LCJ newsletter 6-14-2025
Saturday's newsletter
Daily Bible verse
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Proverbs 29:25
News briefs
Organizers in Oklahoma are preparing for a series of peaceful protests on Saturday as part of the national “No Kings Day” movement. The movement, they say, is aimed at defending democracy and rejecting what it calls authoritarian trends under President Donald Trump. See the story HERE.
In Oklahoma, it seems like everyone has a mountain lion story. A cousin who spotted one at dusk. A neighbor with a blurry game camera photo. A friend who swears they saw one cross the road. See the story HERE.
An immediate spike in oil prices following Israel's strikes on Iran is expected to show up at gas pumps across the United States in the coming days and weeks, pushing up fuel prices by as much as 25 cents per gallon, according to GasBuddy. See the story HERE.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation says most of the time, those stories are hard to prove without clear evidence. But over the past few years, better technology has helped show that some of those stories are real.
Israel’s defense minister warned Saturday that “Tehran will burn” if Iran continues firing missiles, as the two countries traded blows a day after Israel launched a blistering surprise attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing a number of top generals. See the story HERE.
President Donald Trump on Friday urged Iran to quickly reach an agreement on curbing its nuclear program as Israel vowed to continue its bombardment of the country. See the story HERE.
After a week of protests over federal immigration raids, about 200 Marines moved into Los Angeles on Friday to guard a federal building in the city while communities across the country prepped for what’s anticipated to be a nationwide wave of large-scale demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s polices this weekend. See the story HERE.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday temporarily blocked a federal judge’s order that directed President Donald Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California after he deployed them there following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids. See the story HERE.
Thunder strike back: A game 4 thriller in the 2025 NBA Finals
The air in Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric on the night of June 13, 2025, as the Indiana Pacers hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
The series, with Pacers entering the game with a 2-1 advantage after a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, had Indianapolis buzzing with anticipation.
The Pacers, fresh off a commanding 116-107 victory in Game 3, aimed to seize control at home, while the Thunder, led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, were determined to even the score and reclaim their edge as the top seed. With both teams vying for their first NBA championship in their current cities, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
The game tipped off with a frenetic pace, true to the series’ reputation for high-octane basketball. The Pacers, fueled by their home crowd and the dynamic play of Tyrese Haliburton, came out swinging. Haliburton, who had dazzled in Game 3 with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, set the tone early with a silky 30-foot three-pointer assisted by Andrew Nembhard. Indiana’s offense, known for its fluid ball movement, carved through OKC’s vaunted defense, which had been described as “15 puppets on one string” by opponents for its relentless cohesion. Pascal Siakam, the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, added a layup off a Myles Turner feed, and the Pacers surged to an early 12-5 lead.
But the Thunder, battle-tested after a 68-win regular season, refused to flinch. Gilgeous-Alexander, a maestro in the midrange, answered with a pull-up jumper, his signature move that had tormented defenses all postseason. OKC’s transition game, the best in the playoffs with 1.42 points per possession, came alive as Luguentz Dort forced a steal and fed Jalen Williams for a thunderous dunk. By the end of the first quarter, the score was knotted at 28-28, with 15 ties already hinting at the back-and-forth battle to come.
The second quarter saw Indiana’s bench, led by Bennedict Mathurin, flex its muscle. Mathurin, who had erupted for 27 points in Game 3, drained a 23-foot three off a T.J. McConnell assist, pushing the Pacers to a 10-point lead. McConnell, a gritty sparkplug, added a driving layup, showcasing Indiana’s 49-18 bench scoring edge from the previous game. Yet, OKC’s depth responded. Aaron Wiggins, an unsung hero off the Thunder’s bench, hit a corner three, and Chet Holmgren, despite a quiet Game 3, swatted a Siakam layup to ignite the crowd. At halftime, Indiana clung to a slim 58-55 lead.
The third quarter was a chess match. OKC’s defense, which led the playoffs in limiting opponents’ transition possessions to 13.6%, tightened the screws. Dort and Alex Caruso swarmed Haliburton, forcing a rare turnover. Gilgeous-Alexander capitalized, scoring 10 points in the quarter, including a 24-foot three that flipped a one-point deficit into a five-point lead with 52 seconds left. But Indiana’s resilience shone through. Aaron Nesmith hit a 24-foot three, assisted by Haliburton, and the Pacers entered the fourth trailing 83-81.
The final frame was where legends were made. With the Pacers down by 10 midway through the quarter, Haliburton orchestrated a furious rally. A 25-foot three-pointer, followed by an Obi Toppin dunk off a Siakam assist, brought the crowd to its feet. But Gilgeous-Alexander, with the game on the line, proved why he was the MVP. Scoring 15 of his 35 points in the fourth, he hit a dagger 12-foot pull-up over Nesmith with 1:20 left, giving OKC a 105-102 lead. The Pacers fought back, with McConnell’s midrange jumper cutting it to one, but Cason Wallace’s block on a McConnell layup and a perfect 10-for-10 free-throw performance from Gilgeous-Alexander sealed the deal.
When the buzzer sounded, the Thunder had prevailed 111-104, tying the series at 2-2. The stat sheet told the story: OKC shot 47.4% from the field, outrebounded Indiana 43-33, and leaned on Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35 points, 12-of-24 shooting, and 10 free throws. Indiana’s 30.6% three-point shooting and 16 turnovers proved costly, despite Siakam’s 20 points and Haliburton’s late heroics. As the teams headed back to Oklahoma City for Game 5, the Finals promised more drama, with both fanbases dreaming of a historic first title.
