Latest news with #Churchman
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County board hears ARPA project update
Construction crews continue to make headway with renovations and upgrades at the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center. Butch Lawson, construction manager at-risk with Hope Equipment and Construction, gave a brief update for the American Rescue Plan Act projects for the Stephens County Fairgrounds and Stephens County Courthouse during a routine meeting Monday. Lawson said the fairground upgrades are making progress. He said crews continue to work on renovation projects, such as the masons, metal stud framers, concrete and metal building crews. He said HVAC crews are set to begin rooftop units. For the courthouse, Lawson said the demolition crews are making good progress. 'Things are moving in the right direction,' he said. Next, county officials opened discussion for a piece of property located at 1234 W. Maple in Duncan. In a previous meeting, Churchman said the house near the courthouse parking lot is available for purchase. He said the owners would take the 2015 appraisal of $34,000. Last week, County Commissioners picked the agenda item up for further discussion and the board voted to pursue the purchase of the property, contingent on the 2015 appraisal of $34,000. On Monday, May 19, Churchman said the board would have to pay the administrative fees, like closing costs, attorney fees and abstract fees. He said the fees would come to around $1,151. Commissioner Russell Morgan made a motion to pay the closing costs for the property. The board approved the motion with a 3-0 vote. In another segment, the county board convened into an executive session to discuss case number CIV-23-646-HE for Josette Ford, administrator of the Estate of Michael Ford, deceased, versus Board of County Commissioners for Stephens County with the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. After spending about an hour and 10 minutes behind closed doors the board return to open session. With a recommendation from District Attorney Jason Hicks, Chairman Todd Churchman made a motion to authorize Commissioner Kreg Murphree to attend and negotiate mediation and litigation for Stephens County. The board approved the motion with a 3-0 vote. In the fairground report, Morgan said the fairgrounds crew are now preparing for Duncan High School's graduation ceremony Thursday, May 22. In other news, the board approved: • Executing a county deed property acquired at resale for a tract of land in the City of Duncan. • Accepting a donation for 475 tons of one and a half inches of crusher run from Continental Resources. • Accepting a letter of resignation from fair board member Patrick Jones, and affirming the appointment of Michael White to represent District #3 with a term set to expire January 2027. White will replace Jones on the fair board. • A fairground agreement for a Lifeline Screening of America health screening event in the Winchester Room Aug. 25. Due the Memorial Day holiday, the Stephens County Commissioners will convene for the next weekly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 27 at their office, located inside the Stephens County Courthouse.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County board hears ARPA project updates
Renovations and upgrades remain on track for the Stephens County Fairgrounds despite recent severe storms and substantial rainfall. During Monday's weekly county meeting, the board received an update for the American Rescue Plan Act projects. Commissioner Russell Morgan said crews will continue to pour concrete inside the building to avoid the weather and any additional rain coming this week. He said there's a lot of work to get done at the Stephens County Fairgrounds and construction crews continue to make progress. For the Stephens County Courthouse renovation project, the county board received two quotes for interior signage. Chairman Todd Churchman said Texoma Builders sent a quote for $5,306 and Walker Companies sent a quote for $9,865.37. Churchman said Texoma Builders didn't distinguish what type of signage in the quote. Churchman said Walker Companies sent in a Type-R1 sign. 'The engraved ADA signs are the Type-TR,' Churchman said. Churchman said the board isn't in too big of a hurry and recommended they wait and talk with Construction Manager Butch Lawson. The board took no action. In other news, the board approved: • To accept a donation for 230 tons of millings from Oklahoma Department of Transportation in District $1. • A final ODOT Pay Claim for engineering services to Stephens County Rural Water District #5 for $45,765 in District #1. • A fairgrounds agreement for a Hustlin' Honey's event in Territory Hall and the Heritage Room May 10. The Stephens County Commissioners meeting will convene again at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 5, in their office of the Stephens County Courthouse, located at 101 S. 11th St.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County removes jail staffing restriction
