LCJ newsletter 4-11-2024 (2024)

The LCJ newsletter covers LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma. To receive our daily newsletter and help support us, subscribe for $5 per month or $50 per year or sign up as a free subscriber and receive all editions, just at a later time than paying subscribers. If you have questions or comments, CONTACT us.

If you enjoy reading about LeFlore County news, sports, obits and more, please subscribe below and refer our newsletter to anybody you think might be interested.

He will turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or I will come and strike the land with total destruction.

--Malachi 4:6

Want our Bible verse sent to you by text every day? Text BIBLE to (855) 761-3006.

Funeral services for Stanley Remy, 61, of Spiro is 10 a.m. Thursday at Mallory- Martin Chapel in Spiro with Brother Harold McKeehen officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Spiro, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home.

Stanley was born Nov. 27, 1962 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Darlene (Schuster) and Harrison Mallard Remy and passed away April 7, 2024 in Sallisaw.

Stanley graduated high school in 1981 from Spiro High School. He enjoyed all sports and was a great bowler. He loved rock music, marching band, and was an avid 49ers and OU fan. His favorite thing in life was his family.

He is survived by his daughter, Shoana Remy; sons Kevin John, Kyle John and wife Randi, Kolton Remy, and Kendall Remy; mother, Darlene Remy; brother Pat Remy and wife Rhonda; and grandchildren Sloan, Ariah, Rhydian, Leif, Harper, Levi,and Lincoln.

Stanley was preceded in death by his father; brother, John Harrison Remy; and two sisters Nanette Remy and Susie Carrens.

Graveside service for Leandra Buelna, Jr., 88, of Wister is 9 a.m. Friday at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas with Guss Calvo officiating.

Burial will follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

He was born July 28, 1935 in Houston, Texas to Maria Petronetla and Leandra Buelna, Sr. and passed away April 9, 2024 in Wister.

Surviving family member includes his sister, Barbara Ketchum

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandy Buelna; and his brother Rick Latino.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.

Roger Lee Phillips of Howe was born Nov. 15, 1948 in Smithville to Charles Emmett and Lenora (Armstrong) Phillips and passed away at his home surrounded by his family on April 4, 2024 in Howe at the age of 75.

Funeral service was Saturday at the Smithville Assembly of God Church in Smithville, with Reverend Jerry Ford officiating. Burial followed in the Smithville Cemetery, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Roger was a long-time resident of the area. He worked for Weyerhaeuser Timberland Company as a Timber Tech. Roger attended Indian Baptist Mission Church. He loved hunting, fishing and riding the backroads with his best friend and brother, Charles. Roger will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Margaret Phillips, of the home; three daughters Teresa Walker and husband Doug of the Glendale community, Barbara Woodall of Moore, and Bobbie Franklin of Summerfield; one son, Robin Fry, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; two sisters Edna Nichols of Smithville, and Marie Williams and husband Eddie of Fort Worth, Texas; 12 grandchildren Sandy Lee, Donald Walker, Maranda “Tutter” Elder, Ashley Woodall, Kyle Ayler, Tanya Franklin, Andy Franklin, Kaytlen Hairell, Ashley Tuck, Brett Fry, Justin Fry and Kaitlynn Samuels; several great-grandchildren; a special friend, Vicky Stacy; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends whom loved him very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers Howard, Cecil, Dale, Clifton and Charles Phillips; two nephews, Little Dale and Howard Dale; one niece, Roxie Phillips; and his dog, Troubles.

Pallbearers were Donald Walker, Robert Lee, Matthew Jones, Bryan Conley, Patrick Conley and Jesse Jones.

To sign Roger’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

A graveside service for Kay Smith, 79, of Keota was Saturday at Short Mountain Cemetery in Cowlington, with Reverend Clyde Hess officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro.
Kay was born Sept. 15, 1944 in Bowie, Texas to Winna V. (Barrow) and John Edward Workman Jr. and passed away April 3, 2024 in Keota.

She married Clifford Arnold Smith on March 13, 1967 in Clayton, New Mexico and enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, training horses, and her dogs.

Funeral services for Edna Mae Phillips, 84, of Bokoshe was Friday at the First Assembly of God Church in Bokoshe with Reverend Doyle Martin officiating.

Burial followed at the Old Bokoshe Cemetery in Bokoshe, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home.

She was born Feb. 25, 1940 in Bokoshe to Vinita (Willingham) and Farmer Bohannon and passed away March 30, 2024 in Bokoshe.

Edna enjoyed crocheting, reading, and loved her family dearly.

Survivors include her daughter Cheryl Qualls and husband Stephen; son Brian Phillips and wife Missy; four grandchildren Leeann, Emily, Stephen, Jr. and Regina; eight great grandchildren; and two sisters Anita Hensick and Carol Williamson and husband Jim.

A 32-year-old from Pocola suffered minor injuries while his passenger was transported by Air Evac following an accident 11:58 p.m. Thursday approximately two miles east of Rock Island.

Saxon Lovell of Pocola was driving a 2001 Green Toyota Corolla west on Highway 120 when the vehicle departed the road to the right, hit the guardrail and overturned.

Lovell has minor injuries and refused further medical aid.

The accident report said the vehicle was traveling too fast for the road conditions.

Seatbelts were equipped and in use and airbags were equipped and deployed.

The accident was investigated by Trooper Wes Odom, assisted by the LeFlore County Sheriff’s Office, Pocola Police Department, Leflore County EMS, Hogeye Fire Department and AirEvac.

A 62-year-old Whitesboro man died in a wreck 6:50 a.m. Tuesday approximately one mile west of Whitesboro.

Jimmy Howze was driving a 2012 Freightliner propane truck west on Highway 63 when the vehicle went off the road to the right. He overcorrected and the truck went off the road to the left before overturning and hitting a tree.

He was pronounced deceased at the scene due to injuries suffered in the accident by LeFlore County EMS.

Seat belts were equipped, but not in use. Airbags did not deploy.

The accident was investigated by Trooper Jason Waits, assisted by Trooper Fernando Cardenas, Trooper Tody Perez, deputy administrator Nicholas Nadeau of the Oklahoma LP gas administration, the Whitesboro Fire Department and LeFlore County EMS.

A 44-year-old Marlow man is in stable condition in a Hot Springs, Arkansas after wrecking his 2007 Honda VT7 motorcycle approximately nine miles south of Hodgen at 12:43 a.m. Saturday.

Jimmy Burch was driving his motorcycle south on Highway 259 when he attempted to avoid animals in the road, lost control of the bike and laid it over.

He was transported by Airevac to Saint Vincent’s with head/external conditions where he was admitted in stable condition.

He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

The accident was investigated by Trooper Joshua Wiles, assisted by Leflore Sheriff’s Office, LeFlore County EMS, and Haw Creek Fire Department.

Commissioners’ minutes 4-8-2024

The LeFlore County commissioners met in a regular business meeting 9 a.m. Monday with Chairman Jamie Oliver presiding. Also present were Vice-Chair Vallard Campbell, Member Josh Blaylock, and County Clerk Kelli Ford.

The following action was taken by the board:

(1.) Chairman Jamie Oliver called meeting to order.

(2.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve the minutes of regular meeting held April 8, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(3.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve purchase orders as presented. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(4.) Bonds: None presented.

