FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 , 2020
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JENKS POLICE CHIEF WEIGHS IN ON MASK MANDATE, ENFORCEMENT By Kyle Salomon Nov. 10, the Jenks City Council voted to approve a mask ordinance in Jenks requiring anyone in Jenks to wear a mask, while in public in certain situations. It was said during the meeting the Jenks Police Department will be enforcing the new mask mandate. “I think it is a good step,” Jenks Police Chief Cameron Arthur said. “The cases are rising so quickly. My officers interact with so many people on the streets being out on the front line. That is the perspective we have, since we are on the front line and interact with people, we’d love to be able to interact with people in a safe manner and prevent my guys and gals from getting sick and infected or spreading it to their families.
JENKS SECONDARY STUDENTS RE TURN TO DISTANCE LEARNING THROUGH DEC. 7
“We thought it was a good step forward, especially since we have so many cases now rising around the area. We see the cases every day by address and we are significantly higher than we were months ago. We don’t have a choice in the matter like other citizens do. They can stay home if they want to and interact with other people if they want to, it’s all by choice. Since it is not a choice for us, we need to be as safe as possible. We have two officers currently infected with COVID-19 out of situations where masks weren’t involved.” The mask mandate went into effect immediately following the 4-3 vote by the city council and will run through Jan. 31, 2021. CONT on pg 5...
“With a rising number of JPS staff members and students in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, Jenks Public Schools will transition all secondary students (grades 7-12) to distance learning beginning on Monday, November 16. Those students – at Jenks Middle School, Freshman Academy, Alternative Center, and High School – will resume in-person learning on Monday, December 7.” In person learning will continue for students in grades Pre-K through 6th and all elementary and intermediate sites will stay open. “The decision to only transition secondary students into distance learning is due primarily to a lack of adequate staffing,” the Facebook post read. “As more employees have been placed in isolation or quarantine, it has become difficult to find enough substitute teachers or other personnel to cover classrooms. Without proper staffing, it is becoming increasingly difficult for JPS to maintain an optimal learning environment.” Athletics and activities will continue during distance learning. All safety protocols for games, practices and events will remain in place. Friday’s home playoff game against Moore for the varsity football team is still on as scheduled. Free meals will continue to be provided for all students in grades 7 through 12, while secondary schools remain in distance learning. Meals are available Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the north side of the central campus dining hall, located on the campus of Jenks High School. “The move to distance learning for this threeweek period will provide more consistency for students as they will be able to interact with their own teachers on a regular basis,” JPS said in its Facebook statement. “In addition, classified staff members and substitutes working at the secondary level can be temporarily reassigned to elementary and intermediate sites where they can provide effective relief and support.” To close, Jenks Public Schools urged safety precautions for its students.
Jenks Public Schools’ students in grades 7 through 12 will go back to distance learning beginning Monday through Dec. 7. In a statement on its Facebook page earlier Thursday, Jenks Public Schools said,
“Please continue to monitor your students for symptoms of COVID-19. If your student tests positive, displays symptoms, or has been in close contact with an individual who tested positive, please notify the attendance office of your student’s school site. You play a part in helping reduce the spread of the virus. Please wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands frequently throughout the day. You can help our district increase the chances of returning to school, and staying in school, as long as possible.”
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FBC JENKS SENIOR PASTOR RICK FRIE HONORED BY CITY OF JENKS
Rick L. Frie, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Jenks, was recently recognized and honored by the City of Jenks at the November 10 City Council Meeting. Frie celebrated his 50th year in ministry October 10 of this year and had November 22, 2020 recognized in the City of Jenks as “Pastor Rick L. Frie Day”. Here is how the proclamation read: “Whereas, October 10, 2020, marks the 50th Pastoral Anniversary for Pastor Rick Frie. Whereas, Pastor Frie began his career as a youth minister and received degrees from Ouachita Baptist University and Mid-America Seminary, and Whereas, Pastor Frie, since 2003, has been the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Jenks and throughout this time has built upon the Church’s legacy and continues to encourage all members of the church by providing strong leadership to improve and grow First Baptist Church in the Jenks community, and Whereas, Pastor Frie and his wife have been and continue to be proud and supportive members of the Jenks community, Whereas, the members of First Baptist Church in Jenks are proud to call him Pastor and friend and thank him for his years of service, looking forward to what he will accomplish in the years to come. Now, therefore, I Robert Lee, Mayor of the City of Jenks and the Jenks City Council do hereby recognize Pastor Rick Frie for his accomplishments and do hereby proclaim November 22, 2020 as ‘Pastor Rick L. Frie Day’”.
