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Bible verse of the day 4-9-2024
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
--Ezekiel 36:26
Want our Bible verse sent to you by text every day? Text BIBLE to (855) 761-3006.
Commissioners’ minutes 4-8-2024
The LeFlore County commissioners met in a regular business meeting 9 a.m. Monday with Chairman Jamie Oliver presiding. Also present were Vice-Chair Vallard Campbell, Member Josh Blaylock, and County Clerk Kelli Ford.
The following action was taken by the board:
(1.) Chairman Jamie Oliver called meeting to order.
(2.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve the minutes of regular meeting held April 8, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(3.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve purchase orders as presented. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(4.) Bonds: None presented.
(5.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Monthly Fee Report as presented by the LeFlore County Election Board. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(6.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve transfers of appropriations in the amount of $36,000.00 from County Commissioners Travel account (T-2R) to County Commissioners Personal Services account (T-1A), $4,000 from Talihina Fire Department Lease and Rent account (FDTAL-2R) to Talihina Fire Department Maintenance and Operations account (FDTAL-2), and $3,700.00 from 911 Maintenance and Operations account (911-2) to 911 Personal Services account (911-1A). Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(7.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve blanket purchase orders as presented and are on file in the office of the County Clerk. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(8.) New business: None presented.
(9.) Contract labor/service agreements, annual contracts: None presented.
(10.) Burn ban: No discussion.
(11.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve new fund and account T-OCC1 regarding recently awarded Oklahoma Conservation Commission reimbursable grant in the amount of $46,199.40 to be funded by the LeFlore County Highway Department Maintenance and Operations account (T-2). Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(12.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve disposing of equipment records regarding obsolete inventory items DR-610.006 laptop computer with original purchase price of $888.95, DR-331.003 Mercury car with original purchase price of $2,300.00 & DR-331.004 1994 Mercury car with original purchase price of $5,044.00 for the benefit of the LeFlore County Drug Court Department. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(13.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Treasurer’s monthly report of officers for the month of March, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(14.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve resolution determining maximum monthly highway expenditures for the month of April, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(15.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve bid notice and resolution advertising to accept sealed bids for the purchase of a brush truck to benefit Big Cedar Fire Department. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(16.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve 324A Claim regarding project Rhino Road over bridges 192 and 193 J/P 29974(04) for services ending 1/31/2024 as submitted by Pinnacle Consulting Management Group. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(17.) After discussion took place with representative Jacob Taylor regarding an energy savings program for LeFlore County owned buildings, motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to remove item from agenda pending further discussion. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(18.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Vallard Campbell to award Bid regarding the overlay project of 3.81 miles on Pocahontas Road beginning at US271, approximately 2.1 miles South of US270, and extending Eastward to benefit LeFlore County Commissioner Highway Department District 2, to Robinson Construction in the amount of $396,000, forgoing a lower Bid in the amount of $388,271 as submitted by McKenzie Asphalt due to quality of work and current lawsuit due to falsifying Bid price on a previously awarded Bid project. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
Carl Albert College reps visit capitol
By Rep. RICK WEST
Several people from Carl Albert State College visited the Capitol last week to attend a luncheon recognizing our rural colleges. This school does a terrific job educating our young people.
I got to visit with several students who were recognized for their academic achievements.
Sadie Bridges won an Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges President Tuition Waiver; Brady Allen and Brandi Woods were part of the All-Oklahoma Academic Team.
The $1,000 tuition waiver is awarded to select students from across the state for their outstanding academic achievement and their leadership ability. Academic team members are nominated by their college presidents. To be eligible, students must hold a minimum of a 3.50 cumulative grade point average out of a possible 4.0 on all college-level coursework completed in the past five years.
I and Sen. George Burns presented these students with citations recognizing their accomplishments. This is a great part of my job.
I also had the opportunity to meet with Carl Albert President Jay Falkner and talk about some of his concerns for higher education.
