Heavener Ledger newsletter 5-3-2022
The Ledger newsletter for Tuesday
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Budget Board approves two projects
By KEN MILAM
POTEAU - The LeFlore County Budget Board gave the go-ahead to two projects for the Court Clerk’s Office at Monday’s meeting.
The board, which includes the county commissioners and other elected officers, approved a plan to install a new filing system for the Court Clerk on the first floor of the annex building. The Court Clerk Revolving Fund will pay for all labor and expenses.
Court Clerk Melba Hall said her office is out of filing space. She said some paper records are being destroyed, but many must be preserved permanently by law.
She said employees are forced to store many records in boxes because of the lack of space. She said new rolling cabinets would provide more capacity.
The other project involves installing new counters and face shields for employees.
Hall said the current counters are inefficient and offer too little space for workers.
She said when the new building was built several years ago, the current counters were installed by mistake because of a breakdown in communications with the builders.
Commissioners voted to seek bids for the project, and said the county’s share of federal Covid relief funds would cover the costs.
In the County Commission meeting, the Merle Branch Road project was approved, along with a renewed agreement between the county and The Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Home.
The officials also met as the county Building Authority, but no action was required and no votes taken.
Howe Trustees change financing
HOWE – The Howe Board of Trustees approved a resignation and discussed the Doc Austin building repairs at Monday’s monthly meeting.
After an executive session, Trustees approved the resignation of Dustin Watson. Trustees were also informed members of a local church wanted to help with projects in town, and repair playground fencing.
While the fire department report was not available, the police department reported 10 calls during the month with nine arrests and one citation. Also, they had 10 animal calls.
The maintenance department reported roads were patched and a tinhorn replaced.
James Phillips brought up the condition of the Adkins’ property. Property between north of Texas Road to railroad property is very run down. The code enforcement officer will review the conditions of the property.
Financing through the Kansas State Bank, which had previously been approved, for the renovations to the Austin Building was canceled as ARPA money can be used for the project.
Kimberly Hill was approved to be sent to a NOI training class on July 7 in Tulsa at $85. Trustees also agreed ordinances and fines for code enforcement needed updated.
Howard Sims contributed to this report and photograph.
Slow pitch state starts Tuesday
Three of the four LeFlore County slow pitch softball teams playing in the state tournament are scheduled to be in action Tuesday in USA Stadium in Oklahoma City.
The Class A, 2A and 3A tournaments are Tuesday. Class 4A, 5A and 6A are Wednesday.
In Class A, Whitesboro plays Kiowa and LeFlore goes against Lookeba-Sickles at 10 a.m.
In Class 3A, Pocola vs. Boone-Apache 2:30 at OKC.
Howe plays Washington in the Class 4A tournament Wednesday. All the tournaments are scheduled to be played in one day with a champion crowned.
Regional baseball schedules set
Regional baseball brackets have been released by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association with games scheduled to begin Thursday.
Class 4A at Pryor
Pryor vs. Hilldale 11 a.m.
Poteau vs. Berryhill 1:30 p.m.
Class 3A at Kingston
Kingston vs. Westville 11 a.m.
Spiro vs. Kansas 1:30 p.m.
Class 2A at Wister
Wister vs. Howe 11 a.m.
Panama vs. Calera 2:30 p.m.
Carl Albert students visit Capitol
By Rep. RICK WEST
Two students with Carl Albert State College's Aspiring Educators organization visited me at the State Capitol last week along with their Faculty Advisor Susan Hill. This was the students' first visit to the Capitol. They said they were grateful for the opportunity to get to learn about the legislative process and discuss matters related to education. It was a great treat to take these ladies to lunch and hear their views and answer their questions.
On a legislative note, I was pleasantly surprised last week when Senate Bill 888 was brought to a vote on the House floor. This bill is a holdover from last year. It seeks to tighten regulations for pain management clinics operating in the state as well as for the physicians working in these clinics.
