The Community Focus Update (04/16/21)

The Community Focus Update

Date: April 16th, 2021

Note: This is a working document information may change. Missing numbers means stories were dropped.

(Montage)

Mike: In this week’s program we'll stop in Afton and meet a Marine Veteran with a dream. In Fairland we’ll learn how a Supreme Court decision affects public safety. Later in the program we’ll discover just how much Miami spent to improve Key Club Park. All this and more here on The Community Focus Update!

(PPT Video/Chroma Key)

-:60 Opener/Lower third (Mike)

(One shot) (Zoom in)

Mike: Welcome to our 52nd episode of the Community Focus Update. I’m Michael Woodruff. Before we dive into what's going on around Ottawa County let's talk about our sponsors.

-Miami Chamber of Commerce

Mike: Looking to get direct answers from our elected leaders? Plan to attend “Eggs & Issues” A Breakfast event that provides updates from our State Legislators. The first one of four will be on April 23 with State Senator Michael Bergstrom and State Representative Steve Bashore. In addition, to providing updates on key issues that affect business and quality of life in the State of Oklahoma they will be available for to answer your questions. Tickets for this event are $15 a person. To learn more visit the Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce website at the link on the screen or call (918) 542-4481.

https://miamiokchamber.com/the-chamber/events/

-Kdawg Online Auction

Mike:Owned and operated by Kenny and Diahann Wiford , K Dawg Online Auction features brand new liquidated items at the fraction of store prices. If you have a Facebook profile you can be a member of our group and bid. Auctions begin each Friday night at 6 and end on Saturday night at 6. To get a deal on someone else's extravagant decision and change of mind visit facebook dot com slash groups slash Kdawgauctions. (Facebook link on screen)

-Elegance Unleashed

Mike: Elegance Unleashed; Owner Deb Swank offers a full service salon for you and your family. They offer a wide variety of services from haircuts to pedicures. Due to easing of state and local Covid-19 rules Elegance Unleashed, will be taking one-on-one appointments. Children and the disabled can be accompanied by one adult. As a safety caution all clients are asked to wear surgical masks. If you don’t have a mask one will be provided. Deb wants to thank everyone for their past patronage and looks forward to serving returning and new customers. For an appointment call 918-544-6976.

-Extreme Gaming Mike: In addition to video games, Extreme Gaming at 1915 North Main in Miami is now offering movie rentals! Each Tuesday is New Release day and with over twelve hundred titles in stock, there’s something for everyone! To learn more give Extreme Gaming a call at 918-542-7529. On the phone or in person be sure to thank them for sponsoring the Community Focus Update!

-CASA Facebook Live Event/Fundraiser

Mike: Coming up on April 30th at 6pm It’s CASA's Cherish The Child Cruise Night Livestream. Hosted by yours truly, this Facebook live will feature the sites and sounds of a community cruise night on Route 66 as Woodruff Media Management raises money for CASA of Northeast Oklahoma. 50% of all advertising revenue will be donated to CASA and 100% of all individual Eventbrite tickets will be forwarded to CASA. For more information visit our website Woodruff Media Management dot com slash events. Current sponsors include Unity of Joplin, Elegance Unleashed, Nowhere on 66 Barbecue, and Route 66 Truck & Trailer, Extreme Gaming, The Ottawa County Farmers Market and All Saints Episcopal Church.

Mike: If you’d like to advertise or be a sponsor of The Community Focus Update it’s only $10 an episode during the covid-19 pandemic. Email me at Michael at Woodruff Media Management dot com with the Word “advertising” in the subject line.

#1 (one shot/Video)

(Afton Museum) Mike: If you’ve driven thru Afton recently you probably saw something rather oddly decorated tree across the street from town hall. We caught up with Marine Corps Veteran and car collector Al Childs and learned about a dream that is close to becoming a reality.

Lower Third: Al Childs, Owner, Future Route 66 Car museum

Mike: Upon completion of this new museum we will return to give you a behind the scenes look.

#2 (One shot/Graphic)

(Casey’s Adds New Stores) Mike: On Tuesday, March 23rd Casey’s General Stores, announced an agreement to acquire 49 stores throughout Oklahoma from Circle K Stores Inc. to include in an all-cash transaction for $39 million. The transaction includes the 46 leased properties and 3 owned properties and is expected to close in the fiscal quarter on July 31, 2021. These stores will be supplied by the company’s new distribution center in Joplin, MO. and the nearest “new” Casey’s in Northeast Oklahoma will be in Grove.

#3 (One shot/Video)

(Miami Park Improvement)

Mike: If you haven’t visited the park recently you are in for a nice surprise. According to Miami Parks and Facilities Manager JUSTIN HILGENBERG, 2021 is the year to focus on city parks with the MHS Key Club Park or as many may call it “Rocket Park” being at the forefront. The first major part was utilizing the resources already available to the city, this included moving and painting the USS nautilus submarine that was at Riverview park. Painting the much loved rocket and other playground equipment. Fixing the basketball court, and laying wood chips around the playground. The city also brought in trash cans and benches from the travel information center that the state replaced from the recent upgrade last March. The city is now working on a shelter at the park.

-Stock Video

Mike: Currently the cost for the entire project is $20,000 with $17,500 of it funded by the recent selling of the parks caboose via an online auction last september. The remaining costs will be covered by the parks department general fund.

