DEA Audit of Roland Pharmacy Described as Routine

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration closed a Roland pharmacy for most of Thursday morning to conduct a routine audit of controlled substances and pharmacy records.

A spokesperson for the DEA in the McAlester area explained that investigators were at the pharmacy on an administrative inspection warrant.

“It allows us to go in and review records and at the same time, ask the pharmacist to conduct an audit of controlled substances on the property,” the DEA spokesperson said, adding that the random investigation is routine for any DEA registrant to ensure they are compliant with DEA regulations.

The DEA agent said they were not there for a criminal warrant and no one went to jail. He said if any violations are found, the DEA could take action through civil fines or even revocation of the pharmacy’s DEA registration.

Eric Helms, investigator with the District 27 Drug Task Force, said they served as security for the administrative search by the DEA for pill counts and a records check at Roland Pharmacy, 100 E. Ray Fine Blvd. in the Roland Hills shopping center.

“We were just there to assist them and turn away customers as they came to the door,” Helms said.

DEA agents were at the pharmacy throughout Thursday morning, and left shortly after noon.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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Younger Students Encourage Others During Testing

Liberty Elementary students line the halls to encourage Eastside students prior to testing.

The testing weeks at school always seem so stressful, but Sallisaw elementary schools are hoping to take some of that stress away.

Younger elementary students held Rock the Test Thursday afternoon to help encourage the older elementary students who will be testing over the next few weeks.

Sallisaw’s Liberty Elementary students, in grades PreK through second, lined the hallways as the third, fourth and fifth grade students from the adjacent Eastside Elementary walked through the hallways. They held up signs of encouragement and shouted cheers to inspire the older students to do well on the tests, according to Liberty principal Toni Jasna.

“We don’t want our students fearful of testing,” she said. “We just want it to be another normal day. Our teachers at Liberty have adopted a classroom at Eastside and they’ll send everyone letters and little snacks – something to just encourage them to do their best on the test.”

The “test,” to which Jasna refers, is the Oklahoma School Testing Program, standards-based assessments for grades 3-8 covering mathematics, English language arts and science. Testing takes place for the Eastside students from April 1-19; for Sallisaw’s middle and high schools, it happens during the entire month of April.

Jasna said this is the third year for the success walk, and they have found it does have a big impact on the students.

“It makes a huge difference in the mindset for these kiddos,” she explained.

Jasna said school officials feel that not only can the students encourage each other, but that parents should get involved as well.

“We encourage the students and the parents that they have to take this seriously,” she added. “These tests show growth and what we’ve been teaching the students. They need a good night’s rest and a nutritional start for the day.”

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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Polling Precincts Set for Cherokee Election in June

Cherokee Nation Election Commission office located
in Tahlequah at 17763 S. Muskogee Avenue

The Cherokee Nation Election Commission recently set the polling precincts for the June 1 Cherokee Nation general election that includes races for Principal Chief, Deputy Principal Chief and eight Tribal Council seats.

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Tribal Council seats on respective district ballots include District 1, District 3, District 6, District 8, District 12, District 14 and one of the At-Large Tribal Council seats. District 13 drew only one candidate and will only have the Principal Chief and Deputy Principal Chief elections on the ballot.

Friday, March 29 is the deadline to register to vote or update information in the 2019 general election, with April 19 being the deadline for absentee ballot request forms to be submitted. Early voting days will be May 25 and May 28-30 at the Cherokee Nation Election Commission in Tahlequah. If any election is forced to a run-off, the run-off Election Day will be July 27, with early voting days for the run-off election being July 20 and July 23-25.

Voting precincts and locations for each county are as follows:

Sequoyah CountyBelfonte (District 6) – Belfonte/Nicut Community Center, 474894 Highway 101, Muldrow, OK
Gore (District 5) – Gore Police & Fire Department, 1201 N. Main, Gore, OK
Marble City (District 6) – Marble City Town Hall, 120 A North Main, Marble City, OK
Muldrow (District 6) – Muldrow High School Cafeteria, 715 W Shawntel Smith Blvd., Muldrow, OK
Sallisaw (District 5) – Redbird Smith Health Center, 301 J.T. Stites St., Sallisaw, OK
Sallisaw (District 6) – Sallisaw United Methodist Church, 2100 McGee Drive, Sallisaw, OK
Vian (District 5) – Vian High School BJ Traw Gym, 203 W. Hunter, Vian, OK

