FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 , 2021
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JENKS ST UDENT, MADDY BOWMAN, SEES SUCCESS IN FFA, BUSINESS WORLD
By Kyle Salomon
Hard work, dedication and discipline are words people like to use when describing themselves, but few truthfully put those into action. Jenks High School sophomore Maddy Bowman is one of the few that walks the walk. Not only is Maddy a student at Jenks, but she is a member of the Jenks High School FFA program and is a new business owner. When it comes to the agricultural area of her life, Maddy is not just a member of the Jenks FFA Chapter, but she is an officer and is accomplished in the sheep showing business. “It is a lot more difficult than most people think when they first get into it,” Maddy said. “The past two years, I have really gotten invested in it. It is a lot of time and a lot of work. We start with the sheep in the summer and have them all year. We have to get in early and stay late.” Maddy’s mother, Kerri Bowman, was a successful FFA member when she was growing up in Yale. “I told her when she was in seventh grade, she should try ag and she fell in love with it,” Kerri said. “She loves her FFA teachers and they give her so much support. It is great having both of my daughters involved in ag. ”Maddy’s younger sister, Brooklyn, who is an eighth-grade student at Jenks, is also a member of the Jenks FFA Chapter. “It was love at first sight when I got into it,” Maddy said. “You get to meet a lot of great people from across the state. It is cool following in my mom’s footsteps. She helps a lot. I didn’t have much success when I first started. I didn’t know a lot. I had to learn from watching other people and eventually it just clicked toward the end of my ninth-grade year. The way you show is different with every sheep. It has to click every year with every sheep.” Maddy said the process of training sheep takes numerous days.“When you first get them, they have never been haltered, walked or anything. They just do whatever they want. You have to sit on a bucket and wait until they eventually come up to you. Then you have to catch them and tie them up for a while and pet them or just leave them be depending on the sheep. Every sheep is different. They have good days and bad days. Some are easier and some are more difficult.” Before she could start having success showing, Maddy said she had to refine her skills. “You have to act. You can’t just stand there. You have to make sure your sheep looks good all the time throughout the show.”
Maddy said the Jenks FFA program has taught her a lot in her time so far. “You have to work hard and have perseverance because there are days you don’t want to get up and feed your sheep, but you have to. The teachers and other students in FFA are very supportive and it truly shows you how to be toward other people. It teaches you how you have to work hard in every aspect of your life.” The leadership side of FFA is a big proponent of the program. Students are provided with what is called “Career Development” opportunities in a variety of fields. Maddy participates in the food science and public speaking areas. In public speaking, students must give their speech to a panel of judges and then they are graded and placed based on how they did with a question segment following the speech. Last year, as a freshman, Maddy also participated on the opening and closing team, which went to the state competition. On the opening and closing team, students learn how to conduct a professional meeting. They are graded on how they present themselves and how everyone speaks. CONT on pg 10
CITY COUNCIL VO TES TO REINSTATE MASK ORDINANCE FOR 100 MORE DAYS
By Kyle Salomon The Jenks City Council met virtually Tuesday to discuss numerous agenda items, but the most popular item was the reenactment of the mask mandate requiring people to wear masks while in Jenks city limits to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. After more than two hours of discussion, the council voted 4-3 in favor of reinstating the mask ordinance. City Council Member Kaye Lynn was the most vocal against the mask mandate. She brought numerous statistics and articles debunking the theory that masks help against the spread of the coronavirus, but it did not change any of her peers’ minds, as the same people who voted for the mandate in November voted yes and the same councilors who voted against did the same Tuesday. Mayor Robert Lee voted for the mandate, as did councilor Gary Isbell, councilor Dawn Dyke and councilor Craig Murray. Vice Mayor Donna Ogez, councilor Cory Box and Lynn voted against the ordinance. The new mask mandate went into effect immediately and will be good for the next 100 days, which means it will expire May 31. The previous ordinance was approved in November of 2020 and expired Jan. 31 of this year. There was a special meeting scheduled the week prior to the expiration to vote to extend the mandate, but it was canceled due to safety reasons.
