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LeFlore County commissioner minutes from Monday’s regular business meeting with Chairman Jamie Oliver presiding. Also, present were Vice- Chair Mike Parker, Member Josh Blaylock and County Clerk 1^st 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 Josh Blaylock to approve the minutes of regular meeting held January 5, 2026.  Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(3.)            Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve purchase orders as presented. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(4.)            Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to approve the monthly fee reports as presented by the Election Board and the County Court Clerk. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(5.)            Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve transfer of appropriation in the amount of $4,000 from D3/T-2 M&O account to T-6 Insurance account. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(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 Mike Parker and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve plat maps for the new subdivision, Spiro Oaks, located at Section 18, Township 9 North, Range 26 East, LeFlore County. Motion carried, all voting yes.  

(11.)         Motion was made by Mike Parker and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve flood plain development permit application number 1122026007 as submitted by CoxCom, LLC regarding construction within county right of way located at Poker Bend Road and Green Road, Section 10, Township 8 North, Range 26 East, LeFlore County. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(12.)         Motion was made by Mike Parker and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve flood plain development permit application number 1122026006 as submitted by CoxCom, LLC regarding construction within county right of way located at Williams Road and Old Highway 112, Section 14, Township 8 North, Range 26 East, LeFlore County. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(13.)         Motion was made by Mike Parker and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve flood plain development permit application number 1122026005 as submitted by CoxCom, LLC regarding construction within county right of way located at Williams Road and Green Road, Section 15, Township 8 North, Range 26 East, LeFlore County. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(14.)         Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve flood plain development permit application numbers 1122026002, 1122026003, 1122026004 as submitted by ACRS Telecommunications Engineers regarding installation of fiber optic lines within county right of way located in LeFlore County Commissioner District 3, Section 9, Township 4 North, Range 25 East. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(15.)     Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to approve flood plain development permit application number 1122026001 as submitted by ACRS Telecommunications Engineers regarding installation of fiber optic lines within county right of way located in LeFlore County Commissioner District 3, Section 10, Township 4 North, Range 25 East. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(16.)     Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Mike Parker to acknowledge Notification of Unpaved Road Grant Approval letter from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission in the amount of $75,000 regarding 310^th Avenue project within LeFlore County Commissioner Highway District 2, and new account URG-D2 created for the purpose of holding and tracking said funding and any future Unpaved Road Grants for County Commissioner District 2. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

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

·        Remove Earl Davis as Requisitioning Officer from all Big Cedar Fire Department accounts.

·        Remove Lane Terry as Requisitioning Officer from all Monroe Fire Department accounts.

·        Remove Eugene Davis and Misty Rainwater as Receiving Officers from all Big Cedar Fire Department accounts.

·        Remove Cody Edwards and Toby Goff as Receiving Officers from all Monroe Fire Department accounts.

·        Add Jennifer Lampkin and Alex Cole as Receiving Officers for all Big Cedar Fire Department accounts.

·        Add Brandon Wann as Receiving Officer for all Monroe Fire Department accounts.

Motion carried, all voting yes. 

(18.)     Motion was made by Mike Parker and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve programming resolution for project number 26-CBRI-D1-RD-P116 related to improvements on Lock and Dam Road located in LeFlore County Commissioner District 1. Motion carried, all voting yes. 

Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to adjourn. Motion was approved all voting yes, Oliver-yes, Parker-yes, Blaylock-yes.

FridayFriday is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Feb. 10 Special Spiro School Election, LeFlore County Election Board Secretary Kayla Rees said.

Rees said that persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 17 ½ 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 on Friday. Applications postmarked after that time will be accepted, but will not be processed until after the Feb. 10 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.

Voter Registration Applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections. You may also complete a form at your County Election Board. Most post offices, tag agencies, and public libraries have applications available upon request.

The LeFlore County Election Board is located at 103 N Church and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 479-647-3701 or [email protected].

A Texas man was injured Saturday morning following a UTV accident in McCurtain County, according to a report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP).

The collision occurred on January 10, 2026, at approximately 11:09 a.m. The incident took place on 51000 Road near 51700 Road in McCurtain County.

According to the report, 54-year-old Joseph Monaghan of Vernon, Texas, was operating a Polaris RZR side-by-side. While attempting to make a U-turn, Monaghan reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing the RZR to roll over a quarter-turn.

The accident was investigated by Trooper Kendon Watkins.

A Claremore man and former pastor will spend the next two years in prison after pleading guilty to secretly recording a woman and attempting to touch her at a local Hobby Lobby.

