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• FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •
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LOOKING BACK
AMUSEMENT PARK TEASE IN JENKS Despite rumors, the “Horizons Park” amusement park coming to Jenks is a hoax. Read the story on Page 2A.
-Part One-
As the end of 2019 approaches, we take a look back at some of the top stories covered by the Jenks Tribune since it launched Aug. 16. Today is part one of the two-part series. We will reflect on the first 10 weeks and choose the top story from each edition of the Jenks Tribune from Aug. 16 through Oct. 18.
Jenks Mayor Robert Lee delivers the “State of the City Address” earlier this year. Photo/File By KYLE SALOMON
ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
OUTLET MALL RENDERINGS The Tulsa Premium Outlet Mall appearance review was approved by Planning Commission Dec. 19. See outlet mall renderings on Page 5A.
A LOOK BACK AT 2019 As the 2019 year comes to an end, the Jenks Tribune takes a look back at the year’s sports highlights on Page 12A.
Week 1, Aug. 16 – Launch of Jenks Tribune; outlet mall announcement The Jenks Tribune launched its first edition on Aug. 16 giving the Jenks community its first community newspaper since the Jenks Journal closed its doors several years ago. The Tribune started out by mailing to all the mailboxes in Jenks for the first 14 weeks and then switched to free sub-
scriptions Nov. 22. Simon Premium Outlets announced the purchase of the land just south of the Creek Turnpike in Jenks by the River District to build Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks. Construction has started underground, and it is on schedule to open January of 2021.
historic Arkansas River flood that hit the Tulsa area hard. Jenks was one of those towns hit hard by the event and House Rep. Lonnie Sims launched a campaign for an Arkansas River flood study to help prevent and prepare for another event like the one we saw in 2019.
Week 2, Aug. 23 – Oklahoma House Representative Lonnie Sims announces flood study May and June saw one of the worst floods in Oklahoma history with the
Week 3, Aug. 30 – Popular horse dies in Jenks People in Jenks were saddened by Continued to 2019, Page 6A
Low water dam project faces uncertain future By KYLE SALOMON
ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
April of 2016, Jenks voters said yes to the Vision 2025 Sales Tax Extension, which included a low water dam to be built in the Arkansas River connecting Jenks and Tulsa. If certain funding does not come through in less than a year, funds allocated for that project by the City of Jenks and City of Tulsa can be used for other capital funded projects. The City of Jenks and City of Tulsa have done their part with their portion of the funds needed to build the dam, but a maintenance
endowment needs to be funded for the project to be completed and maintained. According to Jenks City Manager Chris Shrout and Assistant City Manager Robert Carr, no agreement has been reached to fund that endowment. Both Jenks and Tulsa officials say they want the project to get done. “Jenks is already a destination city with the Oklahoma Aquarium, the Riverwalk, Flying Tee and the Tulsa Premium Outlet Mall coming. This would add to that and provide some outdoor recreation for people,” Shrout said. “The maintenance endowment funding needs to be
Celebrating Christmas ‘Cousin Eddie’ style In honor of the Christmas movie classic, “Christmas Vacation”, this young man in Jenks is showing off his best “Cousin Eddie” impression. Photo/Courtesy
agreed upon by December of 2020 or the agreed upon funds from Jenks and Tulsa can be used on other capital projects.” Jenks’ share of the dam construction is $16.67 million. When describing the low water dam project, the April 2016 ballot voted yes by the voters in Jenks read: “$16,670,000 in funding proposed for Jenks/Tulsa Arkansas River low water dam project for the purposes of constructing, reconstructing, improving, remodeling, repairing, operating and maintaining the proposed low water dam and related facilities with additional funds to be used for capital projects,
including constructing roads, road maintenance and park improvements and construction.” The bond that was passed was for 55% of every penny of sales tax to go to the Vision 2025. Carr added that if the funds for the endowment do come in, it will take time to get the dam constructed and placed. “It still needs to be engineered,” Carr said. “Even if the funding comes in, it’s not like construction will start January of 2021. There are environmental factors that have to be addressed as well.” Continued to DAM, Page 9A
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Despite the excitement and buzz surrounding a potential amusement park coming to Jenks, city officials say the YouTube video showing “Horizons Park” coming to Jenks is a hoax. Photo Illustration/Courtesy
‘Horizons Park’ a hoax By HAYDEN TUCKER
htucker@jenkstribune.com
A video making its rounds on social media last week hinting at the idea of an amusement park in Jenks is false, City of Jenks officials confirmed. A video was posted to YouTube Dec. 15 by the user “Vicious J3rms”
that began by showing vintage videos of Bells Amusement Park, which has been closed for 13 years, then gesturing that a new park would take its place in Jenks named “Horizons Park.” The City of Jenks has confirmed with the Jenks Tribune these renderings are false.
