Jenks Tribune, Digital Issue 33 - March 27, 2020

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Jenks Superintendent Responds To State’s Order To Close Doors For Remainder Of School Year

By Kyle Salomon

The State Board of Education approved a plan Wednesday to keep school buildings closed for the remainder of the academic year due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Jenks Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Stacey Butterfield issued this statement following the State Board of Education’s decision.

“These decisions to close our schools and transition to a distance learning plan for the remainder of the school year are not taken lightly,” Butterfield said. “We understand these closures create challenges for our students and families, as well as our employees. However, the health and safety of our students and staff members must be the top priority as we all do our part to stop the spread of coronavirus in our community.”

Each school district across the State of Oklahoma will have the responsibility of implementing a distance learning plan that will take effect April 6. “I have the utmost confidence in our teachers and administrators to implement an effective distance learning plan which will not only provide instruction, but flexibility for our students and families during this uncertain time,” Butterfield said. “I am grateful for the hard work and diligence of the State Department of Education and the State Board to provide districts with guidance on a variety of topics.”

Oklahoma State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister announced Monday a proposal that would close school buildings for the remainder of the school year and suggested distance learning be implemented for each school district.

“While these are difficult times, it is a time that’s going to involve sacrifice,” Hofmeister said at the Wednesday Special State School Board Meeting. “And it is a time that we put the well-being of our family and others ahead of doing things the same way we always have.”

Butterfield said this situation is unprecedented, but she is confident this is a temporary circumstance. “This is completely new territory for all of us, and we will continue to communicate with our employees and families,” Butterfield said.

“Our Trojan family remains strong, and I look forward to the day we can open the doors of our schools and gather together.”

Jenks Public Schools’ statement on its distance learning plan Details of the Jenks Public Schools’ distance learning plan have not been finalized. Before sharing any plan for distance learning, Jenks schools must first submit its plan to the State Department of Education for approval. Once this occurs, we will notify our employees, students and families with further instructions for April 6 and beyond.

There are still many more questions than answers at this point, but we will be keeping our stakeholders informed and up to date with the very latest info as we all try to navigate this rapidly evolving situation.

Jenks Mayor Orders Bars, Gyms To Close, Restaurants To Only Do Take-Out

By Kyle Salomon Jenks Mayor Robert Lee issued an Emergency Proclamation Friday ordering all bars and gyms to close their doors and restaurants to shift to take-out or curbside service only.

The Emergency Proclamation went into effect at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

This proclamation comes two days after the Jenks City Council approved an ordinance only allowing those businesses to have 10 patrons at any one time. The ordinance also said the Mayor would have authority to make necessary changes if the COVID-19 virus situation were to worsen.

According to a news release the City of Jenks put out Friday, the Mayor received more information on the Coronavirus that included further evidence of community spread. Lee consulted the City Council members and the decision was made to issue the proclamation.

The news release also stated,

“As much as city leadership and City Council value and support Jenks businesses,

Jinger Wiesman Owner/Graphic Designer 381creative.com 918.813.0654

the risk of COVID-19 spread in our community is too great.

We must keep our community’s safety our priority. This decision was not made lightly. Please support Jenks businesses during this time by utilizing their modified services.”

There is no timetable for the duration of the Emergency Proclamation.

Other notable cities to issue the same level of order are Tulsa and Broken Arrow.

Stay up to date with the Jenks Tribune for more information on this issue and how COVID-19 is affecting the Jenks community.

*some exclusions apply

HEARING FROM T HE OWNER’S BOX

We Must Come Together To Save Our Local Economy

By Kyle Salomon

Every morning for the past week, I have woken up with the same thought … “Well, that was a scary dream.” A few seconds go by and I suddenly have another thought that races through my head … “This is not a dream. This is actually happening.”

I am not a mind-reader, but if I had to guess, I would bet just about every American has been waking up over the past 10 days with those very same thoughts. The Coronavirus pandemic has taken over this world and stopped it dead on its tracks. Thousands of people across our country have tested positive for COVID-19 and more deaths are being reported as each day passes.

The threat from this disease is scary from a health standpoint. We know the virus is bad and no one wants to get it, but when you go beyond the medical world and take a look at what this epidemic is doing across the globe, it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. The economy in this country is like an everchanging organism.

One day its up, one day its down. The status of the nation’s economy in large part revolves around your political leanings or the television network in which you receive your news.

