LOCAL AND AREA NEWS

CURBSIDE RECYCLING COMING AS PILOT PROGRAM TO STILLWATER

The City of Stillwater has invited about 3,000 homes to be part of pilot curbside recycling program to test the feasibility of a single-stream collection system for mixed recyclables. This will be integrated into the existing once-per-week trash pickup.

The data and feedback gathered during the pilot program will be used to define the possible expansion of the program citywide.

While the City is not requiring participation in the curbside pilot program, the benefits of recycling will benefit the community as a whole. Waste Management Director David Higgins explained, “By recycling, we reduce the amount of waste that we pay to go into the landfill that benefits ratepayers.”

The pilot program, called “Stillwater Recycles,” has selected homes in the Wednesday collection route, which is generally located in the south central part of town (south of 6th Avenue, east of Sangre Road, north of 32nd Avenue and west of Husband Street).

Collection for the curbside recycling pilot program will begin July 1, but some preliminary work is underway. Beginning this week, households will receive a door-hanger informing them of their inclusion in the pilot program. Next, they will be asked to select a second polycart to be used for their mixed recyclables.

Those in the pilot program will see an increase of $1.57 on their bill; however, by choosing to participate, residents could have a lower or about the same size bill.

Those in the Stillwater Recycles program will be able to place all accepted recycle materials into one cart—unsorted. This will include paper products, cans, and plastics numbers 1 through 7.

An automated vehicle will collect the mixed recyclables on Wednesday, the same day as their blue trash cart. The recycle waste will be delivered to Cedar Creek Farms, a recycle company, that will separate the waste and recycle accordingly.

Residents in the Stillwater Recycles program will receive an information packet with additional information in the coming weeks. The packet will include a form to request the recycle cart, a user survey and information on what may be recycle in this program. Additional information will be available on the City’s website at stillwater.org or they may call Utilities Customer Service at (405) 742-8269.

Recycle program manager Chris Knight will also be hosting an online blog at Stillwater-Recylces.blogspot.com for the pilot program. “We encourage people to go online, ask questions, share information, get tips from each other about recycling and help us design the best recycle program for all of Stillwater,” he added.

NEW STAFF MEMBERS FOR CVB

The Stillwater Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced that it has added two new faces to its staff—Sales Manager John Myers and Marketing Manager Scott D’Amico.

As the new sales manager, Myers is responsible for attracting groups and organizations to Stillwater for meetings and events and ensuring that those groups have the necessary tools to facilitate a successful event.

Myers is a member of Texas A&M University’s 2005 class. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation, park, and tourism sciences. Myers is a 10-year veteran of the hotel industry, and he most recently served as the front office and revenue manager for Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa outside of Moab, Utah.

In 2010, D’Amico received his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in journalism and broadcasting. He also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. D’Amico has experience in freelance writing, blogging, and online editing.

He is responsible for developing marketing and public relations strategies to promote Stillwater as a destination location for meeting and event coordinators, the traveling public, and the media.

CLICK OR TICKET ENFORCEMENT COMING SOON

Law enforcement officers will begin cracking down on seat belt violators statewide next week as part of the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign, authorities announced Wednesday.

Officers will issue citations rather than warnings during the campaign, which runs May 21-June 3, authorities said.

“Those who choose not to wear a seat belt will feel the heat during this campaign,” Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Ben Crockett said in a release. “Motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day and night -- no warnings and no excuses.”

About 56 percent of 479 people killed in passenger vehicles on Oklahoma roads in 2010 were not wearing seat belts or child restraints, the OHP said.

Seat belts save about 13,000 lives each year, according to the National Highway Transportation Administration.

STILLWATER HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT GRADUATION

Date: Friday May 25^th

Time: 11:00pm to 3:00am

Place: OSU Colvin Center

Cost: No Charge for SHS graduates to attend

SHS Project graduation is party atmosphere for the Stillwater class of 2012. Project graduation provides a fun and safe environment for the Senior class to celebrate their accomplishments and enjoy each other for one last time as a group.

Project graduation is planned and hosted by volunteers who have donated their time for this worthy cause. The mission of the committee is the task of organizing a safe, fun, and chemical free after graduation celebration for all graduating high school seniors in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

The motto of the group is “If Just One Life is Saved, It’s All Worthwhile”

The goal is to keep our kids and community safe!

Activities and entertainment that will be provided includes: Wii Just dance game, a photo booth, Casino, Rock Wall, Bingo, ping pong, dodge ball, basketball, golf, Joe’s Road Crew, and a Mechanical Bull to name a few.

Food and beverages will also be provided free of charge; including donations of pizza, cookies, bagels, chips and salsa, water, and soda.

The graduates will be able to win Scholarships, prizes, and gifts which have been donated for this event. It is the charitable donations of local businesses, restaurants, civic organizations, churches, and individuals that make these final gifts to the class of 2012 possible.

The Committee leader, Angela Weiser and Co-chair Carlene Harpe with other members have worked numerous hours to make available this opportunity for the Class of 2012, but donations and help are still needed!

The donations of large prizes which would be helpful for college bound students: luggage, dorm size refrigerators, small microwave ovens, power strips multi-plugs, laptops, and small computer printers are still needed. Small prizes such as gift cards to local businesses and restaurants are a great way to support project graduation. Certificates for services from local businesses can also be a value to the students of Stillwater. Donations for fun items like cameras, I pods, and DVD players would also be appreciated. Of course, any monetary donation of support would be graciously welcomed.

To follow activities and see a full list of donated items; join our group on facebook at SHS Project Graduation 2012.

If you would like to be a part of SHS Project Graduation as a helper or to donate please contact us at: angela@virtualweiser.com

KSPI AM HAS A NEW WEEKDAY LINE UP

KSPI 780 AM now has a new line up in weekday programming. From 7 to 9 AM, mornings start with "Stillwater Magazine", hosted by Bill Van Ness. Bill gets you started by bringing you up to date with local news, state news, local sports, local weather and happenings around the area.

"The Game" with Rex Holt now airs from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Rex is the voice for Oklahoma State Wrestling, Oklahoma State Baseball and Stillwater High School Sports. Each day Monday thru Friday, Rex gives you a realistic look at local high school sports, Big 12 sports, Professional Sports and hot topics of the day.

NEW TO OUR LINE UP FROM 11A-2P is “THE JIM ROME SHOW”, Jim generates an electric atmosphere on the air that's dense with attitude, humor, and hipness. Rather than gunning for controversy and confrontation, Jim aims to engage and challenge his callers. His creative, bare knuckle approach, tempered by intelligence and vast knowledge of sports, has left him perched atop the sports talk world with America's sports radio fans in the palm of his hand.

THEN JOIN THE COWBOY CORRAL FROM 2-3PM WITH JEFF JOHNSON AND

SAM LOCKETT TO GET YOU UPDATED ON OSU AND OTHER SPORTS NEWS OF

THE DAY...