By Kyle Salomon
SHORT AIMS FOR AT-LARGE SEAT ON JENKS CITY COUNCIL
Kevin Short’s family has been a part of Jenks since before it was an official city, but never as elected officials. Short is hoping that changes soon, as he has announced his decision to run for the at-large seat on the Jenks City Council. Currently, mayor Robert Lee holds the at-large seat, but Lee has recently announced he is not seeking re-election. Even though Lee is the current Jenks mayor, if Short wins the election April 6, he will not automatically be named the new mayor. Once the new city council is established, a new mayor will be appointed from the seven council members. Short, his wife and children have lived in Jenks for the past 22 years, but his family has been a part of Jenks for more than 100 years. Short’s great grandfather moved to the Jenks area in 1904. His grandfather and grandmother both grew up in Jenks and graduated from Jenks High School. His father also attended Jenks Public Schools until he was a teenager when the family moved to Venezuela with the oil and gas industry. Short’s father then moved back to Tulsa after school and met his mother. The couple married and lived in the Jenks Public Schools district on the east side of the Arkansas River. Short attended Jenks Public Schools and graduated from Jenks in 1988. After going away for several years to college, Short married and moved back to Jenks in 1999. Short’s daughter graduated from JHS in 2020 and son is a current junior at Jenks. When his son graduates in 2022, his children will be fourth generation Jenks Public Schools attendees. “I have seen a lot in this city,” Short said. “I remember when Elm Street and Main Street was a four-way stop sign and Elm was a two-lane road. I have seen a lot of evolution throughout the years. There has been change, but moderate for the most part. When the Creek Turnpike came in, that changed the game forever. It provided the infrastructure for south Jenks to grow and gave the city multiple avenues into town.” Short said on top of the Creek Turnpike, once the new Main Street Bridge was built, it helped connect south Tulsa and Jenks as Tulsa began to grow south. Short said the new infrastructure was vital to the town’s growth and vital to the school district.
“We all want nice things, but we have to have money to go do those things. I want to maximize our very limited resources. The reality is Jenks is land-locked and because of that, we have to focus on maximizing our economic opportunities.” Short said there have been several opportunities the city has missed out on that would have brought a lot of economic prosperity and brought the correct type of entity to the city.
“Jenks wouldn’t be Jenks without the school system. I have seen that district grow leaps and bounds. It has been fascinating to watch Jenks, Bixby and Glenpool all kind of grow into each other.” Short said the City of Jenks has some great opportunities and that is the tipping point for why he chose to run for city council.
“The good news is we have economic opportunities right in front of our face and with the right city council, we can execute on those opportunities. If we can execute on those opportunities the revenue stream will come. I think our chamber does a fantastic job. They are going out there and beating the bushes and getting us ‘at bats.’ Unfortunately, there are only so many ‘at bats.’ It’s all about building relationships.”
“I want to be able to help lead that effort. I believe being in business for the last 30 years and what I do in helping people achieve their goals will translate to the city council and help provide some guidance in economic growth. If we can get the right leadership in place and build a cohesive unit, this place can explode.”
Short said it isn’t just about building relationships with the potential incoming business, but with the chamber, the city staff and Jenks’ local community leaders. Short added he also would like relationships built with the Tulsa City Council, Bixby City Council and Glenpool City Council.
With Jenks’ revenue based purely based on sales tax, Short said having the right industries and businesses in town is important.
“In some sense, we are competing, and I get that, but at the end of the day if those other cities are successful, I truly believe Jenks will be successful as well. I believe I can help build those relationships. I love this city. I appreciate where it has been, but I also see where it is going. I would like to be there to help lead it.”