Kendrick Oakley appeared in court on Monday to enter a guilty plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors. In addition to his two-year prison sentence, Oakley was ordered to serve three years of probation and must register as a sex offender. Due to the nature of the charges, he is required to serve 85% of his prison term before becoming eligible for parole.

The incident occurred in July 2024 at the Hobby Lobby located near 71st Street and Mingo Road. According to an affidavit, store security witnessed Oakley following a woman and using his cell phone to record under her skirt. Tulsa Police later determined that Oakley recorded the victim 11 different times while she was not looking.

While "Peeping Tom" is typically classified as a misdemeanor in Oklahoma, the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office pushed for felony charges to ensure public safety.

Prosecutors emphasized that crimes of this nature often escalate if not addressed strictly. ADA Crudup described the prosecution as a preemptive measure to prevent future victims, calling the behavior a "first step of sexual deviance."

The case saw a significant delay due to jurisdictional questions following the McGirt Supreme Court ruling. Charges were initially declined after Oakley claimed he was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, arguing that the state lacked the authority to prosecute him on tribal land.

However, the court eventually determined that Oakley did not meet the legal criteria for Cherokee Nation citizenship. Once it was confirmed that the state had jurisdiction, the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office refiled the charges in August 2025, leading to Monday's sentencing.

City Council denies rezoning for proposal

In a a highly contentious decision, the Broken Arrow City Council voted 4-1 on Monday evening to deny a rezoning request for a proposed Islamic center and mosque development in south Broken Arrow, near Olive Avenue and the Creek Turnpike.

The nearly four-hour special meeting drew an estimated crowd of over 1,300 attendees, with more than 400 people signed up to speak. The packed room reflected weeks of intense public debate, including concerns over traffic congestion, stormwater runoff, sewer capacity, and parking impacts.

Opponents repeatedly highlighted these infrastructure and environmental issues as key reasons the project did not align with the site's current land use standards.Council members emphasized that the denial was based strictly on zoning and feasibility criteria—not religious grounds.

One councilor stated the decision centered on whether the proposal met required standards for the requested commercial rezoning from agricultural use, describing it as a matter of "facts" rather than freedom of religion.

The Islamic Society of Tulsa, the project's proponent, argued the new facility is urgently needed due to overcrowding at their existing Midtown Tulsa mosque. They noted that roughly half their members reside in Broken Arrow and had adjusted plans to reduce parking spaces significantly—from around 600 to fewer than 200—to address some concerns.

An architect representing the group assured officials the revised design complied with all regulations.The meeting grew tense toward the end when a councilor moved to close public comments, prompting yelling from some attendees who had to be escorted out.

The decision comes amid broader scrutiny, including a recent announcement by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to investigate the project's funding, ownership, and compliance with state and federal laws—sparked by public concerns and questions about the development process.Despite city staff and the Broken Arrow Planning Commission's prior recommendation for approval, the council's rejection sets the stage for potential legal challenges, as supporters have indicated a lawsuit may folllow.

LeFlore County sports scores from Monday.

Monday’s scores

Basketball

Boys

Howe 72, Quinton 50

Girls

Howe 66, Quinton 45

Tuesday’s games

Heavener at Talihina

Howe at Westville

Cameron at Arkoma

LeFlore at Red Oak

Stigler at Pocola

Checotah at Poteau

Smithville at Whitesboro.

To make an addition or correction, text (918) 206-0546.

Weather forecast for Tuesday in LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas is for mostly clear skies and another nice day.

The high is forecast to be 69 degrees with a low of 45 degrees.

Sunrise was 7:26 a.m. Sunset is 5:28 p.m.

See our live weather radar

Monday’s high was 63 with a low of 36. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at .58 inches. Average rainfall for January is 3.10 inches.

Average temperatures for Jan. 13 are a high of 51 and low of 22. Records for the date were a high of 75 in 1983 and a low of 5 in 1982.

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 know of an event coming up,, please CONTACT me.

Tuesday

Graveside services for Avis Pilcher 

High school basketball: Heavener at Talihina; Howe at Westville; Cameron at Arkoma; LeFlore at Red Oak; Stigler at Pocola; Checotah at Poteau; Smithville at Whitesboro.

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

Shirley Duncan funeral service

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC

HUA, City Council meet 6 p.m.

Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m.

High school basketball: Heavener at Vian; LeFlore at Gans; Poteau at Panama; Battiest at Talihina

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

Friday

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

Saturday

Funeral service for Da’Keyshaun Jarron Steele

High school basketball: Arkoma at Weleetka

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

High school basketball: LeFlore County Tournament

Mullin celebrates announcement of Choctaw Nation as new UAS test site 

Washington, D.C. – Last week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, announced the selection of The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as one of two new test sites for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Choctaw Nation is one of the first new UAS testing grounds in nearly a decade.  

