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Daily Bible verse
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
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Spiro woman injured in accident
A 25-year-old Spiro woman was injured in an auto accident Wednesday. Read the whole story HERE.
Stigler man pleads guilty to firearm charges
MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that William Herr, a/k/a Yangyee Her, 41, of Stigler, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Information of one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, punishable by not less than five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Information alleged that on Dec. 16, 2024, Herr knowingly and intentionally possessed less than 50 kilograms of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, with intent to distribute it. The Information further alleged that on December 16, 2024, Herr knowingly possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, that being Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana as charged in Count One of the Information.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Haskell County Sheriff’s Department, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Judge Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Herr was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Cornell represented the United States.
Candidate Filing Begins April 1
Candidate filing begins Wednesday, April 1, Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today. The three-day candidate filing period will run from April 1 through April 3. Filing hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Candidates filing for federal, state, legislative, and judicial offices will file with the Secretary of the State Election Board at the State Capitol, located at 2300 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City. Filing will take place on the ground floor of the State Capitol. Candidates filing for county offices will file at their local County Election Board office.
Candidate filing packets for all offices are available on the State Election Board website. Packets may also be obtained in person at election board offices.
Ziriax said candidates should thoroughly review all instructions, forms, and qualifications which are included in the candidate filing packet and on the State Election Board website. A candidate filing checklist is included in each packet for the convenience of candidates.
State, legislative, judicial, and county candidates will be required to include a Voter Registration Verification Form with their Declaration of Candidacy. The Voter Registration Verification Form may be obtained through the OK Voter Portal by selecting the “Reports” button or from the voter’s County Election Board or the State Election Board. Candidates should be prepared to submit their filing fee or petition supporting their candidacy at the time of filing.
For more information about candidate filing, visit the 2026 Candidate Filing page on the State Election Board website or contact the State Election Board at (405) 521-2391 or [email protected].
URL Guide
Candidate Filing Packets: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/candidates/2026-candidate-filing-information.html
OK Voter Portal: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html
County Election Board: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/about-us/county-election-boards.html
State Election Board: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/about-us/contact-us.html
2026 Candidate Filing Page: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/candidates/2026-candidate-filing-information.html
Today’s sports section is sponsored by
Yankees win opener over Giants
New York Yankees opened the 2026 MLB season with a win over San Franciso. Get the details HERE.
NCAA Sweet 16 Preview: Arkansas vs Arizona
Who: #14/15 (#4 seed) Arkansas Razorbacks (28-8) vs #2/2 (#1 seed) Arizona Wildcats (34-2)
What: Arkansas is playing in its 16th NCAA Sweet 16 and fifth in the last six years.
When: Thursday – Mar. 26 – approximately 6:45 pm (PT) / 8:45 pm (CT)
Where: San Jose, Calif. • SAP Center (18,500)
How (to follow):
- TV/Stream: CBS / NCAA Stream (Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson and Allie LaForce)
- Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
- Westwood One (Ryan Radtke & P.J. Carlesimo)
- Westwood One on Sirius/XM: 208 or 201 || SXM App/Online Channel 964
- Arkansas-Arizona Game Information
- Arkansas Game Notes
- Arizona Game Notes
- SEC Men’s Basketball Release/Stats
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The fourth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks will face the West Regional top-seed Arizona in the NCAA Sweet 16 on Thursday (Mar. 26) at the SAP Center. Tipoff is set for approximately 8:45 pm (PT)/6:45 pm (CT) and will be televised on CBS.
Arkansas and Arizona will be meeting for the second time in the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks downed the Wildcats, 91-82, in the Final Four to advance to the championship game. Overall, Arkansas leads 6-2 versus Arkansas, including a 3-1 advantage in neutral site games. However, the last time the two teams met was on Nov. 17, 1995, when Arizona defeated Arkansas, 83-73, in Bud Walton Arena.
The teams rank among the NCAA top 15 in scoring (Arkansas 2nd at 90.3 and Arizona 13th at 86.1) and field goal percentage (Arkansas 10th at 50.2% and Arizona 13th at 50%).
Arkansas also ranks among the NCAA top 15 in 3-point percentage (11th), assist/turnover ratio (4th), blocked shots (13th), fastbreak points (2nd) and fewest turnovers (9th). Arizona is one the nation’s best at free throw attempts, percentage and makes as well as ranking among the top 3 in overall rebounds, defensive rebounds and rebound margin.
The Arkansas-Arizona winner will face the winner of #2 seed Purdue and #11 seed Texas on Saturday in the Elite 8.
NOTES:
• Arkansas is playing in its 16th NCAA Sweet 16 and its 5th in a six-year span.
• Arkansas’s Sweet 16 Appearances (8-6 record):
‘58 • ‘78 • ‘79 • ‘81 • ‘83 • ‘90 • ‘91 • ‘93 • ‘94 • ‘95 • ‘96 • ‘21 • ‘22 • ‘23 • ‘25 • ‘26
• Coach Calipari is playing in his 17th NCAA Sweet 16 and his second straight.
