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LeFlore County commissioners will meet in a regular business meeting 9 a.m. Monday in the office of the board of county commissioner sat the courthouse in Poteau.

AGENDA:                                                                                               

3.      *            PURCHASE ORDERS/PAYROLL (SEE ATTACHED LIST TO BE PRESENTED FOR                                  PAYMENT).

4.      *            MONTHLY FEE REPORTS.

5.      *            TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS.

6.      *            BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS.

7.      *            NEW BUSINESS.

8.      *            CONTRACT LABOR/SERVICE AGREEMENTS/ANNUAL CONTRACTS.

9.      *            BURN BAN.

10.   CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE OATHS OF OFFICE AS SUBMITTED BY ACIE J. CONRAD AND PENNY WILLAMS REGARDING APPOINTMENT TO THE LEFLORE COUNTY FAIR BOARD.

11.   CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE RESOLUTION REGARDING REQUISITIONING AND RECEIVING OFFICERS FOR ALL 2026 KEDDO REAP GRANT ACCOUNTS.

12.   DISCUSSION WITH POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND STEWART MARTIN EQUIPMENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE BETWEEN STEWART MARTIN EQUIPMENT AND WELCH STATE BANK REGARDING FINANCING OF A KUBOTA SKID STEER AND ATTACHMENTS PURCHASED THROUGH SOURCEWELL PURCHASING COOPERATIVE.

13.   DISCUSSION WITH POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE ADDENDUM AS SUBMITTED BY SOLSTICE SOLAR LLC REGARDING ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR AGREEMENT BETWEEN CLENERAL DEVCO LLC AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LEFLORE COUNTY.

14.   DISCUSSION WITH POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE ADOPTION OF COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN (EOP) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 – 2026.  

15.   CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE FLOOD PLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION NUMBERS 316202676 AND 316202677 AS SUBMITTED BY COXCOM, LLC REGARDING CONSTRUCTION WITHIN COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED IN LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2, SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 26 EAST.

16.   CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE FLOOD PLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION NUMBER 316202678 AS SUBMITTED BY COXCOM, LLC REGARDING CONSTRUCTION WITHIN COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED IN LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1, SECTION 15, TOWNSHIP 8 NORTH, RANGE 26 EAST.

17.   CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE FLOOD PLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION NUMBER 316202679 AS SUBMITTED BY COXCOM, LLC REGARDING CONSTRUCTION WITHIN COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED IN LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 2 AND DISTRICT 3, SECTION 21, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 26 EAST.

18.   CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE FLOOD PLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION NUMBER 316202680 AS SUBMITTED BY COXCOM, LLC REGARDING CONSTRUCTION WITHIN COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED IN LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2, SECTION 20, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 26 EAST.

19.   MEET WITH BAR H INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVES, DONNA HARDMAN AND BOB DANIEL, FOR DISCUSSION REGARDING LEFLORE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER INSURANCE POLICY.

20.   ADJOURN.

Howe girls secured the OSSAA Class 2A State Championship with a 50-42 victory over the Vanoss Lady Wolves on Saturday at the OG&E Coliseum in Oklahoma City.

The win concluded the season on a 21-game winning streak.

Tournament Path and Results

Howe's championship run consisted of three victories in three days:

Championship Game Statistics

Howe maintained a lead throughout the majority of the final, leading 13-9 at the end of the first quarter before extending the advantage to 28-16 at the half.

Howe increased the lead to 37-25 before a late surge by Vanoss, Howe secured the eight-point win through late-game execution and free throws.

Program History

This victory adds another "Gold Ball" to the Howe trophy case. The program has now reached the State Tournament for 11 consecutive years and has won seven state championships, including five with Chris Brown as head coach.

Hogs win first SEC Tournament since 2000

Final Stats     

NASHVILLE, Tennessee. – For the first time since 2000 and just the second time in program history, the Arkansas Razorbacks are Southeastern Conference Tournament champions after an 86-75 win over Vanderbilt inside Bridgestone Arena on Sunday afternoon. 

Tournament MVP Darius Acuff Jr. finished with a double-double of 30 points and 11 assists – his sixth double-double of the season.

• His 30.3 points per game average is an SEC Tournament record.

• His 91 points were the second-most by any player in SEC Tournament history, but the most by a player to only play three games. NOTE: Tennessee’s Allan Houston scored 98 points (24.5 avg) in four games in 1991. The most by a player over three games was Tennessee’s Dale Ellis with 80 (26.7 avg) in 1983.

