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Sasha Ndisabiye The Gazette “The worst experience of my life, ‘Administrators knew housing was limited’”

The Gazette | October 20, 2021

“The worst experience of my life”

Administrators knew housing was limitted The Gazette is produced within the Department of Communication at Langston University. It serves as a teaching tool. The newspaper is published biweekly and is dispersed across campus every other Tuesday, except during examinations, holidays and extended school breaks.

Managing Editor Paris Rain Cover Designer and Centerfold Na'Tianna Stocker Staff Writers Kesean Cleveland Nia Daniels Sasha Ndisabiye Neija Whitehead Rashawn Mayes Advertising Editor Nia Daniels Adviser Daniel Thompson

The Gazette Office Langston University Sanford Hall, Room 318

SECOND PLACE

Ryan Novozinsky The O’Colly THIRD PLACE

Ryan Novozinsky The O’Colly

News

Send story ideas, comments and calendar events to dthom34@langston.edu. Opinions expressed in Voices are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles. Letters to the editor should be emailed to dthom34@langston.edu. Please include your name and telephone number. The newspaper retains the right to edit, accept and/or reject items deemed to be contrary to the best interest of the publication, Langston University and/or any of its governing bodies.

By Sasha Ndisabiye Staff Writer

According to a report obtained from the office of admissions, Langston University decided to proceed with 2021 move-in plans even after receiving a warning about housing shortages. Transitioning back to inperson learning in the fall 2021 semester, Langston University had a lot to prepare for the incoming students. Sodexo, the company that usually manages university services like food, housing, maintenance, and groundskeeping, lost its contract this summer, leaving four to six weeks before the freshman move-ins. “This is an Oklahoma Board of Regents thing... so at that point, once their contract is up, there had to be three bids from companies that do the same services as Sodexo,” said Roy Moody, resident director of Commons Apartments and special teams coordinator for the LU football team. After hearing bids on a new contract, the university selected W.F.F Facility Services and Aladdin to replace Sodexo. According to several housing staff, the transition from one company to the other was difficult. Carlos Robinson, director of the office of admissions, recruitment, and outreach programs, said once the contract ended, Sodexo packed up the company's supplies and equipment used to manage the uni-

versity and left without helping transition the new company. “Once we said that we were going to end their contract, you can literally see services were not getting done from that point forward,” said Robinson. Replaced by what was described as an “eight-man crew,” W.F.F. was then responsible for getting 800+ dorm units cleaned and ready for incoming students. Sherry Gatheright, administrative specialist of residential life and housing services said that multiple buildings in Scholars Inn alone had not been touched since the pandemic shut down the campus in March of 2020. These were completely “offline,” or not available for use, due to no electricity, no air conditioning, water outages, black mold infestations, broken toilets, and other maintenance issues. Gatheright said the problem was not that the university did not have room for the students in those first rounds of moveins, but that the rooms would not be ready by the time the students arrived. Declining the Gazette’s request for interviews, Langston Administrators replied with an official statement: We strive to do what is best for Langston University and our students. Making sure our students' experiences are positive is always our goal. In that regard, we acknowledge the challenges we faced at this year's move-in resulted in a less than desirable experience for a few

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

students. We regret when something does not go as planned. The constructive feedback we received will help us improve our services and ensure a better experience. While most of our students had a positive experience, we want to ensure everyone does in the future. As we look back, we are unaware of receiving a report about a housing shortage before the movein. We did receive feedback from an employee following the freshmen move-in with several observations and suggestions. We appreciated the feedback. Langston University moves its students into the dorms in two waves: the first consists of just first-time students starting July 29 to 31, and the second starts Aug. 12 to 15 for returning students. On July 26, three days before the first wave of moveins, a Zoom meeting was called with staff and administrators to discuss the 140 students without a housing assignment. Robinson confirmed that during the Zoom meeting President Smith told Kavaris Sims, assistant to the dean of students, to gather all resident directors around six or seven that night for a walkthrough of Commons Apartments in search of extra space for incoming students. That Monday, three days before the first day of first-year move-ins, 25 extra rooms were found in Commons Apartments to place some of the first-time students without room assignments. Commons Apartments are normally held by upper-

classmen, honors students, students with families, and some faculty. As first-year students are now housed in returning students' rooms, those returning students must find different rooms while the school is at full capacity, thus creating a domino effect of housing shortages and issues. Discussing his experience with the first wave of move-ins, Robinson said, “We brought several students to the campus, and we were not ready for them. We did not have housing units; we understood that there were 140 students without a room assignment the Monday before move-in weekend. So, administration decided to move forward and see if they can pull off a miracle, and we ended up turning away two to three hundred students because we did not have any rooms available for them at that time.” According to the final data report regarding first-time students of the fall semester, there are 1,724 total students enrolled in classes, but only 1,269 room assignments, leaving 455 students without a room. 107 of those are first time students who paid the $250 commitment fee, but do not have a room assignment. The process of checking in each student, making sure that their FAFSA was in order and the commitment fees were paid went smoothly, but when it

see Housing page 7

—Page 4

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 2,000

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Fairfax Chief

VOL. 116 N0. 46 USPS NO. 184-040

FAIRFAX, OKLAHOMA

THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021

Leo lights up the night

FIRST PLACE

Carol Conner

The FairFax C hieF

A ghostly, tall thin figure in a full-length nightgown and boots started running down Fairfax’s Fourth Street Friday night in the quiet, muggy heat. He was followed by young men with their shirts half tucked in, women in nightgowns and shawls, someone in a plaid nightrobe—all racing south. Some were carrying lanterns; others bucket of water to pour on a blaze. Killers of the Flower Moon filming was in full swing here. The scene was clearly the aftermath of hearing the explosion of Rita and Bill Smith’s home. The real location is to the north of our Fairfax Chief office, but for movie reasons, crowds of folks dressed in 1920’s nightwear were pouring out from everywhere and running towards the ‘explosion’. Ironically, many were stationed around the location of the old Hospital here—the actual place where Bill Smith was taken after the explosion—and where he passed away 10 days later. Lightning was surely unneeded extra light Friday night – as strings of lights, lights from big screens, lights hung in strands from cranes, and a huge overhead crane of brilliant light lit up the site being used as the home of Ernest and Mollie Burkhart. Because of all the murders in Fairfax back then, folks had strung up ‘fraidy lights’ around their homes, hoping to deter

The Fairfax Chief “Leo lights up the night” SECOND PLACE

Todd Brooks The Comanche Times THIRD PLACE

Continued to Page 2

Carol Conner

MOVIE NEWS Photo by THE FAIRFAX CHIEF

In a practice run before filming began, Leonardo DiCaprio walked out of his ‘home’ after hearing the explosion that was the bombing of Rita and Bill Smith’s home. In the aftermath of the bombing, DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart, brother-in-law to the Smiths, later slowly trudged back to tell his wife, Mollie, sister of Rita, portrayed by Lily Gladstone, what had happened.

The Fairfax Chief

First rate feedback for The Fairfax Chief Carol Conner The FairFax ChieF

The Fairfax Chief won awards again this year in the Oklahoma Press Association’s Better Newspaper contest. Covering the bankruptcy and sale of Fairfax Community Hospital brought a first-place prize for indepth reporting. The judge said of

about skunks brought him a first place in column writing. The judge said, “ Ver y enter taining and well-written columns with strong leads and conclusions. Columns like these sell newspapers.” Bruce Hadden followed up with a

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Judge’s said, “Good u s e o f s p a ce i n publication.” The Fairfax Chief swept the category of Feature Photograph, with Sherry Stinson’s Christmas Star taking first place; “Fantastic, well-done”; Owen Hutcheson second with this Variations from

place for overall Photography, with pictures from many of our staff getting notice. We won awards in overall News Content and overall Editorial writing, too. Finally, Nicole Roberts’ story on “Streaming stickball skills” brought in a second place in Feature Story, and Carol Conner’s “Wendy Ponca – our

June

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16th-20th Days 17th-18th Days Invit Show, 10 A stantine T 19th After Barry Corb Q&A, 2 PM Theater 19th OCC 8 AM, Osa Fairground COVID-19 Wah-Zhater Tents, 7 Tuesdays, and Thurs Monday-F Citizens Lu Call Ahead Elder Nutr Coronavi

September 2-8, 2021 • Tishomingo, OK • 50 Cents

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

News Story

Volume 121, Number 10 • 16 Pages

Duncan pleads guilty in federal court Motion by D.A. seeks to have case returned to state’s jurisdiction By John A. Small

Managing Editor

Shelley Jo Duncan has pled guilty to two of four counts filed against her in federal court this year in connection to the 2016 case alleging that the former Tishomingo teacher and cheerleading coach had engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a male student. But a subsequent motion filed in Johnston County District Court this week seeks to have the post-conviction relief that led to the charges being refiled in federal court vacated, on the grounds that Duncan’s original 2018 conviction and sentencing never should have been nullified in the first place.

FIRST PLACE

John Small Johnston County Sentinel

According to court documents obtained by the Johnston County Sentinel on Tuesday, Duncan pled guilty on Aug. 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma to two counts of lewd acts with a child under 16 in Indian Country. Under the terms of Duncan’s plea agreement, the remaining two counts abusive sexual contact in Indian Country, and a third count of lewd acts with a child under 16 in Indian Country - are to be dismissed at the time of Duncan’s sentencing. The court documents also state that the maximum possible sentencing for the counts Duncan has pled guilty to are imprisonment for a period of not less than three years and not more than

“Duncan pleads guilty in federal court” SECOND PLACE

Rebecca Carroll

Marietta Monitor THIRD PLACE

Brandi Ball The Cleveland American

The Fairest of the Fair

Following last year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local residents celebrated the return of the Johnston County Free Fair last week. Among the events was the always-popular Fairest of the Fair Pageant, in which Tinlee Rhea was crowned as 2021 Senior Divison winner and Ella Vestal was honored as Junior Division winner. Pictured left to right are the previous Fairest of the Fair winner, Keona Mason; Rhea; contestant Ryden Hinton; Vestal; and contestant Kati Gordon. Results from this year’s Free Fair will appear in next week’s issue of the Johnston County Sentinel.

20 years, and/or a fine of $250,000; a term of supervised release “to be determined by the Court”; and a special assessment in the amount of $100. The federal documents obtained by the Sentinel did not list a sentencing date. Whether that sentencing moves forward as currently planned is now dependent on the outcome of the motion filed Monday in Johnston County District Court. In that motion, acting District Attorney Greg Washburn and Assistant D.A. Madison S. Clark of Oklahoma’s 21st Judicial District ask that the court vacate its order granting post-conviction relief to Duncan. Washburn and Clark’s motion states that the post-conviction relief had been based on the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in McGirt vs. Oklahoma. That ruling - issued on July 9, 2020 - reaffirmed Native American rights to millions of acres of land in eastern Oklahoma. The 5-4 opinion granted jurisdictional control to the Muscogee Nation and extended to four neighboring tribal nations - including the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations - which together make up more than half the state. The nation’s highest court said at the time that Congress never explicitly “disestablished” the 1866 boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. But on Aug. 12 of this year, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that while McGirt vs. Oklahoma would remain the law of the land, it will only apply going forward when it comes to criminal cases and that the federal ruling was not retroactive - meaning the ruling did not apply to those with state convictions prior to the 2020 Supreme Court decision. Duncan was originally convicted in October 2018 for lewd acts with a child, and later sentenced to six years with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections the following December. Her application for post-conviction relief, filed this past April, stated that the “judgment and sentence entered against her is a nullity because the State of Oklahoma had no jurisdiction

Shelley Jo Duncan

to enter it.” The application went on to state that the judgment and sentence against Duncan “must be vacated and set aside.” The court document stated that Duncan is a member of the Choctaw Nation, and that the crime with which Duncan was charged and pled not guilty to occurred in Johnston County, which is located within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation. “Because her crime falls under the Major Crimes Act, occurred on an Indian Reservation that has not been disestablished by Congress, and she is a member of a federally recognized tribe, exclusive jurisdiction rests with the federal government of the United States,” Duncan’s application stated. The Sentinel was the first news agency to report - in an April 21 post on the newspaper’s Facebook page that Duncan’s request for post-conviction relief had been granted. That report also stated that Duncan had been picked up by U.S. Marshals on April 20 and taken into federal custody by the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Duncan was three years into her six-year sentence with the Oklahoma F See DUNCAN Page 2

District plans town hall meeting on school bond By John A. Small

Managing Editor

Voters residing within the Tishomingo School District who have questions or concerns about a proposed $24,510,000 bond issue will have the chance for their voices to be heard prior to the Sept. 14 election. Tishomingo Superin-

The event is scheduled for next Tuesday, Sept. 7, starting at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Tishomingo Elementary School cafeteria. All interested residents are invited and encouraged to attend. “The town hall will give residents the opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer session, and to hear more

the June 17 edition of the Johnston County Sentinel, administrators and school board officials have stated that the goal of the bond issue project is to develop a plan centered on best serving students in a safe environment that provides local students with educational facilities comparable to those of students in other nearby districts.

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

from Johnston County Assessor Guyla Hart, Waitman told the Lions Club that growth in the school district’s Net Assessed Valuation (NAV) was $10.8 million in 2021, and approximately $7 million in 2020 meaning that the district has grown by approximately 48 percent in that period. That growth, Wait-

which was reflective of an approximately 20 mill increase and 28 percent tax increase,” Waitman said. “The impact of this growth means that the target millage level re-

quired for the construction of the bond projects will be only 23.75. “A taxpayer paying F See BOND Page 2

Reminder: COVID-19 vaccines available

The Johnston County Health Department is currently offering COVID-19 vaccines for

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 3,500 – 7,000

Snow Day Photo Contest!

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A Proud Heritage.

The

“Suspect in Custody, Shelter from the Storm” SECOND PLACE

SINCE 1892

A Bright Future.

Marlow Review EST. 1892 • Marlow, Oklahoma • Volume 177 • Issue 7 • 1 Section, 8 Pages • $1.00

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Suspect in Custody on Murder, Animal Cruelty Charges

FIRST PLACE

The Marlow Review

See Page 5

See Page 8

marlowreview. marlow review. com

Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard

Gym Jammers Results

Vote for your favorites at www.marlowreview.com

Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard

49, of Marlow, who owns the property at 2496 N. Highway 81. McKinney said that law enforcement performed a welfare check at the residence after receiving a report on Friday that someone may have been injured or killed at that location. “We got the report from a person who had overheard a conversation about it,” McKinney said. “We issued a BOLO [Be On Lookout] for a missing person and went to do a welfare check.” In the course of performing the welfare check, Sheriff ’s dep-

The Marlow Review

A Marlow resident is in custody at Stephens County jail on charges of second-degree murder and animal cruelty after a Sheriff ’s Department welfare check on Friday, February 12 uncovered the body of a suspected murder victim and what authorities assume to be a puppy mill that housed approximately 165 dogs on the property in Marlow. According to Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney, the suspect is Karen Jean Prichard,

Karen Jean Prichard

uties found the dogs living in what McKinney described as “deplorable” conditions. After obtaining a search warrant for the property, the body of Ashley Nicole Anderson, 31, was found in an outbuilding. The cause of death has yet to be determined by the Medical Examiner, but McKinney said there appeared to be blunt-force trauma injuries. “We believe the victim lived at the same address and may have been there to help with the dogs,” McKinney said.

Pritchard was taken into custody at the scene. Law enforcement contacted the Stephens County Humane Society to assist with securing the dogs’ safety. McKinney said that many of the dogs were sent to private homes and shelters on Friday night while volunteers set up wind breaks and beds from donated hay and straw. All of the dogs were relocated to Tulsa Humane Society shelters on Saturday.

SHELTER FROM THE STORM

Renee Fite The Stilwell Democrat Journal THIRD PLACE

Suzie Campbell Countywide & Sun

Bowl-shaped blocks of ice litter the ground outside pens and trailers where 165 dogs were found in a suspected puppy mill operation last weekend. The dogs were relocated to shelters with the assistance of Humane Society of Tulsa after they were discovered while law enforcement performed a welfare check at the property in Marlow. The property owner is in custody on charges of second-degree murder and animal cruelty. Photo by Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard/The Marlow Review

City Implements Rolling Outages

The City of Marlow was asked to shed 2 megawatts (Mw) of power on Tuesday morning. The call came in at 7:35 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. shutdown. In that time, a careful determination was made on which of the four circuits

Marlow would see the entire town’s demand to be around 4 to 5 Mw. Tuesday morning’s demand was nearing 8 Mw. As colder temperatures persist, all electric users are asked to conserve where possible: 1. Set thermostats lower

A volunteer attempts to calm one of the dogs found on a property in Marlow, where a welfare check performed by law enforcement on Friday uncovered what authorities believe was a puppy mill in operation. The Stephens County Humane Society sent a request for hay and straw on Friday night in order to provide wind breaks and bedding for the dogs that could not be relocated immediately, and volunteers worked throughout the night in below-freezing temperatures to provide shelter for the animals. On Saturday, all 165 dogs were taken to Humane Society of Tulsa, just before a snowstorm entered the area on Sunday. Photo by Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard/The Marlow Review

MHS Seniors Treated to Valentine Lunch Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard The Marlow Review

In a high school experience such as the Class of 2021 has had, beginning with a teacher walk-out in their freshman year and concluding with a senior year fraught with battling a global pandemic, students and faculty at Marlow High School are prioritizing the observance of Outlaw traditions. Typically, seniors are treated to a Thanksgiving lunch in November that marks the first of many senior events at

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 7,000 – 19,000

The W

dyn

News Story

Under Dale Cond Bulldogs have rea record heights

BILL HAIST

Tulsa Wor

FIRST PLACE

Justin Ayer Wagoner County American-Tribune “Tullahassee leaders drive revitalization in Oklahoma’s oldest surviving all-Black town”

COURTESY PHOTOS: CYMONE DAVIS

The welcome sign entering into Tullahassee.

Revitalization begins in Tullahassee ‘From black freedom to black hope’

JUSTIN AYER

SECOND PLACE

Jessica Lane The Express-Star THIRD PLACE

Kevin Hilley The Altus Times

Wagoner County American-Tribune

Cymone Davis was on a mission when she arrived to Oklahoma through the Tulsa Remote program in June 2020. Build an All-Black boarding school. It’s still a mighty goal of hers. But in the meantime, she’s picked up a few other commitments – like become the town manager of Oklahoma’s oldest surviving All-Black town: Tullahassee. Tullahassee is a Wagoner County community of roughly 100 people. It’s one of 13 surviving All-Black towns in Oklahoma. At one point, there were over 50. It’s seen better days, to say the least. Buildings are dilapidated. Vegetation is overgrown. There’s really not much going on, except for a strong community atmosphere of families that have lived there for decades, and longer.

The history

The history of Tullahassee, five miles northwest of Muskogee, is anything but small. It was originally a Creek Nation town in the mid-19th century before it started to increasingly populate

with the Creek Freedman, Davis said. The town was eventually handed over to the Freedman in 1881. By 1902, the town was incorporated and platted in 1907. A sign in front of Tullahasee’s post office — currently one of the town’s lone public buildings where people may be seen besides their home — has historical facts printed for the public to read. It was written by the Oklahoma Historical Society. Like the Greenwood District, or better known as Black Will Street in Tulsa, it wasn’t long before Tullahassee starting thriving. In addition to an established school, Flipper Davis College emerged in 1916. It was the only private institution for African Americans in Oklahoma. The Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad ran through the town. The A.J. Mason building in the center of town served many purposes. It was the place to be. After the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921, Davis said Tullahassee’s population dwindled. By the mid- 1930’s, the population was a mere 250 people. By 1990, just 91 people lived there. Tullahassee was, and still is, the closest Oklahoma black township from Tulsa’s Greenwood District. “We want to be mindful what

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

happened 100 years ago, and we want to rebuild for the next 100 years,” Davis said. “It wasn’t just contained in Tulsa. There are a lot of people who fled out of these townships after the massacre.”

AGONER — In F 2005, when then year-old Dale Co was hired to breathe life wheezing Wagoner High football program, ameni the players, coaches and were not impressive. “We had a little bitty s board. It was embarrassi recalls. “I asked the supe dent at that time whethe try to raise money for a s board. She said, ‘Sure, go but I’m sure she was thin ‘Yeah, good luck with tha Condict’s quest for a b scoreboard began a few w

The first step

Davis was voted as the first town manager of Tullahassee in September of 2020. She met Mayor Keisha Currin and knew immediately there was a golden opportunity to preserve the town’s history and revitalize it for African American families to re-center, and come back home. “I instantly felt like we were cousins,” Davis said when describing Currin — who lives in Tullahassee and is deeply rooted there. Both Davis and Currin are hopeful with a little T.L.C., it will inspire others to revitalize additional Oklahoma townships with a blueprint on hand. That revitalization started last summer when Davis and Currin organized a volunteer clean-up effort at the A.J. Mason building, directly behind the Tullahassee welcome sign. It’s the oldest historic structure in Tullahassee, starting as a general store, a post office, and eventually a night club before closing in the 1980’s. Please see TULLAHASSEE, Page A6

Wagoner coach Dale Cond Oologah game on Oct. 22.

Wilso

Stron

Benefit fundraise approaching for Emergency Management Cap

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 19,000

News Story FIRST PLACE

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader “Store’s owner robbed, beaten” SECOND PLACE

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader THIRD PLACE

Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter

Store’s owner robbed, beaten

An employee says her boss was shown ‘no mercy’ SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN

Sand Springs Leader

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER

A Sand Springs gas station owner is recovering from the ﬁrst of multiple surgeries that he will require after he was beaten and robbed early Tuesday. NEWSPAPER CONTEST Abdul Zahid, 72, who has

$1.50

SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS

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Charlene Belew and Andy Morphew The Duncan Banner “Conviction overturned: DA, sheriff, family react to murder dismissal” SECOND PLACE

Staff El Reno Tribune THIRD PLACE

Dawnita Fogleman Woodward News

Balt fou gui

Conviction overturned

DA, sheriff, family react to murder dismissal Bench now facing federal charge of kidnapping resulting in death

Punishme life withou 2016 mu

By Charl The Dunc

Andy Morphew / The Duncan Banner

ruling against a District Attorney Jason Hicks leads the press confersuspect accused ence on Thursday to discuss the dismissal in Miles Bench’s 2012 murder case and how he will now face of killing a Velfederal charges of kidnapping resulting in death. ma teenager in The Oklahoma Court of Crimihoma Court of Criminal Appeals nal Appeals overturned a murder 2012. The decision of Miles Sterling Thursday where it was dismissed. charge and conviction as a result of the recent McGirt v. Oklahoma Bench, 30, appeared before the Okla- Bench, however, has been charged federally with kidnapping resulting in death. Bench’s murder case came after teenager Braylee Henry of Velma was found deceased in a pasture on Bench’s grandparents’ land and had suffered severe blunt force trauma. According to affidavits, Henry had gone to a local store, Teepee Totem, and never returned home. Upon searching the store, they found both Henry and Bench, who was supposed to be working at the store, gone. In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court previously ruled that large swaths of eastern Oklahoma — in particular, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation lands — fall within Native Andy Morphew / The Duncan Banner American reservations. Renee Hinson speaks at a press conference at 3:45 p.m. Thursday in Prosecutors said the ruling has the Stephens County Courthouse about the reversal in a case that altered criminal justice proceedings took her daughter’s life, Braylee Henry. Behind Hinson is Billy Hen- across eastern Oklahoma because By Andy Morphew and Charlene Belew The Duncan Banner

ry, Braylee’s father. Beside Hinson is District Attorney Jason Hicks.

See BENCH Page A7

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In the days lea

Empire honors Ag teacher by naming new building in his By Andy Morphew The Duncan Banner

which is scheduled to be finished by this summer before the

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo

FIRST PLACE

Denton Thomason Vinita Daily Journal

113 Years • Issue 155

News Story

THE JOURNAL

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 30,000

Mutton Bustin Sign-Ups

Mon - Wed, & Fri • 9:30 - 3:30 Holiday Inn Express in Vinita

Kids must be ages 4-6 by Aug. 24th, 2021. Can’t be 7 and must weigh 55 lbs or less. $15 per rider and parent must sign them up. Spots are limited. For more information, contact Sue Ayres 918-244-0265

WRMR Rodeo Tickets On Sale 4 - Day Pass $25 • Box Seats $14 • Chute Seats $16 Available for purchase Mon-Wed, & Fri 9:30-3:30 For more information, contact Sue Ayres 918-244-0265

VINITA DAILY JOURNAL, WEEKENDER, AUGUST 7, 2021

50¢

“First ‘degree’ explosion rocks big cabin” SECOND PLACE

Adrian O’Hanlon McAlester News-Capital THIRD PLACE

Richard Barron The Ada News

Photo by Denton Thomason

Thousands of burned deodorant cans littered the parking lot of Speedco Truck Lube and Tires in Big Cabin Friday morning after a semi trailer fire rained down a hail of secondary explosions on responding volunteer firefighters. The tractor and the building were spared, but the trailer was obliterated and rising heat melted the street lights in the parking lot.

VDJ reidnewspapers.com/ vinitadailyjournal

FAIR RESULTS

First-‘Degree’ explosion rocks Big Cabin

Denton Thomason Journal Reporter

A first-‘Degree’ emergency rocked Big Cabin early Friday morning when a parked semi full of aerosol deodorant cans caught fire,

resulting in thousands of secondary explosions that rained fire down on arriving firefighters. “It looked like a war zone coming up on the scene. It was like the biggest Roman candle you’ve ever

held in your hand and it was exploding,” Big Cabin Fire Chief Kevin Oakley said at the scene. The fire occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. when a Missouri trucker hauling a trailer loaded

of Speedco Truck Lube and Tires in Big Cabin, located right across from Love’s Travel Stop on E. 310 Road, Oakley said. The driver saw flames coming from the trailer See Explosion Page 12

Hall earns top beef show honors at Craig County Fair

Sheep, Rabbit, and Poultry Show results inside.

Pages 2, 6, 11

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST SPORTS

with thousands of Degree deodorant aerosol cans started experiencing difficulty about six miles outside of Big Cabin on Highway 69. The driver limped the semi into the parking lot

Denton Thomason Journal Reporter

Youth 4-H and FFA exhibitors showcased their livestock at the Beef Show for the 2021 Craig County Fair. The show was judged by Clint Rusk. Grand Champion Market

VOL. 126 NO. 165 ■ JOURNALRECORD.COM

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 30,000

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Part of the

network

FDA to humans: ‘You are not a horse’

2 SECTIO

A case involvin tion raised sev had to be sort before the U.S day issue a fin

PHOTO BY BILL O

Lega Who who

FIRST PLACE

Kathryn McNutt The Journal Record “FDA to humans: ‘You are not a horse’”

Janice Francis-Smith The Journal Record THIRD PLACE

Mindy Ragan Wood and Max Bryan The Norman Transcript

Veterinarian Taud Charette at Perkins Veterinary Clinic treats a horse owned by Lisa Coburn. Experts are warning people not to take ivermectin intended for horses or other animals. PHOTO BY TODD JOHNSON/OSU

BY KATHRYN MCNUTT The Journal Record

Experts are sounding the alarm against humans, including Oklahomans, taking medication formulated for animals in response to a discredited COVID-19 cure floating around the internet. “You may have heard that it’s okay to take large doses of ivermectin. That is wrong,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned in a consumer update. “No form of ivermectin has been approved to treat or prevent COVID-19.” For Twitter followers, the FDA put it this way: “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.” The warnings follow multiple reports of patients who have required medical treatment and have been hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for horses, according to the FDA. The increase in incidents is attributed to the drug being falsely touted as a COVID-19 treatment by some right-wing

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news organizations and promoted across social media. Ivermectin is often used in the U.S. to treat or prevent parasites in animals. It’s in products like Heartgard or Iverhart that people give their dogs to prevent heartworm disease. The Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information has received calls involving 11 patients who took ivermectin since May, Managing Director Scott Schaeffer said. “To date, the only symptoms we’ve seen are upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and a bit of dizziness. No hospitalizations or deaths of which we’re aware,” Schaffer said. “Of course, our biggest concern is that people will inadvertently take a very large overdose and end up with more significant symptoms.” The practice has the potential for great harm, said veterinarian Rosslyn Biggs, director of continuing education at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Mississippi has reported that Turn to MEDICATION » p12

«2»

USDA notes investments made in rural Oklahoma More than $114 million has been invested in small Oklahoma businesses as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative to invest in rural areas.

OU’s top lobbyist resigns amid sexual assault allegations » p2 OKC firm steps up marketing of device repurposing » p3

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Renee Fite The Stilwell Democrat Journal

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EST. 1892 • Marlow, Oklahoma • Volume 177 • Issue 27 • 1 Section, 8 Pages • $1.00

Local Expert Adds Authenticity to “Stillwater”

Educator

Megan Levendosky

Taking New Steps at Central High Central High Public School’s new band director, Megan Levendosky, is quickly making Stephens County her home just before summer marching camp begins. Levendosky has been working in the band room at Central High since being hired at the June meeting of the Central High Board of Education, and says she is “nervous and excited” for the coming school year after delaying her teaching career to begin graduate school last fall. Levendosky finished her undergraduate work at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in May 2020 but decided that starting as a firstyear educator during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic wouldn’t set her up for success. “I decided I’d rather let my first year be stressful because I’m a new teacher, and not add to that with the pandemic,” Levendosky said. “Starting my Master’s in Music Education was a good choice.” Her grad school efforts will continue via online courses while she takes the helm at Central High this year, and she’s already taken the initiative to make the band program her own. “I’ve been working in the band room quite a bit,” Levendosky said. “I think the kids will be sur-

prised when they see it.” In addition to a fresh coat of paint and some updates to music inventory and instrument organization, Levendosky has a summer marching camp scheduled to begin on August 4 and continue for a week, culminating in a mini-concert during Back to School Night on August 10. “I’ve got some friends coming from SWOSU to help with camp. It’s always good to have fresh perspectives and new ideas,” she said. “Plus, some are better with some instruments or other parts of the process.” The Central High marching band program this season is called “Divas through the Decades,” and the group will begin learning music and marching techniques during the summer camp. Levendosky said that she is also looking forward to getting to know the students in the program, which spans all grades from Pre-K through 12th.

Tom McCarthy, Kenny Baker, and Matt Damon on the red carpet at the premiere of the film “Stillwater” in New York City on Monday. Photo courtesy of Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker is known to many in Marlow as one who is always willing to help in the community, whether it’s removing a tree that threatens to fall on a home or volunteering to be the auctioneer at a school fundraiser. So it should come as no surprise that when Baker got a call in March 2019 to advise a production team for a blockbuster film with ties to the oil and gas industry, he said he’d help out. “I didn’t know anything about it, just that someone from New York was going to call,” Baker said. The call came from the assistant to Oscar-winning film director Tom McCarthy, who set up an appointment to meet Baker along with cinematographer Masanobu Takayanagi. They met in the parking lot of a grocery store in Rush Springs. “They were interviewing a lot of people to do what I ended up doing,” Baker said. “They were doing research on roughnecks, oil people, for a movie. That’s all I knew. But I was fine with helping.” Baker and his long-time friend Ryan Stuart arranged to give production staff and the lead actor tours of small towns and oil rigs around the state. “They were telling us they’d set up the tours and everything but I knew that was just going to be a big old hassle,” Baker said. “So I told them, ‘Let us make the plans and we’ll come pick you up. I’ll get some people down here and we’ll have a cookout in my back yard.’” Baker had to be tight-lipped about the process, only telling those invited that there would be some filmmakers coming to do research on the industry. “My wife kept asking who the lead

See EDUCATOR on page 4

THIRD PLACE

Renee Fite The Stilwell Democrat Journal

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Kenny Baker and family visited “Stillwater” director Tom McCarthy’s home while in New York City for the movie premiere. Front row, from left: Matt Damon, Kenny Baker. Middle: Madison Baker. Third row: Tom McCarthy, Davey Porter, casting director Phil Messina. Back row: Monica Baker, Wendy McCarthy. Photo courtesy of Kenny Baker

actor was,” Baker said. “We finally found out that it was Matt Damon.” Baker said that the Oscar-winning actor arrived and immediately started playing football with several boys who were in the back yard. “He pulled up to the house where we had a fire going and were cooking some steaks, and before he did anything else he started throwing the ball around with those boys,” Baker said. “He was just a good guy.” The party continued after supper, when the group went out to the pasture to shoot skeet. Afterward, Baker’s daughter Madison brought out her guitar and she and a friend started singing.

The cookout with Damon started Baker on the road to assisting the actor with his performance in “Stillwater,” a film about a father (Damon) who travels from Oklahoma to France to help his estranged daughter (Abigail Breslin), accused of a murder she claims she didn’t commit. Baker advised Damon on many aspects of his performance, helping the actor adopt the mannerisms of his role as an oil and gas worker. “How he walks and talks, the stories he tells, that’s a lot of me in that character,” Baker said. In interviews, Damon has credited Baker with making his performance See Stillwater on page 2

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Express-Star S E R V I N G C H I C K A S H A A N D G R A DY C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 9 2 w w w. c h i c k a s h a n e ws. co m

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Thursday, July 1, 2021

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FIRST PLACE

Heilmans cover Chickasha Library in community's favorite books

Jessica Lane The Express-Star “Check it out: Heilmans cover Chickasha Library in community’s favorite books” SECOND PLACE

Kevin Hilley

Jessica Lane/The Express-Star

The Chickasha Public Library has turned over a new page thanks to the artistic talents of Adam and Amber Heilman. The artistic couple have transformed the building’s exterior panels into book shelves, filled with books selected by community members who have sponsored the panels. See more photos on page 9A. By Jessica Lane The Express-Star

The Altus Times THIRD PLACE

Justin Ayer Wagoner County American-Tribune Jessica Lane/The Express-Star

The Chickasha Public Library has undergone a novel transformation over the last year. Top shelf artists, Adam and Amber Heilman, have nearly covered the exterior panels of the library in paintings of book spines— from Silverstein to Stephen King. Each panel has been painted as a bookshelf

with the spines of wellloved books facing the outside. These “shelves” are commissioned by an individual, family or civic group, who decide which titles they would like represented. The panel may also be dedicated to or in memory of a loved one. One panel in the front has been dedicated “To all who read.” The project began in March 2020, and brought some positivi-

ty to a difficult year. Choosing titles of favorite books to be artistically rendered in such a public space provided a welcome distraction. “So many people needed that to think about, and they enjoyed it so much,” Lillie Huckaby, Chickasha Public Library Director, said. Huckaby said there are stories behind each panel. People have had fun choosing books,

waiting in anticipation and finally taking pictures in front of the panel, often with friends and family. The Heilmans have taken a lot of care in replicating the spines of the books, down to the familiar fonts. At first they made stencils by hand and cut them out with x-acto knives. However, this was very time intensive, Amber said. They purchased a See LIBRARY, Page 3A

Even the book drop received a "treasure chest" makeover.

Heidi Helping the Homeless raise funds for moving van By Jessica Lane The Express-Star Heidi Helping the Homeless has been trucking along in their mission to help resi-

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Chickasha to celebrate 'Christmas in July' By Cassandra Ersland Chickasha Chamber of Commerce

The Chickasha Economic Development Coun-

Day ceremony

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 19,000 2019

Feature Story FIRST PLACE

Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon “Siblings raise awareness about lupus” SECOND PLACE

Art Haddaway

By Anthony Thomas Contributing Writer

On the 150th Memorial Day, Del City’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9969 and A family remembers a loved one buried at Arlington Memory American Legion Post 73, Gardens in Midwest City on Monday. The American Legion planned a Memorial Day service but the event was canceled held their annual Memorial due to the weather. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON Day ceremony at Sunnylane keynote speaker was State and all veterans who have Cemetery. Due to the rainy Rep. Andy Fugate. served in the United States weather, the ceremony The Master of Military. was held in the chapel at Ceremonies was VFW Post “I would like to thank Sunnylane. Normally the 9969 Commander Robert the brave men and women ceremony takes place at W. Kellington. Kellington who have made the ultimate the Veterans Memorial in began the ceremony by sacriﬁce. Let us remember Sunnylane. This year’s welcoming all those present See MEMORIAL, page 14A

and the election will be in spring of 2022. No other candidates have officially announced their intentions to run. Dukes said he was uncertain about another potetnial run for office. “I must admit that 2020 took a toll on me, but it took a toll on everyone,” he said. “I had considered not running for re-election this year. However, two unexpected allies came to me and convinced me to run again and that we had a great deal more to accomplish.” Dukes said he is proud of the accomplishments that the city council and city staff have made over the past five years. Some of those include transfer of the hospital to SSM Health, the 2018 general obligation bond issue, and an increased focus on issues such as drainage, zoning requirements and ordinance review, revision of the city charter.

Community

Midwest City siblings raise awareness about lupus By Jeﬀ Harrison Managing Editor Jacobi Johnson takes his role as a big brother seriously. He set a positive example for his three younger siblings as star athlete and model student at Midwest City High School and now as a college student and entrepreneur. Last summer, Jacobi left home for the University of North Texas where

he earned a football about 5 million people scholarship. When he worldwide. The shirts learned his sister Ily Brown feature butterflies and a was facing a challenge, he purple ribbon – which are didn’t hesitate to help. used for lupus awareness. In November, the It also coincided with 16-year-old Midwest City lupus awareness month in High School student was May. diagnosed with lupus, “I was at school in an autoimmune disease Denton when I heard where the body attacks its about it, so I couldn’t do healthy cells and tissues. too much to be around To help out, Jacobi here or care for her, so I created special t-shirts had to find something for to raise awareness for me to put into it,” Jacobi Jacobi Johnson and sister Ily Brown wear t-shirts designed the disease that affects See LUPUS, page 14A to raise awareness about lupus. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON

Owasso Reporter THIRD PLACE

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Christine Reid The Kingfisher Times & Free Press

TIMES&FREE PRESS Sunday, September 12, 2021

No. 42 of the 133rd Year

www.kingfisherpress.net

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50 cents

12 Pages

EYEWITNESSES TO HISTORY

20 years later, local memories of 9-11 attacks haven’t faded It was a brazen attack that changed an entire nation, undermining our sense of security while strengthening our resolve that it would never happen again. But for some, events of that day hit even closer to home.

GROUND ZERO, above, in the days following the attack on the World Trade Center (stock photo); below from left, transplanted Kingfisher resident and current New Yorker Rashmi Saini, right, with daughter Asia; Kingfisher attorney Jared Harrison, former House Majority Leader Mike Sanders and current Oklahoma American Legion Vice Commander Sam McPherson. [Photos Provided]

“Eyewitness to history” SECOND PLACE

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Ray Dyer El Reno Tribune

By Christine Reid

KT&FP Senior Editor

Just hours before the deadliest enemy attack on U.S. soil and the deadliest terrorist attack in world history, Sept. 11, 2001, dawned bright and clear in New York City and Washington, D.C. At 7:59 and 8:14 a.m., respectively, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, took off from Logan Airport in Boston, both bound for Los Angeles. Minutes later, two other commercial flights took to the air – American Airlines Flight 77 from Washington, D.C., at 8:20 a.m., and United Airlines Flight 93 from Newark, N.J., at 8:42 a.m. The sequence of events that followed not only shook the nation to its core, claiming more lives than were lost in Pearl Harbor, but also triggered a 20-year war on terror that claimed thousands more during fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Most people in Kingfisher County and around the country were glued to their TVs as the horrific events unfolded, but some people with local ties were even closer to the action and agreed to share their memories with the Times and Free Press.

8:42 a.m. Flight 11 crashed into the north face of the North Tower of the World Trade Cen-

ter, between floors 93 and 99.

Former Kingfisher resident Rashmi Saini was on a commuter train crossing the Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan where she worked as an optician when the plane hit. She had moved from Kingfisher to New York in 1988 with her mother Podma when she was a high school sophomore and her twin younger sisters, Debra and Diane, were in junior high. Saini was wearing headphones and listening to a radio station on her Walkman when the D.J. announced that what appeared to be a commuter plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. “I thought, ‘wait a minute, what is he talking about?’ Then I looked out the window and thought, ‘oh my God, the building is on fire!’” Saini recounted last week. “I was in shock and just freaked out.” ••• With his 12-year career in state government still years away, Kingfisher High School graduate Mike Sanders was working as director of White House interns for President George Bush and had arrived at his office on the first floor of the Old Executive Office Building about 7:30 a.m. He turned on the office TV and started the coffee as his three other office mates began to arrive.

“I saw the news ticker at the bottom of the screen that said a small commuter plane had crashed into one of the twin towers,” he said. “Like everyone else, I thought it was a freak accident. Maybe the pilot had a stroke or some other health incident and crashed. “But when they showed the burning building, it was a decent sized hole. I remember thinking it had to have been a bigger plane, maybe a twin turbo. “But not a jetliner. No one was thinking about a commercial plane at first.” ••• Air Force Tech Sgt. Sam McPherson, another KHS graduate, was assigned to the Joint Staff Military Security Force at the Pentagon, a team which provides round the clock security to the Joint Staff area, as well as ceremonial functions for the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Military Security Force rotates yearly between the Army, Air Force and Marines and on Sept. 11, McPherson and the rest of the Air Force crew were just settling into the second month of their assignment. “Shortly after 9 a.m., one of my troops came in and said an airplane hit the World Trade Center,” he said. “We quickly turned on the TV and watched reports of what everyone believed was a horrific ac-

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cident.”

••• One of Sanders’ 100 or so interns was KHS grad and Oklahoma State University student Jared Harrison, who was on his way to work when the first plane hit. He didn’t hear the news until he arrived at the correspondence office on the first floor of the Old Executive Office Building, where a TV was turned on. Meanwhile, Sanders and his officemates, along with most of America, remained glued to the TV and then watched in horror and confusion as what looked at first like a flyspeck on the horizon of the Manhattan skyline grew larger and larger.

9:03 a.m. Flight 175 crashed into the south face of the South Tower of the World Trade Center, between floors 77 and 85.

“I thought ‘oh, my God, we’re under attack.’ That’s what instinctively came out of my mouth,” Sanders said. One of Sanders’ officemates tried to call their supervisor in the West Wing of the White House to see what was going on. “It’s the White House – they have people manning the phones 24-7,” Sanders said. “My coworker called and got no answer. I called a few minutes later. Still no answer. “We call, we wait, we call again, still no answer.

“We didn’t know at the time, but the Vice President had already been taken to the underground bunker.” President Bush, who was reading to a group of second graders at a Sarasota, Fla. elementary school at the time of the first two plane crashes, broadcast his first message to the nation from the school before he was whisked away on Air Force One. ••• Still on her commuter train and numb with shock, Saini was still trying to process what she was hearing and seeing after the second plane crashed when she heard a fellow passenger cry out: “Oh, my God, my brother works there!” That brought Saini back out of her reverie with a chilling realization: Both of her sisters also worked in the World Trade Center. By that time, Saini’s train had arrived in Manhattan and she got off at Canal Street and immediately started walking in the direction of the billowing pillars of smoke. “It was getting more and more chaotic, the further I walked, and finally a cop said it was too dangerous and told me to go back where I was coming from,” she said. ••• Back at the Pentagon, McPherson and other members of his crew were also watching events un-

fold on TV. “Shortly after 9 a.m., we watched the second plane hit the second tower and realized then that this was no accident,” McPherson said. “A little after 9:35 a.m., we heard what sounded like a bowling ball hitting a concrete floor. There is always construction going on at the Pentagon and we assumed it was more of the same. “Then a message came over the Defense Protective Service (Pentagon Police) radio net.” 9:37 a.m. Flight 77 crashed into the western side of the Pentagon

As his team sprang into action to sweep the Joint Staff area for security threats, McPherson started down a checklist that began with a call to the Emergency Actions line to the National Military Command Center. “The duty sergeant answered and I said ‘This is Sgt. McPherson with the Military Security Force. We were just notified via DPS radio net that an airplane hit the westside of the Pentagon. We have no further information at this time, but in light of this morning’s events, we thought you should be notified.’ “I continued down my checklist, notifying the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the rest of the [See 20 Years, Page 11]

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 30,000

The ECU football team opens the season tonight at Harding, Sports B1

Feature Story THE ADA NEWS Serving the heart of the Sooner State and Chickasaw Nation since 1904

Saturday, September 4, 2021

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Jeff Cali The Ada News “Indiana Jones has nothing on Karsyn Johnson”

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Indiana Jones has nothing on Karsyn Johnson Despite crisis, Ada High graduate spends seven weeks in Israel as archeological intern By Jeff Cali | Sports Editor

SECOND PLACE

Mackenzee Crosby The Ada News THIRD PLACE

Montgomery Malone Weatherford Daily News

Karsyn Johnson had been looking forward to a trip to Israel as part of an archeological internship at Hebrew University for months. But due to the ongoing violence as part of the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, it almost didn’t happen. In fact, they had already canceled all SEE JOHNSON, PAGE A10

Photo submitted Karysn Johnson of Ada stands on an anceint Israelite fortess at Gamla that she arrived at during a hiking trip in the Golan Heights, a region in the Levant spanning about 1,800 square kilometres. Johnson spent seven weeks in Israel on an archeological internship.

Two fires and a medical call keep first responders busy

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NEWS

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DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 30,000

Feature Story FIRST PLACE

Scott Rains

COMING TUESDAY: Can your pet get COVID-19 “My dad had always loved me playing the trumpet for him on my many trips to visit him. I only come out now for my own peace of mind. I always cry.” DEBBIE HORTON FULLERTON

Scott Rains/staff

With a blue streak in her hair to match her speaking style, Debbie Horton Fullerton takes another form of communication when she makes music with a trumpet at the grave of her parents at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin.

kim.m

The Lawton Constitution “Daughter serenades her late parents” SECOND PLACE

Janice Francis-Smith The Journal Record THIRD PLACE

Susan Riley Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

City Law sue ma

Daughter serenades her late parents BY SCOTT RAINS

scott.rains@swoknews.com

ELGIN — Debbie Horton Fullerton has a purpose when she toots her own horn. She’s the first to tell you, among many things, not to expect Louis Armstrong-like abilities from her trumpet playing. But when she puckers up and performs for her late parents, her reason is proof of “What A Wonderful World.” “I hit a lot of bad notes,” she said, followed by her ever-present laugh. Debbie, who lives in Dallas, Texas, where she is able to be a full-time presence for her grandchildren, made the trip Friday back to her homeland of Southwest Oklahoma. It’s a mission trip made at least once a year. She arrived to play favored songs to her late parents, Ben D. “Bennie” and Virginia Pierce Horton. The couple are interred side by side and, a little bit together, at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin.

