Ledger newsletter 10-6-2022
Ledger newsletter 10-6-2022
The Heavener Ledger newsletter for Thursday
The Heavener Ledger daily newsletter for Thursday. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for only $5 per month of $50 a year or try it free for seven days to decide if you like it. Questions? Text us (918) 626-1215.
Bible verse 10-6-2022
The Bible verse of the day for Thursday.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your heart.
--Colossians 3:16
Heavener School menu 10-6-2022
The Heavener School menu for Thursday.
Breakfast: Glazed donuts
Dinner: Pizza
Here is the cover of this week’s Heavener Ledger. Pick up a copy at one of our local stores or subscribe and see our e-editions at heavenerledger.com.
City Council agenda 10-6-2022
The Heavener City Council will meet in a regular business meeting 6 p.m. Thursday at Heavener City Hall at 103 East Avenue B.
The Ledger will broadcast the meeting on our website at heavenerledger.com, our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
1. Approval of minutes from previous meeting.
2. Approval of purchase orders presented for payment.
3. Consider, discuss, and take action approve striping the 8 new police Tahoes by American Signworx in the amount of $ 4,420.55. The funds shall come from the Tactical Fee account.
4. Consider, discuss, and take action to add Wister Auto to the wrecker rotation for the Heavener Police Department.
5. Consider, discuss, and take action to approve the following business yearly permit to sell alcohol in the City of Heavener:
CONSUMPTION OFF THE PREMISES:
A. Family Dollar
6. Consider and take action on code violations for Jorge and Lucia Guerrero, for property located at 307 East 3rd street, for rank weeds and grass.
7. Consider and take action on code violations for Gabriela Gavina, for property located at 508 West Avenue F, for rank weeds and grass.
8. Consider and take action on code violations for Alan Lane, for property located at 806 West 2nd, for rank weeds and grass.
9. New Business / Public Comments (the public will be recognized by the Mayor from a sign-in sheet, where each citizen wishing to address the city commission, shall sign their name and the request or purpose for being recognized).
10. Department. heads’ reports
11. Treasurer’s report
12. City manager’s report
13. Trustees’/chairman’s report
14. Adjourn
PVIA members talk about use of fluoride
By KEN MILAM
POTEAU - The question of whether to stop adding fluoride to the water used by most of the county was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Poteau Valley Improvement Authority Monday night.
PVIA had added the chemical, which is known for helping prevent tooth decay, since 1991. PVIA provides treated water to most of the water districts and communities in the county, as well as some in Latimer and Haskell counties.
PVIA board members noted that most of the treated water is used for agriculture, livestock, and other uses besides drinking. Also, most toothpastes today contain fluoride.
PVIA Manager James Morrison said the chemical costs about $3,700 per month.
He said the Health Department is in favor of continuing fluoridation.
At the request of sever
al board members, he said he would ask a Health Department representative to make a presentation to the board at a future meeting.
In other action, the board approved a 10 percent across-the-board pay raise for employees. The vote included a $25 per employee increase in insurance, which will be paid by the employees.
A resolution was approved authorizing Chairman Mick LaFevers to pursue an application for an American Rescue Plan Act grant through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. LeFevers said the grant could be worth up to $2 million, and PVIA was seeking a matching grant.
The money would be put toward three projects – a backwash pond, belt press and clearwell – to help PVIA meet Department of Environmental Quality standards. The agency is currently operating under a consent order while trying to reduce the amount of manganese discharged into the Poteau River. Total cost of the projects is more than $6 million.
LaFevers and some other members urged the various districts to consider using mapping software to map lines and valves, so that future workers would be able to easily locate them and know how and when they were installed.
Commissioners vote to allow elections
By KEN MILAM
POTEAU - To vote or not to vote.
That is the question Poteau residents will vote on Jan. 10.
The city police chief and street commissioner currently are elected offices, although both are held at present by appointees named to fill the jobs after the previous officeholders resigned or retired.