• The 11 assists are the most by a Razorback in the SEC Tournament and the most by any player for the SEC Championship game.

• His 30 points tied for the second-most points in an SEC Championship game. The record is 32 by Danuel House (Texas A&M) vs Kentucky in the 2016 title games. He tied Tyler Ulis (Kentucky) and Trendan Watford (LSU) with 30 points in a championship game. 

The championship game lived up to its name as the game was close throughout until the final four minutes when the Razorbacks – thanks to several key plays by Acuff and Trevon Brazile – pulled away to secure the trophy.

 Up two, Acuff hit a floater with 4:01 left to put the Hogs up four. Vandy’s Duke Miles cut the Hogs’ lead back to two points, but Arkansas surged to put the game away with a 12-point run. Brazile fueled the run with eight points, including a blocked shot, a pair of 3-pointers and a dunk to cap the rally. Brazile was also named to the All-Tournament team with Acuff, who added three assists down the stretch. 

Both teams shot the ball well in the opening half, leading to a tight 41-39 advantage for the Hogs after Acuff sank a second 3-pointer inside the last minute of the half with just four seconds remaining. Arkansas was fantastic from long range, shooting 7-of-10 before the break. The Commodores responded with 16 made field goals, including six 3-pointers. 

Acuff was incredible in his second 30-point game of the tournament, adding to his 37-point effort vs. Oklahoma in the quarterfinals. He paired up with Richmond to combine for 26 points in the first half with Richmond going 6-for-8 from the floor. Acuff took over in the second half with 18 points and seven assists, helping close down a four-point deficit to turn it into a five-point Arkansas lead midway through the half with a pair of buckets sandwiched around a pair of Wagner 3-pointers. 

Two Hogs joined Acuff and Brazile in double digits. Billy Richmond III scored 18 points with DJ Wagner chipped in 11 points thanks to 3-of-3 shooting from 3-point range. Arkansas’ 15 3-pointers set a program record for a single-game in the SEC Tournament and matched the team’s high from the win over James Madison. 

Miles and Tyler Nickel each scored 19 points to lead Vanderbilt. 

The conference title for the Razorbacks is the first for the program since 2000 when the team made a run under Hall of Fame Head Coach Nolan Richardson.

Arkansas NCAA Postseason History

2026 NCAA March Madness Website

2026 NCAA Tournament Bracket

FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas, seeded fourth in the West Region, will face Hawai’i, the region’s No. 13 seed, on Thursday, March 19, in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Championship. The Razorbacks and Rainbow Warriors will play in Portland, Oregon, at the Moda Center. Tipoff time and TV information are TBA.  

Arkansas earns its 38th NCAA bid and fifth in a six-year span. This is the seventh time in program history Arkansas has earned a No. 4 seed. Arkansas is 52-36 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including a 20-8 record in first-round games.  

This will be the third time Arkansas and Hawai’i have played on the hardwood. The Razorbacks won the first two meetings on back-to-back days in December of 1977 in Honolulu.  

  With a first-round win, Arkansas would face the winner of No. 5 seed Wisconsin and No. 12 seed High Point on Saturday, March 21, in Portland.  

Arkansas (26-8) won the SEC Tournament and was SEC runner-up during the regular season. Hawai’i (24-8) defeated UC Irvine in the Big West Tournament finals and finished second in Big West play.

STILLWATER - Oklahoma State has accepted a bid to the National Invitation Tournament and will host Davidson Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena. 

The game will be televised on ESPN2, with streaming available to verified subscribers through the ESPN app.

 General admission tickets ($15) are on sale now at okstate.com/tickets. Reserved seats ($25) go on sale Monday at 5 p.m. 

OSU season ticket holders and POSSE members will receive an email with additional details regarding special presale access. Loge, floor seat, suite and 100-level season ticket holders have until 11 a.m. Monday to claim their regular seats. Reserved-seat purchases for 200-level season ticket holders and POSSE members begin Monday at noon. 

Parking around Gallagher-Iba Arena will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of Lots 4 and 6B. 

With a win, OSU – a No. 2 seed in its eight-team regional pod – would be in line to host either No. 3 seed Wichita State or Wyoming in the second round (Saturday or Sunday), with quarterfinal action scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. 

