Jim Priest is CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma and can be reached at jpriest@okgoodwill.org. I’m reading a book titled “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”.

Principles are guidelines that can help us determine the best way to think and act in both our personal and professional lives. They should instruct us but not control us. We should be dedicated to the ideals attached to a principle, not the words that describe it. Principles are never accurate all the time, including the one I just stated. Absolutes should always be avoided, including my statement about absolutes.

In a recent session, the Holdenville City Council convened to address various pressing matters, ranging from code enforcement issues to updates on municipal services. The meeting commenced with citizen comments, providing residents with an opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions.

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Holdenville General Hospital (HGH) CEO Steve Stewart delivered a detailed report during a recent meeting, covering various aspects of the hospital’s operations, financials, and ongoing initiatives. Stewart began by highlighting HGH’s financial performance, noting that the hospital achieved a small profit in February.

JoAnn Morgan, a long time resident of Stonewall, passed away Monday, March 18, 2024 at Cornerstone Specialty Hospital in Shawnee, Oklahoma at the age of 82. JoAnn was born April 14, 1941 in Lewiston, Idaho to Bennie “Ben” Ownbey and Margie (Good) Ownbey.

David Andrew Potter – Possession of firearm after former felony conviction, unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute MISDEMEANORS Jeffrey Wayne Thompson – Petit larceny Ryan Ross Harris – Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs Jacob Andrew Carney – Assault and Battery, conspiracy CIVIL Synchrony Bank vs Crystal Nix – Indebtedness Barclay’s Bank Delaware vs Dora A Rose – Indebtedness NCB Money Management Services vs Terry Summy – Indebtedness Conn Appliances vs Larry Reed – Indebtedness Snap-On Credit, LLC vs Marc A Guy – Breach of Contract OneMain Financial Group LLC vs Brian S. Campbell – Indebtedness Capital One vs Darlene Keys - Indebtedness Idaline Taylor McGeeley et al vs the unknown heirs of Robert Timothy McGeeley – Determination of death and heirship William Stehn vs Unknown heirs of William Timothy Mewborn – Quiet Title PROTECTIVE ORDER Tina Nucklos vs Jason Spearman Michael Leon Jones, Jr.

When I was growing up in Houston, our family lived across the street from a man and woman who had married later in life. Mr. Brill met and married Mr. Roberts after her childbearing years had passed, so the two of them enjoyed a honeymoon that lasted well into retirement. He was a wonderful, doting husband who loved her deeply, and she found great joy in the man of her dreams. Mr. Roberts was not only the light of her life; he provided much of its meaning. Then, a sudden heart attack took him from her. Her grief knew no bounds.

Anita Jean Pointer passed away at her home in Holdenville, Oklahoma on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the age of 67 years. Anita is the daughter of Tommy Gene Chancellor & Orah June (Terry) Chancellor, born on June 25, 1956, in Holdenville, Oklahoma, where she was brought up and attended schools.

The Holdenville Lions Club meeting on March 5th had a presentation by the Holdenville City Manager, Larry Mitchell. Larry informed the group that he had been serving 45 years in municipal government. He stated he felt the city did the right thing by changing to city manager form of government. He said the current council was seated in April of 2023 and he arrived on 5-123. Larry stated basically everything was broken when he arrived – computer systems, sanitation, water and sewer. He said things are slowly getting better. The lake bonds situation is getting better, the police department is doing better and the fire department is doing well. Currently water and waste water systems, valves in water lines and fire hydrants are areas of focus. He stated that primary objectives when he first arrived were financial stability, identify extreme need projects and do the work on those projects.