After her mother died, Bennie kept her ashes with him. Even when residing at Brookridge Retirement Center and, later, at the Lawton VA Center, Virginia was there. Debbie said there was no other place for their ashes than together in their final resting place. Their love was one of a kind. “They’re side by side,” she said, “but I sprinkled some of their ashes together so they can dance.” That’s why Debbie comes to the cemetery with her trumpet in tow. She’s joined by her best friend and fellow Eisenhower High School graduate Patricia Bassel, who holds the sheet music. Dear friend Carolyn Pate also comes along. Debbie said after her mother died, Carolyn helped care for her father while the daughter was living in California. From the couple’s marriage in 1947 through Virginia’s funeral 40 years later, music was a key component. Debbie said she followed in her mother’s footsteps as a teacher, music lover and trumpeter.

City radio system to get an upgrade

The $4 million cost 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST may come from

responders to replace what administrators say is an outdated system so obsolete parts are difficult to

See Serenade, 5A

Scott Rains/staff

Debbie Horton Fullerton shows a treasured heirloom: a photo of her father, Ben Horton atop a horse during his World War II service as a member of the Army Horse Cavalry. He left the service with the rank of Captain and earned many honors.

City C thorized office to cover ren mer own The a $67,000 o former ow ment Gro Lawton a said War The C the mall Plaza — transform FIRES I Technolo The com FISTA D ity, is tran tail space defense c thority m have alwa ing retail authority ment Ser portion o spaces. When FISTA’s place in tified $20 lections council’s authority working vestment lect those terms of paid by te as well as to be paid the mall’s

It’s a Medicine Park Christmas parade

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VOLUME THIRTY, NUMBER 13

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 2,000

Sports Story

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Remembering Britny

Several Indian selected All-Di

Nine Comanche football players were honored by District 2A-4 All-District team following the team’s

Bryson Evans Offensive Back of the Year

FIRST PLACE

Todd Brooks The Comanche Times “Remembering Britny: Miller switches number in memory of cousin” SECOND PLACE

Madelyn Murphy

Owen Bigford Linebacker of the Year

Devon Defensive

Mason Kulbeth

Sam First Team

Lucas Gordon First Team Defensive Line

Colto First Tea

Todd Brooks/The Comanche Times

Comanche’s Gracee Miller is guarded by her cousin Britny Henderson of Kingston at the 2020 area tournament in Chickasha. Henderson was killed in a car accident in October and Miller is wearing the number 13 this year in her memory.

Miller switches number in memory of cousin By Todd Brooks

Gracee Miller and Britny Henderson were more than blood relatives, it was more like their souls were knitted together. Born 2 1/2 years apart and living 100 miles from each other did not change that. “Everyone knew we were cousins, but that isn’t the way to describe our relationship,” Gracee said. “The word ‘cousins’ makes us sound so distant and that’s the last thing we were. Britny was more like my big sister while growing up.” As little girls, the duo could be found wearing matching outfits at family events.

“And quite literally thought the other hung the moon,” Gracee said. Britny and her family left Comanche when Britny was in the second grade and moved to Kingston. It did not put a damper on their relationship, however. “As we got older, we became best friends and still thought each other hung the moon,” Gracee said. “We were each other’s favorite person.” That relationship would be changed forever on a fateful day in October. It was early morning on Oct. 26 and 19-yearold Britny was on her way to work in Durant. The daughter of Robert and Brandi Henderson had a full-time job at a dentist’s office, a part-time

job at a boutique, and was a full-time student at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. Even with all her commitments, Britny was an honor roll student at the university and she was in the process of applying to dental hygiene school. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol accident report, Britny was traveling east on Highway 70 about a mile outside of the Durant city limits, when a 16-year-old male, driving a Chevy pick-up truck, crossed the center line into eastbound traffic and slammed head-on into her Toyota Camry. Britny was killed from the massive injuries of the impact, while the driver (Continued on page 3)

The Fairfax Chief

Special Teams Return Man of the Year

THIRD PLACE

Vannesa Asher

Coalton West Second Team Defensive Line

Ca Second Team

County passes bur

The Fairfax Chief Todd Brooks/The Comanche Times

Gracee Miller wearing number 13 for the first time in Chickasha last Friday, which is where she played against her cousin for the last time.

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Photo submitted

Gracee Miller at the retirement ceremony of Britny Henderson’s number at Kingston High School last week.

At it’s Monday meeting, the Stephens County Board of County Commissioners instituted a burn ban for the county effective immediately due to extreme fire danger. The burn ban resolution makes it unlawful for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands, or to build a campfire or

bonfire, or to bu terial that may range, crop or o Any person v be charged with a fine up to $5 ment for not m burn ban is in e then will be re-

Herald

and

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” - Pogo

Sports Story FIRST PLACE

Brian Blansett The Lincoln County News “Big day for Meeker” SECOND PLACE

Graham Dudley Watonga Republican THIRD PLACE

Brandi Ball and William Howell The Cleveland American

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Vol. 131, No. 44 • $1

16 Pages • 4 sections • supplements

Big Day for Meeker Randall, Bussell go 1-2 at state

Coody medals for NRC BRIAN BLANSETT Staff writer

There was a time in Saturday’s Class 3A cross country champion when defending state champion Riley Randall knew what he had to do to win again. He had led almost the entire race, but found himself overtaken by Kingston runner Brycen Ward with a little more than a mile to go. “He passed at the twomile mark and I knew I had to make a move to win,” said Randall, a junior at Meeker. “So on the back-stretch coming downhill, I dropped the hammer and gapped him and got maybe a 10-meter lead. “I think it wore him out and helped Braxton to catch up to him later.” The Braxton in question was Braxton Bussell, another Meeker junior. Bussell was in sixth place about halfway through the race, but began picking off the runners

Riley Randall, left, and Braxton Bussell with their medals after ﬁinishing ﬁrst and second in the Class 3A cross country meet at Edmond Santa

See Page 1C Fe High School Saturday. Photo/Brian Blansett

Step-mom: 8 years in starvation case MIKE McCORMICK Staff Writer A Lincoln County jury has convicted the step-mother of child neglect in the near starvation death of her step-son 3 ½ years ago. The jury deliberated less than two hours before returning with a guilty verdict against Amy Adkins Jones. Jury members ﬁxed punishment at eight years in prison and a $5,000 ﬁne. District Judge Cindy Ashwood, who presided over the case, set sentencing for 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 30. She ordered a pre-

sentencing investigation with the report due by Nov. 23. The judge remanded Jones to the Lincoln County Sheriff. The jury trial lasted four days. On the ﬁnal day, the jury began its deliberations about 2:46 p.m. Jury members returned with the verdict at 4:32 p.m. District Attorney Allan Grubb commented afterwards, “I want to thank the jury for their service and time listening and deciding this case with some very emotionally tough facts. We have felt all along that punishment for this crime should be in prison and the jury agreed

with my office. I hope the victim finds some peace.” Assistant DA Jeff Mixon prosecuted the case. Defense attorneys were Barney Barnett and James Hodgens. She was originally charged with enabling child abuse by injury and child neglect. Those charges were filed July 23, 2018 in Lincoln County District Court. Later, the enabling child abuse counts was dropped. The child neglect charge she was convicted of accused her between Jan. 1, 2017 and July 12, 2018, acting conjoint-

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

ly with Jimmy Lee Jones, Sr., Tyler Joe Adkins and Jonathan Luke Plank in neglect of J.L.J.J., 15 years old at the time by failing to provide adequate nurturance, food, shelter, sanitation, hygiene, appropriate education, medical or dental care for the child. The charge against Plank was later dismissed. Jimmy Lee Jones, Sr., was convicted in June of child neglect and is currently serving a six-year sentence in state prison. Adkins is still awaiting trial on the child neglect charge.

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 3,500 – 7,000

Sports Story FIRST PLACE

Shalene White The Madill Record “Fans or no fans?”

From Staff Reports Boys team: Jase Hayes – Kingston Brady Brister – Kingston Dakota Wiebener – Kingston Miguel Duran – Madill Ezekiel Fuentes – Madill Aiden Hale – Lone Grove JJ Miller – Lone Grove

Braden Linder – Tishomingo Parker Presley – Byng T.J. Todd – Sulphur Weston Arms – Sulphur Miles Ellis – Comanche Garrett Morgan – Marietta Charvez Wright – Dickson Josh Palesano – Dickson Matt McAdams – Plainview

Honorable mentions: Kingston – Jesse Rose, Marshall Ludrick, and Reid Cason Madill – Kendall Robertson Comanche – Landon Ellis, Mason Kulbeth Tishomingo – Cody Cothran, Chandler Standefur, and Darian Brown

Sulphur – Cole Hammond, Mase Mobley, and Davion Willis Marietta – Keyshawn Douglass, and Ryan Latimer Dickson – Johnny Smith Plainview – Braeden Stevenson, and Ethan Barker Lone Grove – Gaven Peery, Cody McClennahan, Andy

Dunham and Kyle Miller Byng – Dylan Reed Girls team: MVP of the year: Avri Weeks – Kingston Players: Ryan Herndon – Kingston Emi Osteen – Kingston

Jayden Weiberg – Madill Braylee Schneider – Madill Alona Cooper – Byng Trenity Miller – Byng Gracee Miller – Comanche Jasmine Francis – Comanche Chesleigh Apala – Dickson Malea McMurtrey – Lone Grove (See LCC, page 7B)

Fans or no fans? The burning question for baseball season By Shalene White shalene@madillrecord. net Opening Day for the 2021 Major League Baseball season is steadily approaching. Beginning April 1, fans will be rushing to their home team’s stadiums to watch their beloved teams play. In many cases, it will be the ﬁrst time since the pandemic shut down sports in 2020. Even though the stadiums are opening, there will be guidelines to follow and limitations. Unfortunately, they

will not be uniform because it is not up to MLB officials. State and local governments have the majority of say in determining how many fans can safely attend the live sporting events. Of course, the figure could change and fluctuate with the spread of COVID-19 and vaccinations. Though the stadiums will most likely not be full of fans, it will be a far cry from the attendance level from last year. All regular and most postseason contest games for 2020 were played in front of empty stands. The National

League Championship Series and the World Series, both played at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, were played in front of a limited capacity, approximately 28% of being full. Plans for this year’s season are still in the works. However, some plans and protocols are available. The Arizona Diamondbacks home opener will be April 9 against the Cincinnati Reds. This game will allow a 25% capacity, approximately 12,000 people. The Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick

SECOND PLACE

DJ Johnson Nowata Star THIRD PLACE

Shalene White The Madill Record

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Hall said in a press release that he hopes the plan works. “Hopefully, things will go smooth, we’ll see these numbers continue to go down and we can offer many more seats in the second, third, fourth month, if we can,” he said during a Fox Sports Arizona’s broadcast. The Atlanta Braves will also have their home opener on April 9 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Approximately 13,500 fans will be allowed in attendance, making the stadium at 33% capacity. The following home games’ capacity will be re-evaluated for each game. Derek Schiller, president

and CEO for the Braves, said he looks forward to the healing fun of baseball. “After a long and difﬁcult year, we are excited to welcome Braves fans back to Truist Park beginning on April 9.” Schiller said in a statement. “Baseball has had a healing affect over the course of our history, and we look forward to being a place where our fans can come, have fun and enjoy cheering on their favorite team in a welcoming environment.” The Baltimore Orioles will open against the Boston Red Sox on April 8. They will be at 25% capacity, approximately 11,000

fans. On the ﬂip side, the Boston Red Sox will have their home opener playing the Baltimore Orioles on April 1 to a 12% capacity crowd. Fenway park is smaller than most stadiums, so, it will be approximately 4,500 fans. The Chicago Cubs will play the Pittsburg Pirates on April 1 to a 20% capacity crowd, approximately 8,300 fans. On April 8, the Chicago White Sox play the Kansas City Royals in their home opener. They will have a 20% capacity crowd, approximately 8,100 fans. The Cincinnati Reds face the (See FANS, page 8B)

DEMOCRAT

DURANTDEMOCRAT.COM

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 7,000 – 19,000

Sports Story

VICTORY KING Silo coach Billy Jack Bowen eclipses all-time win mark

Federal c filed aga Pittman

Suspect faces prison in deat BY MATT SWEARENGIN matt@durantdemocrat.com

FIRST PLACE

Kevin Farr Durant Democrat “Victory King”

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Silo Rebels baseball coach Billy Jack Bowen is presented the Most All-Time Baseball Coaching Wins trophy by his oldest son, Justin Bowen.

BY KEVIN FARR

SECOND PLACE

Austin Litterell The Express-Star THIRD PLACE

For the Democrat

hrough 35 years and nearly 70 seasons of baseball, Silo head coach Billy Jack Bowen has amassed victory after victory on the way to 20 state championships. Bowen however, had always been somewhat in the coaching shadow of his uncle Murl, who held the all-time win record for 12 years after retiring in 2008 until Latta’s Eddie Collins broke the mark last fall in his final season at the helm of the Panthers. The illustrious win record is now back in the Bowen family

after the long-time Silo skipper passed Collins for the all-time mark of 2,123 victories with Monday’s district doubleheader sweep of Howe. “To come here and see what has happened in 20 years is mind boggling,” Bowen commented after the historic victory. “This is so special. It’s so neat. It’s just been a unique place and a unique run. I’ve been so blessed with guys that want to play baseball and want to work hard. As a result, it has turned into successes and wins, and we’ve even won some championships along the way. “The thing is, I’ve been around some of the best people

this world has to offer, and we’ve had so much fun along the way. This group of people right now have been so, so supportive that it’s amazing. And it’s been a great ride with really, really good players. The group this year has managed to carry the torch for a pretty high bar that has been set here at Silo. I’ve quit doubting them and just get out of the way. It’s good to get this out of the way now and be able to concentrate on the upcoming playoffs and get ready to go.” Bowen’s first 14 years came at Bokchito/Rock Creek before SEE BOWEN, PAGE 8

Justin Ayer

A man accused of killing four Durant teenagers on Memorial Day weekend last year by slamming his pickup into the back of their car has been charged in federal court and faces up to life in prison if convicted, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma confirmed. Forty-three-year-old Bradley Shawn Pittman of Atoka is accused of being drunk and driving 78-87 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone when his pickup crashed into the

Ma Durant Municipal Judge Ken Ra member Humphrey Miller and M special meeting Monday of Dur nominated Grube to serve anot

Miller, G sworn i BY MATT SWEARENGIN matt@durantdemocrat.com

Wagoner County American-Tribune Billy Jack Bowen is shown with the Silo Rebels baseball team. Bowen has had 2,123 victories in 35 years of coaching.

Tomlinson has his final city council meeting

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST BY MATT SWEARENGIN

matt@durantdemocrat.com

think in the last 23 years serving on the council,

INDEX OBITUARIES, 2 FORUM&COMMUNITY NEWS, 3

New Durant City Council member for Ward No. 1 Humphrey Joe Miller was sworn in during a special meeting Monday and Oden Grube will serve another term as mayor. During the election earlier this month, Miller defeated Jerry Tomlinson, who has served on the Durant City Council since 1998. According to election returns from the Bryan

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 19,000

Sports Story

with his feelings about getting vaccinated. Ronnie Taber’s son got sick ﬁrst, and then his wife, Amie Taber. By the time he started experiencing symptoms on July 27, he was pretty sure he knew why. Taber, 50, got tested July 31, but “the test was really just to con-

husband to Ascension St. John Sapulpa Hospital, and she waited in the car in the parking lot while he went into the ER. “That was awful, but I thought they were just going to give him a treatment or something,” she said. “I wasn’t well myself because I had just gotten over it.”

After several days, though, Ronnie Taber was getting worse, not better, and so the Sapulpa hospital had him transferred to St. John’s main hospital in Tulsa. “At one point, I started to improve, and then all of a sudden, I Please see COVID, Page A5

SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN,

Amie and Ronnie Taber both feel fortunate that he sur

Foo fuel Iron man

FIRST PLACE

Getting en for long tr sessions is

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader

SHARON BISHOP

Sand Springs Le

Food is fuel That fact of by our interac pleasure, wh cializing over or by enjoying as a reward fo task accompli

“Joe Medlin: Gaining his voice” SECOND PLACE

Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter THIRD PLACE

Jason Jewell OKC Friday

Please

SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN, SAND SPRINGS LEADER

Joe Medlin, parks operations manager for the city of Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department, said he “tried really hard to change my life with exercise,” but when that didn’t work, he focused on his diet instead. “I didn’t want to exercise to lose weight, and I still don’t. I exercise because it feels good and I like what I can do.”

GAINING HIS VOICE Joe Medlin learned that his weight issue wasn’t just about his waist

ever I needed to do,” he said. Medlin, who grew up in Broken Arrow, graduated from Broken Arrow High School in 1993. He was an offensive lineman for the Tigers’ football team and wrestled heavySHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN weight for the school, and he conSand Springs Leader tinued wrestling in college. After college, Medlin settled into Joe Medlin had always been the a parks administration career, ﬁrst strong, silent type. “I was always a big guy, but I al- in Edmond, then in Broken Arrow, ways felt like I could do what what- and ﬁnally in Sand Springs, where

he has worked for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department since 2013. He now is the parks operations manager. And as an adult, Medlin — “always a big guy” — got bigger. “I got up to 496 pounds, but I was still doing things every day,” he said. “I didn’t think it was holding me back any.”

“I got up to 496 pounds, but I was still doing things every day. I didn’t think it was holding me back any.”

Please see MEDLIN, Page A3

Joe Medlin

SHAR

Jeff Edwards s and hydrated i cycling portion

IN THIS ISSUE NEWS VIEWPOINTS PUZZLES SPORTS CLASSIFIEDS

A5 A4 A6 A8 A11

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST See scenes from the 2021 homecoming parade. A12

twitter.com/SSleader

DEDICATED TO THE COMM

Since 1915

instagram.com/sandspringsleader

211 E. Broadway • Sand Springs, O

Airington, a 1968 graduate, was joined by Larry Bross (Class of 1965) and Tim Gatz (Class of 1983) as honorees. The fourth member of the 2021

SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS

Sports Story

was honored posthumously. El Reno Public Schools historian Brian Rukes spoke on behalf of the Higgins family

Virginia Witt, who was in attendance. “Every single one of you men and Mr. Higgins all deserve to See ALUMNI, Page 5

Tracing her father’s past

Witt's ﬁrst trip to El Reno provides insights into Higgins’ prep years By GLEN MILLER

millerg@elrenotribune.com

FIRST PLACE

Glen Miller El Reno Tribune “Tracing her father’s past” taxpayers County property

will SECOND PLACE have more time to settle accounts AndyCanadian Morphew County the 2021 ad valorem residents who pay property taxes will have more time to make payments, THIRDsaid PLACE Treasurer Carolyn Leck.

statements will be at least three weeks later than the normal weekend of Thanksgiving, Leck said by email. “Unfortunately, this is affecting several counties statewide,” she said. Leck said the timetable for residents receiving statements is not settled. “While I cannot give

The Duncan Banner

Michael Swisher CountyNews

a specific date for mailing statements, we will be extending first half or full amount payments without penalty through Jan. 28, 2022. “We request that you do not obtain an estimated tax amount from the Assessor’s Office or their website for remittance as we will return that to you.

DueKingfisher to the The Times & Free Press implementation of “a new chart of accounts released by the State Auditor for state budget-makers,”

See TAXES, Page 7

Thursday’s Weather

Growing up in Stillwater, Virginia Witt never had the opportunity to visit her father’s old stomping grounds from his high school years. However, after a few hours of visiting, Witt could see why her father, Ralph Higgins, got such a good start in life.

El RenoFeature “This was my first time to El Reno and I think it’s a marvelous town,” said Witt. The 90-year-old Witt traveled from O’Fallon, Ill., to accept her father’s posthumous honor as an El Reno Distinguished Alumni. Higgins is the second earliest EHS grad to

Virginia Witt looks at the cover of a 1921 El Reno High School yearbook. It's from the year her father, Ralph Higgins graduated from EHS. (Tribune photographer/Glen Miller) earn the honor behind General George Price Hayes from the Class of 1912. Higgins, a 1921 graduate, was honored last week during the El Reno Distinguished Alumni Banquet.

INSIDE 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST El Reno exits 5A 52 2020 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

“I was not going to miss this opportunity. My family was all upset they could not come as well.

Read all the news and sports on our

See HIGGINS, Page 6

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DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 30,000

Sports Story FIRST PLACE

Kevin Green Claremore Daily Progress “Edwards finds calling in sitting volleyball” SECOND PLACE

Derek Hatridge McAlester News-Capital THIRD PLACE

Jeff Cali The Ada News

Edwards finds calling in sitting volleyball Claremore-born athlete vying for second Paralympic gold BY KEVIN GREEN Progress Sports Editor

Tia Edwards wanted nothing to do with sitting volleyball. The Claremore-born athlete didn’t know much about parasports, but she certainly didn’t consider herself disabled or handicapped by her congenital birth defect. She was born without a left hand. Edwards proved as much throughout her young career, playing traditional volleyball for her school team in Skiatook as well as a competitive league squad. So when she was approached in 2008 at the age of 14 and asked to attend a Team USA sitting volleyball camp after a tournament at the Tulsa Convention Center, she was understandably reluctant. “They were like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re missing a limb; come talk to us,’” Edwards said of the encounter. “And I was like, ‘Absolutely not. I am not disabled; I am not playing.’ I wanted nothing to do with it. They just saw I was missing my hand and thought I’d be great. But I was like, ‘I am not disabled. I am perfectly fine playing while standing, why would I need to play sitting?’” Edwards remained firm on her stance for some time, but she eventually relented thanks to the coaxing skills of her grandmother, who lives in Owasso. However, the first trip to the Edmond training center wasn’t an enjoyable experience. Not only did she feel out of place because her supposed impairment

KYLE PHILLIPS / CNHI

OU’s Giselle Juarez during the Soo championship victo State at Hall of F Oklahoma City.

COLU Juarez OU W run po

BY CLAY H

CNHI Sports

SUBMITTED

Tia Edwards, who was born in Claremore and raised in Skiatook, is headed to Tokyo in August for the 2021 Paralympic Games as a member of the Team USA sitting volleyball team. She was a part of the team’s 2016 gold medal win.

appeared less severe than the other players, but she also found it difficult to transition from standing to sitting. According to the Team USA website, “paralympic volleyball follows the same rules as its nondisabled counterpart with a few modifications to accommodate the various disabilities. In sitting volleyball, the net is about 3.5-feet high, and the court is 10x6 meters with a 2-meter attack line. Players are allowed to block serves, but one “cheek” must be in contact with the floor whenever they make contact with the ball.” “I was like, ‘I am nothing like any of them.

They’re all missing all their legs, and I have my legs. I don’t need to play on this team,’” Edwards said. “I tried it, and I hated it. I had blisters all over my hands, my legs were sore and I was like, ‘I’m not doing this.’ “It is very difficult to move and learn the movements at first. When you first come from standing to sitting and start to move, you want to get on your knees, but that’s not legal.” Despite facing the obstacle of learning a different version of the sport she loved, something kept her coming back. Then, in 2014 — one year after graduating from Skiatook High School —

she moved to Edmond to continue her training. That decision set her on a path to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Team USA captured the gold medal. China defeated Edwards and the Americans in five sets during pool play, but Team USA avenged that loss in the gold medal match with a 3-0 sweep of the powerhouse. The victory came only a few months after Team USA topped the Chinese for the 2016 World ParaVolley Intercontinental Cup championship. Coming into the Games, China had won all three gold medals since

the sport’s incorporation in 2004. “My whole body was just in shock,” Edwards said. “I was like, ‘We just won.’ I just remember saying, ‘Oh my God. Oh my God.’ That’s all I could say. I ran onto the court and hugged my libero, and I was like, ‘Did we just win?’ Everyone was crying, and emotions were on high. “The medals are pretty heavy. I would say like 3 or 4 pounds. They are really heavy. My neck dropped when I put it on. I couldn’t stop smiling.” Five years later, Edwards hopes to experience that same See EDWARDS, Page 5B

CLAREMORE BASEBALL NOTEBOOK Claremore baseball coach Jim Sherl spoke with Claremore Progress sports editor Kevin Green earlier this week to discuss his

bowling match, they were all talking a little bit of trash, and Brooks was telling the Carl Albert catcher Houston Russell, ‘Hey if I get on

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

OKLAHOMA CI channel, at any time, was amazing. Maybe Jocelyn A putting the Sooners o both Wednesday and Mackenzie Donihoo at the plate and in th must-see viewing fro press box at Hall of F and later when every turned on SportsCen see which spot in the and greatest catch wo But Oklahoma mi all without Alo and m all, too, without Don to believe it would h anywhere without Ju the best softball of h on the sport’s greates and not only two yea her hard on the same much two years, too, offered the form she Wednesday and Thur at all. Who’s done what Many have come and surgery to be ter again be the best, bu back only to find tha there is no longer the passed over, to becom time appeared passed their confidence, thei their form, and go fro 3 pitcher on their ow 1 pitcher in the entire space of a week. That’s what Juare Oklahoma beat Fl Thursday afternoon, program’s fifth natio championship. The 2 go next to the ones w 2013, 2016 and 2017 The Sooners had 1 pretty much all sea title they just won m

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 30,000

Sports Story FIRST PLACE

Mike Tupa Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise “Bartlesville gridder Droz electrifies with TD run” SECOND PLACE

Glen Brockenbush The Lawton Constitution THIRD PLACE

Mike Kays Muskogee Phoenix

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER

Bartlesville gridder Droz electrifies with TD run Mike Tupa Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise USA TODAY NETWORK

Superstars come in all sizes. Each has a different starting point, a personalized journey from dream to destiny. For Bartlesville High football player James Droz, he lived both the dream and the destiny on Friday night. And, in the making of it all come true, he united the hearts of two opposing teams, fans on both sides of the turf and a community, in a moment of healing and feeling. It all started four years ago when Droz, a special needs student, approached then-Bruin head football coach Lee Blankenship about helping out with the team. Droz’s mom Susan Hainzinger reNEWSPAPER CONTEST members that day.

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BUSINESS STORY

COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS

PRSRT. STD. Permit # 5 Alva, OK 73717

Volume No. 81, Issue 3

Address Service Requested

Volume No. 82, Issue 27

Business Story

Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, Oklahoma

April 22, 2021

Visit us online at northwesternnews.rangerpulse.com

SPECIAL REPORT: MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Oklahoma has dirt as red as its politics. But in 2018, voters gave the green light to medical marijuana. The people who peddle the plant have become big economic players in small towns across the state — including Alva.

FIRST PLACE

Kaylea Brown, Laney Cook and Devyn Lansden Northwestern News “Canna-BIZness is booming”

Canna-BIZness is booming Photo by Laney Cook

Campus officials, dispensary owners talk about the regulations on living the high life

By KAYLEA BROWN, LANEY COOK AND DEVYN LANDSEN Northwestern News

lashback to Sept. 4, 2019. On the lawn of the Woods County Courthouse in Alva, protesters rallied against a city ordinance that created restrictions on medical marijuana establishments. Residents from across the state traveled in buses to transport Alva residents with their medical marijua-

NEWS Pages 2 & 3

EDITORIAL

na cards to another town to get the medicine they needed. Now, almost two years later, four dispensaries and 13 growing facilities have made their home in Alva. The worries people had about medical marijuana are no longer as extreme as they once were. People can have their medical cards for various reasons. But it is still an issue Northwestern students face if they live on campus and want

PROFILES

Pages 4 & 5

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Pages 6 & 7

to have and use medicinal marijuana. Students can face a variety of consequences if they are caught on campus with marijuana, but the punishment is not as severe as if they were caught without the medical license. Northwestern Oklahoma State University Chief of Alva Campus Police Kyle Hair explained what would happen to students if they got caught with marijuana on campus. See MARIJUANA, Page 2

FEATURE Page 9

A marijuana plant at the Green Med Cannabis Co. in Alva is shown in this picture taken March 31. Two years have passed since Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana.

SPORTS Page 10

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 2,000

Business Story FIRST PLACE

20th Anniversary

Blossom Time in Minco celebrates 20 years By Jayson Knight jaysonrknight@gmail.com

Blossom Time in Minco celebrated its 20th anniversary last week with a community gathering with refreshments, giveaways, drawings, sale items and more. Located at 205 NW Main Street, Blossom Time is a large, twostory antique store that offers many products and services. Owner and operator Deana Walje spoke Monday about opening the store in October 2001. “I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to have my own business,” Walje said. “I was working at the school and our youngest daughter was graduating, and I just

“It was a really fun weekend. We had lots of people come in and it was a very good time. I think the whole event was more than I could’ve asked for.”

Deana Walje Owner/Operator Blossom Time Shops had an opportunity that came available and it felt like it was time to go ahead and do it. I just felt like God was leading me this direction and we started looking for a building, and the building that we have

Jayson Knight Minco-Union City Times “Blossom time ” SECOND PLACE

Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief

Deana Walje is the owner and operator of Blossom Time Shops in Minco, which celebrated its 20th Anniversary Friday and Saturday, October 22 and 23. Located at 205 NW Main Street, Blossom Time is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. STAFF PHOTO BY JAYSON KNIGHT

came available. When we started, we had to do a lot of work on it, had to have people come in and help us, and we had a lot of family and friends help us as well.” Upon opening, one of Blossom Time’s chief attractions besides being a gift shop were body toning tables, but Walje has altered the business over time. “That’s what I was doing along with the antique and gift shop,” Walje said. “Throughout the years, we’ve added a soda fountain, tanning beds. We no longer have the exercise, robotic exercise beds that I began with. Now, we have the beauty shop. We have Nancy’s Body Works. We opened up the upstairs area. We just opened that up a few years ago, about six or seven years ago. We added to our building that way.” Walje expressed gratitude for the vendors who choose to do business out of the location, which allows them to mutually benefit. “I have a lot of good people who are vendors in here that have been here for a long time,” Walje said. “They bring in a lot of unusual items. They’ve really helped me to be able to keep the business going, and have different things to offer to people. We have new things, along with our

THIRD PLACE

Todd Brooks The Comanche Times Located at 205 NW Main Street, Blossom Time has a large selection of Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations, antiques, western gear, and a lot more. STAFF PHOTO BY JAYSON KNIGHT

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Located at 205 NW Main Street, Blossom Time is a large, two-story antique store that offers many products and services. STAFF PHOTO BY JAYSON KNIGHT

antique and vintage items. It kind of makes a nice variety for people of a lot of different ages. People love the soda fountain. Cherry limeades is kind of a hot thing right now. We have cookies, hot out of the oven. We have fudge and peanut clusters, and a relaxing atmosphere. We’ve enjoyed it and it is

hard to believe that twenty years has passed by.” Blossom Time currently has a very healthy assortment of Christmas decorations and gifts. It was a really fun weekend. We had lots of people come in and it was a very good time. It was just kind of nice to see everybody, people who

have come in over the years to visit with us, and a lot of my past workers. There have been a lot of girls who have helped us throughout the years and we had several of them come in and visit with us. That was fun. I think the whole event was more than I could’ve asked for. I really appreciate it.”

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

Business Story FIRST PLACE

Meeker will crown its basketball Homecomingqueen at 5:45 Saturday before the basketball games with Chandler. The homecoming court includes, from left, Trinity Shelly, Shi’Ann Cox, Callie Sellers, Brittney Want, Kaycee Babek, Sierra Cox, Calista Treat (Sophomore), Savanna Nelson, Annsley Babek (Freshman) and Jaci Smith. Not pictured is Abby Smith (Junior). Photo/Brian Blansett

Schools take funding hit MIKE McCORMICK Staﬀ Writer The Department of Education earlier this month handed out mid-term adjustments to funding allocations and between Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties only one district received an increase.

Chandler cut $285,000

Chandler took the largest hit of the nine public school districts in Lincoln County. Meeker suﬀered the second biggest loss in midterm adjustments in the county.

No district in Lincoln County received an increase in funding at midterm. North Rock Creek School in Pottawatomie County is the only district

of 14 in the county that received an increase. Chandler School Supt. Melody Toma said, “We took a pretty good hit,” noting the district’s midterm adjustment was

a loss of $285,441.86. That’s a 7.79 percent drop. “We expected that at the beginning of the school year when we saw EPIC Charter’s enrollment. Not enough money to compensate because EPIC’s enrollment was so high,” See Page 3A

Child abuse charges ﬁled Two people from Harrah have been charged with multiple child sexual abuse crimes following their arrest in early January. Amanda D. BondLangston, 32, and Jer See Page 2A

A diﬀerent kind of farm south of Meeker

Kendra Johnson The Lincoln County News “A different kind of farm south of Meeker” SECOND PLACE

Mike McCormick The Lincoln County News THIRD PLACE

Brandi Ball The Cleveland American

Darrel Armer with the bins containing his recycling worms at Green To Gold Recycling LLC south of Meeker. Photo/Brian Blansett Kendra Johnson Staﬀ writer When Oklahoma Green To Gold Recycling LLC co-owner Darrel Armer ﬁrst walked into a worm farm, he put a clothes pin on his nose, thinking that worm farms must smell

awful. He was in for a pleasant surprise. “The worm poop, or castings, is about the purest form of dirt,” Armer said. So, the smell was much more pleasant than he had expected.

“I’m an avid hunter and it was just like walking out into the forest, it really was a rain forest or something,” he said. Oklahoma Green To Gold Recycling, LLC in Meeker received its Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Solid

Waste Permit in October 2020, and is currently waiting to receive its Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority permit. At the worm farm, 2,100 feet of vats house eisena fetida worms, which will be fed marijuana waste and their castings are col-

lected to be sold. In the meantime, they are feasting on old newspapers and discarded vegetables. “We’re glad to get paid to pick up the waste and then sell the waste,” coowner Shawn Cowan said. The casting “waste” that the farm will be selling is

a natural form of fertilizer and pesticide that helps boost plants’ defenses. “It’ll actually boost the sugars up in the plant,” Cowan said. “So, when a bug bites on the plant, the bug will get intoxicated See Page 2A

Central Oklahoma has been known for farming since it was settled, so it’s no surprise that we have a rich variety of agricultural pursuits. We’ve put together a four-part series on farms that ﬁll a special niche and that we think you’ll ﬁnd interesting. This week, it’s Oklahoma Green to Gold Recycling. Next week, it’s the Marak Family Farm.

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 3,500 – 7,000

Sports Story FIRST PLACE

Natasha Dunagan Countywide & Sun “After 81 years of service” SECOND PLACE

Renee Fite The Stilwell Democrat Journal THIRD PLACE

Renee Fite The Stilwell Democrat Journal

Page B7

www.countywidenews.com

Countywide & Sun • Feb. 4, 2021

After 81 Years Of Service, Richards Drug Closes By NATASHA DUNAGAN natasha@countywidenews.com On Dec. 31, 2020, Jamie Barrick turned the “open” light off at Richards Drug for the last time, and the reality sank in. The drug store at the corner of Main and Oklahoma streets, in Shawnee, had been in business under that name since 1939, and for half of that time, Barrick had worked there. But this last year had been a struggle. The COVID-19 pandemic closed the store for four weeks, but they still offered curb-side pick-up and free delivery during that time. Even so, Barrick said the pandemic had an impact. “People weren’t going to the doctor, you know, so if people aren’t going to the doctor, I’m not going to be filling prescriptions,” she said. Also, some long-time customers passed away. But, the main problem was a trend toward insurance companies steering customers toward large, corporate-owned pharmacies, and away from independent pharmacies like Richards Drug. Barrick said independent pharmacies are not being offered “preferred pharmacy” contracts, and when they are, the terms are not reasonable. “I couldn’t afford to sign the contract; I just couldn’t,” she said. “I don’t have enough volume to try to offset how poor the reimbursement is.” “For example, my husband signed it, but his volume is three times mine,” said Barrick of her husband, Tim Barrick, who owns The Clinic Pharmacy. This problem persists even though Oklahoma House Bill 2632 – the Patient’s Right to Pharmacy Choice Act – was signed into law by the governor on May 21, 2019. “There’s no question what the intent of the law is,” said Barrick. “It’s simply the patient’s right to choose his or her own pharmacy with no disparity in co-pays. That wherever you opt to go, there’s no difference, you know?” Barrick said that the law is not being enforced by the insurance commissioner’s office, and the insurance commissioner claims “the Attorney General sides with him.” Barrick’s business partner, Gordon Richards, Jr., said in a letter, there is a “fundamentally different mind-set between the ownership of an independent, local pharmacy and that of a corporate chain.” “Although the chains have developed programs and systems designed to help patients, their basic goal is corporate profits,” he said. “On the other hand, the independent pharmacy is more in touch with the local community and individual patient needs.” Barrick agreed, “Independents are the ones supporting your kids’ activities, volunteering their time at the Pottawatomie County Free Clinic, and are in-

Above, Richards Drug stands at the corner of Main and Oklahoma streets, where it’s been since 1939. The drug store closed on Dec. 31 of last year after 81 years in business.

The sign shown above was left in the window of Richards Drug by owners Jamie Barrick and Gordon Richards, Jr. declaring Dec. 31, 2020 to be their last day of business. Customers were directed toward The Clinic Pharmacy. on the right, Jamie Barrick, co-owner of Richards Drug, has worked at the drug store since she was 15 years old. She was inspired by the pharmacists, at that time, to become a pharmacist herself. Since the closing of Richards on Dec. 31, Barrick has worked alongside her husband, Tim Barrick, at The Clinic Pharmacy. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

volved in civic groups and on-call 24/7.” In addition, Gordon Richards, Sr., the original owner - at the suggestion of Shawnee agriculture teacher, Otto Krausse - started the Richards FFA Award in 1946, awarded to an outstanding member of each of the eight, now nine, chapters every year. They added an award for one boy and one girl 4-H Club member in 1954, as well. Then, they eventually added a $100 scholarship to go with the plaques. “It became known as the ‘farm store,’ largely from its support and sponsorship of agriculture,” wrote Richards, Jr. Richards Drugs has roots well before it went by that name. Richards, Jr. writes that Civil War veteran, Samuel Walter Richards arrived in McGee, Indian Territory, in 1893, and partnered in the RichardsMooney Drug Store there. His son, Samuel Watt Richards, became a pharmacist in 1903, but died in 1919 from the flu epidemic. However, his three sons – Watt, Gordon, and Don - all went on to become pharmacists, working for pharmacist, O.H. Marmaduke, in Shawnee, in the late and in 1930s. Ma of at the corner ds stan e “When Mr. Marmaduke g stor g Dru ds 9. The dru 193 e Above, Richar sinc n bee died in 1939, they had the where it’s iness. ets, bus in stre rs ma yea aho 81 Okl option of buying three of year after last of 31 . Dec Marmaduke’s drug stores or closed on being unemployed,”wrote

Richards, Jr. “That was the 1939 origin of the Richards Brothers Drug Store.” In addition to the Richards Drug Store, they also owned Owl Drug at 6 E. Main. “The imprint and influence of Gordon ‘Red’ Richards has permeated the history of the business, focusing on customer service and personal attention to patients’ well-being,” wrote Richards, Jr. “His vision for a better, healthier community has been transmitted through the heirs of his leadership,” he added. “Successively, this was carried forward by Jack Coffey, Fred Gouker, Jamie Barrick, and (myself). We can still hear him snap his fingers and direct us to ‘catch that trade.’ ” Barrick explained that, in the very early days of the business, Richards accepted bartering, taking things like vegetables in trade for medicine. “There have been multiple personalities ingrained in the fabric of this story,” Richards, Jr. continued. “Probably, the trio of (pharmacists) ‘Red’ Richards, Lech Moore, and Opal Hickey made an impact that’s immeasurable. This was in the 1940s and ‘50s, and their presence in the community was apparent.” Barrick was hired by Gordon Richards, Sr., when she was just 15 years old, and he passed away during her senior year of high school. When See The Legacy And Service.............on B8

Hood Assures Bethel His Company Will Oversee Cleanup Continued from A1 “When OG&E came on and turned the power on to various wells in the area, normally there’s a disconnect that’s locked up—” Hood began. “So who told them to turn it on?” Trustee Brian Pierson interjected. “I informed OG&E to

dance Energy’s former wells in the Town of Bethel Acres. “And, the wells were not supposed to be operating,” Hood said. “And it is not our intention to operate the wells now.” But unbeknownst to Hood, Abundance Energy’s power had been

should have come to the town first, because we were going to discuss the way ahead on getting those wells back in operation, and figure out a way to take care of the obligations to the town before anything was turned on.” Hood conceded that Pierson’s point was val-

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

to come to the Board of Trustees’ meeting every month, to update board members on his progress towards cleanup, and bringing the old Abundance wells into compliance. After the meeting, Trustees Meaghan Olsen and Pierson said they were unsure what

Hood Oil & Gas should be fined for the spill, but said she does believe a representative from Hood should have been at the well site when OG&E turned the power back on. “They know that the power had been off for years at some of these wells,” Olsen said.

is held accountable either way,” Olsen said. “And that the landowners are capable of returning to normal, and that everything is tested and safe from here.” “And that it doesn’t reoccur in the future,” Pierson added. “I’ll support the oil busi-

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 7,000 – 19,000 & more than 19,000

Business Story

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021

Back on track

After three tough losses, the Sandites hope to win out. A10

FIRST PLACE

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader “Cannabis site appealed” SECOND PLACE

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin

sandspringsleader.com

Honoring veterans

American Legion aims to decorate every veteran’s grave in Sand Springs cemetery. A7

Cannabis site appealed Tulsa Tech is ﬁghting a planned medical marijuana grow site SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN

Sand Springs Leader

A medical marijuana growing facility proposed for a vacant tract of land south of Tulsa Tech’s Sand Springs campus has drawn a challenge from the school, which argues that too many cannabis-related entities already exist in the area. The city Planning Commission

considered Josh Farley’s application to build a 2,000-square-foot indoor medical marijuana growing facility at 950 E. Pecan St. during its Oct. 11 meeting and unanimously recommended its approval. But Robert Franklin, the associate superintendent for student affairs at Tulsa Tech, said the operation would not be in keeping with what city planners were envisioning for the area when Tulsa Tech’s board authorized the construction of the Sand Springs campus in 2013. The City Council will take up Tulsa Tech’s challenge Nov. 15.

Franklin actually was attending the Planning Commission meeting last month to ﬁght an unrelated medical marijuana growing facility that was being proposed for 1126 E. Charles Page Blvd. That operation entailed two 12,000-square-foot buildings on the eastern end of a tract of land on which the applicant already operates a growing facility on the western end. But with additional growing facilities operating in a former movie theater nearby and also in a strip building located just north of the subject property, the Planning

Commission recommended denial of that request, ﬁnding that growing facilities already dominate the immediate vicinity and that an additional grow operation would be a detriment to the area. That’s when Farley’s application was put on the table, and Franklin said he realized that “it was even closer to” the Tulsa Tech campus at 924 E. Charles Page Blvd. Franklin wrote in his appeal of the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve Farley’s application that Tulsa Tech’s Board of Education moved forward with building the Sand

Springs campus eight years ago “in support of city planners who envisioned the revitalization of the Charles Page corridor.” Franklin told the Sand Springs Leader on Friday that he wanted “to reinforce the commitment that Tulsa Tech made with city planners to put a benchmark … in that Charles Page corridor.” “Other places had asked us to come there, but Sand Springs felt like a good place, and we had a partnership with the high school there,” he said. Please see APPEAL, Page A5

COVID numbers decline at SSPS

NET GAIN

Sand Springs Leader THIRD PLACE

Jeff Harrison

Continued improvement comes as FDA OKs ages 5-11 for vaccinations

Midwest City Beacon

SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN

Sand Springs Leader

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN, SAND SPRINGS LEADER

Terence Murphy of Metro Mobile Electronics of Oklahoma City installs a Wi-Fi kit on a Sand Springs Public Schools bus on Oct. 13.

COVID-19 infections in Sand Springs Public Schools are continuing to decline, the district announced Friday, the same day the FDA brought the country a step closer to vaccinations for children ages 5-11. The district reported 11 active infections for the week ending Oct. 29, down from 15 the previous week, representing a 27% decrease. Infections in the district have declined in six of the past seven weeks, the data show, falling from a school-year high of 74 for the weeks ending Sept. 3 and Sept. 10.

SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS

Business Story El Reno

Tribune

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ELRENOTRIBUNE.COM •USPS NO. (170-780) • ONE DOLLAR

FIRST PLACE

Glen Miller

Curbside cookies

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Girl Scouts across the nation to nd creative ways to sell their annual treats. Here, sisters Makayla and Chloe Owen hold up signs to attract passing motorists at a drive-up sales site at a church PLACEon Elm Street recently. (Tribune photographer/

El Reno Tribune

“Commercial businesses hit hard by lack of running water” SECOND

Michael Pineda

Glen Miller)

Yukon Review

Commercial businesses hit hard by lack of running water By GLEN MILLER

millerg@elrenotribune.com

With limited or no running water in El Reno for over a week, commercial businesses that rely on the service had to take drastic measures until full pressure was restored.

El RenoNews National fast food chains along Country Club Road either closed their doors or scaled back product offerings. McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Subway, Arby’s and Burger

King were all closed on Feb. 23, one week after water service went dry. Casey’s General Store temporarily shut down its fresh deli and pizza service, while Braum’s remained open, but did close one day. Turn to WATER, Page 6

Shot in the arm for education

THIRD PLACE

Moira McGhee

Miami El News-Record Reno Public Schools

hosts pods to give first round of COVID-19 vaccinations By GLEN MILLER

Pfizer-BioNTech

millerg@elrenotribune.com vaccine. The 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST Just one day after vaccinations were

Serving southeast Oklahoma since 1896

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021

mcalesternews.c

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 30,000The story behind McAlester’s Christmas light di

Business Story

By JAMES BEATY MANAGING EDITOR

McAlester’s Christmas lights and decorations displayed down the length of Carl Albert Parkway are an annual tradition — but it hasn’t always been that way. It’s a tradition that didn’t begin with the city,

but with a group of realtors led by McAlester realtor Carla House, who credits a trip to Texas with giving her the inspiration for decorating Carl Albert Parkway. “It started in 2004, 17 years ago,” said House. She said she and her husband, Steve House, took a Christmas trip to

Texas, with some friends, Massie and Billye Ben Cappo, that included Marshall and Jefferson, Texas, both of which had plenty of Christmas lights and decorations. “We thought we would go and look at Christmas lights,” Carla House said. She recalled she felt so inspired by the displays

in those two cities that she thought “That would be good in McAlester.” At the time the center median along Carl Albert Parkway had no decorations, except for a few lights on a tree across from the courthouse, she said. House wanted to add more decorations. She presented the idea

to the McAlester Board of Realtors, whose members enthusiastically agreed to help raise money to purchase some decorations,. She also approached the city of McAlester, where then-Parks and Recreation Director Mel Priddy and other city officials also embraced the concept.

