Write on Beehiiv

Playoff positioning becomes big in week 9 football games for schools across the state and that includes LeFlore County.

There are several games that will impact the playoffs this week.

See the district standings HERE.

The main one and the biggest game of the week has Panama visiting Pocola in a battle for second place in the district and a home playoff game in the first round. The two teams are tied for second in the district, a game ahead of Hartshorne (which Panama plays next week) and Haskell.

Panama is 6-2 and 4-1, as is Pocola. For the Razorbacks to finish second, they must beat Pocola and Hartshorne next week. Pocola must defeat Panama and Haskell next week.

Heavener also has a big game on senior night when the Wolves host Kiefer, ranked as one of the top 10 teams in Class 2A-1. Kiefer (6-2 and 4-1) is in second place in the district while the Wolves are (3-5 and 3-2) and in third place.

The easiest solution for Heavener is to defeat Kiefer and win at Bethel in week 10 to have a home playoff game for the first time since the early 2000s. A loss to Kiefer and a win at Bethel also should get Heavener in the playoffs. A loss in both games, could force a tie and either come down to head-to-head matchups or district points.

The Kiefer and Heavener game can be watched on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heavenerpublicschools/ or Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@heavenervideos63

Poteau also has an important game at Hilldale. After last week’s win over Sallisaw, the Pirates (7-1 and 4-1) are one of four teams tied for first place in the district. Hilldale is (3-4 and 2-3), two games back with two games to play. Next week, Poteau hosts Broken Bow, one of the three other teams tied for first place.

If the Pirates win both, they could win the district, unless Ada also wins its final two games. If there is a 3-way tie, Poteau is currently in fourth place due to district points.

Talihina has waited a year for tonight. The top-ranked Golden Tigers (8-0 and 5-0) play at Regent Prep (3-4 and 2-3). What makes this game extra important for Talihina is Regent Prep caught the Golden Tigers with injuries last year and handed Talihina its only regular season loss of the last two seasons.

Talihina has a one-game lead over Allen, which the Golden Tigers have defeated. Talihina wins over Regent Prep and at home next week against a winless Mounds team and the Golden Tigers are district champions.

Arkoma has clinched a playoff spot, now it just gets to determine in what position. The Mustangs are currently fourth in a five-team district because Wesleyan had to forfeit its season. The Mustangs (3-3 and 1-1) visit Webbers Falls (4-4 and 1-2) in a game that will likely decide third and fourth place, although Arkoma could rock the boat by defeating Copan on the road next week and possibly move into the top two in the district with a pair of wins.

Spiro is still trying to get its first win. The Bulldogs (0-8 and 0-5) host Henryetta (4-4 and 2-3) this week before finishing the season next week at Antlers. So, in addition to getting some needed wins over the last two games, Spiro could play the spoiler as both Henryetta and Antlers are in the running for a playoff spot.

LeFlore County basketball schedules

11-3-2025

High school basketball: Schulter at Bokoshe; LeFlore at Clayton

11-4-2025

High school basketball: Bokoshe at Cameron; LeFlore at Wister

11-6-2025

High school basketball: Buffalo Valley at LeFlore

11-7-2025

High school basketball: Battiest at Cameron; Wister at Stuart

11-11-2025

High school basketball: Red Oak at Howe; Bokoshe at Clayton; Cameron at McCurtain

11-13-2025

High school basketball: Clayton at Cameron; Kinta at LeFlore; Smithville at Whitesboro

11-14-2025

High school basketball: Bokoshe at Indianola; Rattan at Wister

11-17-2025

High school basketball: Bokoshe at Hanna

11-18-2025

High school basketball: Smithville at Howe; Whitesboro at Cameron; LeFlore at Indianola

11-20-2025

High school basketball: Wister at Kinta

11-21-2025

High school basketball: Howe at Hackett, Arkansas; Bokoshe at Braggs; Spiro at Oktaha; Buffalo Valley at Wister

