BPD, local Walgreens team up for national ‘Take Back Day’

Event provides safe, easy disposal of unwanted Rx drugs

The Bartlesville Police Department is teaming up with a local Walgreens store to help area residents safely and legally dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs during the 14th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day , sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The event is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the Walgreens parking lot, located on the northeast corner of Frank Phillips Boulevard and U.S. Highway 75.

Citizens are encouraged to dispose of their old medications and unwanted prescription drugs at a station that will be set up in the Walgreens parking lot. The station will be staffed by a Bartlesville police officer.

“This is an important service, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of it,” said Police Chief Tom Holland.

“Walgreens thought this would be a great opportunity for citizens to be able to dispose of their unwanted medications, and we agreed,” said Capt. Rocky Bevard. “We’re happy to be teaming up with them for this and look forward to a productive event.”

Medications will be accepted at the Walgreens parking lot during the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event is for pill and patch forms of medication only. No liquids, needles or sharps will be accepted.

The service is free and anonymous — no questions asked, Bevard said.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable in bringing their medications to the site for disposal. This is not a drug enforcement issue — it’s a community service,” he said.

In addition to the Walgreens parking lot site, the police department lobby — located at Adams Boulevard and Johnstone Avenue — will remain open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 for prescription drug disposal.

“We’ll have a collection box inside the front lobby of the police department where drugs can be disposed of during this campaign as well,” Bevard said. “We will make that available that Saturday, October 28, for people who might find that location more accessible.”

“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said Holland. “We’re happy that Walgreens has shown initiative in working to make this service available to the public, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

For more information about the event, call 918-338-4050.

Read full story at www.cityofbartlesville.org

Options considered for Lee Lake pipe repair

A leaking pipe is to blame for the declining water levels at Lee Lake, City officials said Monday.

The leak was discovered after calls to City Hall from walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts reported lowering water levels. Upon further inspection, City staff discovered the leak appears to be in some of the piping far beneath the water's surface, Director of Engineering Micah Siemers said.

"The leak is in a concrete pipe that was intended to allow for the lake to be drained, if it ever needed to be, and for draining overflow from the lake," Siemers said. "The pipe is very deep below the surface and has penetrated that bank."

Siemers said the contractor that constructed the lake has been contacted for further discussion, but the leak will likely not be an easy fix.

"We have gone in and sealed it off to temporarily slow the leakage, so the water level isn't dropping as fast as it was," he said. "But more work will be required for long-term repair."

Siemers said excavation and fill work will likely be needed, in addition to replacing and/or sealing the joints.

“We’ll know more once we meet with the contractor, which should be this week,” he said.

Library to host popular ‘One Book, One Bartlesville’ program

Back by popular demand, the Bartlesville Public Library is teaming up with Children’s Musical Theatre to host “One Book, One Bartlesville” — a communitywide program designed to unite and engage the community by reading the same book at the same time.

The selected title this year is “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” by Barbara Robinson. The event will be held Oct. 22 through Dec. 2.

Described as “hilarious” and “poignant,” the story follows the six Herdman children as they take over the annual Christmas pageant.

“It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season,” said interim Library Director Shellie McGill.

The One Book, One Bartlesville program series is designed for the entire family. Weekly events will be held on Saturdays or Sundays at 2 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room of the Library.

Events planned include:

The program finale will be the Children’s Musical Theatre’s performances at Grace Community Church, 1500 King Drive in Bartlesville.

“We are excited about Children’s Musical Theatre’s first ever fall production — a full-length play with music,” said CMT Director Melinda Bellatti. “This is a heartwarming holiday story that appeals to all ages. We are thrilled to share it with the community.”

Performances are set for 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 2.

“The response to the fall production was overwhelming,” said Bellatti. “Due to the tremendous response, the play is double cast. This means two actors were cast in each role, so we have two different casts each performing two performances.”

“We are very excited to partner with the Children’s Musical Theatre for this community event,” McGill said. “We encourage everyone to participate.”

Books are available at the Library and performance tickets can be purchased by calling the Children’s Musical Theatre Office at 918-336-0558 or visiting their website at www.cmtonstage.com .

Spring, Fall clean-up program still on hold pending review

What is the plan regarding the Fall Clean Up program for 2017?

Basically, nothing significant has changed since it was announced in August that the program had been suspended pending further review. See www.cityofbartlesville.org .

The coupon program, which permitted Bartlesville residents to dispose of unwanted items at the Osage Landfill at no extra cost anytime within a six-month window, was launched last year. It turns out the coupon program is significantly more expensive to implement than previous clean-up campaigns, which included a weeklong window for disposal at the landfill and curb-side service during regularly scheduled trash collection. But while there is no cost for residents at the time of disposal, landfill fees are still paid through the City’s General Fund. Public Works Department officials say the coupon program was nearly twice as expensive last year compared to previous versions of the program.