‘mmm...That’s Tasty’

FIRST PLACE

Derrick James

are let

McAlester News-Capital “Pete’s Place continues family tradition”

SECOND PLACE

Angela Thomason Vinita Daily Journal

DERRICK JAMES | Staff Photo

PETE’S PLACE in Krebs has been ran by four generations of family since opening in 1925.

Pete’s Place continues family tradition

THIRD PLACE

Chelsea Weeks Claremore Daily Progress

“I ha city co City c go-ah had to the O ment which nance way —

rant serving “family style” Italian meals in his home — where the restaurant operates today at 120 amily is the backbone of a Southwest Eighth St. in Krebs. restaurant serving its southeast Kathy and Joe Prichard took over Oklahoma community for nearly a the restaurant in 1984 and now run it century. with the help of their two daughters, Pete’s Place began in 1925 after Pi- Blair and Katie, and both sons-in-law, Andrew and Josh. The Prichard maetro “Pete” Piegari opened a restauBy DERRICK JAMES STAFF WRITER

triarch said she loves working with family, but made sure to never pressure her children into the restaurant business. “I’ve always told my kids ‘if you don’t want to come back and work at the restaurant, don’t ever think you

COMMUNITY BUSINESS

96 years of tradition and history at Pete’s Place 1. WHAT’S YOUR BUSINESS NAME?

The restaurant is located at 120 Southwest ters Blair and Katie helping operate the business with sons-in law Andrew and Josh 8th Street in Krebs off of U.S. 270 Highway. cooking and operating the kitchen. Pete’s opens daily at 11 a.m. and currently closes at 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST Pete’s Place

>> See TASTY // Page A10

Wh er a Coun Th News ticipa tradi local to Sa hope else w Loc ast S lecte ters ry ag New Chil Mail Her Sant child 1921

(MCAL

Dea I a you w you some mas. cupid like nuts I a years ing t teac bring have in fo

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 30,000

Business Story

VOL. 126 NO. 109 ■ JOURNALRECORD.COM

Part of the

network

Dolese Bros. moving to new headquarters

Employers with emplo Greene, ma Madalene A law firm Cr Joe Dowd d

JR SCREENSH

FIRST PLACE

Expe an em

Kathryn McNutt The Journal Record

BY JANIC The Journa

“Dolese Bros. moving to new headquarters”

Kathryn McNutt The Journal Record THIRD PLACE

Susan Riley Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

Dolese Bros. Co. President and CEO Mark Helm said the new building at 8300 Broadway Extension allows all 175 support services employees to work in the same space for the first time. PHOTO BY KATHRYN MCNUTT

BY KATHRYN MCNUTT The Journal Record

OKLAHOMA CITY – Dolese Bros. is moving 175 employees Monday into a new facility at 8300 Broadway Extension after a century of the company’s presence in downtown Oklahoma City. They are the people – managers, accountants, engineers, dispatchers – who support the other 825 employees in the quarries and plants across the state who do the “hard work outside in all kinds of conditions,” President and CEO Mark Helm said. After working remotely for most of the past 15 months and before that in three buildings at the company’s campus at NW 13th and Broadway Avenue, all support services staff members will be in the same space for the first time, Helm said. Dolese produces and supplies construction materials, including ready-mixed concrete, crushed stone, sand and hardscapes.

INSIDE

SECOND PLACE

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

“Nothing starts without our product,” Helm said. That includes the new building. The new 77,000-square-foot concrete structure – designed by Hans Butzer and Torrey Butzer – is “a showcase for our products,” Helm said. It contains multiple concrete features from floors and walls to stairs and tables. Huge rocks from quarries greet visitors at the entrance, while smaller stones fill wire mesh baskets to form retaining walls and garden edging. “It’s another way to use our materials in display of the building, said Kermit Frank, vice president of communications and community relations. The move from downtown was under consideration for more than a decade, Frank said. “We just outgrew it. It became functionally obsolete.” Just inside the entrance of the new building is a museum that will include displays, videos, a fosTurn to DOLESE » p12

«2»

Greater OKC Chamber article reflects on legislative session The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber has reported on effects of the latest session of the Oklahoma Legislature on economic development in the state.

Legislative session affects criminal justice in state  p3 More coffins found in search for massacre victims  p5

OKLAHO earthquak ice storms need to ha ployees du who appea “I don’t can be as marketing Oklahoma “The b know it in dalene A.B of law firm COVID can do wo to think o business d terholt sai But som not do the as extreme to weigh w home and could requ ous condit claim if th “People money, I d employees not requir under suc ployers ne the situati for emplo ice storm Employ to contact

Turn to EM

2021 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

EDUCATION STORY

COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS

Education Story FIRST PLACE

Jordan Green and David Thornton Northwestern News

The Northwestern News was named the Best Overall Newspaper in its division in a 2020 college media contest. PAGE 12

To spectators, dwarf wrestling is entertainment. But to wrestlers, it’s a form of empowerment. PAGE 10 PRSRT. STD. Permit # 5 Alva, OK 73717

Volume No. 81, Issue 3 Volume No. 82, Issue 28

Address Service Requested

Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, Oklahoma

April 29, 2021

Visit us online at northwesternnews.rangerpulse.com

SPECIAL REPORT: SCHOLARSHIPS

$9 MILLION

Prospective Rangers attend the university’s Ranger Preview event in November 2019. Ranger Preview scholarships are awarded to students who attend the event and enroll at Northwestern. Those scholarships are some of the ones funded by the Alva Incentive Tax.

In two decades, that’s about how much money the Alva Incentive Tax has raised to fund scholarships for NWOSU students

By JORDAN GREEN, Editor-in-Chief and DAVID THORNTON, Photographer

n 20 years, a 1% sales tax in Alva has collected almost $9 million in scholarships for Northwestern students. That tax is called the Alva Incentive Tax. And you might be one of the countless Northwestern students who has received money from it. See TAX, Page 2

Photo provided

“$9 Million raised by Alva Incentive Tax to fund scholarships for NWOSU students” SECOND PLACE

Cambron Alsbrook The Cameron University Collegian THIRD PLACE

Cambron Alsbrook The Cameron University Collegian

Graphic by Devyn Lansden

This graphic shows how much revenue from the Alva Incentive Tax has been used for scholarships at Northwestern each year. The tax has brought in a total of $8,989,068.29 since 1999.

NEWS Pages 2 & 3

EDITORIAL Pages 4 & 5

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

PROFILES Pages 6 & 7

FEATURE Page 9

SPORTS Page 10

the assistant supervisor, five judges, and five clerks. Two judges shall remain in the room with the supervisor as ballots are counted. One or more judges can act as official counters, while two or more clerks shall record the value of the votes. Other officials’ duties are to assist in conducting the election. The list of voters will come from the Superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Osage Agency, Robin Phillips. She must give the supervisor a list of names, last known address of each eligible voter, and headright interest value shown on the last March quarterly annuity roll. The supervisor will use the list to check off names of each voter as ballots are cast and determine the right of any individual to vote if their right is questioned. Any person presenting themselves to vote may be challenged by any qualified voter. Lastly, the list of voters minus the headright interest will be given to each candidate running for the OMC. No later than March 28, 2022, OMC Chairman Everett Waller will issue an election notice and appoint the election board members. Included in the notice is the date, time and place of the election, qualifications of voters, methods and closing date of nominating candidates, how to locate names on the ballot and names of the election board. The

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 2,000

Education Story FIRST PLACE

Continued to Page 6

PONCA

Carol Conner

The Fairfax Chief

The Fairfax Chief “Touring students learn history”

Carol Conner, Editor

the project. On his way to Los Alamos, Thomas Coulter was killed in a motorcycle accident. Life is full of twists. Mrs. Coulter had lost her country, then her son. But she never lost her smile. After a while, her daughter married and settled in Ponca City. Mrs. Coulter moved there, too, into the small duplex. She taught piano to young students and gave painting

Carol Conner The FairFax C hieF

Eleven 8th graders from Bluejacket, OK read Killers of the Flower Moon in their English class. Their teacher, Tracy Mendez, had them build evidence charts as they went along, trying to figure out who was behind the conspiracy to murder Osages from Fairfax and GrayHorse. The group was so interested in the story, their fabulous teacher, worked to put together a road trip to the place where the story happened.

301 S. 4th (Hunsaker), Fairfax, OK 74637 (918) 642-3814 • • • (918) 642-1376 fax fairfaxchief1@gmail.com

Established 1904 – Oldest Newspaper in Osage County

Photos by Owen Hutcheson | THE FAIRFAX CHIEF

Published Weekly at 301 S. 4th (Hunsaker)

Eighth grade English students from Bluejacket toured Fairfax after reading Killers of the Flower Moon. Inside Secutiy State Bank, they saw the spur collection

The Fairfax Chief (USPS No. 184-040) Fairfax, Osage County, Oklahoma 74637 Periodicals Postage Paid at Fairfax, Oklahoma 74637

Carol Conner

A MEMBER OF

The Fairfax Chief THIRD PLACE

fading as they moved down the street: Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright. ’Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild Mrs. Coulter passed away in 1980 at the age of 86. To her and all the friends and loved ones we have lost this year, sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

Touring students learn history

Deadline Monday at 5 p.m.

SECOND PLACE

her Christmas cards. In her living room near a west-facing window, with her small easel and watercolors nearby, she worked on them in the morning, then again late in the evening, her face so close to the easel her eyelashes nearly brushed the surface of the card. Each card was a scene she recalled from her childhood in Germany. Small village scenes in a forest, or a valley surround-

Dr. Joe Conner presents teacher Tracy Mendez with a copy of the newly released youth version of Killers of the Flower Moon and a copy of the exhibit booklet for The Reign of Terror.

Subscription Rates (Payable In Advance) Local: Osage & Pawnee Counties - $31.00 Elsewhere in Oklahoma - $35.00 Out of State & APO - $38.00 POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO The Fairfax Chief, 301 S. 4th (Hunsaker) Fairfax, OK 74637 All Advertising Subject to Approval by Editor

Carol Conner

After the two-hour trip here, the students were given a tour by The Chief’s Editor, Carol Conner, Publisher Joe Conner, and assistant Owen Hutcheson. They toured the Reign of Terror exhibit at the TallChief gallery, visited the spur collection at Security State Bank, talked with April Kelly about

her experiences during the filming of the movie, then went upstairs in the First National Bank Building to see the offices of the Drs. Shoun. A tour of filming sites on Fourth Street followed, with stops at the site of the house that was a stand-in for the Rita and Bill Smith’s house that was blown up; a visit to the front porch of the house that stood in for Mollie and Earnest Burkhart’s home, and a stop on the street in front of the recreated Catholic Church. A short road trip to the GrayHorse village was punctuated with stops to look at the llamas. The students saw

the dance arena and got to learn a little about the June dances. A lunch paid for by a local benefactor at Treats wrapped up the Fairfax experience. The little group then headed to Pawhuska, where they were shown the courthouse where the criminals were prosecuted, and got to visit the Catholic Church and its world-renowned stained-glass windows. One student summed up her trip here; “It’s so great that we learned a lot reading the book, but it’s great that we can come here and actually learn even more!”

The Way Things Were

The Fairfax Chief

Joe Conner Publisher

The Fairfax Chief • December 17, 1970

Carol Conner Editor

Enterprise s ue wilson

Ty Koch

Advertising

Luella Nabors

Business Manager

Monte Nabors Religion Editor

Sherry Stinson

Layout & Ad Design

Capt. James Plummer of Blythesville, Ark., spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Plummer. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Higgins and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Parker Higgins of Blackburn visited Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Dale Higgins and family. Mrs. Ted Plummer, Mrs. John Plummer, and Mrs. Bob Plummer attended a baby shower Sunday, given for Mrs.

spent the week in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Turner. On Friday night, the Turners and Mrs. Warren visited in Tulsa with Mrs. Ruby Hull. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Plummer of Stillwater spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Plummer. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Plummer and their daughter-in-law, Mrs. James Plummer of Blythesville, Ark., attended the annual Fun Club Christmas party held Monday night in the Ralston home of

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST Owen Hutcheson

Vannesa Asher

Candice Cason

Brooks, Cindy, and Mrs. Nellie Walker. Mrs. Joe Higgins attended a pink and blue baby shower given for Mrs. Peggy Waters of Edmond. The shower was held Saturday afternoon in the home of Mrs. Helen Blackburn of Blackburn. Mrs. John Plummer and Mrs. Bob Plummer shopped Saturday in Cleveland and visited with Mrs. Harv Hager. Shirley Breckenridge spent Saturday night with Cindy Brooks. Mrs. Joe Higgins and Mrs. Joe Parker Higgins of Blackburn enjoyed shopping

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

Education Story

THE

CLEVEL PUBLISHED IN CLEVELAND, P AW N E E C O U N T Y, O K L A H O M A SINCE SEPTEMBER 1919

75¢

ND MERICAN Wednesday

APRIL 7, 2021

Volume 101 | Number 40 1 SECTION, 20 PAGES

FIRST PLACE

Brandi Ball The Cleveland American “Road rage” SECOND PLACE

Graham Dudley

EASTER EGG HUNT

First Baptist Church of Cleveland hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt Wednesday evening, March 31 on the church grounds. Divided into family groups, the hunt found scores of children cheerfully running about picking up prize-filled eggs as family members cheered them on. NATASJA KEMP PHOTOS

Watonga Republican THIRD PLACE

Natasja Kemp The Cleveland American

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

BUS WINDOWS shot out on I-35 with students on board. See page 2.

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 3,500 – 7,000 & 7,000 – 19,000

Education Story

Noah Drew Honored As National Merit Scholar

Bethel Public Schools Superintendent Marty Lewis makes a presentation, which he said he had never done, as he honors Noah Drew as a National Merit Scholar during graduation on May 15. Drew is one of only 2,500 in the country with this designation. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

FIRST PLACE

Natasha Dunagan Countywide & Sun “Bethel senior receives standing ovation” SECOND PLACE

Justin Ayer Wagoner County American-Tribune

Bethel Senior Receive Standing Ovation As He Walks The Stage An accident in October 2020 left him wheelchair bound, but Noah Drew was determined to walk across the stage for his diploma.

By NATASHA DUNAGAN As he walked across the stage using a walker, one Bethel High School graduate got a standing ovation from the time he started until he received his diploma on May 15. “This community is the most supporting and loving community anyone could ask for,” said graduate Gabriel Davidson recently in an email interview. Before he needed help from a walker, Davidson played baseball and took power and technology in agriculture at Bethel. After graduation, he had planned to join the Air Force and then find a job in the welding industry “because I love to slap down some beautiful beads on some metal.” But all his plans changed on the night of Oct. 25 of last year. Davidson was a passenger in the car driven by a friend on their way to the community center. He said when they arrived and he got out, his friend did doughnuts in the parking lot. So Davidson got back into the car and told him to take him home. On they way, the roads were starting to become icy, and his friend was

speeding. “On Hardesty (Road), between Stevens (Road) and Angie Lane, there’s a hump in the road for a tin-horn to run under the road,” said Davidson. “He was exceeding speeds of 85 mph when we got to that hump. We then caught air and landed back on the road, but when we landed, he couldn’t control the vehicle, and we slid right into an electrical pole hitting my passenger door.” “The impact of us hit-

Congratulations Seniors!

Tecumseh Board of Education

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Congratulations Graduates!

ting the pole crushed the frame of the car onto my legs, pinning them, which resulted in me being stuck in the car,” he said. “I gave it my all to get myself unstuck, but it wasn’t enough.” The driver was ejected and thrown 10-20 feet from the vehicle and was unconscious. When he woke up, he realized Davidson was stuck in the car, which had begun to catch fire. Davidson told See Keep Pushing Forward...............on 12

Our Hope, Our Future, Our SENIORS! Ralph’s Pharmacy

598-3369 109 E. Walnut Tecumseh

211 N. Broadway Tecumseh

598-3729

ck Lu s! of at e u st Be rad G

Jordan Contractors

123 S. Broadway, Tecumseh, OK 598-2169

Beating the odds

Sand Springs headed to state semiﬁnals after defeating Del City. A9

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 19,000

‘Trying to he

Sand Springs Animal W Tulsa shelter amid dis

Education Story FIRST PLACE

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader “Living history lesson” SECOND PLACE

Art Haddaway

SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN PHOTOS, SAND SPRINGS LEADER

Early Childhood Education Center prekindergarten teacher Whitney Sanders shows students how a tribe’s medicine man might wave a medicine stick over ill tribe members while praying for healing.

Living history lesson Teacher’s passion fuels Native American Heritage Month study

Owasso Reporter

SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN

Sand Springs Leader

THIRD PLACE

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader Students in Whitney Sanders’ pre-K class pass around a papoose while listening to her presentation.

Prekindergarten teacher Whitney Sanders has a lot of reasons for having a passion to teach Native American history and culture, but one of the least-passionate reasons has to do with simple math. An estimated 2.8 million people in the country identify solely as American Indian or Alaskan Native, according to the Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, released late last year. Eight states had American Indian or Alaskan Native populations of at least 10,000 in 2019, but Oklahoma ranks third, behind only Arizona and California, the data show.

And the Census Bureau reported that Oklahoma’s Native population percentage in 2015-19 — 7.6% — ranked fourth in the country. “For me, especially since we live here in Oklahoma, these students are surrounded by Native people in their daily lives,” Sanders said. “And so I want them to know about the history of the people that they’re living around and also the modern customs and traditions that Native people still follow.” Sanders, a member of the Cherokee Nation who teaches a pre-K class of 21 children at Sand Springs’ Early Childhood Education Center, came by her interest in her Native heritage through her family. “I grew up with a grandpa who was full-blood Cherokee and an uncle who lived with me for a little while who very much knew the ways of our ancestors

Parade theme close to home ‘Joy of Giving’ means much to kidney donor, recipient

The grand marshals will be Carrie Schlehuber, the director of special education for Sand Springs Public Schools, and Susan Cox, a longtime friend of Schlehuber’s who donated a kidney to her in 2018. Schlehuber said she found out

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN

Sand Springs Leader

to-day life, but that changed in about 2015, when the cysts began to decrease her kidney function signiﬁcantly. By 2017, her kidney function was below 20%, prompting doctors to add her to the transplant list.

Please see NATIVE, Page A5

Sta ha cit da

City manag ‘a little blin COREY JONES

Tulsa World

For more tha Sand Springs C compiled a regu on local data tha leaders and gove cials in other Tu The Oklahom partment of Wednesday cut ZIP code data fe public despite th and state hea previous pledge parent with CO Oklahomans ca choices. Carter said hi broad policy-m cisions, even le minds and get v coronavirus. “As we’ve se have happened, people — being said. “I kind of that a lot of thi so I think havin helps people ma ZIP code and made public by t after it revamp

SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS

Education Story FIRST PLACE

Moira McGhee Miami News-Record “Double cast brings The Nutcracker to life” SECOND PLACE

Carolyn Boothe The Grove Sun THIRD PLACE

Carolyn Boothe The Grove Sun

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 30,000TAHLEQUAH

Education

DAILY StoryPRESS

SPORTS, SPORTS,1B: 1B:

THS track athletes go the distance at State One to gold: THS girls advance to state final

$2.00

Saturday/Sunday, March 13-14, 2021

FIRST PLACE

Brian King Tahlequah Daily Press “Local man’s racist remarks” SECOND PLACE

Adrian O’Hanlon

Local man’s racist remarks incite fury Livestreaming business owner Matt Rowan apologizes when comments about kneeling players go viral after basketball game By BRIAN D. KING

news@tahlequahdailypress.com

The leader of a Tahlequah crew livestreaming a video of the Norman High-Midwest City’s girls basketball game

Thursday night is apologizing for racial slurs and other foul language he directed at players who knelt while the national anthem was played before the game. Matt Rowan, who owns

the mic was hot, and said his blood sugar was low when he was “acting out.” The video was posted to Twitter Friday morning, and by midafternoon, it had circulated all over the country. On the video, Rowan is heard to refer to the players as “f****** n******.” He added, “I hope Norman gets their

OSPN Live, had been under contract to film the playoff games for the Oklahoma Secondary School Athletics Association. He said that when he made the comments about the players, he didn’t realize

BUILDING WOMEN

McAlester News-Capital

ass kicked,” and then “I hope they lose. C’mon Midwest City. They’re gonna kneel like that? Hell no.” Initially, the Oklahoman and the Norman Transcript had identified Scott Sapulpa as the announcer who made the racist slurs. Sapulpa, a See REMARKS, page 2A

Locals to get their Irish on for St. Patty’s Day festivities By SHERI GOURD

sgourd@tahlequahdailypress.com

THIRD PLACE

Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press

Grant D. Crawford | Daily Press

Petra Sustaita, left, and Winter Birdtail gauge pressure levels of HVAC unit at the Indian Capital Technology Center in Tahlequah.

Gender no longer a factor in construction work

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST By GRANT D. CRAWFORD gcrawford@tahlequahdailypress.com

construction workers are proving they have a role in

prospective professionals of the field.

ity is celebrating International Women Build Week.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 30.4 million U.S. residents, or 9.2 percent of the population, claimed Irish ancestry in 2019, and many more celebrate with them on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Kroner & Baer Pub, 200 N. Muskogee Ave., is gearing up for a festive event Wednesday. “We are always excited to get the community in the spirit of the different holidays, so we thought some Celtic music, Irish food, Irish beer, and Irish cocktails was the perfect way to do so,” said Chris Whytal, Kroner & Baer co-owner. “Also, last year, St. Patrick’s Day was the day we closed for the next two months. We are ready to put this behind us and get life back to normal.” From 6-9 p.m., the local Celtic band Bear Creek Troupe will be performing, and drink and food specials will be available. “We will have green beer, Danny Boi Irish Red on tap, Cabin Boys Kilkenny on tap, Guinness Stout on tap, and Guinness Harp on tap. We will be serving Black and Tans, Irish car bombs, Irish coffee, and for food, we will have the Hangry Baer Kitchen menu and the special of the night

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 30,000

Education Story

VOL. 126 NO. 204 ■ JOURNALRECORD.COM

Part of the

network

Addressing gender imbalance in tech fields

Another 15 Afghan Oklahoma City on 75, said Council on chapter (CAIR-OK)

FIRST PLACE

Kathryn McNutt

COURTESY PHOTO/CA

Afghan slowly into sta

The Journal Record “Addressing gender imbalance in tech fields” SECOND PLACE

Emma Keith The Norman Transcript THIRD PLACE

Michelle Charles

BY JANICE FRA The Journal Recor Mary Welch, 29, one of only four female students in the machining program, works in the Advanced Manufacturing Center at the Francis Tuttle Technology Center Portland Campus in Oklahoma City. The technology center is working to recruit more high school and adult women to male-dominated career fields with high demand and high wages. COURTESY PHOTO/FRANCIS TUTTLE

BY KATHRYN MCNUTT The Journal Record

OKLAHOMA CITY – Training for male-dominated career fields like engineering, construction, manufacturing, information technology and automotive can open doors to high-wage, high-demand jobs for women. The challenge often is getting them to see those careers as options for themselves. “We’re fighting the fight,” said Jennifer HaileEgbert, trade/industrial adviser at Francis Tuttle Technology Center. “We were not making the gains in enrollment, so we brought on Emma.” Emma Wright is a part-time nontraditional career adviser who works to recruit students into promising career fields where their gender represents less than 25% of the workforce.

INSIDE

Stillwater News Press

2 SECTIONS ■

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Wright said it’s slow going, but they have been picking up more men in the pre-nursing program. Sixteen of the current 205 students are male. Francis Tuttle’s enrollment numbers show 93% of health sciences students are female. The gender imbalance goes the other way for technical and industrial programs like automotive, carpentry, welding and precision machining, 92% male; information technology, 88% male; and the pre-Engineering Academy, 76% male. The Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development’s 2020-22 critical occupations list shows the state will need an additional 348 computer support specialists by 2025. With some college and no degree, they will make an average $21 per hour. Another 812 software developers with a bachelor’s degree will be needed Turn to GENDER » p12

«2»

State lawmakers, leaders study future of unmanned air systems Potentials of UAV and AAM systems and how they’ll fit into Oklahoma’s future were topics of discussion this week between lawmakers and industry leaders who took part in a forum held at the Capitol.

Augmented reality mural called ‘transformative’ to Tulsa’s downtown » p2 State addresses its ‘total mishmash’ criminal code » p3

News in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Perspectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A

Afghan refuge going to be a whil state’s economy. Another 15 we ing the communi 84 refugees have executive directo Relations, Oklaho “They’re not c other temporary understand it, th right to work,” th will require a cha Work authori 24 months, but t group. Over 120,000 lifted from Kabu operation earlier who helped U.S participated in h U.S. nongovernm based media outl Providing for charitable organi eligible for govern mental Nutrition Oklahoma Temp Soltani said. The U.S. Dep per person for im ing work authoriz

Turn to REFUGEES

CRUDE OIL

2021 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

IN-DEPTH REPORTING

COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS VICTORY - FINALLY

In-Depth Reporting

For the first time this season, the Northwestern Rangers won a football game. PAGE 10

PRSRT. STD. Permit # 5 Alva, OK 73717

Volume No. 81, Issue 3

Address Service Requested

Volume No. 83, Issue 9

Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, Oklahoma

October 28, 2021

Visit us online at northwesternnews.rangerpulse.com

MENTAL HEALTH

FIRST PLACE

Kaylea Brown, Devyn Lansden and Laney Cook Northwestern News “Mental Health Matters’” SECOND PLACE

Chris Becker The O’Colly

‘Changing the mindset’ Students and professors say stigmas on mental health are evolving, but more work is needed By KAYLEA BROWN Student Reporter

elby Jones was thinking of what would end if her life ended. She was tired and stressed about all the things that were going on in her daily life. Then something happened that made her mind start racing. She was alone at home, and the only sound she could hear was the constant ringing of her phone. Jones could hear a voice in her head that said: “Just do it. You won’t have to deal with this anymore if you just do it.”

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

ABOVE: Violet McGuire, center, is shown with her family. McGuire said she believes that having a support system is important for a person’s mental health. BELOW: Northwestern counselor Taylor Wil-

A series of stories by the Northwestern News examining how mental health impacts college students.

Jones’ thoughts were so overwhelming that she tried to take her own life. The phone was still ringing, but the only person Jones wanted to talk to was her mother. In a flustered state, Jones called her. After getting off the phone with her calm-sounding mother, Jones started having a panic attack. The next day, Jones’ family took her to the hospital. She was finally able to talk to someone about the feelings she had been holding onto. This was the day Jones received her diagnosis. On April 26, Jones was diagnosed with

Photo provided

son speaks with a Northwestern student in her office. This photo was staged, as the Northwestern News does not take photos of students in actual medical appointments to protect privacy.

severe depression and general anxiety disorder. One in 25 Americans have a serious mental illness, including depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mental health is an issue that affects every aspect of a person’s life, and stigmas about mental health can complicate the lives of people with mental health disorders. Jones’ story is that of a real student at Northwestern. The Northwestern News has changed her name in this story to protect her privacy. Experiences with mental health disorders vary from person to person. Jones is one of many people who struggled to receive a diagnosis. Jones said that, before she was diagnosed, she did not discuss her mental health with her family, especially her parents, because she thought they would not understand. See MENTAL HEALTH, Page 2 Photo by Kaylea Brown

NEWS Pages 2 & 3

EDITORIAL Pages 4 & 5

PROFILE Pages 6 & 7

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

FEATURE Page 9

SPORTS Pages 10 & 11

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

In-Depth Reporting FIRST PLACE

Brandi Ball The Cleveland American “CHS alumna on death row” SECOND PLACE

Graham Dudley Watonga Republican THIRD PLACE

Mike McCormick The Lincoln County News

PAGE

NEWS

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

THE CLEVELAND AMERICAN Published in Cleveland, OK 74020

CHS Alumna On Death Row Asks Trump To Be Her ‘Hero’ By Brandi Ball In a plea through her lawyers on Tuesday, Lisa Montgomery asked President Donald Trump to be her “hero” and commute her death sentence to life in prison. Montgomery is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection in Terre Haute, Ind. on Jan. 12, eight days before Trump leaves office and a new president takes the oath. The only woman on federal death row and the first woman to be executed at the federal level since 1954, Montgomery graduated from Cleveland High School in 1986. The case has gripped the nation in terms of its historical significance, but also because of the horrific crime Montgomery committed. Living in Kansas in 2004, Montgomery faked her own pregnancy, then traveled to Skidmore, Mo. and strangled an 8-months-pregnant woman and cut the fetus from her womb. Montgomery then returned home and pretended she had given birth to the baby herself. The child was recovered by the FBI the next day. Montgomery was convicted and sentenced to death by lethal injection in 2007. On Christmas Eve, a federal judge ruled Montgomery couldn’t be sentenced to death on Jan. 12 because a previous stay stemming from a Dec. 8 initial execution date still was in place until Jan. 1. The judge issued the stay after the defense attorneys contracted COVID-19 in November and were unable to complete clemency paperwork. He also said that to be rescheduled, the executioners are required to give a 20-day notice to the death row inmate before the person can be put to death. Last week, a federal appeals

of Justice on Montgomery’s behalf include United Nations ofﬁcials. “Our society doesn’t want to face the challenge of mental illness, but we have to, and Presi-

Lisa Montgomery execution. The preparation process already has begun, according to emails sent to the American by the Bureau of Prisons. President-elect Joe Biden, who will be sworn in at noon on Jan. 20, has mentioned in the past he will stop the death penalty at the federal level. “Announcing your opposition to the death penalty is not the same as saying you’re going to clear death row,” Montgomery attorney Kelley Henry said at a news conference on Tuesday, the Tennessean reported. “We don’t have any assurances. That’s why we’re asking now that President Trump to please hear our plea. He can be a hero in this case, he can be a hero for women who’ve been victims of sex trafﬁcking, and he can make a very public statement about the importance of ending stigmatization of mental illness.” Court documents say Montgomery is not only detached from reality with mental illness, but also was born with permanent brain damage, subjected to physical, mental and sexual abuse as a child and was forced into sex trafﬁcking as a teen by her mother. Advocates for the sentence to be commuted to life in prison say those factors should be considered when weighing whether to

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION 201 W. CaddoBETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

dent Trump can be a hero for those people if he chooses to,” Henry said. Attorneys noted on Tuesday there were 30 other executions set to be carried out before Mont-

gomery, but the DOJ moved hers ahead of the line in the fall as it scheduled several to take place before the new term of the presidency begins.

man Bryce Kindell, 17, after he was severely injured in a vehicle accident. Kindell was driving his truck on Toppers Road when his tire popped and he struck a tree, July 11. He was the only one in the vehicle. His mother, Katrena Kindell, is self –employed and funds are needed more than ever to help

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 3,500 – 7,000 & 7,000 – 19,000

In-Depth Reporting

Braden Lankford, 16, are raising money by any means necessary to help with the expenses. “It’s hit me really hard because we are pretty close. It’s been hard on me to watch him go through it and everything else,” Lankford said. Lankford said he is one of six people that fished with Kindell

nity to keep praying for the internal healing of his body. The community organized a cash donation booth at the Wagoner Farmers Market on Saturdays to raise funds. A go-fund me page was also created. As of July COURTESY: 22, $5,660 was raised out of their $7,000 goal. The fundraiser will Kindell (right) was driving his truck on Toppers R he struck a tree, July 11. end Saturday, July 24.

Fa re do

JUST

Wago

FIRST PLACE

Justin Ayer Wagoner County American-Tribune “Preservation versus cost: Roof needed at Wagoner’s historic Katy Depot”

JUSTIN AYER, WAGONER COUNTY AMERICAN-TRIBUNE

Wagoner Mayor Albert (AJ) Jones would be the first to say that the heart of downtown Wagoner was built off of the Katy Depot.

Preservation versus cost

Roof needed at Wagoner’s historic Katy Depot JUSTIN AYER

SECOND PLACE

Jerry Fink The Eufaula Indian Journal

Wagoner County American-Tribune

Wagoner Mayor Albert (AJ) Jones said it’s been anything but easy trying to rally the community around restoring and preserving the 125-year-old Katy Depot in downtown Wagoner. The biggest issue: some folks don’t want to pay for it. Jones said the depot badly needs a roof. It would be the next step in preserving the structure – the same, historic building where people from all walks of life came through, by train, to start their lives in Wagoner. But like any city-owned property, every project needs to get put out to bid. “That’s how you got around – the railroad. Whether they were coming from the east or west coast, they came through that depot,” said Jones. Jones would be the first to

COURTESY: ALBERT JONES, WAGONER MAYOR

“That’s how you got around – the railroad. Whether they were coming from the east or west coast, they came through that depot,” said Wagoner Mayor Albert (AJ) Jones. say that the heart of downtown Wagoner was built off of the Katy Depot. He adds, by an Act of Congress, Wagoner became the first incorporated city in Indian Territory in 1896 – the same year the Katy Depot was built.

Thanks to several fundraising efforts, the historic depot was moved back to downtown Wagoner in two pieces, June 24, 2020 after sitting vacant in disrepair at the corner of Highway 69 and the road to Whitehorn Cove. It

served as a restaurant for years with the two rail cars as décor items outside. The depot currently resides on West Cherokee Street and North Smith Avenue,

Ca tuni som com oner “B quen nom men out now er’s the g Sun Jo ager Mar ing a curi ther econ to st Sh econ and start – an char “W ther som feel and peop histo Jone Jo – an mar Th the ing, Stre buil 2017 Se win part ket. stan for Wag jure had Wag pies

Please see ROOF, Page A6

IN THIS ISSUE NEWS VIEWPOINTS OBITS CLASSIFIEDS

A2 A4 A6 A10

‘The Firebrand’ joined Coweta Chamber of Commerce for official ribbon-cutting

WAGONER TRIBUNE

twitter.com/WagonerCountyAT WagonerTribune.com

C21.com

PAGE A7

Don’t Settle for Aver Our Agents are Relent

918-48

13956 S. State Hwy 51, Cowet 8

95401 00122

Each office is independently owned and ope

“We Make America Better When We Aid Our People.”

$1.00

- E. L. Goodwin (1902-1978, Publisher 1936-1978)

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 19,000

FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021

Serving Metropolitan Tulsa Since 1921

THE POWER OF...

In-Depth Reporting

Volume 100 Number 27 12 Pages

FIRST PLACE

Victor Luckerson, Mary Noble, M. David Goodwin and Gary Lee The Oklahoma Eagle “Of Greenwood” SECOND PLACE

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader

About The Series: Of Greenwood “Of Greenwood,” is a monthly series of The Oklahoma Eagle that examines key legacies that helped to shape our community as the “Black Wall Street of America.” Our series receives support from Liberty Mutual Insurance. The Oklahoma Eagle is solely responsible for this content.

Black Wall Street business maven J.B. Stafford in his elegant office on Greenwood, circa 1908. His secretary is behind him. To the far left is O.W. Gurley, one of the founders of Black Wall Street. COURTESY OF THE COLLECTION OF PRINCETTA RUDD-NEWMAN

Greenwood’s Circular Dollar

By Gary Lee The Oklahoma Eagle

DOLLAR continued on A3

>> PHOTOS: Scenes of Greenwood and “The Circular Dollar Community.” A3 >>ONLINE: Read our first installment and watch our video essay, “Tulsa’s green legacy” at TheOklahomaEagle.net

THIRD PLACE

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader

Inside

A ‘path forward’ to buy Black again

GOOD NEWS

Olympian Kenny Monday to lead new prep wrestling program in Ohio Page A9

OPINION

Conservative assault on voting shows no sign of slowing down

LEFT: S.M. Jackson, owner of Jack’s Memory Chapel, with his family in front of the family business on Marshall Place, right off Greenwood. CENTER: The Choir of Evergreen Pentacostal Church in North Tulsa, circa 1934. Black Tulsans usually gave ten percent of earnings to the church. RIGHT: The Perrymans, Creek Freedman, were an influential family with major landholdings in early Tulsa. This picture was taken in front of their home, circa 1900. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE PRINCETTA RUDD-NEWMAN

TULSA RACE MASSACRE: NEW DETAILS

The mystery of Sarah Page solved

Page A7

By Gary Lee

NATION & WORLD

Ida B. Wells honored with a monument in Bronzeville

The Oklahoma Eagle

She and Dick Roland never had an affair. Sarah Page has been found. By now, the central role the white elevator operator played in the Tulsa race massacre is well known. In late May 1921, when Dick Roland, a Black teenaged shoeshine attendant, entered the elevator where Page worked at the downtown Drexel Building, a confrontation occurred. Whatever happened is unclear. But in reports in the white establishment press, the incident was dramatically overblown.

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST TheOklahomaEagle.net

Of Greenwood

Page A5

PAGE continued on A5

INDEX A2

Classiﬁeds

Sports

A10

Professional • Honest • Dedicated Staff

SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS

INSIDE: Father’s lessons, love for racing become business success

In-Depth Reporting Mustang News THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 • MUSTANGNEWS.INFO • 50 CENTS

FIRST PLACE

Haley Humphrey Yukon Review “Homelessness” SECOND PLACE

Staff El Reno Tribune THIRD PLACE

Dawnita Fogleman Woodward News

Home of Dolly Priest

Around Town Chamber looking for permanent building space While the chamber is looking for a permanent space, they are asking members for leads. If chamber members know of any land or available buildings within a one-mile radius of Mustang Road and State Highway 152, Chamber President and CEO Renee Peerman is interested in speaking with them. The chamber also wants to talk to businesses with an interest in long-term lease arrangements within a chamber building. Contact Peerman at 693-3086 or director@mustangchamber.com. Active Adults Center looking for donations The Mustang Town Center’s Active Adults Center is looking for possible silent auction items. For more information, call Patten at 376-1297.

Growing Need

Local church, city staff see high demand for rent, utility assistance By HALEY HUMPHREY

newseditor@mustangnews.info

Editor’s note: This is the third story in a fourpart series about homelessness in Mustang. The series explores limited services for people experiencing homelessness in the area, and sheds light to one man’s journey. While the Mustang City Council has not specifically addressed homelessness in the area, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department provides free showers to people. Four people used the showers inside the Mustang Town Center during February’s historic winter storms. During the Oct. 26, 2020 ice storm, about 30 people also used the showers. People can call Parks and Rec Director Jean Heasley See NEED, Page 5A

While the Mustang Town Center’s lobby was vacant Tuesday morning, the facility’s staff said many people, who may be experiencing homelessness, have sat at the tables. Some people have also remained in their cars in the center’s lot as well. Others come inside to escape inclement weather. Photo / Haley Humphrey

Proving that there’s hope Cardinal Point’s board member, domestic violence survivor shares story

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST By HALEY HUMPHREY

newseditor@mustangnews.info

In 1998, Oliver left with her daughter to return to living with her grandparents.

Council supports MPS’ bond at Tuesday meeting $10.9M bond package slated

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 30,000

In-Depth Reporting He killed his mother

FIRST PLACE

Montgomery Malone Weatherford Daily News “He killed his mother and says it was ‘God’s will’” SECOND PLACE

Denton Thomason and Angela Thomason Vinita Daily Journal THIRD PLACE

Derrick James McAlester News-Capital

and says it was ‘God’s will’

Montgomery Malone WDN City Editor

A historic jury trial ended Thursday as jurors were left to decide whether Dennis Ray Rigsby Jr. was guilty or not.

The jury found Rigsby guilty of ﬁrstdegree murder of his motherfollowing a four-day trial with evidence which proved a brutal death of Judy Mullin. Following the verdict, the jury recommended life without parole. The state presented an emotional

closing statement for jurors and spectators as Assistant District Attorney Brooke Gatlin explained what she found through evidence and testimony. The defendant interrupted Gatlin saying “I object” which led to Brent Rigsby, the defendant’s brother, to

yell at Dennis in front of the court and jury. This led to Brent Rigsby being dismissed from court. The defendant, later interrupted Gatlin again and he was dismissed as well.

•Please see Conviction Page 9A

Chamber to launch Christmas

Cash promotion Leanna Cook

WDN Lifestyles Editor

The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce is launching its annual Christmas promotion November 29. This year, the chamber is offering shoppers $10 in “Christmas Cash” for every $50 spent at participating retailers. Participants can redeem up to $50 in Christmas Cash every Thursday in December starting December 2 by bringing their receipts to the partnered businesses. For more information

about how to participate and for a full list of participating businesses, call the chamber at (580) 7727744 or visit the office at 210 W. Main St. in Weatherford. The chamber also is hosting the Miracle on Main Christmas Parade 6:30 p.m. December 3 through Towne Centre. The deadline to enter is November 29. Entry forms are available at the chamber office. Participants cannot include a live Santa Claus or throw candy to parade watchers.

Santa Claus

is coming to Towne Centre

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST The Weatherford Daily News is bringing Santa Claus to Towne Centre 6 p.m. Thursday, December 2 at McPhetridge

WDN also will giveaway ﬁve “Buddy Boxes” ﬁlled with holiday treats and Elf merchandise.

Montgomery Malone/WDN

◄ Angels have started appearing along East Main Street as part of Caring and Sharing’s Angel fundraising program.

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 30,000

Leaner cuisine

Days until

In-Depth Reporting A local food service is offering a meal prep subscription – the first of its kind in Enid.

3 Sections 22 Pages $2.00

Enid, Oklahoma

enidnews.com

October 24, 2021

SUNDAY

FIRST PLACE

Alexander Ewald Enid News & Eagle “City of Enid and its Kaw Lake water project” SECOND PLACE

Mindy Ragan Wood and Reese Gorman The Norman Transcript THIRD PLACE

Kim McConnell The Lawton Constitution

Promotion for Candy Cane Cash kicking off By Kelci McKendrick Enid News & Eagle

Tickets for the 18th annual Candy Cane Cash will become available on Monday at various local businesses. Designed as a local, shop-at-home promotion for the holidays, the annual promotion gives away $15,000 in total cash prizes to people who have shopped locally in Enid during the holiday season. Candy Cane Cash keeps local registers ringing during the holidays and represents nearly $5 million in holiday sales that stay in Enid each year. In the last 17 years, Candy Cane Cash has accounted for more than $80 million in local retail sales. “Candy Cane Cash helps keep our retail dollars local, which, in turn, benefits our retailers and our community,” said Jon Blankenship, president and CEO of Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce. From Oct. 25 through Dec. 7, merchants provide customers one Candy Cane Cash ticket for every $10 in purchases at their location. Customers are encouraged to ask for their Candy Cane Cash tickets when they make purchases from the merchants, which will have signage up to let customers know who the Candy Cane Cash merchants are. Customers collect their Candy Cane Cash tickets from more than 30 participating merchants and then organize their tickets for the big holiday event and drawing, which will be from 5-7 p.m. at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center on Dec. 7. Sponsors of Candy Cane Cash include the Enid News & Eagle, Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, Security National Bank, Enid

See CANDY CANE CASH, Page A3

Imminent domain City of Enid taking next steps in lengthy lawsuit over land for Kaw Lake pipeline By Alexander Ewald Enid News & Eagle

The city could be on the hook to pay millions for one of the final pieces of the Kaw Lake water pipeline puzzle. By next summer, the city of Enid could go to a jury trial in order to settle an eminent domain dispute for the first time, officials said, rather than pay a Garfield County landowner $2.755 million recently awarded as just compensation for his property. The award would be the largest the city’s ever had to pay to acquire a condemned property under eminent domain. However, city officials disagree with the amount, which is almost entirely made up of costs from a lease terminated during the city’s lawsuit that court-appointed commissioners determined last June. “We don’t think that award’s correct,” City Manager Jerald Gilbert said Thursday, so the city intends to go to mediation with the property owner over the amount — if that attempt fails, then go to jury trial. In order to build a 50-foot stretch located around the middle of the planned 70-mile-long raw water pipeline, attorneys for the city have been attempting to invoke eminent domain to acquire a perpetual land easement and a temporary easement northeast of Garber. Landowner Robert Anderson, an Enid resident, had refused to grant the city right of way to his 120-acre property, so the city filed a petition to condemn the property in district court a year ago. Anderson’s son, former state

Property owned by Robert Anderson is seen on Friday on the southeast corner of Lake Hellums Road and Sinclair Road, north of Garber, through which the Kaw Lake water pipeline is set to be built. (Billy Hefton / Enid News & Eagle)

Sen. Patrick Anderson, who Robert Anderson had initialhas been representing him in ly been offered $4,800 for the court, said the city has repeated- parcel located on his 160 acres, but this amount bally ignored his father’s requests to find an alterlooned to $2.755 milnate path for the pipelion after a solar farm company already leasline segment. “Instead, the city ing Anderson’s property of Enid chose to be a for future construction bully and force its way canceled its agreement, across my father’s proprather than also be sued erty through the process in condemnation. Patrick of eminent domain,” Anderson Three phases of Anderson said. electrical lines cross the ■ property, but no pipelines of gas The city’s legal actions or any other kind are located during the condemnation anywhere on Anderson’s acrelawsuit resulted in an award age, which he has owned for amount much higher than orig- 50 years. inal offers, according to both “He wants it to remain that the Andersons and June’s final way,” Patrick Anderson said. report from condemnation com- “It was uniquely situated and missioners. uniquely attracted to solar

farm use.” In May 2019 — a month after Anderson entered his lease agreement — he was sent a letter by Gilbert offering him $4,782.55 for the easements, rounded up to $4,800. The city’s land services agent Steve Smith then contacted Anderson two months later with the easement request, again offering $120 per rod for 39.85 rods. Located northeast of Garber, the proposed pipeline path would come within 100 feet of the intersection of Lake Hellums Road and Sinclair Road, then zig-zag across Anderson’s property — going across a creek, through a thicket of trees and up a hill of reportedly “highly

See CONDEMNATION, Page A5

Retiring fire chief 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER ‘thoroughly CONTEST enjoyed’ Sons and grandsons of the late Alfred Baldwin cut the ribbon at the corner of Pastor Alfred

2021 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

COLUMN WRITING

February 4, 2021

COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS

Column Writing FIRST PLACE

Jordan Green Northwestern News SECOND PLACE

Alison Malawey The Cameron University Collegian

NORTHWESTERN NEWS

PAGE 5

Editorial

Newspaper ink is in my blood The time is 3 a.m. After a JORDAN GREEN 13-hour day SAYS working on the newspaper, I’m finally in bed. People don’t understand how journalists “do it.” By “it,” I mean the oftenJORDAN GREEN times stressful work of writing stories, taking photos, editing stories, designing newspaper pages — and working long, late hours to get it all done. Sometimes, even I don’t understand how I stay up into the wee hours of the night writing about the day’s events and placing those words on the pages of a newspaper — especially when the metaphorical “going” gets tough. But every Wednesday night, I’m reminded why I love this job with all my heart. On Wednesday, the presses roll. The Northwestern News, Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s student newspaper, is printed by the Alva Review-Courier, one of Oklahoma’s finest family-owned newspapers. A talented staff of reporters, advertising workers, office workers, editors and photographers assemble this outstanding community newspaper three times a week. It’s one of the few newspapers left in this part of the country that has its own printing press. And a good one, at that — a Harris model. (I’m a Goss Community press lover myself, but Harris equipment is good.) Once a week, the Review-Courier staff share their presses and their labor with the News. Marione Martin, the Review-Courier’s editor and publisher, as well as Jack James and David Canaan, the paper’s pressmen, are three of the best press operators this side of the Mississippi. They don’t quit until the color registration is perfectly aligned, producing a shiny, vibrant, color-

Photo by Jordan Green

Copies of the Jan. 28 edition of the Northwestern News pass through the Alva Review Courier’s printing press on Jan. 27. The part of the press shown in this photo applies black ink to certain pages of the newspaper.

ful printed product for readers to enjoy. Marione, Jack and David are kind enough to put up with me when I ask to watch the press run. I usually ask to press the “Start” button. And they let me. Hitting that button is more than simply firing up a machine. For newspaper folks, pressing that button brings to life the work into which we pour our hearts. Newspapering is hard. Every day, we newspaperfolk do our best to figure out what people need to know about. Then we track down facts by interviewing people, reading documents (sometimes having to fight with government agencies to get them) and making our own observations as we witness events unfold — as we watch history flash before our eyes. We gather that information, and then we try to write it. This usually takes a few different attempts before a worthwhile story is told.

