WEEKEND EDITION MIAMIOK.COM Have a great day! TWO OF STATE’S TOP Thanks for supporting SMALL SCHOOLS TANGLE your local paper! SPORTS, PAGE B1 6 54708 10125 7 MIAMI NEWS-RECORD Serving Miami and the surrounding communities since 1903. Friday, November 20, 2020 | Vol. 116 No. 93 | $1.25 Miami plans to seek federal grant money to work on flood issues Jim Ellis [email protected] MIAMI — Calling it a potential game changer, Miami officials are forging ahead with an attempt to land a portion of as much as $750 million in federal grant money to alleviate the flooding that almost annually swamps the city. “This definitely could be a game changer for us and that’s what I am banking on: this to be that shot in the arm that Miami has needed for many, many years,” Miami mayor Bless Parker said following a special meeting of the Mayor’s Flood Advisory Board Wednesday, Nov. 18. “There’s $750 million worth of FEMA grants available for flood-prone areas, so we’re trying to get as much of that money as we can,” said Parker, who has been mayor since July. “Our city manager has gone over it really well. He thinks this grant was kind of designed for us and what we go through as a community. “We want to take advantage of this JIM ELLIS MNR Members of the Mayor’s Flood Advisory Board look over a map of Miami during a special meeting Wednesday, Nov. 18. Pic- SEE FLOOD, A3 tured are (from left), Bless Parker, Rich Lillard, Ben Loring, Amanda Davis and Larry Smith. Miami teacher receives country music teacher classroom initiative Carla Nielsen In addition to [email protected] classroom supplies and project funding, MIAMI — A Miami Moravec’s class will teacher — Jessica receive a songwriting Moravec, a special session with Gill via a education teacher K-12 personal visit or a Zoom at the Rockdale Innova- video. tion Center — has been Students will select chosen as a recipient a topic of interest and, of a program called the together as a class, New methods established for Country Music Teacher write a song that will be Classroom Initiative, shared with their school country musician Jake and community. Gill’s ongoing initiative “I have a lot of fun county property tax payments to provide children and in my classroom,” teachers throughout Moravec said. “We do a Carla Nielsen not receive any funds from the US and world with lot of learning through [email protected] those fees charged. classroom supplies and play for my littles. The In other matters at Monday’s project funds. kids learn so many COURTESY PHOTO MIAMI – County treasurer meeting, the board approved a Items can be pur- Jessica Moravec, a special education teacher new things every day Kathy Bowling has reported proposal for the performance chased by anyone in through games/hands- that property tax statements of right-of-way acquisition K-12 at the Rockdale Innovation Center in the world and delivered Miami, has been chosen as a country music on activities without will be sent out soon and that, services in District 2 needed for directly to the selected teacher/classroom initiative recipient, spon- even realizing that they due to COVID-19 restrictions, a Bridge 87, Sycamore (Straw- teacher. sored by country musician Jake Gill. She is are learning. I enjoy that her office will not be able to berry Bridge) project provided Gill, a seven-year shown with her husband. we as teachers are able accept in-person payments for by Guy Engineering, and a member of the Coun- to do so many things in is nothing better in put into learning a new the foreseeable future. resolution authorizing Bowling, try Music Association, our classroom to make At the regular meeting of Tabitha Reeves, Sarah Barton, founded the CMTCI the life of a teacher topic pays off. I love the learning something kids the commissioners Monday and Kourtney Poteet as signers aer a series of life than witnessing that excitement the students want and are excited to morning, Bowling requested on the county general bank changing events in the moment when things have about making every do.” that county residents mail their account at Welch State Bank. early spring of 2020. It come together and begin little accomplishment. Gill believes that property tax payments to P.O. The commissioners also is his hope that teachers to click for a student. “Believe me, no matter songwriting can help Box 1024, Miami, OK 74355, approved the donation of and classrooms all over It is such a reward to how small the accom- stimulate a child’s or go online to pay them at four new tires to the Sheriff’s the world will benefit see the work that you plishment may seem we creative dimensions and oktaxrolls.com. Animal Cruelty Unit from from the program. have put into teaching, celebrate