“The City of Jenks has not been made aware of any plans to build an amusement park within the city of Jenks,” city manager Chris Shrout said. “If they did have those plans, they would have to go through permitting processes which would all be public, all would be subject to
going through the planning commission, go through the city council and everyone would know what the plans are. Similar to the Simon Premium process. Everything would be public, you would see all the plans but as of now we have no plans. “No one has applied
for anything, no one has come to us with plans to build an amusement park. The best we can gather is that someone made this video for fun.” Bells Amusement Park announced in September they would be rebuilding and reopening the park
“soon,” however, this park is not affiliated with Bell’s. Shrout added that Jenks would welcome a park, but that this video is a hoax. “We would welcome an amusement park to Jenks but as of now, those aren’t in the plans,” he said.
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Public Works Department celebrates holiday season with annual luncheon
The Jenks Public Works Department put on its annual holiday luncheon Friday to show appreciation for the hard work the Public Works employees do year-round for the Jenks community. Photos/Kyle Salomon
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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.
Jenks Tribune Staff Kyle Salomon
Owner: Hyperlocal LLC Publisher: Jenks Tribune Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 918-231-0787 Email: ksalomon@ jenkstribune.com
Hayden Tucker Director of Media/ Sports Editor: Jenks Tribune
Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 405-651-8451 Email: htucker@ jenkstribune.com
Jinger Wiesman
Creative Director/ Advertising Executive: Jenks Tribune Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 918-813-0654 Email: jwiesman@ jenkstribune.com
Cami Rogers Advertising Executive: Jenks Tribune Office Phone: 918-528-7272 Mobile Phone: 918-688-2264 Email: camirogers9@ cox.net
Friday, December 27, 2019
HEARING FROM THE OWNER’S BOX Hello Jenks, America! I hope everyone has a great week here in our wonderful community! I certainly hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and was able to spend quality time with those they cherish most in this meaningful season. Christmas is a great time to enjoy the many traditions this holiday provides, but none more important than the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have had an unusually warm week for this time of year, so I hope everybody was able to get outside and enjoy the mild temperatures around the craziness of the holidays. The new year is upon us and what a great year it is going to be. As we prepare for the arrival of 2020, we should all take a look back at 2019 and learn from all of our experiences we encountered in the past 365 days. Everyone had good times in 2019 and everyone had some bad times. It is important that we learn from both the good and the bad and always try and do better in 2020.
New Year’s resolutions are a good thing, but the majority of people do not keep those resolutions going longer than a month or two. I encourage everyone to take a look in the mirror and ask yourself how you can improve in 2020. What can you do to make your life better? Some things are out of our control, but most things are within our control and we can have the final say on an outcome of a situation, even if it is negative. Attitude is everything. There are glass half full people and glass half empty people. I encourage you to choose the one that is going to improve your life this next year. There is so much to
be excited about in the Jenks community in 2020. The City of Jenks itself is getting a facelift with the Horizon Jenks comprehensive plan taking center stage here in the next couple of months. The Tulsa Premium Outlet Mall will make more progress now that the appearance review and final plat has been approved by the Jenks City Council and Jenks Planning Commission. The Oklahoma Aquarium and Riverwalk always have fun and exciting events going on and Jenks Public Schools looks to stay on top of the public education world in Oklahoma with all of the wonderful things the district does to help its students prepare for a wonderful life. I strongly encourage you as Jenks citizens to jump on board with all that is going on here in this community. These are fun and exciting times and what a privilege it is for all of us to get to be a part of it as we watch this city transform into its next phase. I also encourage you to get behind your Jenks city and commu-
nity leaders. These are people who like you, want to see Jenks prosper and be the best town and community it can. We are not always going to agree, but if we all support each other and understand that the end goal is to make Jenks the best it can be, we can accomplish great things together. When you see a Jenks city leader, make sure to stop and say hi, shake their hand and tell thank you for all their hard work they do in making this place the best place to live in Oklahoma. In closing, I want to remind everyone to please be safe Tuesday on New Year’s Eve. I know it is a fun and exciting night and we all want to join in the welcoming of the new year, but make sure to be safe and do not drink and drive. That is all for today folks. Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy the Jenks Tribune and Happy New Year! Sincerely, Kyle Salomon ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
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Friday, December 27, 2019
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Planning Commission approves outlet mall appearance review
The Jenks Planning Commission approved the Simon Premium Outlets Appearance Review unanimously Dec. 19. Building permits can now be issued. Photo Illustrations/Courtesy
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The Tulsa Premium Outlet Mall will be located in the area just south of the Creek Turnpike next to the River District land. Simon Premium Outlets completed the purchase of the land in August of this year and the new mall is expected to be open in January of 2021. Photo/File
The 2019 historic Arkansas River flood was one of the worst floods in state history. Photo/File
2019
animal.