We’ll start writing, scrap the draft, and then start over. Sometimes, more than once. We keep working the story over for as long as we can. We’d take longer if not for deadlines. At some point, we have to finish our work and pass it on to an editor. The editor reads our work, tries to make sense of it, and then tells us where we screwed up — and how to do better in the future. This is an important step; a reporter is only as good as his editor, in my opinion as someone who does both jobs. Once the editor’s done with the story, it’s sent to a designer, who uses computer software to put the story on a digital copy of a newspaper page. The designer places photos and headlines on the page to go with the story, adjusting and readjusting all of these components over and over again until everything fits on the page. And finally, once all of that

work is done, the paper is printed. After hours and days of interviewing, writing, editing and designing, the paper is finally born. I’ve greatly oversimplified the process. When stories aren’t finished on time, when sources don’t communicate with reporters, and when computer programs go haywire, this becomes one heck of a stressful atmosphere. Normally, the work takes a long time — and it takes longer when the odds aren’t in one’s favor. One must love the art of newspapering to stay in this line of work for very long. That’s something I’ve learned in my three and a half years in the business. It’s hard, and some days, the work seems like it will never end. But the newspaper? It is my lifeblood. It is my source of joy, completion and fulfillment. It is my reason for living. This is my purpose in life: to inform people with fair, accurate, balanced information that can help them live better lives.

And to put those stories on the everlasting printed paper. That paper comes to life every Wednesday in one of the least glamorous — but one of the most glorious — ceremonies known to man. When the start button is pressed, loud rollers begin to spin. Paper begins to weave its way through the machine, passing over metal plates and round, rubber rollers covered with sticky, gooey ink until it finally reaches a sharp cutting blade, severing one copy of the paper from another. The machine speeds up. Press operators have to adjust it to make sure it’s printing properly. This takes a while, and until those adjustments — the registration — are literally right on the dot, the paper doesn’t look too spiffy. Eventually, however, everything is in order. And that colorful, wet, inky, sweet-smelling newspaper is ready to be read. I stand by the conveyor belt carrying the papers out of the machine. I pick up the first copy as it comes off the line. I feel the ink with my fingers, covering my hand in tones of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black — the four colors used in the printing process, also known as CMYK. I lift the paper up to my nose and take a deep breath. Newsprint has a distinct smell; mixed with ink and water, the aroma is more beautiful than the scent of a freshly-cut hay meadow in the springtime. All of the stress of the job melts away. I have reaped the reward for my work; I am clutching it in my bare hands. I close my eyes, and I take a deep breath. I smile. And I remind myself: Yes, I’ve got the best job in the world. Every Wednesday, my baby is born. The press brings it to life, and I am there, waiting to catch it. There is no sound purer, no smell sweeter and no feeling greater than the printing of a newspaper. I don’t bleed red. I bleed CMYK.

THIRD PLACE

Makenna Hill The Cameron University Collegian Photo by Jordan Green

Northwestern News Editor-in-Chief Jordan Green smiles as he holds a copy of the Northwestern News.

Photo by Jordan Green

Copies of the Jan. 28 edition of the Northwestern News zip through the Alva Review-Courier’s printing press on Jan. 27. The News is printed each Wednesday night during the semester.

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

The Fairfax Chief

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 2,000

PAGE 3 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2021

FAIRFAX, OKLAHOMA

Column Writing

Instagram = instatrouble?

FIRST PLACE

Bruce Hadden The Fairfax Chief SECOND PLACE

Deanna Maddox Yale News THIRD PLACE

Jyl Hobbs Mountain View News

Carol Conner T he FairFax C hieF

Teen’s lives are drastically different today from that many adults remember. Now, teens often spend many hours on social media – doubling or quadrupling the amount of time in their lives that they get feedback from others. We already know that social media increases anger, fear and misinformation – so its effect on teens can be horrific. Hearings on Capitol Hill focused on research the media giant Facebook has done itself on its impact on teens. Sadly, one in three teenage girls – many of whom already don’t feel great about their bodies – say that using the most popular app, Instagram, makes them feel even worse. Some of those bad feelings are so bad that, “Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression.” That quote comes from Facebook itself! Authors Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt in their book, Coddling of the American Mind, say that the mental health of kids aged 12 to 17 has decreased badly since social media has become available - and immediately accessible to kids - on phones. Girls’ rates of depression doubled between 2010 and 2019, according to research based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Even worse, suicide rates during those years doubled. But boys are affected too. The Wall Street Journal says that Facebook’s own research says 6% of Americans who use Instagram trace their desire to kill themselves to that source! With hearings and intense scrutiny from credible sources like 60 Minutes and the Wall Street Journal, the trillion-dollar company has at least scrapped plans to create an Instagram for even younger kids. Here’s what experts say you should take away from all this – if you are a parent, you should monitor how much time your kids are on Instagram – particularly if they have body image problems, depression, or suicidal ideas. Limiting kids time on their phones is useful too. A survey in 2016 said that less than half of parents talked to their kids about what they’re looking at on social media. But doing just that is really helpful to your kids – they need to know that you care and are interested. Dr. Devorah Heitner who wrote a book on the topic, “Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World” says that it is particularly important not to let your kids look at diet and exercise sites if they have body image problems. “They could, ‘clog up your feed’ and potentially encourage unhealthy thoughts or behaviors.”

The old red Ford feed truck Bruce Hadden GuesT C olumnisT

It never seemed to fail that during the coldest stretch of winter the heater on the old red Ford feed truck would go out. A window or two were usually down anyway, so the heater never accomplished much even when it was working. Bundled to stay out all day, after a couple of ax swings chopping ice, you were sweating and undoing buttons. Crawling back in the truck, the windows quickly fogged over in the close quarters, so down they came. Feeding cattle in a long oval, one person driving, the other emptying the feed sacks out the back end; when done you drove to one end of the circle then down the middle, each person counting the adult cattle by twos out their side of the truck. If the tally was off, you’d do it again, and a third time if necessary, all the while the windows down. By then if a cow was out, Dad knew which one it was: that old brindle-face cow, or the one with the down-pointed horn. We’d drive through the pasture to find her and drop off a little feed saved back for such an occasion. Then on to the next pasture or back to the barn for more feed. The truck was an early 1950s model, no bells, no whistles, no power anything. Two could sit comfortably in its cab. Three was one too many. Whoever was by the passenger door got to open and close all the gates. “Put your shoulder into it!” Dad would holler out the driver’s side as I leaned into a gate post, the attached wire stiff with cold. It didn’t hurt my feelings if someone else was along and I was scrunched in the middle. They got to open the gates for a change. I learned to drive in that old truck. By age 5 I was behind the wheel steering it across the feed grounds. Any old cow in my way got bumped, because I couldn’t reach the brakes or the gas pedal. Dad put the truck in low gear, jumped out and got in the bed of the truck to scatter the feed. When he hollered “Whoa!” I’d slide down the seat to reach the brakes. He’d hop back in behind the wheel as I scooted over. Then we’d start the count. Come to think of it, driving is not the only thing I learned in that old truck. I got to practice my counting skills. Matching the Ford were red stock

Photo by Sherry Stinson | THE FAIRFAX CHIEF

A circa 1950’s Ford truck, abandoned in the Osage countryside, has obviously seen better days.

racks that slid into the bed of the truck. Roomy enough to hold a cow or a couple of calves, maybe a bull if you were adventurous and your tires were in good shape, stock racks were common back in the day. Loaded up, the rear end of the truck nearly dragging the ground from the extra weight, off to a local livestock auction we’d go. Each time the animal in the back moved, the truck swayed. Approaching a stoplight, you’d slow to a rolling stop until it turned. Stopping sometimes gave the animal you were hauling ideas of jumping out. Pawnee’s livestock auction was Saturday, Blackwell was Monday and Newkirk on Friday with Jake Williams auctioneering. I learned early on the importance of sitting still. “You just bid!” Dad would caution me if I began to squirm while the auction was going on. My nose never failed to begin itching as soon as an old cow entered the auction ring, and just thinking if I scratched it, Jake might think I was bidding only made it itch more. There was always a buyer for Mauer Neuer of Ark City, sometimes for Daack or Braden Packing of Ponca City, each with their own style of bidding: a touch of the hat brim, or tugging an ear, sometimes just a simple nod, each style understated. Order buyers were there, too, filling orders, each having an assigned bidder number they used every week. Watching the crowd, it didn’t take long to figure out who the bidders

were, even if you hardly ever saw them bid. “Hup! Hup!” the spotter in the ring would shout out each time a new bidder came in, until finally Jake would say, “Sold to Number 16. Lookee here, boys! Look what’s coming in the ring!” “Heads up!” Sometimes the call would come from the back pens as a mad cow or wild steer was on its way, always guaranteeing a little excitement as it entered the ring, the workers in the ring quickly climbing out of the way. I never saw an animal climb out of the pen, but a few tried. There were several good reasons to sit up high in the bleachers of the auction ring, the prospect of a wild steer ending up in your lap being one of them. Another good reason has something to do with staying clean (the term “loose as a goose” comes to mind). And that I did see happen a few times. After whatever we had brought in cleared the ring, Dad would nudge me on the leg and we’d head to the lunchroom. Only open auction day, and decorated in early bunkhouse, it served the best hamburgers and homemade pie in town. Apple, peach, lemon meringue, chocolate, coconut cream, the pie was always ordered first, in case they ran out. By the time we finished, the auction clerk had Dad’s check ready, and we’d head home. What the check would be spent on was usually already decided: feed bills, propane, or maybe even fixing the heater on the old red feed truck.

Survive and thrive in COVID time Carol Conner

Pfizer is finishing up their research and will send info to the FDA, likely by the end of the month. In the past, it then will likely take another month before

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST The FairFax ChieF

Got COVID? You’ll soon have even

It appears likely that those who got the Moderna shot will soon be able to get a booster too. The booster shots raise immunity again. With the Delta variant

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

Column Writing FIRST PLACE

Rusty Ferguson The Cleveland American SECOND PLACE

MaryLee Meisner The Drumright Gusher THIRD PLACE

John Small Johhnston County Sentinel

Page

VIEW FR

Wednesday, november 10, 2021

by Rusty Ferguson I like to consider myself a patriotic person. I appreciate our country and the freedom it offers. I respect the men and women whose courage has made freedom not a dream, but a reality; whose sacrifice has made democracy not a concept, but away of life; and whose spirit and dedication have made us an enlightened nation. While I may think of myself as patriotic, I realize I fade in comparison to the men and women of our armed forces. For, you see... I may have graduated from a university, but I never attended one day of boot camp. I may wear red, white and blue with pride, but I never donned uniforms of camouflage green or khaki. I may fly my flag proudly from my door post, but I never carried it through a jungle or across a desert. I may write thought-provoking speeches and stories on the importance of patriotism, but I never wrote a letter home from the trenches. I may have given the names “Liberty” and “Lincoln” to two of my children, but I never left them to march off to war. I may decorate a room with festoons of stars and stripes, but I never had walls made of canvas. I may enjoy the freedom our country offers, but I never put my life on the line to protect that freedom. It is with complete sincerity that I thank our active soldiers and military veterans and offer them my respect and admiration. Thursday is Veterans Day. Remember the price of freedom — it’s more dear now than ever. USPS # 117-580 THE

CLEVEL

ND MERICAN 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 Vol. 102 No. 19

SCRIPTU FIGHT A

Dear Editor, Historical dated back to structed Mos ture contains taken to have For examp masks, and N clothes, and h

Medical

8 Weeks/ Wed/Janu 6:00pm –

Medical

8 Weeks/$ Wed/Febru 6:00pm – 9

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 3,500 – 7,000

By Tom S

Column Writing

Courtesy photo

The Marshall County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on January 26, 2021 to welcome Tender Care Home Health to the chamber.

Megan’s Must Reads By Megan Moss

FIRST PLACE

Megan Moss The Madill Record SECOND PLACE

Charles White The Madill Record THIRD PLACE

Renee Fite

NOW OPEN

The Stilwell Democrat Journal

Baked & Bronzed Tanning Salon 109 Plaza • Madill Fully Remodeled 12 Available Beds

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What if you were offered a chance to be royalty? In The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, we follow an orphan boy named Sage, who has been offered just that. Conner, a nobleman, is seeking to buy orphan boys who look like the long-lost prince of Carthya, in an attempt to take the crown for himself. Sage and three others are bought and taken back to Conner’s home, where they are trained and shaped to fit the exact appearance of Prince Jaron. Although Sage fails miserably at everything Conner throws his way, the other boys might just have a chance at being Conner’s Prince. In this book series, it follows Sage on his journey through lies and deceit, in a chance to become The False Prince. After reading The False Prince, you're sure to come back for the sequel. Jennifer Nielsen wrote the first book in the series early 2012, and published the last book in October of 2020. With only four books in the series, The Ascendance Trilogy has gained much praise, and many nominations for awards. The False Prince became The New York Times best seller in April of 2013. The False Prince is also the winner of the 2013 Middle Grade Fiction Award from AML (The Association for Mormon Letters). Paramount Pictures even bought the movie rights to this series only a few months after the first book was published. It’s clear that with this much praise, the book has to be good. The Los Angeles Times

called The False Prince “A swashbuckling origin story. Sage is a quick wit, and Nielsen showcases it with terrific dialogue chock full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys.” The Hollywood Reporter claimed it was “More Harry Potter (minus the magic) than Hunger Games. With authentic characters, a convincing sense of danger and a genuinely high-stakes plot.” After reading the novel series for myself, I’ve concluded that some of their reviews are right. The False Prince is so well crafted, and so unique in the way that it is similar

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

to other series such as The Maze Runner, and The Hunger Games, but also completely different to them in the way that it’s not the same story again on repeat. Although it is a bit of a reader, with the series being four books and all, once you sit down and read it, it’s impossible to put down.

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BCF: Even Cheryl Ehmann

Well, we’ve headed into 2021 with a new president, a

cover and humid one is planned weather permit definitely look mu

OPINION

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 7,000 – 19,000 more than 19,000 The&Oklahoma Eagle GUEST COMMENTARY

EDITORIALS

Column Writing FIRST PLACE

Dawn Tree

North Tulsa didn’t destroy itself; certain people did and still are

he pawns in the city keep the so-called Kings and Queens sitting high. I’m referencing to chess by the way and the city I speak of is Tulsa. I believe they themselves believe by puppeteering they, too, are somehow Kings and Queens themselves. The Kings and Queens could be classified as local, city, state officials or anyone in a leadership position who are Anglo-Saxon if you will. The pawns I am referencing consistently seem to be a handful, maybe a couple handfuls of Black leaders. Tulsa is yet another city surrounded by systematic oppression that has destroyed the black economy base, period—from the destroying of In Texas, 666 new laws went into effect Sep. 1 passed by the Republican-led state Legislature in the 2021 regular session. OFFICE OF GOV. Greenwood in 1921 to urban removal or renewGREG ABBOTT al as they like to call it, to current information suppression and outright discriminatory decision making. One lucky Negro may make it to the league, the Olympics or as a Mary Kay rep, etc... all the while seriously jumping high and low for white f there was a way to turn back to the whitest least progressive times in history, Texas found it in power structures. I try to understand but I just signing the voting restrictions into law. Think about that, a state just voted to make voting less can’t. They attain wealth, and then keep quiet, accessible, more difficult and more time consuming to address a problem that never happened. make money moves, possibly benefiting others But, make no mistake about it, this law is meant to keep Black and brown people from voting. in the Black community, but most times they Political trends are pointing to significant Democrat gains and more progressive attitudes. Since don’t. Republicans have no interest in expanding their base, they are left with stopping the vote with lead Throw your hands up and say, “well you can’t pipe cruelty. fault everyone who plays along with the system in order to make it.” To that statement, there are Texas Republicans felt like they had to do something, defeated President Donald J. Trump only carried the state by 5.5 points, or the smallest margin of victory by a Republican presidential certainly integral ways of making achievements. Oklahoma seems to have a serious problem candidate in years. Adding to the Republican trip into the dark ages was the signing of a new law mismanaging funds. For instance, Gov. Kevin banning most abortions. This continues the Republican war on women who voted for President Joe Biden who pulled 53 percent of the Texas female vote in 2020. Black voters in Texas supported Stitt purchased $2 million worth of malaria drugs at the top of the pandemic because our Biden with 89 percent of the vote. Hispanic voters favored Biden with 69 percent of their votes. Texas is growing progressively multicultural every day, and the GOP is working to stop them from previous President Donald Trump said it was a good idea. Those very drugs are sitting in a voting in any way possible. warehouse somewhere. The drug was never Texas Republican leaders don’t just want people of multicultural people not to vote and for proven treatment for the virus, according to the women to have no control over their bodies, they also oppose any attempt to stem the rising numTulsa World. bers of Texans infected with the coronavirus pandemic. No surprise Texas suffers the worst rates What truly prompted this article was the roll by a huge margin with an average rate of 19,894 infections per day. Florida, another state trying out of the Kirkpatrick Heights/ Greenwood to please Trump by not helping their citizens is a distant second with 8,783 daily cases. Both state Master Plan on Aug. 17. Mayor GT Bynum, hospitals are filled to capacity, and new patients have to be shipped out of state. Texas Republihimself, said he chose “leaders” who care about can Gov. Greg Abbott is a recent victim of coronavirus, and it has not dulled his self-destructive Greenwood to oversee the plan for 56 acres of approach to Texas problems. land in and around Greenwood. However, Texas is finding its draconian laws under threat from at least three lawsuits over These individuals include District 1 City

The Oklahoma Eagle SECOND PLACE

Texas returns To Jim

Allie PraterCrow era and other errors

Cushing Citizen

THIRD PLACE

Art Haddaway

Owasso Reporter

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

KOTV Channel 6 interview. The major redevelopment company chosen was Wallace Roberts & Todd, an urban planning-design and architectural company based out of Philadelphia with a majority of its principles being white and not Black. Leaving me to see Dawn Tree this leadership committee and District 1 city councilor has no say at all. So, what is the point of having a committee? To make you think they are doing the right thing, is all I can come up with. Project goals include preserving and celebrating the legacy of Black Wall Street and the spirit of Black entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable infill economic development that builds on the once-thriving commercial districts. Welp, they’ve barely even started, and it appears they have missed the mark. Eleven Black leaders and one mayor, now who confirmed this move. In the game of chess, there are eight pawns, so this game called real life has four more pawns. Just four more pieces set to protect the King and Queens. Bear with the analogy for a moment. In chess pawns cannot move backwards, so one must think poignantly about the move. No pawn can ever take out a King by the way. I am highly concerned with this leadership committee if this is their first move. I question the intent and motive. Is it merely to show face as a buffer saying this is for the Black community in hindsight all the funding set aside for this is being funneled into the hands of already well-established white companies that aren’t even residing in the state, let alone the city? How in the world does this promote sustainable economic development, it should start at the root and base of the project. There literally is no other way. Anything else is modern day economic lynching. I can hear them now, “Get your robes and nooses Johnny it’s that time

SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS

Column Writing 4A ◆ OPINION

FIRST PLACE

Michael Pineda Yukon Review SECOND PLACE

Andy Morphew The Duncan Banner THIRD PLACE

Tamara Gregor The Duncan Banner

Yukon Review

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

The five Christmases of 2021

Several years ago, when Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon were at the height of their acting careers, they teamed up for the movie “Four Christmases.” The comedy was about a couple forced to visit family during the holidays and the associated hijinks. My personal favorite part was a scene where the couple was roped into playing Mary and Joseph during a church service. While there was nothing nearly as entertaining about the past weekend, my wife and I had our own version of the movie with five Christmases over the course of two days. Like the movie, our plans began as something different but circumstances beyond our control forced us to reverse plans and make some lemonade from the lemons we were dealt. The journey began Christmas Eve with a trip back to dear old Stephens County. Along the way we stopped in Tuttle to see my brother and his family. The highlight of the trip was a beauty salon kit to make perfume and bath bombs. My niece absolutely loved it and pointed out how good we were at knowing what she wanted. To be honest, Bonne deserved the credit on that one. The last time I

headed up a gift for one of the little nieces, I picked out a hand mixer. To my credit, it was warmly received. From there we visited my other brother’s family outside of Comanche. I was truly excited to include a bottle of Macho Aftershave for my brother. Macho is kind of like Brut’s unwanted cousin. It is typically worn when you lose a fantasy football rivalry game or another situation in which there must be consequences for failure. As a sidenote, one time my brother found an antique bottle of Macho online in a special bottle. He gave it to me at the church right before I was to be married. Subsequently, all the groom’s men and I liberally applied some Macho for the wedding. My wife is a lucky gal. The final stop of the Stephens County leg was with the parents. It has been a rough couple of weeks for my father who has been

battling an illness. He is susceptible to additional illness, so we canceled plans to have Christmas with him in fear of making him sicker. But we were able to bring presents by. My parents sat on the porch as we kept our distance and we exchanged presents and visited. To be honest, those 30 minutes or so was the best gift I could have received. Stress was replaced with laughter, and it quickly became apparent the presents were just an excuse to make the trip and visit. On Christmas Day, we reloaded the car and headed out for Tulsa to Bonne’s parents. Despite a later than expected start, we made it in time for lunch and enjoyed some smoked ham from a place called Smoking Sisters out of Wagoner. Based on their work over Thanksgiving and Christmas, I would highly recommend them for those ever in that neck of the woods. Every year, my in-laws find some thoughtful presents and this year was no different. We have some great pieces to display next year during Christmas as we transform our home into a holiday wonderland. We also enjoyed the company of

Uncle Steve, who made a friend out of Bella. Word is, he was feeding the human dog green beans well after Christmas lunch. The fifth Christmas came later that evening with a quick visit to Bonne’s grandmother. Bonne is blessed in that both her grandmothers are both over the age of 90 and enjoyable to visit with. In this case, Bonne’s grandmother always wants to know if I am treating her well. She also has a fourlegged friend named Gracie, who I am always excited to see. This year, after playing with Gracie for a bit I watched Gordon Ramsey jack up a perfectly good holiday meal with Brussel sprouts and blood pudding while Bonne and her grandmother visited. After a bit, we returned to the in-laws for some ham sandwiches. After fortifying myself with one of the heavily caffeinated coffee drinks, we hit the road and went back home full of memories of a wonderful Christmas holiday. Hopefully, you can look back and feel the same. Michael Pineda is the managing editor for The Yukon Review. He can be reached at mpineda@theyukonreview. com.

Addressing Oklahoma’s workforce shortage in critical need areas Evidence of a workforce shortage is everywhere. Placing an online order to finish Christmas shopping last week, I was notified the company could no longer give an exact shipping date, due to workforce and supply chain issues. Unfortunately, this problem is bigger than possibly not getting a family member’s Christmas present delivered before Dec. 25. This workforce shortage is affecting our health care, students in our classrooms and many other sectors of society. We must get a handle on this if we want to thrive and make Oklahoma the Top-10 state we all believe it can become. The Legislature can start by looking at three critical areas where shortages existed pre-pandemic: nursing, teaching and engineering. Nursing goes without say-

ing. Every person in this country is aware of the shortage and the challenges it has caused. During multiple spikes in the pandemic, there were Oklahoma hospitals that had physical bed space yet were unable to take additional patients because they lacked staff. The bright side is that based on public testimony at our American Rescue Plan Act Health & Human Services hearings, we have enough students interested in nursing to address this shortage. We just don’t currently have the capacity at our postsecondary institutions to train them all. Annually, Oklahoma is only graduating half as many students in our colleges of education as we have teachers retiring. This

is according to a recent Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency report. Simultaneously, only half of these graduates are staying in the profession more than five years. With our colleges of education graduates only meeting 25% of the demand five years post-graduation, our K-12 education system cannot possibly function without alternative and emergency certified teachers. It is imperative that we support alternative and emergency certified teachers while also increasing the number of education graduates. Within the last decade, the aerospace sector surpassed all but oil and gas to become the second largest industry in Oklahoma. This diversification of our state’s economy has been a goal of Oklahoma legislators for several gener-

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ations now. However, the energy and aerospace industries – as well as many others – are going to have a difficult time growing in our state if we do not have adequate numbers of engineering graduates from Oklahoma universities. As a state we must to do a better job of not only increasing interest in STEM careers, but also of providing tutoring and other services so that all students with an interest and ability to be engineers have the tools necessary to get across the finish line. There are certainly other shortage areas that could be addressed – IT jobs, plumbers, truck drivers, etc. – but tackling these first three is a good start. A quality health care workforce is essential to provide the quality of life

necessary for our citizens. Without enough skilled K-12 educators to properly train the next generation, it makes addressing all other shortage areas all but impossible. Without enough engineers, our state will not be able to become the Top-10 state we strive to be. These problems are not unique to Oklahoma, but that doesn’t mean we cannot come up with unique solutions to address them. In closing, I will share a quote from my good friend Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols: “No one is dying because we don’t have enough political science graduates. But they are due to a lack of nurses.” Kyle Hilbert serves District 29 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes parts of Creek and Tulsa counties.

THE ADA NEWS • Tuesday,

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Column Writing

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Magical moment

Roff’s Wil Joplin accepts the first-place tr Steve Kile after the Tigers defeated Stone SRT Tournament title game.

Relentless d hot Simo Roff title

FIRST PLACE

Jeff Cali

Lady Tigers Coleman in girl

The Ada News

By Jeff Cali | Spor

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Richard Barron The Ada News THIRD PLACE

Kim Poindexter Tahlequah Daily Press

Wes Edens | For The Ada News Stonewall senior Clayton Findley accepts the runner-up trophy for his team Saturday night at the 2021 SRT Tournament in Roff.

It was a night Findley and his fans will never forget Saturday night at the 2021 SRT Tournament in Roff was about much more than basketball. It was about sportsmanship, love, admiration and support. It was evident before the title game between

JEFF CALI Sports Editor

Pontotoc Conference rivals Stonewall and Roff that things were going to be a little different than just a normal basketball championship contest. Roff, the home team, was introduced first.

Then, when it was time for Stonewall’s starting lineup to be announced, senior Clayton Findley’s name was called out last. The planned introduction reversal was to honor and show support to Findley, who lost his mother (Tonya Taylor) in a UTV accident the Sunday before.

The senior SHS leader gave high-fives to each Roff player after his name was called before heading to center court, to join his teammates. It all happened during a standing ovation by the crowd inside the Roff gymnasium. SEE FINDLEY, PAGE B4

Ponca City shoots past Ada at 2021 Titan Classic

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST By Jeff Cali | Sports Editor

ROFF — The Roff Tigers used a smothering defense and the hot hand of Coby Simon to surge past Pontotoc Conference rival Stonewall 55-28 Saturday night in the finals of the 2021 SRT Tournament in Roff. The Tigers, ranked No. 2 in Class B, improved to 16-1 on the year, while Stonewall fell to 8-7. In the girls championship game, the host Lady Tigers but a double-digit third-quarter lead before holding off Coleman 33-28. Roff,

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Coming Wed

• Both Byng basketball te at their own tournamen Byng Winter Classic.

• The Latta Lady Panther championship at The Wa 2021

• Both Allen teams fared County Basketball Tourn nee.

• Vanoss edged Dale in a two girls basketball heav Cashion County Line Tou

These stories had to be d time and space limitatio

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David R. Stringer The Lawton Constitution

L O C A L C O L UM N

Lebby is the wrong man for the job

ast weekend, the University of Oklahoma made a hire we commended and celebrated. This Friday, OU made a hire that signals, yet again, that the university seems to value winning football games over character. OU announced Friday afternoon that it will officially hire Jeff Lebby, who comes straight from Ole Miss, as its offensive coordinator. Lebby is talented, no doubt — he’s done big things for the Rebels’ offense and has won awards for his work. But Lebby, the son-inlaw of disgraced former Baylor Coach Art Briles, also spent years in the coaching program of a university that ignored the culture of rape and assault that festered among its football players. Lebby was at Baylor for eight seasons as an assistant coach during that time. It’s unclear the extent of what Lebby knew about what was happening in his then-program. But a lawsuit from a former Baylor student alleges Lebby had direct knowledge that a player had assaulted her,

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Boren and Joe Castiglione looked at a video of a man Emma Keith breaking Transcipt editor a woman’s @emma_ckeith jaw and cheekbone and decided that the worst he deserved was one year away from football. Later, Sooner fans learned that the university’s background check process had somehow missed the two domestic violence arrests on wide receiver Dede Westbrook’s record before OU recruited him. The information, dug up by The Tulsa World, revealed the cracks in OU’s vetting process. That same vetting process was not thoroughly explained in Castiglione’s statement announcing Lebby’s hiring Friday. The athletic director said OU “completed a thorough review and background check” on Lebby, and that his former employers spoke highly of him. Castiglione did not mention any facts that dispute the allegations against Lebby at Baylor, or his defense of Briles. The university can’t send

NAT I O NA L C O L U

Chris Ch

EW BRUNS N.J. — The N Jersey politic is simmering trucule between brawls. Ch Christie, the state’s f mer two-term Repu governor, indicates — words and, as impor his demeanor of sur pugnacity — that he spoiling for a ﬁght. He is brimful of co iveness, even when,

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Elm Street as they work on the First Natio all grab a piece of the renewed energy th spring, sunshine and a shiny new TallChie To see more photos of the sign raising, this issue.

Charges WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500 in chase Three felonies and a misdemeanor were filed recently against a Cushing man following a pursuit in Lincoln County that reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Lincoln County deputies arrested Tyler Zachary Zane Flint, 22, and booked him into the Lincoln County Jail in Chandler. Formal charges were filed in Lincoln County District Court on June 25. He is accused of possession of a firearm after former felony conviction, possession of firearm during commission of a felony and possession of a stolen vehicle, all felonies. He also faces a single misdemeanor count of eluding/attempting to elude police officer. Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk set a $10,000 bond and Flint appeared before her on June 28. The matter was further set for a pre-preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. on July 1. Judge Kirk on July 1 ordered him to return to court on the matter at 1:30 p.m. July 8. According to a probable cause affidavit, the pursuit started in Payne County when Cushing police were chasing after Flint but had lost him just outside of their jurisdiction. After the vehicle driven by Flint went out of control and struck an embankment, Flint began running from the pickup truck. He was arrested a short time later after deputies and members of the Special Operations team closed in on him.

COVID cases continue climb MIKE McCORMICK Staff Writer

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Kimberly Jenkins Watonga Republican

There’s been a double digit jump in new positive COVID-19 cases in Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties since the last report, Oklahoma State Department of Health figures show. However, no new deaths have occurred in either county during that same period, according to the OSDH. The OSDH recently began reporting the breakdown of deaths and new cases on a weekly basis rather than daily. The agency has stated the reason is because of the decline in COVID-19 cases. The agency is releasing that information

on Wednesdays so the most recent numbers provided here are from June 30 since this week’s edition went to press Tuesday night, July 6. There have been 131 deaths in Pottawatomie County attributed to COVID-19. Lincoln County has 72 reported deaths. The number of new positive tests in Pottawatomie County rose by 21 and in Lincoln County they increased by 15, according to figures provided by the OSDH. Between the two counties, the number of positive tests jumped by 36 from the most recent report by the OSDH. The previous report had that number increasing by only 7. Lincoln County’s latest number is 3,281. It

was 3,266 at the last report. The number of people testing positive for the virus in Pottawatomie County now stands at 8,430. Last report it was 8,409. The total number testing positive in the two counties now stands at 11,722. Total number of people who have recovered in the two counties is now 11,469, the OSDH said. In Pottawatomie County, 8,274 have recovered and 3,195 have recovered in Lincoln County. The OSDH reported as of June 30 statewide, 457,490 people have tested positive, there have been 7,388 Oklahoma deaths. Active cases stood at 1,933. The OSDH has stopped reporting total number of recovered statewide.

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Vehicle Sale

1998 Yamaha Vin # JY44UHW07WA036 Contact: Mary Ashwoo (918) 227-3542 Sale Date Feb. 12, 2021 ar 9:

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THE WIZARD OF OZ Freeland Center for the Performing Arts February 18-20, 2021 7:00 p.m

Additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday Adults $10 Students $5 Teachers, firefighters, police, medical workers and Veterans $8 Due to the pandemic, seats are limited. Purchase your ticket in advance.

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NORTHWESTERN NEWS

October 21, 2021

2021 HOMECOMING

Like a boomerang, Homecoming comes back After 2020 pandemic hiatus, annual event returned with familiar scenes and smiles

FIRST PLACE

Devyn Lansden Northwestern News “Alondra Salas, Miss Ringwood” SECOND PLACE

Photo by Jordan Green

Joshua Cleary

ABOVE: Northwestern students Braylon Bradt, shown on the steer, and Jeff Cher-Aime, shown walking the camel, participated in the Northwestern Homecoming parade in downtown Alva on Oct. 9. Bradt’s family owns a local petting zoo where the animals reside.

The O’Colly

Miss Oklah

LEFT: Maria Sosa, Miss Laverne, speed paints Elvis Presley for her talent in the Miss Cinderella pageant Oct. 8. Sosa placed in the Top Five in the pageant.

THIRD PLACE

BELOW: Northwestern track and cross country team members march in the Northwestern Homecoming parade in downtown Alva on Oct. 9.

Jashua Orndorff

The Cameron University Collegian

Photo by Devyn Lansden

ABOVE: Alondra Salas, Miss Ringwood, center, smiles after she discovered she won the Miss Cinderella pageant on Oct. 8. LEFT: Rowdy Ranger, the university’s mascot, flashes his Ranger guns while riding in an open-top car during the Homecoming parade Oct. 9. BELOW: Justyce Wilson, Miss Woodward, does ballet for her talent portion in the Miss Cinderella pageant. Wilson placed second in the pageant.

Photo by Devyn Lansden

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Touring students learn history

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–Page 3

News Photograph VOL. 117 N0. 20 USPS NO. 184-040

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$1.00

December

FAIRFAX, OKLAHOMA

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Dancers Delight!

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FAIRF

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BARTLES

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17th-19th W Wonderland o 5-9 PM, Woola um & Wildlife

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Osage Coun Department Wal for Flu and Cov (age 5 +) includ Mon.- Fri. 8-11 AM call for appointme

Photo by Owen Hutcheson | THE FAIRFAX CHIEF

Pawhuska’s Dance Maker cast for the Nutcracker gather for the crowd’s applause at the end of another successful performance at the Constantine Theatre.

21st Christma begins for Ho Public School AA Big Book M every Tuesday Thursday, 8 P Friends Road Monday-Frid Citizens Lunc 12 PM, Driveand Call Ahea Senior Citizen

PAWHU

Please with local presents 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST Carol Conner

gifts with local flavor are books about Fair-

Photo by Carol Conner | THE FAIRFAX CHIEF

The family of George W Pease III gathered at the dedication of the new George W. Pease Technology Center at GrayHorse.

20th Christm begins for Paw Public School AA Meeting Thursday, 7:3 1228 S Pecan (918) 440-964 COVID-19 Va Clinic, Wah-Z Health Center AM-4 PM, Mo Wednesdays

dead at the scene. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Murphy’s vehicle, a 2013

pouring in from colleagues and friends. In a phone interview in May, 2019, Venable, a 1995 graduate of Checotah High School, stated he once aspired to be an opera singer. But instead of standing in the spotlight on stage somewhere singing like Pavarotti, he chose to be out of sight of the audience. That was the beginning of his voice making a name for himself performing voiceover

are in both the Pokémon Detective Pikachu video game and the movie. Before pursuing a voiceover career, Venable was serious about opera. He started vocal lessons the summer of 1994, just before starting his senior year at Checotah High School. His first private coach was Richard Sutliff, a popular performer on the Tulsa opera music scene.

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

Checotah Photograph News man dies in SEE CRASH, PAGE A2

SEE PASSES, PAGE A2

COURTESY PHOTO

Brad Venable

single-car FIRST PLACE accident

Marguerite Jean Gawf McIntosh County Democrat dies Schmitt A 21-year-old Checotah resident died in a single-vehicle accident near Eufaula in the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 10. Ramone Jackson, 21, was pronounced dead at SECOND the scene PLACE of the 2 a.m. crash. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the fatality took place on Country Road North South 4240 at County Road East West 1140, THIRD PLACE three miles north and three miles east of Eufaula. Jackson was westbound in his 2013 Chrysler 300

“House fire”

Lily Huff

JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

Marguerite Schmitt, 91, passed away on Jan. 6, but her spirit will live on in the brick and mortar of the Eufaula Memorial Library which owes much to her for its existence. She was librarian for 13 years, from around 1980 until 1993, and helped spearhead the drive to raise almost $400,000 to construct a new building at its present location, 301 S. 1st Street. Before the new building came along, the library was a haphazard affair – once located in a small, cramped building west of Main Street and then in the cavernous Armory on Memorial where she and her

The Lincoln County News

Brian Blansett

The Lincoln County News SEE ACCIDENT PAGE A2

SEE SCHMITT, PAGE A8

Walmart closed for 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST special

STAFF PHOTO | JEAN GAWF

On Wednesday, January 6, part of Checotah’s history went up in flames as the historical home built by the first pharmacist in Checotah, Herman D. Kniseley, caught fire around 3 p.m. Local firefighters diligently fought the flames at the corner of 2nd and Park but could not save the home. No one was injured during the ordeal. Read more about the history of this home in next week’s edition.

Times

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Week

Elem pad by c

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BY KEVIN

editor@altu

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Kevin Hilley The Altus Times Kevin Hilley | Altus Times Cookies and Carols, a performance by the BluHarmonix vocal group of AHS, gave one of its ﬁrst performances of the holiday season, as a grand opening of the freshly reopened Clifford T. Peterson Cafeteria.

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Cafeteria

The issu was the su working se tus City C day, Dec. 1 The situ different a sion was agenda an action was as a result cussion. The pu of the m was to let resentative each stake ing entity their say w interrup with a few tions. “This i an ‘open night,” sa tus Mayor ert Garriso members approxima people in th will be no gets conte journ the warned. Each al utes to spe sentatives

County likes stop signs at Banner

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Commissioners make recommendations to ODOT

El Reno schools tracking COVID-19 rate

By CONRAD DUDDERER Yukon Progress

By GLEN MILLER

millerg@elrenotribune.com

While officials are keeping a close eye on any COVID-19 spikes from the Labor Day holiday, El Reno Public Schools will not be changing its current mask policy. “We will continue to follow our continuous learning plan as passed by the board in July. There is no mask mandate but they are See MASKS, Page 11

County commissioners voted recently to make the intersection at Banner Road and State Highway 66 a permanent four-way stop. (Tribune photographer/Glen Miller)

Canadian County commissioners are recommending to state transportation officials that the State Highway 66/Banner Road intersection become a permanent four-way stop.

CountyNews

Last week, commissioners took no action on a proposed maintenance agreement for a federal-aid project between Canadian County and the See SIGNS, Page 4

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Glen Miller El Reno Tribune “Dousing the flames” SECOND PLACE

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Jeff Harrison

Dousing the flames Firefighting units from El Reno, Okarche, El Reno Federal Correctional Institution and Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes teamed to battle this grass fire located west of Highway 81 near 150th Street last week. El Reno Fire Department sent a brush pumper, command unit and a tanker to the scene. Okarche had two brush pumpers and a tanker, while FCI El Reno had a pumper and tanker on scene and C&A provided a tanker. Above, a firefighter from FCI El Reno sprays water on a patch of smoking grass as heat distorts the background. At right, Okarche Lt. Patrick Stangl hoses down a hot spot which rekindled into a flame. ERFD's Ty Gulickson, below, sprays down a burned area checking for more hot spots. (Tribune photographer/Glen Miller)

Midwest City Beacon Illegal marijuana operations increase across Oklahoma The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Love County and Carter County Sheriff’s Departments shut down an unlicensed marijuana grow operation July 21 in Marietta.

Editor’s Note: This is the first story in a two-part series about illegal marijuana grow operations occurring across rural Oklahoma.

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By HALEY HUMPHREY Mustang News

Mark Woodward said. The calls from law enforcement officials have been increasing within the last eight to 10 months since September 2020.

StateNews

someone reaching out to them with great concern.” Many law enforcement agencies have shut down illegal marijuana grow operations that have been on significant areas of farmland

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McAlester’s Conner Coop learning lessons from the gridiron SPORTS

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>> PAGE B1

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Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press DERRICK JAMES | Staff photo

FAMILY MEMBERS of Julius Jones embrace outside Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester following Gov. Kevin Stitt’s commutation of his death sentence

Stitt commutes Jones sentence CNHI NEWS SERVICE

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday commuted the death sentence of Julius Jones to life without the possibility of parole. Stitt announced his decision less

commute Jones’ sentence. More than 100 supporters, who had begun gathering outside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester Thursday morning, also let out a loud cheer

Demonstrators jubilant after governor stops execution By JAMES BEATY AND REESE GORMAN CNHI OKLAHOMA

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DERRICK JAMES | Staff photo

JABEE WILLIAMS, left, and Antoniette Jones, right, walk together before she speaks to supporters of her brother, Julius Jones, outside Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma.

MCALESTER — Cheers erupted outside Oklahoma State Penitentiary when Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted the sentence

what the Pardon and Parole Board voted, but God has a reason and I trust God has a process.” Jones had been convicted and sentenced to death in 2002 following his conviction in the 1999 murder of Paul

thority voted Wednesday to expand an employee relocation incentive program to a cyber security company planning to establish a local headquarters. Pending Bartlesville City Council approval, the program will offer relocating employees of distributed cloud company HeraSoft cash assistance for purchasing or building a home in Bartlesville, rather than living in another city and commuting. The company has established an of-

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tional 50 employees to the office. “HeraSoft represents what could be a dream opportunity for Bartlesville: a growing need and market in cybersecurity and inbound young, bright and diverse global talent, as well as a substantial financial investment in the community with the purchase of the former county courthouse building by principles with Bartlesville roots who have consciously chosen our community for their permanent home and global head-

$10,000 for purchasing a single-family home or $20,000 for building one within Bartlesville. The program was piloted in March with a group of ConocoPhillips employees transferred to Bartlesville following the company’s purchase of Concho Resources. Of the 25 employees in the group, 12 have used the incentive, Wood said. The program is an effort by BDA to curb the loss of possible residents, and their tax dollars, to larger cities, like

WCSPCA reduces adoption fees to clear animal shelter

Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

m — ra c h

tr d L s

B n r H

“WCSPCA reduces adoption fees”

SECOND PLACE

a S h

Billy Hefton

p F E tr

Enid News & Eagle THIRD PLACE

Ashlynd Huffman Stillwater News Press

y tr C C Micah the one-eared cat is ready for adoption during the Washington County SPCA’s Clear the Shelter event which goes through Sept. 19. ANDY DOSSETT/EXAMINER-ENTERPRISE

19. 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST Currently, the shelter is caring for Kim Archer

Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

animals. “This year, with people back at

e th m s

ti th

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News Content

News Source for The Heart of Oklahoma

The

Purcell

The Purcell Register SECOND PLACE

The Eufaula Indian Journal

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Helping students succeed

Since 1887

Vol. 134 No. 47 • 3 sections • 40 34 pages

75¢

on way to

State crown Three run rules in three shutout games

JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register Of 33 Purcell High School graduates who enrolled in college in Oklahoma in the fall of 2020, six had to take remediation courses in English JohnDennyMontgomery The Purcell Register

Please see Succeed, page 11A

Greg.Gaston.•.double.g.images

It. was. about. as. dominating. a. performance.as.can.be.drawn.up. In.three.games.in.the.State.tournament. Washington. pitcher. Maggie. Place. and. the.Warrior.defense.allowed.zero.runs.and. seven.hits. Place.struck.out.19.batters.during. the.span. Washington. took. run-rule. wins.

Bosse denied

OCCA tosses post-conviction application

Laying out

Washington junior. Abby.Wood.goes.for.a. ball.during.Washington’s. 10-0. win. over. North. Rock.Creek.High.School. in. the. State. finals.. The. Warriors. were. crowned.the.Class.3A. State.champions.

Please.see.State,.page.2B

JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register

Gala 2021

In a ruling October 7, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals struck down Shaun Bosse’s latest attempt for postconviction relief for first degree

Raising funds for Hope Center Hope Center Ministries will host Gala 2021 next week at the McClain County Farm & Home Building in Purcell.

Please see Bosse, page 11A

The gala on October 21 will raise funds for the

Please see Gala, page 11A

THIRD PLACE

Countywide & Sun (Tecumseh)

purcellregister.com

Warriors tear through field

Purcell High School takes multi-pronged approach

FIRST PLACE

2020 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

SEQUOYAH

AWARD WINNER

Traffic flow

Congestion addressed at North 9th JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register

on the street, particularly at times parents are picking up children from the elementary and intermediate schools. The initial report by the firm cites an “overabundance of signs directing vehicles on where to go.” TECUSA engineer B.J. Hawkins reported the problem is centered on two

City and school officials were set to meet Wednesday to address traffic flow concerns on North 9th Avenue around the elementary school. City manager Dale Bunn announced the planned meeting during a city council meeting October 7. A study by Traffic Engineering Consultants Inc., presented the city with options to improve traffic flow

Please see 9th, page 11A

Storm brings rain • Photo provided

2A State Champions

Purcell’s Dragon.Pride.Marching.Band.won.the.Class.2A.State.Championship.last.Saturday. at.Claremore..They.were.second.overall.in.all.classes. Inside

Bond passes $24.5 million for Washington schools Voters in the Washington School District passed a massive $24.5 million school bond to meet the growth needs of the district

in the future. The measure passed, 493-

measured 28.04”. The normal year-to-date total is 30.89”. The storm Sunday produced at least 16 tornadoes in the state and several places got hail damage including Norman, again.