each and every There is also a new drop Midtown Kia of Tulsa. The esti- Moravec said, “There and the student has one.” SEE HONORED, A2 box being installed outside mated amount of the donation the courthouse where pay- is $616.68. ments can be dropped off in an In addition, they approved envelope. There is no need for a donation from Law Enforce- a stamp. ment Magnets to the Sheriff’s Operation Christmas Child shoebox project under way For mail in payments and Reserve Program in the amount drop box submissions, include of $584.32. Staff reports generous donors and filled with with COVID-19 restrictions. a self-addressed, stamped enve- It was also approved for [email protected] toys, hygiene items, and school There’s still time for individuals, lope if you would like a receipt David Walker to receive the supplies may be dropped off families, and groups to transform to be mailed to you. Please do county deed for property he MIAMI — As Thanksgiving now during National Collection empty shoeboxes into fun gis. not include cash — checks, acquired at re-sale described as Day approaches, many fami- Week, which runs thorough Nov. The project partners with local money orders, or cashier’s Lot 14, Block 47, Original Plat lies are already thinking about 23. churches across the globe to checks only. 1, Miami, and they approved a Christmas. For those who are Operation Christmas Child deliver these tangible expressions The “convenience” process- county deed for Abimael Gon- including Operation Christmas has been collecting and deliver- of God’s love to children in need. ing fee online for direct bank zalez for property acquired at Child shoebox gis as part of ing shoebox gis to children Find a step-by-step guide on the deductions will be $1.75, and re-sale described as Lot 27-28, their holiday, more than 4,000 worldwide for more than two How to Pack a Shoebox webpage. for credit and debit cards it will Block 2, Fairhome Addition, drop-off sites are now open. decades. This is a project every- be $2.95. Ottawa County does Miami. Shoebox gis prepared by one can still be part of, even SEE SHOEBOX, A3 nAÏ æ£Ý£ nAeÄæAÏÝnÏÓ There are two types of }×ƓĴĴ ě×ĴŴ ǨœǏ ď×ƶ ƶě× Ǥœľņ people in this world ǨœǏ ěǢ× ģņ ǨœǏƖ ƞģďěƶƞſ People who read newspapers. And people who blame the media for not covering Ƽư D B0D _c B0B0 H< Ɨýưóý anything. ŬľŘÝů óýƼĕƼýŘư ¨ ,H*H]c.:s>]wŴHB #newspapersthrive *ĘĻ¿ DŽƐ ʼnĻ *©Òʼnʼnħ Ļ¿ cǚĘƫƫÒƉ B0ĕǪǪǪƗýƼƟó A2 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 miamiok.com THE MIAMI NEWS-RECORD NEWS DOCS SENIOR MENU Thanksgiving Holiday Monday, Nov. 23 Spaghetti w/meat sauce, peas, apple- hanksgiving week- sauce, garlic bread, cookie end has always been Ta favorite holiday Tuesday, Nov. 24 of mine. For one thing, it Beef taco salad (lettuce/cheese/tomato), always meant me getting a refried beans, banana pudding couple of extra days off from DONNIE work. But other than that, so RAY Wednesday, Nov. 25 many things I have enjoyed through my lifetime revolve Sliced turkey, mash potato/gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing, pumpkin pie around the Thanksgiving thus leading to our success. weekend. The food, football, Cooking works the same Thursday, Nov. 26 and for many years, hunting way. You can just show up Bobwhite Quail. Closed and participate, or you can Several years ago, when take the extra step of plan- we had limited television Friday, Nov. 27 ning and preparing, and coverage of college football, Closed come out a winner. That Call before 12 p.m. one day prior for a res- one highlight of past Thanks- is what today’s recipe is giving weekends was always ervation at the selected nutrition site. about. This is a recipe from DOCServices Inc. Main Office the televised Oklahoma/ a renowned chef for the — 918-542-6671 Nebraska football game, Thanksgiving Classic Green • Nine Tribes: 918-542-3713 which would generally hold a Bean Casserole. This recipe • Commerce: 918-675-5207 bearing on the Big 8 Con- football practice on Thanks- high-powered Stillwater team • Grove Senior Ctr.: 918-786-6310 giving afternoon. Our Miami to only seven points. My requires more preparation • Vinita: 918-961-0273 ference championship each than the original classic ver- year, with another tradition Wardog football team had teammate and lifelong friend Suggested donation for seniors 60+ is $3 sion using canned soup and and guest rate for individuals under 60 is $5. being the Dallas Cowboys won the conference champi- Jimbo Owens had inter- onship that year and we were cepted four passes in that canned onions, but if you All paid Meals on Wheels is $4.50 per and Detroit Lions playing take it upon yourself to put a meal, regardless of age.