City Council members on Monday agreed – on a vote split 5-3 – to let voters decide if they want the positions to remain elective or have the jobs filled by City Council appointment. The dissenting votes were cast by Monte Shockley II, Tommy Robertson and Phillip Zearley.
Mayor Scotty White said the council is pleased with the people currently in the posts, but noted that very few Oklahoma towns vote for those positions.
He said it would not be a vote to change the form of government, but would allow the council to hire and fire at will. He said it would open the jobs to competent people who might not live within the city limits.
The special election would cost the city about $3,700.
In other business, Tim Wilson of JoB Construction updated those at the meeting on the status of resurfacing Broadway from Braums south to Bud’s Country Junction.
Wilson said the project is at least a month behind schedule because of supply issues across the region. He was unable to give a start date or timeline for completing the work. He said the delay was not the fault of the state Department of Transportation. He also said he would be glad to answer questions from the public about the work.
Council members also discussed taking control of the rodeo arena and forming a rodeo committee to handle future events. The city contributed funds to the rodeo held last week, which White said was successful, raising $13,000-15,000. The property is owned by the city but the county Free Fair Board was given a 50-year lease on the arena in 1991.
Zearley said he had been asked about alcohol sales at the rodeo (which netted about $500 at the last event).
White said that would be open for further discussion. No action was taken on the issue because it had been placed on the council agenda instead of the Public Works Authority. It will be revisited later.
In related news, the County Commission voted to budget $18,000 for upkeep of the show barns at the fairgrounds, but said they would stipulate that no county funds would be spent on events that included alcohol sales.
The city allows beer sales at concerts and other events at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center. Other events, like Octoberfest taking place from 1-11 p.m. this Saturday downtown will also include alcohol sales.
The City Council approved the City of Poteau Police Committee's recommendations of hiring Chase Blake as a police officer pending approval from Police Pension as well as the committee's and Poteau Police Chief Billy Hooper's recommendations to promote Jody Thompson to lieutenant, Justin Dodson to investigator, Matthew Goodrich to sergeant and Ethan Firestine to corporal.
The council also approved a resolution to apply for an American Rescue Plan Act grant that would be used for water and wastewater projects.
The board discussed but took no action on a request from Matt Webb to de-annex 6.5 acres of property he owns in exchange for annexing an adjacent 5.92 acres.
They denied a request from Kelli Thompson for a specific use permit for an RV park at 404 Wilburn.
The annual Halloween Walk will take place from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 28. Merchants will be handing out treats to children.
Poteau splits in regional
HILLDALE – Poteau split a pair of games in the Class 4A regional fast pitch softball tournament here Wednesday.
The Lady Pirates opened with a 3-1 win over Berryhill before coming up short in the late game, 10-0 to the hosts.
Emma Hackler went the distance, allowing only two hits and the one earned run with six strikeouts and four walks.
Maggie Wheat doubled and was 2-3 with a run scored.
Poteau 3, Berryhill 1
PHS 1 0 1 0 0 0 1—3 4 0
BHS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0—1 2 1
In the second game, the Lady Pirates, now 23-14, managed only one hit, a double by Keira Cox, in the loss.
Hackler threw the first four innings, giving up seven hits and six runs, four earned, with two strikeouts and three walks. Briley Bowman pitched 1.2 innings, allowing five hits and four runs, three earned with two walks.