From the national economy, you take it down a step further and go into the state economy. For Oklahoma, the state’s economy is highly dependent on the oil and gas industry. You can usually get a pretty good idea on what the state economy is doing based on the price of oil at that time.

Down the ladder one more step is local economies or in many cases small-business economies. This is where the Coronavirus will have its biggest impact. Look at the City of Jenks and its local economy. What does the local economy need to thrive? A strong sales tax number.

While Jenks has been among the best in the state when it comes to sales tax revenue, that number is going drop dramatically due to the threat COVID-19 poses. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), city officials and medical personnel across the nation are working diligently on ways to stop the virus from spreading, but some of those recommendations will do some serious damage on local, small-business economies like Jenks.

The City of Jenks has given the order that dine-in restaurants, bars, gyms and other entertainment venues are to close indefinitely. The city has already closed its main attraction, the Oklahoma Aquarium and has strongly encouraged its citizens to not be in public and not be in crowds of more than 10 people at a time.

Jenks city officials had no choice but to issue these mandates and make these suggestions to its citizens, even knowing the effect it will have on its local businesses.

This situation could crush the local economy here in Jenks and we need to prepare for the worst. For the most part, the only types of businesses that will have success are grocery stores and convenient stores. Restaurants will still be able to offer to-go orders and curbside service to their customers, but it’s doubtful that will be able to make up for the loss of their dine-in business.

Businesses that provide a great community service with their specialty products could also feel the impact as those products could be considered “non-essential” items. When you look at Jenks businesses, the majority of local businesses fit those molds. We have to do what we can as Jenks citizens to help our local businesses. This epidemic is not going to last forever and when it has passed, we can’t look back on these days and wonder what we could have done differently to prevent the downfall of our local economy.

Do not blame our city officials. They are simply doing what is in the best interest of the citizens of Jenks and that is their top priority, as it should be. Local business owners and the Jenks residents need to come together and work with the city and work with the Chamber of Commerce to ensure our economy survives and we make it through this with our heads above water. I am calling on the people of Jenks to step up and come together and save our economy. When making a purchase, stop and ask yourself, could I make this very same type of purchase using a local business instead? If the answer is yes, I urge you to do it.

Let’s put our money where our mouths are. Only together can we make it happen.

Sincerely, Kyle Salomon ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

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 | jenkstribune.com

Jenks Tribune Staff

Kyle Salomon Owner Hyperlocal LLC Publisher: Jenks Tribune

Hayden Tucker Director of Media/ Sports Editor Jenks Tribune

Jinger Wiesman Creative Director/ Advertising Executive Jenks Tribune

Office | 918-528-7272 Mobile | 918-231-0787

Office | 918-528-7272 Mobile | 405-651-8451

Office | 918-528-7272 Mobile | 918-813-0654

ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

htucker@jenkstribune.com

jwiesman@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 Public Schools Offering Free Take-Out Meals

Staff Reports

Jenks Public Schools is closed at least until April 6 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but the district is still finding ways to serve its students.

Beginning Monday, “Trojan Take-Out� were available for children 18 years and younger. The program will run from 9am to Noon. Monday through Friday at the Jenks High School Dining Hall, 205 E. B St. in Jenks.

Free grab-and-go meals will be available for pick-up during those hours.

Breakfast and lunch will be available at the same time.

Those wishing to grab a meal are asked to pull up to the front of the dining hall in the bus oval and remain in their cars while the food is delivered to their vehicles.

City Of Jenks Modifies Public Park Policies To Cope With Covid-19 Staff Reports The Coronavirus is making its mark across the Jenks community.

The City of Jenks has ordered the closing of bars and gyms and forced restaurants to shift to take-out and curbside service only, Jenks Public Schools has closed at least until April 6 and now the public parks’ policies are being modified.

In a statement released on Facebook Sunday, the City of Jenks said they want the community to be as healthy as possible, which includes allowing people to get fresh air and exercise.

The city is implementing modifications to some of its parks to help with the outbreak of COVID-19.

As of Monday, BarkWest Dog Park is temporarily closed, and Central Park and Veteran’s Park playground equipment is also closed indefinitely.

The Skate Park at Veterans Park is also closed for the time being.

In the Facebook statement, the City of Jenks encouraged its citizens, who enjoy taking their dogs to BarkWest Dog Park, to utilize the open spaces at Central Park and Veterans Park during this time. All dogs must remain on a leash while they are in the parks.

The fishing docks at Veterans Park are still open.

