Reading my publishers “Country Comments” last week about how our current youth have this toxic aversion to work reminded me of my own misspent childhood. During this time, I would have probably accepted with glee a lot of Senator Bernie Sanders’ liberal thinking toward child labor. I found some of the work my grandpa found for me to do down on his Eastern Oklahoma farm very untimely and unwanted back in the “war years” of the early 1940s.

WEWOKA — After several months of investigation, a middle school principal in this town of 3,000 residents was charged Thursday with inappropriately touching two children. Wewoka Middle School principal Cody Coy Barlow, 33, faces two felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16.

Holdenville has a new Interim City Manager, Larry S. Mitchell, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. Mitchell is a proven manager with extensive experience in public finance, strategic planning, intergovernmental relations, personnel management, economic development, contract negotiations, and capital project construction. He is an effective leader and decision-maker, with strong organizational and communication skills.

OKLAHOMA CITY– The Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals (OAESP) is pleased to announce Danielle Patterson, Principal at Ethel Reed Elementary School, Holdenville Public Schools, as the OAESP Oklahoma Principal of the Year. OAESP also named Darren Nelson, Principal at Westwood Elementary School, Stillwater Public Schools, as the OAESP Principal of Excellence.

The 14th annual Native American Convocation will take place on Sunday April 30, 2023 at the Holdenville High School auditorium from 6 pm - 7 pm with a reception to follow. We will be celebrating the accomplishments of the graduating class of 2023. This year there are thirteen Mvskoke Creek Nation members, six Seminole Nation members, three Choctaw Nation members, two Cherokee Nation members and one Chickasaw Nation member graduating. Everyone is invited to attend.

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Mike Schmitt Inducted into Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Our good friend and Lamar resident Mike Schmitt recently attended a celebration in Chicago in honor of his induction into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame. Attending with Mike was his wife, the former Anita Mills of Lamar.

Holdenville Police Chief, Kyle Lening along with Hughes County Deputy Trevor Teague, hosted a seminar on active shooter preparedness last week for all school administrators in Hughes County. Lening said it is crucial for all local law enforcement officers to be prepared in case of an active shooter on school property.

Congratulations to Jonathan Wiseman and Ashtin Dennis on being awarded The Gates Scholarship! They are 2 of the 750 students awarded this scholarship out of 51,000 who applied..

Jessy Cook- 1st Place - 8th Grade Ag Explorations Zane Peters- 5th Place - 8-9-10th grade general ag Lillian Scroggins - FFA Creed Elizabeth Swadley - FFA Creed.