Also last week, I passed several Senate bills in the House Agriculture Committee.
Senate Bill 1442 would extend permit renewals for poultry waste applications from one year to five years for $75. This is a request bill from several constituents in our House district who say this will be much more convenient than having to renew each year.
Senate Bill 1963 would allow those who engage in the on-farm sale of donkey milk to advertise their product as such. Up until now, goat milk was the only raw milk that could be advertised. Believe it or not, this is a freedom of speech issue.
On a final note, I'm working with my colleague, Rep. Ellyn Hefner from Oklahoma City, in finalizing plans for our recognition of the 29th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. This year, we have invited Secretary Blayne Arthur to speak. Her mother was murdered in this act of terrorism. We also will recognize several House and Senate sergeants who were called in to help in the recovery efforts after the bombing.
This is the sixth year that I've helped in remembering this horrific event. It's important to me because our younger generation has no real knowledge of what happened or the danger that this could ever happen again on U.S. soil. Our new speaker designate in the House, for instance, is only 30 years old, so he would have been a baby at the time the bombing occurred. We must keep telling this story so this kind of history never repeats itself in our state.
As always, if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
Rain, storms expected Tuesday
Rain is expected Tuesday morning with thunderstorms during the afternoon and overnight Tuesday for LeFlore County.
The high is forecast to be 69 degrees with a low of 60.
Get our daily text update. Text JOIN to (855) 761-3006.
Sunrise is 6:53 a.m. Sunset is 7:46 p.m.
Average temperatures for April 9 are a high of 73 and low of 45. Records for the date were a high of 85 in 1977. The record low was 28 in 1982.
Last year, on this date, the high was 71 with a low of 48.
Monday’s high was 83 with a low of 59. A total of .04 inches of rain was recorded, bringing the monthly total to 0.94 inches. Average rainfall for April is 4.90 inches.
The calendar
Calendar of events for Heavener, LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma.. If you are a non-profit, school or church, submit an event. This is a free service for non-profits and churches, so if you want your event published, send an email to craig@heavenerledger.com
Tuesday
Celebration of life service for Gene Hill
Heavener at Warner meet
High school baseball: Heavener at Roland; Arkoma at Quinton; Cameron at McCurtain; Muldrow at Panama; Pocola at Vian; Poteau at Hilldale; Talihina at Spiro; Wister at Wright City
High school softball: LCT
High school soccer: Sallisaw at Heavener; Webster at Poteau
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC
Thursday
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North
High school baseball: Heavener at Kiowa Tournament; Whitesboro at Howe; Panama at Pocola; Hilldale at Poteau; Talihina at Buffalo Valley
High school softball: LCT
Heavener soccer at Dove Science
Heavener school board meeting 6 p.m.
Friday
Heavener at Atoka meet
High school baseball: Heavener at Kiowa Tournament; Bokoshe at Braggs; Talihina at Panama; Poteau vs. Preston in McAlester Festival
High school softball: Panama at Smithville; Talihina at Canadian
High school soccer: Poteau at Sallisaw
Saturday
High school baseball: Heavener at Kiowa Tournament; Panama at Spiro; Broken Bow JV vs. Talihina
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
High school baseball: Victory Christian at Heavener; Talihina at Cameron; Howe at McCurtain; Gans at LeFlore; Panama at Red Oak; Stigler at Poteau; Spiro at Cascia Hall; Whitesboro at Haileyville
High school softball: Sallisaw at Heavener; Panama at Pocola; Quinton at Whitesboro
Eclipsed
I have to admit, I was impressed when the moon got between the earth and the sun, making the sun’s corona visible. I had seen photographs of this phenomenon all my life; none of them compared to seeing the event as it happened. The next total eclipse of the Sun visible in America will be August 23, 2044, so save your eclipse glasses to use then. I intend to watch it myself, if I’m not busy.