No. 1 seed Tulsa, Stephen F. Austin, No. 4 seed UC Irvine and UNLV make up the other half of the Tulsa Region, the winner of which will advance to Indianapolis for the semifinals on April 2.  The oldest postseason tournament in college basketball will conclude with the 88th NIT championship game on Sunday, April 5. 

Find the official NIT bracket, schedule and scores — along with additional fan information — at NCAA.com/NIT and follow @NITMBB on Instagram and X. 

This is Oklahoma State’s 44th postseason tournament bid and its 15th NIT. The Cowboys were part of the inaugural six-team field in 1938, placing third, and have reached the quarterfinals in each of their last three appearances (2018, 2023 and 2025). 

OSU is 8-4 all-time in NIT home games, including 6-1 in the first round. 

Davidson is one of only three current Atlantic 10 Conference teams that OSU has never faced. 

The Wildcats (20-13, 10-8) finished sixth in this year’s 14-team Atlantic 10 race and allowed just 67.4 points per game — the league’s second-best scoring defense. They rank No. 114 in both the NCAA NET and KenPom while playing at one of the nation’s 25 slowest adjusted tempos. 

The Cowboys (19-14, 6-12 Big 12) entered Selection Sunday ranked 75th in the NCAA NET, 66th in KenPom and 50th in Wins Above Bubble (WAB), after facing the nation’s 39th-toughest schedule, according to KenPom, including the 15th-toughest slate of opposing defenses. 

Despite that challenge, the Cowboys rank among the nation’s highest-scoring teams, averaging 84.3 points per game (22nd), including 88.8 inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. 

Second-year head coach Steve Lutz has helped restore home court advantage in Stillwater with a 27-9 home record over two seasons (16-1 against non-conference opponents). 

Six Cowboys are averaging at least 9.8 points, led by guards Anthony Roy (17.2 ppg) and Vyctorius Miller (10.9 ppg) who have combined to sink 132 threes on 38.5% accuracy. 

Point guards Kanye Clary (4.8 apg, 2.34 A:TO) and Jaylen Curry (3.6 apg, 2.63 A:TO) are the pace-setters for an offense that ranks ninth nationally in adjusted tempo, according to KenPom. 

OSU’s front court has been ravaged by injuries, most notably honorable mention All-Big 12 forward Parsa Fallah, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in late February. In his absence, the Cowboy front court has gotten a lift from senior forward Christian Coleman (9.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and a group of underclassmen bigs that includes 6-11 freshman Benjamin Ahmed. 

Lutz has now reached the postseason in each of his first five seasons as a head coach, including two NCAA Tournament appearances at A&M-Corpus Christi (2023, 2024) and another at Western Kentucky (2025). A year ago, he guided the Cowboys to NIT victories over Wichita State and SMU.

Sooners Take Top-25 Series Over A&M with Sunday Win 

NORMAN – No. 9 Oklahoma took the SEC opening weekend series over No. 22 Texas A&M with a 12-11 win on a windy Sunday afternoon at Kimrey Family Stadium. 

The Sooners (17-3, 2-1) scored in six of eight trips to the plate, putting up two-plus runs in four innings. After serving a one-game suspension on Saturday, junior Jaxon Willits paced the team with four runs batted in on Sunday in a 2-for-4 performance with a double.  

Oklahoma jumped out to a 6-0 lead through two innings before Texas A&M (16-3, 1-2) rallied to eventually tie the game in the eighth on a three-run double. OU responded in the home half of the eighth, scoring the go-ahead run on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Camden Johnson.  

Johnson led OU at the plate with a 3-for-4 day and three RBIs, while Willits had a team-high four RBIs and finished the weekend 5-for-7 with seven runs batted in. Senior Trey Gambill hit his fourth home run of the season on a two-run shot in the third inning, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs.  

OU starting LHP Cord Rager went three innings and struck out six while allowing four runs on five hits and one walk. Junior Jason Bodin earned his second win in relief on the weekend, hurling the final two innings and striking out one while allowing two runs on two hits. Senior Jackson Cleveland went 3.1 innings and struck out a season-high four.  

Pitchers of Record

Win: Jason Bodin (3-0)

Loss: Grant Cunningham (0-1)

Cowboys drops series finale 

ORLANDO, Florida – Oklahoma State dropped a 6-5 contest to UCF Sunday at John Euliano Park. 

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 12-7 overall and 0-3 in Big 12 play, while UCF improved to 12-6 and 3-0 in the league. 