• Cal’s Sweet 16 Appearances (12-4 record):
‘92 • ‘95 • ‘96 • ‘06 • ‘07 • ‘08 • ‘09 • ‘10 • ‘11 • ‘12 • ‘14 • ‘15 • ‘17 • ‘18 • ‘19 • ‘25 • ‘26
• With seven assists vs Hawai’i, Darius Acuff Jr. broke the school’s single-season assist mark, Acuff now has 229 assists, breaking the mark of 219 by Kareem Reid (who was also a freshman) in 1995-96.
• At the 4:03 mark of the first half vs High Point, Acuff hit a 3-pointer to break the school’s single-season record for points. Acuff now has 817 points, breaking the mark of 786 set by Todd Day in 1990-91.
• Arkansas has won seven straight, 12 of its last 14 and 15 of its last 18.
^ After a 6-3 January, Arkansas was 5-2 in February and is 7-0 in March.
^ In Cal’s two years at Arkansas, the Hogs are 22-8 in February and March.
• Getting hot in March is nothing new for Coach Cal’s teams during his career.
^ 61 Wins in the NCAA Tourney (61-23 — 72.6%)
^ 138 Postseason Wins (138-46 — 75.0%) — Including Conf Tourneys, NIT & NCAA
^ 184 Wins (all games) in March and April (184-63 — 74.5%)
Calendar of events
Calendar of events for today 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.
Thursday
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC
High school baseball: Heavener, Howe at Smithville Tournament; Cameron at Rattan Tournament; Westville at Poteau; Whitesboro vs. Plainview at Sulphur Tournament
High school softball: Heavener at Poteau; Whitesboro at Soper Tournament; Talihina at Webbers Falls Festival; Quinton at Howe;
High school soccer: Heavener girls at Cascia Hall
High school track: Heavener at Wilburton meet
Poteau Chamber of Commerce banquet
Heavener VFW bingo 6
See the calendar for the next week HERE.
Record high temperatures expected Thursday
Weather forecast for Thursday is for mostly clear skies with record high temperatures for LeFlore County and the area.
See the whole story HERE.
Today in history for March 26
Today is Thursday, March 26, 2026. It is the 85th day of the year (as 2026 is not a leap year), and there are 280 days remaining.
March 26 is a day marked by monumental scientific breakthroughs, the forging of historic peace, and the birth of literary and musical legends.
## Major Historical Events
1953: The Polio Vaccine Announcement – Dr. Jonas Salk announced on a national radio show that he had successfully tested a vaccine against poliomyelitis. This breakthrough would eventually lead to the near-eradication of a disease that had paralyzed thousands of children annually.
1979: The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty – In a historic ceremony at the White House, Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed a peace treaty, ending 30 years of war between the two nations. It was the first such treaty between Israel and an Arab neighbor.
1945: The Battle of Iwo Jima Ends – After five weeks of some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific Theater, the island of Iwo Jima was officially declared secure by American forces.
1930: The Publication of the Book of Mormon – The first copies of the Book of Mormon were published in Palmyra, New York, by Joseph Smith, marking the formal beginning of the Latter Day Saint movement.
1971: Bangladesh Independence Day – East Pakistan declared its independence from Pakistan to form the new nation of Bangladesh, sparking the Bangladesh Liberation War.
## Notable Births
Robert Frost (1874) – One of the most celebrated American poets in history, known for his depictions of rural New England life and works like "The Road Not Taken."
Diana Ross (1944) – The legendary "Queen of Motown" and lead singer of The Supremes turns 82 today.
Steven Tyler (1948) – The high-energy lead singer of Aerosmith, often called the "Demon of Screamin'," turns 78 today.
Sandra Day O’Connor (1930) – The first woman to serve as a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, serving from 1981 until 2006.
Tennessee Williams (1911) – The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright behind American classics like A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Leonard Nimoy (1931) – The actor who became a cultural icon as Mr. Spock in the Star Trek franchise.
## Notable Deaths
Ludwig van Beethoven (1827) – The legendary German composer and pianist passed away at age 56. His final words on his deathbed were famously, "I shall hear in heaven."
Walt Whitman (1892) – The "Father of Free Verse" and author of Leaves of Grass, often considered one of America's most influential poets.
Cecil Rhodes (1902) – The British businessman and politician who founded the De Beers diamond company and the territory of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
Noël Coward (1973) – The prolific English playwright, composer, and actor known for his wit and style in works like Blithe Spirit.
## Today in Oklahoma History
1949: A Hardwood Heartbreak – In the 11th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game, the Oklahoma State Cowboys (then Oklahoma A&M) faced off against Kentucky. Despite a valiant effort, the Cowboys fell 46-36, giving Kentucky their second consecutive title.
1971: State Leadership – On this day, the Oklahoma Highway Commission named Chester Brooks as the 7th State Highway Director, a pivotal role during the expansion of the state’s turnpike and interstate systems.
Obituary for Carrie Sue Ward of Spiro
Carrie Sue Ward, 67, of Spiro passed away on March 20, 2026, in Spiro.
Funeral services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Lighthouse at the Crossroads in Spiro with Reverend Howard Jeffery officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro.
A wake service is 6 p.m. Friday at the church.
See the whole obituary HERE.