^{Daily Bible verse}

^{Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.}

^{Psalms 100:4}

Commissioners’ agenda for May 19

LeFlore County commissioners will meet in a regular business meeting 9 a.m. Monday in the office of the board of county commissioners in the courthouse at Poteau.

AGENDA: 

1. * CALL TO ORDER.

2. * MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S).

3. * PURCHASE ORDERS/PAYROLL (SEE ATTACHED LIST TO BE PRESENTED FOR PAYMENT).

4. * MONTHLY FEE REPORTS.

5. * TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS.

6. * BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS.

7. * NEW BUSINESS.

8. * CONTRACT LABOR/SERVICE AGREEMENTS/ANNUAL CONTRACTS.

9. * BURN BAN.

10. TABLED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING ON APRIL 28, 2025, CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LEFLORE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND CLENERA DEVCO, LLC REGARDING CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF A SOLAR- POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING AND/OR ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY IN LEFLORE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA. 

11. TABLED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING ON MAY 12, 2025, DISCUSSION WITH POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DIVISION OF TITLE 1 U.S. FORESTRY FUNDS. 

12. REVIEW WITH POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PLAT MAPS AS SUBMITTED BY CDF & ASSOCIATES CONCERNING NEW SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS STATION ROAD PINES LOCATED IN SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP 8 NORTH, RANGE 23 EAST, LEFLORE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA.

13. CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE DECLARATION OF SURPLUS DOCUMENT REGARDING COUNTY INVENTORY NUMBER D2-499.005A, JOHN DEERE LAWNMOWER, SERIAL NUMBER MOL166D051689, PURCHASED ON 7/10/2018 IN THE AMOUNT OF $800 TO BENEFIT LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2.

14. CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE BID NOTICE AND RESOLUTION TO ADVERTISE 6- MONTH COUNTY HIGHWAY MATERIAL BIDS.

15. CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE BID NOTICE AND RESOLUTION TO ADVERTISE PUBLICATION OF THE LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS.

16. CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE PROGRAMMING RESOLUTION FOR PROJECT NUMBER 25-CBRI-D2-RD-P085, RELATED TO IMPROVEMENTS ON MILTON ROAD LOCATED IN LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2.

17. REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPROVE RESOLUTIONS FOR DISPOSING OF EQUIPMENT REGARDING COUNTY INVENTORY ITEMS TO BENEFIT LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 AS FOLLOWS:

· D2-301.075, 2002 CHEVROLET TRUCK WITH ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF $17,400, PURCHASED FROM CITY CHEVROLET INC ON 5/1/2002, SOLD ON PURPLE WAVE ON 4/1/2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,850.

· D2-301.080, 2007 CHEVY TRUCK WITH ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF $23,012, PURCHASED FROM HUDIBERG CHEVROLET ON 5/31/2007, SOLD ON PURPLE WAVE ON 4/1/2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000. 

 18. ADJOURN.

Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

By  JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his office said Sunday.

The finding came after the 82-year-old reported urinary symptoms, which led doctors to discover a nodule on his prostate. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday, with the cancer cells having spread to the bone.

See the whole story HERE.

Trump’s big bill advances in rare weekend vote

By  KEVIN FREKING, LISA MASCARO and LEAH ASKARINAM

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans narrowly advanced President Donald Trump’s big tax cuts package out of a key committee during a rare Sunday night vote, but just barely, as conservative holdouts are demanding quicker cuts to Medicaid and green energy programs before giving their full support.

Speaker Mike Johnson met with Republican lawmakers shortly before the meeting and acknowledged to reporters that there are still details to “iron out.” He said some changes were being made, but declined to provide details.

See the whole story HERE.

More storms take aim at central US

By  MATTHEW BROWN and CAROLYN KASTER

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — More severe storms were expected to roll across the central U.S. this week following the weather-related deaths of more than two dozen people and a devastating Kentucky tornado.

The National Weather Service said a “multitude of hazardous weather” would impact the U.S. over the next several days — from thunderstorms and potentially baseball-sized hail on the Plains, to heavy mountain snow in the West and dangerous heat in the South.