Read all about YOUR Heart

of Oklahoma football teams.

Chili cook off See where your chili recipe stacks up with your neighbors.

Pg..1B

Pg..2A

Purcell, 1 Gig Internet is now available! Save big on fast & reliable Internet. suddenlink.com

Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. Speeds, prices & availability vary by area.

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

Editor’s note: Answering The Purcell Register’s five questions this week is Wayne Elementary School principal Julie Malone. Q: What is the best part of being an elementary principal? A: The kids. They are the best part of my job. Greeting students in the morning is my favorite part of the day. They don’t know a hug or smile from them is often the best part of my day. One day in the cafeteria, ketchup was served with lunch, and kids just love to give cafeteria hugs. I ended up with a ketchup handprint on the back of my white sweater. I never did wear that sweater again, but it was worth it. Working with an invested group of teachers and support Please see Malone, page 10A Find it...

Inside

Friday night lights

Please see Bond, page 6A

The 1.5” that was recorded here Sunday night, coupled with the 1.2” that fell Wednesday morning, brings the year-to-date rainfall total to 37.8”. So far this year Oklahoma City has officially

5 questions with Julie Malone

Opinion.................4A Society..................6A Sports...................1B Obituaries...........10A Classifieds..........11B

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News Content

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021

WagonerCountyAT.com

Wagoner Middle School STEM teacher resigns

Hard work paying off Coweta art teacher becomes Oklahoma Teacher of the Year ﬁnalist PAGE A2

FBI investigating accusations from days before PAGE A3

The Wagoner

dynasty FIRST PLACE

Wagoner County American-Tribune

COURTESY PHOTOS: CYMONE DAVIS

The welcome sign entering into Tullahassee.

Revitalization begins in Tullahassee

‘From black freedom to black hope’ JUSTIN AYER

SECOND PLACE

Choctaw Times THIRD PLACE

The Express-Star (Chickasha)

later, during his first appearance at a Wagoner Rotary Club function. “By the way,” he told the Rotarians, “we’re looking at putting up a new scoreboard. If anybody is interested in advertising on it, let me know.” BILL HAISTEN Before Condict left the room Tulsa World that day, he had $45,000 in checks and pledges. “We got that money from eight or 10 business people who AGONER — In February wanted to help,” Condict remembers, “and they didn’t even 2005, when then-32know me yet.” year-old Dale Condict W.L. Odom Field was outwas hired to breathe life into a wheezing Wagoner High School fitted with a fresh scoreboard. football program, amenities for The Rotarians’ generosity was a resounding indicator that Wagthe players, coaches and fans oner people would support any were not impressive. attempt to end the Bulldogs’ “We had a little bitty scoreslump. board. It was embarrassing,” he Wagoner football had a record recalls. “I asked the superintendent at that time whether I could of 16-44 in the previous six seasons, and yet Condict’s first try to raise money for a scoreboard. She said, ‘Sure, go ahead,’ message to his new players centered exclusively on immediate but I’m sure she was thinking, success. ‘Yeah, good luck with that.’” Condict’s quest for a better scoreboard began a few weeks Please see HAISTEN, Page A11

Under Dale Condict, Bulldogs have reached record heights

Wagoner County American-Tribune

The history

The history of Tullahassee, ﬁve miles northwest of Muskogee, is anything but small. It was originally a Creek Nation town in the mid-19th century before it started to increasingly populate

happened 100 years ago, and we want to rebuild for the next 100 years,” Davis said. “It wasn’t just contained in Tulsa. There are a lot of people who ﬂed out of these townships after the massacre.”

The ﬁrst step

Davis was voted as the ﬁrst town manager of Tullahassee in September of 2020. She met Mayor Keisha Currin and knew immediately there was a golden opportunity to preserve the town’s history and revitalize it for African American families to re-center, and come back home. “I instantly felt like we were cousins,” Davis said when describing Currin — who lives in Tullahassee and is deeply rooted there. Both Davis and Currin are hopeful with a little T.L.C., it will inspire others to revitalize additional Oklahoma townships with a blueprint on hand. That revitalization started last summer when Davis and Currin organized a volunteer clean-up effort at the A.J. Mason building, directly behind the Tullahassee welcome sign. It’s the oldest historic structure in Tullahassee, starting as a general store, a post office, and eventually a night club before closing in the 1980’s. Please see TULLAHASSEE, Page A6

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD

Wagoner coach Dale Condict addresses his players before the 52-0 Oologah game on Oct. 22.

Wilson

Strong Beneﬁt fundraiser approaching for Emergency Management Captain

COURTESY: MARK #WILSONSTRONG FACEBOOK GROUP

Wilson is an expert in swiftwater operations, according to Wagoner County Emergency Management Mark Wilson is the kind of guy crews. that would give you the shirt off his back, but wouldn’t tell you “He’s here anytime that was his last shirt. you need him.” Or at least that’s how Wagoner County Emergency Management Tyler Puckett Deputy Director Tyler Puckett describes him — but it’s apparent community staple to say the least. a lot of other people agree. “He never asks for help, and Wilson is known to be an ex- he’s not the one to complain,” pert in swift water rescues, hence Puckett said. “He’ll do the job why he’s a boat captain during and go on about it.” water operations. He’s also recWilson is in his forties, and ognized as being a smiling face married with three kids. His in the community with any vol- oldest child, who’s not so much unteer event Wagoner County a child anymore, is roughly 20 Emergency Management is af- years old, and his two youngest ﬁliated with. are still in grade school. Wilson has saved countless people, young and old. He’s a Please see WILSON, Page A6 JUSTIN AYER

Wagoner County American-Tribune

Volunteers from across Oklahoma pose in front of the A.J. Mason building after numerous weekends spent cleaning it.

Wreaths available to honor veterans in Coweta PAGE A5 $1.00

•

Volume 132, Issue 15

•

IN THIS ISSUE NEWS VIEWPOINTS

A Lee Enterprises Newspaper

•

A2 A4

OBITUARIES LEGALS

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

A6 A8

SPORTS/CLASSIFIEDS A7, A10-A11 PUZZLES A12

facebook.com/WagonerCountyAT

95401 00122

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News Content

Inside the Beacon

LOCAL Golden Apple

WWW.MIDWESTCITYBEACON.COM

24 PAGES

NOVEMBER 24, 2021

Residents turn out for community meeting about controversial housing development By Jeﬀ Harrison Managing Editor

FIRST PLACE

Midwest City Beacon

Several Midwest City residents packed into the Nick Harroz Community Center last week to discuss a proposed residential development on the city’s east side. Local educators were honThe proposed Summerview ored last week during the Golden Apple Awards at Rose development would add more State. See page 2A than 900 single family houses and apartments on 173 acres between E. Reno Ave. and SE 15th St., just east of Westminster Rd. A total of 364 houses are planned on the west side of the development and 560

SPORTS

Carl Albert moves on

VOL. 116, ISSUE 12

Midwest City

apartments on the east portion. Residents voiced concerns about the residential development including: increased traﬃc, density of the housing, storm water drainage, impact on schools, and other issues. The Nov. 16 community meeting was organized by a group of residents that oppose the project. They have been collecting signatures for a protest letter and provided an update on their eﬀorts. A formal protest requires See MEETING, page 10A

Midwest City residents sign a petition opposing the Summerview residential development planned on the city’s east side during a community meeting on Nov. 16. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON

Julius Jones

EMS

Del City approves contract for EMS service

The Titans edged Coweta last week in the second round of the playoffs. See page 1B

City Council adds $3.45 monthly fee

SECOND PLACE

OKC Friday

Anthony Thomas Staﬀ Writer

Students at Del City High School held a rally in support of Julius Jones last Thursday morning outside the school building. PHOTO BY JONATHAN TERRY

Students rally for Julius Jones

By Jeﬀ Harrison Managing Editor

THIRD PLACE

The Oklahoma Eagle (Tulsa)

Local high school students walked out of their schools last Thursday morning in support of Julius Jones, the death row inmate who was scheduled to be executed later that day, until Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted the death sentence. All three Mid-Del high schools conducted walkouts. At Midwest City High School, students held a rally outside the administration building. A few students remained outside longer and held See JONES, page 10A

Students at Midwest City High School hold a demonstration in support of Julius Jones, a death row inmate who was scheduled to be killed before Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted his sentence. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON

After 10 months of searching and negotiating with multiple ambulance providers, Del City has finally signed a one-year contract with Pafford EMS. Under the agreement, Pafford will provide EMS service with 2 ½ ambulances dedicated to Del City. Two ambulances will serve Del City 24/7, and a third will be staffed 12 hours per day during peak hours. Del City will pay $30,000 per month for the service. That cost will be passed on to residents in the form of a $3.45 ambulance surcharge on monthly utility bills. The new fee will be charged to every single-family residence, multifamily residential unit, nursing home and assisted See EMS, page 10A

Healthcare

ArchWell Health opens clinic in Midwest City By Jeﬀ Harrison Managing Editor

at ArchWell Health. The comprehensive primary care service includes Local senior citizens have a transportation to and from the new option for primary health center, access to same-day care in Midwest City. appointments, specialty and ArchWell Health last week ancillary services, social workers, celebrated the grand opening of dietitian, and more. a primary care physician office at “We want to provide high 6951 SE 15th St. in Midwest City. quality, holistic primary care for The new facility offers holistic our seniors and we do that in primary healthcare services for centers just like this,” Pakala said. Representatives from ArchWell Health cut a ceremonial ribbon last senior citizens age 65 and over. Thursday during the grand opening of their new Midwest City clinic “These centers are built right Employees with ArchWell located at 6951 SE 15th St. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON within our communities. These Health welcomed the community Thursday. Guests enjoyed tours City Chamber of Commerce also aren’t just doctor’s clinics. These for a ribbon cutting and grand of the new office and met with presented a plaque to Dr. Aneesh See ARCHWELL, page 10A opening celebration last doctors and staff. The Midwest Pakala, a primary care physician

See STUDENTS, page 12A

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The Duncan Banner

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TAHLEQUAH

DAILY PRESS

Tahlequah Daily Press

SPORTS, 1B:

Admin uses talents to serve teachers, students

Lady Tigers open state tournament Thursday

Thursday, October 14, 2021

$1.25

Alleged killer had history of domestic violence Cherokee Nation chief says tribe will review internal policies to beef up work on domestic complaints

By GRANT D. CRAWFORD gcrawford@tahlequahdailypress.com

A physician arrested on a first-degree murder charged in Arkansas Monday night had been charged with domestic assault and battery in January before the case was dismissed due to the Supreme Court’s McGirt decision. Tyler Tait is accused of kill-

FIRST PLACE

INSIDE, 3A:

ing Moria Kinsey, a nurse. But the earlier domestic charge against Tait, a Tahlequah physician who worked for Cherokee Nation Health Services, was dismissed and sent to federal prosecutors in April, according to District Attorney

Jack Thorp. The victim in that case, Shelby Burris, is a member of the Muscogee Nation, while Tait is a non-Native. She and Tait have a child together. The assault case was referred to the Cherokee Nation in April, according to a state-

ment issued by the tribe. “That case was under review when this tragic event occurred,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “The Attorney General of the Cherokee Nation today filed charges [in the Burris assault case] and

HELPING HABITAT

Cherokee Nation to continue push to make opioid companies pay gcrawford@tahlequahdailypress.com

on the interior of the home. The site is near Lake Tenkiller Harbor, and Cheatham said the fact that it is so far out of town has been an issue when looking for volunteers. Also, she said some people assume there is no work to be done when it’s raining, like it has been in recent days. “We can do inside work,” she said. “The storm really hasn’t had too much of an impact. During

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said during a Tribal Council meeting Tuesday that the Cherokee Nation will continue its efforts to seek damages against companies in the opioid industry. The tribe announced it had reached a $75 settlement with McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. in September. It was the largest settlement in the tribe’s history. The Cherokee Nation sued the companies in 2017, saying they and other companies were negligent in handling the suppoly of large quantities of prescription opioids. The tribe had also made claims against Walmart, Walgreens and CVS at the time, but those remain pending. “We’re not done with the opioid industry,” he said. “Their conduct has brought a great HOSKIN deal of injury to the Cherokee people and the Cherokee Nation. We’re going to continue to pursue justice with respect to that industry’s conduct, but $75 million will go a long way toward meeting some of the objectives members of this council have expressed.” Hoskin said some of the funds will go to behavioral health and addiction treatment services. The Tribal Council also passed the Verna D. Thompson Early Childhood Education Act of 2021, authorizing up to $40 million for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in total, to help repair or replace existing Head Start facilities. “At Head Start facilities, we know we have a first-class curriculum, wonderful men and women working in the programs that make a difference in the lives of our people, and we need to give them facili-

See HABITAT, page 2A

See NATION, page 2A

McAlester News-Capital Grant D. Crawford | Daily Press

Brenda Wood has been helping build a home near Lake Tenkiller with the Tahlequah Area Habitat for Humanity.

Volunteers needed to help complete house No. 30 By GRANT D. CRAWFORD

Weatherford Daily News

See VIOLENCE, page 2A

By GRANT D. CRAWFORD

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

requested [Tait] be held without bond. We are also reviewing our internal policies to strengthen our abilities to better address domestic violence complaints.” The McGirt ruling altered jurisdictional authority in Oklahoma, reverting criminal cases involving Native Ameri-

gcrawford@tahlequahdailypress.com

AHLEQUAH Area Habitat for Humanity has been having trouble finding volunteers to help construct a house near Lake Tenkiller, where house No. 30 is being built. “We are making process, but it’s very slow,” said Executive Director Linda Cheatham. The nonprofit organization has finished the framing and is working

Grant D. Crawford | Daily Press

The Tahlequah Area Habitat for Humanity is currently working on house No. 30 near Lake Tenkiller.

Attorney explains importance of wills, trusts By BRIAN D. KING

bking@tahlequahdailypress.com

A local attorney and professor explained the importance of wills and trusts this week when Delta Kappa Gamma hosted an estate planning meeting at St. Brigid Catholic Church where Denise DeasonToyne addressed wills and trusts. For many locals, death is a sensitive topic because they may not be prepared to pass on their estate to their heirs. Some may not even know how to settle their affairs. Workshops like this help to educate the public by offering free information on the subject, according to Denise Inside Today’s Edition:

Deason-Toyne. Deason-Toyne is a lawyer and a professor of business law at NSU. Originally from Kansas City, she moved to Tahlequah to be closer to her family. “A lot of people know they should do it and not put it off. There are misconceptions what a will can or cannot do and what a trust is,” said Deason-Toyne. She explained that some think if they have a will, their estate will not need to go through probate, but this is not true. Factors exist that will lead courts to award property to an heir, even if a will says otherwise. Deason-Toyne recom-

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Brian D. King | Daily Press

On Oct. 13, Denise Deason-Toyne spoke to locals at St. Brigid Catholic Church in an estate planning meeting to address wills and trusts.

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mends people start to settle their affairs, even as early as when they turn 18, to establish power of attorney. “If you become incapacitated, there isn’t anyone who can step in and manage your business affairs. If you have a power of attorney, you can dictate who will take care of your affairs. That will save parents money to get guardianship,” she said. It is also important for parents of minors to establish a trust, in case the two die in the same incident, to establish who will serve as guardian over the children. “If you’re not married and See WILLS, page 2A

2 Sections 12 pages • Vol. LV No. 204

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Residents shiver during blackouts

FIRST PLACE

BY GARY REDDIN AND KIM MCCONNELL Staff writers

For the second time in as many days, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Cotton Electric Cooperative and other area utilities announced they would be enacting rolling blackouts early Tuesday morning under the direction of its governing body, the Southwest Power Pool. Severe winter weather, coupled with increased strain on the grid, had caused the Pool to raise its emergency alert level to 3, which meant all of the utilities that fell under its governance could be asked to institute rolling blackouts in their service areas. The blackouts, which lasted anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours in some cases, were executed in an attempt to lighten the load on the grid, which typically sees peak activity in the summer. The Pool issued the first unprecedented Level 3 alert to its member companies on Monday afternoon, indicating power reserves had fallen below the minimum required level. That alert was later rolled back down to level 2. Tuesday morning, it returned to level 3, where it stayed for several hours before the Pool returned it first to level 2 around 10 a.m. and then level 1 around noon. For Johnny Jernigan, of Lawton, the rolling blackout on

The Lawton Constitution Scott Rains/staff

The second wave of heavy snowfall dropping around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday makes for tricky driving conditions along Southwest 2nd Street.

SECOND PLACE

The Norman Transcript THIRD PLACE

Muskogee Phoenix

City, others prepare for second round of ‘snowpocalypse’ 2021 BY SCOTT RAINS AND KIM MCCONNELL Staff writers

Southwest Oklahoma’s “snowpocalypse” is continuing to alter the landscape and lives of everyone as another round of the white stuff readies to bring between 2 to 8 inches of snow by this morning. Lawton’s major roadways were somewhat passable Tuesday. But with preparation for the late-afternoon’s next wave of snow, caution remains in effect. That caution was taken into effect by the City of Lawton.

The majority of City of Lawton facilities closed at 3 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed through today. Those closures include city offices such as the revenue department and license and permits in Lawton City Hall, as well as Lawton Public Library. Library officials said all AARP tax preparation appointments scheduled in the library this week have been canceled. The staff will call residents to reschedule their appointments. In addition, the library staff is reminding residents that there is no rush to return items that are due, because the library does not have overdue fines.

City of Lawton sand and salt trucks were reloading their stores Tuesday morning at the Public Works complex on Southwest 6th Street. The fleet of big trucks not already on the streets lined up to receive their next load to spread throughout the city’s major throughways. They’ll be on the job through the storm. While most City of Lawton offices remain closed due to the weather, emergency services remain operational. That includes city streets crews, tasked with clearing arterials of snow. Those crews See Snow, 2A

See Blackouts, 3A

Plumber says being proactive best defense against burst pipes BY SCOTT RAINS

scott.rains@swoknews.com

After 10 days of freezing and below temperatures, everyone is at risk of having busted pipes and the troubles that come with it. Chris Solid, owner of Solid Plumbing, said his phone’s been ringing off the hook in recent days as home water lines are falling victim to the elements. If you haven’t done it, it’s time to take the first major step in guarding your home water supply. “All vent holes and crawlspaces need to be covered with cardboard around the outside of the house, anywhere that allows the cold air to come in,” he said.

When life gives you snow, turn it into snow cream

“That’s the number one thing, freezing pipes.” Keeping the cold air from getting underneath the house is a must, Solid said. You need to know where your water meter is located. Solid said if you’re not sure, you can Google Earth a photo of your property from a clear day and be able to locate it. It’s important, he said. “You have to have a way to turn the water off and be ready so that when the pipes thaw out and start flooding the house, you can turn it off,” he said. If it’s too late and your pipes are frozen, turn the heat up to at least 76 degrees inside your house and open all the

BY CHRIS WILSON

chris.wilson@swoknews.com

Courtesy photo

Two-year-old Abigail Johnson wasn’t too keen on playing outside in the snow so her mom, Jennifer Johnson of Apache, brought the snow inside for her to enjoy.

See Pipes, 2A

Index

Abby 5B

APACHE — This week’s snowpocalypse has been challenging for everyone across Southwest Oklahoma, but for one family when life hands you snow, they make snow ice cream. In Apache, much like everywhere else, the record snow and freezing temperatures have forced people to deal with frozen pipes, rolling blackouts and numerous other issues

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Monday, March 29, 2021

Volume 104 Issue 3

Brittney Payette Student Life Editor

FIRST PLACE

The Cameron University Collegian SECOND PLACE

The O’Colly

Cameron University hosted an Empowering Women in Leadership and STEM Conference at 5:30 p.m. on March 3 in the McCasland Ballroom. The keynote speaker was Shelby Morris, an Oklahoma native who works as an Employee Learning Facilitator at Oklahoma State University. Morris introduced the Clifton StrengthsFinder test to the attendees, which uses 177 questions to determine people’s top five strengths. The test, according to Morris, helps people learn more about themselves. “Instead of fixating on what’s wrong with people, let’s talk about what’s right with them,” Morris said. She then discussed how people’s innate talents affect their lives and how the StrengthsFinder test can help people realize their true potential. “They are not strengths until they are productively applied,” Morris said. Morris asked attendees to go around the ballroom to find other people who share some of the same top five strengths results, and discuss it within their found groups. “We want to focus on what we’re good at and build on that, and look at our potential,” Morris said. “We are at our best when we are fully engaged and aware of our strengths.” She also asked people to find others that have different strengths and ask questions about their results. One of the people who attended the conference, Marketing Senior Kassi Coosewoon, talked about her Zoom group and their top StrengthsFinder talents. “I was in a diversified group,” said Coosewoon. “We all had a different top strength, but it was cool to see how many of my group members were surprised at their top five.” After the keynote speaker finished speaking, attendees went to get food and network with other people. Next, a discussion panel featuring women in leadership positions answered a variety of questions from the audience

The panelists consisted of OSU Employee Learning Facilitator Shelby Morris, Cameron Assistant Professor and Voice Area Coordinator Dr. Christian Morren, Lawton Public School Teacher Samantha Leonard, and Ernst and Young’s Senior Manager in financial accounting advisery services, Nam Do. Morren said that people should try “helping out others as you want others to help you in times of need.” Morren also said people should try to place themselves in other’s shoes, and to listen to what people say, because there are multiple sides to every story. Do emphasized the importance of communication, being a team player and focusing on what people can accomplish instead of what they cannot. “My only suggestion is to take one step forward and focus on that very next thing that you need to do,” Do said. “Focus on what you can control versus what you can’t.” Leonard said that she did not see herself as a virtual teacher when she was younger, but is glad that she can rely on her strengths — such as her creativity — to teach virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having a baby changed her perspective on life and career path. “I definitely knew that I needed to have a stable career for my daughter,” Leonard said. “I felt like the most fulfilling and gratifying career that could make my life comfortable and happy is to be a teacher.” Morris said her inspiration was her husband,

Morren said her’s was her stepmother, and Leonard’s was her mother. Do also talked about how to react when someone does not feel heard. “We are moving in the right direction,” Do said. “To be heard, you need to be more assertive and make yourself visible.” Morren said she had to learn how to stop apologizing, and to hold her ground. Leonard said she tries to pace herself so that she does not get overwhelmed, by chunking responsibilities instead of trying to do everything at one time. Do said people must take things one step at a time, so that they are not overwhelmed. Some questions were prepared for the event in advance, but audience members were also permitted to ask their own questions. Questions ranged from “what inspires you?” to how each panelist deals with stress. The Empowering Women in Leadership and STEM event allowed people to network with others, learn more about themselves and speak with accomplished businesswomen.

THIRD PLACE

Northwestern News Photos by Brittney Payette

It STEMs from greatness: Panelists for the “Women in Leadership and STEM” event included Oklahoma State University’s Shelby Morris, Lawton Public School Teacher Samantha Leonard and Cameron Assistant Professor Dr. Christian Morren. The panel also included senior manager Nam Do (not pictured), who spoke at the conference about identifying strengths and her inspiration throughout her career.

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BARNSDALL 20th Food Distribution 11 AM-1 PM, 200 W. Chestnut Avenue Photo by Joe Conner | THE FAIRFAX CHIEF

Ponca City’s Po-Hi Steppers paraded a grand Old Glory as their tribute to Veterans Saturday. The talented group recently won a National Championship in the Nationall American Dance/Drill Team Competition. See more photos on page 2.

Po-Hi Steppers unfurl Old Glory Carol Conner Serving the United States of America is a long tradition – starting with those who fought for freedom back in the Revolutionary War. We were reminded of that Saturday, when one lone man dressed in a revolutionary war uniform paraded

down Grand in Ponca City. Ponca’s Veterans’ Day parade was bigger and better than ever. There were fighter jets flying overhead, tanks on the streets, and even veterans from World War II! The idea of honoring those who serve in the military didn’t begin until after World War I. Even though that

war didn’t officially end until the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, fighting stopped when there was a temporary cessation of hostilities – known as an Armistice. That happened on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. After passing a bill to honor WWI veterans, President

Wilson said in his proclamation announcing Armistice Day, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the Continued to Page 4

VETERANS

Courtesy Photo | NATE FOLGER

Woodland Seniors and their families were honored at last Friday’s football game. Greg, Jamie and Mary Louise Jordan; Paige Hadlock, Gunnar and William Gates; Misty Hayes, Levi and Luke Bernard; Dustin and Cassidi Potts, Vanessa, Wyatt and Jessica Asher; Daniel, Lainy and Cathy LeForce; Sammy Cagle, Regan Lockert and Kristi Metzger; Frank, Jacob and Sara Brackett; Bree, Will and Ben Lockett, Marcy and Andy Graham; Leslie Williams, Lucian and Jason McKinney.

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November 11th November 19th Near Total Lunar Eclipse

11th New Hope Food Truck, 12-1 PM, New Hope Church 14th Listening session, Sacred Heart Catholic Church 10:00 a.m. 16th FMFI Board Meeting, 6 PM, 160 N. Main Sweet Home Baptist Church Services 1st and 3rd Sundays 3 PM. Monday-Friday, Seniors 55+ Drive Through Lunch, 11 AM-12:30 PM, ON Elder Nutrition Center

FIRST PLACE

The Fairfax Chief

November 11, 2021

Carol Conner

The horrors of Osage 1920’s history told in Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann is now available in an edition for readers 10 and up. The conspiracy and murders of Osages have been called “one of history’s most ruthless and shocking crimes.”The discovery of oil and the fact that Osages kept their mineral rights made them among the wealthiest people in the world. But that wealth brought out greed and jealousy. Tribal members began to die – at first quietly, then by gunshot, then by blowing up a house! Anyone who tried to figure out what was going on wound up in the same condition as the targeted tribal members – dead. Osage tribal officials eventually were able

The FairFax ChieF

Continued to Page 5

YOUNG READERS

Area Sales Tax Collection for October 2021 Barnsdall Bartlesville Burbank Fairfax Hominy Kaw City Pawhuska Pawnee Ponca City Ralston Shidler Skiatook

2021 23,325 1,884,179 628 34,147 62,438 7,678 206,678 67,815 1,439,188 1,737 5,527 402,783

2020 18,099 1,579,191 507 21,929 47,203 6,755 117,529 63,856 1,212,435 1,895 4,064 339,044

2019 20,833 1,652,367 515 16,285 46,161 3,799 116,475 37,549 1,125,371 1,985 4,599 319,997

2018 17,453 1,635,282 617 16,934 47,548 4,236 106,250 55,578 1,129,447 2,371 6,110 299,336

Nearly every surrounding city saw an increase in sales tax for the month of October with the exception of Ralston, who showed a slight decrease.

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Can you believe that the vaccine to protect the world from the deadly coronavirus is now available to kids as young as 5? Starting way back in early 2020, the invisible coronavirus began reshaping the whole world into a frightening place where no one and no place was safe from illness and possible death. The solutions at that time, knowing that you could just breathe the virus in, were to avoid as much contact with others as possible, clean obsessively, and basically stay home! But with scientists around the world working fulltime to save humanity, vaccines were developed, approved, and shot into arms as early as last December. When we were grieving the loss of people from the deadly COVID-19 virus last year, the victims were our friends and family who had no opportunity to protect themselves with a simple shot in the arm. But thanks to the miracles of modern medicine and science, the ability to protect ourselves began. Those most at risk – our beloved elders, those with lots of health issues – began to be protected, so we had fewer and fewer deaths. Nursing home residents here in Oklahoma began getting the vaccine in late December. Since then, thousands of adults have had the opportunity to get immunized. Just a few short weeks ago, the vaccines were approved for kids 12 and up. Then we got the thrilling news that a booster would improve the odds of survival for those over 65 or immunocompromised. But now, with a recent surge due that saw many children getting ill – now even our precious young children can get the life-saving vaccine. Dr. Donna Tyungu, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Oklahoma Children’s Hospital – OU Health was quoted in the Tulsa World as saying, “Children are not supposed to pass away. COVID is now one of the 10 leading Continued to Page 5

VACCINE

BURBANK 18th First Baptist Church of Burbank Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, 6 PM, Burbank Alumni Building

HOMINY AA Big Book Meeting, every Tuesday and Thursday, 8 PM, 510 Friends Road Monday-Friday, Senior Citizens Lunch 11:30 AM12 PM, Drive-Through and Call Ahead Orders, Senior Citizens Center

PAWHUSKA 11th Pawhuska Public Schools Veterans Day Car Parade, 10 AM, begins at High School Softball Field 11th AA Meeting every Thursday, 7:30-8:30 PM, 1228 S Pecan Ave. (918) 440-9646 COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, Wah-Zha-Zhi Health Center, 7:45 AM - 4 PM, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment only, 918-287-9300 Monday-Friday, Senior Citizens Lunch, 12 PM, Call Ahead Orders at ON Elder Nutrition Center

PONCA CITY 13th Holiday Craft Fair, 8 AM-4 PM, RecPlex 19th Holiday Market, 10 AM-3 PM, Pioneer Technology Center 20th PetSense Adoption Event, 2-5 PM, 2129 N. 14th Street

PAWNEE 13th Let’s Talk About it Book Series, Pigs in Heaven, 7 PM, Pawnee Bill and Ranch Museum COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic every other Saturday, 9 AM-12 PM, Pawnee COVID Center

SAND SPRINGS 13th Exhibit with Photos of Country Stars from Oklahoma, 2 - 4 PM, Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum

TONKAWA 11th-14th Fall Musical: Legally Blonde, 7:30 PM, Kinzer Performing Arts Center

TULSA 11th Stargazing night, 7-9 PM, Tulsa Botanic Garden, 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive

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Class of 2021

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McIntosh County Democrat THIRD PLACE

The Drumright Gusher

Darian Mahan, Cobie Rickner, Claire Norrell and Miranda Williams took the opportunity for a group selﬁe while waiting for the Chandler High School graduation ceremonies to begin Friday evening at Joe Telford Stadium. After missing last year’s graduation due to COVID-19, Chandler had almost perfect weather and celebrated this year’s graduates with a festive atmosphere and a ﬁreworks show. See our graduation section inside this week’s edition for more photos and information on graduates from all high schools in the area. Photo/Brian Blansett

Local arrest in Capitol incursion MIKE McCORMICK Staff Writer A 25-year-old Chandler resident was arrested this week by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly participating in the incident on Jan. 6 of this year where hundreds of people stormed the U.S. Capitol. Federal court records show that on Monday of this week the FBI executed a warrant for the arrest of Tanner Bryce Sells. A source said the arrest by the FBI occurred in Chandler after Sells was reportedly stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper. Public records show the warrant was executed and returned. An FBI agent says in a Statement of Facts “there is probable cause to believe that Tanner Bryce Sells violated the U.S. Code which makes it a crime

And the Class of 2034

to (1) knowingly enter or remain in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to do so. “And (2) knowingly and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or ofﬁcial functions, engage in disorderly or disruptive conduct in or within proximity to any restricted building or grounds when, or so that, such conduct impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of Government business or ofﬁcial functions.” He goes on to state “or attempts or conspires to do so.” The agent further states “that there is probable cause to believe Sells violated the U.S. Code which makes it a crime to willfully and knowingly utter loud, threatening or abusive language, or engage in disorderly or disruptive See Page 3A

Carney: Valedictorian and salutatorian Ofﬁcials at Carney High School have named the top two graduates for the 2021 graduating class. Sarah McFadden was named Valedictorian and Sara Mayes is the Salutatorian. They were honored at

The pre-schoolers at East Side Elementary School got into the end-of-school spirit with the school’s annual rodeo last week. They had stick horse races, roping and rocking horse bronc riding and threw ﬂying disks made to look like cow pies. Above, some of the wranglers give their thirsty stick horses a drink from the hands of teacher Kathy Shupe. For more photos, see Page 4A. Photo/Brian Blansett

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Sarah McFadden

Sara Mayes

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Historic Eufaula building now history Heavy equipment disappears in a cloud of dust during demolition. JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

A thick cloud of dust engulfed two Caterpillar excavators as the heavy equipment pulled down the 121-year-old building at Main Street and Foley Avenue last week. The spectacular display took place Tuesday evening, July 6. Five Star Demolition of Oktaha brought in a wrecking crew that demolished the historic

structure in a matter of hours, but it took days to clear the debris created by the leveling of the former Morhart Building. However, the tons of bricks that were used to construct the building seven years before Oklahoma became a state – and two years after Eufaula incorporated – won’t go to waste. “I want to save the bricks, and some of the lumber, to build a new

Demolition crew looks on as building is taken down.

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JERRY FINK | INDIAN JOURNAL

building on the lot like the one we took down,” said Mark Dobbs. Dobbs and Gary Moores are partners in Belt Properties. Former mayor James Duty has a 1/3 interest in the property. About four years ago the north side of the top floor of the two-story building buckled and was braced with steel girders. On June 17, shortly after midnight the support

gave way and a portion of the structure collapsed. Fortunately, it was at an hour when there was no foot or vehicle traffic and no vehicles were parked on the street beside the building. Five Star Demolition began taking down the building at 6 p.m., July 6. Streets were closed from Selmon to High Street to secure the work zone. The road closures were overseen by Advanced

Workzone Services. The removal process began on the Main Street side to reduce the traffic closures on Main Street during work hours. Due to the common wall, The Eufaula Area Arts Council, the building to the south at 105 N. Main St. may be removed as well, leaving the Eufaula Indian Journal office (which is a sister newspaper to the McIntosh County Democrat) as the

last exterior wall on the block. Brandon Linstead owns the Arts Council building as well as a second building likely to be demolished – the former Stafford Grocery story structure at the northeast corner of First Street and Foley Avenue. Linstead said Tuesday he is still weighing his options on the art building, but the former grocery store will come down this week or next. The west wall of the building has a major crack in it, which has been braced with a steel plate. Dobbs said Belt Properties had major plans for the Morhart Building, including a restaurant and other facilities. However, the plans didn’t collapse with the building. “It all depends on what the insurance company says,” Dobbs said. He would like to use the brick to recreate the building that stood for more than a century, a witness to dramatic changes over the decades – from Eufaula’s birth as a wild-west town to one that has become a major tourist attraction. Old pictures show the history of progress around the building – streets filled with men on horseback, buckboards, wagons and eventually automobiles. The building was erected by W. G. Morhart in 1900 and was initially

JERRY FINK | INDIAN JOURNAL

See DEMOLITION, page A2

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Wagoner utility rates increasing JUSTIN AYER

Wagoner County American-Tribune

High School took the initial impact, but that building actually suffered very minimal damage, Bell said.

Wagoner City Councilors approved utility rate increases effective Nov. 1, pertaining to water, wastewater and electric at the Special Called Business Meeting on Oct. 14. Based on a portfolio of Wagoner’s financial projections — compiled by Dawn Lund of Utility Financial Solutions, LLC — Wagoner needs to highly consider different rate options in order to be financially stable in the future as a city. Lund looked at three things while going through Wagoner’s financials: debt coverage ratio, minimum cash reserves, and operating income. In order to keep up with inflation, severe weather events and the increasing costs of materials, UFS recommended that Wagoner’s electric rates increase 1.5 percent for the next three years. That would bring the average residential customer —using 750 kilowatts an hour — paying an additional $1.25 per month. The customer charge for residential service is currently $8.50, and beginning November 1., it will change to $9.75, followed by $11 in November 2022 and $12.50 in November 2023. As always, the more kilowatts per hour of electricity residents use,the more the monthly amount will increase. The first 1500 kWh is $0.0957/kWh for the first 1500 kWh followed by $0.0850/kWh for additional kWh. That applies for all three years. Water rates would get a 4.90 percent rate adjustment every three years, bringing the average residential customer — using 6,000 gallons of water— paying an additional $2 per month. The base charge for water inside Wagoner city limits will be $17, effective November 2021. It will increase to $19 by November 2022 and $21 in November 2023. The base charge for water outside Wagoner city limits will be $20, effective November 2021. It will increase to $22 by November 2022 and $24.25 by November 2023. The wastewater rate adjustment would be 9.90 percent the first two years, before dropping to 4.90 percent in 2023. The average residential customer — using 6,000 gallons — will be paying an extra $2.85 per month, on average.

Please see TORNADO, Page A6

Please see RATES, Page A6

FIRST PLACE

Wagoner County American-Tribune

MICHAEL NOBLE JR. PHOTOS, TULSA WORLD

Student-athletes could be seen all day Oct. 11 picking up wooden planks, aluminum pieces, and tree branches — anything they could ﬁnd so their ﬁelds would shine again.

Picking up the pieces

Coweta recovers from EF-1 tornado

SECOND PLACE

Choctaw Times THIRD PLACE

The Express-Star

JUSTIN AYER

Wagoner County American-Tribune

A school, a nursing home, apartment complex, a gas station and multiple homes sustained a great deal of damage late Oct. 10 after an EF-1 tornado touched down in Coweta. Despite the repairable damage, there were no fatalities or injuries. “We set off the tornado alarms rather quickly to get everyone ready early,” Coweta Police Chief Mike Bell said the morning after. “We think that saved lives.” Mission Intermediate Grade Center, on 30123 E. 147th St S., suffered the most amount of damage in the entire Coweta Public Schools district. Coweta Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Holmes said there really wasn’t much of a choice but to cancel school the rest of the week, since Fall Break started on Wednesday, Oct. 13 — two days after the tornado struck. Students at MIGC were in virtual learning the entire week of Oct. 18, so crews could continue to assess the damage and staff could

A pile of debris left by a tornado overnight is pictured at the Coweta baseball ﬁeld. see what was salvageable. About nine HVAC units were blown off the roof, leaving behind a signiﬁcant amount of water damage inside. In addition, glass was blown out of the front

entranceway, including multiple windows. One classroom took a direct hit with window glass, desks and other items scattered on the ﬂoor. Initial reports said that Coweta

Wagoner Lumber stone back home JUSTIN AYER

Wagoner County American-Tribune

The ﬁrst lumber business in Wagoner — and quite possibly — the oldest lumber business in Oklahoma, officially has its cornerstone back where it belongs: Wagoner Lumber Co. The cornerstone, which used to be built inside the walls of the company, traces its history back to its founding date in 1892 — four years before Wagoner became the ﬁrst city in incorporated territory. Follow the stone from the top -down and you will see that A.F

“It needed to be back. This is history.” Brittani Oden Parkinson sold the company to W.A Stuart in 1926. Stuart renamed the company, “Fullerton Stuart Lumber Co.” He eventually sold it to Henry Kennon in 1940, and renamed it once again to “Wagoner Lumber Co.” The name stayed for good from there, but it had three more Please see LUMBER STONE, Page A6

JUSTIN AYER, WAGONER COUNTY AMERICAN-TRIBUNE

Store manager Brittani Oden stands in front of the historic cornerstone at Wagoner Lumber Co.

Coweta softball falls short in state tournament ﬁnal game PAGE A12 $1.00

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Mustang Times

Around Town Public invited to attend Purple Heart ceremony The City of Mustang’s Purple Heart ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday inside the Town Center. Mustang became a Purple Heart City June 1. Mayor Brian Grider will be presented three signs and by VFW Post 382 Auxiliary member Amy Stout at the ceremony. Oklahoma Purple Heart Commander Larry Van Schuyver and Mitch Reed, Oklahoma Purple Heart senior vice commander will also be present. Vice Mayor Michael Ray will give the invocation. Stout will recognize Purple Heart recipients. A reception will follow. Tickets available for 2020, 2021 MPS’ Hall of Fame People can purchase tickets for Mustang Public Schools’ Hall of Fame ceremony Aug. 21. Tickets are $45 each and will be mailed two weeks prior to the ceremony. They will not be sold at the door. Make payments to the Mustang Athletic Department, C/O Hall of Fame Banquet, 12400 SW 15th Street, Yukon, OK 73099. Credit Card purchases may be made online at mustangbroncos.org or by calling Milly Cooper at 405-376-7366 or emailing cooperm@ mustangprs.org.

Residents calling for maintenance at Lakehoma Lake By DACODA McDOWELL-WAHPEHKECHE dacoda@theyukonreview.com

Mustang’s Lakehoma Lake is not seen by most residents as a place of escape from scorching temperatures during the summer months. Algae and Canada Geese rid the lake that was once seen as a place families could visit and enjoy themselves. Andrew “Andy” Stewart recently moved into the Lakehoma neighborhood and is calling for change to the lake’s algae problem through a Facebook post asking for people to consider using algae control.

“We scoped this neighborhood out for quite a while,” Stewart said. “We were shopping for houses.” He said the size of the property and having Lakehoma in his backyard enticed him to buy the house that would remind him of home in Missouri. The algae was not a problem until it got hotter. “When we first looked at the house, there wasn’t any algae in the pond,” Stewart said. “By the time we moved in, it had gotten warmer, and the rain had subsided, so, the algae came.” He said he didn’t think anything of the

dacoda@theyukonreview.com

See ISSUES, Page 6A

‘Duty to serve’ City council participates in yearly training program By HALEY HUMPHREY

newseditor@mustangnews.info

ordered ammunition in August, and we still haven’t received it,” Chief Rob Groseclose said. Mustang also orders from GT Distributors but has not been given an estimated delivery date about their purchase order from August 2020. Corn said the ammunition shortage is due to the lack of transportation of raw materials, like primer and brass, during the country’s quarantine only allowing essential business to operate. Mustang and Yukon officers carry 9 mm Glocks while they are on-duty. Both departments have a cache locker of 5.56 semi-automatic weapons and 12-gauge shotguns. Yukon’s department must purchase 9 mm, 5.56 bullets and 12-gauge shells for the weapons, with a budget of $20,000 set aside for ammunition every fiscal year, Corn said. He said they must pass a qualification course

“What gets measured, gets done,” said Bill Tackett with the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group. “What gets measured with feedback, gets improved and what gets measured and rewarded, gets repeated.” The Mustang City Council approved TIM ROONEY training from OMAG June 15. Councilmembers receive training annually. This was the third year for the council to participate. Tackett presented the training. The program has been around for about four years. OMAG conducts training for about 500 cities and towns across the state. The organization was created in 1977 by municipals to be their main provider of insurance. OMAG also created an interlocal agreement three years ago, which the city has. Tackett said it is the most powerful tool cities have. Much of the training referred to “The Infinite Game,” a book by Simon Sinek. The book covers leaders embracing an infinite mindset to leave their organization better than they found it, according to Sinek’s website. Councilmen filled out a questionnaire and scored themselves in areas, like crisis response and public image. Typically, public image is scored at a six and is cities’ lowest score. The members rated themselves nearly at a 10. Councilmen told Tackett their community is unified. Mayor Brian Grider said city staff are involved in community events. There are about 100 employees. “There are some communities around us that have not always been seen very positively in the public light — newspaper articles — and we haven’t had those issues,” City Manager Tim Rooney said.

See AMMO, Page 6A

See SERVE, Page 6A

Various firearms and ammunition are pictured. Many local law enforcement agenices are experiencing ammunition delays from out-of-state manufacturers. Photo / Provided

In Short Supply By DACODA McDOWELL-WAHPEHKECHE dacoda@theyukonreview.com

Editor’s Note: This is the first story in a two-part series about ammunition shortages throughout Canadian County. The first part explains how local police departments have been affected.

USPS No. 595-120 1 Section

By DACODA McDOWELL-WAHPEHKECHE Andrew “Andy” Stewart, a resident of the Lakehoma Lake area, said an investment in grass carp could be stocked inside the lake and eat the algae.

See LAKE, Page 6A

Ammo shortages affect local police departments

Mustang, Oklahoma

Officials, residents offer ways to address lake issues

Ammunition shortages have affected the U.S. for a little less than a year. “It’s created such a stir,” Yukon Police Chief John Corn said. The police department has not had an instance of running out of ammo, but they have gotten close, the chief noted. As consumers visit local shooting sports stores to find ammo, police departments have been struggling with buying bullets for on-duty work and training purposes. “I don’t think you could have foreseen all the different things that took place between COVID, politics, supply and what the disruption

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“I’ll put it this way: we ordered ammunition in August, and we still haven’t received it.” - Rob Groseclose Mustang police chief any of those things combined did,” Corn said. “What we started seeing was we were placing orders in, and the suppliers were saying, ‘It’ll be six months.’” If the department were to send a purchase order in for ammo to GT Distributors, an ammunition distributing company in Texas, the organization would tell them it will be six to eight months until the bullets are delivered, he said. The ammo shortage is also affecting Mustang’s police department. “I’ll put it this way: we

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Tornado takes path through Beggs Commissioners approve short agenda PATRICK FORD NEWS EDITOR

FIRST PLACE

Okmulgee Times

PATRICK FORD | NEWS EDITOR

Indigenous Peoples Day 2021 A large crowd gathered Monday afternoon on the Creek Council House square in downtown in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day. The third annual event, coordinated by Brenda Golden with the assistance of Terra Beaver and James Whitecloud, brought attention to Native

customs, songs, food and the language. Pictured above is the Mvskoke National Honor Guard who opened the day with the Posting of Colors and the Flags. Another Indigenous Day event was held at the College of the Muscogee Nation. See additional photos on page A10.

Customer Appreciation Day is Friday at Thrift Store

Sequoyah County Times

PATRICK FORD NEWS EDITOR

CONNIE HARJO | STAFF

The Duncan Banner

SEE TORNADO, PAGE A5

OCHS thanks Okmulgee community for support

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Okmulgee County was spared major damage after a storm moved through the area Sunday evening. Emergency Management Director Tim Craighton gave an update during Monday’s meeting of the board of commissioners. According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, an EF0 tornado developed just south of Beggs, north of E890 Road and west of N390 Road. The tornado, with a peak speed of 80 miles per hour, traveled approximately 2.2 miles northeast across Highway 16 before dissipating. The path of the tornado was about 300 yards wide. The agency stated large tree limbs were snapped

New Mural Coming This Week Okmulgee Main Street staff and members, including Andy Goodnight, started working on the artwork coming to downtown on Monday. The mural, ‘Bee the Change,’ will be located on the north side of the Norman’s Dry Cleaning building. ‘Bee the Change’ is a honeycomb mural that begins with a custom design by a local artist. Okmulgee Main Street is giving the community the chance to be part of this project by signing up to paint a spot on the honeycomb. If you wish to paint one of the spaces, which are $25, stop by the Okmulgee Main Street office at 100 E. 6th Street The mural’s bottom half will be completed on Saturday. Downtown will be busy with the Harvest Spoon Chili Fest which will begin at 11 a.m.