Jail staffing numbers and removing the restriction around them took precedence with Stephens County Commissioners Monday morning. Chairman Todd Churchman said staff levels were set by the Board of Stephens County Commissioners in 2013. 'I don't know why they thought that they had the right to restrict your numbers,' he said. 'That jail is your business, it has its own funded stream.' Whether one person or 40, Churchman said it's up to Sheriff Rick Lang. 'None of us was here in 2013,' Churchman said. 'Personally, I don't think this board or any other board has the right to tell you what you can do with the money that's allocated to run the offices that you are in charge of.' Churchman said Lang is in charge of the jail. He said he didn't know there was a staffing limit. 'I don't see where we have the authority to tell you or limit you in anyway that you think is right, wrong or indifferent,' Churchman said. Stephens County Clerk Jenny Moore confirmed staffing at the jail for 33 jailers, one admin and two transports. Commissioner Russell Morgan said he agrees with Churchman. 'That's your office,' Morgan said. The board voted to lift the restriction with a 3-0 vote. In another segment, an insulation bid for a new fire department building will now switch contractors due to financial concerns, according to the county board, which opened up discussion for bid packages for the Corum Volunteer Fire Department's new building. Churchman said bid packages two, three and alternate one were awarded March 31. Construction Manager Butch Lawson said the alternate one bid was for spray foaming insulation. 'Originally, we had awarded alternate number one, so there was a deduction for bid packages two and three,' Lawson said. After talking to the fire chief, Lawson said they didn't want to spend the extra money. He said the price for the foam insulation would increase the project around $2,500 to $3,000. He said the department would like to go back to the vinyl faced insulation. Lawson said the purchase orders for the packages two and three had a deduction for the metal building insulation, labor and the fiber glass insulation. 'They were part of the base bid, but then they were deducted as part of that alternate number one,' he said. Lawson said the fire department will go with the rolled fiber glass insulation. Morgan made a motion to accept the item knowing the auditors were good with the change. Bid package two went to Alliance Steel for the building and bid package three went to Ellco for labor. The board voted to rescind the package nine, alternate one, with Edwards Enterprises Rental with a 3-0 vote. With an update for the American Rescue Plan Act projects, Lawson said the generator for the Stephens County Courthouse Annex is installed. He said they are waiting on some of the utilities to increase meter sizes. 'All the other work is complete over there,' Lawson said. For the fairgrounds, Lawson said crews are moving along on the metal building. He said the rain this week could slow things down, but crews are about a week out from completing and trimming out the metal building. Lawson said WW Builders crews are working on the storm sewer. He said the concrete workers will begin to pump water and work on the concrete portion of the project. He said the metal stud framing material came in Monday and fire suppression materials will come in Friday. Lawson said he's working to get materials on-site. For the courthouse, Lawson said he spoke with Principal Architect Joshua Schoenborn about color samples so crews can begin after the court docket finishes. In other news, the board approved: • A disposal of surplus items, sold at auction from the Stephens County Sheriff. A list of items is available in the Stephens County Clerk's office. • To adopt section three resolution and plan for fiscal year 2025 for the CDBG grant. The project will bring water line improvements and booster pump rehabilitation for Stephens County RWD #5. • A master lease agreement with Williams Scotsman, Inc. for a 40-foot container, as well as delivery for the rest of fiscal year 2025, for the Stephens County Health Department. • Three fairground rental agreements, one for a Halliburton reunion event in Territory Hall April 26 and two for driving school events in the Prairie Room May 17 and June 14. The Stephens County Commissioners meeting will convene again at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 28, in their office of the Stephens County Courthouse, located at 101 S. 11th St.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dragons fans, local businesses gear up for Opening Day
