DUNCAN —
The amendment of Ordinance 13-231 is once again up for discussion at the Duncan City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting at 5:15 p.m. today.
The item has been on the agenda for the past two council meetings but has been tabled to allow for further research on amending this ordinance safely. If approved, the amendment would allow developers to be able to burn in a larger area, a 40-foot by 40-foot pit.
The ordinance currently only allows for permits to burn in a 10-foot by 10-foot pit. The amended ordinance would allow large land developers to burn in a larger space providing they have proper equipment and safety measures in place, which will be discussed with the ordinance amendment. The council will also vote on whether or not this item is an emergency, which would activate the proposed amendment immediately.
Also at today’s meeting, the council will consider approving a resolution establishing the filing period and establishing the date for the general election for offices of Councilman Wards Three and Four. Tommy Edwards currently serves in the seat for Ward three and Ricky Mayes currently serves in the seat for Ward four.
Although the filing period will not begin until Feb. 4 and will run until Feb. 6, City Manager James Freida said he wanted to give people plenty of notice to think about whether they wanted to file for election.
While Edwards does not know if he will be filing for reelection and will be thinking about it the next few months, Councilman Ricky Mayes said that he probably will file for reelection.
The council will also be looking at approving the purchase of eight dormitory chairs for Duncan Fire Station No. 1 for $5,698. The chairs would be purchased from Hamilton Bryan at $700 per chair with an added $98 for delivery. This bid has been compared to three other bids that were not selected due to either a lack of product or a higher price.
Other business:
The council will consider the repair of rescue engine no. 1.
The council will consider the purchase of energy efficient windows at Fire Station No. 2 and 3.
The council will consider the purchase of a wired/wireless intercom communication system for fire engine no. 1.
The council will consider the purchase of a hot water pressure washer for the Parks Department.
The council will consider awarding bid for demolition of seven dilapidated residential structures.
The council will consider approving the replacement of the vacancy in seat one on the Duncan Airport Commission Board with the mayor’s appointment of Jimmy Tilley.
The regular meeting of the Duncan Public Utilities Authority and Duncan Economic Development Trust Authority will follow the council’s meeting.
Local News
Large land developers could get bigger burn pits
City council to consider tabled ordinance, set resolution for filings
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Commissioners discuss temporary fix to courthouse air conditioning issues
The Board of Stephens County Commissioners held an emergency meeting Thursday to find a temporary solution for cooling off the courthouse, until a new system can be installed. Commissioners approved a temporary solution from Allied Services in Ardmore and will rent an air conditioning unit for $10,000 for the first month and $7,000 for the second month. The commissioners estimate it will take about two months for any company to get a new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system in stock.
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DPS administrators discuss inclement weather procedures
On Thursday, Duncan school administrators participated in a district-wide de-briefing to discuss how Monday’s reaction to a tornado threat went at each school. Superintendent Sherry Labyer said the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Labyer said the school district will look to improve its procedures. -
Substitute teacher saves special education students from tornado
When the F-5 tornado did its damage at Plaza Towers Elementary in Moore on Monday, and after the silence had passed, one little boy looked at his teacher and asked where his backpack was.
“I don’t know, but we’ll look for it later,” Joy Hendrix said to him. -
A celebration of faith and unity
There was a sense of celebration and appreciation throughout the J.M Carey Fieldhouse Thursday night in Velma.With the graduation ceremony commencing for the Velma-Alma High School Class of 2013, came an assortment of emotions, all telling a story.In total 31 students walked the stage to receive their diplomas on the evening. -
Velma native runs only to discover home annihilated
Stuck in traffic trying to get to his home, Roger Graham decided he might as well park the car and run. A Moore resident, the accountant, dressed in casual business attire, didn’t think twice about the distance.
“It was two miles,” he said. “I just took off.” His wife, Kalissa, a school teacher, was right behind him. -
Duncan students to remain in school Tuesday, Wednesday
When Duncan seniors cross the stage tonight, they won’t necessarily be done with high school.Duncan students will go to school Tuesday and Wednesday, following a three-day weekend for Memorial Day. DHS Assistant Principal Merry Stone said those two days are regular school days for students.
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Moore Tornado Showcases Advancements in Warnings
Despite the utter devastation left in the wake of the massive tornado that tore through Moore, Okla. on Monday, the deadly storm, in many ways, helped showcase how far scientists have come in providing communities early tornado warning signs.
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ODOT efforts hampered by general public traffic
Oklahoma Department of Transportation is requesting that motorists avoid I-35 through Moore, S. 19th Street because the ramp is closed and emergency and clean-up crews are hampering their efforts.
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National EMS Week shines spotlight on rescue workers
The Air Evac helicopter was sitting on the helipad at Duncan Regional Hospital Wednesday, but not for emergency reasons.
National EMS Week, May 19-25, is about connecting with the community and the Air Evac Lifeteam was doing just that.
“Every base we have is doing something like this during the week,” said Heather Taylor, Air Evac program director. “We want to show appreciation to our community.” -
Restaurant rumors remain on the hot plate
From IHOP and HomeTown Buffet to Chili’s and Olive Garden, restaurant whisperings have been running rampant in the community since the arrival of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar.
Although there are a few open spaces such as the old Golden Corral location and the soon-to-close Honda site, none of these rumors can be confirmed at this point according to Chris Deal, Duncan Chamber of Commerce president. No information on any of the businesses’ websites points to them opening a new location in the area. - More Local News Headlines
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Commissioners discuss temporary fix to courthouse air conditioning issues