Areas at risk of thunderstorms include communities in Kentucky and Missouri that were hit by Friday’s tornadoes.

See the whole story HERE.

Trump to press Putin to end ‘bloodbath’ in Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump will speak separately with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in hopes of ending the “bloodbath” in Ukraine, amid concerns over Washington’s ongoing push to broker peace-making.

“HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A PRODUCTIVE DAY, A CEASEFIRE WILL TAKE PLACE, AND THIS VERY VIOLENT WAR, A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, WILL END,” Trump wrote on his Truth social media platform Saturday in his customary all-capitalized comments.

See the whole story HERE.

Sooners Slug Their Way to Super Regionals

By: John Rohde

NORMAN – No. 2 Oklahoma (48-7) softball belted four home runs and posted another run-rule win with a 12-1 victory over California (37-21) Sunday, May 18, at Love's Field.

A crowd of 4,075 watched the Sooners put the finishing touches on the Norman Regional, during which they outscored their three opponents 31-3.

OU now will host Alabama in the Norman Super Regional, with the best-of-three series beginning Friday at 4 p.m. at Love's Field. The series opener will be broadcast on ESPN2. Game two is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. with broadcast information to be announced.

"I've said to you that this team hasn't peaked," Gasso said. "I'm starting to feel something right now and it's pretty exciting. I could not be more pleased right now that this team is starting to hit on all their cylinders."

The Sooners' powerful display at the plate was topped by a tape-measure blast to right field from designated player Ella Parker, whose solo shot traveled 285 feet with an exit velocity of 81 mph and 33 degrees of loft.

"Probably one of the longest bombs I've seen here, for sure," Gasso said.

Parker admitted she was surprised at what she had just done. "It was definitely a shock," Parker said. "I think the first words out of my mouth were, 'I don't think I've ever hit a ball that far.' It was the genuine feeling of shock."

After a Nelly McEnroe-Marinas single to left, Ailana Agbayani added a towering 3-run homer to right to make the score 4-0 in the second inning.

"She has got a different focus right now," Gasso said of Agbayani, whom she nearly asked to bunt in the at-bat. "I think you're looking at a very hot postseason hitter here. I didn't want to take the bat out of her hand. I wanted to see what she would do with it."

Agbayani smiled and said, "All of us are just completely free (at the plate) because we're so confident in each other to get the job done."

In the fourth, OU set a season high for runs scored in an inning with seven.

Freshman shortstop Gabbie Garcia, who homered in the Sooners' 11-2 triumph over the Bears on Saturday, started the scoring in the second inning with a solo shot to center.

Sophomore left fielder Kasidi Pickering stroked a 3-run homer to left to make the score 8-1.

Parker's towering bomb made it 9-1. Later that same inning, she nearly added a grand slam with a fly-out at the warning track for the final out.

Pinch-hitter Corri Hicks blooped a bases-loaded single to left to make it 11-1 and Hannah Coor hit a sacrifice fly up against the left-field wall to set the final margin.

The Sooners collected 14 hits with Pickering, Parker, Garcia, McEnroe-Marinas and Agbayani collecting two each.

While the Bears used five different pitchers, OU seniors Sam Landry (22-4) and Isabella Smith and junior Paytn Monticelli combined for a two-hitter.

"I'm really pleased with the pitching staff," Gasso said of the group that allowed just two earned runs over the three games.

