Local Boards of Education and their administrators should be able to run their school districts without fear of reprisal from state officials. We regularly provide coverage of several school board meetings.

Hunting and fishing have changed so much since I was a kid. Of course that’s been considerably over 60 years ago.

Lincoln County commissioners this week voted to change the position of Emergency Management Assistant Director to an exempt status. Charlotte Brown, appointed by the commissioners two weeks ago to EM Executive Director following Cody McDonell’s resignation, explained to the commissioners it makes more sense to have the Assistant Director in exempt status due to the number of comp hours that position accumulates.

Activities happening in our community are Route 66 Metal Detecting Club today, Thursday February 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Stroud Community Clothing Center also open today, Thursday February 22nd from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on West Highway 66 and Stroud Food Pantry open 9:00 a.m. until 11:45 on Tuesday February 27th.

I had to take grandson Bennett to school a while back. It was raining and we had to walk a bit through the parking lot, and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that he was wearing orange swimming goggles.

Valentine’s Day was Thursday. I learned many, many years ago what to do for this day.

One of four persons from Wellston charged last summer with child neglect has waived his jury trial and a speedy trial. Steven Owen Cohran, 32, was formally charged July 24, 2023 in Lincoln County District Court with child neglect.

As many of you know, traffic control and public safety at the intersection of 9th and Manvel have been issues in recent years and have been highly discussed among city council members, the former mayor, and the former city manager. During early 2023, the public expressed much concern regarding near accidents and the general safety of this intersection. Therefore, the City Council once again discussed potential remedies. Because Manvel is also a part of Rt 66 and State Highway 18, the Council requested assistance from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, which is, in fact, the governing authority of the area of Highway through downtown Chandler. Following a meeting with leadership at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, State Representative Kevin Wallace, and City leadership, an overhaul plan was developed to enhance safety for the intersection of 9th and Manvel and other locations through the downtown area. The city is currently working on applying for a Transportation Alternatives Program grant for the project. However, to affirm a safer intersection, O.D.O.T will install stop signs at the intersection of 9th and Manvel to create a four-way stop. I recognize this will be a significant and perhaps inconvenient change for us all. With that, I would ask for your patience and understanding as we work towards a safer environment for pedestrians and vehicle traffic downtown. I want to reassure everyone that it is the City Council’s intention to do everything possible to ensure that this is only a temporary situation.

A Stroud man facing two felony counts dealing with child pornography has waived his jury trial. John Mack Byrd., Jr., 43, was formally charged July 29, 2022 in Lincoln County District Court with possession of child pornography and using access to computers to violate Oklahoma State statutes.

Had a chance last week to finally go quail hunting. It was the first time in several years.