The Facebook post also states,

“Although, we want people to utilize the open spaces at our parks when needed, we strongly encourage practicing social distancing at all times.

This means not gathering in groups larger than 10 people and maintaining at least six feet from other people other than those living in your home.”

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Bringing the Best in Real Estate to Jenks Andrea Salomon

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Jenks Chamber Announces Area Restaurants Doing Take-Out, Curbside Service Staff Reports Saturday, the City of Jenks issued the Emergency Proclamation forcing bars and gyms to close their doors and restaurants to shut down or shift to take-out or curbside service only.

Here is a list of the Jenks community restaurants and their contact information, released by the Jenks Chamber of Commerce: Ah-Sigh-E | 918-528-5868 Andolini’s | 918-701-3701 Bayou Boyz | 918-528-5624 Billy Sims | BBQ 918-879-1978 Chick Fil A | 918-445-7200 Kitch Cookiedoodle | 918-528-6766 Freddy’s Frozen Custard | 918-986-9911 Gaetono’s | 918-298-1122 George’s Pub | 918-296-9711 La Madeline | 918-298-0348 Los Cabos | 918-296-7439 Los Mariachis | 918-296-5352 Louie’s | 918-298-5300 Mazzio’s | 918-299-9981 McDonald’s | 918-298-5760 Napa Flats | 918-948-6505 Ron’s Hamburgers and Chilis | 918-296-4328 Ruth’s Chris | 918-995-8600 Smitty’s Garage on Riverside | 918-296-7239 Sonic | 918-299-9186 Ted’s Café Escondido | 918-301-8337

Annual Jenks Herb ‘N’ Plant Festival Cancelled Staff Reports Every year in late April, the Jenks community can count on one event that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces. That event is the Herb “n” Plant Festival.

However, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus across the world, our country, our state and our community, this year’s Herb “n” Plant Festival has been cancelled. The Jenks Garden Club puts on this event every year. The Herb “n” Plant Festival Committee released a statement Saturday.

“As everyone knows, we are dealing with a very difficult situation in our community and across the globe,” the statement reads. “We are following the guidelines set by the CDC and health departments. Canceling our festival has been a very difficult decision. We have always supported our vendors. Stay safe my friends and we will all get through this together. Looking forward to 2021…”

The event was scheduled for April 25.

Below is a list of the vendors that were slated to be at the 2020 Jenks Herb “n” Plant Festival: A&D Shanks

Roark Acres Honey

Aberdean Farms

Smiling Sun Gardens

Amanda’s Greenhouse

Southern Plant Farms

Cd3 Farm

Stephs Gardens

Cabinhouse Farms

Tomato Man

Chaos Cactus

Utopia Gardens

Colebrook Nursery

White Dog Chili

Corn Creek Greenhouse

Wild Things Nursery

Dotson Produce Duck Creek Farms Goat Farmers Wife Groggs Green Barn Homecreek Farm Julie Sanders Nursery Land Run Alpacas Mcclains Neff Family Farm Peppers & More Plentygood Farm Prairie Wind Nursery Renricks Farm & Garden

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TOUGH ENDING

Jenks Boys’ Basketball’s Season Comes To ‘Sucker Punch’ End

By Hayden Tucker It was supposed to be a bus ride full of excitement and determination, but Jenks boys basketball’s trip to Memorial’s Veteran’s Arena took a turn for the worse.

The Trojans were on their way to compete in the first round of the state Tournament March 12 when the rumors started flying. Reports were coming out that the OSSAA was holding a press conference to address concerns over COVID-19.

Both school and sports will no longer take place for the remainder of the year. Averitt, like many students, is having a tough time dealing with the severity of the situation. He’s keeping a positive mindset, however.

“It’s been hard not seeing most of my friends and being away from my teammates, but I think this time is a blessing in disguise for me to really push myself by working out and running,” he said. “But it’s definitely been hard not being able to go up to any gyms and get up shots.”

Supporters of the team lined main street to cheer the team on as they made their way. The excitement wasn’t lacking, but the team knew something bad could be on the horizon. The season will never reach a definite conclusion.

The team was 100 yards from the arena when they got the Sports are defined by its crowning achievement and for news. The tournament had been postponed. high school athletics, the state championship is number one. Given the circumstances, teams now need to think “I got up to walk toward the back of the bus, they were a little differently. For a group like Jenks, they can have looking at me with just stillness,” coach Clay Martin said. solace knowing they won 21 games and qualified for the “To hear ‘hey guys, at this time we’re not playing the state state tournament. tournament, it’s been postponed. I think it was kind of a sucker punch to our guys.”

