LCJ newsletter 2-18-2025
Tuesday's newsletter
Daily Bible verse
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Today’s poll
Obituary for Donald Watkins
Donald “Butch” Warren Watkins, 82, of Hollis (formerly of Hodgen) was born March 7, 1942 in Calrion, Iowa to Clint and Golda (Hanks) Watkins and passed away Feb. 15, 2025 in Hollis.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Friday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener, with Reverend Philip Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Heavener Memorial Park under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
Don was a graduate of Skyline High School in Urbana, Missouri, Carl Albert State College and Eastern Oklahoma State College. He was a veteran, serving his country in the United States Navy. His first job was a truck driver and that is how he met his first true love, Gilda “Okie.” They got married and lived in California for several years before moving back to Oklahoma in 1975 following her parents. They remained in Hodgen until her passing in 1998. After Gilda’s passing, Don moved several times finally ending up in Hollis. Don starting working for the Department of Corrections, where he started out as a cadet, working his way up to Senior Instructor at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections “CLEET” program. He retired in 2008 as Captain/Chief of Security at the Hollis Correctional Work Center.
During his lifetime, he held many jobs, from truck driver, school bus driver, cement work, DOC, and maintenance. While he was in Hollis, he met the second love of his life, Rosa. They married and he worked maintenance at the Hollis Hospital and various places. Don did whatever he needed to do to make ends meet. He was a hard worker who always took care of his family. Don enjoyed to travel and visit with anyone and everyone he seen. He never met a stranger at least not for very long. He also loved to fish, hunt, and spend time with his family and friends. Don will be deeply missed by all whom knew and loved him.
Survivors are a son, Randy Watkins, of Hodgen; a daughter Tammy Welch and husband Richard of Hodgen; two stepdaughters Lola Salazar of Hollis, and Elisa Zepeda and husband Eric of Hollis; one son-in-law, Jess Bowen, of Nebraska; four sisters Georgia Hammerbacher, Phylliss Fitch, Dorothy Davis and Charlotte Glascock; a brother, Ernest “Tuffy” Rucker; seven grandchildren Tyler Bowen, Sadie Luman, Justus Welch, Aaron Bowen, Azure Hill, Gene Welch and Addison Zepeda; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Golda Watkins; the first love of his life, Gilda “Okie” Watkins; his second love of his life, Rosa Watkins; one daughter, Debbie Bowen; one brother, Gene Watkins; and one sister, Bernadean Owens.
Honors will be provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Honor Guard.
Pallbearers are Tyler Bowen, Justus Welch, Aaron Bowen, Gene Welch, Mark Huie and Clay Metzker.
Viewing is from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.
To sign Don’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Winter weather advisory issued
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 6 a.m. Tuesday through 3 a.m. Wednesday.
Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet
accumulations between 1 and 4 inches and ice accumulations between
a tenth and two tenths of an inch possible. Higher ice
accumulations to near a quarter inch will be possible near the
ridge tops in the Ouachitas of southeast Oklahoma.
The advisory is for in Arkansas, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties.
In Oklahoma, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Sequoyah, Okmulgee, Haskell,
Latimer, Le Flore, McIntosh, and Pittsburg Counties.
Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Tuesday evening commute.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down and use caution while traveling. In Arkansas, for the
latest road conditions call 1-800-245-1672 or go to
idrivearkansas.com. In Oklahoma, for the latest road conditions call
1-844-465-4997 or go to okRoads.org.
An extreme cold warning is also in effect from 6 p.m. Tuesday to noon Thursday.
The cold wind chills as low as 6 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
Commissioners’ agenda for 2-18-2025
The LeFlore County commissioners will meet in a regular business meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the office of the board of county commissioners.
AGENDA:
* CALL TO ORDER.
* MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S).
3. * PURCHASE ORDERS/PAYROLL (SEE ATTACHED LIST TO BE PRESENTED FOR PAYMENT). Purchase Orders only.
4. * MONTHLY FEE REPORTS. Election Board.
5. * TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS. $None presented. & Rental to M&O
6. * BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS. None presented.
7. * NEW BUSINESS. None presented.
8. * CONTRACT LABOR/SERVICE AGREEMENTS/ANNUAL CONTRACTS. None presented.
9. * BURN BAN. Not instated / not needed.
10. After review of notes from Public Hearing held February 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM concerning Oscar Lane, consider and possibly approve passing resolution allowing the adoption of Oscar Lane, lying in or adjacent to Sections 13 & 24, Township 5 North, Range 25 East, LeFlore County, Oklahoma, as a County Road.
11. Discuss and possibly approve Proclamation setting the week of February 17th through February 21st of 2025 as LeFlore County Farm Bureau Week.
