Published: March 03, 2009 07:29 am      

OG&E expects wind farm to be in operation by December

The Spirit Wind Energy Farm scheduled to be built about six miles south of Woodward will be up and running in December.

That’s according to OG&E officials who addressed the issue Monday with the Woodward County Commission.

Zack Gladhill of OG&E said the project would begin as early as Tuesday with the construction of a storage and check in station, also known as a “lay down yard,” at county roads north-south 198 and east-west 48.

By the time the project is completed, 44 wind towers will be in place, he said.

“The plan is to be commercial by the end of December,” Gladhill said, noting the blades for the wind towers will be coming from Iowa and the towers from California. Trucks towing the parts will travel along the Sharon/Shattuck road to county road north-south 198, he said.

About 360 yards of concrete per foundation will be laid for the wind towers, commissioners were told.

They took no action on the information provided by Gladhill.

After the OG&E presentation, Woodward Police Chief Harvey Rutherford awarded Woodward County Undersheriff Kevin Mitchell with a Medal of Valor.

While presenting the award, Rutherford said Mitchell on “Jan. 7 assisted the Woodward Police Department in answering a call of officer down. Kevin showed great courage as he moved into position to help neutralize the situation.”

“For courage above and beyond the call of duty, Undersheriff Kevin Mitchell is awarded the Medal of Valor,” Rutherford said.

Mitchell after receiving the medal, said, “You just do what you’re trained to do.”

Sheriff Gary Stanley said, “The Sheriff’s Office is proud of him for helping defend another officer for the situation he was in.”

“I think it’s nice Chief Rutherford honored another officer as well as his own,” Stanley said.

Commissioners also approved extending the county burn ban another seven days.

tion to transfer an enclosed cargo trailer to Harper County from Woodward County Emergency Management.

•Renewed the county burn ban order for another seven days.

•Formally appointed Frankie Tuck to the Woodward County Excise Equalization Board. He replaces Melvin Rittenhouse, who served in the position for many years.