Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Heavener City Council will meet in a regular business meeting 6 p.m. Thursday at Heavener’s City Hall at 103 East Avenue B in Heavener.

AGENDA

1. Approval of minutes from previous meeting.

3. City manager’s report

4. Consider, discuss, and take action to approve annual alcohol beverage permits for the following businesses:

Off Premises:

1. HARPS FOOD STORE #517

2. DOLLAR GENERAL STORE #3940

8. Consider and take action on code violations for RODRIGUEZ, PASCUAL & GARCIA, FRANCISCA (H&W), for property located at 26514 BRITTON BOTTOM LN (616 OLD PIKE), for rank weeds and grass.

9. Consider and take action on code violations for SPENCER, DALTON J & KYNDRA D for property located at 114 GUINN LN, for rank weeds and grass.

10. Consider and take action on code violations FLORES, JUAN C & (H&W) BERRONES, SONIA J R for property located at 308 E AVE F, for rank weeds and grass.

11. Consider and take action on code violations for HUIE, BILLY G & JUDITH A for property located at N/A (105 E AVE A), for rank weeds and grass.

12. Trustee’s/chairman’s report

13. 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).

14. Adjourn.

Unemployment rates were higher in 33 counties, lower in 27 counties and unchanged in 17 counties in the August report from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

Love County had the highest rate of 6.0 percent while Seminole and McIntosh were tied for second place. Texas County had the lowest rate at 1.9 percent, Dewey County and Harmon County were second at 2.0 percent.

LeFlore County’s rate for the month was 4.2 percent down slightly from the 4.3 percent from a year ago, but a slight increase of the July rate of 4.1 percent. June’s rate was also 4.3 percent.

For the month, LeFlore County had a work force of 19,629 with 18,811 people employed and 818 out of work. In July, the work force was 18,957 with 18,171 people employed and 786 out of work.

See the report for all of Oklahoma HERE.

NORTHEAST

Grand: September 27. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, coves, docks, and points. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and shad below the dam, channels, docks, main lake, and river channel. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, brush structure, and docks. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Kaw: September 29. Elevation is 6 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 80°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on cut bait, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, river channel, and river mouth. Paddlefish fair snagging below the dam and main lake. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on crankbaits, jigs, live shad, and shad below the dam, main lake, and riprap. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.

Keystone: September 29. Elevation is 3 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on Alabama rigs, bill baits, buzz baits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, small lures, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, docks, and standing timber. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and live bait around main lake. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Tracer Wagner, game warden stationed in Creek County.

SOUTHEAST

Blue River: September 30. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs, lipless baits, topwater lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, creek channels, points, river channel, rocks, shallows, shorelines, and weed beds. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, punch bait, 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.

Broken Bow: September 23. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 87°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, bill baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, spoons, and topwater lures around brush structure, coves, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, points, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Hugo: September 26. Elevation is 1 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, live bait, and punch bait around discharge, main lake, river channel, and tailwater. Crappie fair on minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, river channel, and standing timber. Largemouth, spotted, and white bass fair on bill baits, jigs, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Chance Phillips, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: September 28. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 82°F and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits 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 coves, discharge, inlet, and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, and shrimp around inlet, riprap, rocks, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: September 26. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 64°F and clear. Rainbow trout good on grasshoppers, PowerBait, small lures, and tube jigs below the dam, creek channels, and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: September 26. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass excellent on Alabama rigs, bill baits, buzz baits, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, minnows, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, riprap, rocks, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish good on cut bait, shrimp, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms around creek channels, dam, and main lake. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Pine Creek: September 26. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on topwater lures around coves. Crappie fair on jigs around brush structure. Channel catfish good on cut bait, hot dogs, and punch bait below the dam and creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Sardis: September 26. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 80°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, crankbaits, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: September 28. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 82°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass good on live shad and sassy shad below the dam, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, and punch bait below the dam, docks, and points. Crappie fair on caddis flies, hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structure, docks, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week has been better. Fish are continuing to bite below the Denison Dam. The main lake has been better this week with the cooler weather temps. It will continue to get better with the cooler water temps. Catfish are good on punch bait below the dam and near cleaning stations around the lake. Crappie are okay near brush piles around docks with jigs and minnows. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Marshall County.