Hilldale 10, Poteau 0
PHS 0 0 0 0 0 0—0 1 3
HHS 2 0 4 0 1 3—10 12 0
Area fishing report 10-5-2022
The area fishing report for this week:
Blue River: October 3. Elevation is normal, water temperature 75°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, creek channels, river channel, and rocks. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and dough bait around brush structure, river channel, and rocks. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: October 1. Elevation is 12 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 83°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, plastic baits, and spoons around brush structure, points, and standing timber. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, points, and standing timber. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, and punch bait around creek channels, points, and river channel. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: September 30. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs, plastic baits, and topwater lures around channels, main lake, points, riprap, and rocks. Striped and white bass fair on flukes, in-line spinnerbaits, sassy shad, shad, and small lures below the dam and tailwater. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on live bait, stinkbait, and sunfish around channels, main lake, river channel, and river mouth. Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Lower Mountain Fork: September 30. Elevation is normal, water temperature 66°F and clear. Rainbow trout excellent on plastic baits, PowerBait, small lures, tube jigs, and worms below the dam, channels, rocks, and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: September 30. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 81°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, spotted, and white bass good on buzz baits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, small lures, and topwater lures around brush structure, creek channels, and points. Channel and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, shad, and worms below the dam and channels. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: September 30. Elevation is 5 ft. below normal, water temperature 80°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and worms around coves, points, and river channel. Crappie fair on jigs around brush structure. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver around creek channels and main lake. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: September 30. Elevation is normal, water temperature 79°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass fair on in-line spinnerbaits, minnows, plastic baits, and spoons around brush structure, coves, points, and rocks. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, hot dogs, minnows, shad, shrimp, sunfish, and worms below the dam, dam, main lake, river channel, river mouth, and tailwater. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows below the dam, brush structure, points, rocks, and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: September 29. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal, water temperature 78°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, and stinkbait around creek channels, main lake, and river channel. Largemouth bass fair on bill baits and spinnerbaits around coves, points, and riprap. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, creek channels, main lake, and standing timber. Report submitted by Eric Barnes, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Tenkiller: September 30. Elevation is 6 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 78°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on jigs, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, points, and shorelines. Crappie good on hair jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure and docks. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, live shad, shad, and sunfish around channels, flats, and main lake. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.
Wister: October 1. Elevation is 6 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 82°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, plastic baits, and spoons around brush structure, points, riprap, and standing timber. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and spoons around brush structure, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Bokoshe students of the month
Bokoshe Public School Students of the month for September.
Front Row (L-R) Ellie Crase, Valerie Lee, Lillian Fain. Middle Row (L-R) Ryker Deleplank, Danny Cecil, Rainey Self, Macie Weaver, Trinity Dewitt. Back Row (L-R) Justice Woodral, Steven Statham, Lydia Beckman, Anna Treat, Aaisic Crase, Kenneth Sears.
LeFlore County weather 10-6-2022
Clear skies and warm again Thursday in the LeFlore County weather forecast, sponsored by Central National Bank.
The high will be 87 degrees with a low of 52 degrees.
Sunrise is 7:16 a.m. Sunset is 6:55 p.m.
Wednesday’s high was 88 with a low of 54.
Average temperatures for Oct. 6 are a high of 79 and low of 50. Records for the date were a high of 91 in 1997 and a record low of 37 in 1995.
One year ago, the high was 84 with a low of 56.
LeFlore County calendar 10-6-2022
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.
Thursday
Funeral service for Kenneth Richard
Funeral service for Betty Faye Ryburn
Funeral service for Edith Irene Urchison
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
Heavener City Council meets 6 p.m.
Heavener VFW bingo 6 p.m. Highway 59 North
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon at EOMC
Friday
High school football: Idabel at Heavener; Hilldale at Poteau; Panama at Canadian; Spiro at Valliant; Gore at Pocola; Arkoma at Cave Springs.
Saturday
Walking tour of Oakland Cemetery
Funeral service for Newton Ray Evans
Poteau Oktoberfest 1 to 11 p.m. downtown Poteau
Heavener Wolf Pups at Mena 5 p.m.
Heavener Lions Club carnival
Tuesday
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon at EOMC.
Remember when 10-6-2022
Our remember when is a picture we try to publish most days exclusively on the Ledger’s daily newsletter.
This picture shows the 1932 Cameron girls’ basketball team, submitted by Helen Williams.
If you have an image to use in our remember when section, please email it to craig@heavenerledger.com.
Did you know 10-6-2022
Did you know is a feature we run most days focusing on the people and places of LeFlore County, exclusively on our daily newsletter.
