Kingfisher County Board of Commissioners was the first county public body to take advantage of emergency legislation allowing the public to participate remotely rather than in person at public meetings. Monday’s weekly meeting was streamed as a Facebook Live video on the board of commissioners Facebook page. The public could watch the video on their computers, smart phones, tablets or other devices and phone in comments or questions if they desired. Pictured are Chairman Ray Shimanek, Clerk Jeannie Boevers and Sheriff Dennis Banther. The meeting video is still posted for viewing on that page as well as the Times & Free Press Facebook page. Commissioners formalized their emergency declaration adopted last week closing the courthouse to most public access. They also included an amendment to a declaration discouraging gatherings of more than 10 persons to exclude blood drives, at the request of Emergency Management Director Steve Loftis, due to the critical need for blood at this time. Commissioners declined to lift a requirement for landowner permission before pipeline crossing permits are approved, but did allow those permissions to be submitted via fax, texting, Facebook Messenger, email or a landowner phone call directly to the county commissioners office. A full meeting report will appear in Sunday’s Times & Free Press. [TIMES-FREE PRESS Staff Photo]