From page 1A
the passing of Roany the horse, who passed away in August. Roany was a fan favorite for those who frequented
the intersection of 111th St. and Elm St. Flowers and signs were put up for several weeks showing the support for the beloved
Week 4, Sept. 6 – G.O. Bond proposal tabled by Jenks City Council This past summer, a Capital Projects Committee was formed by the City of Jenks to
help expedite the process of getting the projects ready for the City Council to approve, so they could be placed on the November ballot for Jenks residents to vote Continued to 2019, Page 7A
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Former Jenks Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Council Member, Dr. Josh Wedman resigned his post from the City of Jenks in early October. Photo/File
Roany, the popular horse in Jenks, passed away earlier this year. Photo/File
2019
From page 6A
on in a General Obligation Bond. City Council Member Kaye Lynn voiced her concerns about the newly formed committee and her concerns forced the bond proposal to be tabled and therefore pushing the G.O. bond to the spring, where voters won’t be able to vote on the future of their city until April. Week 5, Sept. 13 – Jenks Public Schools announces Trojan Tip Line
Jenks Public Schools launched the Trojan Tip Line, which is a new tool the district hopes its students and faculty use for added safety. Trojan Tip Line is an app that allows students, parents, and staff members to send anonymous tips to administrators regarding any safety risks they may see. After launching the app, the user must choose which campus they are
in and then they can send the tip. An administrator at that location will be alerted immediately and can decide how to react from there. The app is available for iPhone and android users, but the service isn’t limited to the app. Students, parents, and faculty may also send a tip via text message to 847411. The user must type a location code followed by a space and then the information. See the end of the story for Continued to 2019, Page 8A
Happy New Year from the Pink Lily.
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United States Senator James Lankford visited Jenks this year at the Oklahoma Aquarium. Photo/File
Jenks Public Schools superintendent Dr. Stacey Butterfield was honored at the Super Breakfast earlier this year. Photo/File
2019
Superintendent Dr. Stacey Butterfield was named the state’s top superintendent for 2018 and Jenks Public Schools honored Butterfield at the Super Breakfast in late September at Jenks High School. Students, faculty and administrators came to pay tribute to Butterfield for her accomplishments while leading Jenks Public Schools. Butterfield credits the “team” she gets to work with everyday for her winning the prestigious award.
Former Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Council Member Dr. Josh Wedman stepped down in early October leaving a hole to be filled by the Jenks City Council. Wedman cited spending more time with his family and concentrating on his chiropractic business as reasons he made the decision to announce his resignation. Wedman was eventually replaced on City Council by Dawn Dyke and by fellow City Council member Donna Ogez as Vice Mayor.
Week 9, Oct. 11 – Dr. Wedman steps down from roles with city
Week 10, Oct. 18 – Jenks paints city pink
From page 7A
location codes. Week 6, Sept. 20 – Mayor Robert Lee delivers State of the City Address City of Jenks Mayor Robert Lee delivered the State of the City Address at the Jenks Chamber of Commerce September Luncheon. Lee said the City of Jenks is in a “stronger place than it has ever been” during his speech. He also said that as strong as Jenks is right now, it will only get stronger in the com-
ing years. Week 7, Sept. 27 – Oklahoma Aquarium announces license plates Fans of the Oklahoma Aquarium can now show off their enthusiasm for sea wildlife with the new Aquarium license plate. The aquarium has felt the desire to enter the license plate market for some time, but it wasn’t until earlier this year did aquarium officials seek out the requirements for creating one.
Having a license plate will help aquarium awareness around the state. The license plates cost $40 with the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation retaining half of the profits for themselves. As aquarium license plate holders renew their tags, the foundation will receive part of that money as well. Those who purchase the tag will have the option of a state-given tag number or a custom saying at no extra cost. Week 8, Oct. 4 – Dr. Stacey Butterfield honored at breakfast Jenks Public Schools
The City of Jenks painted the city pink Oct. 18 to show support and help raise awareness for Breast Cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the City of Jenks wanted to join the fight against the awful disease with this inaugural event. Pink shirts were passed out all across town for people to wear. Pink was all across Jenks that day. Weeks 11 through 20 will be highlighted next week in the Jan. 3, 2020 edition of the Jenks Tribune.