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STORMS LIKE THIS BRING OU T THE BEST IN US By Sarah Clavin
As I sit here writing, reflecting on this crazy week, I’m staring out at the snow, almost a foot deep. What a glorious sight. The snowflakes falling are the purest of white, detailed beyond imagination. I am incredibly thankful my children have the opportunity to experience the snow this year. The sledding, snowman building, thick glorious snow that childhood makes so magical. It is not beyond me that I am able to enjoy this beautiful weather from my overheated house on the couch in my living room. There are many for whom the snow poses a deadly threat. For whom the snow is not magical but rather terrifying and tragic. Those without a home, without a heater, those who cannot shelter from the storm. The wanderers who live on the fray, under the overpass, below the bridge, and in the thickets; it is they who experience tragedy associated with climates like this. We have not seen a winter storm like this since 2010 and while the majority of us were completely unprepared, we united in a force like I’ve never seen before, to ensure that the men, women, and children who live without homes were sheltered, fed and clothed. Ministries worked alongside churches and the TPD, searching day and night for those who were most at risk in our communities. Individuals bundled up head to toe spent countless hours in the subfreezing temperatures seeking out people living on the streets and in the woods and transporting them to shelters. Dozens of volunteers have scoured the city and its suburbs to bring in as many individuals as possible. Churches opened their doors as makeshift temporary shelters equipped with bedding and facilities and food. Local restaurants have provided hundreds of meals, volunteers have sorted and distributed thousands of Amazon packages that were anonymously purchased by members of the community; sleeping bags, winter clothing, hygienic products, and more. A friendship fund was established with the hope of raising $1200 yet in a mere 48 hours, through hundreds of shares on social media, raised over $140,000 dollars to house the homeless in local hotel rooms across the city. Hotel owners offered their rooms below cost for the week so that at risk individuals who need to stay in a room alone or with their small family can do so. Families citywide have donated games, sleeping bags, and ready-made meals to each of the shelters. I could go on and on about the provisions made, but what has impacted me the most is how people gave. Not only did they give of their time, but their comfort, and their finances. The selfless sacrifice many made, without a second thought or a moment of hesitation, to ensure that the city’s most vulnerable were cared for during this storm. So take heart Jenks, there is goodness all around you. Hope and selflessness are deep in our roots and I pray we continue to give with grace and mercy. When you look out at the snow tonight, remember how it brought out the best in all of us. Or I hope you’ll reflect on how the magic of the snow brought out the compassion and benevolence in all of us.
SOME TIMES SAYING ‘THANK YOU’ JUST DOESN’T SEEM GOOD ENOUGH By Kyle Salomon Historically low temperatures and a combination of snow and ice have taken over this area of the nation and turned green country into a white nightmare. When you check the forecast and you get excited when you see the future temperatures have more than one number, then yes, that means it is cold. Throw in snow, ice, and a nasty north wind into that mix, you don’t have a winter wonderland, you have a white nightmare. It’s easy for anyone to get upset at the current weather situation. For most of us, this weather forces us to have to work from home or keep the kids entertained since school is canceled. It’s not a typical winter storm where you can take the family to the nearest hill for some sledding fun or go out to the front yard and make a snow man. No, it is just too cold to be outside at all. However, before we get all bummed out and become frustrated because we can’t go eat at our favorite restaurant or go for a jog in the park, perhaps we should instead be thankful that we don’t have to do the job our first responders have to do. These men and women don’t have the choice to work from home because it is their job to respond to emergencies on the road and at homes and their job to try and get the streets cleared enough to where people can navigate these horrid conditions. I was sitting at home Tuesday evening watching the Jenks city council meeting on my computer and during the city manager’s report, Chris Shrout had members of each of Jenks’ first responder teams give updates. Jenks Fire Chief Greg Ostrum said his crews are keeping up with calls and running mandatory overtime