^{Hogs demolish Oklahoma State, 12-0} 

^{BOX SCORE: FINAL SEASON STATS: 2025}

^{FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas. – Behind a single-game NCAA Tournament program record 12 runs and 14 hits in addition to a complete-game shutout from Robyn Herron, the No. 3/4 Arkansas Razorbacks run-ruled No. 23/24 Oklahoma State, 12-0 (6 inn.) to clinch their fourth Super Regional appearance in program history on Sunday night at Bogle Park.} 

^{With the win, Arkansas will host a Super Regional next weekend (May 23-25) at Bogle Park against Ole Miss. The Razorbacks previously hosted Super Regionals in 2021 and 2022.} 

^{The game did not start until 7:15 p.m., following a four-hour and ten-minute delay due to severe storms in the area. Arkansas jumped on the Cowgirls early and did not look back after plating three runs in the top of the first inning, the Hogs would add three in the third before putting together a six-run top of the sixth inning that featured a three-run home run from Karlie Davison, making it the final 12-0.} 

^{For the second consecutive game, Atalyia Rijo led the Razorbacks at the plate with a 4-4 effort that included an RBI and a run scored. Karlie Davison completely changed the game with her bat and her glove in the victory. At the plate, the Torrance, Calif., product went 2-4 with a game-high four RBI, three of which came on her sixth-inning blast in addition to two runs scored and a double. Defensively, she accounted for nine of the Razorbacks’ 18 outs (6 assists, three putouts), highlighted by a diving catch in shallow center field with the bases loaded for the final out of the fifth inning. Ella McDowell (3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Reagan Johnson (2-5) also recorded multiple hits in the win.} 

^{Robyn Herron was magnificent in the circle. The junior left-hander struck out two and allowed just three hits and a walk in a six-inning complete-game shutout. Herron retired the Cowgirls in order in three of her six innings of work. It marked the 11th career complete-game shutout for Herron, who improved to 18-6 on the season.} 

^{Ruby Meylan took the loss for Oklahoma State (35-20), finishing her season with a 20-11 record after allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two in two innings of work.} 

^{HOW IT HAPPENED}

^{In the circle, Arkansas started Robyn Herron for the 23rd time this season while Oklahoma State started their ace, Ruby Meylan.} 

^{Reagan Johnson reached on an error by Oklahoma State left fielder Rachael Hathhoot, who was brought in as a fifth infielder to lead off the game. Raigan Kramer walked a batter later to put two on with no outs. With one out, Courtney Day singled through the left side to score Kramer and give the Razorbacks a 1-0 lead. Kramer was initially ruled out, but the call was changed to safe after a successful challenge from head coach Courtney Deifel. With two outs, Ella McDowell extended the Hogs' lead with an RBI single to left field. Kennedy Miller then drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-0. Meylan would issue a strikeout to end the inning without further damage.} 

^{Robyn Herron fanned the Cowgirls’ Tia Warsop to open the bottom half. Herron then completed a 1-2-3 inning by issuing a groundout and a strikeout.} 

^{In the top of the second, Johnson singled to third base and advanced to second with one out when a pitch hit Bri Ellis. However, Meylan would keep Arkansas scoreless as the lead stayed at three.} 

^{Herron made it six consecutive Pokes retired with a 1-2-3 bottom of the second.} 

^{McDowell doubled to left-center field to lead off the top of the third. Rijo continued her tear at the plate with an RBI single. Following Rijo’s single, Oklahoma State made a pitching change and went to Rylee Crandall. Karlie Davison increased the lead to 5-0 with a double off the wall in left-center field before Kramer doubled home Davison to add an insurance run.} 

^{Herron spun a scoreless bottom of the third while picking up a strikeout. Oklahoma State shortstop Megan Bloodworth singled to right field to become the first baserunner of the game for the Cowgirls.} 

^{Both sides were sent down in order during the fourth inning.} 

^{Rijo singled through the right side in the top of the fifth. Johnson also recorded her second hit of the game with an infield single to shortstop.} 

^{Oklahoma State loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fifth courtesy of a walk from Hathoot, a single from Audrey Schneidmiller, and Megan Bloodworth being hit by a pitch. Davison then made an incredible diving grab behind second base in shallow center field to rob a would-be base hit from the Cowgirls’ Megan Delgadillo, keeping the shutout intact.} 

^{Ellis reached on a two-base fielding error to lead off the top of the sixth. Kailey Wyckoff then reached on an error with one out that moved Ellis to third. McDowell added another run courtesy of an infield single. Rijo loaded the bases with her fourth hit of the game, an infield single to first base. A two-run double from Miller extended the lead to 9-0 before Karlie Davison smashed a three-run home run to left field to make it the final 12-0.} 

