Daily Bible verse

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Matthew 25:34

Clayton man dies when struck by truck

A 49-year-old Clayton pedestrian died when he was struck by a truck four miles south of Talihina at 9:52 p.m. Wednesday.

Adrian Johnico of Clayton was struck by a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Vearle Maple of Talihina. Johnico was transported by EMS to Choctaw National Healthcare in Talihina, where he was pronounced deceased. Maples was transported by private vehicle to Choctaw Nation Healthcare, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.

A second vehicle involved in the accident was a 2-15 GMC Sierra, which was unoccupied.

The accident remains under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

 The accident was investigated by Trooper Cody Enloe, Trooper Blake Palmer and Trooper Michael Scantling.

ODOC Fugitive Apprehension Unit captures longtime escapee

^{HODGEN – A man who escaped from Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center in 2006 is once again in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, thanks to the work of ODOC’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit and its federal law enforcement partners.}

Steven Capps, ODOC #229444, walked away from JEHCC in Hodgen, Okla., on Aug. 1, 2006, along with another inmate who was captured a short time later. In 2011, he was arrested in Ohio for two counts of breaking and entering and was remanded to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. He was paroled from ODRC on July 14, 2021, but later violated the terms of his parole by failing to report to his parole officer.

On May 7, 2025, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Northern District Task Force apprehended Capps and booked him into the Muskogee County Jail. ODOC Fugitive Apprehension Agent Jeremiah Crane, who is assigned to the Tulsa area and works closely with the Northern District U.S. Marshals Task Force, played a key role in the investigation leading to Capps' capture.

Warden Richard Williams of JEHCC was notified of the apprehension on the morning of May 13, 2025. Shortly after, ODOC personnel were dispatched to transport Capps from Muskogee County Jail to the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center in Lexington, Okla.

“This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to public safety and our determination to hold individuals accountable – no matter how long it takes,” said ODOC Chief of Operations Jason Sparks. “I’m proud of our Fugitive Apprehension Unit and grateful to our partners at the U.S. Marshals Service for helping bring this escapee back into custody.”

Capps has approximately 1,200 days left to serve on his 10-year sentence out of McIntosh County for obtaining property by trick or deception.

Oklahoma’s plan to open religious charter school halted

By Jennifer Palmer

Oklahoma’s top court’s ruling to block a state-funded Catholic charter school will stand after the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked on the issue. 

The unsigned order, issued Thursday, reads simply: “The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court.” A 4-4 split was possible because Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case. 

The school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, named after the patron saint of the Internet, was to be operated by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa. St. Isidore proposed being Catholic in every aspect, including instruction and operations. St. Isidore applied to be a charter school, privately run but publicly funded. 

Attorney General Gentner Drummond challenged the school in court, arguing the state’s sponsorship of the school violates the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment Clause and state statute, which prohibits public schools, including charters, from being affiliated with any particular religious group.  

Erin Brewer, an Oklahoma parent who joined a lawsuit challenging St. Isidore, said the tie feels like a win.

“The Supreme Court made the right decision in affirming that religious freedom means that individuals, families, have the right to raise their children, live our values, to pursue our faith, but we should not be forced as taxpayers to fund religious activity,” she said. 

The court’s order doesn’t indicate how the justices voted. When the court heard arguments in late April, Chief Justice John Roberts seemed most likely to split with the conservative majority, with pointed questions indicating he hadn’t yet chosen a side. 

Split decisions don’t set a precedent, so religious groups can try again with a different case. 

“This 4-4 tie is a non-decision,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt, a proponent of the school, in a written statement. “Now we’re in overtime. There will be another case just like this one and Justice Barrett will break the tie. This is far from a settled issue. We are going to keep fighting for parents’ rights to instill their values in their children and against religious discrimination.” 

Attorneys for St. Isidore and the charter school board argued that being denied state charter school funding amounted to religious discrimination. They also maintained that charter schools are not public schools, a stance that alarmed charter school advocates across the country. 

Drummond celebrated the decision as a victory for religious liberty.

