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City of Poteau meetings are Monday
City of Poteau meetings are 5:30 p.m. Monday for the Industrial Authority, Public Works Authority and City Council. The meetings will be held in Poteau’s City Hall at 111 Peters Street in Poteau.
See the agendas HERE.
Nice day expected Monday
Weather forecast for Monday is for clear skies and even
warmer temperatures for LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western
Arkansas.
The high is forecast to be 64 degrees with a low of 47 degrees.
Sunrise was 7:16 a.m. Sunset is 5:48 p.m.
See the whole story HERE.
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.
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
City of Poteau meetings
High school basketball: Kinta at Arkoma; Keota at Cameron; Vian at Pocola; Keota at Wister.
See the calendar for the next week here: https://wp.me/pgmbVO-2ai
Today in history for Feb. 2
Feb. ruary 2 marks a date rich with pivotal moments in history, blending triumphs, tragedies, cultural milestones, and the lives of influential figures.
Here's a narrative look at today in history on February 2, weaving together some of the most significant events, notable births, and deaths that have shaped this day across the centuries.A Tapestry of Turning PointsImagine the chill of early February in 1848:
In the small village of Guadalupe Hidalgo near Mexico City, diplomats put the final signatures on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. T
his agreement formally ended the Mexican-American War, with Mexico ceding vast territories—including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming—to the United States in exchange for $15 million.
Overnight, the map of North America was redrawn, fueling America's westward expansion but also sowing seeds of future tensions over slavery in those new lands.Fast-forward nearly a century to the frozen ruins of Stalingrad in 1943.
On February 2, the battered remnants of Nazi Germany's Sixth Army finally surrendered to Soviet forces after months of brutal urban warfare.
The Battle of Stalingrad claimed over a million lives on both sides and marked a decisive turning point in World War II—the first major defeat for Hitler on the Eastern Front, shifting momentum irreversibly toward the Allies.Other echoes resonate through the years:
In 1653, the bustling Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam was officially incorporated as a city—later renamed New York City after the English takeover.
1901 saw the somber state funeral of Queen Victoria in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, closing the Victorian era after her 63-year reign.
1924 brought the inauguration of the first Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France—originally called "International Winter Sports Week," it featured events like figure skating, ski jumping, and ice hockey, laying the foundation for the modern Winter Games.
In 1990, South African President F.W. de Klerk lifted the 30-year ban on the African National Congress, paving the way for Nelson Mandela's release and the dismantling of apartheid.
And don't forget the quirky tradition that lights up February 2 each year: Groundhog Day, rooted in Pennsylvania German folklore and popularized by the 1993 film starring Bill Murray. Punxsutawney Phil (or his counterparts) emerges from his burrow—if he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter; if not, an early spring.Notable Births: Minds and Creators Born on This DayFebruary 2 has gifted the world visionaries and entertainers:
James Joyce (1882), the Irish modernist master whose groundbreaking works like Ulysses and Dubliners revolutionized literature with stream-of-consciousness style and deep exploration of everyday life.
Farrah Fawcett (1947), the iconic American actress and model whose feathered hairstyle and Charlie's Angels poster became cultural phenomena of the 1970s.
Shakira (1977), the Colombian superstar singer-songwriter who blended Latin pop, rock, and global influences into hits like "Hips Don't Lie" and "Whenever, Wherever," selling over 80 million records worldwide.
Others include philosopher Ayn Rand (1905), known for Atlas Shrugged and Objectivism; French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1926); and soccer star Gerard Piqué (1987).
Notable Deaths: Legends Who Left Us on February 2The date has also seen farewells to giants in their fields:
Dmitri Mendeleev (1907), the Russian chemist who created the periodic table of elements, organizing the building blocks of matter in a way that predicted undiscovered ones.
Sid Vicious (1979), the chaotic Sex Pistols bassist whose turbulent life and heroin overdose at age 21 epitomized punk rock's raw rebellion (and self-destruction).
Gene Kelly (1996), the legendary dancer, actor, and choreographer whose athletic grace in classics like Singin' in the Rain redefined Hollywood musicals.
Philip Seymour Hoffman (2014), the acclaimed actor who won an Oscar for Capote and delivered unforgettable performances in films like The Talented Mr. Ripley and Magnolia, lost to a drug overdose at 46.
Boris Karloff (1969), the horror icon forever linked to Frankenstein's monster.
From treaties redrawing continents to surrenders that changed the course of wars, from literary revolutions to pop culture icons, February 2 reminds us how one ordinary day can carry extraordinary weight across time.
Louis William Holstead death notice
Louis William Holstead, 83, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away on Jan. 30, 2026, in Barling, Arkansas and was born Oct. 20, 1942, in Poteau to Ona (Beshears) Holstead and Othor William Holstead.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era.
Survivors include his son Louis Holstead II and wife Mandy of Hastings; one grandson, Hunter Holstead of Edmond; and one granddaughter, Hayley Holstead of Oklahoma City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Grace AnnaLee Holstead; and other beloved friends and family.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.