Sanders Law Office

Dear Non-Custodial Parent: Have you called your child today? Seriously. Have you? Did you call them yesterday? The day before? The day before that? Regardless o...f your physical proximity to your child, you are a PARENT. They know when they are ignored. Think for one moment...Do you have other kids in your home? Would you go days or weeks without speaking to them? Asking how their day was...congratulating them on a test grade or soccer goal? The difference between a non-custodial parent and an absent parent is YOU. How YOU choose to parent your child. "Visiting" you shouldn't be visiting. It should be like finally getting a plate of grandma's biscuits and gravy. It should feel like HOME. How can your house be a home to your children if they don't even know the people in it? If you don't know them. I constantly hear people saying they "can't" because they only get to see their children 4-6 days out of the month...welcome to Oklahoma. The home of the oilfield. Welcome to law enforcement...or fire fighting...or nursing...or, even better, the military. These people continue to have good relationships with their children because they CHOOSE to. They utilize every moment and every new technology to ensure that the bond with their children remains intact in spite of their absence. Co-parenting is what YOU make it. Fancy vacations are not what they will remember...never seeing your face at a football game is. Going to sleep feeling like they have been forgotten is. Anxiety when it is time to "visit" you is. I do not say all of this to knock NCPs. I say it because it NEEDS to be said. We aren't kids anymore. Times have changed. This isn't our parent's divorce. We have the power CHOOSE the kind of relationships we have with our children. We HAVE Skype...and texting...and picture messaging...and voice notes...and 40 mpg cars. USE THEM. Let your kids know you. Know them. Show them that they are more than a responsibility. Actively seek out ways to communicate. Because I promise you, they are watching and waiting for your call. They are looking to see just who out there is rooting for them. And, really, is it fair to rely on a 5, 8, 10, or 14 year old to facilitate a relationship with a parent? They can barely navigate surface relationships! You have got to meet them halfway. To teach them how to put in work for those they love. How will they learn how to be a husband or a wife, or parents themselves, when they don't see examples of how to work hard for intimacy. How will they know their value when they are expected to fiercely love someone who gives the minimum. Near or far, you have a responsibility to teach them what their love is worth through your actions. Take that responsibility seriously. Love them, learn them, lift them up, answer their questions, celebrate their victories, and dry their tears DAILY. Because, even if you can be distracted from their absence by the tasks of the day, I assure you, they are ALWAYS aware of yours. www.thesassytherapist.wordpress.com

The Washington County and Nowata County District Courts are closed today. Everybody stay warm and safe.

Area residents have reported receiving phone calls from a person claiming to be with the Sheriff's Office. The caller tells the person they area calling there ...is an arrest warrant. The caller then attempts to collect money or other personal information. The Washington County Sheriff's Office, its Deputies, or personnel do NOT make phone calls to inform anyone of an arrest warrant nor will we confirm an arrest warrant by phone. Additionally we do not handle fines, costs, or money related to any criminal or civil case through District Court. See more

The Westside Community Center of Bartlesville is offering GED classes for minors and adults. For more information, check out their facebook page or give them a call at (918) 336-6760.

Come see us for renewal or your first card

The Court Clerk's Office will be open to the public beginning today. However, we will be closed from 12pm to 1pm today.

ATTENTION: For the remainder of this week (Dec 3rd & 4th) the Washington County Court Clerk's Office is closed to the public. We are available by phone for pay...ments. If you are needing a marriage license please contact us by phone and we will provide instructions as to the procedure. If you are simply needing to file pleadings we have a drop box that you can leave the documents and we will file them as soon as possible. For anyone requesting copies of documents a self-addressed stamped envelope will need to be provided to return the documents to you. Thank you for your understanding. Office procedures will be re-evaluated weekly to ensure the safety of personnel and the public as circumstances change.

Effective Immediately!! Thank you for your cooperation.

Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Today, ODOC rededicated the minimum-security facility in Vinita to a community work release facility. Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center now houses inmates ...preparing for discharge. NOCC sets in an area well supported by industries willing to hire inmates in careers offering a livable wage. CareerTech is partnering with NOCC to teach inmates skills such as welding, construction, and manufacturing prior to the inmates reporting to work. NOCC’s mission is to provide inmates meaningful employment and educational opportunities, supporting them through reintegration, supporting the community with a labor force, and supporting the State with productive citizens. See more

There's a lot of false and misleading claims circulating right now about the facts of #SQ805. Check out Oklahoma Policy Institute's unbiased take on the misinformation surrounding this modest criminal justice reform!