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Local businesses are celebrating Opening Day for the Dragons, and fans are taking part in all of the festivities. It's the 25th year of a classic Dayton tradition — Opening Day for the Dayton Dragons — and the entire city is celebrating. Dayton Dragons Day declared by city, county officials 'We try to give people discounts on stuff, especially if they've never been here before,' said Michael Churchman, Winans Coffee & Chocolate. 'We give them a free piece of chocolate, and for the kids drinks we have, if you want a color or a picture, we most definitely give your kids free drinks.' Dayton businesses expect a lot of visitors in the area for the game, and more people means more business. 'Our hours are usually until 9 p.m., but since it's Opening Day, we do 10 p.m.,' said Churchman. Over in the Wright Dunbar Neighborhood, W Social is celebrating their first Opening Day. 'We have activities for children, we have a live DJ,' said Patricia Wafer, W Social owner. Business owners say the crowds aren't just local — some even come from out of state. Fans say it's a perfect day to support local businesses. 'As a small business owner, we know the importance of funneling money through to other businesses,' said Davida Lattimore, patron at W Social. 'I would've love to see a parade, but you know, maybe next year.' Year 25: Fast facts about the Dayton Dragons Businesses plan to keep different specials going all season long, and many fans say baseball season is a great time to connect with others and build community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Helene 6 months later: Rebuilding neighborhoods in Buncombe County, NC
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — From non-profits to hired contractors—the stories of survival in western North Carolina are a large part of what motivates them to continue to help people rebuild their lives six months after Hurricane Helene. That includes Jacob Churchman with Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders. Churchman and his team are working to restore flood damaged homes in Beacon Village. The Buncombe County neighborhood is a community of mill houses built decades ago. CBS 17's Russ Bowen spoke to Churchman about the project. Bowen: 'So when you first got here, and it was time to get to work—or you were assessing what the work was going to be like—what did you think immediately?' Churchman: 'This neighborhood, it's safe to say, water was basically up to the gutters on most of the houses. So, the first thing was like, okay, we need to address how old these houses are and then figure out how much mold and how much damage was done and then do the clean out. And that was a big thing. And just until recently, there's not piles of garbage, you can still see some, but there was some on almost every single house, just big piles. And so, we've gotten all those moved. The initial stuff was just basically trying to plan for gutting it and everything. And now we're getting to a point where most houses are gutted and it's now trying to figure out either who's going to rebuild them or how they want to be rebuilt, or if the homeowners are going to stay or what their situation is.' Bowen: 'As you're busy assessing all of this, over time, you start to meet some of those homeowners, and you start to hear stories. Tell me about one that may particularly stand out to you.' Churchman: 'We have a gentleman who lives on one of the houses down here. Most of the homeowners here that got water up to their gutters, had to obviously figure out a way to get out, and most didn't know or see the water getting up as high as they did until it was too late. So, they climb up to their attics. And so him, for example, I'm pretty sure that he climbed up into his attic and was hoping the water was going to go down and then ended up actually climbing back through his attic and swam up under through his house and popped out of a kitchen window. He lost his phone, which he actually ironically found about two weeks ago in the dirt, because they literally swam out of their kitchen and then got up on of their rooftop and to my knowledge, literally chopped their way through the roof to pull their pets out after the fact. So, and it's a pretty similar situation for a lot of the houses here. You can see patches up on a number of different places and roofs that have been redone because people either cut their way out or they cut back in to save whatever they could. Um, so that's just one example of a lot of people's stories. So it really speaks to the resiliency of the people that live in Appalachia, to the people that live in these neighborhoods where they are built below flood plain, that whenever you have times like this that you would have never thought would happen, that the best option that you do is the one that you think you can do the easiest to literally survive.' Bowen: 'When you hear these emotional stories, does it give you more drive? Does it give your team more drive, your volunteer driven in many ways of what you're doing out here? Yeah. Does that make you feel more determined to bring them back to what they knew before or better?' Churchman: 'One-thousand percent. I mean, that's what motivates a lot of us with Fuller Center. We are an organization, a national nonprofit that goes and sets up hubs to rebuild in places that get hit hard. So, we have one over in east Carolina after one of the hurricanes. We've done them all over the southeast. And that's one of our big things, is we like to get to know the homeowner. We like to rebuild their houses and ask them, do you want to closet your bedroom now? Do you want your kitchen to be this way? What kind of countertops do you like? We really like to bring that human aspect to it and not just be okay, let's rebuild it to the same way and make it look okay and make it livable to move on to the next.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