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By Kyle Salomon When I was a boy, probably around the age of six or seven, I had a close friend named Travis Harrington. Travis and I went to church together and we were also in the same school at Jenks East Elementary. Our friendship wasn’t a typical friendship between two young guys, who went out in the backyard to play some basketball together or went out in the front yard and rode our bikes down the street. Travis was severely handicapped. He had cranial facial abnormalities and physical disabilities, so he couldn’t run and jump like other kids, but don’t think for one second that stopped him and me from having a great time together. Travis loved goofing around and playing games and the smile he had on his face every time I walked through the front door of his house was mild in comparison to the smiles he put on my face when my mom told me we were going to “Trav’s house”. As we got older, his family eventually moved away, but Travis always held a special place in my heart and I truly hope I did in his. I was heartbroken on Monday when my mom informed me that Travis had passed away. He would have turned 34 on Dec. 10 of this year. Travis’ mother posted on social media about her son and here is what she said:
SOME TIME LIFE GIVES YOU A FRIENDLY REMINDER OF HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE
Then at 3:15, the ER physician’s assistant called to ask if they could intubate him. His O2 was in the low 80’s.
I gave them permission to intubate him. At 3:46, the ER doctor called me, she said they got him intubated, but then his heart stopped. Travis is now home with Jesus. The most-happy human I’ve known. Always had a smile on his face. He brightened the world. John 1:5. He was created by God to be the light. He was the lamb that led me to Christ. He was born on December 10, 1986.” As I read the post my mom sent me, tears began to swell up in my eyes. Yes, because of the news of Travis’ passing, but also because I now know that he is no longer in pain and he is running for the first time. He is running with the warm heavenly sunshine on his face and the soft grass around his feet. Travis was happy. He showed so much love and even though it may not have been easy, he always wanted to be around his family and friends, who loved him so very much. He didn’t care who was president. He didn’t care about politics. He didn’t care about a mask mandate. He didn’t care how much money people have or what race or gender they are. He chose to be happy and he chose to love because God gave him a chance to live and he lived his life to the absolute fullest. I think it is time we all take lesson from Travis. I know I have. God Bless and Rest In Peace Trav. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the Jenks Tribune. Sincerely, Kyle Salomon ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
“I moved my son to Plano (Texas) August 1, 2020. He was thriving in his new home. Making friends, all of the people there told me how much they love him. I received a call at 12:53 a.m. from the nurse at The Park.
‘I AM READY TO GE T TO KNOW JENKS A LI T T LE BI T DEEPER AND LEARN IN A PROFESSIONAL WORLD’ By Izzy Pankey, Jenks Tribune intern If someone had told me during my freshman year I would be where I am today, I would have never believed them. I went into high school planning on focusing on vocal music and show choir. My list of extracurriculars consisted of vocal music, and that was it. While I loved vocal music, very passionately, I knew that I needed to gain something more out of my high school experience. I knew I didn’t like sports, and clubs were never really my thing. However, I had always excelled in English. When a small group of seniors walked into my English class and told us to join the school newspaper, the Jenks Trojan Torch, I knew it was my opportunity to find something I would enjoy. I joined the staff my sophomore year and immediately felt at home. Every year on staff, I took a leadership role and now as a senior, I am the editor in chief of the Jenks Trojan Torch. As I grew in journalism, I also branched out into clubs and sports. I joined DECA, competed at the national level through the club, and I am now the Jenks High School DECA president. I also decided that maybe I could give sports a chance and I am now on the Lady Trojan lacrosse team. With DECA and the Trojan Torch I developed a love of marketing and social media advertising. With these passions, I earned an internship for Heartland Lacrosse in marketing. When Kyle (Salomon) asked me on the sideline of a football game if I wanted to intern for the Jenks Tribune, I knew it was another opportunity that I had to take. This year I am so excited to work with Kyle and develop my skills as a journalist. I am ready to get to know Jenks a little bit deeper and learn in a professional world. Freshman Izzy Pankey would never believe the things I am involved in now as a senior, and she would be proud to see all the accomplishments I have made by simply stepping out of my bubble. I cannot wait to see where this year takes me and am so excited to take on this internship.
