Latest news with #Muskogee
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
County makes disaster declaration for recent storrms
Muskogee County Commissioners made a disaster declaration at a special board meeting Friday. The declaration is for the period April 19-May 19, including the storm that went through Fort Gibson and did damage to buildings, trees and houses. 'Two things — number one it opens us up to provide assistance at the county level in ways we normally couldn't,' said District 1 Commissioner Ken Doke, board chair. 'So we can go on private property and spend money without a proper bid. 'Number two — it's sort of an acknowledgment and sort of starts the process to let them know we had an emergency here, we want to be included in the state's emergency declaration and we'll be providing documentation on what our estimated damages are which will become part of the cumulative total they will use to file at the federal level.' Doke and District 3 Commissioner Kenny Payne said this declaration will not provide financial assistance to residents and businesses. However, it will allow county workers to help with the cleanup process. 'It will allow us to move trees, what we've kind of already been doing anyway,' Doke said. 'The main thing is it's going to start the process so maybe they can get assistance through FEMA.' A county must declare a disaster before the state declares a disaster. The state then sends its findings to Washington where the president has to declare a disaster area before residents can apply for FEMA aid. 'If the feds declare what's called 'individual assistance,' then yes individuals could eventually get assistance from the federal government,' Doke said. 'Businesses in particular get SBAs (Small Business Administration loans) and some individuals, if they make too much money to qualify, they could get SBA loans.' The board also accepted compliant bids for the Okay Road Project to repair the road that runs from Fort Gibson to Okay. Commissioners voted to table awarding the contract to one of the bidders until next Friday, allowing the county to examine and evaluate the bids.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Muskogee Board of County Commissioners regular meeting — agenda
WHAT: Muskogee Board of County Commissioners regular meeting. WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Monday. WHERE: Muskogee County Services Building, 400 W. Broadway, Suite 010. AGENDA Consider: — Purchase orders, monthly reports, minutes of the May 27, 2025 regular meeting and minutes of the May 30, 2025 special meeting. — Julianne Montgomery as the Interim Regional Administrative Director for the Muskogee County Health Department. — OSU Extension Estimate of Needs FY 25/26. — Contract with Comanche County Juvenile Detention Center. — Lease purchase agreement renewal #229686 from Security National Bank, for a 2023 Mack Truck #1937 for District 1. — Contract between Eastern Oklahoma Youth Services & Muskogee County for the Pittsburg County Regional Juvenile Detention Center. — ODOT /SA&I Form 100 for the County Road and Machinery and Equipment Revolving Fund Purchase Contract for District 2. — Purchase of a Side by Side for Buckhorn Volunteer Fire Department. — Vendor contract for STS Refill Technology for the Muskogee County Assessor. — Pursuant to 25 OS 307(()11, discussion and possible action to convene in executive session to confer on matters pertaining to economic development projects related to Port Muskogee and take appropriate action in open session. — Pursuant to 25 OS 307{8){4), discussion and possible action to convene in executive session to receive confidential communication between the public body and its attorney concerning a pending investigation, claim or action if the public body, with the advice of its attorney, determines that public disclosure will seriously impair the ability of the public body to process the claim or conduct a pending investigation, litigation, or proceeding in the public interest. Keefeton Volunteer Fire Department v. Board of County Commissioners, case no CV-23-185 and case no 12306. — Pursuant to 25 OS 307{8){4), discussion and possible action to convene in executive session to receive confidential communication between the public body and its attorney concerning a pending investigation, claim or action if the public body, with the advice of its attorney, determines that public disclosure will seriously impair the ability of the public body to process the claim or conduct a pending investigation, litigation, or proceeding in the public interest. USAC Leasing v. Muskogee County Assessor case no CV-24-330 2023 and EQ-24-45 2024 — Vote to adjourn Executive Session and return to Regular Meeting and possible votes regarding the above-referenced case.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislature approves $4 million to help move the USS Batfish
Efforts to move the USS Batfish to Three Forks Harbor got a $4 million boost from the Oklahoma Legislature. The state Legislature approved the allocation and sent it to Gov. Kevin Stitt last week. The bill became law Thursday without the governor's signature, according to the Oklahoma State Legislature website. "I'm really excited," said James Gulley, chairman of the Muskogee War Memorial Authority. "Sen. Frix, Rep. Hays, Rep. Sneed and Rep. Turner worked very hard and very diligently to ask for support from all the state legislators and say how important it is for the Batfish legacy to continue on. I'm real excited the state saw value in the Batfish and now we can start asking our federal legislators to help us." The USS Batfish set a Navy record by sinking three enemy submarines in three days during World War II. It was moved to Muskogee in the 1970s and became a tourism landmark. The submarine was uprooted from its moorings during the 2019 Arkansas River flood and must be moved to a new location. Gulley said it will cost $10 million to move the Batfish downriver to its new location.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourism Authority delays decision on Roxy Management
