Our Blood Institute continues emergency blood donation appeal

Our Blood Institute is continuing its emergency blood donation appeal as hospitals across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas remain in need of a stable blood supply to support patient care. 

In recent days, the community has begun responding to the call for donations. While Our Blood Institute is grateful for those who have stepped up, blood inventory levels remain below what is needed to fully support trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatments and emergency response. 

Our Blood Institute remains in need of all blood types, especially type O-positive and O-negative, which are the first blood types used in emergency situations. 

“Blood donation is not a one-time need during an emergency,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Our Blood Institute. “It takes consistent donations to rebuild the blood supply and keep hospitals prepared. We are encouraged by the response so far, but the need remains urgent.” 

Blood is needed every day for patients facing life-threatening situations, including car accidents, complicated childbirths, chronic illnesses and major surgeries. Unlike many medical supplies, blood cannot be manufactured and must be donated by volunteer donors. 

Our Blood Institute urges all eligible donors to continue making appointments in the days and weeks ahead to help move the community out of this deficit and protect patients who depend on timely access to blood. 

Media Resources Available:

Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can give blood. Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. Walk-ins are also welcome.  

*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo ID required. 

Getting a driver’s license, renewing a registration, or completing other tag services in Oklahoma will take more planning next month. Service Oklahoma says all driver’s licenses `and motor vehicle systems will be temporarily unavailable as the agency transitions to a new statewide software system.

The planned shutdown is part of Project BOOST, a major overhaul designed to combine driver license and motor vehicle services into a single platform.

Why will services be unavailable?

All driver’s license and motor vehicle services statewide will be unavailable from Thursday, Feb. 12, through Monday, Feb. 16. The launch coincides with Presidents’ Day.

During that time, residents will not be able to process driver licenses, registrations, or other motor vehicle transactions online or in person.

What Project BOOST changes

Project BOOST will integrate driver’s license and motor vehicle programs into a single, unified system. Service Oklahoma says the goal is to eliminate duplicate processes, improve efficiency, and provide a more seamless experience across agencies once the system is live.

What residents should doGetting a driver’s license, renewing a registration, or completing other tag services in Oklahoma will take more planning next month. Service Oklahoma says all driver’s licenses `and motor vehicle systems will be temporarily unavailable as the agency transitions to a new statewide software system.

Service Oklahoma recommends completing any urgent driver’s license or motor vehicle transactions before Feb. 12 or waiting until services resume after Feb. 16. The agency says additional information will be shared as the launch date approaches.

Oklahoma fishing report

Oklahoma fishing report for this week.

NORTHEAST 

Birch: January 11. Elevation is 3 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 45°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie fair on jigs, minnows around creek channels. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County. 

Grand: January 11. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 49°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure, docks, and shorelines. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and shad below the dam, docks, main lake, and river channel. Crappie fair on hair jigs and jigs around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County. 

Kaw: January 12. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 38°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie excellent on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, riprap, and standing timber. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, shad, and sunfish around main lake, points, and river channel. Paddlefish good snagging around main lake and river channel. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County. 

Keystone: January 12. Elevation is .5 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 52°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on Alabama rigs, bill baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, and small lures around brush structure and rocks. Blue catfish good on live bait and live shad around creek channels and river channel. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Tracer Wagner, game warden stationed in Creek County. 

Lower Illinois River: January 9. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 52°F and clear. Rainbow trout good on caddis flies, in-line spinnerbaits, midges, nymphs, PowerBait, small lures, and worms below the dam, shallows, and shorelines. Comments: Check USACE website for water generation schedules. Report submitted by Jerry Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County. 

Skiatook: January 11. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 45°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie good on hair jigs and minnows around creek channels and standing timber. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County. 

SOUTHEAST 

Blue River: January 12. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 46°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Rainbow trout good on caddis flies, dough bait, midges, nymphs, PowerBait, small lures, spoons, and worms around brush structure, channels, creek channels, river channel, and rocks. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. 

Hugo: January 9. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 51°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits, hair jigs, jerk baits, jigs, and plastic baits around creek channels, points, riprap, and river channel. Crappie slow on minnows around brush structure, points, and standing timber. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish slow on chicken liver, cut bait, and live bait around creek channels, river channel, and spillway. Report submitted by Chance Phillips, game warden stationed in Choctaw County. 

Konawa: January 11. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 48°F and clear. Largemouth bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and plastic baits around main lake, points, and river channel. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and live shad around discharge, main lake, and river channel. Channel catfish slow on chicken liver, cut bait, and shrimp around discharge, inlet, and riprap. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County. 

McGee Creek: January 9. Elevation is 6 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 43°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, bill baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, lipless baits, and small lures around brush structure, dam, docks, points, riprap, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, shad, shrimp, and stinkbait around channels, flats, and main lake. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County. 

Texoma: January 10. Elevation is 1 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 58°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass good on flukes, live shad, and shad below the dam, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, live bait, and punch bait around channels, coves, points, and river mouth. Crappie fair on caddis flies, hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structure, coves, docks, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week has been good. Striper are biting well below the Denison Dam again. They are still being caught in the main lake as well on live bait. Catfish are good on live shad around ledges and mouth of the river. Crappie are okay near docks with brush piles and open water brush. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Marshall County. 

