Misc. News -- March 10, 2014 -- Collinsville, OK -- www.cvilleok.com

DIY @ Your Library - Teen Tech Month Activities

What is Teen Tech Week?

Teen Tech Week is when libraries make the time to showcase all of the great non-print resources and services available to teens and their families. Libraries improve communities by offering teens a space to extend learning beyond the classroom where they can explore, create, and share information.

Teen Tech Week - Scavenger Hunt

Stop by the library and pick up the Scavenger Hunt Form. Complete the questions either at home or at the library using the tulsalibrary.org website. Then return the form to the library desk before 3/31/14 to receive a Caribiner Clip as a prize. Your name will then be entered into a drawing to win a TCCL Flash Drive 8g or a Fierce Reads Book Bag. For ages 10-18.

DIY @ Your Library

Join us on Thursday, March 27 from 2:30-4:30 pm as we explore new technologies available at your library. For Middle/High school ages.

For more TTW activities at other locations, visit us at http://www.tulsalibrary.org/event-guide-print or pick up a copy of our March Edition of the Tulsa Book Review. If you have any questions, please call the library at (918) 549-7528.

Thank you for your continued support of the TCCL.

Sincerely,
Robin Bushyhead
Teen Library Associate
Collinsville Branch
Tulsa City-County Library
(918) 549-7528

(3/6/2014)

Collinsville HS Winter Guard 2nd At Regionals

The Collinsville MS Winterguard and the HS Winterguard went to Union High school to compete at their regional contest this past Saturday, March 8th. There were more than 50 Winterguard units there that day. The MS placed 18th overall that day, just missing making the finals by 2 winterguards. They beat several other middle schools, and some high schools from around the state. The HS placed 2nd overall that day in prelims, which qualified them for finals. Their last performance was amazing, and allowed them to keep that 2nd place spot. With over 50 units there, Collinsville represented our community well. Congrats to all these girls, and their director, Lonnie Day. -- Richard Newhart (3/9/2014)

Here are a couple of photos from the Union Winter Guard contest on March 8. Our high school winter guard group competed with 29 other schools and finished in 2nd place! We are so proud of the work these girls did and the way they represented Collinsville! The first photo is the senior captain, Bree Cross, accepting the trophy. The second is the team with their trophy! -- Michelle Cross (3/9/2014)

Ted Note: The Winter Guard has scheduled a local preview of their state performance at the Collinsville Middle School gym 7pm Friday March 28th. They will compete at state on Saturday the 29th.

Senate Update by Sen. Rick Brinkley

March 7, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Senate this week approved legislation to better meet the needs of the state’s sizeable population of veterans. We also advanced measures to crack down on the crime of human trafficking, particularly for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Senate Bill 1610 will modify state statutes to reflect that all honorably discharged veterans, regardless of when they served, are considered eligible for state benefits. Under current law, only veterans who served during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf are eligible to receive state benefits and be admitted to the state’s veterans centers.

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates this will make an additional 78,000 veterans eligible for benefits and care in state facilities. Approximately 12 percent of Oklahoma’s civilian population are veterans. We owe a special debt to those who are willing to fight to further the cause of freedom. Many of our veterans have endured life-altering injuries that require frequent care. They also must face the psychological toll of their combat experience. Upon returning home, the difficulty of reentering civilian life can present unique challenges. We should honor their sacrifice by doing everything in our power to provide them with the best possible care.

Several measures that strengthen penalties for the crime of human trafficking have been approved by the Senate in recent weeks. Human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is a rapidly growing problem for law enforcement. Sadly, this is a crime that often targets our must vulnerable citizens. According to the U.S. Department of State, the majority of people who are bought and sold across international borders for the purpose of sexual exploitation are children.

With the United States being the largest destination in the world for child trafficking, Oklahoma’s central location as a commercial crossroads has placed our state in the crosshairs of this criminal enterprise. In a high profile case just years ago, the FBI rescued 13 girls, some as young as 12, from a prostitution and trafficking ring operating near the intersection of I-35 and I-44 in Oklahoma City.

Many readers may recall a story involving workers from India who were lured to Oklahoma for the purpose of forced labor at a manufacturing facility in Tulsa. In 2011, the FBI rescued a number of girls from forced prostitution in Oklahoma as part of an online sting operation. And in 2003, the FBI reported that the fourth largest group of trafficking survivors receiving federal assistance resided in Oklahoma.

As much as we would like to believe that crimes so barbarous couldn’t happen in our communities, we must acknowledge they are already occurring. It’s time for us to take a stand and combat a crime that consigns vulnerable lives to tragedy.

Please feel free to contact me at the state Capitol by calling (405) 521-5566 or by email at brinkley@oksenate.gov.

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Oklahoma State Senate
Chair, Pensions
Senate District 34

Contact: Senator Rick Brinkley
State Capitol: (405) 521-5566
Email: brinkley@oksenate.gov