City officials announced in August the program will be reviewed and alternatives will be explored before a decision is made on how to proceed. That review is still underway.

Keep in mind the clean-up program is not the same as the free leaf/grass collection program, which is set for Nov. 13-17 and again Dec. 18-22.

No plans yet for lot at US 75 & Price Road

What’s the status of the previously announced restaurant to be built on the northeast corner of Price Road and Highway 75? Since the demolition of the buildings which were there and clearing of the land earlier this year, there has been no activity.

According to the City's Building & Permit Office, no plans have been submitted to the City for the property. The last activity logged for the site was a demolition permit, issued to Ladd Drummond, permitting the demolition of the building formerly occupying the lot at that location. The City of Bartlesville has no records indicating a restaurant will be built at the site or of that being "previously announced," though at least some City staff members are aware there is a rumor making the rounds to that effect.

Mea Culpa

In the Oct. 10 edition of City Beat, a question was addressed regarding remodeling work at "Thirsty's by the Motel 6." After publication last week, it quickly became obvious the statement was in error.

Thirsty's, of course, is located at Madison and Adams Boulevard, nowhere near the Motel 6 and, clearly, not the subject of the question. Rather the question was intended to reference the former Quench Bud's building, located near the motel in question.

Apologies to all involved.

CPT honors veterans with discounted rates in November

Veterans using City Ride will receive discounted rates throughout the month of November, Cimarron Public Transit announced recently.

CPT operates City Ride, the City of Bartlesville's public transportation service. The service is normally $3 one way but will be available for $1 one way for veterans Nov. 1 through Nov. 30.

Veterans may show their veterans ID to receive the discounted rate.

Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with limited service on Saturday. Rides may be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling 918-336-2233 as early as possible. Calling at least 24 hours ahead of your desired ride is recommended.

For more information about CityRide, see www.cityofbartlesville.org.

Students invited to ConocoPhillips-sponsored ‘Math and Science Night’

 

The Second Annual “Hands On, Minds On Bartlesville Math and Science Night” event is scheduled to take place on Monday, Nov. 6.

 

Set to unfold from 6-8:30 p.m. in the commons area on the Madison Middle School campus, the free event is open to all area middle school students. No sign-ups are necessary.

 

Sponsored and facilitated by ConocoPhillips and the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB), the Oklahoma State University chapter of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and the College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology, the event aims to help area youngsters from grades six through eight learn more about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields as well as career options in the energy industry.

 

This event supports ConocoPhillips’ global commitment to help students excel in math, graduate high school and succeed in college.

 

While the inaugural event proved to be very popular, this year’s “Hands On, Minds On” event promises to be bigger and better. The special “Math and Science Night” offers interactive fun as students explore several activity stations focused on various subjects, such as coding, seismic activity, acid tests, stream tables and rock samples. But this year’s event will offer even more activity stations than its predecessor and more space will be available in which interested youngsters can gather and explore.

 

As was the case last year, math- and engineering-themed games will be available, with prizes awarded at the end of the night. Complimentary pizza and beverages will be provided as well. Volunteers from ConocoPhillips, OSU’s AAPG chapter and the Oklahoma Energy Resource Board will be on hand to help run the stations, guide students and offer insight.

 

Last year, more than 400 students attended the “Hands On, Minds On Bartlesville Math and Science Night.” More are expected to be on hand for this year’s event.

Story submitted by David Austin

October is National Adopt a Shelter Month

October is National Adopt a Shelter Month. The City of Bartlesville contracts with the WCSPCA to house lost/found and abandoned pets.

The shelter takes in approximately 2,500 stray or surrendered pets each year, according to WCSPCA President Janis Blanton.

"If a stray cat or dog is unclaimed after three days, it becomes the property of WCSPCA," Blanton said.

Approximately 20 percent of all dogs and fewer than one percent of all cats are reclaimed. If a cat or dog is unclaimed, it is tested for serious health issues and aggression before being put up for adoption, Blanton said.

WCSPCA and other animal shelter/rescues encourage population control by sponsoring low-cost spay and neuter programs for families in need, Blanton said.

"Eighty percent of all pets at WCSPCA are intact (not spayed or neutered) and were looking for love in all the wrong places," she said.

Blanton said the best way to get a pet promptly returned is by having dogs and cats microchipped and making sure they have an ID tag.

"Often good Samaritans and animal control will directly return a lost pet to the owner if they can be located rather than the pet ending up at the City impound at all," she said.

Photo: City of Bartlesville Animal Control Officer Charles Aubrey takes a minute to pose for a photo outside the Washington County SPCA.

Photo and information courtesy of Janis Blanton

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