(5.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Monthly Fee Report as presented by the LeFlore County Election Board. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(6.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve transfers of appropriations in the amount of $36,000.00 from County Commissioners Travel account (T-2R) to County Commissioners Personal Services account (T-1A), $4,000 from Talihina Fire Department Lease and Rent account (FDTAL-2R) to Talihina Fire Department Maintenance and Operations account (FDTAL-2), and $3,700.00 from 911 Maintenance and Operations account (911-2) to 911 Personal Services account (911-1A). Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(7.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve blanket purchase orders as presented and are on file in the office of the County Clerk. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(8.) New business: None presented.

(9.) Contract labor/service agreements, annual contracts: None presented.

(10.) Burn ban: No discussion.

(11.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve new fund and account T-OCC1 regarding recently awarded Oklahoma Conservation Commission reimbursable grant in the amount of $46,199.40 to be funded by the LeFlore County Highway Department Maintenance and Operations account (T-2). Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(12.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve disposing of equipment records regarding obsolete inventory items DR-610.006 laptop computer with original purchase price of $888.95, DR-331.003 Mercury car with original purchase price of $2,300.00 & DR-331.004 1994 Mercury car with original purchase price of $5,044.00 for the benefit of the LeFlore County Drug Court Department. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(13.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Treasurer’s monthly report of officers for the month of March, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(14.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve resolution determining maximum monthly highway expenditures for the month of April, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(15.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve bid notice and resolution advertising to accept sealed bids for the purchase of a brush truck to benefit Big Cedar Fire Department. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(16.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve 324A Claim regarding project Rhino Road over bridges 192 and 193 J/P 29974(04) for services ending 1/31/2024 as submitted by Pinnacle Consulting Management Group. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(17.) After discussion took place with representative Jacob Taylor regarding an energy savings program for LeFlore County owned buildings, motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to remove item from agenda pending further discussion. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(18.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to award Bid regarding the overlay project of 3.81 miles on Pocahontas Road beginning at US271, approximately 2.1 miles South of US270, and extending Eastward to benefit LeFlore County Commissioner Highway Department District 2, to Robinson Construction in the amount of $396,000, forgoing a lower Bid in the amount of $388,271 as submitted by McKenzie Asphalt due to quality of work and current lawsuit due to falsifying Bid price on a previously awarded Bid project. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

By CRAIG HALL

The Heavener City Council passed a pair of ordinances Thursday night, primarily dealing with sanitation.

The first ordinance raised the fine for sewer violations from $20 to $200 after discovering some customers were using holes dug from the house to the ditches to dispose of sewage, not water.

The Council also approved an ordinance requiring all new restaurants to install grease trap requirements. This does not apply to existing restaurants as they are being grandfathered in.

The Council also approved using ARPA funds to pay invoices from U.S. Water dealing with a brush replacement that is expected to save the city money.

In public comments, Jennifer Dehart said the gate to the ballfields at Blues Park has not been locked, aside from last Saturday when the Veterans’ Easter Egg hunt was held. She also said a T-Mobile grant for $50,000 had been reopened if the city had any land to use for a project.

Gail Nichols asked several questions about the state of the city and ways to improve it.

ACTUAL PHYSICALCONTROLOF VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE: Abraham Mejia

ASSAULT AND BATTERY-MISDEMEANOR-Dante Lamonte Guidry;

ASSAULT AND BATTERY: Daniel James Smith

BURGLARY IN THE FIRST DEGREE: William Michael Sweazy; Dante Lamonte Guidry;

BURGLARY IN THE SECOND DEGREE: Barry JOHN McCORMACK JR.;

COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT STATE TAX—State Oklahoma Tax Commission vs. James Dehart

DIVORCE: Addison Laffita vs. Jonathaan Laffita; Michael O’Dell vs. Desiree Snow; Samantha Marie Stewart vs. Jason Aaron Stewart; Clarence Allen Cutter vs. Lisa Marie Cutter; Laura Ann Jones vs. Joshua Tyler Jones; Anthony Taylor vs. Katelyn Taylor.

DOMESTIC ABUSE-ASSAULT AND BATTERY-MISDEMEANOR: Jennifer Leann Sharp; Jacob Vann Rio Knight; Danny Joe Womack

DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION 6-303.b: Jerryron Montyz Steele; Kamron A. Lensin

DRIVING WITH LICENSE CANCELLED/SUSPENDED/REVOKED-MISDEMEANOR: Kaycee Rae Marie Hall

DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE-MISDEMEANOR: Deandre Joseph Tripp; Adolfo Josue Martinez; Sarah Geniece Pope

DUI ALCOHOL-Aggravated-Felony: David Lamont Dean

DUI ALCOHOL(Misdemeanor)—John Scott Sebeniecher; Charles Andre Kordek; Ricky Faircloth.

DUI ALCOHOL-AGGRAVATED-MISDEMEANOR: William Anthony Miller

DIVORCE-PRO SE: Joshua Allen Longo vs. Nicole Lee Oltman-Longo; Mark Allen Burton vs. Shari Lynn Burton; Marissa Smith vs. Taylor Smith

ESTATE OF DECEASED: Anita Faye Thorne; Justin Leon Stewart.

EXPUNGEMENT-CIVIL ACTION—Christina Maria Platt vs. State of Oklahoma.

FAILURE TO CARRY INSURANCE VERIFICATION: Hayley Deann Dwillis; Rosendo Gomez Rojas

FAILURE OF DRIVER TO WEAR SEATBELT: Mark William Kool; Austin Loyd Michael Self. Deborah Ann Martin; Shanaye Lynn Ferguson; Jaxsen Christopher Ivey; Chance Blake McConnell; Justin Dewayne Trapp; Jacob Le Hill; Austin Ray Cowett; Phillip Michael Sanders III; Dauntay Lee Warren; Kaylee Ree Bond; Alexander Jacob Perdue; Trevor Lee Curtis; Torie Rae Cantrell; Angela N. Gist; Brandon Scott Sprenkle; Kenneth Dale Jamerson Jr.; Jason Wade McKinney; Jimmy Dean Hale; Tyren David Keener; Ricky Faircloth; Mason Lane Bynum; Rosendo Gomez Rojas; Matthew Aaron Kennerson; Talesha Spring Smith; Talesha Spring Smith; Calvin Lee Smith; Ethan Jacob Clinton; Michael P. Yandell; Tyler Wayne Butler; Deborah Ann Martin; Williams Vines; Richard Fernandez San Juan; William Edward Haynes; Steven Lee Cauthen; Amy Rashell Longo; Dany Ray Cook; Caleb Dakota Wylie; Derrick Gregory Dean Bailey; Devon Wyatt Joseph Niven; Jesse Eugene Vaughn; Megan Renee Lilley; Kierra Jean Ollar; Isrrael Cuellar Martinez;

FAILURE OF PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT PASSENGER TO WEAR SEAT BELT: Devontra Ezekiel Washington; Albert Dewayne Carpenter; Anthony Tell Clopton; Trevor Lane Lahue; Benancio Villafan Amaya; Wesley Adam Harris; Kevin Joe Nixon; Seth Michael Tucker

FAILURE TO PREVENT LOAD FROM DROPPING.SIFTING, LEAKING OR BLOWING: Tawaun Deshone Garvin

FAILURE TO NOTIFY ADDRESS CHANGE AS A SEX OFFENDER: Wesley Wade Walters.

