin Hern, Derek Osborn from the office of Senator James Lankford and Jared Ward from the office of Senator Jim Inhofe spoke last week at the Jenks chamber luncheon. Photo/Courtesy

The Jenks Chamber featured a Congressional panel at its October Monthly Luncheon on Oct. 16. Panelists included Brian O’Hara from the office of Congressman Kevin Hern, Derek Osborn from the office of Senator James Lankford, and Jared Ward from the office of Senator Jim Inhofe.

Topics ranged from current news topics, the potential highway transportation bill and state of the nation’s economy.

The Jenks Chamber of Commerce hosts a luncheon on the third Wednesday of each month featuring networking opportunities and a speaker targeting business development, legislative policy, career coaching and other important topics. The Chamber does not host luncheons in June or December.

BancFirst hosting silent auction to benefit United Way

By KYLE SALOMON

ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

BancFirst Jenks is hosting a silent auction to help those in need.

The auction will run through 5 p.m. today.

All of the proceeds earned from the fundraiser will go to United Way. The silent auction will be set up in the lobby of the bank.

People can come in during normal bank hours and place a bid on a particular item or multiple items.

“We want to invest in our local communities and help those in need,” Amy Southerland, Senior Vice President of BancFirst Jenks. “The holidays are a special time of year and we want to help those in need. This is an important time of year. We love to sponsor this program and love to help the United Way in whatever way we can.”

Items in the silent auction: -Oklahoma State

wrestling singlet autographed by entire OSU wrestling team -Oklahoma State wrestling headgear autographed by Daton Fix, No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country -Two $50 gift cards from Got Wood -Basket of various kitchen items from Restaurant Equipment and Supply -$50 gift card from Restaurant Equipment and Supply -Coach large shoulder bag in signature Jacquard and gold accents from Kathy and Gary Head -Two tickets to see “A Christmas Carol” at Tulsa Performing Arts Center from Tulsa Metal Finishing -Pumpkin basket with a $50 gift card, four dog toys, dog treats, paw print tumblers, cologne and waste bags from U Dirty Dawg -Two hand-painted antique windows in fall and winter décor from Dee Christner and Melissa Owen

-Two $50 gift cards to Russo’s Coal Fired Kitchen from Russo’s Coal Fired Kitchen -Home décor or flowers from Rathbone’s -Various items, umbrella, travel Yeti mug, stadium blanket, metal baskets, misc. items from BancFirst -Two color comfort sweatshirts and two long-sleeve Jenks Trojan gear from Lil Red Design Boutique -Large ceramic pumpkin from Cobber Deans -One bottle of Ledson California “Hood Mountain” Gunsight Red Wine 2016 and Textured 2014 Chardonnay -CBD products basket from CBD Plus USA -Hand-carved wood bowl with turquois inlay and wood-burned design from L.D. Exendine & C. Lemons -Hand-carded wood puzzle from Intarsia Woodworking and John Brach -Hand-carved rabbit décor from Intarsia Woodworking and John Brach

Today is the final day of the silent auction at BancFirst in Jenks. All of the proceeds will go to the United Way. The bank is open until 5 p.m. Photo/Kyle Salomon

Smitty’s Garage looks to make impact in community Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer, located in Tulsa just across the Jenks bridge, is eager to make an impact in the community.

Smitty’s Garage is

looking for non-profits in the area, who are interested in participating in a benefit night hosted by the restaurant.

It provides a way for

members of the non-profit to get together and raise money, while enjoying food and the family-oriented atmosphere the Garage employs.

Benefit nights take place Monday through Thursday during the three-hour dinner time slot and 10% of the food and beverage sales gets donated to that

particular non-profit.

The benefit night will be advertised on the Garage’s social media accounts and in house.

If interested in having a benefit night at

the Garage, call 918-2967239 or email garageriverside@halsmith.com and ask for Luther or Whitney.

The Garage is located at 9718 Riverside Pkwy.

8A

JenksTribune.com

Friday, October 25, 2019

1B

• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •

Girls cross country confident heading into regional meet

By HAYDEN TUCKER

htucker@jenkstribune.com

Jenks girls cross country has been hot all season and they’ll look to continue that at the regional meet this weekend.