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CONT from pg 1... “I believe the majority of Jenks citizens are already doing it,” Arthur said. “We understand we aren’t going to get total compliance. We don’t with anything. If someone says they can’t because they have a health problem, then we will listen to it and allow it. We aren’t going to be checking documents for that or doing anything that is overreaching. We are just going to be educating and telling people this is why they should wear their masks.” Arthur said this takes the burden off those business owners, who would like to see people wearing masks in their businesses. “I think it does assist those business owners, who didn’t want to be the bad guy and go out there and tell their customers to do it,” Arthur said. “But if I know the city is behind me and it is a law, I have a much easier time in keeping my family and me safe than trying to be the bad guy and drive off business.” Arthur said he would be surprised if a citation is ever issued. “We are not out there actively searching out people without masks and I want people to know that,” Arthur said. “My guys and gals are not going around and looking for people without masks and stopping people without masks. That is not what we do. We are asking for voluntary compliance and I think we get it. If we get called by someone who really has a concern, which would have to be pretty big for us to have any kind of interaction more than just trying to educate people. I just don’t anticipate us ever having to issue a citation.” Arthur said if the city council votes to approve a mandate, it is the police’s job to enforce it. “If the city council passes an ordinance, it is our job to enforce that ordinance, but we are not going out there actively searching it out,” Arthur said. “We need the public supporting us and we are not going to go out and do anything to hurt that. I think the majority of our citizens already do wear masks and take personal responsibility, but unfortunately during this time of COVID-19, we can’t just believe in that anymore because the numbers have disproven it. I understand the fact that some people don’t like to be told what to do, I get that, but when the problem outweighs the enforcement, this is something we need to do.” Arthur said enforcing the mask mandate does not add a lot to the officers’ plate when they are on the job. “It is not a big burden on us,” Arthur said. “It is something that we said, if we get a call, we will go out there, but we don’t anticipate being inundated with calls and we haven’t been.”
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Long-time Jenks resident, a former City of Jenks employee, and a proud parent of a Jenks High School golfer! FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020
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JENKS CHEER TAKES SECOND AT STATE COMPE TITION
The Jenks High School cheer squad placed second Saturday at the OSSAA 2020 Game Day State Championship Competition. Photo/Courtesy
JENKS SE T TO HOST NORMAN NORTH IN 6A-1 QUARTERFINALS By Kyle Salomon Jenks will host a west side opponent for the second-straight week in the 6A-1 playoffs, as Norman North comes to town to take on the Trojans for a 7 p.m. Friday kickoff at Allan Trimble Stadium. No. 2 ranked Jenks comes into the matchup with the Timberwolves 8-1 overall after beating Moore 51-19 last week in the opening round. Norman North sits at 6-3 overall after topping rival Norman 42-34 to advance out of the first round of the postseason. “The thing that stands out on film is how big and physical of a team they are,” Jenks coach Keith Riggs said. “They average about 300 pounds across their offensive line and have a really good rushing attack with a really good running back. Defensively, it’s kind of the same thing, they are big and physical. They put a lot of pressure on you, try to force you into some mistakes. I expect a really good football game.” Unlike the opening round of the playoffs, the Jenks coaches had the normal amount of time to prepare for the T-Wolves once they knew Norman North had beat Norman last Friday. “We were joking around this weekend about how it felt like we had a lot of extra time after the previous week,” Riggs said. “We had our normal weekend schedule, which was good to have to work on them and prepare.” Jenks Public Schools announced last week its plan for students in grades 7 through 12 to go back to distance learning through Dec. 7, which would take the football players through remainder of the postseason. School began with distance learning back in August but shifted to in-school learning in September. CONT on pg 9...