FAILURE TO USE CHILD RESTRAINT SYSEM-MISDEMEANOR: Kaycee Rae Marie Hall

FALSE PERSONATION OF PUBLIC OFFICIAL-FELONY: Emily Hargrove

FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER UP TO $5,000(sc): Linda Newman vs. Terri Hamner

FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER-CIVIL—Louis Dorey vs. Cathy Lynette Ritter, Mitchell Ritter; Richard Cluck vs. Cassandra Lankford; Marsha Rogers Realty Inc. vs. Stormy Eaton; Joe Paul Stinson vs. Monty Bust.

FORECLOSURE—107 Bethany Lane Trust vs. Vicky Lynn Hilden; Newrez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing vs. Amanda Lovett, Jane Doe, spouse of Amanda Lovett, United States of America Ex Re. L Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Improper turnabout: Jerry Allen Patton

INATTENTIVE DRIVER-MISDEMEANOR: Kaycee Rae Marie Hall

IN RE: THE CHANGE OF NAME OF: Joshua William Wise II

LEFT OF CENTER IN NO PASSING ZONE WHILE PASSING: Moses Alexander Castaneda

MARRIAGE LICENSE: Norval Duane Place III and Skyla Shyanne Geurin; Ross Michael Turner and Christine Rose Ardemagniy; Timothy Scott Carter vs. Theresa Arena Wade

MARRIAGE LICENSE-PRE MARITAL COUNSELING: Nicholas Garrett Vaughn and Mackinzie Faith Chavez;

MATERIALS UNLAWFULLY INSTALLED ON FRONT WINDSHIELD: Richard Lane Dyer; Jennifer Tankersley Morris

MONEY JUDGMENT CIVIL-OVER $10,000 OneMain Financial Group LLC vs. Loralee Hamman; Clifford D. Foster vs. Double O Services LLC; Seth Armstrong vs. Paul Joseph Harrison; Robert Aguero vs. City of Heavener, Max Roberts, Ty Armstrong, Heavener Police Department; Larry Loomis, LeFlore County Sheriff Department, Rodney Derryberry, Department of Wildlife; Wade Free, John Doe 1, John Doe II, John Doe III, John Doe Iv, John Doe V, John Doe VI; State of Oklahoma Tax Commission vs. William Linne; LVNV Funding LLC vs. George D. Folsom;

MONEY JUDGMENT $10,000 OR LESS—LVNV Funding LLC vs. Ocie Clayton; LVNV Funding LLC vs. Ryan Emmert; LVNV Funding LLC vs. Anthony Warren; Porfolio Recovery Associates vs. Brandon Gerdes; Crown Asset Management LLC vs. Marcy Odom; Saber Acceptance Co. LLC vs. Joseph C. Terry, Leslie J Ray; Velocity Investments LLC vs. Audrey Smith; LVNV Funding LLC vs. Melba Brown; Discover Bank vs. Jerry Davis Sr.; Discover Bank vs. Kattie Hamilton; State of Oklahoma Tax Commission vs. James Dehart; Credit Acceptance Corporation vs. Brenda Smith; Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Sondra Langston; Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Katrena Leder; Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Angie Loyd; Calvary Spv I LLC vs. Andrew Sears; Cavalry Spv I LLC vs. Brittany Clague;

MONEY JUDGMENT SMALL CLAIMS UNDER $5,000: America’s Car Mart Inc. vs. Travis Edwards; America’s Car Mart vs. Heather Bowen; America’s Car Mart vs. Landon Tackett; America’s Car Mart vs. Bobby Deleplank; America’s Car Mart vs. John Parker; America’s Car Mart vs. Elaina Clements; Fast Loans of Arkoma vs. Dawnda Bellas; Fast Loans of Arkoma vs. Melissa Harris; Bell Finance vs. Stacy Medley; Speedy Loans of Arkoma vs. Marty Helms, Loretta Helms; Speedy Loans vs. Tino Criswell; Speedy Loans of Arkoma vs. Victoria Tanksley; Speedy Loans of Arkoma vs. Samantha Jackson; Speedy Loans of Arkoma vs. Kristina J. Hale; Speedy Loans of Arkoma vs. Megan Hatley

NEGLECT OR REFUSAL TO COMPEL CHILD TO ATTEND SCHOOL: Gidget Lynn Martinez; Patsy Cooper

OBSTRUCTING AN OFFICER-MISDEMEANOR: Shaun Michael Pope; Justin Ray Bollinger; Robert Jene Leonard

OBTAINING CASH OR MERCHANDISE BY BOGUS CHECK/FALSE PRETENSES-MISD: Gary Don Hall

OPERATING A M/V WHICH ALL TAXES DUE THE STATE HAVE NOT BEEN PAID: Tyler Blake Dill; Jose Dalgado Javier

OPERATE VEHICLE WITHOUT VALID LICENSE: Rosendo Gomez Rojas; Dene Adam Birchfield; Glenn Garza; Dalgado Javier Jose

PATERNITY/CUSTODY/SUPPORT: Gunner Robinson vs. Shelbie Sexton.

PETITION FOR DECLARATION OF EMANCIPATION OFMINOR—In RE the matter of Clorissa Faith Martinez

PETIT LARCENY-MISDEMEANOR: Jonathan Jazz Glover; Steven Blake William

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE-MISDEMEANOR: Barry K. Horn; Robert Jene Leonard;

POSSESSION OF FIREARM AFTER FORMER FELONY CONVICTION-FELONY: Deandre Joseph Tripp; Shaunt Michael Pope

PROTECTIVE ORDER: William D. Slater minor child vs. William Richard Slater; Stephanie Michelle Nobles vs. Brian Scott Smith

PUBLIC INTOXICATION-MISDEMEANOR: Johnny Lynn Cooper; Robert Lee Williams; Domnick Valtino Mulay; Kaycee Lee Kelly

RECEIVE MONEY/PROPERTY BY IMPERSONATING ANOTHER IDENITY THEFT-UNLAWFUL USE OF PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION-FELONY: Alan Jay Harper.

RECKLESS CONDUCT WITH FIREARM: Emma Steelman

RECKLESS DRIVING-MISDEMEANOR: Adolfo Josue Martinez;

RESISTING AN OFFICER-MISDEMEANOR: Justin Ray Bollinger;

REPLEVIN-SMALL CLAIMS UNDER $5,000: Don’s EZ Pay, Inc. vs. Kelly McGee; Don’s E Z Pay, Inc. vs. Kayla Hannah; America’s Car Mart Inc. vs. Abigail Davis; Don’t E Z Pay, Inc. vs. Ronnie Covey; Don’s E Z Pay, Inc. vs. Fantasya Wood; Don’t E Z Pay, Inc. vs. John Wood; Don’t E Z Pay, Inc. vs. Tyler Johnson; Don’s E Z Pay, Inc. vs. Debbie Permenter; Don’s E Z Pay, Inc. vs. Eric Richerson;

SPEEDING:

90 in 65: Kamron A. Lensin

80 IN 55: Shawn Ward Cox

76 in 55: Tyler Blake Dill

75 in 65: Elijah R. Mapel; Joseph C. Wells; Imogene Seaton; Michael Christopher Washington

65 in 55: Rosendo Gomez Rojas; Tyler Wayne Butler; Juan Enrique Duran Castillo

64 in 55: Shannon Arthur

84 in 65: Sarah Geniece Pope

55 in 45: Hayley Deann Dwillis; Heustin Lain Stroops;

45 in 35: Hatley Boi McIllwain

TRANSPORTING OPENED CONTAINER OF INTOXICATING BEVERAGE-MISD.: Abraham Mejia

TRESPASSING AFTER BEING FORBIDDEN-MISDEMEANOR: Shaun Michael Pope

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALISIA-MISDEMEANOR: Robert Jene Leonard

UNSAFE LANE USE-MISDEMEANOR: William Anthony Miller; Ricky Faircloth

UNSAFE PHYSICAL CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE: Justin Ray Bollinger,

The Howe School Board approved the Kiamichi Tech Center bus contract and the math/science agreement with KTC for the 2024-2025 school year in a regular business meeting Tuesday night.