The Lady Trojans have yet to drop a meet this season with the exception of the Chile Pepper Festival. All season the focus has been on making the state meet and at regionals, that mentality will be stressed.

“We’re still looking strong,” coach Rachael Graddy said. “We won our conference meet last week. We’re

just taking it one day at a time and keeping our goal the same and not trying to get too relaxed.”

At the Frontier Valley Conference meet Jenks took first place, edging out Sapulpa and Owasso. Each team in the Frontier Valley Conference will see each other again at regionals.

Also joining the Frontier Valley Conference in the regional meet is Choctaw, Edmond North, Enid, Muskogee, Mustang, Ponca City and Stillwater.

Of the teams in the regional pool,

Jenks’ biggest competitors are those they’ve been seeing all season.

“Broken Arrow has Payton Hinkle and she’s definitely one that’s going to go out at the start of the race,” Graddy said. “I know Avery (Mazzei) will go out with Payton.

“Owasso always has a good team, we’ll be prepared for them. Sapulpa has some great runners. Bixby has some good runners at the top this year. We just want to go out and compete.”

The number of teams and runners at the regional meet will be bigger

than most meets, yet it won’t have the same feel as the state meet.

“Since its regionals every girl does their job and finishes strong,” Graddy said. “Regionals seems like a smaller meet because it doesn’t have as many teams as Chile Pepper would have. Mentally it’s not as nerve wracking for the girls with a smaller start line. Still just knowing to go out and get the job done.”

The regional meet will be held Oct. 26 at Rod Sitton in Sand Springs. The Lady Trojans begin their race at 10 a.m.

Trojans top Bulldogs

By HAYDEN TUCKER

htucker@jenkstribune.com

EDMOND – Following three-consecutive lopsided wins, it seems like a long time ago Jenks football was on a losing slide.

After falling to 1-3, the Trojans now sit at 4-3 after a 55-10 victory over Edmond Memorial (0-7, 0-4) and have gotten above .500 in impressive fashion.

When times were bleak, players on the team knew it was time for a change.

“Coming off those three losses we knew we needed to flip a switch to get back on track,” senior captain Will Cox said. “I think the seniors took over and everyone took it up a notch.”

The Trojans haven’t

just taken it up a notch, they’ve turned the dial up to 10 over the last three games.

Jenks has outscored its opponents 185-34 during its hot stretch.

Offense and defense alike have stepped up to deliver big performances.

The Trojans did to

Edmond Memorial Thursday what they’ve done to Enid and Yukon.

Jenks found its way into the endzone eight times, scoring in a variety of ways, on the ground, through the Continued to TOP, Page 3B

At left, a group of Trojans team up to tackle the Edmond Memorial ball carrier. Above, Griffin Forbes extends his arm to create running space. Photos/Hayden Tucker

Building character

Jenks ends season with first round exit at state

through martial arts

By HAYDEN TUCKER

htucker@jenkstribune.com

Mikiah Perdue rises up for the kill over two Broken Arrow players. Photo/Hayden Tucker Jenks volleyball ended its season Monday, losing to Broken Arrow in the first round of the state tournament.

The Lady Trojans lost in a straight set sweep (25-16, 25-18, 25-21) by the Lady Tigers. During the regular season the two teams played twice, splitting the series.

Broken Arrow would go on to be state runner-up after falling to Edmond North in the title game.

Jenks finishes the season 18-15 and regional champions.

A Jenks Martial Arts Academy student practices his craft. JMAA is led by Justin Dunham, who started with 20 students and now is one of the premier martial arts programs in the area. Photo/Courtesy

In 2005 Justin Dunham exited off the turnpike into Jenks having spent his last 60 cents to pay the toll. Today, he’s leading the area’s foremost martial arts academy.

Dunham moved to the Tulsa area in 2005 for a work opportunity and two years later his life took him down the path that led him to where he is today.

In 2007 Dunham took over a dying martial arts school of 20 students. In 2019, Jenks Martial Arts Academy is at capacity.

It took Dunham some time and growing over the last 12 years to get JMAA to where it is now, but it’s all part of the same process he instills in his students each day.

