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The Eufaula

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Indian Journal
I klahoma's Oldest Newspaper, est. 1876
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AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER

2010

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BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

75C 2011 September 15,

TWO SECTIONS, 18 PAGES

VOLUME 133, ISSUE 37 (USPS 261-620 )

Council takes action on 911 system project

By Donna Pearce

Managing Editor
Eufaula City Council members took several actions on Monday night related to the armory remodel for the 911 Center. With the installation of the system in the armory, the Eufaula Police Dept. will soon be moving to its new location at City Hall. "It will be the end of September before we get moved," said Police Chief Don Murray. He explained there had been a delay at Checotah, which has delayed Eufaula getting up and running. "When it is done, we will move into City Hall," he said. Agenda items related to the 911 project included change orders, final inspection, one-year warranty on materials, equipment and work performed and final payment to J.D. Thompson Construction for the remodel. Prior to the actions related to the 911 Center, the council moved a item concerning the upcoming school bond issue to the beginning so Rita Ford, Eufaula Schools Superintendent, could present information before going to her own Board meeting. Ford shared information about the new bond issue which will allow for conSee 911, page A3

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Photo by Tony Downing

Eufaula fans cheer for the Ironheads at a recent football game. Ironhead fans will have plenty of time to show their spirit as they celebrate Homecoming next Friday.

2011 EUFAULA HOMECOMING SCHEDULE

9:30-11 a.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 7:30 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 9 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23 Pep Assembly Parade Coronation Football game Saturday, Sept. 24 Doors open Dinner Dance
Auditorium Main Street Paul Bell Stadium Paul Bell Stadium

Tickets available for EHS Homecoming Banquet, Dance

are Plans are underway for the Eufaula High School Homecoming Banquet/Dance scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, at VFW Post #8798. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The chicken or steak dinner will be catered by Hank Starkey. The dance featuring the Dixie Rain band will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight. See TICKETS, page A3

VFW Post #8798 VFW Post #8798 VFW Post #8798

Eufaula Schools implement new parent notification system

In order to make contacting parents and guardians more efficient, Eufaula School Superintendent Rita Ford is introducing a new parent notification system that has been put in place for the 2011-2012 school term. This system will automatically call the phone number on file for each parent to notify them of school related announcements. "The calling system will mainly be used to let parents know when school will be cancelled for bad weather or other emergency conditions," said Ford. The system will call each home in under a minute and the retry numbers that no answer was received. "This system allows us to efficiently and quickly make contact with parents about school cancellations. We can also use the system to remind parents about school events such as parent/ teacher conferences. "I am very excited to offer this service to the patrons of our school district." Parents will need to make sure that contact information is correct at the school their child attends. It will be necessary for parents to let schools know when phone numbers change to ensure they receive a call when school is cancelled or to receive other school announcements.

Chamber meeting scheduled for Sept. 22

The Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce membership meeting will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, at Los Arcos restaurant on Hwy. 9 East. Guest speaker will be Craig Cromley, AT&T Area Manager of External Affairs. He will talk about AT&T programs, including the recently deployed 3G wireless broadband services across the Eufaula area, which provides new opportunities for broadband access in this area. Cromley will be joined by other members of the AT&T team to discuss the new network and its potential impact on businesses, health care delivery, educational opportunities and agri-business applications. Chamber executive director Jimmie Phelan said there will also be a discussion of emerging wireless devices that can bring peace of mind to individuals, all using the new wireless broadband network. She invites everyone to attend and meet Craig Cromley and his guests. Come early for lunch on your own. After the meeting, door prizes will be given away.

Cleaning up the dog house

By Donna Pearce Managing Editor Volunteers under the leadership of Mayor Selina Jayne-Dornan have started cleaning up the city's "dog house." A handful of volunteers joined the mayor one day recently to wash and clean the pens and building currently used by the City of Eufaula to house stray dogs and cats he picks up. John Pollard, former animal control officer for Eufaula has resigned and the city is now relying on volunteers to take care of the stray animals that are brought into the facility. "A number of volunteers have come forward to help do what Pollard used to do," said the mayor. Helping out on cleanup day were Beverly Ribaudo and her grandson Justin, Natalie and Angelo Renfrow, a county jail trustee and a county deputy. The Renfrows have volunteered to come to the pound twice a day to feed and water the animals housed there. Jayne-Dornan said Pollard built the building for the pens and bought an air conditioner at a garage sale, which is used to keep the animals cool in the summer. At this time, only two pens can be latched to hold the dogs. Three other pens need work. Jayne-Dornan said the goal right now is to be able to keep the dogs longer so they can be adopted out. But, eventually, she would like to see a much better shelter. "With the city in a budget crunch

What did you like best about touring Eufaula?

"I had a good time and met lots of nice people." Dan Standridge, Tulsa "Eufaula is very nice. I would like to come back." Cathy Crouch, Tulsa "I hope to come back and see more of the historical sights of this city." Bill Wright, Skiatook "Thanks to everyone on this tour. They have all been so nice." Charlotte Chavez, Tulsa
EDITOR'S NOTE: These tourists to Eufaula last Friday were on a Mystery Tour with Charlotte's Dream Journeys out of Tulsa. They started their day trip at Honey Springs Battlefield, ate lunch at Gator's in Eufaula, visited the Longtown Opry, shopped in downtown Eufaula and art at Braum's before heading home.

Photo by Donna Pearce

Mayor Selina Jayne-Doman (center) discusses ideas for a better city "dog house" with volunteers, Natalie Renfrow (left) and Beverly Ribaudo (right).
right now, we're having to depend on ordinances only allow for keeping dogs volunteers and donations to provide a for a limited number of days before healthy place to keep these animals," they are euthanized, if not adopted. she said. Dogs that are available for adoption The day before the clean up, Jayne- may be found posted on Facebook. Doman said she was at the Dollar For more information about adoptStore in Eufaula when a lady bought ing a dog from the city pound, contact two sacks of dog food and donated it the Eufaula Police Department at 918to the city dog pound. 689-2172. "It's out of the goodness of people's The city is also advertising for a heart like this that we will be able new animal control officer, which is a to make a better place to keep these 20-hours per week position. animals until they can, hopefully, be To volunteer or donate to the city adopted," said Jayne-Dornan. animal control department, call EufauCurrently, the city's animal control la City Hall at 918-689-2352.