Present were Elvis Hall, Kenneth Barnhart, Dewayne Leatherwood and Jerrod Johnson.

The school board member oath of office was administered and the board was reorganized.

Encumbrances were approved along with the superintendent’s financial report.

Principals reported on the current status of their programs along with upcoming events, and fundraisers and activity account transactions were presented by the superintendent and approved by the board.

The Board also approved OSSBA policy updates and discussed staff needs for next school year.

The Board usually meets the second Monday of the month, but was pushed back a day due to Monday’s eclipse and worries about possible travel problems.

LeFlore County baseball roundup

ROLAND—Heavener split a pair of District 3A-7 baseball games at Roland Tuesday.

The two teams were supposed to play one game at Heavener Monday, but it was postponed until Tuesday due to traffic fears affiliated with the eclipse.

Heavener is now 5-14 overall, 3-5 in district play and is scheduled to play in the Kiowa Tournament this weekend. Roland is 7-11 and 3-7.

In the opener, Roland’s Carson Wiggins, who has signed to pitch at the University of Arkansas, threw a one hitter in a 6-0 win before the Wolves bounced back to dump the Rangers, 10-2, in the second contest.

Brintley Hash got Heavener’s lone hit, a double, as Wiggins struck out 17 Wolves in the win. Bryce Morrison went three innings, allowing five hits and four runs, all earned, with three strikeouts and no walks. Canyon Ford pitched the final three innings, giving up two hits and two runs, both earned, while six strikeouts and six walks.

Roland 6, Heavener 0

HHS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0—0 1 3

RHS 1 2 1 2 0 0 x—6 7 0

The second game was a totally different story. After falling behind 2-0, Heavener scored five runs in the bottom of the second inning and coasted to the easy win.

Jackson Clubb got the win for the Wolves, pitching all five innings while giving up six hits and two runs, both earned, with five strikeouts and two walks.

Clubb also led the Wolves’ offense. He doubled and was 3-3 with three RBI and three runs, Hash went 2-4 and Hagen Ritter had a 2-4 outing with a RBI.

Heavener 10, Roland 2

RHS 2 0 0 0 0—2 6 7

HHS 0 5 1 2 2—10 9 0

Panama defeats Wister 4-2

WHITESBORO—Second-seeded Panama reached the baseball LeFlore County Tournament championship game by defeating top-seeded Wister, 4-2, Thursday night in a pitchers’ duel.

Panama, now 15-2, will play in the first championship game 6 p.m. Friday against the winner of the 4 p.m. game between Poteau and Wister. If Panama wins, the Razorbacks are the tournament champions. However, if the Poteau/Wister wins the 6 p.m. game, an if game will be played 1 p.m. Saturday.

After being tied at 1 entering the seventh inning, the Razorbacks scored three runs to take the lead for good.

Panama’s Caleb Brewer doubled with one out and the bases loaded to bring in the three runs and allow Panama to garner the victory.

Brex Caldwell was the winning pitcher for the Razorbacks and also hit a solo home run in the first inning. On the mound, the Oklahoma State signee went 6.2 innings, allowing four hits and two runs, one earned, with 13 strikeouts and three walks.

Caldwell was 1-1 at the plate with the homer, two runs and a RBI, Brewer went 1-3 with the double and the three RBI.

For Wister, Landon Donaho also had a good game pitching. He went 6.2 innings, allowing two hits and two runs, both earned, with 12 strikeouts and five walks. Dartyn Meeks went one third of an inning with one hit and two runs, both earned, one strikeout and two walks.

Kord Fenton doubled twice and was 2-4 with a run to lead Wister’s offensive attack.

Earlier, Poteau won twice to stay alive. The Pirates defeated Talihina 10-2 and then rallied from an early 7-2 deficit to defeat Spiro, 10-7. The Bulldogs won their opener, 5-3, over Cameron.

Panama 4, Wister 2

PHS 1 0 0 0 0 0 3—4 3 2

WHS 1 0 0 0 0 0 1—2 5 1

WHITESBORO—Panama built a big lead early and made it up Friday night to defeat Poteau, 12-3, for the Razorbacks’ first baseball LeFlore County Tournament championship since 2018.

The Razorbacks sailed through this year’s tournament undefeated, handing Wister, a three-time defending champion, its first loss to knock the Wildcats into the losers bracket, before keeping Poteau from winning its first title since 2019.

To do so, the Razorbacks scored eight runs in the first inning and the game was never in doubt from that point forward.

Panama scored the 12 runs despite getting only four hits, but took advantage of two Poteau errors, eight walks and four players being hit by pitches.

Shawn Hogan pitched the first two innings for Panama. He gave up three hits and three runs, one earned, with two strikeouts and two walks. He was relieved by winning pitcher Caleb Brewer, who shut the Pirates down for the final three innings. He did not allow a hit or a run with one strikeout and three walks.

Jaxon Harris got two of Panama’s hits and was 2-2 with two runs and two RBI, Hogan doubled and went 1-2 with one RBI and Tyler Simpkins also doubled while going 1-2 with a RBI and a run.

Poteau, which advanced to the championship game with a 3-2 win over Wister, was led by Dax Collins, who went 2-2 with a run scored. Aiden Sockey got the Pirates’ only other hit.

Will Jordan started for Poteau, but only managed to go a third of an inning, giving up no hits and five runs, four earned, with no strikeouts and two walks. Dax Hendrix came on in relief, not getting any outs and giving up three runs, two earned, with two walks and no strikeouts. Calloway Warren threw the final 3.2 innings, allowing four hits and four runs, three earned, with two strikeouts and four walks.

Panama 12, Poteau 3

POT 0 0 3 0 0—3 3 2

PAN 8 0 1 3 x—12 4 2

The earlier consolation championship was a pitchers duel with the Pirates ending Wister’s three-year reign as champions with a 3-2 victory.

Caston Fox went the distance for Poteau, giving up four hits and two runs, one earner, with three strikeouts and five walks.

Pierce Ballard led Poteau’s offense, going 2-3 while Coby Bell knocked in a pair of runs while going 1-3.

Will Bryan doubled and went 1-3 for Wister.

Former Poteau player Kord Fenton pitched the first four innings for Wister. He gave up two hits and three runs, all earned, with seven strikeouts and six walks. He was relieved by Jayden. Byars, who went the final three innings, allowing five hits and no runs with four strikeouts.

Poteau 3, Wister 2

PHS 0 0 0 1 2 0 0—3 5 3

WHS 1 0 0 0 1 0 0—2 4 1

Arkansas sweeps San Jose State

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – No. 1 Arkansas (29-3) beat the rain and San Jose State (12-21), 8-2, Wednesday afternoon to finish off its double midweek series sweep and win its program-record 23rd consecutive game at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Razorbacks improved to 29-3 overall on the year with the win, their best 32-game start in program history. Arkansas is now 25-1 at Baum-Walker Stadium this season and extended its home winning streak to a program-record 23 games, four shy of the Hogs’ all-time record for consecutive home wins of 27 at George Cole Field during the 1984-85 seasons.