“This ruling ensures that Oklahoma taxpayers will not be forced to fund radical Islamic schools, while protecting the religious rights of families to choose any school they wish for their children,” he said.

Brett Farley, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, said St. Isidore board members are exploring other options for offering a virtual Catholic education to students across the state.

“Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.”

Wilburton man sentenced for firearm crime 

MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Charles Henry Lawrence, aka Charles Henry Lawrence, Jr., 57, of Wilburton was sentenced to 24 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm. 

The charge arose from an investigation by the Latimer County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

On November 25, 2024, Lawrence pleaded guilty to the charge.  According to investigators, on Nov. 11, 2022, law enforcement officers serving a search warrant on Lawrence’s Wilburton residence seized one rifle and one revolver.  At the time of the search, Lawrence had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 

Eric F. Melgren, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing.  Lawrence will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.

Sooners Fall in SEC Quarterfinals to Vanderbilt

 – Oklahoma’s time at the SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover came to a close with a 6-1 loss to Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals Thursday evening.  

The 12-seed Sooners (35-20) were stifled by four-seed Vanderbilt’s (40-16) pitching on the night, striking out a season high 17 times while leaving 10 runners on base. 

The first two innings went scoreless from both sides as starting left-handed pitchers Cade Crossland for OU and JD Thompson for Vanderbilt blanked the other’s offense.  

Vanderbilt broke through in the third with four runs on four hits and an OU error. After a pair of singles and error that loaded the bases, an RBI groundout pushed the first run of the game across. All-SEC honoree RJ Austin then lifted a two-run double down the left line, followed by an RBI double from first baseman Riley Nelson to make it 4-0 Vanderbilt after three.  

OU scratched its first run of the game across in the fourth. After a leadoff hit by pitch to redshirt sophomore Sam Christiansen followed by a walk to sophomore Jaxon Willits, fellow sophomore Jason Walk plated one on a groundout to third. The Sooners left a pair of runners in scoring position on a groundout.   

Vanderbilt answered in the home half of the fourth on a bases-loaded infield single by Austin. OU sophomore left-handed reliever Gavyn Jones entered and left the bases loaded to keep the deficit at 5-1.  

To the fifth, OU threatened again on a two-out single from junior Easton Carmichael and Christiansen’s second walk drawn of the evening but couldn’t turn either into a run.  

OU righty Jason Bodin entered in the fifth and hurled a pair of scoreless innings before giving way to fellow righty reliever Reid Hensley in the seventh with a runner on. The Commodores got the runner home on a double to left from left fielder Braden Holcomb.  

The Sooners loaded the bases in the eighth. A leadoff hit by pitch followed by a pair of walks forced a Vanderbilt pitching change. OU couldn’t get the big hit to pull the game closer as a strikeout ended the threat before the Sooners went down in order in the ninth.  

Junior right-handed pitcher Dylan Tate made his season debut in the bottom of the eighth, missing the regular season due to injury. The Jefferson College transfer faced four batters in his inning of work, striking out one and walking one.  

Crossland (L, 4-5) took the loss in 3.2 innings, surrendering three earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks. 

 Jones (0.1 IP), Bodin (2.1), Hensley (0.2) and Tate (1.0) closed the game for OU with Tate fanning one.  

At the plate, Carmichael and Willits registered OU’s two hits on the night while senior Scott Mudler and freshman Kyle Branch each drew a pair of walks. Walk brought in OU’s lone run.  

The OU offense struck out a season high 17 times on the evening as Vanderbilt starter Thompson fanned 11.  

The Sooners conclude their time in Hoover with a pair of wins, including a top-10 win over No. 10 Georgia on Wednesday. OU holds 11 quadrant 1 victories on the season, including five wins over top-10 teams and .Oklahoma looks for its fourth consecutive and 42nd NCAA postseason appearance as the team awaits its NCAA postseason fate to be announced Monday during the NCAA Selection Show at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.

Cowboys lose in Big 12 Tourney

ARLINGTON, Texas – Oklahoma State dropped a 7-6 contest to No. 21 and second-seeded Kansas in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Baseball Championship Thursday at Globe Life Field. 