hours. Each crew is running 48 hours on and 24 hours off. “We are running probably three times our normal call volume during the course of this event. The calls have mainly been for broken water lines in homes or for falls on slippery surfaces and things like that.” Director of Public Works Tim Doyle said his crews are doing all they can to try and keep up with the snow and ice. They have had various equipment issues, such as a snowplow that is down, which limits them to just two that are cleared for use. “We are holding our own overall with the conditions. We were able to get our road grater fired up, so we can use as necessary. We also have several sand trucks we are operating with, so we are just ready to get after the next storm. Staffing wise, we have six field staff members available during the day along with a mechanic and a person in the office and we have more staff available in the night. When we had the opportunity to give the guys a break and a little more rest, we have done that a couple times by temporarily stopping the 24hour operations, but we are back on the 24-hour operations and we will continue with that until we get these streets to where they are passable. With the freezing temperatures, we are responding to a lot of frozen water line and frozen water meter issues, so that is pulling a couple of field staff, which is a little different from most events, but they are doing a good job. We keep stressing safety with the windchill conditions with the cold temperatures. We only want them to be out in the 15-30-minute range and pay attention, so we don’t get any frost bite issues.” Jenks Police Major Jason Jackson said they are handling a lot of traffic issues and house calls during this event. “Our officers are running mostly on motorist assists and welfare check. We have had quite a few people ask us to go check on their loved ones because some cell and phone services are down. In between snowstorms, we are handling calls in the mornings and evenings, we have a lot of motorist assists and traffic accidents.” As I sit here writing this editorial, I just want to say thank you to all the first responders in Jenks and the entire Tulsa area who have battled the bitter cold, snow, ice, and wind to make it possible for the rest of us to live our lives. Every city council member and the mayor were very thankful as well during Tuesday’s meeting. I know it is good to be thankful and good to say thank you, but to be honest, sometimes saying “thank you” just doesn’t seem good enough. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the Jenks Tribune. Sincerely, Kyle Salomon ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
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MARKER FUNERAL HOMES EARNS SELECTED INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOMES MEMBERSHIP
Marker Funeral Homes recently earned membership in Selected Independent Funeral Homes, an international association of premier, independently owned, and operated funeral homes. “We are pleased to welcome Marker Funeral Homes to our association,” said Selected Independent Funeral Homes Executive Director and CEO, Robert J. Paterkiewicz. “Affiliation with Selected Independent Funeral Homes is considered an honor because of the high standards of funeral service that are required to receive an invitation to become a member.”
The final chapter of the story relates to our greatest asset, the staff that helps us serve those that are hurting. Mike & Pam began and built their business by following their mission statement, “Thoughtful, Dedicated Service Within the Means of All” and each of their employees is equally committed to serving the families of their community with kindness, compassion, understanding, hard work and professionalism. They all see funeral service as a calling rather than just a job and strive to make what is often one of the most difficult times in the life of a family a little less stressful by handling the many details of a funeral service with efficiency, grace, and finesse. It’s because of how blessed we are with those that work with us that we can say. “We are more than just a funeral home … we are a family at Marker Funeral Homes”. Our staff is very involved in the areas that we serve. We are very involved in our local Chamber of Commerce activities and events. We also have done outreach through walks, drives, service in our communities, have walked in events supporting The Demand Project Founded in 1917 as National Selected Morticians, Selected Independent Funeral Homes is an international association of approximately 1,200 independent funeral service establishments, which are operated by persons with integrity, good moral character, professional ability of a high level and who are dedicated to the principle that their calling involves special responsibilities to society.