Arkansas also won its 10th consecutive game, its second winning streak of 10 or more games this season and its 10th such winning streak since head coach Dave Van Horn took over at the helm of the program prior to the 2003 campaign.

True freshman Colin Fisher set the tone on the mound, spinning three scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn his sixth win and lower his season ERA to 1.96 in 23.0 innings over nine appearances with six starts. In relief, the Razorback bullpen – Koty Frank (2.0 IP, 2 SO), Jake Faherty (1.0 IP, 2 SO), Parker Coil (2.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 SO) and Cooper Dossett (1.0 IP, 1 SO) – combined for six innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts to silence the Spartan offense in Wednesday’s win.

Arkansas jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, thanks to Peyton Stovall’s RBI sacrifice fly to right and Ben McLaughlin’s two-out RBI single to right in the bottom of the second. Reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Nolan Souza continued his tear in the bottom half of the fifth, extending the Razorbacks’ advantage to 4-0 on his two-run double to left center.

When San Jose State cut its deficit to two in the top of the seventh, Arkansas answered with a four-spot in the bottom of the frame to blow the game open. Jack Wagner’s leadoff home run was followed by Stovall’s RBI single, McLaughlin’s RBI double and Wehiwa Aloy’s RBI sacrifice fly to left as the Hogs opened a commanding 8-2 lead and never looked back.

Stovall finished with a team-leading four hits, including a double, going 4-for-4 with two RBI in the win. McLaughlin (2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Wagner (2-for-4, HR, RBI) and Will Edmunson (2-for-4) also chipped in with multi-hit performances.

For the season, Stovall is slashing a team-leading .377/.462/.497 with four home runs and 21 RBI over 20 games. The Razorbacks are 19-1 since their captain and starting second baseman returned to the lineup from his preseason injury.

Up next, the Hogs travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for their second SEC road weekend series of the season. First pitch in the series opener between Arkansas and Western Division foe Alabama is set for 6 p.m. Friday, April 12, on SEC Network+.

FAYETTEVILLE –Naismith Hall of Fame coach John Calipari, who has led six teams to the Final Four, was named the 14th Razorback head men’s basketball coach, University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek announced Wednesday.

Calipari has signed a five-year contract to lead the Razorbacks with a salary beginning at $7 million per season. The contract runs through April 30, 2029 with a maximum of two automatic rollover years for NCAA Tournament appearances that would extend the contract to 2031. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus and features retention bonuses of $500,000 each year of the contract along with one-time bonuses for making the NCAA Tournament, reaching the second round, Sweet 16, Final Four and winning a national championship.

Calipari will be formally introduced on Wednesday (April 10) at 6 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena. The event will be open to the public. Fans should enter the south entrance of Bud Walton Arena. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Public parking is available in Lots 46, 56, 56B and 60, with the exception of resident reserved parking spaces.

“By all accounts, John Calipari is one of the premier coaches in college basketball,” Yurachek said. “A national championship coach, a four-time national coach of the year and one of the nation’s top recruiters, Coach Cal has consistently demonstrated his ability to attract outstanding talent and build championship teams within the Southeastern Conference and position his programs among the best in the nation.

“As I visited with Coach Calipari during this process, he acknowledged the tremendous opportunity we have at the University of Arkansas to attract and retain top players and compete for championships. He understands the deep passion of the Razorback Nation and has experienced the tremendous home court advantage of Bud Walton Arena. I have no doubt that under Coach Calipari’s leadership and with the collective support of all those who love the Hogs, Razorback Basketball will continue to maintain its national prominence within college basketball.”

Calipari is one of the most successful and decorated coaches in college basketball history having been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. However, he takes the greatest pride in the success his players experience in college, in professional basketball and life after their playing days are over.

Calipari has coached 58 players to be selected in the NBA Draft – 41 first-round picks including 27 among the top 15 and four as the overall first pick – during his 32-year coaching career and had 28 players on NBA rosters this past season.

He is the winningest active coach in men’s college basketball with a record of 855-263 (.765), including a 410-122 mark in 15 seasons at Kentucky (2009-24), 214-68 in nine seasons at Memphis (2000-09) and 189-70 in eight seasons at UMass (1988-96). In fact, Calipari became the fourth-fastest coach to 800 on-court wins ever at 1,037 games. Only Adolph Rupp (972 games), Roy Williams (1,012 games) and Dean Smith (1,029 games) did it faster.

Calipari also coached in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets for three seasons (1996-99) and internationally for the Dominican Republic national team (2011 and ’12) and the United States U-19 basketball team (2017).

Calipari has been named both the Naismith (1996, 2008, 2015) and NABC (1996, 2009, 2015) National Coach of the Year three times – once at each collegiate stop – and AP College Coach of the Year (2015). He has added SEC Coach of the Year honors four times (2010, 2012, 2015, 2020), C-USA Coach of the Year three times (2006, 2008, 2009) and Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year three times (1993, 1994, 1996).

Of the 31 NCAA Tournaments held during his collegiate coaching career, he has led 23 teams to the NCAA Tournament, including 15 trips to the Sweet 16, 12 appearances to the Elite 8, six Final Four births, three national title games and a national championship. (Note, in 2019-20, Kentucky was 25-6 and won the SEC with a 15-3 record but the NCAA cancelled the tournament due to COVID-19.)

Calipari is one of two coaches in NCAA history to take three different programs to the Final Four and one of just three coaches all-time to make four Final Fours in a five-year span. His teams have won an NCAA record 38 games three times – twice at UK (2012 and 2015) and once at Memphis (2008).

The following players were selected to the 2024 baseball LeFlore County Tournament all-tournament team:

Panama: Caleb Brewster, Shawn Hogan, Brex Caldwell (MVP), Boomer McClain.

Other selections were Garrett Smith (Howe),Ty Jerrell(Pocola), Cy Amons(Talihina), Mason Francis(Cameron),Spiro's Hunter Sparks, Hayden Reed and Davis Carter,Wister's Landon Donaho, Tucker Wooten, Kord Fenton, Poteau's Aiden Sockey, Coby Bell, Dax Collins and Calloway Warren.

Slow pitch softball districts were released recently and four LeFlore Counties teams are hosting districts.

See the districts for all of Oklahoma HERE. Districts must be completed by April 20.

In Class 4A, Pocola and Panama are hosts, LeFlore is a host in Class A and Whitesboro is hosting a Class B district.

Spiro is at Pocola, Howe and Vian are in the Panama district and Heavener was sent to a district at Valliant with the hosts and Calera.

LeFlore hosts Smithville and Fort Towson. Cameron goes to a district at Moss along with Coyle. while Sasakwa is at Whitesboro.

PANAMA—Heavener’s girls split a pair of games as the slow pitch softball LeFlore County Tournament got off to an abbreviated start Tuesday.

Games were scheduled at Panama and a pair of other locations, but Panama was the only place with fields able to be played on after heavy rain Monday night.

Heavener, now 11-5, avenged an earlier loss to Panama with a 13-1 win over Panama before losing to Howe in the second round, 12-2.

Locations and a schedule have not been determined yet. We will post the updated schedule as soon as possible.

In the opener against Panama, Heavener jumped ahead 7-0 and never let the Lady Backs back into the game.