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 28-23, while KU improved to 43-14. OSU now awaits Monday’s NCAA Baseball Selection Show to find out if it will earn a 12^th consecutive NCAA Regional bid as an at-large team.   

Gabe Davis took the loss on the mound to fall to 0-3 as the Jayhawks scored the winning run off the OSU right-hander in walk-off fashion in the ninth.

 Offensively, the top of the Cowboys’ order drove in five of their six runs, with Brayden Smith and Alex Conover each collecting two RBIs. 

Harry Bodendorf made his 15^th start for the Cowboys, working 6 1/3 innings and allowing five runs on six hits, and he tallied four strikeouts to give him 100 on the season. The southpaw became the 17^th different OSU pitcher to reach 100 strikeouts in a season; it’s the 21^st time in program history that feat has been achieved. 

KU jumped out to an early lead, opening the first inning with back-to-back doubles by Derek Cerda and Brady Ballinger to go up 1-0. 

The Cowboys would go on top in the third, rallying for three runs with two outs. Brock Thompson drew a walk to open the inning, and three batters later, Smith deposited a pitch into the right-field seats to put OSU up 2-1. The blast was Smith’s 11^th homer of the season. 

Up next, Conover walked and stole second, setting up Nolan Schubart, who delivered an RBI single to right field to make the score 3-1. 

KU would answer in the bottom of the inning, cutting its deficit to one on a solo homer by Jackson Hauge. 

OSU put up another crooked number in the fourth as it strung together three hits to take a 6-2 lead. Kollin Ritchie led off the inning with a double, and a single by Avery Ortiz brought home the first run. Two batters later, it was Conover with an opposite-field hit to bring home a pair of runs and extend the advantage to four. 

That score remained until the bottom of the seventh. Following a walk and a single to put runners on the corners, the Jayhawks cut their deficit in half with a sacrifice fly. Another walk ended Bodendorf’s day on the mound and brought Hunter Watkins out of the bullpen. 

After a strikeout for the second out of the inning, KU tied the game at 6-6 on a three-run home run off the bat of Ballinger. 

The game remained tied until the ninth. After Davis issued a leadoff walk, a fielder’s choice put two runners on with no outs as the runner reached second safely. The Cowboys then recorded an out to put KU runners on the corners, and an intentional walk loaded the bases.

Oklahoma fishing report

This week’s Oklahoma Fishing Report courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.

CENTRAL 

Arcadia: May 20. Elevation is 1.5 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 65°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait and dough bait around coves and shorelines. White bass slow on buzz baits and jigs around channels and main lake. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Dalton Buley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County. 

Hefner: May 18. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 71.4°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass and striped bass hybrids good on buzz baits and crankbaits around brush structure, coves, shorelines, and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, live shad, punch bait, and worms around docks, rocks, and shorelines. Crappie, bluegill, green, and redear sunfish fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and worms around docks, points, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County. 

Overholser: May 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Bass, White fair on jigs and minnows around docks, points, and shorelines. Striped bass hybrids good on crawfish, shad, and shrimp around dam, shallows, and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish fair on minnows, punch bait, shad, and worms around riprap, shallows, and shorelines. Report submitted by Mark Murray, game warden stationed in Canadian County. 

Stanley Draper: May 18. Elevation is 0.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 58°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around docks and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait around inlet, main lake, and points. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. 

Thunderbird: May 18. Elevation is 4 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 65°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, shad, and worms around channels, flats, and points. Channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill sunfish good on in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, small lures, and worms around docks and shorelines. Report submitted by Zach Hanson, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. 

Wes Watkins: May 20. Elevation is normal and falling, water temperature 71°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Channel catfish good on punch bait, stinkbait, and worms around points, riprap, and shorelines. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits around shorelines and weed beds. Report submitted by Michael France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County. 

NORTHEAST 

Bell Cow: May 18. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 62°F and murky. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, small lures, and stinkbait around brush structure, riprap, shallows, and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Channel catfish good on cut bait and sunfish around brush structure. Report submitted by Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County. 