In 1921, plans were made to raze the second floor of the Aunt Jenny building between it and Mack Hall’s building at 503 East First Street in Heavener and build new new business houses. Bricks from the Aunt Jenny second floor were to be used in construction of the new buildings.
If you have have an interesting fact or figure about LeFlore County, email it to craig@heavenerledger.com.
Obituary for Newton Evans
POTEAU - Funeral service for Newton Ray Evans, 97 of Poteau is 10 a.m. Saturday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau.
Burial will follow at the Old Bokoshe Cemetery, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
He was born Dec. 29, 1924 in Bokoshe to Cora (Staton) Evans and Newton Robert Evans and passed away Sept. 26, 2022 in the home.
Survivors include sister, Mildred Evans Moore, of Muskogee; granddaughter Becky Lynn Mewmaw (Brian Harris); great grandson, Jordan General Lee; great granddaughter, Tracy Lynn Mewmaw; and great great grandchildren Kai Owen and Kota Sage Yoder, all of Kansas City, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by wife, Sarah Evans; mother, Cora Evans; father, Newton Ray Evans; brothers Jasper Cecil, Leo and Floyd; and sister, Edna Paddock.
Obituary for John Dowell
John David Dowell, of Ratliff City passed from this life Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the age of 89. He was born Sept. 3, 1933 in Hodgen to Clarence David and Cleo Elizabeth (Keith) Dowell.
John was known by many names; John, Uncle Johnny, J.D., Pawpaw, PePaw and Pop. He was a longtime resident of Ratliff City. He married the love of his life, Juanita Dean (Graham) June 30, 1952 in Arkansas. They modeled the example of what a marriage should be and because of this both daughters and a grandson have chosen June 30 as their date of marriage also. His heart was always in farming and he never really considered it work. He farmed until his health would no longer allow him to continue. He also worked in the propane business for 40 years to provide for his family. After an auto accident at the age of 80 he made the decision to move to Durant where he lived out the rest of his life enjoying his family, but still dreamed of plowing fields and mowing hay.
In his younger years he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, farming, watching T.V. with his family and reading the newspaper, where he always checked the obituary to see if he was in it. In his later years he could still enjoy the same shows he saw when he was younger, eating fast food, and seeing how many ways he could get attention whether that be pushing his life alert button or pulling his apartment alarm. He believed in God, family, hard work and honesty. Over the years he and his wife, Dean, took in many extended family members when they needed a hand to get their lives back on track. He gave of his time, money or processions to anyone that he thought needed it, even total strangers. He helped those who needed a roof over their head, food in their stomach, propane to heat their home, money to get an education or even a prom dress for a young lady. These are things that he told no one about but was later found out. He loved his sisters and children dearly, adored his grandchildren and still had love for many nieces and nephews. His children’s spouses became his children as well. He never met a stranger and loved teasing and nicknaming those he loved.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Dean (Graham) Dowell, who passed Dec. 28, 1987; his parents Clarence David and Cleo Elizabeth (Keith) Dowell; sisters Helen Bowman, Margie Alston, Nila Davis and special friend Anita Wickline.
Survivors include his daughters Joyce Scroggins and husband James of Fort Gibson, Jodi Robison and husband Tim Robinson of Kenefic; son James David Dowell and wife LeAnne of Durant, estranged son John Dale Dowell of Cushing; grandchildren Jimmy Dowell, Robin Deen, Johnna Morris, April Bohanan, Tony Scroggins, Jesse Scroggins, Jenni Jones, Sarah Dowell, Emilly Love, Susan Dowell, Carson Robinson, Brevyn Robinson, Korbyn Robinson, Fynli Robinson; as well as 18 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephew, other extended family and special caregiver Dione Watson.
A family visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gordon Funeral Home.
A funeral service is 10 a.m. Thursday at the Monterey Chapel, 224 S 9th Street, Durant, with Bro. Mike Johnston officiating. A graveside service is 3 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery in Heavener.