LCJ newsletter 1-7-2025
Tuesday's newsletter
Today’s Bible verse
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Acts 8:35
Obituary for Jim Thacker
Robert James “Jim” Thacker, 91, of Fort Smith, Arkansas (formerly of Howe) was born Sept. 23, 1933 in Barnsdall to Garrett and Fannie (Leffler) Thacker and passed away Jan. 3, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Funeral service is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Springhill Baptist Church with Brother Larry Stacy and Eldon Dugan officiating. Burial will follow in Lovings Cemetery, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
Jim was a long-time resident of the area, a member of the Springhill Baptist Church, and worked for Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas for 32 years as a meter technician. He was also a two-time President of the Heavener Kiwanis Club and served on the Howe #5 Water Board, the P.V.I.A. Water Board, and the Salvation Army Board.
Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors are a daughter, Alice Wyatt, of Ponca City; three grandchildren Wendy Watkins and husband Bill of Ponca City, Ashley Thacker of San Antonio, Texas, and Tim Thacker and wife Michelle of Inez, Texas; five great-grandchildren Hannah Hartness, Wyatt Watkins, Garrett Watkins, Thomas Thacker and Zoee Thacker; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frankie; and one son, Monty Thacker.
Viewing is from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday with the family visiting from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home.
To sign Mr. Thacker’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Memorial service planned for Janice Falkner
Janice Sue Falkner of Panama, 67, was born Feb. 17, 1957 in Panama to Everett Edward and Inez (Waller) Gollihare and passed away Jan. 2, 2025 in Panama.
Janice’s memorial service is 2 p.m. Friday in the Dowden-Roberts Cremation Center Chapel in Poteau, with Jay Falkner officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Cremation Center of Poteau.
Survivors are one son Jay Falkner and wife Kelly of Panama; one sister Judy Claborn and husband Morris of Panama; two brothers Donnie Gollihare and wife Kay of Panama, and Ronald Gollihare of Panama; two grandchildren Mikaila Fout and husband Daniel of Kiefer, and Aidan Falkner of Tahlequah; and one great-grandchild,
Anderson Fout; numerous other relatives and a host of friends
Janice was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Danny Falkner; and three brothers, Otto Gollihare, Jerry Gollihare and Rickey Gollihare.
She was a life-long resident of the area and a homemaker. She loved to sing and enjoyed music and arts of all kinds. Janice was a loving mother who enjoyed spending time with her family, as well as appreciated the time spent with her friends.
To view Janice’s online guestbook, visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Blast from the past
Winter storm watch issued
The National Weather Service in Tulsa has issued a winter storm watch from noon Thursday through Friday morning for LeFlore County, along with most of eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
Heavy snow is possible along with sleet. Total snow accumulations between three to six inches are possible.
Counties in Oklahoma are Sequoyah, Choctaw, Haskell, Latimer, Pittsburg and Pushmataha. Arkansas counties are Crawford, Franklin and Sebastian Counties.
Impacts are travel could be very difficult. Hazardous conditions could impact Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes.
Commissioners’ unapproved minutes
The LeFlore County commissioners met in a regular business meeting Monday with Chairman Jamie Oliver presiding. Also present were Vice-Chair Vallard Campbell, Member Josh Blaylock and County Clerk First Deputy Jedd Kirby. Absent: County Clerk Kelli Ford.
The following action was taken by the board:
(1.) Chairman Jamie Oliver called meeting to order.
(2.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve the minutes of regular meeting held December 30, 2024. Motion was approved all voting yes.
(3.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve purchase orders as presented and are on file in the office of the Conty Clerk. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(4.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Monthly Fee Reports as presented and are on file in the office of the County Clerk. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(5.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve transfer of appropriations as follows:
· $40,000 from Drug Court Maintenance and Operations to Drug Court Personal Services.
· $45,000 from Drug Court Maintenance and Operations to Drug Court Capital Outlay.
Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(6.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve blanket purchase orders as presented and are on file in the office of the County Clerk. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(7.) New Business: No discussion.
(8.) Contract Labor/Service Agreements, Annual Contracts: None Presented.
(9.) Burn Ban. Not needed at this time. No discussion.
(10.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Resolution determining maximum monthly highway expenditures for the month of January, 2025. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(11.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Resolution determining maximum monthly highway Use Tax expenditures for the month of January, 2025.
(12.) After Vote by the Board of County Commissioners, motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to appoint Jamie Oliver as Chairman and Vallard Campbell as Vice Chairman to the Board of County Commissioners of LeFlore County, Oklahoma. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(13.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Treasurer’s Monthly Report of Officers for the month of December, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(14.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Resolutions for Disposing of Equipment regarding County inventory items to benefit LeFlore County Commissioner Highway Department District # 3 as follows:
· D3-332.013 John Deere Backhoe, with original purchase price of $34,832, purchased from ArkTrac on March 25, 1993.