Birch: May 16. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids good on crankbaits and shad around points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County. 

Carl Blackwell: May 18. Elevation is 1.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and murky. Crappie slow on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, riprap, and rocks. Striped bass hybrids and saugeye slow on crankbaits, jigs, plastic baits, and sassy shad around dam, main lake, points, riprap, and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish slow on cut bait, live bait, shrimp, and worms around channels, creek channels, main lake, points, and shorelines. Comments: Fishing may be slow depending on the storms coming through and how much rain the lake gets. Report submitted by Vince Mesis III, game warden stationed in Logan County. 

Chandler: May 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 63°F and stained. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, dam, and docks. Largemouth bass fair on small lures around dam, rocks, and shallows. Channel catfish good on sunfish and worms around dam and rocks. Report submitted by Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County. 

Copan: May 18. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 68°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish on crawfish, cut bait, live shad, shad, shrimp, and worms below the dam, creek channels, and river channel. Report submitted by Lt Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County. 

Eucha: May 17. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 69°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, shorelines, and weed beds. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and shorelines. Channel catfish fair on cut bait, hot dogs, and shrimp around coves and shorelines. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County. 

Fort Gibson: May 19. Elevation is 5.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 69°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and paddlefish good below the dam, channels, creek channels, dam, discharge, inlet, points, river channel, river mouth, shorelines, spillway, and tailwater. Largemouth and spotted bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around shallows, shorelines, and weed beds. Crappie good on live bait around shorelines. Report submitted by Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County. 

Grand: May 17. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, docks, rocks, and shorelines. White bass fair on Alabama rigs, in-line spinnerbaits, and jigs around flats, main lake, and points. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County. 

Greenleaf: May 18. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 66°F and stained. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, flukes, minnows, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and worms around brush structure, coves, docks, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, minnows, shad, and worms around coves, flats, and shallows. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. 

Hudson: May 18. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and worms below the dam, docks, and shorelines. Crappie good on minnows and tube jigs around brush structure and shorelines. Blue catfish excellent on chicken liver, shad, and shrimp below the dam, flats, and points. Report submitted by Cody Morris, game warden stationed in Mayes County. 

Hulah: May 18. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 68°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish on crawfish, goldfish, live bait, live shad, shrimp, sunfish, and worms below the dam, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Report submitted by Lt Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County. 

Kaw: May 19. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 69°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass, striped bass hybrids, and white bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, hair jigs, jerk baits, jigs, live shad, sassy shad, and topwater lures below the dam, main lake, points, and riprap. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on crawfish, cut bait, goldfish, live bait, live shad, shad, shrimp, sunfish, and worms below the dam, flats, riprap, rocks, and shorelines. Crappie good on hair jigs, live bait, minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, riprap, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County. 

Keystone: May 19. Elevation is 6 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 73°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure and weed beds. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Blue and channel catfish good on live bait and live shad around channels, river channel and river mouth. Report submitted by Tracer Wagner, game warden stationed in Creek County. 

Lower Illinois River: May 16. Elevation is 2.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 57°F and stained. Fishing has slowed due to an increase in water releases from the dam. Current river flow 6300 CFS. Rainbow trout slow on caddis flies, in-line spinnerbaits, midges, nymphs, PowerBait, small lures, spoons, and worms below the dam, flats, shallows, and shorelines.  Report submitted by Jerry Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County. 

Oologah: May 18. Elevation is 5 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 70°F and murky. Largemouth and smallmouth bass slow on bill baits, buzz baits, and crankbaits around brush structure. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish slow on cut bait, live shad, and shad around channels and main lake. Crappie slow on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around channels and main lake. Report submitted by Dartanion Tilley, game warden stationed in Nowata County. 

Skiatook: May 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on shad around points. Crappie on minnows around river channel and standing timber. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County. 

Sooner: May 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 71°F and stained. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait, and sunfish around coves, flats, and rocks. Largemouth bass fair on jerk baits and plastic baits around flats and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass slow on jigs, live shad, and minnows around discharge and main lake. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County. 

