City ice storm cleanup continues this week

Shop with an Officer a success, despite COVID-19 challenges

By Traci Chapman

Note: This is a revised version of a story printed in our Jan. 7 paper. I incorrectly read the city manager’s report concerning ice storm cleanup and am correcting that error here. I apologize for the inconvenience. TC

It took 19 trucks working 38 days to clear the first pass of debris from a late October ice storm that caused extensive damage across the area, as city of Mustang crews returned to the task Jan. 5, after taking a holiday break, City Manager Tim Rooney says.

Rooney issued his Dec. 31 report concerning debris cleanup, which contained data compiled as of the evening of Dec. 22. As of that time, crews hauled 3,737 loads totaling 186,812 cubic yards of storm-related debris, Rooney stated in his Dec. 31 city manager’s report.

“Please note the amount of debris hauled represents more than twice the among of any previous ice storm recovery effort,” he said.

With crews resuming their work this week, the city manager asked that residents who had not yet had debris picked up be prepared for crews to pass through their neighborhood and have debris available by Jan. 5

“All residents are encouraged to have all remaining debris on the curbside for the final pass by this date,” Rooney stated in his report.

Issues were compounded for some overnight New Year’s Eve-Day, officials said, as another storm accompanied by high winds hit the area. For some, the new year rang in with darkness, as thousands of CK Energy and OGE customers lost power.

Most, however, were restored within hours – in the case of CK the issue a blown transformer, officials there said.

Oklahoma City officials said Monday several suburban areas in both Oklahoma and Canadian counties sustained additional damage to trees and other foliage, much of it an extension of that incurred in the October ice storm. There were no injuries or serious damage reports as of press time, they said.

Face masks still required at city meetings, properties

As of press time, Mustang City Council was set to meet for its January meeting Tuesday in a gathering that was expected to be brief, officials said. Anyone attending that meeting or any other – or entering any city facility must wear facial coverings until further notice, Rooney said.

“For any members of the public attending a City meeting, facemasks will be provided in the event those interested in attending do not have one,” the city manager stated in his report.

Pandemic-changed Shop with an Officer helps 12 households

Mustang Police Department held its annual celebration for the holidays – but in a very different way, Chief Rob Groseclose said. In place of the usual in-person breakfast, shopping and wrapping party, officials Dec. 14 delivered items to 12 households in need identified by Mustang Public School District counselors as part of its annual Shop with an Officer program, officials said.

“Thanks to our great partnerships with Wal-Mart, the American Legion and our Mustang Police Officers Foundation, we were able to provide those Christmas gifts for the family, including a full meal and household pet items, and deliver them to their homes,” Groseclose said last week. “I’m very proud of the effort put into that, despite the challenges from COVID-19.”

City administrative offices closed Jan. 18

City offices would be closed Jan. 18 in honor of Martin Luther King Day. While the library would also be closed, the recreation center would remain open that day and trash service would remain on a regular schedule, Rooney said.