· D3-302.119 2007 International Dump Truck, with original purchase price of $55,998, purchased from Frontier International Trucks on June 30, 2006.
Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(15.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve Notification of Grant Approval letter from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission in the amount of $75,000 regarding Sumler Road project within LeFlore County Commissioner Highway Department District 1, and new account 1452-6-4101-2005 created for the purpose of holding and tracking said funding. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(16.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve notice to hold a public hearing regarding closing all of Yeller Tan Lane, lying in or adjacent to Section 36, Township 3 North, Range 21 East, LeFlore County, Oklahoma. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(17.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Standley Systems Fiscal Year 2025 60-month agreement between the LeFlore County Health Department and Standley Systems, LLC with contract start date of March 1, 2025 and ending February 28, 2030. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(18.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Quit Claim Deed from the LeFlore County Board of County Commissioners to Clint Alan Cantrell and Lisa Marcel Cantrell on the E ½ of Lot 8 Block 2 Haskel Addition to The Town of Talihina. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(19.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve 324 A Claim in the amount of $7,500 regarding project 32899(04) Knot Hole Road over Poteau River as submitted by Pinnacle Consulting Management Group, Inc. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
Harris certifies Trump election
There was no drama on Monday as Kamala Harris oversaw the ceremonial certification of her defeat to Donald Trump. Harris kept her remarks perfunctory and stood with her hands clasped in front of her while the results from each state were read out loud.
Bitter cold, snow to hit southern U.S.
By PATRICK WHITTLE and BRIAN WITTE
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The next round of bitter cold was set to envelop the southern U.S. on Tuesday, after the first significant winter storm of the year blasted a huge swath of the country with ice, snow and wind.
The immense storm system brought disruption even to areas of the country that usually escape winter’s wrath, downing trees in some Southern states, threatening a freeze in Florida and causing people in Dallas to dip deep into their wardrobes for hats and gloves.
See the whole story HERE.
Israel military launches wave of raids
The Israeli military launched a wave of raids across the occupied West Bank overnight and into Tuesday, killing at least three Palestinians it said were militants a day after a deadly shooting attack.
The army said it killed two militants in an airstrike after they fired at troops in the area of Tamun in the northern West Bank. It said another militant was killed in “close-quarters combat” in the nearby village of Taluza and an Israeli soldier was severely wounded. The military said it arrested more than 20 suspected militants.
See the whole story HERE.
Carter to be honored in Washington
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 44 years after Jimmy Carter left the nation’s capital in humbling defeat, the 39th president returns to Washington for three days of state funeral rites starting on Tuesday.
See the whole story HERE.
LeFlore County scoreboard
LeFlore County sports scores from 1-6-2025
Basketball
Boys
Pocola 71, Wilburton 39
Talihina 48, Wister 32
Girls
Pocola 56, Wilburton 33
Talihina 42, Wister 19
To make a correction or addition email craig@heavenerledger.com or text (918) 649-4712.
JH LCT brackets
Cold temperatures continue Tuesday
Partly cloudy skies and very cold temperatures again Tuesday for LeFlore County and the area.
A winter storm watch has been issued for Thursday through Friday with up to three to five inches of snow possible.
The high is forecast to be 35 degrees with a low of 20.
Sunrise was 7:26 a.m. Sunset is 5:23 p.m.
Monday’s high was 35 with a low of 18. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 0.13 inches, still short of January’s average rainfall of 3.10 inches.
Average temperatures for Jan. 7 are a high of 51 and low of 23. Records for the date were a high of 72 in 1978. The record low was -10 in 1970.
Last year on Jan. 7, the high was 54 with a low of 40.
LeFlore County calendar
LeFlore County calendar of events for the next week. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you are a church or non-profit event, please email me at craig@heavenerledger.com.
Tuesday
High school basketball: Heavener at Wilburton; Bokoshe at Cave Springs; Keota at Cameron; Howe at Red Oak; Panama at Arkoma; Eufaula at Poteau; Ozark, Arkansas at Spiro
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC
Funeral service for Jim Thacker
Thursday
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North
High school basketball: Heavener at Poteau; Panama, Wister at Rock Island Conference Tournament; Pocola, Spiro at Warner Tournament; Whitesboro at Webbers Falls Tournament; Talihina at Tushka Tournament
Friday
Memorial service for Janice Falkner
High school basketball: Hartshorne at Heavener; Pocola, Spiro at Warner Tournament; Talihina at Tushka Tournament; Panama, Wister at Rock Island Conference Tournament
Saturday
High school basketball: Howe at Poteau; Pocola, Spiro at Warner Tournament; Talihina at Tushka Tournament; Panama, Wister at Rock Island Conference Tournament
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Junior high basketball LCT
High school board meetings
What a ride it’s been
By TERRY JOE WILES
Even after missing a few weeks of writing this column due to unforeseen circumstances, this will make 300 weeks — you read right, 300 weeks — of spreading the word about supporting live music! It has been a privilege and a pure joy.