This group will need to look back on what they accomplished and be happy. It’s the only thing they can do.

Jenks got off the bus and met with Edmond Memorial.

“I tried to make light of the situation. I said, ‘just know The two teams took a picture together to commemorate that, right now, you’re the only team in the history of Jenks the unusual moment in history. They never made it into basketball to finish the season on a win.’ That’s not what the arena. This Trojan team was stacked with veteran they wanted to hear,” Martin said. leadership throughout the lineup. Jenks went 21-5 including a 15-game win streak which took place during “They wanted to compete for this tournament. I know through the majority of the regular season. they’re hurting right now but there’s some truth to it.

You’re going to look back on that win against Broken Arrow in the Area game. That’s a pretty fun memory to “We tried to keep a happy spirit and we went to a have.” teammate’s house and hung out but now that the

reality has really hit us it is devastating especially for our seniors,” sophomore Ben Averitt said. “We had a great group of seniors. We had a great run and it really hurt to see it end this way.”

In the grand scheme of things, Jenks basketball has been a small casualty of everything effected by the coronavirus.

Still, the pain remains.

“The big picture is that we have to be smart and responsible citizens and make good choices for the sake of our nation,” Martin said. “In our little microscopic world of Jenks basketball, this stinks. We had a really good team who we thought could really compete at this tournament.”

Chase Martin (33) and Benjamin Averitt (12) celebrate after defeating Broken Arrow 56-46 in overtime. Photos/Hayden Tucker

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State Of Oklahoma Dept. Of Health Issues Covid-19 Update

Submitted

As of this advisory, there are 81 positive cases of COVID-19 and two deaths in Oklahoma.

If you are coming from a country or a region with widespread ongoing transmission of COVID-19 (Level 3 Travel Heath Notice), you may be screened when you arrive in the United States. After you arrive home, take the following steps to protect yourself and others: 1. Stay at home. Do not go to work, school, or leave your house for 14 days. Discuss your work situation with your employer.

2. Monitor your health. Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever (temperature of 100.4°F/38°C or higher). Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.

3. Practice social distancing within the home. Avoid contact with other people for the 14 days. Maintain distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from family members and others in the home when possible.

Before there was community spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma, monitoring pending PUIs was a way to track all imported suspect cases as a means of preventing community spread. Now that there is community spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma, the PUI metric no longer reflects the current outbreak status in Oklahoma. This is largely driven by the high volume of people being tested at labs independent of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Public Health Laboratory. Therefore, we will no longer report daily PUI numbers to prevent causing confusion as we transition to an expanded process of testing for COVID-19 in Oklahoma.

There is a high incidence of cases in the 18-49 age group. People of all age groups are asked to stay home and practice social distancing.

The Governor’s Solution Task Force is actively working to expand COVID-19 testing through public-private partnerships, engaging OU and OSU laboratories and deploying satellite testing units in Oklahoma, Tulsa, Kay and Pittsburg Counties.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) continues to support guidelines from the CDC related to social distancing and personal hygiene. OSDH encourages Oklahomans to stay home, reduce person-to-person contact, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching your face. If you develop symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or cough, please contact your medical professional or call the COVID-19 call center at 877-215-8336 or 211 for assistance.

For more information, visit www.coronavirus.health.ok.gov COVID-19 Oklahoma Test Results: Positive (In-State) | 81 Positive (Out-of-State) | 2 Hospitalized | 15 Deaths | 2 COVID-19 Cases by Age Grouping: Age Range | 0-88 00-04 | 2 05-17 | 0 18-49 | 36 50-64 | 23 65+ | 20 Total | 81 COVID-19 Cases by Gender: Female | 38 Male | 43 Total | 81

COVID-19 Cases by County: Canadian | 2 Cleveland | 16 Custer | 1 Garvin | 2 Grady | 1 Jackson | 1 Kay | 5 Logan | 1 McClain | 1 Muskogee | 1 Noble | 1 Oklahoma | 29 Pawnee | 3 Payne | 3 Pontotoc | 1 Tulsa | 11 Washington | 2 Total | 81

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Oklahoma State House Of Reps. Issue Covid-19 Update THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House operated remotely Monday, and it worked well. Members were working, constituents were in touch with us and staff were performing their regular duties – all remotely. The House continued functioning while following appropriate public health precautions.