CHEER SQUAD PERFORMS ROU TINE IN SHOWING
The Jenks High School cheer squad performed its Game Day routine last week in front of family and friends in preparation for the OSSAA Game Day State Competition, which took place Saturday. Photos/Izzy Pankey Meet our Bather Team Alivia (left), Jenna (center) and Bailey (right). Alivia is a sophomore and honor student at Jenks High School who has been with us since December of 2019. She is a conscientious worker who goes to the shop first thing in the morning and then off to school for classes, often coming back afterwards. She is not just about work though because she has many interests and loves to play soccer. She also is the sister to Maddi who you met through our ad a few weeks ago. Jenna is our newest bather who has been with us for about a month. She came here from OKC and has three kiddos aged 12, 7 & 2. Even though she has been with us for only a short time, she has fit right in and is a terrific addition to the bather team. Bailey recently moved to Jenks with her family from Bakersfield, California and is currently attending classes at TCC. Bailey is an experienced horse groomer who has been with UDD since September. Believe me, we are not planning to groom horses, but if we ever did, we know who to call. These three ladies have amazing work ethics, and we are so fortunate to have them here at UDD.
Groom Shop & Self Serve Tuesday-Saturday 7:30am-6:00pm Self Serve Only Sunday 1:00pm-6:00pm Appointments Appreciated for the Groom Shop 2020 A-List Grooming Taking the hassle out of washing your dawg by providing a stress free, clean and fun environment. Complying with CDC Guidelines
JENKS FLAT TENS MOORE IN ROU TE TO 6A-1 QUARTERFINALS By Kyle Salomon For the second-consecutive year, Jenks has played Moore in the playoffs and for the secondconsecutive year, the Trojans have throttled the Lions. 6A-1 No. 2 ranked Jenks beat Moore 51-19 Friday at Allan Trimble Stadium in the opening round of the postseason. “I feel like we played really well at the start of the game,” Jenks coach Keith Riggs said. “We had the one lapse in the first half defensively. As coaches, we are perfectionists. We want great plays every time we go out. We fit wrong a few times and realistically that is going to happen, but we need to try and clean those things up down the road.” The Trojans started with three scores in the opening quarter. Quarterback Stephen Kittleman carried the ball into the end zone from nine yards out to start the scoring party. Max Paskvan was good with the point after attempt. Jenks then got two more points on a safety after a bad snap on a punt attempt by Moore sailed out of the back of the end zone. The Trojans tacked on one more touchdown in the first frame on a running back Griffin Forbes seven-yard carry followed by a Paskvan extra-point to make it 16-0 heading into the second quarter. The Trojans added two more touchdowns in the second frame on a Kittleman 18-yard strike to receiver Jayden Patrick and a 28-yard screen pass to running back Grant Lohr. Paskvan was good with both PAT’s. Moore got its lone score of the half in the second quarter, but the extrapoint attempt was blocked by Jenks defensive tackle A.J. Brown. The Trojans led 30-6 at the break. Jenks put the game out of reach in the third quarter with three touchdowns on a 37-yard pass from Kittleman to receiver Glenver Jones, a running back Jalyn Stanford 23-yard run and a Kittleman 12-yard pass to receiver Ty Walls. Paskvan was good with all three extra-point attempts and the Trojans led 51-6 going into the fourth quarter. “I am really proud of the guys for how we played coming out in the third quarter with how well we played on both sides of the ball,” Riggs said. “They run the ball really well.
