LCJ newsletter 12-10-2024
Tuesday's newsletter
Daily Bible verse
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34
D
Minutes from commissioners’ meeting
LeFlore County commissiooners
LeFlore County commissioners met in a regular business meeting Monday in the office of the courty clerk in the courthouse at Poteau 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 2, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(3.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve purchase orders and Sheriff grant stipend payments as presented. 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 by the LeFlore County Clerk, Court Clerk and Election Board for the month of November, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(5.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve transfer of appropriations as follows:
· $30,000 from Co Commissioner Highway Dept. District 1 maintenance and operations account to Co Commissioner Highway Dept. District 1 equipment account.
· $63,152.34 from ARPA Wells and Wann (ARPA-WW) maintenance and operations account to ARPA General (ARPA-2) maintenance and operations account.
Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(6.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Blanket Purchase orders as presented and are on file in the office of the County Clerk. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(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 Campbel to approve plat map and forest service easements, as presented by Tharren Duffy, for proposed new subdivision known as Whispering Pines @ Big Cedar, located near Forest Service Road K39 East of Big Cedar, Section 17, Township 2 North, Range 26 East, LeFlore County, Oklahoma. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(11.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbel to approve resolution setting base pay for elected officials during 2025 calendar year at $5,234.38. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(12.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve County Highway District # 1 CBRI Rhino Road Project as number 24-CBRI-D1-RD-P099 (105) with projected cost estimated at $219,380.09. Motion was approved all voting yes.
(13.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbel to approve resolution and notice to advertise 2025 Free Fair Board Election Directors. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(14.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve KEDDO REAP Close-Out documents and Affidavit certifying REAP project completion regarding project number K8027-24 Parker Road located in County Commissioner District 1. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(15.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbel to approve 324 A Claims in the amounts of $1,120.00 and $8,000.00 concerning Brandon Blain England and Rachel Ann England, and $2,000.00 concerning England Cattle Company, LLC as submitted by Pinnacle Consulting Management Group. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(16.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve disposing of equipment records to benefit LeFlore County Commissioner Highway Department District 3 regarding the below mentioned items as follows:
a) D3-302.116, 2001 International dump truck with original purchase price of $45,006, purchased from H.D. Copeland International Trucks, Inc.;
b) D3-354.032, Galion dump bed, with original purchase price of $6,822, purchased from Southwest Trailers & Equipment;
c) D3-312.001, 1978 Caterpillar loader, with original purchase price of $36,700, purchased from D & H Material & Equipment.
Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(17.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbel to approve 324 A Claims in the amounts of $1,120.00 and $8,000.00 concerning Brandon Blain England and Rachel Ann England, and $2,000.00 concerning England Cattle Company, LLC as submitted by Pinnacle Consulting Management Group. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(18.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve request for Flood Plain Service and Application for Permit regarding public service pipeline crossing to construct and maintain a gas line located at 28918 205th avenue, approx. 400’ from the South East corner of Section 1, Township 7 North, Range 25 East. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(19.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve engagement letter in the amount of $2,400, as submitted by Arbitrage Compliance Specialists, Inc. for arbitrage compliance services regarding final rebate calculation of the LeFlore County $5,675,000.00 Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2014. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(20.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to award bid regarding the purchase of a 2019 or newer 1-Ton truck to benefit LeFlore County Commissioner Highway Department District 1 to Dunn Ford in the amount of $55,000. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(21.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to enter into executive session to discuss with counsel all aspects of pending litigation, including the upcoming settlement conference filed in the District Court of LeFlore County, Oklahoma, in the case styled Richard Tackett v. Kendall Morgan and LeFlore County Sheriff, in his official capacity, Case No. CIV-20-113-JAR. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
1. Executive Session - Discussion with Counsel
2. Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to adjourn executive session and reconvene in open session. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(22.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded Josh Blaylock to schedule Settlement Hearing for December 17, 2024 regarding pending litigation filed in the District Court of LeFlore County, Oklahoma, in the case styled Richard Tackett v. Kendall Morgan and LeFlore County Sheriff, in his official capacity, Case No. CIV-20-113-JAR. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
YAHL students make presentation
YAHL students for Howe School made a presentation to the School Board during Monday’s regular board meeting at the Administrative Building.
According to the principals, current enrollment for the school numbers 219 in high school and 471 for kindergarten though eighth grade.
The Board also approved encumbrances, the superintendent’s report, program status along with upcoming events, staff needs and OSSBA policy updates.
Melinda McGee was hired as the new cafeteria manager. The Board also discussed traffic problems with dropping off and picking up students.
OSU Extension warns poultry owners
By GAIL ELLIS
STILLWATER. – Animal health specialists with Oklahoma State University Extension caution poultry producers to protect their flocks after Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was confirmed in a commercial operation earlier this month in Adair County.
The HPAI virus is more common during the spring and fall seasons when migratory birds are active. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has established a control area in Adair and Delaware counties to manage the spread of the infection.
Rosslyn Biggs, OSU Extension veterinarian, said additional testing of commercial and domestic flocks is underway in the surrounding control zone of northeast Oklahoma. Also, a surveillance zone that extends past the immediate control area has been identified to determine if the virus is isolated to one site or active in multiple locations.