Spavinaw: May 18. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 71°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, and plastic baits around coves, points, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around shorelines. Channel catfish fair on cut bait around flats. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Mayes County. 

Tenkiller: May 17. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, jigs, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, creek channels, points, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, and main lake. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, shad, and stinkbait around channels and creek channels. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.

 Webbers Falls: May 18. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 66°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, live bait, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, discharge, main lake, river mouth, and shallows. White bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, lipless baits, slabs, and small lures below the dam, flats, main lake, and tailwater. Crappie on jigs and minnows around brush structure, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. 

NORTHWEST 

Canton: May 20. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) White bass good on jigs and lipless baits around dam, river mouth, and spillway. Channel catfish slow on stinkbait around points. Report submitted by Jaylen Flynn, game warden stationed in Blaine County. 

Fort Supply: May 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 66°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, and dough bait around main lake. White bass and crappie slow on in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, and small lures around dam, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Jason Badley, game warden stationed in Harper County. 

Foss: May 18. Elevation is 2.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 65°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids good on flukes around main lake and points. Channel catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait around coves and river channel. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and points. Comments: Walleye fair off the rocks. Report submitted by Clint Carpenter, game warden stationed in Custer County. 

SOUTHEAST 

Arbuckle: May 20. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 68°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass slow on Alabama rigs, buzz baits and plastic baits around brush structure and channels. Crappie slow on minnows and plastic baits around brush structure, shallows, and shorelines. White bass fair on jigs and minnows around points and riprap. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Murray County. 

Blue River: May 19. Elevation is normal and rising, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, in-line spinnerbaits, lipless baits, plastic baits, topwater lures, and tube jigs below the dam, brush structure, channels, rocks, shorelines, and weed beds. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. 

Broken Bow: May 20. Elevation is 5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 68°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, creek channels, points, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around channels, main lake, points, river channel, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. 

Eufaula: May 17. Elevation is 9 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 66°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, grubs, live bait, live shad, minnows, shad, stinkbait, and worms below the dam, channels, discharge, main lake, and river mouth. White bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, small lures, spoons, and tube jigs below the dam, discharge, main lake, shorelines, and tailwater. Crappie slow on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, small lures, and tube jigs below the dam, brush structure, discharge, docks, and main lake. Report submitted by David de Montigny, game warden stationed in McIntosh County. 

Hugo: May 16. Elevation is 8 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 69°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, and shad below the dam, channels, discharge, and river channel. Crappie fair on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, points, standing timber, and weed beds. Largemouth, spotted, and white bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around flats, points, riprap, shallows, and shorelines. Report submitted by Chance Phillips, game warden stationed in Choctaw County. 

Konawa: May 18. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 65°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 coves, discharge, inlet, main lake, 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: May 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 60°F and clear. Rainbow trout fair on grasshoppers, hair jigs, midges, tube jigs, and worms below the dam, creek channels, rocks, and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. 

McGee Creek: May 16. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 67°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, bill baits, buzz baits, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, jigs, minnows, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, points, riprap, rocks, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie fair on minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, points, rocks, shallows, and shorelines. Channel and flathead catfish good on cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad, shrimp, stinkbait, and worms around creek channels, dam, discharge, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County. 

Murray: May 18. Elevation is 10 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and stained. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on in-line spinnerbaits, small lures, spinnerbaits, spoons, and topwater lures around brush structure, main lake, shorelines, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on crawfish, cut bait, grasshoppers, and stinkbait around channels, dam, main lake, and rocks. Crappie, bluegill, green, and redear sunfish fair on crickets, grubs, jigs, PowerBait, small lures, and worms around brush structure, dam, docks, shallows, and weed beds. Report submitted by R. Gillham, game warden stationed in Love County. 

Pine Creek: May 16. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 69°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around flats and shallows. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, and punch bait around shallows. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. 