I got involved with this legislation after the death of Hannah McKenzie of Pocola who died in 2017 from a methadone overdose. Authorities said the drug came from someone who received a take-home supply from a clinic in Roland. The person was later charged with Hannah's death.
Since their daughter's tragic death, Hannah's parents, Mark and Shana McKenzie, have been fighting for better regulation over drugs such as Methadone, a Schedule II controlled drug used to treat opioid addiction or for pain management. The drug, however, can cause serious or life-threatening problems for users.
One of the hang-ups with this legislation is over federal privacy regulations that require a person's permission to be listed on the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). I and other lawmakers also have had to work with medical doctors, osteopaths, veterinarians, ophthalmologists and pharmacists to ensure there are no unintended consequences.
SB888 passed the House last week with the title off meaning the bill will still have to be worked on in conference committee before it can achieve final passage. The McKenzies watched us pass this bill from the House gallery. I know this journey has been excruciating for them, and we still have a long way to go. But I'm encouraged by this latest step.
Also in the House last week, we voted to permanently exempt the state portion of sales tax on groceries. This will not affect any county or municipal tax. Senate Bill 1495 still has to earn final passage in the Senate before going to the governor to be signed into law, but it could be a relief to consumers in the coming days.
We also passed a bill to reduce the amount of tax someone has to pay when purchasing a vehicle. Senate Bill SB 1486 provides that if a sale of a motor vehicle includes a trade-in, gross receipts are to be calculated based on the difference between the value of the trade-in vehicle and the actual sales price of the purchased vehicle. Again, this still has to get final passage in the Senate.
We passed other good legislation last week, but I'll save some for next time.
Remember to listen to me on KPRV Radio at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday for my legislative update.
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.
Celebrate Mother’s Day
By Dr. GLENN MOLLETTE
Celebrate Mother’s Day anyway you can but don’t miss the opportunity to honor mom. The opportunities pass us by. While mom is alive is the time to do something for her. Too often someone dies and we want to make sure we attend their funeral and buy flowers. We talk about missed opportunities. While your special person is alive is the time to cherish and make a big deal about that person.
Do what you can do. Mom’s simply want to know you care. You could clean out the garage or clean the house. Spend a day working in the yard or trimming shrubbery. People buy flowers and take mom out to dinner typically on Mother’s Day. It is no secret that flowers have become even more expensive and many restaurants are having employee issues. If you had to wait to be served in the past this Mother’s Day may be challenging. Consider taking mom a card and writing her a letter. Tell her how you feel about her and thank her for being a great mom. The main thing is don’t forget the day. If you are a long way from home by all means make a phone call.
I know some great mothers. My wife is a phenomenal mother. I have sisters, daughters and a daughter in law who are great mothers. So, there are plenty of people around for me to honor this weekend. I suspect you may know one or two. Even if they aren’t family, wish them a happy Mother’s Day.
My mother has been in heaven for a long time and so has the mother of my two sons. Mother’s Day is a tough day for them as they lost their mother when they were 20 and 17 year’s old. My wife’s mother passed just a few years ago. It happens. The chair at the table suddenly is empty and all you are left with are pictures and memories.
I miss the long telephone conversations with my mother. We talked on the telephone for 30 minutes sometimes twice a week. When I was a child, she was my advocate. She was my school tutor. We didn’t eat out growing up so she kept food on the table three times a day. When I was a small child, we still had a ringer washing machine and the water was not great. We caught rain water in large tubs and then carried it in to wash clothes. I remember a couple of summers of carrying water from the creek to wash clothes. She ironed clothes for an entire day every week. It was a great day when we were finally able to have an automatic washer and dryer.
Mom worked hard and about twice a week dressed up really nice and she and dad went to church. Like most of our mothers I could write a lot about her but Eula Hinkle Mollette was a wonderful mother. She loved me, corrected me and supported me. I know there were times I disappointed her but she never disconnected from me. She was always there as best as she could be.