In 2024, Senator Mullin’s amendment, #1944, to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act directed the FAA to allow non-legacy Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) sites, like the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, 44803c waiver eligibility among other provisions for the state. This amendment allowed Choctaw Nation to become eligible to apply and ultimately be selected.   

"Choctaw Nation is an excellent addition to the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test sites that support the FAA in integrating UAS into the national airspace system (NAS),” said Senator Mullin. “I'm glad my amendment in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization to allow non-legacy UAS testing sites such as the Choctaw Nation the ability to apply for a Charlie waiver to permit commercial drone airspace testing authority has come full circle to this moment. Oklahoma and Indian country continue to be the premiere location for innovative and modern technologies that fully support our mission of bringing America into the Golden Age of Transportation.” 

“From delivering lifesaving medicine to surveying pipelines, drones are already reshaping industries and changing how people and products interact. It’s our job to make sure the United States safely leads the way with this exciting technology – not China,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “We’ve added these new test sites to help us gather critical data and test new systems so we can safely unleash innovation in our skies.”  

“These test sites help the U.S. assess emerging technologies to modernize methods for cargo delivery, Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations and multiple drone operations while informing safety and security,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “Together, we will usher in the safe commercialization of drone technologies and fully integrate UAS into our NAS.”   

“The Trump Administration is ensuring Indian country doesn’t get left behind in its efforts to bring in the Golden Age of Transportation. These new technologies can save lives on reservations with useful practices including the transportation of medical supplies to far reaching corners of these tribal lands. Under President Trump and Secretary Duffy, USDOT is redefining how transportation shapes the daily lives of Americans,” said Assistant Secretary of Tribal Government Affairs James A. Crawford.  

Background:

For additional information on the UAS Test Site Program, click here. 

AOG shares winter weather energy-saving tips

As colder temperatures settle in across the region, Arkansas Oklahoma Gas encourages customers to take proactive steps to prepare their homes for colder temperatures and higher energy use.

Heating homes during winter weather often increases natural gas use, which can lead to higher bills. Taking a few proactive steps can help customers manage energy costs while maintaining comfort throughout the heating season.

AOG recommends the following winter readiness tips:

AOG also offers a variety of tools and programs to help customers manage winter heating bills. Customers who want more predictable monthly payments can enroll in the Average Monthly Payments (AMP) program, which averages annual natural gas costs evenly throughout the year to reduce seasonal bill fluctuations. Payment assistance programs are available for qualifying customers who may need additional support.

“We take our responsibility to the communities we serve seriously, especially during winter weather,” said Eliza Castillo, vice president of customer experience and marketing. “Our aim is to deliver reliable, safe energy and help customers prepare, stay informed, and make the most of their usage.”

For more tips on staying winter-wise or for details on payment assistance programs, please visit www.aogc.com/Winter. 

January 12 has served as a significant date for Oklahoma legal history, major medical breakthroughs, and the births of iconic American storytellers.

Historically, January 12 in the LeFlore County area has seen extreme temperature swings. While the average high is 51°F and the average low is 22°F, the record high reached 71°F in 1972, while the record low plummeted to -1°F in 1973.

Dr. Glenn Mollette

The best we can do right now is the best we can do. 

We can be influencers and voices to those who help and serve us. However, we don’t control the government. We can vote and that is powerful. We can let our leadership know how we feel and that is never a waste of time. We can make our contributions to causes that bring about change. We can volunteer in places that make a difference. After that, it’s up to those we elected. After we do and have done all we can do, we have to sit back and wait and watch to see what is going to happen. Sometimes we approve. Sometimes we don’t and sometimes we are unsure. 

In the middle of conflict and uncertainty, we should never cease to pray for our President and leaders of government. They need our prayers. They also need our support. They need it when we feel they are right and they need it when we believe they are wrong. Just because we believe leadership may be wrong doesn’t mean we withdraw our support. Usually when we feel they are wrong they need our support more but in a different way. That’s when we say, “I support you but you need to go at this in a different way.” Sometimes those who lead us listen and it seems like often they don’t pay any attention to us. 

In the middle of all that is going on in America and the world we need to be busy going about our lives as much as possible. We need to work our jobs, take care of our families, pay our bills, plant and raise our gardens and do life as best as we can. Our country and houses of faith are made up of everyday, hard-working Americans. Hard working Americans of faith have made this country and will keep this country going. 

Too often we have albatrosses that are hung around our neck. We’ve had Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. They were financially crippling and killed thousands of our people. We don’t want any more of that insanity but we are wondering if we are bound and determined for more? 