BRIAR CIRCLE
There are many positive things I could say about the eclipse, but I am “eclipsed” by countless others who have expressed these thoughts better. With no particular direction in mind, here are some quotes:
“There’s no way to oversell how spectacular and incredible seeing a total eclipse is. A lot of people think they’ve seen an eclipse, and they think they’ve see a partial solar eclipse—even if they’ve seen a 99 percent partial, it pales in comparison to seeing a complete, 100 percent total eclipse of the sun.” --Fred Espenak
Espenak also said, “I recommend for people, if this is the first time they’re going to see an eclipse, don’t get bogged down in trying to take pictures of it, because you’ll spend too much time fiddling around with cameras . . .Try to drink it with your eyes and enjoy it.” (From my experience, he’s right.)
“Most events recorded in history are more remarkable than important, like eclipses of the sun and moon, by which all are attracted, but whose effects no one takes the trouble to calculate.” --Henry David Thoreau
“We should always endeavor to wonder at the permanent thing, not at the mere exception. We should be started by the sun, and not by the eclipse. We should wonder less at the earthquake, and wonder more at the earth.” --Gilbert K. Chesterton
I suppose I should not be surprised to have encountered persons who believe the total eclipse was a warning to prepare for tough times ahead. There is nothing novel about this. As Walter Mercado said, “In many cultures, a total eclipse of the sun predicts cataclysms and bad events.” That has been true for thousands of years. There is some disagreement whether or not the celestial events cause or merely predict bad times, but this is a looney bin I would just as soon not crawl into. Consequently, I will let this quote from Luci Swindoll sum up my thoughts on this:
“Don’t take yourself too seriously. It just makes life all the harder. It’ll all come out in the wash anyway, because God’s glory will eventually eclipse everything that goes wrong on this earth. Lighten up and learn to laugh at yourself.”
Keep your “eclipse” glasses handy. I will see you Aug. 23, 2044.
Eclipse thoughts
What did you think of Monday’s total eclipse
Well, the total eclipse came and went. I wrote this week’s column on Thursday, so all I have to offer is an uneducated speculation of the event.
Support local, live music
I forecasted partly sunny skies, and I hope it was. I said there would be lots of tourists, which would be good for the economy for some of the rural communities with minor inconvenience for us locals — and a chance to observe and enjoy this event with family and friends. The next one is in 2044. Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine.
In the live-music department, there’s a couple events coming up I plan to attend. Just so you can’t say that you didn’t know, there will be a concert at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. May 25. There will be an awesome line-up with “Oreo Blue with Gary Hutchison,” “The Jeff Horton Band” and “J.J. Taylor and Bourbon Highway.” There will be a full afternoon of awesome blues, rock and red dirt music, so make plans to be there.
There will be a fajita fundraiser for this event at Carajillo Mexican Grill in Poteau from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. It is a great chance to meet and greet with host Annie Kobus and find out how you can be a sponsor for this event. It is building up to the biggest event of the summer. For additional information, call or text message to (918) 766-8269.
There will be a party at the Fort — Fort Towson that is, located near Hugo! On Saturday, this family event will open the gate at 10 a.m. Stoney LaRue with Kaitlin Butts and special guest Casey West will provide the entertainment. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to www.PartyAtTheFort.com or the Fort Towson Chamber of Commerce website.
Here’s a great chance to enjoy gospel music at the First Baptist Church in Van Buren, Ark. The Southern Gospel Celebration 2024 will be Friday and Saturday. Check out the event’s Facebook page as well as at www.bpmpresents.com, or call (479) 883-8131.
A real treat with an album release party from “The Black Diamonds” will take place at the place of origin, The Coffee Cup in Poteau. Here is a short note from bandleader Ben Whiteaker:
“Our self-titled album will be available anywhere you can stream music on April 19. We are playing a show at The Coffee Cup with Landon Kole Bradley that same night, starting at 6 p.m. Kole has been pivotal in the revival of the music scene in Poteau and put together some great shows with Bard’s Guild. Come out and sing some sad, sad songs with us.” Mark it on your calendar — 6 p.m. April 19 with Landon Kole Bradley and “The Black Diamonds” at The Coffee Cup. I’ll have more information in next week’s column.