Heavener cross country teams had another successful outing at the Spiro cross country meet Tuesday.

The Wolves were meet champions while Heavener’s girls were second.

Heavener’s boys were led by meet champion Morgan Altstatt. Runner up was Parker Brand while Geren Palmer finished third. Also receiving medals were Slayde Cockburn, Jerred Boss, Martin Vasquez and Aden Walker.

The Lady Wolves were led by Kanan Summers, who finished ninth. Allison Palmer also received a medal.

Talihina remains LeFlore County scoring leader for offense and defense after week 4 games.

The Golden Tigers average 50.2 points per game on offense, barely ahead of Pocola, which averages 46.0 points per game.

On defense, Talihina only allows 7.5 points per game. Pocola is also second on defense, allowing 15.0 points per game while Poteau is third at 17.7 points per game.

District openers went well for most of the LeFlore County football teams Friday night.

Five of the six county teams opened district play with Spiro the only team that lost.

Heavener opened district play by beating Hugo for the Wolves’ first win of the season. Heavener is 1-3 overall and 1-0 in district play. Hugo drops to 1-3 and 0-1. The Wolves visit Prague next week for the first time since 1971.

Poteau won its district opener and stayed undefeated, but it was a much tougher outcome than expected. The Pirates eventually overcame Stilwell 31-30 as the Indians overcame an early 24-8 deficit and nearly pulled off what would be a major surprise. Poteau is 4-0 and 1-0 in district play and hosts Ada next week in a key district game.

Spiro is still looking for its first win as the Bulldogs lost at 2A power Vian, 47-14. Spiro goes to Wilburton to take on the undefeated Diggers next week,

Pocola opened district play in style, winning easily at Warner, 50-0. The Indians ae 3-1 and 1-0 going into next week’s game at Hulbert.

Panama also had a fairly easy time in its district opener and bounced back from its first loss last week. The Razorbacks won at Chouteau, 49-24. Panama goes to district favorite Rejoice Christian next week.

Talihina, the top-ranked team in Class A-II breezed to a 54-17 win at Allen. The Golden Tigers are 4-0 and 1-0. Talihina visits Central next week.

Arkoma had its two-game winning streak snapped as the Mustangs lost at undefeated Quinton, 58-12, in the only non-district game for county teams this week. Arkoma, now 2-3, opens its district play next week at home against Gans.

By GARY McMANUS

Oklahoma Mesonet

The early taste of fall that delighted many Oklahomans at the end of August lingered through the first week of September before summer grabbed the remote control again. Gone were the autumn-like highs in the 60s and 70s, replaced by the more customary 80s and 90s. Despite that return to normalcy, Mother Nature couldn’t resist one more twist: for the first time since 2008, the Oklahoma Mesonet failed to record a single 100-degree temperature during September. The last triple-digit highs—likely the year’s final—came back on Aug. 28 at several sites in southwest Oklahoma.

The impressive rains of August failed to carry far into September, leaving deficits of 2–4 inches common across much of Oklahoma. Far western Oklahoma and the Panhandle managed surplus amounts, continuing a trend from the previous month. Statewide, the month finished 1.41 inches below normal with an average of 1.91 inches, the 27th-driest September since records began in 1895.

See the whole story HERE.

Carl Albert State College has announced its Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program has been named one of the best nursing schools in Oklahoma for 2026.

CASC’s nursing program achieved a 100 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023

“Our program is built on a foundation of excellence and compassion,” said Rebecca Sanders, Nursing Program Director at CASC. “We emphasize evidence-based care, simulation training, and therapeutic communication so that our graduates are not only clinically skilled but also prepared to connect with patients and families. Seeing our students achieve a 100% pass rate reflects both their dedication and the strength of our faculty and community partnerships.”