Kollin Ritchie and TP Wentworth both homered for the Pokes, with Wentworth and Brueggemann collecting two hits apiece. 

Noah Wech took the loss on the mound, falling to 2-1 on the season. After entering the game having allowed only one run in 14 1/3 innings this season, the right-hander gave up four runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. 

Stormy Rhodes made his first-career start and tied a career best with five innings of work as the righty allowed two runs on four hits and struck out four in a no-decision effort. 

The Cowboys got on the scoreboard first. After loading the bases on a walk and two singles in the second inning, OSU plated a run on an RBI groundout from Terrance Bowen. 

With Rhodes dominating on the mound, OSU doubled its lead via the long ball in the fifth as Wentworth led off the inning with a laser shot over the wall in right field. Wentworth’s fourth homer of the season made the score 2-0. 

However, in the bottom of the inning, the Knights evened the score at 2-2 when James Hankerson Jr. delivered a two-out, two-run home run to right field.

The Cowboys threatened to regain the lead in the sixth, but after loading the bases with two outs on two singles and a walk, Alex Conover grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the threat. 

In the seventh, UCF went on top. Wech took the mound and surrendered a leadoff walk and a single before a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. John Smith III then singled up the middle, bringing both runners home to give the Knights a 4-2 lead. 

The Cowboys cut their deficit to one in the seventh when Ritchie blasted his 13^th homer of the season over the right-center field wall, but UCF got the run back with back-to-back hits with two outs in the eighth to go up, 5-3. 

The Cowboys battled back in the ninth. After loading the bases with one out, consecutive walks to Brueggemann and Sebastian Norman brought home two runs to tie the score at 5-5. 

However, OSU could not plate the go-ahead run as a pair of strikeouts left the bases full. 

In the bottom of the frame, Landon Moran led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Up next, Hankerson Jr. brought home the winning run with single. 

OSU returns to Stillwater for a five-game homestand this week at O’Brate Stadium. The Cowboys host South Dakota State in a two-game midweek series Tuesday and Wednesday before opening a Big 12 series with Baylor on Friday.

TEMPE, Arizona – Ruby Meylan dominated in the circle to power the No. 21/15 Oklahoma State softball team past No. 25/RV Arizona State, 4-0, on Sunday afternoon at Farrington Field.   

OSU improved to 18-9 and 2-4 in conference play while ASU dropped to 22-7 and 2-4 in the Big 12. 

  The Cowgirls struck first in the top of the second inning when Rosie Davis doubled to right-center field to drive in two runs. OSU added two more runs in the fifth. Karli Godwin’s infield single drove in Davis for the first run of the inning, and the final run scored on a wild pitch that allowed Gabby Castillo to cross the plate.   

Meylan (8-6) recorded her sixth complete game of the season and her third shutout. She surrendered just two hits and struck out six.   

Kenzie Brown (4-3) started in the circle for the Sun Devils and pitched five innings, allowing four runs in the loss. Meika Lauppe entered in the sixth inning and closed out the game for ASU.   

The Cowgirls will be back in action at 8 p.m. on March 17, taking on Grand Canyon in Phoenix.    

For season-long coverage of Oklahoma State Softball, visit okstate.com and follow @CowgirlSB on X and @osusoftball on Instagram. For tickets, visit okstate.com/tickets or call 877-ALL-4-OSU.  

Hogs Fall in Series Finale to Alabama, 4-1

BOX SCORE: PDF | SEASON STATS: Season Stats 

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama. – Despite a three-hit performance from sophomore INF Ella McDowell that featured a solo home run, the No. 8/9 Arkansas Razorbacks dropped its series finale to No. 4/6 Alabama, 4-1 as the Crimson Tide clinched the series on Sunday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama.

McDowell went 3-3 with a pair of singles and a sixth-inning solo home run. The three-hit performance was McDowell’s sixth 3+ hit game in her collegiate career. Karlie Davison also highlighted the Hogs offensively with a 2-3 effort at the plate while Kailey Wyckoff registered a base hit as well with an infield single. Kyler Del Duca and Tianna Bell also drew walks in the contest.

Payton Burnham took the loss for Arkansas after allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one in her four innings of work. Saylor Timmerman followed in relief allowing two hits, two walks and a run scored while striking out two batters in two innings of work.