Staying in touch with working musicians, young or older, has kept me involved with a business that I love. It’s great to see the triumphs, and I understand and feel the break-ups. It’s hard to keep a band together.
Loyalty has lost its importance, and a band is teamwork. Heck, look at college football. I can’t keep up with the switching around of the players. It’s confusing. What happened to playing 110 percent every game, not playing hard to get good stats, then putting yourself on the bench when there might be a chance of failure or injury. I’m proud to wear the crimson and cream or wear a car dealership or technical company on your jersey. That’s loyalty! College football needs a reset. Sorry, my rant is over.
So bands have my respect for making music and getting the feel of a good job done and a crowd left entertained — and giving 110 percent on every song, even if the money’s just barely worth the work necessary. You guys and gals are my heroes.
This new year, 2025, is starting out stable. There are plenty of gigs and venues that offer multiple nights of live music. Small combinations and solo acts are getting their share, and kudos to them. It takes confidence to get on stage solo, to offer your style and personal picks and originals. There’s room for most.
Here’s the year-end report of a couple of touring local bands.
“Hillbilly Vegas,” after making a rise of the phoenix (to emerge from a difficult situation, seemingly destroyed, and come back stronger and renewed), pulled victory from the ashes and had a highly successful two-week tour of England and Scotland. They had more top-billed gigs for some loyal fans, all the while “Let It Ride” climbed several different charts, cracking the Top 10. It’s a solid tune, too. There’s an album in completion soon! Watch this weekly column for information.
“Chaotic Resemblance” had a busy year with families growing, tunes on several charts and albums streaming on your favorite online site, but music is secondary to their mission of carrying the message of Jesus, touching lives, helping hearts change and praying for those in need. My prayer goes to L.A. A while back, L.A. and Travis walked across the Donald W. Reynolds Center and asked if they could pray for a problem I had with my foot. I was moved beyond words. Prayer works — I still got the foot. Best wishes on their ministry of music in 2025 and safe travels.
As for live music this week, “59 South” will be a Dawn’s Diner in Red Oak on Friday. Randy Fennell leads the charge with some seasoned veterans of the stage to produce some mighty fine dance music. So you got good food and awesome music. That will be a nice night out in Red Oak. The music starts at 7 p.m.
“Make It a Double” will take the stage at the Fort Smith, Arkansas Senior Activity Center on Friday. There will be a big dance floor, plenty of good tables, and my favorite country couple in our area — Connie and Dave Abbott. You will enjoy their singing — beautiful harmonies, awesome picking and your favorite classic country tunes. Make plans on being there. The music starts at 7 p.m.
At Muldrow City Limits, “Wild Horse” will keep the dancers on the floor. Ricky Ward has revived this name with new members, and they have worked hard to provide top-of-the-line country songs. There will be steady crowds of 100-plus to make Muldrow City Limits the best-attended and most-popular dance hall going. It’s easy to find, so take your friends and have a great Saturday night with “Wild Horse.” The music kicks off at 7 p.m.
That’s not all I have to say but it’s a good place to stop.
For additional information about any live-music event or to let me know about any other such venues, call or text message me at (918) 647-5736 or by e-mailing me at tj.wiles61@outlook.com.
Today in history
1789
First U.S. presidential electors chosen
Congress sets January 7, 1789 as the date by which states are required to choose electors for the country’s first-ever presidential election. A month later, on February 4, George Washington was elected president by state electors and sworn into office on April 30, 1789. As it did in 1789, the... read more
21st Century
2015
12 people die in shooting at “Charlie Hebdo” offices
Art, Literature and Film History
1891
1955
Marian Anderson becomes first African American to perform at the Met Opera
Cold War
1959
United States recognizes new Cuban government
Crime
1946
Serial killer with split-personality murders 6-year-old in Chicago
Exploration
1785
Two explorers cross the English Channel in a balloon
Natural Disasters & Environment
1892
Coal mine explodes in Oklahoma
Sports
1927
Harlem Globetrotters play their first game
U.S. Presidents
1953
President Truman announces U.S. has developed hydrogen bomb
1999
President Clinton’s impeachment trial begins
Vietnam War
1979
Fight winter blues with fresh air
By Gail Ellis
STILLWATER – The holiday rush is over, and many people will experience a touch of the winter blues over the next couple of months.
