Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 9:37-38

Jaron Watkins, 24, of Heavener was injured in an auto accident at 5:34 a.m. Tuesday on Caughern Lane, just south of Hodgen Road.

Watkins was driving a 2011 Chevy Silverado north on Caughern Lane. His truck ran off the road to the right, reentered the roadway overcorrecting, then ran off the road to the left and struck a tree.

He had no passengers and was not wearing his seatbelt.

The accident was investigated by Trooper Joshua Wiles.

LeFlore County commissioner minutes for the regular business meeting held Monday with Chairman Jamie Oliver presiding. Also, present were Interim Member Mike Parker, Member Josh Blaylock and County Clerk 1st Deputy Jedd Kirby. Absent: 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 Mike Parker to approve the minutes of regular meeting held October 14, 2025. 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.) Monthly Fee Reports: None presented.

(5.) Transfer of appropriations: None presented.

(6.) Blanket purchase orders: None presented.

(7.) New Business: None discussed.

(8.) Contract Labor/ Service Agreements, Annual Contracts: None presented.

(9.) Burn Ban: Not needed at this time. No discussion.

(10.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Mike Parker to approve correction to Board minutes from October 14, 2025, item #14, to clarify that the trade- in value of $105,000 for county inventory item D2-323.016, 2023 Develon excavator and bucket, serial number DHKCEBRTAP0001850, was applied toward the purchase of a Bobcat E220 excavator acquired through Sourcewell, rather than a Bobcat E88 excavator as previously stated. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(11.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to approve correction to the October 14, 2025 Board of County Commissioner minutes regarding a reported fund transfer that did not occur from account K9031-25-MON to K9028-25-HAW in the amount of $26,318. The Treasurer’s office confirmed that no transfer was necessary, as the funds had been placed correctly on their end and that the change was an accounting correction to be made within the County Clerk’s financial system only. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(12.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to table bid for the Public Building Authority 911 / EMS parking lot resurfacing project. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(13.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to approve Cooperative Extension service agreement between the Oklahoma State University, acting for and on behalf of its Cooperative Extension service, and the United States Department of Agriculture for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(14.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Mike Parker to approve transfer of property between Scarbrough Living Trust and LeFlore County Board of County Commissioners to clear title of right of way on Palmilla Drive, located in Section 32, Township 7 North, Range 25 East, LeFlore County, Oklahoma. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(15.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve resolution regarding the following officer designations:

· Add Lee Akins as Requisitioning Officer for all LeFlore County Commissioner District 2 accounts.

· Add Vicki Cearnal as Requisitioning Officer for the newly created Rural Water District 17 Donation account.

· Add Jean Conklin as Receiving Officer for the newly created Rural Water District 17 Donation account.

Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(16.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Arkansas Oklahoma / Summit Utilities regarding utility construction within county right of way located at Section 22, Township 10 North, Range 27 East, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(17.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Mike Parker to approve request for floodplain services and permit application as submitted by Arkansas Oklahoma / Summit Utilities regarding utility construction within county right of way located at Section 16, Township 6 North, Range 25 East, LeFlore County. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(18.) Motion was made by Mike Parker and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve programming resolution for CBRI project number 26-CBRI-D1-RD-P113 regarding improvements on Hudson Corner Road in LeFlore County Commissioner District 1. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(19.) Motion was made by Mike Parker and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve programming resolution for CBRI project number 26-CBRI-D1-RD-P114 regarding improvements on Race Track Road in LeFlore County Commissioner District 1. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(20.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Mike Parker to approve resolution and certification letter regarding LeFlore County Commissioner District 2 request to secure a state matching grant under the Oklahoma Unpaved Roads Program in the amount of $75,000 for the purpose of installing tin horns and SB2 materials to raise and widen Latham School Road located in LeFlore County Commissioner District 2. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(21.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Mike Parker to approve programming resolution for the CBRI project number 26-CBRI-D2-RD-P090 regarding improvements on Latham School Road in LeFlore County Commissioner District 2. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

Friday is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 18 special election for the County Commissioner District 1, Leflore County Election Board Secretary Kayla Rees said.

Rees said that persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 17 1/2 years old are eligible to apply for voter registration. However, you must be at least 18 years old to vote.

Applications must be received by the County Election Board or postmarked no later than midnight Friday. Applications postmarked after that time will be accepted, but will not be processed until after the Nov. 18 election. Applications may also be submitted to any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency by the submission deadline.

Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been processed. Approved voters will receive a Voter Identification Card in the mail. Some may receive a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application was not approved. Rees said those who do not receive a response within 30 days of submitting their application should contact the County Election Board office immediately.

The Leflore County Election Board reminds voters that applications must be approved by the County Election Board Secretary in order to vote.

Registered voters who have moved to Leflore County from a different county or state will need to complete a new Voter Registration Application in order to be eligible for elections in Leflore County. If you have moved within the county and need to update your address, you may make changes online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or complete a Voter Registration Application.

The Leflore County Election Board is located at 103 North Church Street in Poteau and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions, call the Election Board at (918) 647-3701 or email [email protected].

LeFlore County football games for most of the county teams have been moved up to Thursday due to the threat of stormy weather Friday.

Only Sallisaw at Poteau and Haskell at Panama are still scheduled for Friday. If there are any other changes, they will be updated on our Facebook page.

Games Thursday are Heavener at Okmulgee; Foyil at Arkoma; Pocola at Hartshorne; Spiro at Atoka; and Wewoka at Talihina.

Heavener (2-5 and 2-2) will look to stay tied for third place when the Wolves make the long trip to Okmulgee (1-6 and 0-4).

Arkoma (3-4) picked up the non-district game with Foyil after Bartlesville Wesleyan forfeited all their games this season.