The Okmulgee County Homeless Shelter provides a much-needed service for the community. Part of the funding for the agency comes from the OCHS Thrift Store, located at 222 E. 6th Street, at the corner of 6th and Porter. As a way of thanking the community, the OCHS Thrift Store will hold a Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This Friday, the community is invited to stop by for refreshments and random ‘flash’ dis-

counts on items in the store. There will be pizza, cookies and water available, along with popcorn. There will be drawings every hour for various prizes made available from area businesses. The grand prize drawing will be at the close of the day. “You do not need to be present to win,” Brewer said. “Besides the ‘flash’ sales throughout the day, overstocked items will be on sale throughout the day.” Executive Director Brenda Brewer, along with the board and staff, are thankful to the SEE OCHS, PAGE A2

PATRICK FORD | NEWS EDITOR

The community is invited to the OCHS Thrift Store Customer Day this Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Clerk Charity Compelleebee, Executive Director Brenda Brewer and Clerk Brittany Stienbarger, along with the other employees and board members are looking forward to seeing the patrons and share refreshments, discounts throughout the day, and prize drawings every hour. A big thanks go to the Okmulgee area community for supporting the agency that does so much for those in need.

OPS employees recognized for years of service Board approves agenda items, hears updates from superintendent PATRICK FORD NEWS EDITOR

The Okmulgee Public School Board met Monday evening for their regular session, and received updates from Superintendent Renee Dove. During the meeting, staff were recognized for their long-term service to the district. The superintendent stated there were 17 employees that celebrated five years; three with 10 years; two with 15 years; four with 20 years; four with 25 years; and three employees celebrated 30 years employments. “Employees with 35 years received special recognition,” Dove said. They are: • John Reed, 35 years • Beverly Jackson, 36 years

• Ross Thorman, 37 years • Jeannette Taylor, 38 years • Mark Poole, 38 years • Sharon Downing, 39 years • Starla Walters, 39 years • Donnie Delonia, 40 years • Gene Walters, 42 years • Dwight Pankey, 44 years Renee Dove has 45 1/2 years with the Okmulgee School District. “That’s just amazing,” board member Lynda Barksdale said. Dove also commented on the large number of employees that are Okmulgee High School graduates who returned to the area to teach. PATRICK FORD | NEWS EDITOR Okmulgee Schools will be on fall break from Oct. Okmulgee Schools welcomed new Assistant Baseball Coach Bill Minnesota Twins. Pictured from left are Athletic Director Johncenter, during Monday’s session. Springman formerly ny Dreyer, OHS Principal LuVona Copeland, Coach Springman, 15 through Oct. 18. Parent/ Springman, coached at Union High School, and most recently as the hitting Superintendent Renee Dove, and OHS Assistant Principal David Teacher Conferences will be coach for the Detroit Tigers. Of interest, Springman worked with Dunlap. See the complete story about Springman and his journey

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SEE OPS, PAGE A4

Okmulgee alumni Ron Gardenhire, both with the Tigers and the

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Oklahoma Historical Society | Courtesy Photo

THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE destroyed more than 1,200 homes and businesses in 1921.

THIRD PLACE

The Ada News

Retired McAlester educator doesn’t want history to repeat itself

Worst race massacre finally being told CNHI NEWS

TULSA — John W. Franklin wept as he read his grandfather’s account of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The fragile, yellowing, 90-year-old document — an eyewitness description of the worst race massacre in U.S. history — now sits in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. “I wept the first time I read it; the second time I read it, and the third time I read it,” he said about B.C. Franklin’s account of the 1921 massacre. It describes the horrors in Tulsa’s affluent, thriving Greenwood District when a white mob — fueled by racism, envy and fear — murdered, looted and burned out the Black community with impunity. The account, written in 1931, was not discovered until 2015 in a storage unit. For decades, many details of what happened in Tulsa a century ago were “rigorously suppressed,” said John Franklin, now

senior manager emeritus of the museum. And to the extent that what happened in Tulsa came down in history at all, it was inaccurate, blaming Black residents for what happened by calling it the “Negro uprising.” Later, it was called the Tulsa Race KYLE PHILLIPS | CNHI Photo Riot; today, it is known, more accurately, as the PHIL ARMSTRONG, project manager of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, awaits completion Tulsa Race Massacre. B.C. Franklin called it of Greenwood Rising, in the background. a “race war.” “It’s crucial that we rename this event for what it is,” said Paul Gardullo, At century mark, Tulsa Race supervisory curator at Massacre’s wounds still unhealed the museum, which includes an exhibit on Tul>> PAGE A7 sa. “I think the term that is being used right now — Tulsa Race Massacre — is the right term.” John Franklin thinks Event to mark Tulsa Race other terms do a better Massacre canceled job conveying what happened. He notes that the >> PAGE A2 Jewish press referred to the 1921 attack as a “pogrom” — the organized massacre and expulsion HISTORY SUPPRESSED of a particular religious 100th anniversary of the or ethnic group, such as Tulsa Race Massacre Jews had experienced in

By ADRIAN O’HANLON III EDITOR

A retired McAlester educator believes students can grow through learning more about the Tulsa Race Massacre. Primus Moore said more should be done to educate students about what historians call the nation’s worst race massacre, which merits just three sentences in a history text for juniors at McAlester High School. The school supplements instruction with videos and materials — but Moore said more should be done statewide. “I really don’t think it’s enough,” Moore said. “I think it’s a start; it’s a beginning.” The Tulsa Race Massacre began May 31, 1921, and lasted less than 16 hours with an angry white mob destroying 1,200 Black homes and businesses in the previously flourishing Black community of Greenwood along what was known as Black Wall

STILL HEALING

‘REMEMBER AND RISE’ CANCELED

RY OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSA

TULSA RACE

MASSACRE

were ‘The sidewalks with ... covered turpentine burning all too balls. I knewthey came from, well where all too well why and I knew building caught every burning top.’ the witness fire from Franklin, — B.C.

SUPPRESSED HISTORY

of the Timeline Massacre Tulsa Race

INCIDENT

MAY 30,

1921

DICK ROWLAND between occurred An incident (who was Black) was white) Dick Rowland Page (who and Sarah Building elevator. in the Drexel TRIBUNE

MAY 31,

TULSA for was arrested Rowland an “inassault. Tribune ran The Tulsa story that may have flammatory” bent on lynching. mob incited a

1921

CONTINUES

MAY 31-JUNE

Race Massacre

worst Greenwood? stands as America’s What was

FIGHTING fighting continued Intermittent 500 white men with resovernight, confront Black to vehicles deputized people in idents. White into Greenwood, setand made forays indiscriminatelybusinessand shooting

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1921 Tulsa

>> See MASSACRE // Page A2

>> PAGE A6

Street. A commission report lists 38 official deaths, but the death toll is now estimated between 100 and 300 with bodies quickly buried in mass graves without documentation. Moore graduated in 1965 as the class president of L’Ouverture School, the public school Black students attended from 1908 to 1968 — when 115 L’Ouverture High School students integrated with McAlester High School. But Moore said he didn’t learn about the Tulsa Race Massacre until 1966 at Langston University, Oklahoma’s only historically black college or university, while talking with a roommate from Tulsa. Moore said he couldn’t believe it at first. It was the first time he heard about Black Wall Street and what historians now call the nation’s worst race massacre. “We were all shocked that it happened and that

>> See EDUCATOR // Page A10

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TRANSCRIPT Visit www.normantranscript.com for breaking news

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA

75 cents

Venables is back

FIRST PLACE

Former OU defensive coordinator returns as Sooners’ head coach

The Norman Transcript

“... Having numerous opportunities throughout my career, listen, I’m a simple guy. I value some things that maybe other people don’t, maybe more-so. I value relationships. people I value I value people. quality of life.”

SECOND PLACE

Stillwater News Press

Kyle Phillips / The Transcript

Plant Manager Ryan Bart gives a tour of the Norman Water Reclamation Facility on Feb. 1, 2020. Voters will see a rate increase on an April ballot.

Water rate increase? Voters to decide water rate increase in April 2022 By Mindy Ragan Wood

Transcript Staff Writer

The first city water rate increase in six years will be put before the voters in April following a Tuesday decision by Norman City Council. Councilors in their Tuesday study session reached a consensus to send an increase to voters and to raise water connection fees in future by council vote. Fees can be adjusted by council vote

Brent Venables

OU head coach

while utility rate increases must be approved by voters. Increasing the rate would allow the city more income to finance capital projects, improvements and replace old water lines, staff said during the presentation. Ward 4 Lee Hall said while it was important to provide stable rate revenue for projected improvements, the most important considerations See WATER Page A5

Vaccine doubts still driving state lawsuits

THIRD PLACE

Read more about Venables’ return to the Sooners. See Page B1

Muskogee Phoenix

Despite doctors’ confidence in vaccine science, Oklahoma AG remains unconvinced of safety By Janelle Stecklein

NPD data show racial disparity in use of force By Max Bryan

Transcript News Editor

Daily Transcript

An analysis of Norman police’s practices shows a significant racial disparity in the department’s uses of force, which disproportionately affect Black people. Of NPD’s 267 uses of force from 2016 to June 2020, officers used force against Black people 44 times, according to an NPD news release. It’s roughly 16.5% of all uses

of force in that time frame — more than three times the 4.7% of Norman residents who are Black. Additionally, police used force on Black people 3.4 times as often as on white people in that time. This statistic accounts for poverty levels, crime rates in different neighborhoods and percent of Black residents in neighborhoods, according to a Center for Policing Equity news See DISPARITY Page A3

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Norman police investigate an officer-involved shooting July 5, 2014, after a Cleveland County Sheriffs Deputy killed a suspect on 24th Avenue SW between Boyd St. and Brooks Ave.

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OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s attorney general said Tuesday that lingering doubts he has about the science behind COVID-19 vaccines is one reason the state is pushing back on federal vaccination mandates with lawsuits. However, two doctors, after learning of his remarks, said they have confidence in the science that led to the vaccines. O’Connor made his remarks during a Tuesday morning press conference where he, Gov. Kevin Stitt, National Guard Adjutant Gen. Thomas Mancino,

WORD of the day allyship (n) al-ly-ship [al-ahy-ship] 1. the status or role of a person who advocates and actively works for the inclusion of a marginalized or politicized group in all areas of society, not as a member of that

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group but in solidarity with its struggle and point of view and under its leadership. Example: “Companies were quick to promise an inclusive work environment, flooded their social media pages with Black and brown faces, extolled allyship ...” — Rita Omokha, “VR Trainings are Not ...Corporate Racism,” Wired, 2021

as well as an Oklahoma business owner, discussed concerns about the federal government and military mandating COVID-19 vaccines. They also discussed five lawsuits that seek to halt the mandates, which they contend are unconstitutional. Asked why he has concerns with the COVID-19 vaccine, as opposed to other vaccines that have long been required by the military — such as flu, polio, anthrax and the measles — Attorney General John O’Connor said he believes the science is more of a concern for the COVID-19 vaccine because of how long it’s been See VACCINE Page A2

Inside • Judge blocks vaccine mandate for federal contractors — Page A5 • Oklahoma inmate asks Supreme Court to stay his execution — Page A8

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Reindeer games were part of the fun festivities during the Wildcat Winter Wonderland.

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bringing in the joy of the season with even a Christmas movie playing on the big screen. The entire night was made possible by the 21st Century Grant and the Aware Grant at Checotah Public Schools.

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Mustang Chamber of Commerce is moving forward with plans for this year’s Western Days, widely anticipated after COVID-19 in 2020 necessitated cancellation of the event for the first time in its history. STAFF PHOTO BY TRACI CHAPMAN

district take off at the starter’s gun to race their classmates for an entire mile,” Peerman said. “Cross country team members run with them to keep them on course and on pace.” In addition to the Stampede, regular events See Western Days, page 9A

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kind of grew from there.” Many items within the boutique are locally made. “A lot of the graphic tees we sell are done locally as well as the ball caps.” One company MainStreet Customz carries, “Keep It Gypsy”, specializes in upcycled, genuine Louis Vuitton custom items such as earrings, wallets, and purses. “Keep It Gypsy takes pieces off of old Louis Vuitton merchandise and adds it to something else,” Trisha said. Each item purchased from the Keep It Gypsy line comes with a card of authenticity. For those interested, MainStreet Customz also has genuine Louis Vuitton

interest free automatic payments over the span of six weeks.” Tricia says for each item, Sezzle sets the price that will be automatically taken from the customer’s account once it is set-up. “We have clothing, accessories, purses, custom furitems available. niture, custom ball caps as well as team spirit items.” “We do have vendors that bring their items in the Men’s graphic tees will soon be available as well. boutique, and we are always looking for more.” Among MainStreet Customz is open Monday through Friday the vendors currently set-up at MainStreet Customz, 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Matilda Jane specializes in colorful dresses and cloth- If you are unable to stop by you can visit the new webing for girls and women. Brands such as KanCan, Judy site at MainStreetCustomz.shop. Blue and Cello jeans and shorts are available as well.

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order to be able to pick the jury.” Less than 10 of 20 prospective jurors in the voir dire process yesterday were sent home, Adams said. Prospects are being brought to the juror room in groups of 20 during the course of the weeks to narrow down a pool of 12 jurors and four alternates. The group scheduled

23, 2020 while jogging in the Satilla Shores subdiv i s i o n i n B r u n s w i ck , Glynn County, where Blacks make up only 24% of the county’s population. Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael, say they were attempting to perform a citizen’s arrest on Arbery when they followed behind him in a truck, saying they believed he bur-

immediate knowledge. “If the offense is a felony and the offender is escaping or attempting to escape, a private person may arrest him upon reasonable and probable grounds of suspicion,” according to Justia, a legal database. “It’s a very unique situation. You have white men with guns in a truck going after somebody who at most, if anything,

“If I know of a circumstance that there was a violent crime that has just been committed and I let the criminal free, then they may never be caught and that’s a concern,” Ginn said. “For me, I want to try to make sure I give the legal system any help that I can to bring people justice.” Ginn said people should not try to detain someone

uments, the defendants’ jail call records will be included in evidence after Chatham County Judge Timothy Walmsley — appointed to oversee the case — denied their request to exclude all jail calls on Oct. 8. Defendants’ attorneys said admitting the calls into evidence violates due process, their Fourth Amendment Right to

“We want to go ahead and get this conviction and get justice for Ahmaud so we can move forward with our lives,” Arbery’s aunt said. “This is where the grieving process starts to come together and we start to get closure, but until we hear ‘Guilty on all counts’ we still won’t have that closure.”

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Editorial Writing

April 12, 2021

Voices

EUTHANASIA www.aggiecentral.com

The number one cause of death in dogs and cats

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The Cameron University Collegian

Photos by Alison Malawey

Please don’t litter; spay and neuter: Euthanasia is the number one cause of death in dogs and cats. The National Organization to End Pet Overpopulation created the Animal Birth Control Clinic as a way for people to have access to high-quality, low cost basic care for their pets. By getting your pets fixed, you prevent the death of would-be puppies and kittens.

Alison Malawey Voices Editor

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Northwestern News

“Kitten season” sounds like something adorable, but in actuality, it’s the time of the year when stray cats have babies. Usually around the warmest times of the year, kitten season can begin in early spring and run through late fall. During this time, literally thousands of homeless kittens are born. It starts off small. In the spring, people start to bring handfuls of kittens to shelters, but in the summertime, it can be kitten overload. In an interview with Best Friend magazine, Dana McCrory, president and CEO of Central Oklahoma Humane Society, said there have been days when up to 100 kittens are brought through their doors. What happens to the kittens that aren’t brought to shelters? They continue to wonder the streets and make new kittens. A female cat can get pregnant as young as six months old, and their pregnancies last for about two months. Unneutered strays can create cat colonies which are groups of cats that share the same food source and territory. There are some people who advocate for “trap, neuter, release,” or TNR, programs instead of euthanizing. Groups of like minded people trap cats from colonies, spay or neuter them, and then release them back out into the world once they’ve recovered. They do this under the belief that it will help dwindle the population of pet overpopulation. In 2004, Mark C. Anderson published a study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that showed a spay/neuter rate as high as 88% of the feral cat population would be needed to merely stabilize population growth. Anything less, the cat population would continue to increase. It was concluded through the study that euthanasia is more effective than TNR at controlling feral cat populations. The Humane Society of the United States reports that 3 million pets are euthanized in shelters each year, and of those euthanized, approximately 2.4 million are healthy and treatable and could have been adopted into new homes. The easiest way for people to help is to spay and neuter their own pets. The National Organization to End Pet About Us

The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available twenty Mondays during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution. The first issue is provided for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

Overpopulation (NOPO) created Animal Birth Control (ABC) Clinic of Lawton in May 1985 as a way to offer a high-quality, low-cost neuter and spaying for pets, as well as vaccinations. For those who think they don’t have the money to get their animals fixed, the ABC Clinic is a great solution. Should your animals ever get out un-neutered, they could end up pregnant by a stray or another neighborhood animal that hasn’t been fixed that runs loose. Should your pet get picked up by Animal Control and not be fixed, you could be fined by the city. The cost of the fines could be more expensive than getting your pet fixed at the ABC Clinic. I recently adopted two cats that had been living underneath the house behind mine. I was able to get both animals fixed, vaccinated, dewormed and treated for flea/tick prevention all at the ABC Clinic. As a full-time student who works part time at

You gotta be kitten me: Female cats can start having kittens around six months of age and can breed up to five times a year. That equals hundreds of cats in kill shelters every year. THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN

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The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily

the mall, there’s no way I could have done that for two cats at another clinic. Despite the evidence against TNR programs, I think they help improve the quality of life of stray cats. I could never bring myself to get an animal euthanized simply because there wasn’t enough space for it. Should they get picked up by Animal Control and euthanized later, at least, if they’d been neutered, I’ve helped save the would-be lives that would have come from that one stray. The Humane Society reports that 6-8 million cats and dogs enter shelters each year which is down from 13 million in 1973. Perhaps it’s from TNR programs. Perhaps it’s from pet owners making sure their pets are fixed. Maybe it’s a bit of both. If you need to get your pets fixed but have been putting it off because you feel you can’t afford it, I recommend setting up an appointment at the ABC clinic by calling (580) 355-6985 or stopping by 85 NE 20th St., Lawton, Oklahoma.

Letters Policy

Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

Editorial Staff

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

Managing Editor - Cam Alsbrook A&E Editor - Alison Malawey Voices Editor - Alison Malawey Student Life Editor - Brittney Payette Sports Editor - Jimm Alley

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address

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The Fairfax Chief FAIRFAX, OKLAHOMA

Let’s honor all of our heroes Carol Conner

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Minco-Union City Times

The FairFax C hieF

This Memorial Day brought so many people to mind– all those Americans who have served our country in the military, of course. But after the difficult year we’ve faced with the COVID pandemic, it is only fitting that we also remember those we’ve lost to the horrible disease; all those heroic people who helped us through the pandemic, Editorial and remember and celebrate everyone who has been there to help us through this difficult year. You’ll probably remember where you were when you learned that a truly nasty virus was destroying the lives of Americans. At first, it was hard to believe the devastation that a tiny virus was wreaking on the world – but then the magnitude of what was going on hit us all with a wallop. Here in the middle of the country, we weren’t hit so hard at first – only a handful of folks – mostly not from here, seemed to get the disease. But then we saw people hospitalized with the nasty virus – struggling to catch a breath, being put on ventilators – and then passing away. The virus is so contagious that people within the breathing space of someone infected easily catch the disease – and that’s whether the person knows they were infected or not! Terrifying scenes of death and dying translated into immediate school closings, businesses being shut down, people hibernating in their homes. And that isolation went on and on and on. Here in our corner of the world, Osage county didn’t have major outbreaks for a while. Numbers added up

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The Chief

All ab Bruce Hadden

GuesT COlumn

Lay a straigh Burbank and rig line would be the ington. As repo Chief: “Louis Den a town at Remin already built. So and schoolhous was out, a post there, along the Topeka and San Before 1903, n the Osage Reser heads were in t kansas City, Elgin als, supplies and to these railhead and brought int came addressed I.T. (Indian Terr wagon from the According to t ical Society, the (“Katy”) and San the Osage Reser time in 1903. Th road followed i towns sprung Apperson, Burb Fairfax appeare Avant, Bighear ka, Blackland, Frankfort grew ley tracks. As th out, stagecoach train passengers

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The Cleveland American

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542,949 reasons to be vaccinated*

ODO $5 m

By Tom

(* U.S. death toll as of Tuesday, March 23)

Sentinel Co

By Tom Lokey

With Mai provements Tishomingo, homa Depa Transportatio will be spen ditional over dollars in hi ing and brid tation projec ston County. These pr been awarde be scheduled first half of t cording to K ODOT Dis superintende A to $2,435,259.9 spent resurf asphalt, State Highw the Bryan C through Milb to the east si mingo, joini the new pave laid from do wards the h and Dollar G ket.

Sentinel Co-Publisher On Tuesday, Mary and I went to the walkin COVID-19 vaccination clinic that was jointly held by the Family Health Center of Southern Oklahoma, Mercy Hospital and Murray State College. Being a workday for us, Mary and I were concerned as to the length of time we would have to spend to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Conversations back and forth went from “I hope they are not too busy” to “We’d better be early to get our vaccine shots before they run out.” Slight tinges of guilt went through us as we thought about how selfish it sounded to hope there was no crowd. The clinic at Murray State College was advertised in last week’s newspaper as being open to all eligible recipients under phases 1, 2 and 3. We intended to leave the house around 7 a.m. to be among the first in line. We did not get away from home until around 7:20. It looked like we were the first candidates for the vaccine there at that time. After going C M into the Allied Health Sciences building, we were told to return to our vehicle until closer Y K time for the clinic to begin, which was 8 to a.m. A few minutes before that time we saw a NEWSPAPER CONTEST few more vaccine candidates show up, so we

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PAGE A4 • THE INDIAN JOURNAL • Thursday, June 10, 2021

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The big problem of bullying today

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The Stilwell Democrat Journal

Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s was definitely a different time than it is today. Granted we still may have had a problem with bullying then, but 50 years ago I promise you if you were caught being a bully in school, at church or in a public setting, you usually understood there would be a course of reprimand for your poor decision and you would pay the consequences in full. Now whether that was extra chores, loss of weekend privileges or a paddling on the back side or all of the above depended upon the offense and the amount of repentance that one truly felt. I understood this process very well and when my children came along they also understood the consequences of poor decisions and the reality of repentance which I still believe is a good thing to this day. I wanted good kids and I raised good kids. Not perfect mind you, but believers in the saying “what goes around comes around” and if they were going around acting up then we were going around in circles with a little switch. However, society today has a different outlook on what is right or wrong now and bullying has gone beyond the classroom and into the social networks of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat

just to name a few. Every day posts are being made from the privacy of homes but going into public view for all to see. What’s crazier is that now it’s not just students who are bullying but parents and adults who hide behind a screen to say comments that they most likely wouldn’t say face to face to other individuals. Oh they talk their tough talk and say all kinds of false information but they don’t do what they are supposed to do and go talk one on one with the person they are indeed bullying even if they don’t believe they are. There are several forms of bullying like: physical bullying to material bullying like using one’s power of financial leverage, to verbal bullying by threats or shaming to passive-aggressive bullying, but each form is still bullying. Bullying is stirring stuff up on social media and trying to bring more dogs into your dog fight when really you need to just go on and talk out your differences. Bullying has become an epidemic and its widespread catastrophic effect in our schools, in our communities and in our homes must be stopped. When we have statistics that show 90% of 4th-8th graders have been bullied and 75% of school shootings have been linked back to harassment or bullying, something has got to change. It’s time to confront bullying but place yourself in a position where you can safely protect yourself and refuse any physical, verbal, or emotional abuse. It’s time to stand up and say enough is enough. No more bullying on my block.

Changes to county roads and bridges funding Rep. AveRy FRix DISTRICT 13

The governor has signed into law a bill that changes the counties’ allocation of revenue from the Oklahoma Vehicle

al share of county road miles; and one-third by proportion based on the total replacement cost of obsolete or deficient bridges in a county.

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July, when the original formula expired, through July 2026. After 2026, the formula will take into account the proportionate number of bridges

$484,275.46 for the next five years, and $405,625.64 after 2026. This County’s rank is 18 among the state’s 77 counties for the cost to replace obsolete

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The Newcastle Pacer does not offer refunds on paid subscriptions.

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Newcastle Pacer

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OPINION

Thursday, July 1, 2021

A reflection of Newcastle By Mark Codner news@newcastlepacer.com

s a Newcastle business person, there’s not much more important than supporting our local residents. That’s what we do at the Newcastle Pacer. We supply as much information as possible that is relevant and needed by Newcastle residents so you can be informed as you go about your daily routines. Newspapers bring the community together by acting as a central marketplace and information hub, thereby helping define the community. This is a very important job that we do not take lightly. At the Newcastle Pacer, we have a vested interest in our community. This is not only because we are in business here, but also because we are trained in ethics and have a desire to know the bigger picture, and then to share what we are being told or what we have learned. As the community newspaper we are the only watchdog of local government. We report on how and where your tax dollars are being spent. No one else is documenting these activities in case there is wrongdoing. At the same time, the Newcastle Pacer is helping to focus on the positive things happening in the community and then sharing those. Now for the kicker! How many businesses do you know who will immediately correct something if it’s wrong? If we make a mistake, we’ll publicly correct it as soon as possible. We’ll admit fault by apologizing, explain the error, and then provide the correct information which will appear on page 4. We gather times, dates and places of activities and events to keep you aware of what’s happening in Newcastle. We do so for your family to be able to plan ahead.

OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE / From the desk of Sen. Jessica Garvin

Made requests for 10 interim studies

he legislative session has adjourned, but our work is far from done. The four-month session is a culmination of all the work done during the previous interim. While we just passed the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, work is already underway on the FY’23 budget. Leaders and staffers are studying economic trends and agency budgets to see what will be needed next year. The FY’22 budget starts July 1

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST Newcastle City Hall: 405-387-4427 •www.cityofnewcastleok.com ● Mayor Karl Nail - knail@cityofnewcastleok.com ● Vice Mayor Mike Fullerton – mfullerton@cityofnewcastleok.com

We are a mirror of Newcastle. Every time your business, church, civic or social organization is mentioned, it reflects in a positive way. You benefit. Newcastle benefits. Scientific studies show that newspaper readers are active people with an interest in their community. They are paying attention and they remember. This brings up the importance of advertising or marketing in the Newcastle Pacer. If you consistently place your advertisement in the newspaper, you and your business will have the highly sought-after name recognition. As consumers — local residents — move in and out of the marketplace seeking items or services, they passively remember your business when they are ready to buy because your advertisement — with your business name — was in front of them while they were actively reading. Of course, without advertising the Newcastle Pacer cannot exist to watch the local government, or to write about the accolades in our community, and to provide that sense of community. Social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can be an important part of marketing your business. We think you should cautiously utilize it — we utilize it, too — but it should only be a part of your overall marketing. The print and electronic issues of the Newcastle Pacer can help you to create that positive sense of community involvement, while steering clear of the negativity that social media breeds. We know that many of you are active in Newcastle in your business, at your church, or at our schools. We hope this includes reading the Newcastle Pacer. If it doesn’t, please let us help to further your knowledge of the area. Pick up a copy today. We think you will be surprised about the information we gather and produce. Thank you for reading today’s issue, and thank you for your support!

ing hearings. Foster care reform is another area I’d like to look into. I want to research if our state has an appropriate number of foster care homes and if they’re equally distributed throughout the state, and if bonding assessments should be used in child welfare cases. In this same arena, I’ve requested a study to determine if our state has enough child wel-

Gospels have many shared stories, both in order of the telling and in exactness of words (see Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 as example) that do not appear in Mark. Luke also hints that he has reviewed other sources (Luke 1:1-4). If there is another document, this supposed Q they are referencing, it is otherwise unmentioned. No early Christian theologian, like Saint Jerome, speaks of it. But history shows at least one significant event that could have impacted the mystery. Let’s grab our time machine and go back further; to 323 B.C. Here, Alexander the Great, ruler of tiny Macedonia, has conquered the world, from Italy to India, spreading Greek Culture around the known world. His sudden death in 323 B.C. fractures this empire. Through the Partition of Babylon, his companions divide up the lands, one of the strongest generals begins the Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt. During his reign, he builds the magnificent Library at Alexandria that helps to create the Hellenistic Period that influenced much of Western thought. His dynasty would be the longest of all Pharaohs, lasting 350 years, until the Romans conquered the last Ptolemy, Cleopatra. This library was believed to warehouse between 200,000 to 700,000 books covering every known subject. Over a hundred scholars lived there. Unlike our own libraries that loan, the Library at Alexandria acquired them through confiscation and copying. Every ship that came to this busy port was searched. The entire literary corpus of Ancient Greece and Egypt was here; and much more. In 48 B.C. Julius Caesar, while fighting an Egyptian fleet in the harbor, set the Library on fire. It was kinda, sorta, an accident. Collateral war damage. What was left burned again later. Although there are rumors of ancient books, some with pages stamped in metal, in the Vatican Library, this great pyre of papyrus, assembled by the great civilizations of the world, left us to conjecture the source of many things.

Pavlovian note taking and an appropriate gift. If uttered by one of Couple’s children, however, the proper response is “We’ll see.” 5. If despite all precautions, one spouse buys the other something he/she hates, Couple shall behave in a diplomatic fashion. Saying the following shall not be deemed diplomatic: a. “Are you insane? How could you get me

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OKC Friday

Gifts of Hope and Freedom

The month of December is marked by many holiday traditions celebrated by Americans across different backgrounds and faiths. During this Christmas and throughout this wonderful season, I am reflecting not only on the miracle and joy of the Savior’s birth thousands of years ago but on the blessed gifts of hope and freedom we share as Americans. Tom Cole At this time of year, I am often reminded of U.S. House the fight of a new nation to defend its independence and secure freedoms for its people nearly 250 years ago – a struggle that was ultimately won for the United States by God’s grace. In fact, it was on Christ-

her our top brand, but, wanting to make sure each bulb worked, she insisted upon us opening the box and checking each bulb. When we finished and all bulbs were working properly, I put the lid on and prepared to ring up the sale. “Oh, I don’t want that box. It’s been opened,” she said. 2. I had finished my Christmas shopping early and had wrapped all the

never know.” He shot me a look. “So he knows if I’ve been bad or good, but he doesn’t know the cookie fell on the floor?” 5. Unexpected guests were on the way, and my mother, an impeccable housekeeper, rushed around straightening up. She put my father and brother to work cleaning the guest bathroom. Later, when she went to inspect it, she was surprised that

muttered, “Now, where was I?” A tired voice called out, “Right near the end!” 9. How is Christmas like your job? You do all the work and the fat guy in the suit gets all the credit. 10. What’s the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the normal alphabet? The Christmas alphabet has Noel. Remember, ‘Tis the season.

Those who made freedoms possible – and those who honor them But Sunday’s ceremony On a cold and was held in that historic w windswept hill a group cemetery, a windswept of people came together place that harkens back Saturday to remember to a time when Ben Clark those who gave their all and Fred McNeil, Clark to protect our freedoms Young and Tulsa Jack and to mark their place of walked these rolling hills. rest at the holidays. It was a time of change That ceremony – held that followed perhaps the at western Canadian ultimate conflict – the County’s historic Fort Civil War – and a time of Reno cemetery – is growth and change. a tradition for area So many of these Daughters of the A American Revolution, a Traci Chapman individuals have been lost to history, buried group of women who Staﬀ Writer in a cemetery that likely for years have dedicated area residents themselves to honoring paid the ultimate price most and remembering area in the service of their don’t even know about. v veterans, including those country, while others died But that doesn’t lessen w died long before any in service to something their contribution to who else – family and the the American story – of them were even born. and DAR’s efforts to DAR’s Fort Reno promise of a new life. It was a much different remember them are more chapter fittingly has a close relationship with the world and a different than just ceremonial. when Fort They are literally keeping fort – members have long country w worked to honor those Reno was founded. The history alive. The annual wreath buried at the cemetery intervening years saw during the holidays, as a lot of change – from laying might seem like w as reaching out to the cavalry to the conflict of a a small effort but it’s well public with information world war, as prisoners of not – and it should gain about its history. They that war from across the larger notice than it does, do so no matter what Atlantic found themselves especially in a time where the weather to remember in Oklahoma. Those conflict seems to be a many forgotten in the prisoners left behind way of life for us. We’ve something beautiful – come so far in so many mists of time. That windy hill hasn’t the fort’s historic chapel ways but yet we seem to really changed much – something that’s stood have stumbled. I believe in the years since the the test of time and the work for DAR’s Fort cemetery was established. reminds us that each of Reno chapter gives us a Buried there are soldiers us have the capacity for blueprint of how we can and scouts, wives and creation and wonder move forward.

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in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear,” Regent Nicky Howell said Saturday. “We can worship as we see fit; we can raise our children to believe as we do; we are free to vote for the leaders of our choosing; and we have the right to succeed and we have the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue.” Those freedoms are gifts that many people across our world do not have. And while Americans don’t all agree about so many things, it seems – to me, at least – easy to agree that we are so fortunate to be part of something that’s produced people like Clark and Young and so many others willing to give their lives to make the American experiment a reality. thankfulness That also extends to those dedicated to keeping the memories of those who have sacrificed alive – people like Fort Reno DAR members who take the time to coordinate wreath laying and stand on that cold and windy hill to give their thanks to

By Cookson Hills Publishers, Inc.

50 Years Ago (From the Feb. 11, 1971, issue of The Muldrow Herald) —The D-Ann Motel on the I-40 Spur in Muldrow was held up and robbed at 1 a.m. Monday morning by two armed gunmen. Mr. Dayton Holt who was sitting in the lounge of the motel, heard a click as a hammer was pulled back and looked up to find himself covered by a .38 and .22 revolver. The two young men ordered Mr. Holt into the back room and asked if anyone else was around. On being told no, they ordered him to turn over all the cash in the register and hand them his wallet also. Mr. Holt complied and was then told to “Come on, you’re going with us.” When they got outside, Dayton Holt broke and ran, reaching a side door in the motel safely. The two men then took off in a white car they had parked on the access road adjacent to the motel and proceeded west on the Interstate. Mr. Holt got his gun and fired after them, apparently unsuccessfully. An estimated $500 in cash, credit cards, American Express and Travelers Checks was taken in the robbery. A road block was set up between Muldrow and Sallisaw but no arrests were made.

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75 Years Ago (From the Feb. 15, 1946, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —The canning of the winter crop of spinach is expected to be completed within a few days according to R.R. Voorhis and W.B. Frith of the Sallisaw Canning Company. It will probably be about three or four weeks before spring spinach will be ready for canning. Mr. Frith is planning to diversify his canning program by canning not only spinach and green beans, but black-eyed peas, hominy, tomatoes, blackberries, sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Farmers can make some ready cash by harvesting blackberries this coming season. Blackberries were 12 cents a lb. last season because of the limited crop. Canning of sweet potatoes and hominy will be done as soon as additional equipment is available. This will mean that growers should plant recommended varieties of white corn when this program starts. —The prospect of Sallisaw’s Airport may have come a step closer when, a few days ago, Dr. C.W.

Livin' high on the Hog A beaver works so hard, Building a home on Hog Creek Soon to be iced in

A SMALL DAM LIES ACROSS HOG CREEK ON THE NORTHERN EDGE OF LIONS CLUB PARK IN SALLISAW. PHOTO AND HAIKU BY JEFF MAYO

Is it time for a county ambulance service district? This is the second time I have been around when discussion of a county-wide ambulance service has surfaced, and I read about another attempt to add an ambulance service decades ago to the east end of the Jeff Mayo county in some old, yellowed Publisher copies of Your TIMES over at my mom’s house last week. The reason this conversation continues to arise is the critical delay in delivering injured folks from an accident or medical emergency scene to the hospital. We have covered stories where injured people faced waits of more than 45 minutes – which can be critical time lost. Currently Pafford EMS, a company operating in five states, serves Sequoyah County with ambulance offices in Vian, Sallisaw and Muldrow. Pafford, I’m sure sensing the coming competition, attended the county commissioners meeting on Monday and the commotion there caused the Sallisaw City Commission to strike from their agenda a presentation and potential resolution vote supporting a move

emergency transfers such as taking patients from a nursing home to hospital. Like any business, Pafford needs its assets, the ambulances, to be working for them by going on runs. The income per run for accidents only, probably does not pay the bills. Sequoyah County is once again looking at an opportunity to make our lives better. Improving accident response times costs money but will improve our quality of life and would be one more asset to promote when attracting new business and industry. Growth does not come without investment. Many Oklahoma counties have ambulance service districts which are allowed under the state constitution. Called “522” EMS districts, when formed under this section, the 522 EMS district may assess a tax on all real property within the district up to a maximum of 3 mills. Hopefully you read tax but are still with me. There are at least 24 Oklahoma counties with 522 districts, including Leflore County.

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www.mcalesternews.com

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The Ada News

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OUR VIEW

Holocaust comparison immoral

top comparing vaccinations to the genocide of Jews during the Holocaust. Zero unvaccinated Americans have been killed for their opinion — yet some anti-vaxxers continue to say it’s similar to Nazi Germany’s systematic extermination attempt by murdering six million European Jews in the Holocaust. We’ve seen such comparisons from early in the COVID-19 pandemic to just in the past week when Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman John Bennett posted on the organization’s page urging people to call the lieutenant governor and ask him to call a special session to prohibit employers from requiring their employees to get vaccinated. The post featured a picture of a NEWSPAPER CONTEST yellow Star of David with the word

Thad Balkman’s courtroom. Like a traditional wedding, two families were seated separately across the center aisle of the large courtroom that has witnessed much of Cleveland County’s history. But unlike a wedding, there were no happy embraces, laughter or cheerful smiles on this Friday. This was a murder trial involving young adults. “Stupid kids” and a “terrible tragedy,” in the words of defense attorney David Slane. A ﬁve-man, seven-woman jury spent the week watching hours of Moore police body camera footage and detective interviews. They sat through lengthy witness testimony and read vulgar text messages. They watched a blood splatter analysis and medical examiner’s report no parent should have to endure. ••• Garrett Vaughn was charged with second-degree murder in the January 2020 death of Thomas Poolaw, 20. He is the ﬁrst of three to be tried in the shooting at an apartment on City Avenue in Moore. It’s considered felony murder, since prosecutors alleged Poolaw was murdered while Vaughn was committing a felony assault. Prosecutors Patrick Crowe and Abby Nathan, calling 20 witnesses, put forth a scenario where Vaughn, his girlfriend, Alexis Kinsman, and cousin, Karlin Vaughn, conspired to forcibly remove Poolaw from the apartment he shared with Vaughn’s cousin, Elizabeth Vaughn, who had a child with Poolaw. They believed Poolaw was abusing Elizabeth Vaughn and wanted him to leave the apart-

Andy’s Corner

tion in the Rieger1025@gmail.com apartment that January evening. He spent the week trying to convince jurors that his client’s handgun accidentally discharged one shot into Poolaw’s throat during a scuﬄe for the weapon, which had been carried in Vaughn’s waistband. ••• The jurors didn’t buy that. Instead, they found Vaughn guilty of murder in the second degree and ﬁxed punishment at 25 years. On the conspiracy charge, they gave him another six and a half years. The felony murder charge is one of a handful of Oklahoma crimes where the defendant will spend 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole. The others will face trial into early next year. My OU senior journalism students spent part of their week watching the trial. The students are all about the same ages as the victim and the defendant. They’ve also observed drug court with Judge Michael Tupper. One student wrote, “They look just like us.” ••• The families of the shooting victim and the defendants will be intertwined for years. More trials to come. Karlin Vaughn is set for jury trial in January, two years after the killing. Kinsman will face trial in April 2022. The grandchild, thankfully, wasn’t at home the evening of her father’s death. She was just an infant when her father was killed by her mother’s cousin on a rainy January evening. A tragic legacy that someone will have to explain to her years down the road.

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LOCAL EDI TOR I AL

Time for state to get rid of death penalty Norman Transcript Editorial Board

but the logic doesn’t seem to carry over to the state’s view of people convicted of eginning this Thurscrimes. day, the state of If we are actually “resoOklahoma plans to lute that we should not take kill seven people over the a life,” and if we want to say next ﬁve months. life has value and deserves The last few times protection, how can we kill Oklahoma attempted to seven men with the power execute death row inmates, of the state? A person conit botched the procedures victed of a heinous crime is so badly — using the wrong still a life, still a person with drug and an improper IV a family, still deserving of setup, in separate cases — dignity. The death penalty is that the state stayed exenot dignity. cutions while a grand jury National attention has investigated the process. gone to Julius Jones’ case, But it doesn’t actually and deservedly so. The matter how competent details of his case beg the the killing process is — it’s question of whether he ever wrong, even if it doesn’t should have been incarcersuspend someone’s death ated. for 43 minutes while they But six other men are also suﬀer on the gurney, as waiting to be put to death Clayton Lockett did in by the state. In a conversa2014. It’s time, for a number tion about the merits of the of reasons, for Oklahoma death penalty, our argument to change its stance on the is not that only innocent death penalty. people or people who may First, there’s the issue of have been falsely accused the sanctity of human life, a deserve not to die — guilty topic Oklahoma talks about people deserve life, too. constantly in the context of Still, concern about abortion. executing the innocent is In a story about incoming becoming more and more abortion restrictions pubof a public issue. Pew lished late last month, Gov. Research, in poll results Kevin Stitt told The Frontier released this summer, found he would sign restrictive that even though 60% of abortion bills that passed U.S. adults support the his desk, because he consid- death penalty for someone

death penalty. A 2013 report from the Death Penalty Information Center said that just 2% of the counties in the United States were responsible for the majority of the death penalty sentences handed down since 1976; all of the death penalty cases from 1976 to 2013 occurred in just 15% of U.S. counties. In 1972, even the Supreme Court of the United States ruled, in Furman v. Georgia, that the death penalty constituted cruel and unusual punishment because it was allowed to be “so wantonly and so freakishly imposed.” In noting the discrepancies in death penalty sentences, Justice William Douglas wrote that “the discretion of judges and juries in imposing the death penalty enables the penalty to be selectively applied, feeding prejudices against the accused if he is poor and despised, and lacking political clout, or if he is a member of a suspect or unpopular minority, and saving those who by social position may be in a more protected position.” There’s also evidence that supports the notion that the death penalty doesn’t deter serious crimes. A 2009 Columbia Law study that

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

the state spends 1.5 times more to jail a death penalty defendant pre-trial than a defendant not facing the death penalty, The Tulsa World reported. Once in prison, those sentenced with the death penalty cost the state twice as much to house as other incarcerated people. Reviews elsewhere find that between the time a death penalty case takes to go through the court system and the cost of housing people sentenced to death, states spend significantly more to put someone to death than they do to incarcerate someone for life without parole. The above facts lead us to question what we want our justice system to be about. If we agree the justice system exists to inflict pain and retribution on people who do wrong, then the death penalty fits. But if we agree that the justice system exists to bring a measure of healing after pain, to build up people to be stronger and wiser, to help create a society where individuals do not see crime as a solution to their problems or pain, the death penalty does not fit. It offers no second

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PAGE 10

NORTHWESTERN NEWS

November 18, 2021

SPORTS FOOTBALL

FIRST PLACE

Northwestern News SECOND PLACE

The Cameron University Collegian THIRD PLACE

The O’Colly Gavin Garner races towards the endzone during Northwestern’s game against Southwestern on Saturday at Ranger Field. The Rangers defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 31-28. The

Photos by Devyn Lansden

Rangers finished the season with a 2-9 record and finished in 10th place in the Great American Conference. Southwestern finished the season with a 0-11 record.

Rangers bash Bulldogs By CADE KENNEDY Sports Editor

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The clock hit zero, the band played and the Ranger fans waved goodbye to their rivals as Northwestern defeated Southwestern, 31-28, Saturday at Ranger Field. The Rangers got out to a fast start, as Tanner Clarkson threw a

Garner finished the season with 12 touchdowns, giving him 25 touchdowns for his career and tying a Northwestern record. Both offenses stalled until Nick Dill made a 24-yard field goal to put the Rangers up 31-21, with 3:13 remaining in the game. On the next drive, Southwestern scored with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Wright to Justice

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e h T

Fairfax Chie

VOL. 116 N0. 51 USPS NO. 184-040

FAIRFAX, OKLAHOMA

THURSD

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The Fairfax Chief

Ma wha We boy to Rob Ear pla chil fore driv on the nes

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Minco-Union City Times

Killers of the Flower Moon’s trio of Carol Conner T he FairFax C hieF

Movie making is pretty fun – if you’re watching from the outside! But from the inside, it looks like it’s just a whole heck of a lot of work involved! We watched from The Chief’s porch again as filming for Killers of the Flow-

er Moon took place across the street in the house that will stand in for Mollie and Earnest Burkhart’s home. Camera shot after camera shot – the stars, the director, the extras, the camera people, the lighting people – they all have to do it again, and again, and again! In this film sequence, Leonardo

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Di Caprio, playing Earnest Burkhart, goes from playing stickball with his kids to walking over to a car that drives up with Robert De Niro in the passenger side. De Niro is playing William Hale in the movie. You all know what stickball is – The Fairfax Chief has not only had stories about it – but Brenner Billy, a Choctaw

stickball m how he m game at th years back. The tradi known as – requires

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

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The Cleveland American

THE

CLEVEL PUBLISHED IN CLEVELAND, P AW N E E C O U N T Y, O K L A H O M A SINCE SEPTEMBER 1919

75¢

ND MERICAN Wednesday

february 17, 2021

RELENTLESS WINTER UPDATES See page 5

Volume 101 | Number 33 1 SECTION, 20 PAGES

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The Lincoln County News BEFORE THE SNOW.

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Watonga Republican

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Ice covered the Arkansas River below the bridge at Cleveland’s north edge late Saturday afternoon before inches of snow arrived Sunday and covered its picturesque sculpting. NATASJA KEMP PHOTO

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Photography PAGE A8 • THE INDIAN JOURNAL • Thursday, June 24, 2021

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The Eufaula Indian Journal

Historic collapse

One of Eufaula’s oldest buildings, con- in danger, including the Indian Journal and structed in 1900, partially collapsed Thurs- the Eufaula Area Arts Council building. day, June 17, putting some nearby structures

SECOND PLACE

The Marlow Review THIRD PLACE

The Purcell Register

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WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 7,000 – 19,000

Newcastle Chamber of Commerce education and legislative committee member Tyler Graves said a candi-

invited board candidates T. Darrin Abel and Jeff Dingee to speak to those attending. Also, Newcastle

cil races. Graves said a s Hall is planned for 6-8 day, March 25 at the sc

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Ra so

By G Spec

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The Express-Star • photo by Garrett Queener

Heckling from the student section and a racial slur heightened tensions at the conclusion of Thursday’s Regional basketball game with Newcastle and John Marshall, which erupted into a brawl.