Adair County
Bell (District 8) – Bell Public School, Rt. 5 Box 4470, Stilwell, OK
Cave Springs (District 7) – Lyons Switch Community Association Building, 463101 E. 914 Road, Bunch, OK
Chewey (District 7) – NOAC Chewey Community Building, 64741 S. 4645 Rd., Watts, OK
Stilwell (District 7 and District 8) – Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center, 471688 Highway 51, Stilwell, OK
Westville (District 7 and District 8) – Westville Public Schools, 500 W. Chincapin, Westville, OK

Cherokee County
Briggs (District 2) – Tri-Community (WEB) Association, 17914 S. 580 Rd., Tahlequah, OK
Hulbert (District 1) – Hulbert School Community Building, 316 Rider Lane, Hulbert, OK
Keys (District 3) – Keys Community Building, 19083 E. 840 Road, Park Hill, OK
Lowrey (District 2) – Lowrey Fire Department, 9775 Highway 82 A, Tahlequah, OK
Tahlequah (District 1, District 2 and District 3) – Sequoyah High School, 17091 S. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah, OK

Craig County
Vinita (District 11) – Vinita Health Center, 27371 S. 4410 Road, Vinita, OK
Welch (District 11) – Gateway Assembly of God Church, 440 W. 10th St., Welch, OK

Delaware County
Grove (District 10) – Grove Community Center, 104 W. 3rd St., Grove, OK
Jay (District 9 and District 10) – Sam Hider Health Center, 859 E. Melton Dr., Jay, OK
Kansas (District 9) – Kansas High School Dome, 700 Woods Ave., Kansas, OK
Kenwood (District 9) – Kenwood Public School, 48625 S. 502 Road, Salina, OK

Mayes County
Locust Grove (District 15) – Cherokee Elder Rainbow House, 101 Market Pl., Locust Grove, OK
Pryor (District 10 and District 15) – Graham Community Center, 6 N. Adair, Pryor, OK
Salina (District 9, District 10 and District 15) – A-Mo Health Center, 900 N. Owen Walters Blvd., Salina, OK
Spavinaw (District 10) – Spavinaw City Hall, 119 S. Main, Spavinaw, OK

Muskogee County
Fort Gibson (District 4) – Fort Gibson Community Building, 200 W. Poplar, Fort Gibson, OK
Muskogee (District 4) – Three Rivers Health Center, 1001 S. 41st St. E., Muskogee, OK
Warner (District 4) – Warner Public School Event Center, 1012 5th Ave., Warner, OK

Nowata County
Nowata (District 12) – No-we-ta Community Center, 1020 Lenape Dr., Nowata, OK
South Coffeyville (District 11) – South Coffeyville Community Building, 215 S. Oklahoma St., South Coffeyville, OK

Ottawa County
Afton (District 10) – Afton City Hall, 201 SW 1st St., Afton, OK

Rogers County
Catoosa (District 13) – Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation Catoosa Office, 310 Chief Stand Watie Dr., Catoosa, OK
Chelsea (District 14) – Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea, 119 N. Ash St., Chelsea, OK
Claremore (District 14 and District 15) – Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation Claremore Office, 23205 S. Highway 66, Claremore, OK
Oologah (District 14) – Oologah Assembly of God Church, 13462 S. Highway169, Oologah, OK

Tulsa County
Collinsville (District 13) – City of Collinsville Veterans Center, 903 W. Main, Collinsville, OK
Skiatook (District 12) – VFW Post 7977, 133169 N. Cincinnati Ave., Skiatook, OK
Tulsa (District 13) – American Legion Post 1, 1120 E. 8th St., Tulsa, OK

Wagoner County
Okay (District 1) – Okay Senior Citizen Center, 3701 E. 75th St. N., Okay, OK

Washington County
Bartlesville (District 12) – Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation Keeler Heights Office, 1003 S. Virginia Ave., Bartlesville, OK

To find your voting precinct or for more information, call the Cherokee Nation Election Commission at 918-458-5899.

KXMX News Staff

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Sallisaw Veterans Center Federal Funding Secured

A new veterans center proposed for Sallisaw is one step closer to reality.

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week that it had secured federal funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the new veterans center in Sallisaw.

Shane Faulkner, the public information officer for the ODVA, said the federal VA has approved up to $65 million for the relocation of the center from Talihina to Sallisaw.