The point is don’t miss celebrating Mother’s Day. You only have one mom. Cherish every minute.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is a graduate of numerous schools including Georgetown College, Southern and Lexington Seminaries in Kentucky. He is the author of 13 books including Uncommon Sense, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. Hear Glenn Mollette every weekday morning EST at 8:56 and 11:31 on XM radio channel 131.
LeFlore County weather forecast 5-3-2022
Mostly cloudy skies again Tuesday with chances for more storms before another system comes into the area Wednesday.
The high will be 67 degrees with a low of 57 degrees.
Sunrise is 6:25 a.m. Sunset is 8:05 p.m.
Averages temperatures for May 3 are a high of 78 and a low of 55. Record temperatures for the date were a high of 93 in 1952 and a record low of 37 in 1921.
Monday’s high was 71 with a low of 60. A total of .98 inches of rain was recorded, bringing the monthly total to 1.46 inches. Average rainfall for May is 5.45 inches.
On May 3, 2021, the high was 86 with a low of 60.
Future forecast
County calendar of events
The LeFlore County calendar of events. It lists the upcoming events in the area. This is a free service, so if you or your group have an event coming up and would like it added to the calendar, please email craig@heavenerledger.com.
Tuesday
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Slow pitch softball state tournaments: Class A Whitesboro vs. Kiowa, LeFlore vs. Lookeba-Sickles 10 a.m.; Class 3A Pocola vs. Boone-Apache 2:30 at OKC.
Poteau Valley Improvement Authority meets 6 p.m. at Poteau City Hall
High School soccer: Heavener boys vs. Summit Christian 8 p.m. at Porter.
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon at EOM
Slow pitch softball state tournament: Class 4A Howe vs. Washington 11:30 OKC.
Girls’ 3A and 4A state golf tournament girls
Thursday
Girls’ 3A and 4A state golf tournament girls
Funeral service for John Charlton
Baseball regional tournaments: Class 4A at Pryor: Poteau vs. Berryhill 1:30 p.m.; Class 3A at Kingston Spiro vs. Kansas 1:30 p.m.; Class 2A at Wister: Wister vs. Howe 11 a.m.; Panama vs. Calera 2:30 p.m.
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
Heavener VFW bingo 6 p.m. Highway 59 North
Heavener City Council meets 6 p.m.
Friday
LeFlore County Historical Society golf tournament at Wolf Ridge
Baseball regional tournaments TBA
Saturday
Cavanal killer
Spiro Mounds birthday bash and archaeology day
May 8 Sunday
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meets 9 a.m.
3A, 4A state golf tournament boys
School boards meet
Service set for John Floyd
POTEAU - Memorial services for John Floyd is 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Poteau with Reverend Phil McGehee officiating. A reception will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall at the church.
He passed away Dec. 31, 2021 and was born Aug. 28, 1948 to Linda Frances (Jones) and Sherman Phillip Floyd.
Surviving family members are his mother, Linda, of Oklahoma City; and brother, Bob, of Norman.
He was preceded in death by his father, Sherman Floyd, and sister, Toni Thompson.
Service planned for John Charlton
Funeral service for John Charlton, 82 of Fort Smith, Arkansas is 10 a.m. Thursday at Evans and Miller Chapel in Poteau with Reverend Jeremy Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Cameron, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home.
He was born July 17, 1939 in Smithville to Pearl (Osborne) and Jesse Charlton and passed away April 29, 2022 in Fort Smith.
Survivors include daughter Kelley Johnson and husband Steve; son John Greg Charlton and wife Jennifer; sisters Ruby, Francis and Betty Jo; brother, Tom Charlton; and grandchildren Joshua Charlton, Fiona Charlton, Gage Morrison and Briana Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Rose Childers, and Sylvia Coffey; brother, William Charlton.
Visitation is 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
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