^{Robyn Herron slammed the door on Oklahoma State to wrap up the complete game in the bottom of the sixth. She issued a groundout for the first out of the frame before the Cowgirls’ Rosie Davis singled to center field. Arkansas then ended the ballgame with an ultra-rare 8-4-3 double play as Johnson made a diving catch in center field and then threw to Davison, who completed the double play by throwing to Ellis at first and catching Davis, who continued to run after Johnson made the diving catch.} 

^QUOTABLES 

^{Arkansas Head Coach Courtney Deifel}

^{Opening statement…}

^{“I have an immense amount of pride for this team. What they have done and continue to do, who they are, how they play and how they fight together. Tonight was phenomenal in every aspect. They set their mind to it. I am so proud that I am their coach. They were phenomenal tonight. I am just really really proud.”} 

^NOTABLES

• ^{With the win Arkansas earned its fourth trip to a Super Regional in program history. Arkansas previously made appearances in 2018, 2021 and 2022 while hosting its most two recent Super Regionals.}

• ^{Arkansas set a program record for runs scored (12) and hits (14) in an NCAA Tournament game. The previous record of 11 runs was set in an 11-0 win over Princeton on May 20, 2022. The Hogs’ previous NCAA single-game hits record was 13 which occurred in a 6-5 (11 inn.) loss at Oklahoma on May 17, 2008.}

• ^{Atalyia Rijo tied a career-high and her own single-game NCAA tournament program record with four hits in the win. She became the first player in program history to register four or more hits in consecutive games.}

• ^{The Hogs 43 wins this season are tied for the fourth-most in program history.}

• ^{Arkansas snapped Oklahoma State’s five-year streak of Super Regional appearances while also giving the Cowgirls their largest loss in NCAA and AIAW postseason history (190 games). Arkansas handed Oklahoma State their only two losses in regional play dating back to 2019 this weekend.}

• ^{The Razorbacks are 23-26 all-time in NCAA Tournament play, including a 16-14 mark under Courtney Deifel. She is the only coach in program history with a winning record in NCAA Tournament contests.}

• ^{Bri Ellis scored her 64th run of the season which is the second-most in program history trailing only KB Sides who scored 67 in 2022.}

• ^{Courtney Day extended her career-best reach-based streak to 18 games with a second-inning single.}

• ^{Karlie Davison registered her 11th multi-hit game this season and 20th multi-hit game of her career. She also had a season-high four RBI. Defensively, with three putouts and six assists she played a role in half of the Hogs’ 18 outs.}

• ^{Reagan Johnson increased her reached-base streak to 14 games with a second-inning single.}

^{UP NEXT
Arkansas (43-12) will host a Super Regional next weekend (May 23-25) at Bogle Park against Ole Miss (40-18). Game times will be announced in the coming days.}

Thunder roll into West finals with rout of Nuggets

By  CLIFF BRUNT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder grew up on Sunday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, Jalen Williams added 24 and the Thunder rolled into the Western Conference finals, beating the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Game 7.

The top-seeded Thunder will host the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves starting Tuesday. It’s Oklahoma City’s first trip to the conference finals since 2016.

See the whole story HERE.

Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship

By  DOUG FERGUSON

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler had every reason to worry the PGA Championship was slipping away.

A five-shot lead on the front nine was gone in four holes. Every shot seemed to go left and he didn’t know why. Jon Rahm was peeling off birdies and on the verge of tracking him down Sunday at Quail Hollow.

And that’s when Scheffler showed why he has been golf’s No. 1 player for two straight years, why he has compiled more PGA Tour titles quicker than anyone this side of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus since 1950.

See the whole story HERE.

More storms expected Monday

Cloudy skies early with a chance of strong storms with damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes possible later in the day and into the night for LeFlore County along with Heavener, Poteau and southeastern Oklahoma.

The high is forecast to be 79 degrees with a low of 66.