“We don’t think we’ll need all that,” Faulkner said. “Looking at the cost analysis, what some of the other centers have cost, we estimate it to be $50 to $55 million; but again, that cost could go up.”

Original estimates for the project were at $100 million, including $65 million in federal funding and $35 million financed through the state of Oklahoma.

While honoring Oklahoma veterans at the state capitol Wednesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt mentioned the new veterans center moving to Sallisaw.

Faulkner said the next step is the design process, including architectural, engineering and design aspects. He said an engineering group has already been hired.

“We’re still a little ways out from turning dirt, but not near as far as we thought,” he said, noting that ODVA thought it could take until next year for the project to be listed and approved for the federal VA funds.

“We are the most expensive project on that list,” he added.

Faulkner said the 175-bed facility planned for Sallisaw will employ 300 people, many of whom they hope to retain from the Talihina facility.

“There is a relocation package we’re offering to any of the employees who want to make the move to Sallisaw,” Faulkner said, noting that the Talihina center currently has 92 veteran residents. “We’re hoping to help them with that. There’s a great staff there.”

He also said Sallisaw will be closer for a majority of families of the veterans there, as many of them live closer to Sallisaw than Talihina. Faulkner said only eight or nine families live within driving distance to the Talihina center.

The new veterans center will be constructed on 90 acres that the City of Sallisaw agreed to provide in its initial incentive package. The city is in the process of securing the property.

Sallisaw City Manager Keith Skelton announced that the federal funds had been approved at the March Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce membership meeting to rousing cheers from the crowd.

“We look forward to getting the veterans center in operation here as quickly as possible and welcoming the veterans to give them the quality of life they deserve,” Skelton said.

Faulkner said ODVA officials, along with veterans and their families were excited about the move as well.

“Seeing the excitement in the city of Sallisaw, it’s pumping us up even more,” Faulkner said. “To see how your community is responding, it’s very exciting to us. We look forward to being there and to start building soon.”

Faulkner said since legislation to halt the relocation was not heard out of committee and is now considered a “dead bill,” they are moving “full steam ahead” with the new Sallisaw facility.

“I think we’re shocking some people just how quickly we’re moving,” Faulkner said. “There’s so much excitement. America’s newest veterans center will be in Oklahoma.”

The ODVA hopes the Sallisaw veterans center is completed and in operation within 2 ½ years.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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Vikings Add Esports to Athletic Programs

Dr. Jay Falkner, CASC President

Carl Albert State College has added a new competitive athletic program to its lineup, and these collegiate athletes may not even break a sweat.

Dr. Jay Falkner, CASC president, told the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce membership at its monthly meeting Wednesday that the college was the very first junior college in the state of Oklahoma to have an esports arena for competitive electronic athletics.

“We are recruiting folks now from the five-state area for this program,” Falkner said, adding that there will be teams on both the Sallisaw and Poteau campuses. “We are building arenas on both sites – state-of-the-art facilities. This is a big, big deal.”

College esports began almost 10 years ago as different schools formed electronic sports clubs, playing a variety of electronic games, including League of Legends, in collegiate tournaments. Last year, there were more than 73 college varsity esports programs in the National Association of Collegiate Esports, or NACE.

Last month, CASC became a member of NACE and will be the first community college in Oklahoma to field teams in Poteau and Sallisaw.

Falkner said the National Junior College Athletic Association has sanctioned the esports league.

“More people tuned in to the finals last year than the Super Bowl,” Falkner said. “This is big business. Hopefully, we’ll draw some people into our area for tournaments.”

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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Area Church Offers Free Prom Closet

Prom season is almost here, and one area church intends to help lots of girls find the perfect dress – at no cost.

Grace Fellowship Church in Fort Smith will host a free Prom Closet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the church, 10303 Highway 45 in Fort Smith.

Zenda Dodson, event coordinator, said the church was gifted more than 400 dresses from a store that was closing, and they hope to help many girls with a special prom dress.

“Every girl deserves to have the opportunity to have the dress of her dreams,” Dodson said, adding that there are dresses of all styles and sizes. “We want to try and help as many girls as we can to have a good prom experience.”

She said most prom closets operate like a free rental, where the dresses are returned each year. Dodson said these dresses will be gifted to the girls, with the promise that they will not sell the dress for money, but that they will pay it forward, and pass the dress along to someone else who will use it.