Sports briefs
The pounding rain arrived far too late to douse so many of the meltdowns across Oakmont on Friday in a U.S. Open that produced a brilliant round by Sam Burns and a litany of collapses and tantrums typical in a major that prides itself on being the toughest test. See the story HERE.
Storms forecast for Saturday afternoon
Area weather forecast for Saturday calls for partly cloudy skies early with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon for LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
The high is forecast to be 87 degrees with a low of 71.
Sunrise was 6:04 a.m. Sunset is 8:33 p.m.
Friday’s high was 86 with a low of 70. A total of .04 inches of rain was recorded, bringing the monthly total to 4.88 inches. Average rainfall for June is 3.90 inches.
Average temperatures for June 14 are a high of 88 and low of 62. Records for the date were a high of 95 in 1984 and a low of 54 in 1978.
Last year on June 14, the high was 95 with a low of 70.
Area calendar of events
Area calendar of events for the next week in LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you are with a non-profit and want an event publicized, email news@heavener.news.
Saturday
Heavener Runestone jeep invasion
Nancy Bentley memorial service
James Robert Stanley memorial service
Funeral service for Dorothea E. Willis
Green Country Rough Riters meet 2 to 4 p.m. Patrick Lynch Library
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Tuesday
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC
Heavener Boots and Badges community challenge blood drive
Thursday
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
Heavener City Council and HUA meet 6 p.m.
Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North
Friday
Poteau Chamber of Classic golf tournament
Today in history
1777
Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes
June 14, 1777: During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white” and that “the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.” The national flag,... read more
19th Century
1846
California’s Bear Flag Revolt begins
1960s
1951
UNIVAC, the first commercially produced digital computer in the U.S, is dedicated
American Revolution
1775
Arts & Entertainment
1811
Writer and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe is born
Black History
1877
First African American graduate of West Point
Cold War
1946
The United States presents the Baruch Plan
Crime
1985
TWA flight 847 is hijacked by terrorists
2015
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s mother, Dee Dee, found stabbed to death
2017
Gunman shoots four people, including GOP congressman, at baseball practice
European History
2017
Grenfell Tower fire kills 72 in London
Exploration
1789
Bounty mutiny survivors reach Timor
Latin American & Caribbean History
1982
Vietnam War
1968
Dr. Spock convicted for aiding draft resisters
World War I
1917
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson gives Flag Day address
World War II
1940
Nancy (Clark) Bentley obituary
Nancy (Clark) Bentley of Heavener was born in Chicago, Illinois on Feb. 2, 1942 to Louis R. and Elisabeth Irene (Fry) Clark and passed away on June 10, 2025 in Tulsa, surrounded by her family. Nancy moved to Heavener in 1957, where she built a wonderful life with her family.
Nancy’s memorial service is 2 p.m. Saturday at the Poteau Church of Christ with Steve Breedlove and Bob Marchant officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Cremation Center of Poteau. “LeFlore County’s only on-site crematory”
Nancy, beloved mother and cherished friend, found joy in her home, a sanctuary nestled on the family ranch where she would often gaze out over the valley from her kitchen window or savor the view from her deck. With a remarkable green thumb, she cultivated beautiful roses and tenderly cared for her plants, bringing life to her surroundings. A talented cook, Nancy delighted in preparing meals for her family, where her happiest moments were spent nurturing and caring for those she loved. Her warmth and generosity touched the hearts of all who knew her.
Survivors are her husband, Benny Bentley, of Heavener; her brother Thomas Clark and wife Lorella of Fort Smith, Arkansas; two daughters Kathy Jones and husband Billy of Heavener, Cindy Khoury and husband Todd of Tulsa; one son Kevin Bentley and wife Rana of Olathe, Kansas; her grandchildren Kristen Morrison (Jess), Jessica Khoury, Julya Gandy (Brock), Benjamin Bentley, Christopher Jones (Kristina), Chelsea Khoury, Macie Bentley (Marcus), and Jackson Jones (Lizzie); 14 beloved great-grandchildren; numerous loving nieces, nephews, other loved ones, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Irene (Fry) Clark; her brother Richard Clark and his wife Elaine; and her sister, Joan.
In lieu of flowers, family requests a donation be made to the Southern Christian Children’s Home in Morrilton, Arkansas would be appreciated in honor of Nancy.
To view Nancy’s online guestbook, please visit www.dowdenrobertscremationcenter.com.
Jeffrey Raymond Altstatt obituary
Jeffrey Raymond Altstatt of Heavener was born Oct. 31, 1962 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to George and Ruth (Brown) Altstatt and passed away on June 10, 2025 in Poteau, Oklahoma at the age of 62.
No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
Jeffrey was a cherished member of the community and a talented graphic artist. He was a longtime resident of the area, he found joy in riding his lawnmower and was a passionate supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Atlanta Braves and Boston Bruins. Jeffrey’s greatest delight came from the time spent with family and friends, who will forever hold him close in their hearts. He will be profoundly missed by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Survivors are his wife, Shelley Altstatt, of the home; two sons Bryan Altstatt of Conway, Arkansas and Phillip “Andy” Altstatt of Cabot, Arkansas; two sisters Georgia “Doddie” Dean and husband Mike of Heavener, and Carrie “Candy” Irvin and husband Terry of White Hall, Arkansas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom loved him very much, as he loved them.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ruth Altstatt; and a sister, Nancy Lynn (Altstatt) McClain.
There will be a viewing and family visitation on Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
To sign Jeffrey’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.