[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520218,"mediaKeyId","5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1","parentId",5334322,"title","Parks superintendent reports heavy storm cleanup: crews averaged about 25,000 pounds of debris per day during first week","audioSeconds",338,"startMs",2081000,"endMs",2419000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1&start=2081&end=2419","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1/thumbnail_2081000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520218/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Parks-superintendent-reports-heavy-storm-cleanup-crews-averaged-about-25000-pounds-of-debris-per-day-during-first-week","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520218-5ea140c41e5401c8bcfe934bd2d8864d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002035&Signature=ZE6umP13uNsBLVqK9ZA-w43hpTRoDT5tLiQyI1kqRGZtFLpjeEVGB50yeNw4IpFNzZgySnFc6LCro25Mfepu6kTcoG89LhnHi2dgFgAMrdtlhO~Y4-fR57WUMismZeHO-tzRrfPCl4l06yAVeT7HR5FfpbW1a~I~2SajJFvsvNQ7ORpFy~myhoMd4MZEjB9OPHUiihDAog3UipCRjYkz8E7kX9kz8uw~ifsICVBQ-JmqAOMyxRg-q5fVm2BxHubX01vSkvys6ALDkWqpaOCzwcGx5eQ9wTHNggHM-k7HM7e6633jLpwgjrSzNgPanB3~MDnM-w37QZI5tAaC8s8cfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mcalester","date","2025-07-09T00:20:18.113Z","article","Cody Connor, the city’s new parks superintendent, briefed the council on ongoing storm cleanup and parks work, saying his 10-person crew is split between mowing and debris removal. Connor said debris collection averaged about 25,000 pounds per day during the first week of the cleanup and that totals remained steady as crews worked through heavily impacted neighborhoods.

Connor credited interdepartmental assistance — street and utility departments — and outside help, including a two-day loan of a county dump truck from Pittsburg County District 3. He said the parks department is progressing on an urban-forestry grant that will fund planting about 50 trees at Mullins Park, with spring planting (rather than November) preferred for young trees. Mullins Park also received a new splash pad and playground; Connor suggested adding a closer restroom to improve access for families.

Connor described the department’s broader duties beyond mowing (carpentry, equipment operation and fabrication for seasonal displays) and noted the department’s loss of some trees in the recent storm, with later replacements planned where appropriate. He said the department historically used inmate crews but that COVID-era changes made that option less feasible; county inmate crews did help on some outer roads, Connor said.

Council members thanked the parks crew for their work and asked questions about inmate crews and planting timelines. Connor said plans for the urban-forestry grant will proceed with spring planting and drip-line irrigation work included.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New - Regular Council Meeting, July 8th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","New parks superintendent Cody Connor updated council on parks operations, storm debris cleanup, tree-planting grant and other park projects; staff detailed daily debris collection tonnage and plans for spring tree planting under an urban forestry grant.","taxTitle","McAlester, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma","taxId",53915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520223,"Council approves sale of Krebs Brewery property; majority of proceeds to repay CDBG award",208,1863000,2071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1&start=1863&end=2071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1/thumbnail_1863000.jpg","/articles/6520223/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Council-approves-sale-of-Krebs-Brewery-property-majority-of-proceeds-to-repay-CDBG-award","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520223-a22a03c3195e500598e674afe54c00c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002035&Signature=Cp5vdJDaBwUcvbmHUcITBwxLH9vv7Tjmbasy5hIoRoTG-gv4GsRpb~aDRIww75vGOnzmWx6uZiWXxUUxZis-wKWzBzPahdcp-yw2Ya4DDCZXKAmc384wJq2-cPMVqZZYPAucTC4nFPEWjsVc~CfvCqyMRsL6xzFcAuWyIk9idOAZYyUEurv708n-yyKXHwzzzNFpB5agX0XBSbKNnquzawqI6PLhrVFQpL5Jk68iYS6T3seXqmnRtYoc~vxoLehktshrGKhW8kXmy4GTGpNZn2BLmR4~lPRjqVTJkC1XaJNRfiuJaavjTFaFNWLDDtMTCxfSxmzyvacROIs~E5VGkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McAlester City Council approved a motion to allow the city manager to complete the sale of the Krebs Brewery property to the current operator, Zach Pritchard. Staff said the original lease tied to a 2016 Community Development Block Grant allowed the lessee to exercise an option to buy the property; exercising the option early triggers repayment of a portion of the CDBG award. City staff coordinated with the Department of Commerce to determine the repayment amount.