As for other live-music events this week, “Sierra Bravo” will be at La Huerta’s Mexican Restaurant in Poteau beginning at 6 tonight. Scot Francis and Billy Hoffman will be sharing the vocals with their good friend Rick Boyette on bass. It will be a great evening of music on the patio. See you there.
“The Libby Starks Band” will liven up the Fort Smith (Ark.) Senior Activity Center on Friday. Libby is a favorite at this dance hall. The good thing is there is a big dance floor and lots of seats at tables.The venue is a NS/ND place, so when the first note is played at 7 p.m., be ready to dance the night away. It’ll be a great time.
Dawn’s Diner will be restocked with catfish and chicken fried steaks after the eclipse hoopla and will have two nights of great music. On Friday, it will be “Bourbon Rain” playing country tunes to keep the dance floor full. Then on Saturday, Chance Noah will bring his tunes that will entertain and make you wanna dance. Both nights of music will start at 7 p.m.
The Spiro Eagles Lodge’s dance will be from 7-11 p.m. Saturday. “Country Junction” will be playing, and this band has a great show. There’s a great, big dance floor and one of the best country dance bands around. Hope to see you at the Spiro Eagles Lodge that night.
That ain’t all that I got to say, but it’s a good place to stop. Support local bands and singers. Attend an event or dance. Keep live music available to us all.
For information about any live-music events or to let me know of any such venues taking place, call or text message me at (918) 649-5736 or e-mail me at tj.wiles61@outlook.com.
CASC students honored
POTEAU-- – Carl Albert State College students Sadie Bridges, Brady Allen and Brandi Woods have been honored for their academic excellence.
Sadie Bridges is a recipient of the OACC President Tuition Waiver, and Brady Allen and Brandi Woods are now members of the All-Oklahoma Academic Team. This recognition, part of the All-USA Academic Team Program, marks their outstanding achievements at the two-year college level.
Selected from a pool of outstanding nominees by their college presidents, Allen and Woods had to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher.
"The 2024 All-Oklahoma Academic Team members are being recognized for their distinguished academic achievements and leadership accomplishments," said Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Ph.D., President, and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. "They serve as important role models in our colleges and our communities and are worthy of our respect and emulation."
Bridges was also granted the OACC President's Tuition Waiver, selected by the Presidents of Oklahoma Community Colleges, She receives a $1,000 tuition waiver applicable to the upcoming academic year.
“Sadie's receipt of this award underscores her commitment to academic excellence and her potential to make significant contributions to her field and community,” said CASC President Jay Falkner. “Sadie embodies the excellence we strive to foster within each Viking student.
“Brady and Brandi represent the best of us. The pride they take in their individual journeys to academic achievement, paired with exhibiting outstanding character along the way, marks them as individuals poised for greatness. The entire Viking community congratulates, Sadie, Brady, and Brandi on their well-deserved recognition and wishes them continued success in all their future endeavors.”
Today in history
1865
Robert E. Lee surrenders
In Appomattox, Virginia, on April 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee surrenders his 28,000 Confederate troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the American Civil War. Forced to abandon the Confederate capital of Richmond, blocked from joining the surviving Confed... read more
Art, Literature and Film History
1859
Mark Twain receives steamboat pilot’s license
1939
Marian Anderson sings on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
1962
Rita Moreno becomes the first Hispanic woman to win an Oscar
Black History
1947
The Journey of Reconciliation—considered the first Freedom Ride—sets out from D.C.