Dunham started in a small office space in the Elm Street Market building with a staff of just one, himself. Despite the lack of staff, he managed to bring more and more students in each week.

“It was to the point we had so many students, in good conscience I couldn’t sign them up,” Dunham said. “It was a good problem to have. I was there every morning at 10 and I was leaving around 10 every night. I answered the phone, I cleaned the bathrooms, I sold the t-shirts. It was a challenge.”

After five years in the first location, Dunham Continued to JMAA, Page 2B

2B

JenksTribune.com

JMAA

Friday, October 25, 2019

From page 1B

had the opportunity to own his own building. He purchased the old Jenks pharmacy building on West Main Street and converted it into the martial arts building he always wanted.

Jenks Martial Arts Academy doubled in size and then began to grow.

“Being able to add instructor programs really kind of sharpens the sword and decides who are we and each year we try to evolve and see what’s working and not working.”

The time spent at the second building was brief but important for the structure of the program heading forward.

Today, JMAA is housed at Titan Sports Complex.

They sacrificed size for more convenient ways of people finding it.

But make no mistake JMAA is successful today because of where they’ve been and their dedication to creating great martial arts students.

“Our main focus, where we are right now, we are a character building program and our platform is teaching martial arts,” Dunham said. “Our business platform encourages goal setting and our instructors provide genuine feedback and a support system to help our students be successful in achieving goals.

That’s where character comes in.”

The martial arts have proved to make this system effective.

JMAA activities include tae-kwon-do, krav maga, jiu jitzu and group self defense classes. All classes require students to work on meeting requirements, but tae-kwon-do is at the forefront.

“With each belt and each level, the students are required to meet A, B and C,” Dunham said. “As a beginner student they’re working on beginner techniques… As the students progress, the curriculum becomes more detailed and more challenging.”

JMAA isn’t going to let students have their ranks, they must earn them.

“One thing we pride ourselves on here is, we don’t give rank away,” Dunham said. “There are many schools out there that don’t conduct business the same way. One thing I feel everybody can agree on after experiencing JMAA, if someone has earned a belt or a stripe, it wasn’t given to them. It was well earned.”

What Dunham has learned in his time in Jenks building Jenks Martial Arts Academy has led him down a successful path. Teaching the next generation how to possess a strong work ethic is a point of pride with him.

Dunham hopes by teaching students how to deal with challenges it will help them in the future.

“What we’re doing is teaching character,” he said.

“We’re giving, equipping and arming students with skills that are going to help them cope with challenges in life. When a student has the opportunity to move to the next level, they must meet the minimum standard… if the student can do it, great. If they can’t do it, then it’s only fair to keep that student at that level until they’re capable of achieving that and moving forward.”

Justin Dunham, fourth from right, started Jenks Martial Arts Academy in 2007 with 20 students and has grown it into a premier martial arts program. Photos/Courtesy

Friday, October 25, 2019

JenksTribune.com

Tyson Ward trips up the Edmond Memorial ball carrier in the air.

Stephen Kittleman passes on the run. Kittleman threw for 233 yards. Photos/Hayden Tucker

Top

3B

Above, Grant Lohr eludes defenders. Below, Stephen Kittleman scans the field on a run.

Jayden Patrick finds a hole in the defense on a punt return.

Patrick returned four punts for 38 yards.

From page 1B

air, and on special teams.

Quarterback Stephen Kittleman added a 12-yard touchdown pass to James Pruitt to his 233-yard passing night. Grant Lohr, Kobey Rogers and Griffin Forbes each got in on the action, scoring on rushing attempts.

It was Cox who sliced and diced the Bulldog defense all night. He turned out 137 rushing yards on nine attempts. Cox also recovered a Tyson Ward blocked punt in the endzone, a feat he’d yet to accomplish before Thursday.

“I just grabbed the ball, I credit that to Tyson,” Cox said. “I’ve never done that before, so it was a cool thing to do.”

Cox led the way for Jenks’ running game on a hot night. The Trojans compiled 223 total rushing yards in the game. Cox said he and his teammates have the luxury of a hardworking offensive line.