12-1-2025

High school basketball: Savanna at Bokoshe

12-2-2025

Stigler at Heavener; Howe at Wister; Webbers Falls at Arkoma; Cameron at LeFlore; Poteau vs. Mansfield, Arkansas; Talihina at Wilburton; Haileyville at Whitesboro;

12-3-2025

Checotah at Spiro

12-4-2025

Antlers at Heavener; Arkoma at Porum Invitational; Cameron at Keota; Pittsburg at LeFlore; Panama at Indianola Tournament; Stigler at Talihina; Whitesboro at Buffalo Valley

12-5-2025

Bokoshe at Canadian; Panama at Indianola Tournament; Talihina at Pocola; Keys at Spiro; Poteau at Sallisaw; Wister at Whitesboro

12-6-2025

Panama at Indianola Tournament;

12-8-2025

Cameron at Gans; Pocola at Vian; Poteau at Stigler

12-9-2025

Panama at Heavener; Gans at Arkoma; Buffalo Valley at Cameron

12-11-2025

Heavener at Haskell Tournament; Howe, Pocola at CNIT; LeFlore, Whitesboro, Wister at Nadine Carpenter Classic; Spiro at Wilburton Tournament

12-12-2025

Heavener at Haskell Tournament; Howe, Pocola at CNIT; Porum at Arkoma; Panama at Cameron

12-13-2025

Heavener at Haskell Tournament; Howe, Pocola at CNIT

12-15-2025

Arkoma at Okay; Vian at Talihina;

12-16-2025

Heavener at Spiro; Pocola at Howe; Gore at Arkoma; Smithville at Cameron; Panama at Wister; Poteau at Roland; Talihina at Hartshorne; Whitesboro at McCurtain

12-18-2025

Heavener at Broken Bow; Howe at Wilburton; Arkoma at Cameron; McCurtain at LeFlore; Buffalo Valley at Panama; Pocola boys at Tulsa Memorial; Warner at Spiro; Poteau vs. Hackett, Arkansas;

12-19-2025

Panama at Howe; Wister at Braggs

12-20-2025

Pocola boys at Tulsa Memorial Festival

12-29-2025

Howe girls at Bertha Teague Classic; Pocola boys at Mustang Holiday Classic

12-30-2025

Howe girls at Bertha Teague Classic; Pocola boys at Mustang Holiday Classic

12-31-2025

Howe girls at Bertha Teague Classic; Pocola boys at Mustang Holiday Classic

1-3-2026

Vian at Heavener

1-5-2026

Pocola at Wilburton; Wister at Talihina;

1-6-2026

Heavener at Sallisaw; Howe at Hartshorne; Haileyville at LeFlore; Spiro vs. Ozark, Arkansas;

1-8-2026

Cameron, LeFlore, Panama, Whitesboro, Wister at Rock Island Conference; Pocola girls at Hulbert Tournament; Spiro at Warner Tournament; Talihina at Tushka Tournament

1-9-2026

Heavener at Hartshorne; Hanna at Bokoshe; Cameron, LeFlore, Panama, Whitesboro, Wister at Rock Island Conference; Pocola girls at Hulbert Tournament

1-10-2026

Cameron, LeFlore, Panama, Whitesboro, Wister at Rock Island Conference; Pocola girls at Hulbert Tournament

1-12-2026

Quinton at Howe

1-13-2026

Heavener at Talihina; Howe at Westville; Cameron at Arkoma; LeFlore at Red Oak; Stigler at Pocola; Checotah at Poteau; Smithville at Whitesboro

1-15-2026

Havener at Vian; LeFlore at Gans; Poteau at Panama; Battiest at Talihina

1-16-2026

Spiro at Heavener; Talihina at Howe; Arkoma at Gans; Cameron at Bokoshe; Pocola at Hartshorne; Muldrow at Poteau; Red Oak at Whitesboro

