Alva Review-Courier -

This is a continuation of the review of 2019 news in Alva.

April

Demolition began on the front of the old furniture store building in the 400 block of Flynn Street in downtown Alva. Freedom West had hoped to preserve parts of the building but damage from roof leaks, etc. was too much.

Vernon Wayne Brock, 69, of Alva, was arrested in a murder-for-hire plot. He was alleged to have offered $5,000 for hit men to kill a former employee and her boyfriend.

The Alva Public Library held their annual Chocolate Fantasy fundraiser.

Former Alva resident Todd Miller was inducted into the Northern Oklahoma College Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

The Alva Bull Battle incorporated a youth division in addition to adult bull riding events.

The NWOSU musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" included cast members from students, faculty, and townspeople. It raised funds for the Campus Cabinet food pantry.

A crude oil spill disrupted traffic on Oklahoma Boulevard. Traffic was shut down in three lanes as ODOT, DEQ and OCC oversaw the removal after the Alva Street Department hauled multiple loads of sand to soak up the spill and stop it from spreading.

A new Alva mural was unveiled on the west side of Holder Drug. The mural features Jim and Mary Holder as they looked in 1950 when Jim arrived to work for Monfort Drug in Alva.

Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell's Turkey Hunt hosts hunters and guests from across the nation, culminating in a meal in Alva.

Only three people spoke at the Alva City Council public hearing on what to do about the city swimming pool. Estimates of $2.5 to $2.6 million were given to fix the pool to health department standards and bring the pool house into ADA compliance.

The Alva Easter Egg Hunt was held on the downtown square. Those finding winning eggs for bicycles were Jonathan Fraire, Brayson Dollar, Zayden Ince, Keegan Christian and Katylena Black. Conner Brooks of Manhattan, Kansas, won first in the egg drop followed by Ben Ryerson, Alva, and Matt Jenkins, Tulsa.

The weather cooperates for the annual Bahama Breakaway held on the downtown square for NWOSU students before finals.

May

The Alva Public Schools received a grant from the Arnall Foundation allowing Washington Early Childhood Center to work with the Oklahoma Autism Center. Training was provided for teachers in the classroom along with a support network across the district and specific programming for individual students.

The Alva High School speech and debate department won prestigious national charter status, the highest honor schools can achieve as a part of the National Speech & Debate Association.

The Cherokee Strip Museum and the Alva Masonic Lodge 105 presented a "Talking Tombstones" historical tour of the Alva Municipal Cemetery.

Jerrad Hada spoke to Alva seniors at the Academic Banquet, telling of starting a career as a teacher and coach in Alva then going back to school to earn his doctorate in physical therapy and sports rehab.

The annual Kiwanis Little Olympics was held at the Alva High School track.

Heavy spring rains caused flooding, washed out roads and made problems for farmers. Insurance agents were fielding calls about flooded basements. The intersection on East Flynn at Meno collapsed due to the rain. In a ten-day period, Alva had 5.92 inches of rain.

Former Alvan Brenda McDaniel was named 2019 Oklahoma Mother of the Year.

Longfellow Principal Alysson Tucker was bombarded with 53 pies to the face by students who raised $150 or more in the school's spell-a-thon.

Oklahoma Senator Roland Pederson, a second generation farmer, educator and NWOSU graduate, was the guest speaker at the 120th NWOSU spring graduation.

The Alva Regional Airport experienced drainage problems from the heavy spring rains.

Brickman Bradt was crowned the 2019 Mr. Esquire. The AHS male students participated in swimsuits and talent competition as well as answering questions.

Vinay Patel was selected to lead the men's basketball program at NWOSU.

Former AHS agriculture instructor Jack Staats told AHS graduates they need brains, heart and courage for their future lives.

Alva High graduate Courtney Mapes, heading for the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, emphasized thankfulness in her speech at the Alva Eighth Grade Graduation.

The Alva Swimming Pool opening was delayed while the city waited for equipment to arrive for repairs and upgrades required by the Oklahoma Department of Health.

The Alva Street Department cleaned approximately 100 yards of dirt, debris and silt from city streets following flooding from rains. They also cleared a number of clogged drains and culverts. Emergency repairs were made on East Flynn where the street was washed out.

The Salt Fork River north of Alva reached flood stage May 26 after more rain. Water overflowed the banks, flooding low-lying areas.

June

Kimberly Baugh was appointed to the Alva Hospital Authority to fill the vacancy left by Steve Ward moving outside the city limits.

Rain in the forecast moved the Nescatunga Arts Festival indoors at the Woods County Fairgrounds.

The Alva Regional Airport approved billing for water to individual hangar owners. In the past, some places were billed set amounts and others none at all. Water lines and water meters will need to be installed.

The Northwest Oklahoma Junior Rodeo was held at the NWOSU Rodeo facility north of Alva.

New businesses in Alva, Faith Hospice and Invenergy, visit the Woods County Economic Development Committee meeting.

1. A three-foot-wide slice of Cotton Road, between county roads 470 and 460 near Dacoma, was washed away in the Wednesday flooding. Photo by Kathleen Lourde 2. Fourth-grade contestant Kenadie Meyer leaps over the high jump bar at the Little Olympics. Photo by Trey Lunn 3. Brickman Bradt rides in the Mr. Esquire pageant with a pony pulling him down the aisle of the auditorium. He won the Mr. Esquire title. Photo by Desiree Morehead 4. Longfellow's principal Alysson Tucker received 53 pies to the face during last Friday's spell-a-thon assembly. The student who raised $150 or more participated in the event with Principle Tucker. Photo by Trey Lunn 5. During the Talking Tombstones tour, Nick Bradt depicts Colonel Bob Kirkbride, aka "Candy Bob." Candy Bob joined the circus in 1906 as a cook and learned how to make candy and brought it back to Alva. Photo by Desiree Morehead 6. Elvin Yoder tries to hang on for that eight-second ride during April's Alva Bull Battle. Photo by Desiree Morehead 7. Alva's Morgan Cook tags the Oklahoma Bible player as he tries to steal second base in an April game. Photo by Trey Lunn 8. Liza Cooper, Canadian, Texas, weaves in and out of the poles at the Northwest Oklahoma Junior Rodeo. Photo by Desiree Morehead

Rain delayed the wheat harvest. The first load of wheat delivered to Wheeler Brothers elevator was on June 11.

In a special meeting June 10, the Alva City Council approved a resolution calling for a $2.5 million bond issue election based on ad valorem taxes levied on property owners inside the city limits.

The Alva Kids & Cops sponsored Pack the Park in Hatfield Park. Youngsters enjoyed bounce houses, train rides, food trucks, a petting zoo, games, rock climbing and more.

The Alva Swimming Pool was finally able to open June 17 after an inspection and approval by the state Department of Health.

Several residents protested citywide spraying for mosquitos during the June Alva City Council meeting.

Alva City Council members questioned the terms of a proposed Oklahoma Natural Gas franchise election.

Sen. Casey Murdock speaks at the Alva Community Coffee in June. He discussed transparency in the budget and government agencies as well as giving the governor the power to hire and fire agency heads.

Rep. Carl Newton also spoke at the Community Coffee. He talked about county fire protection, his cemetery bill and numerous other topics.

The Alva Public Schools completed the final step in their strategic plan on June 24 as site teams met to look at the four goal areas of curriculum and instruction, culture and community, personnel and resources.

The Bill Johnson Correctional Center Advisory Board heard about the need to replace the chapel roof. On June 25, BJCC had 506 inmates, down from a record high of 776, according to Warden Becky Guffy.