As an active and leading association, Selected Independent Funeral Homes focuses on these four essential purposes: -study, develop and establish the highest standards of service for the benefit of the public -provide a continuing forum for the exchange, development The story of Marker Funeral Homes began in 1992 when and dissemination of knowledge and information beneficial Mike and Pam Marker made the move to Bixby and purchased the Leonard Funeral Home, located in its original to members and the public -furnish information to members and the public regarding location within downtown Bixby. The Leonard Funeral all aspects of funeral service Home was founded in 1920 by Floyd and Lucille Leonard -cooperate with organizations, public and private, to and was blessed with a wonderful reputation of providing achieve these purposes care and comfort to area families and is recognized as one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Tulsa County. In Membership in Selected Independent Funeral Homes is by June of 2003, the Markers moved the operations of the funeral home to its new, beautiful facility located at 151st St. invitation and is extended only after a thorough review of character, service, performance and facilities. One primary and Sheridan, across from the Bixby Cemetery. condition of membership is adherence to the association’s “Code of Good Funeral Practice.” The 11 provisions of the The second chapter of Marker Funeral Homes began Code clearly outline the key principles of honesty, respect in 2002, although this chapter was not planned nor necessarily desired. Mike and Pam became associated with and trust that are expected of members. the Dowdy Funeral Home in Haskell after the untimely “As independently owned and operated firms, our members death of its owner. Wanting to help the Dowdy family in are truly vested in their communities,” Paterkiewicz any way he could, Mike agreed to serve as their funeral said. “Marker Funeral Homes, like all our members, takes director in addition to his Bixby responsibilities and filled seriously their responsibility and dedication to providing this role for five years. In 2007, the Dowdy’s decided to the best possible funeral service to their friends and sell their funeral home to Mike and Pam and the name was changed to Dowdy-Marker Funeral Home. This location was neighbors.” founded in 1936 and is also blessed with a long-standing and strong reputation of serving area families. The third location within Marker Funeral Homes became a reality after many years of dreaming and talking over the idea with very good friends. Ken and D’Ann Hargrove were friends and neighbors of the Markers and they have a deep and passionate commitment to Jenks. Both are lifelong residents and their families have been involved in just about anything related to Jenks. Their passion to serve was also a determining factor of leading Mike and Pam to partner with them in Hargrove-Marker Funeral & Cremation service which was founded in 2016. It has been very well received and supported by the Jenks community.
JENKS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL LAUNCHES 2021 DUB WEEK CAMPAIGN
-Bronze, $500, small advertisement on every official DUB Week T-shirt, small media shoutout and mention on single Jenks associated account, and written mention displayed on Progress Checkboard displayed at Dining Hall lunches You can email your business/organization logo to adam.peterson@jenksps.org.
For the third-consecutive year, as the spring semester gets underway, the Jenks High School Student Council has put its focus on DUB Week. One of the goals every academic year at Jenks High School is to teach students what they will need to thrive in life.
About “The Common Good”: The Common Good was formed to serve the families of northwest Tulsa. Its primary goal is to relationally provide resources, services and opportunities for the children and youth in the area, so they may overcome the social and economic challenges they face. This population faces challenges such as, half the population lives under the Federal Poverty Guideline, highest incarceration rate for women in Oklahoma, substandard housing, high-crime rate, 80% of students in kindergarten through high school are not reading at their grade level, few businesses or services in the community and the area qualifies as a food desert.
However, “empathy” can be a difficult topic to teach inside a classroom. Because of that, the Jenks High School Student Council has created an annual philanthropy initiative to impact the community and develop “empathy” with our students.
The Common Good focuses on education, career development, mentoring/counseling services, housing, advocacy, and sports/arts programs. They strive to stabilize families by increasing their household income and provide assistance for teens to launch into a career path.
That week is called DUB Week. The 2019-2020 school year was a success for DUB Week with more than $36,000 raised for “Make-A-Wish Oklahoma”. The donations assisted in sending five children with life-threatening illnesses on their dream vacation to Disney World. The Jenks High School student body was able to support not just the child, but the families also being affected.