1-17-2026

Arkoma at Weleetka

1-19-2026

LeFlore County Tournament

1-20-2026

LCT

1-21-2026

LCT

1-22-2026

LCT

1-23-2026

LCT

1-24-2026

LCT

1-26-2026

Arkoma at Keota; Wister at McCurtain

1-27-2026

Heavener at Pocola; Wister at Cameron; LeFlore at Whitesboro; Panama at Red Oak; Poteau at Stilwell; Hartshorne at Talihina

1-29-2026

Canadian at LeFlore; Panama at Gore; Spiro at Vian;

1-30-2026

Wilburton at Heavener; Whitesboro at Howe; Graham-Dustin at Bokoshe; Kinta at Cameron; Warner at Panama; Broken Bow at Pocola; Oktaha at Spiro; Sallisaw at Poteau; Wister at Central

1-31-2026

Howe at Vian

2-2-2026

Kinta at Arkoma; Keota at Cameron; Vian at Pocola; Keota at Wister

2-3-2026

Talihina at Heavener; Central at Howe; LeFlore at Panama; Pocola at Stigler; Vian at Spiro; Roland at Poteau; Whitesboro at Crowder

2-5-2026

Bokoshe at Graham-Dustin; Clayton at LeFlore; Whitesboro vs. Acorn, Arkansas

2-6-2026

Heavener at Stigler; Howe at Broken Bow; Arkoma vs. Union Christian; Cameron at Red Oak; Keys at Panama; Hartshorne at Pocola; Wister at Red Oak; Poteau at Checotah

2-9-2026

Pocola at Heavener; Whitesboro at Arkoma; Talihina at Stigler

2-10-2026

Arkoma at Clayton; Scranton, Arkansas vs. Cameron; Keota at LeFlore; Spiro at Panama; Poteau at Muldrow; Central at Talihina; Scranton, Arkansas at Wister

2-12-2026

Howe at Panama; Pocola at Talihina; Spiro at Wilburton

2-13-2026

Hartshorne at Heavener; Westville at Spiro; Stilwell at Poteau;

2-14-2026

Pocola at Idabel

2-16-2025

Muldrow at Heavener; Panama at Poteau; Spiro at Checotah

Heavener Pearl Harbor survivor remembered

By PHILLIP ROUTEN

The following story is dedicated to my father-in-law, Donald G. Loe, who was one of Heavener’s Pearl Harbor survivors. His name is listed on two signs, along with the names of Heavener’s other Pearl Harbor survivors. One of those signs is located at the north end of town and the other sign is located at the south end of town, across the street from the Heavener feed store. The names of Heavener's Pearl Harbor survivors, as written on those two signs, include the following: (1) Chief Boatswain's Mate Doyle E. Winters (2) Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jerry E. Roop (3) Seaman 2nd Class Donald G. Loe (4) Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class J. D. Barnes.

Note: As I was in the U.S. Navy myself, during in the Vietnam War, I have written each of their names and titles in a way that everyone can understand what their U.S. Navy ranks and job titles were. All of them were America's heroes. May each of their names be a blessing to all of us.

Every year, someone from the Fort Smith tv news channel would come to my father-in-law's home in Heavener to interview him while asking him questions about surviving the Japanese navy attack that took place at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. At that time, Donald G. Loe was a young sailor, just 17 years old, and stationed aboard the USS Salt Lake City CA-25, which was a U.S. Navy Heavy Cruiser. But since he and his wife, Flora Mae Loe, have died and gone to be with the Lord in Heaven, I would like to share his story with all of you. Not only was my father-in-law one of America's heroes, but he was my hero, as well. That's why I'm writing this story about him.

On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese bombers staged a surprise attack on U.S. military and naval forces in Hawaii. In a devastating defeat, the United States suffered 3,435 casualties and loss of or severe damage to 188 planes, eight battleships, three light cruisers, and four miscellaneous vessels. Japanese losses were less than 100 personnel, 29 planes, and 5 midget submarines.