Cayleigh McGee homered and double and was 3-3 with four RBI and a run to lead Heavener, Ava Cartwright tripled twice while going 2-4 with three runs and a RBI, Kristy Shadwick doubled and went 2-4 with two runs and a RBI, Mariana Garcia had a 2-3 outing with a RBI and a run and Kristin Hurst doubled while finishing 1-2 with two runs and a RBI.

Every Heavener starter but one had at least one hit. Heavener lost to Panama, 9-7, earlier in the season.

Jayda Timms had a 2-2 game to lead Panama with one RBI while Hayven Hoffman hit a solo home run and went 1-2 with a run and a RBI.

Heavener 13, Panama 2

HHS 3 4 0 1 5—13 14 0

PHS 0 1 0 1 0—2 7 3

Heavener scored a pair of runs in the top of the first against Howe, but the Lady Lions responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning en route to the easy win as Howe pounded 17 hits in three innings.

McGee homered again and was 1-2 with two RBI and a run while Cartwright had a triple while going 2-2 with a run.

Kaydence Delt homered twice and doubled to lead Howe. She drove in four runs and scored three. Jazz Harrison also homered for Howe.

Howe 12, Heavener 2

HEA 2 0 0 0—2 5 1

HOW 3 6 3 x—12 17 1

Lady Wolves win 2

By CRAIG HALL

Heavener’s girls improved to 10-5 by sweeping games from Smithville and Central Sallisaw Thursday.

The Lady Wolves opened with a 6-4 win over Smithville before completing the sweep with an 11-0 victory over Central Sallisaw. Heavener is back in action Tuesday against Panama in the slow pitch softball LeFlore County Tournament at the PARC in Poteau.

In the opener, Cayleigh McGee homered and was 3-3 with three RBI and two runs, Kristy Shadwick went 2-3 with a run and Mariana Garcia doubled while going 1-3 with two RBI.

Heavener led 6-2 before Smithville rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth.

Former Heavener player Addley McAlester went 2-3 with a run scored.

Heavener 6, Smithville 4

SHS 1 1 0 0 0 2 0—4 13 3

HHS 3 0 0 0 3 0 x—6 9 1

The second game was not nearly as close After Smithville blanked Central, 14-0, Heavener also kept the Lady Tigers scoreless in an 11-0 victory.

Heavener scored five runs in the bottom of the first and was never threatened.

Britlee Reed homered and was 3-3 with four RBI and two runs to lead Heavener. McGee homered and doubled while going 2-2 with three runs and a RBI,

Heavener 11, Central 0

CHS 0 0 0 0—0 2 5

HHS 5 4 2 x—11 7 1.

LeFlore County scoreboard

LeFlore County sports scores from Tuesday.

Baseball

Roland 6, Heavener 0

Heavener 10, Roland 2

Vian 10, Pocola 1

Hilldale 5, Poteau 2

Talihina 5, Spiro 0

Slow pitch softball

LCT

First round

LeFlore 13, Arkoma 1

Second round

Heavener 13, Panama 1

Howe 13, LeFlore 4

Third round

Howe 12, Heavener 2

Soccer

--Boys

Sallisaw 4, Heavener 3

--Girls

Sallisaw 1, Heavener 0

Poteau 6, Webster 0

LeFlore County sports scores from Friday.

Baseball

LCT championship

Panama 12, Poteau 3

Consolation championship

Poteau 3, Wister 2

Regular season

Smithville 7, Heavener 4

Porum 10, Arkoma 2

Slow pitch softball

Gore 12, Arkoma 0

Spiro 11, Cameron 1

Smithville 12, Cameron 0

Pocola 11, Rattan 8

Pocola 11, Howe 5

Pocola 15, Kiooa 1

Caddo 13, Pocola 11

Soccer

--Boys:

Poteau 3, Cascia Hall 0

--Girls:

Cascia Hall 6, Poteau 0

LeFlore County sports scores from Thursday.

Baseball

LCT

Winners bracket

Panama 4, Wister 2

Losers bracket

Spiro 5, Cameron 3

Poteau 10, Talihina 2

Poteau 10, Spiro 7

Regular season

Keota 13, Arkoma 12

Howe 11, Clayton 4

Slow pitch softball

Heavener 6, Smithville 4

Heavener 11, Smithville 0

Ripley 17, Howe 7

Howe 10, Calera 0

LeFlore 16, Clayton 8

Fairland 13, Panama 2

Jenks 13, Panama 6

Tahlequah 16, Panama 7

Pocola 11, Stuart 2

Caddo 15, Pocola 10

Stigler 14, Spiro 3

Eufaula 7, Spiro 0

Soccer

Boys:

Heavener 7, Tulsa Webster 0

Girls:

Heavener 4, Tulsa Webster 0

This week’s area fishing report for LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma.

Blue River: April 8. Elevation isnormaland stable, water temperature 66°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level)Rainbow trout goodon caddis flies, in-line spinnerbaits, midges, nymphs, and spoons around channels, river channel, and rocks.Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass goodon crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, rocks, and shorelines.Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: April 5. Elevation isnormaland stable, water temperature 56°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level)Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass goodon Alabama rigs, crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, creek channels, points, river channel, and standing timber.Crappie goodon hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, flats, points, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber.White bass fairon grubs and in-line spinnerbaits around channels, creek channels, river channel, and river mouth.Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: April 5. Elevation is 1 ft.above normaland stable, water temperature 59°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level)Striped bass, striped bass hybrids, and white bass goodon crankbaits, jigs, and lipless baits below the dam, creek channels, and tailwater.Blue and channel catfish goodon cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad, and sunfish around channels, river channel, and river mouth.Crappie excellenton hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and spoons around brush structure, creek channels, docks, and rocks.Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: April 5. Elevation isnormaland stable, water temperature 49°F and clear.Rainbowtrout goodon PowerBait, tube jigs, and worms around creek channels and spillway.Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: April 5. Elevation is 1 ft.above normaland stable, water temperature 61°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level)Largemouth and spotted bass excellenton bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, points, rocks, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber.Crappie excellenton jigs, minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, shallows, and shorelines.Channel and flathead catfish fairon cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad, shrimp, stinkbait, and worms around channels, dam, and main lake.Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Pine Creek: April 5. Elevation is 8 ft.above normaland falling, water temperature 55°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level)Largemouth bass goodon crankbaits around points.Crappie fairon jigs around standing timber.Channel catfish fairon chicken liver around channels.Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: April 5. Elevation isnormaland stable, water temperature 59°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level)Blue, channel, and flathead catfish goodon chicken liver, hot dogs, minnows, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, main lake, points, and tailwater.Crappie goodon hair jigs, jigs, and minnows below the dam, coves, shorelines, tailwater, and weed beds.White bass goodon hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and small lures below the dam, channels, creek channels, and river channel.Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: April 5. Elevation is 1 ft.above normaland stable, water temperature 62°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level)Largemouth bass goodon bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, lipless baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, points, and standing timber.Blue, channel, and flathead catfish goodon chicken liver, cut bait, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber.Crappie goodon jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, points, and standing timber.Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Tenkiller: April 7. Elevation isnormaland stable, water temperature 60°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level)Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass goodon crankbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and spoons around brush structure, channels, and docks.White bass goodon Alabama rigs, in-line spinnerbaits, and jigs around channels, coves, creek channels, and river channel.Crappie fairon minnows, tube jigs, and worms around brush structure, docks, and main lake.Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.