What will Venezuela bring to America? What are we getting ourselves into? What kind of blowback is coming our way? Are we going to plunge head first into Iran and their problems? Here we go again placing ourselves where we don’t need to be.  Next, there is Greenland, Cuba and Mexico. Where will all this take us and cost us? 

Let’s pray for Venezuela that they can get their act together and elect their own leadership. If we can help them with their oil and benefit both countries then that would be a win-win. 

In the meantime, let’s do the good things we know to do. Our communities and towns need us to carry on, even when it seems like the world is trying to fall apart.·      

Funeral services for Da’Keyshaun Jarron Steele, 24, of Fort Coffee are 2 p.m. on Saturday at Victory Worship Center in Spiro with Pastor Michael Monroe and Pastor Josh Cate officiating.

Burial will follow at Fort Coffee Cemetery, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro.

Da’Keyshaun was born on Nov. 4, 2001, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Pamela Kay (Gray) Steele and Jarron Steele, and passed away on Jan. 9, 2026, in Spiro.

He lived life to the fullest and found joy in hunting, fishing, and making memories every day. His smile could light up an entire room, and he was always joking, laughing, and bringing joy to those around him. His “Uncle” Tammie often jokingly referred to him as one of his nieces, a testament to Da’Keyshaun’s playful spirit. He loved rolling dice and spending time with family and friends, especially enjoying the chance to scare his nieces and nephews, proudly embracing his role as their “Unk.”

Da’Keyshaun was the true definition of a momma’s boy and his dad’s loyal “Roll Dawg.” Da’Keyshaun loved playing coed softball and was known for greeting everyone with a warm hug. He took great pride in his work as a lineman at OG&E and deeply valued his coworkers, whom he considered family. Key absolutely loved football in all forms, from playing in high school to playing Madden on the PlayStation. He was a proud graduate of Spiro High School, Class of 2020, and the OSU IT Class of 2023.

Survivors are his parents Ronnie and Kay Kay Steele; sister Braylin Dale Gray and boyfriend Austin Southern; nieces, Hayzel Wiley and Summer Manning; nephew, Braven Gray; grandparents, Jan and Roger Heiss; girlfriend, Kamry Cate; aunts, Nunnie Steele and Keri Gray; great-grandmother, Oleta Giampietro; and numerous other aunts, cousins, relatives, friends, and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jimmy Dale Gray and Lenard Dugan; grandmother, Asleen Steele; great-grandparents, Evelyn and Ernest Steele; and great-grandfather, John Giampietro.

Pallbearers are Jaxson Rogers, Bryant Sizemore, Jarad Dobbins, Kwame Sey, Bryson Myers, Austin Southern, Paxton Pitts, Cole Davis, and Nathan Bandy. Honorary pallbearers will be Rylan Cate, Kevin Wiley, Matthew Smith, Jesse Wasson, Landon Henson, Jackson Kemp, Samuel Howery, Sam Dolan, Logan Montgomery, Jedidah Kursh and his coworkers at OG&E. Flower girls are Madison Hill, Lynnzie Hunter, Allie LaCour, Jazlin Lopez and Erin Geren.

Viewing and visitation are Friday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 5 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

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

Funeral services for Frances L. Davis, 82, of Barling, Arkansas, are 11 a.m. on Thursday at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Spiro with Pastor Guy Durkee and Brother Ed Marks officiating. Services are under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro.

Frances was born on April 5, 1943, in Shamrock, Texas, to Imogene Frances (Burcham) Turner and Howard Turner, and passed away on Jan. 10, 2026, in Barling, Arkansas. She married Raymond Davis on May 10, 1974, in Van Buren, Arkansas, and they shared 51 years of marriage.

She devoted much of her life to her faith and church family. Frances taught Sunday School to high school–age girls at Windsor Park Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas and later was a Pastor's wife and worked in children’s ministry for 22 years at Memorial Baptist Church in Hackett, Arkansas. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting and took great pride in her education, having attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Raymond Davis; daughter, Connie Jean Malone and husband Eldon; grandsons, Zach Malone and wife Channinge, Jackson Malone and wife Lindsey, Mason Malone and wife Jenni; great-grandchildren, Easton, Micah, Lynnox, Tristan, Dallas, Kylie, Lyncoln, Lochlyn, Elena, Emelia, Cash, Evalee, and Rugar; sister-in-law, Catherine Turner; nephew, Michael Turner and wife Niki and their girls; niece, Dawn Turner and her daughter, cousins, Lonnie Turner and Janet Gabrey; along with numerous other relatives and loved ones.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert Turner.

The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

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