12. Meet with Oklahoma Circuit Engineering District 3 representatives Jimmy Westbrook and Tommy Garrett for discussion with possible action concerning updating the LeFlore County 5 Year Bridge and Road Plan.
13. Consider and possibly approve Declarations of Surplus as submitted by LeFlore County Commissioner Highway Department District 3 concerning the following County inventory items:
· D3-441.038, Diamond Rear Cradle mower, with original purchase price of $37,662.15, purchased on 5/30/2007 from Diamond Mowers.
· D3-302.122, Freightliner Haul Truck, with original purchase price of $20,000, purchased on 06/05/2019 from Oklahoma State Surplus.
· D3-441.033, John Deere MX6 Brush Hog, with original purchase price of $1,776.97, purchased on 05/06/2003 from Spider Webb Farm Implements.
· D3-312.002, John Deere diesel wheel loader, with original purchase price of $54,830, purchased from Sanders Enterprises.
14. Review and possibly approve Resolution regarding Memorandum of Understanding by and between the LeFlore County 911 Emergency Dispatch System Public Trust Authority and the LeFlore County FIREFIGHTERS’ Association.
15. Review and possibly approve resolution regarding updating officer designations, removing Sam Ingle as Requisitioning Officer and change in Receiving officer from Don Stites to Sam Ingle concerning all LeFlore fire Department Accounts.
16. Review with possible action plat maps as submitted by R & R Development Holdings, LLC concerning Three Waters Subdivision lying in or adjacent to Section 30, Township 1 North, Range 23 East, LeFlore County, Oklahoma. Jed Rudd and/or J.R. Rudd to appear telephonically.
17. Consider and possibly approve Declaration of Surplus as submitted by LeFlore County Commissioner Highway Department District 2 concerning County inventory item D2-301.080, 2007 Chevrolet Truck, purchased on 5/31/2027, for the sum of $23,012.00, from Hudiberg Chevrolet located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
18. Adjourn.
LeFlore County scoreboard 2-17-2025
LeFlore County sports scoreboard for games played Monday.
Basketball
Boys
Muldrow 70, Heavener 58
Spiro 46, Checotah 41
Girls
Muldrow 67, Heavener 34
Spiro 50, Checotah 41
To make a correction or addition, please email craig@heavenerledger.com.
Heavener loses twice at Muldrow
MULDROW—Heavener’s boys and girls closed out the regular season with a pair of basketball losses at Muldrow Monday.
The Lady Wolves lost to the 4A Muldrow girls, 67-34, while Heavener’s boys fell short, 70-58.
Heavener plays at Spiro Saturday night in a Class 3A district tournament. Muldrow hosts Stigler in its district tournament, also this week.
The Lady Wolves head into the postseason with a 7-18 record. Heavener’s boys are 11-14. Muldrow’s girls improve to 16-8 while the Bulldogs are 17-6.
Boys
Heavener stayed close through three quarters and only trailed 51-46 before the Bulldogs went on a 19-12 run in the final quarter to stretch the lead into double figures.
Rogelio Garcia had one of his best games for the Wolves, hitting six 3 pointers to finish with 18 points while Zaid Rodriguez added 10.
Muldrow 70, Heavener 58
HHS 14 17 15 12--58
MHS 15 18 18 19--70
Heavener—Isaac Cook 2 2-2 1 6; Zaid Rodriguez 4 2-5 0 10; Canyon Ford 2 2-2 2 6; Refugio Garcia 7 0-0 1 18; Brandon Sanchez 2 1-2 4 5; Spencer Clubb 4 0-0 4 8; Geren Palmer 1 0-0 3 2. TOTALS: 22 7-11 15 58.
Muldrow—D. Hall 3 0-1 4 7; T. Collins 5 2-4 1 12; J. Anstine 5 1-3 1 12; J. Kline 4 0-2 1 10; P. Sevenstar 6 1-1 1 13; A. Massey 6 3-4 3 15; J. Palmer 1 0-0 4 ; Z. Burkhart 0 0-0 1 0. TOTALS: 30 7-14 12 70.
Girls
The Lady Wolves fell behind early and could never rebound against Muldrow. Heavener, whose only senior Britlee Reed has seen limited duty over the last few weeks, will try to avenge two regular season losses to Spiro when the teams hook up Saturday night.
Mia Billings led the Lady Wolves with 12 points and Julie Cook added nine.
Muldrow 67, Heavener 34
HHS 10 10 9 5--34
MHS 21 19 14 13--67
Heavener—Taylee Baker 1 2-4 4 5; Allison Palmer 0 1-2 2 1; Julie Cook 3 1-2 0 9; Mia Billings 5 2-4 1 12; Valeria Sanchez 1 0-0 0 3; Kaitlin Hurst 1 2-2 2 4; Britlee Reed 0 0-0 1 0; Keira Doyle 0 0-0 1 0. TOTALS: 11 8-14 10 34.
