Stephens County Commissioners met on Monday, February 28 for their regular weekly meeting where they toured the jail, discussed the burning ban and heard an update from a Dobson Fiber representative.

The county council conducted its annual tour of Stephens County Jail at its weekly meeting and inspected the jail, where it spent approximately 25 minutes touring.

Stephens County Commissioners reported without any concern from the inspection.

During the meeting and despite several winter storms, county commissioners voted in agreement with emergency management and the majority of county fire departments to maintain the burning ban.

The Board of Commissioners each agreed that the best outcome for the county would be to maintain the burning ban after being told there were still several dry patches in the area which may still cause a rapid spread of a fire.

Chairman Todd Churchman said they still fall under the requirements of a county burning ban.

The commissioners will reassess the guidelines next week to see if they make a new resolution.

The ban carries the same guidelines and exemptions as in previous weeks.

Exemptions include:

• equipment related to road construction projects, such as: “Equipment that uses propane or other controlled type burners is generally considered safe, but it will be necessary to have a water pump on standby whenever that this equipment is used near a grassy right- one way. This requirement is the responsibility of the construction company or organization, not the fire department of the jurisdiction in which the construction activities are taking place. »

• Welding, flame cutting or grinding activities, such as “when carried out on a non-combustible surface at least 10 feet by 10 feet and when welding blankets or shields are used to cover the flammable vegetation, and the wind speed is less than 20 mph and a fire watch, other than the welder, is stationed at the welding site, a cutting torch with pressurized water or a fire extinguisher.

• for campers and outdoor cooking, such as: “Campfires and outdoor bonfires are prohibited. Cooking with LPG (propane) and charcoal outdoors in a grilling receptacle is permitted, provided the activity is conducted on a non-flammable surface and at least five feet from flammable vegetation.

• fireworks are prohibited, such as: “The lighting of fireworks, regarding private and public exhibitions, is prohibited for the duration of this burning ban.”

The documentation shows that anyone found guilty of violating the resolution will be guilty of a misdemeanor and face a fine of $500 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

Before closing the meeting, commissioners heard from Dobson Fiber representative, Chris Hodges, Enterprise Sales Consultant III, about the early stages of the introduction of fiber internet to Duncan.

Hodges said they will most likely have about six crews over the next six months installing the fiber.

“We are committed to building every rural residence in Oklahoma,” Hodges said. “Duncan, Lawton, Enid, Muskogee were our first committed cities.”

Hodges said they are looking to have fiber optics in every home by the end of September.

“There are going to be a lot of fiber teams here,” Hodges said.

In other news, the board approved:

• An agreement with the Municipal Government/Town of Marlow for inmate accommodation in Stephens County Jail. The agreement would affect those arrested for violating municipal or state criminal law by the Marlow Police Department. The agreement is renewed every year.

• Two cooperation agreements for District No. 3, both for the removal of trees and the execution of ditch work.

• Two fairground hires, one for Duncan Public School for ACT testing in Territory Hall and Winchester Hall on March 9 and one for Halliburton meeting in Territory Hall on May 7.

The Stephens County Commissioners Meeting will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on Monday March. 7, in their office at the Stephens County Courthouse, located at 101 S. 11th St.