Staff reported the sale price used for grant repayment purposes is $562,500; in addition the lease exercise payment is $100, for a combined transaction amount referenced in discussion as $562,500 plus the $100 exercise payment. Staff also said a portion of the property will be retained by the city after a current survey is completed so the city “will not lose control” over a small parcel.

Councilors noted the majority of the sale proceeds will be used to pay back the block grant; the city’s direct receipt from the sale will be limited to the $100 option exercise payment, per the CDBG repayment arrangement. Staff said allowing the purchase lets the brewery expand, including adding a new product line and potential new jobs.

The motion to approve was adopted on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as \"Yes.\"","Council authorized city manager to approve sale of Krebs Brewery property to current operator Zach Pritchard for a contract total of $562,600; most of the proceeds repay a previously awarded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520228,"Rezoning request for Lot 2, Block 188 pulled from agenda for public hearing next meeting",156,1763000,1919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1&start=1763&end=1919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1/thumbnail_1763000.jpg","/articles/6520228/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Rezoning-request-for-Lot-2-Block-188-pulled-from-agenda-for-public-hearing-next-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520228-ca30e9387930791d85a4a8f0d83a44f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002035&Signature=HkwG7DTnJaTRIMkwnFE5a5zRFse7ZVrlh4C77gYHicYCgDY7yg0R~ZkauN6Oy1RnFyRFFfsWXDn3Wo0AckBPB8FgbEr2F5SDsTfUfUwTm56pTMkB1qvGF-0s~tvLfVWHR3gKmOjBeiTlHVmN9W2ttJIwTbUjiYy2ksIncmzDQ4gOGnElFOc16UCQfxnLZH3TCBwEpQXpRD9xJpUR79atqEkc4Y-zH87ln2g~DYFiKqd6Rn5H48VtTGlAPJc3UFY47Tpk48W3n~NF95pFWAi~uqHV~xeZAUhpUNeJqHrc145vdfdAepBG~HPT730D5B82O2YnglG788lIVsnIq25BKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McAlester City Council did not take action on an ordinance to amend the general zoning ordinance (No. 1843) to reclassify Lot 2, Block 188 from I‑1 (light industrial) to I‑2 (heavy industrial). Planning staff said the applicant, Larry Crowley, requested the rezoning so his current record business would be permitted in the zoning district; staff said notice requirements were met and the McAlester Planning Commission recommended approval 6–0 on June 17.

City legal counsel told the council that a public hearing was required for this zoning change but that the public hearing did not make it onto the agenda, so the item will be brought back at the next meeting. Council members directed staff to re-notice the item and return it with the required public hearing on the following agenda.

No formal council vote on the ordinance occurred at this meeting.","A requested zoning map amendment to change Lot 2, Block 188 from I‑1 (light industrial) to I‑2 (heavy industrial) was not acted on because the required public hearing did not appear on the agenda; planning commission had recommended approval 6–0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520233,"Council awards East Van Buren water and sewer extension to Pinnacle Construction for $277,350",287,1528000,1815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1&start=1528&end=1815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1/thumbnail_1528000.jpg","/articles/6520233/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Council-awards-East-Van-Buren-water-and-sewer-extension-to-Pinnacle-Construction-for-277350","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520233-24805b1504423826b05a1a0875828b3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002035&Signature=ZRxApWOOk65V5D4C-eoJpzIYRC-HSA~9zGnqlqlhZTK6OhqUkIfIv-epoGmUMXoNafi7PvZ0uAed~mm-IIXGAF88FyCdsSV6TzkCkAYqSvwSyKXfWMJcAsIhebmmALLk6gtX7mQSPs~o8WMs~oS5x1pixrr5JurPDFUhim7EwV3oh17N6G3mpNqoX6qtYVwE2XDC0rlZ9gAZ5AN~By-chlGViV0nHo7chBSTcpjP0~PYGw4Sodqs9HN2ySPPRykS671uhPmaV9VkY01vsb9uq4vA3ft9i4eYtDYNRG1z-z5Nvna3JjoOrvCbE1ffjBh~wAGsMI2I8YgWkjqUXZryEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McAlester City Council voted to accept the low bid of $277,350 from Pinnacle Construction Services LLC of Muskogee to construct a water and sewer extension on East Van Buren. The contract award was moved by Councilor Roden and seconded by Councilor Beatty; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as \"Yes.\"

City staff said the extension is a strategic investment that will allow Caring Hands to expand into a roughly 41,000-square-foot medical facility, permit an additional church and support other commercial development expected to generate sales tax revenue. The project required redesign work because parts of the original gravity sewer connection would have required excavations about 20 feet deep; staff said they rerouted the line to keep it shallower. The city also compared a lift-station (pump) option to the gravity option and bid both approaches; staff recommended the gravity solution to avoid ongoing maintenance associated with a pump station.