My wife's father, Donald G. Loe, was one of America's heroes. He was 17 years old when he joined the U.S. Navy. After Navy bootcamp and training in his career, he was stationed aboard his ship at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He and a fellow shipmate, identified as H. H. Jaekel, were on temporary shore duty at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, while charged with the responsibility of taking care of a motorboat launch (their ship's small boat) which was assigned to the USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). So, he was there on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese navy bombed and torpedoed many of our ships that were in port. Following that surprise attack on our Navy ships, my wife's father labored for endless hours while helping to pull many of his fellow sailors out of the burning sea, which was set on fire from fuel and oil that were gushing out of our burning U.S. Navy ships. Unfortunately, hundreds of our U.S. Navy sailors, didn't make it. A former Heavener resident, Marcus Blair, wrote:

"I had the enormous pleasure of interviewing him along with my students at Carl Albert State College for the Veterans History Project. His interview is in the Library of Congress! I remember the very vivid detail as he said “my Navy whites (uniform) were stained completely red” with the blood of people that he helped at Pearl Harbor. A hero."

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Donald G. Loe, was assigned to any number of working parties while helping to put the Navy base back in readiness. He said that it was an extremely busy period of time. He remembers driving a truck with some dead sailors in the back of the truck, when one of them suddenly grabbed him while letting him know that he is still alive. Later that night, he was assigned to a roving Shore Patrol unit which helped to enforce very strict blackout conditions in the Pearl Harbor area.

During that time, his ship, the Salt Lake City CA-25 (Heavy Cruiser), had entered port and departed, a few times. On Dec. 18, 1941, while driving a truck in the dock area, he saw his ship for the first time since the attack on Pearl Harbor. He remembers parking the truck and walking up the gang plank of his ship while reporting back to duty (this date is verified by the Deck Logs contained in the USS Salt Lake City CA-25, web site). The day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, before a joint session of Congress, President Roosevelt asked Congress for a declaration of war against Japan.

During the war, my wife's father, and his ship and crew, fought in every major naval battle against the Japanese fleet. At one point, his ship was torpedoed just below the water line. The sea water that was gushing into his ship, could have quickly sunk his ship. But several of the compartments and work areas were sealed off in an effort to prevent his ship from filling up with water and sinking. At that point, he and his fellow shipmates thought that they would die because they were trapped in their work area with the cold sea water flowing in. So, they decided to play cards until they drowned. But they were rescued just in time, when the cold sea water was up to their chests.

His ship was the USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). It was a Pensacola class heavy cruiser that escorted the Doolittle raid on Tokyo, Japan and fought at the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal, the battle of the Komandorski Islands, the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, the second battle of the Philippine Sea and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, winning 11 battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for her service during the Second World War.

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, along with the Soviet Union's declaration of war and invasion of Manchuria, led to Japan's surrender Aug. 15 1945. The surrender was formally signed on Sept. 2 , 1945, ending the war in Japan.

Following his years in the U.S. Navy, my wife's father transferred to the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant during his 28 years of total military service. During that time, he was in the infantry and fought, once again, during the Korean War. After the Korean War, he became an MP (Military Police), and then he became a Drill Sergeant at Fort Ord, California, during his last several years in the U.S. Army. So, when you saw the soldiers marching and running down to the beach every day, where they became proficient at firing their M-16 rifles on the range, my wife's father, MSGT Donald G. Loe, was one of the drill sergeants leading the way. While stationed at Fort Ord, California, the majority of his duties consisted of being a Senior Drill Instructor and Instructor of Night Time small unit operations.

After his retirement from the U.S. Army in June 1967, I met his youngest daughter, Barbara, at my "Coming Home" from the Vietnam War, party, in August 1970. That party was held in the living room of my mom and dad's home in Marina, California. At that time, she was 17-years-old and a senior at Seaside High School, Fort Ord, California, and I was 20 years old and in the U.S. Navy. We dated that year and got married after she graduated from high school and had completed one semester at Monterey Peninsula College. My wife, Barbara, and I were married at the Main Chapel on Fort Ord, in January 1972. We were married by Chaplain James Echols. During our pre-marriage counseling session, he gave us our first Bible along with his blessing, written as a prayer in the forward part of our Bible. We have now been married for 53 wonderful years.