Sardis: January 9. Elevation is 0.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 48°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, shad, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County. 

Wister: January 9. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 48°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on jigs, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure and channels. Blue catfish good on cut bait and hot dogs around main lake and river channel. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and river channel. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

Arkansas runs past South Carolina 

Final Stats    

FETTEVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas rookies Meleek Thomas (21 points and four steals) and Darius Acuff Jr. (18 points and 13 assists) led #17 Arkansas to a 108-74 victory over South Carolina Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena. 

Acuff’s 13 assists helped Arkansas dish out a season-high 27 assists, and the Razorbacks only committed four turnovers.  The Razorbacks also dominated in the specialty stats, outscoring South Carolina 22-2 in points off turnovers, 66-36 in points in the paint, 32-7 in fastbreak points and 47-15 in bench scoring. 

Thomas only missed one shot (8-of-9 FG • 5-of-5 3PT) in breaking the 20-point barrier for the fourth time this season. Acuff recorded his third double-double with his 13 assists tying for sixth-most by a Razorback in a game, second-most by a Razorback in an SEC game and second-most by a Razorback freshman. 

For Arkansas, this was the fifth time to score at least 100 points and the 108 total tied for the sixth-most in an SEC game. The Hog’s 34-point victory ties for the sixth-largest margin of victory in an SEC game. 

Arkansas used an early 12-2 run to lead 22-12 early in the first half and cruised the rest of the way. Arkansas also had a 16-1 run early in the second half to seal the victory with 14 minutes to play. 

Former Gamecock Nick Pringle scored a season-high 15 points with seven rebounds (six on the offensive end) – one shy of a season high – and he tied a season-high with three assists. Malique Ewin added 18 points, Trevon Brazile scored 13 and D.J. Wagner contributed 12. 

Meechie Johnson was the only Gamecock to score in double figures, but he led all scorers with 29 points. 

Arkansas hits the road to face Georgia on Saturday. Tipoff at Stegeman Coliseum is set for 3 p.m. in a game televised on ESPN2.

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

The high is forecast to be 51 degrees with a low of 35 degrees.

Sunrise was 7:25 a.m. Sunset is 5:30 p.m.

See our live weather radar

Wednesday’s high was 52 with a low of 23. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at .58 inches. Average rainfall for January is 3.10 inches.

Average temperatures for Jan. 15 are a high of 51 and low of 22. Records for the date were a high of 73 in 1973 and a low of 5 in 1979.

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.

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

Funeral services for Ty Clayton

Ronald Nobles funeral service

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

Saturday

Funeral service for Da’Keyshaun Jarron Steele

High school basketball: Arkoma at Weleetka; Cameron at Bokoshe

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

High school basketball: LeFlore County Tournament

Tuesday

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

High school basketball: LCT

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

High school basketball: LCT·      

Funeral services for Ty Wesley Clayton, 25, of Fort Coffee are 11 a.m. Friday at Victory Worship Center in Spiro with Reverend Josh McElyea and Reverend Tashala Devrow officiating.

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

Ty was born Dec. 19, 2000 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Marquita Lyn (Murphy) Clayton and John Lamar Clayton, and he passed away Jan. 9, 2026, in Spiro.

Ty loved the outdoors and lived life with passion. He especially enjoyed roping and riding horses, riding four-wheelers, hunting, and fishing. One of his greatest joys was racing and restoring cars with his dad. Above all, Ty treasured his family, and his nephew, Ty’Lyn, was his favorite person. He loved spending time with him and affectionately referred to him as “Uncle’s baby.”

Those left to cherish his memory include his parents John Lamar Clayton and Marquita Clayton; sisters Jacq Clayton and Kaelyn Clayton; brother, Treydan Clayton; grandparents John Clayton and Bertha Clayton; nephew, Ty’Lyn Rhoden; godparents John and Nina Campbell; aunts and uncles Kaye and Robert Walrod, Sarah Sebastian, and Jerrell and Glenna Clayton; along with numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Lavon Murphy; and his great-grandparents, Anella and Haskell Clayton, Lillie Mae and James Lyons.

Pallbearers are Jacq Clayton, Bryson Myers, Malik Roberson, Mekhi Roberson, Bryson Harper and Landon Cusickss. Honorary pallbearers are Treydan Clayton, Johnnye Clayton, Tylor Perry and Jarad Dobbins. Flower girls are Adriana Mendoza, Johna Campbell, Marina Campbell, Layla Steele, Tatyona McFerren and Macy Myers.

Visitation is Thursday from 5  to 7 p.m., at Victory Worship Center.

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

Ronald J. Nobles, 82, of Heavener, passed away on Jan. 14, 2026.

Funeral service is 1 p.m. Friday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau with Joe Hayden Hall officiating. Burial will follow at the Reichert Cemetery, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

He was born on Nov. 25, 1943 in Summerfield to Walter Nobles and Beulah (Walden) Nobles.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Brenda Nobles, of the home; daughters Lacy Crabtree of Howe, and Dayna Nobles of Waldron, Arkansas; son Lyndon J Nobles; granddaughters Abigail Hale and Isla Nobles; brother, Jimmy Nobles of Wister; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Beulah Nobles, and by his sister, Wythema Naylor.

Pallbearers are Lyndon Nobles, Randy Naylor, and Rodney Nobles.

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