#4 (One shot/Graphic)

(Quapaw Code Enforcement)

Mike: In the past month many Communities across Ottawa county have been in spring cleaning mode. In a recent episode of the Community Focus Update we reported on how the Town of Quapaw gave residents an opportunity to dispose of items free of charge. If you missed that opportunity the town wants to remind you Code enforcement will be out in full force starting on April 14th. To ensure you don’t get a violation notice, you need to keep your yard clean free of tall weeds and grass, accumulated trash to include junk vehicles and appliances. Upon being noticed, you’ll have 2 weeks to be with in code. If your yard is still in violation you will receive a summons for town court. At court the judge will determine the next course of action to include a $100 fine. If you need help or have questions call Quapaw Town Hall at 918-674-2525.

#5 (one shot/graphic)

(The Community Crisis Center needs Paper Products)

Mike: The Community Crisis Center is in need of your help. Currently they are in need of toilet paper and paper towels. To do a quick good deed drop off a package at these locations. 118 A Street SE Miami, 454 Krause Street Jay, 128 S Wilson Vinita 3651 US Hwy 59 Grove

-Graphic

Mike: Have a news tip? Let us know by visiting our website at Woodruff Media Management dot com slash news.

Mike: After the break we’ll see what the Fairland police department is doing to help Cherokee Tribal members in light of a recent Supreme Court Ruling. Until then here’s more information you need to know. Upcoming Government Meetings

Ottawa County Commissioners Monday April 19, 9am (online)

Miami City Council Monday April 19, 6pm (online/in person)

Commercial Break (Unity of Joplin, Paid)

Mike: Welcome Back everyone.

#2 (one shot/graphic)

(The effects of Mcgirt on Fairland)

Mike: Prior to its statehood in 1907, about half of the land in eastern Oklahoma belonged to what is often referred to the Five Civilized Tribes, the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek (Muscogee), and Seminole due to a series of forced displacements by the United States Government known as the Trail of Tears between 1830 and 1850. All-in-all 39 Nations now call Oklahoma home. While Native Americans have been recognized as American citizens with all rights granted by the United States Constitution with the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924 this act did reach full intention until 1948. Since that time many Native American issues have been decided upon by the Supreme Court. Last year one such case was argued before the Court in what is now called McGirt versus Oklahoma. At the heart of this case was The Major Crimes Act which was initially passed in 1834, The MCA provides that, within “the Indian country,” “[a]ny Indian who commits” certain enumerated offenses “shall be subject to the same law and penalties as all other persons committing any of [those] offenses, within the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States.” 18 U. S. C. §1153(a). “Indian country” includes “all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government.” §1151. The Petitioner was Jimcy McGirt who was convicted by an Oklahoma state court in 1997 of three serious sexual offenses against a 4 year old girl and was sentenced to 1,000 years plus life in prison. In a following appeal McGirt unsuccessfully argued in state postconviction proceedings that the State lacked jurisdiction to prosecute him because he is an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation and his crimes took place on the Creek Reservation. He sought a new trial, which, he contends, needed to take place in federal court.

On April 17th 2019, McGirt submitted documents from his prison cell in Helena for his chance to argue before the Supreme court. Asking the question “ WHETHER OKLAHOMA COURTS CAN CONTINUE TO UNLAWFULLY EXERCISE, UNDER STATE LAW, CRIMINAL JURISDICTION AS"JUSTICIABLE MATTER" IN INDIAN COUNTRY OVER INDIANS ACCUSED OF MAJOR CRIMES ENUMERATED UNDER THE INDIAN MAJOR CRIMES ACT-WHICH ARE UNDER EXCLUSIVE FEDERAL JURISDICTION.“

On August 10th, 2020 the Supreme Court delivered their decision. In a 5–4 decision, the Supreme Court reversed the understanding of the current law The Court found that the 1832 and 1833 Treaties that led to the many Trails of Tears were in exchange for a “permanent home to the whole Creek Nation of Indians, The five Civilized tribes were sovereign in the eyes of the law.

Since that ruling, local law enforcement have found it difficult to serve the public. In a recent discussion with the Fairland Board of Trustees Police Chief Aaron Richardson informed the town on how the Supreme Court ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma has affected local law enforcement in regard to Cherokee tribe members.

Lower Third: Aaron Richardson, Police Chief, Fairland, Oklahoma

Mike: Coming up after the break, we’ll talk about what's coming up on the next episode of The Community Focus Update.

Did you know trivia

Commercial Break (Ottawa County Farmers Market :30, Paid)

Mike: Well that’s it for this week’s program. Be sure to like and share this video and become our friend on Facebook. Thanks again for watching. We’ll see you next week!

(Copyright 2021/fade out)

Sources:

Miami Sells Caboose

The Community Focus Update (09/03/20)

McGirt v. Oklahoma http://www.thesovereigntysymposium.com/tribal.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Citizenship_Act https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/mcgirt-v-oklahoma/

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/18-9526_9okb.pdf

Audio Argument https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2019/18-9526

Artwork

https://www.okhistory.org/learn/ai2

https://www.oklahoman.com/article/5389699/oklahoma-history-center-to-repair-trail-of-tears-mural