Sunrise was 6:12 a.m. Sunset is 8:18 p.m.

Sunday’s high was 83 with a low of 68. A total of 0.04 inches of rain was recording, leaving the monthly total for May at 5.06 inches. Average rainfall for the month is 6.20 inches.

Average temperatures for May 19 are a high of 82 and low of 55. The record high was 92 in 1973 while the record low was 39 in 1976.

Last year on May 19, the high was 91 with a low of 69.

 LeFlore County calendar

LeFlore County calendar of events for the next week. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you are with a non-profit and want an event publicized, email [email protected].

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

Carthal “Cotton” Hale funeral services 

Memorial service for Betty Faye Pennington

Tuesday

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

Nadine Shupert funeral service

LeFlore County Republicans meet 6 p.m. Patrick Lynch Library

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon

Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North 

^{Frances Nadine Shupert service planned} 

Frances Nadine (Evetts) Shupert, 86, of Heavener passed away May 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

 She was born June 21, 1938, in the Weeks community of Scott County, Arkansas, to Louis Leon Evetts and Ola Mae (Harris ) Evetts. A 1956 graduate of Heavener High School, Nadine was a classmate of her future husband, James “Bo” Shupert. They married Oct. 2, 1960, in the home of her parents.  

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Lovings Baptist Church in Heavener with Brother David Billy, Brother David Hardin, and Ray Luman officiating. Interment will follow at Heavener Memorial Park, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home. 

Before starting her family, Nadine worked as a clerk at the Ben Franklin 5 & 10 store. She was a lifelong member of Loving Baptist Church, where she faithfully served as secretary and treasurer and taught the ladies’ Sunday School class. A handwritten verse found in the front of her Bible reflects her quiet but steady faith: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – James 1:22 

Nadine was happiest when surrounded by her family, especially during the holidays. She loved cheering from the stands for softball, football, and baseball games, along with other sports — whether for her daughter Kristi or son Kent, or later, her grandkids — and her refrigerator was always covered with their sports and school event schedules. She treasured back-to-school shopping trips with her granddaughters at Penney’s and Central Mall. Her kitchen was always stocked with Schwan’s ice cream bars and Snack Pack pudding cups, and she made a mean Thanksgiving dressing, a delicious Mexican casserole, and the best scrambled eggs around. She loved to relax with a cup of Folgers coffee, a Pall Mall cigarette, and a word search puzzle. She kept Juicy Fruit or spearmint gum tucked in her purse for the grandkids and was always up for a round of Skip-Bo. She was known for sleepovers that ended with park trips, Runestone visits, and stops at Mazzio’s, Southern Belle, or Sonic for a pineapple milkshake. 

Though quiet and reserved, Nadine was deeply kind and generous. She showed up — for holidays, games, milestones, and even the simple, everyday moments — and her family always knew how proud she was of each of them. She loved her husband faithfully, and they were happily married for nearly 65 years.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Louis Deveraux Evetts, Marvin Lee “Mutt” Evetts, Jack Dale Evetts, and Juanita Faye Evetts Medley; and granddaughter, Cherie Lynn Shupert. 

She is survived by her husband, James “Bo” Shupert; children Kristi and Mark Branscum of Whitesboro, and Kent and Lori Shupert of Waldron, Arkansas; grandchildren Bethany Branscum and Lexey Branscum of Norman, Kelsey and Alex Gee of Purcell, Rylee Shupert of Waldron, Arkansas, Tyler and Krystin Hutchens of Booneville, Arkansas, and Mallori and Donald Horn of Waldron, Arkansas; great-grandchildren Emilee, Lettie, and Madilyn Horn, Brianna and Samuel Hutchens, and Gavin Gee; sister Chris Evetts Brown and Bill Brown of Edmond; along with numerous nieces and nephews. 

Pallbearers are Kent Shupert, Rylee Shupert, Mark Branscum and Tyler Hutchens. 

Viewing is from noon to 7 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday; and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, family request donations be made in honor of Nadine to the Gideon’s International for Bibles. 

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.”