The recent tonadic weather brought back memories to Otto Harrington. It was 72 years ago when a major tornado destroyed much of Holdenville. At that very time Otto was at the Holdenville Armory for National Guard Training. He was seated in the same place in this recent picture on the left that he was during that storm. He was seated there waiting for training to begin when a lady driving a car pulled up in front of where he was sitting and yelled, “There’s a tornado coming!” Thankfully Otto and the other guardsmen were on duty and began immediately helping in the aftermath of the storm. Five people were killed in the tornado, 22 were hospitalized, and 215 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Hughes County State Representative David Smith hosted a mayors meeting at Grace M. Pickens Library here in Holdenville recently where he hosted mayors and city leaders from all over the county to discuss current issues facing towns in his district. Many towns in the county, regardless of size, share many of the same economic, socio-economic, and crime issues. Crime, inflation, and living expenses are all on the rise, while jobs, reliable employees, and number of law enforcement applications are all on the decline.

Louise Carolyn Lau passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at Heritage Village Nursing Center in Holdenville, Oklahoma at the age of 79. Louise was born July 12, 1942 in Ada, Oklahoma to Jack Tyree and Lilly (Berryman) Tyree. She graduated from Ada High School. Louise married Larry Lau July 12, 1999 in Eureka Springs. She worked at Maud Nursing Home, Phillips Western Wear, Child Enforcement DHS and as a secretary for Mills Well Service. Louise enjoyed gardening, shopping, going to the lake, and cheering on her OU Sooners. She loved spending time with her grandkids and family. Louise is preceded in death by her parents, Jerry Nelson, father of her children, husband Larry Lau, and brother Jack Tyree Jr. She is survived by her children; Jennifer Foster and husband Steve of Snyder, OK, Jay Nelson and wife Terri of Maud, OK, Joquita Walton and husband Stud of Holdenville, OK, grandchildren; Makayla “Angel” Love, Jaron “Darlin” Foster, Marissa Holman, Trevor Holman, Scotty Bowen, Jeremy “Worm” Walton, 7 great grandchildren, siblings; Wanda Osborn and Jonne and husband Wendall Stewart. Louise is survive by numerous other relatives and friends. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Love, Jaron Foster, Trevor Holman, Scotty Bowen and Jeremy “Worm” Walton. Memorial service will be 2:00 PM Monday, May 16, 2022 at Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Earl Scroggins officiating. Services are under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home, Holdenville, Oklahoma.

Scott Allen Babb, 57 entered the gates of Heaven on May 5, 2022, in Holdenville, OK. He was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Don & Dian Babb. Scott attended and graduated from school in Wewoka. Scott met & fell in love with Lori (Leewright) Babb & married in Wewoka in August of 1986 and had one child Chris.

Steven Lee Ledbetter passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at age 59, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Steven was the son of the late Harvey Lee Ledbetter and Dortha (McCoy) Ledbetter. Steven graduated from Seminole High School in 1981. He loved the outdoors, going fishing and hunting with his dad. He worked in oilfield, carpentry, and drywall business. Steven was preceded in death by his father, Harvey Lee Ledbetter on October 15, 2020, his infant son, Kevin Lee Ledbetter, his paternal grandparents, Ollie and Cordelia Ledbetter and his maternal grandparents, Melvin and Mary Lucille McCoy and brother-in-law, Steven Tulgetske. Steven is survived by his mother, Dortha Ledbetter of Seminole, OK, his children, Christopher Ledbetter of Chandler, OK, and Leanna Ledbetter of Oklahoma City, OK. His sisters; LaDonna Kathlene Chatfield (Chuck) of Palm Coast, FL, Mila Joy Tulgetske of Seminole, OK and Regina Sue Bailey (Eddie) of Tecumseh, OK. Also many nieces and nephews and other relatives. He is also survived by his former spouse Joanne Johnson, the mother of his children. Pallbearers are Michael Mc- Coy, Randy McCoy, Jacky McCoy, Herman McCoy, Greg O’Dor and Jim Ladd. Honorary pallbearer is Curtis Ledbetter.

Tyler Grady Nix age 38, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in Shawnee, OK. He was born on December 26, 1983 in Ada, OK to Don Nix and Cindy Nix-Hall. He married Jasmine Nix on October 4, 2014 in Seminole, OK. Tyler graduated from Wewoka. He was of the Baptist faith. Tyler worked as a welder for OEM oilfield parts in Shawnee, OK. He enjoyed grilling, football, coaching his kids, going to the lake, spending time with friends and family, and drinking cold beer. He is survived by his father Don Nix of New Lima, OK, mother Cindy Nix- Hall and Ben Bachus of Wetumka, OK, wife Jasmine Nix of Shawnee, OK, children, Cameron Pewewardy of Shawnee, OK, Landon Nix of Tecumseh, OK, Tytan Nix, of Shawnee, OK, siblings, Candi Polkinghorn of Wewoka, OK, Patrick Janes, of Holdenville, OK, Rachel Dennis of Holdenville, OK, Kristin Hall of OKC, OK, Candace Hall of OKC, OK, Crystal Peters, of Holdenville, OK, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Funeral service were held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Stout-Phillips Chapel in Wewoka, Oklahoma with Pastor Dane Robinson and Tre- Bob Buck officiating. Interment to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka, Oklahoma. Pallbearers: Josh Carr, Stacey Wilson, David Baldwin, Cy Smith, Austin Smith, Chance Smith. Honorary Pallbearers: Cameron Pewewardy, Brandon Peters, Roland Garfield, Beau Sneed, Johnathan Baxley, Dustin Hair, Sean Ricker, Davis “Styx” Jones. Arrangements by Stout-Phillips Funeral Home in Wewoka, Oklahoma.

OPEN HOUSE AT THE FIRST UNITED BANK LAST THURSDAY WAS A GREAT SUCCESS! Pictured above are Dennis Phillips, Joe Hayden, Bank President and Rick McElhaney, Regional Retail Manager. Additional photos inside today’s NEWS.

Wolverines qualify for state The Holdenville High School track team qualified for state in four events. Eddie Jennings qualified in the long jump with a leap of 21 feet 3 inches.

FELONIES Cameron Bourne OSW—larceny of automobile, aircraft or other motor vehicle X2 Logan Elizabeth Gibbs—rape second degree by instrument—II counts Austin Hasbell—possession of sawed off shotgun MARRIAGES John Ryan Baker and Kelsea Leeann Crow, both of Atwood Todd Jackson Gale and Tori Renee Bristow, both of Holdenville Cody Joe Cox, Shawnee and Kolby Len Giles, Holdenville Timothy Dean Epperley and Aimee Lee Kanada, both of Holdenville Kyle Wayne Pruitt, Holdenville and Amanda Jane Smith, Seminole DIVORCE Misty Marie Jones vs. Oda Edward Jones SMALL CLAIMS DNR Properties, LLP vs.

Congratulations to Kelsey Ingram on her acceptance into the OU Health Sciences Center! Below is her acceptance letter: March 3, 2022 Dear KELSEY INGRAM: We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center for the Summer I 2022 term. Your admission to the program listed below is subject to satisfactory completion of any outstanding requirements of the Office of Admissions and Records.