Friday, December 27, 2019
The low water dam project, that was approved by voters in 2016, is waiting on more funding before it can go under construction. Photos/Kyle Salomon
Dam
From page 1A
would allow for a landing park for people to come and go out on the water either kayaks or canoes or other recreational activities. The Jenks Tribune will update the story as the 2020 year progresses.
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Jenks teacher nominated for national award SUBMITTED Jenks High School language arts teacher Stephanie Brimacomb has been nominated for the 2019-2020 national LifeChanger of the Year award. Brimacomb was nominated by her associate principal, Eric Fox, and her colleague, Sydnie Ritz, for creating an engaging learning environment. Her teaching methods allow students to take ownership of their own learning by incorporating student-selected elements in each lesson. She believes that learning is social and utilizes creative group practices so students can learn from the diversity of others and feel their individual voices are valued. Brimacomb’s commitment to helping each individual student succeed is unparalleled. After one of her students tested below a second-grade reading level at age 15, she took the students under her wing. Brimacomb met one-on-one with the student innumerable times, differentiated her instruction, and celebrated their small successes. At the end of the school year, the students’ scores improved and gained a mentor who helped the student discover their potential. Last year, Brimacomb approached her department to propose that the school’s media center stay open during the summer to provide students with more reading opportunities. “I was floored,” said Karen Workun, a colleague. “This is par for the course with Stephanie, however. She is a persistent
innovator, a gifted teacher, and a champion for the students who need one the most. We ran with her idea, and the Trojans Read the Way initiative was born.” As part of the initiative, Brimacomb staffed the media center and started a bookmobile that traveled to students’ homes in the district. At times, she spent her own money to purchase books for students so they would know the feeling of owning a brand new book. “I can’t imagine a school or a world without Stephanie,” said Workun. “Her servant leadership has elevated our school culture and steered our English department in paradigm-shifting directions. We are better in innumerable ways because she is here. Stephanie embodies what it means to be a LifeChanger.” About LifeChanger of the Year Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Each school year, LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Seventeen individual LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 20192020 school year. • 1) Grand Prize Winner – will receive $10,000 to be shared
with their school/district. • (4) Grand Prize Finalists – will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district. • (10) LifeChanger Award Winners – will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school/district. • (1) Spirit Award Winner – This award is given to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district. • (1) Spotlight Award Winner – This award is given to a nominee in a specific discipline each year. For 2019-20, the Spotlight Award will be given to a nominee who has made a proven impact on school safety. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school or district. Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals. Nominees must be K-12 teachers or school district employees. To be considered for an award, nominees must: • Make a positive impact in the lives of students • Enhance their school or district’s atmosphere, culture and pride • Demonstrate exemplary leadership at the school and/or district level • Possess a proven record of professional excellence • Show commitment to building a nurturing environment that supports learning • Adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17
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•FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •
A LOOK BACK uGo through the last 19 weeks of Jenks sports headlines in this end of the year wrap
Aug. 16
Owning the Opener – Jenks volleyball’s win over Bartlesville in the opening game of the season planted themselves as the featured story in the first edition of the Jenks Tribune. In the match the Lady Trojans defeated Bartlesville in straight sets, 25-10, 25-16 and 25-10.
Sept. 6
Trojans Torch Broncos – Jenks traveled to Mansfield, Texas for a Week Zero matchup. The Trojans blanked the Broncos, winning 38-0 behind 464 yards of offense. Jenks held Mansfield-Legacy to just 65 yards of total offense.
Jenks softball on a roll after Sapulpa win – The Lady Trojans defeated Sapulpa 10-0 at home to make it seven wins in their last eight games.
Sept. 20
Aug. 23 Sept. 27
Aug. 30
Shoot Out – Ethan Hill isn’t your typical student-athlete. The Jenks freshman participates in football and wrestling but his passion for skeet shooting landed him the featured story in this edition of the Jenks Tribune. Hill won the National Skeet Shooting Association Junior World Skeet Championship with a score of 388 out of 400, meaning he only missed 12 shots in five shooting categories.
It’s Our Time – In anticipation of the upcoming football season the Jenks Tribune highlighted several storylines coming into the year. In “Learning from the Past” senior running back Will Cox, who played on the team that started 0-4 in 2017, talked about the challenges of coming back from a losing streak with another tough stretch beginning the 2019 season: “Going into those games, we want to win but if we come out 0-4 again, we can still win out our district and get a home playoff game.”
Sept. 13
Runner Up – Jenks cheer took second place at the regional competition, which qualified them for state the week after.
Volleyball spikes Sandites at home – Jenks volleyball got a much-needed win against Sand Springs following a two-game losing streak. The Lady Trojans won the match in straight sets.