Bills aimed at ethics and transparency

HOUSE BILL 3413 Expands transparency in state agency contracting by requiring agencies to publicly list contractors, contract values and project status. It also mandates posting consultant reports and disclosing whether contracts are for outside services or to supplement staffing.

Lawmakers advance accountability package to protect taxpayer dollars

OKLAHOMA CITY — After months of study and collaboration, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep.JuddStrom,R-Copan, advanced a package of government accountability bills aimed at protecting taxpayers and strengthening ethical standards in state and local government.

Bills aimed at strengthening bidding, purchasing Standards

HOUSE BILL 3416 Allows counties to seek quotes for certain smaller purchasesinsteadofalways using a lengthy bidding process, while maintaining safeguards and documentation requirements to prevent misuse.

Winning big

The Chandler girls and Stroud boys took all the drama out of the 66 Conference golf tournament last week.The Lady Lions had the top two finishers and won the girls championship by 51 strokes. The Tigers had the top three finishers in the boys tournament and won by 49 strokes.

Stroud wins baseball

Senior Jessen Leathers clubbed a home run, a double and a single and drove in three runs to lead Stroud to an 8-3 win over Meeker in the 66 Conference tournament finals Saturday at Prague.

Sports week in pictures

Left, Chandler freshman Adelaide Furtado vaults at the Bristow track meet last week. Photo/ Beth Young Above, Chandler senior Lexi Martzall (in blue) competes at the OBU track meet. Photo/Mario Holland Top right, Dale left fielder Macy Welcher makes a sliding stop against Byng.

Track roundup

Okemah Track Meet April 3 Boys 4X800 Relay 11. Meeker (Loveland, Cole; Krzyzaniak, James; Newport, Beau; Langston, Edmund), 11:03.11 Girls 100 Hurdles 25. Miller, Jo, Davenport, 22.18 Boys  3200 Meters 8. Emmons, Cooper 11, Davenport, 11:46.78 Girls 4x200 Relay 9.

Stroud invited to Route 66 Day

The City of Stroud has been invited to have a table at Route 66 Day at the State Capitol on April 21.GrantAdministrator Leslie Wilbourn presented the news during her update at the regular Stroud City Council meeting onApril 9.

My mother and the arts

Ifyouhaven’tguessed by now -- after a grand total of two columns since becoming editor I feel incredibly blessed that I grew up with the family I did. All of them.

CPN makes Gateway donation

Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) has promised a $1.7 million donation to Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, Inc. The funds will help the agency continue its services in the wake of state funding cuts, according to a press release from CPN.