Wister: April 5. Elevation isnormaland stable, water temperature 63°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level)Largemouth bass goodon buzz baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure and creek channels.Blue catfish goodon cut bait and shad around main lake.Crappie excellenton jigs and minnows around brush structure, main lake, and river channel.Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

10 YEARS AGO

2014—Eastern Medical Center CEO, supporters push for sales tax election…Runestone Viking/Celtic Festival approaching…Heavener woman faces embezzling charges…Heavener hosting reality house…Egg hunts coming up for Vietnam Vets, Peter Conser House…Poteau blood donors to receive gifts.

50 YEARS AGO

1974—Fourth annual Eastern sunrise service planned at Heavener Runestone…Smoke jumpers utilized for first time in Oklahoma…Office building at Howe Coal Company destroyed by fire…Heavy frost damages many garden plants at Zoe…Do your laundry at Morrow Fabric Care Center in Heavener…See the all new RCA XL-100 color TV line at Sims’ TV Center in Heavener.

60 YEARS AGO

1964—Heavener grad Dr. Edwin Fair to serve as commencement speaker for Heavener High School graduates…Three men arrested near Panama after a 120 mph chase near Panama. They had earlier burglarized two businesses…Almost three inches of rain, heavy winds hit area, damage poultry house near Summerfield, killing and scattering hundreds of baby chicks…Hembree Chevrolet has a 1957 Buick hard top for sale for $195.

70 YEARS AGO

1954—Heavener Blues to be reorganized…Heavener City Council votes to raise water rates from $1 to $1.50 per month for minimum 1,000 galloons of usage…Council also voted to double sewer rates…Howard Council, owner of the Western Auto Associate Store, announces a $14,000 big bass fishing contests…Blake Taxi Service wants the city to put street markers so he can find his customers better…A complete 6-cylinder tune up is just $10.89 at Heavener Auto Sales…Day’s Corner Drug Store to have sale…Jim Emmert has a Harley Davidson motorcycle for sale…A 16-inch lawn mower is $16.25 at Long-Bell Lumber Company.

80 YEARS AGO

1944—Annual junior class play will be held at the Westside School Friday night…Technical Sgt. William H. Logan of Heavener meets first lady Eleanor Roosevelt…Current war bond drive in Heavener collects $3,172, just short of goal of $4,000…OG&E encourages customers to plant victory gardens to make sure everybody has plenty to eat during these war years…Get your all-weather Goodyear battery at Blackwell & Hall Sinclair Service Station…Book your orders in advance for baby chicks from C.W. Mizell’s Blue Ribbon Hatchery.

90 YEARS AGO

1934—Head-on collision of two trucks in Heavener leaves one man hospitalized with severe head injuries…Oklahoma A&M advises farmers to install lightning rods on buildings to reduce the chance of fire…Work is progressing nicely on new DX Service Station in Heavener…Drs. Hearn & Hearn make house calls…Shampoo, hair cut, perm, set and dry is just $1.95 at Bullard’s Beauty & Barber Shop, phone 70 in Heavener…M. Chamblee is now a dealer for the new Electrolu gas refrigerator…Keep your car running smooth at W.W. Savage’s Magnolia Service Station.

Calendar of events for Heavener, LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma.. If you are a non-profit, school or church, submit an event. This is a free service for non-profits and churches, so if you want your event published, send an email to craig@heavenerledger.com

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon

Funeral services for Stanley Remy

Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North

High school baseball: Heavener at Kiowa Tournament; Whitesboro at Howe; Panama at Pocola; Hilldale at Poteau; Talihina at Buffalo Valley

High school softball: LCT

High school soccer: Dove Science at Heavener boys 5 p.m.

LeFlore County Republicans meet 6 p.m. at Patrick Lynch Library in Poteau.

Heavener school board meeting 6 p.m.

Friday

Heavener at Atoka meet

Service for Leandra Buelna, Jr.

High school baseball: Heavener at Kiowa Tournament; Bokoshe at Braggs; Talihina at Panama; Poteau vs. Preston in McAlester Festival

High school softball: Panama at Smithville; Talihina at Canadian

High school soccer: Poteau at Sallisaw

Saturday

High school baseball: Heavener at Kiowa Tournament; Panama at Spiro; Broken Bow JV vs. Talihina

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

High school baseball: Victory Christian at Heavener; Talihina at Cameron; Howe at McCurtain; Gans at LeFlore; Panama at Red Oak; Stigler at Poteau; Spiro at Cascia Hall; Whitesboro at Haileyville

High school softball: Sallisaw at Heavener; Panama at Pocola; Quinton at Whitesboro

Tuesday

Heavener at Idabel meet

High school baseball: Heavener at Wilburton; Howe at LeFlore; Central Sallisaw at Panama; Pocola at Haworth; Poteau at Stigler; Cascia Hall at Spiro; Savanna at Talihina; Tushka at Wister

High school softball: Kiowa, LeFlore at Red Oak; Panama at Whitesboro; Stigler at Talihina

High school soccer: Regent Prep at Heavener; Dove Science at Poteau

Poteau Chamber of Commerce banquet

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

The MT. View Cemetery Association meeting will be held 8:30 a.m. on May 11.

The annual clean-up day is also May 18 at 8:30 a.m.

Decoration day is May 18 with the annual association meeting held at 10 a.m.

If you would like to donate to the cemetery association for maintenance of the property, donations can be mailed to the following address:

Mt. View Cemetery Assoc.

c/o Sherri Smith

P.O. Box 1142

Poteau, OK 74953

Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated.

By Laney Reasner

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State University Extension has launched a curriculum to educate high school and 4-H students about the Farm Bill.

“There are bits and pieces of policy curriculum taught in high schools,” said Amy Hagerman, OSU Extension specialist for agriculture and food policy. “But a Farm Bill-centered youth curriculum didn’t exist in the country.”

OSU Extension initially developed online videos on Farm Bill basics in 2019. When Hagerman and her team learned the videos were being used in high school and college classrooms, they identified the need for a customized Farm Bill curriculum.

The course is offered in a self-paced online format for 4-H youth as well as a traditional classroom environment for high school students.

Both learning options focus on the history, development, content and processes of the Farm Bill. The high school curriculum extends to careers in ag policy, titles of the Farm Bill and how youth projects are affected by Farm Bill policy.

The information, activities and assignments created by Hagerman and other OSU Extension specialists provide turn-key curriculum for high school agriculture education classrooms, home-schooled youth, college students studying policy or agriculture, or others interested in learning about the Farm Bill.

Once the 2018 Farm Bill has been updated with new legislation, OSU Extension will update its Farm Bill webpage and educational resources with the latest policy information.

Course materials and other ag policy-related resources can be found on the OSU Extension website. Learn more by emailing amy.hagerman@okstate.edu.

OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state's 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.

Carl Albert College reps visit capitol

By Rep. RICK WEST

Several people from Carl Albert State College visited the Capitol last week to attend a luncheon recognizing our rural colleges. This school does a terrific job educating our young people.

I got to visit with several students who were recognized for their academic achievements.

Sadie Bridges won an Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges President Tuition Waiver; Brady Allen and Brandi Woods were part of the All-Oklahoma Academic Team.

The $1,000 tuition waiver is awarded to select students from across the state for their outstanding academic achievement and their leadership ability. Academic team members are nominated by their college presidents. To be eligible, students must hold a minimum of a 3.50 cumulative grade point average out of a possible 4.0 on all college-level coursework completed in the past five years.