Jocelyn Briski earned the win for Alabama (25-1, 5-1 SEC) with a complete game performance that featured 10 strikeouts, six hits allowed, two walks allowed and a run allowed.

With the loss, Arkansas fell to 23-4 overall and 3-3 in SEC play while Alabama improved to 26-1 and 5-1 in SEC play.

How it Happened

Payton Burnham made her seventh start of the season for Arkansas, while Alabama went back with its Friday night starter, Jocelyn Briski.

In the top of the first inning, Briski retired the first two batters of the game with 6-3 groundouts before Ella McDowell singled down the right-field line for the first hit of the contest. Following McDowell’s single, Briski issued a 4-3 groundout for the final out of the frame.

Audrey Vandragriff walked to lead off the home portion of the first inning and advanced to second on a groundout to Karlie Davison at second base. Burnham would keep Vandagriff stranded to end the inning by issuing a flyout and groundout.

Arkansas was retired in order by Briski during the top of the second inning. Salen Hawkins doubled to left-center field to lead off the bottom of the second. She would later come around to score on a one-out RBI single to left field from Marlie Giles, giving Alabama the early 1-0 lead.

Davison singled through the right side with one out in the visiting half of the third inning. Burnham retired the Tide in order during the bottom half of the inning, using only seven pitches in the process.

McDowell registered her second hit of the contest with a ground ball single to start the fourth inning. Kailey Wyckoff singled on a hit and run with two outs in the frame before both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Briski and Bama would escape the inning unscathed, however, by issuing a strikeout to end the Hogs’ scoring threat.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ana Roman drew a leadoff walk and Hawkins singled down the left-field line to put two runners on with no outs. The pair would advance on a sacrifice bunt before Roman scored on a ground ball to third that featured an error which allowed Miranda Giles to reach first base, pushing the hosts' lead to 2-0. Burnham would complete the inning without allowing any additional runs, courtesy of a strikeout and issuing a 4-6 fielder’s choice that featured an impressive diving backhand play by Karlie Davison on a hard ground ball up the middle.

Davison recorded her second hit of the contest with an infield single to lead off the top of the fifth inning but would be stranded to end the inning. 

Vandagriff walked to lead off the fifth inning, prompting a pitching change for Arkansas as Saylor Timmerman entered the game for Burnham. Alabama would later take a three-run lead courtesy of an RBI single from Alexis Pupillo.

McDowell basted a solo home run to left field to lead off the top of the sixth inning, marking her third hit of the contest. Tianna Bell followed with a one-out walk, but Briski would retire the next two batters faced to keep the game at 3-1.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Timmerman retired her first two batters faced with a popout and a strikeout before the Crimson Tide’s Ambrey Taylor hit a pinch-hit solo home run to right field, increasing the Alabama lead to 4-1.

Briski completed the complete game performance with a scoreless top of the seventh inning, earning her 10th win of the season and clinching the series for Alabama. Del Duca reached base with two outs in the frame courtesy of a pinch-hit walk.

LeFlore County will see clear skies today with unseasonably cold temperatures following yesterday’s late-season rain.

The area saw a drastic temperature swing over the last 24 hours, dropping from a spring-like high of 72°F on Sunday to a freeze this morning.

Historical Averages for March 16:

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.

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

High school baseball: Howe at Wilburton Festival; Eufaula at Poteau; Whitesboro at Buffalo Valley

High school softball: Whitesboro at Rattan Festival; Howe, Talihina at Broken Bow Festival

High school track: Heavener at Booneville meet

Tuesday

St. Patrick’s Community resource fair

High school baseball: Cameron southeast shootout in Broken Bow; Howe at Wilburton Festival

High school softball: Whitesboro at Rattan Festival; Howe,Talihina at Broken Bow Festival

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

High school baseball: Cameron southeast shootout in Broken Bow

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC

High school baseball: Heavener at Navajo Festival; High school baseball: Cameron southeast shootout in Broken Bow; Howe at Haskell

HUA-City Council meet 6 p.m.

Heavener VFW bingo 6

Friday

High school baseball: Heavener at Navajo Festival

Saturday

High school baseball: Poteau at Jay;

Today, March 16, marks a day of remarkable firsts in technology and sports, balanced by some of the most somber chapters of the 20th century. From the launch of the first liquid-fueled rocket to the publication of a literary masterpiece, this date has shaped both our scientific and cultural landscapes.

A diverse array of leaders, entertainers, and athletes celebrate their birthdays today: