Howe School  Board tabled the review of Superintendent Scott Parks until next month during Monday’s regular board meeting.

Fundraisers were approved and the Board approved the employment of support employees Roy Heavener as a janitor and Allie Thornburg as a cafeteria worker.

Encumbrances were approved along with the Superintendent’s financial report.

Fundraisers were approved along with software and a support agreement with ADPC for the 2026-2027 school year.

OSSBA policy updated were approved and a public hearing was held to allow tribal officials and parents of native American children to discuss the school’s Indian education program.

No resignations were received for the month.

The audit for the school years of 2024-2025 by auditor Ralph Osborn Jr. was approved and the board approved a contract for Osborn Jr. to audit the 2025-2026 school year pending the state board list of approved auditors. Osborn Jr. was also approved as the district CPA for next year’s school year.

Wilburton Marks Centennial of Historic Mine Disaster; Mayor Signs Proclamation

WILBURTON, OK — City leaders and families gathered Tuesday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the No. 21 coal mine explosion, an event that remains one of the deadliest industrial accidents in U.S. history.

The January 13, 1926, tragedy killed 91 miners, leaving a lasting scar on the community. Mayor Loran Mayes noted that while the explosion was sudden, the recovery and the impact on local families have spanned generations.

During the memorial, Mayes signed a formal proclamation declaring Jan. 13 a day of remembrance. Descendants, including Amber Austin, spoke on the courage required to work in the cramped, dangerous conditions of the 1920s shafts.

The event also highlighted Wilburton’s modern role in mine safety training, noting that the stringent protections for today's workers were built on the lessons learned from past tragedies.

100 Years Later: The Legacy of No. 21

Wilburton paused this week to honor the 91 miners killed in the 1926 No. 21 mine explosion.

LeFlore County sports scores from Tuesday.

Basketball

Boys

Cameron 71, Arkoma 46

Talihina 59, Heavener 53

Westville 70, Howe 66 (OT)

LeFlore 59, Red Oak 33

Pocola 87, Stigler 52

Poteau 45, Checotah 42

Girls

Arkoma 46, Cameron 41

Talihina 42, Heavener 38

Howe 61, Westville 41

Red Oak 74, LeFlore 21

Stigler 55, Pocola 54

Poteau 51, Checotah 33

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

That changes the energy—a home win at the Paycom Center is always a bigger deal for your local SEO and engagement. Since it’s 2026, the rivalry between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama is the biggest "click-magnet" in Oklahoma sports.

Here is the SEO-optimized story with the location corrected and a focus on the home-court advantage.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The "Loud City" faithful had plenty to cheer about Tuesday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder defended home court with a commanding victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Behind another MVP-caliber performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a defensive masterclass by Chet Holmgren, the Thunder secured a 112-98 win at the Paycom Center.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be the most consistent force in the NBA. Playing in front of the home crowd, SGA dictated the pace from the start, finishing with 32 points and 7 assists. His mid-range game was nearly perfect, allowing OKC to weather an early first-quarter run by San Antonio and take control before halftime.

The highlight of the night was the third career meeting in Oklahoma City between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama. While the "Wemby" hype follows the Spurs everywhere they go, it was Holmgren who won the night in the paint.

Holmgren recorded a massive double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, but his biggest impact was on the defensive end. Chet recorded 4 blocks, including a signature rejection on a Wembanyama dunk attempt that brought the Paycom Center crowd to its feet. Wembanyama finished with 22 points but struggled with the Thunder’s physical, collapsing defense.

The Thunder’s defense—ranked near the top of the league—was the difference-maker. Lu Dort and Jalen Williams smothered the Spurs' perimeter shooters, holding San Antonio to just 31% from beyond the arc.

"Our energy from the fans tonight was incredible," Head Coach Mark Daigneault said post-game. "When the building is that loud, it fuels our defensive rotations. Chet and Shai set the tone, and the rest of the guys followed."

The Thunder (now 28-11) will remain at home for a highly anticipated matchup against the Rockes this Thursday. With the race for the #1 seed in the Western Conference heating up, every home game is vital.

Tounde Yessoufou scored 23 points and Baylor snapped a three-game losing streak with a wire-to-wire 94-79 win over Oklahoma State. The Bears (11-5, 1-3 Big 12) saw five players reach double figures in a dominant offensive performance.

The Bears set the tone in the first half, connecting on 9 of their first 12 attempts from beyond the arc. Isaac Williams provided a massive spark off the bench with 14 first-half points, helping Baylor to a commanding 18-point halftime lead.

Baylor’s lead grew to as many as 24 in the second half. For the Cowboys, Parsa Fallah led the way with 18 points, and Kanye Clare added 13. However, Oklahoma State was unable to overcome Baylor's 11-for-17 shooting performance from Yessoufou, who also added three steals to his stat line.

Oklahoma market report for this week.

·       1784 – The United States ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the American Revolutionary War with Great Britain.

·       1952 – The first use of a mechanical heart in a human patient was conducted at the University of Texas.

·       1967 – The Human Be-In, a pivotal moment in the counterculture movement, was held in San Francisco, setting the stage for the Summer of Love.

·       1973 – Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll," performed the world’s first concert broadcast live via satellite, "Aloha from Hawaii."

·       2005 – The Huygens probe landed on Saturn's moon Titan, marking the first landing on Titan and the most distant landing ever achieved by a spacecraft.