Muldrow—London Hardin 1 1-2 3 4; Kilah Ellingberg 6 1-2 3 12; Emma Fields 1 1-2 0 3; Gracie Prewett 2 0-3 2 4; Chloe Clark 0 0-0 1 0; Jensi Fields 0 2-2 2 2; Kayla Ellingberg 1 2-3 3 4; Maysi Fields 8 0-0 0 19; Danica Tune 1 2-2 0 4; Amarie Durant 1 0-0 0 3; Cherish Atkerson 1 0-0 0 2; Emmalee Short 3 0-0 0 8. TOTALS: 25 9-16 14 67.
Lab-grown meat needs to stay in Pitri Dish
By Rep. RICK WEST
We heard a couple of bills in the House Agriculture Committee last week that dealt with lab-grown meat substitutes.
House Bill 1126 would require proper labeling for these products, but it would not ban them from being sold in grocery stores. The author of the bill explained he tried to run a bill a few years ago that would ban plant-based dairy products from being sold as "milk," but he lost the fight. He decided on this issue just to try to at least force the people making a lab-grown meat substitute to say that it was grown in a Pitri dish and what is in it besides actual meat.
House Bill 2829 would ban lab-grown meat substitutes from being sold in Oklahoma. It would not stop any research being done at state universities.
We don't need these products in Oklahoma. There's a move to go from beef, pork and chicken production into these other alternatives, but this is a direct assault on the American agriculture industry, which must be protected.
Also last week, we passed the first bill on the House floor.
House Bill 1276 would require school districts to come up with a plan for restricting cell phone usage (and smartwatches and other such devices) during the school day by the beginning of next school year. These phones are a distraction from learning and the content is proven to cause all kinds of problems for young people. Kids with a valid medical reason would still have access to their devices. I'm in favor of this bill, and I especially like that it gives schools the leeway to figure out their own policies for dealing with this issue.
We also passed House Bill 1151 in committee. This would shift school board elections to June and November from the current February and April election dates. The author of the bill says this will save school districts $16.8 million. Schools are responsible to cover the cost of these separate elections, so moving them to dates when other elections are already scheduled makes good financial sense.
Another good bill from last week is House Bill 1098. This would allow volunteer rural firefighters to do training under their rural fire coordinators in their county or local fire district. These are unpaid volunteers, most of whom have other jobs. They can't take off work for weeks at a time and pay their own expenses for these trainings in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. This just makes sense.
Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.
As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC
Thursday
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
LeFlore County Republicans meet 6 p.m. Patrick Lynch Center
High school basketball: Small school regionals
Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North
Heavener Utilities Authority and city council meet
Friday
Funeral service for Donald Watkins
High school basketball: Poteau at Broken Bow in district tournament; small school regionals TBA
Saturday
High school basketball: Heavener at Spiro in district tournament; small school regionals TBA
Poteau polar plunge fundraiser
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Blood drive Reynolds Center 1 to 6 p.m.
Winter weather advisory issued
LeFlore County’s weather forecast for Tuesday calls for cloudy skies early with the chance of snow or sleet later in the day and near record-breaking low for Heavener, Poteau and the area.
A winter storm advisory and extreme cold warning has been issued for the area.
The high is forecast to be 22 degrees along with a low of 7.
Sunrise was 6:59 a.m. Sunset is 6:05 p.m.
Monday’s high was 52 with a low of 35. No precipitation was recorded yesterday, leaving the monthly total to 1.88 inches. Average rainfall for February is 2.90 inches.
Average temperatures for Feb. 18 are a high of 56 and low of 27. Records for the date were a high of 79 in 1986. The record low was 13 in 1978.
Last year on Feb. 18, the high was 55 with a low of 27.
Today in history
1885
Mark Twain publishes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
On February 18, 1885, Mark Twain publishes his famous—and famously controversial—novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in the U.S. Twain (the pen name of Samuel Clemens) first introduced Huck Finn as the best friend of Tom Sawyer, hero of his tremendously successful novel The Adventures of Tom... read more
19th Century
1878
Murder ignites Lincoln County War
Arts & Entertainment
1929
First Academy Awards announced
1959
Ray Charles records “What’d I Say” at Atlantic Records
Crime
2003
Arsonist sets fire in South Korean subway
2011
Green River serial killer pleads guilty to 49th murder
Inventions & Science
1930
Sports
2001
Dale Earnhardt Sr. killed in crash
2006
Shani Davis becomes first Black athlete to win individual gold medal at Winter Games
U.S. Government and Politics
2010
WikiLeaks publishes the first documents leaked by Chelsea Manning
World War II
1943