The Sequoyah County Commissioners have proclaimed February to be Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

Cindy Smith, investigator for the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office, told the commissioners that violence begins in the teen years with jealousy and control issues, and that opportunities to educate and for support should not be delayed until adulthood.

“We encourage kids of dating age and parents to recognize the alarming signs of teen violence and what it takes to build healthy relationships. We need to get the education out there, and we thank the commissioners for signing the proclamation,” Smith said.

In other business at Monday’s weekly meeting, the commissioners approved an agreement to work on private property along South 4715 Road. District 1 Commissioner Ray Watts explained that the work will be focused on clearing trees along the right of way to alleviate shade on the roadway that inhibit thawing following snow and ice events.

The commissioners also approved a purchase agreement in the amount of $138,440 for a truck by and between Banner Fire Equipment and Sequoyah County for Gans Fire Department. In addition, approval was given to transfer a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado from Brushy Fire Department to Moffett Fire Department for $5,000.

The commissioners gave the goahead for Sequoyah County Emergency Management to apply for an Emergency Management Performance Grant to fund 2024 training, as well as for the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office to apply for a Victims of Crime Act grant.

In some financial housekeeping, the commissioners approved the transfer of $5,294.49 from a Drug Court Pandemic Response grant to Drug Court Maintenance and Operations (M&O) in order to close out the grant from 2021-22. Approval was then given to transfer $8,650 from Drug Court M&O to a Drug Court Pandemic Response grant awarded Nov. 15, 2023.