Pocola (5-2 and 3-1) and Hartshorne (4-3, 3-1) are playing to see which team remains in second place in the district and to move closer to a playoff spot. Both teams still must play Panama (5-2 and 3-1) to decide second place in district play.

Spiro (0-7 and 0-4) will try and get its first win of the season when the Bulldogs travel to Atoka to battle the Wampus Cats (1-6 and 1-3).

The final game of the night features a matchup of the two top teams in A-II-7 between Talihina (7-0 and 4-0) and Wewoka (5-2 and 3-1) with the winner moving closer to the district championship.

Talihina remains the leading offensive and defensive scoring team in LeFlore County.

The undefeated Golden Tigers average 51.5 points per game on offense, edging Pocola, which averages 47.7 points per game.

On defense, Talihina allows only 8.0 points per game, again edging Pocola, which gives up 14.7 points per game.

Poteau has the third highest-scoring offense while Panama has the third best scoring defense.

Oklahoma fishing report for this week.

NORTHEAST

Grand: October 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure, flats, points, and shorelines. White bass fair on in-line spinnerbaits around flats and main lake. Blue catfish good on cut bait and shad below the dam, main lake, and river channel. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Keystone: October 20. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 67°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, small lures, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around docks. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait and live bait around channels, main lake, and river channel. Crappie fair on minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Tracer Wagner, game warden stationed in Creek County.

SOUTHEAST

Blue River: October 21. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, flukes, jerk baits, jigs, lipless baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, creek channels, rocks, shallows, shorelines, and weed beds. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, punch bait, stinkbait, and worms around brush structure, channels, creek channels, and rocks. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Hugo: October 17. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, spotted, and white bass fair on bill baits, jigs, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, river channel, and standing timber. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, and stinkbait around creek channels, discharge, main lake, river channel, and spillway. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, river channel, and standing timber. Report submitted by Chance Phillips, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: October 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around main lake, points, river channel, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and live shad around discharge, inlet, and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and cut bait around discharge, inlet, riprap, and rocks. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: October 17. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on jerk baits, jigs, minnows, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, riprap, shallows, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, shrimp, and worms around creek channels, points, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Sardis: October 17. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 77°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, shad, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, channels, main lake, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: October 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass good on live shad around below the dam, channels, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, live shad, and punch bait around below the dam, channels, docks, and river mouth. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structure, coves, docks, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week is getting better. Striper have been getting better with the cooler water temps. They are being caught on live shad. Catfish are being caught near river channels and cleaning docks with punch bait and cut shad. Crappie are slowly biting on jigs around docks with brush piles and the occasional lone fish in open water. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Marshall County.

Weather forecast for Thursday is for mostly clear skies early with clouds increasing into the night and a chance of rain in Heavener, LeFlore County and the area.

The high is forecast to be 82 degrees with a low of 56.

Sunrise was 7:31 a.m. Sunset is 6:33 p.m.

See our live weather radar

Wednesday’s high was 81 with a low of 46. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 0.85 inches. Average rainfall for October is 4.80 inches.

Average temperatures for Oct. 23 are a high of 72 and low of 42. Records for the date were a high of 83 in 1973 and a low of 24 in 1982.

Last year on Oct. 22, the high was 93 with a low of 63.

Calendar of events for the next week for Heavener, 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, CONTACT me.

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets

Heavener VFW bingo 6:30

High school football: Heavener at Okmulgee; Spiro at Atoka; Pocola at Hartshorne; Wewoka at Talihina; Foyil at Arkoma.

Friday

Memorial service for Floyd Wayne Howard Sr.

High school football: Haskell at Panama; Sallisaw at Poteau;

Saturday

Cross country: state meets

Heavener Runestone Viking Festival

Antlers at Heavener Wolf Pups

Sunday

Heavener Runestone Viking Festival

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet

Tuesday

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

Hallelujah Festival at FBC

2002

Hostage crisis in Moscow theater

On October 23, 2002, about 50 Chechen rebels storm a Moscow theater, taking up to 800 people hostage during a sold-out performance of a popular musical. The second act of the musical “Nord Ost” was just beginning at the Moscow Ball-Bearing Plant’s Palace of Culture when an armed man walked onstage... read more

1980s

1989

Gas leak kills 23 at plastics factory

Ancient Rome

42 B.C.

Brutus dies by suicide

Arts & Entertainment

1958

Boris Pasternak wins Nobel Prize for “Dr. Zhivago,” later forced to refuse the honor

Crime

1998

Doctor is killed by anti-abortion radical

Middle Eastern History

1983

Beirut barracks blown up

Sports

1993

Toronto Blue Jay Joe Carter wins World Series with ninth-inning home run

Women’s History

1850

The first National Women’s Rights Convention begins

Floyd Wayne Howard Sr., 74, of Pocola passed away Oct. 20, 2025 in Roland and was born April 20, 1951, in Pocola to Hazel (Jones) Howard and Fielder Howard.

A memorial service to celebrate his life is 2 p.m. Friday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Pocola with Denver Bowen and Virgil Cantrell officiating. Services are under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

Survivors are his wife, Mary Howard; daughter Taylor Howard and husband Josh Durham; sons Floyd Wayne Howard II and wife Carissa, David Howard and wife Taja, and Adam Howard; 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; his sister, Patsy Sebo; and brothers Jimmy John Howard and wife Linda, Ricky Howard and wife Barbara, Larry Howard and wife Billie Ann, Charlie Howard and wife Carol, and James Howard and wife Donna.

He was preceded in death by his parents Fielder Howard and Hazel (Jones) Howard; siblings Franklin “Buddy” Howard, William “Billy” Howard and Carolyn “Susie” Howard.

Messages of condolence may be left at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.