Robert S. Kerr: May 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on live bait, minnows, shad, topwater lures, and worms around brush structure, docks, rocks, shorelines, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, hot dogs, and stinkbait around creek channels, river mouth, shallows, shorelines, and weed beds. Crappie good on live shad, minnows, and shad around brush structure, docks, points, and river mouth. Report submitted by James Pixley, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

 Sardis: May 16. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, coves, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on cut bait, jigs, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County. 

Texoma: May 19. Elevation is 14.5 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 64°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass fair on live shad around main lake and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, live shad, and punch bait around creek channels, docks, main lake, and points. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structure and coves. Comments: Striper fishing is slow right now with the muddy water. If you can find clean water, then you can find them. Catfish are good on live shad and cut bait near mouth if the river and creek channels. Crappie are okay near brush in docks. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Marshall County. 

Wister: May 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and murky. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on buzz baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Blue catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, live shad, shad, and sunfish around channels. Flathead catfish fair on cut bait, goldfish, live shad, shad, and sunfish below the dam, channels, river channel, and rocks. Report submitted by Clayton Kannady, game warden stationed in Le Flore County. 

SOUTHWEST 

Altus-Lugert: May 19. Elevation is 7 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 70°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Walleye good on crankbaits, jigs, and lipless baits around dam and rocks. Channel catfish good on cut bait, stinkbait, and worms around river channel. Report submitted by Brandon Lehrman, game warden stationed in Greer County. 

Ellsworth: May 18. Elevation is 1.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 64°F and murky. ( USGS Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, shad, and worms around flats, points, and shallows. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and rocks. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County. 

Fort Cobb: May 20. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 65°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie on jigs around docks. Report submitted by Justin Cornett, game warden stationed in Caddo County. 

Lawtonka: May 18. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 64°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, dough bait, punch bait, and shad around flats, rocks, and shallows. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County. 

Tom Steed: May 20. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on punch bait, stinkbait, and worms around creek channels, points, and rocks. Crappie slow on minnows around brush structure and rocks. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County. 

Waurika: May 17. Elevation is 9 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 66°F and murky. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on crankbaits and sassy shad around riprap and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and shad around shorelines. Report submitted by Chris Stover, game warden stationed in Stephens County.

More storms expected Friday night

Partly cloudy skies during the day Friday before more storms are expected Friday night for LeFlore County, Heavener, Poteau and southeastern Oklahoma.

The high is forecast to be 86 degrees with a low of 65.

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Sunrise was 6:09 a.m. Sunset is 8:21 p.m.

Thursday’s high was 81 with a low of 63. A total of 0.18 inches of rain was recording, leaving the monthly total for May at 7.76 inches with 5.09 inches recorded in the last week. Average rainfall for the month is 6.20 inches.

Average temperatures for May 23 are a high of 83 and low of 56. The record high was 90 in 1974 while the record low was 52 in 1985.

LeFlore County calendar of events

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

Happy Memorial Day

Tuesday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

Funeral service for Joye Anderson: https://wp.me/pgmbVO-Ao

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon

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

Red Cross tips to start the summer season safely

Summertime is the season to enjoy the great outdoors and warm weather, and it gets its unofficial start over Memorial Day weekend. The American Red Cross hopes everyone stays safe while enjoying their summer and offers critical tips to follow for some of the most popular summer activities. 

“Whether you’re swimming, having a cookout or taking a road trip, there are simple steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe while also having a great time together. Getting into these habits now will set you up for a full summer of fun,” said Loida Haffener Salmond, Executive Director of the Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Oklahoma. 

SWIMMING: Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge.

Be “water smart” — build confidence in the water by learning to be safer, making good choices, learning to swim and knowing how to handle emergencies. It’s critical to prevent unsupervised access to water, provide constant and active adult supervision, and know how to swim. In addition, the Red Cross urges families to:

• Never swim alone — this is true for both adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child. Swim in an area with lifeguards.

• Designate a “water watcher” whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.

• Don’t just pack it, wear your life jacket — always on a boat and if you are in a situation beyond your skill level.

• Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on to it. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself. 

GRILLING, FOOD SAFETY: Grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year.

Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Never grill indoors or in any enclosed area. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill, and keep it out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire. In addition, the Red Cross encourages people to:

• Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.

• Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.

• Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.

• Separate uncooked meats, poultry and seafood from ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and desserts. Use separate plates and utensils to prevent cross-contamination 

DRIVING: More than 39 million people are expected to travel by car this weekend. With many parties traveling 50 miles or more one way, the Red Cross recommends carrying an emergency kit in the car. Include the following items:

• High-protein snacks

• Water

• First aid supplies

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Small battery-operated radio

• Blanket

• Jumper cables

• Map

• Cellphone charger

• Emergency contact card with names and phone number

   

Before you hit the road, let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route. Find out what disasters may occur in the place where you are traveling, especially if they are disasters you have never experienced before. Find out how you would get information in the event of a disaster (local radio systems, emergency alert systems). Pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storms and other regional challenges that could impact your safety. 

Once you’re on the road:

• Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low.

• Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.

• Be well rested and alert.

• Use caution in work zones.

• Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.

• Observe speed limits – driving too fast or too slow can increase your chance of being in a collision.

• Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.

• Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road.

• Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.

• If you plan on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink.

• Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.

• Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.

• Don’t overdrive your headlights.

• If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Funeral services for Joye Marien Anderson planned

Funeral services for Joye Marie Anderson, 91 of Spiro are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mallory-Martin Chapel in Spiro with Reverend James Smith and Reverend Phil McGehee officiating.

Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Spiro, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in  Spiro.

Joye was born March 15, 1934, at Short Mountain to Louie and Evie Jones Vineyard. She came from a big family with seven sisters and five brothers. Joye attended Flower Hill School west of Spiro through the eighth grade and graduated from Spiro High School in 1952. She moved to Talihina to work at the cafe of her Uncle Harvey and Aunt Velma Jones, and there she met Edwin "Buddy" Anderson. Her sister Faye and husband Jack Cox later bought the cafe from Harvey and Velma, and Joye worked for them, too. Joye and Buddy married in 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Talihina. They honeymooned in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and later traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan to visit Vineyard relatives. 

Their son Blake was born in 1955, and Joe was born in 1958. The family lived in Talihina until moving in the late 1960s when Buddy changed jobs from public school education to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Their moves took them to Ardmore (Carter Seminary), Flagstaff, Arizona (Northern Arizona University), El Reno (Concho Indian School), and Newkirk (Chilocco Indian School). Buddy and Joye moved to Spiro in the mid-1980s, several years after Chilocco Indian School closed. Joye worked 30 years in retail clothing sales, first at R&G Style Shoppe in Newkirk from 1971 until 1985, then at Dillard's in Fort Smith, Arkansas from 1986 until her retirement in 2000. Joye was a top salesperson for Dillard's, achieving their Pacesetter Sales status for 10 years in a row. Joye played basketball in high school and was a big fan of Oklahoma City's Thunder basketball team. She rarely missed watching Thunder games on TV and enjoyed OSU and OU football. Joye had a collection of antiques throughout her home, along with vintage glassware and dish sets. She enjoyed time spent with her quilting circle friends in Spiro. Joye was a member of Spiro First Baptist Church.

Survivors include sons Blake Anderson and wife Stacey of Yukon, and Joe Anderson and wife Leslie of Tulsa; grandsons Riley Anderson and wife Rose of Fort Worth, Texas, Will Anderson of Edmond, Sam Anderson of Tulsa, and Max Anderson and partner Tader Shipley of Boston, Massachusetts; great-granddaughter Magnolia Joye Anderson of Fort Worth, Texas; sisters Patsy Stout of Broken Arrow and Kay Bennett of Spiro; twin brother, Roy Vineyard, of Panama; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. Joye was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. 

Joye was preceded in death by Edwin Anderson, her husband of 53 years; parents Louie and Evie Vineyard; brothers Johnny, Murel, Charles and Franklin Vineyard; sisters Mayme Brock, Mildred Kennedy, Carol Kuykendall, Faye Brooks and Glenna Hinton. 


You may leave an online message at www.MalloryMartinFuneralHomeSpiro.com.