I thought our defensive line played well all night. It’s just a matter of our safeties, corners and linebackers all coming up and making plays when those guys up front are playing well, and drawing double-teams.” Moore scored two late touchdowns in the final frame but had another extra-point attempt blocked by Jenks linebacker Gage Loffer. Jenks had 338 total yards of offense, including 224 passing and 114 rushing. The Trojans had 19 first downs and were 3 of 8 on third down. Kittleman finished the night with four touchdowns and 219 yards passing on 14 of 17 completions. “Stephen has always been a very accurate passer,” Riggs said. “He is a student of the game and works so hard. Even as a senior, he is continuing to improve every week.” Lohr finished with 39 yards on 11 carries and Forbes had 39 yards and a score on four carries. Patrick had 80 yards receiving and a touchdown on four receptions. Moore had 218 yards of offense, including 178 rushing and 40 passing. The Lions had 12 first downs and were 5 of 15 on third downs. Jenks’ defensive end Coleman Thurber led the Trojans with 10 tackles. Neither team had a turnover. Next up for Jenks will be a quarterfinal matchup with Norman North at 7 p.m. next Friday at Allan Trimble Stadium. The T-Wolves defeated rival Norman Friday 42-34.
CONT from pg 7... “They (players) have been very resilient through all this and I don’t expect this to be any different,” Riggs said. “We have modified our schedule just a little bit to cut down on the potential for coming back-andforth to the stadium. The afternoons, for the most part, are going to be just like it has been all year.” Jenks’ run game was stifled early in the game against Moore due to the Lions’ stacking the box and trying to take away the Trojans’ bread and butter. “Moore had a really good game plan defensively for us to try and stop the run, so we are going to have to be prepared for Norman North or other teams down the road to try and do similar things,” Riggs said. “I thought we handled it really well. We were able to counter attack with our passing game, but we are going to have to be able to handle different looks and things we haven’t seen and adjust to them hopefully a little quicker than we did against Moore. We did over time. We came out in the second half and made some adjustments. I thought we did really well in the third quarter, but we are going to see some more of that as we move through the playoffs.” The Trojans’ starting defense only allowed one scoring drive for the Lions in three quarters. “Defensively, I thought we played a really good football game except for one drive,” Riggs said. “You are not ever going to have perfection, but certainly when we have a third and long, we need to make sure to get off the field and force a punt and we didn’t do that a couple of times on that one drive. Those are some little things, but again, by now it is going to be just the little things
that are left. At this point, you are going to try and fix those things and be even better than you were the week before.” The Timberwolves were 5-3 in the regular season and finished third in their district behind Owasso and Union. The like opponents for the Trojans and Norman North in 2020 are Edmond Memorial, Yukon, Moore, Union, and Norman. Jenks defeated Edmond Memorial 48-6, while the T-Wolves beat the Bulldogs 46-7. The Trojans beat Yukon 38-7, while Norman North lost to the Millers 41-24. The Trojans handled Moore 51-19, while the Timberwolves beat the Lions 35-28. Jenks shutout Union 28-0, while Norman North lost 50-25 and the Trojans beat Norman 42-13, while the T-Wolves beat the Tigers 42-34. With every team in 6A-1 making the postseason in 2020, there are four rounds, which means Jenks gets to host two playoff games instead of one. “Playing at home is always good,” Riggs said. “There are very familiar surroundings, you have got your routine down, you aren’t walking into a locker room you have never been in before or don’t know what you are going to be dealing with in a facility somewhere else, so it’s always good to play at home. Our seniors get one additional home game, so it is always good to be at home.” The winner of Friday’s game will advance to the 6A-1 semifinals on Thanksgiving week and take on the winner of Owasso and Mustang, who also play Friday.
UPDATED PLAYOFF BRACKE T
BOYS HOOPS SQUAD SCRIMMAGES VIC TORY CHRISTIAN
The Jenks High School boys basketball team scrimmaged Victory Christian last week at the Frank Herald Fieldhouse in preparation for the 2020-2021 basketball season, which gets underway in several weeks. Photos/Izzy Pankey