President Dr. Jay Falkner echoed the program’s importance to the college and the region.

“Carl Albert State College is committed to providing affordable, high-quality education that meets the needs of our communities,” Falkner said. “The success of our nursing program exemplifies how CASC changes lives—both for our students and for the countless patients they will go on to serve in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities across Oklahoma.”

1985

Hollywood icon Rock Hudson dies of AIDS

On October 2, 1985, actor Rock Hudson, 59, becomes the first major U.S. celebrity to die of complications from AIDS. Hudson’s death raised public awareness of the epidemic, which until that time had been ignored by many in the mainstream as a “gay plague.” Hudson, born Leroy Harold Scherer Jr., on... read more

19th Century

1835

First shots of the Texas Revolution fired in the Battle of Gonzales

American Revolution

1780

Benedict Arnold accomplice hanged

Black History

1967

Thurgood Marshall sworn in as first Black Supreme Court justice

Cold War

1958

Guinea gains its independence, exploits Cold War tensions

Crime

2006

Gunman kills five students at Amish school

Sports

1965

Gatorade first tested in a college football game

U.S. Presidents

1919

Woodrow Wilson suffers a stroke

2020

President Trump announces he and the first lady tested positive for COVID-19

World War II

1941

Operation Typhoon is launched

1944

Warsaw Uprising ends

1944

General Eisenhower warns of the risk of “shell shock”

Jimmy Edward Potter, 72, of Bokoshe passed away Sept. 29, 2025, in Bokoshe and was born Nov. 6, 1952, in Cameron to Ruby (Arter) Potter and James Edward Potter.

Graveside services are 9 a.m. Thursday at Greenhill Cemetery in Cameron with Jim Cook officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

Surviving family members are his wife, June Potter; daughter Faith Potter and her husband James; grandchildren Sierra, Alyssa and Bentley Spearman, and Kindra Dedmon; and siblings Linda Martin, Joyce Yarnell, Lovenia Hiesler, Randy Potter, Donnie Potter, Darrel Potter, Kenny Potter and Barbie Potter, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Edward Potter; and siblings Johnny Potter, Ronnie Potter, Harold Potter and Beverly Lewallen.

Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.

Queta Ann Hamner of Heavener was born May 18, 1943 in the Conser community in Heavener to William “Doc” and Hattie (Cranfield) Hamner and passed away Sept. 24, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the age of 82.

Graveside service was Monday at the Conser Cemetery with Brother Mike Steelman officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Queta was a life-long resident of the area and a homemaker. She loved spending time with her family and friends. Queta will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Surviving family members are three sons Paul “Davy” McLaughlin and wife Rhonda of Poteau, Danny McLaughlin and wife Jennette of Panama, Jeff Hamner and companion Tiffany Acton of Heavener; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Lisa Hamner; four brothers Charles Naylor, William V. Naylor, Donald Naylor and Carol Naylor; two sisters Faye and Willa Mae; and three grandsons Shae McLaughlin, Nathan McLaughlin and Jace Hamner.

Pallbearers are Davy Mclaughlin, Danny McLaughlin, Dustin McLaughlin, Jeff Hamner, Camryn Wickware and Caston Wickware.

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

Vernon Wayne Tassey, 86, of Poteau passed away Sept. 24, 2025 and was born July 11, 1939, in Durant to Valena (Mullins) Tassey and William Tassey.

Survivors are his wife of 60 years, Bonnie Tassey; his children Richard Tassey, Mindy Pope, Sheri Tassey, James Tassey, Vanessa Tassey and Stephen Tassey; 30 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Carolyn Hall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Valena and William Tassey; and his siblings Frances, Eugene, Dewayne, Virgil, Johnny, Linda, and Markita.

You may leave an online message of condolence at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com