The following picture was taken right before my wife's father walked her down the aisle of the chapel, where she and I were about to get married. I was a nice young man and felt so blessed to be marrying such a wonderful lady. From the picture below, it is evident that her father, Donald G. Loe, was pleased that his youngest daughter, Barbara Joann Loe, was getting married to me.

Years later, all of us moved to southeastern Oklahoma where I became the pastor of First Christian Church, and my wife’s father, Donald G. Loe, was one of the elders of our church in addition to being a Park Ranger at Wister Lake. Note: Donald G. Loe was the son-in-law of Albert Martin Kunkel and of Rhoda Mae Kunkel. At one time, Martin Kunkel was one of Heavener’s police officers who would lock up the law breakers and help the young school children across the school cross walks, each day, as they went to and from school. Then he became the judge of Heavener. According to him, he would even fine those who would drive through our town with their car windows down, while playing their music way too loud.

Our church was a small family church with many elderly church members in addition to several younger people. On one particular Sunday morning, I was quite discouraged because some of the older folks were already dozing off and many of the younger people were distracted by their tablets, cell phones, and text messages. So, I said to myself, "Why am I even here, this morning, while trying to teach and preach the world of God to these people?" Then my wife's father, Donald G. Loe, suddenly rose to his feet and walked up to the front of our church. Then he turned toward the congregation and told them how blessed he is that I am their pastor and that I faithfully teach and preach the word of God to them, every Sunday morning. As he said those wonderful words, I could feel the peace of God upon me. And I could sense the light of God's Holy Spirit shining all around him. As a result, I was greatly encouraged to keep teaching and preaching the word of God to our congregation.

During my many years as pastor at that church, some people prayed to give their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ... and some people were baptized in our church or chose to be baptized at the Lake. I also conducted funeral services for our church members; and I performed weddings at our church, including our daughter, Christine, and her husband, Brian. I was also blessed to preach an Easter morning Sunrise Service from a mountain top location (Heavener Mountain), overlooking our little town. Many people showed up for that early morning service. Celebrating the life, the ministry, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a glorious occasion for all of us!

Years later, both my father-in-law, Donald G. Loe, and my mother-in-law, Flora Mae Loe, died of old age. Afterwards, I conducted both of their funeral services in our family church, on separate occasions. I was able to confidently speak about their lives as Christians, and that I have the peace of God that both of them have gone to Heaven where we will see them again, very soon. And what a day of rejoicing that will be!

Rain possible later Friday

Weather forecast for Friday is for more cloudy skies early with a chance of rain later in the day in Heavener, LeFlore County and the area.

The high is forecast to be 68 degrees with a low of 45.  

Sunrise was 7:38 a.m. Sunset is 6:45 p.m.

See our live weather radar

Thursday’s high was 63 with a low of 37. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 5.98 inches, well above October’s avage rainfall of 4.80 inches.

Average temperature for Oct. 31 are a high of 69 and low of 40. Records for the date were a high of 84 in 1982 and a low of 27 in 1980.

Jerry David Roberts of Heavener was born March 3, 1955 in Cameron to Willie Edward and Vera Madge (Godwin) Roberts and passed away Oct. 28, 2025 in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 70. 

No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener. 

Jerry was a longtime resident of the area, was a graduate of Howe High School, and a carpenter. Jerry enjoyed spending time outdoors and with his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Survivors are his companion, Donna Ingram, of the home; a sister, Nita Day, of Red Bluff, California; a brother, John Roberts, of Heavener; a niece, Jeannie M. Garton, of Red Bluff, California; numerous other loved ones and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Vera Roberts; six brothers Leroy Roberts, James Edward Roberts, Ned Weldon Roberts, Bob Edward Roberts, Delbert Leon Roberts, and Melvin Ray Roberts; and two sisters, Ruthie May Menke and Jewel Leona Hail. 

To sign Jerry’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.