·       1741 – Benedict Arnold, American general and infamous traitor during the Revolutionary War.

·       1875 – Albert Schweitzer, German-French theologian, physician, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

·       1943 – Holland Taylor, American actress, known for her roles in television and film.

·       1968 – LL Cool J, American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur.

·       1976 – Marco Hietala, Finnish musician, songwriter, and member of the band Nightwish.

·       1898 – Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), English writer, mathematician, and author of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

·       1957 – Humphrey Bogart, legendary American film actor.

·       1986 – Donna Reed, Academy Award-winning American actress.

·       2016 – Alan Rickman, British actor known for iconic roles such as Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" series.

·       2021 – Joanne Rogers, American pianist and wife of children's television host Fred Rogers.

Jan. 14 is marked by historic milestones, the birth of influential personalities, and the passing of renowned figures. These events and individuals have shaped history, culture, and society, leaving a lasting legacy on the world.

Kristopher W. Currens of Shady Point passed away in Shady Point,  on Jan. 9, 2026, at the age of 39 years old. 

He was born on Feb. 21, 1986, in Poteau to Wayne and Cheryl Currens and was a 2005 graduate of Poteau High School 

The Celebration of Life Visitation for Kristopher will be held from 10am - 12noon on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at The Cedars on Dewey 520 Dewey Avenue in Poteau with a family dinner to follow in The Cedars Celebration Room. 

He is survived by his father, Wayne Currens Jr. of Poteau; his mother, Cheryle McKenzie, of Poteau; his brother, Justin McKenzie of Poteau; his sister, Myra Collins of Tulsa; his grandmother, Gloria Currens of Shady Point and Vonda Cogburn of Poteau; his aunts Katie Sockey and husband Larry of Pocola, Betty Burden of Upland, California, and Terri Cogburn; his uncles Mark Cogburn, Joe Cogburn and Paul Dubois and wife Margaret of Cameron; his nephews Ryne Smith of Ohio, Landen McBride of Tulsa and Keian McBride of Tulsa, along with many other relatives and loved ones. 

He was preceded in death by his grandpas Johnny Wayne Currens Sr. and Harvey Cogburn, his great grandparents Dan and Mary Currens and Rosser and Vivian Dubois, and uncle Jerry Dean Currens 

Online condolences can be made at www.holtfuneralandcremation.com.

Billie Lorene Ramirez death notice

Billie Lorene Rameriz, 73, of Poteau passed away in Fort Smith, Arkansas on Jan. 7, 2026 and was born on Dec. 22, 1952, in Duncan to Ross and Gladys Tidwell. 

Her Celebration of Life Services will be held at a later date. 

Billie held multiple degrees, she was a former rodeo queen, headstart teacher and health care worker, she was a gardener and hobby farmer, she also loved country and western dancing. Billie was a conspiracy theorist extraordinaire. A true lover of God! 

Survivors are her son Anthony (Tony) Rameriz and wife Crystal of Clevland, Georgia; one daughter Cristin Rameriz and husband Wes Mayo of Moore; two sisters Barabra Tidwell of Spiro and Bessie Tidwell, both of Spiro; one brother, Bobby Tidwell of Texarkana, Texas; and six grandchildren. 

Billie was preceded in death by her parents, Ross and Gladys Tidwell and one brother, Buster Tidwell. 

Online condolences can be made at www.holtfuneralandcremation.com.

Alycia Caro Morris death notice

Alycia Caro Morris of Spiro was born on Nov. 10, 1995, in the Choctaw Nation Hospital in Talihina and passed away on Jan. 1, 2026, at her home. 

She graduated from Poteau High School in 2013 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force A.N.G.

She proudly served in the Air National Guard 188th Fighter Wing reaching the rank of Tech Sergeant. 

She is survived by her parents LaDonna Blair of the home and Rory and Amber Morris of Pampa, Texas: her sisters Jordanna Morris and life partner Josh (Mouse) Ortiz of Poteau, and Alexis (Logan) Morris and fiancé Michael Adamson of Pampa, Texas: her brother, Oliver Morris, of Pampa. aunts Brenda and husband Phillip Hebert of Poteau, Carolyn Purcell of Poteau and Nikki Dewitt of Heavener. her grandparents Tommie and Betty Dewitt of Panama; uncles Eric and wife Sherry Morris of Kansas, Matt Morris of Woodbridge, Virginia, Tim Dewitt and fiancé Chloe Ridenour of Panama, Chris and wife Sarai Dewitt of Edmond, T.J. Dewitt of Shady Point; cousins Aaron Hebert of Purcell, Chris and wife Nyssa Adams of Heavener, Jennifer and husband Daniel Westerman of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Darian Morris of Woodbridge, Virginia, Rhiannon Morris of Mountain View, Idaho; niece Harmony Brainard of Poteau, Vincent Warren of Poteau; best friend Katty and Austin Swartz of Bokoshe; Godchildren Cattaline Swartz, Daniel Swartz and soon to be born Hezekiah Swartz of Bokoshe; as well as her unit of the 188th and numerous other friends, family, and loved ones. 

Alycia was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Carl Leroy and Rita Blair of Poteau, paternal grandparents Johnnie Lee and Pat Morris of Rock Island; and uncles Tommie B. Dewitt of Panama and William "Hoss" Purcell of Cameron. 

Online condolences can be made at www.holtfuneralandcremation.com