A Thu New off b Mar Te thro teste the f the tiona got b Fo for N were and As J way met New St the p follo som who Th heat

www.newcas

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Football

Broncos plunder Pirates, 62-28

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 19,000

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Mustang clinches second place in district, home playoff game

By Stan Moss Contributing Writer

FIRST PLACE

The Mustang Broncos took care of business at Bronco Stadium on Friday night with a workmanlike 62-28 pasting of the Putnam City Pirates, earning a home game for the first round of the playoffs in the process. The 62 points scored by the Broncos was an indication that all of the wheels were running smoothly for the high-octane offense. However, the defense deserves a big shout out by causing five turnovers, giving the offense a short field for most of the night. The Broncos were actually outgained by the Pirates 453-370, but the opportunistic defense shut down drive after drive, recovering three fumbles, blocking a punt for a safety, and getting one interception. The Broncos jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on the strength of a 17-yard run by Jay Bedford, a 49-yard strike from Tristen Russell to Jacobe Johnson, and a 10-yard scamper by Chaz Bradley. Game over? Not hardly, as the Pirates came roaring back with 22

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Mustang News

See MUSTANG, page 4B

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Midwest City Beacon

Zach Warren tries to make a tackle. PHOTO BY ALAN CHAPMAN

Mustang’s Jacobe Johnson catches a pass down the sidelines last Friday against Putnam City. PHOTO BY ALAN CHAPMAN

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El Reno Tribune

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ELRENOTRIBUNE.COM • USPS NO. (170-780) • ONE DOLLAR

El RenoNews

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Sunset revival needs local input

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EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second of a two-part look at efforts to revitalize Sunset Drive. By RAY DYER

Yukon Review THIRD PLACE

rdyer@elrenotribune.com

Emily Fitzsimmons spent hours pouring over old photos at the Canadian County History Museum. Working with Hoffner Design Studio, Fitzsimmons was there to find anything and everything she could about what Sunset Drive looked like decades ago.

The Duncan Banner

With help from Museum Director Vicki Proctor, she found plenty. Fitzsimmons said her research turned up a number of interesting tidbits about the Route 66 corridor that runs from Choctaw to Country Club Road. For instance, black and white photos from the past show several ice cream shops along the road. See ROUTE 66, Page 10

Blaze burns countryside Multiple ﬁre departments respond to wildﬁre that chars miles of farmland west of Calumet By RAY DYER and GLEN MILLER Standing in the bed of the family’s pickup, Trey Ratliff kept a close eye on

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DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 30,000

Photography

Mercy Chefs has scheduled food box distributions in Claremore for multiple times this week.

“We have a semi truck coming filled with food boxes and they're going to be given out to the community,”

said Nancy Phelps, Executive Director of Light See FOOD, Page 7A

Light of Hope volunteers Brad Francis, Steven Anderson an Chef disaster relief director Lisa Saylor distributed boxes Church in the cold weather.

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Weatherford Daily News Chelsea Weeks / Progress photo

After days of freezing temperatures and snowfall, friends and family members took turns sliding down the hill at Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Pictured above, siblings Cace and Makayla Mathis race down the hill together. Their mom, Kandi Mathis, joined in on the fun and sled down the hill, too. See page 6A for more photos.

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Weather affects vaccine distrib 1

1. How did the weather impact the vaccination distribution? The weather certainly created an issue with our planned COVID-19 vaccination clinics or PODs

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

working diligently to catch up and continue to vaccinate our community.

What do you wish the general public knew about

How has the overall vaccination process been so far? The process is organized and smooth, but not without small glitches as in any other new

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DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 30,000

Photography

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See

The Norman Transcript A racer spurs his horse to go faster as he takes a significant lead during the Indian Relay Horse Racing International Championships on Saturday in Pawhuska. PHOTOS BY ANDY DOSSETT/FOR THE EXAMINER-ENTERPRISE

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SPORTS COVERAGE

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Sports Coverage

Sports

November 22, 2021

www.aggiecentral.com

Aggie Women’s

Basketball Team Preview The future is bright for the Cameron Women’s Basketball team. The Aggies have proven through their first three games that they are legitimate threats to make a run at a title this year. If they can continue this amazing start to their season, it will be hard to find an opponent who could stop them. With a stacked depth chart and some impressive scorers on this team, there is almost nothing the Aggies cannot accomplish.

Photos by Jimm Alley

FIRST PLACE

Last year, the Aggies ranked third overall for offense in the LSC; however, the defense could not compare as the squad was ranked 11th allowing 68.1 points per game. Through the first three games of this season, they are the number two ranked offense scoring 87 points per game, and have brought up their defense to the number six spot, only allowing 61.7 points per game to opponents. The Aggies have a lot of reasons to be excited about this season.

The Cameron Aggies women’s basketball team got off to a slow start last season, but they would pull through to finish their campaign with an 11-8 record. The Aggies’ magical end to their season included winning eight of their last 11 games and earning a spot in the Lonestar Conference championship and NCAA tournament. The team hopes to continue this success coming into the new year, and have a strong chance to build on their prior triumphs. It is certainly not going to be easy but these Aggies seem to be the best people to get he job done.

The Cameron University Collegian SECOND PLACE

Northwestern News

Photo by Mike Mazzo

Karley Miller Position:

Stephanie Peterson

Maighan Hedge

Katie King

Whitney Outon

Forward

Guard/Forward

Position:

Classification:

Height:

Major:

Karley Miller ended last season strong, putting up 18 points against Midwestern State in the LSC quarterfinal. Miller looks to continue growing into her role.

Stephanie Peterson has been taking charge of the defense this season. She is the front runner for the team in rebounds and blocks, while leading in minutes per game.

Sophomore 5’11

Sports and exercise science

Sophomore 5’10

Biology

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Guard Junior 5’7

Major:

Guard

Freshman 5’6

Major:

Forward Junior 6’0

Major:

Sports and exercise science

Maighan Hedge is not only the Aggies leader in points averaging 24.7 a game, but she is also leading the LSC in total scoring.

Katie King looks to continue the success of her first year at Cameron as she settles into her role as a leader for this team.

Whitney Outon has high expectations for this team and hopes to help her team to a championship victory by the end of her time at Cameron.

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 2,000

Sports Coverage FIRST PLACE

The Times 405-376-6688

May 6, 2021 Page 1B

Tennis

Mustang pair punch ticket to state By Jeff Harrison Managing Editor

Mustang will send two girls to the Class 6A state tennis tournament this week. Christina Do and Abby Boedecker both qualified for state after placing in the top four at Monday’s regional tournament at Yukon High School. Do placed third at No. 1 singles. After dropping her second match of the day to Deer Creek’s Emma Turner, 6-0, 6-0, Do responded with back-to-back wins over Yukon’s Reagan Eskew and Norman North’s Mackenzie

Caddell to take third place. Boedecker took fourth place at No. 2 singles. She went 2-2 on the day with a pair of victories against Yukon’s Aubrianna Corley and Lawton’s Elizabeth Smart. Mustang’s doubles teams both came up short. Aven Korstjens and Grace Shriver finished sixth at No. 2 doubles. And Summer Chapman and Kaylee Ho took seventh place at No. 1 doubles. The OSSAA girls state tennis tournaments are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center.

Minco-Union City Times SECOND PLACE

Inola Independent

Aven Korstjens returns a volley during the Class 6A West regional tennis tournament Monday at Yukon High School.

Mustang’s Christina Do competes at the Class 6A West regional tennis tournament Monday at Yukon High School. Do finished third at No. 1 singles. PHOTOS BY CHUCK REHERMAN

Golf

Mustang’s Luber, Pruitt advance to state golf tournament By Kale Fouts Contributing Writer

THIRD PLACE

Mountain View News

The Mustang boys golf team traveled to the Lake Hefner Golf Course on Monday morning for the Class 6A west regional tournament. The tournament consisted of 36 holes. Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe, Edmond Memorial, Norman, Norman North, Southmoore, Westmoore, Moore, Deer Creek, Enid,

Lawton, Putnam City North, Putnam City, and Mustang were all the teams that played in this tournament.The top six teams from this tournament go on to compete in the state tournament. Edmond North got first place with an overall score of 581. Norman North placed second with a score of 591. Edmond Santa Fe got third place as they shot a cumulative score of 606. Norman shot a 607 and placed fourth. Edmond Memorial

shot a 617 and finished the tournament in fifth place. Deer Creek shot a 634 and placed sixth overall. Mustang placed seventh and had an overall score of 659. The team didn’t score well enough to make it to the state tournament, but the Broncos did have some individuals who qualified to play in the tournament. Cole Luber shot a 75 in the first round and a 78 in the

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See GOLF, page 4B

Mustang’s Cole Luber and Riley Pruitt qualified for the state tournament last week at regionals. PHOTO PROVIDED

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 2,000 – 3,500

Thursday, December 9, 2021 ✧ JOHNSTON COUNTY SENTINEL ✧ Page 11

Sports Beat

THS teams defeat Colbert, fall to Silo and Madill

Sports Coverage

By Jolee Northcutt

Sentinel Correspondent The Tishomingo Indians and Lady Indians played three games last week, beginning with both teams claiming victory over Colbert on Tuesday, Nov. 30. The Lady Indians beat Colbert 5040, after fighting back from a deficit that saw them about 15 points behind for most of the game. Tishomingo’s boys then went on to defeat the Leopards by a score of 5037. The THS squads traveled to Silo on Thursday, Dec. 2, but both teams ended the night on the wrong side of the final scores. The Lady Indians were beaten 67-19, while the Tishomingo boys suffered a 52-32 loss. Tishomingo’s boys and girls next traveled to Madill on Friday, Dec. 3, where the Lady Indians again found themselves on the wrong side of the 41-13 final. On the boys’ side, the Indians sent the game into overtime courtesy of a

FIRST PLACE

County teams gear up for start of Coleman Tournament

Johnston County Sentinel SECOND PLACE

By Jolee Northcutt

Sentinel Correspondent

Tishomingo senior Kenzlea Elkins (above) drives to the lane during the Lady Indians’ contest against Colbert on Nov. 30. In the photo below, THS junior Colton Richards goes up for the basket at Madill on Friday, Dec. 3.

The Lincoln County News THIRD PLACE

Eastern Times-Register (Roland)

last-second three-point shot by Tyson Barrett that tied the score at 39-39. But Tishomingo was unable to capitalize and ultimately lost 48-39 in OT. The Indians and Lady Indians were scheduled to host Tushka on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Game results will be published in next week’s edition of the Sentinel. Both teams are next set to travel to Antlers for tournament action beginning today (Thursday), Dec. 9, and ending Saturday, Dec 11. The Lady Indians are scheduled to play Colgate at 3:50 p.m. Thursday. The winner of that matchup will next play on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The THS boys are scheduled to play Thursday at 7:50 p.m. against Antlers. A win in that contest will advance the Indians to a Round Two game on Friday, also scheduled to start at 7:50 p.m. Next Monday through Saturday, Dec. 13-18, Tishomingo will compete in the annual Savanna Tournament. Action is set to begin with a contest between the Lady Indians and Savanna at 6:40 p.m. Monday.

The Milburn Eagles boys suffered a hard loss to Tupelo last week, falling 80-22 on Tuesday, Nov. 30. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the Milburn boys’ and girls’ teams were both scheduled to travel to Bennington for a pair of games scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Game results will be published in next week’s edition of the Sentinel. Today (Thursday), Dec. 9, Milburn’s boys will face off against Caney in their ﬁrst game of the Coleman Tournament. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. Prior to that, the Lady Eagles are scheduled to play against Stringtown at 10 a.m. Thursday. The winner of the Eagles’ game against Caney will play next at 8:30 p.m. on Friday. A win over Stringtown will advance the Lady Eagles to a second round game set for 4 p.m. Friday. The Coleman Tournament continues through Saturday, Dec. 11. Speaking of Coleman, the Wildcats defeated Bennington 72-54 in a game played last Tuesday, Nov. 30. Cooper Walter led the Wildcats on offense with 23 total points, followed by Larry Landivar with 19 points. Teammate Jayton

Johnson closely followed with 16 points, 12 of those scored in three-pointers. The Wildcats were to play Tuesday, Dec. 7, at home against Achille. Game results will be published next week. From there the Wildcats and Lady Wildcats play host to the Coleman Tournament beginning Dec. 9. Coleman’s girls are scheduled to play against Moyers at 7 p.m., followed by the boys’ contest against Mill Creek at 8:30 p.m. The winner of the girls’ game will next play at 4 p.m. Friday. The winner of the Coleman-Mill Creek matchup will advance to the second round game set

Milburn’s Kilee Wilson drives to the goal against Tupelo on Nov. 30.

Mill Creek girls best Donkeys; Bullfrogs claim win over Fox

(Editor’s Note: The following article was written and submitted to the Johnston County Sentinel by Allyssa Courtney, Hannah Hodgkiss, and Paige Kirby of the Mill Creek Junior Class.) On Tuesday, Nov 30, the Mill Creek Lady Bullfrogs played against the Bray-Doyle Donkeys and claimed a 49-8 victory, improving their season record to 2-4. At halftime Mill Creek’s girls held a 34-6 lead. Junior Paige Kirby was Mill Creek’s high scorer of the game with 30 points. That same night saw the Bullfrogs also square

off against the BrayDoyle Donkeys. But Mill Creek’s boys could not match the success of the girls’ team, ultimately losing 41-39. Leading Mill Creek’s offensive efforts in that game was Ethan Crowe with 15 points, followed by Jose Guevara with 13 points. On Friday, Dec. 3, both Mill Creek teams traveled to Fox and suffered defeats at the hands of the host squads. The Lady ’Frogs were down 18-13 at halftime and ultimately lost 3733, dropping their record to 2-5. Seniors K’Lyn Maness and Allie Boy, along with sophomore

Cada Newton, shared high scorer honors in the contest with nine points apiece. However, the Lady Frogs were unable to claim a win for the season. On the boys’ side, Coach Les Kirby’s Bullfrogs put up a good fight and came out on top with their first win of the season, 59-56. Daldien Arles was Mill Creek’s leading scorer with 17 points, followed by Guevera with 12 points. The Bullfrogs put up a good fight and came out on top with their first win of the season; they won 59-56.

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for 8:30 p.m. Friday. The girls’ championship game will be Saturday, Dec. 11, starting at 5 p.m. It will be immediately followed by the boys’ championship contest at 6:30 p.m. Wapanucka’s boys’ and girls’ teams were both defeated by Stringtown last week, then played Monday, Dec. 6, against Clayton. Those results were not available at press time, and will be included in next week’s Sentinel. Both Wapanucka squads will also be participating in this week’s Coleman Tournament. The Indians will face Moyers at 2:30 p.m. today (Thursday), followed by the girls’ matchup against Mill Creek at 4 p.m. The winners of those games will next play on Friday, with the boys’ contest set for 5:30 p.m. and the girls’ matchup starting at 7 p.m.

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 3,500 – 7,000

Sports Coverage FIRST PLACE

The Purcell Register

Sports Statebound! The

Purcell

Thursday • May 6, 2021 purcellregister.com

Section

Lexington, Purcell and Washington tracksters qualify for State meet Washington’s girls finished sixth in the 3A Regional track meet at Plainview last Saturday with 46 points. Mattie Richardson won the long jump competition with a leap of 16’4”. Janelle Winterton of Lexington won the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 49.07 and was second in the long jump with a 16’1” effort. Winterton won the 100 meters in 12.66 followed by Richardson who covered the distance in 12.83. Tinley Lucas of Washington was third in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 17.43. As a team, Lexington finished 10th with 29 points. On the boys side, Washington finished fourth with 85 points led by first place finishes in both the 800 meter and 3200 meter relays. The 800 meter quartet covered the distance in 1:32.98. The foursome included Kobe Scott, Brayden Arthur, Hunter Jackson and Luke Hendrix. The foursome of Cole Beller, Grant

Purcell qualified athletes for the State Track meet in four events last Friday in the 3A Regional Track meet at Plainview. The 800 meter relay quartet of Gracie Pruitt, Payci Constant, Liz Caralampio and Kora Keith qualified for State after finishing as Regional runners-up. Purcell’s 1600 meter relay team of Caralampio, Tate Quintero, Pruitt and Keith qualified for State finishing second in the Regional competition. Pruitt qualified for State in the 100 meters finishing third at Plainview and Lucy Wilson qualified in the pole vault. “We ran our personal best in nearly every race we competed in on the day,” coach Greg Dillard said. “I thought we competed hard and now have another week to get totally healed for the week ahead.” For the boys, Ronan Little was crowned Regional Champion in the pole vault with a 14’6” effort. Noah Mason tied for Regional Runnerup in the high jump with a 6’0 leap. Kyle Ginn also qualified for State finishing

Please see State, page 2B

3200 champs

Ron Ladlee • The Purcell Register

Reaching for more

Ron Ladlee • The Purcell Register

Washington’s 3200m relay team, from left, Grayson Mitchell, Travis Bolling, Cole Beller and Grant Hager, won the Regional meet at Plainview High School with a time of 8:53.76. They advanced to the State track meet at Catoosa High School this weekend.

Please see Dragons, page 2B

SECOND PLACE

Countywide & Sun • Photo provided

Regional champ State Track Qualifiers

THIRD PLACE

• Photo provided

Purcell State Track qualifiers include, back row, from left, Ronan Little, Noah Mason, Kyle Ginn, Tate Quintero, Kora Keith and Kayla Skinner. Front row - Lucy Wilson, Liz Caralampio, Payci Constant and Gracie Pruitt.

Janelle Winterton won both the 100 and 300 meter hurdles in last weekend’s Regional Track Meet at Plainview. She’s headed to State at Catoosa Friday.

The Eufaula Indian Journal

Washington junior Mattie Richardson won the Regional track meet with a long jump of 16’-04” at Plainview. Richardson advanced to the State track meet at Catoosa High School this weekend.

Warriors in Regionals Sweep Chandler in District tournament JohnDennyMontgomery The Purcell Register

Regional champions

Greg Gaston • double g images

The Washington Warriors claimed the Regional championship after defeating Stroud 12-2 and Latta 15-5 in the tournament, which was played in Washington. The Warriors advanced to State after the wins. Please see full story on page 2B

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one hit and no earned runs. In the second game Luke Keltner The Washington Warriors play got the nod to start and was very Valliant today (Thursday) at 1:30 sharp. p.m. in Lone Grove to kick off the He struck out six batters, giving Regional baseball tournament. up one hit in three innings. Washington advanced to ReCamden Bates came on in relief gionals after defeating Chandler and struck out five batters in two 10-1 and 14-3 in two games during the District tournaIt’s all hands on deck and you try to be ment. “We played ready for anything. well and did what we had — Jeff Kulbeth, head coach to do,” said Warrior head coach Jeff Kulbeth. “We swung the innings. bats really well that day.” “It was two good outings by Luke Washington had 10 hits in the and Aden,” Kulbeth said. “I gave game and it was a team effort to Cam Bates a couple innings because knock in those runners. he hadn’t pitched in a while.” Six Warriors had RBIs, including Dax McCaskill and Sutton Moore Kane Springer, Sam Hegeman (2), both had three ribbies from the plate. Dax McCaskill (2), Colin Pelton Blanchard (2), Bobby Reese and Emitt Wilk. Washington fell short Saturday Aden Hyde went the distance in against Blanchard in a 8-1 loss. a strong showing on the mound. He struck out four batters in seven Please see Warriors, page 2B innings of work and only gave up

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population 7,000 – 19,000 newcastlepacer.com 387-5277

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Sports Coverage FIRST PLACE

The Newcastle Pacer SECOND PLACE

Lady Racers now at 3-5 By Mark Codner mark@newcastlepacer.com

• photo courtesy

Members and coaches of the Newcastle High School Wrestling Team were recognized by Rep. Sherrie Conley on Wednesday in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on behalf of herself, Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan. Pictured are: front row, l-r: Rep. Conley, Max Rinehart, Blake Johnson, Colton Scott, Brayden Cruz, James Folsom, Silas Snead, Michael West, Head Coach Zach Hale and Principal Jennifer Beer; back row, l-r: Newcastle Schools Superintendent Melonie Hau, Assistant Coach Kevin Sheets, Quentin Schane, Arnold Portillo, Adam Sobach, Noah Tallant, Vallie Kammerlocher, Rep. Boles and Sen. Garvin.

NHS wrestlers recognized in House The Newcastle High School Wrestling Team was recognized by Representatives Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, and Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Sen. Jessica Garvin, RDuncan, in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Wednesday. The team recently was named the 2021 Class 4A Wrestling Academic State

Champion by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association. “I’m extremely proud of this team not only for their success on the mat, but as an educator, also for their hard work in the classroom,” Conley said. “This accomplishment reflects the dedication of these student athletes, their coaches, their teachers and

their families. “This is something for which our entire community can be proud.” Collectively the team has the highest grade point average in the state of teams qualifying for regionals, with a 3.84. Conley said team members have set a goal of 3.9 for next year. Conley said she had the

honor of teaching three of the athletes on the team when they were in the fifth grade. She said this made it a special honor to recognize their achievement from the House floor. She and the other lawmakers presented the team and their coaches with a citation, and the entire House offered congratulations.

Newcastle’s Lady Racers’ soccer team was host team, but took losses to Bridge Creek and Cache last week, bringing their season record to 3 wins, 5 losses. Bridge Creek took the 6-0 win, while Cache won, 8-1. Newcastle’s goal was made by Kaylin Holmes. Assistant Coach Randall Robison said Newcastle is being led by Zoee and McKenzie Fernandez. Robison said they led by example every game by competing for every ball and every opportunity. “Paige Arnold is our vocal leader and always gets the team ready to play,” he said. • photo by Mark Codner The coach also said Laihia Burns is Zoii Frey works for the soccer ball during the team’s inspira- recent Lady Racers’ action. tional leader. “She makes so many big saves,” Robison said. “Each one gives the whole team a boost.” Robison said the Newcastle girls’ soccer team is very young, and for many of them this is their first varsity high school soccer experience. The Lady Racers were host to Bethany on Tuesday (past the deadline for the Newcastle Pacer). Their next match is at Madill when they face the Lady Wildcats.

Tigers take 2; Tuttle on top

Wagoner County American-Tribune

Racers win streak comes to an end

When the loss finally came for Newcastle, it came twofold. The Class 4A number 6-ranked Racers were riding as the Outlaws pulled away an eight-game winning streak late in a 4-3 victory. when number 2-ranked Tuttle The Outlaws struck first came to town last week winwith a 3-run third inning, but ning game one, 22-2, and Newcastle stayed in the game game two, 11-1. until the end, scoring three in The Tigers returned home the fifth inning before giving unblemished at the time with up the last run. a 10-0 record on the year, The game was tied at three while the Racers moved, at with Marlow batting in the that time, to 8-2 on the year. bottom of the fifth inning, Newcastle-Tuttle Game 1 scoring on a 1-2 count. Newcastle High School Neeley took the loss for the fell behind early and couldn’t Racers, allowing five hits and come back in the early game’s four runs over four and two22-2 loss. Tuttle took the lead thirds innings, but striking on a home run in the first in- game slip away early and Garrett Ninness, Neeley, out four. ning. Newcastle hosts the Wood couldn’t recover in the 11-1 Kates, Barker and Karsten AlThe Racers struggled to loss to Tuttle. The Tigers took len each collected a hit to lead Bat Tournament April 1-3. contain the high-powered the lead on a double in the the Racers. “Powered by Narrative Sci2x2 ads may giving run anywhere your newspaper. Don’t forget to remind your classified department download the lineMeTigers offense, up 22 infirst ence to and GameChanger inning. Newcastle-Marlow ads for this week at www.okpress.com/ocan CHOOSE THE AD SIZE CLOSEST TO YOUR COLUMN WIDTH 2021. All rights runs. dia. Copyright Newcastle struggled to put Another loss came at the Tuttle got things moving in runs on the board and had a hands of Marlow on Monday, reserved.” the first inning, when an error tough time defensively conscored one run. They scored taining Tuttle, giving up 11 nine runs in the third inning. LAND CENTRAL OKLAHOMA LAND AUCTIONS CENTRAL OKLAHOMA runs. AUCTIONS The Tigers fired up Tuttle’s pitcher allowed four the offense in the first inning FRIDAY, APRIL 9 SATURDAY, MAY 1 FRIDAY, APRIL 9 SATURDAY, MAY 1 hits and317one run County over four when 317 acres Grady County 240 acres Grass-Perry/ acres Grady 240 acres Grass-Perry/ a double scored 2. Tuttle w/1 mile River frontage Red Rock Area mile River frontage Rock Area innings, w/1striking out eight. thenRed scored three runs in the LoganSATURDAY, Wade tookAPRIL the loss SATURDAY, APRIL 10 SATURDAY, MAY 8 10 for second SATURDAY, MAY 8 inning. 80 acres Payne CountyHome and 160 acres 80 acres Payne pitcher CountyHome and 160 acres Newcastle. The alPerkins Area Stillwater Area Perkins Area Stillwater Area Tuttle’s pitcher lasted five lowed 8 hits and 10 runs over innings, allowing five hits and FRIDAY, APRIL 16 FRIDAY, MAY 14 FRIDAY, APRIL 16 FRIDAY, MAY 14 two and2-160 a third innings, 2-160 Acre Logan County 337 Acres Grass Acre Logan County strikAcres while Grass one337run striking out Farms-Mulhall Area Stillwater Area Stillwater Area ing out 2. Farms-Mulhall Area seven. Newcastle racked up eight Gregg Pickens Auctioneer/Broker Gregg Pickens Auctioneer/Broker Corbin Sanner toed the rubhits with 405-747-9304 Ryan Barker and ber for Newcastle, going two 405-747-9304 Pickensauctions.com Pickensauctions.com Will Kates managing two hits innings, allowing seven runs each to lead the Racers. on three hits and striking out Tuttle saw the ball well, one. Connor Neeley threw racking up 18 hits in the game. two and a third innings out of Newcastle-Tuttle Game 2 the bullpen. The Racers watched the

ZONES: CENTRAL for week of March 28, 2021

THIRD PLACE

Durant Democrat

• photo by Vickie Crossley

Conner Neeley finishes a pitch for the Newcastle Racers in a game Monday against the Marlow Outlaws. Newcastle prepares to host its annual Wood Bat Tournament today through Saturday. The Newcastle junior varsity boys went 4-0 in a tournament over the weekend, scoring a total of 54 runs, and beating Norman North, Piedmont, Putnam City and Weatherford. • photo provided

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BID NOW CLOSES TUES., APRIL 13, 2021 Ready to operate facility, everything is here except the plant. Ready to operate facility, everything is here except the plant. Centrally located to support Oklahoma’s 2200 dispensaries. OEC power, 2 Generacs built in July 2020 including propane tanks, Dehumidifiers, CO2 burners, vortex blowers, circulating fans, Watering system, grow lights, drop in water heaters, lots of extras. Realtors welcome.

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WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 19,000

Page 1B • Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Sports Coverage

Baseball

CentralOklahomaWeeklies.com

Track

Bombers set state record By John Martin Staﬀ Writer

FIRST PLACE

Midwest City Beacon SECOND PLACE

Mustang Times

Carl Albert’s Gavine Haines (11) celebrates with teammates Lake Strickland (9) and Ezra Gustafson (7) after scoring a run during the Class 5A baseball state championship game Saturday at David Allen Memorial Stadium in Enid. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON

Titans cruise to state title Carl Albert beats Bishop Kelley 13-3 in 5A finals

By Jeﬀ Harrison Managing Editor

ENID – Heading into Saturday’s championship game, Bishop Kelley had not allowed a run in the Class 5A baseball state tournament. It didn’t long for Carl Albert Carl Albert baseball players celebrate after winning the Class 5A state to change that. Luke Stout, the second hitter championship Saturday in Enid. PHOTO BY STEPHEN TONEY “We watched Bishop Kelley of the night, ripped a grounder Bishop Kelley the rest of the up the middle to score Gavin way, claiming the state title with before and they play good Haines for an early 1-0 lead. a 13-3 victory in six innings at defense and throw strikes, but The Titans continued to hammer David Allen Memorial Stadium. they had not seen a team like us

that can hit as well as we do,” said coach Tim LaValley. Carl Albert combined for 12 hits in the finals. Stout had the biggest bat in the finals. The junior accounted for more than half of the run production, going 4 for 5 at the plate with a double and seven RBIs. Carl Albert scored four runs in the second, fifth and sixth innings. In the top of the sixth, Stout cleared the bases with a three-run double. Houston Russell followed with an RBI double to left giving Carl Albert a 13-3 lead. See BASEBALL, page 4B

EDMOND – The Midwest City Lady Bombers set a new state record in the 800 meter relay for the second week in a row and also claimed the gold medals in the 400 meter relay at the OSSAA Class 6A track and ﬁeld championships at Edmond Santa Fe on Saturday. The MCHS foursome of Grace Pendarvis, Taniya Looney, Deyunsha Westbrook and Imani Osborn posted a time of 1:39.47 to win the regional qualifying meet in Ponca City last week, setting a new state record in the event. But that was just a warmup for Saturday’s state championships. The MCHS girls were in the middle of the track in Lane 4 but Grace Pendarvis didn’t stay there long as she staked her team to a lead they never relinquished, crossing the ﬁnish line in record time of 1:38.36 See TRACK, page 3B

Midwest City’s Imani Osborn takes the handoff from Deyunsha Westbrook during the girls 400-meter relay last Saturday at the Class 6A state meet. PHOTO BY CHUCK REHERMAN

Tennis

Carl Albert boys enjoy record-setting day state

THIRD PLACE

OKC Friday

By Jeﬀ Harrison Managing Editor

OKLAHOMA CITY – Saturday was a huge day for the Carl Albert boys tennis team. The Titans placed second at the Class 5A state tournament and had all six players medal – both ﬁrsts in school history. “When we saw the draws on Thursday night, we thought we had a good shot to ﬁnish high, but we were worried that none of our guys had ever played at

state before,” said coach Shane most of their first trip to state Farley. with a run to the finals. The The freshmen duo of Tyler pair beat Durant (6-0, 6-1) and Shaw and Jackson Bales McAlester (6-1, 6-0) on Friday earned the highest marks as and returned Saturday to top they finished runner-up in No. Ada in the semifinals (6-2, 6-0). 2 doubles. They came up short against Senior Jordan Brown was top-seeded Heritage Hall in the next in third place at No. 2 finals, losing 6-0, 6-3. singles. Sophomore Keegan “We knew we had to be strong McLaughlin placed fourth mentally and sometimes I’d get at No. 1 singles, and Angel down and sometimes Jackson Cervantes and Jared Steward [Bales] would get down but took fifth at No. 1 doubles. See TENNIS, page 3B Jackson Bales returns a volley at the state tournament. PHOTO BY JEFF HARRISON Bales and Shaw made the

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THE DUNCAN BANNER • WEEKEND, OCT. 9-10, 2021

A balanced attack

Andy Morphew / The Duncan Banner

Caity Blair corrals the ball and gets ready to throw the ball over to the bag at first. The Comanche Lady Indians senior finished her season at the Class 3A State Tournament this past Thursday afternoon.

Comanche Softball season ends in State Quarterfinals

FIRST PLACE

The Duncan Banner

Bulldogs open district play with victory By Andy Morphew The Duncan Banner

SECOND PLACE

Poteau Daily News THIRD PLACE

Sequoyah County Times

By Andy Morphew The Duncan Banner

Andy Morphew / The Duncan Banner

Damian Goldsberry runs the ball for a touchdown early in the Empire Bulldogs’ district opener at home against Temple.

After a week off and time spent preparing for their district opener, the Empire Bulldogs used a balanced attack to open district play with a 42-14 victory over Tipton Tigers at home. It was a long run that saw the first score late in the first quarter as Damian Goldsberry broke off a run from 67 yards to take the lead early for the Empire Bulldogs. Gabe Diaz converted the twopoint conversion to give them the 8-0 lead with the next few drives as turnovers until the Empire defense came up big. An interception from Santos Benitez gave Empire good field position as he marched down for their second score of the game. The drive turned out to be nothing as Temple got a stop on defense to put them at the 5-yard

line when Empire got another turnover while the Tigers were out on offense. A fumble recovery gave Empire the ball back inside the 10-yard line when Diaz got the ball to himself and scored the second touchdown of the game for the Bulldogs. Diaz scored the touchdown from 5 yards out and converted the two-point conversion to give the Bulldogs the 16-0 lead with 8:48 left in the first half. A few minutes later, the Bulldogs got a big pass play as McRay Weber caught his first touchdown of the game with 5:01 left in the first half with the two-point conversion no good. Leading 22-0, Tipton saw their first score late in the first half with the halftime lead 22-6 in favor of the Empire Bulldogs. Tipton got the ball to start off the second half and drove the

ball down the field while taking a lot of time off to play in the third quarter before a big turnover happened in favor of the Empire defense. Throwing toward the end zone, the senior defensive back in Weber intercepted the pass to gain possession and put the ball at the 20-yard line with Empire needing one play to score. Diaz lined up and passed the ball to hit Weber in stride and he jogged 80 yards for his second touchdown of the game to give the Bulldogs the 28-6 lead with 2:41 left in the third quarter. To start the fourth quarter, Empire added another rushing touchdown as Diaz rushed for his second touchdown of the game when he ran it in from 14 yards out to give Empire the lead. Goldsberry converted the twopoint conversion with 11:12 left See EMPIRE Page A8

“It is huge and it is something that they can be proud

In their first apof and I’m talking pearance since 1989 for years. As it and only second sets right now they time appearing are only the secin the Fast Pitch ond group in the Softball State Tournament in school history of school to history, the Comanever do this. Once che Lady Indians this game wears Softball season off, it is something ended in the State to be really proud Quarterfinals. of and they should As the No. 8 seed be too.” facing off against the No. 1 WashingAaron Minor, ton Lady Warriors, Lady Indians Coach the Lady Warriors secured the 10-0 victory in six innings over Comanche with three runs coming in the bottom of the first inning. Comanche got the first at-bat as the visiting team and had to contend with one of the best pitchers they have faced all season long. Maggie Place for Washington went all six innings and allowed only two Comanche hits from Caity Blair and Mykayla Slovak during the portion of the game. Comanche had a few errors in the early part that helped Washington jump out to the early lead, but the Lady Indians settled down and only gave up three big innings on offense. See COMANCHE Page A8

Lady Demons Volleyball preps for regionals with season ending victory By Andy Morphew The Duncan Banner After finishing their best regular season to date with a 3-0 victory this past Thursday on the road in Altus, the Duncan Lady Demons volleyball team now prepares for Regionals this next Monday on the road. Winning the sets 25-12, 25-11 and 25-9, the win gives them a record of 23-8 on the season and on a two-game winning streak, the Lady Demons now move forward to the Class 5A Regional Tournament. Lady Demons head coach Amanda Lard is proud of the way her team competed against a team they have already faced and feels this is good momentum going into next week. “It is huge to come out and

play well and it is against teams we have played before … but we haven’t seen them since the beginning of the season and they were our first regular season match,” Lard said. “I know we improved over the season, so you never know how much a team improves during their season, and they were a different team than the first time we played them. We needed to go in strong and we needed to go in with a good head space so we could mentally be there at the game knowing it our last match before the playoffs. It was very important to go in and play well last night.” Heading to Tahlequah, who is No. 8 in 5A, the Duncan Lady Demons rank No. 9 in 5A, and they will go in as the

No. 2 seed in the regional and face a familiar team in McAlester. Beating McAlester in a tournament earlier in the season, Lard believes this will help, however both teams will have a chance to watch film and play better than the previous match. “It is a good thing and a bad thing because we know them but they also know us and they know our strengths and they have been looking at film and seeing our weaknesses just like we have been doing,” Lard said. “Playoffs when they come around, there Andy Morphew / The Duncan Banner is an extra level of wanting Meg Walker looks to hit the ball to the front court in a to be prepared and knowing your opponent’s strengths and game earlier this season for the Duncan Lady Demons. weaknesses. Every team going Duncan Volleyball has won two straight and is now lookSee VOLLEYBALL Page A8

ing to win Regionals this next Monday.

“Heroes Were Made” This coffee table style book features exclusive photographs and reports from nearly 20 years of The Tribune-Democrat’s coverage of the site – including images and stories found nowhere else. For those who can vividly recall the events of September 11, 2001, and for those too young to remember that day, we offered the book “Heroes Were Made” – expanded and updated for the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

3495*

This book, initially published in 2011, is a heartfelt tribute to the victims of United Flight 93, to the first responders on the scene and to the Somerset County community that embraced the family members of the crash victims and took on the responsibility of preserving and telling the story of their courage in the face of terror.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY

A collaborative project of The Tribune-Democrat and Johnstown Magazine, the book chronicles the efforts to design, fund and build the permanent Flight 93 National Memorial – from the Wall of Names to the Visitor Center to the Tower of Voices.

VISIT WWW.HEROESWEREMADE.COM

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Wednesday

www.mcalesternews.com

February 24, 2021

HS WRESTLING

Buffs send three to state tournament By DEREK HATRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR

These Buffs are headed to the big stage. McAlester faced off with wrestlers from across the eastern portion of the state during the Class 5A wrestling regionals, with three Buffs placing and moving on to the state tournament. In the 120 class, Nate Hutchison placed fourth after notching a win of 12-0 against Sapulpa’s Garret Munson be-

fore a narrow loss put Hutchison in the third place match. And although he fell to Hudson Henslick from Collinsville, the young Buff had already secured his place at the state tournament. In the 160 class, Trey Howard took an opening 6-0 win over Estaban Avalos from Will Rogers before a narrow loss in the next match put him into the third place slot. But the senior Buff battled to a 3-2 decision to take a third place finish and a spot in the state

tournament. I n t h e 1 8 2 c l a s s, C a l e b Squyers took a 3-0 win over Glenpool’s Brayden Nelson to start things off. He would be defeated in the next match, but not before solidifying his spot in the upcoming state tournament. The Class 5A state wrestling tournament is set for Friday, Feb. 26 at Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City with the first session set to start at 9 a.m.

• Contact Derek Hatridge at dhatridge@mcalesternews.com.

LINDA HUTCHISON | Submitted photo

THE MCALESTER BUFFALOES had a successful day at regionals, ending with sending three wrestlers to the state tournament.

HS BASKETBALL

FIRST PLACE

McAlester News-Capital SECOND PLACE

McAlester runs away with win vs. Durant Hartshorne By ADRIAN O’HANLON III EDITOR

After a season full of setbacks, Jarrod Owen said McAlester is excited to get some momentum after a double-digit win over rival Durant. McAlester was forced to sit out for periods of time this season due to COVID-19 quarantines and historic winter storms, but ran away from Durant to a 56-30 home win. The McAlester girls basketball coach said his team worked through the challenges and is working toward the postseason. “I’m so proud of how hard they work every day and they deserve a lot of credit,” Owen said. “Everybody’s 0-0 now so we just got to go out there and play our guts out.”

quarter and never let off the gas. Elizabeth Milligan hit two three-pointers on her way to 10 point in the opening quarter of the blowout. Stevie Stinchcomb kept the momentum rolling in the second with nine points of her own to help the Lady Buffs to a 31-20 halftime lead. Stinchcomb knocked down two more deep balls in the third and Millgan added one in the third for a 44-27 advantage through three quarters. Milligan hit two more ADRIAN O’HANLON III | Staff photo three-pointers in the final COREY ALBERSON and McAlester ran away with a home win stanza as McAlester outagainst Durant on Monday ahead of the postseason. scored Durant 12-2 to close McAlester (6-8) is set to winner between Sapulpa and out the win. Owen said the whole team open the playoffs against Tulsa East Central in the is finding its groove as the Tulsa Memorial at the Sapul- regional finals. playoffs approach. pa regional tournament. The The Lady Buffs jumped to a >> See MCALESTER // Page B2 winner advances to play the 16-8 lead through the first

Senior Night

The Ada News

rolls to district title win By DEREK HATRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR

The Lady Miners were fired up from the opening tip. Hartshorne took no time getting back into postseason form, earning a 69-34 win over Coalgate on Monday to be crowned district champions. The Lady Miners got to work quickly, rattling off an 11-0 run to open the game that would lead to a 22-4 lead after the opening quarter. In the second period, Jaylee Moore lit up the scoreboard as she nailed multiple threes to push the Lady Miners lead even more. Hartshorne would find itself leading 34-8 heading into the locker room. On the other side of the break, the Lady Miners kept that same energy from the first half — once again using explosive offense and buckets from the likes of Moore, Courtney Sensibaugh, and Ashton Hackler to gain a sizable 44-15 lead after three quarters. That offensive barrage paired

>> See HARTSHORNE // Page B2

Miners nab district title win By DEREK HATRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR

THIRD PLACE

Claremore Daily Progress

ADRIAN O’HANLON III | Staff photo

MCALESTER HIGH School celebrated its seniors during Monday night’s home games against Durant.

McAlester finishes strong in home win By ADRIAN O’HANLON III EDITOR

Will Holiman said he was proud of the team effort to get McAlester’s seniors a win in their last home game. After seeing Durant pull back within three points through the third quarter, McAlester pulled away for good in the final period for a 78-60 home win Monday on senior night. “It was good for our seniors because our seniors got their last win in our gym and that’s always big for team morale,” the McAlester boys basketball coach said. “It gets the guys’ confidence up and gets them ready for the

playoffs.” McAlester (3-15) is set to open the postseason at a Class 5A regional tournament Friday at Bishop Kelley. Holiman said he hopes the win gives his team some momentum heading into the playoffs. “We just got to get ready for the playoffs,” Holiman said. “It’s win or go home and we just talked to the guys in the locker room about ‘this is a good win, enjoy tonight, and then get ready to come here Friday, put a couple days in of work and see if we do some Upset City.”

>> See BUFFS // Page B2

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ADRIAN O’HANLON III | Staff photo

ADANTE HOLIMAN and McAlester finished strong in a 78-60 win Monday against Durant.

The Miners weren’t going to let this one get away. Hartshorne battled it out with Coalgate during Monday’s district title game, with the Miners taking the 61-52 win. The Miners wasted no time in scoring, notching two quick triples to break the ice. Caden James and Kaleb Keith would combine for five first-quarter threes that would lead to a huge scoring run and saw Hartshorne leading 21-5 after the opening quarter. In the second quarter, the Miners continued to get hot on the offensive end. Coupling that with stingy defense and not giving an inch, and the Miners found themselves leading 36-21 at the half. In the second half, Coalgate and Hartshorne began trading buckets while playing hard up and down the floor. As the Wildcats tried to cut into the lead, the Miners held strong and used a driving bucket and foul shot by Colton Mattioda to help put themselves ahead 48-36 after three quarters. The fourth quarter was dominated by defense for much of the final minutes. And with each team trading shots, both were unwilling to relent. But the Miners used focus, determination, and a few welltimed shots to come away with the win. Keith led the way with 20 points, followed by James with 16 points, Hayden Curliss with 12 points, and Mattioda with eight points.

>> See MINERS // Page B2

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SPORTS THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT

■

SUNDAY, OCT. 10, 2021

Oklahoma 55, Texas 48

NEW SHERIFF Oklahoma stuns Texas in largest shootout in series history

FIRST PLACE

The Norman Transcript SECOND PLACE

Stillwater News Press THIRD PLACE

The Lawton Constitution

Kyle Phillips / The Transcript

OU’s Caleb Williams passes the ball Saturday during the Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Sooners complete 21-point comeback in Red River game for the ages By Jesse Crittenden

Transcript Sports Editor

DALLAS — With 10 seconds to go, the Oklahoma offense had time for one more play. The Sooners were deadlocked with Texas 48-48 and had the ball at the Longhorns’ 33-yard line. It was likely the Sooners would keep the ball on the ground before sending Gabe Brkic to kick a game-winning field goal from about 45 yards out. The ball was direct-snapped to running back Kennedy Brooks, which caught the Texas defense off guard, and Brooks looked for room to run.

He found it on the left side of the ﬁeld, and sprinted through the hole in the Texas defense. He crossed the goal line and gave the Sooners a seven-point lead with three seconds to go. “It was a great call by [OU coach] Lincoln Riley,” Brooks said after the game. “The O-line did a great job. They blocked it out. I went to the outside. The receivers did a hell of a job blocking downﬁeld. I just ran straight and scored. “It was an amazing feeling to be able to win the game. I did it for the team. It was a great feeling.” Kyle Phillips / The Transcript The touchdown, and the Oklahoma’s Kennedy Brooks runs with the ball Saturday special-teams stop on the during the Red River Showdown at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in See SOONERS Page B3 Dallas, Texas.