“It’s not uncommon in the general public for us to struggle with some level of sadness or an ‘I need to get through the season’ mindset,” said Danyelle Kuss, educator and multi-county specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension in Oklahoma County.
She explained someone who has seasonal affective disorder and a person who generally experiences a lower mood through the winter season are distinctly different.
“SAD is a major depressive disorder with a subtype for seasonal patterns, triggered by a seasonal onset,” Kuss said. “Our circadian rhythms start changing, which can disrupt our internal clocks and increase feelings of depression.”
The causes of SAD are unknown, but she said other factors that influence it include a decline in serotonin when exposed to less sunlight and an increase in melatonin, a chemical the human body creates to sleep.
“Winter is a time when people isolate more, they’re indoors more and they do less of the things that normally make them feel better. Depression feeds on these situations,” Kuss said.
Young adults aged 18 to 30 report the highest rate of SAD, while children and older adults experience fewer symptoms. Major signs of depression that impact daily functions like not being able to get out of bed or calling in sick to work indicate the need for professional support.
“It might not just be normal sadness during the holidays or winter months,” Kuss said. “A person might need to talk to a therapist or doctor and discuss what adjustments they can make. I always look at how a condition impacts somebody’s ability to function as a big distinction.”
For those with milder cases of the winter blues, Kuss suggests creating a plan of daily or weekly lifestyle tips that can improve mood long-term:
Bundle up and go outside for at least 15 to 30 minutes of daily sunlight and exercise.
Stick to or develop a healthy routine of sleep, movement and eating nutritious foods.
Be consistent with medication if taking any for depression.
Limit or avoid alcohol, as it is a depressant and can worsen symptoms.
Stay connected to a support system – make plans and stick to them. Follow through with commitments.
Be kind to yourself and others. Practice self-care.
To help with depressive symptoms or seasonal blues, Kuss said people may have to work against their instincts that tell them to stay inside and alone.
“I might not feel like going outside for a walk in the cold sunshine or getting out of my warm pajamas to go to a friend’s house, but if I can manage that initial discomfort, I will feel better on the other side of taking those actions,” she said.
A fun way she advises people to combat seasonal depression is to ride the holiday wave by continuing to meet up with family and friends.
“Weekly get-togethers can help us during those tough times of the month and require us to look at what does and doesn’t work for us,” she said.
For more information on mental health support any time of the year, contact Kuss in the Oklahoma County Extension office at danyelle.kuss@okstate.edu.
Be prepared, drink hot chocolate and rest
Dr. GLENN MOLLETTE
January always brings snow and ice unless you live in the most southern part of the United States. Even then, you aren’t guaranteed to escape January without some harsh weather.
This current mess that came from the west has piled about eight inches of snow and ice on us. Keeping us inside for a couple of days. So far, we’ve only been without power for one hour, but many others have not been as fortunate.
The best we can do is prepare and hunker down. We need alternative lighting and heat sources. You can almost count on the power to go out sometime in January. Especially if you aren’t prepared. It’s better to be over prepared and not need it than to be underprepared and in danger of freezing to death.
This seems to be one of the golden rules of life. Be prepared. We spend our lives studying and thinking about being prepared. School and education are about learning, developing and training. We study for knowledge but also to be prepared. We try to save money so that we might be prepared for the time when we aren’t able to make any more. The team than wins the game is the team who works hard to prepare mentally and physically.
Every aspect of life is about preparing. The musician, athlete, actor, politician, butcher, baker, candlestick maker, homemaker, and so forth must have a rigid daily routine to experience success.
One reality of life is that there is much for which we can’t prepare.
We hear about cancer but we are never prepared for such a diagnosis. We aren’t prepared for breaking a bone but then we are suddenly faced with months of recuperation. Accidents and hard times can come suddenly and painfully. These are the things in life that come at us suddenly and out of nowhere. Although they are painful, we have no choice but to face the agony of whatever it is and try to work through it one day at a time.
We prepare for life and we should prepare for death. As long as we live, we have all that comes with life. What about death? We must be prepared for that as well. There are funeral plans we need to make, but most importantly, our eternal plans must be made. Where do you want to spend eternity? Consider, when it comes to the end of our lives and meeting God face to face. Look to him today and prepare your heart and mind. Embrace His gift to us in His son Jesus.
January won’t last forever and there is much excitement in January such as college basketball, NFL playoffs, my birthday if I live, the swearing in of our new President, a raise in Social Security, and many occasions to drink hot chocolate. Don’t miss the hot chocolate and don’t miss the opportunity to take some time for a few naps on these snowy days. God surely gave us January to hibernate a little and rest after the hectic holidays.