The Jenks High School 2020-2021 Student Council includes: -Macy Johnson, Student Council President -Britton Barnes, Student Philanthropy Chair -Wyatt Smith, Student Council Officer -Will Mulready, Student Council Officer -Griffin Forbes, Student Council Officer -Reese Whitaker, Student Council Officer
By Kyle Salomon
This 2020-2021 school year, Jenks High School has partnered with “The Common Good”, located in northwest Tulsa. “The Common Good” is a community center, which helps people living in poverty within an area known as the “forgotten zip code”. It provides services, resources, and opportunities, so people, especially children, can overcome the challenges they face growing up in that specific community. The Jenks High School Student Council has decided to give back and bring hope to this community by helping them install a commercial kitchen. This kitchen will allow them to directly feed people, teach people to cook, and help entrepreneurs launch businesses in this impoverished area. The estimated cost of this kitchen is $78,000. The student council’s hope is the Jenks community can raise a substantial amount of money toward this goal. The JHS Student Council is inviting all Jenks community businesses and organizations to partner with them in helping this community known as “the forgotten zip code”. The most “clear-cut” way to reach this goal is through donations, but if you have other ideas of how you can help, here are some people associated with Jenks High School you can contact: Adam Peterson – Student Council Advisor adam.peterson@jenksps.org Elissa Mahaffey – Student Council Advisor elissa.mahaffey@jenksps.org Britton Barnes – Student Philanthropy Chair – britton.barnes73@jenksms.com Gretchen Guillette – The Common Good – gretchen@cgtulsa.org Donations can be mailed to: Jenks High School Attn – Adam Peterson 205 East B Street Jenks, OK 74037 If you would like to donate online, you can at: www.cgtulsa.org/jenks DUB Week 2021 will officially take place April 26 through April 30. The money that is donated is tax-deductible. The deadline to donate is April 30. Here are the levels of sponsorship and what your business/organization gets in return: -Diamond, match donation from what is raised by JHS, large advertisement on every official DUB Week T-shirt, large media shoutout and mention on multiple Jenks associated accounts, and large printed logo displayed on Progress Check Board at Dining Hall lunches -Platinum, $2,500, medium advertisement on every official DUB Week T-shirt, large media shoutout and mention on multiple Jenks associated accounts, and medium printed logo displayed on Progress Checkboard at Dining Hall lunches -Gold, $2,000, medium advertisement on every official DUB Week T-shirt, small media shoutout and mention on single Jenks associated account, and medium printed logo displayed on Progress Checkboard displayed at Dining Hall lunches -Silver, $1,000, medium advertisement on every official DUB Week T-shirt, small media shoutout and mention on single Jenks associated account, and small printed logo displayed on Progress Checkboard displayed at Dining Hall lunches
Fill this out and return by February 26th at 5pm Return to the Jenks Tribune 329 S Elm Ste 201 Jenks, OK 74037 Animal Hospital
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DILLS, SIMS AMONG GROUP OF LEGISLATORS TO SEND LE T TER TO GOV. STIT T EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR EXECU TIVE ORDER REGARDING DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFE TY WAI T TIMES A bipartisan group of Oklahoma State Representatives today sent a letter to Governor Kevin Stitt expressing their support for an executive order to address challenges and lengthy wait times many Oklahomans are currently facing when trying to receive and renew driver’s licenses or update existing licenses to REAL IDs. In addition, they provided a list of recommendations to be considered for inclusion in the executive order. “As members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, we support your efforts to enact an executive order with the help of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety as well as the Oklahoma Legislature to address this alarming issue facing many Oklahomans,” the lawmakers said in the letter. “While there is legislation pending in the House to increase the number of authorized driver-testing exam locations, we agreed this problem merits immediate action.” The following lawmakers signed on to the letter: Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow Rep. Denise Brewer, D-Tulsa Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2021 BANQUE T REGISTRATION AND NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
The Jenks Chamber of Commerce will host the 2021 Inaugural Banquet on Thursday, April 22 at the Oklahoma Aquarium. To register for the Inaugural Banquet or to secure your sponsorship, visit www.jenkschamber.com/banquet. The banquet will feature a presentation of awards and the swearing-in of the Chamber’s new board of directors. The event will also feature dinner, a private tour of the Oklahoma Aquarium and a chance to bid on silent auction items. The Chamber is accepting nominations for annual awards now through Monday, Feb. 22. To nominate a business or person for an award, visit www.jenkschamber.com/banquet. Once nominations are received, nominees will be sent a form to complete. This form will be judged by a panel of comprised of people not living or working in Jenks. The top-scored candidate will be named the award recipient at the banquet. The Chamber may also be contacted with any questions at 918-299-5005.
Rep. Rep. Rep. Rep. Rep. Rep. Rep.
Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston Kevin West, R-Moore Rick West, R-Heavener Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City Rande Worthen, R-Lawton
The full text of the letter can be seen below: Oklahoma House of Representatives Feb. 9, 2020 Governor J. Kevin Stitt, Oklahomans across the state are facing enormous challenges and lengthy wait times to schedule appointments to receive driver’s licenses or update existing licenses to REAL IDs. As a result of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the high demand for REAL IDs, our tag agencies are overwhelmed. These unreasonable wait times are leading to significant delays for our commercial drivers in the state, limiting our opportunities for economic growth and making it substantially more difficult for new drivers to become licensed. Our constituents have faced this issue for months, and many have tried for several months to schedule appointments. Oklahomans across the state are facing the same issue and we the undersigned Legislators applaud your efforts to work with all parties and find a solution that meets the needs of our constituents in a timely manner. As members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, we support your efforts to enact an Executive Order with the help of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety as well as the Oklahoma Legislature to address this alarming issue facing many Oklahomans. While there is legislation pending in the House to increase the number of authorized driverexam locations, we agreed this problem merits immediate action. We request the following recommendations be considered for implementation by the executive order: Allow tag agents to renew, replace or downgrade a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The Dept. of Public Safety currently has to process all of them. Allow tag agents to issue an identification card if the person requesting the identification card has an existing state driver’s license file, even if the driver’s license is expired or suspended. Currently, the requesting person must have a valid driver’s license to receive an identification card from a tag agent. Allow third-party examiners (non-DPS CDL examiners) to test anyone with a CDL permit. Currently, they are only allowed to administer driving tests to their own students. Allow certain locations, such as Oklahoma Career Tech Centers, to administer driving knowledge written tests for Class D exams, with hopes to expand to CDL exams. We believe the changes listed above would lend more authority and control to our local tag agencies and significantly reduce the wait times Oklahomans are facing. Again, we appreciate your efforts in enacting this Executive Order to help Oklahomans throughout the State.
JENKS POLICE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT REPORTS FEB. 1 THROUGH FEB. 7 GRAND LARCENY; 2700 BLOCK W 115TH ST IDENTITY THEFT; 2000 BLOCK W 119TH CT LARCENY-AUTO AIRCRAFT OR OTHER MOTOR VEH; 1000 BLOCK W 111TH ST LARCENY-AUTO AIRCRAFT OR OTHER MOTOR VEH; 700 BLOCK E MAIN PL SHOPLIFTING; 823 W MAIN ST BURG FROM AUTO; 300 BLOCK E COMANCHE ST BURG FROM AUTO;500 BLOCK W E ST BURG FROM AUTO; 300 BLOCK E COMANCHE ST BURG FROM AUTO; 11500 S NANDINA AVE BURG FROM AUTO; 2900 BLOCK W 112TH PL
JAN. 18 THROUGH JAN. 24 PETIT LARCENY-SHOPLIFT; 510 S ELM ST PORCH PIRACY; 1300 BLOCK W 112TH PL LARCENY; 11600 BLOCK S 2ND ST BURGLARY 1ST DEGREE; 900 BLOCK N IVY P DUI - LIQUOR OR DRUGS; 9100 S UNION REC/POSS/CONC STOLEN PROPERTY; 200 BLOCK S RIVERFRONT DR MALICIOUS INJURY/DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY; 2700 BLOCK E 140TH PL