I and Sen. George Burns presented these students with citations recognizing their accomplishments. This is a great part of my job.

I also had the opportunity to meet with Carl Albert President Jay Falkner and talk about some of his concerns for higher education.

Also last week, I passed several Senate bills in the House Agriculture Committee.

Senate Bill 1442 would extend permit renewals for poultry waste applications from one year to five years for $75. This is a request bill from several constituents in our House district who say this will be much more convenient than having to renew each year.

Senate Bill 1963 would allow those who engage in the on-farm sale of donkey milk to advertise their product as such. Up until now, goat milk was the only raw milk that could be advertised. Believe it or not, this is a freedom of speech issue.

On a final note, I'm working with my colleague, Rep. Ellyn Hefner from Oklahoma City, in finalizing plans for our recognition of the 29th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. This year, we have invited Secretary Blayne Arthur to speak. Her mother was murdered in this act of terrorism. We also will recognize several House and Senate sergeants who were called in to help in the recovery efforts after the bombing.

This is the sixth year that I've helped in remembering this horrific event. It's important to me because our younger generation has no real knowledge of what happened or the danger that this could ever happen again on U.S. soil. Our new speaker designate in the House, for instance, is only 30 years old, so he would have been a baby at the time the bombing occurred. We must keep telling this story so this kind of history never repeats itself in our state.

As always, if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.

By LEON YOUNGBLOOD

I have to admit, I was impressed when the moon got between the earth and the sun, making the sun’s corona visible. I had seen photographs of this phenomenon all my life; none of them compared to seeing the event as it happened. The next total eclipse of the Sun visible in America will be August 23, 2044, so save your eclipse glasses to use then. I intend to watch it myself, if I’m not busy.

BRIAR CIRCLE

There are many positive things I could say about the eclipse, but I am “eclipsed” by countless others who have expressed these thoughts better. With no particular direction in mind, here are some quotes:

“There’s no way to oversell how spectacular and incredible seeing a total eclipse is. A lot of people think they’ve seen an eclipse, and they think they’ve see a partial solar eclipse—even if they’ve seen a 99 percent partial, it pales in comparison to seeing a complete, 100 percent total eclipse of the sun.” --Fred Espenak

Espenak also said, “I recommend for people, if this is the first time they’re going to see an eclipse, don’t get bogged down in trying to take pictures of it, because you’ll spend too much time fiddling around with cameras . . .Try to drink it with your eyes and enjoy it.” (From my experience, he’s right.)

“Most events recorded in history are more remarkable than important, like eclipses of the sun and moon, by which all are attracted, but whose effects no one takes the trouble to calculate.” --Henry David Thoreau

“We should always endeavor to wonder at the permanent thing, not at the mere exception. We should be started by the sun, and not by the eclipse. We should wonder less at the earthquake, and wonder more at the earth.” --Gilbert K. Chesterton

I suppose I should not be surprised to have encountered persons who believe the total eclipse was a warning to prepare for tough times ahead. There is nothing novel about this. As Walter Mercado said, “In many cultures, a total eclipse of the sun predicts cataclysms and bad events.” That has been true for thousands of years. There is some disagreement whether or not the celestial events cause or merely predict bad times, but this is a looney bin I would just as soon not crawl into. Consequently, I will let this quote from Luci Swindoll sum up my thoughts on this:

“Don’t take yourself too seriously. It just makes life all the harder. It’ll all come out in the wash anyway, because God’s glory will eventually eclipse everything that goes wrong on this earth. Lighten up and learn to laugh at yourself.”

Keep your “eclipse” glasses handy. I will see you Aug. 23, 2044.

Eclipse thoughts

By TERRY JOE WILES

What did you think of Monday’s total eclipse

Well, the total eclipse came and went. I wrote this week’s column on Thursday, so all I have to offer is an uneducated speculation of the event.

Support local, live music

I forecasted partly sunny skies, and I hope it was. I said there would be lots of tourists, which would be good for the economy for some of the rural communities with minor inconvenience for us locals — and a chance to observe and enjoy this event with family and friends. The next one is in 2044. Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine.

In the live-music department, there’s a couple events coming up I plan to attend. Just so you can’t say that you didn’t know, there will be a concert at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. May 25. There will be an awesome line-up with “Oreo Blue with Gary Hutchison,” “The Jeff Horton Band” and “J.J. Taylor and Bourbon Highway.” There will be a full afternoon of awesome blues, rock and red dirt music, so make plans to be there.

There will be a fajita fundraiser for this event at Carajillo Mexican Grill in Poteau from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. It is a great chance to meet and greet with host Annie Kobus and find out how you can be a sponsor for this event. It is building up to the biggest event of the summer. For additional information, call or text message to (918) 766-8269.

There will be a party at the Fort — Fort Towson that is, located near Hugo! On Saturday, this family event will open the gate at 10 a.m. Stoney LaRue with Kaitlin Butts and special guest Casey West will provide the entertainment. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to www.PartyAtTheFort.com or the Fort Towson Chamber of Commerce website.

Here’s a great chance to enjoy gospel music at the First Baptist Church in Van Buren, Ark. The Southern Gospel Celebration 2024 will be Friday and Saturday. Check out the event’s Facebook page as well as at www.bpmpresents.com, or call (479) 883-8131.

A real treat with an album release party from “The Black Diamonds” will take place at the place of origin, The Coffee Cup in Poteau. Here is a short note from bandleader Ben Whiteaker:

“Ourself-titled album will be available anywhere you can stream music on April 19. We are playing a show at The Coffee Cup with Landon Kole Bradley that same night, starting at 6 p.m. Kole has been pivotal in the revival of the music scene in Poteau and put together some great shows with Bard’s Guild. Come out and sing some sad, sad songs with us.” Mark it on your calendar — 6 p.m. April 19 with Landon Kole Bradley and “The Black Diamonds” at The Coffee Cup. I’ll have more information in next week’s column.

As for other live-music events this week, “Sierra Bravo” will be at La Huerta’s Mexican Restaurant in Poteau beginning at 6 tonight. Scot Francis and Billy Hoffman will be sharing the vocals with their good friend Rick Boyette on bass. It will be a great evening of music on the patio. See you there.

“The Libby Starks Band” will liven up the Fort Smith (Ark.) Senior Activity Center on Friday. Libby is a favorite at this dance hall. The good thing is there is a big dance floor and lots of seats at tables.The venue is a NS/ND place, so when the first note is played at 7 p.m., be ready to dance the night away. It’ll be a great time.

Dawn’s Diner will be restocked with catfish and chicken fried steaks after the eclipse hoopla and will have two nights of great music. On Friday, it will be “Bourbon Rain” playing country tunes to keep the dance floor full. Then on Saturday, Chance Noah will bring his tunes that will entertain and make you wanna dance. Both nights of music will start at 7 p.m.

The Spiro Eagles Lodge’s dance will be from 7-11 p.m. Saturday. “Country Junction” will be playing, and this band has a great show. There’s a great, big dance floor and one of the best country dance bands around. Hope to see you at the Spiro Eagles Lodge that night.

That ain’t all that I got to say, but it’s a good place to stop. Support local bands and singers. Attend an event or dance. Keep live music available to us all.

For information about any live-music events or to let me know of any such venues taking place, call or text message me at (918) 649-5736 or e-mail me attj.wiles61@outlook.com.