“We want to help anybody we can possibly help,” Dodson added.

For more information, call 479-926-0141.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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City of Sallisaw Named March Chamber Member

The City of Sallisaw took center stage at the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce’s monthly membership meeting Wednesday, as it was named the Chamber Member of the Month for March.

Chamber President Marley Abell cited a long list of the city’s accomplishments from the past few months, from securing the relocated veterans center to a new landfill cell to new chamber offices. Work continues on a new gazebo at the library and the sports complex, along with walking trails, plus construction gets underway soon on the new splash pad, with completion expected by mid-June.

“As the staff prepares for the fiscal year 2020 budget, they continue to look at additional water, sewer, street, park and city improvements,” Abell said.

After accepting the award along with many of the city staff members, City Manager Keith Skelton shared some very good news about the veteran’s center.

“We were notified yesterday by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs that they did receive their federal funding for this center,” Skelton told the chamber membership. “There was a thought they wouldn’t receive this money until the next fiscal year, but they did good and achieved the funding this year.”

Skelton said the ODVA is now working on timelines to move forward. He added that this collaborative project is a true indication of how a community can come together to accomplish great things.

“We look forward to getting the veterans center in operation here as quickly as possible and welcoming the veterans to give them the quality of life they deserve,” Skelton said.

In other chamber business, Abell said planning was underway for Diamond Daze, with the possibility of bringing in a large Christian group for entertainment. The chamber has created a veteran’s committee, and announced lots of spring activities coming up, including the Hot Pickin’, Finger Lickin’ BBQ Contest and Band Fest, slated for April 26-27 and co-sponsored by Main Street Sallisaw and the Sallisaw Chamber.

As chamber members dined on a pasta lunch catered by Roma’s, Dr. Jay Falkner, president of Carl Albert State College, which hosted the membership meeting, shared exciting news about the college, including Carl Albert being the very first junior college in the state of Oklahoma to have an eSports arena for competitive electronic athletics.

“We are recruiting folks now from the five-state area for this program,” Falkner said, adding that there will be teams on both the Sallisaw and Poteau campuses. “We are building arenas on both sites – state-of-the-art facilities. This is a big, big deal.”

Sallisaw Police Captain Beau Gabbert then shared information about House Bill 2597, which is the state’s new constitutional carry law that that goes into effect Nov. 1.

 Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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Sallisaw Man Pleads Guilty

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced Wednesday that Randall Doyle McGuire, age 39, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to Possession Of Unregistered Firearm (Destructive Device-Incendiary Bomb) punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine or both.

The Indictment alleges that on or about July 16, 2018 the defendant, did knowingly possess a destructive device (incendiary bomb) not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Sallisaw Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States. 

KXMX News Staff

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Voting Information for Tuesday's Election

Voters will go to the polls Tuesday for the Gans & Liberty General School Election and the Municipals Election, Sequoyah County Election Board Secretary Cindy Osborn said today.

Please keep the following information and tips in mind as the election approaches. –Early voting will be available at the County Election Board office from 8a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday March 28th and Friday March 29th. 

- Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Lines are possible at peak voting times. Wait times will likely be shortest at mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Anyone in line to vote at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot.

- Anyone who needs to look up their polling place, verify their registration information, or view a sample ballot can do so online. The Online Voter Tool can be accessed on the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website: www.elections.ok.gov. Those who vote by mail can also check the status of their ballot using the Online Voter Tool. Sample ballots are also available at the County Election Board office.

- Oklahoma law requires every voter who votes in person at the precinct polling place or during early voting at the County Election Board to show proof of identity before receiving a ballot. There are three ways for voters to prove their identity under the law (only one proof of identity is required): Show a valid photo ID issued by federal, state, or tribal government; or show the free voter identification card issued to every voter by the County Election Board; or sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot. (If the information on the affidavit matches official voter registration records, the ballot will be counted after Election Day.)

- Physically disabled voters who cannot enter the polling place, need help marking their ballots, blind or visually disabled voters and illiterate voters may be assisted by a person the voter chooses. In all cases, a person providing such assistance may not be the voter’s employer or an agent of the employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union. A person providing assistance also must swear or affirm that the voter’s ballots will be marked in accordance with the voter’s wishes. Alternatively, all blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled voters in Sequoyah County may use the audio-tactile interface (ATI), a feature offered on all Oklahoma voting devices, to vote privately and independently, either at Sequoyah County Election Board during early voting or at their assigned polling place on election day.

- Voters who have moved since the last election, but who have not transferred their voter registration to their new address, may do so on Election Day by going to vote at the polling place where their registration has been in the past. While voting, they may fill out a form instructing the County Election Board to transfer their registration to the new address before the next election.

- Those who became physically incapacitated after 5 p.m. Tuesday March 26th still can request an emergency absentee ballot. Those who might qualify for an emergency absentee ballot should contact the County Election Board office at 918-775-2614 as soon as possible for more information.

- Any violation of election law will be reported to the proper law enforcement authorities. Electioneering is not allowed within 300 feet of a ballot box. It is also unlawful to remove a ballot from the polling location, possess intoxicating liquors within half a mile of a polling place or to disclose how you voted while within the election enclosure.

For additional election-related information, visit: www.elections.ok.gov.

KXMX News Staff

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Officials Release Name of Deadly Shooting Victim

Updating a story we’ve been following for you here on The Mix, law enforcement has officially released the name of the victim in the fatal shooting near Sallisaw last Friday.

Vernon Gene Plummer, 44, of Sallisaw and formerly of Poteau, died after allegedly being shot by Nicole Marie Jordan, 32.

Formal charges of murder in the second-degree were filed today against Jordan. She is being held without bond at the Sequoyah County jail, according to Chief Deputy Charles House.

Plummer was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS. The shooting occurred the afternoon of March 22 at what appeared to be the residence of both the victim and suspect off Old Dump Road south of Sallisaw.

Sequoyah County sheriff deputies said Plummer had a prior history with law enforcement, and that the sheriff’s office had been called out to the residence on numerous domestic calls in the past.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the case.

 Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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Sallisaw Church to Host Fish Fry Fundraiser

Now that spring is here, the fish are biting and one local church plans to take advantage of that to raise some money.

Saint Francis Xavier will host a fish fry and silent auction from 6 to 8 p.m. this Friday, March 29 at the church, 2110 N. Dogwood in Sallisaw.

For a traditional catfish meal of catfish fillets, French fries, hush puppies and coleslaw, including dessert and drink, adults can donate $9, and for children ages 12 and under, it’s only a $6 donation.

Proceeds from the fundraiser and silent auction will go to the building fund.

Although they’ve skipped a few years recently, this will become an annual event, according to parish member Aaron Hatfield.

You can email to-go orders to Aaron.hatfield@loves.com or call them in to 918-990-0280.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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Shooter Identified in Weekend Death

Nicole Jordan

The Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the shooter in the Friday fatal shooting south of Sallisaw that left one man dead. 

Nicole Jordan, 32, is being held with no bond on second-degree murder charges at the Sequoyah County jail, according to Sequoyah County Chief Deputy Charles House. 

The victim, whose name has not officially been released at this time, was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS officials, according to Sequoyah County Undersheriff Greg Cox, who was on the scene Friday at a residence off Old Dump Road south of Sallisaw where the shooting occurred. 

Cox said a call came in to Sequoyah County 911 and was dispatched to deputies. 

“They made entry into the residence and they located a white male subject laying on the floor,” Cox explained. “They were not able to get a pulse. They started CPR, then EMS arrived and took over the CPR and then later pronounced him dead.” 

Cox said the alleged weapon, a handgun, was recovered at the scene. He also said the victim had a prior history with law enforcement, and it is believed that the victim and suspect had a child together. Cox did say the Drug Task Force had been to the scene, but there were no sign of drugs at the residence. 

Sequoyah County Chief Deputy Charles House said the Sequoyah County sheriff’s office has been called out to that residence on numerous domestic calls in the past. 

“We have had to go out there before,” House said. 

He also said that while Jordan was listed as having a Poteau address, she had been living at the residence where the incident happened. 

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the case. They report the case is open and ongoing. 

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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Several Injured in Leflore County Accident

Five people were injured in a three-vehicle collision early Friday morning near Cameron in Leflore County.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that Billy Self, 58, of Cameron, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet pickup northbound on Highway 112 approximately ½ mile north of Cameron just before 5 a.m. when he struck a cow, causing the cow to cross into the southbound lane of Highway 112, when the cow was also struck by a 2013 Chrysler driven by Vanita Bowling, 44, of Muldrow. Self’s vehicle became disabled after hitting the cow in the northbound lane, and was struck by a 2016 Ford driven by Martha Self, 57, of Cameron.

Billy Self was transported by Leflore County EMS to Baptist Health hospital in Fort Smith. He was treated and released for back, leg, neck, and head injuries.

Bowling and a passenger in her vehicle, 18-year-old Samantha Bowling of Muldrow, were both treated at the scene for minor  injuries. A 7-year-old juvenile male passenger in Bowling’s vehicle was airlifted from the scene to St. Francis hospital in Tulsa, then transferred to Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was listed in serious but stable condition with multiple injuries, according to the OHP. A third passenger in Bowling’s vehicle, a 17-year-old female of Muldrow, was not injured.

Martha Self was transported by Leflore County EMS to Baptist Health in Fort Smith, and was treated and released for multiple injuries. 

The OHP reports that seatbelts were in use by all parties.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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One Killed in Fatal Shooting

A female shooter is under arrest and one male is deceased after a fatal shooting near Sallisaw. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

According to Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Charles House the shooting occurred at a residence off Old Dump Road south of Sallisaw Friday afternoon. The sheriff's office is currently working to obtain a search warrant for the residence.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has been called to investigate the crime scene and have just arrived at the residence, House added.

Both parties names are being withheld until family member are notified, stated Sheriff Larry Lane.

KXMX News Staff

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Sallisaw Library Making Improvements

Work continues on the new pavilion at the Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library, which officials hope to complete by the first of May. The old gazebo was removed, making room for more benches and new landscaping.

 

The Friends of the Stanley Tubbs Library have embarked on a $20,000 fundraising campaign to place a new digital, information sign on the front lawn of the library, which would appear much like this enhanced photograph.

The local library is getting a much-needed facelift with some improvements that are underway, including a new gazebo and a new digital sign.

A new gazebo is under construction at Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library downtown, according to Keith Miller, city building development director.

“We found out we had some rot; it was really becoming dilapidated,” Miller said, adding that the gazebo is used by many organizations for events and activities on the library lawn. “That’s really the hub of where things happen downtown.”

City Manager Keith Skelton had Miller’s design approved by the Sallisaw city commissioners, and construction began recently on the new gazebo, which is to the west of the library building.

Miller said the new gazebo will include new and updated electrical wiring with more receptacles and outlets, including the Mayor’s switch, which is used for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. More LED lighting is included in the new gazebo design as well, Miller added, noting that IPS Construction received the bid.

Funds for the $19,200 project include $7,000 from GRDA, with the remainder coming from allocations in the city budget, according to Miller.

“We opened up some more room by taking down the old gazebo,” Miller explained. “More benches will be added and a little more landscaping. He (Skelton) really wants to dress it up. We use that library lawn for a lot of things.”

Another change to the library lawn landscape is in the works.

The Friends of the Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library have begun a fundraising campaign to purchase a new digital information sign for the library.

Carrol and Linda Copeland, who both work tirelessly for the nonprofit support organization, said the state-of-the-art sign will stand outside the library and will be used to promote the library and inform residents of the library’s many activities.

“You’d be surprised at the number of people who don’t even know there’s a library there,” Carrol Copeland said. “We’re hoping to get this in so we can publicize happenings at the library, kid’s classes and cool stuff coming up.”

The sign -- which will be provided at a discount by Dub Harrison with Harrison Signs, who is related to the Tubbs family for which the library is named – features a double-sided, 3-foot by 6-foot LED sign on an 8-foot tall base. Library staff will be able to change the messages on the sign via computer. Estimated cost is $20,000.

“This is our biggest undertaking,” Copeland said, adding that the first-Thursday fundraisers at Mazzio’s Pizza bring in less than $20 each month for the Friends organization. “But it’s something that’s needed.”

A donation account has been established at National Bank of Sallisaw under the Friends of the Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library. Donation jars are available at several businesses in Sallisaw, including Mazzio’s and Maria’s. Copeland said the organization has also applied for several grants.

But they are asking for the community’s help in making the sign a reality.

“Every little bit helps,” he said, adding that the Friends organization already has $2,000 toward the $20,000 goal.

Donations are tax-deductible; cash donations can be made to the NBS account, the donation jars or by contacting Carrol Copeland on Facebook or 918-315-4089.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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