By Peggy Laizure

American Staff Writer

Although Cleveland County is not currently under a burn ban, Commissioner Rusty Sullivan advised residents at Monday's meeting that they need to be aware of the fire danger. A number of southern Oklahoma counties have had burn bans initiated by their commissioners. For more information on what burn bans are in effect visit http://www.forestry.ok.gov/burn-ban-information.

Commissioners also announced the fair board members election. Each county district has three three-year term members with one member up for election every year. Anyone interested may file in the county clerk's office 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily Jan. 26 through Jan. 30.

If more than one member files in a district, an election will be Feb. 14 at the individual district county barns.

There was an average of 196 inmates the week of Dec. 30 through Jan. 6 reported to the commissioners. During this week, two inmates were assigned to the work release program and 10 were out on ankle monitors. Fifty were held on misdemeanor charges, 232 were felonies and 55 on municipal charges.

Commissioners also:

• Awarded bids to multiple vendors for bulk oils, lubricants and anti-freeze

• Accepted plans and a payment schedule to repair a bridge in district 2 over a tributary of Spring Creek east of Needmore

• Approved a power of attorney and declaration of representative for all departments of Cleveland County

• Accepted the monthly reports of the Denise Heavner, assessor; Tammy Howard, county clerk; Rhonda Hall, court clerk; Paula Roberts, election board secretary; Shari Kinney, health department; Joseph Lester, sheriff and Saundra DeSelms, treasurer.

** Clarification: An earlier story reported that Sullivan had said southern Cleveland County was in a burn ban. The report should have read that Sullivan said counties to the south of Cleveland County are under a burn ban.