In addition to usual duties and district work, House members participated in a host of conference calls and video conferences with state and federal officials concerning the ongoing COVID-19 response.

SCHOOLS Superintendent Joy Hofmeister is recommending schools stay physically closed the rest of the school year while launching a Continuing Learning Program on April 6 so students can continue their curriculum remotely.

The State Board of Education meeting will occur virtually, and the public will be able to view it and participate under emergency legislation the Legislature passed last week; participation information will be required to be publicly shared by the State Department of Education.

VETERANS All seven state Veterans centers have been closed to public visitation. All essential staff must be checked for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the building, with all nonessential ODVA staff instructed to telework.

TRAVELERS The State Health Department strongly advises Oklahomans who are returning from spring break from a country or a region with widespread ongoing transmission of COVID-19 (Level 3 Travel Heath Notice) to take the following steps to protect yourself and others: Stay at home. Do not go to work, school, or leave your house for 14 days. Discuss your work situation with your employer. Monitor your health. Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever (temperature of 100.4°F/38°C or higher). Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.

Practice social distancing within the home. Avoid contact with other people for the 14 days. Maintain distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from family members and others in the home when possible.

18-49 AGE GROUP OSDH data indicates Oklahoma is experiencing a high incidence rate of COVID-19 cases in the 18-49 age group.

People of all age groups are asked to stay home, reduce person-to-person contact, avoid public gatherings, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching your face.

If you develop symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or cough, please contact your medical professional or call the COVID-19 call center at 877-215-8336 or 2-1-1 for assistance.

FEDERAL UPDATE State House members on Monday discussed the federal response and pending aid package before Congress with U.S. Senator James Lankford, who reported the following: Testing capacity in Oklahoma and nationwide is quickly ramping up and diversifying as legislation Congress passed three weeks ago takes full effect. Human trials of a COVID-19 vaccine are underway. Trials will take several months.

Federal action has led to immediate availability of unemployment insurance, snap funding and mandatory paid sick leave payments for affected employees, with federal reimbursements to businesses.

The Senate is expected to act as soon as today on a major individual and business AID BILL that increases the social safety net and provides direct payments to individuals while offering support to all types of businesses. The bill could be on the president’s desk within 24 hours.

The aid bill is expected to include five key sections that are subject to change but at this point include: 1. HEALTH FUNDING for hospitals, healthcare providers, nursing homes, senior centers and more, plus a whole host of state and local health needs.

2. INDIVIDUAL PAYMENTS via checks of $1,200 for every adult with a tax history, and $500 per child (on a sliding scale); households with a combined income of $200,000 would likely not qualify.

3. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE that dramatically increases payment amounts for individuals by an additional $600 a week, with no required state funding match, for the next three to four months.

4. SMALL BUSINESS AID in the form of expedited business loans of up to $10 million for any small business (less than 500 employees) affected by COVID-19, including loans for payroll and rent through June 30 that would be forgiven by the federal government, plus rapid unemployment insurance for employees to keep them connected to their employers.

5. LARGE BUSINESS AID via a stabilization fund allowing large companies that have lost credit access to get federal loans that must be paid back with interest, with several restrictions.

A FACT SHEET for citizens and businesses on the aid package will be distributed publicly and regularly updated once it becomes law.

Lankford has been working with Sen. Dick Durbin to try to get more critical access rural hospital aid into the bill; the funding they are seeking has not made it in the bill yet, but still could.

- The aid bill currently would waive penalties for seniors who make unscheduled retirement account withdrawals or decline to make withdrawals.

- The aid bill currently would allow a federal purchase of American oil to put in the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve, which should help bring oil prices back up.

- Any company harmed by the oil price drop would qualify for assistance under the bill because the oil price drop is related to COVID-19.

- The Social Security Administration is expecting disability filings to increase as they did during the 2008 financial crisis and is not anticipating problems handling the increased filings.

- Gig workers, contract workers and tip wage earners whose jobs were affected by COVID-19 should seek unemployment assistance.

- Independent contractors in the cattle industry are eligible for the small business aid.

- Credit card companies aren’t advertising it, but they are offering temporary payment forgiveness and flexibility.

GOVERNOR STITT UPDATE State House members on Monday discussed the state response with Governor Kevin Stitt, who reported the following: A personal protective equipment coordinator is being identified to ensure healthcare workers have consistent access to Oklahoma’s supply of personal protective equipment to address shortages at some hospitals.