According to staff, the low bid from Pinnacle came in under the city’s budget for the gravity sewer option. Construction includes crossing part of the high school parking lot and needs completion before the next school year, staff said.

Council approved the bid award and directed staff to proceed with contracting and construction oversight.","Council approved the low bid from Pinnacle Construction Services LLC for the East Van Buren utility extension, a project intended to enable a 41,000-square-foot medical facility and other development; councilors cited redesigns to reduce depth and avoid a pump station.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520238,"McAlester library director reports progress on renovation, summer programs and temporary operations",573,477000,1050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1&start=477&end=1050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334322-5b0616ac829ff466b229c97a95e98bf1/thumbnail_477000.jpg","/articles/6520238/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/McAlester-library-director-reports-progress-on-renovation-summer-programs-and-temporary-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520238-fa74f353a31953d8b45de1b50e6c0e76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002035&Signature=DOhjJpOziHiDiIZq1-IJaRMb3Tgj-SiYg7fAkWG0tWBdjqaSq57scXx7lh5buU~jL2SzqUaoD2ig8lK9fJXantAQ1MqiG1T1hO7gpAQLb2dkMt-Kc7qceyJ055ieB93ZKSpbNVJixRLFhUrpV0uhMlooDmy7lqvzjluk3hKsswhz4fy2o8itOJnJNeav3SWLOHL-T94iY4fwXeMIfWdy3nuGNka05ZxFQc~A3QabrwzPbn857WLX13DpeNvAaIdfarhOkBkdSXt3jbTFQ8~xx2fr7cc87X4gdEBreMO-APeZffVvedkLKu13zhV9O0eT0WKnjY4cwXwTormPAsLdqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heath Stanfield, manager of the McAlester Public Library, told the McAlester City Council that interior demolition is complete and the renovation is “ahead of schedule,” with an expected finish in the May–June timeframe. Stanfield said the project preserved the existing structure and estimated that rebuilding from scratch would cost about $32 million, making the current renovation a “phenomenal investment.”

The update emphasized continued library services at a temporary location at Edmondo Elementary School. Stanfield said the library served roughly 3,000 visitors in May and circulated 3,761 items that month (about 1,900 to adults and 1,800 to children). He said the library served about 400 lunches to children last month through a summer meals partnership with the school system and other donors.

Stanfield also listed public-program and technology use: 39 interlibrary loans outbound, 39 public programs in May attended by 149 children and total program attendance of 204; library public computers recorded 564 sessions in May; staff logged 258 unique Wi‑Fi logins. He said one meeting room at the temporary site had 51 private bookings in May and that the renovated building’s main meeting room will hold about 160 people.

Lindsey Alexander, vice chair of the Library Advisory Board, invited any council members who missed the site tour to schedule a visit. Stanfield and advisory board members said the renovation team retained much of the building’s concrete structure and that the project team is storing materials on the library floor to reduce inflation-related cost risk.

Stanfield outlined fundraising gaps remaining after the core project budget was set: naming-rights opportunities (including the large meeting room), a proposed endowment for future maintenance, and discretionary items such as children’s playground equipment. He said the construction team will reserve space for playground equipment so it can be added later if funds are raised. He thanked the City of McAlester, the Peterborough Foundation, the Fugate Foundation and private donors and emphasized there were no federal dollars in the renovation funding.

Council members praised the library’s services and programs; one councilor made an on-the-spot donation. Stanfield described a range of services offered free with a library card — notary, tax forms and assistance, resume help, digital training platforms and a DigiLab for digitizing records — and encouraged continued community use.

The advisory board will continue fundraising campaigns (bricks and naming rights) and offered tours of the construction site by appointment.","City library manager and advisory board update council on renovation progress, summer services at a temporary site and program statistics; fundraising items such as naming rights and an endowment remain unfilled.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks superintendent reports heavy storm cleanup: crews averaged about 25,000 pounds of debris per day during first week

Council approves sale of Krebs Brewery property; majority of proceeds to repay CDBG award

Rezoning request for Lot 2, Block 188 pulled from agenda for public hearing next meeting

Council awards East Van Buren water and sewer extension to Pinnacle Construction for $277,350

McAlester library director reports progress on renovation, summer programs and temporary operations