Crime
1881
Billy the Kid convicted of murder
1984
Man attempts to kill wife for money using car bomb
European History
2005
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles wed
Middle Eastern History
2003
Space Exploration
1959
NASA introduces America’s first astronauts
U.S. PRESIDENTS
1866
Ulysses S. Grant arrested for speeding in his horse buggy, newspaper reports
Vietnam War
1969
“Chicago Eight” plead not guilty to federal conspiracy charges
World War II
1940
Germany invades Norway and Denmark
1942
Troops surrender in Bataan, Philippines, in largest-ever U.S. surrender
1945
Anti-Nazi theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is hanged
The night before salad recipe
'Twas the night before our family reunion, and all through the large, oceanside condo, not a creature was stirring, not even crazy Uncle Ronaldo. The pasta salads were tossed and placed in the fridge with care, in hopes that The-Night-Before-Salad would soon be there. The grannies were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of its fresh veggies, creamy dressing, salty cheese, and bacon danced in their heads. And mamma in her night gown and daddy in his cap, had just settled down for a "been-with-family-too-long" nap, when out in the kitchen there arose such a clatter, they sprang from their bed to see what was the matter. It was Granny. She was whipping up The-Night-Before-Salad! She laughed and said, "I've got all the good things added!" She put the bowl in the fridge with a wink and said, "Good night, y'all, see you in a blink!"
Ingredients
8 cups mixed salad greens, torn
1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
2 medium green peppers, chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 pound bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Directions
Step 1 -Place the salad greens in a 3-quart bowl or a 13x9-inch dish.
Step 2 -Top the greens with the celery, the green peppers, the onion, and the peas.
Step 3 -In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, the sour cream, and the sugar together and spread it over the salad.
Step 4 -Sprinkle the salad with the cheese and the bacon.
Step 5 -Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours.
Step 6 -Serve.
Obituary for Gene Hill
Daris "Gene" Hill, of Forrester was born at home in Blackfork, Arkansas May 14, 1946 to Herman and Julia Hill. He finished his race Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the age of 77.
He married the love of his life Linda (Pottridge) Hill in 1965. Gene served in the U.S. Army overseas and returned to a career as a telephone technician for the Heavener area for over 40 years. After retirement he continued running their cattle operation. Gene and Linda served the Lord in music ministry for 30 years in a southern gospel group called The Master's Family. He was a long- time member of the Bates First Assembly of God church and served as a Trustee for many years.
Gene is survived by his daughter LeAnn (Hill) Atchley and husband Paul of Waldron, Arkansas: and his son Doug Hill and wife Lori of Heavener; five grandsons Garrett (Janie) Atchley of Waldron, Arkansas; Chasten (Kelsey) Hill of Cameron, Josh (Kristen) Atchley of Waldron, Arkansas; Jarrod Hill of Heavener, and Tanner Hill of Poteau; two granddaughters Cyndi (Eric) Leatherwood of Howe, and Heather Rasberry of Spiro; PaPa Gene also left behind 15 great grandchildren: Judd, Jace, Dathan, Saylor, Berklee, Sawyer, Drake, Knox, Kyah, Logan, Wade, Lukas, Reya, Rhett and Joshlyn; three Stella Benjamin and Sue Carter of Mena, Arkansas and Brenda (Danny) Reel of Bates, Arkansas; two brothers Daryl (Tina) Hill of Heavener, and Jeff Hill of Clarksville, Arkansas; brothers-in-laws Don Powell of Mena, Arkansas and Gary (Ann) Pottridge of Bates, Arkansas; and his very special blessing Erma Dean Weaver of Howe.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; his parents Herman and Julia Hill, and five siblings Wanda Callahan, Billy Hill, Patsy Powell, Larry Hill and Kay Harvey.
Gene's life celebration is 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Bates First Assembly of God Church in Bates, Arkansas with Bro. Mark Ward officiating. Interment will follow in the Gipson Cemetery in Bates, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Gene's pallbearers are Garrett Atchley, Chasten Hill, Josh Atchley, Jarrod Hill, Tanner Hill and Jerod Nix.
You may leave words of remembrance for Gene's family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com