The state epidemiologist has been preparing modeling of the expected COVID-19 curve in Oklahoma that will help determine when Oklahoma can expect to reach its peak in order to inform planning and response efforts.

A state budget revenue failure is expected in the current fiscal year, and reserves should be available to address it.

A state budget gap is expected next fiscal year, and reserves should be available to address at least part of it.

The state has the largest savings fund balance in state history, at more than $1 billion.

18,000 people applied for unemployment in Oklahoma last week; the previous weekly high was 9,000. Oklahoma has the nation’s 6th most solvent unemployment fund, and federal aid will be available to assist with unemployment.

The Stitt administration is coordinating with Superintendent Joy Hofmeister on a continuous learning plan if physical school sites cannot reopen this school year.

Drivers’ license renewals have been temporarily waived, so people do not need to visit driver’s license examiner sites to renew at this time. Senior nutrition centers should stay open. Guidance will be given to local counties soon concerning extending property tax filing deadlines. cont. on next page

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Capitol is still closed to the public as part of public health precautions, but the House is open today to serve you remotely.

The Legislature has taken unprecedented, necessary, swift steps to continue addressing priorities without placing the public or ourselves in harm’s way.

In-person session activities are currently recessed. The House and Senate have not met since last Tuesday and will not meet in person this week, either.

The Legislature has taken the following additional actions: Closed the Capitol to the public a week ago Not returned to the Capitol since a COVID-19 case was confirmed in the building Tuesday Ordered a deep clean of the entire Capitol that was completed Friday Equipped staff and members to work remotely until further notice so work can continue outside of the building Beyond those actions, the House passed a new rule allowing for proxy voting so members can vote remotely, only if necessary.

The state budget has been prioritized and will be taken up far earlier than normal this session. The budget has been worked on every day for more than a week in negotiations between the House, Senate and governor.

The Legislature is prioritizing public health while maintaining its ability to pass a budget and other policies that may be necessary in response to COVID-19.

TESTING Drive-thru testing sites are opening this week in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, McAlester and Kay County.

A testing capacity increase of up to 10,000 within a week could be possible through the authorization of COVID-19 testing in labs at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

Because testing capacity and speed will be increasing this week, the number of confirmed Oklahoma cases is expected to increase, as well.

SUPPLIES There is no shortage or disruption in the supply chain for groceries. It is not necessary to stockpile months of food at this time.

The state has slightly more than nine days of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers on hand. Major state and national efforts are underway to obtain more personal protective equipment.

SHELTERING AND CLOSURES Some city governments in Oklahoma have been enacting varying levels of sheltering or closure measures over the past week.

State health officials and Governor Stitt are not recommending statewide sheltering or closures at this time because they do not believe Oklahoma’s statewide situation currently requires it. They acknowledged that could change as the situation changes.

TASK FORCES Governor Stitt has formed a multiagency task force to track response and implement solutions to the ongoing virus challenge.

The Oklahoma National Guard has activated a task force and is prepared to deploy in relief efforts if needed.

Church Directory Beaver Street Baptist Church 102 W. Beaver Street Service times: 9:30am Sunday 10:45am Sunday 6pm Sunday Crossroads Church 2525 W. Main Street Service times: 10:30am Sunday 6pm Sunday 6:45pm Wednesday

Jenks Bethel Baptist Church 11808 S. Elm Street Service times: 11am Sunday Jenks Bible Church 708 W. Main St Service times: 10am Sunday 6:30pm Wednesday

River Oaks Christian Church 300 N. Elm Street Service times: 9:30am Sunday 10:30am Sunday 6:30pm Sunday

Jenks Church 1015 W. Main Street Service times: 10am Sunday

Dove Ministry 2833 W. Main Street Service times: 10:30am Sunday 6pm Sunday

Kirk Crossing 11420 S. James Avenue Service times: 9am Sunday 10:30am Sunday

First Baptist Church 11701 S. Elm Street Service times: 8:30am Sunday 9:45am Sunday 11am Sunday First Christian Church 308 E. Main Street Service times: 9:45am Sunday 10:45am Sunday First Jenks United Methodist Church 415 E. Main Street Service times: 8:45am Sunday 10am Sunday 11:15am Sunday