“I was just reading everything my line gave me,” he said. “We’ve got a great five guys up front, they just kind of give me a bunch of holes to

run through so I’m thankful for them.”

Much like in the two games before, Jenks was masterful on offense and limiting on defense.

Edmond Memorial was outgained by the Trojans in total yards 468 to 175. Jenks didn’t let its opponent make many big plays; the Bulldogs converted only 12 first downs.

These lopsided wins have come thanks to an overall sound Trojan team who learned their lesson during non-district games.

“Our preparation changed,” Cox said. “We get after it in practice.

We’re trying to limit all the big plays and I think that’s something that we learned in the first couple of non-district games.”

Jenks will be on the road again this Friday at Norman for another 7 p.m. kickoff. Follow that game with the Jenks Tribune social media or listen to play-by-play commentary on 107.9 The Franchise.

4B

JenksTribune.com

Friday, October 25, 2019

Broken Arrow upends Jenksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; state run early

Jenks lost to Broken Arrow in three sets Monday in the state tournament. Photos/Hayden Tucker

5B • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •

‘Paint Jenks Pink’ exceeds expectations in inaugural year

By HAYDEN TUCKER

htucker@jenkstribune.com

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the City of Jenks hosted the first-ever “Paint Jenks Pink” day last Friday.

Photos/Courtesy

The City of Jenks’ newest community involvement effort was a success.

Last Friday the City asked citizens to wear pink for the new “Paint Jenks Pink” effort in honor of National Wear Pink Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Oct. 18 was National Wear Pink Day and response from the community was overwhelming given the short amount of time taken to put it together.

City of Jenks Director of Communications Katie Butterfield and Jenks Police Department’s Megan Taylor coordinated the event together on short notice. Each year JPD makes shirts for special causes and this year, Butterfield wanted everyone to be involved.

“We just knew Jenks was such a great community and they jump on board with things and we thought this would be the first step of really trying to get a community effort to something that’s a great cause,” Butterfield said.

For added incentive, the City of Jenks was giving away four tickets to two people who entered their drawing. By sending in pictures or using the hastag #PaintJenksPink, residents put themselves in a drawing for the prize. Amy McFarland and Angie Statum were the winners.

The Police Department was scheduled to give out 100 shirts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Wednesday before. No one assumed the shirts would all be gone by the end of the day, however, all shirts were gone by 10:15 a.m.

The city knew little of what turnout would come out of it but giving out all shirts Wednesday morning was an indicator of what was to come.

On Oct. 18, the number of people wearing pink in the Jenks community was overwhelming.

Nearly all city staff including police and fire were dressed up in pink.

Businesses jumped in on the event, too.

Lil Red Designs Boutique gave discounts to customers wearing pink and offered patrons to write the name of a breast cancer survivor on a pink ribbon to be displayed.

“It wasn’t just residents, which we did have an overwhelming response to our contest, it was that we expected residents, but we had no idea businesses would jump on board too,” Butterfield said.

The response to Paint Jenks Pink has Butterfield and the City looking toward the future.

“It’s such a national awareness, pink is branded now, they’re getting closer and closer to finding cures and treatments that are working,” Butterfield said. “This is something our community responds to. When they respond to something and get excited about something, why wouldn’t we want to do it again?”

Butterfield says the City hopes with more planning, Paint Jenks Pink can be an annual attraction.

“Next year we’re going to make it bigger, maybe have an event downtown,” she said. “Something that we can continue this and put Jenks on the map that everyone in the region knows it’s paint Jenks pink day. That’s our plan, to take this and the response from the community and thank them, say we heard you, we saw you, we’re going to continue this.”

Aquarium allows more open dtes for Hallowmarine

By KYLE SALOMON

ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

For the 15th consecutive year, the Oklahoma Aquarium will host Hallowmarine in celebration of Halloween.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. tonight and run through Thursday. Every night the doors will open at 6 p.m. and close at 9 p.m.

“This is the first year we have gone to seven nights instead of five,” Oklahoma Aquarium Chief Marketing Officer, Andrea Leitch said. “We decided to go to seven nights to give people more opportunities to come on the weekend since Halloween falls on a Thursday this year.”