Tourism officials postponed Thursday a decision that could return management of the Roxy Theatre to the city of Muskogee. Muskogee Tourism Authority Trust members are concerned the amount of funds dedicated for repair and maintenance of the Roxy is insufficient for the task. 'I can't understand why the City Council has turned its back on this asset,' said Trustee Mike Gragg at Thursday's regular meeting. 'This is, to me and I'll have to check on it, almost a historical building for our city. I think it's a crying shame we have a Council and past city managers that weren't interested in maintaining this asset.' This is the second consecutive meeting where trustees delayed a decision to dissolve a management agreement with Oxford Productions, Inc. and 'negotiate and execute an agreement to return the Roxy Theater to the City of Muskogee.' Trustees postponed the decision Thursday after tabling it from last week's special call meeting saying they didn't have all the upkeep figures needed to make an informed decision. 'We asked them (the city) to get us some quotes, really to do a feasibility study,' said Trustee Traci McGee. 'That hasn't happened. I think what they're looking at, they're saying there's some issues but they don't have a figure for those estimations.' Trustees gave the executive committee of the trust permission to schedule a question and answer session with the City Council and city manager about the situation. 'They want to have a discussion with the City Council because the City Council will be the ones that has the answer,' McGee said. 'Since it's a city-owned building, (Council) will make the final vote and it may be also be with the city manager so that he'll know what's going on and he can bring it to the Council.' The trust receives $65,000 from the city and trustees say it's not enough. Oxford Productions owner Avery Frix told trustees Oxford has been in communication with the city on a regular basis. 'They're aware of the challenges,' Frix said. 'I don't think the issue is they aren't aware — they're certainly aware.' At last week's meeting Mayor Patrick Cale, a trustee, said there was no money available in this year's budget to spend on the building, a point that Tourism Authority Chief Operating Officer Marlon Coleman repeated Thursday. 'This week I've had several conversations with city councilors,' Coleman said. 'The sentiment is all the same … there's not going to be any new money for maintenance.'
Globe and Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Stardust Power Confirms No Industrial Wastewater Permit Required for Oklahoma Lithium Facility
GREENWICH, Conn., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stardust Power Inc. ("Stardust Power" or the "Company"), an American developer of battery-grade lithium products, today announced a significant update to its permitting process. Following a determination process by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), the Company has confirmed that no industrial wastewater discharge permit will be required for its planned lithium processing facility in Muskogee, Oklahoma. This determination stems from Stardust Power's use of a closed-loop water system, which recycles water during the process and eliminates wastewater discharge to public treatment facilities or natural waterways. The Company's environmentally responsible design minimizes dependency on city or county water supply after the initial filling of the facility's tanks, while also significantly reducing wastewater generation. 'Not requiring a water permit speaks to how clean a facility we have designed,' said Roshan Pujari, CEO and Founder of Stardust Power. 'Our closed-loop system significantly reduces water needs and discharge volumes. Tanks are filled and reused in processing, minimizing the impact on municipal water systems. Unlike some operations that place heavy demands on local water resources, we are proud to be planning a sustainable solution that aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship.' This design, which precludes the need for permitting delivers several meaningful advantages for Stardust Power's planned operations. First, it allows for accelerated project timelines, enabling the company to move efficiently through development and expansion phases. Additionally, it results in reduced regulatory compliance costs. Most importantly, the careful design work preserves municipal potable water for other uses within the community and minimizes costs associated with purchasing water. Stardust Power is making steady progress across other key permitting milestones. The Company has previously announced and secured the General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, enabling construction activities to move forward. In support of this permit, Stardust Power has completed its Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), which incorporates best-in-class practices to responsibly manage stormwater and protect the surrounding environment. The company's Minor Source Air Permit has been deemed administratively complete by ODEQ and is now under technical review. Stardust Power's team remains actively engaged with regulators and is responding promptly to all information requests. Stardust Power is dedicated to sustainable lithium manufacturing through the use of lithium brines as its feedstock and by prioritizing water conservation. The Company integrates water stewardship into every stage of its operations, from exploration to production, meeting or exceeding all regulatory standards while maximizing water reuse and recycling to reduce freshwater demand. 'Water is a finite and shared resource,' Mr. Pujari added. 'We're not just building a processing facility; we're building a future-minded supply chain that supports clean energy without compromising community resources.' About Stardust Power Inc. Stardust Power is a developer of battery-grade lithium products designed to bolster America's energy leadership by building resilient supply chains. Stardust Power is developing a strategically central lithium processing facility in Muskogee, Oklahoma with the anticipated capacity of producing up to 50,000 metric tons per annum of battery-grade lithium. The Company is committed to sustainability at each point in the process. Stardust Power trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol 'SDST.' For more information, visit Stardust Power Contacts For Investors: Johanna Gonzalez For Media: Michael Thompson media@ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute 'forward-looking statements.' Such forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as 'believe,' 'may,' 'will,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'should,' 'would,' 'plan,' 'predict,' 'forecasted,' 'projected,' 'potential,' 'seem,' 'future,' 'outlook,' and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or otherwise indicate statements that are not of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the ability of Stardust Power to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain key relationships and retain its management and key employees; risks related to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Stardust Power; risks related to the price of Stardust Power's securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Stardust Power plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Stardust Power's business and changes in the combined capital structure; and risks related to the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Stockholders and prospective investors should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Stardust Power from time to time with the SEC. Stockholders and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date made, are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, assumptions and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Stardust Power. Stardust Power expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations of Stardust Power with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