CONT from pg 1 As if being a student at Jenks High School and a successful member of the FFA program isn’t enough, Maddy has taken on a whole other responsibility with her business. The high school sophomore launched her own online clothing business this past October. The store is called Madalyn Avenue. The website for the store is www.shopmadalynavenue.com. “I was able to save up enough money and I went to a fashion market and purchased clothes I wanted to sell on my website,” Maddy said. “It is doing pretty well. It’s tough to juggle everything, but it is a great experience and I love it. It has been really good so far.” Maddy, who’s father, Craig Bowman, is a local businessman and Farmers Insurance Agent, began working on the new online clothing store this past summer. She handles everything with the business. She takes every photo, handles the social media posts, built and runs the website, chooses the clothes, talks with the distributing company, packs everything and handles the shipping herself. Maddy said Madalyn Avenue is preparing to launch its spring wear and she hopes the business will help pay for college. The spring line launch will take place March 1. Even though she has several years before she has to make a decision, Maddy said she would like to attend Oklahoma State University after high school and pursue a degree in nursing. When asked if she was giving advice to a middle school student on whether they should look in to joining the Jenks High School FFA program, Maddy had this to say: “I would tell them they definitely should try it because you never know what is going to happen with other things. You can always fall back on it and those people will always be there for you. Even if you are not super involved, doing at least one thing will better prepare you for the rest of your life.” Maddy’s list of awards and accomplishments during the 2020-2021 school year through Jenks FFA: -Named 2021 Tulsa County Teen Miss United States Agriculture -Market Lamb Grand Champion at Tulsa County Fall Livestock Show -Top-10 Natural Lamb at American Royal National Livestock Show -Grand Champion Lamb and Reserve Grand Champion Lamb at Skiatook Livestock Show -Reserve Grand Champion Showman at Skiatook Livestock Show -Breed Champion Natural Lamb at Skiatook Livestock Show -Breed Champion Shropshire Lamb at Skiatook Livestock Show -Reserve Grand Champion Showman at Owasso -Reserve Breed Champion in Oologah Maddy is also knocking on the door to qualify for the North Eastern Oklahoma Lamb Association Top-25.
WINTER WEATHER ENGULFS JENKS AREA Since Feb. 8, Jenks and this area of the nation has been dealing with unusually frigid temperatures and snowy conditions. Here is a look at downtown Jenks covered this past week covered in snow and ice. Photo/Josh Driskell, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
INCLEMENT WEATHER MOVES STATE SWIM MEE T TO NEXT WEEK Jenks High School will once again play host to the 6A State Championship Swim Meet Wednesday and Thursday at the Jenks Aquatic Center. Originally, the state meet was supposed to take place today and Saturday, but inclement weather has moved the event. Both the Trojan boys and Lady Trojans are looking to defend their 6A state titles from 2020 and are favored to accomplish that feat. The meet will begin at 10 a.m. days. Photo/File
JENKS TO COMPE TE IN 6A EAST WREST LING REGIONAL Due to inclement weather, the 6A East Regional Wrestling Tournament was postponed from last Friday and Saturday this Saturday and Monday of next week. The event is taking place at Broken Arrow High School with the championship rounds and consolation championship rounds happening today. Photo/File
WINTER SPORT S SCHEDULES 2021 Boys Basketball February 19 – at Booker T. Washington 8 p.m. February 26 – Regional Tournament at Broken Arrow February 27 – Regional Tournament at Broken Arrow March 5 – Area Tournament March 6 – Area Tournament March 11 – State Tournament March 12 – State Tournament March 13 – State Tournament Girls Basketball February 19 – at Booker T. Washington February 25 – Regional Tournament at Bixby February 27 – Regional Tournament at Bixby March 4 – Area Tournament March 6 – Area Tournament March 11 – State Tournament March 12 – State Tournament March 13 – State Tournament Swimming and Diving February 24 – State Preliminaries 10 a.m. February 25 – State Finals 10 a.m. Wrestling February 20 – Regional Tournament at Broken Arrow 11 a.m. February 22 – Regional Tournament at Broken Arrow 11 a.m.