According to Leitch, because of the seven nights, there are more vendors than any previous year with roughly 90,000 pieces of candy being passed around throughout the week.

“We have always had a pee-wee pirate zone in the past, but this is probably the most polished we have been with the event this year,” Leitch said.

“The event will take place all throughout the aquarium with many kid-friendly activities.”

The entire Oklahoma Aquarium staff will be working all seven nights with volunteer help from local high school students.

According to Leitch, the aquarium staff is expecting up to a couple thousand people rolling through every night.

“It is a good opportunity for families who normally wouldn’t come to the aquarium to come because ticket prices are lower than what they normally are,” Leitch said. “The education department here is also planning several fun activities to allow our visitors to interact with the animals. We are always excited to see what the Jenks Fire Department and Jenks Police Department have planned. They always do something that is fun and exciting for the kids.”

Ticket prices for adult members are $13 and for children ages 3 to 12 are $9. Ticket prices for adult non-members are $15 and children ages 3 to 12 are $11. Children younger than three get in free.

The annual event, Hallowmarine, will take place tonight through Thursday. It is the first time in 15 years the event will be seven nights. The Halloween-themed event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. every night. Photo/Kyle Salomon

6B

JenksTribune.com

Friday, October 25, 2019

Turning Jenks pink

Pet of the Week Bravo Meet Officer Jenny Crow and Bravo. Bravo is a very well-behaved mixed breed that is shy at first, but quickly warms up to everyone. He is probably 2 years old or under and is VERY smart, so training shouldn’t be too difficult. Bravo would love to have a home before the holidays; if you’d like to meet Bravo or any of his adoptable friends, call Jenks Animal Control at 918-299-6311 or email animalcontrol@jenksok.org

According to the City of Jenks Communications Director, Katie Butterfield, the City of Jenks will make “Paint Jenks Pink” day an annual event every October. Photos/Courtesy

Friday, October 25, 2019

OBITUARY Thomas Wright Diehl Thomas Wright Diehl, born December 14, 1924, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Daniel and Mary Diehl. Tom passed from this life, with family by his side, on October 19, 2019, from complications of COPD. Tom, as he was always called, spent his early years and college years in Stillwater. He attended Oklahoma A&M College, and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Economics, after service in WWII as a SeaBee in the Navy. In 1948 he married Elizabeth Rising.

After graduation the couple moved to Tulsa.

Tom worked for Hope Lumber Company, then was a purchasing agent for Dowell. After Dowell, Tom was general manager of Acme Machine Inc., President of Cooper Rig Mfg, and then he and his son decided to start their own company in 1976, Diehl Enterprises of Jenks. Diehl Enterprises fabricated

oil field equipment.

When the oil industry declined in 1981, Tom and his son, Dan, started a fiberglass business for the aviation industry and Tom and Dan worked side by side as Diehl Aeronautical Co until his death. In their spare time, he and Dan worked on and built many homes, boats, airplanes and cars through the years. Tom and Elizabeth also enjoyed traveling the world. As all who knew him would attest, Tom was a loving, caring, non-judgmental person who was supportive of his children and others.

He was a Boy Scout

leader for many years and an active member of Asbury Methodist Church. Tom was one of the “good guys”, and many people he knew looked up to him as a father figure and role model. Tom was predeceased in death by his parents, a sister, and his wife of 69 years. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Carol Holt of Albuquerque, NM, Jane Specketer of Denver, CO, and Dan Diehl of Jenks, OK. He also had 3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life Service: Inverness Village – Founder’s Hall, 3800 W. 71st, Tulsa, OK. Saturday, December 14, 2019, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, Tom requested memorial contributions can be made in honor of Elizabeth Diehl to: Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or online: www.alz.org

Getting their pink on The entire Jenks community helped take part in the first-ever “Paint Jenks Pink” day last Friday to help support and raise awareness for breast cancer. Photo/Courtesy

JenksTribune.com

7B

8B

JenksTribune.com

Friday, October 25, 2019

B O U T I Q U E

Offering Branding & Graphic Design Services To Jenks And The Surrounding Area

JINGER WIESMAN 918.813.0654 381CREATIVE.COM