One year later Cowboys prepare to face NY Giants a year after Prescott’s severe injury, Page B8

Fried keeps his cool Atlanta’s Max Fried stays sharp as Braves shutout Brewers for an NLDS tie , Page B7

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Caleb Williams saved the season, ought to have won himself a job

e saved the season. All Caleb Williams did Saturday afternoon inside the Cotton Bowl was save Oklahoma’s Clay Horning Senior Sports Columnist season. @clayhorning Of course, he got huge assists from Kennedy Brooks, Marvin Mims, his oﬀensive line and, for crying out loud, the Sooner defense, too, once the second half began, OU down 18 points. But he saved the season. Should anybody remember after a game like that, a 55-48 Sooners-on-top

classic, Williams actually saved the ﬁrst half, too, coming in for a snap, facing fourth-and-1 at his own 34, when the line did nothing for him and, forced to move outside his blockers to his left, made two Longhorns miss in the space of two steps and took it 66 yards to paydirt with no help at all. “What an epic comeback,” said OU coach Lincoln Riley, which it was, the biggest in the Red River rivalry’s history. He left out the part about Williams saving the season, spending more time on the intestinal fortitude of the quarterback Williams See HORNING Page B3

College Football Saturday Michigan St. Rutgers

31 13

Georgia Auburn

34 10

Michigan Nebraska

32 29

Ole Miss Arkansas Baylor W. Virginia

52 51 45 20

Iowa Penn State TCU Texas Tech

23 20 52 31

Texas A&M Alabama Boise St. BYU

41 38 26 17

National scoreboard, Page B3 • Big 12 football, Page B3 • Top 25 roundup, Page B4

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June 30, 2021

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Watonga Republican

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

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Great food Street Vendors • Wine Tasting • Petting Zoo • Carnival Rides Live Music • Food Contest Family Dance Party And so much more Be Sure to Check Out the NEW Lucky Star Casino and Hotel Located at 1407 S Clarence Nash Blvd, Watonga

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Henryetta Free-Lance • Wednesday, November 10, 2021

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A SALUTE TO OUR

BILL GOODNER Lieutenant – U.S. Navy (Retired) Served July 1956 - July, 1978

JOE GOODNER Lieutenant Commander – U.S. Navy (Retired) • Served April 1991-July 2011

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JACK MATHIS Airman First Class – U.S. Air Force Service: March, 1961 - March, 1965

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JAMES E. (JIM) WARDEN Captain – U.S. Air Force Born 9/2/46 • Died 11/3/09 Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal & 10 OLC, Vietnam War

DARREL W. BARNETT U.S. NAVY ABH-1 Petty Officer First Class Retired Served Active Duty January 1972 through April 1992

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AUGUST 2021 • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 7

MONTHLY

The Lawton Constitution Lawton’s 120th Birthday Celebration

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The Fairfax Chief

in his role representing Osage Minerals Council, says, “Defendants decided to ask for forgiveness rather than permission (through a lease), and now assert that they would be harmed by a costly removal of their illegally Continued to Page 7

WIND

around, checking out the old First National Bank Building. Jack Fisk, production director, was seen hanging out a window on the top floor of the building. The upstairs of the building will be used for

Fairfax Community Foundation presents

Trunk Show 202 1 on Main Street April 24th, 2021

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month It’s time to STOP Domestic Violence. To End Domestic Violence -Recognize it. Report it. Prevent it. Please join us for two Domestic Violence walks to support survivors of this senseless violence. October 15, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Under One Roof, 107 McKinley Drive in Eu-

faula October 29, 2021 at 11a.m. at McIntosh County Democrat Offices, 300 S. Broadway in Checotah Presented by: Muskogee Nation Family Prevention Program, Women In Safe Home, Inc. (WISH), Under One Roof , Eufaula Indian Journal and the McIntosh County Democrat.

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Chamber exchange focuses on non-profits By Mark Codner news@newcastlepacer.com

May’s business exchange luncheon of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce had as its focus non-profit entities in the area. Several area residents spoke either for their group or on behalf of a local group. Included were the Newcastle Lions Club, Newcastle Citizens Center (relat2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPERSenior CONTEST

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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2021

Serving Metropolitan Tulsa Since 1921

Volume 100 Number 49 14 Pages

ON GREENWOOD: OUR MUSIC

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The Oklahoma Eagle Of Greenwood

Over the years, Tulsa’s Greenwood community has produced an extraordinarily rich range of musicians, singers and bands, including many who have risen to national and international fame. Just a few of the stars, pictured clockwise above: Vocalist Tea Rush; Bassist Cecil McBee; The collective Fire in Little Africa; Trombonist and bandleader Ernie Field, Sr; and the original GAP Band. COLLAGE CREATED BY THE EAGLE STAFF

FROM TULSA TO BROADWAY AND BACK

The Greenwood sound continues to play a role in America’s music scene. By Mary Noble For the Oklahoma Eagle

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Midwest City Beacon

ABOUT THIS SERIES

“Of Greenwood,” is a monthly series of The Oklahoma Eagle that examines key legacies that helped to shape our community as the “Black Wall Street of America.” Our series receives support from Liberty Mutual Insurance. The Oklahoma Eagle is solely responsible for this content. To read the series and watch videos, visit TheOklahomaEagle.net.

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Our People.” We Aid 1936-1978) Better When Publisher America (1902-1978, 2021 Goodwin ER 10, “We Make - E. L. FRIDAY,

Tulsa Since

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“We Make America Better When We Aid Our People.”

LEGACY OF

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entrepreneurship >> September: Goinʼ to worship: Sunday is a lifeline of Greenwoodʼs legacy and future >> October: Health care: Carrying on ʻlegacy of

(Black) physiciansʼ >> November: Greenwood: A community devoted to education >> December: From Tulsa to Broadway and back

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12 Pages

INSIDE

TALK OF GREENWOOD

graduates T. “Teacher of the high school building on Greenwood who have become teachers Year” Donna Ross; in the Avenue, now on and Tiffany Bennett the property of Tulsa Public School system the Oklahoma , a guidance counselor sitting at the memorial at East Central State University-Tulsa campus. bench to honor High and co-founder Booker of the FacebookDr. LaVerne Ford Wimberly (left T. Washington High School students page, “Tulsa Black ), who By Gary Educators.” BASILin 1975 became TPS’s first who became educators. The Lee African American bench CHILDERS / FOR female assistant sits at the former site The Oklahoma THE OKLAHOMA high school principal; EAGLE Eagle More than four TPS

Dr. Runako Whittaker at WestView Clinic in North Tulsa, Oklahoma. BASIL CHILDERS

Carrying on legacy of Black physicians

COMMENTARY

didn’t North Tulsa’s North Tulsaitself; destroyBy Victordid Luckerson people For Theare Oklahoma Eagle certain still and Dr. Runako Whittaker didnʼt

health care stretches back more than a century. enough. But in North Tulsa she found a community she wanted to help, and a legion of older doctors who wanted to help her. “There have been several Black physicians here in town who have served as mentors for me,” Dr. Whittaker said, citing longtime North Tulsa neurologist Dr. Jerome Wade as an especially strong inﬂuence. “He was always open for questions and advice.” Dr. Whittaker and Dr. Wade serve as recent links in a lineage of North Tulsa health care that stretches back more than a century. This community

expect Page A7 to stay in Tulsa. The pediatrician came to the city for herSERIES: residency in the year THIS in order to get help to 2000

is a monthly ABOUT that Eaglestudent pay off her to loans. “Of Greenwood,” helped The Oklahoma The that federal government series of key legacies as the “Black examines community was offering ﬁnancial relief born.” at the congregaOur series you were looked out shape our to of longMutual graduates of America.” medLiberty school before then composed EAGLE came from Wall Street Mayberry Eagle isin medically mainly OKLAHOMA support the room a chorus who worked starts feeling / FOR THE her flock, From across receives The Oklahoma content. Mayberry JEZREL WHITE tion – Finally, Marla underserved for this areas, and North Insurance. Baptist Church. Pastor Legacy it. time members. then another. at Antioch When pulpit at Antioch Green solely responsible Tulsa, had lacked a you know sanctuary pastor, you one shout-out, behind the Tulsa’s which lead pastor of Greenwood’s rose. sermon from >> May: the spirit, seat in the Antioch’s full-service The power hospital since the she is senior it hapPotter delivers of “Amens!” From any where >> July: Rev. Marla her element, of Tul-qualiﬁed. of other this Sunday, her first Church, 1960s, certainly dollar Now in legacy Baptist and feel it. On minutes into circular The rich ip forth. hour, dozensa similar, from the in For Whittaker, Seattle was carried the same >> August: can hear about 10 of the day – At roughlytheir congregations around Black entrepreneursh pened led on A2 sa’s home, and she expected to be response. of the scripture pastors continued call and reading back on the West Coast soon voice CHURCH Psalms. to make an appointment self-styled of her book of have cadence God knew “We don’tshe said as the in line. to wait to do even with God,” don’t have you had rose. “Youwere, and what you who Lee

e is a lifelin Sunday wood’s for Green and future legacy

Holley t Lonnie (roots) ed artis acclaim an heritage Indi ionallyInternat es his Creek celebrat

has long been served by a small but dedicated group of physicians who strive to protect the health and well-being of their neighbors. For decades, North Tulsa doctors dealt with inferior equipment and poorer facilities than their white counterparts. They were excluded from both medical schools and medical societies in the state. After Jim Crow was slowly beaten back in the 1960s, a new set of challenges emerged, with

ABOUT THIS SERIES “Of Greenwood,” is a monthly series of The Oklahoma Eagle that examines key legacies that helped to shape our community as the “Black Wall Street of America.” Our series receives support from Liberty Mutual Insurance. The Oklahoma Eagle is solely responsible for this content.

>> May: Tulsa’s Green Legacy >> July: The power of Greenwood’s circular dollar >> August: The rich legacy of Tulsa’s Black entrepreneurship >> September: Goin’ to worship

LEGACY continued on A2

Greenwood : A comm

unity devot

PAGE 2

GREENWOOD

ed to educa tion

SOUND

Kode Ransom’ s ‘Oklahom a Made’ earns national nomination

t did not take decades later, now 51 more Ross, into a conversation than a few minutes (TPS) and a veteran Tulsa Public emotional level. teacher, devotes Schools for Donna to break into some serious And you have to make her professional to bringing song. She was Ross noise.” the same superlative life stories about sharing Ross says she her schooling that ABOUT THIS level of Walt Whitman years as a student at she needs for her gets all the thanks she a new generation received at Whitman Elementary “Of Greenwood,” SERIES work every School Lansing of young Tulsans. to time she runs into one of nearly a quarter-century The Oklahoma is a monthly series of her students During Eagle that examines around who has gone leading classrooms legacies that across Tulsa key on to take solid Tulsa and helped to shape – at lead strong jobs and as the “Black our community mentary schools, Alcott and Hawthorne families. But Wall elelast Spring, presented Ross series receives Street of America.” Our has found her and other institutions TPS with support from - she for sweet Liberty Insurance. The her commitment the ultimate validation teacher at McKinley spot as a fourth-grade Oklahoma Eagle Mutual the best lessons success in life. and contributions responsible for naming her is solely for After 24 years Elementary School. by 2021 Teacher this content. “I couldnʼt wait in Tulsa classrooms, of the Year. was chosen has honed to to walk into She from Ross every day,” a ﬁne point that school >> May: Tulsaʼs of other teachers a talent pool of a dozen Ross the skills she to give her students to become the experience recalled. “Everything >> July: The Green Legacy to prepare them feels handful of about the challenges - the teaching, power of Greenwoodʼs Northside teachersone of only a for of dollar the respect received the circular who have for life. Her secret higher education – and top honor. >> August: sauce starts euphoric memories The rich relationships with building entrepreneurship legacy of Tulsaʼs Black with each kid Education in her class. “From there, roots older >> September: statehood than Goinʼ each in their you can help guide them lifeline of Greenwoodʼsto worship: Sunday way,” she said. teacher whoʼs “Iʼm not the legacy and future is a >> October: going to tell Health In her job as kids page 220 and of (Black) physiciansʼcare: Carrying on ʻlegacy a molder of start reading. to turn to Ross is part young minds, kids, you have I think to teach >> November: of a storied to reach them tradition of Greenwood: on a personal, A community Black devoted to education EDUCATION PAGE 7 continued on To read the series A2 and watch videos, TheOklahomaEagle.ne visit t.

GOOD NEWS

on North KIDZ BIZZThat wasAvenue. in the late 1970s, rising Black an era of Konference Tulsa: Pride across Tulsa, teachers were committed to and the A success the mostly Black giving kids at school

PAGE 5

brought me OPINION learning, joy.” Her

of those years inspired Ross Voting rights to alma materʼs do her rendition of her “Whitman Hornets,” reemergessang,as“youawillsong. she see all the best can be.” that there priority for Congress

PAGE 5

COURTS

Religious leaders call for clemency for Julius Jones

Eagle

MUSIC REVIEW

closing was the ambitious The show Museum’s Limitaact of the “From The of his exhibition exhibition, seventh Now.” The being thehe recalled his tions of works from several South. sevspoke of Here he children. There as a gravedigfeatured including It 27 artists, him in dozen are Tulsa-based. and mother’s s background lay a Lee she summoned eral who vibrant tapestries grandmother’ point, ‘you can’the said. By Gary Eagle y-celeAt one told me, included vivid photographs, gave ger. dig. “She a crooked grave,” The Oklahoma the internationall and videos. culture, beadwork, to help in Holley, paintings,were chosen Lonnie of Black AmericanPhilbrook songs, coffin straight at the artworks violence of bard his These brated roots and on the performance 3, bringing Indian is reto reflect history. Its titlethe a spirited of Art on Sept. and blues and in Creek Holley artist, whatever American inspired by rn Museum mix of rhythm sold-out crowd were to a to embrace theme of Oklahoma-bo self-styled As a performance poetry gardens. his the surrounding in his ability writings performance sprawling Ellison. markable is in and blend into his show. drew from raspy Ralph he an acclaimed writer and vibe him and the the museum’s setting and At times is also show, Holley The men’s surgical ward in the Maurice Willows Hospital,324 North Hartford Ave., on the site of the old Dunbar School. The hospital contained a modern operating room, surgical ward for men, a surgical ward for women, a audience, Holley albums. honey-toned, For his and sculptor, nature, dusk settled around of four eerie shadows, at the Philbrook maternity ward, a general medicalHolley women’s others appeal. His several performedward, kitchen, bath and closets. The hospital was the in Tulsa’s history built for African Americans. Three African American men are in hospital beds, one African American man visual artist took on perfect fit for collection As the and at his included garden a with an amputatedandleft armLonnie standing in the middle of the room, two African American men sitting in the corner, and an African American youth sitting on the far left. The photograph was taken by Gifford I. Talmage, whose part of musician a Fucked the show as sandpaper that the His sculpture seemed tree-lined Hose” was a big “I woke up in songs art educator works. He said studio was inDEAN/PHILBROOK the Robinson MUSEUM Building, 519 West Fourth St. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS who by the his voice American artist, his performanceevening. grandmother, the of his Down rendition, of the signature Renowned Sept. 3. JACK “Weighed him to spirited one on A3 Museum of Art on a late summer was particularly of his maternalendeared continued “Mith,” Up America,” memory Creek Indian, HOLLEY album serve 90-minute of his 2018 was part Oklahoma. Holley’s here and of poignant. going on in blended in yarns to come “I was chosen culture 71, he said. A lot was Holley, songs, “I am honored A8 “ Holley and background. show. Between Alabama, to the the ancestors, colorful Directory A9 this.” INDEX refers about his in Birmingham, do Church to often A5 was raised in Atlanta and the American A10 in Faith History now lives & World of living A6 Nation American harsh realities A2 African A7 Tulsa native Randy Hopkins investigates the Classifieds By Randy Hopkins A3 On Greenwood backstory of how the city of Tulsa handled – Opinion One Eagle.net Contributing Writer A4 some critics even say mishandled – the search From Page TheOklahoma aEagle for the remains race massacre murder victims Nation State & #TheOklahom that led to Oaklawn Cemetery. The three-part er series runs in our Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 editions. #OKEaglePap

PAGE 5

COMMENTARY

Entrepreneur lays out plan for the New Black Wall Street The original Booker

OPINION

The mayor’s state of (not all) of Tulsa

A new generthat “another segregation In 1964, we reported ation of Black Wall Stree t businesses honored barrier in school integration was removed … by the Sand Springs School Board with announcement that at least ten Negro students will be admitted to the Charles Page High School.” Now, 57 years later, Page alum John Neal investigates this landmark event and its lingering legacy in the ﬁrst of a two-part series. PAGE 7

T. Washington

H.S. building.

Owners, entrepreneurs for making

recognized Tulsa awesom Tulsa’s private brieﬁng on reburial of remains e. TULSA RACE MASSACRE

The City of Tulsa’s Mass Graves Debacle

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

BRIEFING continued on A4

The entire investigation is available www. centerforpublicsecrets.org. This is second of three parts.

INDEX

TheOklahomaEagle.net

On Greenwood

#TheOklahomaEagle

From Page One

#OKEaglePaper

Tulsa Race Massacre

Local & State

Classiﬁeds

Opinion

Church Directory

NORTH TULSA

By Gary

PAGE 8

LEADERS

Lee

The Oklahoma Eagle

Graphic designer andcontained At Tulsa’s oldest cemetery, the 20-acre Oaklawn Cemetery, were the caskets that the remains of 33 people, whose entrepreneur Award. Tony Williams Tania remains were exhumed as part of the City of Tulsa’s investigation into theGarza 1921 Tulsa Racefrom Massacre and possible location of (center), (second known left) accepted mass graves of scores of unaccounted victims murdered by white Tulsans during their destruction of the historic all-Black as “Mister Black Wall Street,” the Boomtown received Organization Award Greenwood community a century earlier. City work crews used a backhoe to dump dirt into a mass grave pit located adjacent for Urban Coder’s the Boomtown Individual Guild. RIP STELL to the cemetery’s so-called “colored” potter’s field. The remains, some suspected to be those of Race Massacre victims, were / TYPROS TheOklahomaE once again covered up. CITY OF TULSA agle.net On Greenwood #TheOklahoma Eagle INDEX BUSINESS A2 Classiﬁ Around Town #OKEaglePape continued on eds r Sports A5 A9 A4 Nation Local & State A6 Church Directory Nation & World A10 A5 Opinion A7 Veterans A9 Day Criminal Justice A11 A8 Arts A10 & Culture

A10

>> INTERGRATING SAND SPRINGS, B2

OPINION

NATION

PAGE A7

PAGE B4 - 5

Another injustice How Racism plagues rendered: Tulsa jury the U.S. military acquits white man for academies killing Black woman

PAGE A4

On Greenwood

Volume 100

Ronnie Wilson homegoing

Multiracial coalition of Masons partner to donate $20,000 to the Greenwood generations Cultural Center ofThree the Booker of North Tulsa school

Page A7

The Oklahoma

INSIDE

TALK OF GREENWOOD

: OUR EDUCATION

HISTORIC GREENWOOD

OUR OPINION

must Julius Jones executed not be

>> AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGACY, B1

ABOUT YOU

ma Ea gle

America

- E. L. Goodwin Better When We Aid Our (1902-1978, People.” Publisher 1936-1978) NOVEMBER 12 - 19, 2021

ON GREENWOOD

INSIDE

Page A4

OUR FAITH

By Gary

After earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Howard University, Edna Burke Jackson began her teaching career at three of Greenwoodʼs towering institutions: Booker T. Washington High School, Vernon A.M.E. Church and The Oklahoma Eagle. But her longest connection to Tulsa was her near decade stint as an Eagle columnist; a role she continued when she returned to Washington, D.C., and became an education icon. This week, she became the ﬁrst female namesake of a D.C. public high school.”

A note to our readers Greenwood Chamber of Commerce plans about our new new women’s changes business center

“We Make

1921

ONLY IN THE EAGLE: 1964 INTEGRATION OF CHARLES PAGE HS

D.C. SCHOOL RENAMED FOR FORMER EAGLE COLUMNIST

Mustang Times

Tulsa Since

a officials Oklahom to resume ns are ready executio

PAGE 5

>> May: Tulsaʼs Green Legacy >> July: The power of Greenwoodʼs circular dollar >> August: The rich legacy of Tulsaʼs Black

The O klaho

Serving Metropolitan

Volume 100 Number 40 12 Pages

ON GREENWOOD: OUR MEDICAL CARE

1921

Goin’ to ip worsh

Serving

SEPTEMEB

INDEX

Classiﬁeds

A Greenwood Legacy

SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS

Community Leadership

News

July 1-2, 2021

HUMANE SOCIETY Rocky searching for his special person and an easy, comfortable home By Chloe Brooks The Duncan Banner

Similar to Sylvester Stallone’s character in the movie “Rocky,” Stephens County Humane Society (SCHS) has its own kind-hearted and fierce Rocky. Rocky is a one-year-old Min Pin mix available for adoption at SCHS who came to visit us on Take Out Tuesday. Best described with the analogy “three tan shoes and one white boot,” Rocky has three tan paws and one white leg. His uniqueness was evident in his appearance, but over time, we learned

FIRST PLACE

The Duncan Banner Take out Tuesday

of his unique personality as well. There was much to learn about this timid but bold, gentle but fierce, and playful but calm dog. Learning about his unique personality was a process, but it was a joy as well. Upon his arrival, Rocky was nervous to be surroundTamara Gregor / The Duncan Banner ed by new faces, but once With his ears perked up, SCHS’ Rocky looks intently for a treat. He is availhe adjusted to his environable for immediate adoption from the Stephens County Humane Society. ment, he became selectively comfortable. After hours of moseying around, on the dogs for adoption, visit the This was quite notice- Rocky finally became playful. He was Stephens County Humane Society able by how much excited to play with both adults and Facebook page or website at stephenRocky clung to Manscountyshelter.com for the link to dochildren. aging Editor Charlene Toward the end of his visit, report- nate. The SCHS column is sponsored Belew’s side upon beer Tamara Gregor took him by R&S by Tractor Supply Co. and Oklahoma ing picked up by her. Drugs for a treat; while there, he Educator’s Credit Union and R&S Rocky is the definiDrug Store. demonstrated good betion of “minding your havior and calmness. own business.” He We like For those seeking to could be seen wanbig boats dering around and adopt a smaller dog, look no further. Once he & we cannot lie watching people drift past. Never causing a warms up, Rocky will raucous, Rocky was a easily become a part of perfect dog to host in the family. % AP R* Want to give Rocky a our newsroom. plus up to 90 days of no payments* Rocky enjoys eating, permanent home? To basically anything. set up an appointment, From eating beef-fla- call 580-252-7387 bevor chewy snacks to tween the hours of noon a cheeseburger, Rocky and 4 p.m. Weekends Apply Today: 1-800-342-8259 oecu.com/app spent a good portion have extended hours of his day out simply until 6 p.m. For more information eating.

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Tamara Gregor / The Duncan Banner

THIRD PLACE

Okmulgee Times

www.duncanbanner.com

R&S DRUG

Rocky enjoys a game of tug-of-war and catch with his new pals at The Duncan Banner on Take Out Tuesday. A dog meant for one person, Rocky is looking for his forever home.

COVID-19 Shots Available! Any resident 12 & older Schedule appt at rsdrug.com.

#1 DOWNTOWN 821 Main • 255-6292

M-F 9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-1pm, Sun. Closed

Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, has named Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, as a member to the Energy Council.

chance to learn more about energy issues of importance to their states, citizens, environment and revenue base. “I am very humbled and honored to have been selected

2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity and look forward to learning from my colleagues on the Council.” Boles, a Marlow native, has represented

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Membership eligibility required. Insured by NCUA. *2.99% subject to approval. 2.99% rate has max term of 60 months. Payment example $35,000.00 loan at a term of 10 years (or 120 months) with 2.99% APR would result in an approximate monthly payment of $354.25. Payment example $15,000.00 loan at a term of 60 months with 2.99% APR would result in an approximate monthly payment of $269.49 Minimum credit score of 715. LTV max of 100%. Not all borrowers will qualify for the lowest rate. Interest begins to accrue at loan funding.Certain terms and conditions may apply. Current OECU loans not eligible. Credit union reserves the right to modify or terminate offer at any time without notice given.

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Boles represents District 51 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes portions of Grady, Stephens and McClain Counties.

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population less than 30,000

Community MPLICATIONS’ Leadership FIRST PLACE

McAlester News-Capital Angel Tree

SECOND PLACE

The Ada News

MN-C, Lions partner again for Angel Tree By ADRIAN O’HANLON III EDITOR

Another year brings another opportunity for Weatherford Daily News community members to help spread holiday cheer. The McAlester partnered 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPERNews-Capital CONTEST THIRD PLACE

DAILY NEWSPAPERS, Population more than 30,000

Community Leadership FIRST PLACE

The Journal Record 2021 Beacon Awards

beacon Awards

SECOND PLACE

The Norman Transcript THIRD PLACE

Enid News & Eagle 2021 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

PARTNERING WITH

2021 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNERS

COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS

2021 SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNER

Collegian T he Cameron UniversiTy

www.aggiecentral.com

Monday, November 8, 2021

Volume 105 Issue 4

Photos by Brittney Payette and Courtesy Photo

The Cameron University Collegian

Brittney Payette Assistant Managing Editor At 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the McCasland Ballroom in the McMahon Centennial Complex, the Black Student Association (BSA), Circle K International, and Gamma Delta PI hosted Halloween Poetry and Chill took place. Attendees at the Cameron Poetry and Chill event were able to sign up to perform and to compete in the costume contest as they walked in. BSA President Ka’Tavia West said that she decided to host Poetry and Chill because she wanted to bring an interactive musical event to Cameron. “My favorite part of the event is the performances from students,” West said. “This is

a safe place where we get to let loose and indulge in our craft, which could be anything from rap, poetry or even telling jokes.” West also said that she was extemely happy to host this event, which had over 85 people attending. “I always appreciate the audience and thank them for joining us after each show,” West said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have this.” Gregory II created Poetry and Chill in July 2017. He also started up Poetry and Chill Kids in Oct. 2018, and Poetry and Chill kids became a nonprofit organization in 2020. Gregory II and the Poetry and Chill band took the stage initially. Gregory II presented a poem called “2020 Visions.” The poem brought up some important topics and questions that Gregory II asked the audience to consider. “What side of history are you going to be on? Love or hate? Hate or love? Cause love is God, and God is love,” Gregory II said.

What’s Inside Club Highlight: BSA Page 2

There were several people who performed during the open mic night portion of the event. Before the open mic night began, Gregory II said that he had three rules for open mic night: show love, show love, and show love. Austin Pennypacker was the first of the performers, and he told a comedic, personal story about a very awkward date that went sour because his date found out that they were not compatible because of their astrology signs. “The light drained out of her face,” Pennypacker said. “She looked at me like I was a serial killer. She looked at me and said ‘oh, you’re a Gemini.’” People performed comedy, songs, played guitar and read poems, expressing themselves through their art. The costume contest had several participants, including Kevanna Thompson who won first place with her Steve Harvey costume. There was also a multitude of other costumes such as peanut butter and jelly, Tinker Bell, Rhea Ripley, and a pharaoh. After the costume contest, more open mic performances occurred. People performed poetry about being a good person, trust, sisterhood in college and backstabbing friends. Ambrosia Wilkett performed with her friend K-Mike on stage during open mic night. “K-Mike dragged me out to sing the song that we wrote,” Wilkett said. “I was so anxious the whole time, but it was fun. I’m glad I did it. It was a lot of fun.” Wilkett said that she likes that there is an open mic portion of the event. “Plus, once you sign up, you can continue to sign up throughout the night, so people can see how it is like and then they can decide if they want to do it.” For more information about Poetry and Chill, you can go to the website at https://www. poetryandchillokc.com/. Free lesson plans for children and teens can be found on the website as well. You can also follow @poetryandchillokc on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Jazz it upcountry style

All pies on me

Page 4

Page 5

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS,

Population less than 2,000

Embracing Embroidery –Page 8

2021 SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNER

$1.00

Fairfax Chief

VOL. 117 N0. 15 USPS NO. 184-040

FAIRFAX, OKLAHOMA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

November 11, 2021 November 11th Veterans Day

November 19th Near Total Lunar Eclipse

FAIRFAX 11th New Hope Food Truck, 12-1 PM, New Hope Church 14th Listening session, Sacred Heart Catholic Church 10:00 a.m. 16th FMFI Board Meeting, 6 PM, 160 N. Main Sweet Home Baptist Church Services 1st and 3rd Sundays 3 PM. Monday-Friday, Seniors 55+ Drive Through Lunch, 11 AM-12:30 PM, ON Elder Nutrition Center

BARNSDALL

The Fairfax Chief

20th Food Distribution 11 AM-1 PM, 200 W. Chestnut Avenue Photo by Joe Conner | THE FAIRFAX CHIEF

Po-Hi Steppers unfurl Old Glory Carol Conner The FairFax ChieF

Serving the United States of America is a long tradition – starting with those who fought for freedom back in the Revolutionary War. We were reminded of that Saturday, when one lone man dressed in a revolutionary war uniform paraded

VETERANS

Courtesy Photo | NATE FOLGER

Now for young readers Vaccines guard

kids from COVID

Carol Conner The FairFax ChieF

Carol Conner

The FairFax C hieF

Continued to Page 5

YOUNG READERS

Area Sales Tax Collection for October 2021 Barnsdall Bartlesville Burbank Fairfax Hominy Kaw City Pawhuska Pawnee Ponca City Ralston Shidler Skiatook

2021 23,325 1,884,179 628 34,147 62,438 7,678 206,678 67,815 1,439,188 1,737 5,527 402,783

2020 18,099 1,579,191 507 21,929 47,203 6,755 117,529 63,856 1,212,435 1,895 4,064 339,044

2019 20,833 1,652,367 515 16,285 46,161 3,799 116,475 37,549 1,125,371 1,985 4,599 319,997

2018 17,453 1,635,282 617 16,934 47,548 4,236 106,250 55,578 1,129,447 2,371 6,110 299,336

Nearly every surrounding city saw an increase in sales tax for the month of October with the exception of Ralston, who showed a slight decrease.

VACCINE

BURBANK 18th First Baptist Church of Burbank Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, 6 PM, Burbank Alumni Building

HOMINY AA Big Book Meeting, every Tuesday and Thursday, 8 PM, 510 Friends Road Monday-Friday, Senior Citizens Lunch 11:30 AM12 PM, Drive-Through and Call Ahead Orders, Senior Citizens Center

PONCA CITY 13th Holiday Craft Fair, 8 AM-4 PM, RecPlex 19th Holiday Market, 10 AM-3 PM, Pioneer Technology Center 20th PetSense Adoption Event, 2-5 PM, 2129 N. 14th Street

PAWNEE 13th Let’s Talk About it Book Series, Pigs in Heaven, 7 PM, Pawnee Bill and Ranch Museum COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic every other Saturday, 9 AM-12 PM, Pawnee COVID Center

SAND SPRINGS 13th Exhibit with Photos of Country Stars from Oklahoma, 2 - 4 PM, Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum

TONKAWA 11th-14th Fall Musical: Legally Blonde, 7:30 PM, Kinzer Performing Arts Center

TULSA 11th Stargazing night, 7-9 PM, Tulsa Botanic Garden, 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive

Community calendar sponsored by

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS,

Population 2,000 – 3,500

Herald

and

2021 SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNER

The Lincoln County News

“There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” – Ansel Adams

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Vol. 131, No. 20 • 50 cents

40 Pages • 4 sections news • grad section

Class of 2021

And the Class of 2034

See Page 2A

Sarah McFadden

Sara Mayes

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS,

Population 3,500 – 7,000

2021 SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNER

News Source for The Heart of Oklahoma

The

2020 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

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Purcell

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Helping students succeed

Since 1887

purcellregister.com

Vol. 134 No. 47 • 3 sections • 40 34 pages

75¢

Warriors tear through field on way to

State crown

Purcell High School takes multi-pronged approach

Three run rules in three shutout games

JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register Of 33 Purcell High School graduates who enrolled in college in Oklahoma in the fall of 2020, six had to take remediation courses in English

The Purcell Register

JohnDennyMontgomery The Purcell Register

Please see Succeed, page 11A

Greg.Gaston.•.double.g.images

Bosse denied

OCCA tosses post-conviction application

Laying out

Please.see.State,.page.2B

JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register

Gala 2021

In a ruling October 7, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals struck down Shaun Bosse’s latest attempt for postconviction relief for first degree

Raising funds for Hope Center Hope Center Ministries will host Gala 2021 next week at the McClain County Farm & Home Building in Purcell.

Please see Bosse, page 11A

The gala on October 21 will raise funds for the

Please see Gala, page 11A

Traffic flow

Congestion addressed at North 9th JeanneGrimes The Purcell Register

Please see 9th, page 11A

Storm brings rain • Photo provided

2A State Champions

Purcell’s Dragon.Pride.Marching.Band.won.the.Class.2A.State.Championship.last.Saturday. at.Claremore..They.were.second.overall.in.all.classes. Inside

Bond passes $24.5 million for Washington schools Voters in the Washington School District passed a massive $24.5 million school bond to meet the growth needs of the district

in the future. The measure passed, 493-

measured 28.04”. The normal year-to-date total is 30.89”. The storm Sunday produced at least 16 tornadoes in the state and several places got hail damage including Norman, again.

Read all about YOUR Heart of Oklahoma football teams.

Chili cook off See where your chili recipe stacks up with your neighbors.

Pg..1B

Pg..2A

Purcell, 1 Gig Internet is now available! Save big on fast & reliable Internet. suddenlink.com

Inside

Friday night lights

Please see Bond, page 6A

The 1.5” that was recorded here Sunday night, coupled with the 1.2” that fell Wednesday morning, brings the year-to-date rainfall total to 37.8”. So far this year Oklahoma City has officially

5 questions with Julie Malone

Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. Speeds, prices & availability vary by area.

Opinion.................4A Society..................6A Sports...................1B Obituaries...........10A Classifieds..........11B

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS,

Population 7,000 – 19,000

2021 SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNER

Volume 12, No. 15

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Inside the Times City

LOCAL Gov. Stitt visits EOC

8 candidates file for 3 seats

Election to determine next City Council set for April 6 By Ryan Horton Managing Editor

A total of eight candidates filed for three Choctaw City Council seats to be filled in the upcoming April 6 election. Brent Pendergraft, 41, filed to challenge incumbent Mike Birdsong, 64, for the Ward 2 seat.

Local leaders meet with Gov. Stitt, tour Tinker Air Force Base.

See Page 2A

SPORTS

In Ward 4, incumbent Roger Malone, 73, has two challengers in Donna Morris, 54, and 72-year-old Art Sipes. Ward 6 will have new representation as Dale Gill is set to vacate the seat leaving it to one of three candidates. Donald Judson, 38, Sean Lynch, 51, and

Rick Modisette, 67, are all competing for votes in that ward. New terms will begin for these three even numbered seats April 19, and those terms will expire in April of 2024. Following the April election, all of Choctaw’s City Council members will earn $115 per

Business

Government

Harrah election planned

Yellowjackets sting Midwest City

Residents to vote on mayor, Ward 1 and 3 By Ryan Horton Managing Editor

Choctaw sweeps rival Bombers.

PRES S ASSO

BETTER NEWSPAPER 2019

See Page 1B HO

Choctaw Times

month, while the mayor, elected at large across all wards, earns $165 a month. The Council meets publicly on the ﬁrst and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. The City Council chambers are located at Choctaw City Hall, 2500 North Choctaw Road.

Connie Bradshaw serves up some fresh catfish on Friday night. PHOTO RYAN HORTON

Choctaw welcomes Wagon Wheels Cafe

Local restaurant celebrates new name, same great food and service

By Ryan Horton

its new branding oﬃcial Feb. 1. Choctaw Wagon During November and Wheels Café December, the Bandana is open Red’s Grill ran ballots in for the Choctaw Times to allow community members to help determine a new name for the restaurant. With nearly 150 unique name recommendations submitted, the café that has been an eastern Oklahoma County favorite for nearly 20 years made Managing Editor

business and continuing a long tradition of serving up local favorites, especially Friday night’s all

you can eat catﬁsh special. Originally named Nana and Papaw’s, the restaurant has now undergone two renaming contests where the public determined the brand. New owners John and Kellie Haley were excited to see so much community engagement in the renaming process, and they look forward to

Danny Trent, 57, has filed to challenge Harrah mayor Larry Fryar, 64, in the upcoming April municipal election. Additionally, two candidates have filed to fill the Ward 1 seat after Kim Bishop leaves the post. Susan Morgan, 40, and Paul Wiegert, 66, have filed to represent Ward 1. Incumbent Duane Patterson, 56, has a challenger in Chris Lally, 39, for the Ward 3 seat. The municipal election is set for April 6. For a ward map and more information visit https://cityofharrah.com/ city-council

See WAGON Page 10A

Award

Harrah native named Unsung Hero of Capitol Hill Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) recently congratulated Sabrina Parker, who was named one of the Unsung Heroes of Capitol Hill by the Ripon Society and Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange during a bipartisan virtual event in December. This recognition is awarded annually to exceptional congressional schedulers and executive assistants. A native of Harrah and based in Cole’s Washing-

ton office, Parker has been on staff since 2011 and currently serves as Director of Operations. In this role, she creatively manages the details and facilitates the logistics relating to all aspects of Cole’s schedule. She also oversees and ensures timely completion of numerous other support functions for the office. “For more than nine years on my staff, Sabrina Parker has demonstrated that she will always go the extra

mile to ensure smooth operations for me and my ofﬁce,” said Cole. “Her attention to detail, work ethic and professionalism are truly unmatched. I am grateful for the unending dedication and energy she brings to her demanding job and the service she also renders to the Fourth District of Oklahoma. She is indeed one of the greatest unsung heroes of Capitol Hill, and I am proud to congratulate her on this Harrah’s Sabrina Parker and Congressman Tom Cole well-deserved recognition.” (OK-04). PHOTO PROVIDED

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FBC Marlow to host 27th annual Thanksgiving community dinner By Tamara Gregor The Duncan Banner

Volunteers will serve up turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings to anyone in the community needing a warm meal on Thanksgiving Day. A full Thanksgiving meal will be served in the Life Center of First Baptist Church in Mar-

Special to The Banner

THE DUNCAN BANNER

Nov. 24-26, 2021

Many blessings were delivered to the community by way of blessing baskets on Sunday afternoon through a plethora of volunteers who gave back and donated their time.

Blessings abundant this Thanksgiving through community donations By Tamara Gregor The Duncan Banner

Duncan Blessing Boxes hosted their second annual Baskets of Blessings on Nov. 21. Kim Weaver, Weaver Clinics, said they gave 50 turkeys, 82 baskets and 90 Bibles to families in need in the community. According to Weaver, Duncan Walmart staff, Stephanie, Tyler and Paul were great help to the cause. “Paul was a rockstar,” Weaver said. “When we went to buy the 59 turkeys with funds donated by Gary Criswell of Gary Criswell Real Estate & Auction Company, they were out.” Weaver said Paul went above and beyond the call of duty. “Paul personally researched and tracked down the Walmart supply truck late Saturday night,” Weaver said. “Confirmed they had turkeys coming in overnight (and) Sunday morning, he secured our 50 turkeys.” According to Weaver, throughout November, they encouraged community members to take an empty basket and return the basket with food to Weaver Clinics. “We received about 20 baskets from the community,” Weaver said. Weaver said Think Ability

See MARLOW Page A8

County United Way pushes for donations to help nonprofits in 2022 By Charlene Belew The Duncan Banner

Recent events have put a damper on things financially but that’s not stopping one local organization from fulfilling their mission of helping local nonprofits assist those in need in the community. The United Way of

Stephens County has once again issued a call for donations from community members. Helen Stewart, Executive Director for Stephens County United Way, said she’s thankful for each and every donor the entity has, but they’re struggling to meet their goal See DONATE Page A8

Main Street Duncan prepares for Christmas parade on Dec. 4 By Tamara Gregor The Duncan Banner

Special to The Banner

Blessing basket volunteers help with shopping at Walmart ahead of putting together kits for families in need this Thanksgiving. members and Kandy Byas were their biggest donors to the Blessing Baskets. “We received funding from Weaver Clinics, Lowry Ranch, Gary Criswell and

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many others which allowed us the funds to purchase the food items for the rest of the baskets,” Weaver said. “Gary Criswell also sponsored 50 See BLESSINGS Page A8

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low from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 25. This is the 27th year the group will host their annual Thanksgiving Community dinner in Marlow. For the first 10 years, the First Christian Church in Marlow hosted the community dinner and for the

Asterism (noun) as-tuh-riz-uhm 1. A group of stars. Example: “In a sky so full of stars it’s often difficult to figure out where constellations are, one dark spot stands out: The Coalsack Nebula. Parked near one of the five brightest stars comprising

the Southern Cross—perhaps the most easily spotted asterism in the southern sky—the nebula looks like an inky black thumbprint. Where it hangs, the stars struggle to shine. It’s as if someone outlined a portion of the sky and dimmed the lights.” — Courtesy of Dictionary.com.

Some of your favorite countries will make their way to Main Street on Saturday during the annual Christmas parade. Main Street Duncan will host the yearly Christmas parade at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 in downtown Duncan. According to a recent release, this year’s parade theme is “Christmas Around the World.” Anyone wishing to participate in the pa-

rade is encouraged to decorate their vehicles, tractors and floats with the theme. The parade line up for participants will begin at 12th and Willow by the Stephens County Courthouse, no earlier than noon on Dec. 4. Parade participants will have the opportunity to toss candy to attendees. The parade route will will start at the courthouse and move north onto Walnut Avenue, See PARADE Page A8

On this day Inside • Apollo 12 returns to Earth. — Nov. 24, 1969 • US Congress commission looks into “impeachment” of President Andrew Johnson. — Nov. 25, 1867

— Courtesy of Onthisday.com

• Bill aims to make employers with mandates pay for vaccine harms. — Page A8 • Outlaws ready to hit the road for quarterfinals. — Page B1

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GREENWOOD: A CENTURY LATER

Oklahoma Historical Society | Courtesy Photo

THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE destroyed more than 1,200 homes and businesses in 1921.

Retired McAlester educator doesn’t want history to repeat itself

Worst race massacre finally being told CNHI NEWS

By ADRIAN O’HANLON III EDITOR

STILL HEALING

‘REMEMBER AND RISE’ CANCELED

RY OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSA

TULSA RACE

MASSACRE

SUPPRESSED HISTORY

of the Timeline Massacre Tulsa Race

INCIDENT

MAY 30,

1921

DICK ROWLAND between occurred An incident (who was Black) was white) Dick Rowland Page (who and Sarah Building elevator. in the Drexel TRIBUNE

MAY 31,

TULSA for was arrested Rowland an “inassault. Tribune ran The Tulsa story that may have flammatory” bent on lynching. mob incited a

1921

CONTINUES

MAY 31-JUNE

Race Massacre

worst Greenwood? stands as America’s What was

to homes ting fires law was declared. Street” by ‘ “Black Wall Greenwood Dubbed es. Martial Washington, Booker T. of the most prominent the FIRE ORDINANCE was one African American States. Race Massacre, in AmeriJUNE 7 and prosperousin the United City Commission he Tulsa massacre a century the The Tulsa ordinance designed communities more than 200 worst race erupted in Tulsa, ‘That was of well as fire It included businesses as theater, a 1921, a day can history, passed a reconstruction of May 31, District, saddest parks, a Black-owned ago on and according schools, That riot Greenwood to prevent commercial district. churches, more. By 1920, Society, it so affluent “Black my life. Oklahoma’s us out of Historical at more Greenwood’sdeclared unconstitulibrary and community was called Black cheated innocence. My life by that it were to the Oklahoma estimated It was later Oklahoma Supreme too prosperous of which at “Virhad a population the childhood Wall Street.” — details — occurred tional by were destroyed than 11,000. to the Smithsonian, destroyed The tragedy dreams for decadestension, which AccordingGreenwood was reCourt. racial of of the suppressed Smith of 1921. tually all of great that riot.’ a time the rapid growth ‘EXONERATED’ Lane Keenan in the massacre” dozens Black peo— Beulah Massacre witness included Klux Klan. Race resjury blamed “Whites JUNE 26 vived Kuresidents murdered 1921 Tulsa A grand — of Black and the attack. a White hundreds burning of stated ple for inciting — perhaps in Greenwood, consisting idents 35 square blocksand businesses. World. clearly exonerated,” in the Tulsa looting 1,200 homes was triggered headline more thanrace massacre a 19-year-old Tulsa’s involving who was NO LIABILITY Court by an incident Dick Rowland, was Supreme 1926 ACCOUNT Brad Black man, The Oklahoma of attempting THIS companies by accused a 17-year-old contributed insurance damruled that property to assault Sarah Page, Agnew, professor liable for of a ho- emeritus of history destruction white girl, were not from the in the elevator at Northeastern in 30, 1921. age resulting tel on Mayof what acState University have Oklahoma, and Details of Greenwood. happened tually ESTABLISHED clear. the Oklahoma esnever been COMMISSION common Historical Society. Legislature 1997 “The most is that to study on The Oklahoma elevator, explanation stepped entered the to a commission he Rowland Massacre. according tablished foot as . Tulsa Race Page’s her to scream,” Society the 1921 Rowland Historical causing go to lynch men to the Oklahoma of a plan RECOMMENDATIONSof the Reports 25 armed Black assistance report 2001 to offer who was prompted was The commission sheriff, recommendedto to the courthouse County courthouse— we The 1921 massacre of reparations to the Tulsa ‘Everything been Rowland. white residents or their holding many gathered. direct payment owned had of the attackscholarship also where 1,000 — also a Black veterburned. survivors outnumto disarm more than that a stolen or why to and the An attemptgunfire, were forced for affected descendants, I wondered back. There dean provoked defenders where fightcome fund be established back to. bered Black we had that an economic be crethe night. to come into Greenwood, 10,000 students, enterprise zone through retreat uswas nothinghouse was badly estimated ing continued day, an velopment Greenwood District, Greenwood, for The next attacked dropping incenthe The rented everything stolen ated for a memorial onto the witness white people gun and there be burned and — Blanche Cole, airplanes Society and that of any human remains ing a machine from businesses. of Historical Amerand or burned.’ diary devices residents the reburial search for unmarked homes Oklahomaof African more Black the attack roofs of the burning from the found in Photos National Museumshow the as the Thousandswho survived COMMISwell victims. interned. the which 1921. and the and Culture 1921, as Greenwood up and threatened graves of2001 REPORT BY THE OKLAHOMA RIOT OF (top) in Race Massacre, TULSA RACE ican History SOURCE: were rounded and STUDY THE the massacreas an emerging Tulsa SION TO of Greenwood When of the of silence” 1,200 homes that was of Tulsa Wall aftermath more than of the city reputation a “conspiracyfrom the Black event decades, destroyed in a sectionknown as HISTORICAL SOCIETY oil capital, for by the tragic it was businesses | OKLAHOMA purged of historya 2001 reportto COURTESY to annals so prosperous formed according hapStreet. a commission what investigate pened.

1921 Tulsa

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THE NORMAN

TRANSCRIPT Visit www.normantranscript.com for breaking news

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA

75 cents

Venables is back Former OU defensive coordinator returns as Sooners’ head coach

THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT

Kyle Phillips / The Transcript

Plant Manager Ryan Bart gives a tour of the Norman Water Reclamation Facility on Feb. 1, 2020. Voters will see a rate increase on an April ballot.

Water rate increase? Voters to decide water rate increase in April 2022 By Mindy Ragan Wood

Transcript Staff Writer

Brent Venables

OU head coach

Vaccine doubts still driving state lawsuits Read more about Venables’ return to the Sooners. See Page B1

Despite doctors’ confidence in vaccine science, Oklahoma AG remains unconvinced of safety By Janelle Stecklein

NPD data show racial disparity in use of force By Max Bryan

Transcript News Editor

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Norman police investigate an officer-involved shooting July 5, 2014, after a Cleveland County Sheriffs Deputy killed a suspect on 24th Avenue SW between Boyd St. and Brooks Ave.

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Inside • Judge blocks vaccine mandate for federal contractors — Page A5 • Oklahoma inmate asks Supreme Court to stay his execution — Page A8

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