Life Church Jenks 890 W. 81st Street Service times: 4pm Saturday 5:30pm Saturday 8:30am Sunday 10am Sunday 11:30am Sunday 1pm Sunday 4pm Sunday 5:30pm Sunday 7pm Monday

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020

Newspring Family Church 2907 W. 108th Place South Service times: 9:30am Sunday 10:30am Sunday

St. James Presbyterian Church 11970 S. Elm Street Service times: 10:30am Sunday The Church at Jenks 2101 W. 118th Street 9am Sunday 11am Sunday The Connecting Co. 1737 W. 81st Street Service times: 10am Sunday

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Jenks Tribune Media Network Makes Temporary Coronavirus Adjustments

Staff Reports

We at the Jenks Tribune Media Network, like many in this community and around the country, will be changing with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Effective immediately we are indefinitely discontinuing in-person interviews. We also ask that no one come directly to our office. If you need to reach us, please contact us by phone (918) 528-7272 or by email at office@jenkstribune.com.

You can also reach Owner/Publisher Kyle Salomon at (918) 231-0787 or by email at ksalomon@jenkstribune.com.

School has been postponed until April 6 and community events have also been suspended. With that, there won’t be as much news to cover around the community. That doesn’t mean we will stop doing our jobs.

To sign up to receive the email blast with the e-edition link, send your email address to ksalomon@jenkstribune.com.

We ask that you follow the requests of local public leaders as stated in some of our most recent stories. This pandemic is an ever-changing issue the likes of which are unprecedented. The rules and regulations will change every day, we strongly encourage everyone to stay informed with us and other local and national news outlets.

In this time of self-isolation, we want to keep you informed.

If you have story ideas you’d like to see covered, email us at office@jenkstribune.com.

The most important thing right now is for everyone to stay safe and to stay calm. Together, we will all get through this tough time and be stronger as a community for it.

As the virus continues to take its toll on local businesses and this community, we want to ensure you that we will be here to cover it every step of the way.

We will not be doing any more video content for the foreseeable future. You can still go to our website for the most up-to-date information. We will also continue to release an e-edition each Friday.

Covid-19 Forces Governor’s Hand, Non-Essential Business To Shut Down For 21 Days

By Kyle Salomon State of Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt ordered all nonessential businesses in counties with positive tests of COVID-19 to close for 21 days beginning at 11:59 p.m.

Wednesday.

The Oklahoma Department of Health announced Tuesday that 106 Oklahomans have test positive for the Coronavirus. Three Oklahoma citizens have perished due to the disease, while 25 others have been hospitalized.

The positive cases range from ages less than 1-years-old to 91-years-old, according to the state health department.

Jenks Mayor Robert Lee was pleased with Stitt’s decisions Tuesday.

“I was very relieved to see the governor’s announcement today,” Lee said. “We need swift and consistent action to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so I think this decision is going to save a lot of lives.”

Stitt called a news conference Tuesday following the health department’s numbers to address the issue further.

“We need all Oklahomans to take this really, really seriously,” Stitt said.

Stitt issued the order to all non-essential businesses during the news conference. The 21-day closure will last until April 14. Tulsa County has 12 positive cases for COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning.

Stitt urged restaurants across the state to shift to a curbside or take-out model, but most in Tulsa County already have due to previous orders by community mayors and officials.

Stitt also said that gatherings of 10 people or more will be restricted across the state. The Oklahoma governor issued a “safer-athome’” order, asking all vulnerable populations across the state to stay at home and only go out in public for the essentials until April 30.

Stitt says he is also issuing a 14-day suspension of all elective surgeries, minor medical procedures, and nonemergency dental procedures in order to protect the state’s supply of personal protective equipment for medical workers.

Visitation is also being suspended at all long-term care facilities until further notice. Stitt is also issuing a 14day suspension of all elective surgeries, minor medical procedures and non-emergency dental procedures and there will be no more visitation to long-term care facilities for the time being.

“We are going to get through this,” Stitt said. “We’ve been in tough times before and together we are going to come out of this stronger”.

How To Maintain Physical Health Throughout Covid-19 Outbreak Guest Collum Things have escalated quickly with the Coronavirus.

It has certainly gotten much more serious now and it’s time to prepare ourselves for war.

Social distancing, self-quarantine, and hand washing are all designed to slow down exposure to and transmission of this virus. These are all practices we should be following as best as possible.