“There are also restrictions and quarantines in that control zone of poultry and poultry products to make sure that if we do have it beyond the one premises, we’re not extending it or sending it somewhere else,” Biggs said.
Oklahoma poultry industry leaders and ODAFF, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, have activated their avian influenza emergency plans.
“They practice for these types of events,” Biggs said. “The Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is on point, as well as their counterparts in Arkansas, to get tests run as soon as they receive animals from these locations.”
Biggs said HPAI is a year-round concern, but risk is enhanced this time of year.
“We want to make sure that all of our flocks, whether they’re large or small operations, have stepped up their biosecurity, particularly in light of this announcement,” she said. “If we have individuals who are hunting migratory waterfowl like ducks and geese, we want to make sure there are appropriate precautions, that they’re not bringing it home and exposing domestic poultry at their households.”
Biggs said HPAI will almost always cause very sudden death in birds.
“First and foremost in many cases, there will be a flock that is relatively normal one day, and then there are significant deaths the next day,” she said.
Signs and Symptoms
Coughing and sneezing
Nasal discharge
diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Extreme depression
Lack of energy
Decrease in feed or water intake
Swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, wattle and legs
Decrease in egg production or misshapen eggs
Sudden unexplained death
Quietness among the flock
Preventative Biosecurity Measures
Restrict visitor access to birds
Prevent contact with wild birds (especially waterfowl)
Refrain from visiting other poultry operation locations
Set aside clothing and footwear to wear only when working with birds
Disinfect footwear before entering a barn or coop
Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling birds
Reduce availability of food, water and any potential nesting areas for wild birds
Fix holes in roofs, screens and walls of poultry barns or coops
Do not share equipment with other bird owners
Birds that have been near other poultry should be quarantined from the rest of the flock for at least 14 days
If poultry owners suspect their flock has been exposed to the virus in any way, they should report the animal and ask for assistance in additional diagnostics by calling the ODAFF disease alert number at 405-522-6141.
HPAI Resources
OSU Extension HPAI Fact Sheet
HPAI information from ODAFF
ODAFF Disease Alerts
HPAI information from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
OSU Extension Backyard Chicken Online Course
Watch Biggs discuss the latest case of HPAI on SUNUP, the production agriculture television show of OSU Agriculture.
Cloudy skies, cool temperatures for Tuesday
LeFlore County weather for Tuesday calls for partly cloudy skies early with cloud cover increasing during the afternoon hours in LeFlore County.
The high is forecast to be 49 degrees with a low of 32.
Sunset is 5:07 p.m.
Monday’s high was 60 with a low of 48. No rain was recorded Monday, leaving the monthly total at 0.23 inches, well short of the December average of 3.10 inches of precipitation for the month.
Average temperatures for Dec. 10 are a high of 55 and low of 28.
Records for the date were a high of 70 in 1979. The record low was 8 in 1977.
Last year on this date, the high was 52 with a low of 28.
Today’s calendar of events
LeFlore County calendar for today. 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 to pass the information on. If you need to make a correction, email us at the address listed above.
Tuesday
High school basketball: Bokoshe, LeFlore, Whitesboro at LeFlore Tournament; Cameron at Buffalo Valley; Panama at Howe; Poteau at Checotah; Vian at Spiro
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Today in history
1901
First Nobel Prizes awarded
The first Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace on December 10, 1901. The ceremony came on the fifth anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite and other high explosives. In his will, Nobel... read more
American Revolution
1778
John Jay is elected president of the Continental Congress
Art, Literature and Film History
1830
1905
O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” is published
1967
Soul legend Otis Redding dies in a plane crash near Madison, Wisconsin
2009
“Avatar” makes its world premiere in London
Black History
1950
American diplomat Ralph Bunche receives Nobel Peace Prize
Cold War
1977
Soviets arrest dissidents on United Nations Human Rights Day
Colonial America
1690
First paper currency is authorized in the Colonies
European History
1898
Treaty of Paris ends Spanish-American War
Inventions & Science
1903
Marie and Pierre Curie are awarded Nobel Prize for their work with radium
Sports
1922
Canton Bulldogs claim NFL’s first title
U.S. Government and Politics
1974
Sex scandal leads to political fallout for Arkansas congressman
U.S. Presidents
1920
Woodrow Wilson awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Women’s History
1869
Wyoming grants women the right to vote
World War I
1917
Red Cross is awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Harold Langley service planned
Harold Langley, 88, of Pocola passed away Dec. 7, 2024 at his home and was born Jan. 10, 1936, in Queen City, Arkansas to Clyde Edward and Donnie (Turner) Langley.
He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served during the Korean War.
A funeral service is 2 p.m. Friday at Trinity Baptist Church in Pocola, with Jeff Beshears officiating. Burial will follow at Macedonia Cemetery in Pocola.
Survivors are his daughter Sharon Hall and her husband Bill; sons Anthony Langley and his wife Jan, and Franklin Langley; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Edward Langley; and sister Ella Mae Schillinger.
He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn Langley; daughter, LaDawna Langley; his parents Clyde and Donnie Langley; and his brother, Albert Roy Langley.
Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Evans & Miller Funeral Home in Pocola.
Pallbearers are Kevin Langley, Don Didier, Rick Patton, Donald Ray Schillinger, Doug Lovell and Monte Wisdom.