However, based on forecasting from infectious disease experts, this virus isn’t going away anytime soon. It’s likely to continue to spread just at a slower pace due to the slowdown of human interaction. Let’s assume there is a big possibility we are all going to get exposed to this virus eventually. What are you doing to ensure your immune system is in the best shape possible to fight this virus, so you don’t get hit hard?

Remember, it’s not actually germs that makes you sick, it’s your body’s inability to properly handle the germs that makes you sick. Think about all the viruses, like the flu, that you get exposed to all the time.

Why do some people get sick and others don’t? Because they fought it off before it had a chance to multiply and overwhelm their body.

So how do we focus on building health and strengthening our bodies to thrive in these environments?

NINE TIPS STRATEGIES TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND FIGHT OFF VIRUSES 1. Sleep: studies show that sleeping less than seven hours can make you three-times more likely to get sick. Stress and lack of sleep suppresses the immune system. You need at least seven-to-eight hours of sleep: This is essential.

I’m preaching to the choir on this one and doing all I can to follow my own advice here. Research shows there is a 70% decrease in immune cell function after only one night of limited sleep (less than five hours). Sleep needs to be a non-negotiable necessity.

2. Workout/Exercise: we know this is a powerful tool to strengthen your immune system, as well as help reduce stress which also helps immune system function. Keep moving and working out.

3. Stay Hydrated: take your bodyweight in pounds and divide by two, drink that many ounces of water per day.

For example, a 180-pound person needs at least 90 ounces of water per day.

4. Eat Healthy Foods: load up on immune-boosting nutrients from foods, like Vitamins A (sweet potatoes and carrots), C (citrus fruits and cruciferous veggies), D (eggs, mushrooms, fish) and E (dark leafy greens), Zinc (beef, pumpkin seeds) and selenium (Brazil nuts, sardines). Eat as much fresh produce as possible. They are packed with minerals, vitamins and other compounds that help your immune system function as it was designed.

5. Get Rid of Sugar & Junk Food: very simply, sugar is kryptonite to the immune system. Sugar, refined carbohydrates, and highly refined vegetable oils (like soybean, canola, corn, cottonseed, safflower and sunflower oils) all contribute to unhealthy inflammation and impair the body’s natural immune response.

6. Take Probiotics and get your gut in order: 70% of our immune system is in our gut/digestive tract. One of the most effective ways to support your gut health and immune system is with a good probiotic.

7. Supplement with extra Vitamin C, D & Zinc: These are all immune boosters.

8. Don’t Drink Alcohol: Alcohol affects the way health gut microbes interact with the immune system. It also disrupts the gut barrier allowing more bacteria to pass into your blood. Excessive drinking reduces the number and function of three very important cells in your immune system … macrophages, t-cells, and c-cells. You’re best off avoiding alcohol altogether, or atleast make it very minimal.

Clint Howard MS, Author/Speaker, Founder/Director-Tulsa Fitness Systems Exercise Physiologist, Metabolic Training & Fat Loss Expert, Nutrition Coach Mindset/High Performance Coach Titleist Performance Institute Certified Golf Fitness Specialist 918.296.7418 www.TulsaFitnessSystems.com

9. Relax: studies have shown that psychological stress increases the risk of illnesses in a dose-dependent manner.

Meaning- the more stressed you are, the more likely you are to get sick. Make sure you’re properly managing stress. Things I personally do and recommend (along with working out) is meditation, daily prayer and/or gratitude journaling, even just taking 3 slow deep breaths every hour, while thinking of something you’re grateful for, can lower stress hormones and improve immune function.

Of course, wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you feel sick, stay home and rest.

MY ADVICE FOR YOU THIS WEEKEND: Don’t panic, focus on what you can control, choose faith and resilience, eat healthy, get some exercise get plenty of sleep and rest, get away from watching all the negative news for a while whether it be on television or social media, spend quality time with your family, and be thankful for all the great things in life.

We’re going to beat this thing so take care of yourself.

Jenks Tribune offering half-price ads to those directly affected by COVID-19 Is your small business being directly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak? Are staying open during this crisis?

Are you staying open, but modifying how you do business?

Use the Jenks Tribune’s resources and reach to let your community know how your business is handling the Coronavirus pandemic. We are offering HALF-PRICE advertisements for any small business that is directly impacted by this situation.

The Jenks Tribune is also a small business, so we do understand the struggles this epidemic will have on our local economy. If there is any way we can partner up to help get your information spread across the community, contact Kyle Salomon at 918-231-0787 or ksalomon@jenkstribune.com!

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